Kin of Telugus rescued in Libya elated

Family members of the two Indians, who were rescued after being held captive in Libya for over a year, have heaved a sigh of relief and expressed happiness after getting the news. The two Indians - T Gopikrishna from Andhra Pradesh and C Balaram Kishan from Telangana, who were teaching at Libya's Sirte University, were abducted by Islamic State militants in July last year. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted, "I am happy to inform that T Gopalakrishna (Gopikrishna) (AP) & C BalaramKishan (Telangana) who were captive in Libya since 29 July, 2015 have been rescued." "We were informed around midnight by the MEA, Libyan government officials and others that he (Balaram) has been rescued along with Gopikrishna. My husband also spoke to me this morning...It (conversation) was only a few seconds...he enquired about our children and me and other family members," Balram's wife Sridevi told PTI. "Entire family is happy that he has been rescued and out of danger...I heard my husband's voice after more than a year...It's God's grace," Sridevi said. Balaram's family, which resides in Secunderabad and were anxiously waiting for the safe return of their loved one, said, "We were worried a lot and now are happy that he is safe and are waiting for his return to Hyderabad." "...now I am 100 per cent relieved. We are waiting for more updates on when he is likely to fly back to India and come to Hyderabad," Sridevi added. Gopikrishna's kin too expressed joy over his release. "It is almost 14 months since July last year that my family members had spoken to him (Gopikrishna) after he was taken captive in Libya. We were informed about his release from MEA officials besides also from Libyan officials and also through information given by his friend on social networking sites," Gopikrishna's brother Muralikrishna said who stays in Nacharam area here. "He spoke to our parents (who stay in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh) over phone and told that he is safe...my parents in-turn informed me about the same," he added. Muralikrishna said both Balaram and Gopikrishna were rescued by military and they will be taken to Tripoli most likely by this evening and are likely to return to Hyderabad may be in another three to four days. Gopikrishna worked as a faculty in computer education.

Ganesha immersions underway in Hyderabad

The immersion of Lord Ganesha idols in Hussain Sagar lake and at other places here began today amid tight security, with devotees thronging the Tank Bund area despite incessant rains till afternoon. About 10 to 15 lakh people are expected to participate in the final procession of thousands of Ganesha idols from Hyderabad besides Medak, Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar districts, which marks the conclusion of the 11-day long festival. Two persons got electrocuted during the immersion procession at Champapet here last night. In order to ensure that the entire immersion programme is conducted peacefully without any untoward incident, all necessary arrangements have been put in place. Over 25,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure security of the event, police officials said. Hundreds of devotees participated in the final Ganesha idol immersion procession here and were seen dancing to the tune of drum-beats and throwing colours while bidding adieu to the God of Wisdom. The immersion of the famous Khairatabad Ganesh here was done in Hussain Sagar lake. It was installed in the form of Shaktipeetha Sivanagendra Maha Ganapathi, and stood 58-feet, the tallest Ganesha idol in the state. The famous Balapur laddu was today auctioned for Rs 14.65 lakh with the highest bid coming from a businessman Skylab Reddy. Last year, the laddu was auctioned for Rs 10.32 lakh. Venkateshwar Babu (40), an advocate, and Sandeep (19) an engineering student were electrocuted last night at Reddy Colony in Champapet during procession of Ganesha idol immersion. Another person was also injured in the mishap, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials said. "As per information, they were trying to lift live wires with wet sticks during the procession when the incident occurred," they said.

Afridi hints at exit from all international cricket

Flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi today hinted at a possible agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board which could see him make a graceful exit from all international cricket. Afridi told the media here that there was no pressure from him on the Board for any agreement nor any pressure on him from the PCB but noted that players need to retire gracefully. "I have put no pressure on the Board nor they on me but whatever happens it will be good and set new precedents," he said. He said that he had discussed his future with chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq who had given him a plan to think about. "I have always noted that in Pakistan there is no tradition of players retiring gracefully, even the big names. Every player wants to go out on a high and a I am no different," he said. There has been speculation that the Board and selectors might include Afridi in the national T20 squad for the coming series against the West Indies in the UAE and the all-rounder would retire at the end of the series, allowing the PCB to give him a proper farewell in Dubai at the end of this month. Afridi has already retired from the Test and 50-over formats of international cricket. The flamboyant all-rounder felt that players who had served their country for long years including himself deserved to be given a proper tribute and send-off. "Players must exit respectfully since the ones who serve the country with distinction deserve honour. I have had a discussion with Inzi Bhai (Inzamamul Haq) who is an elder to me and we will do what is beneficial to both Pakistan cricket and my own self," he said. Afridi stepped down as captain after Pakistan's poor showing in the Asia Cup and World T20 earlier this year and has since than been ignored by the selectors for the T20 international against England and for the series against the West Indies, raising question marks over his future as a Pakistan player. Afridi also said that he firmly believed that the PCB was the head of the family and needed to have better communication with the players. "This would allow players to decide themselves when it is the right time for them to retire gracefully and with dignity." He said he wanted to retire after the World T20 on a happy note but the poor performance did not allow this to happen.

