CA Dec 31(2016), Jan 1 (2017) & RACE FREE ONLINE EXAM

CASH WITHDRAWAL LIMIT FROM ATMS INCREASED TO RS 4,500 PER DAY

In a major relief for the common man, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased the daily limit of ATM withdrawal to Rs 4500 from current Rs 2500 with effective from January 1, 2017.
RBI in a notification issued has said that there has been no change in the weekly withdrawal limit, which stands at Rs 24,000, including from ATM, for individuals and Rs 50,000 in case of small traders. It further said such disbursals will predominantly be in the denomination of Rs 500.

PRESIDENT APPROVES PROMULGATION OF SPECIFIED BANK NOTES ORDINANCE, 2016

President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday gave his assent for the promulgation of the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Ordinance, 2016. The Union Cabinet had earlier approved the ordinance.

It provides for making holding of old 1,000 and 500 rupee notes after 31st of March next year a offence that will attract a fine of 10 thousand rupees or five times the cash held, whichever is higher.

The ordinance also provides for amending the Reserve Bank of India Act to provide legislative support for extinguishing the demonetised banknotes that are not returned.Other objective includes providing an opportunity to those persons who were unable to deposit the Specified Bank Notes within time provided. Accordingly, this facility has been granted to all Indian citizens who were outside India from 9th November, 2016 to 30th December, 2016 to tender these notes at the specified Issue Offices of RBI until 31st March, 2017.

GOVT EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR INSURING RABI CROPS TILL JAN 10

Government has extended the cut off date for insuring 2016-17 rabi crops till 10th January next year to provide relief to farmers hit by demonetisation. The deadline to take insurance policy for both loanee and non-loanee farmers from banks for Rabi crops under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana(PMFBY)expires tomorrow.

In a statement, Agriculture Ministry said the decision has been taken keeping in view the difficulties faced by the farmers in obtaining crop insurance due to demonetization of old currency notes. The State governments have been asked to take appropriate action regarding extension of cut-off date and inform all stakeholders.

RAILWAYS TO INSTRUCT YATRI TICKET SUVIDHA KENDRAS TO INSTALL POS MACHINES

Railways has decided to instruct Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendras (YTSKs) to install POS machines and accept payments through all banks debit/credit cards for issuing both reserved and unreserved tickets from 1st January. This is being done to promote digital and cashless economy.

Railways Ministry has also asked Jan Sadharan Ticket Booking Seva (JTBs) to accept payments through other modes like UPI, USSD, e-wallets, Aadhar enabled payments system to issue unreserved tickets. Railways will give five per cent discount for booking of Retiring Room through digital means like using debit or credit cards.

WORLD’S HIGHEST BRIDGE OPENS IN CHINA

Beipanjiang Bridge, world’s highest bridge opened to traffic near Bijie in southwest China’s Guizhou province

Reducing travel time by three quarters

Overtook the Si Du River Bridge in the central province of Hubei to become the world’s highest bridge

The Bridge soars 565 metres (1,854 feet) above a river

Connects the two mountainous provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou

Its span cost over 1 billion yuan ($144 million) to build

INDIA EASES VISA PROCESS FOR BANGLADESHIS

In a bid to ease the procurement of Indian tourist visas for Bangladeshis, India will now allow those with confirmed travel tickets to submit their visa applications directly without prior appointments

The date of journey should be after 7 days but within one month of submission of the visa application form

The Indian Visa Application Centre in Mirpur will receive walk-in tourist visa applications from confirmed travellers and senior citizens from January 1

Its pilot project started in October for allowing walk-in visa application facility for women travellers and their immediate family members has been “very successful”

PAK PM INAUGURATES CHINESE-ASSISTED NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

Power-starved Pakistan received a major boost as a China-backed 340 MW nuclear power plant in its Punjab province was inaugurated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

4thnuclear plant Chashma-3 is located about 250 kilometres southwest of capital Islamabad at Chashma in Mianwali district

The project is reflective of closer cooperation between Pakistan and China in science and technology

Chashma II and III power plants are the most efficient plants in the country, providing more than 600 MW of electricity to the national grid

Pakistan’s first nuclear plant was supplied by Canada in 1972

Generation target of 8,800 MW of nuclear energy by 2030

INDIA TO SUPPLY 80 MW OF POWER TO NEPAL FROM JAN 1

India will supply an additional 80 MW of electricity from January 1 next year to help the Himalayan nation cope with an energy crisis

Nepal’s energy minister Janardan Sharma held discussions with India’s minister of state for power Piyush Goyal in New Delhi

To alleviate a power shortage in Nepal because of a seasonal reduction in supply from hydropower projects in winter months

The Power Grid Corporation of India Limited has installed an additional 220/132kV, 100MVA transformer at Muzaffarpur substation in India to facilitate additional power supply to Nepal through the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar transmission line

TRIAL RUN OF INDIA’S FIRST 700 MW REACTOR IN 2017

The trial run of India’s first 700 MW pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) coming up at Kakrapar is expected to take place in mid-2017, said a senior official of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL).

