L A T E S T      N E W S

ISRO launches PSLV C-23 with 5 satellites; PM asks scientists to develop SAARC satellite

NEW DELHI: India on Monday successfully launched five foreign satellites from four countries on board PSLV-C23 rocket which placed them in orbit, an achievement described by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an 'endorsement' of the country's space capabilities.

After a perfect lift off from the First Launch Pad in Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 9.52 am witnessed by Modi, Indian Space Research Organisation's workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C23 placed all five satellites into their intended orbits, one after the other between 17 and 19 minutes after the liftoff, in textbook precision.

Though the Mission Readiness Review Committee and Launch Authorisation Board had on Friday cleared the launch, the launch time was rescheduled to 9.52 am today, a delay of three minutes, attributed to "probable space debris" coming in the rocket's way.

Besides its primary payload of 714 kg French Earth Observation Satellite SPOT-7, PSLV C23 carried and placed in orbit 14 kg AISAT of Germany, NLS7.1 (CAN-X4) and NLS7.2 (CAN-X5) of Canada each weighing 15 kg and the 7 kg VELOX-1 of Singapore.

In his first official visit to this spaceport, Modi asked the space community to develop a SAARC satellite even as he heaped praise on Indian space scientists, recalling their contributions from the early days.

He referred to pictures showing rocket components being transported on bicycles.

A visibly elated Modi, who said it was a 'privilege' to witness the event, congratulated "our brilliant space scientists for a successful launch".

"This fills every Indian's heart with pride and I can see the joy reflected on your face," he said from the Mission Control Room, adding today's successful launch of foreign satellites was a "global endorsement of India's space capbility".

Besides Modi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan and Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu also witnessed the launch from the Sriharikota spaceport, about 100 km from Chennai.

The Prime Minister had on Sunday arrived in Chennai enroute to Sriharikota to witness the event. 

French satellite SPOT 7, identical to SPOT-6, which ISRO had launched in 2012, would be placed diametrically opposite to SPOT-6, forming part of the existing Earth observation satellite. European space technology company Airbus Defence and Space has built SPOT-7.

Germany's AISAT satellite would focus on the global sea-traffic monitoring system with special emphasis on high traffic zones using AIS signals. It is also Germany's first DLR satellite in the nano-satellite class.

NLS 7.1 and NLS 7.2 are from the University of Toronto, Institute of Aerospace Studies/ Space Flight Laboratory in Canada. Both payloads would perform Two-spacecraft precision formation flying using differential GPS with centimetre-level relative position and sub-metre level accurate position control system.

Satellite VELOX-1 from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore is a technology demonstrator for in-house design of image sensor, MEMS-based attitude determination and control system and inter-satellite RF link.

The five satellites were launched under commercial arrangements that ANTRIX (ISRO's commercial arm) entered into with the respective foreign agencies.

ISRO has so far launched 35 satellites from 19 countries around the globe -- Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Singapore, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Turkey and United Kingdom, bringing a huge sum to the country as foreign exchange. — PTI

Chennai building collapse: Death toll rises to 17; rescue operations still on

CHENNAI: The death toll in the collapse of an under-construction 11 storey building near suburban Porur rose to 17 even a woman was pulled out alive with head injuries this morning.

The death toll stood at 17 till Monday, DIG (South), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), SP Selvan, told PTI.

He said rescue operations were on in full swing though there were intermittent rains.

Meanwhile, a woman was pulled out alive this morning from under the debris of the collapsed structure.

Meenammal of Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh was admitted to Sri Ramachandra Medical University with a head injury, hospital spokesperson TG Nallamuthu said.

The building had collapsed on Saturday evening, with about 50 people feared trapped inside. Six persons, including two owners and two engineers, had been arrested under various sections of the IPC. — PTI

14 officers found 'absent' during Punjab CM's surprise check

CHANDIGARH: Fourteen senior IAS officers were found "absent" during a surprise check conducted by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at the state government's Mini Secretariat here today.

"Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today conducted a surprise check here at the Mini Civil Secretariat at sharp 09:05 am and found 14 senior officers absent from their offices," an official spokesman said.

He said the check was aimed at ensuring punctuality and discipline in the government offices besides fulfilling the commitment of the state government for prompt deliverance of citizen-centric services and redressal of public grievances.

The officers found absent were of the rank of Principal Secretary, Secretary, Special Secretary and Additional Secretary of various departments including Housing and Urban Development, Jails and General Administration, Finance, PWD (B&R), Higher Education, Health & Family Welfare and School Education, he said.

Those who were "absent" included SR Ladhar, A Venu Prasad, Dharamvir, Sanjay Kumar, Anurag Aggarwal, VK Janjua, JM Balamurgam, HS Kandhola, Amarpal Singh, Chander Gaind, APS Virk, Rahul Bhandari, Avtar Chand Sharma and RL Mehta, the spokesman added.

