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Tue, 27 March 2018
Despite concerns over data theft, Facebook to remain EC's social media partner
Timeline Refresh
23:17 Despite concerns over data theft, Facebook to remain EC's social media partner
Despite a global outcry over the alleged misuse of millions of Facebook users' personal data, the Election Commission of India reiterated that the popular social networking website will continue to remain its social media partner during the assembly elections in Karnataka.
Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat said, "Facebook would remain the poll panel's social media partner during the Karnataka assembly elections."
While acknowledging concerns over data theft, the CEC said that utilisation of social media cannot be stopped due to instances of "aberrations,"
He also said the social media cell of the EC would go into the issue of the app of politicians and political parties sharing user data without the users' consent.
Rawat further said that the cell will make its recommendations on the issue to the Commission which would then take a call.
22:57 Lehmann to continue to coach Australian team; Paine to be new captain
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland is addressing the media and the world all over about the ball tampering incident.
Here are the highlights from his press conference:
>> Apologise to all Australians, particularly all the kids who love cricket and idolise the cricketers
>> Preliminary findings have been discussed. The key finding is that prior ball tampering knowledge was restricted to three players -- Captain Steve Smith, Vice Captain David Warner and player Cameron Bancroft.
>> Coach Darren Lehmann wasn't involved and has not stepped down and will continue to be the head coach.
>> The three players included in the ball tampering incident will leave South Africa and will be replaced with Glenn Maxwell, Joe Burns, and Matthew Renshaw.
>> Tim Paine to captain Australia
>> In the next 24 hours, we will be in a position to announce sanctions
22:36 Facebook's Zuckerberg has decided to testify before US Congress
After repeated calls for him to do so, Mark Zuckerberg has decided he will testify before US Congress.
Facebook sources tell CNNMoney the 33-year-old CEO has come to terms with the fact that he will have to testify before Congress within a matter of weeks, and Facebook is currently planning the strategy for his testimony.
The pressure from lawmakers, the media and the public has become too intense to justify anything less.
The Facebook sources believe Zuckerberg's willingness to testify will also put pressure on Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey to do the same. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley has officially invited all three CEOs to a hearing on data privacy on April 10.
Zuckerberg today turned down a request from British lawmakers to answer questions on the social network's privacy practices and will send two deputies instead.
Facebook has been enduring a crisis of trust ever since it was revealed that Cambridge Analytica, a data firm with ties to President Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign, reportedly accessed information from about 50 million Facebook users without their knowledge.
21:42 Shatrughan Sinha sees 'bright future' for Tejashwi Yadav
Disgruntled BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha today showered praise on RJD heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav and said he saw a "bright future" for the young leader.
The actor-turned-politician also said Tejashwi would be a "major player" in the next assembly polls in Bihar.
"I am amazed at the maturity and poise that Tejashwi displays while answering tough questions. He has a bright future. He will definitely emerge as a force to reckon with," he told a news channel.
The comments of Sinha, who represents the Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency, come close on the heels of his meeting with jailed RJD supremo Lalu Prasad in Ranchi on Saturday.
This meeting was followed by a visit, a day later, to the residence of former Chief Minister Rabri Devi whom he met in the presence of her sons Tejashwi and Tej Pratap.
"The precision with which Tejashwi speaks reminds me of NCP chief Sharad Pawar in his hey day," Sinha remarked.
Replying to a query, he said, "Undoubtedly Tejashwi would be a major player in the next assembly polls in Bihar. I cannot say whether he will be in a direct fight with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is also my dear friend. But even Nitish said the young man has a long political career ahead."
-- PTI
21:14 Opposition parties begin impeachment process against CJI
NCP leader DP Tripathi on Tuesday said that opposition parties, including the Congress, have initiated the process to impeach Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.
"A lot of opposition parties have signed the draft proposal for moving an impeachment motion against CJI Dipak Misra. Many parties like Nationalist Congress Party, Left parties and I think TMC and Congress have also signed it," NCP General Secretary DP Tripathi said to ANI.
The development follows West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's meeting with senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan earlier in the day to discuss a possible impeachment motion against the CJI.
The impeachment motion is in relation to the CJI's handling of the matters raised by four Supreme Court judges in a press conference on January 11.
Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, MB Lokur and Kurien Joseph had earlier this year said Misra was assigning important cases in an arbitrary manner to junior judges, ignoring these four senior judges.
-- ANI
20:50 Rajasthan horror: Hate-crime accused glorified in Ram Navami procession
In a disturbing development, Shambhu Lal Raiger, accused of murdering a Muslim man, Afrazul, was deified in a procession taken out by right-wing groups on the occasion of Ram Navami here on Sunday, a matter which the police are now looking into, officials said.
Raiger, who is presently behind bars, is accused of hacking Afrazul in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan.
What had made the 'hate-crime' all the more shocking was that it was committee on camera and the chilling video-clip had then gone viral on-line.
In the procession, out of several tableaux, one was dedicated to Raigar. A man, impersonating the murder-accused posed with a pickaxe in his hand and another posed as the victim and lay on the ground.
A flex message hailed the hate crime accused as someone who had tried to fight 'love-jihad'.
"Wake up Hindu brothers, save your sister and daughter; Nation should be liberated of love jehad," the message, in hindi, said. It hailed Shambhu as someone who tried to eliminate 'love-jihad'.
Shockingly, some of the organisers even defended the brazen eulogising of a hate-crime accused.
-- PTI
20:11 Supreme Court refuses to extend Aadhaar linking deadline for welfare schemes
The Supreme Court today refused to pass an interim order extending the deadline of March 31 for linking of Aadhaar with the welfare schemes where benefits are transferred to citizens from the Consolidated Fund of India.
The top court had on March 13 extended indefinitely the March 31 deadline for linking bank accounts and mobile phone numbers with Aadhaar.
However, it had allowed the government and its agencies to link the 12-digit national biometric identifier number of the beneficiaries for transfer of benefits of schemes funded from this fund.
A plea, seeking extension of time beyond March 31 for linking Aadhaar with welfare schemes, was made today before a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra after Ajay Bhushan Pandey, CEO of Unique Identification Authority of India, concluded his PowerPoint presentation, claiming it would take "billions of years" to decrypt the saved data, including the biometrics.
Senior advocate K V Viswanath, appearing for a petitioner opposed to the Aadhaar scheme, took a cue from the PPT in which the UIDAI CEO said that the success rate of Aadhaar authentication in government systems was 88 per cent.
"If the data of UIDAI says that there was only 88 per cent success rate of Aadhaar authentication, then it means that 12 per cent people are excluded from the benefits in schemes linked with Aadhaar. Twelve per cent failure is too high," the lawyer said, adding that almost 14 crore citizens cannot take benefits.
-- PTI
19:43 PNB refuses to reply to RTI on Nirav Modi
The Punjab National Bank refused to provide information to an RTI query about Nirav Modi, the prime accused in the multi-crore PNB scam.
In an RTI, activist Anil Galgali sought information on the total amount of loan, the procedure applied for sanction of the loans, and the resolution in the Board of Directors of the bank in which the loan was approved.
In a response to the query, Deputy General Manager and Central Public Relation Officer, Joy Roy, informed Galgali that the case is deriving exemption from disclosure under Section 8 (1) (h) of the Right to Information Act.
