Boult wrecks havoc, Australia bowled out for lowest WC total

Pacer Trent Boult ripped through the Australian batting line-up with a career-best five-wicket haul as New Zealand bowled out their trans-Tasmanian rivals for a paltry 151 in their pool A ODI cricket match of the ICC World Cup here today.

Australia lost eight wickets for a mere 26 runs before a last-wicket stand of 45 between Brad Haddin (43) and Pat Cummins (7 not out) lent some respectability to the scorecard.

Australia all out for 151 against New Zealand

Electing to bat first, Australia were all out for 151 against New Zealand in their pool A ODI cricket match of the ICC World Cup here today.

Brief Scores:

Australia: 151 all out in 32.2 overs (Brad Haddin 43, Trent Boult 5/27).

New Fitna In Algeria: Women ‘imams’ battle radicalisation

Hundreds of female religious guides have been at the forefront of Algeria’s battle against radicalisation since the civil war that devastated the North African country in the 1990s.

Their aim is to steer women away from false preachers promoting radical forms of Islam.

The surge of the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq, and even in Libya next door, as well as the growing influence of Al-Qaeda-linked militants has them working around the clock.

Life disrupted in Kandhamal by VHP bandh call

Normal life was disrupted in Kandhamal during a bandh called by VHP today protesting the ban on entry of its leader Praveen Togadia to the sensitive district.

Shops, business establishments, banks and petrol outlets remained closed during the dawn-to-dusk shut-down while vehicular movement was also affected in the tribal dominated district, police officials said.

While educational institutions and emergency services functioned during the bandh, VHP activists staged demonstration at some places.

Court suggests Irani, Nirupam settle defamation complaints

A Delhi court today suggested that HRD Minister Smriti Irani and Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam look for “compromise or settlement” of their criminal defamation complaints filed against each other.

“Both the matters are cross cases and the offences are compoundable. You (Irani and Nirupam) both should look for compromise or settlement,” Metropolitan Magistrate Dheeraj Mittal told the advocates representing both the leaders.

To this, Nirupam’s counsel told the court that they were ready for compromise but Irani was not ready for it.

Union Budget is gazette of progress and prosperity: Naqvi

Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Saturday described the Union Budget for fiscal 2015-16 as a gazette of progress and prosperity of the nation and added that an attempt has been made to connect everyone to mainstream development.

“We see this budget as a gazette of progress and prosperity of the nation. This is not only a budget but a gazette of development and prosperity. Whether it is poor, people living in slums, women or youths, an attempt has been made in this budget to connect everyone to the mainstream development,” Naqvi told ANI.

Govt. to provide additional 1,000 crores to Nirbhaya Fund

Asserting that the NDA Government is committed to the safety and security of women, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday announced plans to provide another Rs. 1,000 crores to the Nirbhaya Fund in his first full year budget.

“My government is committed to the safety and security of women. In order to support the programmes of women security, advocacy and awareness I have decide to provide another Rs. 1,000 crores to the Nirbhaya Fund,” Jaitley said while presenting the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha.

Martin Crowe inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame during Kiwi-Oz WC tie

New Zealand Test cricket legend Martin Crowe was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame on Saturday, when New Zealand beat Australia in their World Cup tie at Eden Park by one wicket.

Crowe, who was a player of the 1992 World Cup, became the third New Zealander, after Sir Richard Hadlee and Debbie Hockley, and the 79th overall to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame when he received his commemorative cap from Wally Edwards, ICC Director and Chairman of Cricket Australia.

Omar questions NDA Govt.’s stand on MNREGA

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Friday questioned the NDA Government’s move to pump in more funds to the MNREGA a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assessed the rural employment scheme as ‘living proof of the Congress party’s failure’.

“I don’t get it, if #MNREGA is a monument to failure why is more money being pumped into it? Something doesn’t add up here. #Budegt2015,” Omar tweeted.

Union Budget is practical, pragmatic and prudent: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Union Budget for 2015-16 is a budget with a clear vision, and one that is progressive, positive, practical, pragmatic and prudent.

“Budget 2015 has a distinct focus on farmers, youth, poor, neo-middle class and the Aam Nagrik. It delivers on growth, equity and job creation,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

“Budget is investment friendly and removes all doubts on tax issues. It assures investors that we have a stable, predictable and fair tax system,” he added.

How to buy happiness with money!

To make the most of your money, better go for a vacation rather than spending it on a designer dress, suggests a new study led by an Indian-origin researcher.

Money spent on ‘doing’ or on experiences may provide more enduring happiness than money spent on having material possessions, the findings showed.

The researchers found waiting for an experience elicits significantly more happiness, pleasantness and excitement in people than waiting for a material good.

Two militants killed in Pulwama encounter

Two Hizbul Mujhaideen militants were killed in an overnight encounter with security forces in Tral area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

“Based on specific intelligence about presence of terrorists in Ratsuna area of Tral, a joint operation was launched by Rashtriya Rifles units of Army and the Special Operations Group (of Police) resulting in the killing of two hardcore terrorists,” a Defence Spokesman said here today.

The operation was launched last night and ended in wee hours today.

