Petrol price was tonight hiked by about 35 paise per litre in line with firming raw material cost. Petrol will cost Rs 67.56 per litre in Delhi with effect from midnight tonight, industry sources said.         

 

Prices vary from city to city due to differential local sales tax or VAT rates. This is the first revision in rates of petrol, which was deregulated by the government, since November. 

 

Petrol price was cut twice in October and November -- first by 56 paise and then by 95 paise per litre.

Cautioning his detractors against trying to create political instability in Himachal Pradesh,Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said they were not 'damaging' him but the Congress party in the state.

Another ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops has been reported late on Tuesday evening at the Krishnagati sector along the Line of Control.

Chinese police have detained seven Tibetans who reportedly motivated a villager to self-immolate himself as part of a protest campaign being held in the Himalayan region to oppose harsh Chinese rule.        

Arrested MIM legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi, booked for alleged sedition and criminal conspiracy for his 'hate speech;,  was questioned for the fourth consecutive day today.    

Amid reports of Qatar Airways holding talks to acquire a stake in SpiceJet, the premier Gulf carrier today said that such "unfounded rumours" were being spread to raise share prices and asserted that it was not in talks with any Indian airline at present.       

The Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control for the fourth time since the flag meeting on Monday by firing across the border at two Indian Army posts at Mendhar sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistani opposition politician Imran Khan today demanded  President Asif Ali Zardari to resign immediately to make way for free and fair elections.

"President Asif Ali Zardari should resign immediately. He cannot hold free and fair elections because he is holding two offices," Khan told a news conference in the eastern city of Lahore.

After recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan, and the barbaric killing of two Indian jawans by Pakistani troops, sources say the Pakistan women's cricket team is unlikely to come for the World Cup starting in India later this month, reports NDTV.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India  has written to the International Cricket Council or ICC on concerns over security for the team.

Rajiv Shukla, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs said, "Whatever reactions we are getting from different political parties and protest groups, we will convey to the ICC and, accordingly, ICC will have to take a decision." He added that any "decision will be taken keeping in mind the sentiments of the people."  

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met President Pranab Mukherjee today and briefed him on the Line of Control situation.

On a lighter note: Jeans designed with a man's anatomy in mind. Read

The complete text of the Supreme Court order for the arrest of Pakistani prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.  Read

The Prime Minister has briefed President Pranab Mukherjee on the developments on the LoC firing fallout. 

"Actions by Pak army constitute a grave provocation. We doubt the intent of the Pakistan government on the peace process," said Khurshid. The press conference was over in less than five minutes and was basically a formal statement from the government. 

External Affairs minister Salman Khurshid addresses a press briefing on the India's response to the LoC killings. Khurshid says that the barbaric killing and mutilation of the two Indian soldiers has been condemned by India. "We have called upon the Pakistan government to act on those guilty. A flag meet was held to reiterate our position. It should not be felt that the brazen denial and a lack of proper response by Pakistan will be ignored by India. It will affect bilateral relations with Pakistan," says Khurshid.  

"I can spend all five years sitting in this library and reading," said President Pranab Mukherjee who went on his first visit to the Rashtrapati Bhavan library which has been brought to its original glory after a detailed renovation work.

The library, designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens and located in the north east corner of Rashtrapati Bhavan, was dumped with books till Mukherjee, an avid reader of history, decided to renovate it.

Extra bookshelves have been removed to create space and a table with chairs designed by Lutyens himself, add to the grace of this relatively small yet elegant portion of the imposing Rashtrapati Bhavan.

After four months of carefully undertaken renovation work, a brightly lit library, having view of entire Raisina Hill, welcomes guests with 4000 titles neatly stacked in British-era wooden cupboards, the oldest one being Alexander Beatson's "War with Tippoo Sultan and the siege of Seringapatnam", published in 1800.

