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Mansha Mahajan

11 Jun 2017,Sunday

Gambler lost ?57 lakh after betting on 'unlosable' UK PM May

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gambler-loses-70000-pounds-betting-the-wrong-way-in-uk-polls/1/975985.html

A gambler lost £70,000 (over ?57 lakh) as he believed that the UK election was "unlosable" for PM Theresa May. British bookmaker William Hill, which took the wager from an unnamed gambler, said around £20 million (?164 crore) was wagered, the majority of it backing May. Notably, May lost her parliamentary majority after calling an early election to strengthen it.

London, Jun 11 (PTI) It seems that British Prime Minister Theresa May was not the only one who lost big in the UK polls. A punter lost a whopping 70,000 pounds betting on a Tory majority, believing the election was "unlosable" for May. British bookmaker William Hill took the wager from an unnamed punter shortly after the Conservatives crushed Labour in Mays local elections. The person was one of many who apparently believed the upcoming general election to be "unlosable", the bookmaker was quoted as saying by The Independent. The Prime Minister was riding high with a seemingly unassailable double-digit lead over Labours Jeremy Corbyn in the polls and the only question on pundits minds seemed to be, "how big will the landslide be?" Bookmakers hailed a bumper evening as large numbers of people placed big bets on the Conservatives to romp to a convincing victory which was not to be. William Hill said around 20 million pounds was wagered, the majority of it backing the Tories. Joe Crilly, a spokesperson for the bookmaker, was quoted as saying that, "The general election result was a good one for us bookies as the Tories managed to fluff their lines in what was being billed as the unlosable election." "We had a number of five figure bets on the Conservatives winning a majority, with some wagers at prices as short as 1/16, although one punter from London will be breathing a sigh of relief after backing the Conservatives to win the most seats to the tune of 200,000 pounds," he said.

Sumedha Sehra

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

12-year-old girl mowed down by Army vehicle in Kashmir

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/12-year-old-girl-mowed-down-allegedly-by-army-vehicle-in-kashmir-s-shopian-district/story-DAQMzm2V67hLH0H4SCOZeM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A 12-year-old girl was mowed down by an Army vehicle in south Kashmir's Shopian on Thursday, the police said. "Aroofa Farooq...was hit and injured by an Army vehicle near her residence this morning," an official said. Protests erupted in the area after she succumbed to her injuries after being taken to a hospital.

A nine-year-old girl was fatally hit by an Army vehicle at Aglar village in Shopian district, South Kashmir, on Thursday. Police have registered an FIR against the driver, a member of the 55 Rashtriya Rifles.Arooba Farooq ? a Class 2 student ? was rushed to the sub-district hospital in Zainapora, where she succumbed to her injuries. ?Arooba was heading to school when she stopped to buy snacks for herself. That was when the vehicle hit her,? a relative told mediapersons.Witnesses alleged that the driver did not stop immediately after hitting the girl.However, a senior police officer told Hindustan Times that the girl was rushed to the hospital in the same vehicle. ?The accident happened in the morning, and there was Army movement at the time,? he added.Violent protests erupted as soon as news of Arooba?s death spread. Scores of people were injured, and Army personnel used tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.

Anmol Sharma

14 Jul 2017,Friday

Roger Federer becomes oldest Wimbledon finalist in 43 years

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/jul/14/roger-federer-v-tomas-berdych-wimbledon-semi-final-live?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Thirty-five-year-old Roger Federer has become the oldest men's singles Wimbledon finalist since 1974, after defeating Czech tennis player Tomas Berdych 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 in the semi-final on Friday. Federer, who has not dropped a single set in Wimbledon 2017, has reached his career's 11th Wimbledon final. Federer will face first-time Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic in the final on Sunday.

9.40pm BST 21:40 Video highlights! Here?s how Cilic and Federer won their semi-finals today: 7.12pm BST 19:12 7.07pm BST 19:07 Perhaps Federer didn?t look as effortless today as in the previous rounds here, but his numbers for 2017 are staggering. Since he took six months out last year for knee surgery, he?s won 30 out of 32 matches, claiming four titles including the Australian Open, and he?ll go into Sunday?s final as the favourite to beat Marin Cilic for another grand slam crown - but Cilic did beat Federer at the 2014 US Open en route to his only major title. Thanks for reading and do join us for the women?s final tomorrow when another 30-something will be looking to create their own piece of Wimbledon history. Here?s Kevin Mitchell?s preview in case you missed it. Bye!Updated at 7.25pm BST 6.58pm BST 18:58 Federer's 27 sets from R1 in Halle to the Wimbledon Finals:63 6176 6463 6464 7661 6363 3076 63 6276 64 6464 62 6464 62 7676 76 64Updated at 7.35pm BST 6.58pm BST 18:58 Thought Berdych played very well but Roger Federer too strong. Into an unbelievable 11th Wimbledon final (one less than Martina Navratilova) 6.57pm BST 18:57 Another silky win for Roger Federer - almost 36, 7x champ, lone remaining proxy of the Big 4 - into the final again #Wimbledon 6.55pm BST 18:55 A standing ovation for Federer, as the Wimbledon king holds court. The Royal Box join the applause, including Ken Rosewall. Federer?s now the oldest finalist here since Rosewall in 1974. As well as a record 11th Wimbledon final, it could be a record eighth title here and a record 19th grand slam crown. Roger does love a record.Federer speaks:I fell very privileged to be in another final. I?ve had the pleasure to play on Centre Court so many times, I almost can?t believe it?s true again. It was a long way back last year, it was difficult to stay calm and take time out. But I?m so happy I did it. Marin?s a great guy, I know him really well. I?m happy for him he?s in his first Wimbledon final. He crushed me at the US Open a few years ago, he played lights out. Ken Rosewall is a wonderful man so I?m happy he was here today.Updated at 7.01pm BST 6.49pm BST 18:49 A huge roar from the crowd as Federer gets up from his chair and walks to the baseline. 15-0. 30-0. An even bigger roar at 40-0, three match points. Federer, perhaps a little overexcited, overcooks his backhand. 40-15. Game, set and match Federer when Berdych nets! Federer is through to his 11th Wimbledon final where he?ll face Marin Cilic!Updated at 7.00pm BST 6.46pm BST 18:46 Third set: *Federer 7-6, 7-6, 5-4 Berdych (*denotes next server)Berdych appears to be doing that with ease. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0. But then it?s 40-30, with a wonderfully casual cross-court forehand-cum-squash shot from Federer. Berdych survives from there but his resistance could be futile. In 90 seconds, Federer will step up to serve for a place in the Wimbledon final.Updated at 6.52pm BST 6.43pm BST 18:43 Third set: Federer 7-6, 7-6, 5-3 Berdych* (*denotes next server)How does Federer back up the break? With a love hold, of course. Berdych must hold his serve now if he?s to detain Federer for any longer. 6.41pm BST 18:41 Third set: *Federer 7-6, 7-6, 4-3 Berdych (*denotes next server)Now it?s Berdych who appears to be dwelling on his missed opportunities. He slides 0-30 down before steeling himself to 30-all. Federer?s forehand volley brings up break point, 30-40. Berdych?s first serve slaps the net, his second goes to Federer?s backhand, which flies down the line and Berdych makes the error. Federer breaks. Surely Berdych has reached the point of no return. 6.36pm BST 18:36 Third set: Federer 7-6, 7-6, 3-3 Berdych* (*denotes next server)Perhaps Federer can?t get that missed break point out of his mind. 15-30 on his serve, and he looks annoyed. Make that 15-40, two break points! Federer fends off the first and then aces Berdych down the T. Deuce. Another big serve, advantage Federer. Another one! Game Federer. That?s how to get yourself out of a 15-40 hole. 6.32pm BST 18:32 Third set: *Federer 7-6, 7-6, 2-3 Berdych (*denotes next server)A giggle from the Centre Court patrons as Federer is caught off guard and has to improvise, putting his racket in front of his face to defend himself. But I?m not sure it had the finesse of a shot from Sachin Tendulkar, who the cameras zoom in on in the crowd. Federer recovers to give himself a break point at 30-40. He nets and, unusually for him, chides himself in Swiss-German. Deuce. Berdych wins the next two points to hold. 6.27pm BST 18:27 Third set: Federer 7-6, 7-6, 2-2 Berdych* (*denotes next server)15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game Federer. No nuances in that game either. Perhaps they?re just stretching their legs before another tie-break. Updated at 6.31pm BST 6.25pm BST 18:25 Third set: *Federer 7-6, 7-6, 1-2 Berdych (*denotes next server)Berdych holds comfortably. Federer is sniffling into his tissues at almost every changeover but the cold doesn?t seem to be hindering him today. 6.23pm BST 18:23 Third set: Federer 7-6, 7-6, 1-1 Berdych* (*denotes next server)An ?arrrrgh!? from Federer as he frames the ball, which then hits him. For all of his serene strokes, he does throw in some hilarious misses sometimes, because of his immense racket speed. Berdych holds to 15 before putting a little pressure on the Federer serve, 0-30. Federer snuffs out the danger with four straight points.Updated at 6.24pm BST 6.15pm BST 18:15 Fancy some between-sets reading? Sure you do. Here?s Kevin Mitchell?s preview of the women?s final: 6.14pm BST 18:14 ... Federer balloons a return but he?s still 5-2 ahead and he now has two points on his serve ... a gasp as Federer loses the point for 5-3 ... but a cheer and standing ovation as he brings up three set points at 6-3 ... Berdych dismisses the first with a brutal forehand but meekly nets on the second! Federer?s 101st match at Wimbledon looks to be going the way most of the other 100 did. He?s a set away from a place in Sunday?s final. 6.10pm BST 18:10 This is a must-win tie-break for Berdych surely. He hasn?t come from two sets down since 2005. The pair share the first two points on serve, 1-1 .. before Federer gobbles up an inviting second serve to grab the first mini-break, 2-1 Federer ... 3-1 Federer ... 4-1 Federer with a delightful forehand pass. That?s three forehand winners in a row ... make that four, well nearly four because Berdych gets a racket to the ball but he?s not getting that back into court, 5-1 Federer as they change ends ... 6.06pm BST 18:06 Second set: *Federer 7-6, 6-6 Berdych (*denotes next server)That Berdych does at a canter. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game, as Federer nets the return. It doesn?t look like Federer was even trying on that final shot; perhaps he?s saving his energy for the breaker.Updated at 6.17pm BST 6.05pm BST 18:05 Second set: Federer 7-6, 6-5 Berdych* (*denotes next server)You have to give credit to Berdych. He?s been under so much pressure during this match on his serve but he?s still taking it to Federer, moving the 35-year-old around with aggression and coming to the net whenever he can. Federer holds and Berdych must survive one more service game in this set to force the tie-break. 6.01pm BST 18:01 Second set: *Federer 7-6, 5-5 Berdych (*denotes next server)Federer goes long on the first point. 15-0. But he shows his quick feet on the second point, adjusting his footwork after Berdych?s effort flies off the net to put away the winner. 15-all. A bad miss by Berdych, 15-30. Federer is possibly two points from a two sets to love lead. But Berdych isn?t entertaining thoughts of that. 30-all. 40-30. Game Berdych. If Federer and Berdych both hold serve again we?ll be into another tie-break. 5.58pm BST 17:58 Second set: Federer 7-6, 5-4 Berdych* (*denotes next server)15-all becomes 30-15 when Berdych biffs long, and that becomes 40-15 when Federer nonchalantly flicks a backhand winner down the line. Wife Mirka nods approvingly in the players? box. Federer comes through to 15, meaning Berdych must hold serve to stay in this second set. 5.55pm BST 17:55 Second set: *Federer 7-6, 4-4 Berdych (*denotes next server)A rarity for Berdych, a hold to love. Back to you, Roger ... 5.53pm BST 17:53 What a fearhand on break point down from Fedfan that might be the crusher for ? Birdman this set 5.52pm BST 17:52 Second set: Federer 7-6, 4-3 Berdych* (*denotes next server)Federer?s forced to play two half volleys from the baseline on successive points. 0-30. Could this be Berdych?s moment? With Federer on the ropes, he comes out swinging, moving forward to the net. 30-15. 30-all. He allows himself a little fist pump at 40-30. Berdych sees Federer?s fist pump and raises it when the Czech gets to deuce. And advantage Berdych - break point - with a thunderous forehand! Federer waves his light sabre, with an out-of-this-world cross-court forehand winner. Deuce. Advantage Federer. Game Federer. 5.48pm BST 17:48 Second set: *Federer 7-6, 3-3 Berdych (*denotes next server)Berdych could do with an easy hold here. He already has the gait of a man who?s been put through the mill. And he can only stumble forward before digging his racket into the grass when Federer volleys. 30-15. But Berdych has a little spring in his step when he takes the next two points to hold. 5.44pm BST 17:44 Second set: Federer 7-6, 3-2 Berdych* (*denotes next server)That lengthy service game for Berdych is followed by another quick one for Federer, who holds to 15. 5.41pm BST 17:41 Second set: *Federer 7-6, 2-2 Berdych (*denotes next server)At 30-15, Federer runs round his backhand to let rip with an inside-out forehand return winner. 30-all. Another punishing return, 30-40, the first break point of this second set. This time Federer can?t get enough on the return, it lands short and down the middle, Berdych steps in to dispatch the winner. Deuce. Advantage Federer, when Berdych nets. Berdych?s serve comes to his rescue. Deuce. Advantage Berdych, with some commanding net play. Berdych looks to have taken the game with a drive volley but Federer somehow skips far to his right, waves his wand, and conjures up a forehand pass down the line! Wow. Deuce. Advantage Berdych. Game Berdych, but Federer is asking a lot of questions. 5.35pm BST 17:35 Second set: Federer 7-6, 2-1 Berdych* (*denotes next server)Thwack. Crack. Thwack. Crack. An easy hold for Federer.Updated at 5.47pm BST 5.33pm BST 17:33 Second set: *Federer 7-6, 1-1 Berdych (*denotes next server)Federer looks like he may carve out the chance for an early break in the second set at 30-all. But he frames his backhand return which seems to fly as high as the nosebleed seats. The fans in the (still not so cheap) seats kindly throw the ball back. And Berdych holds to 30. 5.30pm BST 17:30 Second set: Federer 7-6, 1-0 Berdych* (*denotes next server)Federer shows he?s human after all by making a complete mess of the drop volley at 30-15. He?s not in the mood to look silly though so he charges through the next two points to hold.@jon_wertheim In Grand Slam semifinals, Federer 26-4 W/L when he wins the 1st set, 2-9 W/L when he loses the 1st set. 5.24pm BST 17:24 ... Federer goes for the one-two punch - he has the open court to aim into but his forehand lands beyond the baseline! Back on serve, 4-3 Federer ... and then it?s Berdych?s turn to throw in a bad miss, 5-3 Federer ... 5-4 Federer, who?ll now have two points on his serve to take the first set ... 6-4 Federer, two set points ... and one will do! Federer takes the first set in 53 minutes! Credit to Berdych for showing such resolve to come back from 4-2 down but it still wasn?t enough. Federer wins his 14th consecutive set at these championships.Updated at 5.48pm BST 5.20pm BST 17:20 Berdych goes to the Federer forehand again and again before taking the first point on his serve ... Federer levels at 1-all - and then moves 2-1 ahead ... Federer gets the first mini-break with a backhand volley, 3-1 .. Berdych wins the next point on his serve so it?s 3-2 Federer ... make that 4-2 Federer as they change ends ...Updated at 5.25pm BST 5.17pm BST 17:17 First set: Federer 6-6 Berdych* (*denotes next server)There?s nothing to see here. Federer holds in no time at all and this set will be settled on a tie-break.Berdych surely ran out of grasscourt shoes...(hence he has an image of Djokovic on the tongue of his footwear) #Wimbledon 5.16pm BST 17:16 First set: *Federer 5-6 Berdych (*denotes next server)At 15-all, Berdych cracks a forehand deep to Federer?s forehand wing, Federer just about gets it back, Berdych comes into the net, unwinds and ... nets! 15-30, could that prove to be a costly error? Federer challenges on the next point but Hawk-Eye doesn?t rule in his favour. 30-all. He?s all out of challenges already. For a man as talented as Federer, his judgment when it comes to making appeals is awful. But now it?s 30-40, break point. I was going to say chalk flies up on the break point as Berdych sends an ace down the middle. But it?s not chalk these days, it?s titanium pigment. Not quite so snappy, is it? I can?t quite see John McEnroe saying: ?You can?t be serious! Titanium pigment flew up!? Deuce. Advantage Federer, a second break point. Deuce. And from there Berdych shows nerve to hold. 5.09pm BST 17:09 First set: Federer 5-5 Berdych* (*denotes next server)Anything Berdych can do - Federer holds to love too.Updated at 5.17pm BST 5.07pm BST 17:07 First set: *Federer 4-5 Berdych (*denotes next server)So we?re back on serve. Can Berdych back up the break by holding? Yes he can. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. 5.05pm BST 17:05 First set: Federer 4-4 Berdych* (*denotes next server)Of course Federer never sweats. That would somehow seem too human for a superhuman like him. But look here, he?s under a bit of pressure on serve for the first time at 30-all. And there?s a double fault! 30-40, break point. Berdych attempts the cross-court forehand pass but it barely makes the top half of the net. Deuce. But he makes amends on the next point with a winner from an almost identical spot. Advantage Berdych, a second break point. Deuce. Advantage Berdych, a third break point. And there?s another double fault as Federer?s second serve misses by a whisker! The Centre Court gasps. It?s not often you see Federer gifting the break point to his opponent like that.Updated at 5.07pm BST 5.00pm BST 17:00 First set: *Federer 4-3 Berdych (*denotes next server)But from the sublime to the ridiculous from Federer - that?s one for the bloopers tape. 15-0 Berdych. 15-all. 30-15 as Berdych batters down his first ace. Berdych charges to the net on the next point, he doesn?t really give Federer much to aim into and Federer fires into the tramlines. 40-15. 40-30. Federer mishits the return but he?s lucky as it lands on the baseline and he then peels off a beautiful backhand winner. Deuce. But Berdych, sweat dripping from him already - his service games have averaged nearly five minutes compared to one minute for Federer - holds from there.@KatyMurrells all the Fed superlatives are used up but as my late dad used to say 'mother of sweet lanterin Jaysus this lad is some player'Updated at 5.07pm BST 4.53pm BST 16:53 First set: Federer 4-2 Berdych* (*denotes next server)Berdych has already played close to 30 points on his serve. Federer has dropped only one on his. He backs up the break by holding to love.Updated at 4.54pm BST 4.51pm BST 16:51 First set: *Federer 3-2 Berdych (*denotes next server)Federer turns defence into attack in the blink of an eye, firing a forehand down the line before Berdych prods long.15-all. Federer?s putting in the hard yards on the next point too, he sprints to his left and attempts the pass but it doesn?t come off. 30-15. 40-15. 40-30. Some heavy cross-court hitting on the next point from a tight angle and it?s deuce. Federer slices and dices Berdych into submission on the next point, before finally ripping a forehand winner. Advantage Federer, break point. His second of the match. Federer looks to have set the point up with a deep return but Berdych recovers. Deuce. Advantage Berdych. Deuce. Advantage Federer, another break point. Federer wallops a forehand deep into the corner before backing it up with a ferocious drive volley. Stunning. Federer breaks.Updated at 5.20pm BST 4.42pm BST 16:42 First set: Federer 2-2 Berdych* (*denotes next server)15-0. 30-0, as Federer flashes a forehand down the line. 40-0. He seals the game as Berdych nets the return. No drama here. Federer?s only dropped his serve three times during the tournament so far and you can see why. 4.40pm BST 16:40 First set: *Federer 1-2 Berdych (*denotes next server)A lovely exchange at 15-0, Federer tries to move Berdych from side to side but his approach shot is weak and Berdych prevails. 30-0. 30-15. 40-15. Game Berdych. No sign of the danger the Czech faced in the opening game.The last time this pair met on Centre Court, there was a surprise on the cards...#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/MRoIXiq6n9 4.37pm BST 16:37 First set: Federer 1-1 Berdych* (*denotes next server)Federer does the business on serve much quicker, holding to 15 with the minimum of fuss. There are some sporting big guns watching on from the Royal Box, including Eddie Jones, Paula Radcliffe, Nico Rosberg, Sachin Tendulkar, Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall, who was 39 when he reached the last of his four finals here in 1974. Federer will become the oldest Wimbledon finalist since Rosewall if he wins today.Updated at 5.26pm BST 4.36pm BST 16:36 First set: *Federer 0-1 Berdych (*denotes next server)Berdych is a big hitter so this is a similar match-up for Federer to his Raonic quarter-final. Berdych will have to be accurate with his serve and forehand today to avoid Federer manoeuvring him around. The Czech does that on the first point, quickly fizzing away a forehand winner. But he then lets Federer toy with him, and the seven-time champion pulls off the passing shot to get to deuce. And here?s an early break point. The pair battle it out from the back of the court and Federer blinks first. Deuce. Advantage Berdych. Game Berdych with an unreturned serve. It?s only the first game but that could be a big hold. 4.26pm BST 16:26 Here?s Simon Cambers?s match report from the first semi-final: 4.25pm BST 16:25 Thump, thwack, thump, thwack, thump, thwack, they?re warming up. As for their head-to-head, Berdych will need to summon all the strength he can from the memory of that 2010 Wimbledon win over Federer, who leads 18-6 and has won their past seven meetings, including at the Australian Open and in Miami this year. ?I thought the match we played [in Melbourne], I have probably never seen him playing better tennis,? Berdych has said. ?Then I played him in Miami, I almost beat him, had a match point. Now for the third one, hopefully the luck [will be] for me.?Berdych has gone under the radar this fortnight, until the drama of Djokovic?s retirement in the quarter-finals. The Czech?s best performance probably came in last 16 when he downed the dangerous Dominic Thiem in five sets. 4.22pm BST 16:22 Here they come. Federer arrives in his Centre Court kingdom to a warm applause from his subjects. 4.21pm BST 16:21 While we wait, here are a few more fashion horrors from the photo archives to keep you entertained:And while we?re on the subject of fashion:Updated at 4.23pm BST 4.15pm BST 16:15 The players will be on court soon because Marin Cilic has reached his first Wimbledon final at the 11th time of asking, coming from a set down to beat Sam Querrey 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-5. The Croatian really has reasserted himself as a grand slam contender again after a quiet few years following his US Open victory in 2014. 12.32am BST 00:32 And then there was one. Well sure, there are actually three, but there?s only one member of the big four left, and he?s the one who?s going to win it, right? While Andy Murray limped, Novak Djokovic winced and Rafael Nadal was bundled out before his grass-court revival could gather any more pace, Roger Federer has spent this fortnight looking as serene as he did a decade ago when he was collecting all those Wimbledon titles for fun ? minus the silly suits, gold-trimmed man-bags and cardigans emblazoned with RF. Perhaps the 35-year-old has a greater sense of humility and of appreciating the moment now, and if he were to win an eighth Wimbledon crown five years after his last it may mean more than any of the others, apart from possibly the first in 2003.The numbers for Federer this year and this fortnight are remarkable. His win-loss record for 2017 is 29-2. He?s won four of the six tournaments he?s played, including the Australian Open, his 18th grand slam title. He warmed up for Wimbledon by lifting the title at Halle for a ninth time. He hasn?t dropped a set on his way to the semi-finals here and has only been broken three times. And all of this after he took six months out last year for knee surgery. Perhaps the ailing Murray and Djokovic should take note.Today?s opponent is the Czech world No15, Tomas Berdych, who was the Wimbledon runner-up in 2010, when he enjoyed his best run at a grand slam, beating Federer and Djokovic before losing to Nadal in the final. The 31-year-old also hit the headlines in this country in 2015 when he was on the receiving end of a sweary outburst from Andy Murray?s wife Kim during a match at the Australian Open. ?Flash fuck? appeared to be her choice words but ?sitting duck? may describe Berdych today if Federer hits his recent heights. However, perhaps men?s quarter-finals day taught us to expect the unexpected.Updated at 4.07pm BST

Chhavi Tyagi

23 Dec 2016,Friday

Sadhus can give Guru's name instead of parents' for passport

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/new-passport-rule-aadhaar-e-aadhaar-cards-date-of-birth-proof-pan-card/1/841509.html

Revising passport application rules, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday allowed sadhus and sanyasis (saints and hermits) to apply for a passport by giving their spiritual Guru's name instead of names of their parents. However, they need to provide at least one public document, wherein the name of the Guru has been recorded as their parents' name.

Revising its passport application rules, the Ministry of External Affairs today allowed "sadhus and sanyasis" (Hindu saints and hermits) to apply for the travel document by giving their "spiritual Guru's" name instead of their biological parents."Sadhus/ Sanyasis can apply for a passport with the name of their spiritual Guru mentioned in the passport application in lieu of their biological parent(s) name(s) subject to their providing of at least one public document such as Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) issued by the Election Commission of India, PAN card, Adhar Card, etc wherein the name of the Guru has been recorded against the column(s) for parent(s) name(s)," a ministry statement released today. For children not born out of wedlock,passport applicant of such children should submit only Annexure G while submitting application:MEAThe statement also said a passport applicant's Aadhar or e-Aadhar cards will now be accepted as proof of their dates of birth.In 2015, the government had processed 12 million passport applications.LATEST UPDATES1. Last week, the government had allowed digitally-signed marriage and birth certificates as valid proofs of marriage and birth respectively for passport applications.2. Passport issuing authorities are now authorised to consider request of each applicant seeking change in date of birth irrespective of the period that would have lapsed after the issue of the passport.

Arshiya Chopra

03 Aug 2017,Thursday

Baby 'pregnant' with malformed twin born in Maharashtra

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/baby-in-thane-born-pregnant-with-twin-brother-feeding-off-his-body/story-shjjTfMU7msFuyASqpV3GO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A newborn boy in Maharashtra's Thane was found to be 'pregnant' with own half-formed twin that was feeding off the boy's blood supply. The doctors said that it was a very rare condition called 'fetus in fetu' with less than 200 such cases recorded till date. The doctors successfully operated to remove the 7-cm fetus that weighed 150 gram.

In a bizarre medical condition, a newborn baby in Thane was found to be ?pregnant? with his half-formed twin brother feeding off his blood supply. The condition, called fetus in fetu, is so rare that only about 100-200 such cases have been reported from all over the world till date. The boy was born to a 19-year old woman from Mumbra on July 20 at Bilal Hospital in Thane, near Mumbai.The 7cm foetus, weighing 150 gm and complete with a brain, arms and limbs, was found behind the baby?s stomach. A radiologist first spotted the abnormal mass during a routine scan of the pregnant mother.?In post-natal scans, we spotted another half-formed baby with a brain, arm and legs in a foetal sac in the baby?s abdomen,? radiologist Bhavna Thorat told German news agency DPA.After the baby was born, another scan found that the ?twin? was feeding off his nutrition and posed a life threat.Doctors referred him to the Titan hospital in Thane, where the parasitic foetus was successfully removed by a specialist team of experts. It is suspected to be a rare congenital anomaly called ?fetus in fetu? in which a malformed foetus gets absorbed into the body of it?s twin. The team that performed the surgery at Titan Hospital, Thane. Photo Credit: Neena NichlaniGynecologist Dr Neena Nichlani, who was part of the team that operated on the baby, said, ?It is a case of monozygotic twin pregnancy sharing single placenta, where one foetus is wrapped around the other and feeds off its host?s body.? As both the twins draw nutrients from a single umbilical chord, the chances of survival are usually low in such cases. ?It is a very rare condition and this is for the first time I have encountered such a case in my entire medical career... Both the baby and the mother are doing well,? she added.

