LIVE
Thu, 18 October 2012
Al Qaeda remains number one enemy: White House
Timeline Refresh
23:28 Al Qaeda remains number one enemy of US: White House
Al Qaeda remains the number one enemy of the US, even as strength of this terrorist outfit has been considerably weakened, the White House said today. "Al Qaida remains our number-one enemy and our number- one foe.
That is why we focus so much of our attention on Al Qaeda and its affiliates, because the struggle against Al Qaeda continues, and the (US) President has been focused on it since the day he took office," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters.
23:21 Google shares fall on premature earnings
Google Inc. rematurely released its quarterly earnings midday Thursday, reporting that profit declined 20% as total costs jumped and advertising prices continued to slide.
The unexpected release, via a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, triggered a selloff in Google shares. The stock dropped about 9% before trading was suspended and weighed on the broader Nasdaq Stock Market. The results missed expectations and the company released its results several hours earlier than expected.
23:06 Congress has habit of cheating people: Modi
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today again targeted Congress for "cheating" the people by falsely promising various dole-outs like free electricity power to farmers. "If somebody commits a mistake, the people forgive him but can the people forgive those who cheat?" Modi said at a rally organised by Dholera BJP unit to felicitate him on the state's decision to create new taluka of Dholera.
"Congress is known for cheating the people. Congress promised free power to the farmers of Maharashtra but after four years in power, nothing of that sort has happened," Modi said.
22:51 Syria air strikes kill 44: rescue workers
At least 44 people were killed in air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held town of Maaret al-Numan today, rescue workers told an AFP journalist at the scene. "We have recovered 44 corpses from under the rubble," one rescue worker said.
He said the air force's bombs had destroyed two residential buildings and a mosque, where many women and children were taking refuge. In a makeshift field hospital, the AFP journalist saw 12 corpses wrapped in white sheets, and plastic bags marked "body parts."
22:24 Ready to ensure security of strategic assets: Pak
A batch of 450 personnel from a new force raised to protect Pakistan's nuclear arsenal passed out of a training facility today, with authorities saying that a comprehensive plan has been put in place to guard the country's strategic assets.
The soldiers of the security force of the Strategic Plans Division, which controls the nuclear arsenal, passed out from the Frontier Force Regimental Centre at Abbotabad. Lt Gen Tariq Nadeem Gilani, head of the Army Strategic Force Command, was the chief guest at the ceremony.
A statement issued by the military said another batch of 450 personnel had passed out of the Baloch Regimental Centre yesterday.
21:40 China to conduct naval exercises in East China Sea
China will conduct naval exercises tomorrow to practise defending territorial sovereignty in the East China Sea, state media said, amid strained ties between Tokyo and Beijing over a disputed island chain.
Both sides have adamantly pressed their claims to the Tokyo-controlled islands -- known as the Diaoyus in China and Senkakus in Japan -- and the row has caused diplomatic and economic fallout between the historic rivals.
"The exercise is aimed at... sharpening their response to emergencies in missions to safeguard territorial sovereignty and maritime interests," the official Xinhua news agency today quoted a navy statement as saying.
21:02 Court orders CBI inquiry against Digvijaya Singh
The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh high court today asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the Treasure Island scam case, involving former chief minister Digvijaya Singh, and report back within six months.
The order was passed by the division bench of Justices PK Jaisawal and Moolchand Garg, said advocate Dr Manohar Dalal,counsel for petitioner Mahesh Garg.
According to advocate Dalal, the HC asked the CBI to probe, among other things, the "roles of senior officials, the then CM, and chief secretary, and environment minister".
The order was passed by the division bench of Justices PK Jaisawal and Moolchand Garg, said advocate Dr Manohar Dalal,counsel for petitioner Mahesh Garg.
According to advocate Dalal, the HC asked the CBI to probe, among other things, the "roles of senior officials, the then CM, and chief secretary, and environment minister".
20:36 Pakistan ISI, SIMI helping Maoists: Bengal DGP
The West Bengal Director General of Police has warned that the
Maoists have links with Pakistan spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence, according to CNN-IBN.
According to sources in the home ministry, the observation was made by the West Bengal DGP at a meet on Naxals.
The Bengal police chief said at the meeting that the Pakistani spy agency was supporting Maoists in the state. He also said that SIMI groups had also joined hands with the Maoists.
More details are awaited.
According to sources in the home ministry, the observation was made by the West Bengal DGP at a meet on Naxals.
The Bengal police chief said at the meeting that the Pakistani spy agency was supporting Maoists in the state. He also said that SIMI groups had also joined hands with the Maoists.
More details are awaited.
