tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23772946623981906882024-03-19T05:46:50.608-07:00Morning NewsLatest Crime News, Breaking News, Investigative Newsadminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.comBlogger2972125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-24139140879397390482013-07-01T01:10:00.003-07:002013-07-01T01:10:28.355-07:00South Korean presidential website loses data in hacking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ujVTKlG5ZHc/UdE5btBjc8I/AAAAAAAANQk/fF7tg9wVJLY/s350/internet_cyber_attack_slowed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ujVTKlG5ZHc/UdE5btBjc8I/AAAAAAAANQk/fF7tg9wVJLY/s350/internet_cyber_attack_slowed.jpg" /></a></div>South Korea says personal information was stolen from its presidential website in a cyber attack last week that coincided with a shutdown of North Korean websites. Yonhap news agency reported on Monday that about 100,000 subscribers' accounts were hacked on the presidential website.<br />
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It cited an unidentified presidential official. The president's office acknowledged the loss of data but couldn't confirm the details.<br />
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The Blue House has apologized on its website for allowing names, birth dates and IDs to be stolen. Passwords were not compromised. Several North and South Korean websites shut down on Wednesday, the anniversary of the start of the Korean War.<br />
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The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce. Seoul blames hacking for last week's shutdown. North Korea hasn't commented.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-71867127586657134702013-07-01T01:08:00.003-07:002013-07-01T01:08:59.731-07:00Five killed in anti-Mursi protests across Egypt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cWe4WqjQuKM/UdE5Dg4TLpI/AAAAAAAANQc/r-155CzkJO4/s350/egypt-islamists-warn-opponents-with-huge-promursi-rally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cWe4WqjQuKM/UdE5Dg4TLpI/AAAAAAAANQc/r-155CzkJO4/s350/egypt-islamists-warn-opponents-with-huge-promursi-rally.jpg" /></a></div>At least five people were killed and scores injured when millions took to the streets across Egypt demanding the resignation of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi, with media outlets describing it as the largest demonstration seen in the history of the most populous Arab country.<br />
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In the Egyptian capital, tens of thousands of people on Sunday assembled at the iconic Tahrir Square - the centre of pro-democracy protests in 2011 - under the banner of Tamarod (Rebellion) movement which is driving the campaign with a petition of signatures seeking Mursi's ouster and a snap election, just as he completed a year in office.<br />
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At least one person was killed in clashes at Cairo's headquarters of the governing Muslim Brotherhood movement, raising fears of an escalation in violence in the country.<br />
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Four others died in clashes elsewhere during the protests, which has united liberal and secular opposition groups, media reports said today. Around 250 were injured.<br />
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Thousands of ordinary Egyptians - angered by Mursi's political and economic policies - also took part in the rallies, described as the biggest protest in the history of Egypt. Despite no independent way to verify this estimate, some international media outlets have said this could have been the largest demonstration seen in the world's history.<br />
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The opposition National Salvation Front said protesters will remain in the streets until the fall of the regime. Opposition activists claim more than 22 million people in the nation of 84 million have signed the petition and have urged the signatories to come out in Tahrir Square.<br />
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Thousands spent the night at Tahrir Square, focus of the Arab Spring protests which brought down longtime president Hosni Mubarak in 2011. The current protests come on the first anniversary of Mursi's election as the country's first Islamist president.<br />
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61-year-old Mursi's opponents say he has failed to tackle economic and security problems. Critics also say he has put the Islamist agenda of his Muslim Brotherhood party ahead of the country's wider interests.<br />
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In Cairo, anti-Mursi supporters waving red cards chanted: "Irhal! Irhal!" ("Leave! Leave!"). Similar rallies were held in Alexandria, Kafr al-Sheikh, Desouq city, Sidi Salem, Damietta, Gharbiya, Suez, Monofia, Sharqiya - the birthplace of Mursi, and other cities.<br />
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Supporters of the president are also holding their own rallies. Muslim Brotherhood's political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party, vowed that the pro-Mursi coalition will remain in sit-ins to defend until opposition end their rallies.<br />
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Egyptian presidency urged all political forces to commit to peaceful protest, insisting 'dialogue' is only way out of impasse. "Dialogue is the only way to reach consensus," said a presidential spokesman on Sunday.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-66149172977875035112013-07-01T01:04:00.003-07:002013-07-01T01:04:52.650-07:00BJP, Congress in a bitter tweet war on final day of U'khand rescue operations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PA_w1hhG_Pc/UdE4HkSxaqI/AAAAAAAANQM/3Zsyko1zVAg/s350/cong-bjp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PA_w1hhG_Pc/UdE4HkSxaqI/AAAAAAAANQM/3Zsyko1zVAg/s350/cong-bjp.jpg" /></a></div>Even as rescue operations in Uttarakhand looked all set to wind up on Monday, the politics over the tragedy raged on. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj demanded that the Uttarakhand state government be dismissed for handling the disaster incompetently.<br />
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Her tweet came after Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari hit out at her and BJP Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley for not visiting the disaster-struck state. He tweeted that while the BJP can criticise government proposals on CBI autonomy, it has no time to visit Uttarakhand. "H'onble LOP's have mindspace to critique govt proposals on CBI autonomy that are yet to be placed before SC but no time to visit Uttrakhand," he tweeted. One more tweet said, "Did anyone see LOP's in both houses express sympathy/visit disaster hit Uttrakhand This from a party that criticizes visits of. Cong leaders."<br />
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The war of words continued on Twitter with Swaraj hitting back at Tewari and saying they didn't visit Uttarakhand because Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde made a public statement that visits by dignitaries would hamper the rescue efforts. She added that it was she who woke Congress up about "the scale of the tragedy" when she spoke to Shinde on June 18.<br />
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Congress party's newly appointed head of its media cell took the opportunity to reply to Swaraj and tweeted "@SushmaSwarajbjp Pyre of many Victims of this Natural Calamity still warm. First BJP tried to take credit of evacuating 15000 in a day! 1/2 Instead of helping in relief works in U'khand, don't try to use this calamity as a Political Opportunity! #NoPoliticsOverCalamity," he tweeted.<br />
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Swaraj then launched an attack on the government saying it is terming enforcement of accountability politics. "What has your state Government done ? Nothing. The living are starving. The dead are being robbed. And you are patting you. Those who cannot govern in crisis do not deserve to be in the Government even for a day" she tweeted angrily.<br />
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This is not for the first time politics has played over the tragedy in which hundreds have perished. Earlier, Congress and the BJP squabbled over visits of Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi to the state. Post that war of words, in which Congress compared Modi to "Rambo", Congress and TDP leaders from Andhra Pradesh traded blows to each other at a Dehradun airport over who will transport the stranded pilgrims of their state back to their native places.<br />
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Soon, BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman joined the social media war and tweeted "inept" handling of Uttarakhand tragedy cannot be tolerated. "If #NoPoliticsOverCalamity is used to cover up failure, is it ok? Using 15k story is deflecting from the issue. 15k story is questionable," she tweeted.<br />
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Swaraj had tweeted earlier in the day that, "I am sorry to say that the Government in Uttarakhand has not been able to rise to the occasion." "They ought to be dismissed for being inept and incompetent," a follow up tweet said. She went on to say, "Unfortunately, the Government in Delhi has also failed to provide the requisite leadership."<br />
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Off Twitter, the two parties continued to attack each other over the tragedy. "The casual attitude of the government even during such a tragic incident is unacceptable. The country is in a bad condition because of the Congress. The government's credibility is so bad that not even one country has offered help," said BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.<br />
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Congress spokesperson Bhakta Charan Das, while referring to Swaraj and Jaitley said, "Both are responsible politicians. I do not understand why both of them could not visit the affected area to see the devastation."adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-75918163939870740092013-07-01T01:02:00.004-07:002013-07-01T01:02:50.025-07:00AAP member's condition critical after she was hit by a car<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KjgboEDM224/UdE3o3IS0iI/AAAAAAAANQE/RuJOEnxiHDw/s350/aapactivist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KjgboEDM224/UdE3o3IS0iI/AAAAAAAANQE/RuJOEnxiHDw/s350/aapactivist.jpg" /></a></div>Aam Aadmi Party activist and candidate from Seemapuri Santosh Koli was critically injured when a car hit her bike on Sunday. Koli has undergone a surgery in her head and is on life support. The next 72 hours are said to be critical.<br />
