Bomb blast in Nigeria capital kills 21, wounds 17
26062014
ABUJA: Nigerian authorities have arrested one suspect, and killed another, after a bomb claimed 21 lives in a shopping centre in the capital Abuja, a city gripped by fear of attacks by Boko Haram.
Wednesday´s blast shook the Emab Plaza at 4:00 pm (1500 GMT), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said, as shoppers were buying groceries ahead of the country´s World Cup match against Argentina, which kicked-off an hour later.
“The casualty figure for now is 21 persons dead, 17 injured,” national police spokesman Frank Mba said, adding that a suspect had been arrested.
Later the National Information Centre said a second suspect had been shot dead by troops as he tried to escape on a motorbike.
Senior government spokesman Mike Omeri confirmed that the blast was the result of “a bomb attack”.
Rescue teams were deployed to the scene and evacuated the victims from the area, NEMA spokesman Manzo Ezekiel told.
“The explosion struck at peak business time,” he said, adding that the area was busy at the time of the blast and that 40 cars had been destroyed.
The blast, at the entrance to the mall, was powerful enough to blow out windows in buildings on the opposite side of the street, an AFP correspondent on the scene in the immediate aftermath said.
The area, sandwiched between two other shopping centres and one of the busiest in central Abuja, was littered with the burnt out wreckages of cars and soaked in pools of congealed blood.
Rescue workers could be seen picking through what appeared to be the scorched body parts of victims.
An employee of the nearby Newcastle Hotel in the Wuse II area of the city, who did not want to be named, said she clearly heard the explosion.
Soldiers and police cordoned off the scene of the blast and firefighters were at the location, as thick smoke billowed into the sky, an AFP reporter said.
A soldier close to the scene but who demanded anonymity told reporters that two suspects who tried to flee the scene were caught.
One of them who was shot by soldiers as he was fleeing later died from his injuries. Media agencies
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Categories : Uncategorized
Govt defers decision on natural gas prices by 3 months
26062014
U
In a setback to gas producers like Reliance Industries, the government on Wednesday postponed revision in natural gas prices by three months pending a “comprehensive” review to make a controversial pricing formula more palatable.
The current USD 4.2 per million British thermal unit rate for gas, which would have jumped to USD 8.8 if a formula approved by the previous UPA government was implemented on July 1, will continue till September-end, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said.The first revision in rates in four years was originally to take effect from April 1 but with general elections being declared it was postponed by three months.
“The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today decided that comprehensive discussions were necessary on the issue. It was decided that consultations would be held with all stakeholders and it was important to keep public interest in mind,” he told reporters after the CCEA meeting.
Pradhan, who had held three rounds of discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue since Friday, did not say if a new expert committee or a ministerial group will be constituted for the review.
In course of these discussions, it was clear that the new government was looking at making some changes in the formula, proposed by a panel headed by C Rangarajan, as it would have led to Rs 2 per unit increase in power tariff and Rs 12 a kg hike in CNG rates besides jump in fertiliser subsidy outgo.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said a review mechanism will have to be decided by the Prime Minister’s Office and the Oil Ministry.
“There have been one or two meetings. The mechanism in the government which will review the whole thing and come to an opinion, I think now needs to be finalised,” he said.
Neither Pradhan nor Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad who briefed media persons on the cabinet decision, would say if a new formula altogether was being considered or whether the Rangarajan formula will be amended to bring down the rates to acceptable levels.
“The matter needs extensive consultations keeping the public good in mind with all the stakeholders… the new government must be given time to take a call on what should be the mechanism (of review),” Prasad said.
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Categories : Business, Energy, Media, Politics, Uncategorized
Dipika-Joshana win women’s doubles title in Malaysia
26062014
| |
India bagged its second title at the Tri-Nation squash doubles tournament in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday when Dipika Pallikal and Joshana Chinappa emerged winners in the women’s doubles final.
| |
Pallikal and Joshana rallied to beat New Zealand’s Joelle King and Amanda Landers Murphy 8-11, 11-5, 11-1 at the National Squash Centre.
