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Wed, 26 October 2016
Magnitude 5.6 strikes central Italy, felt in Rome

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23:27   Magnitude 5.6 strikes central Italy, felt in Rome
A 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck central Italy on Wednesday at a depth of 10 kilometers just two months after a stronger quake killed almost 300 and leveled a number of small towns.

The United States Geological Society initially said a magnitude 5.6 quake had hit, but the strength was subsequently revised down to 5.4. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The earthquake struck near the border between the regions of Marche and Umbria, but the epicenter is still unclear. It was also felt in Rome at about 1.10 pm ET.

Rescuers clear debris while searching for victims in damaged buildings in Arquata del Tronto, Italy in August 2016. Photograph: Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images
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23:20   Mumbai: Fire breaks out at Asian Heart Institute hospital
Fire broke out at the Asian Heart Institute hospital in Bandra Kurla Complex here tonight.

Fire brigade control room received the call at 9.45 pm and four fire engines and as many water tankers were pressed into service to the douse the fire, a fire brigade official said.

The fire started in the basement of the hospital and there were no reports of any casualties till now, the officer said, adding fire-fighting efforts were on.
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23:03  
Strong earthquake rattles central Italy and Rome, shaking centuries-old buildings, reports Associated Press
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23:03   One-man judicial panel on OROP submits report to Parrikar
The one-man judicial committee on One Rank One Pension set up by the government today submitted its report to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

The Centre had appointed the committee under the Chairmanship of retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court L Narasimha Reddy to look into the anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP. 

The judicial committee had held hearings at around 20 cities and towns across the country and interacted with cross sections of ex-servicemen as well as their associations, a statement by the ministry said.

The committee also received 704 representations from individuals and various ex-servicemen associations and had held extensive interactions with all stakeholders before submitting its report.
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22:51   US to abstain for first time in UN vote against Cuba embargo
The United States will for the first time abstain from a vote at the United Nations calling for an end to the US embargo against Cuba, Ambassador Samantha Power said today.
"The United States has always voted against this resolution. Today the United States will abstain," Power told the General Assembly, drawing loud applause.
The 193 UN member states were set to adopt for the 25th time the annual resolution presented by Cuba criticising the embargo, imposed in 1960 at the height of the Cold War.
Washington's abstention was in line with calls from President Barack Obama for the opposition-controlled Congress to lift the decades-old embargo as part of a historic normalization of relations.
The United States restored diplomatic ties with Cuba in July last year and Obama made a landmark visit to the communist-ruled island in March.
But the final decision to restore full trade and financial ties with Cuba would require legislative action by Congress.
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21:59   Pak violates ceasefire again in Jammu's RS Pura sector
Pakisyan violated ceasefire again in RS Pura sector of border in Jammu tonight. Pakistani rangers targeted Indian posts with heavy mortar and small arms fire, says DIG BSF.

There have been over 40 ceasefire violations from the Pakistani side since the Indian side carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir targeting terror launching pads, post the attack on an army camp in Uri on September 18.

In the wake of the continuous ceasefire violation by Pakistan on the LoC and heavy shelling in residential areas along the IB, the concerned authorities have ordered the closure of all schools in Rajouri district as a precautionary measure.
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21:15   India-Afghanistan's spy agencies 'patronising' terror: Pak to US
Pakistan today claimed the spy agencies of India and Afghanistan were "patronising" terror groups to attack soft targets in the country and sought America's help to break their "nexus", a day after 61 young cadets were massacred in a major terror attack in Quetta.
Pakistan's National Security Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua conveyed the message to US ambassador David Hale during a meeting here today, Radio Pakistan reported.

Janjua told Hale that India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) are "patronising terrorists groups to attack soft targets in Pakistan", it said.
The meeting was held to discuss the terrorist attack on Police Training College Quetta, counter-terrorism operations and cross-border attacks.
Janjua emphasised on the need to break the "nexus between Afghanistan-based terrorists, who are operating under the patronage of Afghan intelligence agency NDS and Indian intelligence agency RAW."
Pakistan has asked for US assistance to tackle the situation, the report said.
Janjua informed the ambassador that the terrorists who attacked the police training college were constantly in contact with their leadership and handlers in Afghanistan.
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20:14   Bourses seek clarification from Tatas on Mistry letter
Markets regulator Sebi has begun looking into the high profile Tata-Mistry case for any possible breach of corporate governance norms and listing regulations at various listed companies of the over $100 billion conglomerate.
Besides, stock exchanges, late this evening, sought clarification from many of the group's listed companies on the purported disclosure by ousted Chairman Cyrus Mistry about Rs 1.18 lakh crore possible writedown at the group firms.
     
