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Wed, 13 December 2017
Now, Congress seeks action against Modi, Shah for violation of model code

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23:27   Now, Congress seeks action against Modi, Shah for violation of model code
The Congress today petitioned the Election Commission for action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing an event organised by an industry body on the eve of the final phase of the Gujarat polls where he
attacked the main opposition party.
The Congress's complaint came soon after the EC issued a show cause notice to Rahul Gandhi for prima facie violating the model code by giving interviews to Gujarati TV channels, and asked him to reply by December 18, failing which it will decide the matter without any reference to him.
A delegation of Congress leaders comprising Ashok Gehlot, Anand Sharma and Randeep Surjewala handed over a memorandum to the poll body, demanding strong action against Modi and other BJP leaders for addressing press conferences and events on the eve of last phase of polling in Gujarat.
"We are going to the Election Commission with a memorandum demanding action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Piyush Goyal and others for violating the model code," Anand Sharma told reporters before meeting the poll panel.
He said the EC should remain non-partisan.
Earlier in the day, Modi launched a blistering attack on the Congress, saying that banks were pressured under its rule to give loans worth thousands of crore to select industrialists and termed it as the UPA government's biggest scam.
A day before his home state Gujarat goes to the final phase of polling, Modi attacked "economists" in the UPA for handing him a "liability" of non-performing assets or bad loans, while hard-selling his central government's pro-poor schemes.
Surjewala said the EC today acted against news channels for airing the interview of Rahul Gandhi which was against the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution. 
The Congress memorandum said: "The Election Commission is duty bound to be fair and impartial. We have to regrettably state the apparent discrimination and an apparent advantage being given to the ruling party miltates against this notion."

It also requested the poll body to immediately withdraw its order directing registration of an FIR against news channels for telecasting the interview of Gandhi. -- PTI
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22:53   ED summons Kashmiri separatist leader Geelani in FEMA case
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani to appear before it on December 18 for adjudication proceedings related to a foreign exchange violation case involving USD 10,000 "illegally" possessed by him in 2002.
The foreign currency was seized during an Income Tax raid at his residence in Srinagar's Hyderpora area in 2002.
The central probe agency, early this year, issued a notice under various sections of the Foreign Exchange Management Act to the 87-year-old separatist leader based in Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir.
Geelani, who heads the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, has been asked to either appear in person or through his legal representative before the agency in Srinagar on December 18.
The adjudication notice has asked him to "explain or produce documents or evidences, as may be useful for or relevant to the subject matter of enquiry".
The notice, issued by the Enforcement Assistant Director in Srinagar Deepak Chauhan, said if he failed to appear on the date, "adjudication proceedings shall proceed against the noticee (Geelani), exparte".
Geelani can be penalised up to three times the amount contravened under the FEMA after these proceedings end.
The ED took up the case after taking cognisance of the Income Tax report and issued summons to Geelani to appear before it in Srinagar in March this year.
The agency earlier said that Geelani's counsel had submitted a written reply and "denied" the recovery of foreign currency from his residence and seizure.
"Following further summons, his chartered accountant submitted the appeal documents confirming the recovery and seizure of foreign currency. However, he failed to furnish legitimate source for its acquisition and possession thus making himself liable for action under FEMA," an ED statement earlier said.
Under the FEMA, foreign exchange dealings are regulated in India and the acquisition and possession of foreign exchange by resident Indians are required to be conducted in accordance with the general or special permission.
"Geelani did not have any such permission or bona fide explanation for acquisition and possession of the foreign currency.
"Therefore, he has been asked to show cause to the adjudicating officer under FEMA within 30 days as to why the recovered currency should not be confiscated and penalty imposed on him," the agency said. -- PTI 
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22:50   Guj polls: BJP top guns Modi, Jaitley, Shah to vote in final phase tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP patriarch L K Advani and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley are among the saffron heavyweights expected to exercise their franchise in the second and final phase of Gujarat elections
tomorrow.
While Modi will cast his vote at Sabarmati Assembly constituency, Advani is expected to exercise his franchise at Jamalpur-Khadia seat and Jaitley in Vejalpur constituency, all located in Ahmedabad, a party release said.
Advani currently represents Gandhinagar constituency in the Lok Sabha, while Jaitley is a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat.
BJP president Amit Shah and former Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel are expected to cast their votes at Naranpura and Ghatlodiya, respectively, again in Ahmedabad.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel will vote at Kadi constituency in Mehsana district, the release said.
"Modiji will cast his vote at a poll booth in the Nishan High School in Ranip locality of Sabarmati. Advani will cast his vote at the Hindi School poll booth in Khanpur and Jaitley at the Chimanbhai Institute in S G Highway," the release said.

