LIVE
Wed, 07 January 2015
Charlie Hebdo's satirical journalism drew fans, critics
Timeline Refresh
23:24 Sunanda case: Pak journo Tarar ready to answer any question
Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar, who was at the centre of a controversy involving former union minister Shashi Tharoor, today said that she was ready to answer any question on the issue.
"If they want to ask me anything...If they want to ask me any question whatsoever that they think...I can answer," 46-year-old Tarar told an Indian TV channel.
Her remarks came a day after Delhi Police registered a murder case on the basis of a medical report that concluded Tharoor's wife Sunanda Pushkar's death was due to poisoning.
Tarar, who was accused as an ISI agent by Tharoor's deceased wife Sunanda just before her death, said she shouldn't have replied to Sunanda's tweets.
Sunanda had claimed on the micro-blogging site she had posted from her husband's account some private messages allegedly sent to him by Tarar to show "how she is stalking my husband".
52-year-old Sunanda was found dead in a 5-star hotel in South Delhi on the night of January 17 last year, a day after her Twitter spat with Tarar over an alleged affair with Tharoor.
22:34 Charlie Hebdo's satirical journalism drew fans, critics
In the fall of 2012, Paris police called and urged Stphane Charbonnier, editor of Charlie Hebdo, to stand down on his plans to publish cartoons of Prophet Muhammad in his satirical weekly.
Charbonnier, who is also a cartoonist for the newspaper, refused, citing his rights as a journalist and the publication's ethos of using satire to express its leftist, secular politics.
22:06 Nationwide coal workers' strike called off
The five-day coal strike which entered its second day today has been called off. The production loss is estimated to be around Rs 300 crore.
Talks resumed today between the government and the trade unions to end the strike -- which is being billed as the biggest industrial action in nearly four decades -- nearly five lakh workers, including that of PSU behemoth Coal India, remained off-work at coal mines across the country.
21:59 India, Pak should exercise restraints at the borders: Sayeed
Mukhtar Ahmad reports from Srinagar:
The Peoples Democratic Party patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Wednesday expressed concern 'over the escalation of tension' along the Indo-Pak border, calling for restraint and said 'the violence has already caused much damage to the state and its people'.
In a statement, he said the 'plight of the civilian population uprooted on either side has caused a humanitarian crisis and the situation needs to be contained before it results in more damage and destruction'.
21:55 Alert sounded in Delhi after Paris attack
A high alert was sounded in the national capital and security beefed up in vital installations including IGI airport, railway stations, Metro stations, India Gate and in major markets in the wake of a terrorist attack in Paris.
Top police officials said security has been tightened across the city following the terror strike and HIT and SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) teams have been deployed.
21:00 Paris attack: France security raised to highest level
Following the Charlie Hebdo massacre, the French Prime Minister Manuel Valls raised the country's security to its highest level -- "attack alert".
There will be reinforced security at media company offices, major stores, religious centres and on public transport. All available forces have been mobilised, with civil and military reinforcements as part of this plan
20:52 Paris attack: Mayor of Paris calls for a march tomorrow evening
Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, has released a statement on Facebook condemning the attack and calling for a march on Thursday through Paris's Republic Square at 6 pm, BBC reports.
She says: "I feel a sense of absolute horror at the attack... We must respond to this act through the sacred union around the principles of the Republic."
20:43
BBC reports:
Trade unionists at Syndicat National des Journalistes want newsrooms to observe a moment of silence.
They said of the attack: "When journalists are killed, it is done to make an entire profession feel fear; it is done to silence".
20:39 Arab League and top Muslim body condemn Paris attack
The Arab League and Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's most prestigious centre of learning, both condemned a deadly attack today on a Paris satirical newspaper.
"Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi strongly condemns the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris," the League said after gunmen stormed the weekly's offices killing at least 12 people and chanting "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest).
20:24 I'd rather die standing than live on my knees: Charlie Hebdo editor
Over the last hour there have been 21,000 tweets with this hashtag. Je suis Charlie (I am Charlie) expresses solidarity with those killed and affected by the shootout at the Charlie Hebdo office.
Slain #CharlieHebdo Editor-in-chief Charb, in a 2012 interview had said, "I'd rather die standing than live on my knees."
Not just empty words, obviously. RIP Charb.
Slain #CharlieHebdo Editor-in-chief Charb, in a 2012 interview had said, "I'd rather die standing than live on my knees."
Not just empty words, obviously. RIP Charb.
19:48 Charlie Hebdo attack: Paris gunmen showed advanced military skills
The gunmen who killed 12 people in and around the office of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris acted with a skill and calmness that bears all the hallmarks of advanced military training.
They were also fully equipped for their murderous task. Photographs taken at the scene show two men clad entirely in black, their faces concealed by balaclavas. Each one is armed with an AK47 assault rifle.
They wear army-style boots and have a military appearance and manner. One of the men wears a sand-coloured ammunition vest apparently stuffed with spare magazines. Read the full report on the Telegraph.
They were also fully equipped for their murderous task. Photographs taken at the scene show two men clad entirely in black, their faces concealed by balaclavas. Each one is armed with an AK47 assault rifle.
They wear army-style boots and have a military appearance and manner. One of the men wears a sand-coloured ammunition vest apparently stuffed with spare magazines. Read the full report on the Telegraph.
19:30 Four cartoonists among 12 dead at Paris shootout
French journalist at Le Monde Emmanuel Versace has tweeted that cartoonist Tignous and Wolinski have also been killed in the attack. Of the 12 dead, 10 are journalists, two are policemen.
19:08 Gunmen spoke French, said they were Al-Qaeda: Survivor
Charlie Hebdo cartoonist Coco, who survived the attack, told Le Figaro the gunmen spoke French fluently and claimed to be Al-Qaeda members. "It lasted five minutes" she said. "I took shelter under a desk."
19:07
"The aim is to laugh," Laurent Lger, a journalist at Charlie Hebdo, told CNN in 2012. "We want to laugh at the extremists -- every extremist. They can be Muslim, Jewish, Catholic. Everyone can be religious, but extremist thoughts and acts we cannot accept."
18:57
New Yorker's take on the Charlie Hebdo affair in 2012. Read
18:47
@daphneedenis This was a well-planned attack: the gunmen hit #CharlieHebdo in the middle of the weekly conference, with all staff present.
