NorthEast Calling: April 2015

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

EPL: Hull City beat Liverpool 1-0 to edge clear of danger

London: Hull City edged towards Premier League safety with a 1-0 win over Liverpool on Tuesday that moved them four points clear of the relegation zone and shredded the visitors’ slim hopes of Champions League qualification.

Central defender Michael Dawson scored the only goal at the KC Stadium after 37 minutes, beating a hopeless Liverpool offside trap to head home and the hosts comfortably held on to record their second successive victory.

It moved them up to 15th place in the table with four games remaining, while Liverpool stayed fifth, seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United who occupy the final Champions League qualifying spot.

It was the second successive game in which Liverpool have failed to score and heaped pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers, whose side have taken four points from their last five games.

Liverpool last won the English title 25 years ago to the day and their performance against Steve Bruce’s strugglers made them look every inch a team in decline.

Although they had the upper hand in terms of possession, they created little going forward and looked frequently vulnerable at the back.

Hull seemed happy to concede the ball to the visitors in the early stages, safe in the knowledge that their infrequent forays forward and whipped crosses into the box regularly induced panic in the Liverpool ranks.

Sone Aluko should have put the hosts ahead after six minutes but headed straight at Simon Mignolet and Jake Livermore’s header forced the Liverpool keeper to parry as Hull sensed blood.

Liverpool’s only real effort on goal in the first half came when Philippe Coutinho’s shot from a Jordan Henderson corner forced Hull keeper Steve Harper into a sharp block.

The hosts, however, looked the more threatening and went ahead when Dawson timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap and head home a lofted ball from Ahmed Elmohamady.

Liverpool’s lack of firepower in the absence of the injured Daniel Sturridge was evident and they struggled as the match wore on, although Henderson forced a smart save from Harper.

Liverpool threw bodies into the box and Hull retreated but Bruce’s side looked comfortable as they followed up Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace with another crucial three points.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1IkQdeP

Rahul Gandhi takes a train to Punjab to meet grief-stricken farmers

New Delhi: In an attempt to reach out to the grief stricken farmers, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is visiting Khanna and Gobindgarh in Punjab. “I am going to Punjab because I have been told that situation of farmers is very bad there. I am going there to know the reality,” he said.

Farmers in the state are finding it difficult to sell their produce after the recent unseasonal rains. The state has also witnessed suicides by farmers. Khanna grain market is considered one of the largest grain markets in Asia.

The visit comes at a time when farmers in the region have accused the government of tardy wheat procurement. Gandhi took the train to travel to Punjab.

Rahul Gandhi takes a train to Punjab to meet grief-stricken farmers

Farmers in the state are finding it difficult to sell their produce after the recent unseasonal rains.

#rahul gandhi #unseasonal rains #congress #bjp

Congress leader Amarinder Singh had on Monday suggested that Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal stage a dharna along with his ministers outside the Prime Minister’s Office to seek his attention on farmers’ issue.

The Congress Deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, after visiting grain markets of Patiala and Khanna, had said, “If Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not giving time to Badal, he should better stage a dharna instead of loitering around and issuing hollow threats to seek his attention.”

Congress has been alleging that the government is not purchasing the produce of farmers adequately.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1bzeUXR

Bangla bandh will not be entertained, says CM Mamata Banerjee

File Photo

A day after three opposition parties in West Bengal – Left Front, BJP and Congress united to call a ‘Bangla bandh’ – a 12 hour state-wide strike on April 30, the West Bengal Chief Minister hit back. She alleged that a bandh will not be entertained.

“A bandh destroys the economy of the state and the country. I am urging all the opposition parties not to resort to this bandh as this also disturbs the democracy of the country,” said Banerjee.

She urged the opposition parties to take out rallies or submit deputation instead of resorting to a strike. “Take out rallies, arrange for meetings and submit deputation. We will allow it, but we will not allow a state shut down,” added Banerjee.

This apart, she requested the people of Bengal to continue with their daily routine and not support this bandh. “Continue with your daily routine. Keep your store and business centres open and help the state government,” Banerjee said.

While addressing media persons here in the city, she took a dig at the erstwhile Left Front government. “The erstwhile Left Front government always resorted to such bandhs as a result of which, the economy of the state has been disturbed,” said the Chief Minister.