While Shah is expected to cast his vote at Naranpura sub-zonal office in Naranpura, Anandiben Patel and Nitin Patel will do so at the Shilaj Primary School at S P Ring Road and at the Sanskar Bharti School at Kadi, respectively.
A total of 851 candidates are in the fray for 93 seats spread across 14 districts in north and central Gujarat, in the final phase of the polls, where 2.22 crore people are eligible to exercise their franchise.
Counting of votes will be taken up on December 18. -- PTI 
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22:14   BJP distorted my image by using money and manpower, says Rahul
Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that Gujarat's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party had "distorted" his image using money and manpower.
Campaigning for the Gujarat assembly polls ended on Tuesday.
Speaking to Gujarati news channels a day ahead of the second and final phase of polling, Gandhi expressed confidence that the Congress would win.
The results would be "zabardast", Gandhi said. "We will not only get a majority, you will be surprised by the results."
Gandhi, who will formally take over as party president later this week, said he believes in the truth and speaks the truth.
Asked if he had had an image makeover, Gandhi said, "There was no makeover. BJP workers used money to distort the reality of Rahul Gandhi... a lot of money was put into this."
They deployed a lot of people so that Rahul Gandhi's image could be damaged, he said.
"I believe in the truth. I speak the truth. Now the truth is coming out and they are not able to see it," he said.
Questioned on his temple visits during the campaign, the Congress leader asked in turn, "Is there a ban on visiting temples? I go to temples as I like to go there."
The results for the December 9 and 14 assembly election will be announced on December 18.  -- PTI
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21:27   EC issues notice to Rahul for interviews to TV channels
The Election Commission today served a showcause notice to Rahul Gandhi for giving interviews to Gujarati TV channels on the eve of final phase of the assembly polls.

The Congress President-elect gave interviews to Gujarati TV channels, which was before the 48-hour deadline for the Model Code of Conduct to be end.

The second-phase of voting in the Gujarat polls is scheduled to take place tomorrow. 

The EC has asked Rahul to reply by 5 pm on December 18. 

The poll panel asked Rahul to explain why action should not be taken against him for violating provisions of Model Code of Conduct, failing to which the commission will decide the matter without any further reference to him.

As a controversy erupted after several Gujarati news channels started airing the interviews, the BJP alleged Gandhi has turned so "desperate" fearing defeat in the Gujarat polls that he "violated" the Model Code of Conduct to giving the media interviews.

Earlier, the EC asked TV channels to "forthwith stop" airing interviews of Rahul as they violated the election law.
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20:50   'Strange story with no basis': Ex-Pak FM dismisses Modi's conspiracy theory
Pakistan's former foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri on Wednesday dismissed as "a strange story with no basis" the claim made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Islamabad was interfering in the Gujarat assembly polls.
"I am astonished. I had gone for dinner and I heard him saying that Pakistan is hatching a conspiracy," Kasuri, who served as Pakistan's Foreign Minister between November 2002 and November 2007, told Urdu language Samaa TV news channel.
Recalling that ex-prime minister Manmohan Singh, ex-vice president Hamid Ansari, ex-Army chief Gen Deepak Kapoor, four former foreign secretaries and three former high commissioners to Pakistan and military analysts were present in the dinner, Kasuri asked, "are they also part of Pakistan's conspiracy? It is a strange story with no basis. What else can I say."
Addressing an election rally in Palanpur in Gujarat this week, Modi sought to suggest that Pakistan was trying to influence the assembly polls in the state. He claimed some Pakistani officials and Manmohan Singh met at then Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's house over dinner on December 6.
"The people who attended the private dinner were talking on India and Pakistan ties...," Kasuri asserted.
Kasuri also claimed that he even met sitting president of India during his last visit to the country.
"I have even met the former RAW chief in previous seminars. So does that imply, all of the people whom I met were conspirators?" he asked.
Kasuri said that he is invited to such seminars and events because of his association with the India-Pakistan peace process and work on Kashmir.  -- PTI
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20:28   Nation missed Manmohan's anger when loot took place under his watch: Shah
Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah today hit back at former prime minister Manmohan Singh over his criticism of Narendra Modi and asked the "angry" Congress veteran why he was silent when a "monumental loot" took place during his tenure at the Centre.
"We want to ask respected Manmohan Singh ji why was he not angry and anguished when a CM of his country was called Maut Ka Saudagar'. Why is he still silent when PM of his country is called neech," Shah said in series of tweets.
The BJP president's reference was to remarks made against Prime Minister Modi by Congress leaders.
"When it comes to respected Manmohan Singh jis honesty, I would not like to say anything. The monumental loot and plunder under his watch speak for him in abundance!," Shah tweeted.
He said the nation missed Singh's anger when the "monumental loot and plunder" were taking place during his tenure as the prime minister.
"Amused to see the Congress party so desperate before the Gujarat elections. Just a day before polling, both Shri Rahul Gandhi and respected Manmohan Singh ji are only maliciously attacking PM," he said.
Shah was responding to Singh's remarks earlier this week when he accused Modi of "spreading falsehood and canards" to score political points and sought an apology for his "ill- thought transgression".
On the eve of the second and final phase of Gujarat's Assembly elections, Shah also accused Singh of taking a U-turn in declaring that he had attended a meeting with Pakistani diplomats after denying it.
"Only after the secret meeting was exposed, respected Manmohan Singh ji said that the discussion was confined to India-Pakistan relations," Shah said, asking him why he had not apprised the government of the meeting.
Shah also took Singh on over party leader Rahul Gandhi publicly tearing up an ordinance during the UPA rule.
"Where was his concern for the dignity of the Prime Ministers office," Shah asked.
Describing the attacks and allegations by both Singh and Gandhi as the "desperation" of the Congress party a day before polling, Shah said both leaders had "maliciously" attack the Prime Minister. -- PTI 
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19:40   Rahul Gandhi to visit cyclone hit areas tomorrow
Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi will visit the fishing villages of Poonthura and Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow to have an on-the-spot assessment of the devastation caused by cyclone 'Ockhi.'
Congress sources said he would also visit Chinnathurai in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district which was also badly affected.
Gandhi will meet fisherfolk at Poonthura and Vizhinjam in Thiruvanathapuram district from where over 50 persons have died.
He will then leave for the St Jude's college ground at Chinnathurai to meet the affected people there, according to party sources.
After returning to Thiruvanathapuram by 1545 hrs, Gandhi will attend the birth centenary celebrations of late RSP leader Baby John and the party's valedictory rally of 'Padayorukkam' led by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala.
Gandhi's earlier programme scheduled for December 1 in the city had been cancelled due to the cyclone. -- PTI
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19:19   Peace along border essential for smooth bilateral ties: India to China
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj discussed the Doklam episode with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during their bilateral meeting and reiterated that peace and tranquillity in the border areas were essential pre-requisites for smooth relations.
Confirming that the issue of Doklam was raised during the meeting between Swaraj and Wang on Monday, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the Indian leader underlined the need for approaching the bilateral difference with due consideration to each other's sensitivities and concerns.
"The external affairs minister and the Chinese foreign minister both noted the challenge it had posed to the relationship and both expressed satisfaction that it was resolved with the disengagement of troops at the face-off site
through concerted diplomatic communications," Kumar said.