Pic: Stephane Charbonnier, aka "Charb," was #CharlieHebdo's editor.
Pic: Stephane Charbonnier, aka "Charb," was #CharlieHebdo's editor.
18:40 Charlie Hebdo editor, cartoonist killed in attack
News agencies in Paris say that Charb (Stephane Charbonnier), the editor of 'Charlie Hebdo' was killed in the attack.
Le Parisien reporting that cartoonist Cabu is also among the dead.
Le Parisien reporting that cartoonist Cabu is also among the dead.
18:32 Attackers knew editorial meet takes place every Wednesday
@JderbyshireFollowThe @Charlie_Hebdo_ attackers were well-informed: they knew that the weekly editorial meeting takes place every Wednesday.
18:30 Magazine editor who defended Prophet caricatures believed to be dead
French authorities have confirmed that 12 people have died, while some witnesses claim three black-clad gunmen armed with Kalashnikov rifles stormed the premises.
They later escaped aboard a getaway vehicle.
In 2008, Charlie Hebdo was criticised for running Danish cartoons caricaturing the Prophet Mohammed. French police have confirmed that the attackers shouted "The Prophet has been avenged".
Le Point newspaper reports that journalist Charb has died in the attack. Other sources say Charb is wounded but alive.
Charb was the magazine's publishing director. In 2012 he had vehemently defended the magazine's decision to publish cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammed.
Pic: A bullet's impact is seen on a window at the scene after a shooting at the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo. Photograph: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters
They later escaped aboard a getaway vehicle.
In 2008, Charlie Hebdo was criticised for running Danish cartoons caricaturing the Prophet Mohammed. French police have confirmed that the attackers shouted "The Prophet has been avenged".
Le Point newspaper reports that journalist Charb has died in the attack. Other sources say Charb is wounded but alive.
Charb was the magazine's publishing director. In 2012 he had vehemently defended the magazine's decision to publish cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammed.
Pic: A bullet's impact is seen on a window at the scene after a shooting at the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo. Photograph: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters
18:21
President Hollande tweets: "No barbaric act will ever extinguish press freedom. We are a united country that will be able to react and stand together".
18:05 French prez calls Charlie Hebdo massacre terror attack, toll rises to 12
The toll in the Charlie Hebdo attack has risen to 12. The gunmen, believed to be two, are at large. A graphic video, which has since been removed from Facebook shows the two suspects leaving the Charlie Hebdo building in a volley of gunfire. They they shot a policeman, closed in and shot him again in the head. The two drove away in a black car, which was parked in the middle of the road.
17:57
The video of the attack at the Charlie Hebdo office.
17:55
AP reports that France is reinforcing security at houses of worship, stores, media offices and transportation.
17:49 French prez: This is a terror attack
French President Francois Hollande told reporters."This is a terrorist attack, there is no doubt about this," he said. The French government raised the country's security alert system to its highest level after the attack.
The satirical magazine's premises have been under long-running police surveillance because of a potential threat from Islamist extremists.The magazine's office was burned three years ago in response to its publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.
The satirical magazine's premises have been under long-running police surveillance because of a potential threat from Islamist extremists.The magazine's office was burned three years ago in response to its publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.
17:36 Paris shootout: Suspects white, clean-shaven, 'carrying grenades'
French President Hollande arrives at the scene. France raises terror to the highest level. Some reports put the number of suspects at three.
Pic: French police stand in front of the damaged offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris in this picture taken on November 2, 2011. Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Pic: French police stand in front of the damaged offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris in this picture taken on November 2, 2011. Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters
17:26 Paris on high alert, French prez to hold emergency meet
Five of the 10 people injured are in a critical condition, police say. Of the 11 dead, two are believed to be policemen.
The French President will be holding an emergency security meeting shortly. All of Paris and much of France has been put on high alert after the incident.
The French President will be holding an emergency security meeting shortly. All of Paris and much of France has been put on high alert after the incident.
17:24
The BBC reports that witnesses spoke of sustained gunfire at the Hebdo office. One of the two attackers opened fire with Kalashnikov assault rifles.
17:19 What this week's edition was about
The Telegraph reports that this week's Charlie Hebdo featured a story about Michel Houellebecq's new novel, which is out in France today. The book is about a Muslim running France according to the laws of conservative Islam. Submission, Houellebecq's sixth novel, predicts that in 2022 France's mainstream Left and Right club together to back a certain Mohammed Ben Abbes in a second round presidential run-off against Miss Le Pen.
Pic: Journalists from the Charlie Hebdo office take refuge on the roof of the office building.
Pic: Journalists from the Charlie Hebdo office take refuge on the roof of the office building.
17:18 Suspect is white, clean-shaven, 'carrying grenades'
Suspect is believed to be white, shaven-headed, stout, 40s, wearing a khaki jacket and green trainers. The suspect hijacked a car nearby and forced the driver to drop him on the Champs-Elysees Avenue in central Paris, the driver told police. The Daily Mail reports that the 65-year-old motorist said his captor had shouted: "I've escaped from prison, take me to the Champs Elysees!" The driver is also reported to have said the gunman was carrying grenades.
17:11
AFP puts the casualties at 11.
17:08
The Charlie Hebdo magazine is based in Paris's 11th arrondissement. The latest tweet published by the magazine's official twitter account appeared to be a cartoon of Abu Baghdadi, the leader of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil).
17:05 Death threats in 2011 over Charlie Hebdo's 'guest-edited' edition by the Prophet
In 2011, Charlie Hebdo's offices were firebombed, its website hacked, its Facebook page suspended for 24 hours and its staff targeted with death threats.
All this for a special edition "guest edited" by the prophet Muhammad, entitled Charia Hebdo, which took pot-shots at radical Islam.
All this for a special edition "guest edited" by the prophet Muhammad, entitled Charia Hebdo, which took pot-shots at radical Islam.
17:03 Gunmen kill 10 at Paris magazine for tweeting this pic of ISIS boss
Just in: Attack on the Charlie Hebdo newspaper office in Paris has left 10 dead. The BBC reports that at least two gunmen have attacked the Paris office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
Witnesses spoke of sustained gunfire at the office as the attackers opened fire with Kalashnikov assault rifles.
The satirical weekly has courted controversy in the past with its depiction of news and current affairs. Its latest tweet was a cartoon of the Islamic State militant group leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (see pic).
