News

Sania, Cara in final of Stuttgart WTA event

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Sania Mirza earned herself an opportunity to win her first title of the season after reaching the summit clash of the PORSCHE Tennis Grand Prix with Zimbabwean partner Cara Black, here today.

The second-seeded Indo-Zimbabwean pair defeated the German pair of Antonia Lottner and Anna Zaja 6-2 2-6 10-4 in one hour and 14 minutes in the USD 710,000 clay court WTA premier event.

Sania had reached the Indian Wells final last month but ended runners-up with Cara.

Modi contesting from two seats because he is afraid of defeat

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BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is contesting two Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh because he is ‘afraid of losing’, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee claimed today.

Stating that most politicians lacked transparency and credibility, Banerjee said “why is he contesting from two seats–one from Gujarat and another from UP? That means he is not sure of his victory.

Cong will transform Seemandhra into modern state: Chiranjeevi

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Union Minister and Congress leader Chiranjeevi today said his party would “transform” Seemandhra into a modern state by bringing all-round development in the residuary state post creation of Telangana.

“The aim of Congress is to transform Seemandhra into Navyandhra (modern Andhra). After bifurcation of the state, it is the responsibility of Congress to develop it on all sectors, particularly in providing irrigation, and also employment opportunities to the youth,” Chiranjeevi said while interacting with reporters here.

Rahul visited Amethi 70 times and spent 140 days: Priyanka to Smriti Irani

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Responding to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Amethi, Smriti Irani’s comment about Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the constituency, Congress president Sonia Gandhi”s daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday said Rahul had visited Amethi 70 times and had spent 140 days there. “Rahul had visited 70 times and spent at least 140 days in Amethi,” said Priyanka while addressing a public meeting here today. She also said that those fighting against Rahul are not interested in the truth or in development. “They are not bothered about you.

Congress Fighting A Do Or Die Poll Battle For Political Survival In Telangana

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, AICC President Sonia Gandhi, Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and many other top honchos of the party have been suddenly descending on Telangana to take up no-holds barred campaign for the on-going elections which has undoubtedly become a do or die battle for political survival for the party in its own bastion.

Poser To Babu–Why Not BC CM For Seemandhra?

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The CPM state Secretary B V Raghavulu has questioned the TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu as to why he was not in favour of making a BC as Chief Minister of Seemandhra, while he was trumpeting about making a BC the Chief Minister of Telangana State.

Christians Asked To Vote Prudently, Uphold Secular Values

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Telangana Christian Council (TCC) has urged the Christians to exercise their franchise without fail, as a right and responsibility, and also to vote prudently, carefully and judiciously.

Speaking to the media at NSS here today, TCC President Mulkala Praveen said that all the Christians should uphold the secular values of Great India and promote communal harmony in a spirit of understanding with inter religious dialogue as an instrument of peace.

‘T’ Became Possible With BJP Support: Sushma

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BJP senior leader Sushma Swaraj today said the Congress has no moral right to claim that it was responsible for Telangana state formation, as it became possible only with BJP’s support and cooperation. The Congress has no right to seek votes of people as it has not done anything for development of Telangana, she said.

TDP Suspends Eight Rebel Candidates

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Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today suspended its eight rebel candidates who are contesting the elections against the party wishes in seemandhra.

The suspended rebel candidates are: Sharma (Peethapuram), Kottu Satyanarayana (Tadepalligudem), T V Rama Rao ( Kovvuru), Durga Prasad ( Kadapa), Jitender ( Guntakal) jairam (Kurupam), Kumbha Ravibabu ( Araku) and Anita (Bhimili).(NSS)

Modi Can Provide Stable Govt: Venkaiah

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BJP senior leader M Venkaiah Naidu has said the people wanted a stable government that can be provided by Narendra Modi.

Naidu was participating in party’s election campaign at different places in the district. He alleged that the Congress leaders have been doling out promises which are not implementable.

He urged the people to exercise their franchise keeping in mind the state’s future.

Jayasudha’s Convoy Attacked

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Congress party candidate from Secunderabad Assembly constituency, Jayasudha’s convoy, has been attacked while she was campaigning in Mettuguda area this morning. It was alleged that YSRCP supporters were responsible for the attack.

The Congress nominee started intensive electioneering this morning and when she reached Mettuguda, some persons attacked her convoy. Taken aback at the unexpected incident, Jayasudha stopped canvassing and left for her house. One of the attackers reportedly beat up Jayasudha’s car driver.

