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Giraffe dies after hitting its head on South African highway overpass

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 01 Agustus 2014 | 08.20

JOHANNESBURG: Those responsible for the death of a giraffe whose head struck a South African highway overpass while it was being transported in a truck will likely be prosecuted under animal protection laws, an official said Friday.

The accident on a highway between Pretoria and Johannesburg on Thursday was very unsettling because it could easily have been avoided, said Rick Allan, an animal welfare officer.

"It's just so unnecessary," said Allan, head of the Pretoria area branch of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The group's members were able to respond quickly to the giraffe accident because they were already out on the highway attending to a separate case of cattle stranded because of a truck breakdown, he said.

Prior to the giraffe accident, startled motorists took photographs of the truck, which was carrying two giraffes whose long necks were visible above the sides of the vehicle. The surviving giraffe was taken to a wildlife clinic.

Pabi Moloi, a radio and television presenter, told South African news channel eNCA that she was in a car on the highway and saw the giraffes just before the accident.

"The impact of the giraffe's head on the bridge was so loud that my cousin, who was driving me, asked if someone had been shot," Moloi said. "I saw the giraffe hit its head very hard on the concrete under the bridge and kind of be propelled forward."

Then, Moloi said in the eNCA interview, she saw "the giraffe's head descend into the truck that it was in."

The other giraffe appeared to escape injury by millimeters because it was slightly shorter than the animal that was hit, Moloi said.

The truck earlier broke down for hours on the side of the road, according to South African media.

Animal welfare officers have interviewed witnesses and obtained documents from nature conservation officials who had issued permits for the transport of the giraffes, said Allan, the animal welfare officer. The investigation includes determining where the giraffes were being transported from, as well as their destination, according to Allan.

"We've got all the evidence," he said. All that remains, he said, is "to prove our case."


08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

PIL seeks better facilities in Sri Lankan refugee camps in Madurai district

MADURAI: The Madurai bench of the Madras high court on Friday ordered to issue notices to Tamil Nadu government officials on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking basic amenities in refugee camps in Madurai district.

Madurai-based C Anandaraj filed the PIL seeking a direction to the officials, including state's health and family welfare principal secretary, refugees rehabilitation commissioner and Madurai collector, to construct adequate toilets with water facilities, drainage, potable drinking water facilities and other basic infrastructure facilities in the Sri Lankan refugees camps at Utchapatti, Thiruvadhavur and Kudalnagar in the district.

The PIL has also wanted construction of additional houses and repair of the damaged ones. The petitioner mentioned a TOI report on the condition of the refugee camps, published on February 22.

When the matter came up for admission before the division bench of Justices M Jaichandren and R Mahadevan on Friday, petitioner's counsel R Alagumani told the court that there were 600 families in Utchapatti camp, 500 families in Thrivadhavur camp, and 650 families in Kudalnagar camp. However, there were no proper facilities for the residents, the counsel said.

Following it, the bench ordered to issue notices to the officials.

READ ALSO: Controversial article on Sri Lankan defence website removed after it kicked up a storm in India

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08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Explosives, 3550 detonators, gelatin sticks seized in Bihar

DEHRI-ON-SONE(Bihar): About five kilogrammes of explosives along with over 3000 detonators and 1000 gelatin sticks were seized by police from a village in Rohtas district of Bihar on Friday.

Rohtas superintendent of police Chandan Kumar Kushwaha said 1811 gelatin sticks, 3550 detonators and 5 kg ammonium nitrate were seized from Barahiya Bag village.

Three people have been arrested in this connection, he said.

The arrested have been identified as Anish Pasi, Arun Kumar and Dharmendra Kumar.

Police officials were probing whether the arrested people had any links with the Maoists.

The police has launched investigation to trace the origin and the destination of the cache of explosives, the SP said.

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08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

SC allows Sahara chief to be moved to make-shift jail in conference room

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Friday cleared the deck for shifting Sahara chief Subrata Roy to a make-shift jail in conference hall at the Tihar Jail complex to facilitate him to negotiate the sale of his properties, in India and abroad.

An apex court bench allowed the Delhi government to issue notification designating the conference hall as a jail by August 4 where Roy along with two other directors will be shifted on August 5.

This is being done to enable him to raise Rs.10,000 crore to make part payment of the investors money raised through OFCDs in 2008-09.

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08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

14 killed, including 10 soldiers, in east Ukraine clash: Military

KIEV: Fourteen people were killed, including at least 10 government soldiers, in fighting overnight close to the crash site of downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, a Ukrainian military spokesman said on Friday.

"In total it is known that 14 people died but the bodies of four of them have not been identified and could be Ukrainian soldiers or terrorists," military spokesman Oleksiy Dmytrashkivsky told media.

He added that "so far we are talking about 10 Ukrainian servicemen dead" in the clash, in the town of Shakhtarsk some 25 kilometres (15 miles) from the MH17 site.

Earlier the Ukrainian military had said its troops were ambushed by insurgent fighters.

The deadly fighting shattered a brief lull across the war-torn region as international experts headed to the wreckage of the downed plane to try to begin a stalled investigation into the attack on the passenger jet.

The Ukrainian military said it was relaunching a broader offensive against separatist fighters following a day-long ceasefire but insisted troops would not carry out operations in the immediate vicinity of the crash site.

The military said Friday that it had made fresh gains by taking the village of Novyi Svit, some 25 kilometres southeast of the rebel stronghold of Donetsk, and was waging operations to secure the volatile border with Russia.


08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Planning Commission considering special category status for Andhra Pradesh: Govt

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 31 Juli 2014 | 08.21

NEW DELHI: The Planning Commission is considering the proposal to accord special category status to Andhra Pradesh (Seemandhra), Parliament was informed on Thursday.

