Month: April 2014

Mihajlovic enraged by two-game ban

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Sampdoria head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic is furious after being handed a two-game ban.

The Serb was found to hurl abuses at the fourth official and the referee during a 0-0 draw with Fiorentina Sunday, reported Xinhua.

“I learned with great surprise and disappointment that this touchline ban will not allow me to sit on the bench for the next two games against Lazio and Inter,” Mihajlovic told the media.

“These are two important matches for my team…,” he said.

“In agreement with Sampdoria, I will not appeal against the ban out of respect, but I remain very upset…,” he said.

UAE tops in MENA in Global Enabling Trade Report

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was ranked the top country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and 16th internationally by the Global Enabling Trade Report 2014.

A copy of of the report was handed over to Obaid Salem Al Za’abi, the UAE’s permanent representative to the UN Office and Other International Organisations in Geneva, by the secretariat general of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

According to the WEF report, UAE climbed three places from its overall ranking in 2012.

$60-mn UAE aid package for Syrian refugees

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced an aid package of 220 million dirhams ($60 million) for Syrian refugees in response to an appeal from the UN

Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE’s minister of gevelopment and international co-operation, at a press conference here Tuesday said that the UAE’s leadership was committed alongside the international community to alleviate the repercussions of humanitarian catastrophe in Syria.

Magnitude 8.0 earthquake jolts Chile

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A magnitude-8.0 earthquake struck off Chile’s coast, Wednesday, triggering warnings of Tsunami for all of Latin America’s Pacific coast, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. There was no immediate report of any damage.

According to the USGS, the quake, centred 86km (56 miles) north-west of the mining area of Iquique, is very shallow, only 10km below the seabed, which would have made it feel stronger, BBC reported citing the USGS.

Nominations for Lucknow parliamentary seat begin Wednesday

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Nomination process for the prestigious Lucknow parliamentary seat of Uttar Pradesh begins Wednesday, officials here said.

The process which will be videographed at the instructions of the Election Commission (EC) will begin at 11 a.m. and will continue till 3 p.m., District Magistrate Raj Shekhar told IANS.

While for the Lucknow parliamentary seat, nomination would be filed in room number 19 of the collectorate, the papers for Mohanlalganj seat, also falling under the state capital would be filed in room number 2, officials said.

Europe, Central Asia face nutritional deficits: UN agency

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The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Tuesday painted a picture of persistent nutrition problems due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and stunted growth in its latest snapshot of Europe and Central Asia.

On the eve of its biennial Regional Conference for Europe, which is to be held in Bucharest, Romania, FAO said although caloric intake in the 53-country region should see hunger fall to less than 1 percent by 2050, nutrition problems continue in some of the countries today, Xinhua reported.

Only 24 percent Czech people support adopting euro

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Half of the Czech people believes that euro will remain as the common European Union (EU) currency, but only 24 percent of them supports the euro introduction in the Czech Republic, said a poll released Tuesday.

The supporters for euro is almost 7 percentage points more than one and a half years ago due to the decrease in the number of the euro’s resolute opponents, reported Xinhua citing the research conducted by STEM agency on March 11-20.

Obamacare draws 7 mn signatures

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Over 7 million people across the US have signed up for medical insurance through exchanges set up by US President Barack Obama’s new health care programme by Monday night’s deadline, realising the target set for the six-month enrollment period, the White House said Tuesday.

2.57 mn World Cup tickets allocated to fans

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Over 2.57 millions tickets for the 2014 World Cup have already been allocated through all sales phases and channels to date, soccer’s world governing body FIFA announced Tuesday.

The second period of the second sales closed Tuesday with a total of 301,929 tickes sold for the 345,000 tickets originally available. The tickets mainly went to residents in Brazil, the US, Colombia, Australia, Argentina and England, Xinhua reported.

‘Boko Haram armoury found in Cameroon’

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Nigerian military said Tuesday that its Cameroonian counterpart had smashed a suspected Boko Haram camp in Cameroon, close to the Chadian border, recovering arms, ammunition and other materials.

The collaborative efforts in fighting terrorism in the sub-region got a boost recently when the Cameroon security forces on last weekend made a huge seizure of arms apparently meant for use by insurgents operating in Nigeria, Xinhua quoted spokesperson for the defence headquarters Major General Chris Olukolade as saying.

Kanye West postpones Australian tour

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Rapper Kanye West has postponed his Australian tour so that he can complete his next record on time.

“The Stronger” superstar was set to kick off the seven-date trek in Perth May 2, but now he plans to conduct the shows back in September, reports contactmusic.com.

The delay is to enable West to finish his next studio album.

A statement from tour promoter Live Nation reads: “Due to unexpected timing requirements to finish his highly anticipated new studio album, scheduled for a 2014 release, Kanye West regretfully announces the postponement of his upcoming tour dates in Australia.”

Seminar on “The role of Media in Protection of secular values”

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(Siasat News) Elders’ Tink Tank is organizing a seminar at 5.30 pm on Saturday 5th April at Maulana Azad Oriental Research Institute, Public Garden, Hyderabad. Mr. Asif Pasha, former Law Minister and President of Elders’ Tink Tank will preside over the seminar. Mr. Zahid Ali Khan, Editor of Siasat Urdu Daily will present key note address. The speakers are Mr. Justice Vaman Rao, former judge of A.P. High Court and President of Ekta Munch, Mr. P. Ramlul, former D.G.P. and member of Telangana Elders’ Forum, Mr. P. Gautham, Prof. Ramesh Reddy, former Dean of Faculty of Engineering, O.U.