He also said Wang conveyed that the peaceful resolution of the Doklam issue reflects the political maturity on both sides.
"While agreeing with this, the external affairs minister reiterated that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas is an essential pre-requisite for the smooth development of bilateral relations," he added.
Swaraj also underlined the need for approaching bilateral difference with due consideration to each other's sensitivities and concerns, and recalled the consensus reached between the leaders of India and China in Astana earlier this year on the need to work together to ensure that "our difference do not become disputes".
Kumar's remarks came in response to a question regarding media articles on Wang's comments.
According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang told Swaraj that "although the standoff ended eventually through diplomatic means more than two months later, lessons must be learned and efforts must be made to avoid such an incident in the future. The standoff put the bilateral relations under severe pressure."
Kumar said during the bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Russia-India-China, Wang also said that India and China share the same objectives of national development and should be natural partners. -- PTI
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18:40   Parliament session: Govt convenes all-party meet tomorrow

The government has convened an all-party meeting tomorrow, ahead of the winter session of Parliament where the opposition is likely to raise the issue of a delay in calling the session.
The parliamentary affairs ministry has sent out invites to the leaders of major political parties that have representatives in both Houses of Parliament for the meet.
The winter session will be held from December 15 to January 5. There would be a total of 14 working days.
Last year, the session began on 16 November and ended on 16 December, with 22 sittings.
The opposition has claimed that the ruling BJP delayed the session fearing that it would raise various issues ahead of the Gujarat assembly polls government.
The government has, however, maintained that there were precedents of session dates being changed in view of elections.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan will also host a dinner for the leaders of all parties tomorrow.
Two ordinances on insolvency code and amendment to the Forest Act have to be approved by Parliament in the winter session. -- PTI
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18:08   New deadline for Aadhaar linking is March 31, 2018
The government today extended by three months till March 31, 2018, the deadline for mandatory quoting of Aadhaar and PAN for all bank accounts and certain financial transactions.

The government had made quoting of the 12-digit biometric identifier Aadhaar mandatory for old and new bank accounts as well as for any financial transaction of Rs 50,000 and above. The previous deadline was December 31, 2017.

"...it has been decided to notify 31 March, 2018 or six months from the date of commencement of account based relationship by the client, whichever is later, as the date of submission of the Aadhaar number, and Permanent Account Number or Form 60 by the clients to the reporting entity," an official release said here.

The decision to extend the deadline was taken after various representations as well as inputs received from banks, it added.

The Centre last week informed the Supreme Court that it is willing to extend till March 31 the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to avail various services and welfare schemes. Last week, the deadline for linking PAN with Aadhaar too was extended by three months to March 31, 2018. PTI
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17:44   Rowling, Malala, Usain Bolt picked out in constellations
Astronomers have selected a new set of shapes for constellations representing stars from sports, entertainment and politics, including a book in honour of Malala Yousafzai and Harry Potter's glasses for JK Rowling.

The new constellations based on modern day inspirational figures were created in a bid to get more children looking up to the stars and interested in the universe.

The new star alignments created by researchers at The University of Birmingham in the UK also honour well-known figures such as tennis star Serena Williams and athlete Usain Bolt. Some of the other shapes include the boots of Paddington Bear and the trademark round-rimmed glasses worn by Harry Potter.