Witnesses spoke of sustained gunfire at the office as the attackers opened fire with Kalashnikov assault rifles.
The satirical weekly has courted controversy in the past with its depiction of news and current affairs. Its latest tweet was a cartoon of the Islamic State militant group leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (see pic).
16:48 Domestic help forced to confess we killed Sunanda: Tharoor told police in November
It is now emerging that Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had accused the Delhi Police of "repeatedly physically assaulting" and intimidating his domestic help into "confessing" that they both murdered her.
In a letter written to Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi on November 12 last year, he had said that "such conduct" by a Delhi Police officer against his domestic help Narayan Singh was completely unacceptable and illegal.
Tharoor said he and his staff had "cooperated fully" with the police probing the case. "I was therefore shocked and appalled to learn that in the course of the 16-hour interrogation conducted by four Delhi Police officers on Friday (7/11/14) and again during the 14- hour interrogation on Saturday (8/11/14), my domestic helper Narayan Singh was repeatedly physically assaulted by one of your officers.
"Worse, the officer used the traumatic physical assault to try and intimidate Narayan into 'confessing' that he and I murdered my wife," Tharoor said in the letter.
Tharoor also referred to his telephonic conversation with Bassi on November 8 when he had expressed his concerns about the alleged police action.
In a letter written to Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi on November 12 last year, he had said that "such conduct" by a Delhi Police officer against his domestic help Narayan Singh was completely unacceptable and illegal.
Tharoor said he and his staff had "cooperated fully" with the police probing the case. "I was therefore shocked and appalled to learn that in the course of the 16-hour interrogation conducted by four Delhi Police officers on Friday (7/11/14) and again during the 14- hour interrogation on Saturday (8/11/14), my domestic helper Narayan Singh was repeatedly physically assaulted by one of your officers.
"Worse, the officer used the traumatic physical assault to try and intimidate Narayan into 'confessing' that he and I murdered my wife," Tharoor said in the letter.
Tharoor also referred to his telephonic conversation with Bassi on November 8 when he had expressed his concerns about the alleged police action.
16:41 Will Sanjay Dutt go back to jail tomorrow?
Actor Sanjay Dutt, a convict in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case who is presently out of jail on a 14-day furlough, has sought extension of his leave from prison authorities.
The 55-year-old actor, convicted in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case for illegally possessing an AK-56 rifle and destroying it, was released on a 14-day leave of furlough by the Yerawada Central Jail authorities on December 24 as he wanted to be with his family in the New Year.
"Ten days back Dutt applied for extension of furlough which is being examined," a Prisons department official said.
Dutt's lawyer Hitesh Jain today said they were yet to receive a response from the authorities with regard to the application. The actor will have to return to the jail tomorrow in case his plea is not granted.
The 55-year-old actor, convicted in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case for illegally possessing an AK-56 rifle and destroying it, was released on a 14-day leave of furlough by the Yerawada Central Jail authorities on December 24 as he wanted to be with his family in the New Year.
"Ten days back Dutt applied for extension of furlough which is being examined," a Prisons department official said.
Dutt's lawyer Hitesh Jain today said they were yet to receive a response from the authorities with regard to the application. The actor will have to return to the jail tomorrow in case his plea is not granted.
16:41 No fresh ceasefire violation by Pak,around 8000 still in camps
Around 8,000 people displaced by firing and mortar shelling by Pakistan are still waiting in camps set up in Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir, though no fresh incident of ceasefire violation by Pak was reported today.
"Nearly 11000 people have so far migrated from the border villages and of them, 8000 have taken shelter in camps set up by the government in safer areas in Kathua and Samba districts," officials said today.
An uneasy calm prevailed along the International Border in Kathua and Samba districts as guns fell silent after Pakistan fired mortar shells and gunshots at over 60 villages and scores of forward posts yesterday.
"Nearly 11000 people have so far migrated from the border villages and of them, 8000 have taken shelter in camps set up by the government in safer areas in Kathua and Samba districts," officials said today.
An uneasy calm prevailed along the International Border in Kathua and Samba districts as guns fell silent after Pakistan fired mortar shells and gunshots at over 60 villages and scores of forward posts yesterday.
16:19 HM to talk to Badal over his plea for release of 13 terrorists
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said he will speak to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in the wake of his letter to his counterparts in five states seeking premature release of 13 convicted terrorists.
"I will talk to him (Badal) on this issue," Singh said.
Badal, in his letter to Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Gujarat, has sought premature release of the convicted terrorists, including those responsible for assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
"I will talk to him (Badal) on this issue," Singh said.
Badal, in his letter to Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Gujarat, has sought premature release of the convicted terrorists, including those responsible for assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
16:18 Marine urges SC to extend stay in Italy on health grounds
Massimiliano Latorre, one of the two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast in 2012, today moved the Supreme Court seeking extension of his stay in Italy on grounds of undergoing a heart surgery on January 5. The case against marines pertains to the killing of two Indian fishermen allegedly by Latorre and Girone on board ship 'Enrica Lexie' off Kerala coast on February 15, 2012.
16:16 Remembering Lasantha six years on: Launch of photo-essays on Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge's murder on 8th January 2009 was utterly horrible and yet, even more unforgettable was the Rajapaksa government's reaction to it. Lasantha's last editorial, published posthumously, didn't mince words. Read more
16:06 PM meets Sri Sri, Sonakshi
PM Narendra Modi met disparate, but some interesting people today. Up first was a meeting with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who tweeted: "I had an hour-long warm meeting with Prime Minister @narendramodi . His plans for India are admirable." The PM returned the compliment tweeting:
"It is always wonderful to meet Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji."
Up next was a meeting with Tevar actress Sonakshi Sinha who met Narendra Modi along with her actor-politician father Shatrughan Sinha and mum Poonam. See: When Sonakshi met NaMo
"It is always wonderful to meet Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji."
Up next was a meeting with Tevar actress Sonakshi Sinha who met Narendra Modi along with her actor-politician father Shatrughan Sinha and mum Poonam. See: When Sonakshi met NaMo
15:59 Message on Mumbai airport men's loo warns of ISIS attack on Jan 10
Is it a prank, is it a threat? For now, nobody knows.
