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Tue, 18 October 2016
Obama tells Trump to 'stop whining,' focus on winning votes
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23:25 Obama tells Trump to 'stop whining,' focus on winning votes
United States President Barack Obama urged Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to "stop whining" about the November 8 election being rigged, saying no serious person could suggest US elections could be manipulated because of their decentralized nature.
"I have never seen in my lifetime, or in modern political history, any presidential candidate trying to discredit the elections and the election process before votes have even taken place. It's unprecedented," the Democratic president said.
"I'd invite Trump to stop whining, and go try to make his case to get votes," Obama said at a joint White House news conference with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
22:45 At least 1 killed after shooting reported in western Germany
A shooting and hostage situation in the town of Dueren in northwest Germany has ended with one hostage injured and the gunman, who was also the hostage taker, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police.
The incident began with a shooting at a hairdressing salon, DPA reported, citing police.
There was at least one shot, a police spokeswoman told journalists. Police later confirmed that there had been no casualties at the salon.
According to local media, a man entered the hairdressing salon and insulted a woman before firing several shots and taking one woman hostage.
The man later fled the scene and barricaded himself in a nearby apartment with the hostage. German media reported that Old Town had been closed off due to a heavy police presence at the scene.
22:45 Revoke Salman's acquittal in poaching case: Rajasthan govt to SC
Rajasthan government approached the Supreme Court against Salman Khan's acquittal in blackbuck-chinkara poaching case on Tuesday.
The Rajasthan high court in Jodhpur had acquitted the actor in the 18-year-old incident in July.Khan and seven others were accused of killing a blackbuck and chinkara in two separate incidents.
One of the animals was killed at Bhawad on the outskirts of Jodhpur on 26 September 1998, and the other at Ghoda Farms on 28 September 1998.
22:03 Govt asks auto makers to give emission details of vehicles
From April 1, 2017, all automobile manufacturers will have to give a detailed declaration about emission levels of each motor vehicle.
"From April 1, 2017, the vehicle manufacturers will have to provide emission details for each vehicle," the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement.
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has amended Form 22 under the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989, through which manufacturers provide the initial certificate of compliance with pollution standards, safety standards of components quality and roadworthiness certificate for all vehicles.
In the case of e-rickshaws and e-carts, this form will be issued with the signature of an authorised signatory of registered e-rickshaw or e-cart association, the statement added.
Earlier, Form 22 only certified that the vehicle in question complied with the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and rules there under, including the relevant emission norms Bharat Stage I/II/III etc.
"The Form will include the brand, chassis number, engine number (motor number, in case of battery operated vehicles) and emission norms Bharat Stage - IV / VI /Bharat (Trem) Stage-III/III etc of the vehicle and specify the levels of each pollutant like carbon monoxide, hydro carbon, non-methane HC, NOx, HC + NOx, PM etc for petrol and diesel vehicles and also sound level for horn and pass by noise values," the statement said.
21:30 Cross-LoC strikes happened in past too: FS contradicts Parrikar
The army had carried out "target specific, limited-calibre, counter-terrorist operations" across the Line of Control in the past too but this is for the first time the government has gone public about it, a Parliamentary panel
was told on Tuesday, in remarks that appear to contradict the defence minister's claim.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar gave this information to the Parliamentary Committee on Exernal Affairs when he was specifically asked by MPs whether surgical strikes have been done in the past.
"Professionally done, target-specific, limited calibre counter-terrorist operations" have been carried out across the LoC in the past too, but this is for the first time that the government has made it public," according to sources present in the meeting.
The top diplomat's comments assume significance in the context of claims by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's claims last week rejecting Congress's claims that surgical strikes were undertaken during the United Progressive Alliance government too.
He had asserted that it was the first time that surgical strikes had taken place in the aftermath of the Uri terror attack and what was undertaken previously were operations locally executed by commanders without involving the government.
Jaishankar also told the committee that while India has been engaging with Pakistan post the September 29 surgical strikes, but no "calendar" has so far been prepared regarding future engagement and its level with Islamabad, members said on condition of anonymity.
He said soon after the operations had ended, the Director General Military Operations of the Pakistan Army was informed about the strikes.
During the two-and-a-half-hour meeting, Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Bipin Rawat also gave details of the strikes targeting terrorist launch pads across the LoC.
20:52 MakeMyTrip to acquire ibibo Group
Online travel firm MakeMyTrip will acquire rival ibibo in an equity deal that will create one of the leading travel groups in India.
South Africa's Naspers and China's Tencent Holdings are selling ibibo Group to MakeMyTrip in exchange for an issuance of new shares by MakeMyTrip, the company said in a statement.
Upon closing of the transaction, MakeMyTrip will own 100 per cent of ibibo Group.
Naspers and Tencent will become the single largest shareholder in MakeMyTrip, owning a 40 per cent stake and will contribute proportionate working capital upon closing, it added.
Additionally, prior to closing, a USD 180 million, 5-year convertible notes issued by MakeMyTrip to Ctrip.com International Ltd in January 2016 will also be converted into common equity, resulting in Ctrip having an approximately 10 per cent stake in the combined entity, it added.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of December 2016 and is subject to approval by MakeMyTrip shareholders and regulatory approvals.
The combination will bring together a bouquet of consumer travel brands, including MakeMyTrip, goibibo, redBus, Ryde and Rightstay, which together processed 34.1 mm transactions during FY 2016, MakeMyTrip said in a statement. "
20:47 Mallya Case: DRT asks Airbus to deposit Rs 192.51 cr
The Debt Recovery Tribunal today directed European aircraft manufacturer Airbus to deposit with it Rs 192.51 crore toward pre-delivery payment made by a consortium of banks for purchase of planes by now defunct Kingfisher Airlines controlled by Vijay Mallya.
Passing orders on an amended plea filed by the consortium led by the Oriental Bank of Commerce for recovery of the payment, DRT Presiding Officer K Srinivasan directed Airbus to deposit Rs 192.51 crore from any source within eight weeks.
The Oriental Bank of Commerce, Corporation Bank and United Bank of India, had submitted that they made a pre-delivery payment of Rs 192.51 crore to Airbus on behalf of Kingfisher Airlines after both parties had signed a purchase agreement in 2005.
But the planes were not delivered. Since the Airbus had failed to repay the pre-delivery payment, the consortium made GoAir and Indigo as parties in the case by filing applications under garnishee proceedings to recover the money.
It had sought a direction to the budget carriers to deposit the money to be paid by them to Airbus with it, under garnishee proceedings.
A garnishment is a means of getting a monetary judgement against a defendant by ordering a third party (the garnishee) to pay the money, otherwise owed to the defendant, directly to the plaintiff.
20:32 I can make tea, play drums, I can become PM: Azam Khan
He may be a strident critic of Narendra Modi but Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan says he shares many of his qualities like "making tea", "dressing properly" and "playing drums" and is a "fit candidate" for prime minister.
"I have all the qualities of becoming the prime minister. I can make tea, play the drum, cook food and I wear proper clothes. Besides, I am not all that bad looking or am I corrupt," he said at an e-rickshaw distribution function in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur.
Khan took jibes at Modi for his "chaiwala" beginnings, his "monogrammed suit" and his drum playing episodes in Japan and Tanzania.
"If I become Prime Minister, I assure you, I will deposit Rs 20 lakh in accounts of 130 crore people within six months. I am not like those who don't keep their promises," he said in an apparent dig at Modi over his poll promise of depositing Rs 15 lakh each in the account of every Indian.
"Nobody would have been poor if the money was deposited. People would not have to come here to take e-rickshaws to earn a livelihood but would have been 'crore-patis' (millionaires)," he said.
"A rikshaw puller always faces difficulty in getting his daughter married because the probable groom's family rejects the proposal because of his social status and work," he claimed.
20:23 Panneerselvam to chair TN Cabinet meet in Jaya's absence
Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, who has been allocated the portfolios held by ailing Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, will preside over a meeting of the Tamil Nadu cabinet tomorrow, government sources said.
Panneerselvam will chair the meeting as Jayalalithaa is undergoing medical treatment at the Apollo Hospital here since September 22.
The meeting to be held on Wednesday comes in the backdrop of the ongoing Cauvery water sharing row with Karnataka and demands by opposition parties for an all-party meeting on the issue.
Farmers' bodies and political parties had staged state-wide rail blockade urging the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Management Board.
Last week, Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao had allotted the portfolios held by Jayalalithaa including Home and Police, to Panneerselvam, till she could resume official duties.
The Raj Bhavan had then, in a release, said Paneerselvam, who holds the Administrative reforms portfolio, in addition to Finance, "will also preside over cabinet meetings."
Jayalalithaa, 68, was admitted to the Apollo hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration.
A specialist from London besides three-member team of doctors from AIIMS, Delhi, had also examined Jayalalithaa, who is being treated for infection with respiratory support.
20:19 Hurriyat leader meets Pak High Commissioner
All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi today met Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit and discussed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting comes in the backdrop of continued unrest in the Valley which has been witnessing violent protests since July 8 after the killing of Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani, who has been hailed by Pakistan government as a "martyr".
"The APHC leader Syed Al-Moosvi met Basit at the High Commission here and discussed the situation in the state," Pakistan High Commission sources said.
However, they did not divulge any further details of the meeting.
Syed Al-Moosvi along with other party leaders had strongly condemned the restrictions and use of force by security personnel.