19:36 Aung Suu Kyi to visit India next month
After nearly a gap of 40 years, Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will travel to India on November 13. Suu Kyi, who will be in the country for nearly a week, will deliver the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture in New Delhi on November 14, official sources said today.
They said she is also expected to travel out of Delhi during her visit but the exact itinerary was yet to be finalised. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had personally invited her to give the lecture when he met her in Yangon earlier this year. She was also given the Jawaharlal Nehru award for international understanding in 1992.
Suu Kyi had studied in New Delhi after her mother, Khin Kyi, was appointed Myanmar's ambassador to India in 1960.
18:46 Cabinet approves Rs 4000 cr to tackle encephalitis
The Union Cabinet has cleared Rs 4,000-crore joint action plan for tackling Japanese Encephalitis.
18:41 Farrukhabad NOT Khurshid's fiefdom: Opposition
Congress today disapproved of Salman Khurshid's controversial remarks daring Arvind Kejriwal to protest in his parliamentary constituency even as the opposition slammed the Union minister saying Farrukhabad is not his "fiefdom". Activists of Kejriwal-headed India Against Corruption (IAC) and a journalist were meanwhile allegedly manhandled in Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh by some persons when they were conducting a survey regarding allegations of financial irregularities in a trust run by Khurshid.
18:08 ED attaches Satyam founder's property worth Rs 822 crore
The Enforcement Directorate has attached Satyam founder Ramalinga Raju's property worth Rs.822 crore. Read more
17:58
Also read:Congress looks up to Sonia's Mangalore visit
17:56 Cong brought RTI to fight corruption: Sonia
Defending the fuel price hike, Sonia Gandhi says the government has been forced to hike prices of LPG. Sonia Gandhi is addressing party workers in Mangalore and is expected to provide them with a call to gear up for the forthcoming elections to the state assembly, for which Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee is gearing up for last six months.
A visibly angry Sonia says, "The BJP is attacking us just for the sake of attacking us. The BJP is always complaining that the centre has not given Karnataka any funds. The fact is that the centre has given the Karnataka government Rs 80,000 crore!"
Sonia Gandhi also defends FDI in retail and says it will ensure a link between farmers and the market.
Addressing the issue of corruption, she added that it was the Congress that brought RTI to fight corruption. "We wanted to bring in Lokpal, but the BJP stalled it," she said.
A visibly angry Sonia says, "The BJP is attacking us just for the sake of attacking us. The BJP is always complaining that the centre has not given Karnataka any funds. The fact is that the centre has given the Karnataka government Rs 80,000 crore!"
Sonia Gandhi also defends FDI in retail and says it will ensure a link between farmers and the market.
Addressing the issue of corruption, she added that it was the Congress that brought RTI to fight corruption. "We wanted to bring in Lokpal, but the BJP stalled it," she said.
17:45 Sonia strikes back: BJP trying to spread lies
Congress president Sonia Gandhi addressing a press conference on corruption right now. Hitting out at the BJP-run Karnataka government, a strident Sonia says corrupt state governments must go and corrupt leaders as well. "The BJP is trying to spread lies about us, trying to defame us."
17:34 Russia wants Pakistan to punish those behind Mumbai attacks
Russia today joined India in demanding from Pakistan expeditious punishment to all those involved in the Mumbai terror attacks with President Dmitry Medvedev asserting that a modern and civilised state cannot hide terrorists and should extradite them if it is interested in cooperating in the fight against terrorism. Read
17:28 Huawei poses risks for India 50 years after Chinas victory
There has been a stream of articles in India's newspapers over the past week marking the 50th anniversary of country's humiliating defeat by China in a brief Himalayan border war that shattered India's self-confidence so devastatingly that the country has yet fully to recover. Headlines have included The war we lost -- the lessons we didn't learn and Lessons from 1962 -- India must never lower its guard. Read
17:15 Does India really need foreign contribution?
India is among the fastest growing economies in the world, and is the 9th largest economy with a GDP of $1.6 trillion in 2011' but the country is also ranked 7th among the recipients of overseas development assistance after Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam and Haiti. Read
This is what Britons feel about aid to India. Read
This is what Britons feel about aid to India. Read
17:07 Newsweek ENDS its print version, only digital now
After 80 years in print, the news magazine adopts an all-digital format. Read
16:55 Mulayam: Kejriwal thinks ALL politicians corrupt
Noting that charges against Union Minister Salman Khurshid and BJP President Nitin Gadkari are yet to be proved, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today asserted that it will not be right to jump into any conclusion just on the basis of allegations.
"It will not be right just to vaguely make allegations against anyone," Mulayam said during a party programme here. He, however, refused to give any personal viewpoint over the allegations.
"I cant say anything on it..Allegations have been made, nothing right or wrong has been proved till now," he said. When asked about Arvind Kejriwal, he said for the activist, everyone into politics is corrupt.