"The grant of special category status to Andhra Pradesh is under consideration in Planning Commission," Planning minister Rao Inderjit Singh said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

Singh further said that a special cell for Andhra Pradesh constituted on March 25, 2014 in the Commission has been entrusted with taking preparatory steps for special development package to backward areas of Seemandhra.

Andhra Pradesh has been recently bifurcated into two states — Telangana and Andhra Pradesh (Seemandhra).

According to the minister, Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 does not contain any provision regarding special category status for Seemandhra; creation of special cell for Seemandhra under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chairman (of the Commission) and Bundelkhand type special development package for Rayalaseema and north coastal Andhra.

While intervening in the debate on Andhra Reorganisation Bill in Parliament on February 20 in Rajya Sabha, government had assured special category status for successor state of Andhra Pradesh comprising 13 districts including four districts of Rayalaseema and three districts of north coastal Andhra for a period of five years.

Besides government had also assured creation of a special cell in the Planning Commission headed by deputy chairman to address the development needs and a special package for the backward regions of Seemandhra on the lines of KBK special plan in Odisha and the Bundelkhand special package.

Earlier in March, the Union Cabinet, headed by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had directed the Commission to accord the special category status to successor of Andhra Pradesh (Seemandhra) for five years.

Singh had even announced in Rajya Sabha on February 21 that special category status would be extended to the state.

The minister informed the House that the special development package to the backward areas would be worked out based on the specific proposals from Seemandhra Government after due consultations with the concerned ministries.

The special category status to various states is accorded by country's apex planning body National Development Council (NDC) headed by the Prime Minister with Cabinet ministers and all chief ministers on its board, based on consideration of a set criteria.

The criteria include hilly and difficult terrain; low population density and or sizeable share of tribal population; strategic location along borders with neighbouring countries; economic and infrastructure backwardness and non-viable nature of state finances.

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08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

26,84,557 vacancies in Anganwadi centres across country

Radheshyam Jadhav, TNN | Jul 31, 2014, 07.11PM IST
PUNE: There are a total 26,84,557 sanctioned positions of supervisors, Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) in the Anganwadi Centres across the country. The number of in-position supervisors, AWWs and AWHS are 24,48,936 with a vacancy of 2,35,621.

A statement issued by the press information bureau states that as per schematic norms of the ICDS scheme, the Union government is responsible for the planning and policy issues whereas state governments are responsible for the implementation of the scheme. The reasons for huge vacancies are largely due to administrative, procedural and legal delays in filling-up of vacant posts by the state governments.

Union ministry of women and child development has repeatedly impressed upon the state government administration to take all required measures for early filling up of vacant posts. This matter is also pursued from time to time with state administration in meetings held for finalizing the Annual Programme Implementation Plan (APIP), the statement said.

Meanwhile in order to enhance the quality of services provided under Integrated Child Protection Schemes (ICPS), the union ministry of women and child development has revised the financial norms of the scheme with effect from April 1. ICPS is being implemented by ministry from 2009-10 with the objective of creating a safe and secure environment for children in conflict with law as well as children in need of care and protection.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Medical procedure on rape victims will be changed: Karnataka health minister

BANGALORE: Following string of rape incidents in the state and to eliminate sufferings by the victims during medical examination, Karnataka has constituted a three-member panel comprising eminent gynecologists to suggest it to change the system of tests done on rape victims.

The committee has been asked to submit the report in one month, health minister UT Khader told reporters on Thursday.

The present system of medical examination has been criticized as the victims are made often made to wait for long time and there is no secrecy during the tests. "Testing kits will also be provided all the district hospitals," Khader said.

The government will also set up collaborative child response units in government hospitals in all the districts, to immediately address the child abuse cases. Five such units are already functioning in five hospitals in Bangalore.

The units have been set up at - MS Ramaiah Medical Hospital, Baptist Hospital, Indira Gandhi Children Hospital, St John's Hospital and Kempegowda Medical College Hospital.

Women and child development minister Umashree said extensive training has been conducted for medical staff, some police, social workers and counselors in these hospitals with the help of experts about the units.

The training is aimed at to prepare protocol for — the process of complying with the treatment, counseling to the victim child and parents; inquiries, counseling of victim child and how to prepare the report from police station.

Meanwhile, the government on Thursday issued an order constituting an expert committee comprising of 26 members to look into necessary amendments to the law related to sexual assault cases and enhancement of its punishment.

The Committee will be headed by former law minister MC Nanaiah and has politicians and experts in the field of health and crime. As the chairman of the panel, Nanaiah will have the authority to invite opinions and suggestions from subject experts and officers concerned. The committee has been given three-month deadline to submit its report.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah and home minister KJ George had assured both the Houses of legislature that an expert panel would be constituted to recommend the government to make amendments in the existing laws.


08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Court seeks Centre's reply on India's participation at defence conference in Sri Lanka

MADURAI: The Madurai bench of the Madras high court on Thursday sought a reply from the Central Government on a petition filed against India's participation at a defence conference to be held in Sri Lanka in August.

Virudhunagar-based advocate S M Anandamurugan filed the petition seeking an interim injunction restraining the Indian defence delegation from participating at the conference. India's abstention from the conference would safeguard the interest of fishermen in Tamil Nadu, the petitioner contented.

The petitioner said he had come to know that a delegation of senior Indian military personnel and BJP leaders, including Subramanian Swamy, would take part at the conference. The conference will be held in Colombo from August 18 to 20.