19:49 'Hotels can sell water, soft drinks above MRP at tables'
Hotels and restaurants can sell mineral water and aerated drinks above the maximum retail price unless it is sold over the counter, The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India said today.
"HRAWI, in a bid to remove any ambiguity over selling water, aerated drinks and similar commodities above the MRP, has issued a circular to its members clarifying that hotels and restaurants could continue to sell the same above the MRP," the association said in a statement issued.
"However, if such commodities are being sold over the counter then it is advised that they be sold at MRP only," it added.
The circular was issued in response to queries posed by members after media reports quoted Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan saying that selling water and aerated drinks above MRP could attract fine and a jail term.
HRAWI is a member association in the western region of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India, the apex body of hotels and restaurants in the country.
"As per the present law, there is no such legal repercussion that can prosecute a hotel or restaurant for the sale of either packaged drinking water or aerated drinks or any such commodity above the MRP while being served in the premises i.e inside hotels and restaurants," FHRAI and HRAWI Chairman - Legal Matters sub-committee and HRAWI Secretary Pradeep Shetty said.
"So we have advised our members that they can continue selling at suitable rates as the MRP law applies to retailers only," Shetty added.
19:43 Trump's Twitter debate lead was 'swelled by bots'
Almost a third of pro-Donald Trump tweets around the first US presidential debate were not sent by humans but by online bots compared to just over a fifth of pro-Hillary Clinton posts, a new Oxford University study says.
More than four times as many tweets were made by automated accounts in favour of Republican candidate Trump around the first US presidential debate on September 26 as by those backing his Democratic rival Clinton, the BBC reported on the eve of the third and final encounter between the two in Las Vegas.
The bots exaggerated support for the 70-year-old Republican presidential hopeful, the study suggests, but Trump would still have won a higher number of supportive tweets even if they had not.
The authors warn such software has the capacity to "manipulate public opinion" and "muddy political issues".
The investigation was led by Prof Philip Howard, from the University of Oxford, and is part of a wider project exploring "computational propaganda".
It covered tweets posted on September 26, the day of the first debate, plus the three days afterwards, and relied on popular hashtags linked to the event.
First, the researchers identified accounts that exclusively posted messages containing hashtags associated with one candidate but not the other.
These accounted for about 1.8 million pro-Trump tweets and 613,000 pro-Clinton posts.
The results suggested that 32.7 per cent of such pro-Trump tweets had been posted by bots and 22.3 per cent of such pro-Clinton ones.
19:40 Who is cricketer Virat Kohli's girlfriend?: Thane school asks Class 9 students in PT exam
Students of class 9 at a school in Bhiwandi township were left bewildered when they were asked to name cricketer Virat Kohli's girlfriend in their Physical Training examination.
During the examination at Chacha Nehru Hindi High School held on October 13, one of the questions in the paper was -- who is cricketer Virat Kohli's girlfriend? and had three options -- Priyanka (Chopra), Anushka (Sharma) and Deepika (Padukone).
Students then took the question paper to their parents, who later brought it to media's attention. The picture of the paper was also doing rounds on mobile messaging app Whatsapp.
When contacted, the school management told reporters that the goof-up happened as the regular teacher was absent and the paper was set by a Hindi faculty teacher.
District education officer Ashok Misal could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts.
19:36 Builders have developed attitude of not fulfilling promises: SC
Real-estate firms today got a rap on their knuckles from the Supreme Court for making tall claims to purchasers which remained unfulfilled due to inordinate delay in completing the housing projects.
"In this country, builders have developed an attitude to make committments to the purchasers and not fulfill them by delaying the projects," a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said.
The apex court's observation came after real estate firm Parsvnath Buildwell Pvt Ltd said it will give flats to 70 home buyers, who are before the court, by December 17.
"They (home buyers) do not have patience and trust in you and need refund. Money should go back to them and they should not suffer," the bench also comprising Justices Amitava Roy and A M Khanwilkar said.
The bench, also pulled up the realty firm for seeking time to deposit additional Rs 10 crore, asking "why do you get into all this business when you can't pay back the money? You have to give back the money to home buyers."
19:02 India providing strength to world economy: PM
India can play a major role in providing strength to global economy that is facing slowdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, while exhorting small businesses to make products with "zero defect" and "zero effect" on environment.
He also stressed upon the need to promote Khadi industry. Modi, who distributed 500 wooden charkhas to women, said there was a time when Khadi was used as a tool in fight for Independence now it should be used for fashion.
"Things are different today. See how well Khadi is marketed now. Earlier it was only 'Khadi for nation', now it's also 'Khadi for fashion'," he said.
Appealing to people the use Khadi products, he said that it is a priority for India as a Charkha at home brings more income.
"I urge entrepreneurs that they participate in ZED (zero defect, zero effect) movement. At least 10 lakh units should come forward. We have set 50 parameters to meet ZED certification standard. Please enable yourself to comply with those," the Prime Minister said addressing at National Award function for MSME.
18:36 TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee injured in road accident
Trinamool Congress MP and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee was seriously injured when his car met with an accident on the Durgapur Expressway in Hooghly district on Tuesday.
"The accident occurred at Ratanpur. He is being shifted to a nursing home in Kolkata," an officer manning the state police control room said.
According to News 18, at the time of the accident, Banerjee was the only person in the car apart from the driver. According to the report, former Congress leader Manas Bhuniya, who recently joined TMC was also accompanying Banerjee on the trip to Murshidabad, but he was not in the same car.
18:32 Interpol issues red corner notice against MP's pangolin poacher
Interpol has issued a red corner notice against an international wildlife smuggler Jaiy Tamang (42) alias Passang Limi on the request of the Madhya Pradesh forest department.
"Probably it is the first instance in which a red corner notice has recently been issued by Interpol in a case registered by the Madhya Pradesh forest department in connection with a wildlife crime," an official of the forest department said.
In September 2014, pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) poaching came to light in Balaghat and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh.
The state forest department then constituted a special taskforce with officer in-charge Ritesh Sarothiya, who also is the assistant conservator of forests, to probe the matter.
Following this, the STF arrested Jaiy for allegedly hunting pangolins and tigers, besides illegally trading in their parts, in October 2015 from Delhi, Sarothiya said.
Jaiy was brought to Hoshangabad district where he had been booked and remanded in custody. But, he got bail in November 2015 and since then has gone underground, Sarothiya added.
Image used for representational purposes. Photograph: Lance van de Vyver/Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016
18:26 UK extradites wanted accused in 2002 Gujarat riots
A 40-year-old man wanted in connection with the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat was today extradited from the UK to stand trial in India, becoming the first person to be sent back from Britain 24 years after the two countries signed an extradition treaty.
Samirbhai Vinubhai Patel had been arrested by Scotland Yard in west London in August on a Red Corner Notice issued by Indian authorities. His extradition order was signed by UK home secretary Amber Rudd on September 22 and the "surrender arrangements" were finalised for his departure.
It marks the first extradition from the UK since the signing of the India-UK extradition treaty in 1992.
18:15 For me my country comes first, nothing else matters: Karan Johar
Breaking his silence over the Ae Dil Hai Mushkil controversy, filmmaker Karan Johar said, "For me my country comes first, nothing else matters to me but my country."
In a video message released today Johar said, "There has been some talk about why I remained silent, for the past two weeks."
"Reason why I remained silent is because of deep sense of pain I felt that a few people would actually believe that I am being anti-national."
"For me my country comes first, nothing else matters to me but my country," he said.
He further added, "The best way to express your patriotism is to spread love and that's all I have ever tried to do through my work and cinema. When I shot my film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in September-December last year, the climate was completely different, circumstances were different."
"There were efforts made by our government for peaceful relationships with the neighbouring country and I respected those efforts then," the filmmaker-producer said.
18:08 Trinamool Abhishek Banerjee injured in road accident
Just In: Trinamool Congress MP from Diamond Harbour, Abhishek Banerjee, has been injured in a road accident, and admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata.
17:57 Odd-even had no impact: NGT to AAP govt
The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi government to convene a meeting of concerned authorities to come up with a solution to tackle the worsening air quality in the national capital, after being told that the
odd-even scheme has not helped in curbing pollution.
The direction to hold such a meeting soon was given by a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar to the Delhi Chief Secretary, Delhi Pollution Control Committee and other stakeholders.
The order came after Central Pollution Control Board said there was no improvement in air quality in Delhi during the second week of the odd-even scheme in April.
In fact, as per its report, the ambient air quality in Delhi during the odd-even implementation period was found to have deteriorated further than the level when the restriction was not in force, it said.
"The counsel appearing for CPCB on instructions says there has been no improvement in ambient air quality of Delhi during implementation of odd-even scheme...The Chief Secretary, NCT of Delhi shall conduct a meeting in relation to ambient air quality in Delhi," the bench said.
The matter was listed for next hearing on November 16.
17:53 Geeta Phogat appointed as DSP in Haryana police
The Haryana government today appointed international woman wrestler Geeta Phogat as a deputy superintendent of police in Haryana police.
A proposal of the home department was approved in a meeting of the state cabinet that was presided over by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
The state cabinet also approved the proposal of the home department to appoint mountaineer Ram Lal as a sub-inspector in the Haryana police department under the sports quota.
