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Mon, 27 January 2020
BSF shoots down Pak drone along IB in Jammu

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23:45   BSF shoots down Pak drone along IB in Jammu
The Border Security Force on Monday night shot down a Pakistani drone along the International Border in Jammu, officials said.

The drone was in a forward post in Arnia belt in Jammu, they said.

IG BSF, Jammu Frontier, N S Jamwal told PTI that it is a drone-like flying object without a camera.

"We are investigating it," he said.  -- PTI
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22:39   LS Speaker writes to EU Parl over CAA resolution
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday wrote to European Parliament President David Maria Sassoli over the resolutions moved against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in that legislature, saying it is inappropriate for one legislature to pass judgement on another and the practice can be misused by vested interests.

The speaker's letter to Sassoli comes after close to 600 lawmakers in the 751-member European Parliament moved six resolutions against the CAA, saying the enactment of the law marked a dangerous shift in India's citizenship regime.

'I understand that Joint Motion for Resolution has been introduced in the European Parliament on the Indian Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. This act provides for easier citizenship to those who have been subjected to religious persecution in our immediate neighbourhood,' Birla said in the letter.

'As members of Inter Parliamentary Union, we should respect sovereign processes of fellow legislatures, especially in democracies,' he said.

It is inappropriate for one legislature to pass judgement on another, a practice that can surely be misused by vested interests, Birla said.

'I would urge you to consider the proposed resolution in this light, confident that none of us want to set an unhealthy precedent,' he said. -- PTI
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22:08   Chinese national kept in isolation ward of Kolkata hospital
A Chinese national on tourist visa in the city has been kept in an isolation ward, after she complained of high fever and rashes, raising suspicion that the woman could have contracted the deadly novel coronavirus, officials said.

She was taken to the isolation ward at the Beleghata ID Hospital on Sunday, they said.

"The woman has no symptoms of Novel Coronavirus. However, we have sent her tests results to the ICMR National Institute of Virology in Pune," Principal Secretary of Health Department Vivek Kumar told PTI.

He said the foreign national has mild fever and stomach ache, symptoms that do not necessarily suggest presence of the novel coronavirus, which has claimed at least 81 lives in China and put millions under quarantine.

According to the World Health Organisation, the common symptoms of the virus strain include respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

"She has been travelling for quite sometime and came to India from Madagascar a few months ago... As a part of precautionary measure, we have isolated the woman till her reports arrive," he said.

The West Bengal Health Department has stepped up vigil in all the districts and in Kolkata, after the Union Health Ministry issued guidelines to prevent spread of the virus.

"Any person arriving in the city from abroad is being screened at the airport," another official of the department said.

The Union Health Ministry on Monday said health teams have been deployed in areas along the border with Nepal at Panitanki in West Bengal and Jhulaghat and Jauljibi in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh.  -- PTI
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21:57   JNU proctor summons Sharjeel Imam
The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) chief proctor has summoned research scholar Sharjeel Imam, who has been booked in sedition cases, to appear before him and explain his position on the alleged provocative speeches made by him.

Imam has been asked to appear before the Proctorial Committee by February 3.

He has been booked in sedition cases lodged across several states for his alleged 'inflammatory' speeches, in which he threatened to 'cut off' Assam and the northeast from the rest of the country, made during protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.  -- PTI
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21:35   Koregaon-Bhima case: NIA team arrives in Pune
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team arrived in the city on Monday, days after the agency was entrusted with probe into the Koregaon-Bhima-Elgar Parishad case by the Centre, police sources said in Pune.

The three-member team of the central agency landed in Pune on Monday morning and later met officials of the city police handling the sensitive case, which has triggered a new round of war of words between ruling and opposition parties in Maharashtra, the sources said.

The case, in which human rights activists have been arrested, pertains to caste violence that took place near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune district on January 1, 2018, following alleged provocative speeches at the Elgar Parishad conclave held the previous day.

The case was transferred by the Centre from the Pune police to the NIA, an agency that handles terror-related matters, on Friday, a move criticised by the three-party ruling coalition in the state.

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had on Friday night condemned the Centre's decision to transfer the case to the NIA without consent of the state government.

The Nationalist Congress Party minister had termed the move as unconstitutional.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, however, welcomed the move.

The Pune police have claimed speeches delivered at the conclave, held on December 31, 2017, led to the violence at Koregaon Bhima the next day.

The police have claimed the conclave was organised by people having Maoist links.

During the probe into the violence, police arrested human rights activists and intellectuals Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Shoma Sen, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Sudha Bharadwaj and Varavara Rao for alleged Maoist links.

They were booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and also Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, an anti-terror law.  -- PTI
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21:04   Hope EU resolutions are followed by sanctions: Mehbooba
People's Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday expressed hope that resolutions tabled in the European Parliament against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and curbs in Kashmir will be followed up with sanctions.