"We (Sebi) are taking note of each and every development and will act immediately on any hint of possible violation of corporate governance and listing norms or any other regulation under our jurisdiction," a senior official said.
     
The Securities and Exchange Board of India is looking into the alleged disclosure made in the purported letter written by Mistry to Tata Sons' board members including about financial and other irregularities as also lapses on the corporate governance front, sources said.
     
The stock exchanges and the regulator are also keeping a close watch on the price movement and trading activities of over two dozen listed companies of Tata group, which have seen an erosion in value in last two trading sessions after the surprise ouster of Mistry in less than four years of being made chairman of Tata Sons, the main holding company of the group.
     
The price movement and trading volumes for few days prior to the surprise announcement will also be looked into.

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20:02   Don't invite foreign teams to Pakistan in current situation: Akhtar
Pakistan's former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has cautioned against inviting any foreign teams to Pakistan in the prevailing security situation in the country.
     
Speaking two days after the terrorist attack on the police training centre in Quetta in which 62 police cadets and two armymen were killed and around 170 injured, Akhtar said that the security situation in the country was not good. 
     
"Until there is a complete normalcy as far as security situation is concerned we shouldn't take the risk of inviting any foreign team to Pakistan," he said on Geo News channel.      

"The security situation is such that we will have to be patient. I am sure international cricket will return to Pakistan but it will take some time," he added.
     
The attack on the police training centre took place just few days after the Pakistan Cricket Board's head of the Pakistan Super League, Najam Sethi had announced the final of the second PSL would be held in Lahore in February.
     
Sethi also told a meeting of the standing committee of the national assembly today that twice the PCB had succeeded in convincing the Ireland and West Indies teams to play some matches in Pakistan but both times some untoward incidents took place.
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19:21   PM advances Budget presentation date by a month
Presentation of the Union Budget is being advanced by about a month to ensure speedier implementation of projects and schemes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday.

The PM has urged states to align their plans with Budget advancement being done by the central government so that they could take maximum advantage.

The PM also sought a report on Indias World Bank ranking in ease of doing business from all concerned within a month about areas for improvement; and has asked the cabinet secretary to review the same thereafter.
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19:05   No satisfactory material found to ban Sanatan Sanstha: Centre to HC
The central government today informed the Bombay high court that till date it has not found any satisfactory material to declare right wing organisation Sanatan Sanstha as a 'terror outfit' under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and ban it.

A division bench of Justices N H Patil and P D Naik was hearing a petition filed by one Vijay Rokade seeking a ban on the organisation, members of which are alleged to have carried out terror activities in Panvel and Thane.

The petitioner informed the court that the Maharashtra government, based on a report and material submitted by the Anti Terrorism Squad, had forwarded a proposal to the Union government in 2012 recommending ban on the group.

The Union government, however, has till date not taken any decision on the proposal. The Centre's lawyer told the high court that it had verified the state government's proposal but were not satisfied with the material submitted by it, and had hence, asked the state government to submit further material in support of its proposal.

"Show us the communication between the Union and state governments. All this cannot be orally stated. Submit before us all the letters sent and received by the Union and state governments within four weeks," the bench directed.

The court also sought to know under which law or provision can the Union government ban an organisation or trust that is governed by a state government Act.

The petitioner's advocate said under the provisions of the UAPA, the Union government can recommend ban on any organisation or group.

In April 2012, the state government had filed an affidavit in the case claiming that the additional chief secretary (home) had addressed a letter to the Director of Union Home Ministry informing it that three cases regarding bomb blasts has been registered against Sanatan Sanstha.

"The government of Maharashtra has reached to the conclusion that Sanatan Sanstha organisation is liable to be banned under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act," the affidavit had said.
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18:43   No toll tax on Delhi-Noida flyway
In a judgment that may bring relief to millions of commuters in the NCR, the Allahabad high court today ruled that henceforth no toll tax shall be taken from those using the 9.2-km-long, eight-lane Delhi-Noida Direct flyway.

A division bench comprising Justices Arun Tandon and Sunita Agarwal passed the order while allowing a public interest litigation filed by the Federation of Noida Residents' Welfare Association.

The PIL, which was filed in 2012, had challenged the 'levy and collection of toll in the name of user fee by Noida Toll Bridge Company'.

