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Friday, October 31, 2014

Nokia shuts down its India plant in Sri Perambudur,Chennai,Tamil Nadu

 
Nokia is shutting down its India plant on Saturday Nov 01,2014 at Sriperumbudur near Chennai, a company spokesperson said on Friday Oct 31,2014
 "As announced earlier (October 7), we are stopping handset production at our Chennai plant from tomorrow (November 1) in the absence of orders from our new parent firm (Microsoft), which terminated the mobile purchase agreement,"

Note
Touted as Nokia's largest production facility outside Europe, the Chennai plant started rollout out initially low-end mobile handsets from January 2006 after it was unveiled by then prime minister Manmohan Singh in the presence of his Finnish counterpart Matti Vanhanen.

At the time of closing down the operations, about 1,100 employees were working in the plant, including 900 on the assembly lines.

Nokia made a cumulative investment of $300 million (Rs.1,800 crore) in the Chennai factory over the last eight years
Microsoft, which acquired the Finland-based Nokia's global devices and services business, including assets in India for $7.2 billion decided to suspend manufacturing handsets from its Chennai plant though it could not take possession of it due to legal battles over a tax notice from the Tamil Nadu government and the Supreme Court

In September 2013, Nokia announced it would sell its devices and services (D&S) business, including assets in India, to Microsoft for $ 7.2 billion by March 2014.
The deal was completed on April 25,2014 but Chennai facility could not be transferred to Microsoft because of legal issues related to tax demand by the government

The TN government slapped a Rs.2,400 crore notice to Nokia's India subsidiary in March, accusing it of selling the handsets from the Chennai plant in the domestic market than exporting them.
In another tax case, the SCI directed Nokia India in March to furnish a Rs.3,500-crore guarantee before transferring the plant to Microsoft.

Devendra Fadnavis Sworn-In As Maharashtra's First BJP Chief Minister Friday Oct 31,2014

 
Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the BJP’s first chief minister in Maharashtra on Friday Oct 31,2014 at the Wankhede stadium in a grand ceremony marked by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. 
 
Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao administered the oath of office and secrecy to Fadnavis and 9 ministers at the nearly one hour long ceremony, which was high on opulence and symbolism. 
Those sworn-in as Cabinet ministers include the BJP’s core committee members Eknath Khadse, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Vinod Tawde and Pankaja Munde
Ghatkopar MLA Prakash Mehta — a representative of the influential Gujarati community, Chandrakant Patil — an MLC from Kolhapur and an old RSS hand, and Vishnu Sawra — legislator and a ST leader are the other Cabinet ministers. 
BJP leaders Dilip Kamble and Vidya Thakur, meanwhile, took the oath as ministers of states. 

A 150-foot-long stage was set up on the ground between the Garware Pavillion and MCA Pavillion. While Modi and other senior dignitaries such as Amit Shah and L. K. Advani sat on the left side of the stage, the newly-elected Cabinet ministers were administered the oath at the centre. 
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, who made a last-minute decision to attend the event after a call from his BJP counterpart, sat five seats away from Modi. 
Uddhav was flanked by former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and Union minister Venkaiah Naidu on the dais. 

Countries Recognising the State of Palestine

 
Sweden is the first EU member state in Western Europe to recognise the Palestinian state.

Seven EU members in eastern European and the Mediterranean have already recognised a Palestinian state - Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland, and Romania.

Non-EU member Iceland is the only other western European nation to have done so.

Of the 193 member states of the United Nations, 135 (69.9%) have recognized the State of Palestine as of Sep 27,2013

Unmanned NASA rocket explodes on launch Tuesday Oct 28,2014

 
An unmanned NASA rocket has exploded seconds after lift-off from a commercial launch pad in the US state of Virginia.

The Antares rocket launched on Tuesday Oct 28,2014 was on a mission to supply the International Space Station when it exploded and crashed back to earth

The 14-storey rocket, built and launched by Orbital Sciences Corp, bolted off its seaside launch pad at the Wallops Flight Facility. It exploded seconds later.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known

Virginia-based Orbital Sciences is one of two companies hired by NASA to fly cargo to the station after the space shuttles were retired. Tuesday's planned flight was to be the third of eight under the company's $1.9bn contract with NASA.

