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Mon, 23 March 2015
General VK Singh Tweets of 'Disgust' and 'Duty'

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23:41   General VK Singh Tweets of 'Disgust' and 'Duty'
Union minister and former army chief General VK Singh tweeted of "disgust" and "duty" just after he attended a reception by the Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit in Delhi. 

The tweets are being seen as a rebellion by the minister, who was asked to attend the event by the government, and an embarrassment for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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23:11   Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan sign agreement on Nile dam
Leaders from Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan signed a cooperation deal on Monday over a giant Ethiopian hydroelectric dam on a tributary of the river Nile, in a bid to ease tensions over regional water supplies.

The leaders said the "declaration of principles" would pave the way for further diplomatic cooperation on the Grand Renaissance Dam, which has stirred fears of a regional resource conflict. No details of the agreement were immediately released.
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22:34   Vice Admiral Cheema is next Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief
Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, Vice Admiral SPS Cheema has been appointed as the next Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command on the retirement of the present incumbent Vice Admiral A K Chopra, a Navy release said today.
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22:33   57 Indian fishing boats released by Pak reach Porbandar
Fifty-seven Indian fishing boats, released by Pakistan yesterday, arrived at Porbandar here tonight. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ship Vijit and Rajratan entered the Porbandar harbour escorting 57 Indian Fishing Boats (IFBs) that were returned by Pakistan authorities on Sunday as a good-will gesture near Indo-Pak International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), an ICG rlease said.
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22:08   Malala contributes Rs 31 lakh to help reopen Gaza school
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai has contributed $50,000 (Rs 31 lakh) for the reopening of a school in occupied Gaza in eastern Khan Younis area of Gaza Strip. 

The school has over 1,100 students who returned to classrooms in mid-March, according to a statement issued by the UN relief agency. The school building was one of the 83 schools that were affected by Israeli attacks. 
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21:34   Farnavis congratulates Shashi Kapoor
Hours after it was announced that Shashi Kapoor was being conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "I congratulate him. He is a very versatile actor."
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21:32   Eight crore members in 143 days: How BJP is changing Indian politics
If the figures announced by the Bharatiya Janata Party are to be believed, the party has managed to enroll more than eight crore members in its ranks in less than five months. The BJP claims that it has now become the world's largest democratic party.

Read more HERE
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21:02   Tunisia museum attackers wore suicide vests
The terrorists who attacked the Bardo Museum in Tunis, Tunisia, last week were wearing suicide vests but failed to detonate them before being gunned down by police, Tunisia's president said. 

"They had them, but they didn't work, because the police turned up and they were shot down and they didn't have the time to get these vests to work. Because had they done so, we would have had major catastrophe," President Beji Caid Essebsi said. He added that 15 arrests had been made since Wednesday's attack, in which 23 people were killed.
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20:44   At least 30 dead in horror Peruvian road accident
A multiple-vehicle collision involving three buses and a truck has left at least 30 people dead and about 60 others injured in northern Peru, police told a local radio station. A bus belonging to the Murga line swerved into an oncoming lane on the Pan American Highway and stalled, near the coastal city of Huarmey, the head of the highway police, Orfiles Bravo said. It was then hit by the truck and two other buses, Bravo said.
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20:40   ISRO to launch navigation satellite on March 28
India's fourth navigation satellite will be launched on March 28 evening, the Indian space agency said. According to Indian Space Research Organisation, the Indian rocket -- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle -- will blast off with the fourth satellite of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System at 5.19 pm on March 28. The 1,425 kg satellite is called IRNSS-1D and will be the first satellite to be put into orbit by an Indian rocket in 2015.
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20:22   Paris imposes car restrictions to fight pollution
The French authorities have introduced measures to combat a sharp increase in pollution affecting Paris and other cities in northern France. On Monday the number of cars on the road in Paris will be cut in half -- only motorists with odd-numbered plates will be allowed to drive. Public transportation will be free as well car-sharing and bike-sharing programmes.
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19:52   Not inherited any wealth from Pushkar: Tharoor tells HC
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor today submitted in the Kerala high court that none of the assets belonging to his late wife Sunanda Pushkar devolved on him and he has no control over it.