The new constellations were created after research showed that the traditional classical star formations, based on the zodiac and characters from ancient mythology, are failing to inspire children today. -- PTI
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17:25   Passenger who allegedly molested Zaira Wasim sent to jail
The passenger who allegedly molested Zaira Wasim on board a a Delhi- Mumbai flight on December 9, has been sent to judicial custody till December 22.


The accused, 39-year-old Vikas Sachdev, was arrested on December 10. He has been booked under section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of IPC, and relevant sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act since the actor is a minor.

The airline -- Vistara -- said it has submitted an initial report to the regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation about the incident which created an uproar and invited all-round condemnation.

Vistara, which is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, regretted the unfortunate experience and apologised to Wasim.

It also said senior members of the management team have been flown to Mumbai to meet the Dangal actor, who narrated her ordeal on Instagram.

Wasim said she was on a Vistara flight from Delhi to Mumbai when a co-passenger sitting behind her put his feet on her armrest.

We are deeply concerned and regret the unfortunate experience Zaira Wasim had onboard our flight last night. We continue to give this case our highest attention and are extending our full support to all relevant authorities for the investigations underway, the airline said in a latest statement issued on Sunday evening.

In addition, Vistara has submitted an initial report to the DGCA and also given all necessary details to the police, the airline said.

In the video, which Wasim recorded immediately after deboarding the flight, the 17-year-old actor broke down several times.
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17:14   Sitting on Chandragupta Maurya's throne
Everything here is precious, but there are no 'Do not touch' signs.
No velvet ropes or airport-like barricades that prevent onlookers from crossing the line.
Chandragupta Maurya's singhasan (throne) wants you to sit on it.
Sher Shah Suri's big tarazu (weighing scale) wants you to stand in it.
A bird's nest wants you to swing in it.
An excavation site wants you to dig beneath the earth.
And the Nalanda ruins want you to touch so that you can feel the texture of bricks dating back 1,500 years.

If you hate museums, you will love this one in Patna. Rediff.com's Archana Masih drops in. Do read
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16:57  
Zaira Wasim case: Mumbai police produced the accused in court and sought police custody for further investigation.
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16:27   BJP moves EC against Rahul for interview flouting poll code
The BJP has moved the Election Commission against Rahul Gandhi for flouting poll norms. The Congress President-elect gave an interview to a Gujarati TV channel, which was before the 48-hour deadline for the model code of conducted ended tomorrow evening. The second-phase of voting in the Gujarat polls is scheduled to take place tomorrow.


Union Minister Piyush Goyal, addressing a press conference said, "It was not permitted to give an interview in the last 48 hours of campaigning in Gujarat. I am sure the Election Commission will take cognizance of this and take action."


Republic TV reported that the Election Commission on Tuesday issued a notice to those media houses who have been streaming the Rahul Gandhi's interview. The EC has questioned the media houses on why they aired the interview despite not being allowed to do so.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also violated the model code of conduct while campaigning in Gujarat for the elections. On December 8, at a rally in Ahmedabad, the PM asked people to vote for BJP after the campaign deadline for the first phase was over.

 The model code of conduct prohibits call for votes after a campaigning phase ends.

The results for the high-stakes election will be announced on December 18. 
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15:50   NGT bans chanting of mantras, ringing of bells at Amarnath shrine
The National Green Tribunal on Wednesday banned the chanting of mantras at Amarnath temple and issued a slew of orders to be implemented by the Amarnath Shrine Board, news agency ANI reports.

The directions come after the green court rapped the Amarnath Shrine Board last month for failing to provide adequate infrastructure facilities to pilgrims and asked it to submit a status report on the same in the first week of December.


On Wednesday, an NGT bench headed by chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said there should be no ringing of bells in the cave temple, situated at an altitude of 3,888 metres in J&K, and pilgrims would have to deposit all mobiles and belongings at the last check post.


The tribunal asked the shrine authorities to consider buiding a separate room where people could keep their belongings.Moreover, the NGT said there should no chanting of 'mantras' or 'jaykaras' in Amarnath and asked the board for strict implementation of its orders.

The tribunal also said there should be a single queue of people walking towards the main cave from the last check post.

File pic.
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15:13   No Dec 31 deadline for Aadhaar-bank account linking
Government notifies new rules that allow for the indefinite extension of the deadline to link bank accounts and PAN numbers with Aadhaar numbers. In other words the December 31 deadline to link Aadhaar card with bank accounts and PAN numbers, stand cancelled. The government has not notified a new date as yet.


The notification said the words "by December 31, 2017', in the Prevention of Money-laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005, were being replaced with "by such date as may be notified by the Central Government'.


In June, the Narendra Modi government had introduced a new rule, making Aadhaar mandatory for opening bank accounts. Existing bank account holders were asked to furnish their Aadhaar number by December 31, failing which their account would cease to be operational.
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15:06   'India's heritage Ram Setu should not be tampered with: Prasad
Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday called the Ram Setu as an important part of Indian heritage and said that nobody should meddle with it.


His reaction came after a US television show cited scientists to state that the Ram Setu, that connects India and Sri Lanka, is not a natural phenomenon, but is man-made.