Burkina Faso declares state of emergency

 
Burkina Faso's president has declared a state of emergency, after tens of thousands of people took the streets, setting parliament ablaze in violence that left at least one person dead.

    
Torching parliament: Protestors stormed parliament in Ouagadougou and set it ablaze in protest at plans to change the constitution
Violence: Crowds of people broke through a heavy security cordon and stormedp in OuagadougouRead more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2814093/Burkina-Faso-demonstrators-set-fire-PARLIAMENT-protest-against-president.html#ixzz3HjqoOsI9Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Defiance: An anti-government protester throws a microphone used for parliamentary sessions after invading the parliament building
Army General Honore Traore, the joint chief of staff, also said that the government and parliament had been dissolved on Thursday Oct 30,2014

Some of the protesters, who are opposed to constitutional amendments that would allow President Blaise Compaore to stay in power for another term, ransacked state television and tried to storm other state buildings.

"A state of emergency is declared across the national territory. The chief of the armed forces is in charge of implementing this decision which enters into effect today," said a statement from the president

The president also said he would open talks with the opposition.

"I dissolve the government from today so as to create conditions for change," the statement said. "I'm calling on the leaders of the political opposition to put an end to the protests. I'm pledging from today to open talks with all the actors to end the crisis."

Politicians had been due to vote on Thursday Oct 30,2014 on a government plan to change the constitution to allow Compaore - who took power in a coup in 1987 - to stand for re-election again next year, when he was due to stand down.
The government, facing its worst crisis since a wave of mutinies shook the country in 2011, later announced it was calling off the vote but it was not immediately clear if this was a temporary move.

The head of Burkina Faso's armed forces took power on Friday Oct 31,2014 after President Blaise Compaore resigned amid mass demonstrations against an attempt to extend his 27-year rule that military chief General Honore Traore had taken over the reins of power.
Burkina Faso's military chief General Honore Traore speaks at a news conference announcing his takeover of power

 Seized: Burkina Faso's military chief General Honore Traore speaks at a news conference announcing his takeover of power

Blaise Compaore, who seized power in a 1987 coup, had attempted to defy popular pressure for him to step down after a day of violent protests on Thursday in which demonstrators stormed parliament and state television.
President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso is seen in Brasilia, Brazil in this Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2003 file photo. Voters will have their say Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005 on the latest re-election bid by Compaore, a former army captain who rose to power via a bloody coup nearly two decades ago.  (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

However, with hundreds of thousands of protesters packing the streets of the capital Ouagadougou for a second day today and no sign of international support for him staying on, Compaore announced his resignation. 

A crowd gathers in front of army headquarters in Ouagadougou, demanding that the army take over following the resignation 
Power: A large crowd  in front of Ouagadougou's army headquarters urges the army to take control after the President stepped down

Control: A crowd gathers in front of army headquarters in Ouagadougou, demanding that the army take over following the resignation 


NDA Govt. cuts non-Plan spending by 10%

 
The Finance Ministry on Thursday Oct 30,2014 ordered a mandatory 10 per cent cut in the Centre’s non-Plan expenditure for 2014-15.

The cut does not cover interest payment, repayment of debt, defence capital, salaries, pension or Finance Commission grants to States, says a circular.

Subsidies will face the brunt of the cuts.

Note
The UPA government too had in place austerity measures. For 2013-14, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram rolled out cuts of 15 per cent on average across both Plan and non-Plan expenditures.

139th birth anniversary of Sarda Vallabhbhai Patel,India's first Home Minister Oct 31,2014

 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at the centre of a massive commemoration today of  the birth anniversary Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Home Minister, who belonged, like Modi, to Gujarat. 

"Without Sardar Patel, even Mahatma Gandhi seems incomplete. It was a unique partnership that strengthened the struggle for independence," the Prime Minister said after he placed flowers on a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Delhi near parliament.


Dressed in a white kurta pyjama with a red shawl, Mr Modi then walked briskly down one of Delhi's main roads, flagging off a countrywide "Run for Unity" with thousands of participants by his side.

