Featured Posts
Dhoni retires from Test cricket
MS Dhoni has retired from Test cricket with immediate effect following the drawn Test against Australia in Melbourne. Virat Kohli will take over as India captain for the final Test of the series, which India have already lost, in Sydney.
Dhoni was batting on 24 when the Test was called off early at the MCG - four overs were left and India had four wickets in hand - and he made no mention of his retirement during the customary captain's press conference at the end of the match. The announcement was made via a BCCI press release shortly after and it cited "the strain of playing all formats" as the reason.
"One of India's greatest Test captains under whose leadership India became the No. 1 team in the test rankings, MS Dhoni, has decided to retire from Test cricket citing the strain of playing all formats of cricket," the board said. "BCCI, while respecting the decision of MS Dhoni to retire from Test cricket, wishes to thank him for his enormous contribution to Test cricket and the laurels that he has brought to India. Virat Kohli will be the captain of the Indian team for the fourth and final Test against Australia to be played in Sydney."
In recent months Dhoni suffered from fitness issues, missing five ODIs against Sri Lanka in November because of a hand injury, which also sidelined him from the first Test against Australia in Adelaide. In addition to the pressure of leading India in all three formats, and the Chennai Super Kings franchise, for six years Dhoni has also had to play an extraordinary amount of matches. Since the start of 2008 - taking into account international matches across formats, IPL and Champions League T20 games - Dhoni has played 398 matches, the most for any cricket during this period.Suresh Raina is second with 369 games.
Though Dhoni's place in India's Test side has not been under question, his batting form took a dip in 2014 and he averaged only 33 in 17 innings this year. His wicketkeeping has also deteriorated, in particular his ability to move laterally to take testing catches. India's overseas results have also suffered under Dhoni's leadership in recent years. Since 2011, they have won only two out of 22 away Tests and lost 13.
Dhoni, however, is India's most successful captain, having presided over 27 wins in his 60-Test tenure, which began in 2008. His first Test as captain was against South Africa in Kanpur in April that year, because of an injury to regular captain Anil Kumble, and he took over full time after Kumble retired following the Delhi Test against Australia in October. Dhoni led India to the No. 1 Test ranking in 2009, a position they enjoyed until the tour of England in 2011.
Overall, Dhoni played 90 Tests in a career that began in 2005 and scored 4876 runs at an average of 38, with a high score of 224 against Australia in Chennai in 2013. As a wicketkeeper, he effected 294 dismissals, the fifth highest in Test cricket.
Bharti Airtel drops move to charge more for VoIP calls | Reuters
Bharti Airtel Ltd dropped a plan on Monday to charge clients extra for Internet communication services such as Skype, amid a debate on allowing equal access to web content and a backlash from subscribers.
India's largest telecommunications carrier by subscribers said last week that Internet or data plans that give customers discounted rates will be valid for Internet browsing but will exclude Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.
VoIP services include communications applications such as Skype, Line and Viber that typically let users make free calls through the Internet.
3rd Test: Australia still on top after Virat Kohli-Ajinkya Rahane heroics : Cricket, News - India Today
Australia's Nathan Lyon and Ryan Harris each claimed two vital late wickets to leave India on 462 for 8 at stumps on day three of the third Test, after Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane shared a 262-run partnership on Sunday.
India trail Australia's first-innings 530 by 68 runs after starting the day on 103 for 1. Kohli and Rahane made the most of a placed pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to put together a fluent partnership that looked like turning the Test in India's favour. They brought up India's first fourth-wicket century partnership at the MCG off 138 balls and went on to build the India's highest partnership outside Asia in 10 years.
Lyon (2 for 108) ended the long partnership when he trapped Rahane lbw attempting a sweep on 147. The offspinner then dismissed Lokesh Rahul, caught at deep backward square off a top-edged sweep, dismissing him on debut for 3. Rahul's wicket came much to the relief of substitute field Peter Siddle, who dropped Rahul at midwicket two balls earlier.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was caught behind for 11 off Harris (4 for 69), who caught and bowled Ravichandran Ashwin for a duck in the next over.
On the last ball of the day, Kohli's impressive innings came to an end on 169, fishing at a wide ball from Mitchell Johnson and edging it to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who produced his second diving catch of the day.
India will resume day four with Mohammed Shami on 9 joined by Ishant Sharma. Harris gave Australia a perfect start on Sunday by dismissing Cheteshwar Pujara for his overnight score of 25 off the second ball of the day, thanks to an athletic, one-handed catch by Haddin.
Shane Watson (1 for 65) soon after claimed opener Murali Vijay for 68, caught at backward point by Shaun Marsh.