The petitioner said, "69,000 Sri Lankan Tamils continue to live as refugees in 110 camps in 25 districts in the state. They live in 10 by 10 feet homes. Their livelihood concerns run deep. Desperate for a better life, people in these camps often make futile attempts to escape to other countries. The younger generation of the refugees face a bleak future. While being so, India's participation at the defence conference is amounting to betrayal of Tamils."

When the matter came up for admission before the division bench of Justices M Jaichandren and R Mahadevan, the bench directed the Central Government to file a reply on or before August 12 and adjourned the matter.

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08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Quakes strike Myanmar, Andaman islands; no tsunami warning

NEW DELHI: Earthquakes of magnitude 6.2 and 6.1 struck Myanmar and Andaman islands on Thursday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

No Tsunami warning was issued after the Andaman quake, an official at the India Meteorological Department said.

The Myanmar quake struck 185 miles west of Mergui and was 19.3 miles deep, according to USGS.

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08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Three-pronged strategy to curb temple thefts in Himachal Pradesh

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 30 Juli 2014 | 08.20

SHIMLA: With robbers targeting religious places whether located in remote locations or in crowded towns, security of temples and monasteries have become a cause of concern for state police. While the state police was claiming to devise new strategy to curb temple thefts, robbers have now targeted Sai temple in Baddi town of Solan district and decamped with valuables.

Recently, four unidentified robbers entered Shirdi Sai temple of Baddi and after overpowering the security guard they took away around 9.5kg of silver beside cash. In November last year, a monk was murdered in Kinnaur district and century-old precious mixed metal idol of Guru Padamsambhava was stolen.

On July 23 last year, 10 precious idols were stolen from the temple of Devta Sahib Bondra in Banchhuchh village of Rohru tehsil in Shimla district which were later recovered from Sarahidhar area of Rohru after Delhi police had arrested three Nepalese nationals involved in the crime and the accused admitting their involvement in temple heist.

These are some of the recent incidents which indicate how unsafe the temples and monasteries in Himachal Pradesh have become. According to sources, during the last 10 years, over 150 temples and monasteries have been targeted by burglars. Around 20 years back, a priceless idol, stolen from Kamrunag temple of Kinnaur district was later found in Italy.

Himachal Pradesh DGP, Sanjay Kumar said that to beef up the security arrangements of temples and monasteries, a decision to divide them in three categories has been taken. He said that around Rs 1 crore would be spent on the purchase of CCTV cameras. He said that 27 CCTV cameras have already been purchased. "In the identified temples, CCTV cameras would be installed in the entry and exit points," he added. He said that temples would be categorized according to their assets and security would be devised accordingly. "The community too would be involved in the programme to make the system foolproof," he added.

Every village of HP has its own places of worship and majority of these have priceless idols and jewellery due to which burglars keep sniffing for an opportunity to strike. There are around 26,500 places of worship in the 20,118 villages of the state. Of them, temples count for around 5,000. Providing security to all these temples is not possible for the state police due to shortage of manpower, sources said.

Home guard personnel have been deployed at 41 ancient temples of the state while the other temples are dependent on their committees or villagers for security.

A senior government official, requesting anonymity, said that in Himachal, there are only 26 government-owned temples, whose security is the responsibility of the administration. "Rest of the temples in the state are owned by villagers and their security is taken care of by private management committees," he added.

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08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Govt declines to give timeframe to resolve UPSC exam row

NEW DELHI: Government on Wednesday declined to give a timeframe in Rajya Sabha for resolving the row over UPSC examination pattern but promised to solve it soon even as the opposition targeted BJP ministers for coming out with different statements on the issue.

"The issue was thoroughly discussed for an hour. Both the home minister and the minister for DoPT have said that the issue will be resolved and I promise you that it will be done soon...

"Government is going to act soon keeping in mind the issue of different regional languages and the sentiments of the students. As soon as decision is taken, the government will inform," minister of state for parliamentary affairs Prakash Javadekar told the house.

Seeking a definite timeline from the government on it, opposition members, however, insisted that a resolution should come quickly and the matter should not be allowed to snowball into a nationwide agitation.

Raising it, Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said that while the minister for DoPT had said on Friday that a resolution will come within a week, home minister Rajnath Singh has now said it will take a week more.

"By when will the government solve it. What problem the government has in making it clear. You should tell by when will you solve the problem. The 7 days' time given by you concludes tomorrow," he said.

Members from Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK, CPM, CPI and Trinamool Congress supported Yadav and asked the government to clarify by when it will resolve the matter.

Yadav said the issue is being wrongly projected as being related only to Hindi language students. It affected students of all regional languages, who number more than Hindi language students, he said.

He also said the number of candidates from English medium cracking the exams was on rise with 82 per cent success rate.

UPSC aspirants are protesting against the pattern of the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) which they believe gives an unfair advantage to English-speaking students while leaving candidates from Hindi or regional languages-background at a disadvantage. They want the CSAT to be scrapped.

Protests have intensified after Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) issued admit cards last week for preliminary entrance exam scheduled for August 24.

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Karnataka CM hints no ministers will be dropped during cabinet expansion

BANGALORE: Disappointing senior Congress legislators, who wanted non-performing ministers to be dropped, chief minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday indicated the four vacancies in the cabinet would be filled with no changes in the present set-up.

With the five-week long legislature session concluding on Wednesday, Congress legislators are looking forward to the CM's long promised cabinet revamp. However, the CM is not likely to take up this exercise until bypolls to Bellary Rural, Chikkodi-Sadalga and Shikaripur assembly constituencies are over on August 21.

Apart from the model code of conduct in force in the three districts going to bypolls, Siddaramaiah would not like to invite trouble on himself, which is a fall-out after every cabinet restructuring amidst byelections.

