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Tue, 04 August 2015
Media is very interesting entertainment for me, says NSA
Timeline Refresh
23:25 Court reserves order on Gadkar's bail application
The sessions court here today reserved the order on the bail application filed by corporate lawyer Janhavi Gadkar, who was arrested for allegedly crashing her car into a taxi and killing two persons, until tomorrow.
Gadkar's lawyer argued that investigation was over and no purpose would be served by keeping her in jail.
But the prosecution argued that if she was released on bail, it would send a wrong message.
The police said in their reply filed yesterday that Gadkar was involved in accidents prior to the June 10 incident and she was likely to repeat the offence if released.
In the early hours of June 10, an Audi driven by 35-year- old Gadkar rammed a taxi, resulting in the death of two persons including the taxi driver on the Eastern Freeway here. She was allegedly drunk at the time.
23:20 Media is very interesting entertainment for me, says NSA
Dubbing the media as a "very interesting entertainment" for him, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval today advised it to keep "national interest" above everything else.
"Media is very interesting entertainment for me," Doval said, responding to an audience query about the media, after the late Lalit Doshi memorial lecture here.
"Maybe what they are advising is right, but then how wrongly can right be projected and people remain disinformed," he said.
"Probably they (media) also have got their own compulsions. You are writing a newspaper which can sell. You have a TV programme for TRPs. I know my priorities. Why should I try to impose mine on them," he said.
"My point is that, at some point, national interest is supreme for all of us. Either we stay together or sink together. The day we sink, all this freedom of the press will also sink," Doval said.
"Don't do anything that will create cynicism within the ranks of the people. Make a strong nation. Let us keep our communities together," he counselled the media.
The cynicism that is sometimes created, leads to loss of respect and faith and confidence in all institutions, which is very bad for a nation, he said.
"It is a vicious circle. You write, and people read it. People read it and so you write more of it. What about serious journalism," he said.
"We have got some of the finest brains in media," he said.
22:58 Syria army plane crash toll rises to 37: monitor
A Syrian military aircraft that crashed during a bombing run over rebel-held territory killed at least 37 people and injured more than 60, a monitor said on today.
The victims died when the plane crashed yesterday in the town of Ariha in Idlib province, and in preceding air strikes, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which originally said 31 were killed.
"There are three children among the 37 victims," the Britain-based monitor said.
The crash and explosion destroyed the main market in Ariha, which was overrun by a rebel Islamist alliance in May.
Local activist Ibrahim al-Idlibi, speaking to AFP via the Internet, said the blast was caused by rockets and bombs still on the plane.
"It destroyed the entire market, as well as residential buildings near the market," he said.
The Damascus regime has relied heavily on its monopoly of air power in Syria's four-year-long civil war, repeatedly pounding rebel-held towns.
It has lost a number of aircraft, some to rebel fire and others to mechanical failure.
In mid-January, at least 35 government troops were killed when a military aircraft crashed in Idlib.
The province, which borders Turkey, has since been largely overrun by a rebel alliance including Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front.
22:54 Kuwait mosque attack suspect admits being in IS
The main suspect in a deadly attack on a Kuwaiti Shiite mosque in June confessed in court today to being in the jihadist Islamic State group.
Abdulrahman Sabah Saud told the first hearing of the trial of 22 men and seven women that he joined IS just a day before the June 26 suicide bombing that killed 26 people and wounded hundreds.
It was the worst ever attack in the oil-rich Gulf emirate.
Although the public prosecution has not released the official charge sheets, a number of defendants are charged with being in a proscribed group and taking part in the bombing.
Most are also accused of assisting those behind the attack.
Saud, who drove Saudi bomber Fahad al-Qaba'a to the mosque in Kuwait City, was arrested two days after the blast in a hideout owned by two other suspects.
Saud also confessed to transporting an icebox containing the explosives belt used in the attack from near the border with Saudi Arabia.
22:45 One army jawan killed, two injured in Pulwama
An army soldier was killed and two others were injured tonight in a firing incident in Tral area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district, police said.
A firing incident took place in Noorpora area of Tral, 35 kms from here, at around 9.00 pm when a unit of 42 Rashtriya Rifles of the army was on patrol duty, a police officer said.
One soldier was killed while two others were injured in the incident, he said, adding the source of firing was being ascertained.
22:29 Tensions in Taliban ranks as head of militant group's Qatar office resigns
The fractures in the ranks of the Taliban appear to be deepening after the announcement of the death of the Afghan militant group's longtime leader.
Syed Mohammad Tayab Agha, the head of the Taliban's office in Qatar and a very close ally of the late leader, said Monday that he had resigned, citing internal factional struggles to seize control of the leadership.
"In the current controversial situation, I am not supporting any side," Tayab Agha said in a statement. The Taliban's office in Qatar has been viewed as a potentially important element in any future peace talks with the Afghan government.
News emerged last week that Mullah Mohammed Omar, the Taliban chief who offered safe haven to former al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, had died in April 2013 in Pakistan.
Read more HERE.
21:58 Govt lifts ban on websites sans child pornography
Facing flak over its order to block access to 857 pornographic and humour websites, the government today lifted ban on all those websites that do not feature child pornographic content.
Days after its blanket ban order drew severe criticism on social media and other forum, the Department of Telecom in an order today said, "The intermediaries are hereby directed that they are free not to disable any of the 857 URLs... which do not have child pornographic content."
A top source said, "the government is directing Internet service providers (ISPs) as an interim measure to disable porn sites featuring child pornography. Other considerations will be looked into after court hearing."
The Department of Telecommunications in a discreet order on July 31 had asked ISPs to block access to 857 websites, including humour site 9GAG and CollegeHumor as well as Playboy, citing threat to public morality.
The order was criticised as censorship and sparked raging debate on social media and other platforms, following which Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad took a high-level review meeting today.
After the meeting, which was attended by IT Secretary R S Sharma and Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, Prasad told PTI that it was decided that ISPs would be immediately asked not to block those sites which do not contain any child pornographic material.
20:28 FSSAI-approved lab finds Maggi noodles safe
In a major boost to Nestle India, FSSAI-approved laboratory of Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) has found Maggi noodles to be in compliance with the country's food safety standards.
CFTRI had tested five samples sent by Goa Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when Maggi was banned in June in the wake of findings in Uttar Pradesh and other states that the instant noodles brand had lead levels beyond permissible limits.
20:25 Akhilesh names new CM office as 'Mukhamantri Karyalaya'
Setting aside the suggestion of Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik to name the new secretriat building under construction in the state capital as 'mantralaya', chief minister Akhilesh Yadav today said it would be named as 'Mukhamantri Karyalaya'.
"I received the suggestion from the Governor to this effect but as the new building would house the CM office, its name would be Mukhamantri Karyalaya", Yadav told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
19:58 Four women MPs complain against BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri's sexist language
In yet another trouble for the ruling BJP, which is facing a combative Opposition over the suspension of Congress MPs, four women MPs have complained about the 'abusive' and 'sexist' language used by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri in Parliament.
