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Nagpur: India bundled out South Africa for just 79 runs on day two of the third cricket Test at VCA stadium, here today.
The hosts have taken a crucial 136-run first innings lead as South Africa posted their lowest total against India in Test cricket.
Brief Scores:
India 1st innings: 215 all out in 78.2 overs.(M Vijay 40, R Jadeja 34; M Morkel 3/35, S Harmer 3/78).
South Africa 1st innings: 79 all out in 33.1 overs.(JP Duminy 35; R Ashwin 5/32, R Jadeja 4/33).
(Agencies)
New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday targeted the Narendra Modi government during a debate in parliament, saying that the principles that inspired the country for decades were being “deliberately attacked”.
In her speech in the Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi spoke of the contribution of B.R. Ambedkar to the making of the constitution and also recalled his words praising the contribution of the Congress to the process of its adoption.
Attacking the Modi government during the debate on commitment to India’s constitution, she said: “Whatever we have seen for the past few months, it is against the values of constitution.”
“Today is a day of happiness but there is also pain. The principles that inspired (us) for decades, a danger is lurking over them. They are being deliberately attacked,” she said.
“The people who have no faith in constitution, who have not contributed to its making, they are talking about it repeatedly, are trying to appropriate it. There cannot be a bigger joke,” she added.
The Congress has for the past some months persistently attacked the Modi government over “rising intolerance”.
The house on Thursday took up discussion on commitment to India’s Constitution as part of 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Ambedkar, regarded as the chief architect of the constitution.
The day is also being observed as the Constitution Day, commemorating the acceptance of draft statute on this day in 1949.
(Agencies)
Patna: Bihar will go dry from April 1, 2016, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced on Thursday.
The chief minister made the announcement — a part of his election pledge — at an official function to mark Prohibition Day here.
He said the poorest of the poor had been consuming liquor, badly hitting their families and their children’s education.
Increasing liquor consumption was also a major cause for domestic violence, particularly against women, and had contributed to a rise in crimes.
“Women are suffering more than anyone else due to increasing liquor consumption,” he said.
An official at the chief minister’s office said Nitish Kumar took the decision after a high-level meeting with officials here.
In July, Nitish Kumar had declared that prohibition would be imposed if he retained power in the assembly elections.
Bihar Excise and Prohibition Minister Abdul Jalil Mastan had earlier said that the state government would soon take steps to impose a liquor ban.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Wednesday vowed to support a liquor ban.
The decision is expected to derail the government’s financial health.
The excise department went into an overdrive in 2007 following a new policy and started issuing licences for marketing liquor across the state.
The revenue collection of excise department registered a more than 10-fold jump, from Rs.319 crore in 2005-06 to Rs.3,650 crore in 2014-15.
(IANS)
Suicide car bombing targets hotel, killing seven people including two judges, in latest violence to hit peninsula.
![ISIL claimed responsibility for the October 31 crash of the Russian passenger jet in Sinai [Reuters]](https://i0.wp.com/nasheman.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ISIL.jpg)
ISIL claimed responsibility for the October 31 crash of the Russian passenger jet in Sinai [Reuters]
A suicide car bombing claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) targeted a hotel in Egypt’s northern Sinai region, killing at least seven people, including two judges, according to the state MENA news agency.
The attack on the Swiss Inn hotel in the coastal city of El Arish on Tuesday was the latest violence to hit the troubled peninsula, where Egyptian troops are struggling to put down ISIL.
The attack was quickly claimed by ISIL’s affiliate based in the Sinai Peninsula.
The attack came a day after Egypt held the second round of parliamentary elections. Judges who supervised the vote in Sinai were staying in the heavily guarded hotel.
MENA’s report said four policemen and a civilian were also among the seven killed, and that at least 10 people were wounded. The agency cited an unnamed security official.
The attack began as Egyptian troops and policemen guarding the Swiss Inn hotel opened fire on a suspicious, explosives-laden car approaching the building, blowing it up before it reached the hotel, the military said.
One detonated an explosives vest in the hotel’s kitchen, while the second opened fire in a hotel room.
The military said all armed men involved in the attack were killed, but gave no other details.
The Sinai branch of ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on social media accounts.
It said the attack was carried out by two fighters: the suicide car bomber and an armed man, who is alleged to have opened fire inside the hotel before blowing himself up.
The group also posted pictures of the two attackers and identified them as Abu Hamza al-Muhajer and Abu Wadhaa al-Muhajer.