Galgali had sought information from the bank about the total quantum of loan extended to Nirav Modi and the details of the Board of directors meetings such as its agenda, proposal, approvals and the minutes of the meeting in which the loan proposals were sanctioned.
According to the bank, Section 8 (1) (h) refuses the providing of information which impedes the process of investigation, apprehension or prosecution of offenders.
Galgali had filed the first appeal as per the procedures of RTI Act.
Galgali in his appeal said it is important to expose the officers who failed in their duty to safeguard the public money from being siphoned off, hence the details of the Board meeting of the PNB is important, the details like the agenda of the meeting, resolution adopted in the meeting for sanction and the minutes of the meeting will help to expose such officers.
It said the cooperating officers were equally responsible along with Nirav Modi in conducting the scam.
"Once such information is made public and the officers punished, the bank authorities will work with the responsibility to safeguard the public deposits and adopt proper measure while approving loan applications," Galgali said.
The more than Rs 15,000 crore-scam has rattled the country and its economy, with the banks tightening their grip over sanctioning of loans and laws for prevention of such incidents in future.
-- ANI
19:28 Aadhaar-Pan linking last date extended till June 30
The Central Board of Direct Taxes has extended the deadline for linking of Pan card with Aadhaar until June 30 after the Supreme Court on March 13 extended the deadline linking for various services until the apex court delivered its judgment on the matter.
The government, too, had contended that it was willing to extend the deadline as the matter related to Aadhaar was sub judice in the court.
In an official order, the CBDT extended the deadline for Aadhaar-Pan linking until June 30. Earlier, the deadline was March 31.
19:09 EC sets up panel to probe Karnataka poll date leak
The Election Commission this evening set up a committee of senior officials to probe the leak of the poll schedule for Karnataka before it was announced by the Chief Election Commissioner earlier today.
The committee, which has been asked to submit its report within a week, would also suggest steps needed to prevent any such eventuality in future.
In a statement, the poll watchdog referred to a tweet by BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya in which he had put out the election date minutes before CEC O P Rawat actually announced the schedule at a press conference.
Malviya tweeted that polls would be held on May 12 and counting will take place on May 18. While he was correct about the date of polling, he got the counting date wrong which will actually take place on May 15.
"The Commission immediately directed that the matter be probed and necessary and effective action be taken. Accordingly, Commission has constituted a committee of senior officers of Election Commission to investigate the matter and give its report within seven days.
"The Committee would also suggest steps needed to prevent any such eventuality in future. The Committee set up by the Commission has already sought information from the concerned media organisations and individuals, the statement read.
It said Malviya, in another tweet, had attributed a news channel as his source.
-- PTI
18:40 President Ram Nath Kovind cutting costs at Rashtrapati Bhavan
President Ram Nath Kovind has completed eight months in office. During this period, his focus seems to be on curtailing wasteful expenditure.
Kovind appears to follow the example of 'simple living, high thinking' set by Mahatma Gandhi.
One of the biggest changes which have been brought about by President Ram Nath Kovind is to check wasteful expenditure in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
It has been brought about by resorting to following measures:
According to sources, soon after becoming the Rashtrapati Bhavan's latest occupant on July 25, 2017, Kovind ordered trimming the number of snacks and dishes cooked inside the majestic monument.
Earlier, at least five types of snacks and several dishes would be cooked in the Rashtrapati Bhavan kitchen every day for the guests and officers. Most of them would get wasted on a daily basis.
Noticing this phenomenon, the president directed doing away this lavish practice. The number of snacks and dishes has been restricted to just two now.
Similarly, the Rashtrapati Bhavan has cut down drastically on flowers for decoration of Rashtrapati Bhavan and placing inside the rooms and halls. This has been cut down to minimum.
18:24
JUST IN: Election Commission constitutes a committee of officers to probe the matter of alleged date leak. Report to be submitted in seven days by the committee.
18:03 Cambridge Analytica whistleblower says CA worked extensively in India, names Congress
Christopher Wylie, a former employee with Cambridge Analytica, on Tuesday said that CA worked "extensively" in India and has an office here.
While deposing in front of UK lawmakers, Wylie said that CA equated to a group of modern colonisers that don't care what is legal or what is not unless it gets the job done.
Wylie named Congress as one of the parties that possibly worked with CA.
"I believe their client was Congress but I know that they have done all kinds of project. I don't remember a national project but I know regionally. India's so big that one state can be as big as Britain. But they do have offices there, they do have staff," he reportedly said. He added that he might have documentary proof of CA's activities in India.
Wylie made the confirmation before the digital, culture, media and sport committee in the House of Commons while testifying against Cambridge Analytica and its alleged role in propagating a culture of fake news and disinformation.
Cambridge Analytica is accused of harvesting more than 50 million user profiles on Facebook with the help of academic researcher Aleksandr Kogan, without any consent from users, allegedly playing a role in the 2016 US presidential election, seeing Donald Trump through victory.
When a lawmaker brought up India, which according to the lawmaker, is Facebook's biggest market, Wylie nodded and said that CA worked in India. "India is Facebook's biggest market, it is a country that is rife with political discord and opportunities to destabilise," said the UK lawmaker, prompting a reply from Wylie.
"They (CA) worked extensively in India, they have an office (there)," said Wylie. The deposition is still going on and more details related to the alleged CA operations in India may come up.
17:31 Malviya tweet: Kharge urges EC to avoid 'information leak'
Following the controversy surrounding BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya's tweet on the Karnataka Assembly Polls date, senior Congress Party leader Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the BJP was dictating polling dates to the Election Commission.
Kharge urged the election-governing body to avoid any such information leak from taking place ahead of the polls.
"Amit Malviya tweeted Karnataka elections dates at 11 am, even before the schedule was announced by the Election Commission; it means the BJP is dictating polling dates to them. I have never seen such a situation before, where a political party has access to so much information. However, I expect the EC to work according to the Constitution and law, and not let information leak," he said.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Veerappa Moily accused the BJP of disregarding a constitutional office.
"What the BJP has done gives an impression that they don't regard a constitutional office. Congress is ready to face election, and we will emerge victorious against the BJP. Weaker section of society has always been with the Congress party," he said.
Ahead of the announcement of polling and counting dates for Karnataka, Amit Malviya took to Twitter to announce that the polling date would be May 12 and counting would be on May 18.
However, following social media uproar on his knowledge of the dates prior to the official announcement, Malviya deleted the tweet.
On a related note, a delegation led by Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is slated to meet EC officials in connection with Malviya's tweet on the Karnataka election dates.The 224-member Karnataka Assembly will go to polls on May 12, and counting of votes will be held on May 15, as announced by Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat in a press conference held earlier today. -- ANI
Kharge urged the election-governing body to avoid any such information leak from taking place ahead of the polls.
"Amit Malviya tweeted Karnataka elections dates at 11 am, even before the schedule was announced by the Election Commission; it means the BJP is dictating polling dates to them. I have never seen such a situation before, where a political party has access to so much information. However, I expect the EC to work according to the Constitution and law, and not let information leak," he said.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Veerappa Moily accused the BJP of disregarding a constitutional office.
"What the BJP has done gives an impression that they don't regard a constitutional office. Congress is ready to face election, and we will emerge victorious against the BJP. Weaker section of society has always been with the Congress party," he said.