"The cabinet expansion subject needs to be discussed with the high command. Only after higher ups permit expansion will be done," he said on the sidelines of inaugurating drinking project organized by rural development and panchayat raj department.

Just recently, around 40 party's senior MLAs urged the CM to drop "inefficient" ministers from the cabinet and induct the "efficient' amongst them.

By-polls candidates' selection: Meanwhile, the Congress started short-listing names for candidates to the three constituencies. For Bellary Rural, reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST), former MLA from Molakalmuru NY Gopalakrishna is the front-runner. For Shikaripur has shortlisted former MLAs Shanthanagouda and Nagarada Mahadevappa. The party is likely to accommodate Ganesh Hukkeri, son of Chikkodi MP Prakash B Hukkeri in Chikkodi-Sadalga.

The bypolls were necessitated following election of B Sriramulu (Bellary Rural), BS Yeddyurappa (Shikaripur) and Prakash Hukkeri (Chikkodi-Sadalga) to parliament in the recentlly held Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP has M Oblesh, long-time personal assistant of Sriramulu from Bellary Rural. BY Raghavendra, son of Yeddyurappa from Shikaripur and MLC Mahantesh Kavatagimath from Chikkodi-Sadalga.

JD(S) is yet to finalize their nominees. August 2 is the last date for filing nominations and counting of votes will be taken up on August 25.


08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

US secretary of state John Kerry arrives in India to reboot ties with Modi

NEW DELHI: US secretary of state John Kerry flew into India on Wednesday for ice-breaking talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, forecasting a transformation in Washington's relations with New Delhi.
Kerry, who landed in Delhi on a flight from Washington, is the highest-ranking member of the Obama administration to visit India since the Modi won a landslide election in May.

The top diplomat's trip is intended to pave the way for a visit by Modi to the US later this year, nearly a decade after he was denied a visa over deadly riots in Gujarat where he was chief minister.

For the past two decades, the world's two largest democracies have described themselves as natural allies, sharing similar concerns over China's rise and Islamic extremism.

But incidents including the US arrest of an Indian diplomat last year sent ties plunging to their lowest point in years, and analysts say Modi's previous treatment as a pariah still rankles.

And a new row is brewing over a customs deal, despite efforts to emphasize areas where the two sides can make common cause.

In a joint editorial with US commerce secretary Penny Pritzker in Wednesday's Economic Times, Kerry said Modi's strong mandate opened up possibilities for cooperation on issues from boosting trade to energy.

"The long-standing partnership between the US and India is on the cusp of an historic transformation," said the commentary in the Delhi-based daily.

"Working together, the world's oldest democracy and the world's largest democracy can forge a new era of shared prosperity and security for hundreds of millions of people in India, across Asia and the world."

The US officials will hold talks with Indian officials on Thursday and Kerry will meet Modi on Friday.

For some observers, Kerry's three-day trip is in itself a sign of India's importance. He has focused much of his tenure on crises in the Middle East, and returned just Sunday from a gruelling, unsuccessful mission to end the Gaza conflict.

"It is significant that the secretary is able to stick to making time for the Strategic Dialogue with India when there are literally parts of the world in flames," said Alyssa Ayres, a former State Department official.

Lingering resentment

Despite strong ties between their people, the Indian and US governments have frequently been at odds.

After tensions during the Cold War and US sanctions over India's 1998 nuclear tests, former president Bill Clinton began reconciliation efforts. His successor George W. Bush pushed through a landmark nuclear cooperation accord with India.

But some Indian commentators saw President Barack Obama as less interested in the relationship, even though he threw US support behind New Delhi's leading goal of winning a UN Security Council seat.

Relations took a sharp turn for the worse when US authorities in December arrested an Indian diplomat on allegations of mistreating her servant, leading New Delhi to retaliate against US personnel.

Modi has little reason for gratitude toward the United States. In 2005, Washington refused him a visa over allegations of turning a blind eye to anti-Muslim riots as chief minister of Gujarat.

Allegations that Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had been the target of surveillance operations by the US national security agency while it was in opposition have added to the sense of grievance.

Foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said Wednesday that Kerry's visit was an opportunity "to explore transformative initiatives that can move the relationship to the next level" but he also said that concerns over cyber security would be raised.

"There is a considerable disquiet in India about the authorisation provided to American agencies in terms of contravening the privacy of individuals, entities and government of India," he told reporters.

New row on WTO

Modi does not appear eager to play up grudges and instead has shown pragmatism, meeting in his first months in office with the leaders of Pakistan and China despite his past hardline stances.

But in an unexpected rift ahead of Kerry's visit, Modi's government warned it may hold up a global customs pact that must be ratified by Thursday unless the World Trade Organization approves India's food subsidy programmes.

India buys grain at inflated prices to sell at subsidized prices. The programme is important for India's hundreds of millions of poor, but rich nations say it distorts trade.

On a visit to Mumbai, Pritzker said she was "very optimistic" about the new Modi government but criticized India's stance at negotiations.

"We are very disappointed that India has taken a step-back from its agreements that it made in December (last) at the WTO," Pritzker told PTI.

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08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

13/7 Mumbai blasts: Arrested hawala operator's custody extended

MUMBAI: A special MCOCA court extended the police custody of alleged 13/7 Mumbai blasts financer Abdul Mateen Damada who was nabbed in Goa last week.

Chief public prosecutor Kalpana Chavan, while seeking the extension, told the court that it was needed to be ascertained if there were others who also helped finance the blasts. "The trail of the money needs to be found," she argued. The court granted custody till August 2.

Damada is suspected to have sent Rs 10 lakh through hawala to India.

