News

‘US visa fee hike to cost Indian cos $200mn extra’

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New Delhi, August 10: Terming a US proposal to increase visa fees as discriminatory, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma today said the increase would cost Indian firms USD 200 million extra a year and make them less competitive.

“The Bill will have an (estimated) additional cost implication of over USD 200 million annually and an adverse impact on the competitiveness and commercial interests of Indian companies….,” Sharma said in a letter to US Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

Delhi launches eco-friendly rickshaw ahead of CWG

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New Delhi, August 10: Delhi today launched battery- operated rickshaws, sponsored by telecom major Vodafone Essar as part its eco-friendly initiative, ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit flagged off the eco friendly vehicle, E-rick, each costing about Rs 1.5 lakh.

In the first phase, the company will sponsor 25 vehicles on five routes, including Chandni Chowk, Saket, IIT-SDA market area, GK-II and Delhi University-North Campus, Vodafone told reporters here.

Online facility for changes in ration cards

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Hyderabad, August 10: An online process to carry out corrections/changes in ration cards was launched by minister for civil supplies J Krishna Rao here today.

For any changes in ration cards, like name and address, or getting duplicate cards, consumers can now apply at any APOnline or eSeva centres.

PRP chief beats a hasty retreat

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Hyderabad, August 10: Taking everyone by surprise, Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi beat a hasty retreat at Nellore on Monday claiming that his announcement of support to K Rosaiah government in the State in the event of it coming under threat was only hypothetical in nature.

Yesterday at Kavali, Chiranjeevi said in clear terms that if Rosaiah government, for any reason, wobbles, he was there to help him out with his 18 MLAs.

Flying taxis in Egypt

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Cairo, August 10: Egypt will launch a flying taxi project as part of a plan to solve traffic problems in the capital and other governorates nationwide, chairman of an Egyptian aviation company announced Monday.

Wael al-Maadawy, Chairman of Smart Aviation Company, announced in a TV interview that his company purchased five Turbo helicopters to be turned into flying taxis that will transfer Egyptians from Cairo to other governorates as well as the new residential communities around the capital.

” The new flying taxi will be afordable to all people ”

Karzai to dissolve all private security firms in Afghan

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Kabul, August 10: Afghan President Hamid Karzai is to dissolve all international and domestic private security companies operating in the country, his spokesman said today.

“Dissolving the private security companies is a serious programme that the government of Afghanistan will execute,” Waheed Omer told reporters, adding that “very soon the president of Afghanistan will set a deadline”.

Oil spill: Situation under control says CM Chavan

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Mumbai, August 10: Even as the Centre today termed the oil spill off Mumbai coast as a “big disaster”, Maharashtra government said the situation was completely under control as Coast Guard officials had plugged the leakages.

“The situation is under control now. I was briefed by Coast Guard officials that the leakage from where the oil was spilling out from MSC Chitra has been plugged yesterday and no further oil spill has been reported,” chief minister Ashok Chavan said.

BJP wants Kalmadi’s head

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New Delhi, August 10: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday demanded action against the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi over alleged irregularities concerning the showpiece event.

“Action should be taken against him (Kalmadi),” BJP leader Gopinath Munde told reporters.

Answering questions, he said that since Kalmadi had ruled out resigning, action should be taken against him.

Munde also expressed dissatisfaction over the reply of Sports Minister M.S. Gill in the Lok Sabha to the debate concerning delay in preparation for the Oct 3-14 Games.

Awaiting RBI norms on airline debt restructuring: Patel

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New Delhi, August 10: The Civil Aviation Ministry is awaiting guidelines from the Reserve Bank on a debt restructuring package for the aviation sector, as it will help the ailing airlines bridge mounting losses.

“The RBI has to come up with guidelines for the restructuring of debt of the aviation sector. As far as my ministry is concerned, we support it… I believe that the RBI is actively looking into the issue,” Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told reporters here.

Move to merge GEQD with CFSL draws flak

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Hyderabad, August 10: In a proposal that could spell doom for the prestigious Government Examiner of Questioned Documents (GEQD), the Ministry of Home Affiars (MHA) is likely to merge GEQDs with the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) across the country including Hyderabad.

The move, which has come under immense criticism from the forensic science community, is based on recommendations given by merely two Consultants — Gopal J Mishra, who retired as director of Punjab State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) 12 years ago and C Damodaran, who retired from the Chennai FSL.

Noida Police undergoes training ahead of CWG

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Noida, August 10: Personnel of the Noida Police are undergoing a behavioural training programme in view of the prestigious Commonwealth Games to be held in neighbouring New Delhi in October.

“The three-day training programme consists of personality development exercises and Yoga. The personnel are also being taught some phrases in English,” Senior Superintendent of Police A K Singh said.

2 more swine flu deaths take toll to 27

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Hyderabad, August 10: Two more deaths due to swine flu were reported today, taking the toll to 27 since its outbreak this monsoon. At least 15 suspects, seven from Mahaboobnagar district and three from Nalgonda town, tested positive for the dreaded infection today. A 26-year-old woman from Warangal and a 15-year-old boy from Erragadda in the city died at the Government Chest Hospital. Both were admitted two days ago.

Fresh cases were reported from Apollo, Rainbow and Golconda Area Hospital besides the Chest Hospital.

