LIVE
Wed, 25 November 2015
No specific and credible terror threat to US: Obama
Timeline Refresh
23:42 2015 likely to be warmest on record, says UN weather body
JUST IN: Lawmakers in French National Assembly have voted 515 to 4 in favor of extending airstrikes on Islamic State targets
23:35 No specific and credible terror threat to US: Obama
US President Barack Obama today assured Americans of their safety and security ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday season by stating that currently there is "no specific and credible" intelligence threat of terrorist attack.
"As of today, we know of no specific and credible intelligence indicating a plot on the homeland. We are both equipped to prevent attacks, and resilient in the face of those who would try to do us harm," Obama said soon after his meeting with his top national security advisors.
Referring to the Paris attacks, Obama said: "It's understandable that people worry something similar could happen here. Watching the events in Paris made the threat feel closer to home. "So as we go into Thanksgiving weekend, I want the American people to know is that we are taking every possible step to keep our homeland safe," Obama told his countrymen in a live address from the White House.
He reiterated that the US is going after IS wherever it hides. "That's been our strategy for more than a year. I'll speak about this in more detail in the coming weeks, but let me remind the American people of what our coalition of some 65 nations is doing to destroy these terrorists and defeat their ideology," he said.
23:12 IS claims Tunisia attack, suspected bomber's body found
The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility Wednesday for a deadly attack on a bus in central Tunis that was carrying Tunisia's presidential guards.
In a statement posted on the Internet on Wednesday, the group says a militant it identified as Abu Abdullah al-Tunisi carried out the attack after infiltrating the bus and killing around 20 "apostates."
The statement says the "tyrants of Tunis will not have peace and we will not rest until the law of God governs in Tunis."
23:06 Won't be surprised if snap polls take place in Maharashtra: Pawar
NCP president Sharad Pawar today said he would not be surprised if there is mid-term poll in Maharashtra soon after BMC (Mumbai municipal corporation) elections.
"I won't be surprised if there are Assembly elections in Maharashtra soon after BMC elections or if there is a change within the government," Pawar said, speaking to reporters at Karad in western Maharashtra.
Congress and NCP could provide a viable alternative in Maharashtra, the NCP leader added. BMC elections are slated for early 2017.
23:00 Turkey gave no warning: Downed Russian pilot
The surviving pilot of a Russian plane shot down by Turkey on the Syrian border has said no warning was given.
Captain Konstantin Murakhtin told Russian television there was "no way" the jet could have violated Turkish airspace, as Turkey said it did.
Russia said Capt Murakhtin was rescued in a 12-hour operation involving special forces.Turkey insists the pilots were warned 10 times before the plane was shot down.
Read this story HERE
22:54 INS Vikramaditya to host Combined Commanders' Conference next month
The Combined Commanders' Conference of the three services will be held next month onboard India's latest aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya in Kochi, which will the first venue outside the national capital to host the crucial defence meet.
The move came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address at the Combined Commanders' Conference here October last, suggested that the armed forces could organise such conferences on ships, or in forward area cantonments or air-bases, instead of only in New Delhi.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address annual Combined Commanders' Conference onboard India's latest aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya on December 15," defence sources said.
Though the conference was originally scheduled to be held in October, it was postponed due to the Bihar elections. Besides the Prime Minister, the conference will be attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and other senior members of the Cabinet.
22:25 Man jumps in front of metro at Rajiv Chowk station; severely injured
A 36-year-old man suffered severe injuries after he jumped in front of a metro train at the busy Rajiv Chowk metro station here today. The injured has been identified as Prashant Pathak, a resident of Noida Sector 12.
He was last seen waiting for a train at platform number 3 (towards Noida/Vaishali) at Rajiv Chowk around 5.45 pm, said a senior police official, adding that Pathak suddenly jumped on the tracks, in front of an approaching train.
However, Pathak sustained severe injuries on his shoulder and is presently admitted at RML Hospital, said DCP (Metro) Jitender Mani. No suicide note was recovered from the spot or from Pathak's possession.
What made him take the extreme step is yet to be ascertained, the official added.
22:03 Kunduz airstrike 'caused primarily by human error': US
The deadly American air strike on a hospital in northern Afghan city of Kunduz that killed 22 people was caused primarily by "human error" and officers closely associated with the incident have been suspended, atop US general based in Afghanistan said today.
"This was a tragic, but unavoidable accident caused primarily by human error. We failed to meet our own high standard," General John Campbell commander of the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan told Pentagon reporters.
Campbell said those most closely associated with the incident had been suspended from their duties, as he announced the results of an investigation into the October 3 strike.
The hospital run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) was hit with precise and repeated airstrikes on October 3 for more than a hour, killing 22 people, including children and women.
"I can tell you that those individuals most closely associate with the incident have been suspended from their duties, pending consideration and disposition ofadministrative and disciplinary matters," he said.
21:17 Parents should be alert about ISIS's online propaganda: Mumbai police commissioner
Mumbai Police Commissioner Ahmed Javed today said parents have a pivotal role to play to guard against the youngsters joining terror outfit ISIS.
"An alert parent goes a long way and the major worry is how Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is using the cyber-world to get into the mind of youngsters, who have grown up in the liberal democratic lives like France etc," Javed said during an interaction with industrialists and cyber expert Vijay Mukhi.
"ISIS targets small towns in France and other parts of Europe. ISIS has managed getting into the minds of people. We need to be aware of the danger that is present online and to start taking steps to fight it." "In urban Indian scenarios parents are not aware that ISIS is capable of doing this in the cyber world to their children who use internet daily," the IPS officer said. Speaking about overall cyber crime, he also said youngsters are more vulnerable to blackmailing, stalking, cyber bulling, and "the problem is that the parents are technologically challenged in terms of picking up alerts, as to what their children are doing or picking up online".
"Hacking is another problem, but the biggest culprits are the business world people, who are looking at making budget cuts in security. Minor aberrations are pushed under carpet by big companies thinking it will be a bad name on the business," the top cop added.
20:54 Singhal's ashes immersed at 160 places in Rajasthan
Ashes of VHP leader Ashok Singhal, who died last week, were immersed at 160 places in Rajasthan including Galta Tirth in Jaipur today. A procession was held from the VHP office to Galta Tirth and the ashes were immersed at Galta kund in the presence of several VHP members, amid chanting of Vedic mantras.
"The ashes were immersed at 160 places in the state," VHP leader Kishori Lal said. Singhal died on November 17 at a private hospital in Gurgaon. The 89-year-old firebrand leader dedicated his life for the Hindutva cause adopting an aggressive style and played a key role in mobilising support for the Ram Janambhoomi as well as the Ram Setu movements.
20:37 I am proud of Aamir Khan: Kejriwal
ontinuing his support for Bollywood actor Aamir Khan whose "intolerance" remarks triggered controversy, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said he is proud of him.
"We r proud of u @aamir_khan," the Delhi Chief Minister wrote on Twitter along with the picture of statement issued by Khan today. Earlier today, Khan came out with a statement, saying he is "proud to be an Indian".
"First let me state categorically that neither I, nor my wife Kiran, have any intention of leaving the country. We never did, and nor would we like to in the future.
20:16 India Gate lights up in orange for UN's violence against women
As part of a global 'Orange the World' campaign, the iconic India Gate today lit up in the colour orange celebrating the International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women.
The event was organised by UN Women Indian along with UNFPA India, UNDP and UN in India as part of the United Nations' global campaign that is set to continue till December 10, designated as the UN's Human Rights Day.
Inaugurating the event Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan said, "Addressing the issue of woman empowerment should be the topmost priority right now. During my tenure as a minister, we celebrated women empowerment day every year.
"Violence against woman is disliked and condemned worldwide. Ending discrimination against woman and empowering them should be given importance in India," she said.
Frederika Meijer Representative UN Population Fund, India and country director UNFPA said that United Nations aims to eliminate all kinds of violence against women and gender discrimination and seeks to end it by 2030.
Filmmaker and classical dancer Aishwarya Dhanush who was present at the event said, "The awareness regarding the discrimination and violence against women should start from home. Raising hands must only be for raising doubts, and nothing else. The foundation has to be started right from the home."
Photograph: @MKBKSH/Twitter
19:41 Indian woman wins right to return to son in UK
In a blow to the British government, a court here has upheld the rights appeal of an Indian woman who was deported for fixing sham marriages and allowed her to return to the UK to re-unite with her 9-year-old son.