The West Bengal Left Front called a ‘Bangla Bandh’ – a state wide strike – for 12 hours on April 30. A day later, BJP and Congress agreed to support this bandh against the alleged rigging by the ruling Trinamool Congress in the recently held civic polls.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1Ez2OJD

I am as good as my director, says Ranbir Kapoor

Ranbir Kapoor in a Bombay Velvet poster.

As someone who has teamed up with some of the best directors in Bollywood, Ranbir Kapoor says he considers himself as good as the filmmaker he is working with.

The 32-year-old actor, who will be next seen in the role of a street-fighter trying to make it big in Anurag Kashyap’s “Bombay Velvet”, loved collaborating with the “Dev D” helmer.

“I am as good as the director. I have always been selfish about working with good directors. Anurag has this reputation of being intense and a rebel but he’s like a teddy bear,” Ranbir said during second trailer launch of the movie, hitting screens on May 15.

Ranbir was supposed to do a different film but it did not work out and then he got “Bombay Velvet” script from Phantom’s Vikas Bahl.

“Vikas gave me this script and I read it on the plane and called up Anurag and told him that I wanted to do this role. Anurag, on the other hand, felt that I had always done urban characters. He told me he will get back to me in 2-3 days. He called me after a week,” Ranbir said.

The actor said the director is so loved by his crew that they felt ignored at times.

“If Anurag sneezed, the entire set was running for him. I have never seen such following. It is not demanded. I think Anurag inspires everybody around him and everyone has love for him.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1bzeUHn

West Bengal CM announces no victory marches to be carried out following Nepal earthquake

File Photo

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress supremo announces no victory marches would be carried out following a thumping victory in polls held to Kolkata Municipal Corporation and 91 civic bodies of the state after thousands of lives were claimed in Nepal earthquake.

“Despite all odds, we have registered a thumping victory in civic body polls. I am urging all party supporters not to take out any victory marches following the death of thousands of people in Nepal earthquake,” said Banerjee while addressing media persons in Kolkata.

The Chief Minister said that on May 9th on the occasion of Rabindra Jayanti, victory marches will be carried out across the city and the rest of the state.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1Ez2Otf

US Defence Secretary to visit in June to ink defence agreement

Ashton Carter File Photo

The new US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter will be visiting India in June and will sign the enhanced Defence Framework Agreement for the next ten years between the two countries.

Also on the agenda will be the nearly $2.5-billion deal for 22 Apache and 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters besides taking forward the talks on proposed co-development and co-production of military technology, ranging from aircraft carrier launch systems to mini drones. Pointing out that India and US are tracking some 77 different line of effort that came out of President Barack Obama’s visit here, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma said, “We have re-energised or launched 30 new initiatives, 30 different dialogue”.

He said that the US Embassy here has every element of American government and at any given day, they are interacting with some element of the Indian government, adding “we are not going to let the momentum go”. “I think that is a very good thing and a very positive thing. We are not going to let the momentum go and and we are not going to slow down what has been accomplished,” he said, adding that he was looking forward to the next high-level dialogue between the two governments in June.

He said Carter will be here in early part of June and US was looking at signing a new 10-year defence agreement, agreed to during Obama’s visit. “We are looking to do more in terms of exercises and joint training, interoperability with our Indian counterparts and hopefully provide more in terms of increasing India’s indigenous capability to make defence products right here in India,” he said at the first US-India Think Tank Summit.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1bzeS2i

Uproar in Rajya Sabha over Modi flaying opposition outside India, Jaitley says can’t issue gag …

New Delhi: High drama was witnessed in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday as the opposition protested over Prime Minister Narendra Modi flaying the opposition during his visit abroad. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was quick to defend Modi saying no gag order can be issued against the Prime Minister.

“Why can’t PM Modi speak on what happened in last 60 years? The Prime Minister is entitled to say he will put an end to what happened for 60 years,” said Jaitley.

Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice briefly as Opposition created ruckus over Modi’s remarks against previous government abroad.