Tarun Khanna

30 Jan 2017,Monday

Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on this day

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/10-things-to-know-about-mahatma-gandhis-assassination/1/583474.html

Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948, during a prayer meeting at Delhi?s Birla House. He was shot thrice by Nathuram Godse. "If I'm to die by the bullet of a mad man, I must do so smiling. God must be in my heart and on my lips," Gandhi had reportedly said two days before his assassination.

On this day, 68 years ago, Mahatma Gandhi had breathed his last after being fatally shot while on his way to a prayer meeting at the Birla House. Here are a few things to know about his assassination:

Deepali Aggarwal

31 Jul 2017,Monday

Venezuela heading for dictatorship after 'sham' election: US

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/30/fear-of-violence-hangs-over-venezuela-assembly-election?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Calling Venezuela's recent Constituent Assembly election a "sham", US Ambassador Nikki Haley said that Venezuela is heading towards a dictatorship. Haley also threatened strong and swift action against the "architects of authoritarianism" in Venezuela. She added that the US stands by Venezuelans and their constitutional representatives to restore their country to a full and prosperous democracy.

The United States has vowed to take strong and swift action against the ?architects of authoritarianism? in Venezuela after protesters and security forces fought deadly street battles during voting for President Nicolás Maduro?s controversial constitutional assembly.?The United States stands by the people of Venezuela, and their constitutional representatives, in their quest to restore their country to a full and prosperous democracy,? the US State Department said in a statement. ?We will continue to take strong and swift actions against the architects of authoritarianism in Venezuela, including those who participate in the national constituent assembly as a result of today?s flawed election,? it said. Many voters decided against taking part in an election the opposition said would turn the country into a full-fledged dictatorship.As many as 14 people died in the protests, according to opposition leader Henrique Capriles, and the prosecutor?s office confirmed at least six people were killed by gunfire, including one national guardsman. Seven policemen were wounded in an explosion in the opposition stronghold neighbourhood of Altamira.However, the leader of the ruling socialist party, Jorge Rodriguez, said there was ?not one death related to the voting process today?, underscoring the contrasting versions of the day presented by the two clashing sides.Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, tweeted: ?Maduro?s sham election is another step toward dictatorship.?Maduro?s sham election is another step toward dictatorship. We won't accept an illegit govt. The Venezuelan ppl & democracy will prevail.An official report of a ?positive? election process by the National Electoral Council contrasted with continued reports of clashes and widespread abstention as people either heeded opposition calls for a boycott or feared getting caught up in street clashes.The council extended voting for one hour, claiming many who had wanted to casttheir vote earlier had been unable to do so.Maduro was among the first to vote shortly after polls opened at 6am. ?The first vote for peace,? he said afterwards. But throughout the day, turnout at polling stations was low for the election of 545 members of an assembly that would be tasked with rewriting the constitution and would have sweeping powers to reform or dissolve other state institutions, including the opposition controlled parliament.In the working-class district of Petare, where many residents said they had been threatened with losing government subsidies or jobs if they did not vote, few people turned out to vote. But at the Poliedro sporting arena, where Caracas residents who were unable to reach their designated polling centre were permitted to cast their votes, voters described huge crowds standing in line. For Maria Alejandra Avila, a lawyer , the election was a manifestation of ?the self?determination of a free and sovereign people?.The constituent assembly has been heavily criticised by foreign government including from the United States, the UK and neighbouring Colombia. On Sunday, Peru and Argentina said they would not recognise the outcome of the vote.Security forces blocked protesters from gathering for a planned mass demonstration using teargas to disperse the crowd, witnesses said. A small group of protesters blocked access to some of the voting places.?The oppressive forces didn?t allow us to even get to the meeting point,? said protester Emilia López, 23. ?It is frustrating that they try to keep us quiet with bombs.?Opposition leader María Corina Machado told reporters that this moment was the beginning of a new phase for Venezuela.The defence minister, Vladimir Padrino López, told reporters that a 130,000-strong security force was ?actively containing? flareups across the country, adding that as many as 100 voting machines had been destroyed.Security cordons were set up around each voting centre and reporters were not allowed beyond that point to witness people casting their votes. After more than four months of protests sparked by the pro-government supreme court decision to strip the opposition-controlled parliament of its legislative powers, the government banned protests ahead of Sunday?s vote. Maduro has said the assembly will help bring peace to the politically split country, but the opposition, and increasingly the international community, have warned that it will only serve for Maduro and the ruling socialist party to tighten their grip on power. The new assembly will be convened within 72 hours of the election and will function with virtually unlimited powers. Maduro and his closest allies have vowed to use the assembly to jail key opposition leaders, remove the country?s outspoken chief prosecutor from her post and strip opposition legislators of their constitutional immunity.Polls show that Maduro, successor to Hugo Chávez, who set the country on a socialist path, has only about a 20-point approval rating and that 70% of Venezuelans do not want the constitution of 1999 rewritten.Maduro said on Saturday that the assembly would act as a ?superpower (...) above and beyond every other?. The assembly, he said in a television address ahead of the vote, will be empowered to strip opposition legislators of immunity from prosecution. ?The right wing already has its prison cell waiting,? the president said.Maduro accused right-wing governments of trying to sabotage ?21st century socialism?.The US imposed targeted sanctions against 13 current and former officials close to the government last week and has primed further measures if the assembly vote was held, which may affect Venezuela?s oil industry, one of the few economic lifelines left in the country. Under Maduro, elected after Chávez?s death from cancer in 2013, the once buoyant oil-based economy plunged into crisis crippling the social programs Chavez had set up for Venezuela?s poor majority. Price controls brought widespread food and medicine shortages and spiralling inflation, as well as unbridled violence, driving millions of Venezuelans to leave the country.Additional reporting by Ana Sofia Romero in Caracas

Vani Vivek

11 Jul 2017,Tuesday

UK radio station hacked to play song on masturbation

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jul/11/local-radio-station-mansfield-hijacked-masturbation-winkers-song?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Hackers hijacked the airwaves of a UK radio station to play a song about masturbation at least eight times in the last month. 'The Winker's Song' was originally released in the 1970's and uses the word 'wanker' 36 times. The hackers have reportedly been using a transmitter to play the song on the same frequency as the station.

The communications regulator is hunting a radio pirate who has repeatedly hijacked the airwaves of a local station with a deliberately offensive song about masturbation.The Winker?s Song, a 1970s ditty by an artist going by the name Ivor Biggun, has been illegally forced on to the output of Mansfield 103.2 at least eight times in the last month.Ofcom said it was taking the incident ?extremely seriously? and its engineers were working closely with the radio station to trace and identify the pirate.Listeners were last subjected to the song, which uses the word ?wanker? 36 times, this weekend during a live family broadcast from Mansfield?s Party in the Market event.It is believed the rogue broadcaster could be using a small transmitter to play the adult theme on the same frequency, overriding the station?s scheduled programming. Tony Delahunty, managing director of Mansfield 103.2, said: ?Some people have told me that their children have started humming the song in the car. ?We have had calls from people who have found it hilarious, while some have raised their concerns, including our competitors, and a lot of people in the industry are aghast at how difficult it is to stop these people.?Speaking to BBC Radio 4?s Today programme, he added: ?There?s is absolutely nothing we could do about it and we?re trying very hard to do something about it.?We are told by Ofcom who are investigating the matter, that you only need, and this is the frightening thing, a small transmitter and if you can get near where there is an outside broadcast or a signal and you can overpower that signal [and] you?re on the airwaves.?He claimed the incidents raised the potential for a more serious hijacking of a radio station. ?This is a clown but it exposes a situation that is available for, who knows a terrorist, that type of person, some idiot who wants to put emergency messages on. It could become an awful lot worse. The big problem is you can?t catch them ??I want it to stop, because it could be inflicting a very nasty message to very young kids and their parents could be annoyed.?Ofcom said maliciously causing radio interference was a criminal offence carrying a potential sentence of two years in prison and an unlimited fine.But a spokesman said ?it doesn?t happen that often? and requires specialist knowledge and equipment. ?You need quite a high-powered transmitter to be able to go over the levels that the station is broadcasting at to interrupt their frequencies.Ofcom stressed that it is not as easy to hack a radio station as Delahunty suggested He added: ?We have a spectrum enforcement team who look after our airwaves and make sure they are kept free from interference, whether it is deliberate or accidental, and we have strong enforcement powers.If radio stations broadcast content that is deemed harmful or offensive, under the Digital Economy Act they can be suspended. Last week Ofcom suspended Sheffield based Imam FM after it broadcast lectures from a former terrorist leader.

Sanira Mediratta

09 Jan 2017,Monday

Woman claims plane dropped poop on her car

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/plane-takes-a-dump-on-womans-car-driveway-in-us/1/852424.html

Bethany Bowker from Utah, United States recently claimed that her car was covered in human poop, after the waste was dropped from an airplane. She stated, "They dumped all of the poop out of the airplane and it landed in my driveway." Bowker, who lives near an airport, claimed that the incident had taken place earlier as well.

Los Angeles, Jan 8 (PTI) In a bizarre incident, an American woman living near an airport thought a massive bird had splattered her car with droppings only to realise that it was a plane that had dumped human waste on her property. Bethany Bowker, from West Jordan, Utah, left to pick up her children from school when she noticed the foul-smelling feces scattered all over her driveway and her car. "Its disgusting...At first I thought, Wow, some bird really took a dump on my car!" Bowker said. She quickly realised she was not dealing with fecal matter of the bird variety. "This is undeniable," Bowker told KSL-TV. She came to the conclusion it was human waste. Then she realised, this is not the first time this has happened. She recalled that years ago seeing similar matter all over her property. Bowker believes it came from a commercial aircraft releasing the waste from the air at the wrong time. "I dont know, they might have been flying low this time?" Bowker said. She lives in West Jordan south of Salt Lake International airport, and it is not uncommon for her to see dozens of airplanes fly over her house daily.

Tarun Khanna

21 Mar 2017,Tuesday

BJP will have to perform role of Oppn as well: Uma Bharti

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/yogi-adityanath-uttar-pradesh-bjp-uma-bharti/1/908790.html

Union Minister Uma Bharti on Monday said that since no Opposition has been left in India, the BJP will have to perform the role of the Opposition as well. "These election results have shown that we have reached a position which the Congress had occupied for a long time?but at that time we were a strong Opposition," she added.

Union Minister for Water Recourses Uma Bharti on Monday sais that the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party will have to stay alert and on a continuous vigil as there was no Opposition in the country. "We have just recorded an unprecedented victory in the biggest state of India. We also have a majority in the Lok Sabha. The biggest take away of this election is that the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has increased from what it was in May 2014 but at the same time we can see that that there is no Opposition. So we will have to perform the role of the Opposition as well," Bharti said while addressing a press conference in Bhopal."These election results have shown that we have reached a position which the Congress had occupied for a long time after the Bangladesh war of liberation but at that time we were a strong Opposition and provided the glue around which all opposition parties stuck. The Congress, however, is not in that position and is fast losing the little credibility that it had. The party does not have any standing of its own and is trying to latch on to regional players for face saving. This puts an additional responsibility on the BJP," Bharti said.On parallels being drawn between her coronation as chief minister in 2003 and that of Yogi Adityanath as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2017, Bharti said, "The saffron colour of robes is not the only similarity that we have. He is like my younger brother and I stay at the Gorakhpur math whenever I go there but the colour of the robes has nothing to do with the performance of any chief minister. Adityanath is an able administrator and he will take strong steps to improve the law and order situation in the state.

Arshiya Chopra

11 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Expel Lalu's son, will support your govt: BJP to Nitish

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lalu-yadav-tejashwi-bjp-nitayanand-nitish-kumar/1/998868.html

Bihar BJP President Nityanand Rai on Monday said that the BJP is ready to support Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's government if he expels his deputy and Lalu Yadav's son Tejashwi Yadav. Adding that it's BJP's dream to make India 'Congress-free', he said, "if Kumar will need to save his government...We will support his government from outside but won't join it."

As speculations are rife that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may ask his deputy and Lalu Yadav's younger son Tejashwi Yadav to reisgn after CBI raids against him, Bihar BJP today said they will support the JD-U government from outside."I appeal Nitish Kumar to expel Tejashwi Yadav. After that if they need it we are ready to support them," said. However, he said, it is the central leadership that will take the final decision."In RJD there is no meaning of a meeting. Today's meeting was a drama and whatever happens in the party is what Lalu Yadav wants," he said.The BJP leader said Nitish Kumar will have to leave the Congress as Sonia Gandhi has already said that she is with Lalu Yadav in the corruption case."And BJP's dream is to make India Congress-free," he said adding that Nitish Kumar's image which was that of good governance has also been affected."But if Nitish Kumar will need to save his government then BJP will not be behind. We will support his government from outside but will not join it,"  Bihar BJP president Nitayanand Rai said.Even after the CBI filed a case against him and his family members, the Rashtriya Janata Dal has decided that Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav will not resign.Nitish Kumar, who is heading the Grand Alliance government of Janata Dal-United, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress in Bihar, is yet to comment on the matter but he spoke with Lalu last night on the phone.There has been speculation of cracks in the alliance government after the CBI crackdown against the Yadav family and Nitish's increasing closeness with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nitish, who was in an alliance with the BJP for 17 years, has been giving political signals of getting closer to the BJP.Surgical strikes on Pakistan and demonetisation have been a few instances where Nitish has been the lone opposition face to come out and openly extend his support to PM Modi, much to the discomfort of the Opposition, especially RJD chief Lalu Prasad with whose support he is running a coalition government in Bihar.Even in the presidential election, Nitish has decided to support NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind and not the opposition's candidate Meira Kumar. ALSO READ:Tejashwi Yadav won't resign as Bihar Deputy CM, say RJD MLAs over raids on Yadav properties

Rini Sinha

06 Apr 2017,Thursday

Suffered from depression, had suicidal thoughts: Asha Parekh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/was-depressed-had-suicidal-thoughts-asha-parekh/1/922028.html

Veteran actress Asha Parekh has revealed that after the death of her parents, she suffered from depression and had thought about committing suicide. She added, "It was a very bad phase for me. I was totally alone and had to manage everything alone." Asha further said that she had to take the help of doctors to get out of depression.

Mumbai, Apr 6 (PTI) Asha Parekhs versatility helped her feature in films of diverse genres in the 1960s but the veteran actress says being on top is often lonesome and there was a phase where she went into depression. Parekh was one of the top stars in the industry from 1959 to 1973. She worked with all the top heroes of her time including Shammi Kapoor, Dev Anand, Rajendra Kumar, Rajesh Khanna and others. It wasnt the highs and lows of the film business that unsettled the 74-year-old actress but the death of her parents, which pushed her into a dark zone. "It was a very bad phase for me. I lost my parents. I was totally alone and I had to manage everything all alone. It did put me in depression. I was feeling miserable and had these (suicidal) thoughts. Then I got out of it. It is a struggle, I had to take aid of the doctors to get out of it," Parekh told PTI in an interview. She says sometimes an actor may have all the love of fans but still feel lonely. "It is lonesome. On the top you are always lonely. I was very lucky I had lovely parents with me. My mother was the backbone of my career, my life. So after losing her, I got into depression. Its a huge relief that the phase is over." Parekh started her career as a child artist in the 1952 "Aasmaan" and went on to act in Bimal Roys "Baap Beti" two years later.

Chhavi Tyagi

07 Dec 2016,Wednesday

98% kids reach school after Right to Education: Javadekar

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/prakash-javadekar-agenda-aaj-tak-education/1/828810.html

Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar has said that 98% of the children have started going to school after the implementation of Right to Education. Claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is focusing on the issue of brain drain, Javadekar added that all efforts are being made to check the same.

Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister has said the standard of education in the country has registered a significant improvement due to the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan which had started during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government's tenure. He said 98 per cent of the children have started going to school after the implementation of Right to Education.Speaking on the second day of Agenda Aaj Tak Conclave 2016 today, Prakash Javadekar said innovation needs to be encouraged in primary education. The creative mind of children should not be suppressed. Inquisitiveness among them should be promoted, he said.He said the Narendra Modi government is focusing on the issue of brain drain. All efforts are being made to check brain drain. There is need to strengthen research infrastructure. There is a scope to enhance scholarship. The government will create 20 world class universities. In the days to come, there will be reduction in the number of those going abroad, he said.The HRD Minister claimed that the government spent Rs 1.75 lakh crore last year on higher education. This will be increased in the days to come. The capacity to spend will increase when tax income will increase. The money will be used for the growth of the country, he said.Making a significant announcement in the course of the programme, Javadekar said the government is in favour of according full autonomy to deemed universities or private universities of top standards. An arrangement would be made to grant 90 per cent autonomy and only 10 per cent regulation to such institutions, he said.Talking about learning outcome, the Minister said it would be a teacher's responsibility to ascertain the level of knowledge which a Class 8 student should have. The issue of holding Class 5 and 8 examinations should be left on the state governments. There should not be any examination till Class 4. Tenth Board examination will take place, he said.EDUCATION A NATIONAL AGENDAJavadekar said education is not a political agenda. It is a national agenda. The government does not indulge in politics over education. The standard of education will improve by exchanging the good works. Only those countries progress which have good universities and there are better facilities to conduct research. There is a need to improve the education policy every 20 years, he said.Talking about the priorities of the Narendra Modi government, he said the education system will be improved in mission mode. The mere paper work to complete formalities will not be allowed to continue. The Modi government's target is "Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabko acchi shiksha (everyone's support, everyone's progress, good education for all)", he said.

Chhavi Tyagi

13 Jun 2017,Tuesday

Rahul to visit grandmother in Italy, BJP calls it "picnic"

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rahul-gandhi-grandmother-italy-bjp/1/977715.html

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi said that he will be taking a break from politics to visit his grandmother in Italy and the BJP termed it as "picnic" of a "kid during summer vacations". "You can't expect Rahulji to be worried about the country or the farmers. He does politics to enjoy his picnics," Madhya Pradesh BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya said.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today said he will be taking a break from politics to visit his grandmother abroad, triggering taunts from the opposition BJP which called the visit the "picnic" of a "kid during his summer vacations"."Will be travelling to meet my grandmother & family for a few days. Looking forward to spending some time with them," Rahul Gandhi tweeted today. He did not mention how many days will he be out and where in Italy was he headed to.Rahul's grandmother Paola Maino lives in Italy. In March, Rahul had visited the US, where his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi had gone for a health check-up. Earlier, during the New Year Celebrations, the 46-year-old leader had gone to London for a short break.As Rahul's latest foreign visit came amid hectic politics over farmers' protest or the upcoming Presidential election, the BJP took some quick jibes. "When we were kids, then we used to go to the nanihaal (maternal grandmother's place) during our summer vacations," senior BJP leader from Madhya Pradesh Kailash Vijayvargiya said."You can't expect Rahul ji to be worried about the country or the farmers. He does politics to enjoy his picnics," he added.The Congress hit back, calling it Indian culture to visit ageing grandparents. "Rahul ji is going to meet his 93-year-old grandmother. It is Indian culture to take care of your ageing parents and grandparents," Congress spokesperson RS Surjewala said.

Tarun Khanna

26 Mar 2017,Sunday

Development for all, appeasement of none in UP: Adityanath

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/yogi-adityanath-gorakhpur-anti-romeo-squads/1/912821.html

Addressing a gathering at Gorakhpur for the first time after assuming CM's office, UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said there'll be development for everyone and appeasement of none in UP. "Our government will make sure the last man of society is taken care of," he said. He also urged his supporters to never take law into their hands.

Committing himself to implement the BJP's manifesto in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that there is no place for hooliganism under his government in the state.Yogi Adityanath said that his government would make sure that women can travel alone in Uttar Pradesh even at midnight without fear of being harassed by lumpen elements.Adityanath said that he has given a clear instruction to police officials that if couples are going around or sitting together at a public place with mutual consent, they must not be harassed. In his first public speech in his parliamentary constituency, Gorakhpur, Yogi Adityanath showered lavish praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that the UP government will follow the Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas mantra of Narendra Modi.

Daisy Mowke

28 Jul 2017,Friday

Akshay speaks on row over holding Indian flag upside down

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-on-what-really-happened-behind-his-indian-flag-photo/story-FRKn5It8c7S7ZpoR71w1xL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Akshay Kumar, while talking about the picture which showed him waving the Indian flag upside down at Women's World Cup final, explained he was trying to steady it but someone from behind clicked the photo. "If you watch it on television, you'll see I'm holding it right," he added. However, Akshay also apologised if someone's sentiments were hurt.

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar became the latest celebrity to be at the receiving end of the internet trolls after he shared a picture holding the tricolour upside down while cheering for the Indian women?s cricket team at the ICC Women?s World Cup final at Lord?s.Akshay Kumar waves the national flag at the Women?s World Cup Final.The actor has revealed what actually happened in one of the pictures where he was seen holding the Indian flag upside down on July 23. ?What happened is, I was unfurling the flag and at the time I noticed it was upside down. While I was trying to steady it, someone clicked a photo from behind and even I did not notice it. But if someone?s sentiments are hurt, I seek an apology,? he said.Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar attend the press conference of Toilet Ek Prem Katha in Mumbai. (AFP) The Rustom star, was speaking at a press conference for his upcoming movie Toilet Ek Prem Katha. It should be noted that Akshay shared some of his photos from the match while cheering for the team. In one such picture, the actor is seen holding the Indian flag upside down.Though the actor didn?t realise it when it was posted, it created a furore on social media later on.Upon realising this, the actor later deleted the picture and issued a public apology via tweets.Toilet Ek Prem Katha also stars Bhumi Pednekar and Anupam Kher in pivotal roles.The flick is slated to hit the big screens on August 11. Follow @htshowbiz for more

Mansha Mahajan

23 Mar 2017,Thursday

India should lower tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorbikes: US

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-should-lower-tariffs-on-harleys-for-foreign-investment/1/910824.html

White House National Trade Council Director Peter Navarro has said if India lowers the tariffs imposed on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, it could result in more foreign investments in the country. "If India agrees to lower its tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Indian consumers will buy more Harleys and save less, while Harley will sell more...and invest more," he stated.

From Lalit K Jha Washington, Mar 23 (PTI) If India lowers the 100 per cent tariffs imposed on the popular American Harley Davidson motorcycles it could result in more foreign investments in the country, a top White House trade official has argued. "If India agrees to lower its tariffs on Harley Davidson motorcycles, Indian consumers will buy more Harleys and save less while Harley will sell more Harleys and invest more," Peter Navarro, Director of White House National Trade Council, said in a letter to the editor to The Wall Street Journal. "Truly fair and reciprocal trade between the US and its trading partners, rather than the perpetual turn of the screw we receive now, will lead to a thousand similar kinds of adjustments as our bilateral trade deficits fall and savings and investment patterns adjust," Navarro added in the letter published yesterday. He wrote the letter in response to the debate that his op-ed piece on March 6 in the daily had generated. He had argued that if the US uses leverage as the worlds largest market to "persuade" India to reduce its "notoriously high tariffs" America will surely sell more Harleys there. India imposes a 100-per cent import duty on the Amercian motorbikes, popular for a customisation that gave rise to the chopper-style motorcycles.

Yash Kumar

02 Jan 2017,Monday

UK to replace £1 coin to combat counterfeiting

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/jan/01/new-12-sided-pound-coins-royal-mint-currency?CMP=twt_gu

The UK government is encouraging the public to return old £1 coins as the Treasury will be introducing a new 12-sided coin to replace it. The measure has been introduced to end counterfeiting, with reports suggesting nearly 2.55% of the 40 crore old coins in circulation are fake. The old coins shall become invalid by October.

The new 12-sided £1 coin will enter circulation on 28 March and the old-style coin will be defunct by mid-October, the Treasury has announced.The government is launching a campaign to encourage the public to return the round coins. The Treasury estimates that £1.3bn of coins are being stored in savings jars, with £1 coins accounting for almost a third of these. They must be exchanged before 15 October when they will cease to be legal tender.The first new £1 coin since 1983 is an attempt to end counterfeiting. It is estimated that 3% of the current coins in circulation are fake. The new coin will be the most secure in the world, it is claimed, with several security features, including a hologram.David Gauke, the chief secretary to the Treasury, said: ?28 March should be an important date in everybody?s calendar ? as we will have a new quid on the block. Our message is clear: if you have a round £1 coin you need to spend it or return it to your bank before 15 October.?About 40% of vending and other cash-receiving machines will have to be upgraded. The British Parking Association says each meter change will cost £90-£130 for the simplest software upgrade and considerably more if they are to issue change. The Royal Mint has put the cost of changing all the UK?s machines at £15m-£20m, although many experts believe this is optimistic.Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said she believed businesses would be ready. ?While there will be a natural transition period where some vending systems may only be able to accept the existing coin, our industry is committed to ensuring we?re fully prepared ahead of the launch.?The Royal Mint has produced more than 2.2bn round £1 coins since 1983, when it replaced the note. This was withdrawn in March 1988, but is still redeemable at the Bank of England.The Royal Mint will make more than 1.5bn of the new coins, whose design is based on the threepenny bit, which went out of circulation in 1971.

Saloni Tandon

05 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Complaint against Vishwas for remarks on women on Kapil show

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kumar-vishvas-derogatory-remark-against-women-kapil-sharma-show/1/994496.html

A police complaint has been lodged against Aam Aadmi Party leader and poet Kumar Vishwas for making derogatory remarks against women on The Kapil Sharma Show. Vishwas was on the show on Saturday when he said, "Chunav mein...jis ladki se aapka affair chalao uske pati ko jijaji kehna padta hai, jijaji vote de dena samaan to aap le hi gaye."