Edward Foster's "British Gallery of Engravings from the Pictures of the Italian, Flemish, Dutch and English Schools", which has signature of Viceroy Lord Curzon, is another rare piece from the collection which was gifted to him by Raja of Tripura.

The library also has collection of early editions of Punch, a British weekly magazine of humour and satire which was published on Saturdays in 19th and 20th Century.

"The library has over 24,000 books but only 4000 have been put on display. The rest are being catalogued, arranged and if needed restored to original condition," Press Secretary to President Venu Rajamony said.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yashwant Sinha on Tuesday welcomed Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh''s statement that there cannot be business as usual with Pakistan in wake of the brutal killing of Indian jawans along the Line of Control (LoC).

Sinha, who was the Finance Minister of the country during the NDA regime, said that the Prime Minister should have given a deadline to Pakistan and asked Islamabad to act within a reasonable time.

"I am quite sure there is a plan of action in the government''s mind, in the PM''s mind. I would have been happier if he (Prime Minister) had given a deadline to Pakistan. Pakistan does not act within a reasonable time then India should unleash that Plan B," he said.

BJP's Yashwant Sinha says Pakistan must be replied in a language they can understand. Reacting to the PM's statement that after the barbaric act (the killing and mutilation of the two jawans at the LoC) there cannot be business as usual with Pakistan. The BJP says that the alternative to peace talks does not mean war. "India can't show any weakness while dealing with Pakistan," says Sinha.

Asserting that there is a large presence of Chinese troops and workers in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), Northern Command Chief Lt Gen T K Parnaik today said that China would not like to "interfere" in border conflict between India and Pakistan.

"There is a large number of People's Liberation Army(PLA) troops and Chinese workers in PoK and we also know that they are involved in construction of infrastructural projects in Gilgit-Baltistan and PoK," Parnaik told reporters after presenting gallantry and distinguished service awards to 44 Army personnel of the Northern Command at the Investure ceremony on 65th Army Day celebration in Delhi.

However, no report has been received about their carrying of weapons in PoK and are readying for it, Parnaik said. "I do not think China will be stakeholder in India and Pakistan on the issue of border skirmishes-- it has not interfered and will not do it," he said.

India says that there will be dialogue only and only after Pakistan can rebuild confidence with its acts.  

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid clarifies that there is no timeline for Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the LoC attack to book, but India is pressing Pakistan very hard to act in the LoC incident. Khurshid also said that visas-on-arrival will remain on hold, a change in decision depends on the situation.

An aide to Pakistan's embattled prime minister said on Tuesday there was "no doubt" the country's powerful military and Supreme Court were working together to topple the government.Fawad Chaudhry was speaking to Reuters after the Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf. A populist cleric believed to be backed by the military has called for the resignation of the unpopular government. Read the report on Reuters.

Meanwhile, the BJP, which said it was happy with the PM's tough talk on the mutilation and killings of the two jawans said that the government should have plan B ready if Pakistan does not respond to India. 

CPI's D Raja said India should act with restraint and engagement should continue.

External Affairs minister Salman Khurshid met the PM and briefed him about the situation at the Line of Control.

Reacting to the PM's statement, BJP senior leader Yashwant Sinha says the party welcomes the PM's tough stance, albeit late. He says India should call off the peace process with Pakistan.

Asked about the options vis-a-vis Pakistan, the PM says it cannot be discussed in the open. "There will be a statement by government," says the PM.

With the PM talking tough today, the other repercussions of the killing of the two jawans today were the withdrawal of the visa-on-arrival policy for Pakistani senior citizens and all Pakistani hockey players have been asked to return home.

The PM was speaking off camera during the 65th Army Day function at Delhi today.

The Prime Minister added that those responsible for this crime (of mutilating soldiers' bodies) will have to be brought to book. Asked about Pakistan being in denial mode, PM Manmohan Singh said, "I hope Pakistan realises this. What happened in LoC is unacceptable."

