Jacques Kasllis(South Africa)Retires From Inyernational Cricket

South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis has announced his retirement from international cricket, admitting that next year's World Cup was just out of his reach.
The 38-year-old, who has been a mainstay for South Africa since making his Test debut against England in 1995, will continue to play club cricket despite calling it a day in all forms of the international game.
Kallis had already stepped down from the Test side in December 2013 but has now confirmed he will no longer be available for the Proteas' one day or Twenty20 teams.

Jacques Kallis (centre), pictured after his final Test last year

Jacques Kallis was given a lap of honour after retiring from Test cricket following the second Test between South Africa and India in Durban in December 2013 

Having announced his Test retirement last year, with 13,174 runs and 292 wickets to his name, Kallis declared his intention to finish his South Africa career with a successful 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

But now the former Middlesex and Glamorgan man has decided the recent 2-1 ODI series win in Sri Lanka will be his last outing for his country.
'I realised in Sri Lanka that my dream of playing in a World Cup was a bridge too far,' he said.

'I just knew on that tour that I was done. The squad that was in Sri Lanka is an amazing one and I believe they have a good chance of bringing the trophy home in March.

'I would like to thank Cricket South Africa, the team, the team sponsors, my sponsors, the fans and all the people who have been involved in my career. It has been an amazing journey.
'I am not retiring from all cricket as I have a two-year contract with the Sydney Thunder and, if possible, to help the Kolkata Knight Riders defend the IPL (Indian Premier League) title we won earlier this year.'
With South Africa the No 1-ranked Test side in the world and a decent chance of taking their maiden World Cup title next year, Kallis leaves with the team in good shape.

Haroon Lorgat, chief executive of Cricket South Africa, was quick to praise the impact Kallis had on the sport.

'South Africa has been blessed with one of the world's greatest cricketing talents in Jacques Kallis,'

All-time leading Test run scorers

• Sachin Tendulkar: 15,921 - average 53.78
• Ricky Ponting : 13,378 - average 51.85
• Jacques Kallis : 13,289 - average 55.37
• Rahul Dravid: 13,288 - average 52.31
• Brian Lara: 11,953 - average 52.88

Jacques Kallis Statistics

Tests
Matches 166 Runs 13289 H/S 224 Av: 55.37 100s 45 50s 58 Catches 200 
Wickets 292 Best bowl (inns) 6/54 Best bowl (match) 9/92 Av: 32.65 5wkt inns 5 

ODIs
Matches 328 Runs 11579 H/S 139 Av: 44.36 100s 17 50s 86 Catches 131
Wickets 273 Best bowl 5/30 Av: 31.79 5wkt 2

Twenty20s
Matches 25 Runs 666 H/S 73 Av: 35.05   50s 5 Catches 7 Wickets 12 Best bowl 4/15 Av: 27.75    

Jacques Kallis's international career statistics
	Batting	Bowling
Tests	166 Tests, 13,289 runs (average 55.37), 45 centuries, 58 fifties	292 wickets (average 32.65), five 5-wicket hauls
One-day internationals	328 ODIs, 11,579 runs (average 44. 36), 17 centuries, 86 fifties	273 wickets (average 31.79), two 5-wicket hauls
Twenty20 internationals	25 T20s, 666 runs (average 35.05), five fifties	12 wickets (average 27.75)

Kumbakonam school fire case

The District and Sessions Court in Thanjavur convicted 10 accused in Kumbakonam school fire case.

 Of the 21 accused, 11 have been acquitted.

 The accused have been convicted under IPC Section 304 - II, 338 and other sections.

The ten convicted include the prime accused and school founder Palanisamy, his wife Saraswathi, adopted daughter Santhalakshmi and four education department officials

In the past 10 years, the case moved from one court to another. It was committed to the Thanjavur District and Sessions Court by the Kumbakonam Judicial Magistrate court where the final report was filed in June 2005. Subsequently, the case was transferred to the Fast Track Court at Thanjavur, and from there to the Essential Commodities Court. As there was no progress, it was re-transferred to the District and Sessions Court in 2009 when the government appointed a special public prosecutor.

