Month: January 2015

Former union minister Matang Sinh arrested in Saradha scam

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The CBI Saturday arrested former union minister and Congress leader Matang Sinh in the multi-crore rupee Saradha chit fund scam.

Sinh, a former minister of state for parliamentary affairs in the P.V. Narasimha Rao government (1991-96), was arrested after several hours of grilling.

“Matang Sinh has been arrested in the Saradha reality case on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and misappropriation of funds,” said a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) official.

Islamic State threatens to invade Saudi Arabia

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Islamic State militants have released a video saying that the group intends to invade Saudi Arabia while the kingdom’s throne is changing hands.

According to Fox News, Saudi militants who have joined the IS group in Iraq and Syria issued the statement.
IS militants have also called upon the sympathizers in the country to attack from within.

Experts said that the terror threat shows the organization’s desire to annex the wealthiest Middle East nation.

ANI

Bedi files police complaint against AAP leader Vishwas

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BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi today filed a police complaint against AAP leader Kumar Viswas alleging that he made sexist comments against her even as her party took the issue to the Election Commission, seeking prompt action.

Viswas strongly denied the allegations that he made remarks against Bedi and said he will quit politics if she can prove the same.

I will host ‘Mann Ki Baat’ like PM Modi’s ‘Dil Ki Baat’, says Bedi

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A confident and optimistic Bharatiya Janata Party’s chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi on Saturday said she would host a ‘Dil Ki Baat’ programme every month similar to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ initiative as an act of encouragement for Delhi’s citizens.
“The way Prime Minister hosts ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the Chief Minister will have ‘Dil Ki Baat’ every month,” she said while speaking at an election rally in East Delhi here.

Bedi also used the occasion to reach out to the women and female voters in particular.

Australia, England look for bragging rights ahead of WC

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In what seems to be a dress rehearsal of their opening game in the World Cup, an unbeaten Australia take on England in the cricket tri-series final, here tomorrow.

Having accumulated 15 points from four matches, the George Baily-led Australia undoubtedly start as overwhelming favourites with a fit-again Mitchell Johnson set to bolster the attack at the WACA.

Despite the absence of Michael Clarke, they have appeared to be a gelled unit, with both their batting and bowling clicking during the tournament.

Bangladesh cuts power supply to Ex-PM Zia’s house

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Bangladesh authorities on Saturday cut the power supply to opposition leader Khaleda Zia’s home after she called a 72-hour nationwide strike beginning on Sunday which coincides with the school exams of over 1.5 million students.

“There has been no electricity since 2:37am (local time)…they have cut the line,” an aide of the ex-premier said at her house cum office where Zia has been staying constantly since January 4 to spearhead the campaign against her arch rival Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.

Female-only Friday prayer, a great source of empowerment in LA

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In what may have been a unique moment, Women’s Mosque of America opened its doors on Friday in central Los Angeles where Edina Lekovic delivered a sermon, a role traditionally reserved for Muslim men.

As a sister in a pink head scarf crosses the beige floor and approaches the dais, some 150 women seated on the floor watched her intently.

“We have the right and responsibility to our faith,” Lekovic told the women. Lekovic, an activist with California’s Muslim
Public Affairs Council, then joined the women in kneeling in prayer in the direction of Mecca, the holiest city in Islam.

Syrian troops kill 50 rebels

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At least 50 rebels were killed and 150 wounded Saturday in fresh clashes with government troops in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, media reported.

The Suqur al-Sham rebel group lost 50 of its fighters during clashes in the countryside of Idlib, Xinhua reported citing the pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV, adding that a rebel commander was among those killed.

Serena topples gutsy Sharapova to win sixth Oz Open title

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Serena Williams has clinched her 19th career Grand Slam and sixth Australian Open title by trouncing second seed Maria Sharapova in straight sets in Melbourne.

The American world number won the first grand slam of the year with a 6-3, 7-6(7-5) victory over her Russian opponent Sharapova in a pulsating thriller that lasted one hour and 50 minutes.

Losing the first set, Sharapova showed glimpses of resilience as she fought back stoutly to fend off a championship point at 4-5 to force a tie-break.

IS militants seize 15 oil workers in Iraq

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Islamic State (IS) militants seized 15 employees after they temporarily seized an oil facility near the city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq, while Kurdish troops freed seven villages in the area, a security source said Saturday.

The workers were taken Friday when the IS militants attacked the oil facility of Khubbaz, some 25 km southwest of Kirkuk, which itself is located about 250 km north of Iraq’s capital Baghdad, the source told Xinhua news agency on condition of anonymity.

John Legend plan to produce ‘cutest baby ever’ with wife Chrissy Teigen

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John Legend has admitted that he can’t wait to become a father for the first time.

The ‘All of Me’ hitmaker, who married model Chrissy Teigen said that he was “excited” about his wife being pregnant, the Mirror reported.

The 36-year-old singer gushed about his sexy wife and said that they always try to be together physically whenever they can, but are also very happy and focused on their own careers, and they stand by each other. (ANI)

Army taking precautions to check casualties in force, says Manohar Parrikar

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Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday said he has instructed the Army to ensure that there are no casualties in the force “as far as possible” during operations against terrorists and it has been taking necessary precautions.

Parrikar, who visited the family of Col MN Rai, killed in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir on January 27, said he has personally assured them of all help.