A police complaint has been lodged against Aam Aadmi Party leader and poet Kumar Vishvas for making derogatory remarks against women on the hugely popular TV programme - The Kapil Sharma Show.Kumar Vishvas along with famous poets Rahat Indori and Shabina Adeeb were on the The Kapil Sharma Show on Saturday (July 1).A complaint has filed against Vishvas in Dabri Police Station of West Delhi for passing disparaging remarks against women."Jis samay chunav hota hai, to apne colony mein politician logon ko badi dikkat hoti hai...matlab jis ladki se aapka affair chalao uske pati ko bhi jijaji kehna padta hai, jijaji vote de dena samaan to aap le hi gaye. (For a politician it is really difficult to seek vote in his own colony. He has no option but to address the husband of the woman he likes as jijaji. Jijaji please do vote.)," the complaint quotes Vishvas, as saying on the comedy show. NOT THE FIRST TIME FOR VISHVASIn January 2014, Kumar Vishwas had to tender an apology after alleged derogatory remarks against Kerala nurses sparked a controversy. In a YouTube video clip, Vishvas was heard saying, "Earlier nurses used to come from Kerala, kali-peeli (dark skinned), one would naturally feel like calling them sister.ALSO READ:BJP complains to EC over Kumar Vishvas 'sexist remarks' against their CM candidate Kiran Bedi

Aarushi Maheshwari

22 Jul 2017,Saturday

Interpol lists 173 ISIS suicide attackers targeting Europe

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/21/isis-islamic-state-suicide-brigade-interpol-list?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Interpol has circulated a list of 173 Islamic State fighters it believes could carry out suicide attacks in Europe, in revenge for ISIS' military defeats. The list mentions suspects' identities, last likely address, mosques they prayed at, date ISIS recruited them and mothers' names. It is based on information captured during the offensive against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

Interpol has circulated a list of 173 Islamic State fighters it believes could have been trained to mount suicide attacks in Europe in revenge for the group?s military defeats in the Middle East.The global crime fighting agency?s list was drawn up by US intelligence from information captured during the assault on Isis territories in Syria and Iraq.European counter-terror networks are concerned that as the Isis ?caliphate? collapses, there is an increasing risk of determined suicide bombers seeking to come to Europe, probably operating alone.There is no evidence that any of the people on the list, whose names the Guardian has obtained, have yet entered Europe, but the Interpol circulation, designed to see if EU intelligence sources have any details on the individuals, underlines the scale of the challenge facing Europe.The list, sent out by the general secretariat of Interpol on 27 May, defines the group of fighters as individuals that ?may have been trained to build and position improvised explosive devices in order to cause serious deaths and injuries. It is believed that they can travel internationally, to participate in terrorist activities.?The data was originally collected by the US intelligence ?through trusted channels?. The material was handed over to the FBI, which transmitted the list to Interpol for global sharing.A note appended to the Interpol list circulated in Italy explains how the terrorist database was constructed, putting together the pieces of the puzzle from hundreds of elements, mainly gathered when Isis local headquarters were captured.?The people,? the note says, ?have been identified through materials found in the hiding places of Isil, the Islamic state of Iraq and the Levant.? The note adds that ?it emerges that those subjects may have manifested willingness to commit a suicidal attack or martyrdom to support Islam?.The list shows the suspects? names, the date Isis recruited them, their last likely address including the mosque at which they have been praying while away fighting, their mother?s name and any photographs.For each of the fighters, an ID was created to ensure that each member country in the Interpol network could integrate the data with local databases.Interpol has asked its national partners for any information they might have about each name on the list, and any other background personal data they have on their files, such as border crossings, previous criminal offences, biometric data, passport numbers, activity on social media and travel history.The information will then be included in Interpol?s ASF (automatic search facility) database in order to possibly put the names on a higher level watch list.US intelligence is apparently confident about the reliability of the sources used to compile the list. But western counter-terrorism forces have said they face an uphill struggle identifying potential suspects, who have access to a mountain of false documents, double identities and fake passports.Interpol stressed the list?s transmission came as part of its role circulating information between national crime-fighting agencies. ?Interpol regularly sends alerts and updates to its national central bureaux (NCB) on wanted terrorists and criminals via our secure global police communications network,? a spokesman said. ?It is the member country which provides the information that decides which other countries it can be shared with.?The purpose of sending these alerts and updates is to ensure that vital policing information is made available when and where it is needed, in line with a member country?s request.?A European counter-terrorism officer said one of the purposes of circulating the list around Europe was to identify those on it who might have been born and raised in European countries. In 2015 the UN considered there were 20,000 foreign fighters in Iraq and Syria, of whom 4,000 were from Europe, but there has not previously been a specific list of those fighters including those born in the Middle East who have been identified as potential suicide bombers.The speed with which Isis fighters are likely to attempt to reach Europe will depend on a range of issues including whether the group tries to set up a new base in Syria in the wake of the impending fall of Raqqa, its last major redoubt in north-west Syria. There is a growing suggestion that Isis fighters will shift south from Raqqa to the defensible territory stretching from Deir el-Zourez-Zor to Abu Kamal.The jihadi group is currently struggling to come to terms with the loss of Mosul in northern Iraq following a battle that produced some of the most brutal fighting since the end of the second world war. The parallel advance on Raqqa, the group?s other urban stronghold in the region, has been stalled partly due to the severity of the resistance being mounted against the Syrian Democratic Forces made up of an alliance of Kurds, Arabs and US Special forces. US Army Col Ryan Dillon on Friday estimated there were around 2,000 Isis militants in the city, who he said were using civilians and children as human shields. The distance between SDF forces on the eastern side of the city and on the western fronts is now just under 2km. The United Nations estimates that about 190,000 residents of Raqqa province have been displaced since April, including about 20,000 since the operation to seize the provincial capital began in early June.US diplomats this week admitted that the SDF forces, due to their ethnic make-up, will be constrained from going south of Raqqa to pursue Isis as far as Deir Azzour, saying this may be the task of the Syrian forces under Bashar al Assad, or even Iranian-backed Shia militia.

Rini Sinha

23 Mar 2017,Thursday

I wish Kangana gets along with co-stars in future: Shahid

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shahid-kapoor-kangana-ranaut-fight/1/910875.html

Actor Shahid Kapoor has said he hopes that Kangana Ranaut gets along with co-stars in future. He added, "Kangana has a thing for one-liners. I don't believe in publicising a film or myself through this...activity." During the promotions of their film 'Rangoon', Kangana had said that it was a nightmare sharing a cottage with Shahid for the film's shoot.

Shahid Kapoor and Kangana Ranaut's cold war has crossed all possible contours of normalcy and has probably crossed over to the bizarre now. The film that Shahid and Kangana starred in and which was the beginning of all the drama, Rangoon, has sunk into oblivion. But trust the actors to not let sleeping dogs lie.After repeated jibes from Kangana regarding his 'mood swings' and behaviour on the sets of Rangoon, now Shahid Kapoor has spoken out about it all.In an interview with Filmfare, when Shahid was asked about Kangana saying that it was difficult to kiss him with his thick moustache in Rangoon, the Kaminey actor said, "Kangana has a thing for one-liners. I'm not one of those. I'd rather focus on the movie. I like positivity. We shared a professional equation. So, I was also surprised by the comments. I also read some retractions she made later that she didn't mean it in a bad way."During the promotions of Rangoon, when IndiaToday.in asked Shahid about any 'incidents' during the shoot of the Vishal Bhardwaj-directed film, Shahid had denied it all with a curt, "No, no incidents on this movie."However, Kangana Ranaut would beg to differ. From talking about how on certain days Shahid would treat her like she was a 'suicide bomber' to his severe mood swings, Kangana bared it all to filmmaker and talk-show host Karan Johar on KJo's show.Shahid went on to tell the magazine, "When actors start engaging in this table-tennis match through interviews, which the media feeds off, the focus is then on the actors and not the film. I don't believe in publicising a film or myself through this kind of activity."The fights sure made Rangoon more the talking point than what it normally would have been.

Rini Sinha

21 Jan 2017,Saturday

Always had fun working with Salman: SRK on 'Tubelight' cameo

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shah-rukh-khan-cameo-salman-tubelight-kabir-instagram/1/861956.html

Actor Shah Rukh Khan, talking about his experience of working with Salman Khan in 'Tubelight', said he always had fun working with him. "Our scene comes at a very special juncture in the film," he revealed about his cameo role. Shah Rukh will reportedly play the role of a magician in the film directed by Kabir Khan.

Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan coming together in Kabir Khan's Tubelight is probably the biggest news of the year. Fans of the two Khan-doms are super excited to see their favourite superstars share screen space, but the makers surprisingly did not cash in on this. After a lot of speculation, Kabir Khan posted a photo confirming SRK's cameo on Instagram, without much fanfare.ALSO READ: Tubelight director Kabir Khan shares Shah Rukh's look from Salman's filmALSO READ: Shah Rukh Khan says he can't compete with Salman Khan at the box office

Sanira Mediratta

24 May 2017,Wednesday

?1000 cr Mahabharata film faces protest from pro-Hindu group

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mohanlal-rs-1000-crore-mahabharata-kerala-hindu-aikya-vedi/1/961044.html

Kerala-based group Hindu Aikya Vedi has threatened to stall the release of a film tentatively titled Mahabharatham, which is being made on an estimated budget of ?1000 crore, unless its title is changed. The group president said it cannot be named after the epic as it is not based on Vyasa's Mahabharata, but is an adaptation of MT Vasudevan's Randamoozham.

Lalettan fans are excited to see their favourite actor, Mohanlal, in the big screen adaptation of The Mahabharata. The film, a cinematic adaptation of MT Vasudevan's book Randamoozham, is reportedly going to be made on a budget of Rs 1000 crore, the highest for any Indian film so far. Even before the film has gone on floors, it has run into trouble.Kerala Hindu Aikya Vedi president KP Sasikala has threatened to stall the release of the film unless the name is changed, according to a report in The News Minute. "A big budget film is coming from Kerala named Mahabharatham. We are happy but the Hindus here have a condition - only a film which is close to the story of real Mahabharatham written by Vyasan should carry its name. No other movie can be named Mahabharatham. If the movie is based on Randamoozham let the name of the film also be named same. Veda Vyasan also has his rights," she said.To support her argument, Sasikala said that Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code is another version of the Bible. However, the makers of the film did not use the title 'Bible' and the makers of Mohanlal's film should follow their example.

Niharika Prabhakar

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

5 booked for stopping tempo carrying buffalo meat in Mumbai

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/navi-mumbai-buffalo-meat-beef-gau-rakshaks-police-tempo-meat-consignment-vashi-police/1/1005567.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Five people have been booked by the Navi Mumbai police for allegedly stopping a tempo carrying meat. The driver reportedly had a certificate to show that it was buffalo meat being transported legally but the five accused claimed they were journalists and insisted he pay a fine and destroy the consignment. Police tested and confirmed that it was buffalo meat.

Five people have been booked and two of them arrested by Navi Mumbai Police for stopping a tempo which was carrying meat despite the fact that the driver had a certificate to show that it was not beef, but buffalo meat being transported legally.The incident took place late on Monday night. A tempo, which left from Deonar abattoir in Mumbai, was stopped by 5 people who claimed they were journalists as it passed through Navi Mumbai.  Despite the fact that the tempo driver had a certificate to prove that he was carrying buffalo meat as part of a legal consignment (and it was not beef), these people insisted that the driver pay fine and destroy the consignment. However, the driver was smart enough and informed the police. VASHI POLICE STARTED PROBING THE MATTERLocal Vashi Police officers reached the spot and started investigating the matter. The consignment was seized and samples sent for a forensic test. The results of the test the next morning confirmed it as buffalo meat and legally valid to be transported.The police allowed the tempo driver to travel with his consignment while five people were booked for giving false information and stopping such a consignment.Last week, India Today-Aajtak carried out a sting operation on gau rakshaks from Mumbai and Maharashtra exposing the extortion racket they were running. One group on which the sting operation was carried out belonged to Navi Mumbai.Also read | PIL filed in Bombay High Court seeking 24-hour helpline against cow vigilantes

Mansha Mahajan

22 Jun 2017,Thursday

RBI asks banks to resolve 55 bad loan accounts in 6 months

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pti-specialresolve-55-a-cs-in-6-mths-or-face-ibcrbi-to-banks/1/985011.html

RBI has asked banks to resolve 55 identified high value cases of bad loans within a period of six months. Otherwise, the central bank would examine those cases and refer for resolution under the new Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. Earlier this month, RBI had identified 12 accounts for insolvency proceedings, which accounted for 25% of total bad loans of banks.

By Kumar Dipankar New Delhi, Jun 22 (PTI) RBI has asked banks to resolve 55 high value cases of bad loans within 6 months or face the prospect of being directed to go in for the new insolvency resolution mechanism as part of the strategy to rein in unacceptable level of non-performing assets (NPAs). Earlier this month, Reserve Bank of India identified 12 accounts for insolvency proceedings with each of them having over Rs 5,000 crore of outstanding loans, accounting for 25 per cent of total NPAs of banks. RBI has asked banks to find solution for 55 identified NPA accounts within 6 months otherwise the central bank would examine those cases and refer for resolution under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), official sources said. RBI is of the view that banks should expedite the NPA resolution process for these cases as soon as possible, the sources said. In cases where a viable resolution plan is not agreed upon within six months, banks would be asked to file insolvency proceedings against the defaulters under the IBC, sources added. The banking sector is saddled with NPAs of over Rs 8 lakh crore, of which Rs 6 lakh crore is with public sector banks (PSBs). The 12 identified cases account for 25 per cent or about Rs 2 lakh crore of NPAs. IBC has defined time-frame for the resolution and there is 14-day time period for admission or rejection of a case by National Company Law Tribunal. After a case is accepted by NCLT, the creditor would get 30 days to hire insolvency practitioners and then the entire process to be completed in 180 days which will look at various possibilities including revival of projects or liquidation. RBI had set up an Internal Advisory Committee (IAC) for such cases that may be considered for reference for resolution under the IBC, under which the 12 accounts were identified with fund and non-fund based outstanding amount greater than Rs 5,000 crore as of March 31, 2016. These measures were announced by RBI following an ordinance giving it wide-ranging legislative powers to fight NPAs. The ordinance authorised RBI to issue directions to banks to initiate insolvency resolution process in the event of a default under the provisions of IBC.

Dishant Sharma

04 May 2017,Thursday

Gautam Gambhir not the friendliest Indian player: Afridi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shahid-afridi-icc-champions-trophy-gautam-gambhir-india-vs-pakistan/1/945451.html

Former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi has said that Indian and Pakistani cricketers get along well but "there are exceptions like Gautam Gambhir, who dare I say isn't the friendliest". "We had a heated exchange on the field some years ago... I have moved on in life... Gautam for some reason can't get over it," Afridi added.

The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) has asked the BCCI to select the Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy after a prolonged standoff with the world governing body over the revenue model.The CoA has also assured Virat Kohli that India will get to defend the Champions Trophy which they won in 2013 and now it seems like it's a matter of time before the Indian team for the coveted tournament is made public.With the air finally beginning to clear on India's particiption, the big talking point would be the much-awaited clash against Pakistan to be played at Edgbaston in a month's time.Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi, in a column for the ICC, has said he was as excited as millions of fans around the world and looking forward to a "highly entertaining match between the two traditional rivals, who have a rich cricketing history between them."India are yet to lose to Pakistan in either the World Cup or the World T20 but lost twice to their arch-rivals in the Champions Trophy - 2004 (Edgbaston) and 2009 (Centurion).There is little doubt the Edgbaston game between India and Pakistan on June would be emotionally charged-up as all matches between the sub-continental powerhouses are. However, Afridi, the protagonist of several India-Pakistan clashes in the past, said players from both teams get along well with each other. "Contrary to popular belief, India and Pakistan players get along very well. Of course, there are exceptions like Gautam Gambhir, who dare I say isn't the friendliest." Afridi wrote in the column. "We are unlikely to be found together at a coffee shop anytime soon. We had a heated exchange on the field some years ago and it made headlines all over the world. While I have moved on in life as I feel these things are part and parcel of the game, Gautam for some reason can't get over it. Good luck to him!"Gambhir and Afridi were involved in an ugly spat in Kanpur during the third ODI of Pakistan's tour of India in 2007. The umpire had to intervene frayed tempers.Afridi went on to explain that he enjoyed "excellent relationships" with the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh.

Ankur Vyas

19 Feb 2017,Sunday

Amid Jat protests, internet blocked in parts of Haryana

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jat-protests-rohtak-stir-haryana-internet-services-liquor-sale/1/886468.html

With the Jat protesters observing 'Balidan Diwas' (Sacrifice Day), Haryana government on Sunday blocked internet services in Rohtak, the epicentre of the protests. With the ban on liquor sale extended till Monday, similar measures have also been taken in Bhiwani, Sonipat and other affected districts. Notably, the pro-quota agitation has entered the 22nd day.

Having borne the brunt of violent Jat protests last year, the Haryana government on Sunday blocked the internet services in Rohtak, which still remains the epicenter of protests. While ban on liquor sale will stay till Monday. Similar measures were also adopted in Bhiwani, Sonipat and other districts where the protests entered 22nd day.The administration was keeping an eye on Akhil Bhartiya Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (ABJASS) activities which is organizing a Balidan Diwas (sacrifice day) in Jasia village near Rohtak on Sunday.Also read: 2016 Jat stir: Haryana to compensate "innocent" personsThe administration is not taking any chances and has deployed adequate number of police and para-military forces on national and state highways including the GT road. The police officials have also been deployed at railways stations and bus stops.Night bus services have already been suspended as a precautionary measure as the protesters may target public property.The protests have largely been peaceful and Jat leaders have assured the state government that the agitation will be peaceful and will continue till their demands are met. The demands include an assurance to withdraw the cases registered against rioters and jobs to those killed in police action besides reservation in jobs.Also read: Jat stir: CM holds meeting, minister says govt ready for talksThe state government-led by Manohar Lal has been sitting on the horns of a dilemma as it neither wants to annoy the agitating Jats nor the non-Jats, which voted it to the power.The state government has formed a five members committee to look into the demands raised by the Jat leaders. Two meetings with the Jat leaders have failed to earn any response.

Arshiya Chopra

05 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Bengaluru hotel denies room to Hindu-Muslim couple

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bengaluru-hindu-muslim-couple-denied-hotel-room-inter-religion-marriage/1/994508.html

A hotel in Bengaluru denied a room to an interfaith married couple on Tuesday stating that they don't give rooms to Muslims and Hindus who are together. The receptionist was quoted saying that he hails from a place where Hindus don't marry Muslims. He further said it is possible that interfaith couples just "go into the room and hang themselves".

A hotel in Bengaluru turned away a Hindu-Muslim couple and refused to give them a room as the husband was a Muslim and his wife a Hindu.Shafeeq Subaida Hakkim and Divya DV, a couple from Kerala, were in Bengaluru for some official work. They needed an accommodation to stay but  refused a room at Olive Residency on Annipuram Main Road in Sudhama Nagar.  The receptionist at the hotel said that a Hindu and Muslim cannot live together. The receptionist went on to make his point saying that he has instructions not to give rooms to Hindu-Muslim couples as there may be problems.Shafeeq said that they were shocked by the behaviour as they have never faced such a situation before. "I wanted the room for just 2 hours since my wife Divya had come here for an interview with a prestigious law college. Divya is an LLM graduate and was looking to do her PhD here,"  Shafeeq told India Today. He said the hotel explicitly told them it's their policy not to allow inter-religion married couples. When Divya asked him to show the hotel policy in print, the management flatly refused. Shafeeq and his wife then got into another hotel and she managed to attend her interview. He now plans to file a complaint with the Kerala Human Rights Commission.ALSO READ:

Shubhodeep Datta

04 Apr 2017,Tuesday

Raj newborn declared dead, starts crying before cremation

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rajasthan-newborn-dead-cries-out-minutes-before-burial-health-department/1/920281.html

A prematurely-born girl child, who was declared dead by a male nurse at a hospital in Rajasthan, 'came back to life' on Tuesday at a crematorium where her body was taken for last rites. The on-duty nurse had declared the newborn dead when he noticed that she was neither crying nor breathing, but she suddenly started crying at the crematorium.

In Rajasthan's Bundi district, a shocking incident shed some light on the sad state of affairs of the health department. A woman had to give birth in the absence of a doctor in a government hospital in Bundi, and the male nurse who assisted her during the delivery told her that her child was dead and should be taken to the burial ground. All this happened in the absence of a doctor. Following the male nurse's advice, the family took the new born for the burial. But few minutes before the burial the child started crying and that's when everyone realised that the baby girl is still alive. They again went to the hospital and complained against the male nurse who misguided them. When the deputy superintendent saw a ruckus, he went on to defend the nurse and said that since the child is born weak, there are hardly any chances of survival. He in fact did not even try saving the newborn's life.Residents of Bundi district are appalled by this incident of negligence and questioned the hospital authorities that if the infant had not cried before the burial then because of the wrong information given to them, the family would have buried her alive. Not only that, deliveries being done in the absence of doctors raises many questions about the functioning of the hospital. Deputy controller Dr OP Verma defended his staff and said that the baby girl was born premature and since there was no movement at the time of birth, she was declared dead. However, the family members believe that if immediately after delivery the infant would have been shifted to the ICU then her health would not have deteriorated.

Daisy Mowke

14 Mar 2017,Tuesday

We're not public property: Vidya on man misbehaving with her

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/furious-vidya-balan-slams-man-misbehaving-kolkata/1/903582.html

Actress Vidya Balan slammed a man for allegedly misbehaving with her at the Kolkata airport. The man, who had asked her for a selfie, reportedly put his arm around her despite her objection. "When a stranger puts an arm around you, be it a man or a woman, you get uncomfortable... We are public figures, not public property," said Vidya.

Vidya Balan had an apt response for a man who misbehaved with her at the Kolkata airport recently. The actor, who is currently busy promoting her upcoming film Begum Jaan, was at the airport when a man asked her if she could click a selfie with her.Till this point, everything was fine, says a report in Spotboye.com. When Vidya agreed to the selfie, she realised the man had put his arm around her. She objected to it, saying, "Don't." The man took off his arm but put it back around her again before clicking the photo.This is when Vidya lost it. The Kahaani actor screamed, "What do you think you're doing?", says the report.To this, the man pressed for a selfie yet again. An angry Vidya responded, "No, you can't! Behave yourself."When the website spoke to Vidya about this, she said, "When a stranger puts an arm around you, be it a man or a woman you get uncomfortable because they are intruding into your personal space. We are public figures, not public property."The actor was in the West Bengal capital with her Begum Jaan director Srijit Mukherji and producer Mahesh Bhatt.

Rini Sinha

05 Jun 2017,Monday

Pictures of Saif, Kareena's son Taimur surface online

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/taimur-ali-khan-pataudi-new-photo-kareena-kapoor-saif-ali/1/970981.html

Pictures of Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan's first child, Taimur Ali Khan, have surfaced online. One of the photographs shows Taimur and mother Kareena at actor Tusshar Kapoor's son Laksshya's recently held first birthday celebrations. Notably, Taimur was born in December 2016.

Taimur Ali Khan is undoubtedly one of the cutest star kids on the block. The five-month-old toddler enjoys as much fan following as his mother Kareena Kapoor Khan. Ever since his birth in December last year, the tiny tot has become a favourite with the netizens. If his adorable pictures make many hearts melt, his cute antics steal the show at various events.Known for his handsome looks, Taimur has already won the hearts of many. And the star kid is busy stirring up a storm on the internet once again. A new picture of him has caught the fancy of many. Clad in a stripped t-shirt, the tiny tot can be seen smiling for the camera. Only a few days ago, Taimur's pictures with mom Kareena went viral when he attended the birthday bash of Tusshar Kapoor's son. Interestingly, Taimur grabbed more eyeballs than the birthday boy himself. Going by his recent pictures, he looks almost a spitting image of Kareena. On the work front, Kareena is set to start shooting for Veere Di Wedding, which marks her comeback post pregnancy. Saif, meanwhile, is gearing up for the release of Chef in July.

Tarun Khanna

07 Feb 2017,Tuesday

Kejriwal approves proposal to build 6,178 flats for poor

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-government-to-construct-6-178-flats-for-the-poor-at-4-locations/story-AB89tHEUdqyx7HTE6rY94I.html

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Monday approved the proposal to construct 6,178 flats to rehabilitate the slum dwellers living in Lajpat Nagar, Bhalswa, Dev Nagar, Mangol Puri and Ambedkar Nagar. "The 6178 EWS flats will be constructed at the cost of ?866 crore," the Delhi government stated. AAP government?s biggest poll policy was 'Jaha Jhuggi, Wahan Makaan', it added.

The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government will construct multi-storey apartments to rehabilitate the slum dwellers living in Lajpat Nagar, Bhalswa, Dev Nagar, Mongol Puri and Ambedkar Nagar. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal approved the proposal in the board meeting of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) on Monday to construct the apartments at the four locations.?The board approved the pilot project for in-situ upgradation of slum on DUSIB land. 6178 EWS (Economic Weaker Section) flats will be constructed at the cost of Rs866 crore,? said a Delhi government spokesperson.Read more: Delhi govt to provide 24/7 toilet facility in slumsDelhi Slum & Jhuggi Jhopari Rehabilitation & Relocation Policy 2015 has also been approved by the board, clearing way for the rehabilitation. The policy was earlier approved by the board in April last year and got the Cabinet approval in July. The file was sent to the lieutenant governor but despite agreeing to the policy, the LG made observations with regard to rate to be charged from the land owning agency. ?Now, after the LG?s suggestion, the board has approved that land owning agencies should be charged at government to government rates instead of circle rates. The second issue was that in case JJ Bastis, existing in land belonging to the Central government or agencies like Railway, DDA and others, the respective agency may either carry out the rehabilitation themselves as per the policy of Delhi government or may entrust the job to DUSIB,? said an official.Read more: Delhi to start slum rehab policy from Sangam ParkAs per the policy, the cut-off date is January 1, 2015. This means the clusters that have come after this date will be demolished and will not be eligible for the rehabilitation.The AAP government wanted the date to be February 14, 1015, the day they formed the government, in order to keep their vote bank intact. ?Their biggest poll policy was ?Jaha Jhuggi, Wahan Makaan? and the cut-off date was fixed as February 14, keeping that in mind. But ministry of urban development has raised objection to it and in order to avoid any confrontation, the Delhi government has agreed,? said a senior Delhi government official. Read more: Over 5 lakh defecate in the open due to lack of toilets in Delhi?The thrust of the policy is in-situ rehabilitation, using land as a resource and relocation will be resorted only as an exception. Attempts will be made to rehabilitate the eligible Jhuggi Jhopri dwellers at the same location or a nearby location within a radius of 5 kilometre,? said a Delhi government spokesperson.The name of the Jhuggi Jhopri dweller must exist in at least one of the electoral rolls (voters list) of 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and also in the year of survey, for the purpose of rehabilitation. Electricity bill has been added in the list of documents which were considered for the purpose of proof of residence.Read more: Delhi slums chosen to become ?Adarsh Basti? still waiting for developmentSteps on the cards1) DUSIB will provide 5,000 bunk beds, 10,000 mattresses along with bed sheets, blankets, pillows and pillow covers, LED, TVs, water coolers and geysers at the cost of Rs5 crore to improve the quality of life in shelters for homeless2)The board also approved four new shelters for urban homeless under National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) at Dwarka, Geeta Colony, Rohini and Nangloi, which will accommodate 72 families and 1,200 homeless people3) Construction of 582 EWS houses at Sangam Park under the scheme of in-situ rehabilitation of slum in Delhi

Aarushi Maheshwari

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

Flight crew averts mid-air fire caused by phone

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/sri-lankan-crew-averts-mid-air-fire-caused-by-phone/story-OPhF3TalP5BiW3vMBTlveP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Cabin crew on a Kochi-Colombo SriLankan Airlines flight extinguished a mid-flight fire suspected to have been caused by a phone in an overhead locker. The crew put a bag in the water after failing to stop the smoke with a fire extinguisher. Upon investigation, the crew found a lithium battery pack and two mobile phones in it.

Crew on a Sri Lankan Airlines plane carrying 202 passengers have extinguished a mid-flight fire triggered by a mobile phone battery in an overhead locker, the carrier said Monday.The airline said a ?major? incident was averted by the quick-thinking attendants on the flight Sunday from Kochi to Colombo.Smoke was detected shortly after a meal service on the 70-minute flight, it said.The smoke came from an overhead bin, the airline added, thanking its crew for ?averting a major incident?. Crew suspected a lithium battery fire and put the luggage in water after failing to stop the smoke with a fire extinguisher, an airline statement said.?The situation was successfully contained and the bag ceased to emit smoke,? the statement said. ?Upon investigation, the crew found a lithium battery pack and two mobile phones in the bag.?The airline did not give the make or model of the battery and the phones involved, but said an investigation was underway into the incident on the Airbus A330-200 aircraft.No one was hurt. In October, the carrier joined other airlines in banning Samsung Note 7 phones from its flights fearing spontaneous combustion.