This is the first the PM is speaking on the gruesome killing and mutilation of the two Indian soldiers on January 8 at the LoC.

Not just two, all nine Pakistani hockey players are likely to return home from the Hockey India League.

Meanwhile, PM Dr Manmohan Singh, in a statement today said that after the barbaric act (the killing and mutilation of the two jawans at the LoC) there cannot be business as usual with Pakistan. This is the end then, of the rapprochement Dr Singh wanted as his legacy.

On Twitter: Biswajit: In Sri Lanka, the executive has forced out the chief justice. In Pakistan the chief justice wants to force out the executive.

SocoMumbai: Pak PM should have called the SC bhaiyaa!! N repeated the saraswati sloka then the judge would let him go.

Thousands of anti-government protesters heeding the call of a firebrand cleric rallied in the streets of the Pakistani capital on Tuesday for a second day despite early morning clashes with police who launched tear gas and fired shots into the air to push back stone-throwing demonstrators.

The protest called by Tahir-ul-Qadri, who has rocketed to national prominence after his return from Canada late last year, has galvanized many Pakistanis who say the current government has brought them only misery.

But critics fear that Qadri and his demands for election reforms may derail the country's upcoming democratic elections, possibly at the behest of the country's powerful military.

During a speech, Qadri called for the government to resign and called on his followers to stay in the streets of the capital until their demands are met. Qadri said that the Pakistani government has failed to provide security to citizens. Qadri said the conclusion of the long march was the beginning of the revolution.

Watch: A short film on the ethnic clash between the Muslim and Bodo community in Assam.

Lawyer/rights activist Asma Jahangir tweets: Only a nave person will think that there's no connection between order for PM's arrest and TuQ's protest. The connection is very clear - the boots are behind this.

Journalist AndrewBuncombe: In Sri Lanka, the executive has forced out the chief justice. In Pakistan the chief justice wants to force out the executive.

And this is what Canadian-Pakistani cleric-politician Tahir-ul Qadri tweeted after his just-concluded speech: Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri:‏ Congrats to Pak nation! Half speech delivered & half goal achieved. Tomorrow, I'll deliver second half & you'll achieve remaining goals.

The Karachi Stock Exchange crashed today after the order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan to arrest Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in rental power corruption case. The KSE shed 500 points in just 10 minutes.

Following the horrifying New Delhi gang rape, a CNN staffer recounts her experiences traveling alone through the country. Read

A court has issued an arrest warrant for Matthias Mueller, the chief executive officer and chairman of Porsche AG, the iconic German car maker, and eight other executives from the company. More

The Mumbai Police today assured full security during the upcoming IPL-style Hockey India League matches in wake of Shiv Sena's protest against participation of Pakistani players.

Tight security will be ensured on all the six hockey matches scheduled to be played in Mumbai and a regular assessment is being done in co-ordination with representatives of the Hockey India League (HIL), Deputy Police Commissioner Ravindra Shisve said today.

"We are taking all precautionary steps. We will ensure that matches are not disrupted. Tight security will be in place," Shisve said. "We are regularly meeting the representatives of Hockey India League and met them today also. We are assessing the situation," he added.

On Sunday, over 200 Shiv Sena activists protested against the participation of four Pakistani players in a scheduled practice session of 'Mumbai Magicians' team in Mumbai.

The embattled Pakistan government now has yet another problem it cannot afford to shy away from. The Pakistani-Canadian cleric-politician Tahir-ul Qadri has triggered another political crisis in the country in the early hours of Tuesday by putting the federal and provincial governments on notice, asking them to step down by 11 am on Tuesday or face the "people's parliament' that has converged in the federal capital. Read

IIM Ahmedabad has mooted a proposal to offer its new director an annual package of Rs 1 crore, a five-fold raise, to attract talent. If the proposal survives divisions, the package will be the highest among the Indian Institutes of Management. At present, IIM directors get a package of around Rs 20 lakh a year, including a basic salary of Rs 80,000 per month. Read

This is what could happen if the Samajwadi Party comes to power at the Centre.