Addressing the media outside the Parliament, Prasad welcomed this revelation and stated that nobody could tamper with Ram Setu.


"It came to our knowledge that Ram Setu is man-made and the stones are thousand years old..we welcome this revelation. But would like to say that there should not be any kind of meddling or tempering with the sanctity of Ram Setu as it is a very important part of Indian culture," he added.


Echoing similar sentiments, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said it is an answer to the people who did not believe that Ram Setu is man-made.


"It is an international research. And the people who said that there is nothing like Ram Setu and it is just an Adam's bridge, it is an answer to them," he said.


Congress leader Rajiv Shukla said that his party always believed that Ram Setu exists.


"It was revealed long back by NASA, and the Ram Setu photograph was shown by Nasa long back and we all believe in this," he added.

An American science channel on Tuesday restarted the debate on the Ram Setu, saying that there exists evidence suggesting that the bridge connecting India and Sri Lanka was man-made not natural.


Science Channel, as part of a promo for an upcoming show titled What on Earth, has interviewed an archaeologist who says, "The rocks on top of the sand actually pre-date the sand. So there is more to the story."The Ram Setu, also known as Adam's Bridge, is wrapped in mystery and mythology. -- ANI
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14:54   Submaraine INS Kalvari to be launched in Mumbai tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dedicate to the nation, the naval submarine INS Kalvari in Mumbai tomorrow. INS Kalvari is a diesel-electric attack submarine that has been built for the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.
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14:48   Indian student jailed for hiring underage sex worker in S'pore
An Indian-origin student was sentenced to 10 months in jail in Singapore for taking the services of an underage prostitute and not paying her in May last year, a media report said today. Hari Kumar Anpalagan, 25, was found guilty of having sex with the girl, who had admitted she was 14-year-old and was providing services in exchange for cash, the Straits Times reported.


"You have not shown a shred of remorse for the girl... You added salt to the wound by not paying her," District Judge Kenneth Yap chided Hari yesterday.


Following a three-day trial, Hari was convicted on one count of hiring a sex worker who was below 18 years old. The court heard that Hari responded to the girl's post on the Tagged social network app in which she requested help to buy a new mobile phone. He offered to assist and asked what he would receive in return. The girl offered sexual services, and, after negotiating, they agreed that she would receive 70 Singapore dollars.


The pair met at around 9 pm in May last year at the void deck of her apartment block. She told him then that she was 16, but this did not deter Hari from engaging her services. Later, the girl told Hari that she would wait for him downstairs before running off. He left without paying her.


The offences came to light when the girl's school found out about her activities. The police were notified, and officers arrested Hari after they found text messages between him and the girl when they searched her mobile phone. Hari, who was unrepresented, had earlier told the court that he did not have sex with the girl. He claimed in his defence that he met the girl out of the "goodness of his heart" to give her 70 Singapore dollars to help her buy a phone. Hari asked the court to defer his sentence to a later date, saying that he had to complete an internship. He will be back in court on January 5.

According to the media report, two other men were prosecuted and a third was referred to the Serious Sexual Crime Branch of the Singapore Police Force for investigations for having sex with the girl. For engaging the services of an underage prostitute, Hari could have been jailed for up to seven years and fined. -- PTI
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14:31   Flight operations remain suspended at Srinagar airport
Flight operations to and fro the Srinagar International Airport remained suspended today due to poor visibility caused by intermittent snowfall in Kashmir, officials said.


"So far, 10 inbound flights have been cancelled due to poor visibility around Srinagar airport," an official of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) said. He said a decision on resumption of flight operations will be taken after reviewing the visibility.


Intermittent snowfall in Srinagar and other areas of the valley has snapped the transport links of Kashmir with the outside world as the arterial Srinagar-Jammu National Highway has been closed since Monday night for traffic. -- PTI
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14:30   SC's five-judge Constitution bench to hear matter tomorrow
The Supreme Court's five-judge Constitution bench will hear a case in connection with mandatory linking of Aadhaar with bank accounts and mobile phone numbers tomorrow.


Lawyer Shyam Divan, appearing for the petitioner, sought the apex court's intervention for an urgent hearing seeking interim relief in the Aadhaar case.


On Wednesday, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Dipak Misra, after hearing the mentioning in the Aadhaar case, said, the apex court's five-judge Constitution bench would hear the matter tomorrow at 2 pm.Earlier on October 30, the apex court referred all the Aadhaar related cases to a five-judge Constitution bench to be formed by the end of November.Till the time the court sets up the Constitution bench and passes orders, the government can continue to use Aadhaar for its various programmes.Earlier the court had tagged 22 cases to be heard by a smaller bench.The cases challenge several aspects of Aadhaar, including the use of data collected under the unique identification programme. (ANI
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13:56   When it snows in Kashmir, Omar heads to Gulmarg
In Gulmarg, the coldest in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 6.5 degrees Celsius, the spell of snowfall has brightened prospects for winter sports as nearly four feet of snow accumulated at the ski resort. And that's precisely where former J-K CM tweeted this selfie, saying, "So it's back to base."

