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Bangladesh resume play after rain halts first ODI

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Soumya Sarkar

Mirpur: Bangladesh resumed their innings after rain halted their march against India in the first One-Day International (ODI) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here on Thursday.

The match was stopped for nearly an hour. But no curtailment in overs were announced when the play resumed.

Bangaldesh got a rollicking start to their innings and reached 119/1 in 15.4 overs after skipper Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and decided to bat.

Taim Iqbal (57 not out) and Litton Das (unbeaten 3) were at the crease when play was stopped because of rain.

Openers Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar (54) punished the Indian bowlers from the very beginning and put the home team in a strong position.

They put together a 100-run partnership in just 79 balls.

But just when they threatened to take the match away from India, their momentum was broken when Das was run out after getting involved in a mix-up with his partner.

(IANS)

NASA: The Earth is running out of water

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More than half of the world’s 37 largest aquifers are losing water due to population and climate stresses

Lake Hume stands at 4 percent during a drought in Victoria, Australia. (Photo: Tim J Keegan/cc/flickr)

Lake Hume stands at 4 percent during a drought in Victoria, Australia. (Photo: Tim J Keegan/cc/flickr)

by Lauren McCauley, Common Dreams

Bottom line: the Earth is running out of water.

Two new NASA studies led by researchers from the University of California Irvine and published Tuesday show that the depletion of global groundwater resources, due to the dueling impacts of global warming and growing human demand, has caused the world’s water supply to drop to dangerous levels.

The first report compares statistical analysis of water withdrawal to GRACE satellite analysis, which measures variations in gravity on the Earth’s surface, between January 2003 and December 2013. The study compares the difference between the use and availability of these resources to determine the amount of overall renewable groundwater stress, or RGS.

According to the findings, at 21 of the 37 largest aquifers, water is being drained at a greater rate than it is being naturally replenished, 13 of which fell into the most troubled category.

In the United States, the Central Valley aquifer in California—a region known as much for its heavy agriculture as for its ongoing record drought—falls into this group.

“The water table is dropping all over the world,” said Jay Famiglietti, senior water scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who took part in the research. “There’s not an infinite supply of water.”

The second study examines total groundwater storage capacity and found that many estimates are outdated and may even be smaller than previously thought.

Whereas previous definitions of water stress do not account for groundwater as a water supply source, the researchers explain that groundwater is now “increasingly relied upon during times of drought as a resilient water supply source.” Further, they state, “Groundwater is currently the primary source of freshwater for approximately two billion people.”

The researchers warn that as water resources are strapped to meet future demands “due to population growth and climate change”—both of which, they note, may alter the distribution of available freshwater— “the global population without access to potable water will likely increase.”

“We need to get our heads together on how we manage groundwater,” Famiglietti added, “because we’re running out of it.”

"My debut film 'Uvaa' is a clean & wholesome family entertainer": Dhanraj Jethani

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Dhanraj Jethani

Distributor turned producer Dhanraj Jethani is now ready with his latest offering titled ‘Uvaa’. Incidentally speaking ‘Uvaa’ is a story about 5 youngsters who are living a carefree life with a carefree attitude and a lot of “Dangamasti” thrown in, until they witness a young girl being tossed out of a car and when they try to help her, their own life gets embroiled in tensional turmoil. ‘Uvaa’ is releasing on 26th Jun, 2015 and Dhanraj Jethani is very hopeful that it will achieve a grand success.

How was your journey so far in Bollywood?

I started my filmy journey in Bollywood by distributing films. The last one I distributed was ‘1920 Returns’.

Then how come you thought of jumping onto the production bandwagon?

I just thought that I should do something different after distributing films even otherwise I think that distribution & production are like the 2 sides of the same coin.

So what is your debut film ‘Uvaa’ as a producer all about?

My debut film ‘Uvaa’ is the story of 5 youngsters, hailing from UP, who are always involved in a lot of brawls and then their parents get them admitted in an English speaking institution and wonder of wonders the atmosphere out their has complete change of heart in them.

Please continue!

And then one fine day they witness a strange incident on the road. They see that a young girl is being tossed out of a car who then flee away. Now the youngsters of our film rush to her help. But soon enough they all get embroiled in a vicious political system not to forget the cop’s dragnet.

So what is the underlining message of ‘Uvaa’?