17:51 Lankan army officer pays Rs 2m to dead LTTE member's family
A retired army lieutenant who was charged with murdering an LTTE member in 1998 today paid Rs 2 million to the victim's family as per a high court ruling.
The Colombo high court in August had sentenced the officer for a two-year rigorous imprisonment and suspended him for 10 years over the death of Robert Velinthan in custody in 1998. The officer was accused of shooting and murdering the handcuffed Velinthan in Point Pedro town in Jaffna district as he was trying to flee the army's custody.
The money was collected on his behalf by the Joint Opposition backers of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
According to the UN estimates, more than 40,000 civilians were killed in Sri Lanka during the final phase of the three-decade long Tamil conflict in 2009. The Sri Lankan government disputes the UN figure.
17:48 Nawaz Sharif elected unopposed as PML-N chief
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is under pressure to quit following the Panama Papers leak, was today unanimously re-elected as president of his party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in an intra-party election re-elected 66-year-old Sharif unopposed as no one contested his leadership.
Senior party leader Raja Zafarul Haq, an old loyalist of Sharif, was elected PML-N chairman. He was also elected unopposed.
Senior party leaders Sartaj Aziz, Sir Anjam Khan, Yakoob Khan and Mir Changez Khan Marri were elected senior vice presidents.
A five-member election committee headed by Chaudhry Jaffar Iqbal organised the election.
Sharif's election as PML-N chief comes at a time when Imran Khan, chief of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, has been demanding for his resignation. Khan has threatened to launch a massive protest on November 2 to dislodge Sharif by locking down the capital Islamabad.
17:45 FIR against Bhubaneswar hospital for fire tragedy
Police on Tuesday filed an FIR against Bhubaneswar's SUM hospital after 22 people died in a major fire on Monday evening.
Earlier, three contract-based electricians working for hospital were suspended. They were on the shift the night of the tragedy and were responsible for handling the power supply.
This development comes after Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who visited the Capital Hospital, where most of the injured were brought in, ordered a probe into the incident.
The Odisha government has formed a three member committee under a revenue divisional commissioner to probe the matter.
17:24 Would not even think of playing cricket with Pakistan: Gambhir
Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir today called for a complete freeze on ties with Pakistan till the time cross-border terrorism does not end, saying that "Indian lives are more important than sports".
"I would not even think of playing cricket with Pakistan. Indian lives are more important than sports," Gambhir told mediapersons in New Delhi.
Gambhir insisted that every Indian must put himself into the shoes of an army personnel before talking about keeping politics and sports separate. "I absolutely endorse that we should not have any relation or ties with Pakistan until the time this cross border terrorism finishes. People need to put themselves in army's shoes who have lost their kids, someone have lost their father, son.
"We can say this sitting in an AC room that cricket or Bollywood should not be compared to politics as long as we don't think ourselves as Indians, or think for our own countrymen. So I totally endorse that until the time we don't secure our own Indians, our own countrymen, all other things can be kept aside," the 35-year-old added.
Gambhir, who had recently made a comeback to the India Test team against New Zealand, is not the first Indian sportsperson to express his views on the issue of Pakistan.
India Test skipper Virat Kohli had condemned the Uri attack of September 18 on an army camp that claimed the lives of 19 Indian soldiers and former opener Virender Sehwag has also spoken out this on the social media. The Indian team has not played a bilateral series with Pakistan since the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai.
India were due to tour Pakistan in January 2009 but that series was cancelled following the attacks. Another scheduled series in March-April 2012 was also cancelled after the Indian government refused to give the green signal to the tour.
"I would not even think of playing cricket with Pakistan. Indian lives are more important than sports," Gambhir told mediapersons in New Delhi.
Gambhir insisted that every Indian must put himself into the shoes of an army personnel before talking about keeping politics and sports separate. "I absolutely endorse that we should not have any relation or ties with Pakistan until the time this cross border terrorism finishes. People need to put themselves in army's shoes who have lost their kids, someone have lost their father, son.
"We can say this sitting in an AC room that cricket or Bollywood should not be compared to politics as long as we don't think ourselves as Indians, or think for our own countrymen. So I totally endorse that until the time we don't secure our own Indians, our own countrymen, all other things can be kept aside," the 35-year-old added.
Gambhir, who had recently made a comeback to the India Test team against New Zealand, is not the first Indian sportsperson to express his views on the issue of Pakistan.
India Test skipper Virat Kohli had condemned the Uri attack of September 18 on an army camp that claimed the lives of 19 Indian soldiers and former opener Virender Sehwag has also spoken out this on the social media. The Indian team has not played a bilateral series with Pakistan since the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai.
India were due to tour Pakistan in January 2009 but that series was cancelled following the attacks. Another scheduled series in March-April 2012 was also cancelled after the Indian government refused to give the green signal to the tour.
17:21 Sensex gets high
Markets went all guns blazing after the benchmark Sensex today leaped 521 points -- its biggest single-day gain in nearly five months -- to 28,051 and the Nifty crossed the 8,600-mark on a flurry of buying amid solid overseas cues.
Investors were markedly optimistic in anticipation of positive announcements on the GST front as the GST Council meeting got under way to decide on rates and slabs of the indirect tax, due to be rolled out from April 1 next year. They also stepped on the pedal to cover short positions, which led to the upmove.
Investors were markedly optimistic in anticipation of positive announcements on the GST front as the GST Council meeting got under way to decide on rates and slabs of the indirect tax, due to be rolled out from April 1 next year. They also stepped on the pedal to cover short positions, which led to the upmove.
17:00
And a warm hug from Sushma Swaraj @SushmaSwaraj: Welcome Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
16:58
Every minister is a fan girl today. Union minister Maneka Gandhi @Manekagandhibjp tweeted: I was delighted to receive a message that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi wanted to meet me.
16:55 So, who will be the next US President?
The Upshot's elections model suggests that Hillary Clinton is favored to win the presidency, based on the latest state and national polls. A victory by Mr. Trump remains possible: Mrs. Clinton's chance of losing is about the same as the probability that an N.F.L. kicker misses a 31-yard field goal. Here's the NYT verdict.
Image courtesy: New York Times.
Image courtesy: New York Times.
16:43 Release 2000 cusecs water to TN every day: SC tells Karnataka
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Karnataka government to keep releasing 2,000 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu till further orders.
The top court directed both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to maintain peace and harmony in their states.
On Monday, a high-level panel suggested doing away with "outdated and unscientific water application techniques" to resolve the Cauvery wrangle, saying both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were facing water shortage, creating unemployment and financial hardship for the people.
The apex court-appointed Supervisory Committee, formed to inspect Cauvery basin to assess the ground realities in the region, said the neighbouring riparian states needed to appreciate interest of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to protect their established irrigation and Karnataka's aspirations for development and educate their people accordingly.
The 9-member committee in its 40-page report has noted that farmers in both states were in severe distress and adequate crop compensation must be provided to them.
The top court directed both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to maintain peace and harmony in their states.
On Monday, a high-level panel suggested doing away with "outdated and unscientific water application techniques" to resolve the Cauvery wrangle, saying both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were facing water shortage, creating unemployment and financial hardship for the people.
The apex court-appointed Supervisory Committee, formed to inspect Cauvery basin to assess the ground realities in the region, said the neighbouring riparian states needed to appreciate interest of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to protect their established irrigation and Karnataka's aspirations for development and educate their people accordingly.
The 9-member committee in its 40-page report has noted that farmers in both states were in severe distress and adequate crop compensation must be provided to them.
16:07
The SC directs Karnataka to release 2000 cusecs of water every day to Tamil Nadu till further order.
16:04 Delhi court declines summoning Smriti Irani in 'fake' degree case
Just in: Delhi court dismisses plea to summon Union Minister Smriti Irani in degree case.
The Patiala House court was to pronounce its order in the 'fake' degree case of former Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani today after the Election Commission submitted the required documents.
Section 125A of RPA deals with penalty for filing a false affidavit and entails a jail term of up to six months or a fine or both. The Election Commission filed the documents in a sealed cover relating to Irani's educational qualification submitted by her for contesting the 2004 general elections.
Irani had given information about her educational qualifications in affidavits to the Election Commission to contest various elections. In June last year, a case was filed by freelance writer Ahmer Khan, who accused Irani of providing contradictory affidavits about her educational qualifications during different elections.
Following the court's direction, the Delhi University had also submitted that the documents pertaining to Irani's B A course in 1996, mentioned by her in an affidavit filed during 2004 Lok Sabha elections, were yet to be found.
However, while filing affidavit in her Rajya Sabha nomination papers from Gujarat in 2011, she said her highest educational qualification was B.com, Part 1 (correspondence course) from Delhi University.
The Patiala House court was to pronounce its order in the 'fake' degree case of former Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani today after the Election Commission submitted the required documents.
Section 125A of RPA deals with penalty for filing a false affidavit and entails a jail term of up to six months or a fine or both. The Election Commission filed the documents in a sealed cover relating to Irani's educational qualification submitted by her for contesting the 2004 general elections.
Irani had given information about her educational qualifications in affidavits to the Election Commission to contest various elections. In June last year, a case was filed by freelance writer Ahmer Khan, who accused Irani of providing contradictory affidavits about her educational qualifications during different elections.
Following the court's direction, the Delhi University had also submitted that the documents pertaining to Irani's B A course in 1996, mentioned by her in an affidavit filed during 2004 Lok Sabha elections, were yet to be found.