"He think everyone is corrupt. He has not spared anyone. He also accused me of being hand in gloves with Congress. Let him go on till he gets tired," Mulayam said, without taking Kejriwal's name. "Now he (Kejriwal) is joining politics, let him contest polls and face the reality," he said.
"It will not be right just to vaguely make allegations against anyone," Mulayam said during a party programme here. He, however, refused to give any personal viewpoint over the allegations.
"I cant say anything on it..Allegations have been made, nothing right or wrong has been proved till now," he said. When asked about Arvind Kejriwal, he said for the activist, everyone into politics is corrupt.
"He think everyone is corrupt. He has not spared anyone. He also accused me of being hand in gloves with Congress. Let him go on till he gets tired," Mulayam said, without taking Kejriwal's name. "Now he (Kejriwal) is joining politics, let him contest polls and face the reality," he said.
16:47 YP Singh: Kejriwal hid info, Pawar centre of scam
Former IPS officer YP Singh has just concluded his press conference, where he piggy-backed on to Arvind Kejriwal's disclosures yesterday and said the IAC key member concealed information about a massive scam in
Maharashtra because he was selective about which politicians he targets. Singh now works as an acitivist.
Here's what Singh said on Kejriwal... Read
Here's what Singh said on Kejriwal... Read
16:35 Cong disapproves of Khurshid's remarks daring Kejriwal
Congress today disapproved of Salman Khurshid's controversial remarks daring Arvind Kejriwal to protest in his constituency, as the activist saw it as a murder threat and accused the Law Minister of acting like a mafia don.
"Everyone should choose words carefully," Congress General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters when asked to comment on Khurshid's controversial remarks against Kejriwal.
Khurshid had said, "Let them come and visit Farrukhabad. But let him also return from Farrukhabad." This was seen as a murder threat by the activist. Opposition parties had also protested against the remarks.
"Everyone should choose words carefully," Congress General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters when asked to comment on Khurshid's controversial remarks against Kejriwal.
Khurshid had said, "Let them come and visit Farrukhabad. But let him also return from Farrukhabad." This was seen as a murder threat by the activist. Opposition parties had also protested against the remarks.
16:07
R. S. Kalha on claims that India was responsible for starting the war with China. Read
16:00 Will the music stop for China?
China's breakneck economic growth -- inspired by former leader Deng Xiaoping's call "to get rich is glorious" -- has turned one time peasant farmers into factory hands, construction workers, sales people and shop assistants. Some have indeed become rich starting companies or riding the property boom. More
15:56 Court asks man to pay Rs 8000 maintenance to minor son!
A man has been ordered by a Delhi court to pay Rs 8,000 per month as maintenance to his minor son, living with his mother. Additional Sessions Judge T R Naval gave the direction dismissing the city resident's plea against a magisterial court's order to him to pay maintenance to his nine-year-old son.
The man had gone in appeal to the sessions court against the magisterial court's order arguing that a sum of Rs 8,000 for maintenance of nine-year-old child is excessive as no record of expenditure on his education has been filed by his estranged wife.
The court, however, dismissed his petition saying there was no infirmity in the trial court's order and it is the man's duty to maintain his school-going child.
The man had gone in appeal to the sessions court against the magisterial court's order arguing that a sum of Rs 8,000 for maintenance of nine-year-old child is excessive as no record of expenditure on his education has been filed by his estranged wife.
The court, however, dismissed his petition saying there was no infirmity in the trial court's order and it is the man's duty to maintain his school-going child.
15:43 When Mahatma Gandhi sent a message to Gillard
The Australian prime minister Jullia Gillard tripped and fell at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial, Rajghat, in Delhi on Wednesday after she had placed a wreath and was walking towards the television and newspaper personnel waiting for her. Read
15:29
Two rival scientific teams are locked in a high-stakes race to discover other Earth-like worlds -- and forever change our own. Read
15:24 Protesters outside opening of N Ireland's 1st abortion clinic
The first private clinic to offer abortions to women in Northern Ireland is due to open on Thursday. The service, run by Marie Stopes, will operate in the centre of Belfast.It has said it will provide terminations within Northern Ireland's current legal framework - abortions are not illegal but are very strictly controlled. Read
15:20 Indias power list: Vijay Mallya is back
Vijay Mallya, the chairman of Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. and United Breweries Group, topped the list of Indian executives making headlines over the past month, according to data on regional and global media mentions compiled by Dow Jones Insight. Read
15:13 'I am Arvind Kejriwal's next target'
Paul Beckett's satire on Indian politics and corruption. Read
15:00 Cry, Ashok Khemka, and drown India in your tears
Last night, Haryana IAS officer Ashok Khemka broke down on primetime television.Appearing on Headlines Today's panel to discuss the controversy surrounding Sonia Gandhi's son-in-lawRobert Vadra's shadowy real estate dealings with DLF, Khemka, who had cancelled the mutation order relating to a plot of land that Vadra sold DLF on the ground that it was irregular, was accused of "scandalous' conduct 'unbecoming of an officer'. Read
14:53 Alarm bells ring for RTI
Seven years after its enactment, has the RTI Act even partially fulfilled its objectives? Has it been empowering for the common people? Read
14:42 Baseless allegations dangerous for politics: Cong
Just in: Baseless allegations dangerous for politics, says the Congress reacting to the Supreme Court order on the rape case against Rahul Gandhi. The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition by Samajwadi Party MLA
Kishore Samrite who made allegations, based on a website report, that
on December 3, 2006, while on a tour of his constituency in UP Rahul
Gandhi along with six friends raped a woman and detained her illegally.
