Karnataka political crisis: How the numbers stack up and what next?
The fate of the fragile Congress-JDS government in Karnataka hangs in the balance. It is likely to be decided with a trust vote in the Assembly.
What are the options before Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy? How are the numbers stacked up and what are the possible outcomes?
July 23, 2019
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The Hindu Analysis: How is the Central govt dealing with Jammu and Kashmir?
When it comes to Jammu and Kashmir, the Central government wants to move away from past set pieces, break political hegemonies and put different actors on the political chessboard.
This Parliament session saw the extension of President’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir by another six months. At the same time, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke of devolution of powers and grassroots democracy in the State.
What is it attempting to do in Jammu and Kashmir? The Hindu's Political Editor Nistula Hebbar weighs in.
July 23, 2019
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UNESCO seeks report on conservation of Darjeeling Toy Train
UNESCO has asked the Indian Railways to submit a report by next February on the state of conservation of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR) after the UN body found the trains and tracks of the world heritage site were suffering from “insufficient maintenance”.
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in a report, submitted in its 43rd session held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, on June 30, said many of the station buildings which are identified as major attributes of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) have “lost original fabric and seriously deteriorated” since the inscription of the property on the World Heritage list in 1999 and its subsequent extensions in 2004 and 2008.
July 22, 2019
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Automated Facial Recognition System and citizens' privacy
The Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) would not violate privacy of citizens and is only being developed to help the law enforcement agencies to identify criminals, missing children and unidentified bodies in a scientific and speedy manner, a senior government official said.
The AFRS, being implemented by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), is a component of Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS), a national database of crimes and criminals. The official said that the data will only be accessible to law enforcement agencies.
July 22, 2019
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Delhi's illegal plastic market problem
Despite a National Green Tribunal ban and ₹25 crore fine on the Delhi government in 2018 for failing to crack down on illegal plastic markets in Tikri Kalan in Delhi and nearby villages, several such markets are running openly in and around the Capital. They pose environmental and fire risk as they do not adhere to any safety norms.
The Hindu found two such markets operating in Bahadurgarh, Haryana. One market — near Geetanjali colony — was spread across 30-40 acres of agricultural field, while the other — near Chhotu Ram Nagar colony — straddled at least 15 acres. Hundreds of men and women were working in these markets.
In Delhi, a smaller market was operating on an agricultural field in Mundka village and at least 12 plastic segregating units were seen in residential areas in Mundka, Tikri Kalan, Jharoda Kalan and Kamruddin Nagar.
July 22, 2019
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Chandrayaan-2 Launched Successfully
India’s second Lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2 lifted off as scheduled at 2.43 p.m. on July 22.
The satellite separated at 16:55 minutes after lift-off.
ISRO Chairman K. Sivan appreciated the work of scientists, technicians, support staff, and all involved in the project.
ISRO is aiming to put the Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan) on the lunar surface on September 7, just one day behind the earlier schedule, to ensure that the duo get their planned full schedule of operating for nearly 14 Earth Days by tweaking the Chandrayaan-2’s timelines in space when it travels from one phase to another.
July 22, 2019
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Indian T20 squad for the 2019 West Indies tour
The Indian squads for the 2019 West Indies tour have been announced. Two of the most prominent faces of Indian cricket have not featured in the teams. MS Dhoni has opted out of the tour and is taking a two-month sabbatical from international cricket to serve his regiment in the Indian territorial army. While all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been rested for the entire tour.
The T20, ODI and Test squads will be captained by Virat Kohli.
The tour in the West Indies will be kicked off with the T20 matches which start on August 3. The ODIs are scheduled from August 8 and the Test matches from August 22.
July 22, 2019
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Blue Flag Challenge for Indian Beaches
Twelve Indian beaches are in the race for the ‘Blue Flag’ challenge, which started in France in 1985. The 'Blue Flag' certification is conferred by the Foundation for Environmental Education on beaches that meet 33 criteria, including water quality, availability of waste-disposal facilities and access to first-aid kits.