Ahead of the announcement of polling and counting dates for Karnataka, Amit Malviya took to Twitter to announce that the polling date would be May 12 and counting would be on May 18.
However, following social media uproar on his knowledge of the dates prior to the official announcement, Malviya deleted the tweet.
On a related note, a delegation led by Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is slated to meet EC officials in connection with Malviya's tweet on the Karnataka election dates.The 224-member Karnataka Assembly will go to polls on May 12, and counting of votes will be held on May 15, as announced by Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat in a press conference held earlier today. -- ANI
17:25 BJP using and misusing all agencies: Mamata
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today accused the BJP-led NDA government of "using and misusing" all agencies, including the Election Commission. Banerjee, while speaking to media on the issue of the leaked dates of the Karnataka polls, lashed out at the ruling party and said all institutions were being transformed into "BJP institutions".
"All agencies are being used and misused. All institutions are becoming BJP institutions," Banerjee told reporters here. BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya today tweeted the date of the Karnataka Assembly polls before the Election Commission announced it, prompting the panel to describe the leak as a "very serious issue" that merited a probe and "stringent action". Banerjee, who is in Delhi to meet various leaders of opposition parties to form a front against the BJP, also attacked the ruling party for demonetisation and bank frauds.
"I have travelled to all states, the issue of demonetisation and bank frauds have affected people at the grass root level. Time has come for the BJP to pack its bags and go," she said. Banerjee will be leaving for Kolkata on Thrusday. -- PTI
"All agencies are being used and misused. All institutions are becoming BJP institutions," Banerjee told reporters here. BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya today tweeted the date of the Karnataka Assembly polls before the Election Commission announced it, prompting the panel to describe the leak as a "very serious issue" that merited a probe and "stringent action". Banerjee, who is in Delhi to meet various leaders of opposition parties to form a front against the BJP, also attacked the ruling party for demonetisation and bank frauds.
"I have travelled to all states, the issue of demonetisation and bank frauds have affected people at the grass root level. Time has come for the BJP to pack its bags and go," she said. Banerjee will be leaving for Kolkata on Thrusday. -- PTI
17:10 Bandhan Bank makes stellar debut, shares up over 27 pc
Shares of Bandhan Bank made a stellar debut at the bourses today and ended over 27 per cent higher against its issue price of Rs 375. The stock listed at Rs 485, a sharp gain of 29.33 per cent over the issue price on BSE. Intra-day, it jumped 32.90 per cent to Rs 498.40. It finally ended at Rs 477.20, up 27.25 per cent.
On NSE, shares of the company zoomed 27.16 per cent to settle at Rs 476.85. In terms of equity volume, 139.07 lakh shares of the company were traded on BSE and over 9 crore shares changed hands on NSE during the day.
The company's market valuation stood at Rs 56,920.65 crore. The Rs 4,473-crore initial public offer of Bandhan Bank was subscribed 14.62 times during March 15-19. The price band for the offer was fixed at Rs 370 to Rs 375. Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, Axis Capital, Goldman Sachs (India) Securities, JM Financial and J P Morgan India managed the issue. PTI
On NSE, shares of the company zoomed 27.16 per cent to settle at Rs 476.85. In terms of equity volume, 139.07 lakh shares of the company were traded on BSE and over 9 crore shares changed hands on NSE during the day.
The company's market valuation stood at Rs 56,920.65 crore. The Rs 4,473-crore initial public offer of Bandhan Bank was subscribed 14.62 times during March 15-19. The price band for the offer was fixed at Rs 370 to Rs 375. Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, Axis Capital, Goldman Sachs (India) Securities, JM Financial and J P Morgan India managed the issue. PTI
17:02
JUST IN: Amit Chavda to be the new Gujarat Congress state president; he replaces Bharatsinh Solanki
16:56 Malviya's poll date tweet based on news channel report: BJP to EC
The BJP today told the Election Commission that its IT cell chief Amit Malviya's tweet on the Karnataka Assembly election dates before the poll panel's announcement was based on a news channel's report and a state Congress office-bearer had also tweeted about it.
A party delegation led by Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi visited the commission after Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat termed the leak as "very serious" and promised "stringent action".
Naqvi later told reporters that Malviya should not have tweeted. He said that Malviya's tweet was based on a news channel report and he had no intention to undermine the EC's authority.
16:48 Time for BJP to pack up and go: Mamata
Coming down heavily on the NDA-led Centre, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said issues like demonetisation and bank frauds have affected people at the grassroot level and that it was time for the BJP to "pack up and go".
She asserted that all opposition parties should work together to oust the saffron party.
Reacting on the leaked election dates of Karnataka assembly polls, Banerjee said all institutions were becoming BJP institutions as the saffron party was "using and misusing" multiple agencies.
The TMC supremo told reporters here, "We want all opposition parties to work together. We should help the strongest opposition party in state to fight the BJP. It should be one fight".
Banerjee, who is in the national capital, also met NCP chief Sharad Pawar along with other political leaders from TDP, TRS and Shiv Sena.
"People are against the BJP. I have travelled to all the states. I know the mood of the people. Issues like demonetisation, GST, bank fraud have affected people even at the grassroot level. The time has come for this BJP to pack up and go," she said.
The West Bengal chief minister will also meet rebel BJP leaders Shatrughan Sinha, Yashwant Sinha and former Union minister Arun Shourie tomorrow.
-- PTI
16:34 BJP's Amit Malviya writes to Election Commission explaining his tweet
Following the controversy over Amit Malviya's tweet announcing the poll dates for Karnataka, the party's IT cell head has sent a letter to the Election Commission explaining his actions.
Here's the letter he sent to the polling body.
Earlier in the day, a storm erupted after the BJP's national Information and Technology cell head Amit Malviya when he tweeted about the dates of the Karnataka Assembly election before the Election Commission announced it through a press conference.
Even though Malviya seems to have deleted the tweet now, journalists questioned Malviya on how he got to know about the Karnataka poll dates before the Election Commission announced them.
16:09 Model code won't affect setting up Cauvery board: CEC
The Election Commission or the model code of conduct will "not come in the way" of the Union government setting up the Cauvery water management board as per the Supreme Court's directions, Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat said today.
Responding to a question on the applicability of the model code for the Centre in constituting the board to implement the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award for Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and a few other states, the CEC said, "Whatever is the direction or order of the court and the (steps in) compliance thereof, the Commission or the model code of conduct does not come in the way."
With the announcement of the Karnataka assembly polls this morning by the EC, the model code has come into effect.
The code, a poll panel's regulatory guidelines to insulate voters from the influences of the government, the ruling or other parties and their candidates in exercising their franchise freely, is applicable to the entire poll-bound state.
The Centre also cannot announce schemes or take policy decisions which can influence voters of Karnataka till the model code is in force. It will end a couple of days after May 15, the counting day for the May 12 elections.
The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had delivered its verdict on Cauvery water dispute on February 16.
The court had specified the annual allocation of Cauvery water to states, fixing 404.25 tmcft for Tamil Nadu, 284.75 tmcft for Karnataka, 30 tmcft for Kerala and and 7 tmcft for Puducherry.
The share of water for Tamil Nadu had been reduced by 14.75 tmcft per year compared to the final award by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in 2007. The order is applicable for the next 15 years. The court had directed the central government to constitute a scheme to implement the award. -- PTI
Responding to a question on the applicability of the model code for the Centre in constituting the board to implement the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award for Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and a few other states, the CEC said, "Whatever is the direction or order of the court and the (steps in) compliance thereof, the Commission or the model code of conduct does not come in the way."