The 46-year-old mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been jailed for two years after she entered the UK on a fake passport in 2005 and then deported. Last year, an immigration judge upheld her appeal to return to be with her son, who lives with his British father, but that order was challenged by UK Home Secretary Theresa May.
Yesterday, appeal judges dismissed May's contention in a written ruling on the case. Lord Justice Underhill, who headed the appeal panel, said May should not fear that the decision would open the floodgates to similar appeals, saying each case would "turn on its own facts".
According to reports, the woman first arrived in the UK in 2002 on a "visitor visa" and became involved in a conspiracy to "facilitate bogus marriages".
19:13 Indian passports without bar code invalid from today
Hand-written passports of Indian citizens are no longer valid from today as per a government's directive. The government had asked those having hand-written passports to get machine-readable ones having bar codes by November 24.
The government had decided to discontinue hand-written passports in accordance with recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to incorporate biometric data in the machine readable travel documents. The machine readable passports have greater protection against fraudulent practices and tampering. The hand-written passports were issued prior to 2001
The government had decided to discontinue hand-written passports in accordance with recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to incorporate biometric data in the machine readable travel documents. The machine readable passports have greater protection against fraudulent practices and tampering. The hand-written passports were issued prior to 2001
19:10 2015 set to be hottest year on record: UN
This year will be the hottest on record and 2016 could be hotter due to the El Nino weather pattern, the World Meteorological Organization said on Wednesday, warning inaction on climate change could see temperatures rise by 6 degrees Celsius or more.
But decisions taken at a summit of world leaders in Paris starting on Monday could keep global temperature rises within 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial times, a target set down in 2010 to try to prevent dangerous climate change.
But decisions taken at a summit of world leaders in Paris starting on Monday could keep global temperature rises within 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial times, a target set down in 2010 to try to prevent dangerous climate change.
18:59
Aamir Khan's full statement today where he says he is proud to be India and will not be leaving India. Take a look
18:54 Sheena Bora murder case: Indrani had a dislike for Rahul Mukerjea
Though Indrani Mukerjea, prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, disliked Rahul Mukerjea, she did not have the same attitude towards his brother Rabin, also Peter's son from his previous marriage, and never restrained her husband from talking to him. This has emerged in a mail addressed to Peter Mukerjea in November 2014, two years after Sheena's death, in which Indrani said she never stopped Peter from talking to Rabin, according to the chargesheet filed by the CBI in the case.
"I don't recall telling you at any point that you should not call or mail or chat with Rabin, neither that thought ever crossed my mind, wonder why it crossed your mind," Indrani said. "Rabin has not yet stooped to Rahul's level. So who is talking about no contact and why ?," the mail read.
According to CBI, Rahul and Sheena were in a relationship, which both Peter and Indrani disapproved of. Rahul and Sheena were engaged and about to get married. But when Sheena went 'missing' after April 2012, Rahul grew suspicious. Worried, he is also said to have sought legal advice and had warned Peter (in one of his mails in May 2012) that Sheena's disappearance could lead to something "untoward".
"I don't recall telling you at any point that you should not call or mail or chat with Rabin, neither that thought ever crossed my mind, wonder why it crossed your mind," Indrani said. "Rabin has not yet stooped to Rahul's level. So who is talking about no contact and why ?," the mail read.
According to CBI, Rahul and Sheena were in a relationship, which both Peter and Indrani disapproved of. Rahul and Sheena were engaged and about to get married. But when Sheena went 'missing' after April 2012, Rahul grew suspicious. Worried, he is also said to have sought legal advice and had warned Peter (in one of his mails in May 2012) that Sheena's disappearance could lead to something "untoward".
18:39
The BJP Parliamentary party executive meeting ends.
18:33 No govt can ensure support price sought by farmers: Gadkari
No government can guarantee the support price as demanded by farmers, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said here today even as he proposed a competitive market price for agriculturists for their produce.
"No government can ensure the support price being demanded by farmers. But I am of the view that farmers should be debt-free and they should be given a competitive market price for their produce," he said after kicking off various development works concerning roads in Yavatmal and Washim districts in Vidarbha region.
The works include repairing the old national highway passing through the districts, construction of a new national highway and also a central road.
"No government can ensure the support price being demanded by farmers. But I am of the view that farmers should be debt-free and they should be given a competitive market price for their produce," he said after kicking off various development works concerning roads in Yavatmal and Washim districts in Vidarbha region.
The works include repairing the old national highway passing through the districts, construction of a new national highway and also a central road.
18:25 Paris attack ringleader returned to scene of crime: prosecutor
According to prosecutors, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the alleged ringleader of the Paris terror attacks, returned to the scene of the crime after the massacre happened. Abaaoud was later killed in a police raid in St. Denis last Wednesday. The phone he was using was detected near the Bataclan hall during and after the attacks; and he reportedly, at one point, boarded a metro train heading back into the city center. -- Reuters.
17:48
@ShivAroor tweets: 3 Jaish terrorists killed in Tangdhar ambush encounter today, belonged to 'Afzal Guru Squad', reports.
17:20 'Russia will NOT wage war against Turkey'
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov says will seriously reconsider relations with Turkey in light of jet downing. However, Russia will NOT wage a war against Turkey, Lavrov says.
One of the world's most volatile regions was roiled further Tuesday when Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near the Turkish-Syrian border. Turkey said it hit the plane after it violated Turkey's airspace and ignored 10 warnings.
One of the two pilots was killed in the air by fire from the ground, according to Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti. The second pilot was rescued.
Turkey and Russia exchanged bellicose language after the downing of the plane, raising fears in the international community that the Syrian conflict could spiral into something wider.
One of the world's most volatile regions was roiled further Tuesday when Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near the Turkish-Syrian border. Turkey said it hit the plane after it violated Turkey's airspace and ignored 10 warnings.
One of the two pilots was killed in the air by fire from the ground, according to Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti. The second pilot was rescued.
Turkey and Russia exchanged bellicose language after the downing of the plane, raising fears in the international community that the Syrian conflict could spiral into something wider.
17:13 176 dead in Tamil Nadu, rains continue to pour
Showers continued to lash parts of Tamil Nadu, including the state capital, as death toll in the rain-related incidents mounted to 176 today, even as the weatherman has forecast more rains in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Seven more deaths were reported from across the state since yesterday, while there was a let up in rainfall in most areas of the state since last evening, including Chennai. Five persons died yesterday while two deaths were reported from the state today.
The meteorological department said rains or thundershowers would occur at a few places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep in the next 24-48 hours. For Chennai and its neighbourhood, skies would be cloudy and there may be rain or thundershowers in some areas, it said.
Seven more deaths were reported from across the state since yesterday, while there was a let up in rainfall in most areas of the state since last evening, including Chennai. Five persons died yesterday while two deaths were reported from the state today.
The meteorological department said rains or thundershowers would occur at a few places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep in the next 24-48 hours. For Chennai and its neighbourhood, skies would be cloudy and there may be rain or thundershowers in some areas, it said.
17:05 'Jolie effect' increased uptake of double mastectomies?
Researchers in UK have observed an increased uptake of preventative double mastectomies since May 2013 when Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie announced that she had undergone the breast removal procedure.
Researchers from the Genesis Prevention Centre Family History clinic in UK report that the number of preventative double mastectomies performed after consultation at the clinic more than doubled from January 2014 to June 2015, with 83 procedures performed during this period, compared to 29 between January 2011 and June 2012.
The researchers speculate that the increase is attributable to the heightened awareness of the breast removal procedure since Angelina Jolie publicly announced her decision.
Angelina Jolie underwent a preventative double mastectomy after discovering that she carried a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, which increases the risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. At the Genesis Prevention Centre Family History clinic, the number of preventative double mastectomies performed on women with BRCA1/2 mutations rose from 17 in the 18 month period covering January 2011 to June 2012, to 31 in the 18 months from January 2014 onward.
Researchers from the Genesis Prevention Centre Family History clinic in UK report that the number of preventative double mastectomies performed after consultation at the clinic more than doubled from January 2014 to June 2015, with 83 procedures performed during this period, compared to 29 between January 2011 and June 2012.
The researchers speculate that the increase is attributable to the heightened awareness of the breast removal procedure since Angelina Jolie publicly announced her decision.