Deposing before the election tribunal constituted by high court, Tharoor submitted in a statement that he has not inherited any wealth from Pushkar.

Tharoor was being examined in an election petition filed by one S Suresh. Suresh, who challenged Tharoor's election from Thiruvananthapuram, said the Congress MP has not disclosed details of his entire assets while filing nominations for the Lok Sabha polls last year. Justice P Bhavadasan adjourned the case to March 30 for hearing.
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19:47   Pak HC shouldn't become centre of anti-India activity: BJP
Against the backdrop of Pakistan's top diplomat in India meeting separatist Hurryiat leaders, the BJP today cautioned Pakistan that its High Commission here should not become a centre of 'anti-India' activity and said there is no scope for any third-party intervention in bilateral issues. 

The BJP said its government had made a beginning in improving ties with Pakistan but it has so far not got an encouraging response in resolving bilateral issues without third party intervention.

"India is a free country. But Pakistan must ensure that its high commission should not become a centre of anti-India activities," BJP national Secretary Shrikant Sharma said.

He said Pakistan should take a lesson from India's action when it cancelled talks with it after they convened a meeting with separatist Kashmiri leaders.

Image: Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit in New Delhi
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19:25   Sonia's support against Land Bill politically motivated: Anna
Social activist Anna Hazare has termed Congress president Sonia Gandhi's pledge of support to his agitation against the new Land Acquisition Bill as politically motivated.

At a programme organised by Hind Samachar group, for distributing aid to martyrs' family here yesteday, Anna said, ''Sonia Gandhi's only intention in opposing the Land Acquisition Bill is to gain politicial mileage for Congress." 

"Like the NDA government at the Centre, the Congress too doesn't think about farmers's welfare. Had it been so, UPA would have carried out land survey throughout the country before passing the Land Acquisition Act in 2013," he said.

Replying to Anna's on the Land Bill issue, the Congress president had last week assured the social activist that her party will oppose the Bill at all fora.
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19:12   NIA team visits Nadia in search of Burdwan blast case accused
An NIA team today visited the Thanarpara area in Nadia district close to the Indo-Bangla border in search of a Burdwan blast case accused. The team gave the Thanarpara police a warrant against Jahir-ul Sheikh.

It also went to Sheikh's house and talked to the people about his whereabouts. After the Burdwan blast on October 2 last year which left two persons dead, the NIA team had recovered 41 gelatin sticks from Sheikh's house, who has been absconding since then.

The NIA on March 21 had arrested Abdul Mazeed Momin in connection with the blast from Sealdah area of Kolkata, taking the total number of those arrested to 17. The agency had taken over the case from the West Bengal police a few days after the explosion.
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18:43   PM Modi confidant Zafar Sareshwala forced to leave Muslim meet
Gujarat businessman Zafar Sareshwala, who is considered close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had to leave the venue of All India Muslim Personal Law Board meeting in Jaipur on Sunday after some members raised objection to his presence, following which he described the board as "an extension of certain political parties".

Earlier, the board had rejected Sareshwala's suggestion to have a meeting with the prime minister.

Sareshwala said that the board will lose its relevance if it continued with its adamant approach.

"They will lose their relevance. The world will move on and such people will be left behind because time does not wait for anyone," Sareshwala, a vocal supporter of Modi said.

Sareshwala, who is also Vice-Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University Hyderabad, said "the board is an extension of certain political parties".
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18:24   No 'trilateral' talks
Siddharth Nath Singh, BJP on Hurriyat leaders being invited to Pakistan's national day celebratios: It's not happening for the 1st time, we shouldn't draw any inferences from it. BJP has a clear stand that bilateral talks will happen between India and Pakistan, trilateral won't. 
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18:08  
Mild seismic tremor hits certain areas in Western Uttar Pradesh.
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17:55   Shashi Kapoor gets Dada Saheb Phalke Award.
Finally! Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor (76) gets the Dada Saheb Phalke Award.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema and given to a person for their "outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema". Last year's award went to lyricist, poet Gulzar.

Kapoor, who has featured in over 160 movies, and has won three National Awards was presented with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. The versatile actor, who is best known for movies like Deewar, Silsila and Satyam Shivam Sundaram had earlier undergone a bypass surgery. 