India’s atomic power plant operator NPCIL is building four 700 MW PHWRs—two each at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat and Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) in Rajasthan.

“The construction of two 700 MW PHWRs at KAPS is at an advanced stage. The commissioning activities of the first unit has begun. The trial run of the first unit is expected to happen sometime during the middle of next year,” B.C.Pathak, Executive Director (Projects), told IANS here over phone from Mumbai.

DEMONETISATION: ATM OPERATORS TO SEEK COMPENSATION

The ATM industry stands to lose hundreds of crores as banks continue to starve machines of cash. As a result, ATM operators are now thinking of petitioning the government for compensation.

ATM operators are entities that manage networks on behalf of banks and often make capital investments in these machines. Although the bank lends its name to the machine, the ownership and management of more than half the ATMs in the country are with operators who earn fees from banks for every transaction. “If the government can compensate toll operators for loss due to demonetisation, they should do the same for ATM operators,” said Navroz Dastur, MD, NCR India — the largest ATM manufacturer, which also manages networks.

SUPREME COURT ORDER ON MAJOR MINING LEASES CAN MAKE GOVERNMENT RICHER BY RS 50,000 CRORE

In a ruling that could boost central revenue by Rs 50,000 crore, the Supreme Court has rendered infructuous all applications for allocation of major mineral mining leases pending with the Centre before auction was made the sole mode of allotment.

The auction route was created through an amendment to the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act last year after the SC called coal block allocations made by the UPA government arbitrary and cancelled them. The SC had said natural resources were the property of the nation and should be auctioned.

The problem arose when various high courts gave conflicting judgments on the status of applications pending with the Centre for grant of mining leases for extraction of major minerals like iron ore and bauxite. Some HCs said these applicants had a legitimate expectation to be given a lease. The government expects the auction of these mines to fetch approximately Rs 50,000 crore.

Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd had proposed to set up an iron and steel plant in Sambalpur district of Odisha and applied for grant of lease for iron ore mining in nearby areas. In 2012, it got favourable orders from the SC, which asked the state government to recommend Bhushan Steel’s case to the Centre for grant of mining lease relating to two blocks.

MARUTI, HYUNDAI MAY HIKE CAR PRICES BY RS 1 LAKH FROM JANUARY

Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor India plan to increase car prices by Rs 2,500 to Rs 1 lakh in January, as they seek to offset a dent on margin from higher raw material cost, steep discounts in the past few months and a weakened rupee that made imported parts more expensive.

Several other automakers have already announced price hikes and the rest are expected to do so soon, following in the footsteps of the market’s top two.

For the automotive industry in India, price increases in January have become somewhat a norm, after they offer large discounts in the previous month to clear stocks from the year that is coming to an end and attract buyers who otherwise postpone purchases to the New Year. But Maruti, which makes one in every two cars sold in India, had mostly stayed off price hikes at the beginning of the year.

INDIA TO SUPPLY ADDITIONAL 80 MW POWER TO NEPAL FROM JAN 1

India will supply an additional 80 MW of power to Nepal from January 1, which will increase the total total transmission of electricity to the neighbouring nation to 400 MW.

“From the first day of the new year, January 1, 2017, additional power transfer of 80 MW to Nepal is expected to commence. With this, the total supply of electricity to Nepal from India will be about 400 MW,” Power Ministry said in a statement today.

According to the statement, Nepal Energy Minister Janardan Sharma held discussions with Power Minister Piyush Goyal during his recent visit to India.

Besides reviewing cooperation and expanding ties between the two countries in the power/energy sector, Sharma had asked for an additional supply of 80 MW to alleviate power shortage in Nepal due to seasonal reduction in supply from domestic hydro projects in winter months, it said.