Sonu Kumari

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

Mall refuses entry to children involved in farmers' protests

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-mall-refuses-entry-to-children-of-farmers-who-committed-suicide/story-rgKyfpcm6iGhQjPjhibfnL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

DLF Place Mall in Delhi's Saket on Wednesday reportedly denied entry to children from Maharashtra who are here to participate in a farmers' protest. An organisation had taken the children to the mall for a visit but authorities initially refused entry saying they needed "special permission". The group included several children whose parents had committed suicide due to agricultural crisis.

A south Delhi mall allegedly denied entry to a group of children from Maharashtra, whose parents committed suicide in the wake of agrarian crisis, Swaraj India president Yogendra Yadav has claimed.Yadav brought the kids to Delhi from a children?s home in Nashik to participate in a farmer?s protest at Jantar Mantar.Swaraj India leaders said that on Wednesday evening, around 40 kids were taken to DLF Place, Saket, for an ice-cream treat.?The children wanted to visit some place in Delhi. We took them to the mall as it was very hot outside. The guard was staring at them as soon as they entered the check point wearing kurta pyjama or salwar and a Nehru cap,? Swaraj India Delhi president Anupam said.Swaraj India volunteer, Rohini, who was accompanying the children, said when she went to get a trolley because one of the kids had an injury in his leg, a security guard said the kids were not allowed inside.?The guard said they had not taken any permission. They asked us to take the children out,? she said.The children stay at an ashram that houses children whose parents committed suicide owing to the farm crisis.The party alleged that there was a quarrel between its volunteers and the mall management.?The children were reportedly allowed inside only after I said journalists would be visiting the place for interviewing these kids and a senior management official intervened,? she said.A mall official issued a press statement saying, ?Yesterday evening, a group of children and adults sought entry to the mall. As it was such a large group, dressed alike, our security guard enquired about their agenda. After ascertaining the purpose of their visit, the senior management provided a conducted tour of the mall and offered refreshments,? she said.?Understandably we exercise abundant caution to ensure safety and security of all visitors. We always welcome everyone with open arms and happily conduct tours for children from schools and other institutions upon request, she added.Tow which Yadav said it was only after that the senior manager thought it would snowball into a controversy they allowed entry. They then even gave biscuits to children to save them from any embarrassment.Anupam said, ?The mall officials treated them well later which was more a damage control exercise than genuine concern for the kids.?

Tarun Khanna

11 Feb 2017,Saturday

Don?t obstruct people in temple as they pray: HC to priests

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/priests-ought-not-to-obstruct-communication-between-devotee/1/879837.html

The Delhi High Court on Friday observed that priests should give devotees one or two seconds to communicate with God and should not obstruct them while managing the crowd. "There's only a fraction of a second for a person to view the deity?here the fraction of a second isn't unobstructed," the court said in regards to Kalkaji Temple in Delhi.

and God : HC New Delhi, Feb 10 (PTI) Priests ought not to obstruct communication between devotees and God, the Delhi High Court today said while giving suggestions on managing the rush of people at Kalkaji Temple here. The observation came from Justice J R Midha who also said that the "working in the temple has to improve. This is not the way. I am concerned whether a temple should be run in this way". "There is only a fraction of a second for a person to view the deity. Within that fraction of a second, there should be no obstruction between devotees and God. Here (the temple) the fraction of a second is not unobstructed. I also go to that temple. "People (the priests) are there only to obstruct. Give a person one or two seconds to communicate with God. The people there (the priests) are not better enlightened that they can communicate to God better than devotees," the judge said.

Niharika Prabhakar

30 Jul 2017,Sunday

Travel time for trucks reduced by a fifth post-GST: Govt

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/post-gst-travel-time-of-trucks-has-reduced-by-a-fifth-govt/1/1014574.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The travel time for long-haul trucks has reduced by at least a fifth after GST was introduced, Road Transport and Highways Ministry has said. Trucks earlier took 50-65 hours to reach Kolkata from Chennai and it now stands reduced by 20%, it reported. The collection of sales tax at inter-state check posts had led to major traffic congestion, it added.

New Delhi, Jul 30 (PTI) Post-GST, travel time for long- haul trucks have reduced by at least a fifth, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has said. "A typical truck spent 20 per cent of its runtime at interstate checkposts (pre GST)...Inter-state check posts removed, travel time of long-haul trucks, other cargo vehicles cut by at least one-fifth," the Ministry has said in a recent report. On an average, a truck in India runs an annual distance of 60,000 kms, as against 200,000 km in the West. The Ministry said trucks earlier took 50-65 hours in reaching Kolkata from Chennai and the travel time now stands reduced by 20 per cent. This was corroborated from interviews with transporters as well as GPS data of express transporters. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, had last week said that Indias logistics sector stands to gain the most under the GST regime as costs will dip by almost 20 per cent. The Ministry said that pre-GST, the complex tax structure and paperwork forced the transport industry to spend a lot of resources on tax compliance and deposit of inter-state sales tax. Monitoring and collection of sales tax at inter-state check posts led to major traffic congestion at these points, resulting in slower movement of freight and passenger, and consequently higher costs and pollution, it said and added, an average Indian truck covers only about 50,000-60,000 km a year as against 3 lakh km done by a truck in the US. The unified tax regime has obviated the need for inter- state check posts. This will result in reducing travel time of long-haul trucks and other cargo vehicles by at least one- fifth, the report said. "This, coupled with the proposed E-way bill that will require online registration for movement of goods worth more than Rs 50,000, will ease the movement of freight further, and bring in more transparency to the whole process. Efficient freight movement will also boost the demand for high tonnage trucks, which will in turn reduce the cost of transportation of freight," the report said. A single GST regime also means an optimised warehousing structure. Earlier, companies had to maintain warehouses in every state due to different taxation slabs. GST does away with the need to have such separate warehouses. This means, a leaner and smarter logistics chain. This will also encourage more investment in the warehousing business. Pre-GST, the statutory tax rate for most goods worked out to about 26.5 per cent.

Aarushi Maheshwari

28 Jul 2017,Friday

Flyer at Delhi Airport hides gold worth ?57L in wire roll

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/man-held-for-smuggling-gold-worth-rs-57-lakh-at-delhi-airport/1/1012408.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A 37-year-old man was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle eight gold bars worth ?57 lakh at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Wednesday. The accused, a native of Rajasthan, was intercepted after his arrival from Riyadh via Bahrain. Customs said, "The said eight gold bars were found concealed in the electric wire roll."

New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) A 37-year-old man has been arrested by the customs for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country gold valuing about Rs 57 lakh at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here.

Anmol Sharma

24 Feb 2017,Friday

Virat Kohli out for a duck for first time in Tests in India

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/virat-kohli-mitchell-starc-india-vs-australia-pune-test/1/890475.html

Indian captain Virat Kohli on Friday got out without scoring a run for the first time in Tests in India. The duck was Kohli's fifth in 93 Test innings, with other four coming in West Indies, Australia and England (2). Last time, Kohli got out for a duck in Tests was in August 2014 against England in Manchester.

Virat Kohli, the most in-form batsman in world cricket, was dismissed for zero by Mitchell Starc in a sensational over which brought Australia right back in the contest in the Pune Test against India. (Scorecard)Earlier in the day, Australia had folded for 260, giving India plenty of time to do what they do best at home - post a big total and then put the visitors under pressure. (Ashwin breaks Kapil Dev's record for most Test wickets by an Indian in home season)However, it wasn't exactly a dream start for the hosts, who have won eight of their nine Tests this home season. Murali Vijay was first taken out by Josh Hazlewood before Starc, the most feared pacer in the world, removed Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli in the space of three balls.All three batsmen have in top form this season but Kohli's dismissal for a duck left the expectant crowd at the ground stunned.

Aarushi Maheshwari

30 May 2017,Tuesday

Baby walks moments after birth, goes viral

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/brazilian-baby-walks-just-moments-after-birth/1/965725.html

A video of a newborn baby in Brazil walking minutes after her birth has gone viral on social media. The video, which has amassed over 8 crore views on Facebook, shows a nurse supporting the baby while she walks. The nurse can be heard saying, "Oh my gosh, the girl is walking. Good gracious!"

A Facebook video showing a newborn baby girl walking just minutes after her birth in a hospital in Brazil has gone viral on social media. The video, which has over 50 million views and 1.3 million shares on Facebook, shows a midwife craddling the newborn girl across her chest with one arm and is amazed to see the baby walk on her own. "Oh my gosh, the girl is walking. Good gracious!" the nurse dressed in surgical robes with a clinical mask over her mouth, is heard crying out in amazement. WATCH: Newborn baby walks immediately after birth, takes internet by storm "I was trying to wash her here and she keeps getting up to walk," said the midwife pointing with one hand to where she initially tried to lay the baby down to give the child her first bath. The midwife is then seen lifting the baby up and returning the infant back to the original position but in an astounding burst of strength, the little girl refuses to lie down on her front, pushes up onto her legs and resumes her astonishing journey across the neonatal table once again. "If you told people what has just happened no one would believe it unless they saw it with their own eyes," the midwife holding the baby girl was quoted by The Sun as saying. The video, which was uploaded to social media on May 26 has stunned viewers who declare the babys attempt to walk nothing short of a miracle. The logo on the midwifes robes suggest that she works at a Santa Cruz Hospital in south Brazil. Also read:

Aarushi Maheshwari

17 Jun 2017,Saturday

Switzerland agrees to share bank account info with India

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/black-money-switzerland-india-automatic-information-exchange/1/980429.html

India and Switzerland will start exchanging financial account information starting 2019, with the Swiss government formally ratifying the global convention for information exchange on tax matters with 38 countries on Friday. Notably, one of the key poll promises of the Narendra Modi government was flushing out black money, much of which is believed to be stored in Swiss banks.

Switzerland on Friday ratified automatic exchange of financial account information with India and 40 other jurisdictions to facilitate immediate sharing of details about suspected black money, even as it sought strict adherence to confidentiality and data security.Adopting the dispatch on introduction of the AEOI, a global convention for automatic information exchange on tax matters, the Swiss Federal Council said the implementation is planned for 2018 and the first set of data should be exchanged in 2019.The council, which is the top governing body of the European nation, will soon notify the Indian government about the exact date from which the automatic exchange would begin.NO FURTHER PROCEDURAL DELAYAs per the draft notification approved by the council in its meeting on Friday, the decision is not subject to any referendum -- which means there should be no further procedural delay in its implementation.The issue of black money has been a matter of great debate in India and Switzerland has been long perceived as one of the safest havens for the illicit wealth allegedly stashed abroad by Indians.Friday's decision follows hectic parleys between India and Switzerland for introduction of the AEOI (Automatic Exchange of Information) on tax matters under the guidance of G20, OECD and other global organisations.HUGE APPROVAL FOR PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE AEOI WITH INDIAThe council said the proposal to introduce AEOI with India and others "met with widespread approval from the interested parties who voiced their opinions in the consultations"."In concrete terms, the AEOI will be activated with each individual state or territory by means of a specific federal decree within the framework of this dispatch," it added.The exchange of information itself will be carried out based on the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA) on the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information, which is in turn based on the international standard for the exchange of information developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).The council said it will prepare a situation report before the first exchange of data, which is planned for autumn 2019."In the process, it will be checked whether the states and territories concerned effectively meet the requirements under the standard, especially those concerning confidentiality and data security."It is important for the Federal Council that a level playing field be created among states and that all major financial centres, in particular, be included. This year, Switzerland has introduced the AEOI with 38 states and territories, including all EU member states, and data will start to be exchanged with them in 2018," it added.

Tarun Khanna

21 Apr 2017,Friday

How can you make Aadhaar mandatory, SC asks Centre

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aadhaar-card-supreme-court-ruling-government-uidai/1/934508.html

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre, "How can you make Aadhaar card mandatory when we have passed an order to make it optional?" The Centre argued that they had found a number of PAN cards being used to divert funds to shell companies, and making Aadhaar mandatory was the only option to prevent it.

The Supreme Court today came down hard on the government over the issue of making Aadhaar compulsory in complete violation of the apex court's previous order."How can you make Aadhaar mandatory despite a clear order to make it optional. Is making Aadhaar by force the only way to tackle fraud?" a furious Supreme Court told the Centre while hearing a PIL against the government's decision making Aadhaar compulsory. The Supreme Court bench led by Justice Sikri questioned the Centre as to how Aadhar can be made compulsory and forced on people. The Centre's argument has been that the earlier order merely applies for beneficiary schemes like LPG and food grains and the government is free to use it for other services like income tax.GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSEThe contention here is of reading the earlier order. While the Centre is making case for a narrow reading of the order restricting it to essential services and beneficiary schemes, the petitioners have given the earlier order a broad reading. The main matter in Aadhaar is pending on the question of the right to privacy.  "We found a number of of Pan cards being used to divert funds to shell companies. To prevent this, the only option is to make Aadhaar card mandatory," Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the Supreme Court bench.WHAT SUPREME COURT RULING SAYSThe Supreme Court had on March 27 made it clear that Aadhaar cards cannot be made mandatory by the government for extending benefits of social welfare schemes.The top court, however, said that the government cannot be barred from seeking these cards, which are issued by UIDAI, for "non-benefit" purposes like filing of IT returns and opening of accounts"The answer is this that for giving benefits of welfare schemes, it (Aadhaar) cannot be pressed. They (government and its agencies) cannot be stopped from seeking Aadhaar for non-benefit schemes like opening of bank accounts," a bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar had said. The apex court on August 11, 2015 had said that Aadhaar cards will not be mandatory for availing benefits of government's welfare schemes and barred the authorities from sharing personal biometric data collected for enrollment under the schemeHowever, on October 15, 2015 it had lifted its earlier restriction and permitted the voluntary use of Aadhaar cards in welfare schemes that also included MGNREGA, all pension schemes and the provident fund besides ambitious flagship programmes like 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna' of the NDA government.(With PTI inputs) ALSO READ:Aadhaar card can't be made mandatory by government for welfare schemes: Supreme Court

Daisy Mowke

17 Jul 2017,Monday

Get a job: Star Wars creator Lucas to autograph seekers

http://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/watch-star-wars-creator-george-lucas-shut-down-autograph-seekers-get-a-job/story-aSEO4dftavwggdoqwlksjP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Star Wars franchise creator George Lucas asked autograph seekers to get a job instead of selling his autographs for money. "You know why I have money and you don't? Instead of spending time doing autographs, I spend my time making movies," he added. "I started out just like you. I had nothing when I started," he further said.nnn

Filmmaker George Lucas has slammed autograph seekers, who seek to make money off his signature. He says they should look for another job as he also had ?nothing? when he started.Lucas, 73, began arguing with the crowd on Friday while suggesting them that they should choose an honest approach for a living, instead of selling his autographs for $200 (Rs 13,000) apiece. ?You know why I have money and you don?t? Instead of spending time doing autographs, I spend my time making movies,? Lucas said in a video, reports tmz.com.When one of the autograph seekers replied he couldn?t make movies, Lucas became upset at the notion.?I started out just like you. I had nothing when I started,? Lucas said.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Chhavi Tyagi

22 Jun 2017,Thursday

Two jawans martyred as Army foils infiltration bid in J&K

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kashmir-poonch-army-jawans-militant-operations/1/985077.html

Two Army jawans were martyred on Thursday while another was injured in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch while foiling an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC). The infiltration bid was reportedly supported by Pakistan's Border Action Team (BAT). Further, the jawans killed an armed intruder while another armed intruder was injured in the operation.

Two Army jawans lost their lives today while another got injured in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch while foiling an infiltration bid from across the Line of Control (LoC). The infiltration bid was supported by Pakistan's Border Action Team (BAT).An Army area domination patrol team was targeted by armed intruders leading to an exchange of fire. While the firefight was going on, Pakistani posts engaged Indian posts with heavy firing.Jawans killed an armed intruder while another armed intruder was injured.Operations are in progress and heavy exchange of fire is going on. In the firefight two Army jawans have been martyred.The Border Action Team (BAT), which generally comprises special forces of the Pakistan Army and some terrorists, carried out the attack at around 2 pm with the aid of cover fire by the Pakistani troops from their posts.This was the third BAT action in Poonch this year. In a similar BAT attack on May 1, two Indian soldiers were beheaded in Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch district. That attack too was carried out under the cover of shelling by the Pakistani troops.Prior to that, a BAT attack was carried out on February 18 but there were no casualties in that.Earlier, there have been several BAT attacks in which Indian jawans have been beheaded or their bodies mutilated.On October 28,last year, militants attacked a post and killed an Indian Army soldier and mutilated his body close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Machil sector.In January 2013, Lance Naik Hemraj was killed and his body mutilated by a BAT. It had also beheaded Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh. Constable Rajinder Singh of the BSF battalion had suffered injuries in the attack.  Also read:

Sonu Kumari

17 Jul 2017,Monday

Activist alleges cop threatened to kill her in encounter

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/activist-shabnam-hashmi-alleges-delhi-cop-threatened-to-kill-her-in-encounter/story-KC8fCVUksLTB97COS7tvKJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Human rights activist Shabnam Hashmi alleged that a Delhi cop threatened to kill her in an encounter when she called him to inquire about a case. The cop allegedly also claimed that an initiative to 'surround and kill' had been launched against those without Aadhaar card or other identity proof. The police is investigating the phone recordings submitted by Hashmi.

A man claiming to be a sub-inspector with the Delhi Police allegedly threatened to kill social activist Shabnam Hashmi in an encounter when she called him over phone to find out about a case involving an auto driver.The man, who identified himself as Sandip Malik and claimed to be posted at Lajpat Nagar police station, also allegedly said that an initiative to ?surround and kill?(Ghero aur Maaro) had been launched against those who did not have an Aadhaar card or other identity proof.Hashmi disconnected the call and installed a call recorder on her phone before resuming the conversation. Much of those threats were recorded and submitted to the Delhi Police commissioner on Saturday even as she awaited response on any action taken.When questioned about the allegations, Romil Baaniya, DCP (south-east), said no sub-inspector by the name Sandip Malik is posted at Lajpat Nagar police station. ?There is a constable by the same name though, but he does not use the phone number in question,? said the DCP.Since Hashmi?s complaint was addressed to the commissioner, Baaniya said he was yet to receive her complaint and the audio recording and that he got to know of the allegations only through media reports.?Once we have the audio recording, we will get it verified. In case the audio reveals any offence, we will pursue legal action,? said the DCP, adding that Truecaller, a mobile application used to check the caller?s identity, showed the phone number to be belonging to one Ashish Kumar. ?The phone owner is not taking the call, but we will reach the person soon,? he said.Human rights activist Hashmi is associated with Pehchaan, a voluntary organisation that imparts skills and education to girls who drop out of school. The first call from the accused policeman was received on Friday night by one of her former students? husband, an auto driver. ?The caller claimed to be SI Sandip Malik and ordered this man to immediately visit Lajpat Nagar police station. He was threatened that he will be beaten up if he switched off his phone and not informed what the case was about,? alleged Hashmi.When Hashmi heard this, she decided to call the policeman and enquire about the case. She claimed that she was bombarded with vulgar abuses. ?I told the policeman I was a social worker, but he demanded my identity proof, Aadhaar card details and names of all girls who are trained at my organisation,? said Hashmi.Hashmi immediately disconnected the call and downloaded a call recorder even as the person at the other kept calling her. But when the fresh round of conversations resumed, the policeman avoided using expletives as he appeared to be aware that the recording going on.?Among several threats, the man also claimed that a ?surround and kill? campaign to kill those without Aadhaar cards or any identity proofs is being carried out by the instructions from the top and these instructions have been passed on to every police station,? alleged Hashmi.

Chhavi Tyagi

23 Dec 2016,Friday

PM, his team are like Ali Baba and gang of thieves: Mamata

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/demonetisation-mamata-banerjee-pm-modi-ali-baba-scam-casheless-parliament/1/840727.html

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team are like Ali Baba and his gang of thieves who rob people to make themselves rich. Terming the Centre's demonetisation move as the biggest scam in world history, Banerjee said, "Bank is cashless, the government is faceless. Remove Modi, save the country."

The battle is between the Prime Minister and West Bengal Chief Minister has once again been rekindled as Mamata Banerjee today lauched yet another scathing attack on the Prime Minister and his demonitisation drive.Mamata addressed her party leaders and then the media from the party office which she visited after a few months on Thursday.

Radhika Chugh

28 Jul 2017,Friday

Rescue operations at collapsed Mumbai building last 30 hours

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-building-collapse-after-30-hours-rescue-ops-at-ghatkopar-end-probe-begins/story-K5rFzOqsBDS8tgiyMsViYM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Rescue operations at the collapsed four-storey building in Mumbai's Ghatkopar ended on Wednesday after 30 hours, with the death toll rising to 17. Reportedly, 90 fire brigade personnel, 300 rescue workers, and 50 NDRF men participated in the rescue operations. A Shiv Sena leader who owned the building's ground floor was booked over renovations that weakened the building structure.

Thirty hours and endless moments of hope and despair later, rescue operations at Ghatkopar?s Siddhi Sai housing society ended on Wednesday. The toll rose to 17, 14 were injured and were being treated at hopsitals and 139 truckloads of debris was cleared from the site that was once home to at least 12 families. Rescue workers said they ended operations at 5.30pm on Wednesday after all residents were accounted for. But the hours before that were harrowing for the 90 fire brigade personnel, 300 rescue workers, 50 NDRF men and their sniffer dogs, who combed through the rubble of the five-storey structure looking for people. At 10.45am on Tuesday, the building caved in with women, senior citizens and infants. The dead included two infants ? a three-month-old and 1-year-old ? and four senior citizens. The rescue ops began around 11.23am. The fire brigade called it a level 4 emergency and deployed 14 fire engines, two rescue vans and ambulances to the spot. As rescue operations continued, the scale of the tragedy came to light ? by 3pm, 12 people were removed from the debris, four of whom were declared dead; 12 hours after the building collapsed, the toll had risen to 12. As people were found, they were rushed to the nearby Shantiniketan hospital or the Rajawadi hospital. But the survivors and families of those still missing held on to hope, as neighbours and residents of the nearby societies helped search for people, served tea and biscuits and comforted the families. For one family, the prayers paid off. After 16 hours of being trapped under the rubble, the fire brigade pulled out Rajesh Doshi, a 57-year-old businessman. Doshi luckily had his phone with him when the building came crashing down and he used it to help the rescuers find him.READ:??Sena man arrested for Ghatkopar building collapse named in 6 illegal construction cases in Mumbai?The rescue operations continued through the night, and by 7.30am, 17 people were declared dead. By 5.30pm on Wednesday, rescue operations ended. So far, seven of the injured have been discharged from the Rajawadi and Shantiniketan hospitals. People worked round-the-clock not just on the site. Doctors at Rajawadi?s post mortem centre worked overnight to complete forensic analysis of the 17 bodies and send them back to the families within hours. Dr Shivaji Kachre from the Nagpada Police Hospital that heads the five post mortem centres, said they sent four doctors and additional staff to the centre. ?We completed all documentation and handed over the bodies to avoid further inconvenience to the families,? Dr Kachare said.After residents pointed out that renovation on the ground floor of the building could have weakened it, the police on Tuesday filed an FIR naming Shiv Sena leader Sunil Shitap, who owned three flats on the ground floor. He has been arrested. On Wednesday, CM Devendra Fadnavis told the Maharashtra assembly that prima facie, it looked like the renovation work was responsible for the collapse and announced that a senior IAS officer will head the committee formed by the Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation (BMC) to probe the incident.

Aarushi Maheshwari

28 Feb 2017,Tuesday

Chef Vikas Khanna gifts cookbook to Queen Elizabeth

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/chef-vikas-khanna-utsav-a-culinary-epic-queen-elizabeth-ii-buckingham-palace-lifefd/1/893198.html

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna gifted a copy of his cookbook 'Utsav: A Culinary Epic of Indian Festivals' to Queen Elizabeth II at the launch of the UK-India Year of Culture 2017 at Buckingham Palace on Monday. The 1,200-page limited-edition cookbook covers over 70 festivals across India and includes 1,000 recipes. A copy was recently auctioned off for ?30 lakh.

Vikas Khanna knows very well how to do publicity right. But however good you are at public relations, no talent in the world can get you this opportunity--the opportunity to meet, greet and present your product to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.Yes, Vikas Khanna was at the Buckingham Palace last night, attending the UK-India reception. The event was held to celebrate this year's UK-India Year of Culture. Other Indians in attendance at the palace were designer Anita Dongre, actor Kunal Nayyar with wife Neha Kapur, cricketer Kapil Dev and finance minister of India, Arun Jaitley, among others. #royal The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to chef Vikas Khanna who is one of the presenters of MasterChef India at a reception this evening pic.twitter.com/nKIHDhCX5s

Pragya Swastik

30 Mar 2017,Thursday

Mumbai Police unable to trace TVF Founder Arunabh: Reports

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arunabh-kumar-absconding-tvf-molestation/1/916324.html

The Mumbai Police is reportedly unable to reach or locate The Viral Fever (TVF) Founder Arunabh Kumar, a day after he was booked on sexual harassment charges. Following the FIR, police were supposed to send Kumar summons on Thursday, but they haven't been able to find him. The police even went to the TVF office, but Kumar was not there.

A day after Arunabh Kumar was finally booked on sexual harassment charges, Mumbai Police remain in search of the TVF founder.According to highly placed sources in Mumbai police, the cops are unable to reach or locate Arunabh.Following the FIR, cops were supposed to send Arunabh summons on Thursday, but they haven't been able to find him to do so. The officials are keen to arrest Arunabh afterthe summons.If Arunabh remains untraceable for the next 3-4 days, police will arrest him directly, without serving him the summons.ALL YOU NEED TO KNOWThe series of allegations against Arunabh emerged after a woman wrote an anonymous blog earlier this month alleging sexual harassment by him during the time she worked at TVF between 2014 and 2016.The post took the social media by storm, and brought out a lot of women who allegedly had similar experiences with Arunabh.Read: All that happened since explosive blog post  TVF, at first, denied all the allegations saying it would "leave no stone unturned to find the author of the article and bring them to severe justice for making such false allegations." But in a second statement, days later, it promised to look into every allegations against Arunabh.Then, just a day after Mumbai Police announced that with no women filing a proper FIR, the case against Arunabh was set to go cold, a woman came forward and filed a complaint against the TVF CEO.According to her complaint, she met Arunabh at the TVF office last year for a job interview, during which he inappropriately touched her. The woman's identity is being kept secret at the moment.

Arshiya Chopra

08 Jul 2017,Saturday

Posting Andaman tribes' video on social media now punishable

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/posting-andaman-tribes-videos-on-social-media-now-punishable/1/996957.html

The Centre on Saturday notified that action would be taken against those who post videos and images of the protected Andaman and Nicobar Islands' tribal communities on social media. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has said the tribes come under a regulation that protects them from outside interference, violation of which is punishable with imprisonment up to three years.

New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) Action will be taken against those who have uploaded videos and pictures of the protected Jarawa and other tribal communities of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on social media, the government today said. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) said it has taken suo moto cognisance of these instances and has decided to take up the matter with various ministries including the Union home ministry and ministry of external affairs among others. The NCST, in a statement, said it will seek "removal of these objectionable video films from YouTube and initiate action on those who uploaded these video clips on social media platforms". It said the Andamanese, Jarawas, Onges, Sentinelese, Nicobarese and Shom Pens have been identified as "aboriginal tribes" and they are protected under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation. The regulation, it said, contains the provisions of protection of these communities from outside interference. Also, penalty provisions for promoting tourism through advertisements relating to aboriginal tribes has also been made in 2012.