The Allahabad High Court earlier dismissed Smrite's petition, ordered a
Central Bureau of Investigation probe against him and imposed a cost
of Rs50 lakh.
14:26 2G: Fin min behind note blaming Chidambaram
The former Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrashekhar who deposed in the 2G scam today said the note blaming Chidambaram (the then home minister) was sent out by the finance ministry, then headed by Pranab Mukherjee.
14:24 'Saw note that said PC could've stopped 2G scam'
Former Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrashekhar who has deposed
before the Joint Parliamentary Committee that is probing the 2G spectrum
case has hinted that the finance ministry was behind the note sent to P Chidambaram. Chandrashekhar is believed to have told the JPC that the note was
solely the prerogative of the ministry then headed by Pranab Mukherjee
and that he had no hand in it. The ministry though had said the note was
prepared for the PMO at the cabinet secretariat's behest. Chandrashekhar said he saw the note that said Chidambaram could've stopped the 2G scam.
14:19 Rahul meets Prez ahead of Cabinet reshuffle
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today met President Pranab Mukherjee amid speculation of a possible cabinet reshuffle.
It was not immediately clear as to what transpired during the half-an-hour meeting. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi had recently met the President.
Sources said Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde also met Mukherjee and briefed him about security-related issues in the country. Shinde had recently undertaken a three-day tour of Jammu and Kashmir during which he had met top state government and security functionaries.
It was not immediately clear as to what transpired during the half-an-hour meeting. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi had recently met the President.
Sources said Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde also met Mukherjee and briefed him about security-related issues in the country. Shinde had recently undertaken a three-day tour of Jammu and Kashmir during which he had met top state government and security functionaries.
14:04 When reporting rape in India, focus is on 'shame'
Focusing on the 'shame' brought to the woman, rather than the illegality and brutality of the men's actions during rape, seems to be pervasive, even in some Indian newsrooms. In the presentation of many of these articles, the emphasis still appears to be on the disgraced victim. Read
13:55 20pc French dont shower every day
One in 29 people in France only take a shower once a week, a shocking new survey has revealed.
The study into French washing habits also found that one in five do not shower every day, the Daily Mail reported.
On the other end of the scale, 11.5 percent of French men and women shower several times daily.
Hand washing, too, is "not always a priority for the French,' according to pollster BVA, which was commissioned to carry out the survey by hygiene product company Tork.
No wonder France gave birth to the perfume industry.
Also read: Your hands are dirtier than a toilet seat.
The study into French washing habits also found that one in five do not shower every day, the Daily Mail reported.
On the other end of the scale, 11.5 percent of French men and women shower several times daily.
Hand washing, too, is "not always a priority for the French,' according to pollster BVA, which was commissioned to carry out the survey by hygiene product company Tork.
No wonder France gave birth to the perfume industry.
Also read: Your hands are dirtier than a toilet seat.
13:48 Games China plays
The 50th anniversary of the 1962 India-China border conflict provides an appropriate occasion to reflect on border differences between the two countries and the outlook for the future. India's view of China is heavily etched by the 1962 events. That's the opinion piece on the Telegraph. Read
13:46 PMS mood swings may just be a myth: Study
Premenstrual syndrome in women has been over-estimated and may not be the cause of their bad moods at certain times of the month, according to a new study.
Researchers have suggested that symptoms such as irritability are often unfairly blamed on a woman's period when other factors such as stress or a lack of support may be to blame, the Daily Mail reported. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) also called PMT or premenstrual tension is a collection of physical and emotional symptoms believed to be related to a woman's menstrual cycle.
Men can now sit back and think, 'we knew it all along'.