Yesterday, Srinagar, which is experiencing intermittent rains received snowfall till 10 am, while heavy snowfall was recorded in Sonamarg and Baltal, base camps of the annual Amarnath Yatra in central Kashmir, the MeT office said.
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13:47  
Absolutely bang on. The Indian Express for you.
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13:11   Is Rahul wearing rudraksha beads like his grandmother?
Has Rahul Gandhi started wearing Rudraksha beads?

This is the question that is being raised after Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday addressed a press conference in Ahmedabad after visiting the Jagannath Temple there.

Wearing a white kurta-pajama, Rahul could be seen wearing beads that looked like Rudraksha around his neck as he addressed the media.

His grandmother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi used to wear Rudraksha beads too. They are associated with the Hindu deity Lord Shiva and are commonly worn for protection by his devotees.

It is being speculated that he may have got the Rudraksha beads from the Jagannath Temple after offering his prayers.

The development has aroused curiosity among political watchers as the Congress President-elect has been facing criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party over his temple visits in poll bound Gujarat.

While campaigning for the Congress party in the Gujarat assembly elections, Rahul has been visiting various temples. The BJP has been targeting Rahul over his temple visits and terms it as political move to woo Hindu votes. - ANI
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12:56   Quantum of punishment in Jisha murder today
Ameerul Islam (pictured), who raped and murdered a young girl in Ernakulam is brought to the Ernakulam chief judicial magistrate court today. The quantum of punishment will be announced soon. The convict has maintained that he did not do anything. "I didn't do anything. I don't know who did it," he said.

The Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court on Tuesday had held Ameerul Islam, a migrant worker from Assam, guilty in the Jisha murder and rape case. The court will pronounce the quantum of punishment today.


Twenty-nine-year-old Jisha, a law student hailing from Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district, was brutally raped and murdered at her house in Kuruppampadi on April 28, 2016. The crime triggered massive public outrage and a heated debate on the question of womens safety in Kerala. 
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12:50   Himachal under a blanket of snow
Heavy snowfall in parts of Himachal Pradesh has intensified cold across the hill state. The snowfall disrupted normal life as several roads were closed and power supply was disrupted in many parts of Shimla district. In last 24 hours Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti recorded minimum temperature at -4.9 degrees Celsius, Kalpa -1.0, Dalhousie -0.2, Manali recorded zero degree Celsius and Shimla 3.4 degrees Celsius.


A state transport bus makes its way up the hilly slopes between Narkanda and Shimla. 
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12:46  
Warmth amid the Delhi chill. Rahul Gandhi and Sushma Swaraj share a moment in Parliament today.
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12:43   Morning after
Political opponents not personal enemies. A day after Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad taunted Rahul Gandhi over his visits to various temples, the two met in parliament today at an event to mark the 2001 parliament attack anniversary.
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12:28   On Modis Pakistan remark, Hardik says 'unfortunate to have a weak PM'
Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader Hardik Patel attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latters allegation that Pakistan is interfering in Gujarat assembly elections.

Taking to Twitter, the Patel leader said that it was unfortunate to have a weak Prime Minister like Modi.

Pointing that Pakistan has not been able to cause India any harm in the last 70 years, Patel alleged that despite being the PM, Modi was showing people the fear of the neighbouring country.

Addressing a rally in Gujarat on Sunday, PM Modi had alleged that Pakistan was interfering in Gujarat Assembly polls, and sought an explanation from the Congress over its top partymen who are said to have recently met leaders from the neighbouring country.
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11:48   SC Constitution bench to hear pleas against Aadhaar tomorrow
The Supreme Court today said that a five-judge constitution bench would hear tomorrow pleas seeking an interim stay on the Centre's decision directing mandatory linking of Aadhaar with various government schemes
and welfare measures.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said that the larger bench would sit at 2 pm tomorrow to take up the interlocutory applications seeking interim relief against the Centre's decision on linking of Aadhaar with various schemes.

The Centre had on December 7 told the apex court that the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to avail various services and welfare schemes would shortly be extended till March 31 next year.

On November 27, the apex court had said it may consider setting up a constitution bench to hear pleas challenging the Centre's move to make Aadhaar card mandatory for availing various services and benefits of welfare schemes.

It had on October 30 said a constitution bench would commence hearing on the clutch of petitions against the Aadhaar scheme from the last week of November.

Recently, a nine-judge constitution bench of the apex court had held that Right to Privacy was a Fundamental Right under the Constitution. Several petitioners challenging the validity of Aadhaar had claimed it violated privacy rights.

-- PTI
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11:28   Modi meets Manmohan Singh, after accusing him of collusion with Pak
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares pleasantries with former PM Manmohan Singh as they pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the 2001 Parliament attack. 

Today is the 16th anniversary of the attack. 

Leaders from across parties collected to pay their respects to the security forces who were martyred in the attack. 

It's interesting to see the two leaders -- Modi and Singh -- greet each other as they were involved in a war of words during campaigning of the Gujarat assembly polls. 

