Punjab Vigilance books 6 engineers, contractor for sand scam
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau today booked six engineers of irrigation department and a contractor for allegedly causing loss of Rs 5.47 crore to the state exchequer during desilting works of Harike Headworks barrage at its guide bandh (embankment). Uppal said Jatinderpal had "deliberately" favoured the contractor by not issuing any directions for proper disposal of de-silted sand as per the prescribed Mines and Minerals Rules. In addition to this, the accused engineers, in collusion with the contractor, have also allowed disposal of de-silted material at longer distances than the approved distance of 1.7 km. He said during the de-silting work, the accused irrigation engineers had never warned the defaulter contractor to accomplish the work within a stipulated time which itself explains their "collusion" with each other. He said the vigilance officers have been directed to probe the scam thoroughly and guilty persons would not be spared.
Source:dna
June 24, 2017 16:52 UTC
Women's World Cup: Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma star as India beat England in opener
India women's cricket team launched their campaign at the ICC Women's World Cup with a comfortable 35-run win over England, riding on superb batting display by the top-order, here today. It is India's first win over England in five years as they had lost all six previous matches to the hosts. Chasing 282 to win, England failed to build partnership with middle-order batswoman Fran Wilson (81 off 102) emerging as the highest scorer. Three overs later, Danielle Wyatt was caught and bowled by Sharma as England lost half their side. However, things slowed down in the next 10 overs with India reaching 97 for no loss in 20 overs.
Source:India Today
June 24, 2017 16:44 UTC
Defence partnership, counterterrorism on agenda of PM Modi, US President Trump meet next week
"The President and the Prime Minister will discuss ongoing cooperation, including counterterrorism, defence partnership in the Indo-Pacific region, global cooperation, burden-sharing, trade, law enforcement and energy. Indian envoy to the US Navtej Sarna has termed Modi's visit a "great opportunity for the two leaders to know each other". Sarna also expressed hope that the visit would provide sufficient time for Modi and Trump to get to know each other. According to reports, the US has cleared the sale of 22 American-made Guardian surveillance drones for India ahead of Modi's visit. Both sides will also discuss the sale of US fighter jets during Modi's visit.
Source:India Today
June 24, 2017 16:41 UTC
Gujarat Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela hits out at party leadership
Gandhinagar: Sending out a strong message to the party’s top leadership, veteran Gujarat Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela on Saturday hit out at the party for not doing enough to win elections in Gujarat and said that he would not prefer to be on a side that has already made up its mind to lose. The ruling BJP in Gujarat is looking to win 150+ out of 182 assembly seats in the upcoming state elections by poaching disgruntled Congress MLAs. As many as 36 MLAs (out of 57) had in April urged the central leadership to declare Vaghela as the CM candidate. In March, national BJP national president Shah and Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani met with Vaghela in his office, prompting speculation that Vaghela, a former chief minister and a former BJP leader, would again join hands with the saffron party. Vaghela had then clarified that he was going to remain with the Congress and had no plans to join the BJP.
Source:Mint
June 24, 2017 16:41 UTC
Mufti pays tribute to slain CRPF officer
Srinagar, Jun 24 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today paid tribute to the CRPF sub inspector who was killed here in a militant attack. The chief minister conveyed her sympathies to the bereaved family of the slain officer. She also wished speedy recovery to the jawans injured in the incident. PTI MIJ KUN
Source:India Today
June 24, 2017 16:41 UTC
Two terrorists holed up inside DPS, Sec 144 imposed
With two terrorists holed up inside the Delhi Public School building in Srinagar's Pantha Chowk, restrictions under Section 144 have been imposed from Jammu and Kashmir?s Ram Munshi Bagh to Sempora. ?Restrictions under Sec 144 imposed from Ram Munshi Bagh to Sempora (around Pantha Chowk attack site) with immediate effect,? Earlier in the day, one CRPF Sub-Inspector lost his life and two jawans were injured after terrorists attacked their vehicle near Srinagar. One SI lost his life and two of our personnel are injured," said Inspector General CRPF Ravideep Sahi said. There is no security lapse," Srivastava told media.
Source:dna
June 24, 2017 16:41 UTC
Gold for Anish
more-inAnish Bhanwala gave a robust start to the Indian challenge by clinching the 25-metre standard pistol gold in the Junor World shooting championship on Saturday. The 14-year-old Anish shot 579 to win the gold. Anish also bettered the junior world record of 574 set by Denis Koulakov of Russia in Lahti, Finland, in 2002. The results: Junior men: 25m standard pistol: 1. Anish Bhanwala 579 (WRJ); 2.