'Relieved to see EU parliament pass resolutions against communal CAB & brutal lockdown in Kashmir. Hope it's followed up with sanctions. GOIs actions are frittering away all of India's assiduously earned soft power,' a tweet on Mehbooba's twitter handle reads.

The PDP president's twitter handle is operated by her daughter Iltija after Mehbooba was taken into preventive custody on the wake of abrogation of article 370 in August last year.

'Discriminatory CAB & repressive measures in Kashmir are India's internal matter only when EU Parliamentarians/international community condemn such actions. Had they spoken about it in glowing terms, the same establishment would lap it up,' she added.

The European Parliament is set to debate and vote on a motion tabled by a large chunk of its members against India's new citizenship law, which it alleges marks a 'dangerous shift' in the country's citizenship regime.  -- PTI
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20:21   HC seeks UP govt report on 'police atrocities'
The Allahabad high court on Monday asked the state government to submit a report on allegations of police atrocities against anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protesters by February 17, the next date of hearing.

A two-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Siddhartha Verma passed the order hearing a number of public interest litigations.

The court asked the state government to mention how many people died during anti-CAA protests and complaints registered against police.

The court also asked whether truthfulness of media reports in this regard has been examined or not.

About 20 people were killed during the anti-CAA protests in Uttar Pradesh on December 20.   --  PTI
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19:50   Proof of religious beliefs needed under CAA
Non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will have to provide proofs of their religious beliefs while applying for Indian citizenship under the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAA), officials said on Monday.

The applicants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain or Parsi faiths will also have to furnish documents to prove that they entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

Those who will seek Indian citizenship under the CAA will have to provide proofs of their religious beliefs and this will be mentioned in the rules to be issued under the CAA, a government official said.

According to the CAA, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants and will be given Indian citizenship.

The central government is also likely to give a relatively smaller window of just three months to those who want to apply for Indian citizenship in Assam under the CAA, another official said.

Some Assam-specific provisions are expected to be incorporated in the rules to be issued for the implementation of the CAA.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and his Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had made a request about a fortnight ago to keep a limited period window for applying under the CAA and also incorporate some other Assam-specific provisions in the CAA rules.

The move comes in view of continuing protests against the CAA in Assam that have been going on since the legislation was passed by Parliament in December last year.

There has been a growing feeling among the indigenous people of Assam that the newly enacted legislation will hurt their interests politically, culturally as well as socially.

The Assam Accord provides for detection and deportation of all illegal immigrants who have entered the country after 1971 and are living in the state, irrespective of their religion.

The protesters in Assam say that the CAA violates the provisions of the Assam Accord.  -- PTI
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19:46   Terrorists fire at patrol party; jawan injured
A security force personnel was injured on Monday after suspected terrorists opened fire on a patrol party in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The jawan received injuries after he was hit by a bullet fired by suspected militants in Arwani area of Anantnag district, they said.

They said security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down the assailants.  -- PTI
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18:43   SC to hear Nirbhaya convict's plea tomorrow
The Supreme Court will hear on Tuesday the plea of death row convict Mukesh Kumar in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case challenging the dismissal of his mercy petition by President Ram Nath Kovind.

A bench of Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan and A S Bopanna would hear the plea at 12.30 pm tomorrow.

The mercy plea of 32-year-old Singh was dismissed by the President on January 17.   -- PTI
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18:28   Temple vandalised in Pak's Sindh province; FIR registered against 4
Four unidentified persons vandalised a temple in a village in Pakistan's Sindh province following which a case was registered against them, according to a media report on Monday.

The Mata Deval Bhittani temple in a village near Thar's Chhachro town in Sindh province was vandalised by four men on Sunday night, Dawn newspaper reported.

A first information report (FIR) was registered on Monday against the four men, the paper said. The police were looking for the culprits and had sought help from 'local experts' who were examining the footprints of the miscreants to identify them, Chhachro Station House Officer Hussain Bux Rajar said.

The Special Assistant to Sindh chief minister on human rights, Advocate Veerji Kolhi, said that the miscreants had meant to disturb communal peace in the area and urged people of all communities to stay calm.

He promised that those responsible will be brought to justice. Hindus form the biggest minority community in Pakistan.

According to official estimates, 75 lakh Hindus live in Pakistan.

However, according to the community, over 90 lakh Hindus are living in the country.

Majority of Pakistan's Hindu population is settled in Sindh province where they share culture, traditions and language with their Muslim fellows.  -- PTI

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18:27   Centre may approve AP move to abolish council
Sources close to Home Minister Amit Shah say the Centre will accept the Andhra Pradesh cabinet's proposal to abolish the state legislative council. To give context to the decision, read here.
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18:15   France distances itself from EU's CAA resolution
France, a founding member of the European Union, considers the new citizenship law an internal political matter of India, French diplomatic sources said on Monday.