Kapoor has had indifferent health over the past few years.


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16:53  
MoS External Affairs Gen VK Singh likely to represent India at the Pakistan High Commission reception.
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16:43   Maha CM gives 48 hours to nab thugs who vandalised Navi Mumbai church
Just in: That's more like it. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis gives police 48 hours to nab the men who vandalised a church in Navi Mumbai.

Three motorcycle-borne men wearing masks threw stones at a statue in the premises of the St. George Church at New Panvel in Navi Mumbai early Saturday morning and fled.
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16:20   Sahara gets 3 months to raise Rs 10,000 crore to free Subrata Roy
Last and final call for Subrata Roy 'Sahara'.

The Supreme Court grants Sahara three months to sell its properties and raise funds.

Sahara needs Rs 10,000 crore its jailed chief Subrata Roy is to get bail. If Roy fails to raise the cash, the court can now appoint a receiver to auction its assets, which include properties such as New York's Plaza Hotel.

However, property consultants say that since the real estate market is down, the sale is unlikely to raise enough to free Roy and get Sahara back on its feet.
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15:51   Modi at martyrs' rally: Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev continue to inspire
PM Modi at Husainiwala, Punjab, pays tributes to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, who were hanged to death 83 years ago.

Wearing a yellow turban, Modi says he salutes Punjab for "sacrificing so many of its children for the nation -- be it in the freedom struggle or the army."

"This is an inspiring moment for me as I get the opportunity to pay homage to Sardar Bhagat Singhji, Sukhdev and Rajguru, who continue to inspire every Indian citizen. Their names have the strength to inspire so many people to live and die for the nation.

"I have come here today to salute the great tradition of those brave freedom fighters."

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15:38  
The Delhi police has received the data analysis of Sunanda Pushkar's phone. The analysis was done by the Gujarat FSL. 
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15:37   Caretaker of Ranaghat missionary school interrogated by CID
The watchman of the Ranaghat Missionary School, where a septuagenarian nun was gangraped a few days back, was interrogated by CID officials today over discrepancies in his statement. Jayanta was today questioned by senior CID officials at Bhawani Bhawan, the CID headquarters.

"Jayanta had earlier claimed that he was tied by the dacoits who had entered the school. But there were discrepancies in his statement. So we decided to interrogate him once agian," a senior CID official said on condition of anonymity.
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15:20   Mirwaiz: Kashmiris not cattle that decisions can be taken without them
Hurriyat's Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who will be be attending the Pakistan Day celebrations says, "I don't understand why there is so much resistance towards this dialogue involving the Kashmir residents on both sides.
Are the people of Kashmir some 'down-driven cattle' that India and Pak will take decisions without involving them?"
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15:08   No objection to Hurriyat being invited to Pak national day: MHA
Home ministry reacts to J-K separatists participating in Pakistan's National Day celebrations in Delhi. The MEA in a statement said it had no objection to the Hurriyat being invited for Pak's national day.

The MEA was categorical in stating that the separatists in no way represented the Indian government.

The MEA said, "The government of India prefers to speak for itself. Let me reiterate there are only two parties and there is no place for a third party in resolution of India-Pakistan issues. The only way forward to proceed on all outstanding issues is peaceful bilateral dialogue within framework of Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration."
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14:48   Manmohan on Lee Kuan Yew: He was a great friend of India
He was a great friend of India particularly since the launching of liberalization experiment in our country in 1991, former PM Manmohan Singh on Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew's demise.
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14:43  
fatima bhutto tweets: Heartening to know Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev will be remembered in Lahore this evening
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14:12   Mirwaiz to attend Pak Day celebrations too
Seven separatist leaders including Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will attend Pakistan's National Day celebrations at its High Commission in Delhi today.

Ahead of attending the Pakistan Day function, Mirwaiz, Friday night met Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit to understand Islamabad's stand at the recent Foreign Secretary-level talks held between India and Pakistan besides informing him of the "ground situation" in the state.
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14:11   JKLF chief Yasin Malik to attend Pakistan Day function
JKLF chairman Yasin Malik will be attending the Pakistan Day function today. Speaking to the media, Malik sais, "This is a routine function and I am attending it. Kashmir is a conflict zone, there is militancy and there is political movement too. We are supporting the peaceful movement. If we want people of India and Pakistan to live in peace, then the Kashmir matter must be settled."

Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir separatist leader Masarat Alam congratulated Pakistan and requested them to keep their support on for Kashmir's jaddo-jehad.

Alam who was invited for Pakistan National Day celebrations at the High Commission in Delhi on Monday, will not be attending the event. "I won't be attending due to health issues, will send my colleagues," he said. 
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14:04  
Lee Kuan Yew's speech at the Nehru memorial lecture in New Delhi in 2005. Read
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13:45  
Lee with former PM Manmohan Singh in 2005. 
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13:44  
File photos of Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew who visited India in 1996 and 2005, with then PM Narasimha Rao and Dr Manmohan Singh. 
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13:43  
J&K CM Mufti Mohad Sayeed says Pakistan should be told not to allow cross-border elements to this side so that border remains peaceful.
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13:35   Man who could be Cuba's next president
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met the first Vice President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez Mario today. He is the front runner to succeed Raul Castro in 2018. 
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13:33   Modi greets Nawaz Shari on Pak national day
PM Modi tweets on Pakistan national day: I have written to Pakistan PM Mr Nawaz Sharif conveying my greetings on the National Day of Pakistan. It's my firm conviction that all outstanding issues can be resolved through bilateral dialogue in an atmosphere free from terror and violence.
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13:13   Rajnath: Just serve people, why should there be any conversions?
Pledging full protection to minorities, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today questioned the practice of conversions and advocated a debate on the need for an anti-conversion law.

He also wanted to know whether people cannot be served without indulging in conversions.

"There are sometimes rumours and controversies about 'Ghar Wapsi' and conversions. Why should there by any conversion at all? "

In other countries it is the minorities which ask for anti-conversion law. Here, we are only saying that there should be an anti-conversion law. There should be debate over it. We must think on bringing anti-conversion law. I humbly request all of you to think over it," Singh said.

He was addressing a conference of state minority commissions which was attended by representatives of various minority communities.

The Home Minister's remarks on conversions assume significance in the midst of controversy over anti-conversion campaign undertaken by Hindutva organisations and comments by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat regarding Mother Teresa.

"Why can't we serve the people without doing conversion. Those who want to serve the people should do so without engaged with conversion. Can't we find a solution to the problem," Singh said.
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12:58   Maharashtra unit raises Yadav, Bhushan issue ahead of AAP meet
Even as the top leadership of the AAP seems to be ironing out differences ahead of the party's National Council (NC) meeting on March 28, members continued to raise the issue of the ouster of senior leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav. Yadav and Bhushan were removed from the AAP's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) by the party's National Executive (NE) on March 4.

On Sunday, a resolution by a Northwest Mumbai unit of the AAP surfaced on Twitter.  Read more
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12:51   Separatist Masarat Alam turns down Pakistan Day invite
A slap on the face on Martyrs' Day.

Jammu and Kashmir separatist leader Masarat Alam, says he has congratulated Pakistan and requested them to keep their support on for Kashmir's jaddo-jehad.

Alam who was invited for Pakistan National Day celebrations at the High Commission in Delhi on Monday, will not be attending the event. "I won't be attending due to health issues, will send my colleagues," he said. 

Alam was released from Baramulla prison following the new Jammu and Kashmir government's policy to free political prisoners who do not face criminal charges.

He is the chairman of Muslim League, a constituent of hardline Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and is widely seen as the latter's successor.

He had been convicted for organising anti-India protests resulting in the death of 112 people in stone pelting across the Valley in 2010.
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12:44   Why Parliament complex is a fire hazard
Former secretary general of the Lok Sabha, T K Viswanathan, on Monday has sought the removal of unauthorised temporary constructions blocking the 12 exit gates of the Parliament building. Viswanathan blamed it on the political parties whose offices encroached the fire exit routes.

He has specifically pointed to transgressions by the Congress, NCP and JDU.

Viswanathan in a communique to the leaders of the Lok Sabha (Narendra Modi) and the Rajya Sabha (Arun Jaitley) have warned them about hazards of not taking safety precautions.