July 21, 2019
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Netflix slips in the US but grows elsewhere
Netflix seems to be losing its sheen in the US and fast.
The streaming pioneer saw a significant drop in its paid subscriber base in the US on July 18. It shrunk by 130,000 and its shares dropped 12%, bringing down its market value by $17 billion.
According to the streaming giant, a Spring price hike is what led to the fall in subscribers.
But Netflix doesn't seem to be doing as well as it had expected to in other streaming regions as well.
India, which poses as one of the company's largest pools to increase its subscription base, has been getting a great deal of attention from the streaming service. Netflix has been experimenting with lower cost mobile-only subscription plans since March 2019 to help the masses in India avail its service. On July 17, it announced plans for cheaper subscription plans in the country soon.
July 20, 2019
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The technology we got from the Apollo missions and the moon landing
July 20 marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, the mission that took astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins to the moon, in a journey that continues to enchant not just the world’s scientific community, but also popular culture.
July 19, 2019
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Meet Telangana's singing cop, Anjapalli Nagamallu
Anjapalli Nagamallu, Additional Inspector of Police (traffic) LB Nagar is earning a reputation as the singing cop. The 36-year-old traffic cop has not taken any training in music, but is making waves with his ‘concerts’. All for a good cause. As a cop, he wants to instil discipline among motorists and has a novel way to do that. He sings. The songs he renders, are folksy in nature, the lyrics carry a message on the need to follow traffic rules, spread road safety awareness and a sense of discipline.
Nagamallu says, “While on road when confronted with a situation, I’d rather raise my voice to sing than express anger.”Anjapalli Nagamallu, Additional Inspector of Police (traffic) LB Nagar is earning a reputation as the singing cop. The 36-year-old traffic cop has not taken any training in music, but is making waves with his ‘concerts’. All for a good cause. As a cop, he wants to instil discipline among motorists and has a novel way to do that. He sings. The songs he renders, are folksy in nature, the lyrics carry a message on the need to follow traffic rules, spread road safety awareness and a sense of discipline.
Nagamallu says, “While on road when confronted with a situation, I’d rather raise my voice to sing than express anger.”
July 19, 2019
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Explosives-sniffing dogs on the front lines in Kabul
Kabul's Mine Detection Centre (MDC) trains about 200 German Shepherds or Belgian Malinois at a time to detect particular scents of explosives and narcotics. These dogs are stationed all over the Afghan capital today and can sniff out explosives that even metal detectors tend to miss.
The trainers and the handlers train for about two years together before they head out of MDC on duty.
The MDC was established in 1989 and has trained more than 1,100 dogs since.
July 19, 2019
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Y. Gee. Mahendra on the upcoming musical film 'Shyaamaragam'
Remember Shyaamaragam? It was virtually the last film for which legend V. Dakshinamoorthy composed music. The doyen passed away at the age of 94 in 2013. On the anvil for a while, the musical is ready, almost — in Malayalam and Tamil — for release.
The film has songs sung by another legend, K.J. Yesudas, his son Vijay Yesudas and grand-daughter Ameya. What is more, Yesudas’s father, Nallathanga Augustine Joseph, has lent his voice.
July 18, 2019
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Chennai water crisis: How citizens are leading restoration projects
Be it lakes, ponds or tanks, reservoir restoration projects are underway in full swing in different neighbourhoods of Chennai, from Velachery and Perambur to Ambattur. A number of these initiatives seem to be purely citizen-led, though they have roped in some NGOs for expertise, and approached the civic administration for support.
July 18, 2019
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World Emoji Day: more inclusive emojis coming soon
To celebrate World Emoji Day, July 17, Apple and Google previewed a set of new emojis that will officially launch this fall.
These emojis are said to be more diverse and inclusive than ever thanks to the inclusion of icons like prosthetic limbs, gender inclusive couples, and service animals.
According to the Unicode Consortium emoji reference site Emojipedia, the 2020 set of icons is already in the works. Included in the list of Emoji 13.0 candidates, users could find bison, potted plant, plunger, and headstone character at their fingertips next year if approved.