Amid nationwide outrage against the brutal killing and mutilation of two soldiers by Pakistani troops in Poonch sector on January 8, Samajwadi Party (SP) General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav on Tuesday said that war is the only solution for the border-dispute between the two Asian neighbours.  

Terming the brutal killing of Indian jawans as a war crime, Yadav said that Pakistan should be given a befitting reply to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.  

"The issue has not been resolved since 1947 despite several wars, and it is not going to be solved so easily. War is the only solution. It is matter of concern afterward that who remains alive and who not, but a war can only solve the issue,' said Yadav.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the arrest of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in the Rental Power Plants case. The court also ordered all other respondents in the case to be arrested. Ashraf was given the title of Raja Rental after he was accused of receiving kickbacks in the rental power projects. He was also accused of buying property in London from money earned through corruption in various scams, reports The Express Tribune.

He has been defending himself in the Supreme Court. On March 30, the apex court had directed the National Accountability Bureau to proceed against those who were in the post of minister for water and power from 2006 till the next general elections. As a result, on April 20, NAB issued arrest warrants for 33 persons, including Ashraf.

The Pakistani Supreme Court issues orders for the arrest of PM Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. The PM is to be arrested for corruption in power projects.

On Twitter: Mehmal Sarfraz: What? PM to be arrested? Supreme Court's order according to Geo.

(That's the Pakistani PM, not Dr Manmohan Singh) 

CNN IBN: Four Pakistani hockey players of Mumbai Magicians have been asked to return home by Hockey India League. Nine players had contracts to play in the League. The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) today asked Hockey India (HI) to immediately stop the participation of the Pakistani players in the Hockey India League (HIL) in protest of the recent killing of Indian armymen by Pakistan regular soldiers. Details awaited. 

News TV's martial music drowns out its responsibilities. The Business Standard on the ceasefire violations and killing of two Indian soldiers. Read

Despite the repeated ceasefire violations, India and Pakistan were set to enter a new era of relations with the implementation of a liberal visa regime between the two nations beginning today. However, news comes in that the visas are on hold for Pakistani senior citizens due to technical reasons.

Pakistani nationals above 65 years of age were to be given a 45-day single entry visa on arrival with immigration officials at the Integrated Check Post at Attari. Children below 12 years of age can also get 45-day-visa at the Attari-Wagah check post.

MHA sources however say there is no change in policy.

Just in: Iconic football club Mohun Bagan's two-year suspension has been scrapped in lieu of a fine of Rs 2 crore. 

The AIFF on Monday had mulled reducing the two-year penalty to just one year during a meeting with former players of the club, according to a Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament.

The AIFF has slapped Mohun Bagan with a two-year ban from the I-League besides also scrapping their league engagements this season for abandoning the violence-marred Kolkata derby against East Bengal on December 9. Bagan will now resume the I-league season on zero points.

India gang rape called 'tipping point' that set off protests. The LA Times reports. Read

Defending their role in honour killings, the Sarva Khap Panchayat on Monday claimed before the Supreme Court that such acts were committed "only' by "peace-loving and law abiding' families due to "social pressure'. Read more of this horror story.

The poisonous labor relations in the tea business in Assam have spawned a horrific incident in which hundreds of uncontrollable workers descended on a tea estate, murdered the owner and his wife, burned his home and cannibalized the bodies. Read

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has said that eight Pakistan players taking part in the Indian Hockey League in India were safe and there was no security concern regarding their participation in the event.

Around 100 workers of the hardline right-wing Shiv Sena party protested at a stadium where the Mumbai Magicians team, who have four Pakistan players in their squad, were practicing, reports the Daily Times.

A PHF spokesperson said Narinder Batra, Secretary General of Hockey India, has assured Pakistan that top security is being provided to the Pakistan players and there will be no issue of safety and security of the Pakistan players.