The high court had on August 8 reserved its judgement on the plea. In a more than 100-page judgment, the court held, 'The user fee which is being levied/realised is not supported by the legal provisions relied upon by the Concessionaire (Noida Toll Bridge Company), Infrastructure Leaning and Financial Services (promoter and developer of the project) and the Noida Authority.'
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18:01   4 arrested for 'fuelling unrest' in Kashmir
Police today claimed to have arrested four persons, including two members of Pakistan-based Tehreek-i-Jehad-i-Islami terror group from Baramulla district, who were allegedly fuelling unrest in Kashmir.

"Four persons including two active members of a militant organisation have been arrested. They were paid money during their visit to Pakistan for fuelling and sustaining the present unrest in Sopore area," a police spokesman said.

He said two of the arrested persons have been identified as Gowhar Ahmed Bhat of Mir Sahib locality and Hilal Ahmed Gojri of Syed Karim locality of Baramulla, adding that they were active members of Pakistan-based TJI.

"They had visited Pakistan during the ongoing unrest. During their questioning, names of two more persons--Showkat Ali Gazi of Sidiq Colony, Sopore and Zahoor Ahmed Shagoo of Tawheed Bagh, Sopore surfaced. Both of them were arrested and incriminating documents were recovered from their possession," the spokesman said.

During questioning, he said, Bhat and Gojri revealed that during their visit to Pakistan they received Rs 50,000 each and were promised more funds for fuelling the current unrest.

The spokesman added that a case has been registered against the arrested persons.
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17:46   Jan Surajya Shakti joins BJP-led grand alliance in Maha
Ahead of the local bodies polls, Kolhapur-based Jan Surajya Shakti party today joined the Bharatiya Janata Party-led 'Mahaaghadi' (grand-alliance) in Maharashtra.

Before the Lok Sabha polls in 2014, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna, Shiv Sangram and Republican Party of India-Athawale had joined the grand-alliance led by the BJP.

Three-time former MLA Vinay Kore, who is the founder-President of JSS, was present at a media briefing here along with Maharashtra BJP chief Raosaheb Danve and state Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil.

"The party was joining the BJP-led alliance to strengthen the rural economy. If people get economic justice only then social justice can be achieved," Kore, who heads the Kolhapur-based Warana group, said.
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17:18   SP feud makes Amit Shah cut short Guj visit
In view of the political situation unfolding in Uttar Pradesh triggered by a bitter power struggle in the ruling Samajwadi Party, Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah today cut short his Gujarat visit and rushed to Delhi.

"We have learned that Amitji has curtailed his Gujarat visit due to the political situation in UP and left for Delhi this afternoon," said a BJP leader.

Shah landed in Ahmedabad last night and was expected to be in the state for around two-three days to hold meetings with party leaders to discuss matters relating to the assembly polls in Gujarat next year.

However, on learning about the crucial developments in UP, Shah left for Delhi this afternoon after meeting some BJP leaders at his residence, party sources said.

Earlier in the day, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav paid a sudden visit to the Raj Bhawan to meet Governor Ram Naik and briefed him on the prevailing political situation in the poll-bound state.
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17:06  
A Wing Commander, in-charge of the Sirsa Airbase in Haryana found dead with a gunshot wound, IAF suspects suicide.
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16:57   'The reality is that the Kashmiri loves the fauj'
"In the army, in my unit mandir, the prayer was led by my wife and me and as you know I am a Muslim. That is what motivated me to write that article (on Nawazuddin). Anywhere you go to in the Indian Army you will find a sarv dharm sthal. If your idea of nationalism is multiculturalism, then you just have to go to the Indian Army.

"In the J&K Light Infantry, the MMG gun has been transformed to 'Mandir, Masjid, Gurdwara'.On the day of Eid, if the maulvi is not there, the granthi can lead the namaaz. Yeh Hai Indian Army!"


Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd) redefines nationalism and patriotism. Archana Masih/Rediff.com listens in. Take a look.
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16:47   BJP will not fish in troubled waters of UP: Naidu
Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said BJP would not "fish in troubled waters' of Uttar Pradesh and dismissed as "totally false' allegation that his party had a hand in fueling the ongoing feud in the ruling Samajwadi Party.


The Minister for Urban Development and Information and Broadcasting said Samajwadi Party is suffering from its own internal bickering, infights, family trouble, and is not able to control its own leaders and "it's a battle within the family for supremacy."

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16:14   Cyrus Mistry: Faced constant interference by Ratan Tata
Ousted Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry accused directors at India's largest conglomerate of wrongfully dismissing him and warned that the tea-to-software giant may face 1.18 trillion rupees ($18 billion) in writedowns because of five unprofitable businesses he inherited.