Hosts Malaysia was the the other country to participate in the three-day event, seen as a warm-up to the next month’s Commonwealth Games.
It was Pallikal’s second title in as many days after she won the mixed doubles with Saurav Ghosal.
The Indians put up a commendable show considering they are busy playing singles for major part of the season.
Pallikal said it was good practice for the Glasgow Games beginning July 23.
“I am glad to have won the doubles too. We started off slow today but got better as the match progressed. Joshana played some amazing shots to shock our opponents,” Pallikal said.
She alongside Joshana stunned the mighty Malaysian pair of Nicol David and Low Wee Wern in the semifinals yesterday.
“The win here does a lot of good to our confidence going into the Commonwealth Games.
Winning there is our main aim and this tournament helped us understand where we stand in the pecking order. In top Commonwealth nations, only England and Australia were not here. It was a good test overall,” said the singles World No.10.
How tough is it switch to doubles while playing singles on the professional tour? “It is tough but you have to switch off switch on when necessary,” Pallikal added.
| |
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Categories : Uncategorized
Firing on PIA plane: over 200 suspects held
26062014
More than two hundred suspects were rounded up in a search operation conducted in Budh Ber amid investigations into the incident of firing on a plane of the national flag carrier in Peshawar Tuesday night.
Now not even the passenger planes are safe anymore in Peshawar.
A flight of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) came under fire attack by the terrorists in Mashokehl in the outskirts of Peshawar. More than twelve bullets hit the plane.
Following the incident, Police and security forces launched a joint search operation in Mashokhel and Salman Khel areas and took into custody over 200 suspects.
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Categories : Media, Politics, Uncategorized
THURSDAY 26 JUNE FIFA world cup Brazil 2014
26062014
Change to your time
26 JUN 2014 – 13:00 Local time
GROUP G
Estadio Nacional
Brasilia
PORTUGAL
GHANA
13:00
26 JUN 2014 – 13:00 Local time
GROUP G
Arena Pernambuco
Recife
USA
GERMANY
13:00
26 JUN 2014 – 17:00 Local time
GROUP H
Arena de Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo
KOREA REPUBLIC
BELGIUM
17:00
26 JUN 2014 – 17:00 Local time
GROUP H
Arena da Baixada
Curitiba
ALGERIA
RUSSIA
17:00
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Categories : Uncategorized
Shaqiri hit a hat-trick as Switzerland qualified for the Round of 16
26062014Swiss Shaqiri hat-trick against Honduras 3:0
Arena Amazonia
Manaus
HONDURAS
SWITZERLAND
FULL-TIME
0-3
Xherdan Shaqiri hit a hat-trick as Switzerland qualified for the Round of 16 with a comfortable 3-0 win over Honduras at the Arena Amazonia in Manaus. The Bayern Munich midfielder’s treble – the second seen at Brazil 2014, following that of his club colleague Thomas Muller – secured second spot in Group E and set up a knockout duel with Argentina in Sao Paulo.
Shaqiri had never scored at the FIFA World Cup™ before today, but he signalled his intent to change that as early as the third minute, when his close-range effort forced Noel Valladares into an excellent save.
There was nothing, however, the Honduras keeper could do three minutes later when Switzerland’s No23 next took aim. On that occasion, Shaqiri scored a contender for goal of the tournament, cutting inside from the right, holding off two Honduran defenders and curling a superb left-foot shot in off the underside of the bar from 25 yards.
Honduras attempted to respond, but suffered throughout from a lack of quality and composure in the final third, and had no-one to match the class of Shaqiri. With 31 minutes played, the Bayern midfielder doubled his and his team’s tally, racing through on to a pass from Josip Drmic, sizing up the angles and slotting calmly and firmly into the bottom-right corner.
