Dec 20, 2015

Earthquake of 3.1 magnitude reportedly hit New Port Beach

Quake with a magnitude of 3.1 has reportedly hit the New Port Beach area Sunday afternoon. It was followed by an aftershock of a lesser intensity of 2.2 in Richter scale.

Hundreds of people felt about the quake and exchanged Twitter messages online about it.

USGS Website for Earthquake Monitoring the Status for New Port Beach Earthquake 

Valleyz.Blog

Dec 16, 2015

China is buying fresh bottled air, where fresh air has become luxury

A Canadian man who jokingly thought of selling bottled air for Chinese residents battling pollution, fog and smog has turned his idea into a successful business venture.

Vitality air co-founder Moses Lam first thought it was simply a joke and then he tried to sell some bottles on e-bay, and there it is.

The first bottle went under $1 and then next sold for $160 he says. He soon realised there was market for fresh air and soon began hand bottling fresh air in Canada's rocky mountains. Bottles are left for 10 hours in pristine environment and demand was so high that he couldn't keep up.

There are customers to be found all across the globe, but China is the best selling market. Other place that have market for bottled air is India, Middle East, and other countries.

Recently Beijing's pollution levels rose alarmingly making the country's authorities to sound an alarm of the highest level. Making it mandatory for many of the factories to shut down, schools closed, invoking other widespread measures.

Along with China, India too home to top 15 polluted cities in the world. That reason made a court in India to note that, it is like living in a gas chamber.

Since then the Government is on the move and formulating a series of measures to curb pollution in the national capital of Delhi and other cities as well.

As recently as yesterday the Supreme Court of India banned the registrations of high end SUVs of 2000 cc volume engine capacity till March 31 of next year, also the court has doubled green cess and barred the entry of  Trucks which are not destined for Delhi and just use it as a Transit hub.

Canadian company selling clean air to China, says sales are booming -CNN 

 Valleyz.Blog

Dec 15, 2015

SC introduces series of measures to curb pollution in Delhi

Supreme Court of India has banned registration of  diesel vehicles over 2000 CC till March 31 2016. The ban applies to NCR regions which include Noida, Gurgaon, Fareedabad, Ghaziabad.

All the trucks whose destination is not Delhi cannot enter the city precincts.  SC has directed Euro 4 Norms must be implemented in the national capital region.

Green taxes are expected to be doubled. 

All the taxis to be run on CNG and should convert to CNG by 31st of March.

SC asks both Centre and State governments to work together to curb pollution and related matters.

Tax increased from 700 to 1400, has put restrictions on burning of garbage openly.

Decision of Supreme Court of India was in response to a petition filed in the Court on the plying of diesel vehicles in the capital city of India.

This judgement could give directions to other cities who are also affected by pollution.

Valleyz.Blog

Sabhi ki nigahen Uchhtam nyaaya aalaya par kaar baan ko lekar

Sabhi ki nigahen Ucchhtam nyayaalaya par hain, ki kya ucchtam nyaayaalaya SUVs aur anya diesel waahano par ban laga dega. 

Yeh faisla isliye aur bhi zaroori ho jaayega ki is faislay ka asay bhaarat kay anya shahron par bhi padh sakta hai jo ki pradooshan se joojh rahay hain.


Valleyz.Blog

Pune and Rajkot look hot overnight after successful IPL 2016 bidding

Pune and Rajkot have gone hot overnight after successful bidding for top players in the IPL auction for 2016. 

Both the teams have reported spend 39 crores and 27 crores are remaining. 

All the players who were available after relegation of Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are high performers. Any side having them will be a big big bonus. 

Other teams in the fray will be keeping a close watch on the developments, because they know the quality of the players in the new sides that they have to face now.

 
Valleyz.Blog

Dec 14, 2015

Delhi Secretariat under investigation by CBI

CBI raids Delhi secretariat,  according to media reports, CBI has booked a case against the principal secretary Rajinder Kumar, an IAS officer, who works with the office of the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. 

Aam Admi Party chief and Delhi CM has minced no words to criticize the move by the premier investigating agency and feels the move to raid is due to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's instructions, though CBI denies as such.