The accused was detained at Goa airport when he arrived there from Dubai. He was going to his hometown, Bhatkal, after almost five years. Damada's name in the earlier chargesheet was mentioned as Mateen alias Farooque (wanted accused).

Till date, eight accused, including Damada, have been arrested in the 13/7 bomb blasts when 27 people were killed at Oepra House, Zaveri Bazar and near a bus stop at Dadar.

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08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

IPR attorneys forum seeks GI tag for khadi, says it is 'our swadeshi heritage'

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 29 Juli 2014 | 08.21

IPR attorneys forum seeks GI tag for khadi

A Subramani, TNN | Jul 29, 2014, 06.32PM IST
CHENNAI: Fabric of the freedom struggle and a political weapon in Mahatma Gandhi's Swadeshi movement, khadi is likely to get statutory protection as a Geographical Indication-tagged product unique to the Indian subcontinent.

"The spinning wheel was at one time the symbol of India's poverty and backwardness. Mahatma Gandhi turned it into a symbol of self-reliance and non-violence. Now, in India, khadi is not mere a 'piece of cloth' but a 'way of life'," said the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Attorneys Association, which has sought GI tag for khadi, quoting from various Gandhian literature and records.

The application said khadi should be protected as a distinctive Indian hand-woven cotton fabric and safeguarded against spurious claims.

"Various khadi and Gandhian forums will join the IPR Attorneys Association," said association president and IPR attorney P Sanjay Gandhi, adding that GI tag for khadi has been sought under Class 24 of goods categorised as 'textiles and textile goods (handicraft)."

Explaining how khadi or khaddar became a household product with the rapid spread of Swadeshi movement, the application said the aim of boycotting foreign clothes and goods was at the heart of the mass movement.

"In 1918, Mahatma Gandhi realised the seriousness of dependency on foreign materials and tendency of looking down upon manual labour power. He then advocated spinning and weaving as keys to self-reliance and self-government...It was for economic, cultural and social reasons and not merely political that Gandhi established the Khadi movement," the GI application said.

Staking a GI tag for khadi products made all across India, the IPR Attorneys Association said it was applying on behalf of all manufacturers and producers in order to protect their interests in various states. "Khadi is the only fabric that can be used for production of India's National Flag, according to the Flag Code of India, 2002," it said.

The application sought GI protection both for the khadi product and the process. As for its uniqueness, Sanjay Gandhi said khadi generated employment for rural population and women at their dwelling places, that too at very low capital cost.

Calling khadi a versatile fabric, the application further said that its colours were skin-friendly and the material was handspun and hand-woven cotton.


08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Arvind Kejriwal, AAP chief and ex-CM of Delhi, moves back to his Kaushambi house

GHAZIABAD: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday moved back to his apartment in Kaushambi here, as he had to vacate his Tilak Lane residence before July 31, a party leader said.

As Delhi's chief minister, Kejriwal shifted to a Tilak Lane house from his apartment, but after resigning from the post in February, he sought some time to stay in the house due to his daughter's examinations.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader wanted his official residence to be transferred in his wife Sunita's name when she was elevated to the rank of commissioner of income tax and was eligible for such an accommodation.

But the Tilak Lane residence could not be transferred in his wife's name.

Party leaders said Kejriwal searched for several other accommodations in Delhi, but that did not work out.

He finally decided to return to his old residence at apartment No.403 in Girnar Tower of Kaushambi. The party also has its office in the same locality.

Kejriwal's belongings reached the apartment on Monday, and he moved back on Tuesday, said AAP spokesperson Deepak Vajpayee.

Ghaziabad police, meanwhile, said they have no instruction on providing security to any VIP in the area.

"We shall put a security cover (for Kejriwal) if we receive orders from seniors. Till now, we have no such plan," said inspector Rashid Ali of Indirapuram police station.

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08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Russia's Kalashnikov sends 'condolences' to sanction-struck US consumers

MOSCOW: The Russian arms maker Kalashnikov expressed its sympathies on Tuesday to US consumers who cannot buy the company's famous weapons because of US sanctions over Ukraine.

US sanctions have struck some of Russia's most famous arms companies. And they may wipe out a deal Kalashnikov signed at the beginning of this year to deliver 80,000 to 200,000 guns a year for the next five years to the US

"Kalashnikov regrets that consumers are faced with such a problem," said spokeswoman Yekaterina Boni. "The current situation shows once again that our weapons are very popular among Americans and the implementation of sanctions goes against their very own interests."

The conflict in Ukraine has left relations between Russia and the west at their worst since the Cold War.

Washington introduced rounds of sanctions against Russian individuals and companies and the European Union looks likely to follow suit after a Malaysian airliner was downed over territory held by Russian-backed rebels in East Ukraine.


08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Three naxals arrested, arms recovered in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: Three naxals were arrested on Tuesday and a cache of arms, ammunition and electronic gadgets seized after security forces busted a Maoist transit camp in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, police said.

The incident took place at Rampur village forests, close to Mendki river, under Pratappur police station limits, Kanker superintendent of police R N Dash told PTI.

Acting on specific inputs, a joint squad of 127th battalion of Border Security Force (BSF) and district force was dispatched on a combing exercise from eight different company operating bases (COBs) in Badgaon region, located around 300 kms from here.

On reaching Rampur, located 35km south of Badgaon, security personnel spotted three naxals in the forests following which they surrounded the area and nabbed the cadres, the SP said.

The arrested - Dharmu Podo (26), Rai Singh (47) and Nar Singh (35) - are wanted in several incidents of crime in the region, he said.