With the announcement of the Karnataka assembly polls this morning by the EC, the model code has come into effect.
The code, a poll panel's regulatory guidelines to insulate voters from the influences of the government, the ruling or other parties and their candidates in exercising their franchise freely, is applicable to the entire poll-bound state.
The Centre also cannot announce schemes or take policy decisions which can influence voters of Karnataka till the model code is in force. It will end a couple of days after May 15, the counting day for the May 12 elections.
The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had delivered its verdict on Cauvery water dispute on February 16.
The court had specified the annual allocation of Cauvery water to states, fixing 404.25 tmcft for Tamil Nadu, 284.75 tmcft for Karnataka, 30 tmcft for Kerala and and 7 tmcft for Puducherry.
The share of water for Tamil Nadu had been reduced by 14.75 tmcft per year compared to the final award by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in 2007. The order is applicable for the next 15 years. The court had directed the central government to constitute a scheme to implement the award. -- PTI
15:59 Mamata forging 3rd Front
WB CM Mamata Banerjee on meeting Sonia Gandhi in Delhi: "Yes, Soniaji is unwell right now and recovering; will meet her once she is fine. Tomorrow will meet Shatrughan Sinhaji, Yashwant Sinhaji, and Arun Shourieji. Will certainly go to Lucknow if they (Mayawati-Akhilesh Yadav) call us for a meeting."
15:36 BJP prez gifted us our Karnataka campaign: Rahul
Rahul Gandhi @RahulGandhi on Amit Shah's blooper: "Now that the BJP IT cell has announced the Karnataka elections, time for a sneak preview of our top secret campaign video! Gifted to us by the BJP President, our campaign in Karnataka is off to a fabulous start. He says Yeddyurappa ran the most corrupt Govt ever... True."
And the big story, BJP IT Cell chief's tweet on the date of the Karnataka polls ahead of the EC. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, BJP, after meeting with EC officials: "Amit Malviya's tweet was based on a TV channel's source. It had no intention to undermine the stature of EC. A Karnataka Congress leader had also tweeted the same thing. We agree that he (Malviya) shouldn't have tweeted it. "
BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya today tweeted the date of the Karnataka Assembly polls before the Election Commission announced it, prompting the panel to describe the leak as a "very serious issue" that merited a probe and "stringent action". Malviya, however, tweeted that he had only quoted a news channel.
His tweet came when Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat was addressing a press conference to announce the schedule for Karnataka polls but had not announced the date.
And the big story, BJP IT Cell chief's tweet on the date of the Karnataka polls ahead of the EC. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, BJP, after meeting with EC officials: "Amit Malviya's tweet was based on a TV channel's source. It had no intention to undermine the stature of EC. A Karnataka Congress leader had also tweeted the same thing. We agree that he (Malviya) shouldn't have tweeted it. "
BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya today tweeted the date of the Karnataka Assembly polls before the Election Commission announced it, prompting the panel to describe the leak as a "very serious issue" that merited a probe and "stringent action". Malviya, however, tweeted that he had only quoted a news channel.
His tweet came when Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat was addressing a press conference to announce the schedule for Karnataka polls but had not announced the date.
15:16 And what Mamata said after the meetings
When political people meet then of course they will discuss politics, there is nothing to hide in that. The Lok Sabha election of 2019 will certainly be very interesting: Mamata Banerjee after meeting leaders of NCP, Shiv Sena & RJD. She said she would be meeting senior BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie among others tomorrow. Both Shourie and Sinha have openly expressed their disenchantment with the Centre and have criticised PM Narendra Modi.
Enemy's enemy.
Enemy's enemy.
15:05
And then Mamata Banerjee meets with RJD MP Misa Bharti in Parliament.
15:04
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee met Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in Delhi.
14:56 No proposal to scrap Article 370, says govt
There is no proposal for scrapping Article 370, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, under the government's consideration, the Lok Sabha was informed today.
Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir made the assertion while replying to a written question from BJP MP Ashwini Kumar.
"There is currently no such proposal under consideration of the government," Ahir said.
Kumar had asked whether the government was committed to scrapping Article 370 of the Constitution. -- PTI
14:39 Amit Shah just called Yeddyurappa govt 'most corrupt'
Two goof-ups in a day for the BJP.
Hours after BJP's IT Chief Amit Malviya tweeted the Karnataka poll dates before the Election Commission announced them, triggering a probe, the party president Amit Shah has now called its Chief Ministerial candidate in Karnataka, BS Yeddyurappa, corrupt.
Addressing a press conference in poll bound Karnataka, Shah said, "Recently a retired Supreme Court judge said if there was ever a competition of the most corrupt government then the Yeddyurappa government is number one."
Shah of course meant incumbent Congress CM Siddaramaiah.
As a stunned Yeddyurappa, who was seated to Shah's right looked on, a BJP leader seated to Shah's left leaned in and corrected him.
Shah corrected himself, but it was too late.
The Congress tweeted and retweeted the video. Congress social media head Divya Spandana tweeted, "Who knew @AmitShah could also speak the truth- we all concur with you Amit ji @BSYBJP is the most corrupt!"
Even Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took a dig at the BJP chief. "The #ShahOfLies finally speaks truth. Thank you @AmitShah."
Yeddyurappa who was the Karnataka CM during the BJP rule, had to step down after corruption allegations.
Hours after BJP's IT Chief Amit Malviya tweeted the Karnataka poll dates before the Election Commission announced them, triggering a probe, the party president Amit Shah has now called its Chief Ministerial candidate in Karnataka, BS Yeddyurappa, corrupt.
Addressing a press conference in poll bound Karnataka, Shah said, "Recently a retired Supreme Court judge said if there was ever a competition of the most corrupt government then the Yeddyurappa government is number one."
Shah of course meant incumbent Congress CM Siddaramaiah.
As a stunned Yeddyurappa, who was seated to Shah's right looked on, a BJP leader seated to Shah's left leaned in and corrected him.
Shah corrected himself, but it was too late.
The Congress tweeted and retweeted the video. Congress social media head Divya Spandana tweeted, "Who knew @AmitShah could also speak the truth- we all concur with you Amit ji @BSYBJP is the most corrupt!"
Even Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took a dig at the BJP chief. "The #ShahOfLies finally speaks truth. Thank you @AmitShah."
Yeddyurappa who was the Karnataka CM during the BJP rule, had to step down after corruption allegations.
14:12 Rajya Sabha fails to transact business for 16th day
The Rajya Sabha could not bid farewell to 40 retiring MPs today or transact any business for the 16th day in a row as Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu adjourned the House for the day after AIADMK members protested over the Cauvery water issue.
After laying of listed papers, the chairman said the House should bid farewell to retiring MPs. However, AIADMK members entered the Well of the House shouting slogans and carrying placards and were soon joined by the TDP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the House.
"We don't have courtesy even for retiring members," Naidu remarked as he asked protesting members to go back to their seats. As his appeal went unheeded, Naidu asked both Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and Leader of the House Arun Jaitley: "Are we so helpless?".
To this, Azad said the House should function. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affair Vijay Goel also appealed to protesting MPs to let the House function.
