In a first for shooting sport, India's Angad Veer Singh Bajwa teamed up with Haley Dunn of the USA to claim the Grand Prix bronze medal in mixed team skeet event of the ISSF World Cup here today.

With the International Olympic Committee (IOC) firm on its stand to achieve gender equality in its 2020 Tokyo Olympics program, the unique concept of mixed event was tried out for the first time on a global stage.

Today's event was the most unique in the sense that a shooter from a country paired up with an athlete from another for the first time in the sport's history at world level.

However, since it was a test event only, it will not be counted as official World Cup medals.

The duo of Hayden Stewart and triple Olympic champion and skeet legend Kimberly Rhode of the USA won the top prize in the event defeating Argentine siblings Federico and Melisa Gill 29-26 in the gold-medal match.

Angad and Haley got the better Robert Johnson and Caitlin Connor 28-26 in the bronze medal match at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range on the concluding day of the tournament.

Earlier, among the 22 pairings who entered the mixed team skeet event, six qualified for the semi-final round. They were clubbed into two groups of three pairs each. One pair was then eliminated on the basis of having the lowest score after 30 targets. The winner went through to the gold medal match while the second placed team made it to the bronze medal round.

Angad and Haley finished second in their group, shocking Italy's reigning Olympic champion pairing of Gabrielle Rossetti and Diana Bacosi.

In the bronze medal match, Angad was in sublime form, missing just one target out of his allotted 15 to easily beat the all-American pair of Johnson-Connor in partnership with Haley.

India, thus, ended its campaign with five medals — one gold, two silver and two bronze — holding on their own in a tournament that was graced by some of the world's top shooters.

Additionally, the host nation also won Grand Prix gold in the mixed team 10m air pistol, besides Angad's bronze in the mixed team skeet.

"It was amazing. I enjoyed the experience," Angad, who took up the event only four years ago, said.

Asked if he was under pressure, Angad said, "What happens is if I start taking pressure in situations like that, it does not help. So I try to take this as a video game and enjoy."

About his plans ahead, he said, "We are going to Acupulco (for the next Shotgun World Cup) end of this month, got a camp coming up in another week or so. Good two to three days break now and then back to the grind."

The Supreme Court on Friday said it would hear next week the plea of a consortium of banks that US $40 million allegedly shifted by liquor baron Vijay Mallya to his children’s accounts, needed to be brought back.

Considering the submission of senior advocate Shyam Divan on behalf of the consortium led by the State Bank of India that US $40 million Mallya had allegedly received from British firm Diageo in February last year and transferred to his children in "flagrant violation" of various judicial orders, a bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and U U Lalit decided to hear the matter on 9 March.

The banks prayed that orders be passed to "secure the deposit of the said amount of US $40 million before this court or the DRT forthwith, pending disposal of the further recovery proceedings." 
The bench had, on 11 January, granted three weeks to Mallya to file an affidavit in response to the plea of banks.
On record, Mallya and his firm owe over Rs.6,200 crore to the banks and the money should have been deposited here.

The Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has launched a mobile enabled medical video consultation service ‘Paramarsh’ for its beneficiaries in Bihar and Himachal Pradesh on a pilot basis.

For this, ESIC has collaborated with MTL, wholly owned subsidiary of MTNL to roll out the state-of-the-art, low-cost mobile base video solution that would enable doctors at ESIC dispensaries to directly call specialists at ESIC hospitals, enabling the beneficiaries to do consultation for non-emergency cases without travelling to concerned hospital.

This project is expected to bring immense benefits in terms of cheap and quality health care for the beneficiaries, resulting in saving their time, money and effort. Mr R. K. Bhardwaj, Member of ESI Corporation (Employers’ representative) inaugurated the Mobile Video Consultation at ESI Hospital, Baddi, Himachal Pradesh whereas Mr C. P. Singh, Member of ESI Corporation (Employees’ representative) inaugurated it from ESI Hospital, Phulwarishariff, Patna, Bihar.

This whole programme was monitored by ESIC DG Deepak Kumar from the headquarters in Delhi. He said the project could be extended throughout India in its second phase and, later on, the Insured Persons may directly connect through video calls to specialist doctors in the third phase.