Besides, two single barrel muzzle loading guns (SBML), a pipe bomb, a half kg explosive, three detonators, battery chargers, wires, couple of batteries, flash light batteries, electric circuits (big and small size), a loud speaker, naxal posters and pamphlets, ammunition pouch and medicines, were recovered from their possession, he added.

The operation named 'Meghdoot', was planned ahead of ongoing Martyrs' Naxal week which is being observed by the naxals from July 28 to August 3, Dash said.

Notably, combing operations have been intensified in the insurgency-hit pockets of the state, particularly in Bastar during Maoist's martyrs week.

The call for observing martyrs' week has hit normal life in Bastar region as transporters have stopped plying buses to the remote areas.

Railways too are not running the Visakhapatnam-Kirandul train beyond Jagdalpur during the week, fearing Naxal attacks, forcing commuters to travel by bus from Jagdalpur to Kirandul.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=operation 'Meghdoot,Naxals arrested,Martyrs' Naxal week


08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

IM operative Zahid was top fake currency supplier trained by ISI

KOLKATA: Intelligence agencies who questioned IM operative Zahid Hussain, arrested by the STF earlier this month, believe that Zahid was an expert counterfeiter of currency. Zahid, according to them, was handpicked and trained by ISI appointed master counterfeiter Iqbal Kana. His questioning has also revealed that the German Bakery blast was a joint operation by the Indian Mujahideen and the LeT operatives.

"Hussain's role in the terror outfit was logistical. He sheltered the persons involved and he was a conduit for goods coming from Pakistan into India, through the Bangladesh border," said an investigator. "He not only supplied the explosives for the blast but also provided fake notes of various currencies. These were brought in several rounds in to Bengal through Nadia," added the officer.

Maharashtra ATS chief Himanshu Roy said that they are checking past records to try and ascertain if his name had cropped up (or any of his pseudo names) in counterfeiting cases across Maharashtra, UP, "A team of officers has gone to Kolkata to interrogate Hussain, after which we will get a clearer picture of his role in the German Bakery blast case. We are also inspecting our crime records to ascertain his link in counterfeit currency cases."

Raja Thakare, special public prosecutor in the German Bakery blast case said they will be naming Hussain in their supplementary chargesheet that will be filed soon. "Hussain is suspected of supplying RDX and his arrest is an important aspect in the chain of events." Seventeen people were killed and at least 58 injured, five of them foreign nationals, when a bomb ripped through the German Bakery in the Koregaon Park area on the evening of 13 February 2010 in Pune.

Another officer said: "After Hussain's arrest the NIA and the ATS has been asked to relook cases and probe counterfeit currency cases registered across Bengal, UP, Bihar, UP and Maharashtra especially since 2010."

Zahid, in fact, has been a very frequent visitor to Pakistan and was one of the biggest carriers of FICN (fake Indian currency notes) in eastern India. Sources in Kolkata Police's Special task Force (STF) said they are investigating if Zahid is originally a Pakistani national. An NIA team is expected to be in Kolkata "anytime soon" in order to question him.

Sources said, a few months ago top IM operative Tehsin Akhtar alias Monu was arrested from Kankerbhitta bordering Nepal and Bangladesh. He revealed that he was on his way to Bangladesh for a safe hideout. The National Investigating Agency (NIA) followed it up with the arrest of Haider Ali, who was allegedly involved in the murder plot of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was Haider who led the terror team involved in multiple blasts at Modi's rally in Patna. He, too, claimed before NIA that a man called "Ibrahim from Pakistan" was to provide him a safe hideout in Bangladesh. The STF are trying to ascertain if Zahid is the man who was given the charge of providing logistics to these two top IM men.


08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police officer injured in CPM-Trinamool clash in Birbhum dies

Written By Unknown on Senin, 28 Juli 2014 | 08.20

SURI (BIRBHUM): An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of police, who suffered splinter injury during a clash between workers of Trinamool Congress and CPM, died in a private hospital on Monday.

"Assistant sub-inspector of police Amit Chakarborty (32) died of his injuries at a private hospital in Durgapur this morning. He suffered from serious splinter injuries on June 3 when crude bombs were hurled at him during the clash at Dubrajpur," superintendent of police of Birbhum district, Alok Rajoria, told PTI.

Chakraborty, a resident of Bandel in Hoogly district, was posted at Dubrajpur police station and rushed to the spot with policemen after hearing about the clash between TMC and CPM workers, he said.

He was caught in the clash and was injured in the abdomen when a bomb was hurled at him, Rajoria said.

The clash was a sequel to a dispute over the availability of jobs under MGNREGA at Gopalpur village.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Trinamool Congress,TMC,CPM,Birbhum


08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

CBI probe ordered into Mohanlalganj rape and murder case

LUCKNOW: Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday ordered CBI probe into the Mohanlalganj rape and murder case. The order came at the time when a PIL demanding CBI probe was being heard by the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad high court. The family members of the victim were staging demonstration in the city for the past one week for the CBI probe into the case.

The body of the 35-year-old widow, mother of two children, was found naked with multiple injury marks on head, face and private parts in a primary school in Balsinghkheda village of Mohanlalganj in Lucknow on July 17. The victim was beaten brutally after she resisted the rape attempt, and later died of hemorrhage due to excessive bleeding.

The police initially said that it was a case of gang-rape and murder but later arrested a private security guard Ram Sewak and booked him for murder. The police said that the accused killed the woman after failing to rape her. However, on July 26, forensic report confirmed rape. It found traces of blood and flesh of more than one person found in the DNA of the victim.

There was also a controversy over number of kidneys in woman's body. While family members claimed that she donated a kidney to her husband in 2011. However, post mortem report said that there were two kidneys. The contradictions in police theory and family versions forced government to order a probe into anomalies in the post mortem report.

