Gali Nagaraja

Beautification of City and repair of roads- GHMC prepares for Biodiversity Conference

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Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has already started the works related to repair of roads and the beautification of the city. These works cost Rs.162 crore. Municipal Corporation has identified roads from the International Convention Center to various historical places. Dept of Roads and Buildings has also taken up the repair works of National Highways. GHMC is spending Rs.60 crore on repairs of roads at 62 places. All the repair works would be completed by the end of this month.

—-Siasat News

Hajj pilgrims to get 2150 Saudi Riyals

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According to a press note issued by the Chairman of State Hajj Committee, Mr. Syed Khaeeluddin, every hajj pilgrim will get 2150 Saudi Riyals foreign exchange. Instructions have already been issued to State Bank of India by Reserve Bank in this regard.

He also told that facility to refill gas cylinders free of cost would be provided to Hajj Pilgrims.

The Chairman of Hajj Committee also told that the hajj pilgrims would get SIM cards valued five riyals. They can use it on reaching Saudi Arabia.

Congress in dilemma over local body elections

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The Congress government in Andhra Pradesh finds itself in a dilemma over local body elections with the state high court ruling this week that the quantum of reservations should not exceed 50 percent.

With the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the YSR Congress Party going all out to woo the backward classes, the ruling Congress does not want to antagonise this section of society by implementing the high court order, which means cutting down the backward classes reservation from 34 percent to 24 percent.

Krishna meets Khar; terrorism high on agenda

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External affairs minister S M Krishna began crucial talks with his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar today to review the second round of resumed dialogue with issues like terrorism to be on top of the agenda.

The one-to-one meeting between Krishna and Khar was followed by delegation-level talks between the two sides.

Indian officials earlier said that terrorism will form the core of New Delhi’s discussions, particularly the slow pace of the Mumbai attack case trial.

Other issues include those concerning prisoners as well as trade and border issues.

First Indian film ”Raja Harishchandra” now available on DVD

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Movie buffs fond of old classics can now watch the first silent film ‘Raja Harishchandra’ in the DVD format.

Produced by legendary Dadasaheb Phalke, the first indigenous film ‘Raja Harishchandra’, exhibited on May 3, 1913 at the Coronation Cinema in Mumbai, is now being distributed in DVD form by the city-based National Film Archives of India (NFAI), its director Prashant Pathrabe told PTI.

—PTI

No plans to designate Pak a state sponsor of terrorism: US

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There is no move by the US to begin the process of designating Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism, officials said, after the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton informed the Congress that the Haqqani network is being designated as a global terrorist organisation.

Such a statement from senior US officials, who spoke to journalists on the condition of anonymity, came as a top Pentagon official had last year termed the Haqqani network as a veritable arm of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan.

Krishna’s stable Pakistan message encouraging: Daily

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India’s desire to see a stable and peaceful Pakistan is “encouraging”, said a Pakistani daily which observed that Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna’s message is “a key to many outstanding issues that need resolution sooner rather than later”.

Krishna arrived in Pakistan Friday on a three day visit to review progress on bilateral relations.

Krishna expressed India’s desire to see a stable and peaceful Pakistan.

Delhi trader looted in Agra

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A Delhi trader, dealing in shoe material, was looted at gunpoint here late Friday, police said.

Pradeep Jindal was returning from a shoe market after collecting cash for supplies, when three men on a motorcycle stopped him near Dhakran crossing in the Nai ki Mandi area. One of them pulled out a pistol, while the other snatched the bag.

Assistant Superintendent of Police, Dinesh Kumar, told IANS Saturday: “No arrests have been made so far. According to the trader, Rs.30 lakh was looted.”

—IANS

Pakistan media gives a thumbs up to Krishna’s visit

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Even before the first things were put in fine print and signed, media in Pakistan Saturday gave a thumbs-up to the visit of India’s External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna visit to Pakistan saying that both countries had reached a milestone.

The context was India and Pakistan finally agreeing to sign the much-awaited visa accord, which will mark a big change in the visa regime and make things simpler for the common people of both countries.

Countdown begins for India’s 100th space mission

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The 51-hour countdown for the 100th mission of the Indian space agency, slated for Sep 9, is progressing smoothly at the Sriharikota satellite launch centre in Andhra Pradesh, an official said Saturday.

Sriharikota is around 80 km from here, an official said.

The countdown for the launch of the rocket – Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)- began Friday at 6.51 a.m.

Carrying French and Japanese satellites, an Indian rocket – Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) – will blast off at 9.51 a.m. Sunday.

The rocket weight at the time of lift off will be 230 tonnes.

New Russian missile can carry bigger warhead: Expert

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Russia’s new heavy intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) will have a five-tonne warhead, which is four times that of its predecessors, a former military commander said.

“The new ICBM will have a payload four times bigger than that of the Yars missile,” said Col. Gen. Viktor Yesin (retd.), advisor to the Russian Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) commander, who served as SMF chief of staff in 1991-93.

“The 45-tonne Yars has a payload of 1.2 tonnes. The new missile will be able to orbit a payload of five tonnes.”

Russian accused of biting two policemen

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Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov isn’t the only Russian to be accused of biting a police officer. A 21-year-old Russian has also has been charged with biting two policemen.

The man from Novosibirsk region allegedly bit one policeman in the hand and the other in the back.

The trouble started when the suspect refused to pay the fare for a taxi ride.

“The passenger was drunk and behaving inappropriately” and threatening violence, police said. The taxi driver alerted his dispatcher, who called the police.

Issues raised by CAG won’t be swept under carpet: PM

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today promised that issues raised in the CAG report over coal block allocation would not be “swept under the carpet” and necessary “corrective action” will be taken even as he lashed out at BJP for pursuing obstructionist politics.

