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.

Hoopster Poonam leads Chhattisgarh to victory

by

Poonam Chaturvedi played a stellar role in shaping Chhattisgarh’s success over defending champions Southern Railway in an engrossing women’s final of the Rs.5 lakh 10th Savio Cup All-India Basketball Tournament here Sunday.

National champions Chhattisgarh took time to get off the blocks and trailed 29-33 at the end of the first two quarters. But with Poonam putting to good use her height advantage, Chhattisgarh turned things around in the third and fourth quarters and managed to clinch a deserving victory.

Delhi Police constable shoots self, battling for life

by

A 26-year-old Delhi Police constable, reportedly tense over family matters, Sunday shot himself with his service pistol and is battling for his life, police said.

Vipin Tomar, posted at Barakhamba Road police station in the heart of the national capital, fired at himself around 8.00 a.m., a few hours after issuing his service pistol from the police station.

The incident took place inside a police booth near Minto bridge, off the commercial district of Connaught Place.

Australian golfer kidnapped, robbed, spared

by

Australian golfer Robert Allenby has claimed that he was kidnapped from a bar here, robbed and beaten up before being abandoned in a park.

Allenby Saturday said he might have been drugged before being kidnapped from a bar Friday. He was helped back to his room by a military man, reports BBC.

“I didn’t think I was going to survive this one,” the 43-year-old said.

The incident is being looked into as a second-degree robbery. Allenby was supposedly planning to leave Hawaii after failing to make the finals at the US Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour’s Sony Open.

Children perform to highlight harassment in society

by

With an aim to spread awareness about the sufferings and discrimination endured by victims of all forms of harassment, children from charitable organisation World Vision India participated in a musical production “Daphne” here Sunday.

In association with Blank Delhi Productions, around 30 children from World Vision India’s children club and Area Development Programmes (ADPs) between 10 and 18 years age group participated in the musical.

The children underwent training since October 2014 to be a part of the musical.

China donates $3 mn for Sri Lanka’s flood affected

by

The Chinese government has donated $3 million for flood relief in Sri Lanka, an official has revealed.

“China and Sri Lanka are good friends and neighbours. The Chinese government is committed to supporting the Sri Lankan people and government,” Shanghai Daily quoted Ren Faqiang, deputy head of mission at the Chinese embassy at Colombo, as saying.

Torrential rains triggered floods in late December that swept over many parts of the island nation, leaving over 30 people dead.

Bailey likely to be suspended for next tri-series ODI

by

Australian One-Day International (ODI) captain George Bailey is likely to be suspended for the next match in the ODI tri-series against England in Hobart Jan 23 due to the team’s slow over-rate in their four-wicket win over India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Sunday.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Tests skipper Steven Smith may be called upon to lead the side in Bailey’s absence.

An International Cricket Council (ICC) statement in November had stated that if South-African AB de Villiers and Bailey would commit another over-rate offence they would be suspended for a game.

Singapore ends search for crashed AirAsia flight

by

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Sunday, officially ended its deployment in the multinational search operation for the AirAsia plane, which crashed in the Java Sea Dec 28, with 162 people on board, the SAF said in a press release.

The Singapore Navy ship MV Swift Rescue, which found the fuselage of the ill-fated plane, returned to the Changi Naval Base Sunday morning, Xinhua reported, citing the SAF.

Iran, world powers resume nuclear talks

by

The six major world powers resumed talks with Iran Sunday over its controversial nuclear programme after the failure to meet a deadline last year for a comprehensive nuclear deal.

The meeting between Iran and the P5+1 group, comprising the permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) — China, France, Russia, Britain and the US — and Germany, began Sunday morning, a diplomatic source said without giving further details, according to a Xinhua report.

Rhino census in north Bengal to begin Monday

by

A four-day-long census to ascertain rhino population in Jaldapara National Park and Gorumara National Park in north West Bengal will begin Monday, a forest official said.

“According to the 2013 census, Jaldapara had 186 rhinos while Gorumara had a population of 50 as per the 2014 census. We are hoping that their population has increased significantly,” said Chief Conservator of Forest, North Bengal (Wild Life) V.K. Sood.