Himachal clash: Virbhadra Singh’s son gets anticipatory bail

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Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’s son Vikramaditya Singh, who is among those accused of rioting and trespassing, obtained anticipatory bail from a court here Saturday, police said.

At least 12 activists of both Youth Congress and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) were injured Thursday in a clash during a demonstration here against the central government’s land acquisition ordinance.

The Youth Congress activists, led by Vikramaditya Singh, have been accused of smashing the windowpanes of BJP’s party office.

279 Indians died in Qatar in 2014

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A total of 279 Indians died in Qatar in 2014, up from 241 deaths in 2013, according to data released by the Indian embassy.

The mission recorded 237 deaths in 2012 and since January this year, the number of deaths has reached 33, indicating a further increase, The Penimnsula Qatar reported Saturday.

The embassy data, however, did not provide details about the causes of deaths.

There were 87 Indians at the Central Prison, serving terms for offences and 113 were awaiting deportation at the Search and Follow Up Department.

10 die as effluent treatment tank bursts in Tamil Nadu

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Ten labourers drowned to death in sludge Saturday when an effluent treatment tank burst in Tamil Nadu’s Ranipet town, officials said.

Nine of the dead hailed from West Bengal and one person was from Ranipet, about 120 km from here. All were sleeping in a room adjacent to the unit that operated the CETP (common effluent treatment plant) tank.

The tank burst around 3.30 a.m. Saturday and the workers drowned to death in the thick slimy effluent, an official told IANS.

The unit was operating the CETP for 86 tanneries. The huge tank was at a height of around 10 feet.

Sardar Singh suspended for one game

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Delhi Waveriders captain Sardar Singh was Saturday handed a one-match suspension for “inappropriate physical contact with the opponent player” during a Hockey India League (HIL) match.

HIL’s disciplinary committee met Saturay morning to discuss Sardar’s conduct in Friday’s match against Jaypee Punjab Warriors at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here.

AAP approaches EC for solutions over possible discrepancies in EVM

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Voicing apprehension about discrepancies in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday approached the Election Commission seeking to know what should the voters do in such a scenario. Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Ashutosh met Election Commission officials to know what is the procedure if a voter finds such a discrepancy in an EVM.

Plan weekend getaway for V-Day

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Unwinding and relaxing with your beloved after a week of hectic work can be a great way to make your Valentine’s Day special, especially when the occasion falls on a Saturday this year!

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, couples have started to pre-book their holidays. While India offers a plethora of options to choose from, online travel site Expedia has offers for romantic escapes to hotels. Here are some suggestions of where you can travel to pamper yourself and your Valentine:

From Delhi:

Farhan Akhtar’s Twitter family crosses 4.5 mn

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Multi-faceted Bollywood talent Farhan Akhtar, who has been active on Twitter since 2009, has amassed over 4.5 million followers on the social networking platform. He has sent out a “virtual hug” to his Twitter family.

“Crazy!!…touched 4.5 million followers on Twitter…Well not literally touched…That would be creepy & very exhausting. Big virtual hug,” Farhan tweeted Saturday.

Alibaba may face US class-action lawsuit over business practices

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Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group may face a class-action lawsuit initiated by five law firms based in the US .

According to China Daily, Pomerantz LLP, the Rosen Law Firm, Holzer and Holzer LLC, Howard G. Smith and Bronstein, and Gewirtz and Grossman LLC said on Friday they are investigating investor claims about Alibaba’s business practices.

The company recently suffered a set-back following the biggest drop in its stock price since it debuted on the New York Stock Exchange in September.

Gurinder Chadha thanks Big B for ‘Desi Rascals’ cameo

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Gurinder Chadha, the co-producer of “Desi Rascals”, has thanked Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan for “playing along” a cameo in the TV show.

“@SrBachchan legend makes a special appearance on @DesiRascals that was quite a surprise eh…thank you sir for playing along,” tweeted the British film director of Sikh origin, who is currently in India to scout locations for her next film.

The Big B is said to have shot for the cameo when he was in London to promote his forthcoming film “Shamitabh”. His special appearance on the real-life drama series was aired on Sky Living Friday night.

Kejriwal ‘terrified’ of Bedi’s record against corruption’: Amit Shah

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Saturday said Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal is terrified of his party’s chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi’s record against crime and corruption.

“Kejriwal and company are terrified of Kiran Bedi’s record of fighting against crime and corruption,” Shah said at a mega rally in Karkardooma here where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also pitch for the Delhi elections.

Shah further accused Kejriwal of failing to stick to his word.

PM Modi says ‘backstabbers’ can’t fool Delhi repeatedly

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged the electorate in Delhi to vote for those who would serve them better rather than ‘backstabbers’.

Prime Minister Modi alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party ran away from their responsibilities and added that the people of the country gave them a befitting reply in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

“The people you voted to power a year ago back stabbed Delhi, betrayed Delhi,” said Prime Minister Modi.

“No one can fool the people repeatedly and be successful,” he added.

THE BELIEVER DOES NOT CURSE

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When the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), guided the one who was seeking salvation to control his tongue, this was an indication of the grave dangers of the tongue, particularly when one gives it free rein. Getting used to abusing and cursing is one of the greatest dangers of the tongue. Many people think too lightly of this and therefore curse their children, transportation, those who contradict their views, and even those with whom they are joking.