The Hondurans did improve markedly after half-time and carved out several early chances in the second period that, had they been converted, might have sparked a comeback. Jerry Bengston was the player to whom most of these opportunities fell, but first he failed to connect with an attempted diving header and then, after rounding goalkeeper Diego Benaglio, watched in agony as Ricardo Rodriguez made a dramatic goal-line clearance.
Those misses allowed Switzerland to put the outcome beyond doubt with 19 minutes remaining, and again it was Shaqiri who did the damage. Not for the first time, he was indebted to some excellent set-up play by Drmic on the left, leaving the Europeans’ hat-trick hero to side-foot a casual left-foot shot low beyond the wrong-footed Valladares.
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Categories : Football, sports, Uncategorized
Ecuador eliminated held France to a 0-0 draw
26062014
Estadio do Maracana
Rio De Janeiro
ECUADOR
FRANCE
FULL-TIME
0-0
RIO DE JANEIRO: Ten-man Ecuador held France to a 0-0 draw at the Maracana on Wednesday but Didier Deschamps´ side still topped Group E to progress to a last-16 tie against Nigeria.
Through luck, determination, bad finishing and brilliant goalkeeping by Alexander Dominguez, Ecuador resisted even after captain and Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia was ordered off early in the second half for a studs up challenge on Lucas Digne.
The result was disappointing for Deschamps but was enough to take first place with seven points and the easier of the possible second-round ties next Monday.
Switzerland´s 3-0 win over Honduras in the group´s other game gave them second place and a tough match against Argentina on Tuesday as Ecuador become the first South American side to be knocked out of this World Cup.
Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda was left to lament the sending-off of his captain as his team came up just short.
“There is nothing to be done about it now but we lost an important player in our structure,” said the Colombian. “Various refereeing decisions went against us and it was difficult to hold on for a draw but the players showed great character.”
Deschamps made six changes for this game and will certainly bring back several of the missing players to take on Nigeria.
Karim Benzema, scorer of three goals in wins over Honduras and Switzerland, kept his place in the side, but France missed the creativity of Mathieu Valbuena and Yohan Cabaye, the latter absent due to suspension and replaced by Southampton´s Morgan Schneiderlin.
Les Bleus controlled much of the first half, but only sporadically troubled Dominguez in the Ecuador goal.
The Ecuadorean ´keeper held a crisply-struck volley from Moussa Sissoko with 15 minutes played and did well to palm the ball over the bar when Paul Pogba got his head to an Antoine Griezmann free-kick.
Ecuador began to threaten as the half wore on, almost breaking through when Enner Valencia rose above Digne to connect with Michael Arroyo´s left-wing cross only for Hugo Lloris to intervene.
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a Comment »
Categories : Football, Media, sports, Uncategorized
Argentina star Messi-inspired defeat Nigeria
26062014
25 Jun 2014
25 JUN 2014 – 13:00 Local time
GROUP F
Estadio Beira-Rio
Porto Alegre
NIGERIA
ARGENTINA
FULL-TIME
2-3
Argentina secured top spot in Group F and preserved their unblemished record at Brazil 2014 with a 3-2 win over Nigeria illuminated by braces for Lionel Messi and Ahmed Musa. Alejandro Sabella’s side will be joined in the Round of 16 by the Super Eagles, who contributed greatly to this enthralling match and progress due to Iran’s defeat to already-eliminated Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Even in a World Cup packed full of thrilling games, this was one of the best yet, and the tone was set as early as the third minute. That was when Messi opened the scoring in some style, crashing a first-time shot into the roof of the net from 12 yards after Vincent Enyeama had tipped Angel Di Maria’s initial effort on to the post.
Nigeria, though, weren’t content to allow Argentina’s captain to again hog the headlines, and they drew level with the next attack of the game. The impressive Ahmed Musa was the player responsible, exploiting a one-on-one with Pablo Zabaleta to cut inside from the left and curl an inch-perfect right-foot shot just inside the far post.
It was a terrific goal from a player who would continue to cause problems, although it was Argentina who carved out the better of the game’s opportunities.