Bloomberg reports that Mistry, who had been Tata's chairman for almost four years, was abruptly removed from his role on Monday for non performance without the opportunity to defend himself, the executive wrote in an e-mail on Tuesday to the board of group holding company Tata Sons Ltd., a copy of which was obtained by Bloomberg.


Defending his record, Mistry said he inherited a debt-laden enterprise saddled with losses and singled out Indian Hotels Co., Tata Motors Ltd.'s passenger-vehicle operations, Tata Steel Ltd.'s European business, as well as part of the group's power unit and its telecommunications subsidiary as "legacy hotspots," according to the e-mail.


Despite plowing 1.96 trillion rupees -- more than the net worth of the group -- into those units, they still face challenges and realistically assessing their fair value could result in writing down about 1.18 trillion rupees over time, he wrote.


Shares of group companies extended declines in Mumbai, with Tata Steel falling as much as 5.9 percent and Tata Motors down as much as 5.5 percent.


Representatives for Tata Sons and Mistry declined to comment on the letter.

The comments help shed light on the power struggle occurring at the $100 billion conglomerate in the run-up to Mistry's ouster, which stunned India's business community.


Mistry had been pushing to transform Tata Group into a more prudent enterprise than the globetrotter that bought Jaguar Land Rover and steelmaker Corus Group Plc under Ratan Tata.From the flop of the world's cheapest car -- the Nano -- to an ultra-mega power plant that had regulations changed on it, Mistry said he was trying to turn things around at the group since taking on the chairmanship. But he faced constant interference by his predecessor, Ratan Tata, to the point that he was pushed into becoming a "lame duck" chairman, according to the e-mail.


For example, Mistry signaled that the Nano -- developed by Ratan Tata after he saw a family of four on a scooter on a rainy evening -- should be scrapped as the project was consistently unprofitable and at its peak lost 10 billion rupees.


"As there is no line of sight to profitability for the Nano, any turnaround strategy for the company requires to shut it down," Mistry wrote.


"Emotional reasons alone have kept us away from this crucial decision.'On the telecom business, where Tata is currently embroiled in a spat with partner NTT Docomo Inc. over the payment of $1.17 billion for failing to uphold a contract, Mistry blamed his predecessor for striking such a questionable agreement.


He wrote that an exit from the telecom business would cost as much as $5 billion, in addition to the payout to Docomo. Mistry said he had focused on increasing revenue at the telecom unit in the hopes of it being part of industry consolidation.
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15:46  
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh surrenders before Hajipur Court; admits his 'thug' remark about Baba Ramdev.
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15:46   The good crisis
Akhilesh Yadav came to power in 2012 after having led a successful campaign that was aimed primarily at transforming the image of an ageing party unable to control its criminal reputation.

The overhaul of the party's image and the projection of a youthful leader were conceived as a means to shed the garb of "goonda raj' and as a strategy to reach out to a larger base of voters, beyond the traditional vote banks and the party's local patronage networks. Read more
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15:21   Three questions from Pakistan that India needs to answer
How did militarism become the main pillar of nationalistic faith in democratic-secular India? India must find an answer and share it with Pakistan. Read the column on the Dawn here
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15:18  
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis egged on Ae Dil Hai Mushkil producer Karan Johar to donate money. He was happy to donate to get out of the mess, says CNN News 18 quoting industry sources.
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15:01  
Venkaiah Naidu: Uniform Civil Code will not be brought through the back door and without a consensus.
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14:37   'Human bomb' Navjot Sidhu will explode once he enters Congress: Sukhbir Badal
After Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Navjot Singh Sidhu would join their party on the auspicious day of Diwali, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday said the cricketer-turned politician is a human bomb and will explode once he enters the grand old party.


Badal told mediapersons that Congress' state party chief Captain Amarinder Singh is trying to downplay Bajwa by saying that he has no objection to Sidhu joining the party, adding the reality is that they both abuse each other.


"At places they abuse each other. They are not gifting anything to the people, they are giving gifts to each other. They want to harm each other and Sidhu is a human bomb and will go and explode there," Badal said.


Earlier on Tuesday, Bajwa said the matter of Sidhu joining the Congress was under the high command's consideration while sarcastically adding that Sidhu may get a 'Diwali gift'.
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14:32   When Dream Girl Hema Malini mesmerised Lalu & Co
Leaders cutting across party lines flocked to the Shri Krishna Memorial Hall in Patna on Tuesday to watch BJP parliamentarian Hema Malini's ballet 'Draupadi'.