According to a report published in The Economic Times on Tuesday, the women MPs have lodged a complaint with the Lok Sabha Speaker that Bidhuri used foul language against them during the Opposition's protest in the Lower House on Monday, which resulted in the suspension of 25 Congress MPs.
19:48 Naqvi takes objection to Sonia's 'black day' comment
Government today took strong exception to "black day" comment by Congress President Sonia Gandhi over suspension of 25 Lok Sabha MPs, saying it showed that the opposition was in no mood to let normal functioning of Parliament where key reform bills are pending.
"If yesterday was the black day for democracy, then was it a golden day when 16 members of Lok Sabha were suspended during UPA's tenure? Did imposition of Emergency mark golden day for democracy," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told reporters.
19:15 Floods kill 151 in Pakistan
At least 151 people have died and more than 8 lakh affected across Pakistan due to devastating floods since last month, authorities said today as they struggled to reach thousands stranded by swollen rivers.
Heavy rains started last month and are still continuing in different parts of the country. According to National Disaster Management Authority, 77 people were killed in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, 32 in Punjab, 22 in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, 13 in Balochistan and seven in Gilgit-Baltistan. Another 101 were injured due to rain and flood related accidents.
Also, at least 4,517 houses have been damaged. Army and civilian agencies have so far shifted more than 800,000 people to safer places. Pakistan government has set up 481 relief camps and 150 medical camps. Monsoon rains usually start in Pakistan in mid-July and continue until the end of August. The monsoon last year killed nearly 400 and inundated thousands of acres of farmland.
Heavy rains started last month and are still continuing in different parts of the country. According to National Disaster Management Authority, 77 people were killed in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, 32 in Punjab, 22 in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, 13 in Balochistan and seven in Gilgit-Baltistan. Another 101 were injured due to rain and flood related accidents.
Also, at least 4,517 houses have been damaged. Army and civilian agencies have so far shifted more than 800,000 people to safer places. Pakistan government has set up 481 relief camps and 150 medical camps. Monsoon rains usually start in Pakistan in mid-July and continue until the end of August. The monsoon last year killed nearly 400 and inundated thousands of acres of farmland.
19:02 Anti-Naxal ops: 5,000 more ITBP troops to be deployed in Chhattisgarh
In order to give a boost to anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh's worst affected areas, the Centre has sanctioned additional deployment of 5,000 troops of mountain-warfare trained Indo-Tibetan Border Police in the state.
Officials said five battalions of the Sino-India border guarding force will soon take positions in Bastar, Narayanpur, Rajnandgaon and Kondagaon districts of the state which have witnessed maximum violence in the recent past in the entire Left Wing Extremism hit areas of the country.
With this, the total deployment of central security forces including CRPF and Border Security Force will come to about 40,000 personnel in the central Indian state. According to the new blueprint for operations, officials said, two ITBP units will be based in Narayanpur and one each in Rajnandgaon, Kondagaon and the notorious 'Keshkal' valley in Bastar district of the state.
All these districts are in the southern part of the Chhattisgarh and figure under the LWE affected regions. "The fresh deployments have been sanctioned recently and the forces are expected to take position after monsoon.
The new ITBP units will work to either bolster the forces already present in these areas or take over the task from CRPF like in the 'Keshkal' valley area," they said.
Officials said five battalions of the Sino-India border guarding force will soon take positions in Bastar, Narayanpur, Rajnandgaon and Kondagaon districts of the state which have witnessed maximum violence in the recent past in the entire Left Wing Extremism hit areas of the country.
With this, the total deployment of central security forces including CRPF and Border Security Force will come to about 40,000 personnel in the central Indian state. According to the new blueprint for operations, officials said, two ITBP units will be based in Narayanpur and one each in Rajnandgaon, Kondagaon and the notorious 'Keshkal' valley in Bastar district of the state.
All these districts are in the southern part of the Chhattisgarh and figure under the LWE affected regions. "The fresh deployments have been sanctioned recently and the forces are expected to take position after monsoon.
The new ITBP units will work to either bolster the forces already present in these areas or take over the task from CRPF like in the 'Keshkal' valley area," they said.
18:34 Govt lifts ban on ALL porn sites except those hosting child porn
The government reviews the order blocking 857 websites; lifts ban from websites which do not contain pornographic material.
Early reports say that those websites that are 'hard core' and host child porn remain banned. The government will come up with a new notification on the porn ban soon.
Telecom and IT ministries are reconsidering the porn ban. Yesterday, the government asked telecom operators and internet service providers to block over 800 porn websites.Newspaper reports said that the telecom department had sent an order last week to block 857 porn sites following which service providers have already blocking access to popular porn sites like Pornhub and Brazzers. Users of MTNL, BSNL and ACT broadband have claimed that porn websites were not opening on their systems whereas Airtel, Tata Photon and cable internet users said they haven't faced any such issues yet.
Early reports say that those websites that are 'hard core' and host child porn remain banned. The government will come up with a new notification on the porn ban soon.
Telecom and IT ministries are reconsidering the porn ban. Yesterday, the government asked telecom operators and internet service providers to block over 800 porn websites.Newspaper reports said that the telecom department had sent an order last week to block 857 porn sites following which service providers have already blocking access to popular porn sites like Pornhub and Brazzers. Users of MTNL, BSNL and ACT broadband have claimed that porn websites were not opening on their systems whereas Airtel, Tata Photon and cable internet users said they haven't faced any such issues yet.
18:11 HC refuses to issue order on AAP govt plea against Meena
Delhi High Court today declined to issue an immediate order on AAP government's plea seeking lodging of a case against LG-appointed Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) chief M K Meena for not receiving a complaint made by an SDM against some DDA officials while they were allegedly accepting bribe.
17:39
The Mumbai High Court reserves the order for former IPL chief Lalit Modi's arrest till tomorrow.
17:34 Hundreds evacuated from London's iconic Shard after fire scare
Just in: As many as 100 people have been evacuated from London's tallest building the Shard (pictured) after a fire broke out in a restaurant's kitchen. The Shard, is an 87-storey skyscraper in London and was opened in 2012.
Developing story.
Developing story.
17:12 Pak singer Adnan Sami allowed to stay in India
Pakistani singer Adnan Sami has been allowed to stay in India for an indefinite period following his appeal to legalise his stay in India on humanitarian grounds. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju today conveyed to Lok Sabha that Sami has been exempted from deportation proceedings under Section 3 of the Foreigners Act.
This came after 46-year-old Sami has submitted a representation to the Home Ministry on May 26, 2015 requesting his stay in India on humanitarian grounds.
The representation submitted by Sami, a Pakistani national, has been considered carefully by the Home Ministry.
This came after 46-year-old Sami has submitted a representation to the Home Ministry on May 26, 2015 requesting his stay in India on humanitarian grounds.
The representation submitted by Sami, a Pakistani national, has been considered carefully by the Home Ministry.
17:10
Fire breaks out at a fibreglass manufacturing factory in Baranagar (North 24 Parganas, West Bengal), 11 fire tenders on the spot.
16:46 Missing Arunachal chopper sighted in dense forests
The missing helicopter has been "sighted" in the dense forests in the Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh; rescue operation has been launched, says news agency PTI.