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She has been Kejriwal's aide for over a decade. Kejriwal is claiming that this was not an accident but a deliberate attempt to kill her. Kumar Vishwas of his party has alleged that Santosh Koli had received threats from the supporters of Veer Singh Dhingan, the local Congress MLA from Seemapuri.<br />
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Police say they are not ruling out anything and have filed an FIR for attempt to murder. Santosh Koli was critically injured when a car hit her bike in front of the Kaushambi metro station, Ghaziabad. The incident happened around 3:30 pm on Sunday when she was on her way to office.<br />
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Kuldeep Kanwar, an AAP volunteer from Seemapuri, who was driving the motorcycle had suffered minor injuries, said, "The car hit us from behind and immediately sped away... Our bike skid, fell and caught fire."<br />
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She is a recognized activist in Seemapuri, particularly remembered for her work towards making the Public Distribution System accountable. She was very active during the Janlokpal agitation and when the movement split, she favoured the political option and stayed with Kejriwal.<br />
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Kalawati, Koli's mother said, "There have been four attacks on her life before."adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-1360910489143628602013-07-01T01:01:00.001-07:002013-07-01T01:01:20.591-07:00Farewell party for top IAF official causes flutters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HPj-tZNwEBs/UdE3SkA0YrI/AAAAAAAANP8/3GvHKylQvkU/s350/mig-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HPj-tZNwEBs/UdE3SkA0YrI/AAAAAAAANP8/3GvHKylQvkU/s350/mig-27.jpg" /></a></div>In an incident that has caused flutters in government circles, a top Air Force official who retired from service on Sunday attended a farewell party hosted in his honour in which a large number of arms vendors and officials dealing with procurements in the force were present.<br />
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The party organised on June 7 for the Air Marshal-rank officer has raised the hackles of the top brass in the Defence Ministry and security agencies because of the presence of arms dealers and service officials in a private function, sources said here. Under rules governing the code of conduct of officials, "No Government servant shall, except with the previous sanction of the Government, receive any complimentary or valedictory address or accept any testimonial or attend any meeting or entertainment held in his honour; or in the honour of any other Government servant."<br />
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When asked if these officials had taken permission for attending the party, the IAF said it did not have any information about the event. "The IAF has no knowledge of any such private farewell party," an IAF spokesperson told PTI in response to the query.<br />
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The Defence Ministry also keeps issuing advisories to its officials and the Services against officers hobnobbing with arms vendors in order to maintain transparency and probity in defence deals. Major S S Pandey, an expert on military laws, said, "As per the code of conduct for military officers, any officer attending such parties or farewells has to seek permission from his superiors and also give proper reasons for doing so."<br />
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Over six years ago, a Lieutenant General was removed from a sensitive posting in the South Block for allegedly meeting with the officials of an embassy here in the capital.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-82757260679380320882013-07-01T00:59:00.002-07:002013-07-01T00:59:51.464-07:00Ban on polythene-packed edible items from Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8M9r1FUe_Ok/UdE27Fo8foI/AAAAAAAANP0/gHni4wCHuP0/s350/Ban+on+polythene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8M9r1FUe_Ok/UdE27Fo8foI/AAAAAAAANP0/gHni4wCHuP0/s350/Ban+on+polythene.jpg" /></a></div>The sale and storage of all non-essential edibles like potato chips and candies in polythene packs will be banned in Himachal Pradesh from Monday, officials said in Shimla on Sunday. Himachal will be the first state in the country to ban polythene-packed edible items in compliance with the order of the state High Court which has completely prohibited use of polythene packaging for non-essential food items.<br />
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The High Court had ruled that non-essential eatables like potato chips, cookies, candy, chewing gum, ice cream, chocolates, noodles and candies are junk food and cannot be sold in polythene packings. However, essential items like milk and vegetable oils are exempted from the ban, the officials said. "There is a need to prevent degradation of environment," a division bench comprising Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Sanjay Karol had observed while hearing a petition on indiscriminate use of plastic.<br />
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The Court directed the government to impose a blanket ban across the state from April 1 but the government pleaded for affording some time to the traders to clear their stocks. "We are of the opinion that there should be a ban on only those non-essential items which fall in the category of junk food such as wafers, chips, sweets, noodles, chocolates, ice cream candy, biscuits and 'namkeen'", the Court said.<br />
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"These items should be brought into Himachal only in biodegradable packaging and even soft drinks should be brought in glass bottles or other biodegradable packaging but not in non-biodegradable packaging", the bench had said in its order. Earlier, the government had imposed ban on use of polythene bags made of non-biodegradable material and disposable plastic products.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-24123932759386695832013-07-01T00:58:00.000-07:002013-07-01T00:58:10.653-07:00Telangana state would soon be a reality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sN1OBzR5vI/UdE2jFWMgWI/AAAAAAAANPs/m150tv7BkF8/s350/telangana_delay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sN1OBzR5vI/UdE2jFWMgWI/AAAAAAAANPs/m150tv7BkF8/s350/telangana_delay.jpg" /></a></div>Congress leaders from Telangana on Sunday exuded confidence that the separate Telangana state would soon be a reality. In their first-ever show of strength, Congress leaders held a public meeting here, amid the intensified efforts by the party's central leaders to find a solution to the contentious issue.<br />
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Thousands of people from various parts of the region attended the meeting at Nizam College Grounds, bringing traffic to halt in several busy areas in the heart of the city. The meeting urged the party leadership to take a decision on granting separate statehood to the region without any further delay. Senior leaders including those who met party president Sonia Gandhi a few days ago, claimed that the party would soon deliver the separate state.<br />
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Some political observers see the meeting as an attempt by the Congress party to claim credit for carving out Telangana state and deny Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) the political advantage of any such decision. Enthused by massive turnout, the leaders declared that Congress alone can form the separate state. They coined the slogan of 'Jai Telangana Jai Congress', making it clear they would remain in the party to achieve their goal.<br />
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Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha was the centre of attraction on the occasion. He said the 70-year-old movement was close to achieving the goal. Terming it as a struggle for self-respect, he said the region had a long history of revolting against "suppression and exploitation".<br />
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He pointed out that out of 56 years of Andhra Pradesh, leaders from Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and Andhra) were chief ministers for 44 years while Telangana leaders held the post for only 12 years. Alleging that some forces were trying to create hurdles in formation of Telangana state, he said it would be better for the people to divide as brothers and prosper as separate states.<br />
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Senior minister K Jana Reddy, a key leader of the party in the region, claimed that the dream of Telangana people would soon become a reality. Former state Congress chief D. Srinivas said Congress and UPA understood the seriousness of the issue. He expressed the confidence that Gandhi would "very soon" declare formation of Telangana state.<br />
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Senior MP V Hanumantha Rao said if Congress meets the demand for separate Telangana state, the party would win 15 out of 17 Lok Sabha seats in the region in the next year's elections. Claiming that 1,000 people committed suicide over the delay in formation of Telangana state, he said the leadership should not further delay a decision.<br />
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Lok Sabha member from Secunderabad, Anjan Kumar Yadav, said only Telangana state with Hyderabad as its capital would be acceptable to them. "No other alternative will be acceptable," he said. Earlier, the deputy CM led a motor bike rally. He along with other leaders paid tributes at Telangana martyrs' memorial in front of the assembly building before reaching the public meeting venue.<br />
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Unhappy over the delay in a decision by the leadership, two MPs and senior leader K. Keshava Rao had quit Congress party earlier this month to join TRS. Following this development, the Congress leaders from the region decided to join hands and hold a meeting to convey their sentiments to the leadership. Telangana comprises 10 districts including Hyderabad.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-48191122127292389782013-07-01T00:56:00.001-07:002013-07-01T00:56:11.507-07:00Google Reader to be shut down today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jsEyEObNkoU/UdE2FeUe-LI/AAAAAAAANPk/JPCTD6PgAoQ/s350/googlereader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jsEyEObNkoU/UdE2FeUe-LI/AAAAAAAANPk/JPCTD6PgAoQ/s350/googlereader.jpg" /></a></div>Google Reader, one of the world's most popular RSS readers, will retire today and will not be available anymore. Google announced in March that it would close down Google Reader, a handy tool for bringing headlines and articles from your favourite websites into a single place, on July 1 as part of its spring cleaning ritual. Google says usage has declined since Reader made its debut in 2005.<br />
