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No conspiracy against Mayawati: BJP

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday rubbished the Bahujan Samaj Party’s (BSP) allegation that there was a conspiracy against former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati, who was given a reprieve by the Supreme Court in a corruption case.

“Allegations by the BSP are not true. In 2003, the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government was there only for a few months. Since then the UPA has been in power for eight years, which Mayawati has been supporting,” BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

Bilawal Bhutto ‘secretly’ studying law in Britain

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Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has been “studying secretly” at a top London law college and is always “accompanied by undercover detectives” to the institute, but has been unable to appear in his exams due to his hectic political schedule, a Pakistani daily has found.

According to The News International, the 24-year-old son of late Benazir Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari took admission at the BPP University College, a private university, in January 2011 after finishing his degree course from Oxford University in September 2010.

SC Quashes CBI Probe Against Mayawati

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SC quashes CBI probe against BSP supremo Mayawati in disproportionate assets case. CBI should not have lodged DA case against Mayawati as there was no direction regarding it from this court, SC said.

We are satisfied that we didn’t issue any direction to probe alleged disproportionate assets of Mayawati between 1995-2003, SC further added.

According to Supreme Court, CBI proceeded against Mayawati without properly understanding their order.

Pranab in Hyderabad to seek support

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Presidential candidate of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Pranab Mukherjee arrived here Sunday on a day-long visit to galvanize support for his candidature.

Protest by a small group of pro-Telangana supporters greeted Mukherjee outside the Begumpet airport. Raising slogans of ‘Jai Telangana’, the protesters tried to stop his convoy but police foiled their attempt.

The protesters belonging to various pro-Telangana groups wanted Mukherjee to spell out his stand on the demand for statehood to Telangana.

Booking of Tatkal tickets to start at 1000 hrs from July 10

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With a view to further improve the delivery of Tatkal tickets to passengers, the Raliways Ministry has decided that with effect from July 10 booking of Tatkal ticket will start at 1000 hrs on the previous day of journey from train originating station instead of 0800 hrs at present.

No authorised agents, including agents of IRCTC and RTSAs/RTAs will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets from 1000 hrs to 1200 hrs.

The existing restriction of not allowing these agents booking of general tickets on the opening day from 0800 hrs to 1000 hrs will also continue, an official statement said.

Spot-fixing: BCCI bans five cricketers

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has banned five players accused of spot-fixing in a sting operation during this year’s Indian Premier League, according to reports.

While TP Sudhindra (Deccan Chargers) has been banned for life, Shalabh Srivastava (Kings XI Punjab) has been banned from playing for a period of five years.

The other three – Mohnish Mishra (Pune Warriors) and Amit Yadav (Kings XI Punjab) and Abhinav Bali, a Delhi cricketer who now represents Himachal Pradesh in domestic cricket – have been handed a year’s ban each.

Kashmir survives another tragedy, this time without blood

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As normal life resumed in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley Saturday, Kashmir survived yet another tragedy – this time without any blood being spilt on the roads.

The destruction of the second holiest Muslim shrine of the Valley in a mysterious blaze on Monday threw Kashmiris into a state of shock and mourning, reminding one of a similar tragedy in 1995 when the shrine of the Valley’s patron saint, Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali, was destroyed in a blaze in central Kashmir’s Charar-e-Sharief town.

Man waves shoe at Pakistani minister

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An angry activist of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) waved a shoe at a minister of Sindh province during his address to party workers in Hyderabad city, Geo News reported.

Provincial Law Minister Ayaz Soomro was addressing PPP workers at the Circuit House in Hyderabad, when a party activist named Imran waved a shoe at him, complaining that the PPP leaders and ministers did not provide jobs despite promises.

Imran said they also failed to help the flood victims in the province.

Other PPP activists present on the occasion later drove Imran out of the gathering, the report said.

Kashmir survives another tragedy, this time without blood

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As normal life resumed in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley Saturday, Kashmir survived yet another tragedy – this time without any blood being spilt on the roads.

The destruction of the second holiest Muslim shrine of the Valley in a mysterious blaze on Monday threw Kashmiris into a state of shock and mourning, reminding one of a similar tragedy in 1995 when the shrine of the Valley’s patron saint, Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali, was destroyed in a blaze in central Kashmir’s Charar-e-Sharief town.

Terrorism biggest challenge for Delhi Police, says new chief

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Terrorism is the biggest challenge for Delhi Police, said new Delhi Police chief Neeraj Kumar Saturday and stressed on the need for better rapport between the police and public.

“Terrorism is number one challenge for Delhi Police and the arrest of Abu Jindal does not mean that terror strikes in the capital would end. It is a dynamic situation,” Kumar said.

He stressed on increase of interface between police and residents.

“Our proximity and interface with public should improve but I am not saying it is poor. A better rapport is needed,” he added.

Gunfight in north Kashmir

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Security forces Saturday engaged in a gunfight with the separatist guerrillas in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, police said.

On specific information, troops of 21 counter insurgency Rashtriya Rifles and state police surrounded the Bawan forest in Zachaldara (Handwara) area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

“As the surrounding troops tightened the cordon, they came under heavy automatic gunfire from the hiding militants, triggering a gunfight,” a senior police officer told IANS.

The gunfight is still on, added the officer.

Congress talks trigger fresh debate on Telangana

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Andhra Pradesh’s Telangana region may not currently be witnessing protests for separate statehood but the ongoing consultations by the Congress leadership in New Delhi has sparked fresh debate on the sensitive issue.