The Supreme Court was today told by New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) that it has decided to e-auction the Taj Mansingh Hotel.

"We have taken a decision to hold an e-auction. It would be an open auction. We will decide the date once this court permits us," Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain appearing for NDMC told a bench of Justices Pinaki Ghosh and R F Nariman.

The counsel for the hotel told the court that "we were surprised by the decision (of NDMC) which was conveyed to us by news papers".

The bench asked Tata Group-run Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), which runs the luxury Taj Mansingh Hotel to file its objections to NDMC's proposal by 22 March, the next date of hearing.

The apex court had on 21 November ordered status quo on Taj Mansingh Hotel, disallowing the NDMC plea that the hotel should not be allowed to take bookings after the year ends.

As part of its effort to enable personnel posted in remote areas who find it difficult to purchase a good house, the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) has come up with a pragmatic business model called the ‘Private Industry Collaborative Business Model’ which will facilitate acquiring houses from reputed private builders at discounted prices.

 As a part of this, AWHO on Friday inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Prop Equity, a leading real estate data & analytics consultant firm, after a prolonged process to undertake the facilitation process forward.   

A pilot project is being undertaken in Delhi-NCR and based on its success, similar ventures will be executed in other locations.

 The MoU was signed by Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma, Chairman (Ex-Officio) AWHO, and Samir Jasuja, MD, Prop Equity Analytics.

As part of its effort to enable personnel posted in remote areas who find it difficult to purchase a good house, the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) has come up with a pragmatic business model called the ‘Private Industry Collaborative Business Model’ which will facilitate acquiring houses from reputed private builders at discounted prices.

 As a part of this, AWHO on Friday inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Prop Equity, a leading real estate data & analytics consultant firm, after a prolonged process to undertake the facilitation process forward.   

A pilot project is being undertaken in Delhi-NCR and based on its success, similar ventures will be executed in other locations.

 The MoU was signed by Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma, Chairman (Ex-Officio) AWHO, and Samir Jasuja, MD, Prop Equity Analytics.

Central University in Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala, faculty member, Deepak Pant has won the Visitor’s Award for ‘Innovation’ for developing reactor converting waste plastic into LPG.

President Pranab Mukherjee will present the Visitor’s Awards for the year 2017 at a function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on March 6, 2017, as a part of the ‘Festival of Innovations’.

President Pranab Mukherjee had announced institution of these awards in 2014 with the aim of promoting healthy competition among Central Universities and motivating them to adopt best practices from around the world in the pursuit of excellence.

The Visitor’s Award for ‘Innovation’ will be given to Deepak Pant, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh for development of a reactor for direct conversion of waste plastic to LPG in small scale. He will be conferred with a citation and a cash award of Rs.1 lakh.

Central University in Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala, faculty member, Deepak Pant has won the Visitor’s Award for ‘Innovation’ for developing reactor converting waste plastic into LPG.

President Pranab Mukherjee will present the Visitor’s Awards for the year 2017 at a function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on March 6, 2017, as a part of the ‘Festival of Innovations’.

President Pranab Mukherjee had announced institution of these awards in 2014 with the aim of promoting healthy competition among Central Universities and motivating them to adopt best practices from around the world in the pursuit of excellence.

The Visitor’s Award for ‘Innovation’ will be given to Deepak Pant, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Environmental Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh for development of a reactor for direct conversion of waste plastic to LPG in small scale. He will be conferred with a citation and a cash award of Rs.1 lakh.

Announcing their new Kaleidoscope EP, English rock band Coldplay has launched their new single ‘Hypnotised’.

The playlist of the new EP will be launched on June 2, 2017, Coldplay singer Chris Martin made the announcement on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

The new EP contains five songs All I Can Think About Is You , Something Just Like This, Miracles 2, Aliens, and Hypnotised.

Interestingly, the release of their new track coincides with the 40th birthday of Chris Martin.

Only recently, the band had released their first song from the same EP ‘Something Just Like This’, which had been composed in collaboration with The Chainsmokers.