A helicopter of state-run Pawan Hans with three persons on board including a senior police officer today went missing after taking off from Dibrugarh for Khonsa district in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Dauphin N3 helicopter lost touch with the Air Traffic Control after taking off at around 11 am, company sources told PTI. A senior police officer from Arunachal Pradesh is the lone passenger on board the twin-engine helicopter besides the pilot and co-pilot, they said.
"We are trying to contact the pilot but as of now no link has been established with the missing helicopter," the sources said.
A helicopter of state-run Pawan Hans with three persons on board including a senior police officer today went missing after taking off from Dibrugarh for Khonsa district in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Dauphin N3 helicopter lost touch with the Air Traffic Control after taking off at around 11 am, company sources told PTI. A senior police officer from Arunachal Pradesh is the lone passenger on board the twin-engine helicopter besides the pilot and co-pilot, they said.
"We are trying to contact the pilot but as of now no link has been established with the missing helicopter," the sources said.
16:39 SP govt to name university after APJ Kalam
The Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government on Tuesday decided to change the name of Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPTU) to APJ Kalam University.
16:37 Speaker may revoke suspension of 25 Cong MPs tomorrow
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan may revoke the suspension of 25 Congress MPs tomorrow. Right now, BJD, SP and TMC MPs are mediating between the Speaker and the Congress, say reports.
Twenty five of Congress party's 44 members in Lok Sabha were suspended on Monday for five days for causing disruptions, setting the stage for escalation in confrontation, as nine opposition parties decided to boycott the House for these days to express solidarity with the suspended members.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took the decision, the first such major action in the present Lok Sabha, against the members for "persistently, wilfully obstructing" the House by displaying placards and shouting slogans.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi described it as a "black day for democracy".
The Speaker, after several warnings, 'named' (identifying for action) the 25 Congress members who were in the Well demanding resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over the Lalit Modi row and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the Vyapam scam.
The important bills pending for passage in Monsoon session include the Goods and Services Tax Bill, Land Bill, Real Estate Regulator Bill, Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, The Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill to replace an Ordinance etc. Of these, four major bills GST, Protection of Whistleblowers, Juvenile Justice and Repealing of Appropriation Acts have already been passed by the Lok Sabha, and are awaiting discussion and passage in the Rajya Sabha.
Pic: Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi led the protests outside Parliament today.
Twenty five of Congress party's 44 members in Lok Sabha were suspended on Monday for five days for causing disruptions, setting the stage for escalation in confrontation, as nine opposition parties decided to boycott the House for these days to express solidarity with the suspended members.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took the decision, the first such major action in the present Lok Sabha, against the members for "persistently, wilfully obstructing" the House by displaying placards and shouting slogans.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi described it as a "black day for democracy".
The Speaker, after several warnings, 'named' (identifying for action) the 25 Congress members who were in the Well demanding resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over the Lalit Modi row and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the Vyapam scam.
The important bills pending for passage in Monsoon session include the Goods and Services Tax Bill, Land Bill, Real Estate Regulator Bill, Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, The Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill to replace an Ordinance etc. Of these, four major bills GST, Protection of Whistleblowers, Juvenile Justice and Repealing of Appropriation Acts have already been passed by the Lok Sabha, and are awaiting discussion and passage in the Rajya Sabha.
Pic: Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi led the protests outside Parliament today.
16:34 Somnath Bharti cares for only 'beautiful women', says his wife
Joining the chorus of outrage against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti for his 'beautiful women' remark, his wife Lipika Mitra on Tuesday said that he cares for only beautiful women.
"Somnath Bharti cares for only beautiful women, it seems like that. I'm an average looking woman, maybe that's why I was ill-treated by him," Mitra, who has alleged that she has been facing violence at the hands of Bharti since 2010, said.
"Even in the assembly if he is talking about the security of beautiful women only, where will women like me go? We have no place to go. Nobody to think about our security," she added.
The controversial AAP leader has drawn flak from various quarters over his statement that beautiful women would be able to go out at midnight if the AAP Government takes over policing system in the national capital.
"Somnath Bharti cares for only beautiful women, it seems like that. I'm an average looking woman, maybe that's why I was ill-treated by him," Mitra, who has alleged that she has been facing violence at the hands of Bharti since 2010, said.
"Even in the assembly if he is talking about the security of beautiful women only, where will women like me go? We have no place to go. Nobody to think about our security," she added.
The controversial AAP leader has drawn flak from various quarters over his statement that beautiful women would be able to go out at midnight if the AAP Government takes over policing system in the national capital.
16:22
Journalist goes missing, CM Mamata Banerjee seeks CBI probe. Read more
16:17 171 army personnel martyred fighting terrorists in last 3 years
A total of 171 Army personnel have martyred while fighting terrorists since 2012, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha to a question on how many army persons have been killed in 2012, 2013 and 2014 , the Minister said, 61 Army personnel were killed in 2012 and the number decreased to 54 in 2013. In 2014, 56 Army personnel were killed while fighting against terrorists, he said.
16:11 Pak businessmen to be given 3 years multiple entry business visa
Pakistani businessmen with assured financial standing and credentials will be given multiple entry business visa up to three years, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said instructions were issued by the government on July 7 regarding grant of multiple entry business visa for a period up to three years to Pakistani businessmen of assured standing and credentials.
Rijiju said business visa can be granted for a period of up to five years or for a shorter duration as per the requirement to nationals of SAARC countries except in case of nationals of Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan.
While citizens of Nepal and Bhutan do not require any visa for visiting India, certain category of Pakistan nationals are presently eligible for grant of multiple entry business visa for a maximum period of one year restricted to 10 places, he said.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said instructions were issued by the government on July 7 regarding grant of multiple entry business visa for a period up to three years to Pakistani businessmen of assured standing and credentials.
Rijiju said business visa can be granted for a period of up to five years or for a shorter duration as per the requirement to nationals of SAARC countries except in case of nationals of Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan.
While citizens of Nepal and Bhutan do not require any visa for visiting India, certain category of Pakistan nationals are presently eligible for grant of multiple entry business visa for a maximum period of one year restricted to 10 places, he said.
16:07 113 cases of attacks against journalists in 2014: Govt
A total of 113 cases of grievous hurt and attack on journalists were reported from across the country last year, the government told Parliament today.
While the maximum cases of attack against media persons were reported from Uttar Pradesh at 63, the highest number of people arrested for these crimes, at 10, were reported to be from Madhya Pradesh during the same time period.
Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary, in a written reply to Lok Sabha, also said that the National Crime Records Bureau has started collecting data on attack on media persons under grievous hurt category since 2014.
"Data on murder of journalists is not maintained separately. As per available data, a total of 113 cases were registered and 30 persons were arrested under attack on media person (grievous hurt) during 2014," he said.
While the maximum cases of attack against media persons were reported from Uttar Pradesh at 63, the highest number of people arrested for these crimes, at 10, were reported to be from Madhya Pradesh during the same time period.
Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary, in a written reply to Lok Sabha, also said that the National Crime Records Bureau has started collecting data on attack on media persons under grievous hurt category since 2014.