Russian plane crash
Sinai was also shaken last month when a Russian passenger airliner crashed in the north of the peninsula, killing all 224 people on board.
Russia has said an explosive device placed on board the Airbus 321-200 was to blame for the October 31 crash, which took place 23 minutes after takeoff from the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh in southern Sinai.
The local ISIL branch claimed responsibility for the crash and posted a photo purportedly showing the bomb used to down the plane.
The crash led Russia to suspend all flights to and from Egypt, while Britain suspended flights to Sharm el-Sheikh.
The suspensions have dealt a severe blow to Egypt’s vital tourism industry, deepening the country’s economic woes.
NATO urges de-escalation of tensions after Turkey angers Russia by shooting down warplane near Syria border.
![The Russian warplane was shot down by Turkish air-to-air missile near the Syria border on Tuesday [Reuters]](https://i0.wp.com/nasheman.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/russia-turkey.jpg)
The Russian warplane was shot down by Turkish air-to-air missile near the Syria border on Tuesday [Reuters]
Russia’s defence ministry has announced suspension of military cooperation with Turkey and Sergey Lavrov, foreign minister, has cancelled a planned trip to Turkey following the downing of a Russian warplane near the Turkey-Syria border on Tuesday.
The Russian Sukhoi Su-24 warplane was shot down for allegedly violating Turkish airspace, angering Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, who compared the incident to being “stabbed in the back”.
Russia also warned its citizens not to travel to Turkey, saying it was unsafe, and deployed a warship to the coastline near where the plane crashed.
The plane crashed in Syrian territory in Latakia’s Yamadi village.
One of the two Russian pilots who ejected from the jet was picked up by the Syrian army and is being taken to Russia’s base there, Russia’s ambassador to France said on Wednesday.
Alexandre Orlov told Europe 1 radio: “One on board was wounded when he parachuted down and killed in a savage way on the ground by the jihadists in the area.
“The other managed to escape and, according to the latest information, has been picked up by the Syrian army and should be going back to the Russian air force base.”
A Russian helicopter was also shot at on Tuesday as it took part in the search for the two pilots near the Turkish-Syrian border, opposition groups in Syria said.
Turkey, Russia and their respective allies have entered a war of words after the incident, raising tensions in a region struggling to cope with the ongoing Syrian conflict.
Putin sharply criticised Turkey for establishing contact with NATO to discuss the incident, prior to contacting Russia.
“Today’s loss is linked to a stab in the back delivered to us by accomplices of terrorists. I cannot qualify what happened today as anything else,” Putin said in televised comments.
“Our plane was shot down over the territory of Syria by an air-to-air missile from a Turkish F-16 jet. It fell in Syrian territory four kilometres from the border with Turkey. Our pilots and our plane did not in any way threaten Turkey.
“Instead of immediately establishing contacts with us, as far as we know Turkey turned to its NATO partners to discuss this incident – as if we had hit their plane and not the other way around,” he said.
Russia has been carrying out air strikes in Syria since September, saying it is targeting ISIL and al-Nusra Front.
The Syrian opposition and Western powers, however, say the Russian strikes have mainly targeted rebel groups fighting the Syrian government – an ally of Russia.
Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey’s prime minister, said Turkey had a duty to act against anyone violating its borders.
“Everyone must know that it is our international right and national duty to take any measure against whoever violates our air or land borders,” he said in Ankara.
“Turkey will not hesitate to take all steps to protect the country’s security.”
While NATO called for the two nations to show restraint, Jens Stoltenberg, the alliance secretary-general, said: “We stand in solidarity with Turkey and support the territorial integrity of our NATO ally.”
The US also backed Turkey’s right to defend its territory.
President Barack Obama said while the US did not have enough information to form conclusions about the incident, similar confrontations could be avoided if Russia stopped attacking “moderate” Syrian rebels who are battling forces loyal to the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
“This points to an ongoing problem with the Russian operations in the sense that they are operating very close to a Turkish border and they are going after moderate opposition that are supported by not only Turkey but a wide range of countries,” Obama said.
Meanwhile, the Syrian government backed its key ally Russia, with a military official telling the state SANA news agency that by shooting down the Russian plane, Turkey had committed “a gross violation of Syrian sovereignty”.
“The desperate acts of aggression will only increase our determination to continue the war against the terrorist organisations with the support and help of Syria’s friends, mainly Russia,” the official said.