He was seen persuading V Maitreyan of AIADMK to give up the protest and let the farewell process begin. As the AIADMK and the TDP did not relent, Naidu adjourned the House for 15 minutes and asked leaders of different political parties to meet him in his chamber.
When the members reassembled, Naidu again appealed for peace in the House. "This is a very important occasion...40 members are retiring. We want to give them farewell," Naidu said, asking members to give the farewell in a "peaceful and dignified" manner.
As the ruling party of Tamil Nadu continued to protest, Naidu said there were two options. One is to name the protesting members and take action against them, or adjourn the House and deprive retiring members from sharing their experience.
Maitreyan sought intervention of the prime minister on their demand for immediate setting up of the Cauvery river water management board. "We are raising Tamil Nadu issue," Maitreyan said.
To this Naidu quipped everybody was concerned about Tamil Nadu which is "part of Bharat Nadu". However, the AIADMK did not yield. An angry Naidu then adjourned the House for the day leaving opposition parties surprised. -- PTI
After laying of listed papers, the chairman said the House should bid farewell to retiring MPs. However, AIADMK members entered the Well of the House shouting slogans and carrying placards and were soon joined by the TDP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the House.
"We don't have courtesy even for retiring members," Naidu remarked as he asked protesting members to go back to their seats. As his appeal went unheeded, Naidu asked both Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and Leader of the House Arun Jaitley: "Are we so helpless?".
To this, Azad said the House should function. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affair Vijay Goel also appealed to protesting MPs to let the House function.
He was seen persuading V Maitreyan of AIADMK to give up the protest and let the farewell process begin. As the AIADMK and the TDP did not relent, Naidu adjourned the House for 15 minutes and asked leaders of different political parties to meet him in his chamber.
When the members reassembled, Naidu again appealed for peace in the House. "This is a very important occasion...40 members are retiring. We want to give them farewell," Naidu said, asking members to give the farewell in a "peaceful and dignified" manner.
As the ruling party of Tamil Nadu continued to protest, Naidu said there were two options. One is to name the protesting members and take action against them, or adjourn the House and deprive retiring members from sharing their experience.
Maitreyan sought intervention of the prime minister on their demand for immediate setting up of the Cauvery river water management board. "We are raising Tamil Nadu issue," Maitreyan said.
To this Naidu quipped everybody was concerned about Tamil Nadu which is "part of Bharat Nadu". However, the AIADMK did not yield. An angry Naidu then adjourned the House for the day leaving opposition parties surprised. -- PTI
13:54
A delegation led by BJP's Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to meet Election Commission officials in connection with BJP IT Cell Head Amit Malviya's tweet on Karnataka assembly election dates.
13:53 Kim Jong-un is in Beijing?
A high police presence in Beijing and at the North Korean border suggested a high-profile diplomat was in China; now sources say Kim is actually in the country. Read the report here.
13:45 Didi in Delhi meets Kanimozhi, Pawar; Sonia likely tomorrow
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met NCP Chief Sharad Pawar and the party's senior leader Praful Patel in New Delhi. She attended Parliament today and met Shiv Sena MPs and DMK's Kanimozhi apart from TDP, TRS MPs in the House. She also spoke briefly to BJP MPs.
Banerjee arrived in New Delhi on Monday night and is scheduled to attend a dinner on Tuesday, hosted by the NCP chief today, though he has denied it.
The purpose of the meeting is ostensibly to chalk together a third front -- an anti-BJP front -- ahead of the crucial 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The TMC supremo is also likely to call on UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and it remains to be seen if the visit serves as an ice-breaker between the two parties, especially after Banerjee skipped the dinner that was hosted by the UPA chief earlier this month.
Banerjee arrived in New Delhi on Monday night and is scheduled to attend a dinner on Tuesday, hosted by the NCP chief today, though he has denied it.
The purpose of the meeting is ostensibly to chalk together a third front -- an anti-BJP front -- ahead of the crucial 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The TMC supremo is also likely to call on UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and it remains to be seen if the visit serves as an ice-breaker between the two parties, especially after Banerjee skipped the dinner that was hosted by the UPA chief earlier this month.
12:49
Income Tax Offices throughout India to remain open on 29th, 30th and 31st March to facilitate filing of Income Tax Returns and completion of associated work,
12:43 What the SC told Khap Panchayats scuttling marriages
Sending out a stern message to Khap Panchayats, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that an assembly intended to scuttle the marriage of two consenting adults will be deemed illegal.
The ruling was pronounced while hearing the matter related to Khap Panchayats in connection with cases pertaining to so-called honour killing.
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, and comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud stated that punitive measures to deal with such an unlawful assembly would be in force until legislation is implemented.
The top court also disposed off a petition filed by the NGO, Shakti Vahini, against Khap Panchayats seeking directions to the Centre and state governments for preventing honour killings.
The Supreme Court in February had cracked a whip against Khap Panchayats and told it to "not become conscience keepers" as the "law will take its own course".
The apex court had further stated that it is in the jurisdiction of the courts to decide if marriages are legally valid or not, and pulled up Khap Panchayats for taking law into their own hands. - ANI
The ruling was pronounced while hearing the matter related to Khap Panchayats in connection with cases pertaining to so-called honour killing.
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, and comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud stated that punitive measures to deal with such an unlawful assembly would be in force until legislation is implemented.
The top court also disposed off a petition filed by the NGO, Shakti Vahini, against Khap Panchayats seeking directions to the Centre and state governments for preventing honour killings.
The Supreme Court in February had cracked a whip against Khap Panchayats and told it to "not become conscience keepers" as the "law will take its own course".
The apex court had further stated that it is in the jurisdiction of the courts to decide if marriages are legally valid or not, and pulled up Khap Panchayats for taking law into their own hands. - ANI
12:39 No dinner meeting with Mamata, says Sharad Pawar
There is no meeting, there is no dinner: NCP Chief Sharad Pawar on a question whether there will be a dinner meeting with West Bengal chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Delhi.
12:29 Tableau to honor Rajasthan 'killer'
A tableau of a man from Rajasthan accused of killing a Muslim labourer from West Bengal, was taken out in Jodhpur to honour him on the occasion of Ram Navami.
The killer, Shambhu Lal allegedly hacked the victim to death and set his body on fire in Rajsamand district last year in a suspected case of 'love jihad'.
He had also recorded the act on video and uploaded it to social media, in December which invited a nationwide outrage.Shambhu has been serving jail term since December 2017 after a case was registered against him.
-- ANI
The killer, Shambhu Lal allegedly hacked the victim to death and set his body on fire in Rajsamand district last year in a suspected case of 'love jihad'.
He had also recorded the act on video and uploaded it to social media, in December which invited a nationwide outrage.Shambhu has been serving jail term since December 2017 after a case was registered against him.
-- ANI
12:19
That's the tweet by BJP's IT head Amit Malviya announcing the Karnataka poll dates before the CEC announced the dates. He got the counting date wrong. It's May 15, not May 18.
12:16 EC probe into how BJP's IT head had K'taka poll dates before announcement
Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat on BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya's tweet on elections date in Karnataka even before the EC had announced the dates. "It will be investigated. Be assured that action legally and administratively befitting will be taken," the CEC said.