Di Maria was again prominent, and on 25 minutes he measured an inviting low pass across goal that Messi – sliding in – missed out on converting by a matter of inches. Soon after, the Real Madrid winger went directly for goal, unleashing a 35-yard drive that was flying into the bottom corner until Enyeama got across to tip it wide.
It wasn’t long, though, before Messi again took centre stage. A minute into first-half injury time, and having forced a brilliant save from the keeper with an earlier free-kick, he re-established La Albiceleste’s lead from an almost-identical position. This time, there was no chance for Enyeama, with the Barcelona star curling a left-foot shot from 25 yards that cleared the wall and dropped just inside the right-hand post.
But once again, Nigeria wasted little time in responding to Messi’s brilliance. Just a couple of minutes into the second half, Musa emulated the Argentina skipper by completing a double of his own, racing through and wrong-footing Sergio Romero with a low shot into the bottom-left corner.
Argentina would not be a denied a third straight win, though, and they secured the points just three minutes later. It was the scrappiest of all five goals, with Marcos Rojo bundling a corner home with his knee, but that didn’t matter to the Albiceleste fans or to the scorer, who had never before found the target for his national team.
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment
Categories : Football, Uncategorized, world News
Bosnians eliminating Iran
26062014
Arena Fonte Nova
Salvador
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
IRAN
FULL-TIME
3-1
Bosnia and Herzegovina concluded their maiden FIFA World Cup™ campaign with a 3-1 victory over Iran that thwarted their opponents’ hopes of squeezing into the Round of 16 at the expense of Nigeria in Group F.
With Argentina taking maximum points from the other fixture in the section, the Iranians could have secured second place and progression with a win of their own, but a trio of timely strikes by the European debutants extinguished such ambitions and provided coach Safet Susic with reason to smile before returning home.
While qualification for the next stage was beyond his country no matter the result in Salvador, the determination of Edin Dzeko to depart the tournament with a goal was abundantly clear. After the Manchester City forward’s venomous volley from ten yards took a deflection over the crossbar, he stretched his neck to redirect a promising centre but watched the header loop into the hands of Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi.
On 23 minutes, though, the 28-year-old could celebrate. With seemingly little danger to Carlos Queiroz’s well-drilled Iranians, Dzeko collected a simple pass into space midway inside the opposition half. His execution was simple but clinically effective – stride forward, dribble across the defence into freedom and cannon an unstoppable, low left-footer into the right corner from distance for 1-0.
The Asians were almost level within seconds; attacking along the right flank, the ball was worked back to the near edge of the penalty area and Masoud Shojaei, whose quickly-plotted attempt to loft up and over Asmir Begovic was aided by a slight nick but cruelly struck the top of the woodwork. The move typified an encouraging response by Iran, suddenly finding a sense of adventure and urgency.
Boosted by clinching the opener, Dzeko was at the centre of everything positive for the Bosnians and it was his incisive through pass that dissected the Iranian backline to release Avdija Vrsajevic. The No2 raced onto the delivery but snatched at the opportunity to blast on the diagonal and merely knocked the ball well wide to the left.
In contrast to the prolific nature of the simultaneous Group F fixture between Argentina and Nigeria, where the goals rained in from kick-off, fluidity and rhythm were at a premium for both sides at the outset of the second half in this one. At the hour mark, however, both characteristics were evident for all to see.
Iran defender Jalal Hosseini surrendered possession far too cheaply deep inside his own half and, in the blink of an eye, Bosnia and Herzegovina doubled their advantage. Seizing the chance, Tino Susic threaded a perfectly weighted assist into the adjoining run in the left channel by Miralem Pjanic, who shifted his weight and curled a side-foot hit around the stretch of Haghighi to end the stylish play in sublime fashion.
As a deluge unfolded above them and each team contemplated the closing stages of their participation at Brazil 2014, Reza Ghoochannejad refused to relent. Having had one effort blocked and sent another wide, he finally opened the tournament account for Queiroz’s men by tapping home after being found completely unmarked at the back post by a drill across the area.