Angelina Jolie underwent a preventative double mastectomy after discovering that she carried a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, which increases the risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. At the Genesis Prevention Centre Family History clinic, the number of preventative double mastectomies performed on women with BRCA1/2 mutations rose from 17 in the 18 month period covering January 2011 to June 2012, to 31 in the 18 months from January 2014 onward.
16:59 How beef is killing the planet
The world is faced with the herculean task of trying to limit warming to 2 degrees Celsius, measured as an increase of global temperature since the start of the Industrial Revolution, when humans began burning fossil fuels.
That's the point at which climate change is expected to get especially dangerous, leading to megadroughts, mass extinctions and a sea-level rise that could wipe low-lying countries off the map.
That one little number -- 2 degrees -- is the subject of international negotiations in December in Paris, which are critical if we're to avert catastrophe.
Read more HERE.
16:35 Aamir's response to detractors ends with Tagore's poem
Aamir Khan ended his statement with Rabindranath Tagore's Chitto jetha bhoyshunyo (Where the mind is without fear) poem.
His statement was in response to the criticisms levelled against him on a comment made by him about the rising intolerance in India.
16:24 Aamir responds: I'm proud to be an Indian and I'm staying here
Just in: Actor Aamir Khan's first response to the continued circus around his comments on intolerance.
In an interview to CNN IBN's Rajeev Masand, Aamir clarifies, "I'm proud to be an Indian. India is my country. I love it and I'm staying here. I'm proud to be an Indian; I don't need anyone's endorsement for that. Neither Kiran nor I have any intention of leaving the country. People deliberately trying to distort what I said. I stand by everything I have said in my interview. We have to protect what we believe in. We have to protect this beautiful and unique country. People shouting obscenities are only proving my point. "
The actor on Monday joined the debate over "rising intolerance" in India, saying his wife Kiran Rao had asked if they should move out of the country, as she feared for the safety of their children in a climate of insecurity.
He was speaking at the Ramnath Goenka Awards function of The Indian Express Group on Monday. Khan said there was an increased sense of despondency over the past 6-8 months and that he was alarmed by it. Khan also backed writers and intellectuals who returned their awards following the Dadri lynching and the murder of rationalists.
See our 16:10 pm post for the complete transcript of what he said at the awards function.
In an interview to CNN IBN's Rajeev Masand, Aamir clarifies, "I'm proud to be an Indian. India is my country. I love it and I'm staying here. I'm proud to be an Indian; I don't need anyone's endorsement for that. Neither Kiran nor I have any intention of leaving the country. People deliberately trying to distort what I said. I stand by everything I have said in my interview. We have to protect what we believe in. We have to protect this beautiful and unique country. People shouting obscenities are only proving my point. "
The actor on Monday joined the debate over "rising intolerance" in India, saying his wife Kiran Rao had asked if they should move out of the country, as she feared for the safety of their children in a climate of insecurity.
He was speaking at the Ramnath Goenka Awards function of The Indian Express Group on Monday. Khan said there was an increased sense of despondency over the past 6-8 months and that he was alarmed by it. Khan also backed writers and intellectuals who returned their awards following the Dadri lynching and the murder of rationalists.
See our 16:10 pm post for the complete transcript of what he said at the awards function.
16:10 'If I must represent anyone, why just Muslims?' What Aamir really said
The transcript of the complete conversation between Anant Goneka of the Indian Express group and Aamir Khan at the Ramnath Goenka awards.
"Well, you know, I feel very uncomfortable when you call me modern Muslim. I feel first of all why should I represent anyone and if I have to.. why should I only represent just Muslims and not everyone. You know, so in the capacity of myself as an individual if I am representing my country of society then I am representing everyone. I will stand for everyone. My birth may be in a Muslim household but if I speak its for everyone. On a number of occasions celebrities have stood up against terrorism. So I dont think that has not been done by us.. thats been done by us."
Read the full transcript here.
"Well, you know, I feel very uncomfortable when you call me modern Muslim. I feel first of all why should I represent anyone and if I have to.. why should I only represent just Muslims and not everyone. You know, so in the capacity of myself as an individual if I am representing my country of society then I am representing everyone. I will stand for everyone. My birth may be in a Muslim household but if I speak its for everyone. On a number of occasions celebrities have stood up against terrorism. So I dont think that has not been done by us.. thats been done by us."
Read the full transcript here.
16:07 2015 set to be hottest year on record
This year is set to be the hottest on record and 2016 could be even hotter due to the current El Nino weather pattern, the UN weather agency said.
The World Meteorological Organization said global average surface temperatures in 2015 were likely to reach what it called the "symbolic and significant milestone" of 1 Celsius above the pre-industrial era.
Next week world leaders will gather in Paris to discuss plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions and prevent world temperatures rising beyond 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
15:55
Rahul Gandhi meeting the Mount Carmel students union ahead of the address.
15:50 When Rahul's quiz on Make in India got him the 'wrong' answer
Rahul Gandhi: Is Swachch Bharat working?
Students: Some say 'No', most say 'Yes'.
Rahul: Is Make in India working?
Students answer with a resounding 'Yes!'
Students: Some say 'No', most say 'Yes'.
Rahul: Is Make in India working?
Students answer with a resounding 'Yes!'
In a major embarrassment for Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's youth outreach programme at Mount Carmel college in Bengaluru, the question on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India campaign is working or not was met with a resounding 'YES'.
Rahul goggled, asked the question again, and when it was met with a Yes, again, he grinned and said, he didn't think so.
Rahul's other question, "Is the Clean India' programme working, was first answered by him, saying it wasn't working working at all. He then asked his all-women audience, to which there was a mixed response. Some said No, but most said Yes.
Rahul quizzed the students immediately after declaring that one man decides everything in the NDA government, which is why India is not moving ahead. "PM thinks India can be transformed by the PMO alone. One man alone cannot transform the country. How can one person have all the answers?" the 45-year-old leader said.
Rahul goggled, asked the question again, and when it was met with a Yes, again, he grinned and said, he didn't think so.
Rahul's other question, "Is the Clean India' programme working, was first answered by him, saying it wasn't working working at all. He then asked his all-women audience, to which there was a mixed response. Some said No, but most said Yes.
Rahul quizzed the students immediately after declaring that one man decides everything in the NDA government, which is why India is not moving ahead. "PM thinks India can be transformed by the PMO alone. One man alone cannot transform the country. How can one person have all the answers?" the 45-year-old leader said.
15:35
The man who said his name was 'Phuc Dat Bich' made the whole thing up. Read
15:33
Question: Your recent tie-up with RJD shows your willingness to compromise to defeat BJP, what's your take on corruption?
Rahul: Lalu Yadav ji is not in Govt, his sons who are in Govt made a statement yesterday & said zero tolerance for corruption
Rahul: Lalu Yadav ji is not in Govt, his sons who are in Govt made a statement yesterday & said zero tolerance for corruption
15:26 Only one man decides everything in India, Rahul attacks Modi in Bengaluru
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi addressing students at Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru. Highlights of the speech.
- I did a little research before I came here, so I went to Wikipedia like everyone does these days
-- I looked up Wikipedia, I found to my surprise that three brilliant women that I know, come from this institutionI was very impressed with the alumni list. So I called Margaret Alva ji, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw ji and Nirupama Rao ji.
-- When I spoke to Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw ji, she said she wouldn't have become head of Biocon if this institution hadn't given her the self belief. Today many avenues have opened and she inspired you to follow your dream and get ahead in life.
-- I realised that essentially what this institute does is that it gives you knowledge but it also preaches tolerance.
-- If you want to achieve anything in life, you have to listen to people around you. You have to learn, appreciate and carry them around you.
-- This institution, it gives you knowledge but also gives you tolerance.
-- This institution is about conversation. I'm not coming here to tell you what to think, I'm coming here to listen to what you have to say.
-- When I first came into politics, I was convinced in my mind that solution to India's problems were simple. The only thing that had to be done was to implement them.
-- Some years back, about 10 years ago, we started a Self Help Group -- The idea of connecting women to banks and finance, allowing them to use finance to become entrepreneurs.
-- I went to Andhra Pradesh and was impressed by it. You know how UP is, everyone told us that it can happen in AP, not in Uttar Pradesh.