The Chief Minister also interacted with the officials present in their offices to know their problems and hardships coming in way of discharging their duties.

Badal also inspected the Civil Dispensary at Mini Secretariat and found all the doctors and paramedics present.

A few junior employees were absent, the spokesman said, adding the entire staff of National Informatics Centre (NIC) was absent.

Badal also impressed upon the officers and officials to discharge their duties with utmost dedication, commitment, honestly and sincerity in the larger public interest besides redressing the grievances of the people in an effective manner.

Recently, Badal had conducted a similar check at the Punjab Civil Secretariat - the main head quarters of the state government - and had found a number of ministers and officers absent. — PTI

Pallavi murder case: Mumbai court convicts security guard

MUMBAI: A local court today convicted security guard Sajjad Ahmed Mughal in connection with the murder of 25-year-old city-based lawyer Pallavi Purkayastha in her flat at suburban Wadala here in 2012.

Twenrytwo-year-old Mughal, who was employed as a watchman at the 'Himalayan Heights' building was found guilty of murder, molestation and criminal trespass.

Convicting Mughal, Sessions Judge Vrushali Joshi said, "A case of murder, molestation and criminal trespass has been proved against you", following which the accused silently nodded.

Meanwhile, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam requested the court that a future date may be given to hear the arguments as well as quantum of sentence after which the Judge adjourned the hearing in the case till July 3.

The accused killed Pallavi on August 9, 2012, when she resisted his advances.

Prosecution has examined 40 witnesses while the defence examined three in the case.

The Crime Branch had filed a 434-page chargesheet on October 30, 2012, against Mughal charging him with trespass and murder.

Earlier, the prosecution had submitted a draft charge against Mughal, accused of murdering the law graduate, who was also an advisor to filmmaker Farhan Akhtar's firm Excel Entertainment, accusing him of attempting to rape.

However, Mughal refuted all the allegations and his lawyer Wahab Khan had argued that it was Pallavi's fiancé Avik Sengupta who killed her in their flat.

The police had claimed that Mughal, a native of Jammu and Kashmir, used to ogle at the young lawyer, the daughter of IAS officer Atanu Purkayastha who was the Joint Secretary in the Agriculture Ministry at the Centre, when the incident took place.

In his statement to the police, Mughal had said that he sneaked into Pallavi's flat on August 9 using a set of duplicate keys and tried to force himself upon her.

"However, when I forced myself upon her, she resisted and started screaming and at this time, I assaulted her with my knife that I was carrying," Mughal had said in his statement. — PTI

West Bengal Governor Narayanan resigns

NEW DELHI: West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan today resigned, becoming the fourth person occupying the gubernatorial post to put in his papers since the NDA government prodded some of the Governors appointed during UPA rule to quit.

Home Ministry sources said the Governor has tendered his resignation.

Eighty-year-old Narayanan was recently questioned by the CBI as a "witness" in the AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal probe.

The resignation came weeks after Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami had telephoned some of the Governors, appointed by the previous UPA regime, to step down after the Narendra Modi government assumed charge.

Nagaland Governor Ashwani Kumar, Uttar Pradesh Governor B L Joshi and Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt have put in their papers in the last few days.

Narayanan, a former IPS officer who had served as Director of the Intelligence Bureau and was also the National Security Advisor, was appointed as the Governor of the state in January 2010.

All the four Governors who have resigned so far are either former IPS or IAS officers. Joshi and Kumar are former IPS officers while Dutt is a former IAS officer.

Sources said the government was considering appointing some BJP veterans as Governors in around ten states. — PTI

FIFA World Cup
Costa Rica reach quarters with shootout win over Greece

Recife (Brazil): When Costa Rica sealed their first berth in the World Cup quarter-finals, the celebrating Ticos sprinted straight for Keylor Navas and mobbed him in celebration.

Michael Umana had driven home the penalty kick that clinched the 5-3 shootout victory over Greece, but he didn't seem to mind that his teammates streamed right past him.

It was Navas, after all, who made a slew of spectacular saves of blistering shots and point-blank deflections during regulation and extra time, forcing the shootout in which he made the only save, diving right to swat away Theofanis Gekas' attempt.

It was the latest chapter in a remarkable stint for Navas, who has two clean sheets in this World Cup and recently enjoyed one of the best seasons of any goalkeeper in Spain's La Liga with Levante. — AP

Doubts raised over Arjen Robben penalty

Fortaleza (Brazil): Mexico defender Rafa Marquez stuck his foot out and Netherlands winger Arjen Robben went down for an injury-time penalty that took his team into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 win.

Did Robben dive or was he fouled by Marquez?

Or — to ask the fashionable question that evades the issue of whether it was actually a foul — was there ‘contact’?

If there was contact, was it the result of the Mexican’s movement or Robben’s ability to connect with the defender?

Those are the judgments Portuguese referee Pedro Proenca had to make in the final seconds of an intense game played in baking heat in Fortaleza with a last-eight place on the line.

