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GHMC issues orders to form MDD squads

  HYDERABAD: On Sunday, orders were issued to all circles in the corporation limits by B. Janardhan Reddy, the commissioner of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to form multi-disciplinary demolition and enforcement squads with officials of police, revenue, irrigation and Town planning departments. From Monday the demolition squads would go into “Mission Mode Demolition Drive” and would remove all the illegal constructions, impingement of public spaces including on tanks, nalas, parks, open lands and roads. The squads would also demolish buildings that are structurally not safe.

Sakshi Dhoni recreates her wedding outfit for Dhoni!

  Indian cricket limited overs captain MS Dhoni is on a spree promoting his biopic ‘MS Dhoni: The untold story’ in which Sushant Singh Rajput plays his onscreen self. On Friday, the crew, along with Dhoni met Tamil superstar Rajinikanth. Dhoni uploaded a live video on his Facebook page of the encounter. MS Dhoni: The Untold Story has been one of the most-awaited biopics of the year. The Neeraj Pandey directorial promises to give audience an insight into Dhoni’s life and as the film’s tagline suggests “the man you know, the journey you don’t,” will reveal lots of untold stories that the audiences might not be aware of. The makers have shared Sakshi Dhoni’s wedding picture. Actress Kiara Advani, who plays Dhoni’s onscreen wife Sakshi, wore the exact wedding lehenga choli weaving all the fine details that made her transform into Sakshi Dhoni onscreen. In a bid to make the cricketer's wedding scene as authentic as possible, a replica of Sakshi's shaadi ka joda was created for Kiara. In fact, Sakshi took the actress to the same designer, who had fashioned the bridal lehenga. MSD's wife also wanted the make-up and accessorising to be exactly theway she had done it. The movie which also stars Disha Patani as Dhoni’s girlfriend, is all set to revive the ace cricketer’s journey onto the big screen. It will be releasing on the 30th of September.

India To Ratify Paris Climate Agreement On Oct 2

India will ratify the Paris climate change agreement on October 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in an announcement that will give momentum to implementation of measures at the international level to control global warming. Speaking at the two-day conclave in Kerala's Kozhikode, PM Modi said, "On October 2, India will ratify the COP21 resolutions on climate because Gandhiji's life had the smallest carbon footprint." Even last year after the meet, Indian officials had indicated that India might not be able to stick to the COP21 timeline for emission reduction.  At the time, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had indicated the process would take time. "There are huge issues. It will impact on our electricity regulation, Motor Vehicles Act, power plants and airlines," he had said, referring to their cascading effects. So far, 60 countries including the world's top two polluters - China and USA - have ratified the Agreement which was adopted by 195 countries in Paris last December. While China and USA had ratified it on September 3, as many as 31 countries had formally joined the Agreement through formal ratification or acceptance at a special event, hosted by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York, on September 21.  

China to look for Aliens with largest Telescope

The world’s largest radio telescope began operating in southwestern China on Sunday, a project which Beijing says will help humanity search for alien life. The world's largest telescope was built in Guizhou, a province in China and it will begin its operation by the end of this month. The massive radio telescope took five years to be built. Earlier this year, it was reported that approximately 9,000 residents were relocated to give way to China's search for alien life. The residents were relocated because of their proximity to the telescope that has a 1,640 feet diameter and is believed to be as large as 30 football fields. Researchers quoted by state media said FAST would search for gravitational waves, detect radio emissions from stars and galaxies and listen for signs of intelligent extraterrestrial life. "The ultimate goal of FAST is to discover the laws of the development of the universe," Qian Lei, an associate researcher with the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told state broadcaster.  The area surrounding the telescope is remote and relatively poor. Xinhua earlier said it was chosen because there are no major towns nearby.