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The service is still accessible (while writing this story), but Google will close down its Reader service anytime today. But as you won't be able to access Google's news aggregator service, there is an afterlife. Google has made it easy to move your list of sites you follow, known as feeds, to another service. And many of those rival services have made it easy to accept those feeds.<br />
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The service that is believed to be the best alternative to Reader is Feedly. The service is available on major Web browsers and through apps on the iPhone, the iPad and Android devices.<br />
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Transferring your feeds from Reader is easy. Most other services require you to create a data file of those feeds using a Google tool called Takeout. It's fairly straightforward, but you then have to save the file to your computer and import that to the service. In one case, only one of the more than 150 feeds survived the transfer because of some glitch.<br />
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With Feedly, you can skip that step. Simply log in with your Google account, and all that gets done automatically. There's also no need to create and remember a separate Feedly account. You use your Google credentials each time you're back. Feedly excels in highlighting the most popular items from all your feeds, based on sharing and other interactions on Feedly and elsewhere.<br />
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With the announcement of the Google Reader shutdown in March, Google allowed users to download a copy of all their Reader data before July 1. Users and developers interested in RSS alternatives could export their data, including their subscriptions, with Google Takeout.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-42930149772939328172013-07-01T00:54:00.000-07:002013-07-01T00:54:08.508-07:00Neymar urges Wayne Rooney to join Barcelona, Moyes monitors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iX7eVknO_qs/UdE1mrblm3I/AAAAAAAANPc/0w5UWLBKNxc/s350/rooney-wayne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iX7eVknO_qs/UdE1mrblm3I/AAAAAAAANPc/0w5UWLBKNxc/s350/rooney-wayne.jpg" /></a></div>Brazilian star Neymar, who signed on the dotted line for Barcelona before helping his country clinch the Confederations Cup beating Spain on Sunday, has urged the reportedly on-sale Wayne Rooney to join him at Nou Camp - The Telegraph has reported.<br />
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"The style of football we [Barcelona] play and the level of the players we have - we are the perfect club for the top players to join," Neymar had said before his departure from Santos. "I have met Wayne on a few occasions and he seems a good guy but importantly, he is one of the players I admire most in the world.<br />
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"Wayne is one of the most gifted and technical players in the world. Of course, he would improve Barcelona. He would improve any club in Europe. And on a personal level, it would be a dream to play with him," the Brazilian striker said.<br />
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The newspaper also reported that the new Manchester United manager David Moyes, who is looking for a clear signal from his striker, has talked to Rooney on phone. And though Moyes would want him to stay, it won't serve any purpose if Rooney is unhappy at Old Trafford.<br />
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A bidding war is expected once Rooney's sale is made official. Arsenal and Chelsea are reported to be the most interested buyers, but PSG and Manchester City might also flex their financial muscle once they know Rooney wants to move.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-17104066665185823612013-07-01T00:52:00.002-07:002013-07-04T23:15:07.742-07:00Theatre is the most trying, difficult performing art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eT3wVKPs7-8/UdE1Qxfd4DI/AAAAAAAANPU/MbMGLOvLXsM/s350/amitabh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eT3wVKPs7-8/UdE1Qxfd4DI/AAAAAAAANPU/MbMGLOvLXsM/s350/amitabh.jpg" /></a></div>Megastar Amitabh Bachchan says stage is the most trying and difficult of all performing arts and that it would be wonderful to get back to it.<br />
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The thought came to the 70-year-old after he came back from watching a play at the Prithviraj Theatre at the weekend. He says the experience reminded him of work in school and college. If you want to see <a href="http://shakeelsiddiquicomedycircus.com"><b>Comedy Circus Ke Ajoobe</b></a> see the link.<br />
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"It would be wonderful to get back to it, but now it is frightening to get up there... a controlled environment is suitable to us today," Big B posted on his blog.<br />
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"We can make countless mistakes not so on the platform of the stage ... not so also the immediate reaction of the audience, not so also the immediate reaction and applause of the people sitting in front of you. That attraction is something only those that experience it can say," (sic) he added.<br />
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Acting on stage is tough job.<br />
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"The stage is the most trying and difficult of all performing arts, a wonderful place to learn to get initiated of what may follow some of the greats have migrated from the stage to greatness of their own elsewhere, but have never forgotten the days of the smell of the wood work," he wrote.<br />
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Bollywood actors Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Anupam Kher are often seen entertaining live audiences with their plays.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-83298249017922735162013-07-01T00:51:00.000-07:002013-07-01T00:51:08.374-07:0019 members of elite fire crew die battling deadly Arizona fire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tLveD-qAtnA/UdE05eUBk0I/AAAAAAAANPM/wTwpsPmxHOs/s350/arizona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tLveD-qAtnA/UdE05eUBk0I/AAAAAAAANPM/wTwpsPmxHOs/s350/arizona.jpg" /></a></div>Gusty, hot winds blew an Arizona blaze out of control Sunday in a forest northwest of Phoenix, overtaking and killing 19 members of an elite fire crew in the deadliest wildfire involving firefighters in the US for at least 30 years.<br />
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The "hotshot" firefighters were forced to deploy their fire shelters - tent-like structures meant to shield firefighters from flames and heat - when they were caught near the central Arizona town of Yarnell, state forestry spokesman Art Morrison told The Associated Press.<br />
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The fire started on Friday and spread to 2,000 acres on Sunday amid triple-digit temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions. Officials ordered the evacuations of 50 homes in several communities, and later Sunday afternoon, the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office expanded the order to include more residents in Yarnell, about 85 miles northwest of Phoenix.<br />
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Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo also said that 19 firefighters had been killed by the fire. "The entire hot shot crew had been killed by the fire," he said. He said that the firefighters had to deploy the emergency shelters when "something drastic happened."<br />
The crew killed in the blaze had worked other wildfires in recent weeks in New Mexico and Arizona. The unit was established in 2002.<br />
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The National Fire Protection Association had previously listed the deadliest wildland fire involving firefighters as the 1994 Storm King Fire near Glenwood Springs, Colorado, which killed 14 firefighters who were overtaken by a sudden explosion of flames.<br />
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Morrison said several homes in the community of Glenisle burned on Sunday. He said no other injuries or deaths have been reported from that area.<br />
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About 200 firefighters are fighting the wildfire, which has also forced the closure of parts of state Route 89. An additional 130 firefighters and more water- and retardant-dropping helicopters and aircraft are on their way.<br />
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Mike Reichling, Arizona State Forestry Division spokesman, told The Arizona Republic they're calling in federal help to fight the fire.<br />
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Roxie Glover, spokeswoman at Wickenburg Community Hospital, said that the hospital has been told to expect people with injuries. The Red Cross has opened a shelter at Yavapai College in Prescott, the sheriff's office said.<br />
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In another Arizona fire, a 2-acre blaze that started at a motorcycle salvage yard and spread to a trailer park has destroyed five mobile homes in the Gila County community of Rye, located more than 130 miles east of Yarnell.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-9736608320736438862013-07-01T00:49:00.000-07:002013-07-01T00:49:27.893-07:00Brazil beat Spain 3-0 to win Confederations Cup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1m9Y2Pabf_o/UdE0dmRKBsI/AAAAAAAANPE/uBI3O_WbyJM/s350/brazzz---champs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1m9Y2Pabf_o/UdE0dmRKBsI/AAAAAAAANPE/uBI3O_WbyJM/s350/brazzz---champs.jpg" /></a></div>Fred scored two goals, Neymar added another and host Brazil defeated world champions Spain 3-0 to win the Confederations Cup on Sunday night as protesters clashed with riot police outside Maracana Stadium.<br />
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Brazil, a five-time world champion, beat the reigning world and European champions and ended Spain's 29-game, three-year winning streak in competitive matches. Fred put Brazil ahead in the second minute, Neymar doubled the lead in the 44th with his fourth goal of the tournament and Fred added his fifth in the 47th.<br />
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Brazil, who won their third straight Confederations Cup, have not lost a competitive home match since 1975. Spain, who have not lost a competitive game since its 2010 World Cup opener against Switzerland, had a miserable night. Sergio Ramos sent a penalty kick wide in the 55th and defender Gerard Pique was ejected by Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers with a straight red card for fouling Neymar in the 68th.<br />