However, while filing affidavit in her Rajya Sabha nomination papers from Gujarat in 2011, she said her highest educational qualification was B.com, Part 1 (correspondence course) from Delhi University.
15:48 Anurag Kashyap speaks: Did not ask PM to apologise
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's revisits his tweet to PM Modi on Sunday in which he suggested that if Indian directors can be penalized for featuring Pakistani artists in their films, then PM Modi should also apologise for his Lahore trip last year to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif.
Kashyap said today, "No, I did not ask PM to apologise, I merely questioned its fairness. It's unfortunate that the intent behind my tweet needs explanation. I'm tired of the film industry being soft targets. When we get involved we become scapegoats. We elect government and the onus is on it to protect us from bullies."
Kashyap had expressed his support for Karan Johar's yet-to-be-released directorial venture, 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'. The film is facing trouble after the cinema owners association decided to stall the release of the film because it stars Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. Kashyap asked why the film should be affected, considering Johar shot it way before the escalation of India-Pakistan tensions following the Uri terror attack.
Kashyap said today, "No, I did not ask PM to apologise, I merely questioned its fairness. It's unfortunate that the intent behind my tweet needs explanation. I'm tired of the film industry being soft targets. When we get involved we become scapegoats. We elect government and the onus is on it to protect us from bullies."
Kashyap had expressed his support for Karan Johar's yet-to-be-released directorial venture, 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'. The film is facing trouble after the cinema owners association decided to stall the release of the film because it stars Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. Kashyap asked why the film should be affected, considering Johar shot it way before the escalation of India-Pakistan tensions following the Uri terror attack.
15:22 Modi launches national SC/ST hub
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the National SC/ST Hub in Ludhiana to provide support to entrepreneurs from the community. With an initial outlay of Rs 490 crore, the hub will work towards strengthening market access/linkage, monitoring, capacity building, leveraging financial support schemes and sharing industry-best practices.
15:19 Arnab's Y security: Questions the nation needs to ask
It is a sign of the times we live in that the elevation of journalist Arnab Goswami to the status of a VIP with "Y" security has evoked more amusement than alarm.
According to a report in The Hindustan Times, quoting an unidentified home ministry official, 20 guards, including two for "close proximity" security, will protect the editor-in-chief of Times Now news channel. The report adds that the security was necessitated by a threat perception of his comments on Pakistani terror groups.
When a journalist is under threat, however reviled or lauded he or she may be, the media profession does need to sit up and ask a few questions. However, since one is unsure whether the assignment of this much-coveted security status will make it to the Newshour debate, here are a few issues the nation needs to debate... Read
According to a report in The Hindustan Times, quoting an unidentified home ministry official, 20 guards, including two for "close proximity" security, will protect the editor-in-chief of Times Now news channel. The report adds that the security was necessitated by a threat perception of his comments on Pakistani terror groups.
When a journalist is under threat, however reviled or lauded he or she may be, the media profession does need to sit up and ask a few questions. However, since one is unsure whether the assignment of this much-coveted security status will make it to the Newshour debate, here are a few issues the nation needs to debate... Read
14:26 People's Resurgence Justice Alliance -- Irom Sharmila's new party
Rights activist Irom Sharmila announced the name of her party as People's Resurgence Justice Alliance. She launched the party in Imphal. She had expressed her desire to contest the Manipur Assembly election next year when she broke her fast in August and had stated that she wanted to be the chief minister to further her demands.
Earlier in September, she also met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and sought his advice on how to defeat "major political parties' in her state. She has also said that she wants to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seek his advice on politics.
On August 9, Sharmila broke her 16-year-old hunger strike demanding repeal of the AFSPA and announced that she would take her battle to the next level by floating her party as she wants to become the chief minister of Manipur to "press' for the demands.
Earlier in September, she also met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and sought his advice on how to defeat "major political parties' in her state. She has also said that she wants to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seek his advice on politics.
On August 9, Sharmila broke her 16-year-old hunger strike demanding repeal of the AFSPA and announced that she would take her battle to the next level by floating her party as she wants to become the chief minister of Manipur to "press' for the demands.
14:23
The Supreme Court dismisses BCCI's petition seeking review of court verdict validating Lodha Panel recommendations.
13:58 Howard Stern on why it would be a 'betrayal' to replay all his Trump interviews
America's infamous "shock jock" Howard Stern has insisted it would be a "betrayal' to unearth and play all of his past shows with Donald Trump. Over the years, the 62-year-old radio and TV personality frequently had Mr Trump as a guest on his show, with the billionaire businessman appearing more than two dozen times from the late 90s until the 2000s. Read more
13:36 Terrorism remains key note in Sushma's speech
Amid criticism that India failed to obtain consensus on reference to cross-border terrorism in BRICS declaration, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said threat of terror featured strongly in the narrative of the Summit and there was a growing recognition that it has become a truly global challenge.
Two days after the BRICS Summit in Goa where India's forcefully highlighted terror emanating from Pakistan, she said there was no bigger global challenge than "state- sponsored" and "state-protected terrorism, asserting those supporting terror networks must be made to pay the cost.
In clear reference to Pakistan, Swaraj said there is a need to extract costs from those who sponsor and support terrorists and provide them sanctuary and continue to make the "false distinction" between "good and bad terrorists".
Swaraj was delivering an address at the BRICS media forum. In an obvious reference to Pakistan blocking several pacts on transport and connectivity, Swaraj referred to growing cooperation on these issues among BIMSTEC nations, noting "There cannot be a greater contrast with those who reject even trade and connectivity for political reasons." On deliberations at the BRICS, Swaraj said while the economic engagement and political cooperation remained key factors, there was a sharp realisation that global development and prosperity was very much dependent on continued peace and security.
"Terrorism was universally recognised as a key threat to stability, progress and development. Consequently, it featured strongly in the conference narrative and its eventual outcome. "Indeed, what we saw was not just an understanding of the dangers posed by terrorism to the economic aspirations of the world but a growing recognition that this has now become a truly global challenge that the international community can only ignore at its peril," she said.
Image: Sushma Swaraj speaking at the UN General Assembly last month
Two days after the BRICS Summit in Goa where India's forcefully highlighted terror emanating from Pakistan, she said there was no bigger global challenge than "state- sponsored" and "state-protected terrorism, asserting those supporting terror networks must be made to pay the cost.
In clear reference to Pakistan, Swaraj said there is a need to extract costs from those who sponsor and support terrorists and provide them sanctuary and continue to make the "false distinction" between "good and bad terrorists".
Swaraj was delivering an address at the BRICS media forum. In an obvious reference to Pakistan blocking several pacts on transport and connectivity, Swaraj referred to growing cooperation on these issues among BIMSTEC nations, noting "There cannot be a greater contrast with those who reject even trade and connectivity for political reasons." On deliberations at the BRICS, Swaraj said while the economic engagement and political cooperation remained key factors, there was a sharp realisation that global development and prosperity was very much dependent on continued peace and security.
"Terrorism was universally recognised as a key threat to stability, progress and development. Consequently, it featured strongly in the conference narrative and its eventual outcome. "Indeed, what we saw was not just an understanding of the dangers posed by terrorism to the economic aspirations of the world but a growing recognition that this has now become a truly global challenge that the international community can only ignore at its peril," she said.
Image: Sushma Swaraj speaking at the UN General Assembly last month
13:24 Salman 'mistakes' Bhansali for Om Prakash Mehra
Looks like Salman Khan recently took a dig at Sanjay Leela Bhansali when he pretentiously mistook the director's picture for Om Prakash Mehra on the first episode of 'Big Boss' Season 10.
Despite clear pictures of Bhansali and Karan Johar put up on the standee, Salman asked Deepika Padukone, who attended the season's first episode as to which filmmaker she would want to see inside the 'Big Boss' house, "Karan Johar or Om Prakash Mehra."
The Bhai seemed to have touched the almost forgotten topic of his not-so-good equation with the filmmaker.
However, the 50-year-old actor immediately corrected himself and said, "Oh, that's Sanjay Leela Bhansali" turning to the audience with his typical sly grin on his face.
This apparently left Deepika awkward as for her Bhansali has been the ace filmmaker, especially after her rapport with him during 'Bajirao Mastani'.
As per reports, Salman had earlier also taken a dig at Bhansali after 'Guzaarish' starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan bombed at the box office.
Despite clear pictures of Bhansali and Karan Johar put up on the standee, Salman asked Deepika Padukone, who attended the season's first episode as to which filmmaker she would want to see inside the 'Big Boss' house, "Karan Johar or Om Prakash Mehra."
The Bhai seemed to have touched the almost forgotten topic of his not-so-good equation with the filmmaker.
However, the 50-year-old actor immediately corrected himself and said, "Oh, that's Sanjay Leela Bhansali" turning to the audience with his typical sly grin on his face.
This apparently left Deepika awkward as for her Bhansali has been the ace filmmaker, especially after her rapport with him during 'Bajirao Mastani'.
As per reports, Salman had earlier also taken a dig at Bhansali after 'Guzaarish' starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan bombed at the box office.
13:14 PM praises army over surgical strikes, compares India with Israel
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered another tribute to the army over last month's surgical strike across the Line of Control as he addressed a rally in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday. Highlights...