Family members also sat on dharna at GPO park demanding CBI probe. They challenged the report of the police which stated that the victim was killed by only one person and demanded justice for the woman. In the meanwhile, a PIL was filed in the high court for CBI probe.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=PIL,Mohanlalganj rape and murder case,Allahabad High Court,Akhilesh Yadav


08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Stop flow of heavy weapons into Ukraine: US to Russia

WASHINGTON: The US has asked Russia to stop the flow of heavy weapons like rocket launchers and artillery from the country into strife-torn Ukraine.

Secretary of State John Kerry stated this during a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

"Kerry urged Lavrov to stop the flow of heavy weapons and rocket and artillery fire from Russia into Ukraine, and to begin to contribute to deescalating the conflict," a State Department official said.

"He (Kerry) did not accept Foreign Minister Lavrov's denial that heavy weapons from Russia were contributing to the conflict," said the State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"The Secretary underlined our support for a mutual cease fire verified by the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) and reaffirmed our strong support for the international investigation to show the facts of MH17," the official said.

Kerry also provided an update on his meetings in the Middle East and Paris this past week and the ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire, the official added.

Meanwhile, US intelligence agencies provided images as evidence that Russian forces have fired across the border at Ukrainian military forces, and that Russia-backed separatists have used heavy artillery, provided by Russia, in attacks on Ukrainian forces from inside Ukraine.

One of the images shows ground scarring at a multiple rocket launch site on the Russian side of the border oriented in the direction of Ukrainian military units within Ukraine.

The wide area of impacts near the Ukrainian military units indicates fire from multiple rocket launchers and can also be seen.

Another image shows self-propelled artillery only found in Russian military units, on the Russian side of the border, oriented in the direction of a Ukrainian military unit within Ukraine.

The pattern of crater impacts near the Ukrainian military unit indicates strikes from artillery fired from self-propelled or towed artillery and vice multiple rocket launchers.

The third image shows ground scarring at two multiple rocket launch sites oriented in the direction of Ukrainian military units.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Ukraine Crisis,Russia,John Kerry


08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

CBI probe ordered in Mohanlalganj rape and murder case

LUCKNOW: Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday ordered CBI probe into the Mohanlalganj rape and murder case. The order came at the time when a PIL demanding CBI probe was being heard by the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad high court. The family members of the victim were staging demonstration in the city for the past one week for the CBI probe into the case.

The body of the 35-year-old widow, mother of two children, was found naked with multiple injury marks on head, face and private parts in a primary school in Balsinghkheda village of Mohanlalganj in Lucknow on July 17. The victim was beaten brutally after she resisted the rape attempt, and later died of hemorrhage due to excessive bleeding.

The police initially said that it was a case of gang-rape and murder but later arrested a private security guard Ram Sewak and booked him for murder. The police said that the accused killed the woman after failing to rape her. However, on July 26, forensic report confirmed rape. It found traces of blood and flesh of more than one person found in the DNA of the victim.

There was also a controversy over number of kidneys in woman's body. While family members claimed that she donated a kidney to her husband in 2011. However, post mortem report said that there were two kidneys. The contradictions in police theory and family versions forced government to order a probe into anomalies in the post mortem report.

Family members also sat on dharna at GPO park demanding CBI probe. They challenged the report of the police which stated that the victim was killed by only one person and demanded justice for the woman. In the meanwhile, a PIL was filed in the high court for CBI probe.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=PIL,Mohanlalganj rape and murder case,Allahabad High Court,Akhilesh Yadav


08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Science Express Biodiversity Special train flagged off from Delhi

NEW DELHI: Environment minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday flagged off Science Express Biodiversity Special train — an innovative exhibition on wheels — that will cover 57 locations across the country in the next 194 days, showcasing the exceptional biodiversity of India.

The idea of this unique train is to create awareness among masses in general and youth in particular about the rich biodiversity of the country that is home to 8% of the world's biodiversity.

Before culminating at Gandhinagar in Gujarat in February next year, the train will be stationed at many towns/cities including Kurukshetra, Ludhiana, Ramnagar (J&K), Tarn Taran, Meerut Cant, Shahjahanpur, Unnao, Nasik and Gandhidham among other locations in different states.

The present run of the train is the third phase of the Biodiversity Special Science Express. In this phase, the train has 16 coaches. Eight coaches are solely dedicated to showcasing the myriad biodiversity spread across all the bio-geographical zones of India through a variety of interactive exhibits, short films and videos that are shown on Plasma and LED TV screens, large format displays, kiosks and backlit panels.

The remaining coaches have interesting and informative exhibits on climate changes, energy and water conservation and other topical issues.

After flagging off the train here at Safdarjung Railway station, Javadekar said an advertising campaign (comprising exact dates and locations) would be launched so as to sensitize and educate the masses on the nuances of the rich biodiversity of the country.

"It is a journey of learning, spreading the message of biodiversity conservation and telling people that even in these modern times, we still have to depend on biodiversity. The train covering a span of 194 days at 57 locations would benefit 30 lakh students," he said.

Javadekar flagged off the train jointly with railway minister D V Sadananda Gowda and minister of state for science and technology Jitendra Singh.

Since its launch in 2012, the Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS) train has covered 114 stations and travelled across more than 37,000km in the first two phases.

Phase-I of the SEBS was launched on World Environment Day (June 5) in 2012 from the Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi. Phase-II was launched on April 9 last year from the same station.

"It covered 62 locations and over 22 lakh people, including 5 lakh students and 29,000 teachers from 6,005 schools, enjoyed learning in a fun-filled way", claimed the ministry in its official statement.