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Elminated in the quarter-finals of the last two World Cups, the Selecao was hoping for a boost as it prepares to host the World Cup next year for the first time since 1950.<br />
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Having not played a competitive match since the 2011 Copa America, Brazil had slipped to 22nd in the FIFA ranking, between Ghana and Mali. Spain, ranked first for the past 20 months, are the most accomplished national team of the 21st century, winning their first World Cup in 2010 between titles in the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.<br />
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But in the stadium that will host the World Cup final on July 14 next year, Brazil dominated La Furia Roja. "The champion is back," chanted the crowd of more than 73,000 people at the renovated Maracana. It also didn't take long before the fans - in a sea of yellow jerseys - started teasing the Spaniards, chanting "Wanna play, wanna play!? Brazil will teach you."<br />
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Spain had been unbeaten in 26 matches overall, including friendlies, since a 1-0 loss to England in London in 2011 and had outscored opponents 69-11 in competitive matches since the loss to Switzerland in South Africa. But Spain had not played Brazil since a 1999 exhibition, and they hadn't met in a competitive match since the Selecao's 1-0 win in the first round of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.<br />
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Fred opened the scoring after a cross into the area by Hulk in the second minute. The ball bounced off Neymar near the far post and Fred, who had fallen while trying to reach for the cross, shot with his right foot while still on the ground. Brazil added to the lead after Neymar exchanged with Oscar and then sent a powerful left-footed shot over goalkeeper Iker Casillas.<br />
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Fred got the final goal from just inside the area, sending a low shot to the far corner. Hulk started the move with a pass to Neymar, but the striker let it go as Fred came running behind him. Spain were awarded the penalty kick after Marcelo fouled Jesus Navas inside the area. Ramos, who skied a penalty kick for Real Madrid against Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League semi-finals, sent this one wide.<br />
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Spain's best chance before the penalty came with Pedro Rodriguez in the 41st, when he entered the area clear from defenders on a breakaway. His low shot beat goalkeeper Julio Cesar, but David Luiz came rushing in and slid in front of the goal line just in time to deflect the ball over the crossbar.<br />
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There were protests outside the stadium during the match, with police using rubber bullets and tear gas to keep demonstrators from getting too close. A wave of anti-government protests has swept across Brazil in recent weeks, and many affected the Confederations Cup host cities as demonstrators complained of the costs of hosting the World Cup. On the field, it was a heated match from the start, with players from both teams pushing and shoving each other a few times. Even the substitutes got into a shouting match.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-48549417055683465502013-07-01T00:47:00.000-07:002013-07-01T00:47:10.884-07:00Johnson Charles' heroics help WI register a thrilling win over India<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3PzS65eW7qQ/UdEz8NsI0FI/AAAAAAAANO8/_qhDpMWSLZI/s350/charles-batting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3PzS65eW7qQ/UdEz8NsI0FI/AAAAAAAANO8/_qhDpMWSLZI/s350/charles-batting.jpg" /></a></div>Opener Johnson Charles struck 97 to help West Indies register a thrilling one-wicket victory over India in the second one-day international of the Celkon Mobile Cup tri-series on Sunday.<br />
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Charles smashed eight fours and four sixes off 100 balls and had a fourth-wicket stand of 116 with Darren Bravo to lift the hosts after they had slipped to 26 for 3 in pursuit of India's 229 for 7 off 50 overs. Left-hander Bravo hit 55 off 78 balls.<br />
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After India fought back strongly to break that partnership, Kemar Roach got the winning runs in an unbeaten last wicket stand of 10 with Tino Best, who scored three not out.<br />
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India's bowling was led by Umesh Yadav, who ripped through the top order and ended with 3 for 43. Offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed 2 for 44 and Ishant Sharma contributed 2 for 51.<br />
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The West Indies' chase of India's modest total was threatened early by the lively fast bowler Yadav, who dismissed Chris Gayle and Devon Smith in successive overs.<br />
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When Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed Marlon Samuels to a deflection onto his stumps, India were on top 26 for 3 in the fifth over. But Charles and Bravo turned things around with their assured partnership.<br />
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Charles was first to his fifty, off 60 balls, while Bravo soon joined him as the pair brought their side within 88 of their target.<br />
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Ashwin kept the visitors in contention with the key scalp of Bravo, who miscued a pull straight to midwicket at 142 for 4.<br />
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The West Indies innings then started to slip as captain Kieron Pollard and Denesh Ramdin fell quickly and India had the momentum at 161 for 6.<br />
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Charles, in sight of a third one-day century and seeking to guide his side home, fell three runs short as Yadav returned to strike for India. His attempted lofted shot over the off side could only pick out Ishant Sharma on the edge of the circle at mid-off.<br />
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Charles' dismissal left the tail with 19 runs to score with two wickets remaining before Roach and Best brought the hosts home.<br />
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Earlier, Rohit Sharma's 60 off 89 balls with four fours and a six helped India to 229 for 7 off 50 overs. The West Indies bowlers were led by Roach and Sammy, who both enjoyed figures of 2 for 41, while Best recovered from a wayward start to grab 2 for 52.<br />
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India, sent in by stand-in West Indies skipper Pollard, were quickly derailed by Roach and Sammy. Shikhar Dhawan, the left-hander fresh off the Player-of-the-Tournament award in the ICC Champions Trophy, fell for 11, driving a return catch to Roach, who held it at the second attempt at 25 for 1.<br />
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It was 39 for 2 in the 10th over when Virat Kohli edged Sammy to first slip where Gayle dived to his right to pluck a one-handed catch.<br />
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Sharma and Dinesh Karthik revived the innings in a measured third wicket stand of 59. But Marlon Samuels struck when the stand was emerging, grabbing a return catch to send Karthik packing for 23 off 56 balls.<br />
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Sammy completed a fine spell with the wicket of Sharma, who lofted down long-off at 124 for 4. Captain MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina ensured India got to a respectable total through a fifth wicket stand of 58 off 75 balls.<br />
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But West Indies cut both short before they could engineer a final surge. Raina chased a wide ball from Roach to be caught behind for 44. The left-hander faced 55 balls and hit four fours.<br />
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Dhoni, who seemed to injure his right leg while running a single, batted on but fell soon afterwards as he missed a swing at Best and had his leg stump rocked.<br />
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The innings got a late boost from Kumar, who hit a six and a four in Sunil Narine's final over that cost 17.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-5646124785662375352013-06-30T01:50:00.000-07:002013-06-30T01:50:05.452-07:00Had asked U'khand govt to evacuate people before the disaster struck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BXMC8pg7xMY/Uc_xM03zEdI/AAAAAAAANOs/5nT_X5BArnM/s350/evacuate+people.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BXMC8pg7xMY/Uc_xM03zEdI/AAAAAAAANOs/5nT_X5BArnM/s350/evacuate+people.jpg" /></a></div>The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued several advisories to the Uttarakhand government, warning it about the massive landslides and rains that have ravaged the state, killed hundreds of people and swept away houses.<br />
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The Met Department had even asked the state government to move people to safer places. It had also advised the state government to scrap the Chardham Yatra, which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.<br />
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"We had issued warnings on June 14 and since then we have been regularly issuing advisories. The warnings were even published in newspapers and a press release was also issued," Uttarakhand MeT department Director Anand Sharma said.<br />
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However, the warnings were reportedly ignored. Governments of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, which was also hit by rains, have denied the Met Department's claim.<br />
"I am saddened by the Uttarakhand incident. This is nature's fury. We did not received any warning," said Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.<br />
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Meanwhile, Uttarakhand's Disaster Management Minister Yashpal Arya said on Sunday that approximately one lakh stranded pilgrims in the state have been moved to safer areas but some pilgrims at Badrinath are yet to be evacuated.<br />
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The focus of Uttarakhand rescue operations, which are now in their final phase, has shifted on saving 2000 people who are still stranded in the flood-hit state. However, evacuated pilgrims claim that far greater number of pilgrims are stranded than what the officials have been stating.<br />
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According to the Indian Air Force, 842 people were rescued from Badrinath on Saturday even as air sorties were stalled briefly due to bad weather and many pilgrims in Badrinath were evacuated on foot through a newly constructed foot track in Govindghat valley. Harsil was fully evacuated.<br />
