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Showing posts from 2017

200 Indian students marooned in Houston floods

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latestnews1947:  Two hundred Indian students of the University of Houston have been marooned in floods in the wake of tropical storm Harvey causing heavy rains and flooding in America's fourth largest city. Two Indian students are in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Monday. "@CGHoust has informed me that 200 Indian students at University of Houston are marooned. They are surrounded by neck deep water," Sushma Swaraj tweeted. "We made efforts for delivery of food but US Coast Guard did not allow as boats were required for rescue operations," she said. Stating that Indian Consul General in Houston Anupam Ray was organising the rescue operations, Sushma Swaraj said in a separate tweet: "Indian students Shalini and Nikhil Bhatia are in ICU. We are ensuring that their relatives reach there at the earliest." According to a media report, at least two people have been killed as the Houston area

Our stand against Dera chief vindicated, says son of murdered journalist

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latestnews1947:  The son of a journalist, who had first exposed sexual exploitation of female disciples of Dera Sacha Sauda sect by sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in 2002, on Monday said that their stand against him had been vindicated following his conviction and imprisonment for 10 years for the rape of two woman followers. Anshul Chhatrapati, the son of murdered Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chandra Chhatrapati welcomed the CBI special court judgment awarding 10 years imprisonment to the Dera chief.  His father was shot dead, allegedly by sect supporters at the behest of the sect chief, in October 2002 after he wrote about shady activities inside the sect headquarters near Sirsa in his vernacular newspaper "Poora Sach" in 2002. The murder case is pending before the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Panchkula and hearing of final arguments is likely to be held next month. The anonymous complaint from one of the female disciples (Sadhvi) exposing th

BJP dubs Dera chief a 'thug', lauds Haryana government

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latestnews1947:  The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday dubbed rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as a "thug" and said the Haryana government did a "commendable" job by producing him before court without any violence. "They should be punished like anything. They are indulging in thuggery and misguiding people by appearing to be a Dharmaguru which is the worst," BJP General Secretary and incharge of Haryana Anil Jain told reporters here when asked about such self-proclaimed godmen like Gurmeet Singh indulging in criminal acts. Welcoming the court verdict, the BJP leader said that the "verdict is for us and we are going to implement it". He said that Dera followers were planning violence and are still not getting a grip of the issues but the government and the administration were quite cautious. Defending the Haryana government, Jain said that the causalities would have been much higher on Friday if the administration

Minor boy committs suicide claimed by Blue whale game

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latestnews1947: Lucknow, Aug 28: Here a terrific incident has unveiled, while another minor boy committed suicide under the instructions of Blue Whale challenge game, which has claimed its first victim in Uttar Pradesh's Hamirpur district here on Monday. Coming to details, The deceased identified as Parth Singh, 13, was found hanging in his bedroom in Maudaha village on Sunday night. The police said the class sixth student had his father's phone on his hand in which the game, that directs the player to commit suicide after 50 challenges, was on when the body was taken down. According to the family, Parth had been playing Blue Whale game from the past few days.  When he was asked not to play, he started using his father's mobile phone when he was not around or sleeping.  On Sunday evening, Parth was supposed to attend a friend's birthday party but instead locked himself in the room. An only child, when he did not open the door, his father

At least 5 die from Hurricane Harvey in Houston

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latestnews1947:  Hurricane Harvey, now weakened to a tropical storm, left at least five people dead and dozens injured as it swept through Houston, Texas, the National Weather Service (NWS) said on Sunday. Authorities fear that the torrential rains will cause major floods from the rivers that flow through Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States with a population of 2 million, Efe reported. Though the NWS speaks of five people killed, the Sheriff's Office in Harris County, where Houston is located, could only confirm one fatality. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that while Harvey has maximum sustained winds of 65 kph (40 mph), the continued torrential rains make it as dangerous as a hurricane. The NWS said the eye of the Harvey is now 55 km east-southeast of San Antonio. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Sunday that the helicopters of emergency management teams are carrying out rescue missions in the Houston and east Texas areas. Harvey, which