Today it is the largest SHG for women in Uttar Pradesh 1.5 million women are a part of it. Most of these women came from below poverty line. Women do not have the place they deserve. They are mistreated and made uncomfortable.
-- Society decides someone is pretty, thin, small. For me, all of you are beautiful and needs to be respected. That is what I fight for.
-- Conversation is important, out of conversation comes out a refined perspective.
-- How can one person have all the answers? I want you all to be part of decision making in the country.
-- In the Central Govt today I can say with certainty that there is only one person taking all the decisions. But what I want is for everyone to have a dialogue, I want all of you to be able to be in Vidhan Sabha and have a dialogue.
-- A conversation should be started with Irom Sharmila, we'll do it: Rahul Gandhi when asked why Cong doesnt initiate conversation with Sharmila. A member of Govt does not have the decency to go there and say why are you protesting. After that you can say I don't agree with you, you are wrong, but at least start a conversation.
-- Prime Minister mentioned that he would produce two crore jobs. Its perfectly OK if you are focusing on large business and providing jobs.
India will only succeed if the economy grows and take the benefits to poor people. Most of the democratic dividend is poor. Most of the young are not rich.
-- They are slashing education, health care expenditure and by the way there are no jobs.
-- All the government is doing right now is giving contracts to large business people, that too very few of them. It's actually much worse that suit boot ki Sarkar, it is 5-6 suit boot ki Sarkar.
-- The central idea of the PM which I contest is that he believes that country can be run through the PMO. I have seen India for too long to believe that one person can change the lives of 1.3 billion people. Suit boot is failing because there are no jobs, economy is in doldrums and you don't have any money in education and healthcare.
- I did a little research before I came here, so I went to Wikipedia like everyone does these days
-- I looked up Wikipedia, I found to my surprise that three brilliant women that I know, come from this institutionI was very impressed with the alumni list. So I called Margaret Alva ji, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw ji and Nirupama Rao ji.
-- When I spoke to Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw ji, she said she wouldn't have become head of Biocon if this institution hadn't given her the self belief. Today many avenues have opened and she inspired you to follow your dream and get ahead in life.
-- I realised that essentially what this institute does is that it gives you knowledge but it also preaches tolerance.
-- If you want to achieve anything in life, you have to listen to people around you. You have to learn, appreciate and carry them around you.
-- This institution, it gives you knowledge but also gives you tolerance.
-- This institution is about conversation. I'm not coming here to tell you what to think, I'm coming here to listen to what you have to say.
-- When I first came into politics, I was convinced in my mind that solution to India's problems were simple. The only thing that had to be done was to implement them.
-- Some years back, about 10 years ago, we started a Self Help Group -- The idea of connecting women to banks and finance, allowing them to use finance to become entrepreneurs.
-- I went to Andhra Pradesh and was impressed by it. You know how UP is, everyone told us that it can happen in AP, not in Uttar Pradesh.
Today it is the largest SHG for women in Uttar Pradesh 1.5 million women are a part of it. Most of these women came from below poverty line. Women do not have the place they deserve. They are mistreated and made uncomfortable.
-- Society decides someone is pretty, thin, small. For me, all of you are beautiful and needs to be respected. That is what I fight for.
-- Conversation is important, out of conversation comes out a refined perspective.
-- How can one person have all the answers? I want you all to be part of decision making in the country.
-- In the Central Govt today I can say with certainty that there is only one person taking all the decisions. But what I want is for everyone to have a dialogue, I want all of you to be able to be in Vidhan Sabha and have a dialogue.
-- A conversation should be started with Irom Sharmila, we'll do it: Rahul Gandhi when asked why Cong doesnt initiate conversation with Sharmila. A member of Govt does not have the decency to go there and say why are you protesting. After that you can say I don't agree with you, you are wrong, but at least start a conversation.
-- Prime Minister mentioned that he would produce two crore jobs. Its perfectly OK if you are focusing on large business and providing jobs.
India will only succeed if the economy grows and take the benefits to poor people. Most of the democratic dividend is poor. Most of the young are not rich.
-- They are slashing education, health care expenditure and by the way there are no jobs.
-- All the government is doing right now is giving contracts to large business people, that too very few of them. It's actually much worse that suit boot ki Sarkar, it is 5-6 suit boot ki Sarkar.
-- The central idea of the PM which I contest is that he believes that country can be run through the PMO. I have seen India for too long to believe that one person can change the lives of 1.3 billion people. Suit boot is failing because there are no jobs, economy is in doldrums and you don't have any money in education and healthcare.
15:09 PM appeals to Opposition for cooperation for passage of GST
Appealing to the Opposition for cooperation on the eve of the winter session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today made a strong pitch for early passage of the GST, saying it will be in the interest of the nation.
Modi, who made a brief appearance at the all-party meeting hosted by Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, assured the Opposition leaders that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will talk to them to address their concerns, if any, on the key reform measure.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the all party meeting that Goods and Services Tax (GST) legislation is in the interest of nation and the Finance Minister will speak to parties concerned to address their doubts on it," Naidu said after the meeting.
Modi also said Parliament should run meaningfully with the cooperation of all so as to fulfil the expectations of the people. Significantly, the JD(U) also backed the GST with party president Sharad Yadav announcing support of his party to the measure after the all-party meeting.
CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury, however, said that the Centre should hold talks with states on the issue of GST in view of the fact that they will lose all legislative power on tax matters once GST comes into force. He regretted that such talks have not been held despite repeated pleas for the same by the Left parties.
The Prime Minister also said that Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, who has held talks with leaders of various parties, may talk to them further on the issue of India's stand on the resolution on the climate change issue and any one can given suggestions for two more days. Amid indications of a tough session ahead, senior ministers had yesterday huddled to chalk out the strategy and work out floor coordination plans while parties like Congress, JD(U) and CPI-M made their intent clear, deciding to give notices for debate on the issue of intolerance and attacking Government on the key reform measure of GST. NDA ministers had discussed legislative proposals to be brought before consideration of both the Houses of Parliament which include three Bills relating to replacement of Ordinances, GST Bill, Real Estate Regulation Bill etc. The ministers also discussed recent incidents like Dadri killing, rationalist M M Kalburgi's killing and some other ones based on which a campaign alleging rising intolerance is on.
Modi, who made a brief appearance at the all-party meeting hosted by Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, assured the Opposition leaders that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will talk to them to address their concerns, if any, on the key reform measure.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the all party meeting that Goods and Services Tax (GST) legislation is in the interest of nation and the Finance Minister will speak to parties concerned to address their doubts on it," Naidu said after the meeting.
Modi also said Parliament should run meaningfully with the cooperation of all so as to fulfil the expectations of the people. Significantly, the JD(U) also backed the GST with party president Sharad Yadav announcing support of his party to the measure after the all-party meeting.
CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury, however, said that the Centre should hold talks with states on the issue of GST in view of the fact that they will lose all legislative power on tax matters once GST comes into force. He regretted that such talks have not been held despite repeated pleas for the same by the Left parties.
The Prime Minister also said that Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, who has held talks with leaders of various parties, may talk to them further on the issue of India's stand on the resolution on the climate change issue and any one can given suggestions for two more days. Amid indications of a tough session ahead, senior ministers had yesterday huddled to chalk out the strategy and work out floor coordination plans while parties like Congress, JD(U) and CPI-M made their intent clear, deciding to give notices for debate on the issue of intolerance and attacking Government on the key reform measure of GST. NDA ministers had discussed legislative proposals to be brought before consideration of both the Houses of Parliament which include three Bills relating to replacement of Ordinances, GST Bill, Real Estate Regulation Bill etc. The ministers also discussed recent incidents like Dadri killing, rationalist M M Kalburgi's killing and some other ones based on which a campaign alleging rising intolerance is on.
14:27 Snapdeal quickly distances itself from brand ambassador Aamir Khan
After facing flak for its brand ambassador's comments on intolerance, Snapdeal issues a statement distancing itself from Aamir Khan.
The statement reads:
"Snapdeal is neither connected nor plays a role in comments made by Aamir Khan in his personal capacity. Snapdeal is a proud Indian company built by passionate young Indians focused on building an inclusive digital India. Everyday we are positively impacting thousands of small businesses and millions of consumers in India. We will continue towards our mission of creating one million successful online entrepreneurs in India."