PM Modi during a rally claimed that some Pakistani officials and Manmohan Singh met at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's house over dinner on December 6. This was a day before Aiyar's "neech" jibe against Modi that led to his suspension.

In a sharp counter-offensive, Singh said Modi was setting a "dangerous precedent" with his "ill-thought transgression" and asked him to apologise to the nation.
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11:10   Kohli took 3 months to pick a ring for Anushka Sharma
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma's wedding in Italy was an affair straight out of a fairytale.

Reports stated that Virat took three months to finalise the perfect wedding ring for the love of his life.

A source was quoted as saying to a newspaper, "He's picked a very rare diamond ring for Anushka that has been specially crafted by an ace designer from Austria. The design is unimaginably beautiful and reflects surprising elements, every time you see it from different angles."

The stunning ring costs a whopping Rs 1 crore.

"It costs about Rs 1 crore but it's totally worth the money because whoever will see it, definitely wouldn't be able to take their eyes off it," added the source. 
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10:42  
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, PM Modi and others pay homage to security personnel who lost their lives during the 2001 Parliament attack
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10:14   Coal scam: CBI court finds ex-Jharkhand CM Koda and others GUILTY
A special CBI court convicts former Coal Secy HC Gupta, former Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda and seven others guilty under criminal conspiracy and corruption in a coal scam case. 

The case is related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of the Rajhara North coal block in Jharkhand to Kolkata-based Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd.

HC Gupta, 69, was Coal Secretary for two years under the Congress-led UPA government before he retired in 2008. 

As the man who chaired a screening committee that cleared at least 40 cases of coal mining rights, he is accused of playing a leading role in the massive swindle dubbed the coal scam. T

he former top bureaucrat was accused of not following a transparent auctioning system and causing losses running into crores to the taxpayer. He was booked in as many as eight cases.

The CBI said that Koda, Basu and two accused public servants conspired to favour VISUL in the coal block allocation. The accused have denied the allegations.
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10:11   Hope no Kejriwal will emerge from my movement again: Anna Hazare
Social activist Anna Hazare has said he hoped that no Arvind Kejriwal emerged from his movement again.

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Kejriwal had taken part in Hazare's anti-corruption movement in 2011. Subsequently, he had parted ways with the social activist and launched his own political outfit.

"I hope no Kejriwal comes out of my movement again," he said.

Hazare said a big rally would be organised in the national capital on March 23 and urged farmers to join it in huge numbers.

He accused the erstwhile UPA government at the Centre of failing to act on the Jan Lokpal Bill.

"The (Narendra) Modi government later diluted the provisions of the Jan Lokpal Bill. Both the Congress and the BJP are guilty (in this regard)," the 80-year-old social activist said.
Lamenting that even after 70 years of achieving independence, democracy, in its true sense, was yet to come to India, Hazare said, "We do not want a government of capitalists. No Modi, no Rahul (Gandhi). We want a government which works for farmers' interests."

-- PTI
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09:49   Maharashtra CM Fadnavis' wife trolled for 'spreading Christianity'
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's wife Amruta Fadnavis became the latest target of online distort for sharing a photograph from an event that she attended recently in Mumbai. 

Amruta, who attended a Christmas charity event on Monday, shared a photograph on Twitter with caption: "launched-Be Santa-campaign, as Ambassador for @927BIGFM - to collect gifts from people -for poor children ,to bring smiles to their faces during this Christmas.Drop ur gifts at nearest @927BIGFM & Feel the joy -as best way to multiply your happiness is by sharing it with others."

Soon after the photograph was shared, some users slammed her for promoting a charity linked to Christmas, while others accused her of spreading Christianity. 

Later, the Maharashtra Chief Minister's wife had to issue a clarification over her post. 

"I'm a proud Hindu & like many, I celebrate every festival in my country & that is an individual choice.. We represent the true spirit of our country . and that doesnt dilute our love towards our country, religion & humanity. In my capacity as a Proud Hindu Citizen, I will always try to unite & bring in harmony wherever I can. But just wish to remind you that empathetic journalists & journalism should not ignite the fire of religious differences .Icant stop a serene action bcoz of some wrong deeds!," Amruta's said in a tweet.
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09:22   ADB lowers India's FY18 GDP forecast
Just In: ADB lowers India's GDP forecast for FY-18 to 6.7 per cent from 7 per cent.
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09:10   'Trump you failed to protect your nation': NYC blast suspect
"Trump you failed to protect your nation," the Islamic State-inspired Bangladeshi-origin man wrote on Facebook before detonating a pipe bomb in a Manhattan subway station, according to a complaint filed in a US court.

Akayed Ullah, the 27-year-old suspected bomber, had wires and a pipe bomb strapped to his body. The device exploded prematurely yesterday between two subway platforms near Port Authority, which is America's largest bus terminal.

Ullah is reported to be in a serious condition in hospital after suffering burns in the explosion. Three other people suffered minor wounds in the blast during rush hour.

The suspect posted a statement indicating allegiance to IS on Facebook before the attack.

"Trump you failed to protect your nation," accused Ullah wrote on Facebook on Tuesday morning.

