Month: May 2014

Congress takes out procession from Gandhi Bhavan to Martyrs’ Memorial on T-formation day

by

Chairman of Minorities Cell, Mohammed Sirajuddin invited all the Minorities to join the procession to be taken out from Gandhi Bhavan to Martyrs’ Memorial at Gun Park opposite A.P. Assembly on the night of 1st June. He pointed out that when the name of International Airport is being changed then it should be named after Baba Sharfuddin. It has been decided to distribute fruits to patients in various hospitals on 2nd June.

KCR yet to finalise his cabinet

by

Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and Chief Minister-designate K Chandrasekhar Rao is yet to finalise the list of members to be inducted into his cabinet.

Sources say that KCR was looking at two options of having a symbolic six-member cabinet swearing-in on June 2 along with him at Raj Bhavan. The second option is of inducting 14 ministers in the first phase. In both the cases, KCR will expand the cabinet after the conclusion of first session of Telangana Assembly.

Turkey discusses safety of n-power plants

by

Turkey will apply optimum safety measures in its two biggest nuclear power plant projects, the authorities guaranteed at an international summit here Friday.

As the Soma coal mine accident, which killed 301 miners over two weeks ago, has sparked a debate over the safety of building nuclear power plants in Turkey, the topic has become the main theme of the first Istanbul Nuclear Power Plants Summit, Xinhua reported.

Four killed, 12 injured in Jammu hotel blaze

by

At least four people died and over a dozen sustained serious burn injuries Saturday in a hotel blaze in winter capital Jammu.

Police said four people died in the fire that occurred in Hotel Neelam near the main bus stand in Jammu city, a kilometre from city centre Shaheedi Chowk, early morning.

“The fire started after midnight. Immediately after smoke started billowing out of the hotel building fire tenders and rescue personnel reached the spot.

Six people trapped in Ravi rescued in Jammu and Kashmir

by

The Civil Defense, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF in a collective operation rescued six people mainly labourers and truck operators trapped in Ravi River while collecting building materials in Kathua on Friday. The people, trapped in flash floods, were rescued after an effort that lasted five hours. After getting the information about the incident, rescue team from JK Police, Civil Defense and CRPF rushed to site and rescued the trapped driver and his assistants safely.

Dhoni launches attack on his bowlers

by

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was sarcastic in his criticism of the Chennai Super Kings bowlers as they were knocked out of the IPL after losing the Qualifier 2 to Kings XI Punjab, here tonight.

Punjab yet again buried CSK under a mountain of runs, scoring a mammoth 226 for six. It is third time that Punjab scored more than 200 runs against CSK

“I had the belief in my bowling that they will let them score more than 200 runs. But we need to give them (Punjab) credit, they batted well,” Dhoni said.

Chandrababu Naidu meets Modi, discussed issues pertaining to Seemandhra

by

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief, N.Chandrababu Naidu, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here today. Earlier in the day, he met Union Finance Minister Arun Jailtey. Naidu is expected to discuss a whole range of issues pertaining to Seemandhra, which will form as the residual state out of Andhra Pradesh on June 2. The TDP chief is also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi today and place his list of demands, which will include a special category status to the Seemandhra region.

Russia ready for talks on gas supply with Ukraine

by

Russia said Friday that it was prepared to continue negotiations with Ukraine over gas supplies next week once it receives partial debt payment from Ukraine.

Representatives from the European Union (EU), Russia and Ukraine met here Friday for a new round of trilateral talks in a bid to settle the ongoing gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine, days before a deadline set by Russia to cut the flow of gas if Ukraine does not pay unpaid bills, Xinhua reported.

Clinton warns Republicans against exploitation of Benghazi tragedy

by

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is offering in her new book a detailed account of the deadly attack on the US consulate in Libya’s Benghazi, warning congressional Republicans against repeated exploitation of the tragedy.

The Sep 11, 2012 attack, in which Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed, is still haunting the Obama administration, as the House has formed a select committee to look into it.

13 killed in Nigeria road accident

by

At least 13 people were killed and 14 others injured in a road accident at Tudun-Dukiya village of Nigeria’s Sokoto state, authorities said Friday.

The accident took place around 9 p.m. Thursday and involved a bus and a car, state commander for the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Umar Gummi told reporters in the state capital Sokoto, around 700 km from Abuja.

He said the victims included women and children, who were burnt to ashes as the two vehicles caught fire after a head-on collision. Some of the injured sustained serious burn injuries.

Foreign secretary visits Herat consulate days after attack

by

Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh Friday visited the Indian consulate in Afghanistan’s Herat that was the target of a terror attack May 23.

Singh met the staff and reviewed the security situation at the consulate which was attacked by four heavily armed gunmen who were killed by Indian and Afghan security personnel as they tried to storm the mission located in western Afghanistan.

The foreign secretary met Indian Ambassador Amar Sinha and other senior officials.

Wanted snatcher in Delhi held

by

One of Delhi’s most wanted chain snatchers, for whose capture the authorities had announced a Rs.1 lakh prize, has been arrested along with his associate, police said Friday.

Shakil Ahmad, 30, was arrested with his associate Amit, 26, Wednesday from east Delhi.

“Both the accused disclosed their involvements in more than 200 chain snatching and shooting incidents,” said a police officer.

Mauri signs one-year extension with Lazio

by

Stefano Mauri confirmed Friday that he has signed a one-year contract extension with Italian football club Lazio.

The 34-year-old, whose current deal was to expire at the end of the month, confirmed the news through his twitter account, reports Xinhua.

“Together again,” Mauri tweeted. “I am proud of this club and the shirt I’m wearing.”