In the frontline were Lalu Prasad, his two sons -- deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and health minister Tej Pratap Yadav -- former JD(U) MP Shivanand Tiwary, Patna Sahib MP Shatrughan Sinha and BJP MLA Nitin Navin.


There was a tinge of history at the event. When he first came to power in 2000, Lalu Prasad said: "I will turn Bihar roads as smooth as Hema Malini's cheeks." The former Bollywood star had then brushed aside the comment with grace.


On Tuesday, Prasad said he named one of his daughters Hema. "Perhaps Hema Malini may not be aware of this.


BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha took a dig at Lalu's son Tejaswi and said, "So far, only 50,000 proposals for marriage have come for him on WhatsApp... I feel he will receive five lakh marriage proposals in no time".


Tejaswi, the deputy chief minister in the Nitish Kumar-led government, was recently the talk of the town for getting 44,000 proposals for marriage on WhatsApp. The minister had provided his number to receive citizens' complaint on bad roads.
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13:38   Salman's guard Shera assault
An assault case has been registered against Salman Khan's bodyguard Shera at the DN Nagar Police station in Mumbai.


Shera allegedly beat a waiter at a hookah parlour in suburban Mumbai last night. According to reports, the complainant, who is reportedly a staff at the pub where the brawl took place, said that Shera used a gun and threatened him and then attacked him which broke his shoulder bone.


File pic of Shera with Salman Khan 
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13:32  
Fire breaks out in Don Bosco School situated in Kolkata's Park Circus area; four fire tenders are working on the spot.
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13:25   Mulayam open to Cong-RLD mahagathbandhan, Cong favours Akhilesh
Mulayam Singh Yadav and his brother Shivpal have in principal agreed to an alliance with the Congress and RLD.

Shivpal Yadav said he has taken Mulayam Singh Yadav's consent for talks. and added that the SP has always fought against the anti-secular forces, and would continue to fight against them, reports CNN News18.

The Indian Express reported yesterday that Mulayam Singh Yadav plans to put together a Mahagathbandhan on the lines of Bihar before the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.


The paper reported that Samajwadi Party chief called up RLD leader Ajit Singh seeking his support on Sunday, while brother Shivpal Yadav placed a call to a senior JD(U) leader on Saturday saying that the only way the SP could be saved was if Netaji (Mulayam) took over the reins of power from Akhilesh."


The Congress party's chief ministerial candidate says that no decision on allying with the SP yet, but said Akhilesh was a young CM and his government was clean. Reports say that Rahul Gandhi is in favour of Akhilesh.


Meanwhile, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav is meeting the governor right now. Details awaited.
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12:58   Modi to host Diwali Milan for journos on Nov 3
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a Diwali Milan for the capital's media on November 3 at the BJP headquarters on 11, Ashoka Road in Delhi, where he is expected to meet and interact with approximately 2500 journalists from the print, television and wire agencies. 

The SPG is making elaborate security arrangements for the same as this year the prime minister is keen on meeting correspondents individually and not in a crowd, to prevent the selfie craze from eroding the possibility of private conversation with him as happened during the 2014 Diwali Milan he had hosted.   

Others hosting a Diwali Milan for New Delhi's media are Union ministers Prakash Javdekar and JP Nadda, both from the BJP.
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12:53  
Assault case registered against Salman Khan's bodyguard Shera at a Mumbai police station.
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12:47   Did Shahi Imam ask Mulayam to make peace with Akhilesh?
New Delhi's political circles are agog with speculation that the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, havs impressed upon Samajwadi Party strongman Mulayam Singh Yadav to reach a settlement with his son Akhilesh Yadav and not to precipitate the crisis within the party, as he feels that a split in the SP will ultimately benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party by weakening the secular forces.  
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12:33   Remember Nat Geo's Afghan girl? She's just been arrested
Nat Geo's famed 'Afghan Girl' Sharbat Bibi was arrested by Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency on Wednesday in Peshawar, the Dawn reports.


Bibi was arrested from her home for forgery of a Computerised National Identity Card, the FIA sources said. Bibi has dual Pakistani and Afghan nationality, and both ID cards have been recovered from her.

Bibi has been charged under Section 419, 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 5(2) of Prohibition of Corruption Act.

An FIA official said the officer who issued the ID cards to Sharbat Bibi is now working as a deputy commissioner in customs and got bail-before-arrest to avoid arrest in the case.


Details of the form had claimed that Sharbat Bibi had two sons. The official maintained that Sharbat Bibi has two daughters and a two-year-old son.