But Mumbai police are taking it seriously and is looking for the man who scribbled this (Click on the picture to see a bigger image) on the wall of a men's toilet in Mumbai airport: "CSI ATTECK BY ISIS DATE 10/01/15".
It could possibly be a tasteless prank, but given US President Barack Obama's visit to India later this month as the chief guest on Republic Day, authorities are taking the writing on the wall very seriously.
The suspect may however be hard to find since there is no CCTV camera inside the washroom. The police are therefore checking CCTV footage just outside the washroom.
The threat was first noticed on Tuesday evening by a cleaner.
And yes, security has been beefed up at the airport.
But Mumbai police are taking it seriously and is looking for the man who scribbled this (Click on the picture to see a bigger image) on the wall of a men's toilet in Mumbai airport: "CSI ATTECK BY ISIS DATE 10/01/15".
It could possibly be a tasteless prank, but given US President Barack Obama's visit to India later this month as the chief guest on Republic Day, authorities are taking the writing on the wall very seriously.
The suspect may however be hard to find since there is no CCTV camera inside the washroom. The police are therefore checking CCTV footage just outside the washroom.
The threat was first noticed on Tuesday evening by a cleaner.
And yes, security has been beefed up at the airport.
15:38 UN Secretary General to meet Satyarthi during India visit
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will meet India's top leadership and Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi when he visits the country later this week, his spokesperson said today.
Ban will visit Gujarat and New Delhi from January 10 to 13 and address leaders and policymakers at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.
Ban is scheduled to meet President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other key Indian leaders during the visit, his fourth trip to India as the UN Secretary-General.
Ban will visit Gujarat and New Delhi from January 10 to 13 and address leaders and policymakers at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.
Ban is scheduled to meet President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other key Indian leaders during the visit, his fourth trip to India as the UN Secretary-General.
15:30 Thank you, India! Satyarthi gifts Nobel medal to Rashtrapati Bhavan
Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi dedicated his Nobel Peace prize to the nation by presenting his medallion to President Pranab Mukherjee.
Satyarthi called on Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and handed over the gold-plated medal.
President Mukherjee welcomed the gesture and said the Nobel medal will be kept on display at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum for the public to view.
Satyarthi, whose NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save Childhood Movement) prides itself on liberating over 80,000 children from bonded labour in factories and workshops across India had expressed his desire to offer the medal to the country and not keep it with him.
The child rights activist had received the Nobel along with Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai on December 10 in Oslo.
And while on the Prez, take a virtual tour of his house right here.
Satyarthi called on Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and handed over the gold-plated medal.
President Mukherjee welcomed the gesture and said the Nobel medal will be kept on display at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum for the public to view.
Satyarthi, whose NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save Childhood Movement) prides itself on liberating over 80,000 children from bonded labour in factories and workshops across India had expressed his desire to offer the medal to the country and not keep it with him.
The child rights activist had received the Nobel along with Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai on December 10 in Oslo.
And while on the Prez, take a virtual tour of his house right here.
15:03 Washed utensils in hotel 15 years ago, says Smriti Irani
Stressing on the dignity of labour, Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani Tuesday told a conference of state education ministers in New Delhi that she had washed utensils 15 years back at a hotel in Mumbai.
She referred to Prime Minister's Narendra Modi's emphasis on giving importance to skills and said no one should feel inferior on being a plumber or a mechanic.
"Our credit framework empahsises this that if you want to become a plumber, carpenter or a mechanic, there is no shame in this. Being a minister, I feel proud that nearly 15 years ago, I have washed utensils at a Mumbai hotel. This does not bother me because this country is a country of aspirations," she said.
Referring to the 'Make in India' initiative, she said that industry was keen that a "skilled India" should be built first.
She referred to Prime Minister's Narendra Modi's emphasis on giving importance to skills and said no one should feel inferior on being a plumber or a mechanic.
"Our credit framework empahsises this that if you want to become a plumber, carpenter or a mechanic, there is no shame in this. Being a minister, I feel proud that nearly 15 years ago, I have washed utensils at a Mumbai hotel. This does not bother me because this country is a country of aspirations," she said.
Referring to the 'Make in India' initiative, she said that industry was keen that a "skilled India" should be built first.
14:55 Jaitley takes on Mamata on her own turf
In a strong message to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Finance Minister Atun Jaitley today said that she has a responsibility to deliver on promises and create an environment to attract investments.
"Madam Chief Minister, you have a mandate to rule the state, and therefore, you have the responsibility to deliver what was promised," Jaitley said, while assuring the state of all possible help for developmental activities. The Finance Minister was speaking at the West Bengal Global Business Summit.
"Madam Chief Minister, you have a mandate to rule the state, and therefore, you have the responsibility to deliver what was promised," Jaitley said, while assuring the state of all possible help for developmental activities. The Finance Minister was speaking at the West Bengal Global Business Summit.
14:41 Sonia's strict orders to Congressmen on Priyanka's birthday: Keep it quiet
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will turn 43 years on Monday. Congress MPs are keen to celebrate the occasion, but for a strict ban from Sonia Gandhi not to make it a mega affair.
Priyanka will cut her birthday cake inside 10 Janpath in the presence of her mother and brother. Needless to say, Robert Vadra, will make a special appearance in Sonia Gandhi's house that day.
Priyanka will cut her birthday cake inside 10 Janpath in the presence of her mother and brother. Needless to say, Robert Vadra, will make a special appearance in Sonia Gandhi's house that day.
14:39 Jaitley snubs Mamata, chooses not to dine with her
Rajya Sabha Trinamool Congress MPs were unenthusiastic when finance minister Arun Jaitley was in Kolkata today for the West Bengal Global Business Summit.
Remember, RS MP Derek O'Brien had called Jaitley, Frustrated Minister (FM) recently.
Jaitley observed protocol, went to meet CM Mamata Banerjee but choose to dine with a media baron house, where the fish is legendary. And so, dear Didi was snubbed.
Remember, RS MP Derek O'Brien had called Jaitley, Frustrated Minister (FM) recently.
Jaitley observed protocol, went to meet CM Mamata Banerjee but choose to dine with a media baron house, where the fish is legendary. And so, dear Didi was snubbed.
14:17 A Congi in the finance ministry?
Spotted. A certain Congress spokesperson has been seen in the finance ministry very often. The person, who is also a lawyer, has huge tax troubles and it is believed that it is in this context that he has been heading to North Block.