Researchers have suggested that symptoms such as irritability are often unfairly blamed on a woman's period when other factors such as stress or a lack of support may be to blame, the Daily Mail reported. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) also called PMT or premenstrual tension is a collection of physical and emotional symptoms believed to be related to a woman's menstrual cycle.
Men can now sit back and think, 'we knew it all along'.
13:39 The honeymoon is over for Akhilesh Yadav
Fresh off the heels of a Mayawati-led administration beleaguered by accusations of corruption and mismanagement, Akhilesh Yadav's ascension to power earlier this year in Uttar Pradesh was accompanied by a wave of optimism. Read
13:34 Anjali Damania, the homemaker who took on the powerful
For now, it looks like India Against Corruption member Anjali Damania has had the proverbial last laugh. In the last week of September, when Damania revealed on national TV channel that BJP's national president Nitin Gadkari had rebuffed her when she went to meet him for helping her in the irrigation scam, many in the media said this was an act of harakiri for the activist. Read
13:27 Now, top Haryana officers spar over Robert Vadra-DLF land deal
Two top Haryana officers today sparred over cancellation of Robert Vadra-DLF land deal, with the Town and Country Planning head T C Gupta claiming there were "factual inaccuracies" in the orders by Ashok Khemka who stood by his decision and said the aggrieved parties were free to move court.
Senior IAS officer Khemka, who cancelled the sale deed of 3.5 acre of land to realty major DLF following a deal with Vadra, said any aggrieved party - government or parties to the deal - could approach the High Court if they felt aggrieved with his recent order.
Khemka met Haryana Chief Secretary P K Chaudhary here today for about 50 minutes- his first meeting after the recent controversy arising out of his order and his subsequent transfer from the post of Director General of Consolidation.
Earlier, Gupta had taken on Khemka, a 1991 batch IAS officer, saying his order cancelling the mutation of the land deal contained "factual inaccuracies" and had been passed in "total disregard of administrative propriety".
Senior IAS officer Khemka, who cancelled the sale deed of 3.5 acre of land to realty major DLF following a deal with Vadra, said any aggrieved party - government or parties to the deal - could approach the High Court if they felt aggrieved with his recent order.
Khemka met Haryana Chief Secretary P K Chaudhary here today for about 50 minutes- his first meeting after the recent controversy arising out of his order and his subsequent transfer from the post of Director General of Consolidation.
Earlier, Gupta had taken on Khemka, a 1991 batch IAS officer, saying his order cancelling the mutation of the land deal contained "factual inaccuracies" and had been passed in "total disregard of administrative propriety".
12:49 Corp Bank comes on record: No loan given to Vadra
Just in: Corporation Bank has now come on record to say that there was no question of giving Robert Vadra any overdraft nor did it give a loan. This means Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law has to now explain the overdraft in his balance sheet and how the money of Rs 7.94 cr for the 3.5 acres of the Manesar plot was arranged.
12:44 Mitt Romney now has 6-point lead over Obama: Gallup
Here's the latest on Obama vs Romney... Notwithstanding Barack Obama's fiery showing in the second presidential debate, Mitt Romney slightly extended his lead over the incumbent US President by six points, according to a latest opinion poll.
The former Massachusetts governor is supported by 51 per cent of the likely voters, while Obama has support of 45 per cent, the Gallup said, releasing the results of its rolling seven-day average through October 16.
This does not take into account Tuesday's debate in New York, in which Obama was a declared a winner, according to all the major snap polls. Democrats yesterday asserted that Obama's fiery performance would now be able to blunt the momentum of Romney, while the Republicans hoped that their candidate would be continue with the lead which began with the first presidential debate early this month. The third and final debate is to be held next Monday in Florida.
The former Massachusetts governor is supported by 51 per cent of the likely voters, while Obama has support of 45 per cent, the Gallup said, releasing the results of its rolling seven-day average through October 16.
This does not take into account Tuesday's debate in New York, in which Obama was a declared a winner, according to all the major snap polls. Democrats yesterday asserted that Obama's fiery performance would now be able to blunt the momentum of Romney, while the Republicans hoped that their candidate would be continue with the lead which began with the first presidential debate early this month. The third and final debate is to be held next Monday in Florida.
12:39 Reports put new spin on story of moon's creation
Studies shed new light on the massive collision that planetary scientists believe led to the moon's birth. But will we ever know which theory is correct? Read
12:37 Your hands are filthier than toilet seats
Not recommended reading for those who have OCD. The average person harbours 150 species of bacteria -- so it's no surprise our hands are often filthier than our toilet seats. Read more
12:31 Threats to Malala's father-run school affect attendance
A host of the girls enrolled at the school run by Pakistani teenage rights activist Malala Yousufzai's father have stopped attending classes due to threats against the institution in the wake of an attempt on her life by the Taliban. Parents and students were uncomfortable with the attention given to the school by the media and the threats received by the institution, members of the school's administration were quoted as saying by The News.