Kohli, who scored two centuries in the first Test at Adelaide, got two reprieves in the second session when Lyon missed a clear caught and bowled opportunity with the batsman on 84, and then on 88 when Watson dropped an edge at slip off Johnson.
The early showing of Australia's pacemen soon dissipated despite setting an international cricket record of more than 328 runs without conceding a sundry.
Tempers flared before tea when Johnson threw the ball toward Kohli's wicket while the batsman was out of his crease, only to hit Kohli in the lower back and sending him to the ground. Johnson immediately apologised, but Kohli approached Johnson at the end of the over and the pair had a heated exchange before the umpires intervened.
India need to win the third Test to keep their chances alive in the four-match series. Australia can clinch reclaim the Border-Gavaskar trophy with a win or draw in Melbourne after a 48-run win in the first Test and a four-wicket victory last week in the second Test at Brisbane.
Woman killed in Bangalore IED blast, 1 injured : India, News - India Today
Police at the blast site"At about 8:30 pm on the Church street outside the restaurant called Coconut Grove there was an explosion heard. We have found that there was improvised explosive device that was used by some culprits and in this explosion two persons have been injured," Reddi said.
Police at the blast siteInternal security division experts along with the forensic team, dog squad as well as anti-sabotage check team have rushed to the spot.
Dog squad on spot where a low intensity bomb blast occurred at church street in Bengaluru on Sunday night. Photo: PTIThe country's information technology hub was hit by bomb blasts in 2008, 2010 and 2013.
One person died while another was injured in an explosion triggered by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on Sunday in front of a popular restaurant on a busy road in Bangalore.
The blast occurred around 8.30 pm near Coconut Grove, a famous restaurant on Church Street, close to the fashionable Brigade Road.
A man and a woman were hit by the shrapnels and were rushed to a nearby hospital, City Police Commissioner M N Reddi told reporters at the site, as police cordoned off the area.
The woman identified as Bhavani succumbed to her injuries while the other person is reported to be out of danger.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called up Karnataka Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah and assured him that all help will be given by the Centre.
Singh said the Chief Minister apprised him of the situation.
Police at the blast site"At about 8:30 pm on the Church street outside the restaurant called Coconut Grove there was an explosion heard. We have found that there was improvised explosive device that was used by some culprits and in this explosion two persons have been injured," Reddi said.
"As far as the current information is concerned the IED that has been used is like a low intensity bomb and some shrapnels have obviously hit the individuals who have been injured. This is the information we have," he said.
Reddi said the entire city police force had been mobilised and added that additional force from Karnataka State reserve police had also been sought.
Police at the blast siteInternal security division experts along with the forensic team, dog squad as well as anti-sabotage check team have rushed to the spot.
"This is one incident that has happened. Two persons are injured, no fatality," Reddi said.
Reddi said no one has claimed responsibility for the blast.
Asked if there was any threat perception to the city, Reddi said, "there has been threat perception in general, in view of the fact that there are festivities, in view of the fact that New Year's eve coming..."
He said there has been "some amount" of threat perception but that has been generic and there has been an alert in general.
Dog squad on spot where a low intensity bomb blast occurred at church street in Bengaluru on Sunday night. Photo: PTIThe country's information technology hub was hit by bomb blasts in 2008, 2010 and 2013.
In serial blasts caused by IED at nine places in 2008, two persons were killed and 20 others injured.
Two bombs exploded outside the cricket stadium hours before an IPL match, leaving 15 persons injured in 2010. A third bomb was defused.
In 2013, a bomb blast outside the state BJP headquarters in the crowded Malleshwaram area just ahead of the Assembly polls had left 16 persons injured.
Mumbai: Salman Khan who turns 49 on December 27 has a lot to celebrate this year. His starrer Kick was a big hit and his sister Aprita got married. Hence, there is more reason to celebrate.
In fact one of Salman’s closest buddies informs that this time the birthday celebrations on the Khans’ farm house in Panvel will be a week long. Says the friend, “This time the celebrations will stretch for a week. We are leaving for Panvel on Friday night. We will be there till 3 January. So we’re celebrating Salman’s birthday and the new year.”
Salman’s buddy informs that huge celebrations are planned for the week to come. “This is the first birthday and new year celebration that Arpita will attend with her husband. So Salman wants to make it very special .”
Apparently separate entertainment has been arranged for kids and grown ups. Says the buddy, “Our kids love going to Salman’s farm because there is so much space to do many things. Salman himself joins in with them. He plays cricket with the kids takes them on bike rides.... He is an equally relaxed host with the adults and the kids. We’re looking forward to a week of fun at Panvel.”