And yes, the person in question enters North Block from the rear gate showing his MP identity card. No prizes for guessing the person.
Guess who is this Spokesperson?
And yes, the person in question enters North Block from the rear gate showing his MP identity card. No prizes for guessing the person.
Guess who is this Spokesperson?
14:11 BJP leaders frequenting 5-star hotels warned
BJP leaders who have been frequenting a certain five-star hotel in South Delhi are soon going to get their wings clipped. The PM has expressed disapproval through the PMO and has said such visits should be restricted. The dictat was conveyed to senior BJP functionaries by Narendra Modi after he got inputs from security and intelligence agencies. BJP leaders say they will certainly comply with the orders till the Delhi polls are over.
13:52 $100,000 compensation per passenger, announces AirAsia
Families of those aboard Flight QZ8501 will receive roughly $100,000 (approximately Rs 63 lakh) in compensation per passenger, AirAsia says.
Indonesian officials today confirmed that the tail of the crashed AirAsia flight QZ8501 has been found in the Java Sea.
On Monday, Indonesian searchers had said they may have found what could be the tail, the section where the crucial black boxes are located.
"We found what has a high probability of being the tail of the plane," Yayan Sofyan, the captain of an Indonesian patrol vessel, said.
Flight recorders are very crucial for solving the mystery of the crash of the Airbus 320-200 on December 28 in the Java Sea while flying from Surabaya to Singapore.
Indonesian officials today confirmed that the tail of the crashed AirAsia flight QZ8501 has been found in the Java Sea.
On Monday, Indonesian searchers had said they may have found what could be the tail, the section where the crucial black boxes are located.
"We found what has a high probability of being the tail of the plane," Yayan Sofyan, the captain of an Indonesian patrol vessel, said.
Flight recorders are very crucial for solving the mystery of the crash of the Airbus 320-200 on December 28 in the Java Sea while flying from Surabaya to Singapore.
13:39 I am open to working with Rekha: Amitabh
Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha are considered to be an all time popular on-screen pair in Bollywood and the megastar says he will not rule out the possibility of working with the veteran actress in future films.
The two have starred together in films like 'Silsila', 'Mr Natwarlal', 'Muqaddar Ka Sikandar' and the 72-year-old actor, who will be next seen in R Balki's 'Shamitabh', said the director wants to make a movie with him and Rekha.
"Balki keeps threatening me that he wants to design a film together... Let me see if someone has a story which is appropriate... then why not," Bachchan said during the trailer launch of the film here.
'Shamitabh' also stars Rekha and there were speculations about the pair coming together on the screen but Bachchan has cleared the air saying the actress does not share any scene with him in the film.
"We actually don't come together, it is a part of a sequence. When people will watch the film they will understand. It is always nice to have such great luminaries in the film," he said.
Pic: A still from the 1981 film, Silsila
The two have starred together in films like 'Silsila', 'Mr Natwarlal', 'Muqaddar Ka Sikandar' and the 72-year-old actor, who will be next seen in R Balki's 'Shamitabh', said the director wants to make a movie with him and Rekha.
"Balki keeps threatening me that he wants to design a film together... Let me see if someone has a story which is appropriate... then why not," Bachchan said during the trailer launch of the film here.
'Shamitabh' also stars Rekha and there were speculations about the pair coming together on the screen but Bachchan has cleared the air saying the actress does not share any scene with him in the film.
"We actually don't come together, it is a part of a sequence. When people will watch the film they will understand. It is always nice to have such great luminaries in the film," he said.
Pic: A still from the 1981 film, Silsila
13:31 Pak-India Dosti bus service restricted to Wagah border
For the first time since the Pak-India Dosti bus service was launched between New Delhi and Lahore, Pakistan has restricted its entry here and Nankana Sahib cities, citing increased "terror threats".
The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation has said the Pak-India Dosti bus service will now on be operated only up to Wagah Border.
"The PTDC has shifted the entire bus operation at its sub-office at Wagah. Passengers leaving for New Delhi and Amritsar from here will now have to catch the bus at Wagah. Similarly, those arriving here from across the border by the service will disembark at Wagah too," an official of PTDC said.
He said the decision has been taken in the wake of growing terror threats.
The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation has said the Pak-India Dosti bus service will now on be operated only up to Wagah Border.
"The PTDC has shifted the entire bus operation at its sub-office at Wagah. Passengers leaving for New Delhi and Amritsar from here will now have to catch the bus at Wagah. Similarly, those arriving here from across the border by the service will disembark at Wagah too," an official of PTDC said.
He said the decision has been taken in the wake of growing terror threats.
13:29 Pakistan SC rejects 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi's bail
The Pakistan Supreme Court has cancelled the 26/11 plotter Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi's bail plea.
The Pakistan government had challenged the Lashkar-e-Tayiba operations commander Lakhvi's bail saying an anti-terrorism court ignored testimony in the 26/11 case while granting bail to him.
Lakhvi has been detained at Adiala Prison for the last five years or so.
Lakhvi and six others -- Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum -- have been charged with planning and executing the Mumbai attacks in November, 2008 that left 166 people dead.
Lakhvi was arrested in December 2008 and was indicted along with the six others on November 25, 2009 in connection with the case. The trial has been underway since 2009.
The Pakistan government had challenged the Lashkar-e-Tayiba operations commander Lakhvi's bail saying an anti-terrorism court ignored testimony in the 26/11 case while granting bail to him.
Lakhvi has been detained at Adiala Prison for the last five years or so.
Lakhvi and six others -- Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum -- have been charged with planning and executing the Mumbai attacks in November, 2008 that left 166 people dead.
Lakhvi was arrested in December 2008 and was indicted along with the six others on November 25, 2009 in connection with the case. The trial has been underway since 2009.
13:13 Bangalore school molestation: Parents try to set building on fire
Angry parents protesting outside the school damage property and try to set the building on fire. Report say that the Bangalore police commissioner has also been attacked by the protesting parents. Police are using tear gas to control the mob.
13:10 Bangalore again! 8-year-old allegedly molested in school, parents lathi-charged
An 8-year-old student was allegedly molested at a school in Bengaluru. At least 500 parents began protesting outside the school demanding action against the teacher. The accused is believed to be a repeat offender.
Parents pelted stones at the school building leading to mild lathicharge by the police. Last year, at least three cases of sexual assault happened in different schools in Bengaluru.