Daisy Mowke

29 Jul 2017,Saturday

George Clooney to sue magazine for publishing pics of twins

http://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/george-clooney-promises-to-sue-french-magazine-for-publishing-images-of-his-twins/story-E8W3gRdAwMLEw7iY0hqWCO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Hollywood actor George Clooney has said he will sue French entertainment magazine Voici for publishing images of his twins without his permission. "[P]hotographers from Voici magazine scaled our fence, climbed our tree and illegally took pictures of our infants inside our home," Clooney said in a statement. The twins, Ella and Alexander, were born in June this year.n

Hollywood A-lister George Clooney is fuming mad at Voici for publishing images of his twins and will sue the French entertainment magazine.?Over the last week, photographers from Voici magazine scaled our fence, climbed our tree and illegally took pictures of our infants inside our home,? Clooney said in a statement. ?Make no mistake, the photographers, the agency and the magazine will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The safety of our children demands it.?Paparazzi photos of the babies on the cover of the latest Voici issue show one with each parent apparently at their home in Italy. Una revista francesa publica las primeras fotografías de los mellizos de #GeorgeClooney y esto enfurece al actor. "Durante la semana pasada los fotógrafos de la revista Voici escalaron nuestra valla, subieron nuestro árbol e ilegalmente tomaron fotos de nuestros niños dentro de nuestra casa", "Que no se equivoquen los fotógrafos, vamos a adoptar medidas legales, porque la seguridad de nuestros hijos lo permite", comentó el actor. A post shared by Despierta America (@despiertamerica) on Jul 28, 2017 at 7:38pm PDTThe twins, Ella and Alexander, were born in London in June.The actor-director, 56, and wife Amal Clooney, a human rights attorney, 29, wed in 2014.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Aarushi Maheshwari

05 May 2017,Friday

Pakistan International Airlines to suspend flights to Mumbai

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistan-international-airlines-to-suspend-flights-to-mumbai-from-may-15/1/946227.html

Pakistan's national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will suspend flights between Mumbai and Karachi from May 15, according to reports. The move is said to be the result of falling passenger traffic as fewer people are being sanctioned visas. PIA also operates flights from Lahore and Karachi to Delhi and is the only airline operating flights between the two countries.

Pakistan International Airlines will suspend flight between Mumbai and Karachi from May 15. According to sources, the Airlines is planning to suspend the services because of deteriorating India-Pakistan relations. Not many people are sanctioned visas leading to no passenger traffic. The flight between Mumbai and Karachi is the only direct flight as no Indian airlines flies to Pakistan. The Pakistan International Airlines has three flights in a week.Relations between India and Pakistan have turned sour over the last few months, especially after the Uri attack which killed 19 Indian soldiers, after which India organised a surgical strike targetting terror launch pads across LoC.Recently, Pakistan Army's mutilated bodies of two Indian soldiers in the Krishna Ghati sector along the Line of Control (LoC).In a ceasefire violation, the Pakistan Army had opened rocket and mortar firing on two forward posts along the Line of Control. Pakistan's Border Action Team (BAT) attacked an Indian joint patrol team and mutilated its two soldiers.Indian Army has vowed that it would respond to the barbaric act at a "time and place of its choosing".

Niharika Prabhakar

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

NHAI approves Delhi rapid transit projects worth ?50k crore

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/nhai-approves-delhi-rrts-projects-worth-rs-53500-crore/1/1006149.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approved Delhi-Panipat and Delhi-Alwar Regional Rapid Transit Systems projects worth ?53,500 crore. A ground survey for aligning the projects has already been done and building them along national highways would reportedly reduce time and cost. The NHAI also agreed to take up a project to decongest Delhi by connecting three national highways.

New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) today granted in-principle approval for construction of Delhi-Panipat and Delhi-Alwar Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS) projects worth Rs 53,500 crore, a government official said. The 111-km Delhi-Sonipat-Panipat RRTS project is estimated to cost about Rs 16,500 crore, while the 180 km Delhi-Rewari-Alwar line will cost about Rs 37,000 crore. "NHAI has in principle agreed to construction of these two projects along NH-1 and NH-8. NHAI also in-principle, agreed to take up the Urban Extension Road-2 which would help in easing traffic congestion in Delhi," the official said. He said this was decided during a meeting between NHAI Chairman Deepak Kumar and Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra here. DDA Vice-Chairman Uday Pratap Singh, National Capital Regional Transport Corporation (NCRTC) MD V K Singh and senior officials of the ministry and concerned organisations also attended the hour-long meeting. A ground survey for aligning the two RRTS projects has already been done by NCRTC and building them along national highways would significantly reduce construction time by over three years besides bringing down costs substantially since land acquisition would not be required, the official quoted Mishra as saying in the meeting.

Radhika Chugh

02 Aug 2017,Wednesday

NGT directs UP, Delhi to clean debris from Yamuna floodplain

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/remove-debris-from-yamuna-floodplain-green-tribunal-tells-delhi-uttar-pradesh/story-aCkTENNbNWsAW3F7qwFCVN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday directed the irrigation departments of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to remove debris from the Yamuna floodplains within three weeks. The NGT added that any ?inaction on part of authorities cannot be tolerated?. Notably, the Tribunal has reconstituted the Principal Committee responsible for overseeing the execution of the Yamuna cleaning project.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Delhi and Uttar Pradesh governments to remove debris on the floodplains of the Yamuna. It said indiscriminate dumping of waste was a direct source of pollution in the river. A bench headed by NGT chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar said the department of irrigation of Delhi and UP would have to carry out these directions. ?The debris on either side of the river Yamuna, if not already removed, shall be removed within three weeks,? the bench said. The green court said work to rejuvenate the Yamuna should not be stopped unnecessarily as pollution was rising daily and any ?inaction on part of authorities cannot be tolerated?.?In the interest of environment and public health, the government and all authorities concerned must perform their function and ensure that the Yamuna is rejuvenated to its original pristine status. Now, the project is being carried on in a planned, scientific and implementable manner and any obstruction in that behalf will not be tolerated,? the bench said.The tribunal reconstituted the principal committee, formed to see the execution of the cleaning of the Yamuna, and included Shashi Shekhar, former secretary of ministry of water resources, as a special invitee.It also convened a meeting of stakeholders, including officials from Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, on August 8 at 3pm at the tribunal to discuss the cleaning and rejuvenation of the Yamuna.During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the Delhi government told the NGT that steps were being taken by the Delhi Jal Board to ensure that work to clean the Yamuna was completed with utmost expeditiousness.?In relation to the project report of the second phase of the Yamuna cleaning, it is submitted that it has already been filed before the tribunal as well as sent to the principal committee, ministry of water resources,? the bench noted.The directions came when the NGT was hearing a plea on the monitoring of implementation of the Maili se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Project 2017 project.The tribunal had earlier banned open defecation and dumping of waste on the floodplains of the Yamuna and announced an environment compensation of R5,000 for violation of the order.

Ankur Vyas

19 Apr 2017,Wednesday

Delhi HC refuses AAP's request for use of paper trail EVMs

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-hc-refuses-aap-request-on-use-of-evms-with-paper-trail-in-mcd-polls/story-WvjVSsIWeoTYhe7db332PL.html

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday declined AAP's request to use paper trail EVMs for the upcoming civic polls in Delhi. "We cannot stay the election nor pass an order to use electronic voting machines which are not there," it added. The state election commission earlier said it was not possible to replace all the EVMs in four days.

The Delhi high court on Tuesday declined Aam Aadmi Party?s request to use second-generation EVMs with paper trail in the April 23 civic polls in the national capital.Justice AK Pathak refused immediate relief to the ruling party, saying that ?nothing can be done at the eleventh hour?. ?We cannot stay the election nor pass an order to use electronic voting machines which are not there,? the court said while seeking a response from the Election Commission of India and the Delhi State Election Commission by Friday, the next date of hearing.The AAP and its candidate Mohammad Tahir Hussain have approached the high court for using second-generation EVMs attached with Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in the elections to the capital?s three municipal corporations.The court?s order came after State Election Commission counsel Sumeet Pushkarna opposed the plea on the ground that the MCD elections are slated for April 23 and changing all EVMs with VVPAT is not feasible in four days.The counsel said the EVMs to be used in the civic polls are the same that were used in 2015 assembly elections, after which the AAP came to power. ?But now they have speculation that these machines are tampered with. There are three judgements that elections at this stage cannot be stalled,? he added.Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the AAP and Hussain, contended that the poll panel was duty-bound to use the VVPAT-linked EVMs, adding that the Supreme Court in 2013 termed the second-generation EVMs as the ?safest?.Jaising said the EVMs compatible with VVPATs were used in Uttar Pradesh and Goa polls and the Election Commission of India has 13,000, apart from additional 3,000, second-generation EVMs with them.Raising concern over the EVM security, Jaising said: ?There is a demonstrable problem in Dholpur in Rajasthan -- no matter what button you press, the vote will go to the BJP.?The VVPAT is connected with EVMs and dispenses paper proof so that voters can verify that their vote has been cast correctly. The AAP and the Congress say that the EVMs without VVPAT can be tampered with.

Deepali Aggarwal

26 Mar 2017,Sunday

1 killed, 14 injured as gunman open fires in a US nightclub

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ohio-shooting-cincinnati-nightclub-shooting-cameo-night-club/1/913181.html

One person was killed and at least fourteen others were injured on Sunday after a gunman opened fire in a Cincinnati nightclub in Ohio, US, according to reports. The shooter is reportedly on the run after the incident at the Cameo Club. However, Cincinnati police have confirmed that they have launched a homicide investigation into the attack.

A gunfight broke out inside a crowded Cincinnati nightclub early Sunday, leaving one man dead and 15 others wounded after a dispute among several patrons escalated into a shootout, authorities said.No suspects were in custody by Sunday night in the shooting at the Cameo club, which has a history of gun violence, and police said there was no indication of any terrorism link.Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac said one of the wounded was in "extremely critical condition," while a hospital spokeswoman said two victims were listed in critical condition.Police began receiving calls at 1:30 a.m. about gunshots at the club near the Ohio River east of downtown Cincinnati. Isaac said some 200 people were inside the club, one of the few hip-hop venues in the city, for music and dancing.Isaac identified the dead man as 27-year-old O'Bryan Spikes, but provided no other details. He said 15 others were injured, with some already treated and released from hospitals."What we know at this point in the investigation is that several local men got into some type of dispute inside the bar, and it escalated into shots being fired from several individuals," Isaac said. It wasn't clear how many people fired shots.'IT WAS JUST CRAZY' Club patron Mauricio Thompson described a chaotic scene in which as many as 20 shots were fired as people scrambled to get away. He said there was a fight and people were yelling for security to intervene before the gunfire began."Once I got outside, people coming out bloody, gunshot wounds on them, some of their friends carrying them to the car, rushing them to the hospital," Thompson told WCPO-TV. "It was just crazy."Police Sgt. Daniel Hils said the large crowd at the club was a factor in the number of people who suffered gunshot wounds."When you're talking about something tightly packed like that, I think intended targets aren't going to be the only thing that's hit," said Hils, who is president of the Fraternal Order of Police local. "When you starting throwing lead around, and there's a lot of other people standing around, then the other people are going to get hit."Isaac said the club has its own security operation that uses detection wands and pat-downs, but that police believe several firearms got inside. Four officers were working security in the club's parking lot and some tried unsuccessfully to revive the man who died.Cameo's Facebook profile said it caters to college students on Friday nights, when anyone over 18 is allowed in, while Saturdays are "grown and sexy night" for ages 21 and older. The page was taken down later Sunday.'JUST A LOT OF CHAOS' The club has a history of gun violence, including a shooting inside the club on New Year's Day in 2015 and one in the parking lot in September of that year, City Manager Harry Black said.Police Capt. Kim Williams said there was "just a lot of chaos, obviously, when shots were fired.""Saturday night, it is a very young crowd. We have had incidents here in the past, but this is by far the worst," she said.Referring to initial speculation about possible terrorism, Mayor John Cranley said: "What difference does that make to the victims? Innocent people were shot."He called the shootings "unacceptable" and said authorities would work to find ways to prevent such violence.A single body was removed by the coroner shortly after 6 a.m. A federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives team was also at the scene.Among the injured, five were treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and released, hospital spokeswoman Kelly Martin said. She said two people were in critical condition and another three were listed in stable condition by late afternoon. She had no details on the types of injuries or the ages of the victims. Other injured people were taken to or drove themselves to other hospitals.Authorities asked anyone with information to come forward. Investigators were checking to see if surveillance cameras were working, Williams said.An Associated Press phone call to the club Sunday night went unanswered.The area is mostly industrial but also home to several nightclubs with a smattering of homes. A regional airport is nearby. The neighborhood is fairly desolate at night, with the exception of the nightlife scene and 24-hour gas stations. The road where the club is located was easily cordoned off by a single police cruiser and officer at either end.First responders had problems reaching the shooting victims because the parking lots were full, Sgt. Eric Franz told the Cincinnati Enquirer.Ohio Gov. John Kasich said on Twitter that he was "saddened to learn about last night's shooting" and that he was offering the state's assistance.Watch video here

Sumedha Sehra

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Ex-Prez Pranab Mukherjee joins Twitter as @CitiznMukherjee

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/president-pranab-mukherjee-twitter-rashtrapati-bhavan-ram-nath-kovind/1/1010568.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Former President Pranab Mukherjee made a personal Twitter account by the handle '@CitiznMukherjee'. He earlier used to tweet from the '@rashtrapatibhvn' account, which now represents President Ram Nath Kovind. Further, all tweets made by Mukherjee as President have been archived at '@POI13'. Interestingly, it was Mukherjee who had started the Indian President's official Twitter handle.

As Pranab Mukherjee left the palatial Rashtrapati Bhavan to make way for India's 14th President Ram Nath Kovind, who was sworn-in today, to his new residence at 10 Rajaji Marg, a change of guard was also reflected on Twitter.As part of a digital transition, the Twitter handle of @rashtrapatibhvn now represents Ram Nath Kovind.#PresidentKovind at work pic.twitter.com/0QK5IE8Q5zAll tweets made under the past president Pranab Mukherjee have now been archived under a new Twitter handle @POI13.Pranab Mukherjee will however continue to tweet under a new handle @CitiznMukherjee. This will act as a personal account of Pranab Mukherjee.At 10 Rajaji Marg as President Kovind saw me off.Thank you all for your goodwishes.#CitizenMukherjeepic.twitter.com/IFq74umPjuHis new Twitter handle reminds what Mukherjee had said yesterday about returning from the Rashtrapati Bhavan as a citizen after spending five years as India's first citizen."When I speak to you tomorrow, it will not be as the President but as a citizen - a pilgrim like all of you in India's onward march towards glory," Mukherjee had said in his last address to the nation as President."What's happening in India and around the world, happens on Twitter. Today, we are paving the way for the digital transition of the President of India's official account," said Mahima Kaul, head of public policy, Twitter India."The new president, Ram Nath Kovind, will now use the official President of India account @RashtrapatiBhvn," Kaul said.A smooth transition between administrations was one of Mukherjee's top priorities as president, she said, adding that digital was a key pillar in today's Internet age.President Pranab Mukherjee was India's first President to have started tweeting.He created hashtag #PresidentMukherjee on Twitter to engage with citizens through his term.President Mukherjee sent his first Tweet as the President of India on 1 July 2014. During his term, President Mukherjee's most retweeted tweet was about demonetisation last year.

Rini Kapoor

16 Jan 2017,Monday

Superstitious rapist wore red jacket while raping for 12 yrs

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/superstitious-serial-rapist-in-lucky-red-jacket-arrested-in-delhi-after-13-years/story-djCdmrK3UgAqCZH0BwxxtN.html

A 38-year-old serial rapist accused of raping hundreds of minors for over 12 years was arrested on Saturday, police said. It is alleged the superstitious rapist travelled from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi by only the Sampark Kranti Express, travelled only on odd dates and wore the same set of clothes - red jacket and blue jeans - while abusing girls.

Sunil Rastogi came to Delhi by the Sampark Kranti Express and no other train, travelled only on odd dates and wore the same set of clothes -- a red jacket and a pair of blue jeans.Delhi was a happy hunting ground for him. He could find a prey easily -- schoolgirls between the age of 7 and 11 -- and get back home safe after raping them, Delhi Police officials alleged.He did it for 13 years. The red jacket was his lucky charm.But, on Saturday 38-year-old Rastogi?s luck ran out. A tailor from Rampur in Uttar Pradesh, he was arrested from east Delhi?s Kalyanpuri.He was arrested for allegedly raping two minors and molesting another in New Ashok Nagar. ?During questioning, he admitted to his involvement in various other cases in the area of New Ashok Nagar, Ghaziabad and Rudrapur in Uttarakhand,? Omvir Singh, DCP (East), said.He confessed to raping at least 13 girls but then kept changing his statement, police sources said.Police suspect the list of victims to be much longer, as Rastogi, who has five children, two of them girls, frequently visited Delhi. He also has cases against him in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.In the Capital, Rastogi used to prowl schools between 2pm and 4pm when students used to leave for home.He carried a list of girl schools in his pocket. He would follow a group for a short distance and then pick a child who would stray from others.He would tell the victim he was a friend of her father?s who had sent clothes and snacks. For every victim, he would stitch a new set of clothes and wrap a new parcel.?He would tell the child he had more presents for her and would take her with him and sexually assault her,? a police source said.A secluded staircase in New Ashok Nagar was his ?safe? spot. At other times, he assaulted the girls in a dingy lane or a godown.Read?|?Cries for mercy ?amused? and ?encouraged? east Delhi serial rapist?We received two strikingly similar complaints of minors being assaulted in New Ashok Nagar. The minors in their statement said the man was wearing a red jacket and promised them more new clothes,? a police officer said..rapist1_boxwrap {width:auto; font-family: "Open Sans"; padding:10px; background-color:none; float:left}.rapist1_box1 ul {width:95%; line-height:22px; text-decoration:none; list-style:url(http://www.hindustantimes.com/static/ht2016/10/bulletbrown1.png); margin:10px; padding-left:11px; font-size:100%; border-left:1px dashed #993333; float:left}.rapist1_h1 {font-size:110%; font-weight:normal; padding-left:5px; margin-bottom:10px}.rapist1_tophead {width:100%; font-size:160%; color:black; line-height:24px; font-weight:bold; margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:5px; text-transform:uppercase; padding-left:5px; margin-top:10px; float:left}.rapist1_text1 {width:98%; font-size:110%; color:#F00; font-weight:bold; margin-top:5px; padding-left:5px; float:left}.rapist1_img {width:auto; text-align:left; float:left}.cricketmargin {width:100%; height:10px; border-bottom:1px dotted #000; float:left}.clrboth {clear:both}CHILDREN UNSAFE IN NATIONAL CAPITALDelhi is becoming unsafe for its kids with a steady rise in crimes against themHorror children faced in 2016 in the capital cityDecember 24: A 60-year-old auto-rickshaw driver attempts to rape a 10-year-old girl in east Delhi?s Geeta Colony. The man had made a similar attempt on the same girl three months agoDecember 16: Two men allegedly kidnap a 13-year-old girl from outside her house in northeast Delhi?s Khajoori Khas, take her to a nearby shop and attempt to gang-rape her. A local resident sees the two men entering the shop with the girl and informs her family members, who are already looking for her in the locality.November 21: A four-year-old girl in northwest Delhi?s Keshav Puram is found murdered near her house. Police suspect sexual assault. They recover a CCTV footage that shows her neighbour carrying her into the bushes near her house.September 3: An eleven-monthold baby is abducted and raped by her neighbour in west Delhi?s Vikaspuri.July 25: A 4-year-old girl is allegedly kidnapped and raped by her 28-year-old neighbour in outer Delhi?s Shahbad Dairy. She suffers injuries in her private parts and is admitted to a government hospital. The accused, Junaid, has been arrested.July 23: A 14-year-old Dalit girl is allegedly raped several times by her neighbour and forced to drink a ?corrosive substance? that severely damages her internal organs in north Delhi?s Burari. The girl later succumbs to her injuries during treatment at hospital.May 25: A 13-year-old girl with Down Syndrome is admitted to AIIMS after she is kidnapped, brutally raped and dumped near the railway tracks allegedly by her neighbour in southeast Delhi?s Pul Prahladpur. She suffers bruises on her neck and abdomen.A team was formed to identify the man after another complaint was received on December 13, the officer said.Police scanned the CCTV footage of the area where Rastogi had raped the girls. Police were able to identify him but his face was not clearly visible. They spoke to the vendors and some of victims and got a sketch made. They went door to door with the sketch.On Saturday, police were alerted about Rastogi?s presence in the area. A raid led to his arrest.Rastogi can?t believe his 13-year-run is over. He told police he was certain they would never get him.Read | Three years of manhunt, sketches and jail records led police to the ?serial rapist??He seems to be mentally sick as he has some very weird notions. He is very superstitious and said he came by Sampark Kranti Express only and cancelled his visit if he missed the train,? the DCP said.He used to chant after getting down from the train. He believed that if he abused girls wearing his red jacket he would never get caught, Singh said.

Tanya Dhingra

01 Jul 2017,Saturday

I'm not dating Taapsee Pannu, she's my dearest friend: Saqib

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/saqib-saleem-taapsee-pannu-relationship-rumours/1/991729.html

Actor Saqib Saleem has denied rumours of dating Taapsee Pannu and said that she's his dearest friend. He added, "We are really comfortable in each other's company. She has an amazing sense of humour, and I love spending time with her." Rumours of the two dating started when they reportedly went out for dinner on Taapsee's birthday in August 2016.

Ever since Saqib Saleem and Taapsee Pannu appeared together in the music video of Tum Ho Toh Lagta Hain, the grapevine has been buzzing with rumours of their budding love. However, when Hindustan Times asked Saqib about Taapsee, he said that he was not in a relationship with her."I am not dating her yaar. Few people have asked me this question and this is what I keep telling them. Taapsee is my dearest friend, and there is nothing more than that," the actor told the publication. The two are set to reunite onscreen in the upcoming film Makhna.Apparently, on Taapsee's birthday last year, Saqib took her out and planned an elaborate surprise for her. Their pictures with each other on their social media accounts added fuel to the fire. But Saqib insisted that a mountain was being made of a molehill.When reality is better than fiction! #onsetcraziness@saqibsaleempic.twitter.com/uIGhGtOjFOFlowers all around !!A post shared by Saqib Saleem (@saqibsaleem) on Aug 4, 2016 at 6:55am PDT"The thing is that woh bhi Dilli ki laundi hai, aur main bhi Dilli ka launda hoon (She is a Delhi girl and I am a Delhi boy). So, we are really comfortable in each other's company. She has an amazing sense of humour, and I love spending time with her. Woh bahot chill laundi hai (she is a chilled out person)," he said.Saqib added, "I keep telling her that she should behave like an actor. But she tells me she doesn't have that vibe, and she can't behave that way. That's why I say she is a very easy and comfortable person to be with. But, we are not dating each other, except on-screen for our next film."Incidentally, Taapsee had confirmed to IndiaToday.in earlier this year that she was in a relationship. Without naming the man in her life, she had said, "I'm extremely proud of my relationship status and the person I'm with." The Naam Shabana actor added that the only reason she did not announce her relationship was because she did not want her personal life to be discussed more than her work.

Chhavi Tyagi

31 Mar 2017,Friday

Rahul meets protesting farmers, blames PM for their plight

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rahul-gandhi-pm-narendra-modi-jantar-mantar-tamil-nadu-farmers-skull-protest/1/917235.html

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Friday met Tamil Nadu farmers protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for over two weeks and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of neglecting the farmers while helping the rich. "The PM has given debt relief to richest people in the country, why not for the people who have built this country - the farmers," he added.

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi today met Tamil Nadu farmers protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for over two weeks. Rahul sat with the protesting farmers hearing their grievances.Talking to reporters, Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of neglecting the farmers of the country while helping the rich. "The PM has given debt relief to richest people in the country, why not for the people who have built this country - the farmers," he said in an apparent reference to former Kingfisher Airlines Vijay Mallya, who is in London since March 2, 2016, and owes 17-bank consortium over Rs 6,000 crore."Inki awaaz na Hindustan ki sarkar aur na hi PM ko sunayi deti hai. PM ki zimedaari hai ki inki baat sunein. (Neither the government nor PM Modi listens to them (Tamil Nadu farmers). It is the PM's responsibility to listen to their problems and resolve them," Rahul added. KANIMOZHI MEETS PROTESTING FARMERS Earlier, DMK MP Kanimozhi also met the protesting Tamil Nadu farmers. She said per party had raised issue about farmers' flight in Parliament on several occasions but the government has refused to respond so far. The farmers belonging to Cauvery belt are protesting in Delhi demanding a drought relief package of Rs 40,000 crore from the Centre, farm loan waiver and setting up of Cauvery Management Board.The drought-hit farmers have been protesting in the national capital since March 21 with human skulls which they claim are of farmers who committed suicide.

Saloni Tandon

25 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Italian footballer retires, returns, retires again in a week

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/24/antonio-cassano-leaves-verona-play-on?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Italian footballer Antonio Cassano has announced his retirement for the second time in a week, after joining newly promoted side Verona two weeks back. The 35-year-old joined Verona on July 10, but announced his retirement after a week, reversing it hours later, then retired again on Monday. Cassano said his priority was to be close to his wife and children.

Antonio Cassano has announced his decision to retire from football just a week after reversing his decision.The 35-year-old joined Verona on 10 July but announced less than seven days later that he would be retiring, before he was persuaded to perform a dramatic U-turn within hours of making his decision public. Yet despite making two appearances in friendlies for Verona, the Serie B club?s president revealed on Monday that the veteran striker has left the club because ?his head isn?t right?.Cassano, who won 39 caps for Italy, has now confirmed he will not play again after initially hinting in a statement via his wife Carolina Marcialis that he would be looking for a new club.?As opposed to what appeared on my wife?s official social profiles, I would like to clarify the following,? read the statement.?Carolina was wrong, after thinking and reflecting in the end I decided. Antonio Cassano will not play football any more. I apologise to the city of Verona, to all the fans, to the president.?For a 35-year-old man I need to be motivated and at this moment I feel that my priority is represented by being close to my children and my wife.?Earlier on Monday the Verona president, Maurizio Setti, had confirmed Cassano?s departure with immediate effect. ?This guy?s head isn?t right, even though he?s very good physically and athletically. He?ll leave,? Setti told ANSA.?Professionally, you can?t accuse him of doing anything wrong. Evidently, he can?t remain serene and clearheaded in a group and wants to stay at home. There?s an up and a down with him, he talks and then he?s silent. It?s a shame because he was doing everything well in a professional sense.?Cassano has been without a club since his contract with Sampdoria was terminated by mutual consent in January 2015.

Shubhodeep Datta

24 Dec 2016,Saturday

4 Chinese held for using fake tickets to enter Delhi airport

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/4-chinese-held-at-igi-airport-for-using-fake-e-tickets-to-see-off-friend/story-bgSm9FVY4ugaW1XhcYCwlI.html

Four Chinese nationals were arrested on Friday at Delhi Airport for trying to spend time with a friend flying to Hong Kong by allegedly using fake e-tickets to enter the terminal area. The police said out of the four, two had valid air tickets to travel, which they cancelled at last moment, while the remaining had allegedly faked their tickets.