July 18, 2019
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Karnataka: a leader in dragon fruit cultivation
Karnataka is fast emerging as the country’s leader in dragon-fruit cultivation, which is spread over 1,000 acres in the State. The fruit suits tropical and sub-tropical climates like that of Karnataka and can withstand temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celsius. Dragon fruit, in demand in niche markets, is rich in vitamin C and comprises betalains, which are beneficial nutrients with anti-oxidant properties. It is also rich in magnesium, iron, calcium, and phosphorous and boosts the body’s immune system.
Read more here: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/karnatakas-growing-expertise-in-dragon-fruit-cultivation/article28235134.ece
July 18, 2019
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Kulbhushan Jadhav verdict: what now for India and Pakistan
The International Court of Justice on July 17, 2019 ruled that Pakistan should “review and reconsider” Kulbhushan Jadhav's conviction and death sentence.
The court, based at The Hague in the Netherlands, also ruled that Pakistan should give the Indian government consular access to Mr. Jadhav, something Pakistan has failed to do in the three years since his arrest.
What will be the next step in this case from both the Indian and Pakistan governments? The Hindu's Diplomatic Affairs Editor Suhasini Haidar weighs in.
July 18, 2019
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Assam flood takes its toll on people and animals
Officials of Assam State Disaster Management Authority said the rivers Brahmaputra and Barak and their tributaries continue to flow above the danger mark though the water level has dipped a bit. The floods have affected about 45 lakh people across 4,620 villages in 31 of Assam’s 33 districts.
Officials said 20 people have drowned or killed in landslides so far. At least 11 others have died in floods and landslides in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.
July 17, 2019
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Lashana Lynch will be the new 007
There’s huge news for James Bond and 007 fans worldwide as it has been revealed who will replace Daniel Craig in the super-spy series after the release of Bond 25.
The role will be played by Captain Marvel fame actor Lashana Lynch. The 31-year-old appeared alongside Brie Larson in the film as Maria Rambeau, an Air Force pilot.
July 17, 2019
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Chernobyl reactor gets a metal dome
The world’s largest metal movable structure covers the Chernobyl nuclear power plant’s doomed fourth reactor in Ukraine to ensure the safety of future generations across Europe.
The giant arch — nearly as long as two football grounds and taller than New York’s Statue of Liberty — went into place over an existing crumbling dome that the Soviets constructed in haste when disaster struck three decades ago on April 26.
Radioactive fallout from the site of the world’s worst civil nuclear accident contaminated Ukraine and spread across three-quarters of Europe.
Work on the previous safety dome began after a 10-day fire caused by the explosion was contained but as radiation still spewed.
July 17, 2019
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Water train to Chennai's rescue:
Everyday, a 50-wagon train chugs from Jolarpet in Vellore to Chennai 215 km away, carrying that precious commodity — water.
It is a laborious process. It takes nearly four hours to load 2.5 million litres of water on the train, another four hours for the journey, and four more hours to offload the water at the depot near Villivakkam railway station, where it is pumped to Kilpauk Water Works. That’s a 12-hour ride. | 📸 C. Venkatachalapathy, B. Velankanni Raj
Click the link in bio to view more images.
#chennaiwatercrisis #chennai #water #drought #watertanks #watertrain
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Till about a year ago, clouds used to bring tears to their eyes and the sun was their best friend. For salt pan owners, a bright, sunny, even hot day meant enough heat for evaporation, leaving behind sparkling white crystals of salt. But after the non-renewal of leases by the Central government for their lands, it’s as if cloudy skies have come to stay. | 📸 N. Rajesh
Click the link in bio to read about Tamil Nadu's shrinking salt pan lands.
#tamilnadu #salt #saltpans
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Karnataka is fast emerging as India's leader in dragon-fruit cultivation, which is spread over 1,000 acres. This is their story.
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Residents rejoiced as heavy showers lashed many areas of Chennai on July 15. For a city reeling under severe water crisis and high temperatures, the short burst of thunder and lightning is a welcome sight.