Arvind Kejriwal's office raided by CBI; Office sealed, says Delhi government - ABP News 

Several of Ministers of the Aam Aadmi party which swept to power in Delhi elections in 2015 with a landslide margin are criticising the CBI's move to raid the CM's office.

There has been lot of tension between the Central Government and the Delhi State Goverment offices over the extent of rule the Centre has on the national capital of Delhi.

 Valleyz.Blog

Melor makes landfall off Philippines coast with 95 mph speeds, thousands evacuated

Typhoom Melor locally known as Nona has struck Philippines today bringing with it heavy rain and winds reaching speeds upto 95 mph.

Hundreds and thousands of people are reported to be evacuated from the low lying areas and moved to safer places. It is approximated about 20 Typhoons pass through Philipines each year.

In 2013 too several people lost their lives due to Typhoon Haiyan which struck on Nov 2 2013 and it's effects continued till November 11 of the same month. Typhoon Melor is reported to have slammed the coastal areas and will make several landfalls across the archipelago. 

Authorities are taking all precautions putting in more relief and rescue operations and other necessities.

Typhoon threatens central Philipines, 750000 evacuated - India Today

Valleyz.Blog

Dec 13, 2015

Delhi pollution and Russian-Turkish latest : News Overview

A Russian warship reportedly has fired warning shots towards a Turkish fishing boat according to news reports. 

In the latest incident a Turkish fishing boat reportedly ventured very close to the Russian military vessel Smetlivy after which the warning shots were fired by the Russian vessel towards the Turkish fishing boat which were non-lethal in nature. 

This incident is preceded by several other incidents which are fresh in public memory, such as the downing of the SU-24 attack aircraft by Turkish F-16. Where Russia lost a Pilot while parachuting and another marine in rescue operation to retrieve the ejected pilots.

Since then the relations between both the nations have gone bad, Russia later enforcing series of measures towards Turkey including banning free-visa travel to Turkish citizens and other economic sanctions.

On the other hand Turkish authorities are responding patiently to the developments noting that the the patience cannot be 'unlimited'.

Russian warship fires warning shots towards the Turkish fishing boat - BBC 

10 lakh (1 million)  vehicles to be off the roads of Delhi after the Odd-Even policy being introduced by the Government from starting of the New Year to curb pollution in the city. 

The city's pollution level rose alarmingly this winter prompting a Delhi court to note the severity of the situation. Hence forth it ordered the government to review the steps taken to curb the pollution in the city and report back to it.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which took over in the last elections has since taken up the Odd-even policy on Delhi's roads starting Jan 1.

Odd-even 10 lakh vehicles off raid daily - Times of India 

 Valleyz.Blog

Dec 12, 2015

Historc Paris Climate Accord reached

In Paris delegates from hundreds of nations have approved landmark Climate accord. 

It is for the first time that such an agreement has been reached between participating members, earlier summit in Copenhagen collapsed owing to the mutual differences between two of the world's biggest Carbon Emission countries US and China. 

It is too early to say what the future holds for this accord, but the leaders have pledged to agree to follow the pact in letter and spirit.

As for now there are now no legal bindings on the member countries to present before any public authority any data related to emissions. 

But come 2020 the nations are legally bound to present the data to public authorities, thus creating a "name and shame" kind of policy to indicate the violators of pollution norms established by the just reached Paris Accord.

In the United States there is stiff opposition to the Climate politics where every Republican candidate have questioned the science of Climate Change and voiced opposition to the Climate Change policies of the Obama administration.

The Accord means a major shift from the existing business policies moving away from investments in Oil and Gas, Coal and other Fossil fuel based energies to clean energies like Solar, Wind and Nuclear Energy with zero carbon emission.
 
Nations approve landmark Climate accord in Paris - NYtimes 
  
Valleyz.Blog

India, Japan sign bilateral treaties

India and Japan sign bilateral treaties after the meeting between both the nations in the national capital.

Japanese President who is here on a three day visit will also visit Varanasi, the Lok Sabha constituency of PM Modi.

Bullet train treaty which Japan had promised to implement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan has been signed today in New Delhi. And Nuclear deal has also been envisaged.

The project costing about 98,000 KM to connect Mumbai to Ahmedabad in 3 hours.