The official added that relatives present at the given address have refused to recognise two persons listed as her sons in the form.

An inquiry had been launched with NADRA officials under fire for issuing CNICs to foreign nationals without legitimate documentation.

Sharbat Bibi became famously known as the 'Afghan Girl' when National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry captured her photograph at the Nasir Bagh refugee camp situated on the edge of Peshawar in 1984 and identified her as Sharbat Gula.

She gained worldwide recognition when her image was featured on the cover of the June 1985 issue of National Geographic Magazine at a time when she was approximately 12 years old.

That photo has been likened with Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
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12:20   Mining scam: "Justice is done, I stand vindicated", says BSY
A CBI special court today acquitted former Karnataka chief minister and state BJP president BS Yeddyurappa and his sons in an illegal mining bribery case.


"Justice is done, I stand vindicated... Thanks to all well wishers, friends & supporters who stood with me in my tough times," he wrote on Twitter.


Yeddyurappa, his two sons, his son-in-law, steel major JSW Steel and four Bellary-based JSW Steel affiliates were cleared of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and corruption charges.


"The judgement is about 400 to 500 pages. So far, we have not been given the copy of the judgement... The judge said that the prosecution has become unsuccessful in proving the guilt of the accused," advocate C.V. Nagesh told the media outside the court premises.


The bribe, it is alleged, was paid for grant of official favours during Yeddyurappa's tenure as the chief minister between 2008 and 2011. In all, 216 witnesses were examined in the case.


The CBI had filed a chargesheet on October 16, 2012, accusing Yeddyurappa and 12 others of corruption after investigations purportedly revealed that Rs. 20 crore was deposited in personal bank accounts of the Karnataka strongman's sons B.Y. Raghavendra (now a BJP MLA) and B Y Vijendra, and his son-in-law Sohan Kumar between August and September 2010.
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12:05   If Hrithik didn't have famous parents he'd be nowhere: Kangana
Kangana Ranaut recently appeared on Neha Dhupia's show #NoFilterNeha and like always was at her candid best. When asked to present an award for the Best 'Thank God they have famous parents or they'd be nowhere', she immediately responded, "Hrithik Roshan, you know it's true!!"


The world knows what happened when she gave a tongue-in-cheek response related to Duggu Roshan a few months back. We are just wondering what the actor has to say to this!


And that's not all.


The versatile actor did not spare Priyanka Chopra as well. According to Miss. Ranaut, our Desi Girl should be presented with an award for the most fake laugh.


Well, mincing her words is not Kangana's cup of tea.On a related note, the 29-year old actress will be next seen in Rangoon that also stars Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. The movie will hit the big screens on February 24
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11:59   Metro services stopped for 1 hour after spark in train
A minor spark in the third rail, which supplies power to metro trains, caused panic among passengers who were evacuated from the train and a nearby platform today.


Around 9 am when a metro train was approaching the 'Masterda Surya Sen' station in Bansdroni area in southern part of the city, the control room at Metro Bhawan noticed spark and smoke coming out from the third rail.


Officials said the train was immediately halted and all passengers from it and the station were safely evacuated as a precautionary measure.


For about 60 minutes during the peak office hours, all Metro services between Tollygunje and Kavi Subhash metro station (New Garia) were stopped. An inspection of the third rail by a team of engineers found that a foreign object had come in contact with the line leading to a spark, officials said.
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11:54   Karnataka ex-CM Yeddyurappa acquitted in corruption case
Just in: Former Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa acquitted in the Bellary mining case. The CBI court acquits all other accused in the case.


Filing its chagesheet in October 2012 before a special court in Bangalore, the CBI had alleged that Yeddyurappa has been accused of misusing his office as the then Chief Minister of Karnataka and had allegedly received Rs 20-crore kickback from the Bellary-based South West Mining Company in a quid pro quo deal for waiving Rs 890 crore due to the State government from the company.


Besides, Yeddyurappa as the prime accused, the probe agency also named two of his sons and son-in-law as accused persons.


Chargesheet was filed against them on different charges including cheating, forgery of documents for the purpose of cheating under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act and also various charges under the Karnataka Land (Restriction on) Transfer Act.


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11:27   Name game
Mulayam Singh Yadav's brother, Shivpal, gets his nameplate removed from outside his house in Lucknow. UP CM Akhilesh Yadav had sacked Shivpal as a minister on Sunday. 
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10:55   Shivpal expels Akhilesh aide Pawan Pandey for 6 years
Samajwadi Party strongman Shivpal Yadav expels Akhilesh aide Pawan Pandey from the party for six years.