India Meteorological Department has said that Chennai may get showers in the evening and night for the next few days, and the maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 37 and 27 degree Celsius respectively. | Photo: B. Velankanni Raj
#chennai #rain #chennaiwatercrisis #watercrisis #tamilnadu #thunder
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A farmer is seen walking past partially damaged crop in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district after heavy rain lashed the area. The wait for monsoon was finally over as the Delhi-NCR region and its adjoining areas received showers on Monday, July 15, 2019. 📸: R.V. Moorthy
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#rain #rainindelhi #monsoon #monsoonshowers #uttarpradesh #crops #agriculture
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Budshah's tomb, also known as graveyard of the royals, is the resting place of the mother of Ghiyas-ud-Din Zain-ul-Abidin, the eighth king of Kashmir. Situated on the bank of the river #Jhelum in #Srinagar, the tomb is admired for its brilliant Shahmiri #architecture.
Floods of 2014 ravaged adjacent parts of the tomb, however sparing the main structure. But the flood water washed away many graves including of Mirza Haider Duglat, cousin of Mughal Emperor Babar. | 📸 Nissar Ahmad
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Garbage, mostly comprising plastic waste, flows into the sea from drain at Peda Jalaripeta in #Visakhapatnam. The drain carrying city’s waste empties right on the beach creating a huge problem for fishermen.
According to scientists, plastic pollution coupled with an increase in sea surface temperature has resulted in a 70 % decline in the marine species population off Visakhapatnam coast.
Creating ‘Small Protected Areas’ in zones where the species are present and keeping them off limits from human presence is the need of the hour, experts suggest. Now and then images captured of the aquatic animals with plastics bring forth to us the cost that marine life is paying due to our habit of littering. | 📸 K.R. Deepak
#sea #seapollution #plastic #plasticpollution #littering #pollution
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A Mumbai municipal worker struggles to keep the marine drive promenade clean as a high tide wave lashes him, and throws more trash on to the pavement.
Mumbai has been experiencing intense spells of rainfall in the past week. 📸 | @bendrevivek
#Mumbai #mumbairains #rainfall #monsoon
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Devotees gather as three chariots of the Shree Jagannath temple wait to begin their journey on the occasion of the Rath Yatra festival, Puri, Odisha, on July 4, 2019. Three deities are taken out in a procession called Rath Yatra, covering a 3-km distance along Grand Road connecting Shree Jagannath Temple and Mausima Temple every year. The deities will return to the temple on the ninth day. 📸: Biswaranjan Rout
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#rathyatra #puri #purijagannath #jagannathtemple #odisha
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Satellite images indicate an alarming level of loss of water extent in lakes in and around Chennai. Dry conditions apart, the crisis has been exacerbated by a lack of proper management. Seen here is the Chembarambakkam lake that overflowed in 2015; it is currently dry with less than 1 mcft of water remaining as of June 2019. The Puzhal has gone bone dry, while the Poondi reservoir has barely any water left.
Click the link in bio to read more.
#chennai #chennaidrought #reservoir #water #waterscarcity #waterconservation #chembarambakkam #chembarambakkamlake #chembarambakkamreservoir #puzhal #poondi
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Light drizzles on the morning of June 26 brought cheer to Chennaites.
Chennai has faced drought for three years in a row and there is more pressure on the already plummeting groundwater level. The city is desperate for water and its residents continue to look up to the sky for rain. 📸: R. Ragu
#chennai #chennairain #chennaimonsoon #monsoon #watercrisis #chennaidrought #waterscarcity
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India's Armed Forces marked International Yoga Day with enthusiasm. The country's Army, Navy and Air Force participated in yoga sessions right where they were stationed, be it on a snowy mountaintop or aboard a submarine. 📸: Special Arrangement
#internationalyogaday2019 #internationalyogaday #yoga #armedforces #army #indianarmy #navy #indianairforce #indiannavy #airforce #insvikramaditya
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