Parents pelted stones at the school building leading to mild lathicharge by the police. Last year, at least three cases of sexual assault happened in different schools in Bengaluru.
12:58 'Uncle' has educated the poorest of the poor
"I've seen the craze for English education even among the poorest. But that is only for their sons. Parents feel thrilled when they see their sons going to school wearing a tie. They don't mind paying for their sons' private tuitions too.
"But daughters are sent to municipal schools, madarsas, small schools where teachers with no teaching skills are paid Rs 2,000 or Rs 4,000. That's why more girls come to my class."
Syed Feroze Ashraf, who has sent 500-odd girls (and a few boys) -- all first generation learners, children of grave-diggers, hawkers, rickshaw-drivers, tailors and watchmen -- to college, speaks to Jyoti Punwani for Rediff.com. Read
"But daughters are sent to municipal schools, madarsas, small schools where teachers with no teaching skills are paid Rs 2,000 or Rs 4,000. That's why more girls come to my class."
Syed Feroze Ashraf, who has sent 500-odd girls (and a few boys) -- all first generation learners, children of grave-diggers, hawkers, rickshaw-drivers, tailors and watchmen -- to college, speaks to Jyoti Punwani for Rediff.com. Read
12:49 Headlines Today's tasteless reporting on Sunanda Pushkar
Headlines Today served up on January 6 night a classic example of living rather distastefully off the dead, writes mediawatcher, The Hoot.
The channel obtained footage of Sunanda Pushkar after her death in a hotel room, focused repeatedly on injury marks on her body, and anchor and reporter kept spinning out the same details of their "exclusive" as the footage was looped. Are there no norms to be followed in reporting such news? The anchor advised viewer discretion when the story began. How about some newsroom discretion?
The channel obtained footage of Sunanda Pushkar after her death in a hotel room, focused repeatedly on injury marks on her body, and anchor and reporter kept spinning out the same details of their "exclusive" as the footage was looped. Are there no norms to be followed in reporting such news? The anchor advised viewer discretion when the story began. How about some newsroom discretion?
12:40 Amartya Sen on universal healthcare -- and it's affordable
Universal healthcare is often presented as an idealistic goal that remains out of reach for all but the richest nations. That's not the case, writes Amartya Sen. Look at what has been achieved in Rwanda, Thailand and Bangladesh. Read
12:35 Pak boat case: Irrespective of the outcome of investigations the public perception will be tainted
An operation that could rightly have been projected as a significant
success and demonstration of the countrys improving technical
intelligence and response capabilities has, instead, become a raging
controversy and embarrassment for the government, in an atmosphere of
jingoism and desperation to secure political mileage and credit far
beyond anything justified by the facts. Read
12:29 Pak hangs two more terror convicts
Pakistan today hanged two more convicted militants as the government pressed ahead with the execution of terrorists despite criticism by the local and international rights groups.
The executions take the number of those hanged until death to nine after Pakistan lifted its self-imposed moratorium on capital punishment following the Peshawar school carnage last month that killed 150 people, mostly children.
The executions take the number of those hanged until death to nine after Pakistan lifted its self-imposed moratorium on capital punishment following the Peshawar school carnage last month that killed 150 people, mostly children.
12:23 Planet hunters discover two new Earth-like planets
NASA researchers have discovered eight new extrasolar planets, two of which are remarkably Earth-like. The discovery adds to a growing body of evidence that we do not live on the only habitable planet.
Your journey begins here.
Your journey begins here.
12:16
Tony Fernandes, AirAsia chief's confirmatory tweet: I am led to believe the tail section has been found. If right part of tail section then the black box should be there.
Scroll down for the story.
Scroll down for the story.
12:15 Islamic difference and radicalisation
"Radicalisation' has become the standard term used to describe "what goes on before the bomb goes off.' Radicalisation as a precursor to terrorism, and in certain cases even a root cause of terrorism and socio-political violence, is a mainstay among pundits, policymakers and journalists alike. Read more
12:13 Inside Pranab Mukherjee's home
Very rarely does one get a glimpse inside the architectural marvel that is Rashtrapati Bhavan. In its latest issue, Architectural Digest India magazine has featured President Pranab Mukherjee's home and office. Take a look
11:58 Jemima: I hope Imran will be happy in this new phase of his life
Imran Khan's ex-wife Jemima Khan, yesterday, congratulated the Tehreek-e-Insaaf chief on Twitter, alluding to his marriage to BBC weather girl Reham Khan.
Jemima tweeted yesterday: "Thank you so much to all those Pakistanis who have sent me such lovely messages over the last few days. I am really touched I'll always love Pakistan. Thanks to my sons & the love I've been shown there, I'll always feel like an honorary Pakistani, no matter what...And I hope Imran will be happy in this new phase of his life."
Imran Khan and Jemima were married in 1995 and stayed together for nine years, during which they had two sons together."
Dawn reports that the marriage was described as 'tough', ending in a divorce after nine years in June 2004 as Jemima was unable to adapt to Pakistani culture.
Jemima tweeted yesterday: "Thank you so much to all those Pakistanis who have sent me such lovely messages over the last few days. I am really touched I'll always love Pakistan. Thanks to my sons & the love I've been shown there, I'll always feel like an honorary Pakistani, no matter what...And I hope Imran will be happy in this new phase of his life."
Imran Khan and Jemima were married in 1995 and stayed together for nine years, during which they had two sons together."
Dawn reports that the marriage was described as 'tough', ending in a divorce after nine years in June 2004 as Jemima was unable to adapt to Pakistani culture.
11:46 SIT to probe Sunanda Pushkar murder case: Delhi police
The Sunanda Pushkar murder case will be handled by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), says Delhi Police Chief BS Bassi.
In a sensational twist to the death of Shashi Tharoor's wife Sunanda Pushkar, Delhi Police on Tuesday registered a murder case on the basis of a medical report that concluded her death was unnatural and due to poisoning but nobody has been named as a suspect as yet.
Bassi did not rule out questioning Tharoor, now a Congress MP and a former union minister.
It was not clear whether she had consumed the poison on her own or it was administered forcefully or by injection, he said.
According to police sources, one among the many queries sent to the AIIMS autopsy board for clarification was if Pushkar's death appeared to be a case of "homicide" or "suicide". The board in response reportedly told the police that homicide cannot be ruled out as the sudden and unnatural death occurred due to poisoning.