"Data on murder of journalists is not maintained separately. As per available data, a total of 113 cases were registered and 30 persons were arrested under attack on media person (grievous hurt) during 2014," he said.
15:59
JUST IN: Meeting of Parliamentary Committee on land bill postponed till August 10 following suspension of Congress members.
15:46 India Inc slams logjam: Stalling Parliament delays crucial decisions like GST
The Confederation of India Industry (CII) has made its disapproval of the logjam in Parliament public saying key bills were pending in the house and a discussion was necessary.
CII president Sumit Mazumdar said today that stalling Parliament delays crucial decision making and Parliament should convene and discuss the bills. "Parliament holds the key to unlocking the investment pipeline. GST is a key reform and to pass it Parliament must transact business," Mazumdar said.
Twenty five of Congress party's 44 members in Lok Sabha were suspended on Monday for five days for causing disruptions, setting the stage for escalation in confrontation, as nine opposition parties decided to boycott the House for these days to express solidarity with the suspended members.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took the decision, the first such major action in the present Lok Sabha, against the members for "persistently, wilfully obstructing" the House by displaying placards and shouting slogans.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi described it as a "black day for democracy".
The Speaker, after several warnings, 'named' (identifying for action) the 25 Congress members who were in the Well demanding resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over the Lalit Modi row and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the Vyapam scam.
The important bills pending for passage in Monsoon session include the Goods and Services Tax Bill, Land Bill, Real Estate Regulator Bill, Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, The Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill to replace an Ordinance etc. Of these, four major bills GST, Protection of Whistleblowers, Juvenile Justice and Repealing of Appropriation Acts have already been passed by the Lok Sabha, and are awaiting discussion and passage in the Rajya Sabha.
Pic: Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi led the protests outside Parliament.
CII president Sumit Mazumdar said today that stalling Parliament delays crucial decision making and Parliament should convene and discuss the bills. "Parliament holds the key to unlocking the investment pipeline. GST is a key reform and to pass it Parliament must transact business," Mazumdar said.
Twenty five of Congress party's 44 members in Lok Sabha were suspended on Monday for five days for causing disruptions, setting the stage for escalation in confrontation, as nine opposition parties decided to boycott the House for these days to express solidarity with the suspended members.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took the decision, the first such major action in the present Lok Sabha, against the members for "persistently, wilfully obstructing" the House by displaying placards and shouting slogans.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi described it as a "black day for democracy".
The Speaker, after several warnings, 'named' (identifying for action) the 25 Congress members who were in the Well demanding resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over the Lalit Modi row and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the Vyapam scam.
The important bills pending for passage in Monsoon session include the Goods and Services Tax Bill, Land Bill, Real Estate Regulator Bill, Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, The Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill to replace an Ordinance etc. Of these, four major bills GST, Protection of Whistleblowers, Juvenile Justice and Repealing of Appropriation Acts have already been passed by the Lok Sabha, and are awaiting discussion and passage in the Rajya Sabha.
Pic: Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi led the protests outside Parliament.
15:33
FTII students meet Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, seek support.
15:31 Rajan favours removing RBI Guv's veto power on deciding rates
Signaling truce with the government over who should decide interest rates, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan on Tuesday appeared to favour doing away with the veto power of the central bank chief, arguing it would be better for a committee to decide the key rate rather than one individual.
He further said that while the details of the monetary policy committee (MPC) will have to be ironed out, "there are no differences between RBI and the government" on this matter.
"Currently, the situation is governor has a veto, that is, effectively all advice is only advice and ultimately decision is Governor's. So, if we continue to retain a veto, it doesn't change the current situation. It maintains the status quo. That is something to keep in mind," Rajan said.
And that's @roflGandhi ahead of Raghuram Rajan's address today.
He further said that while the details of the monetary policy committee (MPC) will have to be ironed out, "there are no differences between RBI and the government" on this matter.
"Currently, the situation is governor has a veto, that is, effectively all advice is only advice and ultimately decision is Governor's. So, if we continue to retain a veto, it doesn't change the current situation. It maintains the status quo. That is something to keep in mind," Rajan said.
And that's @roflGandhi ahead of Raghuram Rajan's address today.
15:19 Chopper with three persons on board missing in Arunachal
More on that missing Pawan Hans chopper. A helicopter of state-run Pawan Hans with three persons on board including a senior police officer today went missing after taking off from Dibrugarh for Khonsa district in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Dauphin N3 helicopter lost touch with the Air Traffic Control after taking off at around 11 am, company sources told PTI. A senior police officer from Arunachal Pradesh is the lone passenger on board the twin-engine helicopter besides the pilot and co-pilot, they said.
"We are trying to contact the pilot but as of now no link has been established with the missing helicopter," the sources said.
The Dauphin N3 helicopter lost touch with the Air Traffic Control after taking off at around 11 am, company sources told PTI. A senior police officer from Arunachal Pradesh is the lone passenger on board the twin-engine helicopter besides the pilot and co-pilot, they said.
"We are trying to contact the pilot but as of now no link has been established with the missing helicopter," the sources said.
15:06 Pak Rangers shell 17 BOPs, villages in Jammu, one killed
A youth was killed and two others were injured, including a BSF jawan, when Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire by resorting to firing and mortar shelling on border out posts and hamlets along the IB in Jammu district today.
BSF troops retaliated resulting in exchange of fire, which was still going on when last reports came. A BSF spokesman said, "Pakistani Rangers resorted to firing of small arms and mortar shells on BoPs along IB in Kanachak and Pargwal sectors of Jammu district from 0540 hours".
They targeted 12 BoPs along IB in these sectors. Five BoPs and hamlets in R S Pura sector were also targeted.
BSF troops retaliated resulting in exchange of fire, which was still going on when last reports came. A BSF spokesman said, "Pakistani Rangers resorted to firing of small arms and mortar shells on BoPs along IB in Kanachak and Pargwal sectors of Jammu district from 0540 hours".
They targeted 12 BoPs along IB in these sectors. Five BoPs and hamlets in R S Pura sector were also targeted.
15:03 Former S Korea first lady set for rare N Korea visit
The widow of late South Korean president Kim Dae-Jung will make a rare trip to North Korea tomorrow, raising cautious hopes of a thaw in cross-border tensions despite Seoul playing down the trip as a purely personal affair.
The August 5-8 visit by Lee Hee-Ho is ostensibly humanitarian in nature, with the 93-year-old planning to tour a children's hospital, a maternity home and an orphanage in Pyongyang.
But all eyes are on whether she will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, who has yet to receive any South Korean citizen since formally assuming power more than three years ago. The two have already met once - when Lee visited to pay her respects following the death of Kim Jong-Un's father and former leader Kim Jong-Il in December 2011.
The August 5-8 visit by Lee Hee-Ho is ostensibly humanitarian in nature, with the 93-year-old planning to tour a children's hospital, a maternity home and an orphanage in Pyongyang.
But all eyes are on whether she will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, who has yet to receive any South Korean citizen since formally assuming power more than three years ago. The two have already met once - when Lee visited to pay her respects following the death of Kim Jong-Un's father and former leader Kim Jong-Il in December 2011.