Akhilesh had sacked Shivpal, his uncle and partys state unit chief, along with three other pro-Amar Singh ministers from his Cabinet on Sunday, while his father Mulayam Singh Yadav hit back by dismissing Ramgopal Yadav, pro-CM cousin and SPs national general secretary, from the party for six years.


On Monday, this increasingly acrimonious family-cum-political fight was on full display in front of a crowd of 500 supporters, chiefs and block leaders. Mulayam Singh came down hard on his son and actually made a comparison with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Look at Modi, he has become PM with sheer hard work. He comes from a poor family and keeps claiming that he can't live without his mother. He hasn't left his mother even today."
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10:43   Was NEVER given a chance to defend myself: Cyrus Mistry email
In a "protest" email to Tata Board members, Cyrus Mistry has said that he is "shocked at the manner of his removal" and has called it unprecedented.


"The board has not covered itself with glory," Mistry reportedly said in the email, adding that the board "never gave me a chance to defend myself."


Mistry was removed as chairman of Tata Sons in a dramatic board meeting on Monday and Ratan Tata was brought back as interim chairman until a new appointment is made. The shock exit has led to a crossfire of allegations from both sides.


At the board meeting, sources said, Mistry called his removal illegal, arguing that he should be given a 15-day notice to make a case for himself according to the Tata rule book.


"The Tata board was well within its rights to remove Cyrus Mistry," Mohan Parasaran, one of three top lawyers consulted by the Tatas, has told NDTV.


The Tata Group has filed caveats in the Bombay High Court and at the National Company Law Tribunal to prevent Mistry from getting a legal order against his removal without their side of story being heard.
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10:17  
Just in: Kolkata Metro services partially hit after fire spotted under train.
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09:55   LIVE! BSF jawan injured in J-K in another ceasefire violation by Pak
JUST IN: Assistant sub-inspector of BSF injured in ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in RS Pura sector of Jammu, says BSF.


On Monday, six people were injured in the ceasefire violation by Pakistan forces in J&Ks RS Pura sector. This is the second ceasefire violation by Pakistan in two days.


Representational picture


In todays attack, Pakistani forces violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Noushera sector and RS Pura sector on International Border by targeting Indian positions and civilian population. The Indian side was also prompted to give a befitting response.

An army officer said the army was giving a befitting response to the ceasefire violation from the Pakistani side.
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09:42   Trump says Clinton policy on Syria would lead to World War III
US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in an interview to Reuters said that Democrat Hillary Clinton's plan for Syria would "lead to World War Three," because of the potential for conflict with military forces from nuclear-armed Russia.

In an interview focused largely on foreign policy, Trump said defeating Islamic State is a higher priority than persuading Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down, playing down a long-held goal of US policy.

Trump questioned how Clinton would negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin after demonizing him; blamed President Barack Obama for a downturn in US relations with the Philippines under its new president, Rodrigo Duterte; bemoaned a lack of Republican unity behind his candidacy, and said he would easily win the election if the party leaders would support him.

On Syria's civil war, Trump said Clinton could drag the United States into a world war with a more aggressive posture toward resolving the conflict.

"What we should do is focus on Islamic State. We should not be focusing on Syria," said Trump as he dined on fried eggs and sausage at his Trump National Doral golf resort. "Youre going to end up in World War Three over Syria if we listen to Hillary Clinton.
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09:31   Ailing AMU professor waits for ambulance for 6 hours, dies
A 64-year-old senior Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) professor, a cancer patient, died at the varsity's hospital after the authorities could not arrange an ambulance for him for over six hours, bringing the establishment under the lens for medical negligence once again.

Professor D Murthy's doctors at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC) had advised that he be shifted to a Delhi hospital after his condition deteriorated following surgery on Sunday. Murthy was the chairman of AMU's department of modern Indian languages. 

Last month, five doctors of JNMC were booked for negligence after a student died of dengue during treatment at the hospital.
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09:22   Cyrus Mistry seeking appointment with PM Modi?
The political and financial capitals of India are abuzz with speculation that Cyrus Mistry might seek an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to argue his case against his dismissal.

As chairman, Mistry was seen to be keen on building ties with the political establishment -perhaps in order to build his profile as successor to Ratan Tata, and maybe even secure his position within the group.