He said the CAG, in its report on coal block allocation, has “rightly or wrongly” made certain allegations about public functionaries and the government was ready to discuss these in Parliament and Public Accounts Committee.

I haven’t found my soul mate yet: Sonam Kapoor

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Actress Sonam Kapoor just wants to enjoy life at the moment and is not ready to get into a committed relationship.

The 27-year-old says she is too young to get into a serious relation and wants to wait until the right time.

“I believe in love and all the happily ever after stories but I haven’t found my Mr right yet. I think I am too young for a committed relationship right now and I just want to enjoy my life,” says Sonam, who was in the capital to attend the India Today Mind Rocks Youth Summit 2012.

4 killed in maniacal shooting spree in capital

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Two women and a child were killed and four injured this evening when two friends went on a shooting spree before attempting suicide leaving one of them dead, the second such “crime of passion” to rock the national capital this week.

Police said prima facie, the incident, which took place in north-west Delhi’s Swaroop Nagar at around 5 PM, appeared to be a “crime of passion” in which one of the attackers shot dead his woman “friend” and targeted his own family members, killing his two-and-half year-old daughter and injuring his wife, another daughter and brother.

Assam issue-Bodo and Non-Bodo experts meet on 22 Sept. in Delhi

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(Siasat News)According to a press note issued by Mr. Ilyas Shamsi, member, All India Milli Council, New Delhi, Muslim and Christian leaders of Assam have decided to organize a meeting of the representatives of Bodo and Non-Bodo experts and intellectuals on 22nd September in New Delhi to find out ways and means to perform relief and rehabilitation work in Assam in a systematic way.

Fees Reimbursement scheme is exemplary-Tulasi Reddy

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(Siasat News)Chairman of P.M’s 20-point Programme Implementation Committee, Dr. N.Tulasi Reddy told that the fees reimbursement of A.P. is an exemplary scheme in the entire country. Govt. of A.P is talking necessary steps for its implementation. He ridiculed the agitations launched by TDP and YSR Congress Party. He lamented on the attitude of these parties. He told that in other States, this scheme is being implemented in respect of S.C’s and S.T’s only. A.P.

No immediate petrol price hike, clarifies minister

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Another hike in petrol price is on the way but not immediately, Petroleum Minister Jaipal Reddy said Friday.

“There are no immediate plans…There is of course a crisis of unprecedented magnitude. However, there are no immediate plans (to hike petrol prices),” Reddy told reporters.

He said the loss to petroleum companies was escalating and another rise in prices may come.

Bihar student’s suicide: rights body seeks report

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The Bihar Human Rights Commission Friday sought a report from the police about Kanchanbala Jha, a college student who committed suicide in Sitamarhi district following sexual harassment, intimidation and subsequent “police inaction”.

Commission chairperson S.N. Jha said that it took cognisance of two complaints in connection with 21-year-old Kanchanbala’s suicide on Aug 23.

“The commission has sought a report from the zonal inspector general of police, Muzaffarpur, within three weeks,” Jha said.

Asian Volleyball: India face Japan for bronze medal play-off

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India will face Asian Games champion Japan in the bronze medal play-off match after they lost to defending champion Iran in a keenly contested semi-final of the men’s Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup here Thursday.

Reigning two-time champions Iran beat India 25-23, 25-13, 25-23 to set-up a final clash with China, who beat Japan 25-20, 25-22, 25-22. India and Japan will play for the bronze medal match Friday ahead of the final clash.

For the second straight time it will be a Iran-China final. Iran had won the title at home in 2010.

Amazon introduces new Kindle e-reader, HD tablet

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Online retail giant Amazon Thursday introduced a new suite of its Kindle devices, from e-reader Kindle Paperwhite with front-lit display to 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD tablet computer.

Kindle Paperwhite is a black-and-white e-reader with a front-lit display. The redesigned screen allows users to read easier in the dark and offers more contrast as well as brightness, reported Xinhua.

The Paperwhite technology enables the new Kindle to have as much as eight weeks of battery life, making the device highly power-efficient.

Protest will continue, say NDA MPs

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Sending out the message that their protest would continue on the streets, MPs from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) staged a protest in parliament complex Friday morning, the last day of the monsoon session.

The MPs gathered near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in parliament complex at the main entrance, displaying placards and shouting slogans saying that the Congress-led government was “stealing coal”.

The placards held by NDA leaders demanded the prime minister’s resignation and accused the government of “brokering coal deals”.

Will guerrilla influx offset Kashmir’s peace dividends? (Kashmir Newsletter)

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Infiltration from across the Line of Control into the Kashmir Valley has increased since August, but intelligence officials assert that the numbers are not large enough to threaten the security situation.

Ever since separatist violence started in Jammu and Kashmir in the early 1990s, guerrillas have been making infiltration bids during autumn since mountain passes to the valley close during winter snowfall.

Those in the intelligence grid however do not believe the fresh influx of armed guerrillas in small numbers can make a difference to the security scenario.

Bal Thackeray targets Congress, Gandhi family

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Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray Friday targeted Congress president Sonia Gandhi, alleging that the country had gone to the dumps under her leadership.

In a marathon four-part interview, the first installment of which was published in Friday’s party mouthpiece Dopaharka Saamna, Thackeray also trained his guns on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and ruling establishments in New Delhi and in Maharashtra.

Dawood Ibrahim behind Azad Maidan violence: IB

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(Siasat News)Intelligence Bureau handed over all the information how the violence at Azad Maidan was planned to the Maharastra Home Minister R.R.Patil.

IB officials concluded that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim was involved in that violence after analyzing the international call from Pakistan to some mobiles in Mumbai.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan told the media that the violence being planned abroad a day after the incident, now IB provided the evidence.