Amit Malviya, BJP's IT Cell head, when questioned about his Tweet on Twitter cited Times Now and then deletes the tweet. Malviya got the date of the elections -- May 12, right, but the counting May 15, wrong. He had tweeted the date as May 18.
The Congress reacted with spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeting, "BJP becomes the 'Super Election Commission' as they announce poll dates for Karnataka even before the EC. Credibility of EC is on test. Will EC now issue notice to BJP President, Amit Shah & register an FIR against BJP IT Head for leaking EC's confidential information?"
NDTV's Sreenivasan Jain tweeted saying the "sanctity of #KarnatakaElections2018 as well as the authority of the Election Commission are both undermined today with a BJP functionary & a couple of channels announcing poll dates before the EC did. Whats going on?"
Amit Malviya, BJP's IT Cell head, when questioned about his Tweet on Twitter cited Times Now and then deletes the tweet. Malviya got the date of the elections -- May 12, right, but the counting May 15, wrong. He had tweeted the date as May 18.
The Congress reacted with spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeting, "BJP becomes the 'Super Election Commission' as they announce poll dates for Karnataka even before the EC. Credibility of EC is on test. Will EC now issue notice to BJP President, Amit Shah & register an FIR against BJP IT Head for leaking EC's confidential information?"
NDTV's Sreenivasan Jain tweeted saying the "sanctity of #KarnatakaElections2018 as well as the authority of the Election Commission are both undermined today with a BJP functionary & a couple of channels announcing poll dates before the EC did. Whats going on?"
11:27 Karnataka polls on May 12, counting May 15
Karnataka will go to the polls May 12 in a single phase election. Counting will be held on May 15.
Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat addressing a press conference announced the schedule for the 224-member Karnataka assembly polls today.
VPAT machines, apart from EVMs, will be deployed in Karnataka for the polls.
The Model Code of Conduct comes into effect from today, the CEC says. The last state elections were held in the first week of May in 2013.
The polls are being seen politically crucial for the ruling Congress as well as the BJP as it is the only big state where the former is in power after losing a string of assembly elections to the saffron party in the last few years.
The BJP is making a concerted bid to unseat the Congress.Besides, the Congress and the BJP, the JD(S) led by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda is the third player in the fray.
Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat addressing a press conference announced the schedule for the 224-member Karnataka assembly polls today.
VPAT machines, apart from EVMs, will be deployed in Karnataka for the polls.
The Model Code of Conduct comes into effect from today, the CEC says. The last state elections were held in the first week of May in 2013.
The polls are being seen politically crucial for the ruling Congress as well as the BJP as it is the only big state where the former is in power after losing a string of assembly elections to the saffron party in the last few years.
The BJP is making a concerted bid to unseat the Congress.Besides, the Congress and the BJP, the JD(S) led by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda is the third player in the fray.
11:21 Aung San Suu Kyi not retiring anytime soon
Spokesman of Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy U Myo Nyunt has rebuffed reports of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi retiring in the near future.
"There are reports that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would retire. I didn't say that. I said she would be able to retire soon if party members worked hard. It is what she always says. But it doesn't mean she will retire soon," the spokesman was quoted as saying by a Burmese news portal.
As per local media reports, NLD chief Suu Kyi told members of her party's Central Executive Committee on Saturday that she would like to step down if possible.
Nyunt said that the meeting with CEC members was a social gathering that did not involve discussions on political matters. -- ANI
"There are reports that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would retire. I didn't say that. I said she would be able to retire soon if party members worked hard. It is what she always says. But it doesn't mean she will retire soon," the spokesman was quoted as saying by a Burmese news portal.
As per local media reports, NLD chief Suu Kyi told members of her party's Central Executive Committee on Saturday that she would like to step down if possible.
Nyunt said that the meeting with CEC members was a social gathering that did not involve discussions on political matters. -- ANI
11:19
Khap Panchayat matter: The SC's three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, said, the punitive measures to deal with such an unlawful assembly will be in force, until a legislation comes into force.
10:48 Political Corruption and the Art of the Deal
How Trump's business partnerships in India are creating conflicts of interest in the White House and corrupting the presidency. Read the report here.
10:43 Akash Ambani's engagement party at Antilia
Reliance Industries chairman and India's wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani, threw an engagement party for his son Akash Ambani. The RIL scion's fiance is Shloka Mehta, diamantaire Russel Mehta's daughter. The couple had exchanged rings at a private ceremony in Goa last week.
Akash is the eldest of Mukesh and Nita Ambani's three children. The party held at the Ambani residence Antilia in Mumbai was attended by Bollywood biggies among others.
While the Ambanis need no introduction, Russel Mehta is the owner of Rosy Blue Diamonds and is ranked as one of the worlds top diamantaires.
Shloka is an alumni of Princeton and the London School of Economics.
At the party were Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with her daughter Aaradhya, Karan Johar, Katrina Kaif, Rajkumar Hirani with his family, John Abraham, and cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan with his wife Sagarika Ghatge among others.
Image: Akash Ambani with fiance Shloka Mehta at the party at the Ambani residence Antilia.
Akash is the eldest of Mukesh and Nita Ambani's three children. The party held at the Ambani residence Antilia in Mumbai was attended by Bollywood biggies among others.
While the Ambanis need no introduction, Russel Mehta is the owner of Rosy Blue Diamonds and is ranked as one of the worlds top diamantaires.
Shloka is an alumni of Princeton and the London School of Economics.
At the party were Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with her daughter Aaradhya, Karan Johar, Katrina Kaif, Rajkumar Hirani with his family, John Abraham, and cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan with his wife Sagarika Ghatge among others.
Image: Akash Ambani with fiance Shloka Mehta at the party at the Ambani residence Antilia.
10:23 HDFC's Fort branch in Mumbai removes spikes after outrage
Following the outrage over iron spikes installed on the pavement of an HDFC Bank branch in Mumbai, the bank on Tuesday assured that they would be removed immediately.
"We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to the public by the installation of the spikes at our Fort Branch, as part of the recent renovation. We're having the spikes removed on priority," the bank tweeted.
HDFC bank drew flak for installing multiple rows of iron spikes outside their Fort Branch, which many saw as a move to prevent homeless people from sleeping on the pavements.
A number of individuals posted photos of the spikes, while some flagged the potential harm the spikes could cause to pedestrians, particularly to elderly people and children.
A Twitter user tagged HDFC Bank and said "This photo is of your newly opened branch at MG Road Fort Mumbai, besides Fabindia. Nice modern branch. BUT Why these hideous spikes? What if a kid/ elderly or physically disabled person falls on them and gets seriously hurt? May lead to very bad PR disaster."
"An eye-catching response to Mumbai's homelessness crisis from HDFC Bank (Fort branch)," another user tweeted. -- ANI
"We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to the public by the installation of the spikes at our Fort Branch, as part of the recent renovation. We're having the spikes removed on priority," the bank tweeted.
HDFC bank drew flak for installing multiple rows of iron spikes outside their Fort Branch, which many saw as a move to prevent homeless people from sleeping on the pavements.
A number of individuals posted photos of the spikes, while some flagged the potential harm the spikes could cause to pedestrians, particularly to elderly people and children.
A Twitter user tagged HDFC Bank and said "This photo is of your newly opened branch at MG Road Fort Mumbai, besides Fabindia. Nice modern branch. BUT Why these hideous spikes? What if a kid/ elderly or physically disabled person falls on them and gets seriously hurt? May lead to very bad PR disaster."