Uproar in Rajya Sabha over Modi flaying opposition outside India, Jaitley says can't issue gag order against PM

Modi had said in Toronto, “My job is to ensure that India is cleaned up. It will take time to clean up the mess of the past. My mission is ‘Skill India, not Scam India’.”

#narendra modi #arun jaitley #corruption #congress

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said, “The Prime Minister said he will be cleaning up the mess of last 60 years. PM Modi has insulted India’s history for last 60 years. He has insulted Jawahar Lal Nehru, Atal Bihari Vajpayee with his remarks.”

While addressing Indian diaspora at Ricoh Colosseum in Toronto, Modi said, “The government in India has changed, so has the outlook of Indians. My job is to ensure that India is cleaned up.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1bzeUHh

Sathiyan enters men singles main draw at World TT

Sanil Shetty facebook

India’s G Sathiyan continued his good show and qualified for the main draw of the men’s singles event at the World Table Tennis Championships, here today.

Sathiyan, ranked 188 in the world, beat Felipe Olivares of Chile 11-7 11-8 11-8 11-4 in his final qualifying round match to earn a place in the main draw.

But a tough opening round match awaits Sathiyan in the main draw as he is set to face Sweden’s world number 64 Gerell Par.

However, it was curtains for Sanil Shetty as he crashed out in the last round of the qualifiers, losing to higher ranked Elia Schmid of Switzerland.

Shetty was leading at one stage before losing 12-10 13-15 11-9 6-11 11-7 13-15 9-11 to Schmid.

India’s top ranked player Achanta Sharath Kamal will take on lower-ranked Park Sin Hyok of North Korea in the first round.

Meanwhile, India’s female paddlers have their task cut out as all of them are drawn against higher-ranked opponents in the first round of the women’s singles event.

Mouma Das, who at 172 is the highest ranked Indian player, runs into 69th ranked Mikhailova Polina of Russia in the first round while K Shamini, who did well yesterday to qualify for the main draw, will meet 69th ranked Lithuanian Ruta Paskaukiene.

Manika Batra, ranked 803, will meet 36th ranked Hirano Miu of Japan in the first round.

The Indian men’s doubles pairs of Sharath Kamal and Sathiyan and Soumyajit Ghosh and Sanil Shetty will be seen in action today.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1OyhnUn

Wockhardt shares plunge as it recalls select drugs in US

Representational image File Photodna Research & Archives

Pharmaceuticals major Wockhardt is recalling select drugs in the US, manufactured at its two units at Chikalthana and Waluj in Maharashtra, which were under import restrictions from the USFDA.

Wockhardt’s L1 Chikalthana facility was under import alert for its drug Metoprolol XR used for treating blood pressure, while the Waluj facility that makes injectables and solid dosages was also put under import restrictions by the

US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) in 2013.

In a filing to the BSE today, the company said during an inspection of the facilities at L1- Chikalthana and Waluj in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, the USFDA has made some observations pertaining to batches of some products manufactured prior to the import alerts.

“As a measure of preparedness and as an abundant precaution, the company has now decided to recall, as a part of remedial measure all the remaining batches (of drugs) in the US market that were manufactured prior to the

USFDA import alerts even though there is no evidence of risk to patient safety from the products currently available in the US market,” the company said.

Several batches of other products, manufactured prior to the import alerts may still be in the US market,” it added.

Wockhardt also said that the UK’s health regulator, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has restored the EU GMP certification of the company’s potent product facility at Kadaiya, Daman.

Shares of Wockhardt were trading at Rs 1,240.25 apiece, down 6.75 per cent on the BSE.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1Oyhqj0

‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ to have alternate ending in blu-ray

Extra bonuses for the upcoming Blu-Ray of Avengers: Age of Ultron is revealed.

Instead of a Marvel short like the studio often offered in the past, an alternate ending and an extended version are among the special features included in the home video release, reported Ace Showbiz.

The second instalment of The Avengers has hit theatres overseas. It breaks Marvel’s international box office opening records.

The film marks Joss Whedon’s last movie in Marvel.

Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, and Jeremy Renner return as the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Johnson join the team as Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver respectively

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1A9CyQL

Rupee appreciate further by 17 paise vs dollar in late morning deals

Representational image File Photodna Research & Archives

The rupee appreciated further from its early gains by 17 paise to 63.31 against the American unit in late morning trade on bouts of dollar selling from banks and exporters as well as firm equities.