The track Miracles 2 would be a sequel of their last album’s A Head Full of Dreams song Miracles.

‘Kaleidoscope’ will be the 12th extended playlist of the band since the beginning of its long career in 1991.

‘Kaleidoscope’ comes two years after the launch of Coldplay’s seventh full length Studio album, ‘A Head Full of Dreams’ in 2015.

The band will also perform for free in Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany, as a part of their Global Citizen awareness campaign in July.

The headliners of the event will be performing alongside Ellie Goulding, The Chainsmokers and Herbert Grönemeyer.

Announcing their new Kaleidoscope EP, English rock band Coldplay has launched their new single ‘Hypnotised’.

The playlist of the new EP will be launched on June 2, 2017, Coldplay singer Chris Martin made the announcement on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

The new EP contains five songs All I Can Think About Is You , Something Just Like This, Miracles 2, Aliens, and Hypnotised.

Interestingly, the release of their new track coincides with the 40th birthday of Chris Martin.

Only recently, the band had released their first song from the same EP ‘Something Just Like This’, which had been composed in collaboration with The Chainsmokers.

The track Miracles 2 would be a sequel of their last album’s A Head Full of Dreams song Miracles.

‘Kaleidoscope’ will be the 12th extended playlist of the band since the beginning of its long career in 1991.

‘Kaleidoscope’ comes two years after the launch of Coldplay’s seventh full length Studio album, ‘A Head Full of Dreams’ in 2015.

The band will also perform for free in Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany, as a part of their Global Citizen awareness campaign in July.

The headliners of the event will be performing alongside Ellie Goulding, The Chainsmokers and Herbert Grönemeyer.

China on Friday said ties with India would be hit if New Delhi allowed the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh, which is claimed by Beijing.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Beijing was concerned over India permitting the Tibetan spiritual leader to visit the northeastern state of India. 

Geng said China was strictly opposed to the impending visit by the Dalai Lama. "China is strongly opposed to the Dalai Lama visiting disputed areas," he told a regular press briefing. 

Geng said India knew the sensitivity of the border issue between both countries and allowing the Dalai Lama to visit Aunachal Pradesh would damage its ties with China. 

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as its own, calling it South Tibet. Besides, it accuses the Dalai Lama of separatist activities in Tibet. 

Earlier too, Beijing had warned India against Buddhist leaders visiting Arunachal Pradesh. 

In December 2016, China expressed concern over President Pranab Mukherjee hosting the Tibetan spiritual leader. 

In October 2016, China slammed India for letting US envoy Richard Verma attend a festival at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. 

China on Friday said ties with India would be hit if New Delhi allowed the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh, which is claimed by Beijing.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Beijing was concerned over India permitting the Tibetan spiritual leader to visit the northeastern state of India. 

Geng said China was strictly opposed to the impending visit by the Dalai Lama. "China is strongly opposed to the Dalai Lama visiting disputed areas," he told a regular press briefing. 

Geng said India knew the sensitivity of the border issue between both countries and allowing the Dalai Lama to visit Aunachal Pradesh would damage its ties with China. 

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as its own, calling it South Tibet. Besides, it accuses the Dalai Lama of separatist activities in Tibet. 

Earlier too, Beijing had warned India against Buddhist leaders visiting Arunachal Pradesh. 

In December 2016, China expressed concern over President Pranab Mukherjee hosting the Tibetan spiritual leader. 

In October 2016, China slammed India for letting US envoy Richard Verma attend a festival at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. 

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday reviewed the security situation in the country, especially in Jammu and Kashmir and other border areas.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Director of Intelligence Bureau, Rajiv Jain and other senior officials briefed the home minister about the prevailing situation in the
country, official sources said.

The situation in Jammu and Kashmir, other border areas and the hinterland was discussed threadbare, they said.

Singh attended his office after nearly three weeks, busy as he was with electioneering in Uttar Pradesh. However, he had kept in touch with senior officials, who informed him of latest developments.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday reviewed the security situation in the country, especially in Jammu and Kashmir and other border areas.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Director of Intelligence Bureau, Rajiv Jain and other senior officials briefed the home minister about the prevailing situation in the
country, official sources said.