It gather pace after charges were framed against all 21 accused on September 10, 2012, with the trial starting a fortnight later.

The witnesses were examined on a day-to-day basis. The prosecution submitted documents and statements of witnesses running to thousands of pages.

Prabhakaran, headmaster of the Sri Krishna Girls High School, turned approver and was the first prosecution witness to be examined.

Among the accused include the school correspondent, ‘Pulavar’ Palanisamy; his wife Saraswathi; adopted daughter Santhalakshmi; the then Municipal Commissioner, Sathyamurthy; the then Town Planning Officer, K. Murugan; three school teachers; and a of Education Department officials.

The State government withdrew the case against C. Palanisamy, the then Chief Educational Officer, Thanjavur; S. Paramasivam, the then Kumbakonam Tahsildar; and A. Kannan, the then Director of Elementary Education.

After lengthy arguments and examination of 230 prosecution witnesses, including the parents, and the students who survived the fire, the verdict is now eagerly awaited by all.

Note

The fire that broke out on July 16, 2004 in the noon meal centre of Sri Krishna Middle School ran to the first floor with a thatched roof where 200 students were housed.

Sri Krishna Aided Private School, Saraswathi Nursery and Primary School and the Sri Krishna Girls High School functioned in the same building.

The incident shook the conscience of the State and raised serious questions about safety in schools.

International Friendship Day -July 30

The first World Friendship Day was proposed for 30 July 1958.

On  April  27,2011 the United Nations General Assembly declared July  30th as official International Friendship Day

International Friendship Day is a day for celebrating friendship

Costa Concordia reaches ship breaking yard in Italian mainland after five-day towing operation

The shipwrecked Costa Concordia cruise liner was towed into the city of Genoa recently where it is due to be scrapped.

After being pulled in by tugboats the wreck was moored ready to be cut up for scrap metal.

The wreckage was where 32 people died after the cruise liner struck a reef when its captain sailed too close to Giglio Island off Tuscany's coast in January 2012.

The ship claimed another life in February this year when one of the rescue divers working to salvage it bled to death after cutting his leg on metal in the water, bringing the death toll to 33.

An aerial view as the Costa Concordia as it is dragged into the harbour of Genoa Tuesday July 29,2014

After being pulled in by tugboats the wreck was moored ready to be cut up for scrap metal

Paddy Doyle(49)holds 55 Guinness records for endurance sports

Paddy Doyle's world records include the most one arm push-ups in one calendar year - for which he had to do 4,000 per day - as well as the most competitive full contact rounds in boxing.

The 49-year-old has also completed the most sit-ups in five hours while holding a 50lb steel plate, the most step-ups carrying a 50lb backpack in five minutes and the fastest cross-country marathon carrying a 40lb backpack.

Paddy Doyle also holds another 149 record recognised by other record breaking bodies

Paddy Doyle began training for the endurance challenges after a stint in the army, which he left in April 1986, where he said he learned about discipline and keeping fit.

Paddy Doyle's  first endurance challenge was in May 1987, when he completed 4,100 press ups with a 50lb steel weight on his back in four-and-a-half hours.

Paddy Doyle has broken 55 Guinness World Records for endurance sports in the past 25 years. 

THE GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS CURRENTLY HELD BY PADDY DOYLE