Irritated by the concession, Bosnia and Herzegovina promptly sprinted in the opposite direction and, when Vrsajevic took up responsibility as he hurtled down the right wing, the full-back picked his preferred spot of the net and lashed a powerful shot precisely where he hoped to. Iran hopes evaporated and their Group F rivals took up residence at the next stage.
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment
Categories : Football, sports, Uncategorized
Costa Rica secure historic top spot with draw
26062014
Costa Rica drew 0-0 with England to top World Cup Group D unbeaten and leave their opponents without a win and an early flight home on Tuesday in Belo Horizonte.
England had chances to rescue something form a terrible campaign but Daniel Sturridge sent both shots wide.
Costa Rica, who only made the last 16 on one other occasion in 1990, defied the tag of minnows and outsiders in the group to beat both Uruguay and Italy.
Costa Rica did test England goalkeeper Ben Foster on one occasion as Celso Borges’ long distance freekick forced him to leap to tip the ball over the bar.
England pressed hard from the start with Costa Rica’s impressive goalkeeper Keylor Navas getting down bravely to thwart Sturridge and then saving well from Southampton winger Adam Lallana.
Sturridge should have given England the lead in the 65th minute as Jack Wilshere’s beautifully weighted pass into the area saw the Liverpool striker run on to it but he sent the ball past the far post.
England coach Roy Hodgson sent on veterans Steven Gerrard — probably for his last appearance in an England shirt — and Wayne Rooney in a bid to grab a late win but it was all in vain as the Costa Ricans held them at bay.
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment
Categories : Football, Uncategorized, world News
Colombia top Group C with 4-1 win over Japan
26062014
|
Substitute James Rodriguez scored a brilliant goal and set up two more for Jackson Martinez as Colombia beat Japan 4-1 on Tuesday to confirm top spot in Group C and eliminate the Asian champions from the World Cup.
Already assured of advancing, Colombia guaranteed first place with their third straight win, setting up a second-round match against Uruguay.
The Colombians started with a virtual second-string lineup but still went in front when Juan Cuadrado, one of the few regular starters — drilled in a 17th-minute penalty.
Japan equalized with the last touch of the first half through Shinji Okazaki’s header but Martinez scored in the 55th and 82nd minutes — both from superb passes from Rodriguez — to put the result beyond doubt.
Already assured of advancing, Colombia guaranteed first place with their third straight win, setting up a second-round match against Uruguay.
The Colombians started with a virtual second-string lineup but still went in front when Juan Cuadrado, one of the few regular starters — drilled in a 17th-minute penalty.
Japan equalized with the last touch of the first half through Shinji Okazaki’s header but Martinez scored in the 55th and 82nd minutes — both from superb passes from Rodriguez — to put the result beyond doubt.
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment
Categories : Uncategorized
Rs 991.20 crores: Total Income of National Parties during FY 2012-13
26062014
Only 10% from donations above Rs 20,000 of which Rs 11.14 crores from donors with no names and address
Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) analysed the IT returns and donations reports of the 6 National Parties submitted for the Financial Year 2012-13. Political parties are required to submit details of donations received above Rs 20,000 from all over India, to the Election Commission, annually. Parties provide details of the name, address, PAN, mode of payment and amount contributed by each donor who has made donation above Rs 20,000.
- This report, apart from analysing the total income and expenditure, analyses the contributions made by corporates and individuals above Rs 20,000 during FY 2012-13 to National Parties
- The report looks into those donations where details of donors were not declared by the parties
- It is seen that details of 703 donors were not declared in the donations statement, who had contributed a total of Rs 11.14 crores to the National Parties
- BSP declared that the party received no donations above Rs 20,000 during FY 2012-13 as it had declared since FY 2004-05
Executive Summary
I. Total income of political parties from all over India
- The total income and expenditure of political parties is calculated from their IT returns filed with the Income Tax Department annually
- The total income of National Parties for FY 2012-13 was Rs. 991.20 crores. INC declared the highest total income of Rs. 425.69 crores, followed by BJP with Rs. 324.16 crores and BSP with a declared total income of Rs. 87.63 crores. NCP a declared total income of Rs. 26.56 crores, CPI, Rs. 1.07 crores and CPM declared a total income of Rs. 126.09 crores for FY 2012-13.