Besides forest officials, several NGOS would participate in the exercise that will estimate the number of one-horned rhinoceros on the basis of direct sightings.

Congress’ Lovely not to contest Delhi poll

by

Congress’ Delhi unit chief Arvinder Singh Lovely will not contest Feb 7 assembly poll, the party said Sunday.

“The party has requested Lovely, candidate from the Gandhi Nagar constituency, to withdraw from the contest and look after the organisation of the elections,” senior party leader P.C. Chacko, in-charge of party affairs in Delhi, told reporters Sunday.

Lovely’s name was announced in the first list of candidates announced by the Congress. A former minister in the Sheila Dikshit government, he was one of the eight party candidates who had won in the December 2013 elections.

210,000 tonnes of smuggled rice seized in China

by

Over 210,000 tonnes of smuggled rice worth 1.26 billion yuan ($205 million) was seized in China last year, a customs official has revealed.

The anti-smuggling bureau of General Administration of Customs (GAC) cracked 467 cases linked to rice in 2014 in a special drive against the smuggling of agricultural products, GAC’s deputy head Zhu Feng said Saturday .

The campaign, dubbed “Green Wind”, mainly targetted grains, frozen meat products, sugar, cotton and cooking oil.

Dense fog in Delhi delays 91 trains, 60 flights

by

Thick fog accompanied by cold wind Sunday brought visibility below 200 metres in the national capital, affecting commuters and delaying 91 trains and 60 flights.

a large number of passengers were stranded at railway stations and the IGI airport, while motor drivers had a tough time on roads with visibility dropping significantly.

According to the Northern Railway, 63 trains were late while 28 trains were rescheduled and three cancelled due to the dense fog in and around the national capital.

Airports authority staff threaten strike on privatisation moves

by

The Airports Authority Employees Union (AAEU), opposing the regulator’s privatisation plan, has threatened to renew its stir, including a strike call, if the move is not halted.

“If the government does not give us a proper hearing, we shall be constrained to take recourse to industrial action and call for a general strike in AAI,” the AAEU has said in a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju observing that the decision to privatise violates the Tripartite Committee recommendations accepted by the government.

Indian diplomats in Sri Lanka had completed term, says government

by

The government Sunday trashed reports that an Indian diplomat posted in Colombo, reported to be an Indian intelligence official, had been recalled before completion of tenure.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that the norm for postings of diplomats in Sri Lanka is three years and all diplomats who returned last year had completed their tenure.

He was answering a query about a media report that said an Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) official was recalled for allegedly helping in the defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa in the presidential elections.

Historic finish for CS Santosh in Dakar Rally

by

Bangalore-based Chunchunguppe Shivashankar Santosh created history when he became the first Indian ever to not just compete in but also complete the world’s toughest cross-country race — the Dakar Rally.

Riding a KTM 450 bike supported by Red Bull, Santosh finished overall 36th among 79 finishers out of 168 who started the gruelling event here Jan 5. The rally traversed three countries — Argentina, Chile and Bolivia — covering 9,295 km over a fortnight, before finishing here Saturday.

Bangaon by-poll a challenge: Mukul Roy

by

Trinamool Congress bigwig Mukul Roy Sunday termed the upcoming Bangaon Lok Sabha by-polls in West Bengal a challenge.

The former union minister, who has been summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning in the multi-crore Saradha scam, also claimed he was not involved in any kind of illegal activity.

Addressing party workers in this Lok Sabha constituency of North 24 Parganas district, the Trinamool national general secretary also accused a section of the media of wrongly projecting that Bengal was in flames.

Pakistan should face India with positive mindset: Inzamam

by

Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq Sunday advised the Pakistan cricket team not to come under pressure when they take on India in their World Cup opener Feb 15 at the Adelaide Oval.

“Though we could not defeat India in all previous editions of the World Cup, I would still advise my players not to think about it and face Indians with a positive mind,” Inzamam was quoted as saying by Pakistani daily Dawn.