It said the present phase would culminate on February 4, 2015 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat after covering 57 locations, whereby the SEBS train would have covered most of the major stations across the country.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=water conservation,Science Express Biodiversity Special train,Safdarjung Railway station,Prakash Javadekar,Jitendra Singh


08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jayalalithaa files defamation case against CPM state secretary

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 27 Juli 2014 | 08.20

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa has filed a contempt case against CPM state secretary G Ramakrishnan for allegedly making defamatory remarks against her in a recent article published in an English daily.

City public prosecutor M L Jegan filed the contempt petition on behalf of the chief minister in the principal sessions court here on Friday.

In his petition, Jegan said a statement made by Ramakrishnan in the article was "highly defamatory and malicious and it harmed the reputation" of the chief minister. The article was published on July 22.

The chief minister also filed two defamation cases against the editor and the publisher of a Tamil daily for publishing "defamatory articles" against state transport minister.

In the petitions, the minister said that the daily published two news items with an intention of maligning the government. The matter mentioned in the articles was false and published with the intention of defaming the image of the government, said the petition.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=state secretary,Jayalalithaa,J Jayalalithaa,G Ramakrishnan,Defamation case


08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Russian fighter jet crashes, pilot killed

MOSCOW: A fighter jet crashed in southern Russia on Sunday, killing the pilot, the head of the air force told Russian news agencies, blaming a technical fault.

"An accident took place and the pilot died," General Viktor Bondarev said, quoted by the Interfax news agency.

"We are working out what happened. According to initial data, the reason for the accident was a failure of aviation equipment," he said.

The widely used Soviet-designed aircraft has experienced a string of accidents over the years in Russia and abroad.

"The MiG-29 jet crashed while carrying out a planned test flight in the Astrakhan region," said defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov, quoted by the Interfax news agency.

"The flight supervisor gave the command to eject, but the pilot, trying to save the plane, did not leave the controls and died," Konashenkov said.

A Russian airforce MiG-29 last crashed in 2012 in eastern Siberia when it flew into a hillside, Interfax reported. A year earlier, two pilots were killed on a test flight in the Astrakhan region.

The MiG-29 was first produced in 1980s and has been exported to much of the world. It is deployed by the air forces of a number of countries including Iran.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Russian fighter jet crashes,MiG-29,Russia


08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scandal-hit China food firm withdrawing all products, US parent says

Reuters | Jul 27, 2014, 04.34PM IST
BEIJING: The parent company of a scandal-hit Chinese food supplier said it is withdrawing all products made by the subsidiary.

Shanghai Husi Food Co Ltd, owned by Illinois-based OSI Group LLC, is at the centre of a major food safety scandal, which has spread from China to Hong Kong and Japan, over allegations it mixed fresh and expired meat.

In a statement posted on its website late Saturday, OSI Group said it would "withdraw from the marketplace" all products made by Shanghai Husi, and that it was conducting an internal investigation into current and former senior management.

It vowed to take "swift and decisive action" including legal measures against those responsible for the scandal, and said a new management team would be brought to China.

Regulators in Shanghai said on Saturday that Husi had forged production dates on smoked beef patties and then sold them after they expired.

OSI Group said it would fully cooperate with Chinese regulators.

Chinese police have detained five people as part of the investigation.

The scandal, which has dragged in global food brands including McDonald's Corp, KFC-parent Yum Brands Inc and Starbucks Corp.., was triggered by a local television report last week showing staff at Shanghai Husi using long-expired meat. The report also alleged the firm forged production dates.

Food safety has been a big concern for Chinese consumers after dairy products tainted with the industrial chemical melamine sickened many thousands and led to the deaths of six infants in 2008.


08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

One dead, another injured as express train hits earth mover in Bangalore

BANGALORE: One person died on Sunday while another seriously injured when the earth mover they were travelling in was hit by the Jabalpur express at an unmanned level crossing near Mallathahalli in Bangalore Rural district, police said.

The incident occurred around 1:30pm, they said, adding, one person died on the way to the hospital while the seriously injured was shifted to Bangalore.

No passenger in the train was injured but the engine of the train was damaged, they said.


08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Forensic reports do not contradict our finding in Lucknow murder: Police

LUCKNOW: The Lucknow Police on Sunday said they have received two reports from the Forensic Science Laboratory in connection with the murder of a 35-year-old widow in Mohanlalganj area here and claimed that these reports do not contradict their finding in the case.

"Seven forensic reports were to be received in Mohanlalganj murder case, of which, only two have been received so far and on the basis of which any conclusion cannot be drawn," Senior Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar told PTI.

"I can say that the two reports received so far are suggestive and not conclusive. I can say that these reports do not contradict our finding so far."

He said any conclusion could be drwan only after all the seven reports are received and corroborated.

"Whatever comes to the fore will be shared with the media, but it is not right to speculate at this level," Kumar said.

The victim, who hailed from Deoria district, was found brutally murdered on July 17.

ADG Sutapa Sanyal, who was handed over the investigation, on July 20 claimed that the crime was committed by a security guard, Ram Sewak, when the woman resisted his rape bid. She had claimed that there was no rape.

Sanyal had also claimed that nail scratches were detected on Ram Sewak's body, which were probably caused during struggle between him and the woman.

However, some media reports questioned the police theory, suggesting that the woman was killed by more than one person after rape.

Meanwhile, Union minister of Medium, Small and Medium Enterprises Kalraj Mishra on Sunday demanded a CBI inquiry in the case.

"The manner in which the case is being twisted, I feel that there is no other option but a CBI inquiry. The police theory has so many loopholes that it has turned out to be laughable," he said.


08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More
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