Mexico reiterates refusal to pay for Trump's wall

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latestnews1947:   The Mexican government has reiterated that it will not pay for US President Donald Trump's proposed border wall, the media reported. Mexico's remarks on Sunday night was in response to Trump tweet earlier in day saying: "With Mexico being one of the highest crime nations in the world, we must have the wall. Mexico will pay for it through reimbursement/other," CNN reported. The Foreign Ministry in a statement said Mexico was not paying for the wall "under any circumstances". "This determination is not part of a Mexican negotiating strategy, but a principle of national sovereignty and dignity," it said. The statement also addressed Trump's comment regarding crime in Mexico.  It said the crime is a "shared problem" for both countries and is caused in part by US' demand for Mexican narcotics. "Only on the basis of the principles of shared responsibility, teamwork and mutual trust can we overcome this challen

Parrikar wins Panaji bypoll

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latestnews1947:  Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday won the Panaji assembly by-election by 4,803 votes. Parrikar, who polled 9,862 votes, beat his nearest rival Congress' Girish Chodankar, who netted 5,059 votes. Anand Shirodkar of the Goa Suraksha Manch came a distant third polling 220 votes.

Director Tobe Hooper dead

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latestnews1947:   Horror director Tobe Hooper , best known for helming "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" and "Poltergeist", died in Sherman Oaks, California, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner. He died on Saturday aged 74. The circumstances of his death were not immediately known, reports variety.com. "Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974) was banned in several countries for violence, but it was one of the most profitable independent films of the 1970s in the US.  Hooper also directed the 1986 sequel "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2", which took a more comedic approach. The 1982 film "Poltergeist", written and produced by Steven Spielberg, also became a classic of the genre.  Hooper directed two movies for Cannon Films, "Lifeforce" and "Invaders from Mars". He continued working in television and film throughout the 1990s and 2000s.  His last film, the 2013 "Djinn", was set in the United Arab Emirates. Hi

We don't expect any trouble in Kashmir: 'Raazi' makers

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latestnews1947:  The team of "Raazi" is not expecting to face any trouble while shooting its Kashmir schedule, says producer Priti Shahani. The first schedule of the movie, being directed by Meghna Gulzar, was wrapped up earlier this month, "Meghna is an amazing filmmaker and she is making an amazing story," Shahani told IANS over phone from Mumbai. She said the team is working towards wrapping up the film's shooting by early October. Asked if they expect any issues in shooting in Kashmir -- once Bollywood's favourite filming destinations -- Shahani said: "I don't expect any trouble... The team has been over there and they have had a detailed location recce." Based on the book "Calling Sehmat", " Raazi " is an adaptation of the life of a Kashmiri girl who is married to an army officer. The film, set during the 1971 Indo-Pak war and produced by Dharma Productions and Junglee Pictures, stars Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt

Trans woman from Kolkata crowned first Miss Transqueen India

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latestnews1947:  Natasha , a trans woman who hails from Kolkata, was named the first Miss Transqueen India here on Sunday. Natasha, 26, is currently pursuing Masters in Business Management in Kolkata. Loiloi from Manipur bagged the first runner-up position and Ragasya from Chennai was crowned the second runner-up. The 16 finalists represented some of the Indian states. They were chosen after a rigorous hunt involving more than 1,500 trans women across India. "The winner will go to Thailand for Miss International Queen, the first runner-up will compete at Miss Transsexual Australia. We are looking for another international pageant so that we can send the second runner-up too," pageant organiser Reena Rai, founder and chairperson of Suhani Dream Catchers Pvt Ltd, had earlier told IANS. Miss Transsexual Australia 2017 Laeticia Phylliscia Raveena had crowned the first Miss Transqueen India. Raveena also performed to the Lady Gaga track "Born this Way". Transgend

Mani Ratnam's son robbed in Italy

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latestnews1947:  Ace filmmaker Mani Ratnam's son Nandan was robbed in Italy, his mother Suhasini said on Sunday. "SOS anyone near Venice airport? Can you help our son who was robbed in Belunno? He needs to reach airport. Please help," Suhasini, popular actress and filmmaker, tweeted on Sunday. In a series of tweets, Suhasini sought the help of people on Twitter to help her son. Eventually, help came Nandan's way. A relieved Suhasini tweeted: "Help is on the way for our son. So those from Twitter, who offered help, thank you so much. He's fine now."

