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Sat, 04 May 2013
Andhra Pradesh bans women from pubs after 10 pm
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23:10 Father, son nabbed from Vadodara for Ajmer blast case
The National Investigation Agency and Vadodara Crime Branch has apprehended a father-son duo from Kashipura village in Wagodiya tehsil of the district in connection with the 2007 Ajmer dargah blast case.
The two were identofied as Jayantibhai Jamsingh Gohil and Ramesh Jayantibhai Gohil, Vadodara Police Commissioner Satish
K Sharma said.
The duo was also wanted in the 2002 Best Bakery case here from the post-Godhra riots period, police sources said.
Blasts at a dargah in Ajmer, Rajasthan, in October 2007 had left three persons dead and 20 injured.
23:06 Andhra Pradesh bans women from pubs after 10 pm
In the wake of increasing rapes and other crime against women across the country, Andhra Pradesh has reportedly barred women from clubs, pubs and bars after 10 pm.
The State government has also banned those under 21 from these places at any hour, despite the legal age for drinking in the country being 18.
The state government on May 3 issued a notification telling clubs, pubs and bars to ask women customers to leave after 10 pm or face cancellation of their liquor licences, daily The Telegraph reported.
According to The Telegraph, a senior police officer said the step was prompted by several incidents of drunken women quarrelling with auto drivers outside bars and clubs at night. He didn't explain why the ban targeted only women although men get involved in drunken brawls too. Women's organisations criticised the notification as "male chauvinistic".
Metros such as Calcutta and Mumbai, for instance, have no gender-based restrictions about drinking in bars or nightclubs.
19:52 Antony briefs President on Chinese incursions
Defence Minister A K Antony today informed President Pranab Mukherjee about the measures taken by the Government to resolve the issue of incursion by Chinese soldiers into Indian territory in Ladakh where they have pitched tents in Daulat Beg Oldi area.
The President, who is also the supreme commander of the armed forces, was briefed by the Defence Minister on the incursion issue and the steps taken by the armed forces to tackle the situation, Government sources said here.
The briefing by Antony comes a day after a BJP-led NDA delegation met the President to express concern over Chinese incursions into Ladakh along with the manner in which the case of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh was handled by the government.
The delegation led by NDA Working Chairperson L K Advani had also submitted a memorandum seeking his intervention on the two issues.
19:30 Delhi sweats it out at 42 degree Celsius
Delhiites today sweated it out with mercury touching the season's highest of 42 degree Celsius and hot winds blowing through the day.
This was the second time this summer that the day temperature crossed 40 degree Celsius, the previous one being on April 16 when it touched 40.2 degrees. Last year, mercury crossed 40 degree Celsius on May eight.
Today's maximum was three degree Celsius above normal and a sharp rise from yesterday's 38.3 degrees, which was one degree below normal for this time of the year.
The city has been witnessing day temperature at around 38 degree Celsius for the past one week.
"It was hotter than usual. The previous days were tolerable compared to today. The hot winds made life miserable," Nishant Arora, a shopper at Janpath Market, said.
Today's minimum was however five degree Celsius below normal at at 19.8 degrees as against yesterday's 20.3 degrees.
Humidity levels were recorded between 18 and 73 per cent.
The weathermen have predicted main clear sky in the city tomorrow and the mercury is likely to oscillate between 21 and 41 degree Celsius.
18:55 Railway bribery: JD-U chief Sharad Yadav backs Bansal
Beleaguered Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Saturday received support from unexpected quarters when NDA convenor and JD(U) President Sharad Yadav virtually absolved the Congress leader of any fault in a bribery case involving his nephew.
"If any relative of a political leader is involved in corruption then what is the fault of that leader. I have known Pawan Bansal for a long time. He has been in Parliament for a long time. What has he to do with anything if his nephew is taking bribe," Yadav told reporters in New Delhi.
He was asked to comment on Bansal's nephew Vijay Singla being arrested by the CBI in connection with alleged bribery of Rs 90 lakh for fixing a top level position in the government.
18:03 Bansal goes to PM's house to explain bribery scam
Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Saturday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the wake of CBI arresting his nephew on bribery charges.
Bansal drove down to the Prime Minister's official residence and was closeted with him for about 20 minutes.
A sullen looking Bansal drove away from the Prime Minister's residence without speaking to reporters.
The meeting comes in the wake of the arrest of Bansal's nephew Vijay Singla by the CBI in connection with alleged bribery of Rs 90 lakh for fixing a top level position in the government.
Singla was arrested in Chandigarh for allegedly accepting Rs 90 lakh in cash from Manjunath, the conduit of Mahesh Kumar, recently promoted as Member (Staff), Railway Board. Kumar was allegedly trying to get a lucrative position as Member (Electrical), Railway Board.