The guest list includes the entire Khan clan, producer Sajid Nadiadwala with his family, David Dhawan and wife and Sooraj Bajatya with family. Salman also wanted Sanjay Dutt to drop by but the latter will skip the bash.
The President's Office on Wednesday announced the Bharat Ratna award to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (posthumously) and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The announcement was made on the eve of Mr. Vajpayee's 90th birthday and the 153rd birth anniversary of Pandit Malviya.
The BJP has been demanding Bharat Ratna for Mr. Vajpayee for a long time; and BJP patriarch L.K. Advani has been at the forefront of seeking the highest civilian honour for the former Prime Minister.
Earlier, Mr. Advani had written a letter to the UPA Government to award the Bharat Ratna to the former Prime Minister. The request was however, overlooked by the UPA government, said sources. In 2013, the award was conferred to cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and scientist C.N.R Rao.
A Bharat Ratna for Pandit Malviya, a freedom fighter and the founder of the Benaras Hindu University was proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his election campaign. Justice Giridhar Malviya, the grandson of Pandit Malaviya was one of those who proposed the nomination of Mr. Modi from Varanasi parliamentary constituency. Mr. Vajpayee will be the seventh Prime Minister to receive the award, while Pandit Malviya will be the 12th person to be honoured posthumously.
Earlier recipients of the award include former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Morarji Desai, Lal Bahadur Shastri, along with first Governor General of free India C. Rajagopalachari, and former Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed delight at the announcement. "Bharat Ratna being conferred on Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee is a matter of great delight. Country's highest honour to these illustrious stalwarts is a fitting recognition of their service to the Nation. Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya is remembered as a phenomenal scholar and freedom fighter who lit the spark of national consciousness among people. Atal ji means so much to everyone. A guide, inspiration and giant among giants. His contribution to India is invaluable," the Prime Minister said.
Politicians from across the spectrum welcomed the decision to honour the former PM.
PTI adds:
Political leaders hail govt. decision
The Congress on Wednesday welcomed the conferment of Bharat Ratna on Nr. Vajpayee and late educationist Malaviya, saying it hoped that the NDA government will follow the path of ‘Raj Dharma’ and secularism shown by them.
“We welcome the announcement of giving Bharat Ratna to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Madan Mohan Malviya. To a certain extent, both represent the Indian thought which is secular and tolerant. We hope that this present government will walk in the path shown by these leaders,” Congress general secretary and in charge of Media Communication Ajay Maken told reporters in New Delhi.
Noting that Mr. Vajpayee had talked about ‘Raj Dharma’, Mr. Maken said he hopes that the Narendra Modi government will keep that in mind and follow it.
JD(U) leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar congratulated Vajpayee and said the UPA government should have conferred the award on the former Prime Minister.
“Atalji’s contribution to the country will always be remembered. I congratulate him. We also wanted Bharat Ratna for Atalji. The UPA government should have given this award to him,” he said.
Describing it as wonderful news, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien said his party and its chief Mamata Banerjee have a “very special bond” with Mr. Vajpayee.
“She has worked with him. He has even been to her home to meet her and spent time with Mamatadi at her Kalighat residence and with her mother. They go back a long way. This is very very welcome and its wonderful news that he has got Bharat Ratna,” the Rajya Sabha MP said.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who visited Vajpayee at his residence soon after the announcement, said “I would have come to congratulate Atalji anyways but today we have come to give him double congratulations. We pray that God gives Atalji a long and healthy life.”
Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, who is also a Bharat Ratna recipient, said he was “absolutely delighted” to get the news.
“I think he deserves to be honoured in every possible way because in many ways he was a very great statesman of the country and one doesn’t have to agree with every bit of his policy to appreciate the human quality that was behind his Prime Ministerial leadership,” he said.
JD(U) president Sharad Yadav also hailed the decision saying, “I am very pleased with this announcement. Malviya had a great role in Indian independence and he established a great institution like Benaras Hindu University. I have been associated with Atalji for many years and even being in BJP he respected the composite culture of India.”
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi too welcomed the decision.“Very happy to know that Bharat Ratna is being conferred on Vajpayee and Malviyaji. Everyone knows Malviyaji was a freedom fighter and an educationist. When Vajpayee was the PM, even if he was in a different party he helped me. I am also personally grateful to him,” Mr. Gogoi said.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar termed it as the “best decision” of the government and expressed happiness over the recognition to Mr. Vajpayee as well as to Malviya.
“Today, we are very happy as Bharat Ratna is being conferred on Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Madan Mohan Malviya. This is the best decision taken by Narendra Modi and his Cabinet,” Mr. Javadekar said.