Visa on arrival for Japanese citizens from March 1 2016 

PM Modi, Shinzo Abe put bullet train and Civi Nuclear Agreement on track

National Herald Case Development

Shanti Bhushan claims to have some shares in AJL and reportedly has said will question the transfer of shares to YIL. But Kapil Sibal refuted those allegations.

Delhi Pollution

Government schools to be shutdown from 1 Jan till 15 Jan in the national capital according to the latest media reports.

Valleyz.Blog

Dec 11, 2015

Yuvraj Singh, the flamboyant India Cricket star celebrate's his 34th Birthday

Yuvraj Singh who turns 34 today, has already accomplished the laurels one can achieve in a glittering cricketing career where the star batsman has led the nation to many victories in many encounters.

He is a treat to watch in the middle order building on the Indian innings, and giving it all every time he came to the crease. He is a batsmen of huge calibre. Especially the visiting teams used to be scary about him, and always used special fielding arrangements to contain the star. It was very hard to containg Yuvraj especially on the Square leg boundary, the ball simply dissappeared once he sights the ball in the slaught. It was amazing to see the natural free flow of his bat.

Yuvraj Singh won the Man of the Series tournament at the World Cup 2011 edition which India won, it was his allround performance which gave India the strategic depth to take strong teams like South Africa, Australia and Pakistan. 

 Valleyz.Blog

Dec 7, 2015

7.2 magnitude Earthquake hits Tajikistan's Karakul area

7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Tajikistan according to USGS , the resultant tremors were felt as far away as Pakistan and Delhi, in India. There's been reports of tremors shaking the Kashmir valley, but no information regarding any damage has been reported yet

Valleyz.Blog

Dec 5, 2015

Delhi needs underground metro, trams and more buses. Cycling should be encouraged for short distances.

Delhi pollution levels rose to astonishing levels this year and the city is engulfed with thick smog, bringing down the visibility too. Delhi's pollution comes from excessive use of private transport, no cycling and pedestrian pathways not enough lung spaces for the vibrant but choking city. PM2.5 at the time of writing this post was 699 at Anand Vihar which is hazardous to health. With PM2.5 in California, LA being about 173 at the same time. Mumbai at 153 and Hyderabad at 136 are the two other major pollution borne cities in the country.

http://aqicn.org/city/delhi/anand-vihar/
 
 Delhi court noted the city's pollution saying ' it looks like a gas chamber' and asked the Government to implement a new strategy by Dec 21. The ruling Aam Aadmi party in Delhi hence introduced the Odd-Even formula, successfully implemented in several other world's big time polluting cities such as China and Bogota etc.,

Delhi's metro system is already crowded and there aren't enough buses on the road for people to consider it as a viable commute to work. There are no trams even in developed areas of the city.

Delhi's main polluters include industrial air pollution, thermal power plants and trucks which ply commuting essential commodities to the city and are the life line. Delhi's compounding problems are the satellite towns and cities like, Faridabad and Rohtak in Haryana, Gurgaon and Noida in U.P., and many other suburbs from where people commute daily for work.

In order for Government to succeed it should take pedestrianization and cycling and usage of Trams and other electric mode of transport for short distances in a big manner. Also the city may not be able cope with the present metro rail. I think the city should go for an elaborate well-planned, feasible underground metro system to plan ahead in to the future, keeping in mind the growth trajectory of the city. Administration should initiate tree plantation also in a big manner and sensitize the citizenry of benefits of using public transport.

Government's woes not only comes from the polluting factors but also from lack of understanding between the state and centre who do not see eye to eye on many public issues and may prove difficult to implement it's strategies.

Valleyz.Blog

Dec 2, 2015

Active shooter situation in San Bernardino, 14 people killed and a suspect killed

At least 14 are dead in San Bernandino, California in active shooter situation, Latest reports indicate the shooter has been hit. Another 17 people are reportedly injured in the shooting. 

It reportedly looked like a planned mission to assault, the attack took place at a center for developmental disabilities, at the Inland Regional Center according to Police authorities.

Suspects initially attacked and made an escape after which they were waylaid at some distance from the original attack were to assailants look to be subdued by the Police, while the third is on the run.