Mamata should agree to CBI probe in Saradha scam: Gadkari

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Keeping open the possibility of a post-poll tie-up with the Trinamool Congress, senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari Saturday said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should agree to a CBI probe into the Saradha chit fund scam to uphold her government’s image.

“The other states (affected by the Saradha scam) have agreed to a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The Mamata Banerjee government should also agree to such a probe to protect the people’s interest and uphold the regime’s credibility and image,” Gadkari told media persons at the state party office here.

President presents Padma awards

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President Pranab Mukherjee Saturday presented the Padma awards to eminent personalities like author Ruskin Bond and actor Paresh Rawal at a function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

The president presented one Padma Vibhushan, 11 Padma Bhushans and 44 Padma Shri awards at a civil investiture ceremony, an official statement said.

Yoga exponent Bellur Krishnamachar Sundaraja Iyenger was conferred the Padma Vibhushan – the highest among the Padma awards, but the second highest civilian award.

British helicopter crashes in Afghanistan, 5 killed

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A British helicopter crashed Saturday in southern Afghanistan, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

Five service personnel have been killed in the crash, with no confirmation about thier nationalities, Xinhua cited MoD sources Saturday.

“The incident is under investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further until families have been notified,” the MoD said in a statement Saturday.

The MoD said that concerned family members can contact the ministry’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre on 0845 7 800 900.

We don’t trust the CBI: Trinamool

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Iterating that it did not “trust” the CBI, West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress Saturday accused the Congress of “manipulating” the central probe agency to protect itself from corruption cases and said the large number of pending cases have raised a question over the agency’s “credibility”.

Naidu’s promises are false: Sharmila

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Criticising TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu for his false promises ahead of the elections and trying to emulate YSR by parroting his welfare schemes Sharmila has said the TDP leader lacks sincerity and is not in the habit of keeping his word.

While YSR has carried out all the welfare schemes during his five year term without imposing any fresh taxes or increasing charges of public utilities, Chandrababu Naidu has increased power charges eight times in eight years, Sharmila said here as part of the YSR Jana Bheri election campaign on Saturday.

PM can’t see anything because of mother-son duo: Modi

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Reacting to Manmohan Singh’s comment that there was no wave in India in favour of Narendra Modi, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Saturday said the prime minister was not able to see anything because the “mother-son duo” (Sonia and Rahul Gandhi) were “looking after things”.

SHC picks up 15 Khadim-ul-Hujjaj for Haj 2014

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The Andhra Pradesh State Haj Committee on Saturday selected 15 Khadim-ul-Hujjaj for Haj 2014.

The selection was done through a draw at an event conducted at Haj House, Nampally here. Minorities Welfare Department Special Secretary Syed Omer Jaleel, Minorities Welfare Commissioner Shaik Mohammed Iqbal, SHC Special Officer Prof. S A Shukoor, SHC Executive Officer Abdul Hameed and other officials were present on the occasion.

Prohibitory orders in city in view of general elections

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City Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma on Saturday issued certain prohibitory orders in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad in view of general elections to be held on April 30.

The Commissioner has prohibited Assembly of persons and any kind of processions. Carrying of sticks either with or without flags, lathies, fire arms, or any other weapons which can be used as weapons for offence or defence by persons in processions, big gathering or meetings within a radius of one K.M. from the polling stations have been prohibited.

Wine shops to remain close for three days from April 28

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City Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma on Saturday ordered the closure of wine shops, bars attached to restaurants, Military Canteen (including Bars in Star Hotels and registered clubs) situated within the limits of the twin cities Hyderabad and Secunderabad for three days from April 28.

Congress’ loan waiver offer irresponsible: Dr. JP

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Loksatta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today termed Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi’s promise to waive farmers’ bank loans of up to Rs. 2 lakh as irresponsible.

Addressing a media conference, Dr. JP wanted to know whether the loan waiver would be applicable to farmers in both the emerging States. Who would foot the bills – the Center or the States? Had any homework been done on the implications? Had the Reserve Bank of India been consulted?

Cannot divide Telugu people, says Jagan

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Drawing a contrast between divisive politics and developmental politics, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has said the state could be divided geographically for the sake of votes and seats but cannot divide the Telugu people and appealed to the people to vote for YSRCP fan symbol to usher in YSR welfare state.

Jagan will carry forward YSR legacy: Vijayamma

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Reiterating that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will carry forward the legacy of YSR as he has the will, vision and commitment for the uplift and welfare of the people of all sections, YS Vijayamma has appealed to the people to vote for YSRCP fan symbol to enable the new state to prosper and compete with other states in the country.