Earlier, the rupee opened higher 63.35 against last closing level of 63.48 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market.

It was quoting at 63.31 at 1100hrs on sustained bouts of dollar selling.

The rupee hovered in a range of 63.45 and 63.31 during morning deals.

Overseas, in New York the dollar was up against its major rivals in early trade, after overnight broader pressure on renewed hopes that cash-strapped Greece was a step closer to securing fresh funding.

Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was trading higher by 127.57 points or 0.47 per cent to 27,304.56 in late morning trade.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1OyhqiQ

Land Acquisition Delays: Reliance Power terminates 3,960 MW Tilaiya power plant

Representational image File Photodna Research & Archives

Anil Ambani-led Reliance Power today said it has terminated the contract for Rs 36,000 crore Tilaiya ultra mega power project in Jharkhand over inordinate delays in land acquisition.

The firm had, in August 2009, won rights to set up a 3,960 MW power plant at Hazaribagh in Jharkhand after bidding a levelised tariff of Rs 1.77 per unit but couldn’t start work on the project as the state government had not provided the required land even after more than five years.

Jharkhand Integrated Power Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Power, “has terminated the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) of its 3,960 MW Tilaiya Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP) in district Hazaribagh, Jharkhand,” the company said in a statement.

JIPL, a special purpose vehicle created for implementing the project, had signed PPA with 18 power off-takers in 10 states for 25 years. The project was based on captive coal blocks for which coal was to be sourced from Kerendari BC coal mine block.

The total land requirement for the project was over 17,000 acres.

According to the statement, there has been a delay of over 5 years in land acquisition by the state government for the power plant, captive coal blocks and related infrastructure.

The PPA required procurers to handover land and other clearances by February 2010.

“However, the required land is yet to be made available. Even the forest land in the power station area, for which the Stage-II Forest Clearance was accorded by central government way back in November 2010, has not been handed over to JIPL till now.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1A9CvVb

LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed to plan drone attack on Delhi, says report

File Photo

Intelligence agencies have reportedly asked Delhi police to be on alert about likely aerial attacks using drones on capital city.

Delhi Police are alerted over a possible terror attack by Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed according to news reports.

Police have been asked to identify traders of drones in New Delhi. They are also monitoring all aerial aircraft flying in the capital.

Security agencies have been on high-alert since the release of Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attacks, from a Pakistani jail.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1OyhnDQ

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Rusty Andrea Pirlo still makes the difference for Juventus

Turin: Even at 35 and playing his first game in seven weeks, Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo made the difference in their 1-0 win over Monaco on Tuesday.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri took a calculated risk by thrusting the bearded midfielder into the Champions League quarter-final first leg tie for his comeback after recovering from a calf muscle strain.

Even though he looked somewhat rusty after his layoff, Pirlo, whose calm, thoughtful style is becoming a rarity among the high tempo and relentless pressing of the modern game, repaid Allegri’s trust with interest.

With his very first touch, he lofted the ball over the Monaco defence to send Alvaro Morata clear on goal, but the Spaniard was fractionally offside.

He was the calming influence in a midfield where an anxious Juventus gave away possession too often in the first half and it was his long, floated pass over the Monaco rearguard which led to a Juventus penalty and only goal just before the hour.

Pirlo caught the Monaco defence off-guard with a perfectly weighted ball for Morata, who got clear of the Monaco defence and was judged to have been fouled by Ricardo Carvalho as he charged towards goal. Arturo Vidal converted the penalty.

“Pirlo had a good 70 minutes which is excellent considering that he hadn’t played for 50 days,” said Allegri.

“Set pieces can be decisive in these games and I needed a touch of quality on the passes in midfield to break through those tiny spaces. In fact his pass was decisive for the penalty.”

Allegri said that the scoreline, without an away goal for Monaco, gave Juventus a “slight advantage” as they tried to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2002-03.

“It’s to be expected that in a quarter-final, you don’t beat Monaco three or four nil, they have the best defence in the French league. They’re difficult to stop on the counterattack and we had problems in the first 15 minutes,” he said.