"An eye-catching response to Mumbai's homelessness crisis from HDFC Bank (Fort branch)," another user tweeted. -- ANI
10:15 SC to hear plea on guidelines for school children's safety
The Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear a plea seeking its direction for a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure safety and security of school children.
The plea has been filed by Varun Chandra Thakur, father Pradyuman Thakur a Class II student of Gurugram's Ryan International School, who was brutally murdered in the school premises last year.
The apex court had ordered a compilation of norms formulated by the Centre and states for its consideration.The top court had asked all states and union territories to file a response on a PIL seeking guidelines to ensure safety and security of school children across the country, the deadline of which is today.
So far, three states -- Haryana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh -- have filed their responses in the case. -- ANI
Image: Varun Thakur, the father of the boy, Pradhyumn, who was murdered at Ryan International school last year.
The plea has been filed by Varun Chandra Thakur, father Pradyuman Thakur a Class II student of Gurugram's Ryan International School, who was brutally murdered in the school premises last year.
The apex court had ordered a compilation of norms formulated by the Centre and states for its consideration.The top court had asked all states and union territories to file a response on a PIL seeking guidelines to ensure safety and security of school children across the country, the deadline of which is today.
So far, three states -- Haryana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh -- have filed their responses in the case. -- ANI
Image: Varun Thakur, the father of the boy, Pradhyumn, who was murdered at Ryan International school last year.
10:09 Sensex rises over 200 pts, Nifty tests 10,200
The benchmark Sensex extended yesterday's gains by rising over 200 points in early trade today, tracking firm global cues on reports of trade negotiations between the US and China, easing fears of a trade war.
Investor sentiment was buoyed after the government announced borrowing of Rs 2.88 lakh crore in the April-September period of 2018-19, lower than Rs 3.72 lakh crore it had borrowed in the first half of the current fiscal, and introduce bonds linked to CPI or retail inflation.
The BSE 30-share barometer advanced 233.41 points, or 0.70 per cent, to 33,299.82. The gauge had gained 469.87 points in the previous session.
All sectoral indices, led by metals, capital goods, realty, PSU and banking stocks were in the green, gaining up to 1.16 per cent. The NSE Nifty rose by 70.05 points, or 0.69 per cent, to 10,200.70.
Major gainers were Wipro, Tata Steel, Axis Bank, L&T, SBI, Yes Bank, Kotak Bank, ICICI Bank, Adani Ports, IndusInd Bank, Sun Pharma, Tata Motors and Reliance Industries, rising by up to 2.30 per cent. -- PTI
Investor sentiment was buoyed after the government announced borrowing of Rs 2.88 lakh crore in the April-September period of 2018-19, lower than Rs 3.72 lakh crore it had borrowed in the first half of the current fiscal, and introduce bonds linked to CPI or retail inflation.
The BSE 30-share barometer advanced 233.41 points, or 0.70 per cent, to 33,299.82. The gauge had gained 469.87 points in the previous session.
All sectoral indices, led by metals, capital goods, realty, PSU and banking stocks were in the green, gaining up to 1.16 per cent. The NSE Nifty rose by 70.05 points, or 0.69 per cent, to 10,200.70.
Major gainers were Wipro, Tata Steel, Axis Bank, L&T, SBI, Yes Bank, Kotak Bank, ICICI Bank, Adani Ports, IndusInd Bank, Sun Pharma, Tata Motors and Reliance Industries, rising by up to 2.30 per cent. -- PTI
09:58 ED to begin attaching Vijay Mallya's properties today
The Enforcement Directorate will on Tuesday begin attaching the properties of liquor baron Vijay Mallya, under Section 83 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Section 83 of the Criminal Procedure Code mandates attachment of the property of an absconder.
Earlier a Delhi court had declared Mallya as proclaimed offender for evading summons.
As per the case registered by the ED, Mallya had allegedly paid USD 200,000 to a British firm and some European countries for displaying Kingfisher logo in Formula One World Championships in London in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
The court had earlier in 2016 lifted the exemption granted to Mallya from mandatory personal appearance in the case of evading summons in Foreign Exchange Regulation Act violation case.
The investigative agency also claimed that the money was paid without prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India in violation of the FERA norms. - ANI
Image: File pic of Vijay Mallya with his son Siddharth
Section 83 of the Criminal Procedure Code mandates attachment of the property of an absconder.
Earlier a Delhi court had declared Mallya as proclaimed offender for evading summons.
As per the case registered by the ED, Mallya had allegedly paid USD 200,000 to a British firm and some European countries for displaying Kingfisher logo in Formula One World Championships in London in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
The court had earlier in 2016 lifted the exemption granted to Mallya from mandatory personal appearance in the case of evading summons in Foreign Exchange Regulation Act violation case.
The investigative agency also claimed that the money was paid without prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India in violation of the FERA norms. - ANI
Image: File pic of Vijay Mallya with his son Siddharth
09:52 Rupee hits 4-week high, up 9 paise against US dollar
Going abroad? Here's some marginally good news.
The rupee strengthened by 9 paise to hit a four-week high of 64.78 against the US dollar today as bond yields fell 25 basis points after the government announced lower-than-expected borrowing plan for the first half of FY19. The government said it will borrow Rs 2.88 lakh crore in the April-September period of 2018-19, lower than Rs 3.72 lakh crore it had borrowed in the first half of the current fiscal, and introduce bonds linked to CPI or retail inflation.
The US dollar, however, had strengthened against some currencies overseas amid reports of trade negotiations between the US and China, which eased fears of a trade war and improved investors' appetite for riskier assets.
A positive opening for the stock market also boosted the domestic currency, dealers said. Yesterday, the rupee had gained 14 paise to end near a two-week high of 64.87 against the US currency on sustained dollar unwinding by exporters and banks. -- PTI
The rupee strengthened by 9 paise to hit a four-week high of 64.78 against the US dollar today as bond yields fell 25 basis points after the government announced lower-than-expected borrowing plan for the first half of FY19. The government said it will borrow Rs 2.88 lakh crore in the April-September period of 2018-19, lower than Rs 3.72 lakh crore it had borrowed in the first half of the current fiscal, and introduce bonds linked to CPI or retail inflation.
The US dollar, however, had strengthened against some currencies overseas amid reports of trade negotiations between the US and China, which eased fears of a trade war and improved investors' appetite for riskier assets.
A positive opening for the stock market also boosted the domestic currency, dealers said. Yesterday, the rupee had gained 14 paise to end near a two-week high of 64.87 against the US currency on sustained dollar unwinding by exporters and banks. -- PTI
09:31 Lehmann to resign as Oz coach; 12-month ban for Smith and Warner: Report
Darren Lehmann is to announce his resignation as head coach of Australia before the fourth Test against South Africa begins on Friday, Britain's Daily Telegraph has reported.
The report claims that Lehmann is ready to stand down with immediate effect and his decision is partly why James Sutherland, the chief executive of Cricket Australia, suddenly announced on Monday that he is flying to South Africa.
Sutherland is due to meet the players and coaching staff in Johannesburg today.
Australia was plunged into turmoil after captain Steve Smith admitted on Saturday that senior players conspired with opening batsman Cameron Bancroft to tamper with the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
Smith has been fined and suspended from the fourth Test by the International Cricket Council and he and David Warner have been stood down from their positions as captain and vice-captain pending a Cricket Australia investigation.