While the trial in the Kandhamal nun rape case at the district and sessions court here has been stayed by the Supreme Court for over a year, the Orissa High Court has granted bail to yet another accused in the case. With this, the number of accused getting bail in the case has gone up to 23.

A 31-year old woman, accused of shoving an Indian immigrant to his death in front of a subway train last month as she hated "Hindus and Muslims", has been found mentally fit to stand trial and was indicted on charges of murder as a hate crime by a US grand jury.

Erika Menendez of Queens pushed Sunando Sen, 46, in front of an oncoming subway train on December 27, telling authorities later that her hatred for "Hindus and Muslims" prompted her to do so.

Menendez had shown no remorse for her actions during an initial court hearing after her arrest last month, often laughing uncontrollably and telling a authorities that she "pushed a Muslim... in front of the train because I thought it would be cool." At the hearing, she was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Why journalists are covering rapes differently in New Delhia and Steubenville. This is a must-read if you haven't heard of the Steubenville, Ohio gang rape. Here you go.

"As a woman born and raised in India, I can attest to the ubiquity of sexual violence. I myself avoided being gang-raped by a group of drunk men through sheer providence." Read the blog. 

Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh on Monday said sex education would only make matters worse as far as crime against women is concerned as there is a higher rate of such crime in countries which have sex education in their curriculum. Read

This is the same police commissioner who had suggested women should arm themselves with chilly powder to safeguard themselves.

The trouble between India and Pakistan on the Line of Control has spilled on to the sports field as well. A day after the Shiv Sena protested against the participation of Pakistani players in the Hockey India League (HIL), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was yesterday planning to shift the Pakistani women's team's world cup matches from Mumbai to Ahmedabad.

The Women's World Cup (WWC) is to be held in Mumbai from January 28. Hockey India League has also insisted that no Pakistani players be chosen in the opening game.
More

ANI: This whole story of woman crossing over is laughable....Indian army doesn't cross the border because a lady crosses over: Lt Gen Parnaik.

Read the Hindu story for a reference point: Runaway grandmother sparked savage skirmish on LoC.

More on what happened at the Indo-Pak Flag meet yesterday. "There were three ceasefire violations by Pakistan yesterday after the flag meeting. Pakistan fired from small firearms and also mortar shells. However, the Indian Army does not react in haste and anger. We have a plan and act according to that," says Lt Gen Parnaik.

Taking potshots at Manish Tewari over his comment that jingoism needs to be avoided, the BJP today said the Information and Broadcasting Minister as part of the ruling UPA should be willing to share with the country as to how the government plans to avenge the insult to India.

BJP leader Balbir Punj said ''Manish Tewari as a minister should not be merely commenting on what others have said''. "As a minister and part of the government, he should be willing to share with the country as to how the Government of India plans to avenge the insult to India and also the repeated assaults and incursions against our border," he added.

Tewari earlier cautioned against ''jingoism'' after the BJP mounted pressure on the Centre on the issue of beheading of an Indian soldier by Pakistani Army along the LoC.

Pakistan is always in denial mode, it always fabricates things, adds Northern Army Commander Lt Gen KT Parnaik. "At the flag meet, Pakistan completely denied any wrongdoing" he says. Sharing details of the flag meet, Lt Gen Parnaik says allegations that India built bunkers is wrong. "After the flag meeting, Pakistan still remained adamant," he added.

GOC-in-C Northern Command Lt General KT Parnaik speaking to CNN IBN says Pakistan has always provoked us, but Indian troops have always shown great restraint. Our troops must remain calm, but alert. Pakistan has always tried to infiltrate from the Uri sector."


