HOUSTON: An elementary teacher of Indian origin from Texas has been honoured by US President Barack Obama at the White House, for her excellent work in the field of education. Revathi Balakrishnan was also named the 2016 'Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year'. The 53 year old who is based in Austin, has taught in the district's talented and gifted programmes for nine years. "I'm an Indian-American, so I think the Indian community is feeling a lot of pride and joy," she said. "I feel proud to represent those and I can convince a lot of younger generation Indian kids to turn to teaching for a career. So I feel I can actually have some impact on that." Balakrishnan will now represent Texas in the 'National Teacher of the Year' competition.
Pak manager molests Indian woman jobseeker in UAE
DUBAI: A Pakistani manager in the UAE has been accused of molesting a 19 year old Indian woman as per media reports. The 33 year old Pakistani administrative manager who owns a real estate company in Dubai, is accused of luring the Indian jobseeker, a housewife, to his flat where he claimed he wanted to train her on computer skills and molested her. The woman was said to be looking for a job when she was contacted by the man on the internet, identified with only his initials AN. The woman agreed to meet him for an interview at Al Rashidiya locality, where AN took her to a flat he claimed to be the Dubai International City-based company. He took her into the bedroom where he molested her. Prosecutors accused AN of molesting the woman and said he took advantage of the fact that he and the woman were alone the flat. Verdict will be given on May 26.
World's oldest person dies aged 116
NEW YORK: World's oldest living person, 116 year old Susannah Mushatt Jones, died last week in New York, passing on her title to Emma Morano-MArtinuzzi, a 116 year old from Italy the title, as per the Gerontology Research Group. Jones, born in Alabama in 1899, was the daughter of share croppers and granddaughter of slaves. After high school, she moved north in 1922, to New Jersey and then New York. The Guinness World Records and the Vandalia Senior Center accounts she worked as a housekeeper and childcare provider. Jones retired in 1965 and said the secret to her long life was lots of sleep and not giving into habits like smoking or drinking alcohol. The oldest verified person was Jeanne Calment of France, who dies in 1997 at the age of 122 years and 164 days.
29 militants killed in Afghanistan
KABUL: At least 29 militants were killed during military operations conducted by Afghan security forces in 17, of the country's 34 provinces, the defence ministry said. About 40 militants were wounded and five suspected militants detained in the raids, a media report said. "The Afghan army launched the raids in close coordination with police and personnel of national intelligence agency. The joint forces also seized weapons and ammunition besides defusing several landmines," the ministry said. It also added the security forces also confiscated two vehicles and eight motorbikes.
Pak scribe killed for helping lovers marry
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani journalist was brutally shot dead by relatives of a woman he had helped support to marry a man of her choice without the family's permission in Punjab province. The incident has triggered massive protests. Victim Ajmal Joyia, who was in his 30s, was on his way home on a motorbike when he was targeted by at least three gunmen in Lodhran district. His cousin who was with him, is critically injured. A police official said, "Joyia was targeted by the relatives of a woman who married a man of her choice without the permission of the family." Joyia reportedly supported the beleaguered couple and was said to have approached the district authorities to provide them with adequate security. Police have made one arrest involving his murder.
China charges Hu's ex-aide with bribery
BEIJING: A Chinese prosecutor has formally charged a former senior aide to retired president Hu Jintao, on several cases like taking bribes, illegally obtaining state secrets and abuse of power. The ruling Communist Party announced a probe against Ling Jihua in December 2014. He was demoted in September 2012 from a ministerial-level job just months after his son was killed in a crash. The prosecutor said Ling used his many highranking positions in government as a way to solicit bribes, seek favours for friends and illegally obtain state secrets. The circumstances were "extremely serious", the prosecutor added in his state that was read on state television. Ling's case was lodged at a court in Tianjin.
Sri Lanka on alert for floods, landslides
COLOMBO: The government issued a flood alert in Sri Lanka as water levels of two major rivers rose rapidly owing to continuous heavy downpour. Disaster Management Centre said water levels of the Kelani river, fourth largest river in the country, and the Maha Oya, continued to rise as heavy rains was recorded in different parts of the country. A DMC spokesman said authorities were on alert and ready to face any emergency situation if the rivers over-flowed. Residents living along the river banks were evacuated and housed in temporary camps. The Meteorology Department said heavy rains and strong winds would continue in many parts of the island country. Several roadswere cut off by minor floods and uprooted trees, and at least eight districts also issued landslide warnings. Flights are being diverted to India.
`Go home' scribbled on Sikh temple
TORONTO: A graffiti reading 'Go Home' along with designs of what appeared to be swastikas was scribbled on the fence near a Sikh temple in Martindale, Canada. Lawyer Usman Mahmood came across graffiti scrawled near the Dashmesh Culture Centre and Sikh temple, a day after Nagar Kirtan procession was organised by the centre during which they hand out food as the walk through the community. "For a few seconds, I was in a state of shock, I just couldn't believe what I was seeing," Mahmood told the media.
Lanka police may investigate Panama Papers
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka`s police may be asked to investigate the 65 individuals named in the Panama Papers if they fail to respond within two weeks to a government notice, finance minister said. “We are going to write to each and every person or company identified in the Panama Papers, We will give them two weeks to respond, and failing which, we will report them to the FCID (Polices Financial Crimes Investigation Division),“ finance minister Ravi Karunanayake said. This will be done in the event of their failure to respond to government probe. The names of 65 Sri Lankans figure in the Panama Papers released on the Internet, according to reports. Those named include Nissanka Senadhipathi, a businessman with links to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