"Stunned" by the Delhi police action, Tharoor, who had married Sunanda in 2010, sought full details from the investigators on the basis of which the police action came.
In a sensational twist to the death of Shashi Tharoor's wife Sunanda Pushkar, Delhi Police on Tuesday registered a murder case on the basis of a medical report that concluded her death was unnatural and due to poisoning but nobody has been named as a suspect as yet.
Bassi did not rule out questioning Tharoor, now a Congress MP and a former union minister.
It was not clear whether she had consumed the poison on her own or it was administered forcefully or by injection, he said.
According to police sources, one among the many queries sent to the AIIMS autopsy board for clarification was if Pushkar's death appeared to be a case of "homicide" or "suicide". The board in response reportedly told the police that homicide cannot be ruled out as the sudden and unnatural death occurred due to poisoning.
"Stunned" by the Delhi police action, Tharoor, who had married Sunanda in 2010, sought full details from the investigators on the basis of which the police action came.
11:35 '78 children among 2,909 people killed in Karachi in 2014'
As many as 2,909 people, including women, children, suspects and law-enforcers, were killed in the city in 2014, said a report prepared and released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday, reports Dawn.
The HRCP report said that while the law enforcement agencies killed 594 suspects in the city during Jan-Dec 2014, some 142 law-enforcers were also killed in the metropolis in the one-year period.
The HRCP report said that while the law enforcement agencies killed 594 suspects in the city during Jan-Dec 2014, some 142 law-enforcers were also killed in the metropolis in the one-year period.
11:27 AirAsia crash: Tail where black boxes are located is found
Indonesian officials have just confirmed that the tail of the crashed AirAsia flight QZ8501 has been found in the Java Sea.
On Monday, Indonesian searchers had said they may have found what could be the tail, the section where the crucial black boxes are located.
"We found what has a high probability of being the tail of the plane," Yayan Sofyan, the captain of an Indonesian patrol vessel, said.
Flight recorders are very crucial for solving the mystery of the crash of the Airbus 320-200 on December 28 in the Java Sea while flying from Surabaya to Singapore.
The development came as Indonesian navy divers took advantage of calmer waters on Monday to resume efforts to identify suspected wreckage from the jet with no signal detected yet from the black box recorders.
On Monday, Indonesian searchers had said they may have found what could be the tail, the section where the crucial black boxes are located.
"We found what has a high probability of being the tail of the plane," Yayan Sofyan, the captain of an Indonesian patrol vessel, said.
Flight recorders are very crucial for solving the mystery of the crash of the Airbus 320-200 on December 28 in the Java Sea while flying from Surabaya to Singapore.
The development came as Indonesian navy divers took advantage of calmer waters on Monday to resume efforts to identify suspected wreckage from the jet with no signal detected yet from the black box recorders.
10:53 Every Hindu woman must produce at least 4 kids: Sakshi Maharaj
Unnao MP Sakshi Maharaj has once again stirred a hornet's nest by saying all Hindu women must produce at least four children. In Meerut on Tuesday to address a gathering on the occasion of Sant Samaagam Mahotsava, he said, "The concept of four wives and 40 children will not work in India and the time has come when a Hindu woman must produce at least four children in order to protect Hindu religion." Read more
Also read: Sakshi Maharaj apologises for calling Godse a patriot
Also read: Sakshi Maharaj apologises for calling Godse a patriot
10:44 Slap effect: Nephew's security may be upgraded to Z+, same as Mamata's
Trinamool Congress MP and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee may get an upgrade in security cover.
West Bengal Police on Tuesday confirmed that Abhishek's security cover is being upgraded. Abhishek, the MP from Diamond Harbour, at present enjoys Z category security, a top police official said, adding an upgrade will make it Z plus bringing him on a par with Mamata.
West Bengal Governor Kesari Nath Tripathi has a Z category security. Read more
West Bengal Police on Tuesday confirmed that Abhishek's security cover is being upgraded. Abhishek, the MP from Diamond Harbour, at present enjoys Z category security, a top police official said, adding an upgrade will make it Z plus bringing him on a par with Mamata.
West Bengal Governor Kesari Nath Tripathi has a Z category security. Read more
10:32 Eight killed, 20 injured as bus falls into gorge in AP
Update on the AP bus accident: At least eight persons, most of them students, were killed and 20 injured when a state-run bus in which they were travelling turned turtle and fell into a gorge in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district today.
The incident occurred at around 8:30 am when the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation bus was going to Penukonda from Madakasira in the district, Anantapur District Superintendent of Police Rajsekhar Babu said.
"As per the information available, at least eight people were killed in the mishap. Police personnel are carrying out rescue operation," Babu said over the phone.
The injured have been shifted to different hospitals in Hindupur and Anantapur, Joint Collector S Satyanarayan said. He said that some road work was going on near the accident spot.
The incident occurred at around 8:30 am when the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation bus was going to Penukonda from Madakasira in the district, Anantapur District Superintendent of Police Rajsekhar Babu said.
"As per the information available, at least eight people were killed in the mishap. Police personnel are carrying out rescue operation," Babu said over the phone.
The injured have been shifted to different hospitals in Hindupur and Anantapur, Joint Collector S Satyanarayan said. He said that some road work was going on near the accident spot.
10:15 High Court allows jail inmates to have sex with their partners
In a historic verdict, the Punjab and Haryana high court has allowed jail inmates to have sex with their partners as long as they are married and want to have a child. The court held that the right of convicts and jail inmates to have conjugal visits or artificial insemination for progeny was a fundamental right.
10:09 Congress backs Tharoor, says no pressure on him to quit
Amid demands from the opposition that Kerala MP Shashi Tharoor quit after the Delhi police confirmed that his wife Sunanda Pushkar was murdered and filed an FIR in the case, the Congress has come out in support of Tharoor, saying that there is no pressure on him to resign.
Sources said that the party members saw no reason for him to resign and further added that the law would take its own course in the matter.
Yesterday, the Delhi police filed an FIR in the case, after the medical report confirmed that Sunanda Pushkar, who died in January last year, did not pass away due to natural causes.
09:48 20 dead as bus falls in ravine in Andhra Pradesh
At least four students among 20 have died as a bus fell into a ravine near Penukonda in Andhra Pradesh this morning. The seriously injured have been rushed to a hospital in Bengaluru.