Earlier in the day, Bansal had issued a statement distancing himself from the incident involving his nephew.
"Though a close relative, he or any other relative of mine does not and cannot meddle in my official function or influence my decision. There is also no business relationship between his and my family," he had said in the statement.
17:01 Women not allowed in Andhra bars after 10 pm!
Nightclubs, bars and pubs across Andhra Pradesh have been ordered by the state government to bar women customers after 10 pm.
Women customers will have to leave nightclubs and pubs across the state after 10 pm, according to a new diktat by the state government.
The earlier deadline for women in such places was 11 pm.
16:58 Bansal's nephew, other accused appear in court
The CBI on Saturday produced Railway Minister P K Bansal's nephew and three others in a Delhi court. The agency also sought five-day custody of the four accused in a bribery case.
16:54 Two can play this diplomatic game!
China's incursion into Indian territory in Ladakh has triggered a complicated diplomatic crisis. But neither country is looking for an all-out war, so the crisis can still be resolved amicably.
16:51 Former spies attend Sarabjit's funeral
Two self-confessed former spies and the son of a deceased spy attended the funeral of Sarabjti Singh on Friday evening.
Though both the Indian government and his family members have dismissed claims that Sarabjit was a spy, many believe that the reports of espionage are true.
16:45 People are not fools to believe you: BJP to Aswani
The BJP today said that no one was fooled by Law Minister Ashwani Kumar's claim that the status report on coal-gate by CBI was shown to him for proof reading.
"When the Supreme Court sought the status report by the CBI on the coal-gate investigation without disclosing the content to any government official or minister, it was shown to Union Law minister Ashwani Kumar to bring changes to protect the government," BJP Vice President S S Ahluwalia said.
16:18 Shouldn't have behaved like that: SRK on Wankhede row
Kolkata Knight Riders' owner Shah Rukh Khan has admitted that he should not have got into a fight with the Wankhede stadium security guard during last season's IPL that led to the MCA imposing a five-year ban on him.
"In retrospect, I should not have behaved like that. On the other hand, it's not something that I really think about. It's quite cool," said Shah Rukh.
15:50 Ranbir Kapoor detained, fined for customs violation
Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor was today detained and fined nearly Rs 60,000 on undeclared branded personal goods he was carrying at the Mumbai International airport, a customs official said.
The 30-year-old actor was later let off.
15:50 Malala's father calls for free and fair polls
The father of Malala Yousufzai, the school girl shot in the head by the Taliban, has called for free and fair elections in Pakistan.
Ziauddin Yousufzai, who was appointed as the United Nations' special adviser for global education in the wake of the attack on his 15-year-old daughter, appealed for a level playing field for all political parties in the elections.
15:06 Congress rules out Bansal's resignation
Congress spokesperson Janadardan Dwivedi has dismissed opposition BJP's demand for Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal's resignation.
"The railway minister himself has given a clarification and said that there should be a thorough probe into the matter. I don't think we can expect any thing more from him," Dwivedi said in a brief reaction to the developments surrounding Bansal.
14:45 Railway minister meets PM, offers to resign
Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Saturday morning met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and offered to resign over the bribery scandal involving his nephew.
According to sources, the PM is expected to turn down Bansal's offer.
Congress sources ruled out the possibility of Dr Singh accepting Bansal's resignation, saying the party had become used to opposition BJP asking for the resignation of its ministers.
The party is expected to take a final decision at the meeting of the Congress Core Group today evening.
13:30 Champions Trophy: Gambhir, Yuvraj dropped
Cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir have been dropped from the 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy.
Dinesh Kartik and Murali Vijay have been called back to the Indian team.
The cricketers chosen for the squad include M S Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina, among others.
Other cricketers included in the squad are Bhuveneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Vinay Kumar.
13:00 What President Pranab told the film industry
President Pranab Mukherjee has called upon the film industry to portray positive societal values through movies to build a tolerant and harmonious India.
Expressing concern at the growing violence against women and children, Mukheerjee said cinema can play a pivotal role in resetting the moral compass of the society and preventing the erosion of values.
Mukherjee was addressing the 60th National Film award function in New Delhi.
12:59 Five injured in Manipur blast
Five people were injured when a powerful grenade exploded at a bakery shop in Imphal West district of Manipur, police said today.
Suspected militants hurled the grenade at the bakery shop at Chingmeirong area on the outskirts of the city.
12:58 We are taking measures to spur investments: PM
The Indian government is initiating measures to spur investment and make the country more attractive to investors, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said.
India is taking steps to fast-track major infrastructure projects and introducing strong measures to achieve fiscal consolidation, said the PM.