12:26 How do you sell a stolen Monet or a Picasso?
Thieves stole hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of paintings by Picasso, Monet, Gauguin, and Matisse from a museum in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on Tuesday morning. Since everyone knows the paintings are stolen, it's impossible to sell them at auction. How do thieves profit from a high-profile art heist? Read
12:06
Just in: Bombay High Court quashes Arbitrator's order for status quo on BCCI's decision to terminate Deccan Charger.
12:05 Spare me jail term, give me community service: Gupta
Federal prosecutors have sought between eight to 10 years in jail for Indian-American former Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta for his "shocking" insider trading crimes even as he pleaded to be spared a prison term and offered to perform community service.
Prosecutors and Gupta's defence team each submitted their sentencing memorandum in US District Court here yesterday, a week before US District Judge Jed Rakoff sentences Gupta on insider trading charges.
In a 12-page memorandum, Manhattan's top federal attorney Preet Bharara said a "sentence within the applicable guidelines range of 97 to 121 months imprisonment is appropriate" for Gupta, who repeatedly flouted the law and abused his position of trust and in his "callousness and above-the-law arrogance" committed crimes which were "extraordinarily serious and damaging to the capital markets".
Also read: Rajat Gupta gets sentencing support from Gates, Annan
Prosecutors and Gupta's defence team each submitted their sentencing memorandum in US District Court here yesterday, a week before US District Judge Jed Rakoff sentences Gupta on insider trading charges.
In a 12-page memorandum, Manhattan's top federal attorney Preet Bharara said a "sentence within the applicable guidelines range of 97 to 121 months imprisonment is appropriate" for Gupta, who repeatedly flouted the law and abused his position of trust and in his "callousness and above-the-law arrogance" committed crimes which were "extraordinarily serious and damaging to the capital markets".
Also read: Rajat Gupta gets sentencing support from Gates, Annan
11:55 China opens atomic bomb facility to tourists
Chinese government officials have announced plans to spend roughly one million dollars to open the former atomic bomb test site Malan Base in the remote Uighur Autonomous Region. The Telegraph reports that the site is of particular interest because the base is where Chinese scientists developed their first atomic bomb, which was detonated nearby in 1964. Read
11:49 GoM to meet TV editors over lunch today
Our Delhi sources tell us that The Group of Ministers on Media will be hosting a lunch discussion with 40 TV editors in Delhi to discuss and debate the negativisms in reporting in the visual medium. The luncheon meet will however, will not go on record since it's basically an exercise meant to reach out to the media. P Chidambaram. Salman Khurshid (who we hope has calmed down after his 'ink to blood' rant yesterday), Ambika Soni, Kapil Sibal, Gulam Nabi Azad and V Narayanaswami will be present.
11:43 The BIG letdown of the Food Security Bill
India's National Food Security Bill is expected to be discussed in Parliament later this year, bringing to the fore a law that has been years in the making.It holds out hope of addressing some of the nation's most persistent and pervasive problems. Unfortunately, in my view, the draft in its current form will be a major let down. Read
11:37
Couple of interesting reads coming up... On Forbes: There's No Glass Ceiling On Twitter. Read
Feast and famine: A tale of two villages in rural India. On the Economist. Read
India: After the blackout: Is it goodbye for the Asian tiger. Read William Dalrymple's piece.
Indias anti-corruption activists are back on the scene. On the Washington Post. Read
Feast and famine: A tale of two villages in rural India. On the Economist. Read
India: After the blackout: Is it goodbye for the Asian tiger. Read William Dalrymple's piece.
Indias anti-corruption activists are back on the scene. On the Washington Post. Read
11:25
Here's what happened at Arvind Kejriwal's anti-Gadkari press conference yesterday. Read
11:22 Farmer whose land Gadkari 'grabbed' goes missing
Just in: The farmer, whose land was allegedly usurped by BJP senior leader Nitin Gadkari has gone missing. Gajanan Ghadge's wife says he has gone missing since the controversy began. Ghadge was named by India Against Corruption in its allegations against Gadkari yesterday. IAC also said Ghadge's wife had been threatened by Gadkari's men and was living in fear.
This is the story of Gajanan Ghadge on the IAC website.
This is the story of Gajanan Ghadge on the IAC website.
11:16 Was obsessed, wanted Geetika to live only with me: Kanda
Update on the Kanda-Geetika story... Former Haryana minister and MDLR chief Gopal Goyal Kanda, facing charges of abetting the suicide of former airhostess Geetika Sharma, has told police he used his "position, wealth, force and other resources' to "tempt and intimidate' Geetika because he did not want to let her out of his sight.