COLLEGE TOWNSHIP: Athletes offer tips at celebration | News | CentreDaily.com
COLLEGE TOWNSHIP — St. Louis Cardinalsfirst baseman and Philipsburg native Matt Adams leaned over a weight machine atVictory Sports and Fitness, and listened to two-time Olympian Tara Nott Cunninghamgive a seminar about weightlifting on Saturday afternoon.
He said that even though he plays professionally, there is always something new to learn from other athletes.
Adams was among local professional, amateur and collegiate athletes, and coaches and members of the public who wanted to get a taste of what it’s like to be an athlete.
Heidi Klum Is Too Sexy for the Las Vegas Airport | Yahoo Celebrity - Yahoo Celebrity Philippines
Sin City is cleaning up its act! A few weeks after Sharper Image debuted its holiday campaign featuring a scantily clad Heidi Klum, the ads were turned away from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Apparently, the black-and-white shots of the supermodel violate Clark County's stance against "the showing of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering or any portion thereof below the nipple." (This sounds like a bit of a technicality to us, but what do we know?)
India won 4-3 against Pakistan player forgot his dignity of Josh and India providebadmajgi the finger toward the audience. Pakistani players were involved in the Act ofmaking the wrong gesture. Especially after winning Pakistan's goalkeeper Imran butt, Indian viewers are such false gesture of shaming the hockey itself.
According to the protesters, their livelihood is getting affected because of the ban imposed on the company following the alleged rape of a 27-year-old woman by one of its drivers.
Australia vs India 2014/15 -Lunch report - Vijay late wicket checks India's reply | gocricket.com
Mitchell Johnson removed Murali Vijay for a well-compiled 53 in the penultimate over before lunch on Thursday to halt India's march in the first session of day three at the Adelaide Oval, leaving them at 119/2 with a deficit of 398 runs.
Mitchell Johnson removed Murali Vijay for a well-compiled 53 in the penultimate over before lunch on Thursday to halt India's march in the first session of day three at the Adelaide Oval, leaving them at 119/2 with a deficit of 398 runs.
GSAT-16 Ready for Launch on December 5: ISRO
BENGALURU: The multi-band communication satellite GSAT-16 on-board Arianespace's rocket will be launched on December 5 from the spaceport of Kourou, French Guiana, ISRO said today.
The launch is scheduled for early hours of Friday at 02:08 am (IST), ISRO said on its Facebook page.
The satellite with a lift-off mass of 3181.6 kg will be carrying C-band and Ku-band transponders to further augment communication services across - VSAT (very small aperture
terminal) services, TV services and emergency communications - the country.
The spacecraft would be joined by its co-passenger DIRECTV-14, which was built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for operator DIRECTV to provide direct-to-home television
broadcasts across the US.
Read More==>
BENGALURU: The multi-band communication satellite GSAT-16 on-board Arianespace's rocket will be launched on December 5 from the spaceport of Kourou, French Guiana, ISRO said today.
The launch is scheduled for early hours of Friday at 02:08 am (IST), ISRO said on its Facebook page.
The satellite with a lift-off mass of 3181.6 kg will be carrying C-band and Ku-band transponders to further augment communication services across - VSAT (very small aperture
terminal) services, TV services and emergency communications - the country.
The spacecraft would be joined by its co-passenger DIRECTV-14, which was built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for operator DIRECTV to provide direct-to-home television
broadcasts across the US.
Read More==>
GSAT-16 Ready for Launch on December 5: ISRO
BENGALURU: The multi-band communication satellite GSAT-16 on-board Arianespace's rocket will be launched on December 5 from the spaceport of Kourou, French Guiana, ISRO said today.
The launch is scheduled for early hours of Friday at 02:08 am (IST), ISRO said on its Facebook page.
The satellite with a lift-off mass of 3181.6 kg will be carrying C-band and Ku-band transponders to further augment communication services across - VSAT (very small aperture
terminal) services, TV services and emergency communications - the country.
The spacecraft would be joined by its co-passenger DIRECTV-14, which was built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for operator DIRECTV to provide direct-to-home television
broadcasts across the US.
Read More==>
BENGALURU: The multi-band communication satellite GSAT-16 on-board Arianespace's rocket will be launched on December 5 from the spaceport of Kourou, French Guiana, ISRO said today.
The launch is scheduled for early hours of Friday at 02:08 am (IST), ISRO said on its Facebook page.
The satellite with a lift-off mass of 3181.6 kg will be carrying C-band and Ku-band transponders to further augment communication services across - VSAT (very small aperture
terminal) services, TV services and emergency communications - the country.
The spacecraft would be joined by its co-passenger DIRECTV-14, which was built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for operator DIRECTV to provide direct-to-home television
broadcasts across the US.
Read More==>
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