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The road from Joshimath to Govindghat has also been restored and pilgrims are being evacuated on foot. But there is confusion over the number of pilgrims on ground.<br />
The team decided to verify these numbers and as it moved around in Badrinath, angry pilgrims lashed out at the media for allegedly listening to the government. The team moved from one ashram, lodge and hotel to another and visited over 90 establishments.<br />
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After a five hours survey, the numbers collected by the team stood at approximately 1200 stranded pilgrims in Badrinath alone. The number of locals who live here is 1500.<br />
Many old men and women in poor health continue to be stranded. They need to be evacuated fast as temperatures drop to below 10 degrees at night. There is still a lot of anger in Badrinath against the authorities and even against the media.<br />
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Meanwhile in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, poor roads and logistical bottlenecks hampered the movement of a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) battalion which had left from Punjab for search and rescue operations. "When the Sikkim earthquake happened, we had left our base within hours of the first report of the disaster. But then, after landing in Bagdogra airport (near Siliguri in West Bengal), we had to wait for three days before we were moved to the impact zone. I had hoped that such delays would not be repeated. But this time around, it was the same story," Commanding Officer Jaideep Singh of Bathinda-based 7th NDRF Battalion, said at the Chardham helipad in Guptkashi.<br />
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Speed stands out as the main focus area for any future mission of a similar nature, he said. The Bhatinda team, one of the two NDRF units working on the search and rescue mission in Guptkashi, had set out on June 17 but it did not arrive here before June 21.<br />
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Efforts are also being made on a war-footing to ensure supply of essential relief material to over 600 villages in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts, which are cut off after the floods. 2,379 metric tonnes of wheat and 2,875 metric tonnes of rice has so far been dispatched to these villages. The frequently changing weather is hampering work as the relief material can be supplied only by air, the officials said.<br />
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Road network in Uttarakhand has been badly damaged in the floods, with 259 roads damaged in Tehri, 139 in Dehradun, 132 in Uttarkashi, 110 in Chamoli and 71 in Rudraparayag district. Over 200 families living along the banks of Bhagirathi river have been asked to move to safer places following a rise in water level.<br />
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The MeT department, however, has sought to allay apprehensions, stating that the water level rise is mainly due to melting of glaciers with the sun showing up and that there is no flood threat. Uttarakhand MeT department Director Anand Sharma said the snow in upper reaches was melting with the sun coming out, and this was increasing water level in rivers.<br />
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"There is nothing to worry about as it will not create any flood situation," he said. Inclement weather hampered rescue operations and work to clear debris in worst-hit Kedarnath area.<br />
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Mass cremation of bodies continued for another day to minimise chances of an epidemic outbreak. The last rites of 34 bodies have been performed and the cremation of 12 more bodies pulled out from the debris is likely to be conducted soon after identification and other formalities have been completed, officials said.<br />
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With the threat of an epidemic outbreak looming large due to decaying bodies lying under debris, and some also flowing down the Ganga, teams of doctors have been sent to affected districts to initiate remedial action, the officials said. A team of experts from Archaeological Survey of India will visit the Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand to assess the quantum of damage caused by the flood fury as also the restoration work required for the shrine.<br />
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But despite it being two weeks after tragedy struck Uttarakhand, authorities are still contradicting each other over the death toll. While state Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal said more than ten thousand may have been killed, official records suggest only 900 deaths so far.<br />
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Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has said that the exact figure will be known only after the debris are removed. However, Kunjwal said, "When I returned from Garhwal, I said the death toll could be between 5000 and 10,000. But now I think the death toll could be more than 10,000."<br />
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Meanwhile, in Mumbai, the funeral ceremony of Wing Commander Darryl Castelino will be held on Sunday. The 38-year-old wing commander was one of the IAF crew members who died on Tuesday after an Mi-17 V5 chopper on rescue mission crashed in Uttarakhand.<br />
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Helplines:<br />
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Save the Children contact details:<br />
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Website : www.savethechildren.in<br />
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Phone : 011-42294900 / 66141335<br />
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Helpline numbers:<br />
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Uttarkashi: 01374-226126, 226161<br />
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Chamoli: 01372-251437<br />
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Tehri: 01376-233433<br />
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Rudraprayag: 01732-1077<br />
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The ITBP helpline and control room numbers: 011-24362892, 9968383478<br />
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Army medical emergency helpline numbers: 18001805558, 18004190282, 8009833388<br />
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Uttarakhand Helpline numbers: 0135-2710334, 2710335, 2710233<br />
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Railway helpline numbers at Haridwar: 09760534054/09760534055;<br />
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Dehradun: 01352622131;<br />
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Rishikesh: 01352434167<br />
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Special helpline numbers:<br />
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State Disaster Management Centre: 0135-2710334, 2710335, 2718401-04. Fax: 2718400, 6555523, 6555524<br />
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Others: 09755444486, 09808151240, 09837134399, 999779124, 9451901023, 9456755206, 9634535758<br />
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For more information, please see the website where details are available: http://uk.gov.in<br />
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Email ID: relief-uk@nic.in<br />
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Haridwar Control Room Numbers: 01334-233727, 01334-265876, 01334-223999, 01334-226849<br />
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Contact Person Dr Naresh Chaudhary: 9837352202adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-13906226876053038122013-06-30T01:46:00.002-07:002013-06-30T01:46:32.606-07:00Narendra Modi faces flak over conditions of Gujarati Muslims, 2002 Godhra riots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yv_cs4ptA6Y/Uc_wYP9OcQI/AAAAAAAANOg/AN3naIQU0tA/s350/Narendra+Modi+faces+flak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yv_cs4ptA6Y/Uc_wYP9OcQI/AAAAAAAANOg/AN3naIQU0tA/s350/Narendra+Modi+faces+flak.jpg" /></a></div>The 2002 riots in Gujarat continue to pose a huge challenge to state Chief Minister Narendra Modi. At a conclave in Gandhinagar on Saturday, he faced criticism from the members of Gujarat's Muslim community.<br />
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Gujarati Muslims alleged that many of them have still not been rehabilitated post the 2002 riots. They also alleged that scholarship for minorities has still not been implemented in Gujarat.<br />
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Dr Syed Zafar Mahmood, a staunch Modi critic, has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for making hate speeches as well. The open criticism comes at time when Narendra Modi is trying to position himself as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate.<br />
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"I spelt out the perception that the community has for the BJP and Modi, the complaints that are there and the heavy hearted feeling for Modi in the community," Mahmood said.<br />
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Mahmood presented a slide show, touching various aspects of problems being faced by Muslims and the 2002 riots, in front of Modi and said he was happy that his views were taken in stride. Mahmood made the presentation at Young Indian Leaders Conclave where Modi remained closeted for a day with 150 young participants at the event organised by Citizen of Accountable Governance.<br />
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Out of the 150 participants, around 30 were from the minority community. After the presentation, Modi told Mahmood, "it is very good you said all that and I'll consider it".<br />
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In his presentation, Mahmood highlighted the plight of the victims displaced by the 2002 riots, who are now residing in Dhorajinagar and Citizen Nagar on the outskirts of the city. He said 200 families, rehabilitated with the help of local Muslim philanthropists, are residing at the foothill of a one-kilometre long and fifty feet high heap of trash dumped there from all over the city.<br />
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Mahmood, who was the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) on Sachar Committee, told Modi that it would be appreciated if the latter pays a visit to Citizen Nagar and Dhorajinagar localities. Besides raising issues like BJP's view on Sachar Committee, anti-Muslim articles on BJP's official website and creating a special cadre for Waqf board, Mahmood said the central scholarship for minorities was not implemented in Gujarat even though it was adopted by BJP governments in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.<br />