Jordanian writer shot dead for 'insulting' cartoon

A prominent and controversial Jordanian writer – who was on trial for sharing a cartoon deemed offensive to Islam – has been shot dead outside the Amman court where he was due to appear. Nahed Hattar was assassinated in front the Supreme Court in Amman with local media reporting he was shot three times in the head. The shooter has reportedly been arrested by security forces. Hattar, a Christian and an anti-Islamist activist who was a supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was arrested last month after he shared a caricature  The authorities said he violated the law by sharing the caricature. The state news agency quoted a security source as saying Hattar was killed by a man who fired three shots at him on the steps of the palace of justice in the Jordanian capital. After angry reactions on social media, the Jordanian authorities decided to take legal action against Hattar, who initially went into hiding but later surrendered. Nahed Hattar was killed by three bullets as he was going to the courthouse to stand trial

PM praises Indian paralympians in 'Mann Ki Baat'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated India's Paralympians in Mann Ki Baat while adding that the government will work to further empower them. The 19-member Indian contingent had returned home from the Rio Paralympics with two gold medals, one silver and one bronze. Mariyappan Thangavelu (men’s T42 high jump) and Devendra Jhajharia (men’s F46 javelin throw) had won gold in their respective events, with the latter setting a new world record in the process. Deepa Malik (women’s F53 shot put) and Varun Singh Bhati (men’s T42 high jump) had bagged a silver and bronze respectively. “It was a delight to meet the Indian contingent that made our nation proud at the #Paralympics#Rio2016,” PM Modi wrote on his official twitter handle. “With the medal winners. Kudos to their efforts & accomplishments,” the PM wrote earlier, along with a picture with the four medallists. "Athletes at the Rio Paralympics have made the country proud. India won 4 medals in all, including 2 gold," he said. “With the champion, @DevJhajharia. We can learn a lot from his life & determination,” he said about Jhajharia who has now become the most successful Indian Paralympian with two gold (the other at 2004 Athens Paralympics). “Mariyappan Thangavelu has captured India’s imagination. Delighted to meet him,” he wrote, “Varun Singh Bhati is a superb athlete. Was great to learn about his experiences at the #Paralympics,” said another tweet.

Ashwin creates history;fastest to take 200 wickets

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the 30-year-old today surpassed legends Waqar Younis and Dennis Lillee to become the second fastest bowler to claim 200 Test wickets. Ravichandran Ashwin's third scalp against New Zealand in the second innings was his 200th in the longest format. The ball spun back sharply and hit the Kiwi skipper in line of the stumps. Ashwin had also dismissed Williamson in the first innings of the match, with a peach of a delivery. Australia legspinner Clarrie Grimmett leads the chart, reaching the milestone in 37 Tests. Ashwin achieved the milestone in his 37th Test match, bettering Waqar and Lillee, who both took 38 Tests. The world No.1 all-rounder, who was seven wickets away from hitting the 200-wicket mark, went wicketless on Day 2 of the ongoing first Test against New Zealand at Kanpur and it took him 16.5 overs to get his first scalp. Ashwin is the ninth Indian bowler to record 200 in Tests and also the ninth highest wicket-taker for the country in a list lead by current coach Anil Kumble (619).

28k illegal buildings will be bulldozed

HYDERABAD: On Saturday, the Chief Minister of Telangana, K Chandrasekhar Rao said that, 28000 buildings, which were built illegally on Hyderabad’s storm water drains, would be bulldozed in order to prevent floods during heavy rainfall. The CM said that, the government of Telangana would not allow any illegal constructions in the city, adding that, flying squads for each of the 24 municipal circles which were assisted by police would be pressed into service to pull down the illegal structures that are under construction at the moment. KCR added that, they were determined to demolish all the buildings which were constructed illegally on obtruded storm water drains across the city and blocking rain water flow to prevent flooding.  

MANUU’s teachers will go on hunger strike

HYDERABAD: Maulana Azad National Urdu University’s teachers, after being transferred to university’s off campus locations in Bengalure and in Darbangha in Bhiar from the main campus that is located at Hyderabad, said that they would go on hunger strike against the move that has been taken. Saheer Zaman, who is one of the teachers, said that, they had 15 days to join the campuses where they had been transferred. If there was no response by then, they would go on hunger strike, he said adding that, he had raised issues of improper functioning in the university.

TG is looking at ways to change laws: KCR

HYDERABAD: On Sunday, K Chandra Shekar Rao, after reviewing the situation in the state as well as city, addressed a press conference at Secretariat in the wake of heavy rains. KCR, in response to a question which was asked on the steps being taken to rid Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation of corrupt staff by the government of the state, said, “There is no redemption in sight for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation from corruption and if the government were to begin taking action against corrupt staff, then no one will be left in GHMC.” Furthermore, the CM also added, “The government of Telangana, in an attempt to eliminate the employees from indulging in corruption with impunity and settling down into their comfort zones, is looking at ways to change laws to make it possible to transfer them from the civic bodies to other positions in the state”.

Indian army and NDRF swung into action

HYDERABAD: On Saturday, in order to launch food distribution drives following heavy rains, Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force swung into action. After MET department warned that the rains would continue for five more days, citizen groups, who earlier involved in the food distribution activities, are currently concentrating on providing medicines and fighting sanitation and health issues. Film actor Navdeep said that, that was the second phase where the focus was on sanitation and health care. Mosquito repellents, sanitary napkins, blankets, rugs, bed sheets, and non-perishable food items like biscuits, rusk, etc., were needed and he added that they were making arrangements for the same.

KCR & KTR should come out of their slumber

HYDERABAD: On Saturday, after visiting the inundated areas of Alwal in Kukatpally, TPCC chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that the ‘government of Telangana’’s negligent and lethargic attitude had pushed the whole of Hyderabad city into a chaotic situation. Uttam Kumar in reference with the Municipal Minister and Chief Minister of Telangana also said, “Neither of them held a comprehensive review on civic conditions in the city and today’s situation was the outcome of continued negligence. At least now KCR and KTR should come out of their slumber and take immediate action to bring back normalcy”.  

Apple buys Hyd start-up for shocking amount!!

  Tuplejump, a Hyderabad-based machine learning startup that helps companies to store, process and visualise big data with its unique software has been acquired by US tech giant Apple. "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans." the Cupertino giant told a publication, indicating the deal was likely an acqui-hire. Founded in 2013, Tuplejump's two co-founders Rohit Rai and Satyaprakash Buddhavarapu have already joined Apple while third cofounder, Deepak Alur, joined Anaplan - a Cloud-based business modelling and planning platform for sales, operations and finance. nearly all of Tuplejump's 16 employees are in the process of becoming Apple staffers. A back-of-the-envelope calculation by an expert put the valuation at about $20 million (Rs 27 crore). "When there is a talent hire, the cost of hiring is usually calculated based on the last few years' salary," the expert said. "So, for a 16-member team, I think it would probably come up to around $4 million a year, making this deal for something around $20 million (including for possible IP evaluation)". This deal comes a month after Apple acquired another machine learning company Turi. It had also bought deep learning company Perceptio in October last year.

Yuvraj Singh reveals his wedding details!!

  In a recent interview cricketer Yuvraj Singh has revealed that he will wed his long time girlfriend model actress Hazel Keech in December. The preparations for the gala wedding are already on. Yuvraj’s cricketer friends and Hazel’s film industry friends all are going to be present. Yuvraj who is extremely popular amongst his female fans expressed, “I have been through a lot in life. There comes a phase when you want to settle down. There is a right time for everything in life. I want to get married, and this is the right time for it.” He added, “You get married only once. A wedding is an occasion you want to celebrate with everyone. We were always sure we wanted to invite everyone to the wedding. It will be a three-four day affair. We will have a couple of events to make sure all my cricketer friends get to attend them. Preparations are in full swing.” The wedding functions will be held in Delhi and Chandigarh and both Sikh and Hindu rituals (since Hazel's mother is from Uttar Pradesh) will be followed. Yuvraj and the model-turned actress met at a friend's party last year and since then they had been spotted together at many public events. Hazel, born in Essex, England, rose to popularity after she played a crucial role in Salman Khan's Bodyguard (2011) and the telugu film, Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum.

Bollywood comes out in support of Pak actors

  Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's affiliate Chitrapat Sena has warned the Pakistani actors to leave the country asap in the wake of the recent Uri attack in base camp at Jammu & Kashmir, which killed as many as 18 army personnel. “ We give a 48 hour deadline to Pakistani Actors and artists to leave India or MNS will push them out.”"We won't let 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' and 'Raees' release as it has Pakistani actors, says MNS. Bollywood now has come out in support of the Pak actors. Vikram Bhatt said India should push for declaring Pakistan as a terrorist state than involving actors into the situation because that will "trivialise" the issue. "We should concentrate on making sure that Pakistan is declared a terrorist state. That should be our effort. This (asking Pak actors to leave) is like trivialising the issue-- whether artists or cricket should be allowed nor not...  "How does that matter? What matters is that people are dying, we have been constantly suffering... And the only thing we do is ban artists!" he said.  Film critic Mayank Shekhar said culture is apolitical and when government of India has given permission to Pakistani actors to work here, any other political outfit should not "spread fear" among people.  

Russia joins Pak in first ever joint military drill

“A contingent of Russian ground forces arrived in Pakistan for first ever Pak—Russian joint exercise from September 24 to October 10,” army spokesman Lt—Gen Asim Bajwa tweeted along with some photographs of the Russian and Pakistan troops. Russia and Pakistan came together on Friday for theirfirst-ever joint military exercise called 'Friendship 2016' in a development that will be watched keenly in both Delhi and Washington DC. The Russian embassy in New Delhi, in a statement, said: "Contrary to some reports appearing in a section of the press, the Russia-Pakistan anti-terror exercise is not being held and will not be held in any point of so-called "Azad Kashmir" or in any other sensitive or problematic areas like Gilgit and Baltistan." "The only venue of the exercise is Cherat. All reports alleging the drills taking place at the High Altitude Military School in Rattu are erroneous and mischievous," it said. The exercise is to take place in a mountainous area in the eastern Punjab province. Both countries have long experience of counterinsurgency operations in this difficult terrain, which they want to share with each other. The exercise was first announced in January and is a signal that “Moscow and Islamabad are interested in deepening military-to-military relations,” Pakistan's ambassador to Moscow Qazi Khalilullah said.

Delete user data till Sep 25; HC to WhatsApp

  The Delhi High Court on Friday ruled that WhatsApp has to delete all data on users who choose to stop using the service before Sept. 25, when the new policy takes effect. WhatsApp revised its privacy policy last month to share data with owner Facebook and allow targeted ads and messages from businesses, laying the groundwork for the free messaging service to begin making money. Students Karmanya Singh Sareen and Shreya Sethi, 19 and 22 respectively, then filed a public-interest litigation seeking to block those changes. The court also asked the telecom regulator TRAI to examine the feasibility of bringing internet messaging applications like WhatsApp under the statutory regulatory framework.Senior advocate Pratibha M Singh, who had argued on behalf of the two students, called the judgement 'path-breaking'. "It is a major dent on their policy, definitely. WhatsApp will have to make changes," she told. WhatsApp had told the court that once a user deletes an account, information and data on that person is no longer retained on its servers. It also clarified that only a user's name and phone number are shared and not the content of the messages which are encrypted.

HC stayed the warrant issued to MLA Elvis

  HYDERABAD: On Friday, the bailable warrant that has been issued against MLA Elvis Stephenson, a complainant in Cash for Vote case, was stayed by the Hyderabad High Court. Senior counsel G Vidya Sagar said, “The petitioner has filed a petition before the single judge asked him to rescue from hearing of a quash petition filed by one Jerusalem Mathaiah, who is one of the accused in Cash for Vote scam”, to the court. The division bench comprising of Justice Anis and Justice V Ramasubramanian dismissed the rescue petition and directed initiation of action against Stephenson under Contempt of Court Act.

TG government initiates polio clean up

  HYDERABAD: On Friday, the Commissionerate of Health and Famiy Welfare informed that, the action has been started by the government of Telangana soon after type 2 polio vaccine virus has been discovered in Nagaole Nala. The actions include revalidation of health facilities and cold chain points in public as well as private sector of any tOPV i.e., trivalent oral polio vaccines; and self-declaration by government and private health facilities that they are not using tOPVs for the purpose of vaccination. The commissioner in reference with the initiated actions said that, the virus isolated from surveillance was just vaccine derived and there was no reason for concern.