Mistry's family firm Shapoorji Pallonji Group has 18.4 per cent in Tata Sons. 66 per cent shares in Tata Sons are held by philanthropic trusts endowed by members of the Tata family.
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08:57   Akhilesh Yadav keeps family feud aside, says focus only on UP polls
Even after a bitter acrimony for the the Samajwadi Party in a crucial meeting at Headquarter in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav in an interview to TV channel said he is only focusing on his preparation for the polls now.

I am working on my campaign and am totally focused on the planned Rath Yatra, Akhilesh told TV channels, adding, Am busy now with showcasing the campaigning theme and development work. Ultimately, people will vote on the basis of development not caste.

Akhilesh is primarly focusing on his rath yatra and campaign for the upcoming polls and not concerned about the family dispute. SP Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav  insisted party and family are united but did not comment on whether Shivpal Yadav will be reinstated in the Akhilesh Yadav Cabinet.

Akhilesh Yadav also blamed SP leader Amar Singh for misusing his fathers trust and said today what he is, is because of his father and will not allow any split to happen.

Amar Singh is to blamed. He is misusing my fathers trust. I will not split party. I will fight till the end, quoted the TV channel.
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08:19   Pak should act against militants on home soil: US
Pakistan can contribute to regional stability by acting against militants on its soil who seek to attack its neighbours, the United States has said. "We believe that Pakistan can directly contribute to regional stability by acting against militants on its soil who seek to attack its neighbours," State Department Spokesman John Kirby said. 

The State Department extended support to the government of Pakistan at a time when cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has threatened to hold mass protests in the country. "We support the democratically elected government of Pakistan. We also support the peaceful right of protest. But this is an internal matter for the Pakistani government and Pakistani authorities to speak to," he said in response to a question.
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07:58   Vijay Mallya discloses India assets: Rs 16,440 cash in hand
Liquor baron Vijay Mallya, in a statement on his India assets, has disclosed to the Supreme Court that he had Rs. 16,440 as cash in hand as of March 31, 2016. His bank deposits in India totalled Rs. 12.6 crore, which was under attachment by the Income Tax Department, it noted.

Mallya also stated he had "investments and cash equivalents" of $5.2 million in overseas assets while he made no reference regarding any bank account or cash in hand.

Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines, which ceased operations in October 2012, owed the banks - mostly state-run - over Rs. 9,000 crore including interest and fees.
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00:54   Maipuri PhD student found dead in JNU hostel
The body of a student from the north east was found in a hostel room in Jawaharlal Nehru University today, police said.

The student identified as J R Philemon, native of Senapti district in Manipur, was found dead in room no 171 of the Brahmaputra Hostel, police said.

He was pursing his PhD on the subject of West Asia and he hadn't been seen for the last three days, a senior police officer said.

"When a foul smell started emanating from the room, the student in the neighbouring room called other students and security and forcefully opened door. He was found dead in the room," he said.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the cause of death.
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00:53   Denuclearizing North Korea 'probably a lost cause': US
The US policy of trying to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons "is probably a lost cause" and the best that can probably be hoped for is some kind of cap on the country's nuclear capability, the director of US National Intelligence James Clapper said on Tuesday.

"I think the notion of getting the North Koreans to denuclearize is probably a lost cause," Clapper said at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in New York. "They are not going to do that -- that is their ticket to survival."

Clapper said he got a good taste of how the world looks from North Korea's viewpoint when he went to Pyongyang on a mission in 2014 to secure the release of two Americans held there.

"They are under siege and they are very paranoid, so the notion of giving up their nuclear capability, whatever it is, is a non-starter with them," he said.

Read more HERE
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00:52   Trump hits hard at 'Obamacare' after gloomy report
Donald Trump today declared that "Obamacare is just blowing up," hoping for powerful late-campaign ammunition against Hillary Clinton after the government projected sharp cost increases for President Barack Obama's health care program.

Just two weeks before Election Day, the New York businessman addressed the health care development during an appearance at one of his Florida golf resorts that highlighted the extraordinary intersection of his business and political interests. His message was somewhat scattershot, leaving questions of how well he and his party can capitalize on a revived emphasis on "Obamacare."

"We're down in Florida. We're at Trump National Doral. And it's one of the great places on earth," Trump said during a surprise visit to his golf club before encouraging his employees to praise him at the microphone. He suggested that many of his workers are having "tremendous problems with Obamacare" while highlighting a report that predicted premium increases of roughly 25 percent for the coming year. 

A Doral employee later clarified that 95 percent of the club's employees are on company-provided insurance. Trump vowed anew to "repeal and replace" the president's signature health care overhaul. Clinton says she wants to keep the best of the program but make improvements.

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