E-commerce marketplace Snapdeal's app has been getting a rash of one star ratings on its app on Google Play today, due to Khan's comments on intolerance yesterday.
Aamir Khan's statement saw a major backlash and became a trending topic on Twitter under the hashtag #AppWapsi. Some people decided to vent their disapproval by leaving the Snapdeal Android app a bad rating. Snapdeal had signed up Aamir Khan as its brand ambassador in March this year.
The statement reads:
"Snapdeal is neither connected nor plays a role in comments made by Aamir Khan in his personal capacity. Snapdeal is a proud Indian company built by passionate young Indians focused on building an inclusive digital India. Everyday we are positively impacting thousands of small businesses and millions of consumers in India. We will continue towards our mission of creating one million successful online entrepreneurs in India."
E-commerce marketplace Snapdeal's app has been getting a rash of one star ratings on its app on Google Play today, due to Khan's comments on intolerance yesterday.
Aamir Khan's statement saw a major backlash and became a trending topic on Twitter under the hashtag #AppWapsi. Some people decided to vent their disapproval by leaving the Snapdeal Android app a bad rating. Snapdeal had signed up Aamir Khan as its brand ambassador in March this year.
14:17 Jaish-e-Mohammad claims responsibility for Kupwara attack that left 3 dead
Militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed responsibility for the attack on army camp in Kupwara today. Jaish is viewed as the "deadliest" and "the principal terrorist organisation in Jammu and Kashmir" and has been designated as a terrorist organisation by Australia, Canada, India, the UAE, the UK, the US and the UN.
Three militants and a civilian was killed when at least 35 militants attacked an army camp in the Tangdhar area in north Kashmirs Kupwara district on Wednesday morning.
Army troops patrol the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district in Kashmir on Monday. Pic: Umar Ganie
Three militants and a civilian was killed when at least 35 militants attacked an army camp in the Tangdhar area in north Kashmirs Kupwara district on Wednesday morning.
It was a standoff attack at 6:15 am by a group of terrorists who fired weapons, including underbarrel grenade launchers, towards the rear location of the camp due to which some vehicles caught fire and were damaged and two individuals suffered injuries, sources said. A defence spokesman told Rediff.com that three AK-47 rifles were recovered. "The operation is still in progress," he added.
The attack came close on the heels of an ongoing anti-militant operation in the nearby forests of Manigah in the same district.
Army troops patrol the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district in Kashmir on Monday. Pic: Umar Ganie
14:05 The recommended Seventh Pay Commission hike will not create a boom
The Seventh Pay Commission award will boost central government wages by 23.5 per cent. So, many analysts have predicted a consumption boom, lifting corporate revenues and profits. Whoa!
Get your funda in place right here.
Get your funda in place right here.
13:59 SRK, Salman to come together for Big Boss 9?
Superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan are likely to share the stage on the hit TV reality show "Bigg Boss Nau" for the first time. "Talks are on to get Shah Rukh on the show. We are working on the dates. It's a great combination to get Salman and Shah Rukh for the show. Let's see how things work out," sources said. If everything goes right, it would be for the first time that SRK would be appearing on a Salman show.
Earlier Salman had said, "I would love to have him (SRK) on the show, but he knows I don't mean this. See, if he has the dates and he wants to come on the show then he is more than welcome. If he wants to come and spend some time with the contestants, then also he is more than welcome."
Earlier Salman had said, "I would love to have him (SRK) on the show, but he knows I don't mean this. See, if he has the dates and he wants to come on the show then he is more than welcome. If he wants to come and spend some time with the contestants, then also he is more than welcome."
13:54 How Sushma became 'acting PM'
The hint of a bigger role came on November 15, two days after the Paris attacks. On her way to America to inaugurate a meet for overseas Indians, Sushma Swaraj cut short her trip and returned to Delhi from Dubai.
Today, the foreign minister is effectively officiating as the No. 1 in the Union cabinet in the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Rajnath Singh from the country.
In other words, Sushma is the "acting" Prime Minister. Read
Today, the foreign minister is effectively officiating as the No. 1 in the Union cabinet in the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Rajnath Singh from the country.
In other words, Sushma is the "acting" Prime Minister. Read
13:36 'Intolerance' debate, resolution to open winter session of Parliament tomorrow
Opposition parties want Parliament to pass resolution condemning incidents of intolerance, says JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav and CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury. The Congress has already sent a notice to both houses for a debate over intolerance.
The Winter session of Parliament beginning on Thursday is set to be stormy with Opposition parties closing ranks to target the Government on issues including 'intolerance'. A day before the winter session of Parliament, the BJP is going all out to strategise its tactics to discuss various issues.
At the all-party meet which is on now at Parliament House, are Venkaiah Naidu, Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Sitaram Yechuri, Sharad Yadav, Chirag Paswan, D Raja and KC Tyagi.
The Winter session of Parliament beginning on Thursday is set to be stormy with Opposition parties closing ranks to target the Government on issues including 'intolerance'. A day before the winter session of Parliament, the BJP is going all out to strategise its tactics to discuss various issues.
At the all-party meet which is on now at Parliament House, are Venkaiah Naidu, Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Sitaram Yechuri, Sharad Yadav, Chirag Paswan, D Raja and KC Tyagi.
13:21 Mumbai music store Rhythm House to shut shop in 2016
Mumbai's temple of music, standing brave in the face of the digital revolution, finally accepts defeat. Kala Ghodas Rhythm House prepares to fold up operations as early as February. Read
13:19 UN chief urges de-escalating tensions after Russian jet downed
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed serious concern over the downing of a Russian military jet by Turkey on the Syrian border and asked all sides to take urgent measures to de-escalate tensions.
"The secretary-general urges all relevant parties to take urgent measures with a view to de-escalate the tensions," Ban's spokesperson said in a note to the media. "He hopes that a credible and thorough review of the incident will clarify the events and help prevent future recurrences," the spokesperson added.
The Russian SU-24 jet was shot down yesterday by NATO member Turkey somewhere over the Turkey-Syria border, an act Russian President Vladimir Putin said would have "serious consequences" for ties between the two countries.
"The secretary-general urges all relevant parties to take urgent measures with a view to de-escalate the tensions," Ban's spokesperson said in a note to the media. "He hopes that a credible and thorough review of the incident will clarify the events and help prevent future recurrences," the spokesperson added.
The Russian SU-24 jet was shot down yesterday by NATO member Turkey somewhere over the Turkey-Syria border, an act Russian President Vladimir Putin said would have "serious consequences" for ties between the two countries.
13:14 After France, are Pakistan and Afghanistan under threat?
If ISIS can strike in Paris, then it can surely strike in Paktika or Peshawar -- parts of the world with entrenched, enabling environments for extremists. It was in this region, before the post-9/11 U.S.-led military intervention in Afghanistan and before the drone war in Pakistan, where the biggest and baddest international terror groups enjoyed safe havens. Read more
12:49 Flipkart's Sachin Bansal extends support to rival Snapdeal
Sachin Bansal, CEO of Flipkart, has extended his support to rival e-commerce marketplace Snapdeal, which has come under attack by users for its affiliation to Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, reports Business Standard.
"This is flawed logic. Brands don't buy into brand ambassador's personal opinions. Snapdeal should not face this," Bansal tweeted on Wednesday. Snapdeal brought in Khan as its brand ambassador in March this year.
Following the actor's statement on intolerance in the country and that his wife Kiran Rao had wondered if they should move overseas, users retaliated by offering one-star ratings for the company's app on Apple and Google app stores and are campaigning to boycott its services in what is being called #AppWapsi.
"This is flawed logic. Brands don't buy into brand ambassador's personal opinions. Snapdeal should not face this," Bansal tweeted on Wednesday. Snapdeal brought in Khan as its brand ambassador in March this year.
Following the actor's statement on intolerance in the country and that his wife Kiran Rao had wondered if they should move overseas, users retaliated by offering one-star ratings for the company's app on Apple and Google app stores and are campaigning to boycott its services in what is being called #AppWapsi.
12:44
Sedition case filed against #AamirKhan in the Kanpur sessions court, hearing on December 1: ANI
12:35 Delhi gang rape: Police may book juvenile under NSA to prevent release
Just in: The Delhi police is mulling charging the juvenile perpetrator of the December 16 gang rape under the National Security Act. The man, who was a juvenile at the time of the incident, is set to walk free on December 15 after three years in a remand home. The cops are likely to book the juvenile under the NSA before he is released and are in consultation with lawyers and the home ministry. If that happens he can be incarcerated for a maximum of another 12 months. He is now 20 years old.