Man attempts suicide at district collectorate

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Hyderabad, August 10: One person tried to commit suicide when a weekly public contact programme ‘Mee Kosam’ was being held at the collectorate in presence of Hyderabad district collector Natarajan Gulzar on Monday.

Miyoshi mayor praises city for cleanliness

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Hyderabad, August 10: Lord mayor of Miyoshi in Hiroshima Prefecture of Japan, Masaya Murai lauded Hyderabad for its clean environment, beautiful landscapes and hospitality. He is here on a two-day visit on the completion of fourth year of Hyderabad-Miyoshi Sister City affiliation. The two cities had begun the relationship on July 27, 2006.

Inter student jumps to death in Gandipet lake

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Hyderabad, August 10: An Intermediate student committed suicide by jumping into the Gandipet lake on Monday morning. Police said the reasons for taking the extreme step could not be ascertained as she did not leave behind any suicide note. Her family also did not sense anything untoward. The girl, M Lakshmi Roja (17) was a MPC first-year student of New Vision Junior College at SR Nagar. She was staying at Rajiv Nagar near ESI hospital. As usual, she left for college.

Chiru-bashing lands actor couple in trouble

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Hyderabad, August 10: With the PRP president doing a flip-flop on his corruption charge against YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chiru-baiters Rajasekhar and Jeevitha lost no time in launching into a tirade against the Megastar at the auditorium of the AP Film Chamber here today but, in the process, landed themselves into yet another controversy.

The actor couple have violated the rules of the chamber by holding a political press conference.

Headmistress punishes students with burning firewood in AP

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Hyderabad, August 10: Seven students of a government primary school in Warangal district suffered burns after the headmistress of the school allegedly gave them corporal punishment using a burning firewood.

The headmistress of a primary school at Jamandlapally village of Mahbubabad mandal in Warangal district took out a burning firewood (meant for midday meal) and allegedly punished the primary class students including some girls who were reportedly making noise in the school premises yesterday, a senior official said.

Man, son held for theft

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Hydeabad, August 10: A father and son were arrested by the city police today for committing thefts. The five-member gang included a couple, and their two sons and son-in-law. The kingpin of the gang is 48-year-old Pasupuleti Ramulu alias Rambabu alias Ramu who hails from Prakasam district. He belongs to Telaga Pamula community which is notorious for committing thefts and other offences.

Lalit Modi submits IPL documents to ED authorities

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Mumbai, August 10: Suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Lalit Modi’s attorney today submitted documents relating to the cash-rich T20 league before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) here.

Modi’s lawyer Mehmood Abdi submitted three cartons of documents regarding all IPL contracts, agreements and some personal details.

“I met one assistant director of the Enforcement Directorate and as requested by them submitted all documents pertaining to IPL,” Abdi said outside the agency office here.

Cong downplays Mamata’s comment on Azad’s encounter

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New Delhi, August 10: Congress today downplayed its ally Mamata Banerjee describing the encounter of Maoist leader Azad as a “murder” saying if allegations have been made, there are institutions to deal with it.

“Congress never supported fake encounters. We make clear distinction between encounter and fake encounter. If allegations have been made, there are institutions like the NHRC and the courts which have a specific mandate to deal with such issues,” party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters.

Rosaiah clarifies on Telangana report

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Hyderabad, August 10: Chief Minister K Rosaiah has clarified that the words ‘State partition is treason against nation’ were not mentioned anywhere in the report submitted by the ministers from Andhra and Rayalaseema to the Srikrishna Committee.

“Let’s not make an issue ouf of nothing,” Rosaiah, who is in Anantapur, appealed.

Governor justifies sacking of SKU V-C

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New Delhi, August 10: Governor ESL Narasimhan today justified sacking Sri Krishnadevaraya University vice-chancellor P Kusuma Kumari.

“A highly reputed high court judge went through the charges. The government recommended action only after that,” Narasimhan, who came here to meet Union home minister P Chidambaram said.

He dismissed as baseless the allegations that there were political considerations behind the removal of Kusuma Kumari. “It is ridiculous,” he said, adding that the government had only one objective – providing quality education to students.

Four succumb to swine flu in city

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New Delhi, August 10: Four persons died due to swine flu, taking the toll of those who succumbed to the deadly H1N1 virus to 13 this year.

“Four deaths due to swine flu virus have been reported from different hospitals here in last 24 hours. Only one of the deceased is from Delhi,” a health ministry official said.

Eleven others have tested positive for the dreaded virus, taking the total number of cases of H1N1 influenza in the city to 208.

“One death was reported yesterday at the Escorts hospital too but if it was a case of H1N1 virus or not is yet to be ascertained,” he said.

Thieves decamp with 17 tola gold and Rs 35000

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Hyderabad, August 10: Thieves struck at four houses in Injapur village on the city outskirts and decamped with nearly 17 tola gold ornaments and Rs 35,000 cash late on Sunday night. The thefts took place in a row of locked houses under the Vanasthalipuram police station limits.

Proceedings collapse in RS for lack of quorum

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New Delhi, August 10: Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha collapsed today in the absence of quorum at the fag end of the day when the House was discussing a money bill.

Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan adjourned the House at around 1920 hours after Maya Singh (BJP) pointed out that the House did not have the required number of members to meet the quorum.

In a House of 244, at least ten per cent (25 members) is needed for the proceedings.