no2politics

Friday, 7 February 2014

nd vs NZ, 1st Test, as it happend: India need 320 to win

1105 IST: close on day 3: India 87/1 with Dhawan on 49 and Pujara on 22 Dhawan played an absolutely delightful straight drive off Sodhi to move to 48. Took a couple of steps and met the ball with the absolute middle of the bat. Was the shot of the session so far. Dhawan and Pujara have added 51 together now, which is the largest partnership on day three. They have reduced the target India need to 320, which does not sound as daunting as 407. In all 17 wickets fell today for 274 runs after 329 runs were scored on day one for the loss of just four wickets. Both sides have everything to play for on day four. Thanks for riding along with us today and join us then for what could be the exciting conclusion to this match. 1045 IST: India 69/1 after 20 overs, with Dhawan on 42 and Pujara on 12 Sodhi has been introduced and he is getting turn already. McCullum has two men in catching positions on the legside for Dhawan, who is disdainful of their presence, and clips the legspinner through midwicket for three. Takes him into the 40s for the first time since his Test debut. India have whittled their target down to 338. They are slowly stealing the upper hand from New Zealand, who will not doubt be desperate to get it back. 1035 IST: India 46/1 after 16 overs, with Dhawan on 32 and Pujara on 10 Dhawan brought up India's 50 by cutting Wagner through the vacant point region. The shot would have pleased Dhawan even more than normal because Wagner hit him on the helmet earlier in the over. Pujara also cracks Anderson down the ground for his first boundary. India looking comfortable at this point and whittling away at that target. This game still tilts towards NZ - 407 is a big target - but the emotion surrounding this game is different now. After the panic first two sessions, India have surprising brought some stability to proceedings. 1015 IST: India 46/1 after 12 overs, with Dhawan on 26 and Pujara on 6 Scoring has slowed down since Vijay's exit. Pujara has been watching in making 6 from 19 deliveries, no doubt wanting to make sure he doesn't make the same sort of mistake he made in the first innings. This is also a big knock for Dhawan, who doesn't lack confidence but has lacked Test runs since his debut. India have also seen off Southee and Boult and Wagner and Anderson have just been brought on. 0955 IST: OUT! Southee gets the breakthrough It was down legside and Vijay shapes to play the flick. He perhaps leans over too much and there is a sound as it goes past him. The Kiwis appeal loudly when Watling pouches the ball and the umpire rules in their favour. Vijay looks unhappy. Replays and Snicko are inconclusive. Doesn't matter. Pujara is the new batsmen. India are 36/1 after 8 overs. They need another 371 to win.

Tight security for Modi rally

GUWAHATI: A multi-layer security cover has been arranged for Narendra Modi's rally here on Saturday. Modi, who is vulnerable to attacks from fundamentalist groups, was strongly criticized by Ulfa (I) a few days ago.

Though Gujarat police commandos will accompany him, Assam police have left no stone unturned to tighten security at BJP's Maha Jagaran Samaroh here. More than 1,000 state police personnel and officials will keep strict vigil on the Khanapara veterinary ground where Modi will start the party's election campaign in Assam. According to a protocol officer for Modi's security, Gujarat police officials have already arrived here to coordinate security arrangements with Assam police. Some 150 Gujarat police commandos will ensure Modi's security along with National Security Guard (NSG) commandos.

"Two SP-rank officials, along with seven additional SPs, eight deputy SPs, 17 inspectors and 160 sub-inspector-rank police officials will be deployed. Besides, there will be seven companies of security forces and 500 unarmed police personnel. Hundreds of police officers in civvies and special teams have also been organized," said city SSP, A P Tiwari. He added that if necessary, additional forces will be arranged.

At least 90 CCTV cameras have been installed across the ground. Police have placed metal detectors, riot- control vehicles, bomb squads and other necessary gadgets. "No one will be allowed to enter the ground with any kind of bag, briefcase, knife and matchbox. People can bring transparent water pouches," he added. People coming to the rally can enter through 17 gates. The BJP is expecting about 1.5 lakh people at the rally. The party has arranged two special trains from Tinsukia and Dibrugarh to bring workers to the rally.

Strict traffic arrangements for the visitors of the rally have also been made. People coming from lower Assam districts are directed to park their vehicles at Tripura Road in the Six Mile area from where volunteers will guide them to the ground.

"Those who are coming from upper Assam are asked to park their vehicles near Khanapara rotary," said SP (City Traffic) P Goswami. Special parking places have been arranged at Khanapara, Beltola, Basista Road and Ganeshmandir Stadium ground. Over 4000 buses are expected to bring BJP supporters from various parts of the state to Modi's rally.