Saudi recession and impact on expatriates

Eid Al Adha goes hi-tech: Now order livestock online in Dubai!

Eid Al Adha has gone digital in the UAE with the Dubai Municipality launching an app that will allow users to order small livestock online for making a sacrifice which is the festival's key ritual. Muslims across the globe will celebrate Eid al-Adha next week by sacrificing animals. Through Al Mawashi App (livestock in Arabic), residents can now order small sacrifices online and pick it up at specific delivery points. Residents can place an order for small sacrifices online -- Australian livestock -- from Emirates Livestock and Meat Trading Company (ELMCO) in Jebel Ali. "It is summer season and there is a rush on cattle markets during Eid. The app is meant to save time and efforts for residents, especially during the season's hot climate," Ali Tahir Al Hammadi, head of the Abattoirs Section at the Dubai Municipality, told the Khaleej Times. "We also want to reduce the queues at Dubai Abattoir during Eid where majority of the residents get their animals slaughtered," he said. The app will allow residents from across the UAE to order small sacrifices, but the delivery points will be in Dubai at the abattoir in Jebel Ali, where Dubai Municipality has established an abattoir under ELMCO, or from the temporary abattoirs in Al Khawaneej or Al Quoz. "We will have tents at the abattoirs as a waiting point for customers who are coming to pick up their sacrifices," Al Hammadi was quoted as saying. Last year, Dubai Abattoir in Al Qusais saw the slaughtering of around 7,000 animals for residents and 7,000 for charities. Al Hammadi noted that the smart app will help residents get the sacrifices at a special rate ranging from Dirham 550 to 700, excluding delivery charges and Dirham 15 of slaughtering service. "We expect to start with around 300 purchases on the first day of Eid through the app, reaching up to 1,000 on the fourth day," said Al Hammadi. Residents can make purchases with their credit cards on the app, which displays pictures and price of livestock for selection.

Iran-Saudi war of words heats up ahead of hajj

A bitter war of words between Iran and Saudi Arabia intensified today ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage from which Iranians have been excluded for the first time in decades. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blasted the "incompetence" of the Saudi royal family as he met with the families of victims of a deadly stampede during last year's hajj. "This incident proves once again that this cursed, evil family does not deserve to be in charge and manage the holy sites," Khamenei said. Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia were already at rock bottom before the regional rivals started trading caustic remarks ahead of the annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest places in Saudi Arabia, which is due to start on Saturday. Iranians have been blocked from the event after talks on safety and logistics fell apart in May. "If the existing problems with the Saudi government were merely the issue of the hajj... maybe it would have been possible to find a way to resolve it," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said at a cabinet meeting. "Unfortunately, this government by committing crimes in the region and supporting terrorism in fact shed the blood of Muslims in Iraq, Syria and Yemen," Rouhani said. The week began with a furious rebuke from Khamenei, published on his website, in which he accused the Saudi royals of "murder" over the deaths of nearly 2,300 pilgrims, including hundreds of Iranians, in last year's stampede. Saudi Arabia claims the death toll was only 769 -- despite data from more than 30 countries suggesting it was far higher -- and has refused to release the details of its investigation into the disaster. But the head of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council hit back today, calling Khamenei's remarks "inappropriate and offensive... and a desperate attempt to politicise" the hajj. Saudi Arabia's most senior cleric, Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh, also waded into the dispute, telling the Makkah daily yesterday: "We must understand these are not Muslims, they are children of Magi and their hostility towards Muslims is an old one." "Magi" is a reference to the Zoroastrian religion that was prevalent in Iran before Islam, and is sometimes used as an insult against Iranians. Jane Kinninmont, deputy head of the Middle East and North Africa programme at the Chatham House think tank in London, said the world needed to pay more attention to the "cold conflict" between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

1-yr-old girl raped by youth in Chilkalguda

In a shocking incident, a one-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a youth who worked with her parents at their house in Chilkalguda area here, police said. The accused, Deepu Singh (20), took the baby girl from the second floor of the house where she was sleeping with her parents, to the ground floor and allegedly raped her at around midnight last night, Chilkalguda Police Station Inspector K Srinivasulu said based on a complaint lodged by her parents. "Deepu Singh took the baby girl from her parents who were in deep sleep and allegedly committed rape," Srinivasulu told PTI. The accused was arrested today after a case was registered against him on charge of rape under relevant sections of IPC and provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act, based on the complaint. The girl has been shifted to a government hospital here and is undergoing treatment, the police officer said. The parents of the girl are street vendors. The accused was working with them at their house and assisted in making snacks. Further investigations are on into the offence, police added.