15:01 ISIS abducted us by mistake, says Indian teacher back from Libya
Laximikant Ramakrishna, the Indian teacher abducted and then released by ISIS militants in Sirte, Libya returned home to Hyderabad today and said his two colleagues still in captivity are safe.
Laxmikant was released along with Vijay Kumar when their "captors" happened to be a group of their former students.
Speaking to the media today Laxmikant said the captors did not make any demands and had abducted them by mistake. "Nobody tortured or mistreated us there," he said and thanked the government of India and the ministry of external affairs, which helped secure their release.
He said his captors had told him to convey a message to the families of the two men, his colleagues, still in captivity. "The boss of the captors has told me that they will be fine and there is nothing to worry about," Ramakrishna said and added that the captors were his former students and were between 13 to 17 years old.
His father said that he was released after some of the captors, who were students at the university, recognised their teacher. "They all respect teachers very much and this group was taken by mistake, that is what he said," he said.
Laxmikant was released along with Vijay Kumar when their "captors" happened to be a group of their former students.
Speaking to the media today Laxmikant said the captors did not make any demands and had abducted them by mistake. "Nobody tortured or mistreated us there," he said and thanked the government of India and the ministry of external affairs, which helped secure their release.
He said his captors had told him to convey a message to the families of the two men, his colleagues, still in captivity. "The boss of the captors has told me that they will be fine and there is nothing to worry about," Ramakrishna said and added that the captors were his former students and were between 13 to 17 years old.
His father said that he was released after some of the captors, who were students at the university, recognised their teacher. "They all respect teachers very much and this group was taken by mistake, that is what he said," he said.
14:45 Pawan Hans chopper goes missing in Arunachal
Pawan Hans helicopter with three persons on board goes missing after taking off from Dibrugarh for Khonsa district in Arunachal Pradesh: sources.
14:38 How TV news killed the many debates around Yakub Memons death warrant
Much of the prime-time news debate boiled down to either wanting us to be part of a lynch mob or a candle-light vigil in the aftermath of Yakub Memon's death. Read
13:59 'Why do we need to be in a mad rush all the time?'
In our Independence Day Special series, Rediff.com celebrates India through the lives of her people. Today, meet Ashok Kumar Mondol, who drives the tram, a timeless Kolkata classic. (And you must hear him sing at the end of the feature!) Read
13:57 Kasab a Pakistani, attack launched from Karachi: Pak sleuth probing 26/11
The Pakistani investigator who led the probe into the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks has said his country has to deal with the fallout of the mayhem "planned and launched from its soil" and this will require "facing the truth and admitting mistakes".
Tariq Khosa, who was made head of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) weeks after the assault that killed 166 people, acknowledged that the trial of the seven men charged for the attacks had "lingered on for far too long' and Pakistan must ensure the "perpetrators and masterminds... are brought to justice'.
In an article written for the Dawn newspaper, Khosa said "dilatory tactics by the defendants, frequent change of trial judges, and assassination of the case prosecutor as well as retracting from original testimony by some key witnesses' had been serious setbacks for Pakistani prosecutors. He also said Ajmal Kasab, the only 26/11 terrorist to be captured alive and consequently given the death sentence, was a Pakistani.
During their meeting in the Russian city of Ufa last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif agreed that the two sides will discuss ways to expedite the trial of the Pakistani suspects, including the use of voice samples.
Read the full interview with Mr Khosa in the Dawn.
Tariq Khosa, who was made head of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) weeks after the assault that killed 166 people, acknowledged that the trial of the seven men charged for the attacks had "lingered on for far too long' and Pakistan must ensure the "perpetrators and masterminds... are brought to justice'.
In an article written for the Dawn newspaper, Khosa said "dilatory tactics by the defendants, frequent change of trial judges, and assassination of the case prosecutor as well as retracting from original testimony by some key witnesses' had been serious setbacks for Pakistani prosecutors. He also said Ajmal Kasab, the only 26/11 terrorist to be captured alive and consequently given the death sentence, was a Pakistani.
During their meeting in the Russian city of Ufa last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif agreed that the two sides will discuss ways to expedite the trial of the Pakistani suspects, including the use of voice samples.
Read the full interview with Mr Khosa in the Dawn.
13:41 Bengaluru sexual assault: Family members, supporters clash with police
Supporters and family members of a three-year old girl, who was allegedly sexually assaulted inside a private school campus, clashed with police in Bengaluru on Tuesday. The clashes broke out when police tried to push the supporters off the road after the latter took to the streets in protest. A security guard has been detained by the police in connection with the case. As per reports, the child is a pre-nursery student and her father works with a restaurant. Her family lives in east Bengaluru.
13:40 Buzz Aldrin claimed USD 33 in travel expenses after Moon trip
Buzz Aldrin claimed USD 33.31 in travel expenses for a journey from Houston to the Moon and back, according to a Twitter post by the Apollo 11 astronaut who became the second person to walk on the lunar surface in 1969.
Aldrin, now 85, made the first lunar landing in 1969 and has tweeted his official travel voucher and customs forms for the moon rock he brought back.
The 'travel voucher' for his trip to space shows that Aldrin claimed USD 33.31 for a journey from Houston, Texas, to the Moon and back, 'The Guardian' reported.
The voucher itemises each detail of Aldrin's travel arrangements, with a 'government spacecraft' noted among government aircraft and automobiles used on the trip. "Government meals and quarters furnished for all above dates," the voucher states. It is believed the expenses claimed reflect car travel between various airports on the trip.
Aldrin, now 85, made the first lunar landing in 1969 and has tweeted his official travel voucher and customs forms for the moon rock he brought back.
The 'travel voucher' for his trip to space shows that Aldrin claimed USD 33.31 for a journey from Houston, Texas, to the Moon and back, 'The Guardian' reported.
The voucher itemises each detail of Aldrin's travel arrangements, with a 'government spacecraft' noted among government aircraft and automobiles used on the trip. "Government meals and quarters furnished for all above dates," the voucher states. It is believed the expenses claimed reflect car travel between various airports on the trip.
13:38
"The government expresses readiness to accept the recommendations of the Parliament panel on land. We must consider issues on which there is a consensus," Rural Development Minister Birender Singh says.
13:19 The curious case of Firstpost's missing editorial on Arun Jaitley
On Sunday, news website Firstpost took down an editorial published on July 20. The move was curious when we take into account the fact that the article was an opinion piece written by its Editor-in-chief R Jagannathan and questioned Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Media-watchdog The Hoot first took note of the article being taken down and cited it to "Not so creeping interference'. Read more
12:45 Is Ajit Doval the PM's go-to man?
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has not only taken over the powers of Foreign Secretary but also that of the Union Home Secretary. Or at least, that's the view being circulated amongst Delhi's babus, especially after the landmark Naga agreement was signed in New Delhi yesterday. Political watchers say it is now crystal clear that Ajit Doval calls the shots.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis peace deal with Nagaland insurgents which he announced Monday involves creating a mechanism which would create institutions allowing autonomy to Naga tribes living across the border in Manipur a significant climbdown by insurgent leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis peace deal with Nagaland insurgents which he announced Monday involves creating a mechanism which would create institutions allowing autonomy to Naga tribes living across the border in Manipur a significant climbdown by insurgent leaders.