Four Chinese nationals were arrested on Friday at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi for trying to spend time with a friend flying to Hong Kong by allegedly using fake e-tickets to enter the terminal area.Officials said the four, three men and one woman, were intercepted by the CISF personnel last night after their movements were found to be suspicious.?The four entered the airport using fake e-tickets in order to see off a woman friend who was flying to Hong Kong.?They were handed over to the Delhi Police which booked them under sections 447 (criminal trespass), 465 (forgery), 471 (using as genuine a forged) and 417 (cheating) of the IPC,? they said.Police said out of the four, two had valid air tickets to travel to a foreign location which they cancelled last moment while the other two had allegedly faked their tickets to gain entry into the terminal area.It added that the four were staying at a hotel in Gurgaon and were employed with a Chinese firm.Entering the secured airport terminal using fake travel documents is a criminal offence under law.

Aarushi Maheshwari

13 Mar 2017,Monday

Certain leaders should be hanged: Congress' outgoing MLA

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/goa-assembly-election-congress-vishwajeet-rane-quits/1/903183.html

Vishwajit Rane, Congress MLA from Valpoi and leader of opposition in the outgoing Goa Assembly, has announced he is quitting the party. Rane slammed the way Congress failed to form a majority in Goa despite emerging as the single-largest party with 17 seats. He said, "Certain senior leaders should be hanged, those who scuttled the demands of the Goa Forward."

With the Bharatiya Janata Party on track to forming the next government in Goa, discontentment may be brewing among Congress leaders from the coastal state. Vishwajit P Rane, the Congress MLA from Valpoi and the leader of opposition in the outgoing Assembly, has announced he is quitting the party. Rane is also the son veteran Congressman and former Goa Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane.An angry Rane spoke to India Today announcing his exit, slamming the way Congress failed to stitch together a majority in Goa despite emerging as the single-largest party after winning 17 seats."I am very disillusioned with the way the Goa scenario was handled is very shameful," he said. He indicated that more MLAs could follow in his footsteps, saying, "Congress MLAs are disgusted." Reacting to the news, Congress spokesperson KC Venugopal, while admitting that the Congress's strategy in Goa will have to be rethought, said, "Nobody will leave the Congress." Venugopal added that he will speak to Vishwajit about the matter.RANE SLAMS CONGRESS INACTIONBlaming Congress leaders for not moving swiftly enough Rane said that had the party accepted the demands of the Goa Forward Party, which has three MLAs, it would be sitting on the treasury benches. "Certain senior leaders should be hanged, those who scuttled the demands of the Goa Forward," Rane said.GFP went on to support the BJP, which had managed to win only 13 seats in the 40-member Goa Assembly. "(BJP leader Nitin) Gadkari could take the decision, why not our seniors?" Rane questioned. Gadkari played a vital role in ensuring that BJP formed the government. Rane, "I told Digvijay Singh (Congress general secretary) that I am done with the working of the Congress party." He went on to echo Singh's claims about money having played a role in BJP's post-poll alliance. "They (BJP) were auctioning posts for the leader of the legislative party, it was very shameful," Rane claimed. "When we were 17 we should have swiftly moved and compromises should have been made." Rane signed off, saying the post-result fiasco would cost the Congress dearly in the future. "People in my constituency say...they have blacklisted the congress party, my voters say they will not accept the Congress again."

Aarushi Maheshwari

17 Jun 2017,Saturday

Bomb threat hours before 1993 Mumbai blasts case sentencing

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/1993-mumbai-serial-blasts-tada-court-sentence-mumbai-police/1/980841.html

Hours before the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts accused were to be sentenced on Friday, the Mumbai Police control room received a bomb threat. The caller said a person named Manoj would trigger several bombs. Policemen identified the caller as 27-year-old Abhimanyu, who was drunk and had wanted to punish his friend Manoj for owing him money from a drinking session.

Few hours before the Terrorism and Disruptive Activity (TADA) court was set to sentence the seven accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts on Friday, the Mumbai Police control room received a bomb threat. The caller said that a person named Manoj, will be triggering off series of bombs in the city and hung up. As soon as the call was cut, the police and crime branch officials launched a search operation to nab the caller and the suspected terrorist. The caller also shared the phone number and address of the alleged bomber Manoj, mentioning that he hails from Uttar Pradesh and is a multiple felon. Within few hours, the police identified the caller Aditya Nagar alias Abhimanyu, a 27-year-old resident of Jawahar Nagar.

Mansha Mahajan

10 Apr 2017,Monday

Airtel, Vodafone and Idea saw most billing complaints: TRAI

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/airtel-voda-idea-saw-most-billing-complaints-in-oct-dec/1/924341.html

Users of telecom majors Airtel, Vodafone, and Idea filed the maximum billing complaints in the December quarter, according to TRAI. In terms of quality parameters, TRAI found the performance of Aircel below par for call drops in most telecom circles. The telecom regulator has set a penalty of up to ?2 lakh for poor mobile service, including call drops.

New Delhi, Apr 9 (PTI) Users of Airtel, Vodafone and Idea mobile services filed maximum billing complaints in October-December of 2016, as per the latest report of Trai. The complaints in the case of Bharti Airtel mostly came from 2G pre-paid subscribers in Tamil Nadu (including Chennai), Kolkata, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, where the benchmark violation ranged between 0.11 per cent and 0.12 per cent. According to quality of service norms, the complaint level should not be more than 0.1 per cent per 100 bills issued in one quarter. The maximum violations are found in the case of Vodafone, where 0.15 per cent and 0.13 per cent of bills were disputed by its users in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, respectively. Vodafone is the only company during the reported quarter whose post-paid customers in the Mumbai circle also raised a number of quality issues. Complaints against Idea in the north-east telecom circle pertained to 0.13 per cent of disputed bills. As for other quality parameters, Trai found performance of Aircel below par for call drops in most telecom circles. Trai has set a penalty of up to Rs 2 lakh for poor mobile service, including call drops. The penalty kicks in for more than 2 per cent call drops in a quarter in one telecom circle. According to the report, Aircels 2G network crossed this limit in four circles. The call drop rate on the Aircel network was as high as 27.73 in the north-east circle. Airtel, Sistema Shyam and Reliance Communications (GSM) service also overshot the call drop level in one circle each. During the peak hour, the rate is relaxed up to 3 per cent. Even in this category, the figure remained above this level for Aircel 2G in 11 out of the 22 telecom circles.

Chhavi Tyagi

19 Dec 2016,Monday

TMC MLA seen talking on phone during National Anthem

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vaishali-dalmiya-tmc-mla-insults-national-anthem-howrah/1/837723.html

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Vaishali Dalmiya was caught on a camera talking on her mobile phone while the National Anthem was being played at a sports event in Howrah, West Bengal. Vaishali, the daughter of Board of Cricket Council of India's Late President Jagmohan Dalmiya, was attending Football tournament Commissioner Cup which was organised by Belur Police Station.

Trinamool Congress Member of Legislative Assembly Vaishali Dalmiya was busy attending phone calls on her mobile while the national anthem was being played at a sports event in Howrah.Besides being an MLA, Vaishali, is also the daughter of late Jagmohan Dalmiya, former President of International Cricket Council and Board of Cricket Council of India.Despite being from a family that has upheld Indian flag in the world of sports, Vaishali was continuously talking on phone as the National Anthem played.Vaishali was attending Commissioner Cup, a Football tournament organised by Belur Police Station to promote football and sports amongst youth of the locality and district.National Anthem was being played as both the football teams reached the ground before the start of the football match.

Tarun Khanna

27 Mar 2017,Monday

AAP MLA from Bawana Ved Prakash joins BJP

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-civic-polls-mcd-election-aap-mla-ved-prakash-bjp-modi-yogi/1/913644.html

Ahead of civic polls in Delhi, AAP MLA from Bawana Ved Prakash on Monday joined BJP in the presence of BJP's Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari. "I haven't joined BJP for any position, but to work with PM Narendra Modi and seek his blessings," Prakash said. "He was fed up of corruption and nepotism within AAP," Tiwari tweeted.

In the run up to Delhi's municipal corporation elections, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Ved Prakash Satish has quit the party to join the BJP. Ved Prakash Satish represented Bawana in the Delhi Assembly after securing a big win the 2015 polls with a margin of over 50,000 votes.Ved Prakash joined the BJP in presence of Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and party MLA Vijender Gupta. Manoj Tiwari tweeted the photograph of Ved Prakash joining the BJP and his resignation letter.Quitting AAP, Ved Prakash Satish said that the country is 'undergoing a change'. Ved Prakash said, "A big change is taking place in the country. Prime Minister Modi has come at the forefront as a yogi (ascetic) and Yogi (Adityanath) has come in Uttar Pradesh. I have come here (in the BJP's fold) to become part of that change."Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said, "The opposition is getting frustrated seeing the rise of BJP, which is why they are making false accusations." 'KEJRIWAL IS NOT GETTING RIGHT INFORMATION'Ved Prakash also said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is surrounded by people who are giving him wrong information, which is slowing down progress. Ved Prakash Satish accused Arvind Kejriwal government of doing 'nothing for improvement in Shahabad Dairy region', which falls under his Assembly constituency of Bawana. He said, "The Delhi government did not do anything for Shahabad Dairy region. Nothing was done in Shahabad Dairy in the last two years. Even a crematorium was not built there.""School building was not built. I tried several times. But, no one listened to me," Ved Prakash said.'NO ONE LISTENS IN AAP'Ved Prakash Satish accused Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia of not addressing the concerns of the people. Ved Prakash said, "A five-year-old girl was raped in my area. I called up Manish Sisodia. I messaged him. But, he did not pick up my phone for three days.""The minister does not pick up phone calls from an MLA," Ved Prakash complained.Ved Prakash Satish is the vice-chairman of Delhi Khadi Gramodyog and also the chairman of District Development Committee."I had not come here to become an MLA. I went there thinking that something new was going to happen. I don't have lust for an MLA's position. This is why I tendered my resignation," Ved Prakash said.

Vani Vivek

05 Jan 2017,Thursday

I don't think driverless cars will come to India: Pichai

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/in-india-there-wont-be-any-driverless-cars-google-ceo-sundar-pichai/1/850059.html

Citing a recent statement by Uber CEO Travis Kalanick that India will be the last country to get driverless cars, Google CEO Sundar Pichai has said, "I don't think for a country like India you are gonna see, as Travis said, completely automated cars." However, he added that using cars as a shared resource will benefit India greatly.

After Uber CEO Travis Kalanick recently said that India would be the last place to get the company's automated cars, now Google CEO Sundar Pichai has also said something on similar lines. Pichai, who is on a short trip to India, while talking to a business newspaper said that India would never have completely automated cars."I don't think for a country like India you are gonna see, as Travis said, completely automated cars. But just like technology assisting humans, we make cars over time so that they are safer, the driving experience is comfortable, and people's quality of life improves and overall society improves because the cars are shared better. All these are the possibilities I am excited about. I think we will play a role in that", Pichai told the Economic Times.Also Read: Live updates: Google CEO Sundar Pichai announces Digital Unlocked for SMBsGoogle in a way started the trend of driverless cars earlier this decade when the company started working on the making cars completely autonomous. But in the last couple of years many more firms -- most notably Uber, Tesla and Ford -- have joined the bandwagon and are working on cars that can go from a place to other without needing any inputs from a driver. However, despite all the progress made in this field, big challenges remain especially in countries like India, where the roads are not well-planned and the traffic is very chaotic.The India-born Google CEO also reaffirmed Google's commitment to digitally empower small and medium businesses in India. At a media event in New Delhi on Wednesday, Pichai had said: "The Internet is a powerful equalizer and we are motivated to bring the benefits of information and technology to as many people as possible. Building for everyone and making it available in the hands of as many people is at the heart and core of what we do. And we do this by investing in open ecosystems."Google's CEO has unveiled Digital Unlocked and My Business websites. Digital Unlocked is a training program to empower thousands of Indian SMBs with essential digital skills that will enable them to get online and start using the power of the internet to grow their business while My Business Websites will help businesses to have a rich, mobile optimised digital presence that will be launched later this year.

Saloni Tandon

13 Jul 2017,Thursday

Ganguly called his shirt-waving celebration a 'big mistake'

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/salaam-cricket-2014-sourav-ganguly-arjuna-ranatunga-clive-lloyd/1/396427.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who took off his shirt at Lord's after India's NatWest series win on July 13, 2002, had later called the celebration a "big mistake". "It was only a way of relieving the pressure. You make mistakes in life. I made a mistake. But we were on the winning side," Ganguly later admitted.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly on Saturday regretted taking off his shirt on the Lord's balcony after India's win in the NatWest triangular series in 2002 in England, calling it a mistake.When reminded of the incident, Ganguly said it was only a way of "relieving the pressure". "You make mistakes in life. I made a mistake. But we were on the winning side," he said at Salaam Cricket Conclave 2014, a day-long event organised by the India Today Group in New Delhi.On being asked what has been his best mistake, Ganguly quipped, "When I got married." When asked if marriage is akin to captaining India since the first five years are tough, Ganguly quoted actor Shah Rukh Khan, "As SRK says, end mein sab theek ho jaata hai," bringing the house down.The former Indian skipper also said a resurgent Team India will not buckle pressure anymore. "In 2003, we lost to the best Aussie side under Ricky Ponting. But today, the Indians won't buckle under pressure," the former Indian captain said.Seated with Clive Lloyd, Arjuna Ranatunga and Allan Border, who all led their respective teams to a World Cup victory, Ganguly, in his characteristic wit, shared the Indian side of the World Cup story. Ganguly-led India lost to Australia in the finals of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.Speaking in the session, 'Pressures of the World Cup', Ganguly remembered the loss, saying it was very difficult to captain India because of the huge expectations involved. "Stones were thrown at us after the Johannesburg loss. We Indians react under pressure. But we are used to it (pressure). You have to deal with it," the southpaw told moderator Rajdeep Sardesai.The 2001-2 Test series against the Aussies was a turning point when India realised their strength after winning the rubber 2-1 against Steve Waugh's formidable team. "Suddenly, we realised that the side was looking up. We were fighting," the southpaw told Sardesai.Speaking about the toss controversy - when Ganguly kept Waugh waiting - the former Indian captain said he was only looking for a blazer. He also praised the Aussie legend, saying it was great playing against him. In turn, Waugh said he loved playing against India. "At the end of the day, it was fantastic cricket. I have no regret that we lost," the former Aussie captain said.Talking about pressure in a World Cup ahead of its 2015 edition in Australia, Border said, "This country is so passionate about cricket."Clive Lloyd, the legendary winner of World Cups 1975 and 1979 for the West Indies, said, "Pressure is always there. We are a side comprising players from different islands, representing different cultures. England is one country. India is one country. It's very difficult to get people together in West Indies. You represent different people."Talking about the 1983 Wold Cup loss to India, Lloyd said, "What happens on a particular day matters. Whoever plays better wins. India did play well. It gave them that lift and they realised they can do well."

Aarushi Maheshwari

26 Dec 2016,Monday

Child approaches police as grandmother restricts playtime

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/little-boy-file-police-complaint-grandmother-restricts-playtime-hyderabad/1/842387.html

A young boy approached the head constable of a Hyderabad police station to file a complaint, claiming his grandmother was "torturing" him by restricting his playtime. The police said they gave his parents a counselling session, convincing the boy to withdraw his complaint after giving him chocolates. The police said it seemed the boy was inspired by TV serials.

Late in the evening at the busy SR Nagar police station in Hyderabad, a boy stepped in with an unusual complaint. When the staff was about to wind up the day's work, they found themselves in a fix after listening to the boy's complaint.The little boy approached one of the head constables and put forth his grievance. According to the boy, his grandmother was 'torturing' him by not allowing him to play for extended hours.Dealing with hardcore criminal cases, this indeed came as a surprise to the police.After receiving the complaint from the boy, the parents of the young lad were identified and soon called to the police station."The father of the young boy is a cable operator and it seems the TV serials inspired the boy to come to the police station. However we managed to pacify the kid," said Waheedudin who is the SHO of SR Nagar police station.

Sumedha Sehra

02 May 2017,Tuesday

UP CM approves GST, new transfer policy

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/yogi-adityanath-cabinet-5-big-decisions-gst-rollout-e-tendering/1/943553.html

In a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath approved the implementation of GST, which will now be passed in the state assembly on May 16. A new transfer policy was approved under which 20% officers and employees who have completed three years in district or seven years in a division will be eligible for transfer.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today chaired the state cabinet meeting wherein he took several important decisions, including implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the state.The meeting which lasted for an hour also saw the Yogi Adityanath cabinet deciding to scrap manual tendering process in government departments and replacing it with online tendering.HERE ARE THE FIVE MAJOR DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE YOGI ADITYANATH CABINET:Implementation of GST:  The Yogi Adityanath cabinet approved the implementation of the GST in Uttar Pradesh and the same will passed in the Assembly session on May 16. "The revenue of the state is likely to increase after implementation of the GST in the first session of this government," said minister Suresh Kumar Khanna.E-tendering in state departments:  Online tendering process will be introduced in all state government departments. The Yogi Adityanath government has set a three-month deadline for all departments to make the switch. The aim is to bring greater transparency in the tendering and procurement process.New transfer policy: The Yogi Adityanath cabinet approved a new transfer policy under which 20 per cent officers and employees who have completed three years in district or seven years in a division will be eligible for transfer. The policy covers employees under group A and group B. Differently-abled have been kept out of this policy. Foundation Day on January 24: The Uttar Pradesh cabinet decided to celebrate January 24 as the state's foundation day.  The state's information, tourism and culture departments will be roped in the annual celebrations. The foundation day celebrations will be held even outside the state, the Yogi Adityanath cabinet decided. Fertiliser factory in Gorakhpur gets a push: The Adityanath cabinet decided to exempt stamp duty on transfer of land for the fertiliser factory in Gorakhpur. In 2016, the Central government had decided to make an investment to revive the factory, but the pace slackened in the past one year. Farmers will benefit from the factory.(With inputs from Mausami Singh)ALSO READ:Jackets, saris, towels, even microphone wires: In Yogi's UP, it's saffron, saffron and more saffron

Rini Sinha

22 Jun 2017,Thursday

Fatima shares pictures from shoot location of upcoming film

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fatima-sana-shaikh-new-look-thugs-of-hindostan-malta/1/984674.html

Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh has shared pictures from Malta, the shoot location of her upcoming film 'Thugs of Hindostan'. The 25-year-old actress, who was last seen in 'Dangal', can be seen sporting long hair in the photographs she shared on Instagram. The film will also star Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif in pivotal roles.

Dangal star Fatima Sana Shaikh is having a great year, career wise. While Dangal is breaking record after record in China, Fatima has already started shooting for her next big release Thugs Of Hindostan in Malta. Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and the rest of the crew have begun shooting in Malta. Katrina has also left for Malta after wrapping up the promotions of her upcoming release, Jagga Jasoos.Fatima took to photo-blogging site Instagram to share photos of herself against the picturesque locations of Malta. Fatima is sporting long tresses which is assumed to be her new look for Thugs Of Hindostan. In the look test for Thugs Of Hindostan, Fatima looked like a fierce warrior. This is a complete transformation from the pixie cut she sported in Dangal.Thugs Of Hindostan, directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, is set to hit the screens on Diwali 2018. Squinting.... photo credits for all my pictures @melissajin92A post shared by Fatima Sana Shaikh (@fatimasanashaikh) on Jun 21, 2017 at 1:10pm PDTWe be jumpinA post shared by Fatima Sana Shaikh (@fatimasanashaikh) on Jun 21, 2017 at 3:44am PDTA post shared by Fatima Sana Shaikh (@fatimasanashaikh) on Jun 19, 2017 at 10:21am PDTA post shared by Fatima Sana Shaikh (@fatimasanashaikh) on Jun 19, 2017 at 8:13am PDTA post shared by Fatima Sana Shaikh (@fatimasanashaikh) on Jun 19, 2017 at 3:34am PDT

Prashanti Moktan

09 Jul 2017,Sunday

Sara's debut film opposite Sushant to release in June, 2018

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kedarnath-sara-ali-khan-sushant-singh-rajput-release-june-2018/1/997840.html

Sara Ali Khan's debut Bollywood film Kedarnath opposite Sushant Singh Rajput is set to release in June next year. Sharing the details, Bollywood trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted that the film, which is being directed by Abhishek Kapoor, will be produced by Balaji Motion Pictures and KriArj Entertainment. The film's shooting is expected to start later this year.

After much speculations, Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh's daughter Sara Ali Khan will be making her Bollywood debut with actor Sushant Singh Rajput in Kedarnath.Trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to Twitter today to confirm the news. The makers have locked the released date of Kedarnath, which will hit the screens in June next year. He tweeted, "Balaji and KriArj join hands for Abhishek Kapoor's next #Kedarnath... Stars Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan... June 2018 release."Balaji and KriArj join hands for Abhishek Kapoor's next #Kedarnath... Stars Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan... June 2018 release.The project will be helmed by Abhishek Kapoor and produced by Balaji Motion Pictures and KriArj Entertainment.According to reports, Sushant and Sara will soon start their joint script-reading sessions which will be followed by a workshop. Kedarnath is expected to go on the floors later this year.Fans have been eagerly waiting to see Sara on the silver screen. Earlier, Saif Ali Khan said that Karan Johar would be launching his daughter. However, the project fell through.

Sonu Kumari

24 Jul 2017,Monday

39-year-old man arrested for flashing at woman in Mumbai

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-man-arrested-for-flashing-woman-says-was-fixing-zip-of-his-trousers/story-wXNFskVuSc8HJ91IyWAfgJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Mumbai police on Saturday arrested a 39-year-old man for allegedly flashing at a woman in Churchgate. The 30-year-old woman raised an alarm when he allegedly overtook and flashed at her. The man was granted bail after he reportedly said that he was only fixing the zip of his trousers. The police said it could be a case of misinterpretation.

The Marine Drive police on Saturday arrested a man for allegedly flashing a woman in Churchgate. After being produced in the magistrate court, the accused pleaded not guilty and said he was only fixing the zip of his trousers which had come undone. According to the Marine drive police, the 30-year-old woman works as a lecturer. She was leaving from her college in Churchgate and initially felt that someone was following her. However, she did not pay much attention and kept walking. Minutes later, a man overtook her and flashed her. She then raised an alarm and the passers-by rushed to her aid. They caught the man and handed him over to the Marine Drive police. The 39-year-old man works as a waiter in a south Mumbai hotel and is a native of Raigad. A first information report (FIR)?was registered against him under section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code. He was produced before a magistrate court and remanded to judicial custody before being granted bail.A police officer said the man could be speaking the truth and it could be case of misinterpretation.

Arshiya Chopra

31 Jul 2017,Monday

It's like thief attacking cop: BJP on poaching allegations

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/it-s-like-a-thief-attacking-a-cop-javadekar-slams-congress-after-gujarat-poaching-allegations/story-kjQ8BjT9U9hiRIgEzgHJZJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Rejecting Congress' claims of its Gujarat MLAs being poached by BJP, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said, "It is like a thief attacking a cop." Talking about Congress' move to send its Gujarat MLAs to Bengaluru to refrain them from shifting parties, Javadekar said their lawmakers were "enjoying themselves" there while BJP's were busy providing relief to the state's flood-hit people.

Rejecting the Congress? charge of poaching its MLAs in Gujarat, the BJP has said it had no role in the recent desertion by six of its legislators and wondered whether they were ?purchasable?.It also said that the sole of aim of the Congress was to save its vice president Rahul Gandhi in the country and Ahmed Patel in Gujarat.Taking a dig at the Congress after it ferried its MLAs to Bengaluru to keep its flock together ahead of the August 8 Rajya Sabha polls in Gujarat, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said the lawmakers were ?enjoying themselves? there while those of the BJP were busy providing relief to the flood-hit people in the state.The party shepherded 44 lawmakers on Friday night to the holiday retreat in Karnakata after a spate of resignation of its MLAs amid allegations that the ruling BJP in Gujarat were bribing and coercing them ahead of the August 8 vice-presidential election.?Gujarat Congress leaders are leveling allegations at the BJP in Bengaluru. It is like a thief attacking a cop. If their leaders are leaving them, it has nothing to do with us,? Javadekar told PTI on Sunday after the Congress attacked the saffron party.He noted that senior Congress leaders like Shankersinh Vaghela, a former chief minister and the leader of opposition, its chief whip Balwantsinh Rajput and its spokesperson Tejashreeben Patel have left the party and wondered if the opposition party was suggesting that they could be ?bought?.?They are all strong leaders. Nobody can purchase them. The Congress should look inwards and think why such senior leaders are leaving it. The truth is that its only goal is to save Rahul Gandhi in the country and Ahmed Patel in Gujarat,? he said.Patel is seeking re-election to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat but defection by a number of Congress MLAs has left the party worried. The BJP has fielded Rajput, who quit the Congress on Thursday, against Patel to further queer his pitch.The Congress was growing weak across the country and it was not BJP?s fault, Javadekar said.In Ahmedabad, chief minister Vijay Rupani alleged that the decision to fly the Congress MLAs to Bengaluru amid flood-like situation in the state was taken by Patel out of his ?greed? to win the election.?Sonia Gandhi?s affection for her son has drowned the Congress in the entire country. Though the citizens rejected Rahul Gandhi?s leadership, Sonia?s ?putramoh? sank Congress. Similarly, Ahmed Patel?s greed to save his Rajya Sabha seat here will sink Gujarat Congress,? he said.According to Rupani, the Congress MLAs from flood-hot Banaskantha and other affected regions should have stayed with the people in this difficult time.?Out of his greed to win the Rajya Sabha poll, he (Patel) sent 40 Congress MLAs to Bengaluru. Some of them belonged to those districts which are badly hit by flood. Patel forced them to leave their constituencies, as he was only concerned about his Rajya Sabha seat,? the chief minister alleged.?The people of Gujarat are watching this. I believe that the Gujarat Congress will sink only because of Ahmed Patel,? he added.Patel, however, refuted Rupani?s allegation and said the Congress MLAs were forced to leave the state by the BJP-led state government.In the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, the strength of the Congress has gone down to 51 from 57 after six of its MLAs tendered their resignations.Party spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said the Congress legislators are willing to return home if Rupani promises their safety.?We have been threatened, offered money to defect and some have done so,? Gohil, the Congress MLA for Abdasa in the Kutch region, told reporters in Bengaluru.