PM Modi at the 'Run for Unity' event in New Delhi to mark Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 139th birth anniversary
Even Mahatma Gandhi Seems Incomplete Without Sardar Patel, Says PM Narendra Modi

30th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi Oct 31,1984 -Oct 31,2014

 
Today is the 30th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, whose assassination by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984 triggered riots in which thousands of Sikhs were killed in Delhi


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday Oct 31,2014 remembered former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 30th death anniversary and paid tributes to first Home Minister Sardar Patel on his birth anniversary.
“I join my fellow countrymen & women in remembering former PM Smt. Indira Gandhi on her Punya Tithi,”Narendra Modi tweeted

Enforcement Directorate(ED) chargesheet former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK leader Kanimozhi along with 17 others in connection with the 2G scam-related money laundering case Friday Oct 31,2014

Former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK leader Kanimozhi as a special court on Friday framed charges against them along with 17 others in connection with the 2G scam-related money laundering case.

DMK chief M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal is also amongst the accused against whom charges have been framed under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC and under provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

All the 19 accused have plead not guilty and have sought trial in the case

Besides Raja, Kanimozhi and Dayalu Ammal, the other accused in the case are Shahid Usman Balwa, Vinod Goenka, Directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal, Sharad Kumar, Bollywood producer Karim Morani and P Amirtham.

Special CBI Judge O.P. Saini framed charges under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and under the provision of the Money Laundering Act against 19 accused, including 10 individuals and nine companies, who were charge sheeted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the case.
“All charges are prima facie made out against each accused for laundering of money of Rs 200 crore from DB Group company to Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd,” the judge said.
As soon as the court pronounced its order, the judge asked all the accused that whether they were pleading guilty to the offence or were claiming trial.
To this, all the accused said that they claim trial for the charges framed against them

ED has also named Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd, Kusegaon Realty Pvt Ltd (formerly known as Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd), Cineyug Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd (formerly known as Cineyug Films Pvt Ltd), Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd, Dynamix Realty, Eversmile Construction Company Pvt Ltd, Conwood Constructions and Developers (P) Ltd, DB Realty Ltd and Nihar Constructions Pvt Ltd as accused in the case.

ED, in its charge sheet, had alleged that the accused were involved in the Rs 200-crore money transaction which was not "bonafide" and "genuine" and it was a "bribe for grant of telecom licences to DB Group companies" by Raja.

ED had alleged that its investigation has revealed that Rs 200 crore was paid to Kalaignar TV by Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka through Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd and Cineyug Films Pvt Ltd in the "garb of legitimate financial transactions i.e. as loan/share application money".

The charge sheet claimed that Rs 200 crore, which was paid in return for illegal favours given to Swan Telecom for grant of UAS licence, was repaid with additional money to show that it was a legal transaction.

The agency had claimed that the series of transactions relating to transfer of Rs 200 crore from DB group company to DMK-run Kalaignar TV through Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd and Cineyug Films Pvt Ltd were not "genuine business transaction"

2014-15 Barclays Premier League Monday Nov 03,2014



Crystal Palace Vs Sunderland
Sunderland beats Crystal Palace 3-1

2014-15 Barclays Premier League Sunday Nov 02,2014

Manchester City Vs Manchester United
 

The Manchester derby dominates the football agenda this weekend with both City and United going out with something to prove.
The big match at the Etihad is undoubtedly the highlight but there's plenty more to look forward to 
Louis van Gaal will hope for a better experience in his first Manchester derby than the horrendous afternoon David Moyes suffered last year
David Moyes, just weeks into the Man United job, gets a taste of the troubles to come as City win 4-1 
It is a rivalry that has exploded in the recent past as City spent their way to the status of title contenders and the 186th Manchester derby this Sunday Nov 02,2014 will likely be the tastiest yet.
Neither side enters the contest in rude health. 
Manchester City are winless in three and a shadow of themselves. They trail Chelsea by six points in the Premier League, face an uphill struggle to qualify in the Champions League and were dumped out of the League Cup this week by Newcastle
Manchester United are actually performing worse under Van Gaal this season than under Moyes last. This is officially their worst start to a Premier League campaign, with just 13 points gained from 9 matches