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In his reply to a question on reaction of Modi, who was recently elevated as the head of BJP election campaign committee, Mahmood said "I think the reaction was better than expected". "It is very good you said all that and I will consider it. We have come to know the points raised by you. I and my companions in the party will consider it," Mahmood quoted Modi as saying.<br />
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Asked whether this was a new beginning, he said "I'm pretty sure. Because, in my knowledge, there has never been an occasion where BJP and its stalwarts have been challenged by any representative of the Muslim community at the national level".<br />
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Meanwhile, Zafar Sareshwala, a critic-turned-admirer of Modi, said this was for the first time since he took over the reins of Gujarat that Modi listened. "The issue is, for us, that he had to talk. But was there somebody to listen to us? The biggest thing was in pin drop silence, Modi listened to him (Syed Zafar Mahmood)," Sareshwala said.<br />
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"When Modi came to speak, he said Zafar sahab, I acknowledge what you said. There was no opposition (from Modi). I think the way it was said (by Modi) and the resentment, it was not as if Modi was brought in. These are our genuine concerns," he said. "I have been in this field. I have fought with governments but I don't remember somebody would have brought out so plainly like Mahmood and to the man (Modi) himself," Sareshwala said.<br />
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He said there were young Muslims from different parts of India to participate in the conclave. "You know, for me, I've been a votary right from the beginning that there should be a dialogue. And, I'm also against separate entity of Muslims," he said. "This is a youth conclave...Then, the Muslims are also as much youth of the country as anybody else..." he said.<br />
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"If you talk, there is an upsurge in the middle class, or upsurge in the youth, then Muslims are a different animal. No! And, that we saw it today," Sareshwala stated. "I mean there were youngsters from Kashmir. In fact, the Kashmiri boys, when they spoke, Modi was very attentive," he said.<br />
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"In fact, he (Modi) made a comment when Kashmiri boys were talking about CBI, "CBI ke mamle me hum dono pareshan hain. Fikar mat karo," (We both are troubled by CBI. Don't worry.)," Sareshwala quoted Modi as saying. "I mean they put forward their legitimate concerns. I'm astonished with the political awareness of the Kashmiris," he added.<br />
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"There were young Islamic scholars from Hyderabad, a young scholar from Deoband, a burqa-clad girl from Ahmedabad, a principal of a Muslim Girls School in Ahmedabad and two guys from Lakshwadeep. The best part was that out of 150 participants, there were 30 Muslims and everybody got a chance to speak," Sareshwala said. Former President APJ Abdul Kalam spoke at the beginning of the conclave, giving out a guideline on how India can turn into an economic superpower by 2020.<br />
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Other speakers at the conclave included HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh, IIM-A professor Brij Kothari, JP Morgan's Siddarth Punshi and Global Pegoda's Vallabh Bhanusahali.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-29531339844308440812013-06-30T01:43:00.000-07:002013-06-30T01:43:03.610-07:00India start campaign with West Indies challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjeIAnHy_TU/Uc_vi0ZxamI/AAAAAAAANOU/4_q73MGzdQU/s350/India+start+campaign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjeIAnHy_TU/Uc_vi0ZxamI/AAAAAAAANOU/4_q73MGzdQU/s350/India+start+campaign.jpg" /></a></div>The title win in the ICC Champions Trophy is yet to sink in but India have to get out of the party mode as they take on a resurgent West Indies on Sunday in their opener of the Celkon Mobile Cup tri-series.<br />
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Confident and upbeat, India hardly got time to rejoice their Champions Trophy victory before taking the flight to the Caribbean, and fatigue could be a matter of concern for the players. But West Indies would be looking for vengeance for their loss in a league game of the Champions Trophy in England.<br />
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The hosts have started their campaign on a winning note by thrashing Sri Lanka by six wickets, with the big positive of Chris Gayle getting back into form with a brilliant 109, which included seven sixes and nine fours.<br />
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Interestingly, the captains of both the teams - MS Dhoni and Dwayne Bravo - are Chennai Super Kings team-mates while Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli feature for Royal Challengers Bangalore. So they would be well aware of their strengths and weaknesses.<br />
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India undoubtedly look the more formidable side, especially the batsmen top of the order - Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Dinesh Karthik are in sublime touch and would like to carry on the same momentum into the series. The team management won't tinker with the batting order and look to give a longer run to Rohit at the opening slot considering his success during the Champions Trophy.<br />
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On the other hand, West Indies can be unpredictable rather vulnerable when playing against tough oppositions. Undoubtedly they have the players in their line-up to pose a threat to India. On their day, Gayle, Johnson Charles, Dwayne Bravo and Marlon Samuels have the ability to score big runs. Moreover, West Indies' bowling attack comprising Kemar Roach, Ravi Rampaul and Sunil Narine can stand up to India's formidable batting.<br />
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It is quite unlikely for India to go in with two seamers. So Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma could form the pace trio. Moreover, it will be a litmus test for Bhuvneshwar to prove himself in the Caribbean conditions. However, Umesh and Ishant won't have much of problem if they bowl to their strength and hit the deck. The spin department would be led by R Ashwin and ably supported by the Champions Trophy golden ball-winner Ravindra Jadeja with his slow left-arm spin.<br />
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Probable XIs:<br />
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India: 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Dinesh Karthik, 5 MS Dhoni (capt/wk), 6 Suresh Raina, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Umesh Yadav<br />
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West Indies: 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Johnson Charles, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Dwayne Bravo (capt), 7 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 8 Darren Sammy, 9 Sunil Narine, 10 Ravi Rampaul, 11 Kemar Roachadminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-64736808948665752842013-06-30T01:40:00.001-07:002013-06-30T01:40:19.780-07:00Kunaal Roy Kapur - Vidya Balan has done a great job in 'Ghanchakkar'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QRMJSGIal-4/Uc_u5SPmrLI/AAAAAAAANOM/1Fym18gdQDE/s350/Vidya+Balan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QRMJSGIal-4/Uc_u5SPmrLI/AAAAAAAANOM/1Fym18gdQDE/s350/Vidya+Balan.jpg" /></a></div>A few minutes into the conversation with actor Kunaal Roy Kapur and we fathom the reason why he can have everyone bust a gut laughing. While there is no doubt about his refined acting skills, it is his well-timed and well-crafted jokes, which make Kunaal a cut above the rest. Kunaal speaks to sources about Vidya Balan's 'Ghanchakkar', why he wants to play a Delhi-ite and his wife's perspective about him. Read on...<br />
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'Ghanchakkar', the much-anticipated film by Rajkumar Gupta, which features Vidya Balan and Emraan Hashmi in the lead roles, has opened to mixed reactions. While many think the film couldn't live up to the viewers' expectations, others believe, Vidya, after stellar performances in 'Kahaani' and 'The Dirty Picture', hasn't been as impressive. When we asked Kunaal for his reaction about the film, the actor said he was impressed. "We all enjoyed 'Ghanchakkar'. Vidya and other actors have done really well. The character which Emraan played is difficult," he said.<br />
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Irrespective of what the viewers have said, Kunaal appreciates Vidya for sporting whacky outfits in film, particularly because she's gone through a phase wherein she couldn't fare better in the style stakes. "Vidya has done a fantastic job in 'Ghanchakkar'. In the film she has been shown as a person who has a bad fashion sense and willing to do bold things. It is incredible to admit that Vidya has shown an aspect for which she has got enough flak," he says.<br />
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Considering the fact that the viewers have now begun to accept movies which don't necessarily feature a good-looking actor, Kunaal feels the combination of striking looks and unsurpassable talent can help one achieve success. "Only those who have a combination of both are well received in the industry. Scan the history of Indian showbiz industry and you'll conclude we have had good looking heroes. However, Amiatbh Bachchan wasn't a traditionally good looking star. He has a wonderful personality. But he is essentially not a good looking star. He was gawky looking, ungainly and wasn't muscle bound either. On the other hand, Dharmendra was good looking," he says.<br />
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As the actor says, it were the films of 1990s which featured actors, who were talented, good looking, could dance well and had amazing bodies. "So, a combination of several factors worked in their favour. Going by what I have observed from the films shot in the recent past, I believe the viewers relate more to the underdog. For, these are the characters who try to move up in the ranks. But they haven't been exploited much in films," he says.<br />
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How does his wife rate his looks? "My wife criticises me a lot. She is also my biggest fan. For her I'm Greek God, which is untrue. She thinks I'm the most talented person in the world, which I believe is a wife's job," he laughs.<br />