Lt Gen Patnaik is the third highest ranking officer in the Indian Army and is responsible for guarding the 1,896 kilometres of India's border with Pakistan and China. He spoke to Rediff.com's Archana Masih in an exclusive and fascinating interview in March 2012. Read   

Delhi Police personnel have written a letter, reportedly sent on Saturday, to the police commissioner refusing to donate their one-day salary to the family of slain constable Subhash Tomar.

Following his death during the anti-rape stir in December, Delhi Police commissioner Neeraj Kumar had announced that all Delhi Police personnel would contribute their salary of one day to provide financial aid to Tomar's family.Kumar, however, said he has not received any letter and has clarified that the donation was only meant for IPS officers. "I never asked all the policemen to donate their salary," Kumar said. Read more

A minor Dalit girl, who set herself ablaze after being eve-teased, has been shifted to Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in Delhi in a serious condition. The girl was shifted to RML in Delhi from a private hospital in Shamli with 60 per cent burn injuries last evening. Meanwhile, the accused Sunil Kumar, who was arrested for eve-teasing the 16-year-old Dalit girl on January 14, has been sent for 14 days judicial custody by a local court .

The government today cautioned against "jingoism" after the BJP upped the ante on the issue of beheading of an Indian soldier by Pakistani Army along the Line of Control.

"Professional armies respect rules of engagement. Transgressions are surmounted through tactical responses and not driven by jingoism," Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said on micro-blogging site Twitter.

His comments came a day after BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said that if Pakistan does not return the head of martyred soldier Hemraj, India should get at least ten heads from the other side.

After visiting Hemraj's family along with party president Nitin Gadkari and leader Rajnath Singh yesterday, Swaraj had said, "The question is: will we sit without any reaction and engage in a dialogue?... That is why we have said that government should take some tough measures".

Hoshiarpur native Jyoti Rani, 24, who was allegedly killed by Himachal Congress MLA Ram Kumar Chaudhary and his accomplices, had struggled against them inside their car before she was eventually crushed under a truck. Hair that stuck to her sweater as a result of the struggle could prove to be the key clue now. Read more

Yesterday, actress Jodie Foster made a semblance of an outing that she was lesbian, during the Golden Globe Awards. But, says the New York Times, the answer to the puzzle of Jodie Foster's rambling, raw, semi-confessional speech at the Globes may have been right there at the outset, when she skittishly quoted a lesser-known "Saturday Night Live' character and shouted: "I'm 50! I'm 50!' Read

A number of cases of violence against women are coming to light in the wake of the Delhi bus gang rape, a phenomenon that women's groups say shows that local media and police are paying more attention to the problem -- not that the incidence of violence is increasing. Read

When Arun Ferreira went to prison in 2007, his son was only two. Today, they are reunited, and a tide of private anguish has at last begun to roll back and wash away."My family didn't tell him that I was in jail, they told him I was away on business for five years,' Mr. Ferreira says. Read the story on the WSJ.

The school principal of the alleged juvenile accused in the Delhi gang rape case will make a court appearance today.

Meanwhile, the lawyers defending the five adults accused of carrying out the gang rape aboard a Delhi bus last month have provided an interesting sideshow to the media frenzy about the case with their colorful remarks and sniping. Read

Update on Army Chief General Bikram Singh's address to the nation: "In view of various challenges, we have kept operational preparedness of our forces at the highest level. I want to assure the nation that Indian Army is prepared to face all challenges to national security. The Indian Army's record as far as human rights is concerned is the best in the world," he said.

"I was in my second year and the class was in progress when, all of a sudden, we heard a boy from the rear benches scream, "suck my ...'. The class came to a sudden halt and we were all shocked. The profanity was directed towards a girl."A 22-year-old studying in a prestigious law college of Delhi, writes for the Hindustan Times. Read

People are beginning to believe that democracy, in which they had faith all these years, is part of the problem and, therefore, cannot be part of the solution. Read

Also read Urvashi Butalia's column on the Hindu on the anti-rape protests in Delhi last month.