Modi is scheduled to address two rallies - one in Imphal at 11 am and the second one here in the city at 1 pm. After arriving at Guwahati airport, Modi will fly to National Games Stadium here by a helicopter. From there, he will take a car ride to the ground.

Bharatiya Janata Party to support Telangana Bill in Parliament

After the Union Cabinet cleared the Telangana Bill, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it will support the bill in Parliament as it has not changed its stand on the new state's formation.
"There is no change in our stand or policies with regard to Telanagan formation. We are a national party and the stand of our national leadership on the issue is one," said BJP's Andhra Pradesh chief G Krishna Reddy.
The Telangana Bill will be introduced in Parliament on February 12.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leader said whenever this bill comes up in Parliament, his party will support it.
He, however, said, the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders from Andhra Pradesh will seek amendments to the bill to include an economic package along with water and other packages for Seemandhra region.
Reddy said, "Since Bharatiya Janata Party does not have an MP from Andhra Pradesh in either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, the state leaders today met senior leaders Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley and pressed for moving amendments to the bill to include special economic packages for development of both Telangana and Seemandhra regions."
Listing such packages for the development of both the regions, he said, these include the Ichchampelly project in Telangana besides a project for uplifting the handicapped.
Reddy also called for special power projects for Telangana from the Centre and special incentives for the promotion of industry in both regions.
The controversial bill will be presented in the Rajya Sabha in the present form and the government will move 32 amendments when it is taken up for consideration.

India, US should deal with differences in constructive manner’

The U.S., in an apparent reference to the Devyani Khobragde issue, on Saturday said such “challenges” should not be allowed to derail the future of its important relationship with India and the two countries needed to deal with differences in a constructive manner.

“Every meaningful partnership between powerful nations encounters setbacks. And, obviously, recent events have drawn more attention to our disagreements than to our cooperative efforts,” National Security Advisor Susan Rice said in an apparent reference to the issue of the arrest of the Indian diplomat which created tension between the two countries.

“But, those difficulties should be minor compared to the breadth of our relationship and the magnitude of what we can accomplish together,” she said in her address to the Aspen Institute U.S.-India Dialogue being held in Washington.

“We must also deal with our differences in a constructive manner, commensurate with a relationship of this importance. We cannot allow such challenges to derail the future we are working diligently to build a future of greater prosperity, greater security, and consistent adherence to our shared values,” Ms. Rice said, reiterating the commitment of the Obama Administration to strengthen and deepen the bilateral relationship between the two largest democracies of the world.

Ms. Khobragade, 39, was arrested on December 12, on visa fraud charges, strip-searched and held with criminals, triggering a row between the two countries with India retaliating by downgrading privileges of certain category of U.S. diplomats among other steps.

Ms. Khobragade was indicted on visa fraud and making false statements by a U.S. grand jury. She returned to India after she was asked to leave the U.S. by the State Department.

“The relationship between India and the United States can and should be, as President Obama has said many times, ‘one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century’ and, as I’ve experienced firsthand, it can also be one of our most productive partnerships,” she said.

Ms. Rice said she has built a productive relationship with her Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon.

Given the hard work done by the governments of the two countries in the last two decades, Ms. Rice exuded confidence that the India-U.S. relationship would continue to grow irrespective of the outcome of the upcoming elections.

“For almost two decades, in both India and the United States, Presidents and Prime Ministers and political parties have come together and worked to overcome old schisms. Piece by piece, we’re establishing a lasting partnership that’s equipped to tackle today’s global challenges.

“And, the U.S. is confident that, whatever the outcome of India’s upcoming national elections, the cooperation and strategic partnership between our nations will continue to grow,” Ms. Rice said.

She said India and the U.S. are deepening their cooperation in meaningful ways across the board and as India continues to grow and to take on greater responsibilities on the world stage, the two nations must work even harder to make sure this partnership lives up to its potential.

Emphasising the need to expand opportunities for trade and investment, Ms. Rice raised the concerns of the U.S. in particular those related to intellectual property.

“These tough issues won’t be resolved overnight. But, President Barack Obama and Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh are committed to maximising our economic relationship,” she acknowledged.

“Concluding a bilateral investment treaty would be a strong step forward, helping to attract more capital to India and benefiting Indians investing in industries across the United States. And, since our two nations make up almost a quarter of the world’s population, it can only benefit the global economy,” she said.

The two largest democracies of the world, she said have a responsibility to stand united to defend the values that the peoples share.

“Lets build on the important steps we’ve already taken, such as: working together in the UN Human Rights Council to advance reconciliation in Sri Lanka; supporting elections in third countries; and helping found the UN Democracy Fund,” Ms. Rice said.