A major point of contention is whether the Russian jet crossed into Turkish airspace, with the two nations releasing their own satellite images showing conflicting views of the jet’s final flight path.
A US official told Al Jazeera that the penetration of Turkish airspace by the Russian jet lasted “only a matter of seconds” as it crossed a roughly 3km wide section of Turkey that took only 20 seconds to traverse.
Russia, however, vehemently denied that its plane ever crossed into Turkish airspace.
The alleged airspace violation by the Russian warplane, according to Turkish authorities.
Nagpur: South Africa bowlers removed both Indian openers as the hosts reached 85/2 at lunch on the opening day of the third cricket Test at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium here on Wednesday.
Cheteshwar Pujara (18) and skipper Virat Kohli (11) were at the crease for India when lunch was called.
Opting to bat first on a dry and slow pitch, the hosts got off to a modest start, taking time to settle down and assessing the nature of the pitch.
Both openers Murali Vijay (40) and Shikhar Dhawan (12) made sure they spent as much time at the crease.
But soon after their 50-run opening stand, left-arm spinner Dean Elgar brought the early breakthrough for the visitors by dismissing Dhawan inside first 15 overs of play.
Dhawan, who tried to come down the track and drive the ball away, only managed to hit the inside half of the bat which resulted in the ball going straight back at Elgar who took a good diving catch in front of the stumps to dismiss the left-handed batsman.
Pujara joined Vijay in the middle but just a few overs before the lunch the Proteas struck yet again to leave India at 69/2.
Seamer Morne Morkel bowled a terrific delivery at 142 kmph at Vijay who looked to play through the leg side but missed it and was struck right in front of the middle stump, thus helping the umpire to make an easy leg before the wicket (LBW) decision.
The hosts lead the series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Mohali and the second having been washed out in Bengaluru.
(IANS)
Panaji: Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman on Tuesday said the intolerance debate in India is becoming “chaotic”, adding “we should set an example by resorting to non-violent ways to protest”.
“Any type of revolt should be classical. It is becoming very chaotic. People are hitting each other. We should set an example because we come from the land of Mahatma Gandhi. We have shown the world how all revolution can be done without violence,” Rahman said on the sidelines of Film Bazaar here.
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan’s intolerance comments created a stir in the society with sections of political parties criticising him, and some supporting him.
Aamir had shared that his wife Kiran Rao suggested leaving India in the face of intolerance. The comments came after Shah Rukh Khan also faced public wrath over his “extreme intolerance” comment. He was termed a “Pakistani agent”.
Rahman, known as the ‘Mozart of Madras’, had also faced religious resistance over his “decision” to compose the music of “Muhammad: The Messenger of God”.
The artist with international recognition said: “I have gone through something similar sometime ago. And I then also mentioned that nothing should be violent.”
“We all are ultra civilised people. It is a chaotic protest . We should show to the world that we are one of the most civilised culture,” he said while addressing a session at the annual film market.
(IANS)
Bengaluru: On the eve of Winter session of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi today said Congress “strongly” believed in GST, but government should reach out to the Opposition on certain issues, including the cap on rate.
The Congress vice president outlined the party’s stand on the contentious Goods and Service Tax(GST) Bill even as he made an all-round attack on the Modi government calling it “much worse” than “suit-boot-ki-sarkar.” The NDA government is keen to push key reforms legislations like the stalled GST bill in the Winter session.
Fielding questions on a wide range of issues during an interaction with students of a women’s college here, Gandhi also spoke on the “rising intolerance”, saying it “disturbs” him as an Indian, highlighting that “live and let live” was the country’s biggest strength.
Targeting Narendra Modi, Gandhi said he believes the country could be run from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and that he alone could transform the country.
The interaction was the first in the series of Gandhi’s outreach to the students across the campuses in the country.
Targeting Modi’s style of functioning, Gandhi said there were very few people with decision-making powers at the Centre and “one man decides every single decision.”
“…one man can’t have all the answers…,” he said, adding dialogue was very important.
Asked about GST, which is hanging fire for the last several years, Gandhi said, “we strongly believe in GST.”
He said GST and other bills were “very important” but the government’s approach has to be one of reaching out to the Opposition.
Speaking to reporters later, Gandhi said the Congress would raise in Parliament the issues of “rising intolerance”, which was “very disturbing”, GST and also Prime Minister’s “silence” on various issues.