“I want my side to play their natural game and hopefully they can break the jinx.”

Ethiopians dominate Mumbai Marathon

by

Ethiopian runners ruled the roost, collecting a bagful of medals in the $360,000 Mumbai Marathon here Sunday.

Tesfaye Abera, making his debut among the men, and women’s defending champion Dinknesh Mekash led the charge as Ethiopia dominated the field by winning five of the six medals on offer. Kenyan Luke Kibet denied the Ethiopians a clean sweep by grabbing third place in the men’s event.

Both Abrera and Dinknesh, went home richer by $41,000 each.

Himachal to get more snow, rain

by

The hills of Himachal Pradesh might experience more rains and snowfall this week, a weather official said here Sunday.

“There are chances of rainfall and snowfall at most places in the state from Jan 21 to 22,” an official at the meteorological office told IANS.

He said the western disturbances – storm systems originating from Caspian Sea and moving across the Afghanistan-Pakistan region – are likely to be active in the region from Jan 20.

Avoid parallel trial on subjudice matters: Jaitley to media

by

Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley Sunday asked the media to avoid conducting parallel trials while reporting subjudice matters.

Delivering the first Justice J.S. Verma memorial lecture on “Freedom and responsibility of media” here, Jaitley said contours of censorship have been defied by technological developments.

“Technological developments have defied the contours of censorship and the challenges for the media lie within, in the context of ownership patterns, financial sustainability and financial models which lead to aberrations such as paid news,” he said.

China beat North Korea to enter Asian Cup quarters

by

Midfielder Sun Ke scored twice to help China beat North Korea 2-1 and advance to the Asian Cup quarter-finals with a best-ever three straight wins as Group B leaders here Sunday.

China will challenge hosts Australia, runners-up of Group A, in the quarter-finals in Brisbane Jan 22, reports Xinhua.

Sun Ke, who scored the crucial winner in China’s 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan, continued his heroic performance at the nearly fully packed Canberra Stadium where most of the spectators were supporters of China.

I can’t, says Hart on doing gay roles

by

Actor Kevin Hart says he doesn’t have an issue with the gay community, but can’t play such roles.

In an interview with New York’s Power 105.1 radio station, the 35-year-old said that he turned down the role of Alpa Chino in the 2008 film “Tropic Thunder” because he didn’t feel comfortable playing a gay role, reports hollywoodreporter.com.

The role was played in the film by Brandon T. Jackson.

Hart explained that the draft of the script he read was different from the shooting script.

Are Malia and Sasha coming, would Michelle Obama be wearing a sari?

by

As US President Barack Obama prepares to land in India, mum’s the word with official lips tightly sealed. Very little or no information is being breathed out about the high-level visit, while frenzied preparations continue.

When is he arriving? For how many days? Besides Delhi, what are the other places
he is likely to visit? Which hotel would the VVIP with the maximum security be staying in? Is The Beast arriving? Would he travel in The Beast or President Pranab Mukherjee’s black limousine?

Questions from eager journos are met with polite ahems, or curtly brushed off.

Both grass courts and grassroots need promotion: Tim Henman

by

Former English ace Tim Henman Sunday said grassroot initiatives like the Kolkata-leg of the ‘Road To Wimbledon’ need to be promoted so that grass-court tennis does not cease to exist.

“Both grass courts and grassroots should be developed in India. The courts here are great to play on and well maintained and it gives budding talents scope to enhance their skills on grass… but then you have to play well in all courts to be a better player,” said Henman here.

Binny joins BJP

by

Former Aam Aadmi Party member Vinod Kumar Binny Sunday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the Feb 7 Delhi assembly elections.

Expelled AAP leader Vinod Kumar Binny Sunday joined the BJP ahead of the Feb 7 Delhi assembly elections.

Welcoming him to the Bharatiya Janata Party, its Delhi unit president Satish Upadhyay lauded the fact that Binny was the “first one to raise his voice against undemocratic processes in the AAP”.

Talking to reporters, Binny slammed the Aam Aadmi Party.