The situation in Jammu and Kashmir, other border areas and the hinterland was discussed threadbare, they said.

Singh attended his office after nearly three weeks, busy as he was with electioneering in Uttar Pradesh. However, he had kept in touch with senior officials, who informed him of latest developments.

The United Nations has warned Sri Lanka that its road to national reconciliation and stability is threatened by the slow pace of justice for the heinous crimes of the civil war, as well as by continuing rights violations.

There are reports of human rights violations that continue to take place in Sri Lanka, including "harassment or surveillance of human rights defenders and victims of violations, police abuse and excessive use of force, and the use of torture," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said on Friday.

A year-and-half ago, Zeid's office presented the results of an investigation into the Sri Lankan conflict, saying war crimes were committed, and also set forth a series of recommendations to deal with the situation, Efe news reported.

While recognising that advances have been made, the UN also complained that the structures set up for administering justice have been inadequate, lacked coordination and a sense of urgency.

"This critical opportunity in Sri Lankan history cannot be missed. I urge the government and people of Sri Lanka to prioritise justice alongside reconciliation to ensure that the horrors of the past are firmly dealt with, never to recur," Zeid said in a statement.

On March 22, Zeid will present an updated report on the situation in Sri Lanka before the Human Rights Council as it meets in Geneva.

He has hinted that the report shows torture is routinely used by the police during interrogations and investigations.

"Authorities at all levels… need to publicly issue unequivocal instructions to all branches of the military, intelligence and police forces that torture, sexual violence and other human rights violations are unequivocally prohibited and will be punished," Zeid concluded.

The United Nations has warned Sri Lanka that its road to national reconciliation and stability is threatened by the slow pace of justice for the heinous crimes of the civil war, as well as by continuing rights violations.

There are reports of human rights violations that continue to take place in Sri Lanka, including "harassment or surveillance of human rights defenders and victims of violations, police abuse and excessive use of force, and the use of torture," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said on Friday.

A year-and-half ago, Zeid's office presented the results of an investigation into the Sri Lankan conflict, saying war crimes were committed, and also set forth a series of recommendations to deal with the situation, Efe news reported.

While recognising that advances have been made, the UN also complained that the structures set up for administering justice have been inadequate, lacked coordination and a sense of urgency.

"This critical opportunity in Sri Lankan history cannot be missed. I urge the government and people of Sri Lanka to prioritise justice alongside reconciliation to ensure that the horrors of the past are firmly dealt with, never to recur," Zeid said in a statement.

On March 22, Zeid will present an updated report on the situation in Sri Lanka before the Human Rights Council as it meets in Geneva.

He has hinted that the report shows torture is routinely used by the police during interrogations and investigations.

"Authorities at all levels… need to publicly issue unequivocal instructions to all branches of the military, intelligence and police forces that torture, sexual violence and other human rights violations are unequivocally prohibited and will be punished," Zeid concluded.

In a bid to prepare crews to grow their own food in space during deep-space exploration missions, NASA said it will send this month a new, nearly self-sufficient plant growth system to the International Space Station.

The Advanced Plant Habitat (APH) will be used to conduct plant bioscience research on the space station to help researchers better understand how plants grow in space. 

Some of the components of this new system have arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and are being prepared for delivery to the station on Orbital ATK's seventh commercial resupply mission to the station scheduled for launch on March 19, NASA said.

The new plant system will join Veggie — NASA's first fresh food growth system already active on station.

"A big difference in this system, compared to Veggie, is that it requires minimal crew involvement to install the science, add water, and perform other maintenance activities," said NASA Advanced Plant Habitat project manager Bryan Onate.

"We are learning how plants grow in space and what levels of commodities, such as light and water, are required so we can maximise our growth with the least resources," Onate said.

The new plant habitat is a fully enclosed, closed-loop system with an environmentally controlled growth chamber, he added.

It uses red, blue and green LED lights, and broad spectrum white LED lights. 

The system's more than 180 sensors will relay real-time information, including temperature, oxygen content and moisture levels (in the air and soil, near the plant roots, and at the stem and leaf level), back to the team at Space Center in Florida.