He has described his feelings for her as one of 'obsession and possessiveness'."I wanted her to live with me, only me, as my own,' Kanda is quoted as having told police. His "confession' has been submitted in court by police with the noting that he "refused to sign' the statement. Read
He has described his feelings for her as one of 'obsession and possessiveness'."I wanted her to live with me, only me, as my own,' Kanda is quoted as having told police. His "confession' has been submitted in court by police with the noting that he "refused to sign' the statement. Read
11:00 SC dismisses rape, confinement case against Rahul
The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition by Samajwadi Party MLA Kishore Samrite who made allegations, based on a website report, that on December 3, 2006, while on a tour of his constituency in UP Rahul Gandhi along with six friends raped a woman and detained her illegally. The Allahabad High Court earlier dismissed Smrite's petition, ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation probe against him and imposed a cost of Rs50 lakh.
The SC has imposed a fine of Rs 20 lakh to the petitioner of which Rs 5 lakh would be paid to Rahul Gandhi. The court also said the CBI inquiry against Samrite would continue.
The SC has imposed a fine of Rs 20 lakh to the petitioner of which Rs 5 lakh would be paid to Rahul Gandhi. The court also said the CBI inquiry against Samrite would continue.
10:53 BJP relieved Kejriwal's 'truth' not the bombshell expected
With India Against Corruption's allegations on BJP chief Nitin Gadkari not turning out to be as explosive as expected, the main opposition party yesterday, heaved a sigh of relief and used the occasion to claim that it had passed the corruption test with flying colours.
Gadkari dismissed the allegations and said, "The allegations are baseless, wrong and unfortunate... I have been working in the area as a social enterprise for the benefit of farmers... The allegations of land (grabbing) are absurd. Land has been given on lease to a charitable trust which functions like a cooperative. It is not owned by me."
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Gadkari dismissed the allegations and said, "The allegations are baseless, wrong and unfortunate... I have been working in the area as a social enterprise for the benefit of farmers... The allegations of land (grabbing) are absurd. Land has been given on lease to a charitable trust which functions like a cooperative. It is not owned by me."
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10:49 Rahul also undervalued land, evaded tax: Chautala
Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief and former Haryana CM Om Parkash Chautala on Wednesday alleged that Robert Vadra as well as Congress general secretaryRahul Gandhi bought land in Haryana at prices much below market rates and evaded stamp duty by undervaluing the sales. Read the full report.
10:46 JPC on 2G today, will BJP do a boycott hat-trick?
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the 2G scam will be held in New Delhi today. Former Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar will appear before the panel as a witness. A big question mark looms over whether BJP members in the JPC will attend today's meeting as they have boycotted the last two meetings of the Committee. Their main demand is that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P Chidambaram to be called in as witnesses.
10:37 Castro makes public statement after over 4 months
To quash persistent rumours about his 'ill health', Cuban communist leader Fidel Castro has issued a public message, almost four months after his last appearance.
Castro, 86, was last spotted in public in early April.
Though his family members have often assured the public that the Cuban strongman's health is fine, many doubt this official version.
10:34 Sensex up 51 points in early trade
The BSE benchmark Sensex rose by over 51 points in early trade on Thursday on sustained buying by funds and retailers amid a firm global trend.
The 30-share barometer, which had gained 33.07 points in Wednesday's trade, moved up further by 51.50 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 18,662.27.
Stocks of auto, consumer durables and banking sector led the rise.
10:23 Under fire, Gadkari heads to Telangana
A correspondent from Delhi reports: BJP president Nitin Gadkari will interact with underprivileged people from Telangana on Thursday afternoon.
09:02 Malala incident divides Pakistan
The assassination attempt on teenage rights activist Malala has -- instead of uniting Pakistan against the dreaded Taliban -- revealed the staunch and worrying support for fundamentalist forces entrenched in many.
08:59 Bihar: Naxals blow up vehicle, kill 2 CRPF men
Naxalites blew up an anti-landmine vehicle of the CRPF on Thursday morning, killing two troopers and injuring eights others in Gaya, Bihar.
Further details are awaited.
08:57 Mitt Romney has 6-Point lead over Obama: Gallup
In his biggest lead to date, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney slightly extended his lead over incumbent US president Barack Obama by six points, according to the latest poll.
The former Massachusetts governor is supported by 51 percent of the likely voters, while Obama has the support of 45 percent, the Gallup said, releasing the results of its rolling seven-day average through October 16.
This does not take into account Tuesday's debate in New York, in which Obama was a declared a winner, according to all the major snap polls.
08:56 Obama has failed to lay out agenda: Romney
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has accused Barack Obama of failing to outline a second term agenda, mocking the incumbent US President for 'running on fumes.'