All through the film there is an underlining social message. You see actually the girl who is tossed out of the car turns out to be a victim of a gangrape. So ‘Uvaa’ is like questioning the Government, their vicious political system, and the cops who are also involved in this vicious political system.

Then what kind of a film is ‘Uvaa’ in reality?

Frankly speaking ‘Uvaa’ is a clean & wholesome family entertainer albeit with an underlining social message. There is no cheapness and not even an iota of vulgarity. The whole family can see the film in totality and enjoy its music which is the mainstay of the film. It is also a comedy drama so that you can laugh your guts out. Nowhere have we shown the actual rape. But the film focuses mainly on the aftermath of the rape scenario. With this incident of the rape kaand we are also trying to question PM Narendra Modi, who is in total favor of our “Betiyaan”. Then why this gross injustice against the “Daughters Of India” and will such rape kaand ever have an end to it so that one fine day our daughters can feel & breathe safely on the Indian soil. Period!

Uvaa

UN: Millions face food emergency in war-torn Yemen

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Ongoing conflict creating “emergency level” scarcity of staple foods and other commodities, new report finds.

Children fetching water in Yemen's capital Sana'a. (Photo: UNICEF/Yasin)

Children fetching water in Yemen’s capital Sana’a. (Photo: UNICEF/Yasin)

by Al Jazeera

At least six million people in Yemen are in urgent need of emergency food and life-saving assistance, a new United Nations (UN) investigation has found.

The UN report, released on Thursday, said 10 out of Yemen’s 22 governorates are facing an “emergency level” food security situation amid the ongoing conflict, including major areas like Aden, Taiz, Saa’da and Al Baida.

“We are seeing a serious and sharp deterioration of the food security situation because of the ongoing conflict, which is also making humanitarian access difficult,” said Salah El Hajj Hassan, Yemen Representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.

“Unless access to the affected population is guaranteed to provide humanitarian assistance, further deterioration of the situation is very likely.”

The European Union-funded study said the ongoing conflict has created “a scarcity of staple foods and other essential commodities, disrupting livelihoods, markets, agriculture and fisheries, import, export and commercial activities, among others.”

“With the fluidity of the situation and until a political solution is in place, we will continue to see an increase in the number of people struggling to feed themselves and their families and further deterioration in food security across Yemen,” said Purnima Kashyap, a World Food Programme official.

Talks in Geneva between the exiled Yemeni government and the Houthi rebel group continue to stall, and have been extended until Friday.

Shortage during Ramadan

As Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of prayer and fasting, started on Thursday, Yemenis in the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa said they are facing difficulties with the rise of living costs.

The Saudi-led coalition’s campaign and sanctions have meant fuel shortages and power cuts as well as a near halt on imports, leading to inflation in basic food items.

“We are suffering from a lack of water, electricity, fuel and from everything else,” said Sanaa resident Abdullah Saleh.

In Sanaa, tens of men, women and children line up daily to collect water from wells run by charities and what they gather is just about enough for their needs.

Power cuts have added to residents’ woes, especially as the holy month approaches.

“I don’t know how the Yemenis are going to welcome in the first day of Ramadan in light of a total or partial lack of fuel including gas, diesel and petrol and a suffocating food crisis,” said local resident Khaled al Awbaly.

Nine killed in South Carolina 'hate crime' shooting

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Police say a white gunman killed at least nine people at historic African-American church in city of Charleston.

Police have released photos of the suspect of the shooting [The Associated Press]

Police have released photos of the suspect of the shooting [The Associated Press]

by Al Jazeera

An unknown gunman has killed at least nine people at a historic African-American church in the US city of Charleston, in what police called a hate crime.

Reports on Thursday said police found eight bodies inside the church. Two other victims were rushed to the hospital, where one of the injured died.

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley called the shooting “an unspeakable and heartbreaking tragedy”.

“We will make sure that this person will pay for this act.”

The suspect was described as a 21-year-old white man wearing a sweatshirt, jeans and boots, Charleston police said in a message on Twitter.

“I do believe that this is a hate crime,” Gregory Mullen, police chief of Charleston, told reporters.

“This is a situation, which is unacceptable in our society. We will catch this individual.”

Charleston Police Department spokesman Charles Francis said the shooting occurred at the Emanuel AME Church around 01:00 GMT. He had no information on victims.