Viswanathan, who is now a constitutional advisor to the President of India will also brief Pranab Mukherjee on the missing links in fire safety of the Parliament complex. 
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12:37   Parliament is not fire safe
Parliament has not been given a clearance -- a fire safety certificate -- from the Delhi fire department. The concerns of President Pranab Mukherjee to hold an impartial inquiry into the safety aspect of Parliament was also taken into consideration at the meeting of top officials of the Lok Sabha Secretariat who had reviewed the situation when a massive fire broke out on Sunday in Parliament House.
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12:29   Rajnath Singh gets a security upgrade
Home minister Rajnath Singh has been given a promotion, at least where security is concerned.

He will now be given security that matches a PM's, which means bulletproof vehicles built by RAW and the NSG in Manesar in Haryana.

These bulletproof vehicles will be used by Rajnath Singh not only in Delhi but also during his tours to terrorist-afflicted areas. The vehicles will be airlifted and dropped to places he is on tour. 
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12:23   83 years ago, today, Bhagat Sigh, Rajguru, Sukhdev were hanged
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday urged the nation to celebrate 'Shaheedi Divas' on Monday as "Desh Divas" (National Day) to mark the death of Bhagat Singh and his associates, who laid down their lives for the country.

"I appeal to the countrymen to celebrate this day as Desh Diwas," said the activist-turned-chief minister in a video message posted on Facebook.

"Let us together think about the wellness of the nation and do at least one good deed for the nation today which can provide peace to the departed souls," added Kejriwal.

Born in September 1907, Bhagat Singh, one of the most influential revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement, was hanged on March 23, 1931 along with Rajguru and Sukhdev in the Lahore prison.

Their final rites were performed at Hussainiwala in Ferozepur district.

Pic: The confirmation that Bhagat Singh had been hanged from the neck until dead. (Click on the picture for a larger image)
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12:00   A week after DK Ravi's death, K'taka CM announces CBI probe
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on his decision to transfer the investigation into IAS officer DK Ravi's death to the CBI, says he has faith in the police. "I have not criticized CBI, not said anything against CBI.

Ravi was found hanging from the ceiling fan of his home on March 16.

His s death has resulted in widespread protests and demands for a CBI probe in Karnataka, including by the civil servant's parents.

After a preliminary investigation into the incident, the police submitted a report on the conditions surrounding Ravi's death.

Hanumanthrayappa, father-in-law of Ravi, said there were no personal problems between his family and Ravi's, and requested people not to spread falsehood.

"As the head of his family at least I could have sensed something if anything is there. There is no personal problem between my family and his family. So it is a falsehood. Whoever is spreading falsehood, I request once again not to do it," he added.
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11:48   Karnataka CM agrees to hand over IAS officer's death probe to CBI
Sonia Gandhi's prod to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seems to have worked with the government finally agreeing to a CBI probe into IAS officer DK Ravi's death.
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11:38   IAS officer death case: Sonia Gandhi assures family of fair probe
Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday wrote a letter to IAS officer D.K. Ravi's wife assuring her of a fair probe in the death case of her husband.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to order a CBI probe into the death case today.

Earlier on Saturday, Karnataka Pradesh Congress president G Parameshwara had requested Siddaramaiah to order a CBI inquiry into the case and had said that the truth in this matter should come to the fore without any confusion.

Siddaramaiah is believed to have decided to refer the IAS officer's death probe to the CBI after Sonia Gandhi advised him to do the same.
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11:32   Rajnath: Will go to any extent to protect minorities
Home Minister Rajnath Singh assurance to minorities over the repeated attacks on churches won't cut ice. Rajnat says, "I will go to any extent to protect minorities. I will do everything to end the sense of insecurity prevailing among minorities."

On Saturday, church in Navi Mumbai's Panvel area was attacked by miscreants. The CCTV footage found from the church premises show three men hurling stones at the church at 1.30 am on Friday night.

During this attack, a statue of St George which is placed right outside the church enclosed in a glass box was damaged.

Rajnath's assurance is unlikely to calm rising tensions among minorities especially after six people, including the chief of a Hindu fringe group which allegedly vandalised a church in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur were arrested and then let off within an hour after being granted bail.