MERCK RECEIVES DEMAND NOTICE FROM NPPA FOR OVERCHARGING

Drug firm MerckBSE 0.16 % today said it has received demand notice from the national drug pricing regulator NPPA, alleging overcharging on Polybion L 100 ML syrup and will challenge it.

“The company has received a demand notice from National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) demanding a sum of Rs 11.68 crore plus interest Rs 15.78 crore alleging overcharging of price of the formulation, Polybion L 100 ML syrup, during the period from January 2006 to June 2009,” Merck said.

LUPIN GETS USFDA NOD FOR PITAVASTATIN TABLETS

Drug firm Lupin has received tentative approval from the US health regulator to market its cholesterol lowering Pitavastatin tablets in the American market.

The company has received tentative approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to market its Pitavastatin tablets in the strength of 1 mg, 2 mg and 4 mg, Lupin said in a filing to BSE.

The company’s tablets are generic versions of Kowa’s Livalo tablets in the same strengths, it added.

As per IMS MAT September 2016 data Livalo tablets had US sales of $245.3 million, Lupin said.

NASA SOLAR OBSERVATORY TO ADD LEAP SECOND TO MASTER CLOCK

Washington, Dec 31 (IANS) To maintain accuracy, NASA said its missions, including the Solar Dynamics Observatory, or SDO, which continuously watches the sun, will join official clocks around the world in adding a leap second to the final minute of 2016.

On December 31, 2016, official clocks around the world will add a leap second at 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Clocks do this to keep in sync with Earth’s rotation, which gradually slows down over time. When the dinosaurs roamed Earth, for example, our globe took only 23 hours to make a complete rotation.

In space, millisecond accuracy is crucial to understanding how satellites orbit.

“SDO moves about 1.9 miles every second,” Dean Pesnell, project scientist for SDO at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said in a statement.

BRITISH-INDIAN PROFESSOR KNIGHTED FOR NEW DNA SEQUENCING TECHNOLOGY

Shankar Balasubramanian, an Indian-origin British professor of chemistry, has received a Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to the field of science and medicine.

Balasubramanian, 50, Herchel Smith Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at Cambridge University, has been recognized for his work as a co-inventor of Next Generation DNA sequencing, described as the most transformational advance in biology and medicine for decades.

“Solexa sequencing, as it is now known, allows an individual genome to be sequenced in a day or two at a cost of less than 1,000 pounds; previously, sequencing the human genome took years of work and cost billions. His work has spawned an entirely new discipline of Bioinformatics,” his citation reads.

ISRO TO LAUNCH 103 SATELLITES IN THE YEAR 2017

Satish Dhawan Space Centre Director P. Kunhi Krishnan said success of every mission is important to them and expressed confidence in achieving more mile stones in 2017.

Speaking to this newspaper on Friday, he said the first launch for the year is going to be PSLV-C37 with a whopping 103 satellites including Cartosat-2D in January 27.

The other satellites are commercial satellites belonging to different countries.

According to the Director, Isro has been gearing up to launch 4 missions in the first half of 2017.

They include PSLV-C37 with 103 satellites on board, GSLV-Mk-111 developmental flight with 3.2 tonne weighing GSAT-19E in March and two more missions thereafter.
The other two launches are GSLV Mk-1 during the end of March followed by PSLV-C38.

Multiple mission campaigns are going on activities are in full swing in all the centres of Isro and also at Shar, Mr Kunhi Krishnan .

TRIAL RUN OF INDIA’S FIRST 700 MW NUCLEAR REACTOR IN 2017

The trial run of India’s first 700 MW pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) coming up at Kakrapar is expected to take place sometime in mid-2017, said a senior official of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL).
India’s atomic power plant operator NPCIL is building four 700 MW PHWRs — two each at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat and Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) in Rajasthan.
“The construction of two 700 MW PHWRs at KAPS is at an advanced stage. The commissioning activities of the first unit has begun. The trial run of the first unit is expected to happen sometime during the middle of next year,” B.C.Pathak, Executive Director (Projects), told IANS here over phone from Mumbai.
Speaking to IANS, Vineet Kumar, Station Director of the two units (3 and 4 at KAPS) said: “We have started the commissioning activities. It will be done in stages and various milestones have to be crossed.”

BIPIN RAWAT TAKES OVER AS NEW ARMY CHIEF, SUCCEEDING GENERAL DALBIR SINGH SUHAG

New Army chief General Bipin Rawat and Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa on Saturday took over as the chiefs of the two services, with outgoing General Dalbir Singh and Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha handing over charge.