Juventus, who are on course for a fourth successive Serie A title and have reached the Coppa Italia final, could also become the first Italian team since Inter Milan in 2009/10 to reach the last four.

“It’s still an open tie and we must respect Monaco, who are a decent side,” said defender Patrice Evra, in his first season at the club.

“We didn’t make the mistake Arsenal made in underestimating them, even though 1-0 isn’t an amazing result. In spite of that, it gives you a platform to get through to the next round. There’s still a lot of work to be done in Monte Carlo.”

“We’re a good team and, by getting through to the next round, we’d become a great team,” he added.

“We must keep moving forward: this shirt brings enormous responsibility, especially when thinking back to the great players who have made history.”

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1aTtQzF

‘Full rupee convertibility important for India’s economic growth’

Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha PTI

India needs to take many policy measures over a period of time, including moving towards full capital account convertibility, to become a leading global economy, Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha has said.

“There are many policy measures and many things that we have to do over a period of time, if indeed India has to become a leading global economy… We have to make it possible for our capital markets to be broader, deeper and for that to happen, capital account convertibility also becomes important,” Sinha told reporters at an event here.

The Minister said that India has became more and more open in the last few years.

“Definitely, we have to play our rightful, responsible role in the global economy, we have to move in that direction (capital account convertibility),” Sinha said.

The Minister’s statement assumes significance as Reserve Bank (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan had recently said that the central bank is looking at allowing full capital account convertibility in a few years.

Stating that the RBI is fairly open to capital inflows, the Governor had said: “The only place today that we have some restrictions is inflows into debt, especially very short-term debt.”

Full capital convertibility means a foreign investor can repatriate his money into his own local currency at will, which is not allowed in the country as of now.

Jayant Sinha Minister of State for Finance

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1HrbR0f

Hands on with the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 Pro

My work involves extensively using a laptop, but in terms of using mobile tech, it is limited to MS Office, emailing and browsing sites. So when I got my hands on Lenovo’s latest toy- the 13.3″ Yoga 2 Pro tablet, for testing, it was going to be an experience limited to my work habits.

So does it work for me? The tablet ticks most boxes for me. Its battery lasted the whole day, which is typically an 11-hour work day. While the tablet should ideally charge using any micro-USB data cable, apparently it doesn’t. The charger isn’t proprietary, but I guess it’s the sheer volume of the battery that requires the heavy-duty charger shipped in the box.

The WiFi reception is great. My phone sometimes has trouble picking up my WiFi network in my bedroom, but not this tablet. Pages loaded quickly and YouTube videos had zero lag. And the sheer size of the tablet is awesome. It gives you the feel of working on a laptop, and i never felt the need for a separate physical keyboard. It’s another story that I’m at home using a touchscreen keyboard, but even on a Samsung Note 2, which at one point of time was one of the biggest phablets in the market, I always yearned for a bigger screen. The Lenovo Yoga 2 8-inch tablet was a delight to work on, but the pleasure of using the 13.3″ was manifold.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1aTtQj9

Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor upset over ‘ABCD 2′ poster leak

The official poster of Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor-starrer dance film “ABCD2″ has leaked online, leaving the stars annoyed. The poster, which shows a shirtless Varun picking Shraddha up in his arms, was leaked last evening, days before its official release.

The 26-year-old “Aashiqui 2″ actress took to Twitter to express her disappointment. “Yes, it is really upsetting that the poster leaked before we were supposed to share it with you guys… We have no idea though who is behind it and why anyone would do such a thing but… It hurts more when Remo sir, Varun, myself and each and every dancer and team member has put their heart and soul in to making this film,” Shraddha said in a series of tweets.

Yes it is really upsetting that the poster leaked before we were supposed to share it with you guys…

— Shraddha Kapoor (@ShraddhaKapoor) April 15, 2015

We have no idea though who is behind it and why anyone would do such a thing but…

— Shraddha Kapoor (@ShraddhaKapoor) April 15, 2015

It hurts more when Remo sir, Varun, myself and each and every dancer and team member has put their heart and soul in to making this film.