This comes after the parents of the woman, who was died as a result of the gang rape and torture, approached the National Human Rights Commission against his release, saying he is a threat to them as well as the society.
Reports have said that the juvenile was largely responsible for the death of the woman, who is referred to as Nirbhaya (The Fearless One) and was the "most brutal" of all the six rapists. The victim's father also wants his face to be shown to the world.
File pic: Policemen in plainclothes escort the juvenile rapist in the Delhi gang-rape case.
This comes after the parents of the woman, who was died as a result of the gang rape and torture, approached the National Human Rights Commission against his release, saying he is a threat to them as well as the society.
Reports have said that the juvenile was largely responsible for the death of the woman, who is referred to as Nirbhaya (The Fearless One) and was the "most brutal" of all the six rapists. The victim's father also wants his face to be shown to the world.
File pic: Policemen in plainclothes escort the juvenile rapist in the Delhi gang-rape case.
12:16 EU must limit migrant numbers: French PM
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls urged the European Union to limit the number of migrants it allows into the bloc, following heightened security concerns after the Paris attacks.
"Europe must say that it can no longer accommodate so many migrants, it is not possible," he said in extracts from a lunch with foreign media published by Germany's Suddeutsche Zeitung.
"Controlling the European Union's external borders is essential to the future of the EU. If we don't do that, people will say: 'Enough, Europe!'" he added, in comments confirmed by his entourage. Europe has been struggling for months to cope with its largest migrant crisis since World War II, but concerns about security have increased since Islamic State jihadists killed 130 people in Paris this month in the worst such attacks on French soil. The EU agreed Friday to rush through reforms to the passport-free Schengen zone by the end of the year during a meeting in Brussels, where France also pushed a controversial scheme to collect data on air passengers. Paris has also been stepping up efforts to create an international coalition to fight IS, which has declared a "caliphate" in Syria and Iraq, and Valls warned the jihadist group was also a threat to fellow European powers Germany and Italy.
"Europe must say that it can no longer accommodate so many migrants, it is not possible," he said in extracts from a lunch with foreign media published by Germany's Suddeutsche Zeitung.
"Controlling the European Union's external borders is essential to the future of the EU. If we don't do that, people will say: 'Enough, Europe!'" he added, in comments confirmed by his entourage. Europe has been struggling for months to cope with its largest migrant crisis since World War II, but concerns about security have increased since Islamic State jihadists killed 130 people in Paris this month in the worst such attacks on French soil. The EU agreed Friday to rush through reforms to the passport-free Schengen zone by the end of the year during a meeting in Brussels, where France also pushed a controversial scheme to collect data on air passengers. Paris has also been stepping up efforts to create an international coalition to fight IS, which has declared a "caliphate" in Syria and Iraq, and Valls warned the jihadist group was also a threat to fellow European powers Germany and Italy.
12:05 Delhi gang rape: Victim's parents want juvenile to be unmasked ahead of release
Next month, the youngest of the six men who gang-raped and tortured a young student on a moving bus in Delhi in 2012, will walk free. The parents of the woman have approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) against his release, saying he is a threat to them as well as the society.
The "juvenile" was largely responsible for the death of their daughter and the "most brutal" of all the rapists, say the parents of the 23-year-old woman.
Nirbhaya's father has also demanded that the young man's face be shown to the world.
The convict, who was a juvenile or below 18 at the time of the horrific crime, was sentenced to three years in a reform home, a punishment that many said was disproportionate to the enormity of the offence.
Based on the parents' complaint, the rights body has issued notices to the Centre and Delhi government. "They have submitted that such persons are threat to the life and liberty of the common man. There should be a mechanism to keep a strict check on them so that people are not subjected to any risk of being harmed. The complainants have also stated that the rate of recidivism (committing crimes again) is fairly high," said an NHRC statement.
The commission has asked the Delhi government whether the convict has been "recently subjected to psychological or psychiatric assessment for assessing his mental health."
The parents want the government to prepare a plan to protect the citizens from such convicts after their release. They have cited laws in the US, Canada and other countries where the state is required to monitor and track sex offenders released into the community.
The Commission said: "There is no doubt that the complainants have undergone extreme agony and pain after the incident of rape and murder of their daughter. The fears expressed by them need to be looked into". The parents had earlier written to Home Minister Rajnath Singh against the juvenile's release.
The "juvenile" was largely responsible for the death of their daughter and the "most brutal" of all the rapists, say the parents of the 23-year-old woman.
Nirbhaya's father has also demanded that the young man's face be shown to the world.
The convict, who was a juvenile or below 18 at the time of the horrific crime, was sentenced to three years in a reform home, a punishment that many said was disproportionate to the enormity of the offence.
Based on the parents' complaint, the rights body has issued notices to the Centre and Delhi government. "They have submitted that such persons are threat to the life and liberty of the common man. There should be a mechanism to keep a strict check on them so that people are not subjected to any risk of being harmed. The complainants have also stated that the rate of recidivism (committing crimes again) is fairly high," said an NHRC statement.
The commission has asked the Delhi government whether the convict has been "recently subjected to psychological or psychiatric assessment for assessing his mental health."
The parents want the government to prepare a plan to protect the citizens from such convicts after their release. They have cited laws in the US, Canada and other countries where the state is required to monitor and track sex offenders released into the community.
The Commission said: "There is no doubt that the complainants have undergone extreme agony and pain after the incident of rape and murder of their daughter. The fears expressed by them need to be looked into". The parents had earlier written to Home Minister Rajnath Singh against the juvenile's release.
11:45 What was Aamir's reply to Kiran?
"(Aamir) Khan comes late to the intolerance debate. Should he have advanced it, by talking not just about disquiet and alarm but also speaking, more than he did on Monday, about what writers, film stars, citizens should do, going forward, in the current climate? In making public his private talk with his wife, he communicated something heartening: that while being celebrities, they are not immune from the fears and insecurities of ordinary Indians.
"However, while telling us what his wife asked, about whether they should leave the country, he should perhaps have also told us what he said in reply. That was certainly a question begging to be asked of him. But there will always be quibbles. What lingers in the mind is not what Aamir Khan did not say but what he did, unawed by the presence of senior members of the government watching him from the best seats in the house. One can only hopes he retains that poise and calm as a wholly unmerited campaign of vilification erupts around him."
A nuanced piece on the Aamir Khan 'intolerance' controversy. Read
"However, while telling us what his wife asked, about whether they should leave the country, he should perhaps have also told us what he said in reply. That was certainly a question begging to be asked of him. But there will always be quibbles. What lingers in the mind is not what Aamir Khan did not say but what he did, unawed by the presence of senior members of the government watching him from the best seats in the house. One can only hopes he retains that poise and calm as a wholly unmerited campaign of vilification erupts around him."
A nuanced piece on the Aamir Khan 'intolerance' controversy. Read
11:35 1 soldier killed, colonel injured as gunbattle rages on in J-K
One soldier has been killed and a Colonel injured after three or four militants attacked an army camp in the frontier township of Tangdhar in north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Wednesday morning. A senior army official confirmed to Rediff.com that the militants fired at the camp and even grenades were hurled.
11:33 GST Bill, 'Intolerance' set to dominate Parliament session
Winter session of Parliament beginning tomorrow is set to be stormy with Opposition parties closing ranks to target the fovernment on issues including 'intolerance' even as the ruling dispensation, which is keen to pass the GST bill, expressed its readiness to discuss all issues.
The opposition attack is set to gain momentum from next Monday when the government brings its legislative agenda on the table after a two-day special sitting to discuss Constitution and its maker B R Ambedkar on his 125th birth anniversary.
The government has called an all-party meeting today. BJP parliamentary party executive and NDA constituents will meet later at the Prime Minister's residence followed by an all-party meeting called by the Speaker.
Amid indications of a tough session ahead, senior ministers yesterday huddled to chalk out the strategy and work out floor coordination plans while parties like Congress, JDU and CPI-M made their intent clear, deciding to give notices for debate on the issue of intolerance and attacking Government on the key reform measure of GST.