A Guard of Honour was conducted for General Singh on the lawns of South Block before he handed over charge to General Rawat.

Rawat, whose appointment had kicked up a row, was designated as Army chief by the ruling NDA government ignoring protests from opposition including Congress.

TRIAL RUN OF INDIA’S FIRST 700 MW PHWR KAKRAPAR REACTOR IN 2017

The trial run of India’s first 700 MW pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) coming up at Kakrapar is expected to take place in mid-2017, said a senior official of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL).

India’s atomic power plant operator NPCIL is building four 700 MW PHWRs—two each at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat and Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) in Rajasthan.

“The construction of two 700 MW PHWRs at KAPS is at an advanced stage. The commissioning activities of the first unit has begun. The trial run of the first unit is expected to happen sometime during the middle of next year,” B.C.Pathak, Executive Director (Projects), told IANS here over phone from Mumbai.

U.S. OFFERS BIG-TICKET MILITARY TIE-UPS WITH INDIA

The US has now proposed joint development and production of futuristic military helicopters as well as infantry combat vehicles in the first such big-ticket programmes under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) with India.

Top government sources said the two projects would be discussed threadbare in the ensuing DTTI meeting (probably February) after the Donald Trump administration takes over in the US on January 20.

India has already shown interest in the US offer for participation in its “future vertical-lift (FVL) aircraft” program, which includes development of five different helicopters or “capability sets” over the next 15 years at a cost of around $8 billion, said the sources.

INDIA TO PURCHASE RAYTHEON STINGER MISSILES

Raytheon has received a $207.9 million contract to produce Stinger missiles and supporting equipment for foreign military sales to Qatar, India and Italy.

The contract covers production for Stinger FIM-92H Block 1 missiles, FIM-92F Block 1 missiles, spares, captive flight trainers, and other training devices.

Work is set to be performed at Raytheon’s facility in Tucson, Ariz., and is expected to be complete by April 30, 2020.

The company received all funding at the time of the contract award.

The Army Contracting Command in Restone Arsenal, Ala., is listed as the contracting activity.

BIPIN RAWAT TAKES CHARGE AS ARMY CHIEF, BIRENDER SINGH BECOMES AIR FORCECHIEF

Lt General Bipin Rawat on Saturday took charge as the new Army Chief replacing General Dalbir Singh Suhag. Lt Gen Rawat was the Vice Chief of Army Staff.

He superseded two seniormost Lt Generals, Praveen Bakshi and PM Hariz as the 26th Army Chief of India.

Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa also took charge as the next Air Force Chief replacing Anup Raha.

Earlier on Saturday, outgoing Army Chief General Dalbir Singh and Air Force Chief Anup Raha paid tributes at Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi’s India Gate and also inspected the guard of honour. Speaking to the media, Gen Dalbir Singh said: “I salute our martyrs who made supreme sacrifices in upholding honour of the nation.”

AIR CHIEF MARSHAL BIRENDER SINGH DHANOA TAKES OVER AS 25TH CHIEF OF AIR STAFF

In his address to the IAF, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said, “I feel honoured and privileged to have been entrusted with the responsibility to lead one of the finest Air Forces in the world.

I will certainly be inspired by the exceptional achievements and the leadership of so many of my illustrious predecessors.”

Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa further said that IAF is on a trajectory of modernisation and is transforming into a strategic aerospace power with full-spectrum capability.

“Accretion through new acquisitions, replacement of obsolete equipment with state-of-the-art inductions and upgrade of the vintage weapon platforms would bolster our capabilities.

Forthcoming inductions of the Rafale aircraft, Attack Heptrs, Heavy Lift Heptrs, Force Enhancers, SAGW and Air Defence Radars hold great promise for the future.

Also, it has been a matter of great national pride, to usher in the first ‘Tejas’ squadron of the IAF,”

QUANTICO STAR PRIYANKA CHOPRA TO PRESENT AT 74TH GOLDEN GLOBES 2017

Priyanka Chopra might be wrapping up her successful 2016 but her calendar for the next year is getting locked already. The Bollywood beauty is set to make starry red carpet appearance again.

The 34-year-old actress has made a successful international debut with American show Quantico and also stars in the movie adaptation of Baywatch which releases next year.