Paddy Doyle holds 55 Guinness World Records

1) 5-Mile Speed March while carrying 56lb backpack: 36 minutes and 49 seconds
2) Alternative Squat Thrust Record: 4901 in two hours
3) Coal bag shuttle sprints: 92 coal bag sprints in 31 minutes and 32 seconds
4) Farthest distance for a man carrying a 10lb brick non-stop: 80.37 miles
5) Fastest 100 Man Kumite-Karate: Three hours and six minutes
6) Fastest 50-mile speed march carrying a 40-lb back pack: 11 hours, 56 minutes and 16 seconds
7) Fastest cross country 10km carrying a 100-lb pack: 1 hour, 53 minutes and 24 seconds
8) Fastest cross country 10km carrying a 60lb pack: One hour, 25 minutes and 22 second
9) Fastest cross country 10km carrying an 80lb pack: One hour, 37 minutes and 18 second
10) Fastest cross country half marathon carrying a 60lb pack: Three hours, six minutes and 36 seconds
11) Fastest cross country half marathon carrying a 80lb pack: Three hours, 27 minutes and 54 seconds
12) Fastest cross country half marathon carrying a 100lb pack: Four hours, 13 minutes and 12 seconds
13) Fastest marathon cross country with 40lb back pack: Six hours, 28 minutes and 22 seconds
14) Most star jumps in one minute carrying a 100lb pack: 33
15) Fastest time to complete 100 log carrying shuttle sprints: 21 minutes and 40 seconds
16) Fastest time to run half a mile on treadmill with 40lb pack: Two minutes and 58 seconds
17) Fastest time to run 50 miles with 40lb pack: 11 hours, 56 minutes and 16 seconds
18) Fastest time to run one mile on treadmill with 40lb pack: Six minutes and eight seconds
19) GWR multi discipline fitness record: Completed 429 one-armed push arms in 15 minutes; 400 squat thrusts in 15 minutes; 323 burpees in 15 minutes and 592 alternative squat thrusts in 15 minutes
20) The longest time in an abdominal plank position with a 100lb pack: Two minutes and 55 seconds
21) Most star jumps in one minute carrying an 80lb pack: 28
22) Most boxing rounds in one year : 4,006 
23) Most freestyle full contact rounds in one week: 203
24) Most burpees in 30 minutes: 860
25) Most burpees in one hour: 1,840
26) Most competitive full contact rounds in boxing and other martial arts: 6,324
27) Most freestyle full contact rounds in one month: 560
28) Most star jumps in one minute carrying an 100lb pack: 33
29) The most full contact kicks in one hour: 5,750

30) The most full contact punch strikes in one hour: 29,850
31) The most jumping jacks in one minute carrying a 100lb pack: 58
32) Most martial arts bouts consecutively (male): 141

+4

He trains hard to be able to complete his endurance challenges

33) Most one-arm push ups in one hour: 1,868
34) Most one-arm push ups in five hours: 8,794 
35) Most push ups (one arm, carrying 60lb pack) in one minute: 22
36) Most push ups (one arm, carrying 80lb pack) in one minute: 21
37) Most push ups (using back of hands, carrying 60lb pack) in one minute: 38
38) Most push ups (using back of hands, carrying 80lb pack) in one minute: 37
39) Most push ups in 12 hours: 19,325
40) Most push ups in one minute carrying an 80lb pack: 38
41) Most push ups with 50lb weight on back: 4,100 
42) Most push-ups (using back of hands) in one hour: 1,940
43) Most push-ups (using back of hands, carrying 40lb pack) in one hour : 663
44) Most push-ups (using back of hands, carrying a 100lb pack) in one minute: 26 
45) Most push ups in a year: 1,500,230

46) The most push ups in one minute with a 100lb pack: 34
47) Most sit ups in 1 hour with 50lb weight on chest: 1,130
48) Most sit ups in 15 minutes with 50lb weight on chest: 427
49) Most sit ups in 5 hours with 50lb weight on chest: 5,000
50) Most squat thrusts in one minute with 40lb pack: 21
51) Most squats in one hour: 4,708
52) Most squats in one minute carrying a 100lb pack : 38
53) Most squats in one minute carrying a 40lb pack: 49
54) Most squats in one minute carrying a 60lb pack: 44
55) Most squats in one minute carrying an 80lb pack: 40

2014 Glasgow CWG -Nigerian weightlifting gold medalist Chika Amalaha has failed a doping test

A 16-year-old Nigerian girl who won weightlifting gold faces being stripped of her title after providing the first in-competition positive drugs test of the Commonwealth Games.

Amalaha (centre) celebrates winning women's weightlifting 53kg class gold

Sir Craig Reedie, presiodent of the Wrld Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), expressed his shock that an athlete as young as Chika Amalaha should test positive for banned substances.