A police officer is also reportedly injured but the injury is not life threatening.  

San Bernardino is a city 60 Kms east of California. And is the 17th largest city.

For more on this story:

Shooting in San Bernardino, California, at least 14 people reportedly killed - ABC news 

San Bernardino shooting: At least 14 people killed and one suspect killed - CNN 



Valleyz.Blog

Nov 28, 2015

Turkish President 'saddened' about downing a flying machine? What about people?


 I think it is just absurd to use the word 'saddened' for the downing of a machine. You deal with it or keep quiet.

 But being saddened about downing a machine, is something just not acceptable. 

What about those millions of people killed in and around your country for almost two decades? Was Turkey and its allies not saddened then? Why not the saddening statements came out then? Bowing before a bigger adversary? 

Turkish President 'saddened' by downing of a Russian plane but won't apologize - CNN
  
Valleyz.Blog

Nov 27, 2015

Five Polish sailors reportedly kidnapped off the coast of Nigera overnight, Polish govt. says

Five Polish sailorss are reportedly kidnapped by the Pirates off the coast of Nigeria.

Sailors were aboard the ship Szafir, when assailants attacked the crew of 16 in the night and kidnapped five of them.

Polish Foreign Minister Mr Witold Waszczykowsky told the reporters in Warsaw that no ransom demand has been made yet. Other crew members are reportedly safe and sound.

 Valleyz.Blog

Planned Parenthood attacked by a gunman in Colorado, three dead

Preliminary reports indicate three dead including an officer on duty in the attack at parenthood planning clinic.

According to Fox news the gunman is ID'd as Robert Lewis Dear from North Carolina.

Investigations into the incident are awaited.

Gunman ID'd as Robert Lewis Dear - Fox News 

Valleyz.Blog

Russia has scrapped visa-free travel with Turkey

Russia reportedly has suspended visa-free travel policy with Turkey due to the ongoing tensions over the downing of the Russian fighter Jet.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that it is Russia to blame for the intrusion into its airspace.

Russsia's Foreign minister Mr Lavrov did not travel to Turkey on a scheduled visit after the incident. And now Russia has taken a series of steps to underscore its disappointment over the issue.

Already the tensions seem to be high in the region after the Paris attacks. Where Russia seem to have escalated attacks against the Syrian opposition who are allied against the President Assad's regime.

Western position looks to be same, even yesterday President Hollande insisted that Assad has no role in Syria's future, but Russia's President is seen strongly backing Mr Assad, saying his future lies in the hands of Syrian people.
   
  Valleyz.Blog

Jan 24, 2015

Ukraine Crisis : 10 people reportedly killed in Mariupol due to shelling

Recent reports indicate that the port city of Mariupol has been shelled in the ongoing Ukraine turmoil killing ten people. 
  
 Rebel shelling kills upto 10 in Mariupol - Reuter

Bild.de - Mariupol 

Wikipedia - Mariupol 

 

Ex Delhi CM Mr Kejriwal not invited to Republic day celebrations in Delhi

Arvind Kejriwal, the Convenor of Aam Aadmi party, and ex-CM Delhi, has not been invited to Republic Day parade at Rajpath. 

He said he has not received any invite for the event according to media reports, which is to be attended by high profile guests US President Barack Obama and his wife Ms Michelle Obama and other dignitaries.

Speaking to media reporters Mr Kejriwal has said, if there is a protocol, he should get an invite, but doesn't want to play politics on the issue. 

Valleyz.Blog

Jan 23, 2015

Recent Judgement by the Apex Court on Cricketing affairs augurs well for the sport in the country

Recent Judgement by the Supreme Court of India augurs well for the Cricket in India, as the Judgement appears to have addressed the litigation involving conflict of Interest in the sport.

Though another special committee has been formed to look into the specific allegations against players and wrongdoings, it is still a long way to go.

Also the hearing by the Supreme Court laid down clear directions for elections of the Board President of the Cricketing body.

Board has clearly directed the current Board President Mr N Srinivasan to select between the country or the club of which he is a co-owner. 

With several of the issues been addressed by the Apex Court, it should lead to transparency and efficiency in the functioning of the cricketing body. 