Priyanka, who also presented at this year’s Oscar awards, confirmed the news by re-tweeting a post on the official Twitter account of the Golden Globe Awards, which read, “We’re also pleased to announce Timothy Olyphant, Justin Theroux, and @priyankachopra as presenters for the 74th Golden Globe Awards.”

ANDY MURRAY AND MO FARAH KNIGHTED IN NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST

Britain’s sporting elite has been rewarded in a New Year honours list in which Rio Olympic medallists Andy Murray and Mo Farah are made knights and Katherine Grainger and Jessica Ennis-Hill become dames.

Olympians and Paralympians make up 10% of the 2017 list, which also includes knighthoods for Kinks frontman Ray Davies, 72, comedian Ken Dodd, 89, actor Mark Rylance, 56, and a damehood for actor Patricia Routledge, 87.

Murray’s honour caps a remarkable year for the Scot, who claimed a second Wimbledon title, defended his Olympic crown and took the world number one slot from Novak Djokovic in an extraordinary run of form.

Aged 29, he is among the youngest to be awarded a knighthood in modern times and had once said he felt too young for such an accolade.

BRITISH-INDIAN PROFESSOR KNIGHTED IN NEW YEAR’S HONOURS

Balasubramanian, 50, Herchel Smith Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at Cambridge University, has been recognised for his work as a co-inventor of Next Generation DNA sequencing, described as the most transformational advance in biology and medicine for decades.
“Solexa sequencing, as it is now known, allows an individual genome to be sequenced in a day or two at a cost of less than 1,000 pounds; previously, sequencing the human genome took years of work and cost billions.

His work has spawned an entirely new discipline of Bioinformatics,” his citation reads.
“More recently, he has made major contributions to understanding the role of DNA-quadruplexes in cancer and invented a method for the sequencing of epigenetic modifications,” his citation reads.
Olympic stars Andy Murray, Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis- Hill are among others honoured in the 2017 New Year Honours list, which also includes big names from the entertainment world, including actors Mark Rylance and Patricia Routledge.

LIONEL MESSI NAMED WORLD’S BEST PLAYMAKER OF 2016 BY IFFHS

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi was named the World’s Best Playmaker for the second consecutive year by International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).

Messi topped the list with 172 points followed by Andres Iniesta (66 points) and Toni Kroos (45 points).

Notably, this year’s Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo does not feature in the list.

SAKETH MYENI PLEASED WITH ‘GREAT PROGRESS’ MADE IN LAST 8-9 MONTHS AHEAD OF CHENNAI OPEN

Looking back at the year 2016, Indian Davis Cupper Saketh Myneni says he is very happy with the progress he has made in the last 8-9 months.”I have made great progress during the last 8-9 months. I have worked really hard on my fitness over the last two years and it has gradually started to pay off,” says Saketh as he gears up for the Chennai Open, starting here at the SDAT Stadium from 2 January.I feel good about the way things are going so I am working on the smaller things now. Things that will give my game an edge,” he added.The reigning Asian Games mixed doubles gold and men’s doubles silver medallist had a highly fruitful 2016 and wants to make the coming year even more special.”I had a great year, starting with the Aussie Open. I had a wonderful hard court season as well. But unfortunately, injuries took a toll by the end of the tour. I have had a good off-season in November and make an early, good start here in Chennai, then the Aussie Open and move forward,” he said.Saketh, who has been given a wild card along with Ramkumar Ramanathan for the singles, revealed that even before his sensational run through the US Open qualifiers and the eventual fall in the first round in five sets, he has been focussing on getting better at five-setters.”I am trying to reach a situation where I can maintain intensity for 2-3 hours. It’s very tough but I am trying to work on that, especially the nutrition part,” he said.The World No 194 believes that he doesn’t have to make too many changes to his game or to his approach to get into the top 100.”You have to trust the system that you have created. Try to follow what you have. If you doubt your own situation, it’s not a good thing,” he stressed.

PREMIER BADMINTON LEAGUE 2017: LESSER KNOWN PLAYERS

The likes of Sameer Verma, HS Prannoy, Rituparna Das, Prajakta Sawant and Sai Praneeth will be some of the lesser known local players who will be gunning to make their mark in Premier Badminton League (PBL) 2017Surely fans of the Premier Badminton League (PBL) will all be well versed with the likes of Carolina Marin, PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Jan O Jorgensen and Kidambi Srikanth — the big names in the 2017 edition — however, there are a few hidden diamonds that are yet to make a mark on the international stage but will play as big a role as some of the stars in the changing fortunes of their respective teams.