Police harassment to Muslim condemnable: silence of Muslim leaders and Ulema deplorable

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(Siasat News) In the wake of general elections to be held this month, police is engaged in targeting on the Muslims under some pretext of the other. Innocent Muslim youths are being arrested on the basis of suspicion and there are being released after keeping them under police custody for many days. Some narrow minded police officers are harassing the Muslims who are wearing caps or who grow beards on their faces. Their vehicles being stop and fines are being imposed for no reason. This issue could be represented in the state Minorities Commission.

Short term Quranic course during summer vacation

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(Siasat News) Quran Foundation Trust, Masab Tank is organizing short term crash course to teach Islamic studies and Arabic for the boys and girls above 12 years of age. Binte Haram Organization is also holding training classes during summer vacation.

———Siasat News

Rs. 80 crore illegal money seized in the state

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(Siasat News) Mr. Bhanwar Lal, Chief Electoral Officer of A.P. informed that so far Rs.80 crore have been seized which was being taken illegally for distribution to the voters. He told that 1800 flying squads and police check post have been establish to check the transportation of illegal money. The amounts are in addition to 70 Kg gold and 300 kg silver. 1.75 lakh litres of liquor was also seized. Police officials have been given instructions not to harass the public unnecessarily during checking.

16500 bogus voters in Chandrayangutta Assembly constituency

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(Siasat News) Dr. Khayum Khan, President of M.B.T. represented to the Returning Officer of Chandrayangutta Assembly constituency that there are 16500 bogus voters in this area. He pointed out that some voters got their name registered at 2-6 places. He has also made a representation to Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Bhanwar Lal. He alleged that MIM in connivance with Municipal Officials got the voter list enhanced by enrolling fake names. He pointed out that in all the seven Assembly constituency of the city, this tactics have been adopted.

Election notification for Telangana to be issued today

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(Siasat News)Election Commission will issue a notification today to fill up (17) lok sabha and 119 Assembly seats. The last date of calling nomination will be 9th April and the last date of withdrawal of nominations will be 12th April. The first phase of poling in Telangana will be held on 30-04-2014. This was notified by Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Bhanwar Lal, yesterday at Secretariat while talking to newsmen.

City Police Commissioner gets promotion

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(Siasat News) Mr. P.K. Mohanty, Chief Secretary issued G.O.Rt 1285 yesterday promoting Mr. Anurag Sharma, IPS as D.G.P in Super time scale. He belongs to IPS batch of 1982. He has been retained as Commissioner of Police of Hyderabad City.

Election Commission refuses to permit election of Haj Committee Chairman

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(Siasat News) State Election Commission sent a reply to Dept. of Minorities Welfare refusing the election of State Haj Committee Chairman, Commission clarify that this election cannot be held before 28th May.

It may be mentioned that Govt. of A.P. had nominated (16) members of the Haj Committee on 13th February with a condition to elect its Chairman within 45 days, which ended on 30th March. The continuance of the present members of the Haj Committee is also uncertain. It is likely that a new Haj Committee would be formed after the new Govt. takes over in May 2014.

Being pretty like double-edged sword: Keira Knightley

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Actress Keira Knightley says she never pays much attention to clothes or make-up.

The 29-year-old is often hailed as one of the most iconic British beauties, with her chiseled cheekbones and famous pout, but the only time she dwells on her appearance is when it prevents her from landing film roles.

“I never even think about beauty. Supposedly being pretty is a double-edged sword: your look gets you certain roles, but disqualifies you from others. That’s the way the industry goes,” contactmusic.com quoted her as saying.

Ministers, MPs, MLAs cannot be poll agents: EC

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The Election Commission on Tuesday prohibited ministers, MPs and MLAs from becoming election agents of candidates as their securitymen can upset level playing field for others in the fray.

The EC also said mayors, chairpersons of municipalities and zila parishads and panchayat unions are also prohibited from becoming election, polling or counting agents as they can have an influence on a large number of employees of local authorities who are deployed on election duty.

This, the poll body said, will be “improper” and “contrary to the spirit of level playing field.”

Modi’s aircraft did not have air defence clearances: Officials

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With BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi claiming that his flights were being delayed, aviation authorities today said the main reason was his private charter aircraft did not have the air defence clearances needed at the air force station in Bareilly.

Aviation sources said Bareilly airport was under the Indian Air Force and hence all civilian aircraft required air defence clearances, which his aircraft did not have.

70% Indians discontented, looking for change in leadership

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Stung by the rising levels of dissatisfaction over the country’s economic and political situation, a majority of Indians are looking for a change in political leadership in the upcoming polls, according to a report by a US-based think tank.

“Nearly 70 per cent of the Indians surveyed have expressed dissatisfaction with the way things are going in the country at present, and this discontent is shared across the political spectrum. An overwhelming majority identified inflation, joblessness and inequality as the key challenges facing the country.”

UN concerned over deteriorating situation in CAR

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Two UN organisations Tuesday expressed deep concern on the escalation of violence in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR).

Stepped-up attacks in various neighbourhoods of the capital have caused at least 60 deaths since March 22, Xinhua quoted Cecile Pouilly, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) as telling in a press meet.

A series of clashes between mainly Christian militias known as anti-Balaka and Muslims in Bangui over the past week caused nearly 40 people killed, Pouilly said.

Lily Allen reunites with Kate Moss

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British pop star Lily Allen appears to have mended a rift with her former friend Kate Moss after the two were spotted dining together here.

Allen was welcomed into the supermodel’s inner circle in 2009, and they were snapped partying together in the here and abroad, reports contactmusic.com.

They eventually drifted apart as Allen gave up her party lifestyle and stepped out of the spotlight to focus on motherhood, and Moss was reportedly left off the guest list when the singer married Sam Cooper in 2011.