Questioned why the GST bill was being stalled, he said it was Congress which brought it forward and “…we are for GST…we support GST…” But, he noted, the BJP had opposed it and blocked it for three years with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, then in the Opposition, even justifying blocking Parliament as a strategy.
Gandhi said there were three differences between BJP and Congress on GST. They related to cap on tax to be charged, dispute resolution and one per cent tax on inter-state sales (doing away with it).
He said government had to accept the fact that Congress “sits in Parliament”, “Congress has a view” and “Congress has 20 per cent hope” (referring to the people’s mandate).
Attacking the Modi government for not having “conversation” with the Opposition, he said the Prime Minister had not even once picked up phone and spoken to any Congress leader, which his predecessor Manmohan Singh used to do.
(Agencies)
New Delhi: Scores of Aam Aadmi Party workers today held protest outside the house of BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma in Karkardoma area over his alleged derogatory remarks against AAP MLA Alka Lamba, demanding permanent suspension of the lawmaker from Delhi Assembly.
Protestors, most of them women, raised slogans against the BJP MLA, saying they would not “tolerate the insult of woman.”
Delhi Assembly Speaker Ramniwas Goel yesterday suspended Sharma till Thursday for using derogatory language against the Chandani Chowk MLA during a discussion on night shelters.
“Suspension is not enough. Sharma made derogatory remarks against a woman MLA and strict action needs to be taken against him,” said an AAP woman worker.
In view of the protest, police erected barricades outside Sharma’s residence to prevent protestors.
“BJP MLA has no right to continue as a legislator. He should be suspended from the Delhi Assembly,” said another AAP woman worker.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal yesterday expressed his shock over the comments and hoped BJP would take action against him.
“Am shocked at language used by O P Sharma, BJP MLA, against a lady MLA. 2 days back also, he abused a lady MLA. Hope BJP will act against him (sic),” Kejriwal tweeted.
Due to AAP MLAs’ protest, House proceedings were disrupted and Speaker had to adjourn Assembly twice.
AAP’s women legislators demanded Sharma’s permanent suspension from the House.
(Agencies)
Mumbai: Under attack over his remarks on intolerance, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan today asserted that he stood by his comments and made it clear that neither he nor his wife Kiran Rao have any intention of leaving the country.
50-year-old Aamir, who drew flak from BJP and a section of film fraternity for expressing his “alarm and despondency” over the rise in recent incidents of intolerance, came out with a statement, saying he is “proud to be an Indian”.
“First let me state categorically that neither I, nor my wife Kiran, have any intention of leaving the country. We never did, and nor would we like to in the future.
“Anyone implying the opposite has either not seen my interview or is deliberately trying to distort what I have said. India is my country, I love it, I feel fortunate for being born here, and this is where I am staying,” he said.
The actor had kicked up a political storm with his remarks at a function in Delhi on Monday about his wife expressing fear for their child in the current atmosphere.
He had said, “Kiran and I have lived all our life in India. For the first time, she said, should we move out of India… She fears for her child, she fears about what the atmosphere around us will be.”
In his statement today, a defiant Aamir showed no signs of relenting in the face of fierce criticism.
“I stand by everything that I have said in my interview. To all those people who are calling me anti-national, I would like to say that I am proud to be Indian, and I do not need anyone’s permission nor endorsement for that,” he said.
BJP had hit out at Aamir, saying “Where will he and his family go other than India? There is no other better country like India and no better neighbour than a Hindu for an Indian Muslim. What is the situation in Muslim countries and Europe. There is intolerance everywhere.”
Shielding him from the attack, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had said the government should instead of branding all those who question it and the Prime Minister as “unpatriotic, anti-national or motivated” reach out to people to understand what’s disturbing them.
In his statement, Aamir said, “To all the people shouting obscenities at me for speaking my heart out, it saddens me to say you are only proving my point.” He also thanked those who stood by him.
“To all the people who have stood by me, thank you. We have to protect what this beautiful and unique country of ours really stands for. We have to protect its integrity, diversity, inclusiveness, its many languages, its culture, its history, its tolerance, it’s concept of ekantavada, it’s love, sensitivity and its emotional strength,” he said.
The actor ended his statement by quoting Rabindranath Tagore’s famous poem, “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, Where knowledge is free, Where the world has not been broken up into fragments, by narrow domestic walls, Where words come out from the depth of truth,
“Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection, Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way, Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit, Where the mind is led forward by thee, Into ever-widening thought and action, Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.”
(Agencies)