Al Jazeera’s John Terrett, reporting from the US capital Washington DC, said church pastor Clementa Pinckney, who is also a state senator, reportedly was among the dead. Officials did not immediately release the names or any details of the victims.

Earlier on Wednesday, Pinckney met with former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who visited South Carolina as part of her presidential campaign.

A bomb threat was later reported near the scene of the church shooting, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Eric Watson said.

People who were gathered in the area were told by police to move back.

A police chaplain was present at the scene of the shooting, and a helicopter with a searchlight hovered overhead as officers combed through the area.

A group of several men stood in a circle in front of a hotel near the church. “We pray for the families, they’ve got a long road ahead of them,” Reverend James Johnson, a local civil rights activist, said during the impromptu prayer service.

The website for the church said it has one of the largest and oldest African-American congregations in the region. It was built in 1891 and is considered a historically significant building, according to the National Park Service.

Following the incident, US presidential candidate Jeb Bush cancelled his visit to Charleston later on Thursday.

Worshippers embrace after a group prayer across the street from the scene of a shooting in Charleston [AP]

Pakistan releases 113 Indian fishermen on Ramadan

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Pakistan-India-fisherman

Karachi: Pakistan today released 113 Indian fishermen lodged in a jail here in a goodwill gesture, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to greet him on the holy month of Ramadan amid a war of words between the two countries.

“We have got orders from Islamabad that the fishermen have been released from Malir jail as a goodwill gesture on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan starting tomorrow,” deputy jail superintendent Muhammad Hussain Sehto told PTI.

The 113 Indian fishermen will travel to Lahore by Karakoram Express and will be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border tomorrow.

On their release, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) and jail authorities presented the traditional gift of Ajrak (blockprinted shawls) to the fishermen.

The Indian fishermen were released after Modi on June 16 called up Sharif to wish him on the occasion of  Ramadan and stressed the need for having “peaceful” and “friendly” bilateral ties.

In his telephonic conversation, Modi also conveyed to Sharif India’s decision to release detained Pakistani fishermen on the occasion of Ramadan, a move seen as a bid to lower tensions between the two countries.

Pakistan and India have been involved in a war of words recently with leaders from both sides exchanging sharp comments after Modi’s critical remarks about Pakistan during his Dhaka visit and in the wake of India’s military action in Myanmar.

India and Pakistan regularly arrest fishermen who venture into unmarked territorial waters of the two countries.

Last February, around 172 Indian fishermen were released from Malir jail.

(Agencies)

Yoga is for rich and lazy people: Karnataka Minister H Anjaneya

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Karnataka Social Welfare Minister H. Anjaneya

Karnataka Social Welfare Minister H. Anjaneya

Bengaluru: Amid the preparations for the upcoming International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21, a Karnataka minister on Wednesday said Yoga is for ‘lazy’ people who do not have time for exercise.

“Yoga is for lazy people, especially people belonging to well to do families. They do not have time for exercise in the open including taking a walk,” H Anjaneya told reporters here.

On the contrary, people who work in the fields and sweat it out, do not require Yoga, the minister said, even as the Congress government in the state is joining the rest of the country in observing June 21 as International Day of Yoga.

The social welfare minister said that more than anything else people should encourage their children to play outdoor games including running and walking, instead of practising yoga.

Asked whether his department will organize yoga exercises for students from Morarji Desai residential schools, Anjaneya said, “People should ask their children to indulge themselves in playing outdoor sports including running and long walks instead of yoga.”

Launching a tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the minister said he should not indulge in Yoga and spend time in running the country. “The PM should not profess or indulge in Yoga because his time is precious and instead he should spend time on running the country, which is his duty,” he said. The minister said there are Yoga gurus and experts to impart yoga.

(Agencies)

14-year-old minor raped by boyfriend, his friends

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RAPE

Bengaluru: Three have been arrested for raping a 14-year-old girl in the city on Thursday June 18.

The accused are yet to be identified by the police, however it is said that one of the accused is the boyfriend of the girl.

As per the reports, the said boyfriend called the girl to his room on the pretext of meeting her. He then forced himself on her along with two other friends of his.

It is also said that the girl is in a state of shock, she had recently lost her father and lives with her mother and grandmother.