The Direct Benefit Transfer scheme will eliminate corruption and wastage in the public delivery mechanism, said the PM.
12:37 No harsh words exchanged with Dravid: Gambhir
After his image took a bit of beating after a verbal duel with Rahul Dravid during Friday's IPL game,Gautam Gambhir today sought to clear the air by saying that he never exchanged any harsh words with the legendary batsman,who remains a respected figure for him.
This is the second time time that Gambhir has been involved in such an altercation.
In an earlier IPL match, he and Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli were involved in an ugly on-field spat.
12:36 Pak prisoner's condition critical but stabilising
The medical condition of Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay, who was attacked at Jammu's Kot Bhalwal Jail, is stated to be still critical but stabilising.
Doctors attending to him at PGI Chandigarh said he is still on ventilator support with severe head injuries and added that any decision on surgery would only be taken after his condition stabilises further. India has given consular access to Pakistan with regard to Sanaullah.
India has also suggested to Pakistan that a meeting of officials should take place to discuss safety measures for prisoners in each country. Pakistan, however, has sought the repatriation of Sanaullah on humanitarian grounds.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has suspended the jail superintendent and ordered an inquiry.
11:35 Sonia, PM protecting corrupt ministers: BJP
The BJP on Saturday demanded an investigation by the CBI into the bribery case involving Railway Minister P K Bansal's nephew V Singla.
Singla was arrested by the CBI, which also held a Member of the Railway Board in connection with alleged bribery of Rs 90 lakh for fixing a top level position in the government.
"The UPA government has set a new record for corruption," said BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad.
He added, "Ministers in the UPA are corrupt because Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh are protecting them".
11:01 Nikki Haley faces attack over Indian ethnicity
South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Dick Harpootlian is in trouble after he reportedly claimed that he would send South Carolina Governor and Indian American Nikki Haley "back to wherever the hell she came from."
10:58 Why India should not worry too much about China
Many Indians may view China's motives behind sending its troops inside Ladakh with suspicion, but a study shows that the Asian giant prefers to resolve its territorial disputes rather than aggravate them.
10:53 US continuing to recover from worst recession: US
The US is continuing to recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression, the White House said after the latest jobs report revealed that the unemployment rate for the month of April has dropped to 7.5 per cent, the lowest in four years.
"The jobs report demonstrated that we are continuing to recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters while travelling with US President Barack Obama to Latin America.
10:52 India grants consular access to Pakistani prisoner
Officials of the Pakistan High Commission on Saturday visited injured Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay in a hospital in Chandigarh, said the ministry of external affairs.
The Indian government has granted consular access to Pakistan to visit Sanaullah, who was brutally attacked in a jail in Jammu on Friday.
The attack on the Pakistani prisoner came in the wake of the fatal attack on Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh in a Lahore jail.
01:52 James Dobbins appointed US Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan
James F Dobbins, a veteran US diplomat with a history of difficult assignments from Kosovo to Somalia, will be the new special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Announcing his appointment, US Secretary of State John Kerry said, "He has deep and longstanding relationships in the region and I couldn't be more grateful that Jim has agreed to take on this assignment."
He said that he called the leaders of the two countries to inform them of his decision in this regard. Kerry called Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Army Chief, Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, according to a State Department spokesman.
This is a pivotal moment for both Afghanistan and Pakistan, with interconnected political, security, and economic transitions already underway in Afghanistan, and Pakistani elections just days away, marking an important and historic democratic transition, he said.
01:22 Pak prisoner case: Khoso asks India to ensure thorough probe
Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso today called on his Indian counterpart to personally look into an attack on a Pakistani prisoner in a jail in Jammu and ensure a thorough investigation. Sanaullah, a Pakistani national serving a life sentence was attacked in the prison in Jammu and Kashmir, a day after Indian national Sarabjit Singh succumbed to injuries sustained in a brutal assault within a jail in Lahore.
In a statement, Khoso expressed "deep concern" over the incident and noted that a large number of Pakistani nationals were incarcerated in Indian prisons. He said many of these prisoners had completed their sentences but were awaiting repatriation.
00:43 Sarabjit attack: 3 Pak officials suspended
A week after Indian national Sarabjit Singh was fatally attacked within a Pakistani jail, authorities today suspended three senior prison officials over the incident.
The home secretary of Punjab province suspended the three officials from service for alleged negligence that led to the brutal attack on Sarabjit within Kot Lakhpat Jail.
The three officials are Kot Lakhpat Jail Superintendent Mohsin Rafique, Additional Superintendent Ishtiaq Gill and Deputy Superintendent Ghulam Sarwar Sumra, official sources told PTI.
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