  
Valleyz.Blog

Jan 20, 2015

Delhi Elections 2015

Nominations to be filed by all the major political parties today Jan 21. Leaders from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) and Congress (I) are going to file nominations today.

AAP is headed by Arvind Kejriwal, an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer,  bureaucrat turned activist-Politician who spearheaded the India Against Corruption Movement along with Social activist Anna Hazare of India in 2011.

INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION - WIKIPEDIA 

Aam Aadmi Party was founded to give birth to political aspirations of a movement, which largely appeared to have struck a chord among the general population, on major political issues like corruption and administration.

http://www.aamaadmiparty.org/ 

 Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party with 28 MLA's formed a coalition government  in Delhi in 2013 with the support of 8 seats of Congress(I) in the 70 member house and later resigned due to lack of majority in passing major anti-corruption laws seeking fresh elections.

Election Commission of India after a year on the directions of Judiciary decided to conduct the elections in Delhi for which the dates have been announced.

In 2013 Delhi had 11.9 eligible voters.
Source: Elections.in 
Election Commission of India 

Last Date of Nomination: 21
Election date February 7.
Results Date  February 10, 11, 12.

The elections in Delhi took an interesting turn when Ms Kiran Bedi an  IPS officer (Indian Police Service), also a familiar face with India Against Corruption Movement decided to join the BJP, which is the main opposition to Aam Aadmi Party which had the bulk of activists on its side. 

She  was quickly pitted against Arvind Kejriwal as the CM candidate for BJP which secured 32 seats in the last elections. Ms Bedi after following the track record of political developments, came out in opposition to strategies of AAP and nodded in favor of the policies adopted by the ruling BJP party at the centre of which she was critical on some issues in the past.

Ms Bedi accuses AAP with politics of negativity, accusations and insinuation.

Mr Ajay Maken former Union minister in the UPA government is heading the Congress campaign for Delhi elections. Earlier UPA Chief Minister Ms Shiela Dixit's government is accused of corruption in the conduct of Common Wealth games and not doing much on issues of corruption.   

Another noted IAC activist and a media presenter Shazia Ilmi, after contesting elections with AAP had distanced itself from the party complaining about lack of inner party democracy.

She is the latest entrant in the BJP along with Ms Kiran Bedi, has been of late complaining about lack of inner-party democracy in the party on a TV channel.

The main planks of AAP is about malfunctioning administrations under both BJP and Congress which have failed to end corruption in it's day-to-day functioning. Lack of electricity and water problem in the Delhi metropolitan area. Also it targets the sources of funding of major electoral politics being carried out with black money and manipulation of voters by doling out cash. 

http://www.aamaadmiparty.org/donation-list 
  
Black Money List Submitted to Supreme Court by Govt. - Times of India Report 

Black Money list in Court - BBC 

Congress has largely been passive in the face of large scale protests held by India Against Corruption activists. Even the opposition parties like BJP and it's supporters have cornered the then UPA government on issues like black money and money laundering through large scale protests in Delhi.

Though the current NDA government had formed a list and submitted it to the Supreme Court of India, but there is no further development in the case. 

Switzerland complained to India firstly to bring substantial evidence against the violators, and accepted to provided full evidence thereafter. Now onus is on the Government to prove that the individuals holding money in foreign accounts indeed is ill gotten wealth. 

India must show proof of fraud -Swiss Ambassador . - The Hindu 

Delhi elections will also showcase the mood of Indian electorate which in the 2014 elections voted to elect Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 282 seats, a 2/3rd majority is required to form a popular government in 543 member house.  

National Democratic Alliance - Wikipedia 

UPDATE JANUARY 23 2015 

Shanti Bhushan, eminent senior lawyer, one of the founding member of the Aam Aadmi Party and a lawyer-activist in the India Against Corruption IAC movement, came out in support of Ms Kiran Bedi, BJP CM nominee for the Delhi elections.

Mr Bhushan was of the view that Mr Kejriwal has lost direction and acting in unilateral way in day to day party functioning. He was critical of the way the party tickets has been distributed, with some allegations of tickets being sold to anti-social elements and for money.