CHA CHA CHA WINS MAIN EVENT

Cha Cha Cha (Tanveer Alam astride) won the Mystical Plate, the feature event of the races here on Friday (Dec. 30). The winner is owned by Mr. Devaraj Palaniswamy and trained by Rahmathulla.

The results:

1. S.S. MOTHILAL TROPHY (1,100m), maiden 2-y-o only (Terms): Cavallo Veloce (Brisson) 1, Fifth Of April (Ayaz Ahmed) 2, Arthmetica (Manikandan) 3 and My Dream Boat (Ashhad Asbar) 4. 3-3/4, 1/2 and 9-3/4. 1m, 9.27s. Rs. 16 (w); 12, 10 and 8 (p); SHP: Rs. 33; FP: Rs. 226; Q: Rs. 127; Tla: Rs. 644. Favourite: Arithmetica. Owner: Mr. Arun Alagappan. Trainer: B. Suresh

2. SMART CHIEFTAIN PLATE (1,000m), 6-y-o & over, rated 20 to 45: Maracana (Farhan Alam) 1, Soneeyo (R. Vaibhav) 2, Biutiful (Akash Rajput) 3 and Dreamland (Ross) 4. 3/4, 2-3/4 and lnk. 1m, 0.58s. Rs. 122 (w); 13, 6 and 7 (p); SHP: Rs. 15; FP: Rs. 191; Q: Rs: 55; Tla: Rs. 731. Favourite: Soneeyo. Owner and trainer: Mr. K.S. Mandanna.

3. DIABOLICAL PLATE (1,400m), rated upto 25: Priceless Love (R. Rajinder) and Marauder (S. Manohar) 1, The Gentle Don (A. K. Pawar) 3 and Right On Time (Stephen Raj) 4. Not run: Photo Opps. Deadheat, 1-1/4 and 2-1/4. 1m, 31.18. Priceless Love Rs. 39 and Marauder Rs. 15 (w); 7, 14 and 7 (p); SHP: Nil; FP: Rs. 141, Q: Rs. 441; Tla: Rs. 1,509. Favourite: Right On Time. Owner of Priceless Love Mr. K. Muthu Vellaiyan. Trainer: Sebastian. Owner and trainer of Marauder Mr. M.J. Ayaz.

4. RUIA STUD PLATE (1,200m), rated 20 to 45: Colourful Prince (Bopanna) 1, Unique Prince (Shahar Babu) 2, Establish Predator (Ayaz Ahmed) 3 and Schumii (R. Rajinder) 4. Not run: High Tower. 1-1/2, 3-1/2 and 1. 1m, 14.53s. Rs. 6 (w), 5, 5 and 5 (p); SHP: Rs. 12; FP: Rs. 13; Q: Rs. 11: Tla: Rs. 155. Favourite: Colourful Prince. Owner: M. A. M. Ramaswamy Chettiar of Chettinad Charitable Trust. Trainer: Mandanna.

5. QUASAR TROPHY (Div. I), (1,000m), 5-y-o & over, rated 40 to 65: Glorious Crown (Md. Hesnain) 1, Augustus (Shailesh) 2, Ashwa Prabir (Shahar Babu) 3 and As Good As Gold (Noorshed Alam) 4. Lnk, 1-1/4 and shd. 59.98s. Rs. 12 (w), 5, 5 and 5 (p); SHP: Rs. 22, FP: Rs. 138; Q: Rs. 23; Tla: Rs. 565. Favourite: Augustus. Owners: M/s. Vazhaparmbil J. Joseph & Blesson J. Kallada. Trainer: Sebastian.

6. MYSTICAL PLATE (1,600m), rated 60 to 85: Cha Cha Cha (Tanveer Alam) 1, Own Asset (Brisson) 2, Fortune Favours (Zulquar Nain) 3 and Academus (Noorshed Alam) 4. 1-1/2, 1-1/4 and 5-1/2. 1m, 38.72s. Rs. 13 (w), 9, 14 and 6 (p); SHP: Rs. 46, FP: Rs. 146; Q: Rs. 152; Tla: Rs. 355. Favourite: Wentworth. Owner: Mr. Devaraj Palaniswamy. Trainer: Rahmathulla.