“Forza Lazio sempre (Go Lazio, always)! ” he said via twitter.

He played 12 times last term, scoring four times for Lazio.
(IANS)

Priyanka seeks withdrawal of family’s special privileges at airports

by

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, daughter of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, has written a letter to Special Protection Group (SPG) chief, asking for the withdrawal of privileges at airports for her and her family.

Priyanka’s letter, which came in the wake of media reports about removal of her husband Robert Vadra’s name from the list of VVIPs exempt from checks at the airport, said that “his inclusion on that list came about at the instance of your predecessors in the SPG/Delhi Police and not upon any request by either of us”. A copy of the letter is with IANS.

Squall plays havoc in Delhi, transport disrupted, nine killed

by

A sudden squall Friday evening took Delhi residents by surprise disrupting road, rail and air traffic as well as Metro services and led to nine deaths. The dust storm accompanied by heavy showers led to a drop in the soaring temperature but not before it left in its wake broken tree branches, overturned cars, traffic jams and power outages.

Nine people, including two women, were killed in separate incidents across the city.

Javadekar asks ministries to use I&B’s social media platform

by

New Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar Friday wrote to ministries to disseminate their policy initiatives through the social media platform of his ministry.

Javadekar has requested all central ministries to disseminate their policy initiatives through the communication hub under the existing New Media Wing of the ministry, said an official statement.

“Firmly believing in prolific use of social media, the minister wrote to his cabinet colleagues for utilising this communication hub as a one-stop place for social media outreach based on Hub and Spoke model.”

Citylights’: An ode to the city’s invisible populace

by

Film: “Citylights”; Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Pratilekha, Manav Kaul; Directed by Hansal Mehta; Rating: ****

The city sucks. And it sucks in the uninitiated, swallows up the innocent wholesale, diminishes the individual’s ego. If you happen to be one of the multitude of faceless migrants, you are in for a really grueling time.

Rajasthan suspends IPS officer arrested for bribery

by

An IPS officer in Rajasthan, arrested earlier this week on charges of taking a bribe, was suspended by the state government Friday, officials said.

Indian Police Service officer, Satyaveer Singh, posted as superintendent of police in Kota city, some 250 km from Jaipur, was arrested by the state police’s anti-corruption bureau (ACB) May 27.

“Singh used a woman and her husband as mediators to get bribes for him. The couple was caught red-handed taking bribe of Rs.50,000 for the IPS officer and arrested,” said an ACB officer.

UP has sought 325 MW power to meet shortfall: Power ministry

by

Hours after it offered Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister power to meet the shortfall in the state, the central power ministry said the state Friday requisitioned 325 MW from NTPC’s Jhajjar plant to be made available on a priority basis.

A power ministry release here late Friday said that subsequent to its statement earlier in the day citing reasons for the power shortage in UP and suggesting solutions, “the state government has requisitioned 325 MW power from ministry of power (union) Jhajjar, which is being made available on priority basis”.

World boxing body threatens to sue Hockey India

by

International Boxing Association (AIBA) Friday threatened to sue Hockey India (HI) secretary general Narinder Batra for alleging the world body took money to recognise Boxing India as the official custodian of the sport in India following the termination of Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF).

AIBA’s executive director Ho Kim in a letter to HI president Mariamma Koshy said Batra should be ashamed of making scandalous allegations against the world body.

Thai elections not before 15 months, says coup leader

by

Thai coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha Friday said elections in the country are expected to be held after at least 15 months to allow time for reforms and political reconciliation, the media reported.

“The military did not want power but it needed to seize power as the political impasse had prevented the country from moving forward,” Xinhua quoted General Prayuth as saying in a televised address.

Former executive arrested for raping then colleague

by

A former executive of a company here was arrested on charges of raping his then office colleague after marrying her on false pretences, police said Friday.

The accused has been identified as Vishnu Singh.

The victim said in her complaint that she worked in the same company at which Singh was manager, and they then grew close and decided to marry.

“Singh hid the fact that he was married. He was living with me as a husband, after we got married in a temple a few months back,” she said.

Djokovic, Federer reach last 16 of French Open

by

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer advanced to the fourth round of the French Open after beating Marin Cilic and Dmitry Tursunov respectively Friday.

Second seed Djokovic needed four sets to eliminate a determined Cilic 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-4, while Swiss legend Federer, the fourth seed, held off Russia’s Dmitry Tursunov 7-5, 6-7(7/9), 6-2, 6-4, reports Xinhua.

The 17-time grand slam champion, who won the French Open in 2009, found it tough against Russian 31st seed Tursunov and needed more than three hours to grind out a victory.

Kings XI beat Super Kings to make IPL final

by

Kings XI Punjab made it to their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) final with a 24-run win over Chennai Super Kings in the Qualifier 2 at the Wankhede Stadium here Friday.

Kings XI will now face Kolkata Knight Riders in Sunday’s IPL final in Bangalore.

Chasing a mammoth target of 227, Super Kings only managed 202 for seven in 20 overs after Suresh Raina top scored with a 25-ball 87 and Mahendra Singh Dhoni remained unbeaten on 42 off 31 balls.

Virender Sehwag was the star of the show for Kings XI Punjab with a magnificent 122 runs in just 58 balls.
(IANS)

India test-fires Pinaka rockets for second day

by

India Friday successfully test-fired the indigenously-built Pinaka rockets for second day from a defence base in Odisha, an official said.

Three rockets were fired from the multi-barrel rocket launching system (MBRLS) at the Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) in Chandipur-on-Sea in Balasore district, around 230 km from hubaneswar.

“The rockets were launched successfully,” test range director M.V.K.V. Prasad told IANS.