In other developments, some AAP members disclosed that many members in the India Against Corruption movement were pro-BJP and there was no secret about it. Even the CM nominee of BJP Ms Kiran Bedi is said to have dissuaded Mr Kejriwal to go soft on BJP policies and target Congress for corruption and other issues.

The acceptance of this fact, seem to have backfired against the AAP itself as it is trying to portray Ms Bedi as pro-BJP since Anna Hazare movement and it is disclosing the same now.

Congress CM nominee Mr Ajay Maken has now demanded a full disclosure by the AAP as well as BJP CM nominee Ms Bedi, to disclose whether the IAC movement was carried out to marginalize Congress and was opposition driven conspiracy against it.

UPDATE 24th January 2015

So, everyone now knows that pro-BJP leaders were part of the Anna movement. One way or the other they may have their influence exerted on some of the functionings of the movement.

AAP in it's 49 day Government tried to solve the people's problems through novel ideas like, people meetings, which went haywire and the meetings had to be abandoned, remedies were sought. This shows that AAP is high on promises but very low on experience and delivery of services to the people.

But off late their are reports the party conducted Mohalla Sabha's, but these are only minor steps in a city which needs to be developed into a truly world class city, where the residents are the first one's to enjoy those facilities.

AAP'S Mohalla Sabha - Public meetings at the level of a simple locality. 

Some links of the 49 day rule of the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi

Hindustan Times Report. AAP 49 day rule in Delhi - Achievements and Controversies. 

India exponent - The Good, Bad and Ugly of 49 day Govt, of AAP.

Another moment in the short AAP Govt. at Delhi was the organising of Janata Darbar.

Kejriwal holds Janata Darbar - Business Line. 

Here is another link in which the BJP CM nominee Ms Kiran Bedi flays AAP's failed Janata Darbar meetings in 2014.

Kiran Bedi flays Kejriwal over Janta Darbar - The Hindu. 

 Valleyz.Blog

Jan 7, 2015

French Satirical Magazine Charlie Hebdo offices reportedly attacked in Paris killing 12 people

Charlie Hebdo, the french Satirical Magazine office has been attacked by the gunmen in the heart of Paris, where gunmen were seen wielding automatic machine guns and shooting at security forces on the ground by videos that went viral through Instagram and Twitter

French President addressing media shortly after the attack described the attack as a terrorist attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. He described the attack not only on journalists but liberty.

Following the attack Paris has been put on high alert. Many countries have joined condemning the attack. 

Magazine office has been reported to be firebombed earlier in 2011 for publishing religion caricatures. Latest fatalities reported to be 12 people and several others critically injured.

Magazine's Editor-in-chief is reportedly killed in the attack.

 Les Echos
 Charlie Hebdo reporting by Le Monde
Attack on Charlie Hebdo - Le Point 

UPDATE : Friday Jan 09 2015

Paris Terror Suspects want 'martyr' death 

Paris terror suspects are reported to be holed up near Paris at Dammartin-en-Goele. Security forces are reported to be in talks with the suspects. There are possible hostages taken.

There are reports of another hostage situation in eastern Paris where a gunman has taken hostages in a Kosher market. Police have reportedly ordered closer of shops in an area little away from where the attacks are taking place.

French Security forces surround Charlie Hebdo suspects: 2nd Hostage Taking near east of Paris - In Depth report- NYTimes   

Earlier there were reports of attacks on Mosques and prayer halls as well as an explosion near a kebab shop. 

Police release images of assassins involved in east of Paris.

Two people are reportedly killed in this incident.

The two hostage incidents taking place today in and outside Paris are reportedly linked with each other. 

Two runways are reportedly has been shut down at Charlles-de-Gualle airport. aeroportsdeparis 

Some 80,000 police forces are reportedly deployed through out France in response to the attacks taking place in and around Paris. 

The media outlets in US have reportedly decided not to publish cartoons keeping in mind the sentiments ten's of millions of Muslims with exception of a few. 

Update : 

Explosions are heard at the site of Dammartin-en-Goele and reports of suspects being killed there.

Also several hostages being freed at the Kosher Market in east of Paris and the Hostage taker has been killed.

AFP: Killed Charlie Hebdo suspects came out firing on security forces.