The teenager became the youngest female winner of a Commonwealth weightlifting title when she scooped gold in the 53kg class last Friday, but will be disqualified today if her ‘B’ sample results match those of her ‘A’ sample, which showed traces of a banned diuretic and masking agent.

Sir Craig Reedie, presiodent of the Wrld Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said: ‘I am very disappointed that somebody as young as that appears to have committed an offence at a multi-sport event like the Commonwealth Games.’

If Amalaha is stripped of her gold medal, it is understood WADA will investigate how such a young athlete was given access to illegal substances.

Her positive test also prompted questions about weightlifting’s legitimacy as a Commonwealth sport.

 

The event has a history of drug-related incidents, while Nigeria was barred from the 2002 Games in Manchester after four athletes tested positive in 2001.

UPSC exam designed to favour English speakers is mired in controversy

The much-coveted Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is mired in controversies, this time with regard to the English component of CSAT.

The debate is not just triggered by anti-English rhetoric; it pertains to sociological equity and balance, upward social mobility, and constitutional propriety.

Conducted in three stages, – preliminary, main, and interview – the CSE is the exam through which candidates for the prestigious IAS, IFS, IPS and the like are selected.

The imbroglio is related to the preliminary stage, which was introduced in a new format in 2011.

This format called CSAT is said to have been designed to favour English speakers at the cost of Hindi or other regional language speaking students belonging to small towns who studied in government schools

The CSAT, introduced in 2011, English language comprehension skill (the 7th component of the 2nd paper 'Aptitude' of CSAT), was inserted through the back door. Curiously nowhere there is any reference to the English language comprehension component in the Alagh committee report, which was submitted after thorough and insightful research
The point is not the difficulty level of these questions, but the inclusion of marks obtained in these questions to the total

According to data from 2005 to 2010, the number of candidates passing through Hindi medium in Preliminary exam was not much less in comparison to English medium candidates.

But introduction of the English language comprehension component in the Preliminary stage, saw a fall in the number of students passing through Hindi medium in comparison to English medium candidates.

In 2011, when CSAT with the English language component was started, 9,324 candidates appeared in the Main exam in the English medium after passing the preliminary exam whereas the number of the candidates appearing in the Hindi medium in the Main exam clearing the preliminary was reduced to only 1,700.

Students protest against the ntroduction of CSAT in Civil service exams outside the UPSC in New Delhi on Monday  July 28,2014

Civil service aspirants reject Govt's proposal not to count English marks Monday Aug 04,2014

Civil service aspirants on Monday rejected the government's proposal to not include English marks for gradation.

The protesting Union Public Service Commission Civil Service (UPSC) aspirants said they were not satisfied with these changes and termed them "too superficial".

Many among them have said they will continue their fight for complete scrapping of the CSAT paper and announced that they would protest at Jantar Mantar from Tuesday Aug 05,2014

"We have been protesting for two months now but our demands are different from what has been 'redressed' by the honourable minister. We are not against English language per se but we want the CSAT to be scrapped because of the nature of the CSAT paper II which puts Hindi and Humanities students at a disadvantage," said Laxman, a UPSC aspirant.

The protests had intensified recently after applicants were issued admit cards. Last week, a section of the protesters had burnt their admit cards as a mark of defiance.

"We demand complete scrapping of CSAT. We have decided to continue our fight from Jantar Mantar," Pawan, a UPSC aspirant who has been leading the protest, said. 

Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh on Monday Aug 04,2014 announced in Parliament that English marks of CSAT-II will not be included for gradation or merit, and candidates of 2011, when CSAT was first introduced, may get another chance to appear for the test next year.

Pawan said this was not what the protesters have been demanding.

"We never asked for modification of CSAT pattern. Instead, our demand is to abolish this test for the welfare of lakhs of students who have studied in Hindi medium," he said.

Another issue raised by students is the English to Hindi translation.

"The question papers have weird translations of English words which do not make any sense. For example the word steel plant was translated into 'Lohe Ka Paudha' in one of the papers. How are we to give exams in such a condition?" said a student, who did not wish to be named.

