Month: November 2014

Egypt-brokered talks with Israel frozen: Hamas official

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The Egyptian-brokered indirect talks between Hamas and Israel over enforcing a ceasefire deal are frozen, said a senior Islamic Hamas movement leader Saturday.

Musa Abu Marzooq, a member of the movement’s politburo, wrote on his Facebook page that the ceasefire talks are frozen due to the security situation in the Peninsula of Sinai, Xinhua reported.

On Aug 26, Egypt mediated a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas-led militant groups in Gaza. The deal was reached after a 50-day large-scale air and ground military operation waged by Israel against the Gaza Strip.

NASA’s Orion all set for Dec 4 test flight

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Designed to carry astronauts to deep space destinations like Mars, NASA’s Orion spacecraft is all set to blast off for its first test flight Dec 4.

To be launched atop a Delta IV heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Launch Complex 37 in Florida, Orion will not carry any people on its test flight.

However, it will help engineers understand what conditions will be like inside the cabin as Orion travels through high radiation and extreme temperatures during this flight, NASA said in a statement.

Birthday bash: Mulayam hails Azam Khan for doing “great job”

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Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Saturday heaped praise on senior Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan for doing a “great job” in arranging his birthday bash even as he ruled out any action against him over his comment on the source of funding for the event.

The birthday celebrations had drawn a flak from various quarters for the extravaganza associated with it and the controversial comment made by Khan.

Congress takes to social media to target govt

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Targeting the government, Congress on Saturday took to social media to highlight its “U-turns” over various issues, including black money and dealing with Pakistan and China, and will release a booklet on the same next week.

The party launched the campaign against the government on Twitter under the theme “#UTurn Sarkar”.

The first hashtag “#BJPBlackMoneyDhokha” was posted on the wall of AICC Communication Department Chairman Ajay Maken’s Twitter account in the morning.

It began with a catch phrase “six months have passed; It’s U-turn Government (chheh mahine paar; U-turn Sarkar).

CBI Director caught snoozing at key national security meet

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In more embarrassment for CBI director Ranjit Sinha, he was caught snoozing during the key national security meet chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

As the Home Minister in his address raised several important issues ranging from threats posed by the Islamic State, misguided Indian youths getting drawn to ISIS and also took on Pakistan for the recent militant attack in Arnia, cameras captured Sinha sleeping on his chair at the at DGPs/IGPs conference.

Lalu Prasad undergoes minor surgery at AIIMS

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Former Bihar chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad has undergone a minor surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here.

According to a senior doctor, doctors of the general surgery department at the premier hospital operated on Yadav yesterday following which he has been admitted in the private ward.

“His condition is perfectly stable. He was not suffering from any serious ailment. He will be discharged soon,” AIIMS spokesperson Dr Amit Gupta said today.

–PTI

’80 TMC of Godavari water can be diverted through Polavaram’

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Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said about 80 TMC of water from Godavari river can be diverted to Krishna river through upcoming Polavaram irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh.

The minister also said that part of this diverted water could be used for parched districts in Rayalaseema region.

“Excess flood water to the tune of 2,500 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) from Godavari river flows into sea, which is considered as a national waste and we can only save about 308 TMC water from this project,” Venkaiah said.

Islam does not support terrorism: Jamiat Ulama-E-Hind Secretary

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Islam does not support terrorism and Muslim youth should choose the ‘correct path’ to help the country progress, Jamiat Ulama-E-Hind secretary general M A Madani said on Saturday.

“We Muslims are not terrorists but its those who refer to us so… Islam does not support terrorism… I would like to tell the youngsters that you are our backbone, our future.

“You should choose the right path… Good education will help us do it. Good health would help you to think better and thus help the country to flourish,” he told a public meeting here.

Cong demands Naveen’s resignation for chitfund scam

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Demanding resignation of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his inclusion in the purview of CBI probe into chitfund scam, Congress workers on Saturday launched an agitation by holding demonstrations and rallies in the state.

Congress workers staged demonstrations in district headquarter towns asking the chief minister to step down and face investigation in the multi-crore ponzi scam.

AAP’s fund-raising luncheon tomorrow

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After collecting over Rs 91 lakh in Mumbai, the Aam Aadmi Party will hold second fund-raising lunch in the national capital tomorrow for assembly election.

The event has been organised by the traders wing and per plate has been charged for a whopping Rs 20,000.

To boost its war chest for the upcoming elections, the party held a fund-raising dinner featuring AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal in Mumbai on Thursday, where each entry cost Rs 20,000. The event helped gather Rs 91 lakh for the party and boost its revenue.

Congress appoints new office bearers in Rajasthan unit

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Congress president Sonia Gandhi has approved new list of office bearers and executive committee of the party’s Rajasthan unit, while retaining Sachin Pilot as chief, a party statement said.

The old committee was dissolved by the party leadership Nov 27 soon after the Congress suffered one of its worst defeats in civic polls.

CA to review helmet and safety regulations post Hughes’ tragic accident

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Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland has announced that a proper review into player safety, with a particular focus on helmet regulation, would take place in light of late cricketer Phillip Hughes tragic accident. Hughes passed away on Thursday after succumbing to injuries he endured from a bouncer at the SCG. The 25-year-old South Australian batsman, who was pushing for a Test recall against India in Brisbane next week, was knocked out after the ball made impact under his helmet, behind his left ear.