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Kunaal, who appeared in Aamir Khan production's 'Delhi Belly', is keen on playing a Delhi guy, as it will make him step out of his comfort zone. "Hasn't Delhi become the newest destination for filmmakers to shoot? That's because a lot of filmmakers belong to the city. Hence, they know that world and are completely comfortable with it. Also, Delhi is a large market for the filmmakers. In fact, the entire north zone is a huge market. So they are happy to cater to the audience up north. Delhi is also known for its brashness. The Punjabi flavour in the city is what makes it distinct. And this has a huge acceptance in Hindi movies. Mumbai is truly cosmopolitan city. I would love to play a Delhi-ite as it doesn't fall in my comfort zone.<br />
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Kunaal will soon be seen in 'Golu and Pappu in the house'.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-42824520561757341872013-06-30T01:37:00.001-07:002013-06-30T01:37:31.700-07:00Man kills 4-year-old daughter to get government compensation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFg7aaJI9BM/Uc_uQ6vxPXI/AAAAAAAANOE/mjXhwK0atCY/s350/government+compensation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFg7aaJI9BM/Uc_uQ6vxPXI/AAAAAAAANOE/mjXhwK0atCY/s350/government+compensation.jpg" /></a></div>In a shocking incident in Kashmir, a man allegedly choked and slit the throat of his 4-year-old daughter, in order to get government compensation. The accused Altaf Ahmad from Rafiabad has been arrested.<br />
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Police are saying his main motive was to claim she was killed by militants and seek compensation from the government. Altaf's wife is the village sarpanch and he was hoping the police would believe his story considering the recent militant attacks on sarpanches and their families. On the day of the incident, Altaf allegedly sent his wife and son to the doctor and in their absence murdered the young girl.<br />
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"We believe that the motive could have been that his wife is the village sarpanch. He might have tried to pass the murder off as a militant act to claim compensation from the government," DIG north Kashmir JP Singh said.<br />
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The child, Muskan, was found dead with her throat slit in an orchard near Laiser village in Dangiwacha area of Rafiabad, a day after she was reported missing by her father on June 14, police said.<br />
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A sharp-edged knife, a ten rupee note and an empty jute bag used to contain animal fodder were recovered from the scene of the crime.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-73436359772993038012013-06-30T01:35:00.005-07:002013-06-30T01:35:57.955-07:00Bosses ruining vacations for employees by expecting them to work during holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7xqD639syPQ/Uc_t3RABCqI/AAAAAAAANN8/4su0OmuNBgU/s350/Bosses+ruining+vacations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7xqD639syPQ/Uc_t3RABCqI/AAAAAAAANN8/4su0OmuNBgU/s350/Bosses+ruining+vacations.jpg" /></a></div>Bosses may be ruining their employees' vacation by expecting them to work while on holiday, a new study has found. In the research, based on responses of 2,071 workers, around 54 per cent said their boss expects them to work while on vacation.<br />
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Sixty-four per cent of workers said they check emails on vacation and doing so helps ease their return to work after their time off, 'BusinessNewsDaily' reported. Working during vacation may affect the health and personal lives of employees.<br />
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Employees who are not able to relax while on vacation risk suffering burnout. There are also problems at home because family members get upset when they work on vacation, the study found.<br />
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The researchers found that 67 per cent of workers take a vacation at some point during the year. However, those workers know they are never far from the office.<br />
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"Workers absolutely must have a chance to recharge for themselves, their families and their career," said Terrie Campbell, VP of strategic marketing at Ricoh Americas, the global technology company that conducted the research.<br />
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"Employers ignore this need at their peril. Workers will choose desirable employers by whether they encourage you to disconnect on vacation or not. In those situations where working on vacation is unavoidable, the most sought-after employers will make mobile access easy," Campbell said.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-79925778574798199292013-06-30T01:34:00.000-07:002013-06-30T01:34:10.450-07:00Manchester United willing to triple Thiago Alcantara wages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tSjGzcdDEq8/Uc_tdjgUWnI/AAAAAAAANN0/NODGYVF7i8E/s350/Manchester+United.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tSjGzcdDEq8/Uc_tdjgUWnI/AAAAAAAANN0/NODGYVF7i8E/s350/Manchester+United.jpg" /></a></div>As per reports in Goal.com Spain's under-21 star Thiago Alcantara, who has been in the thick of the transfer news, is close to signing a new deal with Manchester United after the EPL champions made a whopping Euro 6.2 million per year contract to the midfielder.<br />
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This would mean United are willing to triple Thiago's salary to £120,000-a-week if he agrees to join the Reds. The report on Goal.com further stated that that United are confident of completing a £15.4 million deal for the midfielder despite late interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona's attempts to keep Thiago at the club after chairman Sandro Rosell met with his father Mazinho last week.<br />
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Earlier, sources had reported that Man U have also agreed personal terms with Thiago, with the club offering the player a 5-year deal. Barcelona are trying to convince Thiago to stay, but it is believed that he has decided to join the Red Devils. United have also promised Thiago that he will be an integral part of the first team.<br />
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English Premier League champions are also expected to complete the signings of midfielders Kevin Strootman from PSV and defender Ezequiel Garay from Benfica.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-34278974408936934622013-06-30T01:32:00.000-07:002013-06-30T01:32:22.039-07:00Defending champions Brazil face World Cup winners Spain in final<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VamBcFKGd5Y/Uc_tC_DFozI/AAAAAAAANNs/YfsBiitVJjQ/s350/Spain+in+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VamBcFKGd5Y/Uc_tC_DFozI/AAAAAAAANNs/YfsBiitVJjQ/s350/Spain+in+final.jpg" /></a></div>The Confederations Cup has the final nearly everyone wanted: A long-awaited matchup between world champion Spain and host Brazil. The most dominant team in recent years and the most successful team of all time will meet on Sunday at the Maracana Stadium.<br />
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It will be the first time the traditional football nations meet in more than a decade. Brazil hope a victory will help them regain their status as a global powerhouse after recent struggles, while Spain want to show that not even the five-time world champions can put a dent in their supremacy.<br />
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With more than 70,000 Brazilian fans packing the iconic venue, the world and European champions will be put to the test by a reinvigorated Brazil team led by World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and young striker Neymar. "It's the match everyone wanted to happen," the 21-year-old Neymar said. "The entire world wanted it and everybody will be watching it."<br />
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The hosts will be trying to win their third-straight title in the World Cup warm-up competition, and fourth overall, while Spain will be looking for its fourth major trophy in five years. "We're going to face up to them," Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque told FIFA. "Brazil have won five World Cups and three Confederations Cups and they'll be playing at the Maracana in front of their own fans. For us it's a dream game."<br />
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Brazil won their fifth World Cup title in 2002, but recently it's Spain that has been the dominant team in international football, capturing the last two European championships and the 2010 World Cup. Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals in the last two World Cups and hasn't won a significant title since the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa.<br />
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"They are the current world champions, they have to be praised," Brazil captain Thiago Silva said. "But anything can happen in a final and I'm certain that Brazil will be fully prepared for the matchup." Spain haven't lost in 26 matches, since a 1-0 loss against England in London in 2011. Brazil struggled after Scolari returned to the national team, winning only one of its first six matches. But they reach the final on a five-match winning streak and the passionate support of its fans.<br />
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"There is no doubt it will be an even match," Brazil right back Daniel Alves said Saturday. "There is mutual respect between these two national teams." Brazil beat Japan, Mexico and Italy in the group stage before edging Uruguay in the semi-finals. Spain defeated the Uruguayans in their opener, then routed Tahiti and beat Nigeria before getting past Italy in a penalty shootout in the semifinals.<br />
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"It's the match everybody has been waiting for," said Brazil assistant coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who led the national team to the 1994 world title. "We all know how good Spain are, but Brazil are going through a sensational moment and is full of confidence." Brazil is also more rested. While the host haven't played since Wednesday, Spain endured extra time and the shootout in the semifinal against Italy in the heat of Fortaleza on Thursday. Del Bosque has said Spain will not use fatigue as an excuse, and Scolari also downplayed the issue.<br />