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11:18   Sonia writes to DK Ravi's wife, assures fair probe in IAS officer's death
Congress President Sonia Gandhi writes to IAS officer DK Ravi's wife, assures fair probe into the IAS officer's death.
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11:15   Modi govt's 1st border talks with China begins
That's the Indo-China secretary level delegation holding talks at Hyderabad House, New Delhi. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and foreign secretary S Jaishankar in the picture with their counterparts. PM Modi's first visit to China is expected before the end of May.
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11:05  
Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) moves Delhi HC against Centre's decision to cancel allocation of two coal blocks to it.
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11:01   'We are only saying don't eat what is sacred'
Muslims and Christians should understand that the cow is sacred to us. It is not good for health. They should eat something else. Our mission is cow development. We want to produce rivers of milk. The cow should be sacred among people. It should be the national animal. The BJP's cow protection crusader Mayankeshwar Singh speaks to Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar. Read
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10:56   Modi govt's first talks with China on crucial border today
India and China will hold their 18th round of talks on the border -- the first negotiations on the disputed border, or the Line of Actual Control to be organized after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office last year.

The talks will be held between India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his counterpart in China  -- State Councillor Yang Jiechi.
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10:21   Pak envoy on meet with Kashmiri separatists: No objection from India
Seven separatist leaders including Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will attend Pakistan's National Day celebrations at its High Commission in New Delhi today.

"I don't think the Indian government objects to us meeting Hurriyat leaders. We are looking forward to more meetings between the two countries. We hope both countries will move forward, time has come to resolve our problems," Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit said today.

"The objective is to achieve peace between India and Pakistan. Indian foreign secretary ( S Jaishankar) was in Pakistan this month. We are looking forward to resumption of an engagement process," he said.
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10:09   Sania is now World No 3 in doubles, a career best
Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza jumped to her career-best rank of three in the doubles, following her stupendous title win at the BNP Paribas Open with Swiss great Martina Hingis.

Sania now sits at number three with 6885 points, behind Italians Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani, who share the top spot with 7640 points each.

Courtesy her win at the Indian Wells, Sania earned 1000 points and gained two places on the WTA chart. She had reached the final of the same tournament last year with Cara Black.

"It's thrilling to achieve my career-best rank. Being the number one is a dream and I hope I can get there some day," Sania told PTI from the US.

In the WTA singles chart, Ankita Raina continues to be numero uno player at number 253, up by two spots.
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10:06   Emotional Anna pays tribute to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru
Anti-corruption crusader was in tears as he paid tribute to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru in Khatkar Kalan, Punjab on the occasion of their 84th martyrdom anniversary.
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09:57   Pak invities Kashmiri separatist leader for National Day function
Pakistan sent an invitation to hardline Kashmiri separatist leader Masarat Alam, who was released recently, for the National Day function in New Delhi today.

However, Alam will not be attending the function.

Alam's release had created a massive uproar across the country and even both the Houses of Parliament had witnessed noisy scenes.

"I have received the invitation from the Pakistan High Commission and I will not travel to Delhi due to personal engagements," Alam said. The invitation to the separatist leaders, including Alam, for attending the Pakistan Day function comes at a time when India and Pakistan have resumed the Foreign Secretary level-talks.

The chairman of the Muslim League, Alam, was released recently and the BJP, which shares power with the Kashmir-centric Peoples Democratic Party in J&K was left red-faced.

Alam, termed as a mastermind of 2010 street protests, was released on March 7 from a Baramulla jail after four-and-a-half-year detention. Besides Alam, almost all the top separatist leaders from Kashmir, including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, have been invited by the Pakistan High Commission for the function.
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09:42   Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew, a lion among leaders: PM Modi tweets a tribute
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to paid tribute to Singapore's founding father and first PM on Twitter. "A far-sighted statesman and a lion among leaders, Mr Lee Kuan Yew's life teaches valuable lessons to everyone. News of his demise is saddening," Modi wrote.

"In this hour of bereavement, our prayers are with Mr Lee Kuan Yew's family and the people of Singapore. May his soul rest in peace."     
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09:14   PM to visit Punjab to pay homage to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev on martyrdom anniversary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Punjab today to pay homage to well known freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru on the occasion of their 84th martyrdom anniversary.