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
  • Manchester City have won five of their last six league meetings with Manchester United, including both games last season, when they scored seven goals and conceded just one.
  • Victory would see City record four successive league wins against United - a feat they last achieved courtesy of a 4-1 win at Old Trafford in December 1970, when Francis Lee scored a hat-trick.
  • United have the better overall record, winning 59 encounters to City's 42 in the league.
Manchester City
  • Defeat would mean City suffer back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time under Manuel Pellegrini.
  • The last time they lost consecutive top-flight games was in October 2010, when they were beaten 3-0 by Arsenal and 2-1 by Wolves.
  • City have kept just two Premier League clean sheets so far, against Newcastle and Aston Villa, with the latter match their only shut-out in eight top-flight games since the opening weekend.
  • Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero both have four goals in five league games against Manchester United, while Yaya Toure has scored three in his last four against the Red Devils.
Manchester United
  • The Red Devils have also recorded just two clean sheets this season - in league matches against Burnley and QPR.
  • Their tally of 13 points is one fewer than at this stage last season, and represents their poorest start to a top-flight campaign since 1990.
  • They have conceded six league goals from set pieces this season. Before this weekend, only Crystal Palace (seven) had a worse record.
  • Prior to the latest round of games, United were one of four Premier League teams without an away win - along with Burnley, Sunderland and QPR.

Manchester City beats Manchester United 1-0

Goal Scorer -Serio Aguero(63)

Man City have won the last four Manchester derbies in the Premier League - the first time they have won four in a row in the league since 1970 

Manchester City are only the second team in Premier League history to beat United in four consecutive games. Liverpool did it too (2000-2002)

After the 1-0 defeat in the Manchester derby on Sunday,Manchester United sat in 10th place in the Premier League, which they have won 13 times.


Aston Villa Vs Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur beats Aston Villa 2-1


Thursday, October 30, 2014

2014-15 Barclays Premier League Saturday Nov 01,2014

Newcastle United Vs Liverpool
Newcastle United beats Liverpool 1-0

Arsenal Vs Burnley
Arsenal beats Burnley 3-0

Chelsea Vs QPR
Chelsea beats QPR 2-1

Everton Vs Swansea
The Match ended in a goalless draw

Hull Vs Southampton
Southampton beats Hull 1-0

Leicester Vs West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion beats Leicester 1-0

Stoke City Vs West Ham United
The Match ended in a 2-2 draw 

Javier Mascherano Named Barcelona player of the year

 
Javier Mascherano has been chosen as Barcelona's player of the year, beating his Argentina captain and former World Player of the Year Lionel Messi to the title

Javier Mascherano receives the award with the family of Aldo Rovira, the Barca member after whom it is named

Mascherano receives the award with the family of Aldo Rovira, the Barca member after whom it is named


Javier Mascherano was the standout performer during a difficult season for the Catalan club, showing versatility to play in central defence and in a deep midfield role

Lionel Messi had won the award in three of the last four years, but relinquished the title for the 2013/14 season, the same season he lost the World Player of the Year title to Cristiano Ronaldo.

'Rumble in the Jungle' Remembered

 
It was 40 years ago that two men met just before dawn on October 30, 1974, to earn $5 million in the Rumble in the Jungle. In one of boxing's most memorable moments, Muhammad Ali stopped the fearsome George Foreman to recapture the heavyweight title in the impoverished African nation of Zaire.

 The day before the fight in Kinshasa, Foreman and Ali made separate trips to the presidential palace to pay homage to Mobutu Sese Seko, the brutal dictator who wanted to put his country (now Congo) on the world map

Richest Women in the World

The richest women in the world - all of whom are billionaires - have been announced.

Wealth X listed the extremely wealthy women in a Wednesday Oct 29,2014 release.