The earlier format has a paper on general studies and one on an optional subject, which has now been replaced by CSAT-I and CSAT-II.

The CSAT-II carries 80 questions of 200 marks in all, of which 8-9 questions are based on English comprehension. These 8-9 questions, which carry around 22 marks, will now no longer be counted in the overall tally for gradation.

The CSAT comprises questions based on communication skill, logical reasoning and analytical ability, basic numeracy, data interpretation and English comprehension.

Opposition Protests Over 'Language Bias' Stall Rajya Sabha

 

In the Rajya Sabha, opposition members from the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party, Communist Party of India–Marxist, CPI, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) staged a strong protest over the issue during Question Hour and demanded the scrapping of the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).

They also wanted question papers for the preliminary examination in all regional languages.

Nine opposition parties gave a notice to Chairman Hamid Ansari for suspending Question Hour in Rajya Sabha so that a discussion could be held on the issue

Rajasthan's economy has fallen into an acute debt crisis

The rising dependence on borrowing since 1990-91 indicates one thing – that Rajasthan's economy has fallen into an acute debt crisis.

Estimates suggest that the problem is so acute that each citizen of the state has a debt of over Rs 30,000.

The problem has been multiplying with every passing year, irrespective of the party in power.

Since 1990-91, the Congress and the BJP, who have ruled the state alternately, have had hardly any difference in their respective economic policies

The debt burden which started at Rs 6,000 crore in 1991, when Bhairon Singh Shekhawat led BJP-JD came into power, increased to Rs 23,000 crore in 1998 when the Ashok Gehlotled Congress took over

Ironically in 2003, when Congress was voted out, it left behind a debt burden of around Rs 57,000 crore.

The figure further shot up to Rs 87,000 core in 2008 when BJP's Vasundhara Raje, in her first avatar, was humbled. Gehlot in his second avatar (2008-13) took it further to over Rs 1,30,000 crore.

Every successive chief minister has displayed scant respect for the implications of the rising debt. They accuse their predecessor of economic mismanagement; but in practice, have multiplied the economic ills with sops thrown around like confetti. 

Unfortunately,BJP's Vasundhara Raje has begun her second innings without caring for any change in the trend, notwithstanding her claims of trying to reverse it.

Consequently, the plan size for 2013-14 that was proposed for Rs 46,990 crore when she sought a vote-on-account in February was increased to Rs 69,820 crore in July in her modified budget.

So far the state government has proposed to take additional estimated borrowings of Rs 22000 crore during 2014-15.

Going by past trends this is likely to reach over rs 27,000 crore by the year-end. As on March 31, 2014, net borrowings was as high as Rs 1,30,640 crore.

This debt trap, in fact, is also the result of borrowings from international financial institutions like the World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) that force sectoral reforms which are not necessarily pro-people.

This, however, does not include the Rs 75,000 crore debts on the state's three power distribution companies (Discoms) as these are treated as "independent bodies"

As the Discoms failed in debt servicing the debt worth `35,000 crore due for payment after October 2011 was rescheduled in 2011-12.

Prior to restructuring the rate of interest was between 11 and 12.5 %. After recast it became 12-13.5 % with an annual interest payment of Rs 10,000 crore.

Women’s Health September 2014 Naked Issue

A host of inspiring women as they posed naked for Women's Health September 2014 Naked issue in celebration of its inaugural Body For Life campaign. 

Robyn Lawley strips nude to promote positive body image in a Woman's Health photo shoot

Millie Mackintosh has posed naked for Woman's Health September Naked issue in celebration of its inaugural Body For Life campaign

Kimberley Wyatt showed off her dancing skills as she posed in the nude

Amanda Byram revealed the results of hard work and regular exercis

Louise Hazel was confident about showing off her athletic figure

Celeb trainer Tracy Anderson not surprisingly has an incredible figure

The Body For Life campaign embodies the Women’s Health ethos that a healthy body isn’t just about pure aesthetics - it's about building a strong body that will protect you against illness and injury and keep you feeling (and inevitably looking) great for years to come

Samsung Galaxy Ace NXT, Guru Music 2 and Metro 312 Listed on Company Site

 