BAI announces cash awards for Sindhu, Saina

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latestnews1947:    Badminton Association of India (BAI) interim President Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday announced cash awards for 2017 World Championships medallist pair of P.V. Sindhu and Saina Nehwal. Sarma announced an award of Rs 10 lakh for Sindhu, who won the silver medal and Rs 5 lakh for Saina's bronze medal-winning feat in Glasgow. "I am glad that this is the first time India had a record breaking participation at the World Championships and getting two medals from a single world championship is unprecedented but our players have made it possible," Sarma told IANS immediately after Sindhu went down to Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 19-21, 22-20, 20-22 in a gruelling final that lasted an hour and 50 minutes. "I want to congratulate both Saina and Sindhu on their medal winning performances and the Coaching staff for their efforts," he added. Sindhu by virtue of winning the silver has created a new record for India at the World Championship with three in

Russian development bank to finance country's digital economy programme

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latestnews1947 :  Russian development bank Vnesheconombank (VEB), which has signed an MoU with Indian firm Srei Infrastructure Finance to create a $200 million IT and Innovation Fund, has announced it will help the Russian government develop a mechanism of funding the national digital economy programme. "The Russian government has instructed three ministries to develop a mechanism of funding the programme Digital Economy together with Vnesheconombank. The Bank's Supervisory Board will consider these issues in October," VEB said in a release here on Saturday.  The Digital Economy programme, initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin , aims to provide 97 per cent of Russian households with broadband Internet access by 2025.  "5G mobile networks should be deployed by this time in all cities with population of 1 million people," the statement said. "In September, we will open the first centre focused on blockchain, convergent, and quantum technologie

Dutch men's hockey team wins European title

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latestnews1947:  The Netherlands men's team captured the gold medal at the European Championships, defeating Belgium 4-2 in the final on Sunday. In the men's final, Belgium, who had beaten the Dutch 5-0 in the group phase, came 2-0 in front through Tom Boon and Cedric Charlier. But the home team bounced back through goals by Robbert Kemperman, Mirco Pruyser, Mink van der Weerden and a last second goal by Pruyser, reports Xinhua news agency. The 4-2 victory meant the 5th European title in 16 editions of the tournament for the Dutch. Two years ago in London they were also victorious. On Saturday, the Dutch women beat their Belgian counterparts 3-0 in the final. Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel opened with a goal the first quarter and Kelly Jonker and Ireen van de Assem extended the scoring. It was the ninth European title for the Dutch women in 13 editions. The last title dated back to 2011. Germany and England won the last two tournaments in 2013 and 2015, respectively.

India vs Sri Lanka: 3rd ODI scorecard

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latestnews1947:   Following is the scorecard of the third One-Day International (ODI) between India and Sri Lanka played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium here on Sunday. Sri Lanka Innings: Niroshan Dickwella lbw b Jasprit Bumrah 13 Dinesh Chandimal c Jasprit Bumrah b Hardik Pandya 36 Kusal Mendis c Rohit Sharma b Jasprit Bumrah 1  Lahiru Thirimanne c Kedar Jadhav b Jasprit Bumrah 80 Angelo Mathews lbw b Kedar Jadhav 11 Chamara Kapugedera b Axar 14 Milinda Siriwardana b Jasprit Bumrah 29 Akila Dananjaya b Jasprit Bumrah 2 Dushmantha Chameera run out (Dhoni/Bhuvneshwar) 6 Vishwa Fernando not out 5 Lasith Malinga not out 1 Extras: (b 4, lb 7, w 8) 19  Total: in 50 overs 217/9  Fall of Wickets: 18-1 (Niroshan Dickwella, 3.4 overs), 28-2 (Kusal Mendis, 7.4), 100-3 (Dinesh Chandimal, 25.4), 138-4 (Angelo Mathews, 34.4), 159-5 (Lahiru Thirimanne, 39.3), 181-6 (Chamara Kapugedera, 43.6), 191-7 (Akila Dananjaya, 45.5), 201-8 (Milinda Siriwardana, 47.4), 210-9 (Dushmantha Cham

India beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in 3rd ODI

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latestnews1947:  Riding on opener Rohit Sharma's brilliant century, India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets to seal the five match One-Day International (ODI) series 3-0 here on Sunday. Apart from Rohit (122 not out), former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (61 not out) played a perfect support role at the other end after India's top order got exposed with the scoreboard reading 61 runs for four wickets down in 15.1 overs. For Sri Lanka, spinner Akila Dananjaya scalped two wickets while pacers Lasith Malinga and Vishwa Fernando took one wicket each.

Sindhu loses women's singles final at Badminton Worlds

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latestnews1947:  Olympic 2016 silver medallist P.V. Sindhu failed to bring India the elusive gold medal from the World Badminton Championships edged out by Japanese seventh seed Nozomi Okuhara in a pulsating women's singles final here on Sunday. Fourth seed Sindhu lost 19-21, 22-20, 20-22 against the Olympic 2016 bronze medallist Okuhara in a gruelling match that lasted an hour and 50 minutes at the Emirates Arena. It was Sindhu's third medal at the World Championships, with a bronze apiece from the 2013 and 2014 editions in her bag. Sindhu's Hyderabadi citymate Saina Nehwal also stood on the podium after losing in the semi-finals, settling for a bronze medal as India bagged two medals for the first time in an edition of the World Championships. Saina also has a silver from the 2015 edition and in Glasgow, Sindhu became India's only second player with a second-place finish in the global badminton showpiece. India's first medal from the World Championships, a b

Dont worry about violence in other states, Kerala BJP tells CPI-M, Congress

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latestnews1947:   Kerala BJP president Kummanem Rajasekheran on Sunday asked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala not to be unduly worried of violence in other states. He was reacting to the letters written by Vijayan to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and by Chennithala to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh after violent protests broke out in Haryana, Punjab and Delhi following the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape and sexual exploitation case by a special CBI court. "Really do not understand why Vijayan is shedding crocodile tears over what happened in those states, when he should be answerable to the political killings that have taken place in his home town. What happened in North India was the violent reaction by the followers of Singh and the security forces used force to curb the excess done, but in Vijayan's place, people who voted against his party are being targeted and those who do it ar

Sindhu loses women's singles final at Badminton Worlds

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latestnews1947:  India's Olympic 2016 silver medallist P.V. Sindhu lost to Japanese seventh seed Nozomi Okuhara in a pulsating women's singles final of the World Badminton Championships here on Sunday. Fourth seed Sindhu lost 19-21, 22-20, 20-22 against the Olympic 2016 bronze medallist Okuhara in a gruelling match that lasted an hour and 50 minutes. It was Sindhu 's third medal at the World Championships, with a bronze apiece from the 2013 and 2014 editions in her bag.

BJP plays the caste card knowing it won't get the Muslim vote

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latestnews1947:  When the Supreme Court excluded the "creamy layer", or the well-off sections, among the backward castes from the benefits of reservations in its 1991 judgement, it had taken a logical step to ensure that the advantages of the quota system in the matter of social advancement were not enjoyed in perpetuity by the identified communities. What the judicial pronouncement entailed was that once those who had suffered for centuries from the inequities of the caste system had been able to overcome much of their social disabilities via the officially sponsored affirmative action, they would lose their right for preferential treatment. The criterion for those who would be excluded from the benefits of the quota system was an annual income of Rs 100,000. However, while deciding on the concept of the "creamy layer", the judiciary does not seem to have taken into account the possibility of the intervention of the political class to circumvent the legal objec