Source:The Hindu
June 24, 2017 16:30 UTC
PM Modi thanks Portugal for backing India's UN Security Council membership bid
Highlights 1 PM Modi met Portuguese Prime Minister Antonia Costa in Lisbon. 2 He thanked his Portugal counterpart for supporting India's permanent membership at UNSC. These agreements will promote India's science and technology partnership with Portugal, towards the establishment of a unique Centre on the Azores Archipelago - the Atlantic International Research Centre. They also launched a unique startup Portal - the India-Portugal International StartUp Hub (IPISH) - in Lisbon. This is a platform initiated by Startup India and supported by Commerce & Industry Ministry and Startup Portugal to create a mutually supportive entrepreneurial partnership.
Source:India Today
June 24, 2017 16:28 UTC
PM Modi will convey Indian IT companies' contribution to US economy to Trump: Sikka
Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka was responding to a query on whether Modi's visit to the US will salvage Indian IT industry to some extent. Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka said on Saturday Prime Minister Narendra Modi would convey the contribution made by Indian IT companies towards the US economy during his deliberations with President Donald Trump. All the IT industry in general is responsible for massive amount of value creation in US and its economy. Sikka was responding to a query if Modi's visit to the US will salvage Indian IT industry to some extent. Responding to another question, Sikka said he has been doing periodic reviews and working with his team closely.
Source:dna
June 24, 2017 16:20 UTC
India, Portugal sign 11 pacts to boost bilateral ties; PM Modi says determined to fight terrorism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left and Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa shake hands after a joint statement at the Necessidades Palace, the Portuguese Foreign Ministry in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday June 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Armando Franca) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left and Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa shake hands after a joint statement at the Necessidades Palace, the Portuguese Foreign Ministry in Lisbon, Portugal, Saturday June 24, 2017. He later addressed a joint press statement with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa. Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi began his address by sharing condolences for the victims of forest fire and their families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for United States from Portugal where he will meet US President Donald Trump.
Source:Indian Express
June 24, 2017 16:18 UTC
Such cowardly acts will only boost our morale: CRPF ADG on Pantha Chowk attack
Highlights 1 Cowardly acts do not affect the morale of security forces: CRPF ADG. 3 Terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba has claimed responsibility for the attack. "Such cowardly act doesn't affect the morale of security forces in fact it will boost it. Moments after the attack, terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) said that it was behind the terror act. Security forces have cordoned off the area and an intense search operation is underway.
Source:India Today
June 24, 2017 16:18 UTC
ICHR member secretary resigns
more-inWith Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR) member secretary Anand Shanker Singh resigning, the key post has fallen vacant again, months after it was filled. Mr. Singh wanted to go back to his home town Allahabad, months after taking charge, because of personal reasons. I need to go back to my family as my wife is ailing,” Mr. Singh told The Hindu. His resignation has been accepted by the ICHR, and he has been relieved of his duties. Mr. Singh, who was principal of the Iswar Saran Degree College in Allahabad, had joined the ICHR earlier this year.
Source:The Hindu
June 24, 2017 16:18 UTC
International airport at Noida in five years
more-inA second airport in the National Capital Region (NCR) will become a reality in the next five years as the Centre gave its nod to develop a “world class” international airport in Greater Noida’s Jewar region in Uttar Pradesh. The Noida International Airport will be built to handle 30-50 million passengers per year over the next decade, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said here on Saturday. The airport is aimed at easing the burden on Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport . The new airport will be built in two phases, with the first phase expected to be operational “in five-six years,” Civil Aviation Secretary R.N. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said the Noida International Airport will become “like an aerotropolis with an airport at the centre and a whole host of economic activities clustered around it.”
Source:The Hindu
June 24, 2017 16:18 UTC
Eman able to eat on her own, recovering well
Eman Ahmed, 36, who is currently being treated at the Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi continues to lose weight, according to her team of doctors. "She is able to use both her hands to feed herself and to take her medications orally," he added. The hospital said that Eman is able to sit independently for long periods on a specialised tailored wheelchair and her bedsores have healed. Her voice too is being reported to have become clear and she is able to speak full sentences. The second stage of planned treatment for Eman will start one week after Eid, which will include multiple steps of surgery to reduce weight including liposuction and plastic surgery.
Source:dna
June 24, 2017 16:07 UTC
World Taekwondo Federation changes its name over ‘negative’ acronym
Seoul: The World Taekwondo Federation has changed its name to World Taekwondo after becoming uncomfortable with the “negative connotations” of its acronym, WTF. The body was called the World Taekwondo Federation since 1973, but it has been considering a change since the slang abbreviation “WTF” gained currency on social media. “In the digital age, the acronym of our federation has developed negative connotations unrelated to our organization and so it was important that we rebranded to better engage with our fans,” World Taekwondo president Chungwon Choue said on the body’s website. The rebranding and launch of a new logo reflect a “commitment to evolving and adapting to remain relevant with today’s modern audiences”, World Taekwondo said.
Source:Mint
June 24, 2017 15:56 UTC