12:37 No work, No pay for suspended Cong MPs
It's "No work No Pay" for 25 suspended Congress MPs. They cannot sign the attendance register which means their Travel Allowance and Dearness Allowance will not be paid, says an official communication from the Treasury section of the Lok Sabha secretariat. If an MP signs the Parliament register every day, he is entitled to a daily allowance of Rs 2,000.
The suspended Congress members include BN Chandrappa, Santok Singh Chaudhary, AHK Choudhury, Sushmita Dev, Ninog Ering, R Dhruvanarayana, Gaurav Gogoi, G Sukender Reddy, Deepender Hooda, S Kodikunnil, SP Muddahanumegowda, Abhijit Mukherjee, Mullappally Ramachandran, KH Munniyappa, BV Nayak, Vincent Pala, MK Raghavan, Ranjeet Ranjan, CL Ruala, T Sahu, Rajee Satav, Ravneet Singh K Suresh, KC Venugopal and T Meinya.
The suspended Congress members include BN Chandrappa, Santok Singh Chaudhary, AHK Choudhury, Sushmita Dev, Ninog Ering, R Dhruvanarayana, Gaurav Gogoi, G Sukender Reddy, Deepender Hooda, S Kodikunnil, SP Muddahanumegowda, Abhijit Mukherjee, Mullappally Ramachandran, KH Munniyappa, BV Nayak, Vincent Pala, MK Raghavan, Ranjeet Ranjan, CL Ruala, T Sahu, Rajee Satav, Ravneet Singh K Suresh, KC Venugopal and T Meinya.
12:24 LG okays Somnath Bharti's prosecution in raid on African women
Delhi lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung has given the police, which reports to him, sanction to prosecute AAP MLA Somnath Bharti in connection with the Khirki Extension raid, in which the former Delhi minister targeted some African women in January 2014.
Bharti will be among several Aam Aadmi Party leaders who are facing prosecution in different cases and the LG's sanction is expected to open a fresh round of confrontation between the Raj Niwas and the Delhi government.
Media reports say Jung had been waiting for an opinion from the Delhi government's home and legal departments and went ahead despite home minister Satyendar Jain denying permission to prosecute Bharti.
The opposition had criticised the then-law minister Somnath Bharti for his vigilante action and alleged misbehaviour with women. A number of women's organisations and political rivals had accused Bharti of passing racist remarks while dealing with the African women.
The AAP MLA and a number of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members and volunteers had gone to Khirki Extension in New Delhi at around 3 am on the intervening night of 15-16 January 2014 to raid the houses of various people from African descent.
The mob, according to the Ugandan women, then proceeded to bang on the doors of various women past midnight, harassing them.
In its chargesheet filed on September 27 last year, the Delhi Police had said that "nine African women were victims of molestation and manhandling by a mob led by Bharti', who was the Delhi law minister at that time.
Bharti and 17 others have been booked under various sections of the IPC, including 354 (outraging women's modesty), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 147 (rioting).
Bharti will be among several Aam Aadmi Party leaders who are facing prosecution in different cases and the LG's sanction is expected to open a fresh round of confrontation between the Raj Niwas and the Delhi government.
Media reports say Jung had been waiting for an opinion from the Delhi government's home and legal departments and went ahead despite home minister Satyendar Jain denying permission to prosecute Bharti.
The opposition had criticised the then-law minister Somnath Bharti for his vigilante action and alleged misbehaviour with women. A number of women's organisations and political rivals had accused Bharti of passing racist remarks while dealing with the African women.
The AAP MLA and a number of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members and volunteers had gone to Khirki Extension in New Delhi at around 3 am on the intervening night of 15-16 January 2014 to raid the houses of various people from African descent.
The mob, according to the Ugandan women, then proceeded to bang on the doors of various women past midnight, harassing them.
In its chargesheet filed on September 27 last year, the Delhi Police had said that "nine African women were victims of molestation and manhandling by a mob led by Bharti', who was the Delhi law minister at that time.
Bharti and 17 others have been booked under various sections of the IPC, including 354 (outraging women's modesty), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 147 (rioting).
12:16
Agitating Congress members force second adjournment of Rajya Sabha till 2 pm.
12:15
Somnath Bharti's Khirki extension raid: LG Najeeb Jung gives nod to Delhi Police to prosecute Somnath Bharti.
12:13 No sneaky behaviour in LS
The Lok Sabha Secretariat Watch and Ward expected that a few aggressive Congress MPs may just sneak into the House so they stationed themselves in the Parliament lobby to prevent any of the suspended MPs from entering the Lok Sabha.Yesterday, LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan suspended 25 MPs for disrupting the house repeatedly.
12:10 Will RS follow Sumitra Mahajan?
Rajya Sabha chairperson Hamid Ansari is in a difficult position today. If the government moves a resolution to suspend eight Rajya Sabha Congress MPs like Madhusudan Mistry who brought a black flag inside the Rajya Sabha, BJP MPs want a quid pro quo.
Congress MPs are openly stating that Lok Sabha is BJP and Rajya Sabha is Congress and that the BJP resolution will be defeated in the Upper House.
BJP MPs feel the RS chairperson brought the CRPF inside the Rajya Sabha during the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill as it was a dictat from Sonia Gandhi. They therefore also believe that Ansari will not dare suspend Congress MPs.
So, it's a test case for Ansari -- will he be copying what LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan did (suspending 25 Congress MPs) or will he adopt a different attitude towards Congress MPs who have a majority in Rajya Sabha?
It's wait and watch for now.
Congress MPs are openly stating that Lok Sabha is BJP and Rajya Sabha is Congress and that the BJP resolution will be defeated in the Upper House.
BJP MPs feel the RS chairperson brought the CRPF inside the Rajya Sabha during the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill as it was a dictat from Sonia Gandhi. They therefore also believe that Ansari will not dare suspend Congress MPs.
So, it's a test case for Ansari -- will he be copying what LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan did (suspending 25 Congress MPs) or will he adopt a different attitude towards Congress MPs who have a majority in Rajya Sabha?
It's wait and watch for now.
11:59 Just a proverb, says AAP leader, defending 'safe Delhi for beautiful women' remark
Aam Aadmi Party leader Somnath Bharti defends his crass remark on safe Delhi for beautiful women.
Bharti said that he had just used a proverb to set a benchmark for ensuring a secure environment for girls and women.
"I have just used a proverb to set a benchmark for a secure environment where every woman should feel safe. I meant that every woman will be safe even at night, even if they are wearing jewellery," Bharti sadi.
Bharti had drawn flak from various quarters over his statement that beautiful women would be able to go out at midnight if the AAP Government takes over policing system in the national capital.
Bharti said if the AAP government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is granted control of the Delhi Police, then they would make sure "beautiful women" are able to go out even at midnight."I am fully confident that if Delhi government is given full freedom (over security), beautiful women will be able to go out even after midnight without any fear."