-- Aaj chotti Kaashi mein sar jhukaane ka avsar mila hai. Mai soch raha thaa aap logh naraaz honge ki maine yaha aane me itna samay liya.
-- Atal-ji humesha maante thhe, ki agar unka koi dusra ghar hai to wo Himachal hai.
-- I had spoken here about OROP when I came here to campaign. Today in this "veerbhumi", I can say that this right of yours have been given. One Rank One Pension was hanging for 40 yrs, and it is our govt which completed that work. Not only soldiers but their families bless me. And it makes me want to do more work for them, more work for our soldiers.
-- Himachal Pradesh is a "devbhoomi" and a "veerbhoomi". Aaj kal pure desh mei humari sena ke parakram ki charcha ho rahi hai. Humari sena bhi kisi se kum nahi hai. Everyone is talking about our Army, we used to hear about similar feats of Israel. But now everyone knows Indian Army is no less.
-- Shanta Kumar-ji (former BJP CM of Himachal) is remembered as that 'paani wala CM', Dhumalji (Prem Kumar Dhumal) as 'grameen sadak wale CM'. And we all know about this CM. Projects costing Rs 34 crore three decades ago cost more than Rs 2000 crore now. Through LED bulbs campaign in Himachal, we're able to save approx Rs 1 crore daily or Rs 3.5 crore yearly. Poorest family in Himachal Pradesh will have a gas connection in the next three years."
-- Aaj chotti Kaashi mein sar jhukaane ka avsar mila hai. Mai soch raha thaa aap logh naraaz honge ki maine yaha aane me itna samay liya.
-- Atal-ji humesha maante thhe, ki agar unka koi dusra ghar hai to wo Himachal hai.
-- I had spoken here about OROP when I came here to campaign. Today in this "veerbhumi", I can say that this right of yours have been given. One Rank One Pension was hanging for 40 yrs, and it is our govt which completed that work. Not only soldiers but their families bless me. And it makes me want to do more work for them, more work for our soldiers.
-- Himachal Pradesh is a "devbhoomi" and a "veerbhoomi". Aaj kal pure desh mei humari sena ke parakram ki charcha ho rahi hai. Humari sena bhi kisi se kum nahi hai. Everyone is talking about our Army, we used to hear about similar feats of Israel. But now everyone knows Indian Army is no less.
-- Shanta Kumar-ji (former BJP CM of Himachal) is remembered as that 'paani wala CM', Dhumalji (Prem Kumar Dhumal) as 'grameen sadak wale CM'. And we all know about this CM. Projects costing Rs 34 crore three decades ago cost more than Rs 2000 crore now. Through LED bulbs campaign in Himachal, we're able to save approx Rs 1 crore daily or Rs 3.5 crore yearly. Poorest family in Himachal Pradesh will have a gas connection in the next three years."
12:39 Ram museum is tourism, not politics, says BJP minister ahead of Ayodhya tour
The approaching elections in Uttar Pradesh have made the communally-sensitive town of Ayodhya a point of huge interest and activity again - and brought Lord Ram back to the centre of the BJP's agenda.
Though the central government has refused to encourage talk about building a temple to Lord Ram in Ayodhya, Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma will visit the town today to evaluate the location of a sprawling Ramayana museum, which will present the life of the deity as portrayed in the sage Valmiki's epic.
In 1992, thousands of right-wing volunteers razed the 16th century Babri Masjid. The mosque, according to them, was built over the exact spot where Lord Ram was born - Ram Janmabhoomi. Right-wing organisations like the Vishwa Hindu Prashad who brought down the mosque say a Ram temple must be built there.
"My visit to Ayodhya has nothing to do with UP Assembly elections. I am visiting there as a Tourism Minister. This is part of government's effort to improve tourism in Ayodhya and all over the country," Sharma told NDTV.
The Allahabad High Court in 2010 said the disputed site should be split equally between Muslims, Hindus and the large and wealthy Nirmohi Akhara sect -that verdict has been challenged in the Supreme Court by Hindu and Muslim organisations.
The museum has a 150-crore budget, will be located on a 25-acre plot, about 15 kms away from the disputed site. The government plans to develop a new tour linking it to other sites, including some in Nepal and Sri Lanka, of great significance in the Ramayana.
The BJP has been accused by political opponents of attempting a dangerous strategy to communalise voters and risk the fragile peace in Ayodhya; hard-liners like Union Minister Uma Bharti and Vinay Katiyar have made new comments calling for the construction of the temple.
However, yesterday, the state government of Akhilesh Yadav announced its own plans to develop what it described as an international theme park in Ayodhya based on the Ramlila: the part of the Ramayana that sees demon god Ravana being defeated by Lord Ram.
Though the central government has refused to encourage talk about building a temple to Lord Ram in Ayodhya, Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma will visit the town today to evaluate the location of a sprawling Ramayana museum, which will present the life of the deity as portrayed in the sage Valmiki's epic.
In 1992, thousands of right-wing volunteers razed the 16th century Babri Masjid. The mosque, according to them, was built over the exact spot where Lord Ram was born - Ram Janmabhoomi. Right-wing organisations like the Vishwa Hindu Prashad who brought down the mosque say a Ram temple must be built there.
"My visit to Ayodhya has nothing to do with UP Assembly elections. I am visiting there as a Tourism Minister. This is part of government's effort to improve tourism in Ayodhya and all over the country," Sharma told NDTV.
The Allahabad High Court in 2010 said the disputed site should be split equally between Muslims, Hindus and the large and wealthy Nirmohi Akhara sect -that verdict has been challenged in the Supreme Court by Hindu and Muslim organisations.
The museum has a 150-crore budget, will be located on a 25-acre plot, about 15 kms away from the disputed site. The government plans to develop a new tour linking it to other sites, including some in Nepal and Sri Lanka, of great significance in the Ramayana.
The BJP has been accused by political opponents of attempting a dangerous strategy to communalise voters and risk the fragile peace in Ayodhya; hard-liners like Union Minister Uma Bharti and Vinay Katiyar have made new comments calling for the construction of the temple.
However, yesterday, the state government of Akhilesh Yadav announced its own plans to develop what it described as an international theme park in Ayodhya based on the Ramlila: the part of the Ramayana that sees demon god Ravana being defeated by Lord Ram.
12:28 Sena takes a jibe at Modi over Maha minister's remarks
Taking a jibe at BJP over Maharashtra Minister Rajkumar Badole's remarks that Maratha Morchas are successful due to the money power involved, Shiv Sena today said the ruling party should clarify if the rallies of its central leaders are conducted in the same manner.
Badole, who holds Social Justice portfolio, had recently said at an event in Aurangabad, "Whoever comes up nowadays, stages protests and demands reservations. Their agitations draw crowds as they have more money." In an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', Sena said, "Badole has tried to clarify his remarks by saying that he did not speak about Marathas in particular but was only talking about the general situation in rallies. If that is true, then what about Amit Shah's rallies, where he is sweating it out to bring in crowds as part of his UP poll campaign?"
"What about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who attracts large crowds at his gathering? BJP should clarify if these leaders pay money to people," Sena asked. The ruling ally said Badole has done "injustice" to the Maratha community by alleging that money is being paid to people for being present at the silent rallies.
"Maratha rallies are successful due to discipline, making proper use of the media, good administrators and their anger towards the dispensation. Badole's comments will only add to the woes of the BJP," Sena said. Ministers in the BJP-led state government instead of making such comments should rather focus on the reasons for which the community was forced to demand reservations, it said.
"Words that may cause social disharmony should not be spoken and care should be taken to ensure communities do not fight with other communities," it said.
Badole, who holds Social Justice portfolio, had recently said at an event in Aurangabad, "Whoever comes up nowadays, stages protests and demands reservations. Their agitations draw crowds as they have more money." In an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', Sena said, "Badole has tried to clarify his remarks by saying that he did not speak about Marathas in particular but was only talking about the general situation in rallies. If that is true, then what about Amit Shah's rallies, where he is sweating it out to bring in crowds as part of his UP poll campaign?"
"What about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who attracts large crowds at his gathering? BJP should clarify if these leaders pay money to people," Sena asked. The ruling ally said Badole has done "injustice" to the Maratha community by alleging that money is being paid to people for being present at the silent rallies.
"Maratha rallies are successful due to discipline, making proper use of the media, good administrators and their anger towards the dispensation. Badole's comments will only add to the woes of the BJP," Sena said. Ministers in the BJP-led state government instead of making such comments should rather focus on the reasons for which the community was forced to demand reservations, it said.
"Words that may cause social disharmony should not be spoken and care should be taken to ensure communities do not fight with other communities," it said.
12:16 To the First Lady, With Love
Four thank-you notes to Michelle Obama, who has spent the past eight years quietly and confidently changing the course of American history. Do read.
12:11 Mumbai police promise protection during Ae Dil Hai Mushkil release
Mumbai police assure protection during the release of Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. The film is releasing over the Diwali weekend.
Fox Star, one of the producers of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, met the Mumbai police commissioner seeking protection ahead of the film's release. The film is co-produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions.
The Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI), after a meeting on October 14, has decided not to screen any film starring Pakistani artistes. This applies to single-screen theatres in four states -- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil stars Pakistani star Fawad Khan in a pivotal role and will be the first such film to hit the theatres after the escalated tension between the two countries in the aftermath of Uri attack. Details awaited.