"I think it's pretty clear that when it comes to his policies and his answers and his agenda, he is pretty much running on fumes, and the American people want some real answers and a real agenda," Romney said during an election rally in Virginia.
03:51 Man arrested in New York Fed bomb plot
A Bangladeshi man with alleged al-Qaeda links was arrested in New York on charges of trying to use a 1,000 pound bomb to destroy the city's Federal Reserve building.
Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis, 21, was arrested in Manhattan after he tried to detonate what he thought was a live bomb, but was actually a dummy provided in a sting operation, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn said.
Nafis traveled to the United States in January 2012 "for the purpose of conducting a terrorist attack on US soil," the federal prosecutor's office in Brooklyn said in a statement.
03:50 Malala out of coma
Malala Yousafzai, the 14-year-old Pakistani girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban last week, is no longer in a coma, New York Times reporter Adam Ellick said on Facebook on Wednesday.
According to Ellick, Yousafzai is responding well to treatment and has a good chance of fully recovering, although she is not fully conscious yet. Yousafzai is being treated in a Birmingham combat hospital that has treated every single British casualty of both of the wars of the past decade. Yousafzai was shot by the Taliban in Pakistan's Swat Valley after she called for more education for girls on her BBC blog.
03:11 2 U.S. sailors accused in Japan rape case
Japanese officials expressed outrage after two U.S. sailors were arrested over accusations that they raped a woman on the island of Okinawa, where the American military presence has generated long-simmering resentment.
Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto on Wednesday called the alleged rape "vicious and mean" and said Japanese authorities were lodging protests with the U.S. government and military, as well as demands for better preventive measures.Okinawa Gov.
Hirokazu Nakaima, who met with Morimoto over the matter, said it went "beyond madness" that the alleged attack took place two months after a U.S. Marine was arrested over accusations he assaulted and molested a woman in Naha, the capital of Okinawa.
02:20 King Norodom Sihanouk's body returns to Cambodia
King Norodom Sihanouk's body made its final journey home to Cambodia Wednesday, where the late leader will be mourned for a week and lie in state at his palace for three months.
King Sihanouk, 89, died in China on Monday of a heart attack. His body was flown back to Phnom Penh accompanied by his widow Queen Monique and their son King Norodom Sihamoni, and landed at 3:30 p.m. local time to begin the official week of mourning, BBC News reported.
The monarch's body was greeted at Phnom Penh International Airport by 90 Buddhist monks who were chanting prayers in a traditional ceremony, before being transported to the palace on a swan-shaped vehicle, Xinhua reported.
01:24 Ahmadinejad backs Syria ceasefire proposal
Iran backs the idea of a ceasefire in Syria during an Islamic holiday next week and believes free elections are the right way to help resolve the 19-month-old conflict, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said according to Iran's state news agency.
Lakhdar Brahimi, the international mediator on Syria, has proposed that both Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces and rebel fighters seeking his overthrow stop fighting during the Eid al Adha festival, which starts next week.Brahimi has appealed to leaders in Iran '" Assad's strongest regional ally '" to support the idea.
01:03
The United States today singled out for sanctions three Pakistan-based men it called "terrorist facilitators" for their support for the Taliban and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.
Two of the men, identified as Pakistan natives Maulawi Adam Khan Achekzai and Aamir Ali Chaudhry, were said to be bomb-makers for the Taliban in Afghanistan and the movement's Pakistan offshoot Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan. The third was Uzbekistan-born Qari Ayyub Bashir, who the Treasury said helped arrange logistics and finance for the IMU, served as a recruiter in Pakistan, and led attacks in Afghanistan.
00:51 Russia probes anti-Putin protest leader over 'riot plot'
Russia today questioned one of the leaders of mass protest rallies against President Vladimir Putin and searched his apartment after namimg him as a suspect in a criminal probe.
Investigators questioned Sergei Udaltsov, 35, the shaven-headed activist known for his punchy rhetoric and radical politics, after a pro-Kremlin national channel alleged in a documentary that he was plotting a violent uprising. Udaltsov has dismissed the film aired October 5 as the "delirium of a lunatic".
Investigators announced this evening that Udaltsov would not be detained on the charge of preparing mass riots but would need to sign a written undertaking not to travel, as he remained inside their Moscow headquarters.
00:18 Romney seeks advantage on Libya
A sharp exchange over the U.S. response to the September 11 terrorist attack in Libya dominated the political discussion on Wednesday following a bruising debate that analysts and polls scored a victory for President Barack Obama over Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
The Tuesday night debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, featured a revitalized Obama fighting back against his equally combative GOP foe in an argumentative encounter three weeks before Election Day.
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