— Shraddha Kapoor (@ShraddhaKapoor) April 15, 2015

This film is a very big step not only for us but for dance in India, dancers in India and how we express ourselves through it

— Shraddha Kapoor (@ShraddhaKapoor) April 15, 2015

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1HrbQJP

Marcelo’s Champions League suspension bad news for Real Madrid

Holders Real Madrid and city rivals Atletico emerged from Tuesday’s tempestuous 0-0 Champions League quarter-final draw knowing that Real left back Marcelo and Atletico midfielder Mario Suarez are out of next week’s return leg.

Each picked up a late booking in the clash at Atletico’s Calderon stadium, a repeat of last year’s final and the seventh time they have faced each other this term, that means they will be suspended for the second leg at the Bernabeu on April 22.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone has a much easier task to replace Mario by bringing in Tiago to play in the defensive midfield role alongside captain Gabi.

Marcelo’s absence, by contrast, will deprive Real of one of their most effective lines of attack and Simeone’s counterpart Carlo Ancelotti is likely to be forced to turn to the ageing Alvaro Arbeloa or the erratic Fabio Coentrao to fill in.

Marcelo, a dressing-room heavyweight at the club and an inspirational presence on the pitch, links up well with Cristiano Ronaldo down the left and can send over dangerous crosses for the likes of Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

He is also adept at dashing inside towards the penalty area and slipping a killer pass through the defence to create a scoring chance for his team mates.

His defensive skills have improved in recent seasons, while Arbeloa and Coentrao are less likely to be able to thwart some of Atletico’s forward forays involving playmaker Arda Turan and right back Juanfran.

Real wasted a host of chances on Tuesday, especially in the first half when Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak pulled off a string of brilliant saves.

“We come away with a bittersweet taste in the mouth because we didn’t get a goal to take a lead into the return,” Real centre back Sergio Ramos told reporters.

“Madrid had control for practically the whole match, though the second half was trickier,” added the Spain international.

“We have to draw positive conclusions. It was a really taxing, intense match against opponents who always make things very difficult, and at a ground that’s always tough to go to.”

Real have not beaten Atletico for seven consecutive matches in all competitions, their worst run against their neighbours in the club’s history.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1HrbQtn

Cricket: Kohli needs to learn from Dhoni, says Waugh

Australia’s World Cup winning captain Steve Waugh feels Indian star Virat Kohli should learn from Mahendra Singh Dhoni to keep his emotions in check and mature as a captain.

Kohli took over the reins of Test captaincy from Dhoni, who announced his shock retirement from the longest format post the third Test against Australia in December. The Kohli-led India were just able to draw the fourth and final match but lost the series 0-2. Waugh opines that the young leader has a lot to learn.

“Kohli has to mature. He had a few issues this World Cup.

He gets a bit too animated, bit too emotional, bit too personal on some issues. As a captain you have got to develop a thick skin and Dhoni has that, nothing gets through him. So he would be a good role model for Kohli. He has to be his own man but also take a bit of what Dhoni has.

“Dhoni has never been bothered about what people say. The external things don’t influence him. He just keeps it simple, goes about his job in the best that he can do on the field. I like Kohli’s passion. You can’t be there starting every fight when he is a captain. He has to pull it back. He doesn’t have to lose that passion but just have to be a little more smart in the way he does things,” Waugh told PTI at the sidelines of the Laureus World Sports Awards.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1HrbOlb

Class IX girl student gangraped, 4 minors held

A Class IX student was allegedly gangraped by four minors at a deserted park near river Karala in Jalpaiguri district, police said on Monday.

The girl, who has identified the four accused, told her family and the interrogators that she was taken to the abandoned Children’s Park compound by the four on Sunday evening and was given drug-mixed food, a senior police officer said.

As she felt drowsy she was gangraped by the four and subsequently lost consciousness. She was later found by her family members on Monday morning, the girl’s mother, who works as a domestic help in the locality in Jalpaiguri town told the police in her complaint lodged yesterday, the officer said.

The girl was later taken to the hospital for medical test and the report was awaited, the officer said, adding the four were charged with sexual offence by a sessions court yesterday which ordered two day jail remand for them and asked that they be produced in a juvenile court on Thursday.