Fox Star, one of the producers of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, met the Mumbai police commissioner seeking protection ahead of the film's release. The film is co-produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions.
The Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI), after a meeting on October 14, has decided not to screen any film starring Pakistani artistes. This applies to single-screen theatres in four states -- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil stars Pakistani star Fawad Khan in a pivotal role and will be the first such film to hit the theatres after the escalated tension between the two countries in the aftermath of Uri attack. Details awaited.
11:53 PM, army chief discuss security issues
The meeting on Monday was the first one between Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the army chief since the Oct 14 corps commanders conference when the military expressed what was described by the ISPR as serious concern over feeding of false and fabricated story of an important security meeting held at PM House and viewed it as breach of national security. Read the Dawn report.
11:45 Deciding issues of personal law
"Then one day as I entered Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's chamber, I found M.J. Akbar sitting across his table. Rajiv smiled cheerily, "Come in, come in Wajahat, You are one of us.'I found this greeting odd but was to discover the reason soon enough. Mr. Akbar had convinced Rajiv that if the government were not to contest the Shah Bano judgment, it would appear to the Muslim community that the Prime Minister did not regard them as his own. In what he perceived as the defence of their religious rights, Rajiv would show himself worthy of the support that the community had always placed in his family. This was the argument that Mr. Akbar developed in a Doordarshan debate with then-Minister Arif Mohammed Khan, in which Mr. Khan had argued that the Koranic provision or lack of it for maintenance was neither a compulsion nor closed to interpretation. But Mr. Akbar, more westernised, had argued that the Muslims needed the reassurance that only an amendment could bring."
On the day the SC is to deliver the verdict on triple talaq, readthis column for a backgrounder.
On the day the SC is to deliver the verdict on triple talaq, readthis column for a backgrounder.
11:36 Ae Dil Hai Mushkil producers meet Mumbai top cop seeking protection
Fox Star, one of the producers of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, are meeting the Mumbai police commissioner seeking protection ahead of the film's release. The film is co-produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions.
The Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI), after a meeting on October 14, has decided not to screen any film starring Pakistani artistes. This applies to single-screen theatres in four states -- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil stars Pakistani star Fawad Khan in a pivotal role and will be the first such film to hit the theatres after the escalated tension between the two countries in the aftermath of Uri attack. Details awaited.
The Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI), after a meeting on October 14, has decided not to screen any film starring Pakistani artistes. This applies to single-screen theatres in four states -- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil stars Pakistani star Fawad Khan in a pivotal role and will be the first such film to hit the theatres after the escalated tension between the two countries in the aftermath of Uri attack. Details awaited.
11:23 Is Hinduism a way of life? SC to revisit 20-year verdict
ON TUESDAY, the day it was originally slated to examine the Constitutional validity of triple talaq and polygamy, the Supreme Court will set out to analyse whether the words "Hindutva' and "Hinduism' connote the "way of life' of the Indian people and not just Hindu religious practices. Read more
11:10
The country's first armed nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, which can deliver atomic weapons from land, sea and air has been commissioned into service after extensive sea-trials.
The 6,000-ton, 110-metre-long INS Arihant (the Sanskrit name meaning 'Slayer of Enemies') is powered by a 83 MW pressurised light water nuclear reactor.
The vessel was formally commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba in August.
The vessel has been built under the Advanced Technology Vessel Project at the Ship Building Centre Visakhapatnam.With this induction, India has also completed its nuclear triad, which has a 'no first-strike' policy regarding the use of its nuclear weapons. Only five countries in the world -- US, UK, France, Russia and China have so far developed nuclear-armed submarines.
Why the Arihant is a big deal
The 6,000-ton, 110-metre-long INS Arihant (the Sanskrit name meaning 'Slayer of Enemies') is powered by a 83 MW pressurised light water nuclear reactor.
The vessel was formally commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba in August.
The vessel has been built under the Advanced Technology Vessel Project at the Ship Building Centre Visakhapatnam.With this induction, India has also completed its nuclear triad, which has a 'no first-strike' policy regarding the use of its nuclear weapons. Only five countries in the world -- US, UK, France, Russia and China have so far developed nuclear-armed submarines.
Why the Arihant is a big deal
11:04 A powerful embrace
Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of Myanmar, meets EAM Sushma Swaraj in Delhi. The two women have met earlier, when Swaraj was part of a high-level delegation visiting Myanmar after Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy assumed power earlier this year.
10:58 Air India flight from Ahmedabad suffers tyre burst at Mumbai airport
An Air India plane carrying 128 passengers and crew members from Ahmedabad suffered a tyre burst while landing at the Mumbai airport this morning. All passengers are safe and another aircraft has been arranged to ferry passengers to their onward journey, an Air India spokesperson in New Delhi said.
"Air India flight AI 614 from Ahmedabad for Mumbai with 128 passengers and crew members suffered a tyre bust at 0904 hours during landing at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport today," the spokesperson said.
The Airbus A320 aircraft was to fly to Raipur as AI 651, the spokesperson said, adding the airline has already pressed into service another aircraft to fly the passengers to their destination.
Image used for representational purposes only
10:48 Every time I come to India I realise how close we are: Suu Kyi
Myanmar's Foreign Minister and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. Suu Kyi, who is the de facto leader of Myanmar stayed back in India after the Brics-Bimstec summit in Goa ended over the weekend.
She met Congress President Sonia Gandhi at her residence in Delhi yesterday and is learnt to have discussed the steps for strengthening of Indo-Myanmar ties.
This morning, PM Narendra Modi received her at the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt after which Suu Kyi inspected the guard of honour. She said it gave her great pleasure to be back in India. "Every time I come back I realise how close we are to each other. I look forward to better our relationship and I believe that our friendship will stand the test of time and circumstances."
She met Congress President Sonia Gandhi at her residence in Delhi yesterday and is learnt to have discussed the steps for strengthening of Indo-Myanmar ties.
This morning, PM Narendra Modi received her at the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt after which Suu Kyi inspected the guard of honour. She said it gave her great pleasure to be back in India. "Every time I come back I realise how close we are to each other. I look forward to better our relationship and I believe that our friendship will stand the test of time and circumstances."
10:36 TV host in Trump's lewd remarks video leaves NBC
Billy Bush, the television host with Donald Trump when he was caught on tape boasting about groping women with impunity, is leaving NBC's "Today" show, NBC News reported. The video ignited a furor over Trump's treatment of women, some of whom have come forward to accuse the Republican presidential candidate of unwanted sexual advances.
Bush, a nephew of former president George HW Bush, was a host of celebrity show "Access Hollywood" in 2005 when he and Trump were taped in conversation as they arrived at the set of a soap opera. Bush had joined NBC's morning flagship "Today" in August.
Bush, a nephew of former president George HW Bush, was a host of celebrity show "Access Hollywood" in 2005 when he and Trump were taped in conversation as they arrived at the set of a soap opera. Bush had joined NBC's morning flagship "Today" in August.
10:23 Sensex rebounds 208 points after Asian cues get going
The BSE benchmark Sensex made a promising start by bouncing almost 208 points today on widespread gains following fresh buying amid a firm trend in Asian markets.
The 30-share index jumped 207.64 points, or 0.75 per cent, to 27,737.61, with all sectoral indices led by realty, metal and banking making all the right moves. The gauge had lost 143.63 points yesterday, spooked by muted start to second quarterly earnings and a lacklustre global trend. The NSE Nifty today went up by 55.15 points, or 0.65 per cent, to 8,575.55.
The 30-share index jumped 207.64 points, or 0.75 per cent, to 27,737.61, with all sectoral indices led by realty, metal and banking making all the right moves. The gauge had lost 143.63 points yesterday, spooked by muted start to second quarterly earnings and a lacklustre global trend. The NSE Nifty today went up by 55.15 points, or 0.65 per cent, to 8,575.55.
10:22 Colorado teen kills self as sign of Nazi allegiance
The suicide of a Colorado teenager has been linked to a Nazi-themed Facebook group that the young man apparently led.The teenager apparently believed that killing himself would "show his allegiance to the Nazi Party and the killing of Jewish people," according to local law enforcement officials.
The theory stems from a message he wrote shortly before his death, proclaiming, "I have crippling depression but I shall cure it by killing Jews."
The Facebook group itself was called "4th Reich's Official Group Chat' and engaged in discussions ranging from plans for "executing n***ers' to poems like "You can hang Jews on trees, shoot them right in the knees. Gas as many as you please."
The theory stems from a message he wrote shortly before his death, proclaiming, "I have crippling depression but I shall cure it by killing Jews."
The Facebook group itself was called "4th Reich's Official Group Chat' and engaged in discussions ranging from plans for "executing n***ers' to poems like "You can hang Jews on trees, shoot them right in the knees. Gas as many as you please."
10:02 President Clinton? Hillary takes near unbeatable lead over Trump
Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, has a nine-point lead over her Republican rival Donald Trump, according to a latest poll which comes just three weeks before the general election.
Clinton's (47 per cent) lead over Trump (38 per cent) has expanded to nine points, said CBS News in its poll conducted amidst allegations of sexual harassment against the controversial billionaire.
The nine-point lead for Clinton is in a four-way match up, while in a two-way match up, she leads Trump by 11 points and her popularity among likely voters has crossed 51 per cent for the first time, it said.
The poll is seen by many as unbeatable, with just three weeks to go for the November 8 general election. Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson gets eight per cent of likely voters, while Green Party candidate Jill Stein receives three per cent of the vote.