On his Facebook page, Ullah also posted a statement that he believed would be understood by members and supporters of the Islamic state to convey that he carried out the attack in the name of IS.

A passport in the name of Akayed Ullah with multiple handwritten notations, including: "O AMERICA, DIE IN YOUR RAGE," was also recovered from his home.

The suspect was taken into custody after the device partially exploded.
Ullah has been charged on five counts, including providing material support and resources to terrorist organisations, use of weapons of mass destruction, bombing a place of public law, destruction of property by means of explosive and use of destructive device.

-- PTI
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09:03   Alleged child abuser Roy Moore loses US Senate race
Democrat Doug Jones won election to the US Senate from Alabama in a sharp blow to US President Trump that narrows the GOPs majority in the Senate to two. 

He beat Roy Moore, a former chief justice of the state Supreme Court who had been accused of sexual misconduct.

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08:35   'Doklam standoff put severe pressure on India-China ties'
The Doklam standoff had put "severe pressure" on India-China ties though the issue was resolved through diplomatic means, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during their meeting in New Delhi.

The bilateral ties went through a serious test after Indian border troops "illegally trespassed" into the Chinese territory in June, Wang told Swaraj.

The Chinese foreign minister was in New Delhi to attend the Russia-India-China Foreign Ministers' meeting.

Although the standoff ended eventually through diplomatic means more than two months later, lessons must be learned and efforts must be made to avoid such an incident in the future, said Wang, whose comments were posted on the Chinese foreign
ministry website.

"The standoff put the bilateral relations under severe
pressure," he said.

Wang said that the Sino-Indian relations are at a crucial period and the most important thing between the two countries
is to really cultivate mutual trust.

Leaders from both countries have shared the view that China and India should regard each other's development as opportunities rather than challenges, and China and India are partners rather than rivals, thus the two sides should sincerely implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, Wang noted.

While enhancing strategic communication at all levels, restoring dialogue mechanisms that have been established and deepening pragmatic cooperation in all fields, both sides
should also properly manage differences so as to maintain
peace and tranquillity in the border areas, he said.

Wang's visit to New Delhi is the first by a top Chinese official to India after the 73-day Doklam standoff and after the commencement of the second five-year term of President Xi Jinping.

The Doklam standoff ended on August 28 after Chinese troops stopped building a key road close to Indias 'Chicken Neck' corridor. India had objected to the construction highlighting its security concerns. The road was being built by China in an area also claimed by Bhutan.

-- PTI
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08:13   Restaurants, hotels can sell bottled drinking water above MRP, says SC
The Supreme Court allowed hotels and restaurants on Tuesday to sell bottled drinking water and packaged food at more than the maximum retail price printed on these items.

The court rejected the governments argument that overcharging for pre-packed or packaged products was an offence under the legal metrology act, which attracts a fine of Rs 25,000 or a jail term.

A bench headed by Justice Rohinton Nariman said the provisions of the law will not apply to hotels and restaurants, and these establishments cannot be prosecuted for selling such items above the MRP.

It is not a case of simple sale. Nobody goes to a hotel to buy or take away a bottle of mineral water, the bench observed, hearing a petition by the Hotels and Restaurant Association of India.

Advocate Sameer Parikh, appearing for the hoteliers association, said the law does not apply as selling packaged drinking water or food involves a service element, including ambience, cutlery and service.

The ministry of consumer affairs, which had filed an affidavit before in the case, had argued that selling above the MRP could lead to tax evasion and loss of revenue for the government.
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00:30   NY attack: Trump renews calls to end visa lottery, chain migration
United States President Donald Trump has renewed calls to end immigration based on family ties in view of the two recent terrorist attacks that rocked New York.

Blaming a "lax" immigration system for the bomb attack by a Bangladeshi immigrant, Trump said he will end the diversity visa and chain migration system "fast", both of  which gives green cards to foreign nationals.
Trump issued a statement on Monday after the morning's terrorist attack, carried out by Bangladeshi-native Brooklyn resident Akayed Ullah. He detonated a pipe bomb in the 42nd Street passageway tunnel in midtown Manhattan, injuring himself and three others.
Calling the bombing at a New York transportation hub by Ullah "attempted mass murder", Trump said: "Today's terror suspect entered our country through extended-family chain migration, which is incompatible with national security".
Ullah's attack was the second terrorist attack in New York in less than two months.
On October 31, an immigrant from Uzbekistan drove a small truck into pedestrians near the World Trade Centre killing eight people.
"There have now been two terrorist attacks in New York City in recent weeks carried out by foreign nationals here on green cards. The first attacker came through the visa lottery and the second through chain migration," Trump told reporters after he signed the National Defence Authorisation Act 2018.
"We're going to end both of them: The lottery system and chain migration. We're going to end them. Fast. Congress must get involved immediately, and they are involved immediately and I can tell you we have tremendous support. They will be ended," said the US President.
In his remarks, Trump praised first responders, "local police and federal law enforcement for their quick action."
Trump announced immigration reform proposals in August that would end chain immigration and a green card lottery system that allows people from some countries like Uzbekistan and Bangladesh to immigrate without sponsorship or professional qualification. -- PTI

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