“We are investigating the incident and further action will be initiated on receipt of the medical report of the girl,” SP Abharu Rabindranathan said.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1CIJJAk

IPL 8: Pollard says MI need to touch up on their game

Kieron Pollard

Disappointed after Mumbai Indians’ third successive IPL loss, the team’s West Indian batsman Keiron Pollard said his side needs to improve several aspects of it gameplan.

“I am surely disappointed. We didn’t have a very good start. I did score runs, so did Corey (Anderson). But, overall it was not good enough. We have to touch up lot of aspects with regard to batting and bowling,” Pollard said during the post match press briefing yesterday.

To a query regarding Mumbai Indians’ strategy for the next match, Pollard said there would be some change in the coming games.

“We did not have a very good start in this game. We need to change our strategy for the next as we will be playing against Chennai Super Kings, who have been very consistent in their performance,” he said.

Rajasthan Royals won by seven wickets against Mumbai Indians despite explosive batting by Pollard (70) and Anderson (50).

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1yu6VpI

Rahul Gandhi to return from sabbatical today: reports

Rahul Gandhi Getty Images

Rahul Gandhi may return to work after his long sabbatical, reports NDTV.

The Congress Vice-President was on leave after an important AICC session in February to reflect upon the party’s debacle in Delhi polls and a future course for the party.

Gandhi absence has been criticised across major party. He had come under fire during the discussion on the controversial Land Bill ordinance by the ruling BJP against which Sonia Gandhi had led a rally in March.

Gandhi’s return is set to off more heated debates on his capacity as a leader as speculations of him taking over as the party’s President are rife. Congress on March 26 had came out with the schedule for its organisational elections under which the next party chief would be elected by September 30. However there are opposing views on the 44 year-old taking charge of Congress within the party itself.

Gandhi was also expected to hold a rally for the farmers against the Land Bill on April 19. In 2013, he had stood by the farmers’ demand that land cannot be acquired without their consent.

However, since Gandhi’s leave has been extended many times, he may not show up for office even today.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1yu6Y4Y

Non-Hindus should not be allowed at Har ki Pauri: Yogi Adityanath

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, has targeted non-Hindus and called for a ban on their entry into the world famour Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar. Adityanath called for stopping non-Hindus from entering the religious place during a function in Haridwar and added that the reason behind his demand was related to the security and sanctity of the place.

He asked Hindu organisations, saints and seers to come forward to implement his proposal. His comments come just a few days after the Shiv Sena, an ally of the BJP, stirred a controversy by calling for revoking the voting rights of Muslims to end votebank politics.

The article written by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut in party’s mouthpiece Saamna said, “Till Muslims are viewed as a vote bank, their community will have no future. To end this horsetrading, Balasaheb had proposed that Muslims’ voting rights be revoked, and I feel it is right.”

Non-Hindus should not be allowed at Har ki Pauri: Yogi Adityanath

Adityanath called for stopping non-Hindus from entering the religious place during a function in Haridwar and added that the reason behind his demand was related to the security and sanctity of the place.

#bjp #uttar pradesh #yogi adityanath #har ki pauri

Raut also attacked All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi by calling his party a threat to the nation.

Earlier in March, Adityanath had said that Muslims were safer in India than anywhere else in the world and the majority community is liberal by nature.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1FPUQgY

Zuckerberg comes out in favour of Net Neutrality in Facebook AMA

File Photo

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg held an open Q&A on the website last night, calling the general public to discuss and question anything they had on their minds, and of course the topic of Net Neutrality came up.

TechCrunch’s Josh Constine posed a question, asking Zuckerberg what his stand on the issue is, and whether the recently launched Internet.org initiative violates that. Here’s what the man himself had to say:

Mark Zuckerberg Founder & CEO, Facebook

I think net neutrality is important to make sure network operators don’t discriminate and limit access to services people want to use, especially in countries where most people are online. For people who are not on the internet though, having some connectivity and some ability to share is always much better than having no ability to connect and share at all. That’s why programs like Internet.org are important and can co-exist with net neutrality regulations.

