Press Trust of India

Press Trust of India (PTI) is India’s premier news agency, having a reach as vast as the Indian Railways. It employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.

Mexican players’ families attend training

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Mexican footballers have invited their families to attend their training session before their fixture against Croatia Monday which will determine which team would qualify for the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup.

The families arrived in three buses Sunday and were escorted to Arena Pernambuco here to watch the training which was open for public for the first 15 minutes. Then, reporters and other attendees were asked to leave, except for the families, reports EFE.

‘France players can finish games at any moment’

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Ecuador head coach Reinaldo Rueda said that France has players who have “individual” abilities that can finish a game at any moment.

The tactician said that he is satisfied with his side’s 2-1 win over Honduras which kept their chances of qualify for the FIFA World Cup second round. He added that his players have to defeat the ‘Les Bleus’ Wednesday to stand a chance of qualification, reports EFE.

“Historically, France has played very nice and attractive football. It’s a very strong group with individuals who can finish a game at any time,” Rueda said.

No decision yet on future plans: Gerrard

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England captain Steven Gerrard said that he has not taken a decision yet regarding his future with the squad.

The 34-year-old, who played his 113th cap in the 1-2 loss to Uruguay, said that he will announce his decision next week. “I need more time,” said Gerrard, reports EFE.

The Liverpool midfielder said that he spoke to coach Roy Hogdson and agreed that the time is not convenient to take such a decision. He added that despite their early elimination from the World Cup, a bright future awaits the team.
(IANS/EFE)

Russia didn’t deserve to lose: Capello

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Russia coach Fabio Capello said that they didn’t deserve to lose their Group H match to Belgium 0-1 in the FIFA World Cup Sunday.

“I am very happy with my team’s performance not the result. We didn’t deserve to lose. We had a chance to win and played a good game against a great team. Unfortunately, we didn’t take that chances,” Capello said, reports EFE.

The Italian tactician refused to point fingers, regarding an alleged penalty for his side after a Toby Alderweireld foul, saying, “I don’t like to talk about referees.”
(IANS/EFE)

College girl abducted in Patna

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A girl, on her way to college, was abducted by two men here Monday, police said.

The teenager, the daughter of a contractor, was abducted in Kankarbagh area, a police official said.

Police have recovered a vehicle that was used to kidnap her.

Her family in their complaint to police alleged that she was abducted by Dharmendra, who was released on bail from jail a few days ago.

However, poluice said: “It could be a case of love affair or elopement also. We are inquiring from all angles.”
(IANS)

Man robbed of Rs.32 lakh in Aligarh

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Unidentified motorcycle-riding miscreants Monday robbed a private company’s employee here of Rs.32 lakh while he was returning to his office after withdrawing the amount from a bank, police said.

The robbers fired blanks to scare some passers-by who tried to intercept them.

The incident took place in Begumbagh area.

The cash agent of a private firm was returning from a bank in Niranjanpuri, when the bike-riding men attacked him and sped away with his bag full of money.

When he raised an alarm, some people tried to chase the criminals but they were fired upon, police told IANS.

‘Absconding’ Trinamool legislator surrenders, granted bail

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Accused of booth capturing, “absconding” Trinamool Congress legislator Dipali Saha was granted bail Monday after she surrendered before a West Bengal court.

Saha, who represents Sonamukhi in Bankura district, had been claimed to be absconding after a first information report (FIR) was filed by a presiding officer in April accusing her of forcibly entering a poll booth along with supporters and casting at least 100 votes.

Saha Monday surrendered before a court in Bishnupur in the district which granted her conditional bail.

800 homeless families demand shelter in Sao Paulo

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At least 800 homeless Brazilian families have occupied a tract in the luxurious district of Morumbi, demanding shelter here.

The families started flocking into the tract Saturday after pitching 600 tents, reports EFE.

Earlier in May, more than 1,500 families sought shelter in an area located 4 km from the Arena Corinthians, one of the stadiums hosting the FIFA World Cup.

Brazil has been witnessing protests against the huge World Cup expenditure on building and renovating stadiums.
(IANS/EFE)

Chile warns its citizens in Brazil from fraud, theft

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The Chilean government has warned its nationals travelling to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup, of theft and fraud, and urged them to take care of their belongings.

Local media quoted Chilean Minister of Economy and Tourism Luis Felipe Cespedes urging football supporters to buy matches’ tickets from the official FIFA website and official premises, in order to avoid a fraud, reports EFE.

Cameroon’s Mbia dreams of playing under Mourinho

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Cameroon’s Stephane Mbia says he dreams of playing under Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

“I respect Sevilla to the maximum but continuing to play with the team is hard,” said the Sevilla player, reports EFE.

“I want to play at the highest level and try to win a Champions League. My dream is to play under Mourinho’s lead because he is a great coach,” said Mbia, who won the Europa League with Sevilla last season.
(IANS/EFE)

‘Better fuel, stricter norms needed to curb air pollution’

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There is an urgent need to improve fuel quality and implement stricter norms to check vehicular emissions and poor air quality in Indian cities, renowned environmentalist R.K. Pachauri said here Monday.

“The unconstrained growth of motor vehicles in recent years has become a major source of pollution, which not only affects air quality adversely wherever vehicles ply, but also adds to emissions of greenhouse gases at the global level,” said Pachauri, director general, The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI).

Big B to recite father’s works again

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Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is often urged to recite lines from his late father and noted poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s works, says he is in the process of preparing a special recitation of the same.

“The recitation of my Father’s works are in the pipeline…performances to be done on stage much like the one at the Theatre du Champs Elysees in Paris and a few unique digital experiments, which are still too early to speak about,” he posted on his official blog http://srbachchan.tumblr.com Sunday.