Who would be a referee?

Of course, the partisan took predictable positions on the incident but it was hard to find consensus among the neutrals.

It does not help that Robben has dived frequently in the past and had been clearly looking for a penalty in this game.

But then the Dutch could argue, with some justification, that he should have had a spot kick earlier in the game and also highlight how, not long before the penalty, he had skipped over a lunging Marquez as he tried, in vain, to score.

Of course, it could be pointed out that what happened previously should have no bearing whatsoever on Proenca’s evaluation of the incident.

Critics would say Marquez was reckless or naive to stick out his foot with Robben moving away from goal, leaving Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to score the spot kick and put the Dutch through.

But the question now being asked is: Has the game reached the stage where a defender is not allowed to even attempt a tackle in the penalty area because it may risk ‘contact’ that would justify a penalty kick?

The answer to the last question is yes, a defender, in modern football, cannot risk contact with an opponent in the penalty area because if it results in a fall, even an embellished one, the referee will probably give a penalty.

In the NBA it is called ‘drawing the foul’ and is universally accepted, but modern football has not found the vocabulary for it nor the acceptance of the ‘dive after contact’.

The crucial difference is that in basketball the punishment for such fouls is a couple of free-throws with two points available in a game with a total of about 200 points scored.

In football, ‘drawing the foul’ can – and does – decide the outcome.

Video technology is often presented as the solution for most refereeing problems but it offers little help in these cases.

When you listen to the modern professional player talk about such incidents they will accept that a player has ‘made the most of it’ by falling but if there was some sort of contact an exaggerated collapse is now viewed as justified.

If the game is not happy with that state of affairs then it needs to do some hard thinking about how it might change the rules or their interpretation in order to deal with the problem.

The pendulum seems to have shifted too far in favour of the attacker in these situations and, while there is no obvious quick-fix solution, rewarding embellishment seems an unsatisfactory status quo. — Reuters

Robben sorry, but insists it was a penalty

FORTALEZA (Brazil): Dutch striker Arjen Robben has apologized for diving in a bid to get a penalty against Mexico but insisted he did not fake the foul that led to his side's winning penalty kick.

Mexico's coach Miguel Herrera launched a furious attack on match referee Pedro Proenca for giving the injury time penalty that Jan-Klaas Huntelaar hit home to seal a 2-1 comeback victory.

Robben was at the centre of both incidents in the World Cup last-16 clash in Fortaleza.

"I really have to say and at the same time apologise in the first half I took a dive and I really shouldn't do that," Robben told Dutch broadcaster NOS as he celebrated the victory.

"That was a stupid, stupid thing to do but sometimes you're expecting to be struck and then they pull their leg away at the last minute."

But the Dutch striker insisted Proenca was right to point to the penalty spot after he was challenged by Mexico's veteran captain Rafael Marquez. "I was fouled," he said.

Mexico had been leading until the 88th minute when Wesley Sneijder scored and then Huntelaar put away the penalty.

And Herrera said referee Proenca should take no more part in the World Cup.

"The determining factor was the man with the whistle. He put us out of the World Cup," he said.

"Although the first goal was down to our mistake, we had the chance to reconsider during the break before extra time, but at the end when the referee invents a penalty you go out of the World Cup.

"At the very least they can look at this and this gentleman ought to be going home like us."

Herrera claimed his side had been the victim of poor refereeing in three of their four games in Brazil and a European referee should never have been allocated the game in the first place.

"Out of four matches, we had three where the referee was disastrous.

"I don't understand why they had someone from the same confederation. Why not an African, Asian or South American referee? All the doubtful decisions went against Mexico."

Giovani dos Santos' strike early in the second-half appeared to have Mexico on course for their first quarter-final appearance at a World Cup on foreign soil.

The Dutch goals stunned the Mexicans however and Herrera admitted his side had lacked experience in how to see the game out.

"Maybe we were missing what teams like Argentina, Uruguay and those with experience of winning do.

"We had four minutes to go plus stoppage time and we should have put the ball in the corner, do what other teams do and perhaps we would have been faced with a different result."

Dutch boss Louis van Gaal admitted that cooling breaks offered to the players for the first time in a World Cup match after half an hour of each half allowed him to have a greater influence on the game.

"It is true it helps having these breaks because first I had switched to 4-3-3 and we created a lot opportunities, (Guillermo) Ochoa had one great save in particular.

"After that I moved to plan B and I did that in the cooling break. That is a clever way of benefiting from these breaks."

The Manchester United manager was vindicated in his substitutions as he surprisingly replaced captain Robin van Persie whilst in need of a goal to bring on Huntelaar.

And van Gaal insisted he was not afraid to remove his star players for the benefit of the team.

"Van Persie's change was a tactical substitution and you have to remember that before the World Cup he was just recovering from an injury so it is difficult for him to keep going.

"I am a coach that wants to win so when I have to I will substitute players." — AFP