Another Facebook user’s question prompted Zuckerberg to confirm that Internet.org will also (eventually) make its way into Europe as well. “Yes, we want to bring Internet.org everywhere there are people who need to be connected. We’re starting off by prioritizing the countries with the most unconnected people and by working with network operators and governments who are most excited about working with Internet.org to get everyone online in their countries.”

Also read: Facebook and Reliance release ‘Internet.org’ in India

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1FPUQ0u

Champions League: Pleased with my performance, says Jan Oblak

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak produced a heroic performance to repel holders Real Madrid and help secure a 0-0 draw in their Champions League quarter-final, first leg at the Calderon on Tuesday.

Slovenian Oblak made a string of memorable saves against the team that beat Atletico in last season’s final to keep the Spanish champions’ hopes of reaching the last four alive ahead of next week’s return game at the Bernabeu.

Atletico have had the upper hand over their wealthy neighbours in six derby meetings already this term but Real dominated for long periods in Tuesday’s clash and will be furious not to have come away with at least one away goal.

Gareth Bale had probably their best chance as early as the third minute when he ran clear through the centre after a mistake from Diego Godin but Oblak raced out and blocked the Welshman’s shot.

“I am really pleased like the rest of the team because today we worked a lot and it was a really hard match but we are still alive,” Oblak said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster RTVE.

“Of course you always want to score and win but it’s also important that we didn’t concede at home,” he added. “I don’t know who the favourites are now. Madrid are a great team with a lot of great players.”

Real forced Atletico onto the back foot from the start in the 260th meeting between the city rivals and, after twice denying Bale, Oblak pulled off further saves from Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez.

Atletico’s only real chance of the first half fell to Antoine Griezmann but the Frenchman’s weak shot was easy for Iker Casillas in the Real goal.

With their fans roaring them on, Atletico saw more of the ball in the second period but Real, chasing a record-extending 11th European crown, again had the clearer chances and the home side were forced into some desperate defence.

However, they managed to mount a couple of dangerous attacks late on and Casillas had to be alert to keep out a Mario Suarez effort after a scramble in the goalmouth.

Atletico’s Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic was in the thick of the action and suffered a head wound after he was caught by a flailing Sergio Ramos arm shortly after halftime but was able to play on after treatment.

Atletico midfielder Suarez and Real defender Marcelo were both booked and will be suspended for the return leg on April 22.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1CIx14G

Former Indian cricketer Kambli abuses Navjot Sidhu, Rameez Raja and Shoaib Akhtar, later blames it on friend

Vinod Kambli

Former controversial India cricketer Vinod Kambli was in the news yet again after he on social microblogging site Twitter sent a series of tweets that were abusive and offensive and allegedly targeted at cricketers-turned-commentators Rameez Raja, Shoaib Akhtar and Navjot Singh Sidhu appearing on the EXTRAAA INNINGS (IPL 2015 pre innings show) that features before the LIVE match starts.

Tweets from Kambli’s handle had hit out at Sidhu for his style of commentary.

However he did apologize on twitter today (Wednesday) morning and claimed that a ‘friend’ had been tweeting on his behalf.

Morning friends.the tweets were not from me I apologize on behalf of my friend who had my phone and was tweeting.I fired him.sorry to all

— vinodkambli (@vinodkambli349) April 15, 2015

The 43-year-old left-hander has played 17 Tests and 104 ODIs for India in a career spanning 9 years.

He had deleted the offensive tweets which he apparently claimed was the handiwork of his ‘friend’.

Siddhu sirf saayri mein busy hai.comments koun karegaa mera baap .himmat hai toh siddhu ko bolo mera sammna kare.iski toh kar donga mein — vinodkambli (@vinodkambli349) April 14, 2015

Pakistani ko har channel mein lekar aatey ho.aarey unse kaho unke channel mein Humko gaali dete hai.Hai hai Pakistan.zindabad Hindustan — vinodkambli (@vinodkambli349) April 14, 2015

Abhey mein rameez or sohaib se naaraz nahin ho aapne joh Uun Pakistani koh aapnaye hai joh Humko gaali dekar humsien he Paisa lete hai — vinodkambli (@vinodkambli349) April 14, 2015

He also pleaded with the tweeple to forgive him and said that the friend who did this is a big MI (Mumbai Indians) fan.

via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1CIx14A