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"They were able to rest all of their starters when they played Tahiti, so basically they had to play one game less than we did," he said. Both coaches will have all of their top players available for the match at the renovated Maracana. Four players who will be in Sunday's final were nominated for the Golden Ball award handed to the best players at the Confederations Cup: Brazil's Neymar and Paulinho and Spain's Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos.adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-63224030538189201862013-06-30T01:30:00.000-07:002013-06-30T01:30:09.483-07:00India to host 2016 World T20, 2023 World Cup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L7jCLaftOPg/Uc_shy4EPSI/AAAAAAAANNk/WOIqUEC6vTk/s350/India+to+host+2016+World+T20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L7jCLaftOPg/Uc_shy4EPSI/AAAAAAAANNk/WOIqUEC6vTk/s350/India+to+host+2016+World+T20.jpg" /></a></div>It was double bonanza for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as they would host the World Twenty20 for the first time in 2016 and their fourth 50-over World Cup in 2023.<br />
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The BCCI was awarded the two events during the International Cricket Council (ICC) Annual Conference that ended here on Saturday. India was represented by interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, also a former ICC president.<br />
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During the conference, the ICC finalised its global events from 2015 to 2023 and decided that full members have to play a minimum of 16 Tests over a four-year period to retain their Test status.<br />
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The ICC also confirmed that the inaugural ICC World Test Championship will be staged in 2017 and will be hosted by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) June-July. The second edition, slated for 2021, will be held in in India in February-March.<br />
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The ECB will also host the 2019 World Cup and Cricket Australia (CA) got the hosting rights of the 2020 World Twenty20. The ICC Board supported the strategy of ensuring an optimum balance between the three formats of the game - especially Test cricket.<br />
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To ensure that all ODIs played over the four-year cycle between ICC Cricket World Cups count towards a team's ranking, the ICC Board agreed to change the ODI rankings period from three years to four years.<br />
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For the sake of consistency, the ICC Board also agreed to change the calculation of the T20 rankings to cover the same period.<br />
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Meanwhile, the ICC also reviewed an inspection report by the ICC Venue Consultant on the venues for the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 and expressed its concern regarding the progress of construction and improvements to playing facilities in Cox's Bazar and Sylhet.<br />
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The Board noted that a further inspection and report is scheduled for August after which a final decision will be taken on the venues for the event.<br />
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Afghanistan was confirmed as the 37th Associate Member of the ICC while Romania was accepted as an Affiliate Member.<br />
adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-58334265056340951332013-06-29T02:24:00.002-07:002013-06-29T02:24:23.712-07:00Prakash Jha's 'Satyagraha' to release on August 30<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-isfjMu-T82M/Uc6nwf7f6WI/AAAAAAAANNQ/-e8W5p3ZXDM/s350/satya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-isfjMu-T82M/Uc6nwf7f6WI/AAAAAAAANNQ/-e8W5p3ZXDM/s350/satya.jpg" /></a></div>Filmmaker Prakash Jha's socio-drama 'Satyagraha' starring biggies like Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor will hit the screens on August 30.<br />
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UTV Motion Pictures and Jha announced the release date of the multi-starrer with an impressive cast including Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpayee and Amrita Rao among others, a statement issued here said.<br />
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"August is a very crowded month with three big movies releasing back to back. We have a two-weeks clear window now for Satyagraha and all three much awaited movies in August will get their due breathing space," said Jha.<br />
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The other two big films to release in August are Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Chennai Express' (August 8), Milan Luthria's 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara' (August 15).adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-60312091399134237402013-06-29T02:22:00.005-07:002013-06-29T02:22:53.931-07:00Wayne Rooney alert - Manchester United set for sale talks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-91OoJGTdJwE/Uc6nZXkga3I/AAAAAAAANNI/eJ_xSq79hNA/s350/rooney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-91OoJGTdJwE/Uc6nZXkga3I/AAAAAAAANNI/eJ_xSq79hNA/s350/rooney.jpg" /></a></div>Manchester United are ready to meet their star striker Wayne Rooney as the forward continues to show interest in leaving Old Trafford - with Chelsea and Arsenal keeping a close eye on the proceedings, the Daily Mail has reported.<br />
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Rooney had asked for transfer last season as well, which led him to the bench for the final few games in the season; however, that hasn't deterred Rooney from looking out.<br />
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The newspaper suggests that the new United manager David Moyes is making notes to discuss the price tag for Rooney. While Chelsea and Arsenal remain front-runners to take him home, the 27-year-old Rooney hasn't ruled out a switch abroad.<br />
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adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2377294662398190688.post-81690361238227361882013-06-29T02:21:00.001-07:002013-06-29T02:21:29.292-07:00IAF begins de-induction of aircraft as rescue ops start to wind up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fj7scNmTo0o/Uc6nEPEtnnI/AAAAAAAANNA/06yBGJmIhc0/s350/uttarakhand-chopper-crash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fj7scNmTo0o/Uc6nEPEtnnI/AAAAAAAANNA/06yBGJmIhc0/s350/uttarakhand-chopper-crash.jpg" /></a></div>The Indian Air Force (IAF) started de-induction of its aircraft from flood-hit Uttarakhand on Saturday as rescue operations reached their last leg across the state. However, the IAF will keep some of its choppers on standby at Dharasu and Gauchar for future requirements.<br />
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Weather conditions in Joshimath improved on Saturday morning, prompting chopper rescue operations to start and the government hopes to complete all evacuations by the end of the day. But the main challenge now is the evacuation of those 2000 people who are still stranded in the upper reaches of the state.<br />
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Many pilgrims in Badrinath are being rescued by a newly constructed foot track in Govindghat valley. "Only the Army has been helping. It has been such a difficult journey. Now with the new foot walk, finally it looks like there is hope," said one of the stranded people.<br />
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Officials said constructing roads will take some more time, primarily because of bad weather. "Jindal Group has sent three helicopters and we are rescuing people in Joshimath. The most difficult obstacle is the weather, when we have to wait for it to settle down before flying out. I have rescued more than a thousand people here," said SK Jana, a civil pilot.<br />
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The road from Joshimath to Govindghat has also been restored and pilgrims are being evacuated on foot. In Kedarnath, mass cremation of bodies is still continuing.<br />
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But food supplies are quickly running out in some villages that are completely cut off.<br />
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After rescuing all stranded pilgrims and tourists, the challenge will be to rebuild many of the areas and the Rural Development Ministry has doubled the allocation of housing units in Uttarakhand Indira Awas Yojna by adding another 14,000 units.<br />
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While they rush to complete the rescue operations, authorities are also worried about the rising levels of the Bhagirathi river. Worried residents of Uttarkashi are being evacuated and many can often be seen standing on roof tops of their houses as they watch the fierce river gush into their properties. Local officials said they are keeping a close watch on the water level.<br />
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"We are calling workers to set up stones to control water inflow. It seems that the small temple on the way is reducing the pace of water. Nearby houses have been evacuated. We will see what else can be done to control these floods," said KK Singh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Uttarkashi.<br />
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But with 2,000 people left to be evacuated from places including Badrinath and Harsil, the defence forces have deployed around 50 helicopters and over 8,000 troops in flood-hit Uttarakhand. The IAF has deployed 37 choppers along with 13 helicopters of the Army. Together, they have flown 84 sorties in the last 24 hours for evacuating the stranded pilgrims in the state, a Defence Ministry release said.<br />
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The armed forces have been successful in bringing out over 650 people from the pilgrimage town of Badrinath and Harsil in the last 24 hours, it said. In the operations which started on June 17, the two forces have deployed over 60 choppers which have flown 2,518 sorties and overall evacuated around 46,000 people from the higher reaches of the state.<br />
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Meanwhile, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne received the bodies of the five IAF personnel who were killed in a helicopter crash on Tuesday. The Air Force also carried out a mission using its ALH Dhruv choppers in Gaurikund to bring the bodies from the crash site for postmortem and for DNA analysis at Dehradun.<br />
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Wing Commander Daryll Castellino, Flight Lieutenants Tapan Kapoor and K Praveen, Junior Warrant Officer AK Singh and Sergeant Sudhakar Yadav were among the 20 people who lost their lives in the chopper crash.<br />
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The mortal remains of Wing Commander Castelino arrived in Mumbai on Saturday. The Indian Air Force will also fly the remains of Flight Lieutenant Praveen, Junior Warrant Officer Singh and Sargent Yadav to Madurai, Fursatganj and Gorakhpur respectively.<br />
adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08342196440397194168noreply@blogger.com0