The PM will visit Hussainiwala, the place where all three were unceremoniously cremated after their hanging in Lahore by the British colonial administration on March 23, 1931 on grounds of treason. He will also visit the Golden Temple and the Jallianwala Baugh in Amritsar to pay homage to those who were martyred during India's freedom struggle in the early part of the 20th century.

The PM tweeted, "In Punjab today. Will pay homage to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru at Hussainiwala and will go to Golden Temple and Jallianwala Baugh."

In another tweet written in Hindi, he said, "Tributes to these great patriots -- Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev -- on their martyrdom day, who sacrificed their lives for the nation. The National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala depicts an irrepressible revolutionary spirit of these three martyrs, who lit the eternal flame of liberty by smilingly embracing martyrdom for the motherland." 
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09:08   Fresh ruckus in Kerala assembly as Opposition demands state FM Mani's resignation
Just in: Yet again there is chaos in the Kerala assembly as Opposition protests against conduct of ruling party lawmakers during finance minister's Budget speech.  

The Kerala assembly was adjourned indefinitely amid chaos over Opposition demands for Finance Minister KM Mani's resignation.

On March 13, the Kerala assembly had witnessed unprecedented and ugly scenes as opposition members went on a rampage destroying Speaker's podium and indulged in scuffle with the watch-and-ward staff even as  Mani, facing charges in bar bribery scam, managed to present the state budget.

The agitation against Mani also turned violent outside the House with police using batons and teargas shells to chase away angry Left Democratic Front and Yuva Morcha activists. The irate crowd also set fire to a police jeep in the city.

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08:53   Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew was a visionary leader: Obama
US President Barack Obama hailed Lee Kuan Yew as a "visionary" who led his country from Singapore's independence in 1965 to build one of the most prosperous countries in the world today.

"He was a devoted public servant and a remarkable leader," Obama said in a statement after the death of Lee Kuan Yew, the first prime minister of Singapore, a position he served for three decades.

"Lee's views and insights on Asian dynamics and economic management were respected by many around the world, and no small number of this and past generations of world leaders have sought his advice on governance and development," Obama said. "I personally appreciated his wisdom, including our discussions during my trip to Singapore in 2009, which were hugely important in helping me formulate our policy of rebalancing to the Asia Pacific".

"He was a true giant of history who will be remembered for generations to come as the father of modern Singapore and as one the great strategists of Asian affairs," Obama said. Obama was joined by several other US leaders in expressing deepest condolences to the Lee family.

Lee was a visionary leader who spearheaded Singapore's economic growth and helped it become one of the most prosperous countries in the world today, US Vice President Joe Biden said.
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08:48   UK court directs Pak to pay 150,000 pounds to India as legal fee
In a setback to Pakistan, a UK court has directed it to pay 150,000 pounds to India as legal fees in the 67-year-old Hyderabad Funds case involving the Nizam's money while terming Pakistan's behaviour as "unreasonable".

Holding that Pakistan has no "sovereign immunity" in the case, the judge ordered the Pakistan high commissioner in London to pay the legal costs incurred by the other respondents in the case relating to the 'Hyderabad Funds' which is currently valued at 35 million pounds. It is understood that the legal costs of the respondents -- Government of India, the National Westminster Bank & the Nizam's heirs Mukkaram Jah & Muffakham Jah - are approx 400,000 pounds.

Of this India has been paid 150,000 pounds, the National Westminster Bank 132,000 pounds and the Nizam's heirs about 60,000 pounds each respectively. 
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08:17   Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding father, dies at 91
Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding father and first prime minister, today died at the age of 91 of severe pneumonia.

Lee had been hospitalised at the Singapore General Hospital for severe pneumonia since February 5. In a statement issued today, the Prime Minister's Office said Lee passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital at 3.18 am (local time), The Straits Times reported.

Arrangements for the public to pay respects and for the funeral proceedings will be announced later. The PMO has been giving daily updates on Lee since March 17 when his condition took a turn for the worse due to an infection.

Lee is considered the founding father of Singapore and is credited with transforming the city-state into an economic powerhouse within just three decades. He quit as prime minister in 1990 after 31 years in office.

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