The website determined the most affluent women by net worth in 7 regions - North America, Europe, Pacific, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa - then ranked those women against one another

Wealth-X found that the richest woman in the world, as well as in North America, is Christy Walton of Walmart, reporting her estimated net worth is $37.9billion
Next up is Europe's wealthiest woman and L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt of France, with an estimated $31.3billion net worth, according to the website
Mining heiress Gina Reinhart of Australia took the title of most affluent woman in the Pacific, with an estimated net worth of $14.8billion, Wealth-X reported
 

For Latin America, it was a three-way tie between Mexican sisters Vanessa Paola Slim Hajj, Maria Soumaya Slim de Romero, and Johanna Slim Ayub, who are thought to possess a net worth of $6.3billion individually

In the Middle East, Shari Arison of Israel has a reported net worth of $4.2billion



In Africa, Folorunsho Alakija of Nigeria has an estimated net worth of $1.2billion

 

Yang Huiyan of China, the most affluent woman in the Pacific, is thought to also have a net worth of $6.3billion
 

Hero Electric Launches Two New Avior e-Cycles in India

 
Two-wheeler maker Hero Electric launched two models of e-cycles under Avior range, priced at between Rs 18,990 and Rs 19,290 (ex-showroom Delhi).
 
The e-cycles that aim to tap corporate professionals in metro cities will also be available in Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai

The two variants are -Avior AMX for Rs 19290 (on- road Delhi) and Avior AFX for Rs 18,990 (on- road Delhi).


 
Equipped with 6 speed gears, the e-cycle has an electric motor also powered by lithium batteries, which could be charged in 5 to 6 hours. It can reach a maximum speed of 25 KM per hour.

Hero Electric said it would also sell the e-cycles online.

Microsoft launches its first wearable device '' Microsoft Band'' at $199

 
Microsoft launched a device called "Microsoft Band" that will allow users to monitor their fitness and exercise regime, marking the world's largest software company's debut into the wearable technology market.

The wrist-worn device has sensors that monitor pulse rate, measure calorie burn and track sleep quality, Microsoft said in a blog post.

Microsoft said the device will be available in the United States in limited quantities from Thursday for $199 (124.54 pounds).

Centre clears change in names of Karnataka cities Oct 17,2014

 
Eight years after it received a proposal from Karnataka government, the Centre on Oct 17,2014 cleared renaming 12 cities and towns of the state

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh gave his approval to the proposal of the Karnataka government made on October 27, 2006 to change the names of the 12 towns and cities in consonance with their pronunciation in Kannada language

The Karnataka government had taken the decision to rechristen these cities on the occasion of the golden jubilee of formation of the state of Karnataka on November one, 2006.

The Home Minister's nod came after Survey of India, Ministry of Railways, Department of Posts, Ministry of Science and Technology and Intelligence Bureau have given their No Objection and clearance for the change in the nomenclature of the identified cities.

Besides Bangalore and Belgaum, the other cities and towns which will be known by new names(which are in brackets) are Mangalore(Mangaluru), Bellary(Ballari), Bijapur(Vijapura), Chikmagalur(Chikkamagaluru), Gulbarga(Kalaburagi), Mysore(Mysure), Hospet(Hosapete), Shimoga(Shivamogga), Hubli (Hubballi) and Tumkur(Tumakuru).

Sec 377 slapped on Infosys techie after wife catches his gay acts on spycam

A man has been arrested in Bangalore,Karnataka,India after his wife realised one year into their marriage that he was gay and having relationships with men.

The identities of the Bangalore couple involved have not been made public.

Senior police officials describe the arrest, that uses Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as a rare one.

WHAT IS SEC 377?

Under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, gay sex is an offence punishable with life imprisonment.
The section was declared unconstitutional by the Delhi high court in July 2009.

However, on December 12, 2013, that judgment was overturned by the Supreme Court, with the apex court holding that amending or repealing Section 377 should be left to Parliament, not the judiciary. 



The penal clause, from a 153-year-old British colonial law, makes gay sex punishable with life imprisonment.



The Case
The 32-year-old engineer is a classic case of societal pressures hurting individuals to the point of causing trauma.
He married his dentist wife in November 2013 but the couple did not live together for the first six months. He worked in Mysore and she worked in Bangalore.
Six months later, when he was transferred to Bangalore, the couple lived under the same roof but slept in different rooms, according to the police.
"The wife got suspicious about his behaviour because he did not have [a] physical relationship with her. She got more suspicious when she realised that her husband would return home with male friends in her absence,"
"The wife fixed CCTV cameras in the house, collected evidence for unnatural sex and filed a complaint with the police. We have arrested him," Sandip Patil, deputy commissioner of police, Central Division, Bangalore, told