While severe penalties like life bans are being talked about for Smith and Warner, Daily Telegraph claims that the two players may receive a 12-month ban each as part of their involvement in the incident.
09:27 North Korea's Kim in China? VIP security in Beijing raises speculation
The Chinese media was today rife with speculation that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is in Beijing, following heavy police deployment at the border of China and North Korea.
However, there is no official confirmation about Kim's visit, which, if confirmed, will be his first trip abroad since he took over power in 2011 after his father's death.
China's ministry of foreign affairs said it was unaware of the issue.
Media reports about Kim's visit was in circulation following heavy police presence at the China-North Korea border and later at a Beijing hotel popular with foreign dignitaries, Hong Kong-based 'South China Morning Post' reported.
Indications suggested that a high-profile figure had made the journey into China, the Post reported today.
While it is yet to be confirmed if the person is Kim himself, the security arrangements suggest it is someone of great significance, the report said.
At the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, where foreign dignitaries usually stay, there has been a marked increase in police activity, with a large number of officers and about 50 vehicles seen in the area. Nearby roads have been cordoned off.
Historically, the visits of North Korean leaders to China, the country's neighbour and closest ally, were always shrouded in secrecy.
Kim's late father Kim Jong-il too used to visit China secretly.
Tensions temporarily abated in the Korean Peninsula recently over North Korea's nuclear programme after US President Donald Trump agreed for a summit meeting with Kim.
Though North Korea has remained a long-standing ally of China, relations between the two countries have been strained after Beijing beefed up UN sanctions by blocking essential supplies like oil and coal following pressure from Trump.
08:54 US Senators urge Trump to sell F-35 to Taiwan to deter China
Two top American senators have urged President Donald Trump to sell F-35 fighter jet to Taiwan so that the small island nation can defend itself from China.
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen is believed to have requested the purchase of the F-35B vertical take-off and landing aircraft to bolster Taiwan's air defence.
"Taiwan has a legitimate requirement to field a modern fighter fleet to address a myriad of defence contingencies. Therefore, Taiwan is requesting US support in their procurement of the F-35B," Senators James M Inhofe and John Cornyn wrote in a letter to Trump.
After years of military modernisation, China shows the ability to wage war against Taiwan for the first time since the 1950s, they said.
These fighters will have a positive impact on Taiwan's self-defence and would act as a necessary deterrent to China's aggressive military posture across the Asia-Pacific region, the senators said.
"The survivability of the F-35B and modern long-range sensors could help Taiwan intercept Chinese missiles, promoting deterrence well into the next decade. The F-35B would not only provide a modern fifth-generation fighter, but would also bolster their capabilities in next-generation warfare," the letter said.
However, if determined that release of the F-35B to Taiwan is premature, the two Senators hoped that Trump will instead make available additional F-16Vs to address the "quantitative and qualitative challenges confronting Taiwan's fighter fleet".
Taiwan already fields the F-16, and this would represent a cost-effective solution to Taiwan's legitimate defense requirement for additional fighters, they said.
"If Taiwan's air defence fleet is allowed to degenerate in number and quality, I am concerned that it would be destabilising and would encourage Chinese aggression to ensue. Additionally, I am concerned that Taiwan's military weakness and the inability to mount a credible air force would place an undue burden on forward-deployed US forces in North East Asia," the letter said.
In 1993, the US sold Taiwan 150 F-16s to bolster its air defences, ensuring that Taiwan pilots flew US-made fighters to defend Taiwan's sovereign airspace.
"Those F-16s have been the backbone of Taiwan's air force for over 20 years," the senators wrote.
Taiwan currently has approximately 144 F-16 fighters in its inventory; 15 are in the US for training, and an additional 24 will be offline on a rolling basis in their ongoing upgrade program that runs through 2023.
"At a reasonable operational rate, Taiwan is likely able to field only 65 F-16s at any given time in defense of the island. In my opinion, this is not enough to maintain a credible defense," Cornyn and Inhofe wrote. -- PTI
08:26 EC to announce Karnataka poll schedule today
The Election Commission of India will announce the schedule for Karnataka assembly elections today, news agency ANI reported.
The term of the 224-member Karnataka assembly ends on May 28 this year.
The Bharatiya Janata Party is seeking to wrest control of the southern state from the Congress and has already declared former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa as its chief ministerial candidate.
The ruling Congress is going to polls under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in its bid to retain its hold over the state.
Karnataka is the only big state, besides Punjab, which is now ruled by the Congress.
The Janata Dal-Secular, which is the third force in the state, has announced its pre-poll tie-up with the Bahujan Samaj Party.
08:15 US senate committee invites FB, Google, Twitter CEOs to testify
Amidst reports of misuse of consumer data, a powerful Congressional committee has summoned the CEOs of top three social media platforms -- Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Indian-American Sunder Pichai of Google, and Jack Dorsey of Twitter -- for a hearing on data privacy.
The hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee has been scheduled for April 10.
In a statement, Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said Zuckerberg has been invited to discuss the company's past and future policies regarding the protection and monitoring of consumer data.
The hearing will broadly cover privacy standards for the collection, retention and dissemination of consumer data for commercial use.
"It will also examine how such data may be misused or improperly transferred and what steps companies like Facebook can take to better protect personal information of users and ensure more transparency in the process," a media statement said.
Grassley also invited Pichai and Dorsey to discuss the future of data privacy in the social media industry and how to develop "rules of the road" that encourage companies to develop tailored approaches to privacy that satisfy consumer expectations while maintaining incentives for innovation.
Senator Mark Warner also sought answers from these social media companies on data protection.
"I celebrate the success of Facebook, Google & Twitter; but with their power comes responsibility that they must acknowledge. This isn't a Russia problem. If we value civic discourse and fair elections, they have to step up and answer to more than their shareholders," he said.
Senator Ed Markey said Facebook's failure to protect millions of Americans' private information in the Cambridge Analytica breach shows "why we cannot rely on corporations" to police themselves.
"We need laws that prevent corporations from abusing Americans privacy rights," said Markey.
Meanwhile, online news publication 'Intercept' reported that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses backend Facebook data to locate and track immigrants that it is working to round up.
Congressman Bobby L Rush has introduced a legislation that would require the FTC to issue regulations requiring companies like Facebook that own or possess data containing personal information to establish specified security policies and procedures to treat and protect such information. -- PTI
00:14 Orlando nightclub shooter's father was FBI informer
Seddique Mateen, the father of the Pulse nightclub shooter, was an FBI informer for more than a decade before facing an investigation into financial transfers abroad, a lawyer for the shooters widow said in a weekend court filing.
Noor Salman, the widow of Pulse nightclub gunman Omar Mateen, has been on trial since the beginning of the month and is accused of helping Mateen plan his terror attack on the Orlando nightclub in June 2016 and of falsely denying her role afterwards.
During the rampage that left 49 dead and 53 others injured, he repeatedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State before he was killed in a shootout with police.
The email also revealed that the FBI investigated Seddique Mateen after a search of his house, following his son's shooting, and turned up receipts for money transfers to Turkey and Afghanistan between March 16 and June 5 of 2016. Seddique Mateen "has not been informed by the FBI about the investigation," the email said.
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