First Test at Brisbane postponed; could be cancelled

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With the cricket world still mourning the tragic death of Phillip Hughes, the first Test between India and Australia next week was today put off to an unspecified date and might even be cancelled to pay homage to the batsman.

In a statement issued today, Cricket Australia announced that the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy — to be played in Brisbane from December 4 — has been postponed. The decision was taken in light of the fact that Hughes’ funeral will take place in his hometown of Macksville on Wednesday, December 3.

India, Mozambique to scale up economic cooperation

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India Saturday reviewed all aspects of its bilateral cooperation with resource-rich Mozambique and both sides agreed there was greater scope for bilateral economic cooperation, including enhancing Indian investments in the southeast African country.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met visiting Mozambique Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Oldemiro Baloi here.

Bilateral trade between India and Mozambique is $1.5 billion and India is amongst Mozambique’s top five trade partners.

ISL: ATK, Pune finish 1-1

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Kostas Katsouranis let loose a sharp volley to enable hosts FC Pune City steal a point with a 1-1 scoreline against Atletico De Kolkata here Saturday.

It was the Czech winger Jakub Podany who put the visitors ahead, but the goal was nullified by the star Greek medio Katsouranis in the injury time of the first half.

The indecisive 11th round tie consolidated ATK’s position in the second position with 17 points, two less than leaders Chennaiyin FC. Pune slipped two places to seventh logging 13 points.

Army chief reviews passing out parade at NDA

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Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag Saturday reviewed the passing out parade of 127th National Defence Academy Course and asked the new officers to cultivate leadership qualities.

A total of 355 cadets graduated from the academy. Ten cadets from Tajikistan and five cadets from Afganistan also passed out with the 127th Course.

In his address, Gen Singh congratulated “the future leaders of armed forces” and their parents on the occasion.

Journalists should be like honey-bee: Modi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked journalists to be like honey-bees–producing honey and at the same time stinging– and not like house-fly which only spreads dirt.

Journalists should be like honeybees — producing honey and at the same time stinging to make a lasting impact and not like the fly which only spreads dirt, Modi said while inaugurating the platinum jubilee celebration of North East’s leading English daily ‘The Assam Tribune’ here.

Taiwan chief administrator resigns

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Taiwan chief administrator Jiang Yi-huah announced his resignation after the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) Party suffered a defeat in local elections held Saturday.

Jiang announced the decision at a press conference in the evening and it was approved by Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou, Xinhua reported.

(IANS)

SHO dies while conducting Police raid in Farrukhabad

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In a shocking incident in Uttar Pradesh, a Station House Officer (SHO) named Rajkumar Singh was shot dead while conducting a raid here on Saturday.

The SHO was allegedly shot dead by criminals during the chase.

Reports further indicate that Rajkumar Singh was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him dead. (ANI)

Clarke says Hughes’ 64 no shirt to be retired for honouring late batsman’s memory

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Emotionally-stricken Australian captain Michael Clarke stated that the late cricketer Phillip Hughes’ Australian one –day international shirt number 64 would be retired as a mark of honour to his memory. Clarke said he feels glad that Cricket Australia has agreed to his request to retire Hughes’ one-day international shirt number 64. His legacy of trying to improve each and every day will drive them for the rest of their lives, he added. He believes that words are not enough to express the loss they feel as a team, News.com.au reported.

President calls for clarity on meaning of development

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President Pranab Mukherjee Saturday said there should be clarity on the meaning of development and asked social scientists to identify how growth can be achieved without destruction of environment.

Inaugurating the 40th national conference of the Indian Sociological Society here, the president said that India’s biggest strength is diversity and attempts to bring uniformity had failed.

Referring to the Anna Hazare movement, he said that citizens were galvanised into a force through public awareness and the government was compelled to have a dialogue with social activists.

India to test-launch its heaviest rocket in December

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India will test-launch its heaviest and upgraded rocket, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV Mark III), sometime in the middle of next month, a senior official of the Indian space agency said here Saturday.

The rocket will also carry a crew module to test its re-entry characteristics.

Will again take up Iraq hostages issue with centre: Badal

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Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Saturday said his state will again take up with the central government the issue of safe and prompt release of 39 Punjabis trapped in Iraq.

Interacting with the media in Lambi assembly segment in Muktsar district, Badal said the state government, in the last few months, has been consistently taking up this matter with the external affairs ministry.

Badal’s statement came following reports that the 39 Punjabis were killed by Islamic State (IS) terrorists in Iraq.

Hotels violating smoking ban to lose licence in Punjab

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Hotels, restaurants and commercial establishments in Punjab which fail to enforce the no-smoking ban on their premises will lose their licences, the state government announced Saturday.

In a communication to all deputy commissioners, the government directed them to cancel the licences of all those hotels, restaurants and commercial institutions that were found violating the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA 2003).

35 people affected by chlorine gas leak at Raisen in Madhya Pradesh

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Atleast 35 people have been affected due to suspected chlorine gas leak from an organic factory located in Mandideep industrial area of Raisen district in Madhya Pradesh here on Saturday.

Television reports indicate that 29 persons were hospitalized at Raisen District Hospital, while three of the affected people have been sent to Bhopal for treatment.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)