Let us talk about Ram Singh, the chief rapist of the Delhi gang-rape victim, who told his rape-colleagues, as they cleaned the bus, "not to worry, nothing will happen." Ram Singh and his five fellow rapists were right. Read

A seven-year-old girl was raped at her school in the port town of Vasco, resulting in huge protests in Panaji on Monday night.Police have detained the headmistress of the school on charges of negligence.The second grade student was sexually abused in the school toilet next to the office of the headmistress during recess yesterday, by an unidentified person, police said on Tuesday.The incident came to light after the minor complained of pain and was referred for medical examination.

Emerging markets like India and China are witnessing a remarkable transformation, despite a slowdown in economic growth, lifting millions of people out of poverty, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has said.

"In the emerging markets, you have a variety of different stories, but I think the fundamentals there, in the emerging markets, are pretty good, and even if there's some moderation of growth in some countries, we are seeing overall a rather remarkable transformation of places like China and India, which has been the biggest anti-poverty programme in history," he said yesterday.

The Supreme Court on 11th January, delivered the judgement in the Karnataka Upa Lokayukta case. This is what BJP senior leader Arun Jaitley says on the issue. Read

Radio Free Asia quoted a report from the German newspaper Sddeutsche Zeitung, which said that, in the past 10 years, through different means and various channels, the illegal funds fleeing from China reached a staggering US$3 trillion.

Out of every two "black dollars" in the world, one is from China. It was estimated that, after the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, when the authorities considered implementing the exposure of the personal assets of government officials, the capital flight accelerated to US$41.2 billion in November alone.

Sddeutsche Zeitung reported that the second largest group responsible for the flight of capital was government officials.. Read more

In other news: Lance Armstrong ended a decade of denial by confessing to Oprah Winfrey that he used performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.The admission Monday came hours after an emotional apology by Armstrong to the Livestrong charity that he founded and turned into a global institution on the strength of his celebrity as a cancer survivor. More

Army Day is celebrated on 15 January every year in India, in recognition of Lieutenant General (later Field Marshal) K. M. Cariappa's taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from Sir Francis Butcher, the last British commander, in 1948. The day is celebrated in the form of parades and other military shows in national capital as well as all 6 Army Command headquarters. 

Yesterday, ahead of the Brigadier-level flat meet at Poonch, the Army Chief swore vengeance at a "place and time of our choosing" for the brutal pre-meditated killings of the two jawans. Read

"The Army has received praise for its humanitarian values and will ensure it is devoted to protecting the nation. We are proud that we have always followed the rules of engagement at our borders," says General Bikram Singh on the 65th Army Day celebrations in the capital. 

Army chief General Bikram Singh speaks to the nation on the 65th Army Day. The army chief paid homage to the martyrs who had laid their life down for the nation and died protecting our borders. "We will always be proud of their sacrifices," he says. 

Just in: There's been a blast in a market in Quetta city of southwest Pakistani, causalities are feared.

With her two daughters growing older and not willing to spend too much time with him, US President Obama today lamented his loneliness in the White House and vowed more socialising in his second term.

AP reports: President Barack Obama says he is reviewing a list of proposals from Vice President Joe Biden on how to reduce gun violence and expects to present specifics later this week.

The US has said that it is pleased that officials from India and Pakistan are talking to resolve their differences over the situation on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

Commotion was caused in a small village of Himachal Pradesh today when a bunch of about 150 balloons bearing the mark of a bank in Pakistan were found here.

BBC reports: A boy who was 10 when he shot and killed his white supremacist father is responsible for the murder, a California judge found today.

AP reports: Former President George H W Bush has left a Houston hospital where he spent nearly two months recovering from an illness that began with a bronchitis-related cough. Bush spokesman Jim McGrath says the 88-year-old Bush was released today from Methodist Hospital.

20-year-old married woman from Karnataka was trafficked to the capital and raped allegedly by a man who bought her for Rs one lakh, the police said today.