Emergency can happen again, cautions L K Advani

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a. Photo: Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times

a. Photo: Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times

New Delhi: BJP patriarch L K Advani’s statement that “forces that can crush democracy are stronger” now created a buzz in political circles leading to speculation that it was a barb aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi but RSS dismissed it while Congress and other BJP rivals shared his concern.

“At the present point of time, the forces that can crush democracy, notwithstanding the constitutional and legal safeguards, are stronger,” Advani told Indian Express in an interview.

In the years since the Emergency in 1975-77, he said, “I don’t think anything has been done that gives the assurance that civil liberties will not be suspended or destroyed again. Not at all.”

“Of course, one can do it easily…But that it cannot happen again–I will not say that. It could be that fundamental liberties are curtailed again,” the former Deputy Prime Minister, who is now a member of the BJP’s Margadarshak Mandal, and was incarcerated during the Emergency along with a number of opposition stalwarts then. Advani also said that he did not see any sign in the polity that assures him any outstanding aspect of leadership with a commitment to democracy and to all other aspects related to democracy is lacking.

“Today, I do not say that the political leadership is not mature. I don’t have faith because of its weaknesses. I don’t have the confidence that it (Emergency) cannot happen again.”

Commenting on Advani’s remarks, RSS ideologue M G Vaidya said Advani is a member of the BJP’s Magadarshak Mandal and he did not think he was sending a message to Modi.

“I don’t feel anything like that. He (Advani) is quite senior in age and experience. So he can talk to Modi. He is in the ‘Margdarshak Mandal’ of BJP. I don’t think he has an intention of sending a message to Modi through this interview.” BJP spokesperson M J Akbar also felt it was not aimed at individuals but at institutions.

“I think Advanji was referring to institutions rather than to individuals. I respect his views, but I personally don’t see emergency, any chance of any emergency being reimposed in the country. I think that age is over, Indian democracy is too strong, much stronger now,” he said.

However, Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan latched on to Advani’s remarks saying the “jury is out” from the ruling party itself and he was indeed hinting at “emergency-like” situation under Modi’s rule.

“Today the jury is out. Advaniji is vocal. What he had to say, he has said,” he told reporters. “It is obvious whom he is talking about, whose government is there, who is the Prime Minister. He knows it. But he is a statesman-like leader of the BJP. He did not want to name the Prime Minister. But whoever reads the interview, he/she would understand he is talking about Modi,” Vadakkan said.

Quoting from Advani’s remarks, he said the veteran leader is “right” when he says the present situation in the country signals towards emergency.

(PTI)

Lalitgate: Cong questions PM's silence, says he too is liable

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modi

New Delhi: Congress today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his “silence” on the Lalitgate, saying he should come out of his ‘meditation’ and answer the nation as he too is “liable”.

“It is ordinance raj. All mantris have become tantris. One minister, what he or she eats, drinks, where they go. The Prime Minister knows everything. But he is unaware when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was talking to UK authorities on Lalit Modi’s travel documents.

“That means, there was consent of the Prime Minister (for granting travel documents to Lalit Modi)…he is liable. Prime Minister Modi should come out of political Vipassana, and keep truth before the nation,” Congress spokesman Tom Vadakkan told reporters.

Asked about reports of scam-tainted former IPL chief Lalit Modi hosting Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Rajiv Shukla too, Vadakkan said they did not hold any official post unlike Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and hence, there was no quid pro quo.

According to media reports, ex-IPL chief had hosted Tharoor, Shukla and Raje at a Mumbai hotel in 2010. Raje was Opposition Leader in Rajasthan Assembly then.

“Now it has come to fore that the then Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan, who is the Chief Minister now, her bills were paid by IPL. Those who are against us will say Tharoor was there, Shukla was there, (NCP chief Sharad) Pawar was there, but they were not Leader of Opposition. In Raje’s case, it is proved there was quid pro quo,” he claimed.

On reports claiming that Raje’s son Dushyant had business links with the former IPL chief, Vadakkan said the matter needs to be investigated.

“It is very difficult to say which Modi has what relations with whom. If the relations are with Chhota (Lalit) Modi, then in whose protection Chhota Modi is, who is giving him transit passport, these are all matters of investigation. These linkages involving Bada Modi, Chhota Modi can be established only then,” he said.

(PTI)

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