Two weeks ago, Clinton's lead was four points, the news channel said. "In a two-way match-up where third party candidates are not named explicitly, Clinton leads Trump 51 per cent to 40 per cent among likely voters, including leaners," it said yesterday.
While Trump leads among men voters by just two per cent, he trails by 19 per cent among women voters. Trump also leads Clinton by six percentage points among white voters, but trails by just two per cent among white women. As per RealClearPolitics, which keeps tracks of all major national polls, Clinton's lead over Trump on an average has now increased to seven percentage points.
Clinton's (47 per cent) lead over Trump (38 per cent) has expanded to nine points, said CBS News in its poll conducted amidst allegations of sexual harassment against the controversial billionaire.
The nine-point lead for Clinton is in a four-way match up, while in a two-way match up, she leads Trump by 11 points and her popularity among likely voters has crossed 51 per cent for the first time, it said.
The poll is seen by many as unbeatable, with just three weeks to go for the November 8 general election. Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson gets eight per cent of likely voters, while Green Party candidate Jill Stein receives three per cent of the vote.
Two weeks ago, Clinton's lead was four points, the news channel said. "In a two-way match-up where third party candidates are not named explicitly, Clinton leads Trump 51 per cent to 40 per cent among likely voters, including leaners," it said yesterday.
While Trump leads among men voters by just two per cent, he trails by 19 per cent among women voters. Trump also leads Clinton by six percentage points among white voters, but trails by just two per cent among white women. As per RealClearPolitics, which keeps tracks of all major national polls, Clinton's lead over Trump on an average has now increased to seven percentage points.
09:47 All eyes on SC as triple talaq, polygamy issues to be heard today
The Supreme Court will expresses its views on the Constitutional legitimacy of triple talaq and polygamy in the Muslim community, as the hearing on the matter involving women petitioners, religious organisations and the Centre is set to be heard today.
Chief Justice of India T S Thakur, who also leads the bench that has been hearing petitions on the validity of triple talaq and polygamy, will head the seven-judge bench.
Several Muslim women have approached the judiciary and the apex court is presently hearing three petitions against triple talaq.
Muslims organizations, however, perceive this development as an attempt to meddle with their religious practices and are boycotting the process.Earlier the Centre had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying that triple talaq is not an essential religious practice in Islam.
"Gender equality and dignity of women are non-negotiable, overarching constitutional values and can brook no compromise," the government said in an affidavit filed in the top court.
The Muslim law board claimed that triple talaq is a 'personal law', and hence, cannot be modified by the Centre.
The government countered the claim of the Muslim law board and said, "Practices of triple talaq, polygamy and nikah halala cannot be regarded as essential part of religion and hence get no protection under fundamental right to religion.
"Defending the Centre's opposition to the triple talaq system, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asserted that in a secular nation like India, women cannot be allowed to suffer such arbitrary and derogatory systems.
Listing out the Centre's three-fold stand which was given in response to the Supreme Court over certain petitions filed by Muslim women, Prasad told ANI that firstly, the issue concerns only and only about the dignity, non-discrimination of women, respect to them and gender justice and India being a secular country governed by a constitution, the abiding values of its constitution about gender justice, dignity of women needs to be respected.
"The second is, India is a secular country. Secularism is a basic structure of the Constitution. Can we, where we have got a secular India, allow the women to suffer a kind of a system which is derogatory and arbitrary?" he said.
Illuminating the third point, the union minister mentioned that in more than a dozen Islamic countries, ranging from Bangladesh to Syria and even Pakistan, matrimonial laws have been regulated by law, including triple talaq.
In August, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), in its reply to the petitions, had defended the validity of triple talaq, saying that if the practice is discontinued, a man could murder or burn his wife alive to get rid of her.
Chief Justice of India T S Thakur, who also leads the bench that has been hearing petitions on the validity of triple talaq and polygamy, will head the seven-judge bench.
Several Muslim women have approached the judiciary and the apex court is presently hearing three petitions against triple talaq.
Muslims organizations, however, perceive this development as an attempt to meddle with their religious practices and are boycotting the process.Earlier the Centre had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying that triple talaq is not an essential religious practice in Islam.
"Gender equality and dignity of women are non-negotiable, overarching constitutional values and can brook no compromise," the government said in an affidavit filed in the top court.
The Muslim law board claimed that triple talaq is a 'personal law', and hence, cannot be modified by the Centre.
The government countered the claim of the Muslim law board and said, "Practices of triple talaq, polygamy and nikah halala cannot be regarded as essential part of religion and hence get no protection under fundamental right to religion.
"Defending the Centre's opposition to the triple talaq system, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asserted that in a secular nation like India, women cannot be allowed to suffer such arbitrary and derogatory systems.
Listing out the Centre's three-fold stand which was given in response to the Supreme Court over certain petitions filed by Muslim women, Prasad told ANI that firstly, the issue concerns only and only about the dignity, non-discrimination of women, respect to them and gender justice and India being a secular country governed by a constitution, the abiding values of its constitution about gender justice, dignity of women needs to be respected.
"The second is, India is a secular country. Secularism is a basic structure of the Constitution. Can we, where we have got a secular India, allow the women to suffer a kind of a system which is derogatory and arbitrary?" he said.
Illuminating the third point, the union minister mentioned that in more than a dozen Islamic countries, ranging from Bangladesh to Syria and even Pakistan, matrimonial laws have been regulated by law, including triple talaq.
In August, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), in its reply to the petitions, had defended the validity of triple talaq, saying that if the practice is discontinued, a man could murder or burn his wife alive to get rid of her.
09:38 Pass or fail? Order on Smriti's fake degree case today
The Patiala House court is to pronounce its order in the fake degree case of former Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani today after the Election Commission submitted the required documents.
Section 125A of RPA deals with penalty for filing a false affidavit and entails a jail term of up to six months or a fine or both.Metropolitan Magistrate Harvinder Singh reserved its order for today after the Election Commission filed the documents in a sealed cover relating to Irani's educational qualification submitted by her for contesting the 2004 general elections.
Irani had given information about her educational qualifications in affidavits to the Election Commission to contest various elections.In June last year, a case was filed by freelance writer Ahmer Khan, who accused Irani of providing contradictory affidavits about her educational qualifications during different elections.Following the court's direction,
Delhi University had also submitted that the documents pertaining to Irani's B A course in 1996, mentioned by her in an affidavit filed during 2004 Lok Sabha elections, were yet to be found.However, while filing affidavit in her Rajya Sabha nomination papers from Gujarat in 2011, she said her highest educational qualification was B.com, Part 1 (correspondence course) from Delhi University.
Section 125A of RPA deals with penalty for filing a false affidavit and entails a jail term of up to six months or a fine or both.Metropolitan Magistrate Harvinder Singh reserved its order for today after the Election Commission filed the documents in a sealed cover relating to Irani's educational qualification submitted by her for contesting the 2004 general elections.
Irani had given information about her educational qualifications in affidavits to the Election Commission to contest various elections.In June last year, a case was filed by freelance writer Ahmer Khan, who accused Irani of providing contradictory affidavits about her educational qualifications during different elections.Following the court's direction,
Delhi University had also submitted that the documents pertaining to Irani's B A course in 1996, mentioned by her in an affidavit filed during 2004 Lok Sabha elections, were yet to be found.However, while filing affidavit in her Rajya Sabha nomination papers from Gujarat in 2011, she said her highest educational qualification was B.com, Part 1 (correspondence course) from Delhi University.
09:33 Pak troops shells LoC posts in Rajouri, violate ceasefire... again
Violating the ceasefire, Pakistani troops fired from small arms and shelled mortar bombs on forward posts along the LoC in Rajouri district, drawing retaliation from Indian troops.
"There was ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops along the LoC in Naushera sector of Rajouri district", a Defence Spokesman said. Pakistani troops fired 82 mm mortar bombs, used small and automatic weapons in the firing on forward Indian posts in Laam Battalion area in Naushera from 2030 hours to 0130 hours, the spokesman said. Indian troops guarding the LoC retaliated, he said, adding no one was injured in the ceasefire violation. Few rounds were also fired in Naushera sector late last night.
"There was ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops along the LoC in Naushera sector of Rajouri district", a Defence Spokesman said. Pakistani troops fired 82 mm mortar bombs, used small and automatic weapons in the firing on forward Indian posts in Laam Battalion area in Naushera from 2030 hours to 0130 hours, the spokesman said. Indian troops guarding the LoC retaliated, he said, adding no one was injured in the ceasefire violation. Few rounds were also fired in Naushera sector late last night.
09:26 All eyes on SC as triple talaq, polygamy issues to be heard today
The Supreme Court will expresses its views on the Constitutional legitimacy of triple talaq and polygamy in the Muslim community, as the hearing on the matter involving women petitioners, religious organisations and the Centre is set to be heard today.
Chief Justice of India T S Thakur, who also leads the bench that has been hearing petitions on the validity of triple talaq and polygamy, will head the seven-judge bench.
09:04 Student in trouble after posting a criticism of Mamata Banerjee on FB
A 21-year-old Kolkata student is in a spot. She criticised the chief minister on Facebook last Friday. On Sunday, her post became a large street-side hoarding.