More details are awaited
09:01 Fog continues to wreak havoc in Delhi; 19 flights delayed
Fog continued to wreak havoc today as 19 flights have been delayed and other nine have been cancelled from New Delhi. The weather in Delhi was a cool 15 degree Celsius.
Fog has continued to affect air traffic in Delhi with intense fog situations. Now, an intense cold wave has gripped North of India owing to which residents have been experiencing bone-chilling temperatures.
08:41 Delhi smog clouds Obama's day out
He smoked marijuana once, and cigarettes till as recently as 2010. But when US President Barack Obama visits India's capital later this month, he won't breathe the city's smog-laden air much -- unless a monitor at the American embassy stops flashing red.
The US is readying to strip the president's outdoor morning activities in New Delhi down to a bare minimum, not because of security threats, but because of the capital's winter air pollution, three American officials familiar with preparations for Obama's trip have said.
Read the full report HERE
08:07 Ebola drug trial under way in Liberia
A clinical drug trial is now under way at a major health centre in Liberia's capital to determine if a medication already used to treat other viruses could help those suffering from Ebola. The drug called brincidofovir is being tested in patients. Ebola, which has no licensed treatment or cure, has killed more than 8,153 people in West Africa over the past year. Liberia has seen the highest fatality rate with 3,471 deaths, followed by Sierra Leone and Guinea.
08:05 Gunman kills doctor, shoots self in Texas hospital
A gunman opened fire at a veterans' medical clinic in West Texas, killing one person. Fort Bliss Major Gen. Stephen M Twitty announced that the shooter is also dead.
Twitty did not say whether the gunman was shot by responding officers. He did also not provide any details on the victim of the shooting at the El Paso Veterans Affairs Health Care System.
Douglas Lindquist with the FBI says there are hundreds of potential witnesses, most of whom were seeking medical care. The FBI will be interviewing those witnesses.
03:58 NASA closer than ever to finding Earth's 'twin'
NASA is closer than ever to finding a twin for the Earth, astronomers said today, announcing the discovery of eight new planets that circle in the habitable zones of their stars.
Two of the eight are the most Earth-like of any known planets found so far outside our solar system, astronomers told the 225th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Seattle, Washington.
The pair are likely to have hard, rocky surfaces in addition to being an orbiting distance from their stars that is neither too hot nor too cold for water and possibly life to exist, astronomers said.
The discovery doubles the number of known planets that are close in size to the Earth and believed to be in the so-called "Goldilocks zone" of the stars they orbit.
"We are now closer than we have ever been to finding a twin for the Earth around another star," said Fergal Mullally of the Kepler Science Office.
"These candidates represent the closest analogs to the Earth's own system found to date."
The worlds were found with the help of NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission, a space telescope which has scoured more than 150,000 stars for planets beyond our solar system since its launch in 2009.
The latest trove of candidate planets found by Kepler and announced today was 554, bringing the total potential planets to 4,175.
02:53 'Who prescribed Alprax for Sunanda Pushkar?'
In the medical report sent by AIIMS on September 30 after the viscera findings came back negative for any poison, almost eight months after Sunanda Pushkars death, the doctors' panel sent for investigation a list of medico-legal points, including submission of photographs of the crime scene, statements and other circumstantial evidence.
Stating that "it is suggested that the following medico legal points are required to be addressed by IO (investigating officer), the medical board listed 14 points for investigation. The report mentioned that while two used Alprax strips of capacity 15 tablets each were recovered from the crime scene.
However, viscera report is negative for the presence of Alprazolam. Doctors suggested the police investigate who prescribed Pushkar Alprax tablets, since none of her records mention a prescription of this medicine.
Read more HERE
02:49 'Make In India' Twitter goof-up creates flutter on auto duty cut
The government's 'MakeInIndia' Twitter handle created a flutter on Tuesday on the micro-blogging site by erroneously stating that excise duty on cars and two-wheelers has been cut, but corrected the mistake later.
The @makeinindia, a Twitter handle managed by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this afternoon posted that duties on small, large and mid-segment cars, as well as two-wheelers has been slashed in the range of 3-4 per cent.
The tweet generated much interest as it came within days of over ten-month-long duty concessions ending on December 31, a move that has resulted in automobile companies raising their car prices as much as Rs. 1.27 lakh a unit.
"Excise duty has been reduced for small cars & two-wheelers (12% > 8%), large cars (27% > 24%) & mid-segment cars (24% > 20%) #MakeInIndia," said the tweet.
As the news spread, the Twitter handle posted a "correction" nearly five hours later, saying, "These excise duty reductions were valid till 31 December, 2014 #MakeInIndia".
When contacted, Revenue Secretary Shaktikanta Das also told PTI that the news flash on Twitter was "false".
02:47 The oil price is just plain wrong
The oil price is still too high, often too low and much too volatile. In other words, this is a market that doesnt work well for anyone.
The excessive volatility is glaringly obvious. The 50 percent price fall since June is extreme, but the market is only occasionally calm. Since 2000 the daily price has been on average 18 percent higher or lower than six months earlier.
Such variation is uncalled for, especially given the fairly modest shifts in demand. Since 1990, the annual change has never been higher than 3 percent. On the other side, the average cost of supply moves very slowly. Only modest adjustments in inventory and production rates are required to keep the price stable, as the market showed from mid-2011 to mid-2014.
The sharp shifts are as harmful as they are unnecessary.
Read more HERE
02:46 Top headlines at this hour:
Police register murder case in Sunanda Pushkar death
Sunanda case: Viscera samples to be sent to US or Britain
Never thought of any foul play in wife's death, says a stunned Tharoor
Stalemate over government formation in J&K continues
Former Punjab CM's assassin arrested in Thailand
Investors lose Rs 3 lakh cr as markets go into a tailspin
January jitters: All is well, say market experts
India needed an extra pacer not spinner in World Cup squad
Sunanda case: Viscera samples to be sent to US or Britain
Never thought of any foul play in wife's death, says a stunned Tharoor
Stalemate over government formation in J&K continues
Former Punjab CM's assassin arrested in Thailand
Investors lose Rs 3 lakh cr as markets go into a tailspin
January jitters: All is well, say market experts
India needed an extra pacer not spinner in World Cup squad
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances