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Case against ex-Rajasthan minister in Rs 1,000-crore Jal Jeevan Mission ‘scam’

admin — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 04:02:38 +0000

A case has been registered against former Rajasthan minister and Congress leader Mahesh Joshi and 22 others in connection with an alleged Rs 1000-crore Jal Jeevan Mission scam.
In the FIR filed against Joshi and 22 other people, the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) claimed that the former minister misused his official powers.
Joshi was the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) minister in the Ashok Gehlot-led previous Congress government.
Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also arrested some people in a money laundering case linked to the scam.
Speaking to India Today TV, ACB chief Ravi Prakash Meharda said that Joshi may be called for questioning by the agency if the need arises.
“If the need be, yes (the former cabinet minister can be summoned for questioning),” Meharda said to India Today TV.
“The very fact that we have registered a case indicates that there is some evidence… which of course will be confirmed once we investigate fully,” Meharda added.
The central government’s Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through household tap connections and is being implemented in Rajasthan by the PHED.
The allegations against Joshi included misappropriation of funds with the connivance of officials and contractors of the PHED department in the implementation of the scheme in Rajasthan.
The ED also conducted multiple searches in this case, including at the premises of Joshi, and also arrested an alleged middleman and some contractors.
The others accused in the scam include Sushil Sharma, a financial advisor to Joshi, Chief Engineers RK Meena and Dinesh Goyal, among others.

Hong Kong September retail sales fall 6.9%

admin — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 23:03:37 +0000

HONG KONG : Hong Kong’s September retail sales fell 6.9 per cent from a year earlier, reflecting the continued impact of a change in consumption patterns, government data showed on Friday.
Sales fell to HK$29.57 billion ($3.80 billion) in a seventh consecutive month of decline after a revised 10.0 per cent decline in August, a 11.7 per cent fall in July, a 9.7 per cent fall in June, a 11.5 per cent drop in May, a 14.7 per cent drop in April and a 7 per cent decline in March.
In volume terms, retail sales fell 8.7 per cent year-on-year in September, compared with a revised 11.7 per cent drop in August, 13.2 per cent decline in July, 11.2 per cent fall in June, a 12.9 per cent drop in May, a 16.5 per cent plunge in April and a 8.7 per cent decrease in March.
(This story has been corrected to fix the content after an unrelated story was attached in error)

Genoa appear to rip off West Ham with Mario Balotelli unveiling

admin — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 17:55:36 +0000

Striker’s return to Serie A was marked with a Super Mario-inspired video which felt rather familiar for West Ham fans

Super Mario has had a reboot, but the game is up for Genoa’s social media team after pinching a Nintendo-inspired idea from West Ham to announce Mario Balotelli has signed.
West Ham fans were quick to spot that a video game-style clip marking Balotelli’s return to Serie A was a rip off of the London club’s 2018 signing of João Mário, now at Besiktas.
🪙🔴🔵🪙 pic.twitter.com/8QupBPZBJv
In both videos, a black Mario is depicted in pixelated style in front of a football stadium in a platform format play on the 1990s video game featuring an Italian plumber.
For Genoa, it seems imitation is the most sincere form of flattery to announce a signing that ends Balotelli’s stint as a free agent after leaving Turkish club Adana Demirspor in the summer. “I am pumped,” the striker said on Monday. “I don’t want to talk much. I just want to get started. I’ll give it my all.”
Here we go. #WelcomeMario pic.twitter.com/NkGInrbr2c
The Italian, 34, had spells in Turkey and Switzerland after leaving Monza in 2021. He emerged as an in-demand talent under Roberto Mancini at Inter, making his debut in 2007 and helping the Serie A giants to three league titles. He then played a role in winning the treble under Jose Mourinho in 2010.
The former Italy international linked back up with Mancini at Manchester City, where he helped the Premier League club to a famous title victory in 2011/12. Balotelli went on to join AC Milan, Liverpool, Nice and Marseille. The striker has also scored 14 goals in 36 international appearances.
Despite heading towards the end of his career, Balotelli has still enjoyed success in front of goal, scoring seven times in 16 appearances for Adana Demirspor in a stint hampered by a knee injury. His last Serie A appearance came in the 2019/20 campaign at Brescia, where he scored five times in 19 matches.

admin — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 14:05:22 +0000

The Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) will release the admit card for the Combined Graduate Level Recruitment (Preliminary) Examination 2024 under Advt. No. 1249/OSSC. Eligible candidates can download the admit card through the official website www.osssc.gov.in.
The exam will be conducted on October 20 in one sitting through OMR mode in 30 districts across the state. The exam will consist of 150 questions of one mark each. There shall be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer. The recruitment drive aims to fill up a total of 595 vacancies.
The applicants will be shortlisted on the basis of the Preliminary exam, Main exam, and certificate verification.
For more details, candidates are advised to visit the official website here.

Jefferson sees longer gains for Vikings ahead

admin — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 04:07:35 +0000

Justin Jefferson has gone four full games in a row for the Minnesota Vikings without reaching 100 receiving yards, the longest such streak of his spectacular career.
Don’t think he hasn’t noticed.
“I’m definitely sick of having these 80, 90-yard games. I definitely have to get over that hump of 100 yards. That’s definitely my plan,” Jefferson said on Tuesday after practice as the Vikings (5-1) hustled to prepare for a trip to Los Angeles to play the Rams on Thursday night.
Last season, Jefferson had four consecutive games below the 100-yard mark, but he had two on each side of the severe hamstring strain that sidelined him for more than two months. Jefferson left the Week 5 game early after getting hurt. He was limited to just 13 snaps in his Week 14 return when he suffered a chest injury that sent him to the hospital.
With a touchdown catch in five of six games and 531 receiving yards for a per-game average that ranks fourth in the NFL this year, the production from Jefferson as he’s adjusting to new quarterback Sam Darnold has been plenty consistent. His impact has been nothing to downplay, either, in light of the absence of tight end T.J. Hockenson and two earlier games missed for sidekick Jordan Addison that has given opposing defenses a little less to be stressed about.
Still, Jefferson, who has hit the 100-yard mark in 30 of 66 regular-season games, is only averaging 5.5 receptions per game. That matches the lowest rate of his five-year career.
“If you see it on tape, the explosive plays are all over the field, not just me. They’re all over the field, and we’ve just got to be dialed in, all 11, to execute those plays and to give Sam a little bit more time,” Jefferson said. “So it’s going to be one of these games that we’re going to show the world what we’re really capable of, and hopefully it’s Thursday night.”
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell has continued to devise play calls and route concepts to let Jefferson use his intelligence, agility and speed to routinely get open, despite the constant presence of double-teaming safeties in his way. He said he’s experienced more holding by defenders against him. Some of the fouls have been called, some not.
The only pass to Jefferson that wasn’t completed on Sunday in the 31-29 loss to the Detroit Lions was the miss that hurt the most, when Darnold’s third-and-4 throw toward the sideline sailed over his head with 2:41 left in the game. The Vikings were forced to punt on the next play, and the Lions got the ball back with plenty of time to move in range for the go-ahead field goal with 15 seconds remaining. If Darnold had put the ball just a few inches lower, Jefferson likely would have caught it and given the Vikings a golden opportunity to drain the clock and hold on to win.
“Just plays being left out there on the field. But it’s no single person’s fault. We all have to be dialed in as a whole entire team,” Jefferson said.

Russia invested over $10.3 bln in sports facilities over decade — Putin

admin — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 23:02:56 +0000

UFA, October 17. /TASS/. More than one trillion rubles ($10.3 bln) were invested over the decade into creation of readily available sport infrastructure in Russia, President Vladimir Putin said.
“More than one trillion rubles were invested in all Russian regions over the last decade to create readily available sports facilities,” the head of state said. “About 85,000 facilities were built,” Putin noted.
“More than 2,000 will appear by 2030. We will allocate about 65 bln rubles ($667.4 mln) for these purposes from the federal budget alone,” the Russian leader said. “Huge amounts were also planned by the Russian business,” Putin added.

LA County district attorney shares evidence in Menendez brothers case as he mulls their sentence

admin — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 14:08:33 +0000

The Los Angeles district attorney has released new evidence in the Lyle and Erik Menendez case that could potentially lead to a review of their life sentences for murder.

After their first widely publicized trial ended in a mistrial, a jury convicted the Menendez brothers of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty, following a second trial in 1996.

While they never denied killing their parents, the brothers claimed they acted in self-defense and were lifelong victims of sexual abuse by their father. During the second trial, prosecutors argued the “abuse didn’t happen” and the judge overseeing the case did not allow much of the defense’s evidence of abuse to be presented, according to the brothers’ attorneys.

In July 1996, both men were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Now, more than 35 years after the murders, LA District Attorney George Gascón has publicly posted a screenshot of a letter the brothers’ attorneys have argued corroborates Erik’s allegations he was sexually abused by his father.

On Sunday, Gascón shared an image of the handwritten, undated letter in a post on his social media platforms. The letter was written by Erik Menendez and alludes to the abuse. As of Tuesday, the post was no longer up on Gascón’s Instagram page.

“I’ve been trying to avoid dad. Its still happening Andy but its worse for me now,” the letter states. “I never know when its going to happen and its driving me crazy. Every night I stay up thinking he might come in.”

An attorney for the Menendez brothers confirmed the authenticity of the letter posted by Gascón, saying it’s an excerpt of a letter included in their May 2023 habeas corpus petition filed with the LA Superior Court, which CNN previously reported.

In the petition, the attorneys say the letter was written by Erik Menendez to his cousin, Andy Cano, in December 1988 – months before Kitty and Jose were murdered. Had the letter been introduced as evidence during the 1996 trial, the Menendez attorneys argue, the jury may have reached a different conclusion.

“Mark and I are certainly pleased that the District Attorney is taking the time to look into the merits of the habeas petition,” defense attorney Cliff Gardner told CNN in a statement, referring to Mark Geragos, who also represents the brothers.

“Given today’s very different understanding of the devastating impact of sexual and physical abuse on young children (both boys and girls), the testimony about Jose’s sexual abuse of Lyle that was excluded at the second trial and the remarkable new evidence presented in the habeas petition, we think resentencing is in the interests of justice,” Gardner said. “The brothers have served more than 30 years in prison. That is enough.”

CNN reached out to Gascón’s office for comment.

The case has reemerged in the spotlight after more than 30 years, following last month’s release of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” a Netflix series created by prolific TV showrunner Ryan Murphy.

This month, Netflix also released a documentary on the Menendez case featuring both men discussing what led to the murders.

The family of Erik and Lyle Menendez said they will hold a news conference “in a powerful show of unity” outside the Los Angeles courthouse Wednesday, alongside Gardner and Geragos.

Gascón’s office has until November 26 to provide a response to the brothers’ petition to challenge the legality of their incarceration.

In a news conference earlier this month, Gascón stated his office has a “moral and ethical obligation to review” the Menendez brothers’ case. He is campaigning for reelection this November on a progressive platform that includes sentencing reform.

Ban hammer

admin — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 04:11:28 +0000

THE decision to ban the PTM under the Anti-Terrorism Act is yet another ill-advised move by the state. Although the government has said the movement poses a threat to national security, many see the decision as an attempt to suppress dissent. History has shown that such heavy-handed moves fail to achieve their desired goals. Rather than quelling unrest, they often exacerbate tensions, pushing marginalised groups further away from the state. If the government has concrete allegations against the PTM or any individuals associated with it, there should be transparent legal proceedings against the suspected lawbreakers. Proscribing the group will only alienate the community that supports it. The fact that two PTM-associated members were elected to parliament without the PTM label is a telling example of how the movement cannot be diminished through repressive actions. It is not the PTM name that resonates with the people, but the issues the movement has highlighted. Targeting it in such a manner will only exacerbate the anger and sense of marginalisation felt by its supporters. In fact, this move could push more people into the arms of radical elements who thrive on state-induced resentment.
Moreover, conflating a rights-based movement with violent terrorist groups is counterproductive. The state must realise that these actions, far from restoring order, will only result in more tension. Over the years, the Pakhtun population has voiced concerns about neglect and discrimination, alleged state violence and enforced disappearances. The PTM served as one avenue through which these grievances were being articulated. By banning it, the government is silencing voices that operated within the constitutional framework. This is not only unjust, it is short-sighted. Instead of bans and violent crackdowns — as was witnessed recently with the dismantling of a protest camp in Khyber — the government should be focusing on addressing the root causes of discontent. The issues of missing persons, alleged state violence, and the lack of political representation need to be resolved through dialogue and reforms. In the same vein, the PTM must hear out state institutions’ objections about the way it conducts its politics. Delegitimising a group through bans has never been a solution, and it never will be. If the state genuinely seeks peace and stability, it must listen to the concerns of the people, rather than stifle their voices.
Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2024

Ratan Tata’s final journey: A shift in Parsi rituals as cremation becomes common

admin — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 23:06:49 +0000

Renowned industrialist Ratan Tata died at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on October 9. He was 86. Known for his visionary leadership and deep commitment to social responsibility, Ratan Tata not only transformed the Tata Group into a global powerhouse but touched millions of lives in ways big and small. He will be accorded a state funeral by Maharashtra.
Ratan Tata’s body was on Thursday morning taken from his house in a hearse, decked with white flowers, to the NCPA in south Mumbai where it would be kept for people to pay their last respects. His last rites will be performed at Mumbai’s Worli Crematorium.
According to a statement from Tata Trust, Ratan Tata’s mortal remains will be taken on their final journey at 4 pm today.
His funeral at Worli reflects changing traditions in the Parsi community, where more and more members are opting for cremation rather than having the remains of their loved ones consigned to the Tower of Silence, or Doongerwadi, on Malabar Hill.
Ratan Tata had been a prominent figure not just in the business world but also within the Parsi community. The Parsi community, followers of Zoroastrianism, is one of India’s smallest but most influential religious minorities, of which Tata was a distinguished member.
Several prominent Parsi publications condoled his death this morning, remembering him as someone who contributed generously for the community. “Ratan Tata has been a generous supporter of the Zoroastrian Return to Roots Program and has kindly met with us on a few occasions. He is a great role model for young Zarathushtis to be humble and philanthropic,” reads a post on the Zororoots Instagram account.
Parsi Khabar said that “Ratan Tata embodied the timeless values of his Parsi heritage and the teachings of the Zoroastrian faith, leaving a legacy of kindness, integrity, and inspiration that will endure through the ages.”
Traditionally, the Zoroastrians disposed of their dead through a unique practice called “sky burial,” where bodies are placed in a Tower of Silence (Dakhma) and exposed to natural elements and scavenging birds, primarily vultures.
In recent years, with the decline of vulture population in India, more and more members of the Parsi community have begun opting for cremations rather than the traditional Tower of Silence.
According to the Free Press Journal, the Prayer Hall at the Worli municipal crematorium offers a place for the death rites of Parsi-Zoroastrians who do not want to be interred in the Tower of Silence. The 2024 report said that before the Prayer Hall was established, only 7 to 8% of funerals among Parsis in Mumbai were cremations.
Now, between 15 to 20% of all Parsi funerals take place at crematoriums. This despite the fact that orthodox Parsis still reject the idea of cremations.
The mortal remains of Tata were brought out of the hospital in an ambulance escorted by police vehicles early on Thursday and taken to his residence in Colaba. His mortal remains will be kept at the NCPA from 10 am to 3.30 pm on Thursday for people to pay their respects.
At 4 pm, his body will be taken to Worli Crematorium for last rites. The Maharashtra government has declared a day of mourning in the state on Thursday to pay tributes to Ratan Tata, the Chief Minister’s Office said.
The last rites of Cyrus Mistry, another prominent member of the Parsi community, had also been performed at the Worli Crematorium in 2022.

Indian govt asks top court to treat ‘marital rape leniently’

admin — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 17:47:25 +0000

MUMBAI: The Indian government has insisted that `marital rape’ should be treated more leniently than other rape offences in an ongoing court case brought by campaigners seeking to outlaw it.
The penal code introduced in the 19th century explicitly states that “sexual acts by a man with his own wife… is not rape”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government enacted an overhauled code in July which retains that clause, despite the decade-long court challenge by activists seeking to make marital rape illegal.
India’s interior ministry submitted an affidavit to the supreme court on Thursday stating that while marital rape should result in “penal consequences”, the legal system should treat it more leniently than rape committed outside of marriage.
“A husband certainly does not have any fundamental right to violate the consent of his wife,” the affidavit said, according to The Indian Express newspaper. “However, attracting the crime in the nature of ‘rape’ as recognised in India to the institution of marriage can be arguably considered to be excessively harsh.”
Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2024