The series of deliberations the leadership has been having with the state party leaders and even with Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan over the last one week has triggered speculation that a solution to the four-decade-old issue may finally be in the offing.

Ruling of Jagan ‘s Bail petition posted to July 4

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Arguments on the bail petition of YSR Congress chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy concluded in the High Court on Thursday. The court reserved its orders for July 4.

While Jagan was represented by Supreme Court senior lawyer and former Union minister Ram Jethmalani, the CBI was represented by another eminent jurist and Supreme Court former judge Ashok Bhan.

Congress TDP Lost footing in Telangana : KTR

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TRS leader and Sircilla MLA K T Rama Rao has said that both the ruling Congress and the main Opposition TDP were fast losing their very existence in the Telangana region.

Talking to the media at Yellareddyguda on Thursday, KTR said that recent by-election results have proved this beyond doubt. He argued that people of the region no longer believing the sweet talk of leaders of these parties. He said that leaders of the two parties from the Telangana region should now either bring pressure on the Union government for announcing Telangana or close the shop in the region.

13 IAS Ofiicers transferred

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The State government has transferred 13 IAS officers and given postings to 11 of them. Services of K. Pradeep Chandra, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director of A.P. State Warehousing Corporation are withdrawn from Agriculture & Cooperation Department and posted as Principal Secretary of Industries and Commerce Department and CIP, Hyderabad in the existing vacancy. Dr. Vijay Kumar, who is waiting for posting is posted as Commissioner & IG, Registration & Stamps in the existing vacancy. Rajat Kumar, who is awaiting posting, is posted as Commissioner, Tourism vice Sabyasachi Ghosh transferred.

Anger, sorrow as Mahi dies in Haryana borewell

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About 90 hours of anxiety and hope turned to despair and disgust Sunday as rescuers who had furiously dug a parallel tunnel to save a girl who fell into a narrow and deep borewell here found her dead, the body beginning to decompose.

The grieving parents of Mahi, who slipped into the dingy 70-feet deep tubewell close to midnight Wednesday, were inconsolable. They accused the administration of delaying the rescue efforts.

Andhra BJP asks state parties to vote for Sangma

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Andhra Pradesh unit of BJP today appealed to political parties in the state to support P A Sangma in the Presidential election.

State BJP spokesperson NVSS Prabhakar made an appeal to Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), YSR Congress Party and Loksatta Party to back Sangma.

—Hyderabad

Fire in home ministry

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A fire broke out Sunday afternoon in the home ministry’s office at North Block here but was soon brought under control, officials said.

The fire erupted on one of the higher floors, a Delhi Fire Service official said. Nearly 10 fire engines battled the flames.

–IANS

Sushmita hails Himangini’s win as best gift

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Sushmita Sen is proud of Himangini Singh Yadu, who was crowned Miss Asia Pacific in Busan, Korea, and said that she has got the best gift for everyone.

Himangini won the title June 16 and when she returned Thursday, Sushmita was at the airport to receive her.

“It’s a proud moment for India, Himangini Singh has made us all very proud by winning this title because we have been waiting for a win on the international stage for a long time now,” the 36-year-old told reporters at the airport.

Saudi prince’s funeral to be held in Mecca

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The funeral prayers for Saudi crown prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who breathed his last Saturday following a prolonged illness, will be held Sunday after sunset prayers (around 9.45 p.m. IST) in the holy city of Mecca. He was 78.

A statement from King Abdullah published by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), said Prince Nayef died Saturday “outside the kingdom” and would be buried Sunday after Maghreb (sunset) prayers in Mecca.

The 78-year-old crown prince was hospitalised in Geneva and had left the country for medical tests late last month, BBC reported.

Couple among seven killed on Srinagar-Jammu NH

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A couple was among seven people, including who died in separate road accidents on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, official sources said here today.

They said a truck skidded off the road at Khoni Nallah on the Highway resulting in on the spot death of five people, travelling in the truck last night.

The dead were identified as Mohammad Farooq and his sister Razia resident of Reasi, Mohammad Iqbal resident of Nagrota and driver Parveez Ahmad resident of Ustaad Mohalla Jammu.

A couple from Srinagar was killed when their car rolled down into a deep gorge at Banihal last night.

Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu visit Mehdi Hassan’s grave in Karachi

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Bollywood singers Alka Yagnik and Kumar Sanu visited the grave of Pakistani ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan here to pay their respects.

Mehdi Hassan’s death marked an end of an epoch in the subcontinent’s music history, they said. No one will ever be able to fill the vacuum created by his demise, they told reporters here Saturday.

Alka said she had grown up listening to his ballads and was in love with his songs “Dono Jahan Teri Mohabbat Main Har Kay” and “Woh Ja Raha Hay Koi”.

Six injured in Mumbai train collision

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At least six passengers were injured, three seriously, when two suburban trains collided here overnight, triggering a mini riot, officials said Sunday.

The Churchgate-Borivli and the Virar-Churchgate trains collided near one of the platforms of Andheri railway station.

The incident disrupted rail services, stranding hundreds of commuters. Preliminary reports indicate the accident occurred due to signal or track failure.

A large crowd of commuters later stoned railway property, forcing security forces to evict them from the trains and platforms.

–IANS

Controversial guru Nityananda sent to day’s judicial custody

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Controversial self-styled godman Nityananada was Thursday arrested and sent to a day’s judicial custody, hours after he was granted bail by a local court in another case.

“We have arrested Nityananda after the executive magistrate remanded him for a day’s judicial custody, as we apprehended danger to his life because of anger and resentment against him in the public,” Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bhaskar Rao told IANS.