II. Number of donors contributing above Rs. 20,000 to political parties from all over India (FY 2012-13)
- The total amount of donations received above Rs 20,000 by National Political parties during FY 2012-13 is calculated from the donations report submitted to the Election Commission annually
- The total donations above Rs 20,000 declared was Rs. 99.14 crores, from 3777 donors.
III. Top corporate donors to National Parties
- INC: Torrent Power Ltd donated the maximum amount (Rs 3.50 crores) followed by Torrent Pharmaceuticals (Rs 1.50 crores) and Hyderabad Industries Ltd (HIL) (Rs 50 lakhs).
- BJP: General Electoral Trust of the Aditya Birla Group donated the maximum amount (Rs 7.50 crores) followed by Lodha Dwellers Pvt Ltd (Rs 6.99 crores) and Torrent Power (Rs 6.57 crores).
- CPI and CPM: CPI received a total of Rs 4.21 lakhs from organizations such as Bhartiya Khet Mazdoor Union and while CPM received a total of Rs 1.43 crores from 29 corporate/ business houses.
IV. Undeclared Donors
- The name and address of a total of 43 donors who contributed Rs 29 lakhs to the National Parties is undeclared in the statements submitted by the parties. Thus, these donations above Rs 20,000 cannot be traced to any individual, organization or a trust.
- Similarly, the addresses of a total of 655 donors contributing Rs 10.84 crores to the National Parties have been left undeclared in the statements submitted by the parties.
V. Sector-wise donations
- Corporate/ business sector tops the list of contributions with 72% or Rs 70.97 crores to the National Parties followed by individual donations with 17% or Rs 17.01 crores
- It is to be noted that 11% or Rs 11.14 crores was donated by those donors who cannot be traced by name or address
VI. Donors who have not declared details of PAN
- A total of 2371 out of 3775 donors (or 63%) contributing Rs 37.64 crores to the National Parties have not declared their PAN details in the contribution form.
· BJP has listed the maximum number of donors (1670) who have not declared their PAN while contributing a maximum of Rs 25.99 crores.
Recommendations of ADR
The Supreme Court gave a judgment on September 13, 2013 declaring that no part of a candidate’s affidavit should be left blank. Similarly, no part of the Form 24A submitted by political parties providing details of donations above Rs 20,000 should be blank.
Full details of all donors should be made available for public scrutiny under the RTI. Some countries where this is done include Bhutan, Nepal, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, Bulgaria, the US and Japan. In none of these countries is it possible for 75% of the source of funds to be unknown, but at present it is so in India.
Those parties not following the ICAI guidelines for auditing of reports should be scrutinized by the IT department.
For more details about the top sources of income of the National Parties, party-wise break up of undeclared donors, undeclared PAN details and mode of payment, please refer to the attached report, titled ‘Analysis of income, expenditure and donations of National Parties – FY 2012-13′
Regards
Media and Journalist Helpline
+91 80103 94248
Email: adr@adrindia.org
|
Maj. Gen (Retd.) Anil Verma
Head
National Election Watch, and
Association for Democratic Reforms
+91 11 4165 4200
+91 88264 79910
|
Prof Jagdeep Chhokar
IIM Ahmedabad
Founder Member
National Election Watch, Association for Democratic
Reforms
+91 99996 20944
|
Prof Trilochan Sastry
IIM Bangalore
Founder Member,
National Election Watch,
Association for Democratic Reforms
+91 94483 53285
|
Edit : Edit
Comments : Leave a comment
Categories : Uncategorized
No comments:
Post a Comment