Akshita Jain

11 Dec 2016,Sunday

Four Punjab AAP leaders quit party to join Congress

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/punjab-elections-aap-leaders-quit/1/832163.html

Four members of Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including the founder member Colonel CM Lakhanpal, quit the party on Sunday to join Congress. AAP has started bringing in people with not so clean background and is compromising on principles, Lakhanpal alleged. Punjab Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh claimed that people are leaving AAP because the party lacks principle.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) received a jolt today when four of its members including Colonel CM Lakhanpal, the founder member and state vice-president of AAP Punjab, quit party to join the Congress.Lakhanpal who has been responsible for holding all major functions of the party in Punjab, quit just ahead of big ticket assembly polls.Lakhanpal joined Captain Amarinder Singh in bringing in 50,000 people from states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for campaigning. "AAP has dwindling fortunes, people are leaving their party as they lack principle," Amarinder Singh said while speaking to the media.Amarinder Singh also claimed that while new entrants were joining the Congress party, people were leaving rival AAP. The newbies would be put up as candidates only where the Congress did not have a good candidates.Also read:AAP MP Bhagwant Mann, found guilty, suspended from remaining Winter Session of Parliament AAP's loss is Congress' gain. Besides Colonel CM Lakhanpal, PK Sharma, Colonel Iqbal Pannu and Barpur, leaders who have played an significant role in the organisational matters of AAP have also quit the party to join the Congress."AAP WAS ONCE A PRINCIPLE-BASED PARTY"Lakhanpal told India Today that "AAP was once a principle-based party but had compromised on those and had started bringing in people with not so clean background as candidates." Citing example of the Bains brothers, saying it was no longer possible to continue with AAP, given its current state. The party that once had corruption as its main plank now had more than 60 of the party candidates with not so clean background.OTHERS WHO HAVE JOINED CONGRESSGroup coordinator, PK Sharma (grandson of Pt Ramgopal Sharma), District Congress President, Sangrur. He left Canada to join AAP during the Anna Hazare movement but soon got disillusioned with the deep-rooted malaise in the party and decided to join the Congress.Also read:AAP has lost moral rights to contest Punjab polls: Amarinder Another important new person to join Congress is founder member Colonel Iqbal Pannu, senior vice-president of trade and transport, as well as the industrial wing of AAP.

Chhavi Tyagi

13 Jul 2017,Thursday

Telangana MLA held for misbehaving with woman IAS officer

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/telanhana-trs-mla-shankar-nayak-woman-ias-officer/1/1001045.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) MLA B Shankar Nayak was today arrested for misbehaving with a woman IAS officer during a government event. A video of the event showed the MLA grabbing the collector's arm and she can be seen struggling out from the MLA's grip. However, the MLA denied any wrongdoing and was later given bail on personal bond.

Ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) MLA B Shankar Nayak was today arrested for misbehaving with a woman IAS officer during a government event. However, the MLA was later given bail on personal bond.The police had on Wednesday booked Nayak following a complaint filed by the woman collector of Mahabubabad district.At a public meeting organised during the programme to launch Harita Haaram (a massive plantation programme) in Mahabubabad, the local MLA allegedly touched the woman IAS inappropriately. The incident was caught on camera. A video of the event being flashed on local news channels showed the MLA grabbing the collector's arm. Later, she is seen struggling out from the MLA's grip.  The Mahabubabad town police registered the case against Nayak under IPC sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).If convicted under section 354, a person shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.DEFIANT MLA DENIES WRONGDOINGThe MLA denied any wrongdoing on his part and said he respected the collector and apologised to her.Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had yesterday expressed anger over the alleged rash behaviour of his party MLA at the official event.The chief minister instructed the legislator to personally meet the collector and tender an unconditional apology to her.Rao warned the MLA that if he does not change his behaviour, he would be suspended from the party.The CM also asked Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari and TRS MP Sitaram Naik "to speak to the collector and settle the matter on behalf of the government and the TRS", and said such incidents should not recur.ALSO READ:It was their affection: Odisha MLA defends being carried by supporters through mud

Sumedha Sehra

24 May 2017,Wednesday

India rejects Pakistan's claims of flying jets over Siachen

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistan-air-force-mirage-jets-siachen-skardi-air-base-loc/1/961607.html

The Indian Air Force has rejected Pakistan Air Force's claims of having flown fighter jets above the Indian side in Siachen on Wednesday. According to a statement by the Indian side, there was no violation of air space. Earlier, Pakistani media reports claimed that Mirage fighter jets were flown over Siachen and all forward operating bases were made operational.

Pakistan appears to have been rattled by India's strong response to its frequent ceasefire violations at the Line of Control (LoC) as the country's air force has activated all operating forward bases, reports say. The Indian Air Force said there was no was air space violation by Pakistan as it flew fighter jets near Siachen. Reports in Pakistani media also claimed that Mirage fighter jets of country's air force flew near Siachen as part of a war exercise. The event was inspected by air force chief Sohail Aman. He also visited forward air base in Skardu today. The air force chief was accompanied by other top Pakistan air force officers.According to PAF, a fighter squadron carried out higher and lower altitude flights in Siachen.Pakistani air force's move comes a day after Indian Army released video of Pakistani bunkers being targeted by Indian forces at forward posts in Naushera sector across the Line of Control.Though the Indian Army did not give much operational details of the retributive assault across the Line of Control (LoC) against Pakistan Army positions in Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir which were "aiding" infiltration, sources in the force said the strike was carried out on May 9, nine days after two Indian security personnel were beheaded.The 22-second video showed concrete structures being reduced to rubble amid plumes of smoke and balls of fire. However, the area of the operation was not clearly identifiable in the clipping.IAF CHIEF B S DHANOA'S LETTER TO OFFICERSIAF Chief B S Dhanoa had recently written a personal letter to officers of the force, asking them to be prepared for operations at a "very short notice" to effectively deal with security challenges, including sub- conventional threat, to the country."In the present scenario, there is an ever persistent sub-conventional threat. Therefore, we need to be prepared for operations with our present holdings, at a very short notice. Training needs to be focused towards this," Dhanoa's letter dated March 30 said. (With inputs from PTI) ALSO READ:

Saloni Tandon

16 Mar 2017,Thursday

Dhoni signs autograph mid-match for pitch-invading fan

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mahendra-singh-dhoni-vijay-hazare-trophy-ms-dhoni/1/904550.html

A fan ran onto the pitch and touched former Indian captain MS Dhoni's feet when he was at the crease, during Jharkhand's Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-final match against Vidarbha in Delhi on Wednesday. Dhoni obliged the fan with an autograph before the latter left the field. Throughout the match, the crowd chanted Dhoni's name at the fall of every wicket.

The Vijay Hazare trophy quarter-final between Vidarbha and Jharkhand was all about one man. Rarely has a domestic match at this venue grabbed such attendance, but with Former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the centre, all the commotion was expected. With Vidarbha managing just 159, the crowd at the Air Force Sports Complex in Palam was waiting for their hero to come out to bat. Every time a batsman got out, the crowd started chanting 'Dhoni Dhoni' but the Jharkhand skipper wouldn't oblige. There were other batsmen who needed the batting practice much more than the senior pro. Many were sitting close to the boundary ropes while many were trying to catch a glimpse of action from the boundary wall adjacent to the main road.

Prashanti Moktan

03 Jun 2017,Saturday

Aamir to get 70% of profit Thugs of Hindostan makes: Report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aamir-khan-thugs-of-hindostan-katrina-kaif-amitabh-bachchan/1/969811.html

As per reports, Thugs of Hindostan's producer Aditya Chopra has agreed to share 70% of the film's profit with actor Aamir Khan. Post Dangal's success, it is being said that only few people question Aamir on his deals. A source said, "If Thugs of Hindostan makes that amount of money (?1,000 crore), Adi (Aditya Chopra) will get almost ?300 crore."

Aamir Khan's Dangal currently holds the position of the highest grossing Indian film ever. It comes as no surprise then, that the actor is demanding a hefty fee for his next, Thugs of Hindostan. According to a report in DNA, Aamir has apparently asked for the lion's share of the profits of the Vijay Krishna Acharya-directed a film.A trade insider is quoted as saying, "Aamir will pocket almost 70 per cent of the profits while Adi will keep the remaining percentage. Fact is, after Dangal made Rs 1000 crore, now few people question Aamir on his deals. If TOH makes that amount of money, Adi (Aditya Chopra) will get almost Rs 300 crore which is much more than any of his own home productions."Earlier, it was reported that Aamir earned massive returns from Dangal as well. Apparently, the actor charged a fee of Rs 35 crore and also entered into a 33 per cent partnership of the film's revenue. Aamir is also said to be getting a 33 per cent share of the film's royalty, which includes satellite rights and other money that the film might earn in the future.Thugs of Hindostan will feature Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh in leading roles, apart from Aamir. The film is reportedly scheduled to release in 2018.ALSO READ: Kamal Haasan takes a dig at Aamir Khan, says he's more socially responsible

Rini Sinha

21 Jul 2017,Friday

'Lipstick Under My Burkha' hits the theatres

http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/lipstick-under-my-burkha-movie-review-don-t-expect-a-film-about-sex-it-s-more-than-that/story-pNzjzP4mG7hNubS0EOdXJP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

'Lipstick Under My Burkha', which released on Friday, is "worth the hype...a must watch", wrote The Quint. Hindustan Times wrote the film is not "an all-out-war against patriarchy" but "a subdued conversation starter". Mid-Day wrote, "It's a thoroughly entertaining film on a society at the cusp of major change". It was rated 4.5/5 (The Quint), 4/5 (Mid-Day) and 3.5/5 (HT).

Lipstick Under My BurkhaDirector: Alankrita SrivastavaCast: Ratna Pathak, Konkona Sen Sharma, Aahana Kumra, Plabita Borthakur, Sushant Singh, Vikrant MasseyRating: 3.5/5After a long and controversial battle with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Alankrita Srivastava?s Lipstick Under My Burkha finally hits theatres on Friday. {"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Review","author": {"@type":"Person","name":"Sweta Kaushal","sameAs":"http://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/sweta-kaushal"},"datePublished":"2017-07-20","description":"Lipstick Under My Burkha movie review: Ratna Pathak Shah and Konkana Sen Sharma?s film is not a didactic piece on how women should be treated. The film is a subdued conversation starter.","inLanguage":"en","itemReviewed": {"@type":"Movie","name":"Lipstick Under My Burkha","image":"http://www.hindustantimes.com/rf/image_size_960x540/HT/p2/2017/07/20/Pictures/_2609e5c8-6d08-11e7-b16c-a4b2f1f7e553.jpg","sameAs":"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4807830/","datePublished":"2017-07-20","director": {"@type":"Person","name":"Alankrita Srivastava"},"actor": [{"@type": "Person","name": "Ratna Pathak","sameAs": ""},{"@type": "Person","name": "Konkona Sen Sharma","sameAs": ""}]},"publisher": {"@type":"Organization","name":"Hindustan Times","sameAs":"http://www.hindustantimes.com/"},"reviewRating": {"@type":"Rating","worstRating":0.0,"bestRating":5,"ratingValue":"3.5"}}With all the hue and cry around it, you would expect a film that is all about sex. Except, this isn?t.Lipstick Under My Burkha is a simple story about four women and their dreams - of financial independence, of becoming a singer, of moving to a big city and of simply, enjoying life. The fact that these desires remain hidden from the society makes their desires seem like adventurous trips. Lipsticks, in the film, are these desires while the patriarchal society is the Burkha. The film does not loudly cheer feminism or as CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani calls it, ?lady-oriented?. Alankrita chooses a subtle narrative style to tell us the stories of four different women who are fighting a male chauvinist society and mindset. And therein lies the beauty of Lipstick Under My Burkha which is set in a small town. Alankrita shows a very relatable and authentic Bhopal in her movie and her characters are all realistic. They have their own set of small, yet, irritating problems dealing with the male-dominated society.Shireen (Konkona) is a housewife who works a salesgirl but needs to hide her job from her husband (Sushant). Bua jee aka Usha (Ratna) is a 55-year-old woman rendered devoid of desires because of her age but enjoys reading soft porn hidden in her religious books. Leela (Aahana) is a free-spirited woman who feels suffocated in the small town of Bhopal and uses her sexuality to manipulate the men in her life. Rihanna (Plabita) is a young college girl who idolises Miley Cyrus and wants to follow her fashion style. She has to hide her desires of a becoming a singer under a burkha, thanks to her orthodox parents. Every character in the film deals with different kinds of prejudices and restrictions but eventually, they prove to be the same - curbing the freedom of women. The small town setting enables the four characters to be part of each others? lives and eventually come together.Lipstick Under My Burkha is no didactic piece on how women should be treated, neither is it an all-out-war against patriarchy. The film is a subdued conversation starter - let us talk about women?s desires as well as their rights, let women open up about their dreams.Lipstick under my Burkha brings in a lot of issues - from dictates on women?s clothing to forced sex in a marriage, it addresses all of them boldly. This is a bold film not because it talks of women?s sexuality but because it draws attention to their desires and problems and does so in the most glaring colours. Alankrita has an army of wonderful actors to support her engaging movie. Be it Sushant, Konkona, Plabita, Ratna, Vikrant or Aahana, all of them belong to their characters and are impressive. This is one of those rare films in which it is difficult to pick a favourite but Konkona?s performance rises among them as she is the one who is not dependent on others to fulfil her desires. Not to complain about others? dreams as they simply happen to be such that cannot be completed without others? help. It is laughable that the CBFC had problems with such a light film that merely talks about women nurturing their own desires that cross the boundaries of a male-dominated society. While the final scene of the film might work for some,I would have loved it had it been more decisive. A closure to the narratives would have provided for a more positive and optimistic cinema, what Lipstick Under My Burkha aims to be. This is a film you must not miss as it is not everyday that Bollywood films talk of women and their desires.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Mansha Mahajan

30 Jun 2017,Friday

July 1 to be observed as GST Day: CBEC

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/july-1-to-be-observed-as-gst-day-cbec/1/991047.html

The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) on Friday announced that July 1 will be known as ?GST Day?. It will be celebrated in all offices of CBEC just like in case of Central Excise Day and International Customs Day, the board said. This comes ahead of the launch of GST, which is scheduled for July 1.

New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) As India transits to a new era with rollout of GST, the government is leaving no stone unturned for a smooth switchover and has asked tax offices to convert into GST Seva-Kendras to provide all assistance to tax payers. While the rollout day of July 1 will be known as GST Day, all the offices of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) have been instructed to be open on Saturday as a trade facilitation measure. This was to enable the availability of officers and staff for the benefit of trade and industry, an order issued by CBEC Special Secretary and Member S Ramesh said. "Henceforth, all field offices from the Chief Commissioners office to the Range should serve as GST Seva- Kendras for effective trade facilitation," it said. Apart from giving guidance to GST assessees, GST Seva Kendras should render assistance to taxpayers in migration, registration as well as filing of returns. A guidance manual for such GST Seva Kendras too has been circulated to all offices in a bid to standardise quality taxpayer services. The order instructed such manuals to be prepared for each zone operating at different levels. "This work may be done in a time-bound manner so as to be completed in next 2-3 days," Ramesh wrote. CBEC also asked for strengthening of the GST Seva-Kendras to enable them discharge their functions effectively and promptly. In the run-up to the GST rollout, CBEC had organised outreach programmes and training sessions for the new regime.

Saloni Tandon

23 Dec 2016,Friday

India wins bronze at women's U-18 Asia Cup hockey

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/womens-u-18-asia-cup-hockey/1/841105.html

India defeated South Korea 3-0 in the women's U-18 Asia Cup hockey in Bangkok on Thursday to win the bronze medal in the tournament. India got the lead in the second half following a penalty corner by Ritu, while Sangita Kumari scored a brace to make it 3-0. Hockey India announced a cash reward of ?1 lakh for each player.

India outclassed South Korea 3-0 to win the bronze medal at the 4th Women's U18 Asia Cup 2016 hockey tournament here on Thursday. (Latest Sports stories)Ritu put India in the lead by converting a penalty corner early in the second half while Sangita Kumari scored a couple of field goals later on.Hockey India announced cash rewards of Rs 1 lakh for each player, and Rs 50,000 for each member of the support staff.The two teams played out a goalless first half, with India content with dropping deep and relying on the counter to create opportunities. The Koreans earned several penalty corners but failed to convert from any as the Indian defence closed them down perfectly. The best chance of the half fell to Mahima Choudhary. A defensive mistake in the Korean penalty circle saw the ball fall to Sangita who flashed a shot across the goal with Mahima waiting for the opportunity at the far post. But the weight on the pass was too much for Mahima as the chance went wide.India took the lead minutes after the break as Ritu scored the opener off a penalty corner.A few minutes later, some brilliant interplay between Lalremsiami and Sangita saw the latter's shot stopped on the line illegally as India were awarded a penalty stroke. But Manpreet Kaur's attempt to convert the stroke was denied by South Korean goalkeeper Lee Da Bom.

Dishant Sharma

10 Apr 2017,Monday

Paes shouldn't sulk; Bopanna No 1 doubles player: Bhupathi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/paes-should-not-sulk-bopanna-is-no-1-doubles-player-bhupathi/1/924771.html

Indian Davis Cup team's non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi has claimed that his former doubles partner Leander Paes should not 'sulk' as he was conveyed in advance that his inclusion in the final four was never confirmed. Bhupathi picked Rohan Bopanna ahead of Paes to play against Uzbekistan and defended his decision saying that Bopanna is India's best doubles player.

Abhishek Bansal

05 May 2017,Friday

How does Railways plan to earn extra ?40,000 cr in 10 years?

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/railways-aims-rs-40000-cr-earnings-by-monetising-soft-assets/1/945622.html

The Railways has announced a target of ?40,000 crore revenue from monetising its soft assets in the next 10 years. Railways has formulated the non-fare revenue (NFR) policy to increase earnings from branding of trains and monetising the passenger-related data. Besides, around two lakh big LCD screens will be put up at 2,000 stations to display information and advertisements.

The railways today spelt out a target of Rs 40,000 crore revenue from monetising its soft assets in the next 10 years. In a two-pronged strategy, the railways aims to increase earnings through traditional as well as non-traditional sources, while at the same time reducing expenditure. "Earlier the railways used to focus on traditional sources for revenue earnings, that is passenger fares and freight. Now, we have firmed up the non-fare revenue policy aiming to earn about Rs 40,000 crore in the next 10 years," Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said at an event here. Railways has formulated the non-fare revenue (NFR) policy to perk up earnings from advertisements on trains, putting up large LCD screens on its premises and monetising data. All soft assets of the railways will be monetised, he said. TWO CRORE PASSENGERS PER DAY More than two crore passengers travel in about 11,000 trains in a day in the rail network. Passenger-related data would be be monetised under the NFR strategy. Besides data, the railways will be allowing branding of trains and launching a mega app as part of the monetisation of soft assets in a big way. Noting that railways witnesses more than eight billion footfalls and eyeballs in a year, Prabhu said, "If we can monetise it, the railways can capture the immense value from it." Railways is putting up about two lakh big LCD screens at 2,000 stations across the country to operationalise the rail display network disseminating rail-related informations besides advertisements. That apart, railways will be reducing its huge energy bill through the maximum use of alternative energy such as solar and wind power. AIM TO SAVE RS 41,000 CRORE IN NEXT DECADE ON ENERGY BILLRailways is aiming to save Rs 41,000 crore in the next 10 years on energy bill as it has already saved about Rs 4000 crore in 2016-17 by replacing many diesel locomotives with the electric ones. In order to increase its freight earnings, railways has diversified its freight basket from 10 major commodities to about 40 goods. The public transporter, which has lost chunk of its loadings to the road sector, has reduced the freight rate in the recent past to attract more business. ALSO READ | Railway Catering scam: Food products purchased at ten times their MRP

Chhavi Tyagi

07 Jan 2017,Saturday

Do not seek tickets for relatives: Modi to BJP politicians

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bjp-national-executive-narendra-modi/1/851828.html

Addressing the BJP national executive meet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said, "Do not seek tickets for relatives. Only potential candidates should contest polls." Modi further said, "Do not put pressure on the party for giving tickets to your relatives. If the organisation finds it suitable, it will give ticket to them... Ensure victory in all the five states."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned his partymen against lobbying for their relatives to get tickets for the forthcoming elections in five states.

Ankur Vyas

22 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Resume work or lose 6 months' salary: Govt to Maha doctors

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/maharashtra-doctors-strike-protest-sion-hospital-ima/1/909893.html

Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan has asked protesting doctors to resume work by Wednesday or risk losing six months' worth of salary. The minister further promised to increase security guards in all government hospitals to provide security to doctors. Notably, over 4,000 resident doctors across Maharashtra have been on a mass leave protesting against dangerous working conditions.

Agitating doctors in Maharashtra have been asked to resume work by 8 pm today or risk losing six months' worth of salary, state minister for medical education Girish Mahajan said today. Over 4,000 resident doctors across Maharashtra have gone on mass leave, agitating against dangerous working conditions. The protest was sparked by an incident last week when the relatives of a deceased patient beat up a resident doctor at Mumbai's Sion Hospital.Addressing the issue behind the agitation, Mahajan said, "The government will provide 500 guards too civic-run hospitals within five days, 600 guards within 20 days and 1,100 guards within a month."  Earlier today, the Birhanmumbai Municipal Corporation issued a notice on the matter, asking 500 resident doctors in Mumbai to resume work or face disciplinary action. The notice warned the doctors that if they fail to resume work, then they could be expelled and their medical registrations could be canceled, as per a January 31, 1996 Government Resolution.Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association's Maharashtra chapter has lent its support to the physicians, expressing 'deep pain' at the "recent spate of events of unabated violence against doctors."A letter signed by IMA Maharashtra State's president Dr Ashok Tambe and honorary state secretary Dr Parthiv Sanghvi says, "We are unable to understand the apathy on the part of the government in not providing an atmosphere free from fear.""We oppose any action taken against resident doctors and will work to all extents to ensure that they are not victimised."Dr Sagar, an advisor to the IMA, said they don't want assurances but actual on-the-ground action. "We need more security at OPDs, in emergency wards and operation theaters," he added.

Ayushi Ahluwalia

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

Gurugram civic body puts free parking signs outside malls

http://www.hindustantimes.com/gurgaon/gurgaon-mcg-places-free-parking-signboards-at-mg-road-malls/story-YOilJdg9xogdfkYgah5bLP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram has put up 'free parking' signboards at entry points of several malls on MG Road. The authority had earlier waived off property tax for malls on the condition that they provide free basement parking. The decision to place the signboards comes after the MCG received complaints that the malls were continuing to charge for parking.

The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), which earlier waived off property tax for several malls on the condition of providing free basement parking to city residents, has decided to put up ?free parking? signboards at entry points of malls on MG Road.The move has come after MCG received complaints that malls continued to charge visitors for parking despite their commitment to provide the service for free.V Umashankar, MCG commissioner, said, ?In case people find mall managements violating the free parking commitments, they can lodge complaints instantly. We have issued instructions to mall managements in this regard.??Visible display of ?free parking? signboards will help people. Our purpose is to translate commitment of free parking into a reality for visitors,? said Umashankar, adding that he is working on a plan to improve the Mall Mile at MG Road.Earlier, in March, the MCG had decided not to levy property tax on commercial spaces of malls and other office establishments if they provided free parking in their basements.Prominent among these establishments are DLF City Court shopping centre-cum-office, Grand Mall, Mega City Mall, Vipul Agora Mall and Solitaire Plaza Hotel on MG Road. Such establishments on?Sohna Road are JMD Megapolis, JMD Galleria and Ninex City Mart.?The idea of free parking would help reduce parking hazards on the roads too. People will straightaway enter basements and will never like to park a car on the road. It is a win-win situation for all,? said YS Gupta, additional municipal commissioner.Abhey Poonia, a Suncity resident, said, ?We appreciate the MCG for free parking arrangements in malls and offices. We wish every commercial establishment, including malls, used its basements for free parking. It would help resolve the parking problem to a great extent.?

Abhishek Bansal

01 May 2017,Monday

Rajasthan introduces female patrol units to curb eve-teasing

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rajasthan-patrol-unit-harassment-eve-teasing/1/942817.html

Rajasthan has launched mobile patrolling units to prevent molestation, harassment or eve-teasing against women in the state. As many as 26 patrolling units, each comprising of two female constables, were flagged off from the Jaipur Commissionerate on Monday. The female constables have been provided 110cc scooters for easy mobility, wireless sets, sirens and a light-weight police baton.

After Uttar Pradesh's anti-romeo squads, another BJP ruled state, Rajasthan, has launched mobile patrolling units to prevent molestation, harassment or eve teasing against women in the state. 26 women patrolling units, each comprising of two female constables, were flagged off from the Jaipur Commissionerate on Monday, for deployment in sensitive areas where instances of eve teasing, harassment have occurred in the past."52 girls are there in these first efforts of ours whom we have trained who will be operating in 26 teams. Will operate  in morning and evening. After talking to the DCPs, we people have identified those areas which are generally crowded and from where there is a possibility of complaints of eve teasing coming. Full command and control of these people will be from Abhay, our command and control centre... Additional DCP, Kamal Shekhawat, will be the overall incharge of this unit. These people will be deployed randomly as per requirement. These people have been given wireless sets which are connected with our PCR vans. If they feel there is any problem, then the local police and the PCR will also reach there and whatever legal action has to be taken, that legal action will be taken at that time against those people who are taking law in their hands. These kind of schools, malls, parks from where such kind of complaints come, these people will be deployed there," said Sanjay Agarwal, Police Commissioner, Jaipur.A total of 52 female police constables, in groups of two, will now operate from 6 am to 10 pm and will ensure no cases of eve teasing, of harassment occur under their watch. The patrolling units will operate in two shifts. "One thinking of ours was that any female will be little less hesitant in telling about her ordeal or pain to another female police personnel. That is why, we people have got these people deployed there. This is a new experiment for Jaipur that is beginning from today and as it progresses, we will try to improve it further. Its total command and control will be from Abhay command centre. Their deployment will be from the Commissionerate," Agarwal said.The team shall be headed by an Additional DCP rank officer.

Chhavi Tyagi

31 Mar 2017,Friday

Gaikwad tries different spellings to book Air India tickets

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/desperate-to-fly-sena-mp-ravindra-gaikwad-tries-different-names-to-book-ticket-to-delhi/story-YY41e2w7466QooGI9r8JpI.html

Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who has been banned by several airlines, has reportedly made attempts to book Air India flight tickets by altering the spellings of his name. "Ravindra Gaikwad, R Gaikwad, Prof V Ravindra Gaikwad and Prof Ravindra Gaikwad has been banned in our system as he tried booking using different abbreviation," an Air India official said.

Air India has alerted its staff to alleged attempts by Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad to circumvent a ban on flying by booking flights with different honorifics and spellings of his name.Sources said that Gaikwad is trying different spellings to confuse AI ticketing staff. The state carrier, which had grounded the MP for abusing and assaulting a 60-year-old Air India manager last week, first cancelled Gaikwad?s Mumbai-Delhi ticket and then another ticket that he had booked from Hyderabad to Delhi on Tuesday. The Sena MP, against whom police have filed an?FIR,?again tried booking a Nagpur-Mumbai-Delhi flight on Wednesday.?Ravindra Gaikwad, R Gaikwad, Prof V Ravindra Gaikwad and Prof Ravindra Gaikwad has been banned in our system as he tried booking using different abbreviation. In some cases he tried changing spellings of Gaikwad also. We are scanning all the details as bookings are made through coupon issued by Parliament,? said an Air India official. Gaikwad had an open ticket with Air India and had booked a flight for Wednesday morning. He blocked a seat on a morning flight from Mumbai to Delhi, which was booked through the Air India call centre. When the airline realised who the passenger was, they cancelled the ticket. Not one to give up, Gaikwad then booked another ticket, this time from Hyderabad to Delhi. However, the airline again came to know who the passenger was and cancelled the ticket once again. On Wednesday, he tried booking through an agent who contacted the AI headquarter in Nagpur. ?A confirmation was sought from headquarter and the travel agent refused to book his ticket,? the official said. Gaikwad abused and assaulted Air India?s duty manager R Sukumar with slippers after being denied business class seat on a Pune-New Delhi Air India flight last Thursday.The 56-year-old MP was then banned by Air India and five private airlines from flying as he refused to apologise for the incident that triggered nationwide outrage.Fellow MPs criticised Gaikwad?s action, and Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she will take a call if any parliamentarian brought the topic to her notice in the House. He, however, remained defiant and, instead, blamed Sukumar for the incident.He told reporters at Maharashtra Sadan on Thursday morning that he has no regrets. ?Kaahe ka pashchaataap (what is there to repent)? I will not apologise ... he (Sukumar) should come and apologise. Then we will see. A 60-year-old man should know how to behave,? he said.