NDA ministers discussed legislative proposals to be brought before consideration of both the Houses of Parliament which include three Bills relating to replacement of Ordinances, GST Bill, Real Estate Regulation Bill etc.
The ministers also discussed recent incidents like Dadri killing, rationalist M M Kalburgi's killing and some other ones based on which a campaign alleging rising intolerance is on. Government is likely to take the line in Parliament that the Centre and BJP have nothing to do with these incidents and put the ball in the court of the states.
Government managers are also expected to state that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already responded to the matters. The view in the government is that there was no reason for it to be defensive in these matters but at the same time it should be ready to discuss them if the Opposition insists for the same.
On GST, the government's woes are far from over. CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said yesterday that "Government has not done its homework on GST bill. It has not convened an all-party meeting, which it should have done to discuss the same. Government will be solely responsible if the bill is not cleared in the House as it has not done its homework."
The opposition attack is set to gain momentum from next Monday when the government brings its legislative agenda on the table after a two-day special sitting to discuss Constitution and its maker B R Ambedkar on his 125th birth anniversary.
The government has called an all-party meeting today. BJP parliamentary party executive and NDA constituents will meet later at the Prime Minister's residence followed by an all-party meeting called by the Speaker.
Amid indications of a tough session ahead, senior ministers yesterday huddled to chalk out the strategy and work out floor coordination plans while parties like Congress, JDU and CPI-M made their intent clear, deciding to give notices for debate on the issue of intolerance and attacking Government on the key reform measure of GST.
NDA ministers discussed legislative proposals to be brought before consideration of both the Houses of Parliament which include three Bills relating to replacement of Ordinances, GST Bill, Real Estate Regulation Bill etc.
The ministers also discussed recent incidents like Dadri killing, rationalist M M Kalburgi's killing and some other ones based on which a campaign alleging rising intolerance is on. Government is likely to take the line in Parliament that the Centre and BJP have nothing to do with these incidents and put the ball in the court of the states.
Government managers are also expected to state that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already responded to the matters. The view in the government is that there was no reason for it to be defensive in these matters but at the same time it should be ready to discuss them if the Opposition insists for the same.
On GST, the government's woes are far from over. CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said yesterday that "Government has not done its homework on GST bill. It has not convened an all-party meeting, which it should have done to discuss the same. Government will be solely responsible if the bill is not cleared in the House as it has not done its homework."
11:24 Aamir's immature remark has boosted disinformation campaign: Govt
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said that Bollywood actor Aamir Khan had knowingly or unknowingly managed to hurt India and himself with his 'irresponsible' statement, adding that the 'painful' remark has boosted the 'orchestrated' disinformation campaign launched by the political opponents.
"Aamir has produced many sensitive, thought provoking and realistic films that have become popular in India. Unfortunately yesterday, knowingly or unknowingly, he has hurt India and himself with what he said," Naidu said.
"India is the most tolerant country in the world and everybody is saying so. We know what is happening in the neighbourhood and also in the western countries. India is a nation of peace and hope. It is unfortunate that a famous actor like Aamir Khan is making such immature statements," he added.
Naidu, however, said that the Bollywood star had complete freedom and was well within his rights to express his views, but he should keep in mind if he is 'serving the cause of the nation or hurting it'.
"Aamir has produced many sensitive, thought provoking and realistic films that have become popular in India. Unfortunately yesterday, knowingly or unknowingly, he has hurt India and himself with what he said," Naidu said.
"India is the most tolerant country in the world and everybody is saying so. We know what is happening in the neighbourhood and also in the western countries. India is a nation of peace and hope. It is unfortunate that a famous actor like Aamir Khan is making such immature statements," he added.
Naidu, however, said that the Bollywood star had complete freedom and was well within his rights to express his views, but he should keep in mind if he is 'serving the cause of the nation or hurting it'.
11:19
All party meet ahead of winter session, begins in Parliament.
11:12 How One Female Lawyer In India Is Fighting For Womens Basic Rights
"I'm a great believer in deliberative democracy; where you speak, but you also listen. You come through the other side with differences intact, but you also come through together in important ways." Those are the words of Karuna Nundy, a Supreme Court lawyer in India, speaking from her New Delhi office this month. Read more
11:06 What Aamir said and what he did not
Set the record straight before letting loose the lynch mob. The Telegraph breaks down what Aamir Khan actually said and what has been deciphered. Read
11:00 Aamir speaking the 'language of treachery', says Sena
The furore over Aamir Khan's intolerance remarks refuse to die down.
The Shiv Sena today hit out at the actor for his remarks on intolerance, saying he was speaking the "language of treachery" and asked the 'Khan clan' in the film industry to explain what calamity has befallen them.
Dubbing Aamir 'Ranchhoddas', a character he played in the film "3 Idiots", Sena said, "This Ranchhoddas should explain in which country is he going to live."
"Speaking of leaving the country is a language of treachery. Leave whatever glory this country has given you, here only," the BJP ally said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
"Only Aamir knows why he wanted to leave the country and why did he take his filmy wife's remarks so seriously," the Sena said. "Those who don't feel that India is their own, should not speak of patriotism and of 'Satyamev Jayate' (referring to Aamir's popular TV show)," it said.
Attacking the powerful 'Khan clan' in the Bollywood, Sena said, "The Khan community in the film industry speak of fleeing the country. Let it be known what calamity has befallen them. The film 'PK' which ridiculed Hindu deities garnered hundreds of crores. Was this because the country is intolerant."
The Sena said if the actor feels suffocated over 'intolerance', then he should release his films outside India. "Aamir and his wife should go to Kashmir and see the war which our jawans fight. Should families of martyred jawans flee the country," it said.
The 50-year-old actor had said, "Kiran (his wife) and I have lived all our life in India. For the first time, she said, should we move out of India...She fears for her child, she fears about what the atmosphere around us will be."
The Shiv Sena today hit out at the actor for his remarks on intolerance, saying he was speaking the "language of treachery" and asked the 'Khan clan' in the film industry to explain what calamity has befallen them.
Dubbing Aamir 'Ranchhoddas', a character he played in the film "3 Idiots", Sena said, "This Ranchhoddas should explain in which country is he going to live."
"Speaking of leaving the country is a language of treachery. Leave whatever glory this country has given you, here only," the BJP ally said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
"Only Aamir knows why he wanted to leave the country and why did he take his filmy wife's remarks so seriously," the Sena said. "Those who don't feel that India is their own, should not speak of patriotism and of 'Satyamev Jayate' (referring to Aamir's popular TV show)," it said.
Attacking the powerful 'Khan clan' in the Bollywood, Sena said, "The Khan community in the film industry speak of fleeing the country. Let it be known what calamity has befallen them. The film 'PK' which ridiculed Hindu deities garnered hundreds of crores. Was this because the country is intolerant."
The Sena said if the actor feels suffocated over 'intolerance', then he should release his films outside India. "Aamir and his wife should go to Kashmir and see the war which our jawans fight. Should families of martyred jawans flee the country," it said.
The 50-year-old actor had said, "Kiran (his wife) and I have lived all our life in India. For the first time, she said, should we move out of India...She fears for her child, she fears about what the atmosphere around us will be."
10:55 Arms, explosives recovered from militant hideout in Poonch
Busting a major militant hideout, security forces have recovered huge quantity of arms and explosive devices from Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Acting on a specific information, a joint team of Army and Police launched a search operation in general area of Salani in Poonch district yesterday and recovered war-like stores, a defence spokesman said today. The arms and ammunitions recovered from hideout include - three IED Cylinder (3 kg each), bottle-shaped IED 500 gms, two AK magazines, 112 rounds of AK, one Chinese grenade, 41 PIKA ammunition, one broken radio set, two Pakistan currency notes (50+10), one Telenor sim card, two IED trigger and two meter wire, he said. Such recovery of IEDs, arms and ammunition will definitely act as a big blow to nefarious designs of terrorists, the spokesman said.
Acting on a specific information, a joint team of Army and Police launched a search operation in general area of Salani in Poonch district yesterday and recovered war-like stores, a defence spokesman said today. The arms and ammunitions recovered from hideout include - three IED Cylinder (3 kg each), bottle-shaped IED 500 gms, two AK magazines, 112 rounds of AK, one Chinese grenade, 41 PIKA ammunition, one broken radio set, two Pakistan currency notes (50+10), one Telenor sim card, two IED trigger and two meter wire, he said. Such recovery of IEDs, arms and ammunition will definitely act as a big blow to nefarious designs of terrorists, the spokesman said.