Fiscal deficit pegged at 3.9%; to reach 3% by FY’18

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today pegged fiscal deficit for 2015-16 at 3.9 per cent of GDP and proposed to lower it to 3 per cent by 2017-18, a year later than planned earlier.

Unveiling the roadmap for fiscal consolidation while presenting the Budget 2015-16, he said the 3 per cent fiscal deficit target will now be achieved in three years as against the FRBM target of two years.

As per the earlier roadmap fiscal consolidation, the deficit was to come down to 3 per cent by 2016-17.

Makkah Masjid, Shahi Masjid staff heaves sigh of relief, thanks Siasat

After constant struggle for the past two months to get their salary Makkah Masjid and Shahi Masjid staff heaved a sigh of relief after the release of the budget for their salaries. The staff and home guards also thanked Siasat for its efforts in connection with release of salary amount and said that the budget release was possible due to constant reminder and pressure mounted by Siasat on the government.

“Jai Bheem, Jai Meem” MIM’s new funda to woo Dalits, Muslims

The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen is going to public by taking forward its new slogan “Jai Bheem, Jai Meem” to new heights in order to strengthen its political base by bringing Muslims, adivasis, Dalits together.

With ‘Jai Bheem’, which refers to Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the MIM intends to woo Dalits and ‘Jai Meem’ which is the Urdu alphabet equivalent to ‘M’ is meant to catch the attention of Muslims as reported in DC.

By winning to seats in the recent Maharashtra elections, it is an indication that the party’s slogan has hit the right nerve, feel the MIM leaders.

Inteqal (28.2.2015)

Syed Khadar Mohiuddin Jeelani, advocate  s/o Syed Ghouse Mohiuddin died on February 27. He was 72.

Namaz-e-Janaza was offered at Masjid-e-Ilahi, Chaderghat after namaz-e-Isha followed by burial at the adjacent qabrastan.

Further information can be had on 9676363156 & 9848868845.

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Crime in Hyderabad (28.2.2015)

Hooch trader arrested
(Siasat News): The North Zone team of Commissioner Task force gas arrested a man at Ranigunj who was involved in illegal hooch trade and seized hooch packets from his possession.

It is said that the accused Pentla Venkat was the resident of Bansilalpet and has been working as a labourer. However, he wanted to earn easy bucks and started selling hooch packets in Secunderabad area.

OU, the center of Hindu Muslim unity, crying for attention

Osmania University is the greatest university of the sub continent not only has historical importance but is also the center of Hindu Muslim Unity despite that overlooking its problems is unfortunate. Siasat editor Mr. Zahed Ali Khan told this while delivering presidential address on the occasion of multilingual mushaera held as part of Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of Arts College.

Balladeer Gadar, Principal Arts College Prof. B Shankar Rao Chairman Telangana Resource Centre M Veda Kumar, Secretary Director Urdu Academy, Prof. S A Shukoor also addressed on the occasion.

Dawood Family Justice Campaign

“The family has learned of the acquittal of six men charged with the murders of Saeed and Sakil Dawood, apparently on the basis that none of the accused were identified.

In February 2002, two family members, Sakil Dawood, Saeed Dawood and their childhood friend, Mohammed Aswat and the Indian driver, Yusuf Palagar, were killed in appalling circumstances. Another family member, Imran Dawood, was left for dead but miraculously survived though suffering serious and long-term injuries. Ironically the verdict has been announced exactly 13 years to the day when the violence began.

Scientists are India’s pride: Modi

Referring to them as India’s pride, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the National Science Day Saturday to praise their dedication and determination.

“National Science Day is an occasion to remember the dedication, determination and untiring efforts of our scientists. They are India’s pride,” the prime minister said on Twitter.

Modi said the government was fully committed to encouraging research, innovation and excellence in science, particularly among young minds.

Congress expects a good budget after huge saving from crude oil import

The Congress on Saturday said that it expected the NDA Government to present a good budget for fiscal 2015-16, and added that the country has saved a lot from crude oil imports after a fall in its price.

“Our Finance Minister can present a good Budget this year because the Government is in a comfortable position this year, not because of any other achievement of the government but oil prices have fallen and India could save a lot of money on this account,” said Senior Congress leader P C Chacko.

Prince Harry to ‘quit armed forces’ to focus on charity work

Prince Harry is set to leave the Armed Forces later in 2015 to pursue charity work, it has been revealed.

After training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, the 30-year-old prince, who joined the Army 10 years ago and has served twice in Afghanistan, spent 10 weeks on a deployment to Afghanistan in 2007 before being pulled out when news of his presence was leaked, the BBC reported.

The prince, who returned to the country in 2012 for a five-month deployment as an Apache helicopter pilot, took up a staff officer role with the Army in 2014.

Curiosity rover’s proof of methane on Mars fuels speculation of life on planet

NASA’s curiosity rover has confirmed the existence of methane on the Mars’ atmosphere which may hint that life existed on the Red planet.

The tunable laser spectrometer in the SAM (Sample Analysis at Mars) instrument of the Curiosity robot has unequivocally detected an episodic increase in the concentration of methane in Mars’ atmosphere after an exhaustive analysis of data obtained during 605 soles or Martian days.

This puts an end to the long controversy on the presence of methane in Mars, which started over a decade ago when this gas was first detected with telescopes from Earth.