Samsung Guru Music 2 detailed specifications

 

General
	Release date	July 2014
	Battery capacity (mAh)	800
	Removable battery	Yes
	SAR value	NA
Display
	Screen size (inches)	2.00
Hardware
Camera
	Rear camera	No
	Flash	No
	Front camera	No
Software
	Java support	No
	Browser supports Flash	No
Connectivity
	Wi-Fi	No
	GPS	No
	Bluetooth	No
	NFC	No
	Infrared	No
	DLNA	No
	Wi-Fi Direct	No
	MHL Out	No
	HDMI	No
	Headphones	3.5mm
	FM	Yes
	USB	No
	Charging via Micro-USB	No
	Proprietary charging connector	No
	Proprietary data connector	No
	Number of SIMs	2
	SIM 1
	SIM Type	Regular
	GSM/ CDMA	GSM
	3G	No
	SIM 2
	SIM Type	Regular
	GSM/ CDMA	GSM
	3G	No
Sensors
	Compass/ Magnetometer	No
	Proximity sensor	No
	Accelerometer	No
	Ambient light sensor	No
	Gyroscope	No
	Barometer	No
	Temperature sensor	No

 

 

Samsung Metro 312 detailed specifications

 

General
	Release date	July 2014
	Form factor	Bar
	Battery capacity (mAh)	1000
	Removable battery	Yes
	SAR value	NA
Display
	Screen size (inches)	2.00
Hardware
Camera
	Rear camera	0.3-megapixel
	Flash	No
	Front camera	No
Software
	Java support	No
	Browser supports Flash	No
Connectivity
	Wi-Fi	No
	GPS	No
	Bluetooth	Yes
	NFC	No
	Infrared	No
	DLNA	No
	Wi-Fi Direct	No
	MHL Out	No
	HDMI	No
	Headphones	No
	FM	Yes
	USB	No
	Charging via Micro-USB	No
	Proprietary charging connector	No
	Proprietary data connector	No
	Number of SIMs	2
	SIM 1
	SIM Type	Regular
	GSM/ CDMA	GSM
	3G	No
	SIM 2
	SIM Type	Regular
	GSM/ CDMA	GSM
	3G	No
Sensors
	Compass/ Magnetometer	No
	Proximity sensor	No
	Accelerometer	No
	Ambient light sensor	No
	Gyroscope	No
	Barometer	No
	Temperature sensor	No

 

 

Samsung Galaxy Ace NXT detailed specifications

 

General
	Release date	July 2014
	Weight (g)	123.00
	Battery capacity (mAh)	1500
	Removable battery	Yes
	SAR value	NA
Display
	Screen size (inches)	4.00
	Touchscreen	Yes
	Touchscreen type	Capacitive
	Resolution	480x800 pixels
Hardware
	Processor	1.2GHz
	RAM	512MB
	Internal storage	4GB
	Expandable storage	Yes
	Expandable storage type	microSD
	Expandable storage up to (GB)	32
Camera
	Rear camera	3-megapixel
	Flash	Yes
	Front camera	No
Software
	Operating System	Android 4.4
	Java support	Yes
	Browser supports Flash	No
Connectivity
	Wi-Fi	Yes
	Wi-Fi standards supported	NA
	GPS	Yes
	Bluetooth	Yes
	NFC	No
	Infrared	No
	DLNA	No
	Wi-Fi Direct	No
	MHL Out	No
	HDMI	No
	Headphones	3.5mm
	FM	Yes
	USB	Micro-USB
	Charging via Micro-USB	Yes
	Proprietary charging connector	No
	Proprietary data connector	No
	Number of SIMs	2
	SIM 1
	SIM Type	Regular
	GSM/ CDMA	GSM
	3G	Yes
	SIM 2
	SIM Type	Regular
	GSM/ CDMA	GSM
	3G	Yes
Sensors
	Compass/ Magnetometer	No
	Proximity sensor	Yes
	Accelerometer	Yes
	Ambient light sensor	Yes
	Gyroscope	No
	Barometer	No
	Temperature sensor	No