7. QUASAR TROPHY (Div. II), (1,000m), 5-y-o & over, rated 40 to 65: Mehabooba (Akash Rajput) 1, City Of Song (Md. Hesnain) 2, Temujin (Shailesh) 3 and Lucky Charm (Manikandan) 4. 1-3/4, 1/2 and 1-3/4. 59.46s. Rs. 7 (w), 5, 5 and 5 (p); SHP: Rs. 14; FP: Rs. 25; Q: Rs. 20; Tla: Rs. 357. Favourite: Mehabooba. Owners: Mr. Mohamed Yusuf, Mrs. Anita Iqbal; Mr. Ramesh Jagtiani & Mrs. Sunitha Santhosh. Trainer: M. J. Iqbal.

BOWLERS GIVE ADELAIDE STRIKERS CRUSHING WIN

Despite Sean Abbott’s career-best 5 for 16, Sydney Sixers slipped to a 48-run defeat in their Big Bash League (BBL) 2016-17 match against Adelaide Strikers at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday (December 31). While chasing down a competitive target of 153, Sixers slid to 46 for 5 and eventually, were bundled out for 104 in 18.2 overs.In fact, Daniel Hughes (16) and Jason Roy (18) provided Sixers with a solid start of 34. Ben Laughlin, however, nipped out Roy in the fifth over to lift Strikers’ camp. Travis Head, Chris Jordan, Liam O’Conner and Billy Stanlake then picked up a wicket each to leave Sixers in dire straits.Sam Billings injected some momentum into the innings by playing shots in a 360-degree arc to compose a breezy 29-ball 40. However, by then, they were so far behind the eight-ball, that the outcome of the match seemed to be a foregone conclusion. Sixers fell short of the target by 48 runs in the end. Stanlake finished with three scalps for the home side.Earlier in the day, Brad Hodge (36) and Ben Dunk (37) had shared an alliance of 54 for the second wicket to prop up Strikers’ innings. After nine overs, they were well placed at 89 for 1. At that juncture of the match, the hosts were on course to compile a substantial total on the board.About, however, augmented good pace with variations to run through the batting line-up. He made the crucial incision by removing Dunk in the 10th over. He also dislodged Hodge and Head off successive deliveries in the 12th over to help the home side chart a comeback. The 24-year-old then bagged the scalps of Tom Andrews and Jordan to complete his haul.

SOMDEV DEVVARMAN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM PROFESSIONAL TENNIS

Ravaged by injuries, India’s star singles player Somdev Devvarman announced his retirement from professional tennis, bringing an abrupt end to what was once a promising career.Starting 2017 on a new note, retiring from pro tennis. Thanks to everyone for the love and support over the years. #newyearnewbeginnings Somdev said on his Twitter page.The 31-year-old’s career was hampered by a recurring shoulder injury in 2012. He recovered to stage a comeback but he had been missing from action without any specified reason for some time now.There is speculation that he might take to coaching from here on.Somdev was India’s star singles player since he first broke into the scene in 2008.A regular in India’s Davis Cup squad, Somdev appeared in 14 rubbers and played a crucial role in India reaching the World Group back in 2010.

PONTING NAMED ASSISTANT COACH FOR SRI LANKA T20IS

Ricky Ponting, the former Australia captain, has been named the assistant coach for the three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Sri Lanka, Cricket Australia announced on Sunday (January 1). The board have already named Justin Langer as the head coach and Jason Gillespie as the bowling coach for the series.Australia are scheduled to host Sri Lanka for three T20Is from February 17 to 22, but are also marked in for a four-Test series in India that begins on Febraury 23 – which leaves them needing to field two separate teams and coaching staff for the same. Current head coach Darren Lehmann and assistant coach, David Saker will be with the Test squad in India helping the team team prepare for the Test series, which kicks off in Pune.”I always said when I retired that I wanted to get back involved and what better way to do it than alongside a couple of my best mates in cricket, Justin Langer and Jason Gillespie,” said Ponting after his appointment. “We have some incredible Twenty20 talent in this country and I can’t wait to work with JL, Dizzy and those selected to have a real crack at doing special for Australias Twenty20 International ambitions.”Langer was understandably pleased with the former captain being made part of the coaching staff. “It’s exciting that Ricky will be involved alongside Jason and myself during the Sri Lanka series as he was the one man I really wanted alongside us,” he said. “His knowledge of the game and the way he reads it, coupled with his invaluable experience as an IPL coach with the Mumbai Indians means he knows the format inside-out. Add this to his playing and now commentary experiences in the BBL and he has all the makings of a great coach. I can’t wait to work alongside my ex-captain and friend again.