“Still, there’s much more we can do, starting by ensuring that the rights of women, members of ethnic and religious minority groups, and those in the LGBT community are protected at home and abroad. Both our nations have struggled with these issues in our histories, and we must continue working to make our democracies safe for all our citizens and to lead the world by our example,” she said.

Keywords: Susan Rice, Indo-US relations, Devyani Khobragade, diplomatic immunity, diplomat arrest row

Thursday, 6 February 2014

1st Test, Day 2: India vs New Zealand - As it happened...

Second day of the first Test also belonged to the home side, as first their skipper Brendon McCullum went on to score a double ton to take their team's score past 500 in the first innings. And when the Kiwi bowlers came to bowl, they kept India reeling at ten for three at one stage. And as the day's play called off a bit early due to bad light, India were struggling at 130 for four. For India Rohit and Rahane are at the crease.

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India 1st innings

The play has been called off due to bad light.

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Over 39 || Score 130/4

A bit of relief for India as in the last ten overs they haven't lost a wicket as both the batsmen – Rohit and Ajinkya – are playing sensibly. Now along with Rohit, Rahane is also settling down. Rohit is playing on 67, whereas Rahane is on 23. Meanwhile, due to bad light, the match has been stopped.

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Over 32 || Score 107/4

In the 32nd over Rohit Sharma took a single off Southee to complete his fifty. It's certainly a gutsy half-century by the talented lad. He used 74 delivers to reach the mark, studded with seven handsome boundaries. India require a big knock form the Mumbai batsman. Ajinkya Rahane is playing along with him as India lost their top order batsmen in quick successions. Meanwhile, India also crossed the mark of 100 runs in 31st over.

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Over 22 || Score 71/4

Murali Vijay Out. It's so far the best delivery of the day. Vijay looked clueless, as his bail flew in the air. What a delivery by Wanger. Murali Vijay got the start but once again failed to capitalise on it to score a big knock. He scored 26 runs in 60 balls before getting out. India is in deep trouble. Ajinkya Rahane is the new man in after the fall of fourth Indian wicket.

M Vijay b Wagner 26 (60b)

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Over 18 || Score 45/3

After losing three quick wickets, Murali Vijay and Rohit Sharma are playing sensible cricket. They are shouldering the balls pitching outside off, but at the same time leaving no opportunity to score on loose deliveries. At the moment Rohit is batting on 16, whereas opener Vijay is on 22.

Indian squad for T20 World Cup, Asia Cup to be picked in Bangalore

The squad for World T20 championship and the Asia Cup are to be picked during the Irani Cup match in Bangalore (from February 9-13 between Ranji champions Karnataka and Rest of India) where all five selectors would be present. The deadline to choose the World T20 team is February 15," BCCI sources said.

The preliminary probables' list for the March 16-April 6 World T20 Championship has already been announced by BCCI.

India, who won the inaugural World T20 Championship in 2007-08, will open their campaign against arch rivals and 2009 champions Pakistan in a Group 2 fixture on March 21 at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

They will play their remaining second stage league fixtures on March 23 (v West Indies in Mipur), March 28 (v first stage qualifier in Mirpur) and March 30 (v Australia in Mirpur).

The two semifinals are scheduled on April 3 and 4 at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium followed by the summit clash at the same venue on April 6.

The five-team Asia Cup limited over (50 overs) tournament is to be held from February 25-March 8 in two venues (Fatullah and Mirpur).

Khan Sees Pakistani Taliban Talks Failing as Strike Looms

Pakistan peace talks with Taliban militants will probably fail and an ensuing military operation would lead to more terrorism, according to Imran Khan, head of the party that runs a province bordering Afghanistan.
Negotiators representing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan -- known as the Pakistani Taliban, or TTP -- called for a cease-fire yesterday after starting formal talks for the first time to end violence the government says has killed 40,000 Pakistanis since 2001. The TTP had named Khan as a negotiator, a post he turned down.
“The most likely result is that the negotiations will start, there will be about three or four big explosions and terrorist attacks and the negotiations will be called off,” Khan, a former cricket star and a vocal advocate of peace talks, said in an interview yesterday at his villa in the hills of Islamabad. “There will be people baying for blood and the operation will start.”
Khan’s pessimism signals further instability in Pakistan, which would threaten Sharif’s efforts to revive the $225 billion economy as the U.S. prepares to draw down troops in neighboring Afghanistan. Khan blocked NATO supply routes to Kabul in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region where his party holds power to protest American drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal areas, and called for the U.S. to publicly announce an end to the aerial attacks.