Bharti said that he had just used a proverb to set a benchmark for ensuring a secure environment for girls and women.
"I have just used a proverb to set a benchmark for a secure environment where every woman should feel safe. I meant that every woman will be safe even at night, even if they are wearing jewellery," Bharti sadi.
Bharti had drawn flak from various quarters over his statement that beautiful women would be able to go out at midnight if the AAP Government takes over policing system in the national capital.
Bharti said if the AAP government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is granted control of the Delhi Police, then they would make sure "beautiful women" are able to go out even at midnight."I am fully confident that if Delhi government is given full freedom (over security), beautiful women will be able to go out even after midnight without any fear."
11:42
Bit bytes from Congress MPs outside Parliament. Congress is protesting the suspension of its 25 MPs, but the RJD and the NCP have also joined in the protests, which means they will not be attending Parliament all through this week.
11:33 Dear Potus, Wishing you a happy birthday, tweets Modi as Obama turns 54
US President Barack Obama turns 54 today. Obama was born on August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, and at age 47 he became the United States' fifth-youngest commander-in-chief.
PM Narendra Modi took to Twitter to wish Obama saying, @narendramodi Dear @POTUS, wishing you a Happy Birthday! Have a great year ahead. I pray for your long life & may you remain in good health.
Obama and Modi strengthened their ties with each other during bilateral visits. In October the PM visited the US, while Obama was India's chief guest during the Republic Day celebrations.
Then in April, in an unprecedented gesture that seals the arrival of Narendra Modi as a global statesman, Obama wrote a piece for the prestigious Time magazine calling him India's "reformer-in-chief".
The 166-word piece, written as part of the Time magazine's annual ritual of coming out with its list of 100 Most Influential People, says, "Today, he's the leader of the world's largest democracy, and his life story - from poverty to Prime Minister - reflects the dynamism and potential of India's rise."
PM Narendra Modi took to Twitter to wish Obama saying, @narendramodi Dear @POTUS, wishing you a Happy Birthday! Have a great year ahead. I pray for your long life & may you remain in good health.
Obama and Modi strengthened their ties with each other during bilateral visits. In October the PM visited the US, while Obama was India's chief guest during the Republic Day celebrations.
Then in April, in an unprecedented gesture that seals the arrival of Narendra Modi as a global statesman, Obama wrote a piece for the prestigious Time magazine calling him India's "reformer-in-chief".
The 166-word piece, written as part of the Time magazine's annual ritual of coming out with its list of 100 Most Influential People, says, "Today, he's the leader of the world's largest democracy, and his life story - from poverty to Prime Minister - reflects the dynamism and potential of India's rise."
11:22 First reactions from Congress MPs outside Parliament
Dr Manmohan Singh on the suspension of the 25 Cong MPs: For Parliament to run smoothly it's the responsibility of the government to take into consideration the concerns we have been raising.
Samajwadi Party, RJD MPs join Congress' protest against suspension of its 25 members from Lok Sabha.
Rahul Gandhi: PM has no time for Hindustan's Mann Ki Baat. We will fight to the streets.
Sonia Gandhi: This is a murder of Parliamentary democracy.
Samajwadi Party, RJD MPs join Congress' protest against suspension of its 25 members from Lok Sabha.
Rahul Gandhi: PM has no time for Hindustan's Mann Ki Baat. We will fight to the streets.
Sonia Gandhi: This is a murder of Parliamentary democracy.
11:08
RBI keeps interest rate unchanged.
11:07 BJP passes resolution against 'obstructionist' Congress
BJP Parliamentary Party passes a resolution against "negative, obstructionist and anti-development" policies of Congress: Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
10:57 Sonia, Manmohan lead protests outside Parl over suspension of Cong MPs
Just in: Congress MPs have begun staging protests at the Mahatma Gandhi statue outside Parliament House. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former PM Dr Manmohan Singh at the protests.
This comes a day after Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan suspended 25 Congress members from the House for persistently and willfully obstructing the House by displaying placards and shouting slogans,
Congress MPs from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are at the protests.
Sonia Gandhi had called the act a 'black day in democracy'. Following the suspension, 9 other parties, including the AAP and the TMC, decided to boycott proceedings for five days.
Congress leader Kamal Nath says he has never seen such a combative action in Parliament. He said suspension of the MPs crushes democracy.
This comes a day after Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan suspended 25 Congress members from the House for persistently and willfully obstructing the House by displaying placards and shouting slogans,
Congress MPs from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are at the protests.
Sonia Gandhi had called the act a 'black day in democracy'. Following the suspension, 9 other parties, including the AAP and the TMC, decided to boycott proceedings for five days.
Congress leader Kamal Nath says he has never seen such a combative action in Parliament. He said suspension of the MPs crushes democracy.
10:15 2 wounded in shooting outside hip-hop concert in New Jersey
JUST IN: State police say two people have been wounded in a shooting outside a hip-hop concert in central New Jersey and a suspect is still at large. Authorities say the shooting happened outside the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. State police say the suspect fled into nearby woods and a search was underway.
10:05 Congress MPs to protest in Parliament premises over suspension
A day after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan suspended 25 Congress members from the Lok Sabha for persistently, wilfully obstructing the House by displaying placards and shouting slogans, Congress MPs, from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, have decided to protest at Parliament premises from 10.15 am to 11 am.
Sonia Gandhi had called the act a 'black day in democracy'. Following the suspension, 9 other parties, including the AAP and the TMC, decided to boycott proceedings for 5 days.
One has to wait and watch how the Houses will function today when they resume work at 11 pm.
09:53 RBI policy: Pressure builds on Raghuram Rajan to cut rates
Odds are largely in favour of governor Raghuram Rajan keeping the key interest rates unchanged at the Reserve Bank of India's bi-monthly policy review today.
For one, between last bi-monthly policy review and this, data points have indicated continuation of vigil from the central bank on the inflation front. The two rounds of retail inflation numbers have shown an increase in the price levels, especially vegetables and food items.
09:38 Indian envoy to meet stranded girl in Karachi today
Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan Dr TCA Raghavan is due to meet the speech-and hearing impaired young Indian woman, Geeta, who has been stranded in Pakistan for at least 15 years and help her re-unite with her family back home. The Indian envoy is in Karachi and will meet the woman in a short while.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter this morning to confirm the development. The development comes a day after the Government of India agreed to help the young woman, now 23 years-old, and help her re-unite with her family members.
09:33 By banning porn, India has kicked itself into the dark ages
If you look at the countries that have the most regressive internet rules, you will notice something common. All these countries hate pornography.
You will realise why blocking of porn is so common among the regressive and least democratic governments. Watching pornography is one of the most private things an individual can do. It is more private than sex, which requires at least two people. It is so private that controlling it is akin to fundamentally controlling a person's desires and thoughts.
Read the full report HERE
09:26 Journalist goes missing, CM Mamata Banerjee seeks CBI probe
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ordered a CID probe into the disappearance of a reporter attached with Siliguri-based Bengali daily Uttarbanga Sambad.
Speaking to reporters at the state secretariat Nabanna here, Mamata said, The IGP, North Bengal, Gyanwant Singh has been sent there. I have also asked the CID to inquire into the matter. We want the truth to come out.