The postgraduate student from Calcutta University is terrified. Apart from a street-side hoarding, she also received threats from local women with Trinamool links.
The Dum Dum Ward 8 Citizens Committee, who put up the hoarding, believe, if the girl has the democratic right to criticize Ms Banerjee, others have the democratic right to slam her publicly too.
"We condemn the criticism of the chief minister," says the hoarding.
What triggered the Calcutta University student's anger? The parade of Durga idols hosted by West Bengal's Chief Minister on Friday, promoted as Kolkata's answer to Rio's Carvinal.
The student felt it was a bad idea at a time the state was battling joblessness and poverty. Some friends agreed while others didn't.
Back in 2012, the arrest of a professor for emailing Mamata Banerjee cartoons had caused public outrage. In 2016, there has been no arrest, but criticize the Bengal CM and one runs the risk of public naming and shaming.
08:49
Here's an update on the fire in Mumbai.
The flat that was gutted in Maker Tower belonged to Shekhar Bajaj,
reports ANI. He is Chairman & Managing Director of Bajaj Electricals
Ltd.
08:24 Fire breaks out in Mumbai's Maker Towers building, 2 dead
A blaze has broken out at Maker Towers in Mumbai's Cuffe Parade area. According to reports, the fire broke out on the 20th floor of the high-storeyed building. Eight fire tenders have been rushed to the spot to douse the flames.
Reports added that two people have died. Firefighters said that 11 people were rescued who were stranded in the building and the firefighting ops are on.
08:22 Priyanka apologises after Twitter outrage over 'refugee' T-shirt cover
Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra apologised for a glossy travel magazine cover after it sparked outrage with social media users accusing her of insensitivity towards refugees and migrants.
The 34-year-old is featured on the cover of the October edition of Cond Nast Traveller India wearing a white T-shirt with the words, "REFUGEE", "IMMIGRANT" and "OUTSIDER" crossed out in red -- leaving only the word "TRAVELLER".
Cond Nast Traveller tweeted the cover photo on October 7 with the tagline "Bold and fearless, @priyankachopra makes a statement on our 6th anniversary issue cover. #WhyWeTravel"
The message on her T-shirt sparked a flurry of criticism on the microblogging site twitter, with users accusing Chopra of belittling the plight of refugees forced to leave their homes.
Chopra -- who was named as one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential people and is an ambassador for UNICEF - said the message was aimed at addressing racism and had been misunderstood.
"They (Cond Nast) specially got this (T-shirt) made and implored me to wear it. They said they were addressing xenophobia which is a big issue that is happening," Chopra told NDTV in an interview.
"So their idea was that. And I bought into it, I guess. And I am really, really apologetic about the fact that sentiments were hurt ... The point the magazine wanted to make was actually something good."
Some 1.3 million refugees and migrants fleeing war, poverty and persecution in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere arrived in Europe last year, creating the continent's biggest migrant crisis since World War Two. Without safe routes to seek sanctuary, thousands more have drowned at sea.
"Maybe your editors need taste editing. I get what you are trying to say. But you just trivialised a serious refugee issue," said one tweet from @1plur1.
Cond Nast Traveller said in a statement the message was aimed at challenging stereotypes and how the labelling of people as immigrants, refugees and outsiders is creating a culture of xenophobia.
"At Cond Nast Traveller, we believe that the opening up of borders and the breaking down of walls can help us discover the world, and open up our minds and hearts,' said the magazine.
"So, when we had actor Priyanka Chopra wear a T-shirt we created on the cover of the 6th anniversary issue, we had a point to make."
08:00
JUST IN: Pakistan violated ceasefire twice overnight by resorting to firing and shelling along the Line of Control in Rajouri district.
01:20 US State Dept official 'pressured' FBI to declassify Clinton email
A senior official at the US State Department tried to push the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2015 into dropping its insistence that an email from Hillary Clinton's private server contained classified information, according to summaries of interviews with FBI officials released by the FBI on Monday.
According to the records, an FBI official, whose name is redacted, told investigators that Patrick Kennedy, the State Department's most senior manager, repeatedly "pressured" the FBI to declassify information in one of Clinton's emails. The information in that particular email originated from the FBI, which meant that the FBI had the last word on whether it remained classified.
The official said the State Department's office of legal counsel called him to question the FBI's ruling that the information was classified, but the FBI stood by its decision.
01:00 Hitler house in Austria to be demolished after long row
The house in Austria where Adolf Hitler was born is set to be demolished to stop it becoming a focal point for neo-Nazis.
The future of the former guesthouse has been widely debated, with opinion torn between razing it or changing its use.
The argument was further complicated after its owner refused to sell.
But Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka said a committee of experts had decided that the house should be demolished, reported Austrian newspaper Die Presse.
00:26 'Baahubali 2' first look to be unveiled at Mumbai film festival
The first look of director S S Rajamouli's much-awaited film Baahubali 2: The Conclusion will be shown at the upcoming Jio MAMI 18th Mumbai Film Festival.
At the Jio MAMI movie mela, which is a section in the festival, two days will be dedicated to popular Indian cinema. One of the major highlights of the movie mela is the first look of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion which will be showcased on October 22, a press release said.
The movie mela will host the cast of Baahubali 2, who will share their experiences on the making of the movie.
The historical fiction directed by S S Rajamouli features Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty and Tamannaah. The film is set to open in theaters on April 28, 2017.
"I am really excited to share the first look of Baahubali 2 with all the fans. Doing it at MAMI Mela is going to be a lot of fun. Especially with the entire cast on stage with me," Rajamouli said in a statement.
The movie mela will be held on October 22 and 23, at Rangmandir, Bandra. The Jio MAMI 18th Mumbai Film Festival will be held from October 20 to October 27 and will screen over 180 films from 54 countries.
00:22 Pranab okays probe against AMU vice chancellor
President Pranab Mukherjee has given his approval for a probe into allegations of financial and other improprieties against Aligarh Muslim University's Vice Chancellor Zameeruddin Shah.
The nod of the President, who is also the Visitor to the University, comes on a proposal from the HRD Ministry to which former Janata Dal MP Wasim Ahmed had given a memorandum seeking a probe into allegations against the Vice Chancellor.
Mukherjee's action also follows approval of a similar probe against Allahabad University Vice Chancellor R L Hangloo.
Ahmed, a member of the AMU executive council, welcomed the approval for a probe against the AMU Vice Chancellor saying it was long overdue.
Shah on the other hand has denied all allegations against him saying some vested interests were carrying out a campaign against him.
00:19 Vice President Ansari arrives in Algeria
Vice President Hamid Ansari tonight arrived in Algeria for a two-day visit during which he will interact with the country's top leadership on various bilateral issues like anti-terror cooperations.
Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sujata Mehta said the issue of cross-border terrorism emanating from across India's border will be raised during the bilateral meetings the Vice President will have with Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal and other top leadership.
She said terrorism is not new for Algeria and it has fought a very difficult terror group in the recent past.
"There will be meetings of minds to fight terrorism with all his interlocutors and counterparts," she said.
Algeria's President Bouteflika was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in 2001. Bilateral trade between India and Algeria stood at 1.5 billion per annum, a majority of which are related to importing oil and oil products into India.
00:13 Odisha hospital fire is "mind-numbing": Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tonight voiced "deep anguish" at the loss of lives in a massive blaze at a hospital in Bhubaneshwar, calling it "mind-numbing".
"Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the hospital fire in Odisha. The tragedy is mind-numbing. My thoughts are with bereaved families," Modi said on microblogging website Twitter.
"Spoke to Minister @JPNadda (Health Minister) & asked him to facilitate transfer of all those injured to AIIMS. Hope the injured recover quickly.
"Also spoken to Minister @dpradhanbjp and asked him to ensure all possible help to the injured and affected," he said in a series of tweets.
At least 22 patients died and around 12 others injured in a fire that broke out at the Sum Hospital on Monday evening, in one of the worst such incidents involving a medical facility.
00:10 Pak army chief calls on PM Sharif to discuss security
Pakistan army chief General Raheel Sharif on Monday called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss security matters.
The meeting came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi at BRICS summit termed Pakistan a "mothership of terrorism".
According to a statement, matters pertaining to national and regional security were discussed during the meeting.
Pakistan and India have been involved in war of words since the Uri attack last month.
00:08 Russia announces brief Aleppo truce as EU warns of war crimes
Russia on Monday announced an eight-hour "humanitarian" ceasefire in Aleppo later this week, as the EU warned that the Syrian regime's Moscow-backed assault on the city could amount to war crimes.
The United Nations and European Union welcomed the announcement, but said the planned pause in fighting needed to be longer to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.
In the latest violence, dozens of civilians including 12 members of the same family were killed in heavy bombardment of rebel-held eastern sectors of the embattled city, a monitoring group said.
"We have taken a decision not to waste time and to introduce 'humanitarian pauses', mainly for the free passage of civilians, evacuation of the sick and wounded and withdrawal of fighters," senior Russian military officer
Sergei Rudskoi told a press briefing in Moscow.
The ceasefire would run from 0800 to 1600 local time (0500 GMT to 1300 GMT) "in the area of Aleppo", Rudskoi said.
"During this period the Russian air force and Syrian government troops will halt air strikes and firing from any other types of weapons."
Russia's announcement, to which there was no immediate reaction from rebels, came as the EU condemned the ferocious air war waged on Aleppo over the past three weeks.
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