Parmeet Kaur

29 Jul 2017,Saturday

Make singing of 'Vande Mataram' compulsory in Maha: BJP MLA

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/vande-mataram-in-maharashtra-schools-bjp-mla-says-make-it-must-aimim-sp-mlas-say-against-religion/story-VQ0A8T7ufXwRNdGlfNuV9N.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

BJP MLA Raj Purohit has demanded that the Maharashtra government make the singing of 'Vande Mataram' compulsory in educational institutions in the state. In response, SP MLA Abu Azmi said no true Muslim will sing it as Islam doesn't permit it. Following this, Shiv Sena minister Diwakar Rawat said those who opposed the demand must shift to Pakistan.

Legislators from the state were on Thursday involved in a row over making Vande Mataram mandatory in educational institutions in Maharashtra, in the wake of a recent Madras high court order. While BJP legislator Raj Purohit demanded that students in schools and colleges made to compulsorily sing the national song, Waris Pathan of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Abu Asim Azmi of Samajwadi Party (SP) said such a move was ?against their religion?. The row further intensified when Shiv Sena minister Diwakar Raote advised those opposed to the demand to shift to Pakistan.Referring to a recent Madras high court order, Purohit told mediapersons that he would give a letter to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to make singing Vande Mataram compulsory in all schools, colleges and government offices. He said the demand would be raised in the Assembly, too, at an appropriate time. Read: Vande Mataram must be sung in schools, offices to instill patriotism: Madras HCReacting Purohit?s demand, Pathan said even if he was held at a gunpoint, he would not sing Vande Mataram. ?Our religion does not allow us to worship anything else but Allah. We respect the Constitution of India, which does not have any compulsory provision of singing the national song,?he told mediapersons. Pathan found support from Azmi. ?It is against the teaching of our religion and no Muslim will sing it,? said AzmiRaote waded into the controversy, saying those who do not want to worship their motherland should shift to Pakistan. ?Vande Mataram denotes independence of the country, and if anybody has issues with it, they should shift to Pakistan. I do not understand why they have such affection for Pakistan,? he told mediapersons.

Dishant Sharma

14 Mar 2017,Tuesday

16 yrs since Laxman and Dravid's 376-run stand against Aus

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vvs-laxman-rahul-dravid-kolkata-test-2001-india-vs-australia/1/903508.html

Former Indian batsmen VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid constructed a 376-run stand against Australia on March 14, 2001, which is widely considered one of Test cricket's best partnerships in a follow-on innings. Laxman went on to score 281 runs, India's then highest individual Test score, helping India end Australia's 16-match-long world record winning streak.

Back in the summer of 2001, India were far removed from the modern-day Test giants they were - even on home soil, when a mighty Australia came to visit for a three-Test series.India, it would seem, were hardly prepared for the men from down under. They had been whitewashed 3-0 by the Aussies the previous summer and on their return home, South Africa drubbed them 2-0.There was then the one-off Test against Bangladesh and two more Tests against Zimbabwe. India managed two win two of those but not without stiff resistance from the opposition.And when the much-hyped series against Australia got underway in the March of 2001, there was little doubt who would triumph. The Aussies, led by Steve Waugh, steamrolled India in Mumbai to extend their winning streak.Things looked just as bleak in the next Test at the Eden Gardens. Australia had piled up 445 and India were knocked out for 171 and following on, were tottering at 115/3 when Rahul Dravid joined VVS Laxman in the middle. The Eden crowd was aghast. Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, the most established batsmen in the team, were gone and Australia were breathing fire.Laxman had shown class in his 21 Tests up until that point - few would have forgotten his 167 in Sydeny. Dravid was considered to be extremely talented but India had yet to see the flair they would go on to produce for the next decade.March 14, 2001 was when they first saw what these two could do. With their backs against the wall, India roared back as Laxman and Dravid orchestrated one of the greatest comebacks in Test cricket. They were 254/4 at stumps on day 3. When the duo resumed proceedings on the fourth day, Australia would have hoped to wrap things up quickly.

Aarushi Maheshwari

20 Mar 2017,Monday

Underwater treasure found in China

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/chinese-archaeologists-discover-huge-underwater-treasure/1/907981.html

Chinese archaeologists have announced the discovery of 10,000 gold and silver artefacts, including coins and jewellery, that sank to the bottom of a river in Sichuan Province 300 years ago. It is believed soldiers defeated peasant uprising leader Zhang Xianzhong in the area in 1646 while he was transferring his treasure. Around 1,000 boats carrying valuables sank during the skirmish.

Chinese archaeologists today said that they have recovered more than 10,000 gold and silver items that sank to the bottom of a river in southwestern Sichuan Province over 300 years ago.The items included a large amount of gold, silver and bronze coins and jewellery as well as iron weapons such as swords, knifes and spears, said Gao Dalun, director of Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute.The characters carved in the gold and silver utensils are still clear and the embossed patterns on the jewellery show exquisite craftsmanship, state-run news agency Xinhua quoted archaeologists as saying.The treasure site, located in the intersection of Minjiang river and its branch Jinjiang river, is 50 kms away south of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province.It is believed that in 1646, peasant uprising leader Zhang Xianzhong was defeated in the area by Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) soldiers while attempting to transfer his treasure to the south. About 1,000 boats loaded with money and valuables sank during the skirmish."The objects have helped identify the area where the battle was fought and are direct evidence of this historical event," said Wang Wei, a Chinese archaeologist.Sichuan launched the exploration project in January when the dry season arrived. Several water pumps were used to drain water away day and night.Hundreds of meters of the river bed appeared after archaeologists dug five meters down, where they found the relics."The items are extremely valuable to science, history and art. They are of great significance for research into the political,economic, military and social lives of the Ming Dynasty," said Li Boqian, an archaeologist from Peking University.Archaeologists said the excavation will last until April and the team expects to unearth more items.

Sanira Mediratta

23 Apr 2017,Sunday

Indian once performed 833 eye surgeries in 14 hours

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dr-m-c-modi-one-man-crusade-against-blindness-in-karnataka/1/329273.html

Eye surgeon MC Modi in 1968 carried out 833 cataract operations in 14 hours in Tirupati. He is also known to have been recognised by the Guinness World Records for performing the highest number of eye surgeries in a day. During his lifetime, he reportedly performed about 7 lakh eye surgeries, all of which were free.

What Mother Teresa is to Calcutta's dying destitutes, Dr Murugappa Chennaveerappa Modi, 72. is to the poor blind villagers of Karnataka. For 45 years. Modi, the internationally recognised eye surgeon, has been waging a one-man war against blindness. In 1986, his name appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records for performing 833 eye operations in a day, the highest in the world. The operations were conducted in Tirupati in 1968 over 14 continuous hours. Modi. Kannukota anna (the brother who gives vision) to the local people, has performed as many as 5.79 lakh eye operations so far. And his labour has always been free.For Modi, his mission is spiritual. "I see myself as a poojary. The patient is my god, every village is my place of pilgrimage, the operating table is my shrine and my instruments are the accessories of worship," says the sprightly surgeon who lives a spartan existence. Born of humble parentage - a Kannadiga from Bijapur district - Modi threw away a lucrative career in private practice after attending Gandhiji's historic prayer meeting at Bombay on August 8, 1942 where the Quit India resolution was passed. That meeting changed his life. And Modi, the gifted ophthalmologist, dedicated his life to the sightless."I felt affected when I saw blind people begging. They just did not have money to go to doctors." Modi recalled.And those who had the money had often sold their jewellery or livestock to put it together for the treatment. This tragic fact of rural India spurred Modi to pioneer the concept of mass eye camps.In an assembly line fashion, Modi operates 40 patients an hour, attending to four patients at a time. Ambidextrous, he performs delicate eye surgeries with his left hand. He does cataract operations, squint corrections and cornea transplants. Earlier, Modi used to perform 600 to 700 operations a day in his camps. But now in Karnataka, he operates on 200 to 300 patients every day.His phenomenal contributions for the sightless have not gone unappreciated. Recognition has come to him through the Padma Shree and Padma Bhushan. Hellen Keller, the blind and deaf-mute American author, who attended one of his camps in 1954 asked Modi: "Have you insured your hands?" In his mass eye camps, apart from the 5.79 lakh operations, he has examined 50 lakh patients and given free food to over 100 lakh persons.Initially Modi had a hard time communicating his mission to the people. "Villagers used to ask me if I was that good, why was I operating for tree? Modi reminisced.

Swarnim Bagre

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

Trump's media chief sacked 10 days after appointment

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/31/anthony-scaramucci-removed-white-house-communications-trump?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci has been removed from his job within the first 10 days of his appointment. This comes after Scaramucci, a Harvard law graduate and former Wall Street financier, launched a foul-mouthed tirade against two of his senior colleagues at the White House last week. "The president felt his comments were inappropriate," Trump's spokeswoman said.

Donald Trump hailed ?a great day at the White House? following the removal of communications director Anthony Scaramucci after just 10 days in a move that has only increased the sense of chaos at the heart of the Trump administration.His evening tweet came as Scaramucci was forced out following a turbulent series of media appearances over the last week by the combative former Wall Street financier, capped by a foul-mouthed tirade to a New Yorker journalist on Thursday.His shock political demise was precipitated by the appointment of former US marine Gen John Kelly as Donald Trump?s new chief of staff less than six hours earlier.?Anthony Scaramucci will be leaving his role as White House communications director,? said press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders in a statement on Monday afternoon. ?Mr Scaramucci felt it was best to give chief of staff John Kelly a clean slate and the ability to build his own team. We wish him all the best.?A great day at the White House!The decision to remove Scaramucci, nicknamed ?the Mooch?, came at Kelly?s request, the New York Times reported. His removal may take some pressure off Steve Bannon, the longtime Trump aide whose position has been under threat in recent weeks. Scaramucci made Bannon a target in his rant to the New Yorker and, in response, was the subject of repeatedly negative articles on Breitbart, the publication Bannon once ran.Scaramucci was hired on 21 July, months after the departure of Michael Dubke, who had struggled to craft a coherent communications strategy as the administration spun from one controversy to the next. Sean Spicer reportedly opposed the hiring of Scaramucci and resigned as White House press secretary the same day.Spicer was spotted by reporters in the West Wing apparently helping to shape the statement announcing Scaramucci?s removal from office.Scaramucci?s appointment was also reportedly opposed by chief of staff Reince Priebus, who immediately came under fire from the new communications chief for alleged leaks, and was forced out on Friday and replaced by Kelly. As his first act, Kelly in turn seems to have forced out Scaramucci.Asked if Scaramucci had any role now in the White House, the press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, told a media briefing: ?He does not have a role at this time.?Scaramucci, loyal and telegenic, was named White House communication director, a move that immediately prompted the resignation of press secretary Sean Spicer.Scaramucci spent his first Saturday on the job cleaning up his Twitter feed to remove historic tweets critical of the president and his agenda.'The Mooch', as he likes to be known, appeared on the Sunday morning politics TV shows. He promised to root out ?leakers? and said any he found would be fired.Scaramucci?s estranged wife, Deidre Ball, gave birth to their second child in New York. Scaramucci traveled on Air Force One with the president to the Boy Scouts annual jamboree.Thumbs up and smiles aboard Air Force One on the way to Ohio.Scaramucci dined at the White House with the president, the first lady, Fox News host Sean Hannity and former Fox News executive Bill Shine. After dinner, he placed a fateful call to New Yorker writer, Ryan Lizza...... The New Yorker published that conversation.The New York Post reported that Scaramucci?s infatuation with Trump was a catalyst for his wife?s decision to file for divorce while nine months pregnant. Meanwhile Trump announces on Twitter that Reince Priebus is out as chief of staff.Scaramucci watched as John Kelly was sworn in as the president?s new chief of staff. Hours later, the White House announced that Scaramucci was out as White House communications director, reportedly at the urging of Kelly.Turning to Scaramucci?s New Yorker interview, she said: ?The president felt his comments were inappropriate.?She would not say whether Scaramucci was fired or had resigned, but added that he had felt ?he did not want to burden Gen Kelly with that line of succession?.Kelly had been given full authority by the president over the White House staff and ?all staff will report to him?, she said.A Long Island native with an affinity for the spotlight, Scaramucci had long drawn comparisons to Trump himself. Both men have deep ties to New York, and Trump was said to admire Scaramucci?s unflinching loyalty.A graduate of Harvard law school and a former Goldman Sachs banker, Scaramucci founded the global hedge fund SkyBridge Capital in 2005, but sold it in 2017 in preparation for a role in the Trump administration. He founded the Salt conference, named after his company, which attracts big name speakers from Washington, Hollywood and Wall Street.Though Scaramucci became a critical fundraiser for the Trump campaign, it was not his first choice. Before the presidential campaign of 2012, Scaramucci expressed early support for Hillary Clinton. ?I hope she runs [in 2016], she is incredibly competent,? he apparently wrote in a deleted tweet from April 2012, according to screenshots published by the Daily Beast. He also called her ?the real deal.?But when the campaign actually arrived, he first donated to Wisconsin governor Scott Walker?s campaign until it collapsed, and then he joined Jeb Bush.Before he joined the Trump campaign, Scaramucci called Trump ?anti-American? and ?another hack politician?.?I?ll tell you who he?s gonna be president of, you can tell Donald I said this: the Queens County Bullies Association,? Scaramucci said during a segment on Fox Business in August 2015. ?You are an inherited-money dude from Queens County. Bring it.?After being hired by Trump, he deleted a number of his old tweets that contradicted the president?s policy positions.His most controversial moment during his short tenure as communications chief was undoubtedly his remarks to a New Yorker interviewer that the then-chief of staff, Reince Priebus, was ?a fucking paranoid schizophrenic? who would be asked to resign (he later was), and that Scaramucci was not like Steve Bannon, the chief strategist, because ?I?m not trying to suck my own cock?.The Washington Post reported that Kelly was ?dismayed? by the interview and found it ?abhorrent and embarrassing for the president?.Named director of communications after having been denied a White House role earlier, the New York financier and Republican fundraiser promptly threatened to fire everyone in his team over leaks. He also staged a combative and contradictory briefing room debut and talkshow tour; sought to bat away questions about suspiciously liberal pronouncements in his past and support for Trump?s Republican enemies; deleted tweets; warred openly with the former chief of staff, Reince Priebus, and seemingly forced him out; compared the struggle to take healthcare away from millions of Americans to Lincoln?s battle against slavery; poured obscene invective about leakers, Priebus and Steve Bannon down the phone to a New Yorker reporter; missed the birth of his son; saw his wife file for divorce; and was asked to resign.Trump?s first national security adviser ? one of four generals the president has employed ? resigned after it was revealed he misled Vice-President Mike Pence over his contacts with Russians during the election campaign. It was later reported that Yates had warned the White House Flynn was vulnerable to Russian blackmail.The most shocking firing of them all. Trump sacked his FBI director, by messenger rather than in person, as congressional and justice department investigations into links between Trump aides and Russia gathered pace. Lest anyone retain any doubt about why Trump pressed the big red button, he told NBC in a primetime interview the firing was tied to ?this Russia thing?. The reverberations will be felt for some time yet.The long-suffering but loyal surrogate for the president handed in his resignationin response to Scaramucci?s appointment. A Republican insider and Priebus ally, he never settled into the press secretary role after an infamous debut in which he angrily insisted Trump?s fantastic version of crowd sizes at the inauguration were true. Achieving by way of Melissa McCarthy?s lethal Saturday Night Live impression a somewhat dubious celebrity, his days at the White House were long rumoured to be numbered. His departure on a point of principle having seemingly been justified only 10 days later, he may now claim a sort of hollow vindication.The former Republican National Committee chair stayed loyal ? at least in public ? to Trump through Friday, when he was told his time was up. He stayed loyal after handing in his resignation too, rhapsodising about the president and his mission in interviews with CNN and, of course, Fox News. But it seemed Priebus?s card had alway been marked, less over his initial blocking of Scaramucci, which enraged the Mooch, or by his closeness to the House speaker, Paul Ryan, than by his private advice to Trump to quit the presidential race after 8 October, when the infamous Access Hollywood ?Gropegate? tape was published. The Washington Post reported that Priebus was thus never considered a member of the ?Oct 8th coalition?, a name for the inner cabal of Trumpites who have never wavered, however low their boss?s reputation has sunk.Chinese conglomerate HNA Group is currently in negotiations to buy SkyBridge Capital. Scaramucci announced the sale at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, which was meant to free him of potential conflicts of interest before an official appointment.But that sale ? believed to be worth $250m ? is being held back pending a government review, reportedly by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, the agency charged with evaluating the impact on America?s national security of the sales of US businesses.Scaramucci?s wife Deirdre filed for divorce recently while nine months pregnant with their second child. Scaramucci missed the birth last Monday because he was traveling with Trump on Air Force One.The firing met with some swift praise on Capitol Hill. Carlos Curbelo, a moderate Republican from Florida who did not support Trump in 2016, tweeted: ?General Kelly is 1 for 1. Let?s keep it going,? tweeted Curbelo.Trump tweeted this morning: ?Highest Stock Market EVER, best economic numbers in years, unemployment lowest in 17 years, wages raising, border secure, SC: no WH chaos!?Additional reporting by Dominic Rushe in New York

Prashanti Moktan

19 Dec 2016,Monday

Poster of Ranbir, Katrina's 'Jagga Jasoos' revealed

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jagga-jasoos-poster-ranbir-kapoor-katrina-kaif-anurag-basu/1/838080.html

The poster of the Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif starrer 'Jagga Jasoos' was revealed on Monday by UTV Motion Pictures alongside the tweet, "Sometimes, the fastest getaway is an Ostrich!" In the film, Ranbir plays the detective Jagga, who tries to find the whereabouts of his father. Directed by Anurag Basu, it is scheduled to release on April 7, 2017.

One wouldn't be too wrong if he or she said that Jagga Jasoos has been in the making for a zillion years.Jagga Jasoos is Anurag Basu's first directorial venture after the stupendous success of 2012's Barfi! and it is set to release, finally, five years later in 2017.......and the makers of Jagga Jasoos launched the promotions of the film today by sharing the first poster of the Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif-starrer.Sometimes, the fastest getaway is an Ostrich! Enter the #WorldofJagga tomorrow! ð???ð??? #JaggaJasoos#RanbirKapoor#KatrinaKaifpic.twitter.com/4BfTVXHHWXRanbir Kapoor is seen riding an ostrich with Katrina behind him as a fighter plane turns to gun them down.ALSO READ: Ranbir, Katrina asked to promote Jagga Jasoos like Deepika-Ranveer?SEE Jagga Jasoos new still: Ranbir as a school kid looks quite the pranksterALSO READ: Jagga Jasoos is a special, Ranbir says on film with ex Katrina Kaif

Mansha Mahajan

19 May 2017,Friday

SEBI seeks clarification over Idea-Vodafone merger

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sebi-seeks-clarification-over-idea-vodafone-merger/1/956950.html

Market regulator SEBI has sought clarification from Aditya Birla Group firm Idea regarding its proposed merger with Vodafone India. Besides, the firms approached the Competition Commission of India last month regarding the proposed merger and are awaiting the fair trade regulator's nod in this regard. In March, Vodafone and Idea announced their merger to create India's largest telecom operator.

Saloni Tandon

20 Jun 2017,Tuesday

15 arrested for sedition after cheering for Pakistan in MP

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/15-slapped-with-sedition-for-cheering-for-pakistan-during-champions-trophy/1/983049.html

Madhya Pradesh police have arrested 15 people in Burhanpur district and charged them with sedition for allegedly cheering for Pakistan after the Champions Trophy final against India on Sunday. The police registered an FIR after locals complained about the boys, who were reportedly raising pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans. Police said they were apprehensive that a communal situation could erupt.

Police in Madhya Pradesh have arrested 15 youngsters and have charged them with sedition allegedly because they cheered and seemingly supported the Pakistani cricket team over the Indians during Sunday's Champions Trophy finals. The 15 youngsters, who are from the same community, were arrested from Madhya Pradesh's Burhanpur district and are set to be produced in front of a court today. Additional Director General (ADG) Indore Ajay Sharma told India Today that a resident of village Mohad in Burhanpur district filed a complaint with the Shahpur police station that some youngsters were celebrating the victory of Pakistan and were also raising pro-Pakistan slogans. The complainant said that crackers were being burst close to homes of people belonging to the majority community. Acting on the complaint, police detained and booked the youngsters under section 124A (sedition) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.The police said that they were apprehensive that a communal situation could erupt in the area after the match owing to youngsters' alleged cheering for the Pakistani. Police believed that the tempers were particularly running high as the outcome of the match was unfavourable for the Indian cricket team. The police said that the similar complaints had been received from the village, which is located close to the Maharashtra border, in the past during India-Pakistan cricket encounters. A top police official claimed that the charges were invoked not for supporting a particular side during the cricket game but because pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans were raised.Also read:Many Indians thank team India for losing Champions Trophy to Pakistan

Arshiya Chopra

13 Jun 2017,Tuesday

2 officers held in Mumbai for helping illegal immigration

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/immigration-officers-from-mumbai-airport-arrested/1/977333.html

Two senior immigration officers posted at the Mumbai International Airport were arrested for their involvement with a gang that helped people illegally fly out of the country. The immigration officers, Anil Surse and Harshal Patil, allegedly let people pass through the immigration without important checks. They helped at least 50 people without proper documentation leave the country, police said.

The Mumbai Police arrested two senior officers posted at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport for allegedly letting people pass through immigration without due process. The officers - identified as Anil Surse (35) and Harshal Patil (33) - were arrested after a major case of illegal transportation of humans was busted last month. Mumbai Police's Sahar unit made the arrest. According to police officials, they uncovered the racket after arresting a woman who was travelling to Vancouver, Canada under a fake name and passport. During interrogation, the woman provided information on the racket and named three men believed to be the masterminds. Mumbai police then arrested the three men - Gaurav Singh, Mukadam Gulam Ali and Mustakil Hussain. The three used to arrange the illegal passage of people out of the country. During their interrogation, the police stumbled upon the involvement of the immigration officers, who later confessed to their crime.A police officer said, "The officers would let people (through immigration) without checking them. They would not check whether (the) passport is legal or not, all details are right or not." The officer said that senior airport officials have launched a separate inquiry into the matter. According to the police, as many as 50 people without proper documentation were able to leave India under the two officers' watch. A senior officer said, "This is a very serious and dangerous incident. The security of the Mumbai international airport is on risk (sic). I am shocked."

Shubhodeep Datta

23 Dec 2016,Friday

Delhi Metro's 10 stations to go cashless from January 1

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/using-paytm-10-delhi-metro-stations-to-go-cashless-from-january-1/story-eqrabppJBNCi2lwhfY4qqO.html

The Delhi Metro on Friday announced that it will make 10 of its stations cashless from January 1 by opting for digital payment app Paytm for token purchase and smart card recharge. The stations chosen are Rohini East, Rohini West, MG Road Station, Mayur Vihar Phase-I, Nirman Vihar, Tilak Nagar, Janakpuri West, Noida Sector-15, Nehru Place, and Kailash Colony.

The Delhi Metro will make 10 of its stations, across various sections of its network, cashless from January 1, 2017 by opting for digital payment app Paytm for token purchase and smart card recharge, it was announced on Friday.The commuters at these stations will be required to scan the QR code at the station with the Paytm app on their mobile phones. This will send a message to the token vendor or the customer care operator, who will then issue the token or recharge the card with the desired amount, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in a statement.The 10 metro stations which have been chosen, are done so because of certain prominent factors, namely, major footfall of smart-card holders there (at least 70%) and adequate mobile connectivity.They are Rohini East and Rohini West on the Red Line; MG Road Station on Yellow Line; Mayur Vihar Phase-I, Nirman Vihar, Tilak Nagar, Janakpuri West, and Noida Sector-15 on Blue Line; and Nehru Place and Kailash Colony on the Violet Line. Refunds, if sought by any customer, will also be done through Paytm accounts instead of cash and users will receive the refunded amount within four days in their Paytm wallet. For exigencies though, at least one counter with cash option will remain open on these stations initially, the DMRC added.

Prashanti Moktan

17 Jul 2017,Monday

I'd say let?s meet at next station in real life: SRK on DDLJ

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/in-real-life-i-would-never-encourage-running-alongside-moving-trains-shah-rukh-khan/story-4FkVMRbDhN0uAyoOaG9pLI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Shah Rukh Khan, while talking about Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge's (DDLJ) final scene, said, "In real life, I would stop the train, or say let's meet at the next station." The scene shows Kajol running towards SRK, who is on a moving train. He added, "I would never do it in real life, putting my hand out, beating her would-be-husband."

Just one look, a dimpled smile and outstretched arms are all that Shah Rukh Khan needs to personify the ultimate lover on screen, but the reality is different says the superstar who describes himself as ?pathetic?, ?detached? and ?demotional? when it comes to romance and relationships.In an interview with PTI, Shah Rukh says, ?I am pathetic with relationships. I am so pathetic that I am comic.??If somebody said what did you say to him or her when he or she said this, my answer would shock you. They are like ?but how could you?? and I say, ?I don?t know how else to relate to this.? I am very bad with relationships, I am awful.?Unlike his characters on screen who travel continents to profess love, Shah Rukh prefers to hide his emotions.?I am extremely one-sided, perhaps even selfish. Actually, I am very detached. I am demotional - emotional and detached, I don?t know how it works. I won?t be able to say anything that I?ve done in my films to a girl, or even in relationships...?I am extremely closeted, introverted, shy, reclusive and completely shut off about my emotions.?And this dichotomy is perhaps what helps him play the romantic hero as he believes that an actor is normally attracted to roles that he is not in real life.?I don?t have to believe in it, I have to make you believe in it and that?s a challenge always... An actor always goes for something that he is not. It?s a vent. I want to be a Batman, a Spider-Man, a fire fighter, an evil conniving don and I want to be the greatest lover in the world. And I am not any of these. That?s why it turns me on,? he says.The 51-year-year-old star is aware of the absurdities of the grand romantic gestures in his films and he would not advice his fans to replicate them in real life -- be it the famous train sequence from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge or proposing to a girl on her wedding day in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.?I am not telling you to run after a train and climb it. In real life, I would stop the train, or say let?s meet at the next station. I would never do it in real life, putting my hand out, beating her would-be-husband. In Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, the girl is getting married to a guy downstairs, I walk upto her and say ?I love you?. Now that?s extremely weird!?Shah Rukh will next be seen in Imtiaz Ali?s Jab Harry Met Sejal. Also featuring Anushka Sharma, Jab Harry Met Sejal is scheduled to release on August 4.For the film, Shah Rukh is sporting a tattoo on his chest. It is again something that he would never do in real life.?I am freaking scared of tattoo needles. I am an extremely normal guy,? he says.Follow @htshowbiz for more