Chayan Sarkar, the Alipurduar correspondent of Uttarbanga Sambad, was last seen near Salsalabari railway station on Sunday night.
09:09 Government to train 3,000 beggars to sing slogans for Swachh Bharat, Beti Bachao campaigns
The vagrant musician will soon be belting out numbers extolling Swachh Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and the government's other initiatives.
The government is planning to train some 3,000 beggars to sing about its signature plans on local trains in major cities with a view to popularise them among urban commuter folk.
Read more HERE
09:00 3-year-old sexually assaulted in Bengaluru school
A three-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted at her school in Indiranagar. The parents filed a complaint after the girl complained of pain in her private parts after returning from school. Police registered a case under the POCSO Act and Section 376 of the IPC. The secretary of the school denied the allegations.
08:45 Was MH370 debris burnt by islanders?
Debris from missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was burnt by people on the island of Reunion after they stumbled across seats and suitcases in May, it has been claimed. Residents on the Indian Ocean island appear not to have realised the significance of the find instead believing some of the wreckage was blue bus seats. Beach cleaner Nicolas Ferrier claims to have come across the haul in early May but dismissed it as the hunt for the jet was taking place thousands of miles away.
Read more HERE
08:35 Pakistan at it again, opens fire at BSF posts in J-K
Pakistan troops have violated the ceasefire yet again, firing at 12 BSF posts in Pargwal, Kanachak and Gangyal areas in Kashmir. The BSF troops have retaliated with firing of their own, which is ongoing at present.
On Sunday, Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire with unprovoked firing on several forward posts in Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire four times on 29 July and 30 July along the Line of Control. There have been three incidents of sniper attacks by Pakistani troops along the LoC in July.
08:03 FTII students to meet Delhi CM Kejriwal today
Students of the Pune-based Film and Television Institute of India will meet Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today. On Monday, around 100 students had gathered at Jantar Mantar in the national capital with placards and shouted slogans against Gajendra Chauhan's appointment as the institute's chief.
07:53 8 dead, 7 injured in Thane building collapse
Following the collapse of a three-storey structure that occurred in Thane's Thakurli area last week, yet another housing society crumbled in Thane. Eight people have died and seven have been injured. Five families were living in the 50-year-old building, which was served a notice by the municipal corporation earlier this year to vacate. Rescue work is on with NDRF officials sifting through the debris to find people trapped.
04:01 Obama unveils major climate change proposal
The Obama administration unveiled a major climate change plan on Sunday aimed at a large reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the nation's coal-burning power plants.
On Monday, President Barack Obama started selling it to the public at a White House event.
"Today after working with states and cities and power companies, the EPA is setting the first ever nationwide standards to end the limitless dumping of carbon pollution from power plants," Obama said Monday from the White House, adding shortly thereafter "Washington is starting to catch up with the vision of the rest of the country. "
02:43 Pakistan, Turkmenistan accelerate gas pipeline preparations
The construction of a USD 10 billion gas pipeline stretching from Central to South Asia is set to begin in December, Pakistani officials said today after meeting with a delegation from Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India have long planned the ambitious project to meet growing energy needs in the three South Asian countries but administrative issues and unrest in Afghanistan have so far delayed its realisation.
The Turkmen authorities however on Monday told Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that ground on the pipeline -- dubbed TAPI -- would be broken this year.
01:24 Afghanistan says gatherings mourning Mullah Omar 'legitimate target'
Afghanistan's spy agency today banned all mourning ceremonies for deceased Taliban leader Mullah Omar, warning that any gatherings condoling his death would be a "legitimate target" for Afghan forces.
The Taliban on Thursday confirmed the death of their supremo who led the movement for some 20 years, prompting an outpouring of grief from his legions of loyalists.
Today's announcement comes hours after Afghan forces reportedly targeted a funeral ceremony in absentia for Omar in the eastern province of Ghazni, killing some insurgents.
01:23 Mob attacks police station in Secunderabad over death of man
A group of people tonight attacked a police station at Secunderabad city here over death of a man, who was earlier detained in connection with a scuffle.
Bannappa was taken to police station following the scuffle which took place during the local 'Bonalu' festival yesterday, a police official said, adding that he was later sent away.
00:25 'Breasts are not weapons,' say Hong Kong protesters
Forget umbrellas: The newest symbol of protest in Hong Kong is the bra.
That's what dozens of angry citizens wore Sunday in a demonstration against what they say is an absurd and sexist ruling: The sentencing of a female protester to three and a half months in prison for "assaulting a police officer" with her breast.
Ng Lai-ying's chest bumped the right arm of policeman Chan Ka-Po during a crowded protest against mainland Chinese border traders in March.
00:19 Report: US-led strikes in Iraq, Syria killed 459 civilians
US-led airstrikes targeting the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria have likely killed at least 459 civilians over the past year, a report by an independent monitoring group said today.
The coalition had no immediate comment. The report by Airwars, a project aimed at tracking the international airstrikes targeting the extremists, said it believed 57 specific strikes killed civilians and caused 48 suspected "friendly fire" deaths. It said the strikes have killed more than 15,000 Islamic State militants.
00:19 Climate: No 'Plan B' for oceans, says study
Technology to drain heat-trapping CO2 from the atmosphere may slow global warming, but will not reverse climate damage to the ocean on any meaningful timescale, according to research published today.
At the same time, a second study reported, even the most aggressive timetable for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions will need a big boost from largely untested carbon removal schemes to cap warming to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.
Above that threshold, say scientists, the risk of climate calamity rises sharply. Earth is currently on a 4 C (7.2 F) trajectory.
00:18 Sweden says diplomat expelled from Moscow in retaliatory move
A Swedish diplomat has been expelled from Moscow in a tit-for-tat move after the Scandinavian country recently kicked out a Russian diplomat, Stockholm's foreign ministry said today.
"Russian authorities have informed us that a diplomat at the Swedish embassy has to leave the country ... Russia has made it clear it considers this to be a response to the Swedish decision to expel a Russian diplomat," foreign ministry spokesman Johan Tegel told AFP.
00:17 Top headlines in that last 24 hours
PHOTOS: Modi govt signs historic Naga peace accord
155 dead in floods in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Odisha and West Bengal
6 Indians who joined Islamic State killed, 7 fight on
25 Cong MPs suspended from Lok Sabha; Sonia says 'black day for democracy'
The reality of being Muslim in India
India's Cloth Man on winning the Magsaysay
A tale of two janaazas
The Dream Evangelist
Pakistani Punjab must pay the price for terror
She saw Goddess Durga surrounded by sadness
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00:16 London Tube staff to hold second strike in two months
London's Underground network will shut down this week for the second time in two months after talks again broke down in a dispute over all night services, trade unions said today.
There will be no Tube train services from Wednesday evening and all day on Thursday after three unions rejected a revised offer of terms and conditions for their staff.
The walk-out comes less than a month after a 24-hour strike in July saw the first total shutdown of the network since 2002, and will inevitably cause major disruption to millions of commuters and tourists in the capital.
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