10:43 Paris summit a powerful rebuke to terrorists: Obama
The climate change summit in Paris next week is a "powerful rebuke" to terrorists and shows the global resolve to fight them, US President Barack Obama has said. Obama would be among the top world leaders who will attend the important global meet on climate change in Paris, the city which was rocked by Islamic State terror attacks earlier this month.
Obama saluted the people of Paris for showing the world how to stay strong in the face of terrorism. "Even as they grieve, Parisians have begun returning to their cafes, riding the metro, and going to stadiums to cheer for their teams. Crowds gather in the Place de la Republique, including a mother who brought her children -- she said, 'to let them see that we should not be afraid'," Obama said.
"As one Parisian said, 'Paris will always be Paris'," he said.
10:14 Arun Jaitley, P Chidambaram spar over GST ahead of all-party meet
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley offered to discuss with Congress changes in the Goods and Services Tax bill but also said that some of the party's demands can "damage" more than benefit the system. It would be "extremely unfair" to the country "if we try to impose in the name of political compromise, a GST with a defective architecture," Jaitley said.
Responding to the comments, former finance minister P Chidambaram tweeted this morning: "FM's confrontational speech at ASSOCHAM not the best way to reach out to opposition on GST." The sparring sets the tone for an all-party meeting today on GST, which will create a single market in India for the first time since independence and is expected to boost the economy.
09:28 Army's oil depot catches fire during attack in J-K's Tangdhar area
A huge attack was carried out on an army camp in Tangdhar in Jammu and Kashmir this morning. According to reports, the oil depot at the army camp has caught fire, leading to chaos and panic at the site. The army has retaliated with firing. Reports added that at least three to four militants might have stormed the camp in the morning and begun the attack.
08:58 A R Rahman recognises with Aamir Khan's 'intolerance' remark
Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman said he identified with Bollywood star Aamir Khan's statement on growing intolerance and that his (Khan's) wife felt like leaving the country when he said he (Rahman) too faced a similar situation a couple of months ago.
Rahman was referring to Mumbai-based Raza Academy's fatwa against him after he composed the music for Iranian film 'Muhammad: Messenger of God', which alleged that the title was humiliating to the Prophet. At that time, chief ministers of Delhi and UP had cancelled Rahman's concerts at the last minute.
Rahman said he too had faced intolerance and insisted that people should not be violent in a civilized society. "I had gone through something similar a couple of months ago," Rahman said.
08:51
JUST IN: Terrorists attack Army post at Tangdhar near LOC in Kupwara.
More details are awaited.
08:37 Terror hideout busted in J-K's Poonch district
Busting a major terror hideout, the Indian Army recovered several improvised explosive devices and ammunition from Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.
The joint operation was conducted yesterday evening by the Rashtriya Rifles battalion, Territorial Army and the Jammu and Kashmir police.
The arms and ammunition recovered from the hideout include three IED cylinders , bottle shaped IEDs, two AK magazines, 112 rounds of AK, one Chinese grenade, 41 PIKA ammunition, two IED triggers and two meter wires. The haul also included a broken radio set, a SIM card and two Pakistan currency notes.
08:26 Snapdeal faces flak for Aamir Khan's statement
Snapdeal's app has been downgraded by users on the Google Play Store for the e-commerce marketplace's affiliation with Bollywood actor Aamir Khan. The move is as a protest towards statements made by the actor with regard to the rising wave of intolerance in the country. Protesters have begun offering one-star ratings for the company's app on the Play Store to voice their discontent with Snapdeal's affiliation with the actor. The have also begun a social media campaign to promote others to uninstall the app christening the movement as #AppWapsi.
08:11 2 Indians among 58 fighters who deserted Islamic State
A total of 58 persons from 18 countries have deserted the Islamic State between January 2014 and August 2015, latest intelligence inputs claimed. The list included two Indians -- Kalyan youth Areeb Majeed and a 17-year-old girl who was believed to have travelled to Syria from Qatar, sources said.
The highest number of deserters, as per the reports, were from Syria (21), followed by Saudi Arabia (9) and four each from Tunisia and Indonesia. There were two deserters each from India, Australia, Germany, Tajikistan, Turkey and the UK. Others were from Belgium, Egypt, France, Iraq, Jordan, Libya and Switzerland.
"These people have deserted IS at great personal risk, but have done so because they either felt they were being given a raw deal compared to other foreign fighters, or because they became disillusioned with the outfit," said an intelligence source.
02:18 Sheena died due to asphyxia caused by strangulation: Report
Sheena Bora died due to asphyxia as a result of strangulation, according to a medical report that is part of the CBI charge sheet in the sensational murder case in which her mother Indrani Mukerjea is the key accused.
The report was prepared by a five-member medical board formed by the Government-run All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) based in New Delhi.
"Death in this case is due to asphyxia as a result of strangulation by the way of ligature or manual cannot be ruled out," said the report.
The report also said the human skeleton, sent for examination and believed to be of Sheena's, was of a female aged about 23. It put the time of death at about three years ago.
These details broadly matched with Sheena, who was aged 24 at the time of her murder in April 2012.
01:55 Writer, journalist Mahip Singh passes away
Writer, columnist and journalist Mahip Singh passed away at a private hospital in Gurgaon today after a brief illness, family members said. He was 85.
According to his family members, Singh was admitted to the hospital on November 16 when he faced problems in breathing and he took his last breath at around 1 pm today. His last rites would be performed tomorrow. Singh is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter. Singh was born on August 15, 1930 at a village in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh.
His family later shifted to Kanpur. Collection of his first short stories 'Subah ke Phool' was published in 1959 and later on more than 20 short stories collections were published. His famous novels include 'Ye Bhi Nhi', Abhi Shesh Hai'and 'Bich ki Dhoop'.
01:49 Sena minister likens Aamir, Dilip Kumar, SRK to 'snakes'
A Shiv Sena minister in BJP-led Maharashtra government today said actor Aamir Khan "can go to Pakistan" if he didn't love India and that people such as Aamir, Shah Rukh and thespian Dilip Kumar were like "snakes", considering their statements.
Senior Shiv Sena leader and the state Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam was responding when asked about Aamir Khan's statement that his wife Kiran Rao was afraid to live in India due to rising intolerance and suggested they move out of the country.
"If he doesn't love the country any more, then he can go to Pakistan," Kadam said.
01:47 Central team to visit TN on Nov 26 to assess flood damage
Government today said a team of officials will visit Tamil Nadu to make first-hand assessment of the damage caused by floods on Thursday. A team will also be sent to Andhra Pradesh as soon as its memorandum is received, the finance ministry said in a statement.
"The Government of India is deputing a team of the Central Government officials to Tamil Nadu on November 26, 2015 to make a first-hand assessment of the damage.
A Central team will also be sent to State of Andhra Pradesh as soon as its memorandum is received," the statement said.
00:40 France, US to intensify airstrikes against IS in Syria, Iraq
The United States and France today decided to intensify airstrikes against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria and support those fighting against it on the ground.
"We cannot, and we will not succumb to fear. Nor can we allow fear to divide us. For that's how terrorists win,"President Barack Obama asserted at a joint news conference with his French counterpart Francois Hollande after they metat the White House to discuss the anti-ISIS mission. The two leaders held the meeting to strengthen the coalition against the Islamic State in the wake of the horrific Paris terrorist attack by the dreaded terror group
Hollande's trip to Washington was part of a diplomatic push to get the US and other nations to bolster efforts todestroy the militant group that has claimed responsibility forthe Paris attacks.
Calling for a "joint response", Hollande said France and US would "scale up our strikes both in Syria and in Iraq to broaden our scope to strengthen our intelligence sharing regarding the targets."
00:36 Top headlines of the last 24 hours
Indrani willed most of her properties to Vidhie, says charge sheet
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Drowning of Russian jet by Turkey is a stab in the back: Putin
Ex-Pak prez Zardari acquitted in corruption case
Acid attack: SC suggests filing contempt case against hospitals
Some are misleading, some are misled: Naidu on Aamir's remark
Today, world is dealing with India on equal terms: Modi@Singapore
Drowning of Russian jet by Turkey is a stab in the back: Putin
Ex-Pak prez Zardari acquitted in corruption case
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