How to dress for summer events

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For a day at the races or other smart summer outings, choose outfits that are not only apt for the occasion, but also those that fit well with your personality.

Stylists of cosmetic brand Colour Me Beautiful have put together tips on how to dress for summer events where you stand a chance to get photographed, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

UAE court sentences seven for running terror cell

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A court in the UAE Monday sentenced seven members of an Al Qaeda terror cell who planned a bomb attack at a Dubai landmark, a media report said.

The Federal Supreme Court found them guilty of establishing and running an Al Qaeda terror cell and giving financial support to Jabhat Al Nusra, an Islamist group fighting the regime of Bashar Al Assad in Syria, The National reported.

The organiser of the terror cell, a Palestinian, identified only as R.A, 44, was sentenced for life in prison, while six other Arab nationals were jailed for seven years each.

Salvador records 128 crimes against tourists

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The Brazilian city of Salvador has recorded 128 crimes against tourists since the start of the FIFA World Cup June 12.

The crimes recorded in the capital of Bahia state include 90 theft incidents, 18 armed robberies, eight threatening and four fraud incidents. Two people were also injured, according to Bahia’s Public Security Authority, reports EFE.

Crimes that took place June 12-19 were 76.6 percent against foreign tourists — 21 Germans, 14 Australians, 13 Dutch, nine British, eight Swiss and seven French citizens.
(IANS/EFE)

Admissions to DU put on hold

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Principals of various Delhi University colleges Monday ordered the admission process to undergraduate programmes to be deferred “due to lack of clarity and conflicting guidelines” about the term of these courses.

“Since there is a conflict between the two sets of guidelines, the admission process is unclear. We defer the admissions to Delhi University till the competent authority issues unambiguous guidelines,” said S.K. Garg, president of the DU Principals Association.
(IANS)

J.P. Gene’s maiden production wraps up first schedule

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“Border” director J.P. Dutta’s new untitled production under his new company J.P. Gene has finished its first schedule.

The team of the film, directed by Binoy Gandhi, will soon start with their second schedule, which they will be shooting abroad, said a statement.

The film stars Nidhi Dutta and Ajit Sodhi along with Sagarika Ghatge, Taaha Shah and Diganth Manchale.

Gandhi has earlier assisted on films like “Darna Mana Hai”, “Fanaa” and “Ta Ra Rum Pum”.

J.P. Gene’s next is about the bond between three friends who can go to any extent to make each other happy.

Golfer Vani eager to continue winning streak

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With four victories and two runners-up finishes, Delhi’s Vani Kapoor has emerged the player to beat this season as she heads into the seventh leg of the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour to be played at the stunning Royal Springs Golf Course here June 24-26.

Vani leads the Order of Merit with total earnings of Rs.6.49 lakh and will again be vying for the top prize in the Rs.7 lakh event.

India, Switzerland deny sharing ‘black money’ details

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Switzerland has not shared any information or given assurance on sharing details about Indian account holders in Swiss banks, where a major portion of India’s “black money” is suspected to be stashed, governments of both countries said Monday.

“We have not received any official communication from Swiss authorities so far about sharing bank account details of Indians (who have) deposited unaccounted money there,” India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters outside his North Block office here.

Becoming a morning person for good

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Waking up early not only allows more time for productivity and leisure, it also makes one’s days less stressful. Go to sleep when you are tired, create the right night routine and environment so that it makes it easier to wake up on time every morning.

Huffingtonpost.com shares how to become a morning person:

* Get more sleep: Just like we need to make time for working out, we need to schedule seven to nine hours of sleep into our day because it is one of the most essential parts of our health. What we get from a good night’s rest, cannot be supplemented elsewhere.

Chautala’s interim bail extended

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The Delhi High Court Monday extended, till July 10, former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala’s interim bail, sought on health grounds and to attend the remaining post-cremation rites for his brother.

Justice Pratibha Rani extended Chautala’s interim bail till July 10.

Chautala last week sought extension of his interim bail by four weeks, informing the court that he is currently admitted to the ICU of Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon “due to bad health”, and if allowed by the doctors, he would like to attend the remaining post-cremation rites for his brother Pratap Singh Chautala.

Amnesty International launches app for activists in danger

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Amnesty International has launched a new open source app called ‘Panic Button’ to help activists facing imminent danger.

The press of a button sends an immediate SMS distress signal to activists’ own networks.

“The aim of the Panic Button is to increase protection for activists around the world who face the ever present threat of arrest, attack, kidnap and torture,” said Tanya O’Carroll, technology and human rights officer for Amnesty International.

Venkaiah Naidu travels by Airport Express Metro

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Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu Monday travelled by the Airport Express Metro train and said such services, if put to optimal use, will make travelling convenient for the people.

“These are symbols of modern India. If properly used and popularised, it will make life happy for the general public. Aam aadmi (common man) must be the target. The Metro is very prestigious and I felt very happy about DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation),” Naidu said after his journey.

Scientists create architecture of signalling proteins

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To fully appreciate how our bodies respond to a wide array of stimuli such as light and pain, a team of scientists, including Nobel Prize-winning scientists Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka, has determined the underlying architecture of a cellular signalling complex.

This complex, consisting of a human cell surface receptor and its regulatory protein, revealed a two-step mechanism. The findings provided structural images of a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) in action.

Two more witnesses identify Salman Khan in accident case

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Two more witnesses Monday identified Bollywood actor Salman Khan as being present at the scene of the 2002 hit-and-run accident as he appeared in court where the retrial of the case is underway.

A witness, identified as Rizwan, a manager with the Rain Bar, informed the court that Salman and his friends had ordered food and drinks which were served at their table that night.

Rizwan told public prosecutor Jagannath Kenjalkar that he saw the actor holding a glass with a colourless liquid like water in it, but he was not sure what it was and did not see Salman drinking it.