The assertion came after close to 600 lawmakers in the 751-member parliament moved six resolutions against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), saying the enactment of the law marked a dangerous shift in India's citizenship regime.

For France, the CAA is India's internal political matter and it has been stated on several occasions, the sources said.

They said the European Parliament is an institution independent of member states and the European Commission.

The new law, passed by Parliament last month, offers citizenship to non-Muslim persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

India has been witnessing massive protests against the new law with opposition parties, civil rights groups and activists saying that granting citizenship based on religion is against the foundational principles of the Constitution.

There has been no reaction from the Ministry of External Affairs on the resolutions against the CAA in European Parliament.

Official sources, however, maintained that the CAA was an entirely internal matter of India and that the legislation was adopted through democratic means after a debate in both houses of Parliament.

"Every society that fashions a pathway to naturalisation contemplates both a context and criteria. This is not discrimination," a government source said, explaining why India is opposed to the resolutions at the EU parliament.   -- PTI
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17:34   Anti-CAA protests: Rahul, Priyanka meet NHRC
A Congress delegation led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met top officials of the National Human Rights Commission on Monday, demanding a probe into alleged police atrocities against anti-CAA protesters in Uttar Pradesh. 


The party leaders met the NHRC officials in New Delhi and highlighted the alleged brutalities committed by the Uttar Pradesh police on agitators during the anti-CAA stir. The leaders who met the NHRC officials included Mohsina Kidwai, Salman Khurshid, P L Punia, Jitin Prasada, Abhishek Singhvi, Rajiv Shukla and UP Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu. They demanded a thorough probe into the the deaths that took place in the state during the violent protests against the amendments in the country's citizenship law. PTI
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17:31   Kerala CM writes to PM, seeks airlifting of Indians from Wuhan
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrange for airlifting the Indians stranded in Wuhan province of China, the epicentre of coronavirus, saying the ground situation there has further worsened. 


In a letter to Modi, he said since the situation in Wuhan was grave, it would be appropriate to operate a special flight to Wuhan or a nearby functional airport and airlift Indian nationals stranded there.


Vijayan also wanted the Prime Minister to give necessary instructions to the Indian Embassy in China to act pro-actively and provide necessary assistance and reassurance to Indians, including Keralites, stranded in Wuhan and Yichang. The Chief Minister offered assistance of medical professionals from state in case of evacuation of the Indians from Wuhan.


Image: China's premier Keqiang visited Wuhan as toll climbed to 80
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17:28   Nadal through to QF at Australian Open
Rafael Nadal, ranked number 1, has ousted his nemesis Nick Kyrgios in four sets -- 6-3, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6. Nadal and Kyrgios share a tenuous past and last met at Wimbledon where Nadal had ousted Kyrgios in four sets. Nadal will now face Austria's Dominic Thiem in the quarter finals.
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17:27   Ejaz Lakdawala sent to judicial custody till Feb 10 in extortion case
A local court in Mumbai on Monday sent gangster Ejaz Lakdawala to judicial custody till February 10 in connection with an extortion case. This was the third case in which he has been arrested.


Mumbai's Esplanade Court on January 21 had sent him to judicial custody till January 27. Lakdawala was produced before the court at the end of his police remand.


He was arrested from Patna by the Mumbai Police's Anti-Extortion Cell earlier this month. Subsequently, the police produced him in a local court in Mumbai, which remanded him to police custody till January 21. -- ANI
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17:25   Adnan Sami enhanced India's stature with his talent: Paswan
BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Monday backed the government's decision to confer Padma Shri award on singer Adnan Sami, saying he has enhanced India's stature with his talent. Hitting out at the criticism of the decision, the Lok Janshakti Party leader said, " After completing all the formalities, he was granted Indian citizenship in 2016. He has elevated India's reputation and honour through his talent. I congratulate him on being honoured with Padma Shri." "Those who are opposing the award to the famous singer are not aware of Indian Citizenship Law. Indian citizenship has no relation with religion. Anyone who fulfils the requisite conditions of the citizenship act can become Indian Citizen," Paswan said. PTI
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16:55   Budget: Stimulants for consumer demand likely
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's first full year Budget is expected to provide short-term stimulants to boost consumer demand, and such measures will get a positive response from markets, an Amrerican brokerage report said on Monday.


If the government fails to take the necessary measures, the current cyclical growth slowdown can turn into a structural one, analysts at Bank of Ameria Securities said. Sitharaman will place the budget proposals on Saturday and all eyes are set on the government, which is likely to announce measures to revive the economic growth that may slide to a decadal low of 5 per cent for FY20. 


"Social spends are essential for the long term, but a short-term demand stimulus may be needed to prevent a cyclical slowdown from turning into something structural. In the whole budgeting exercise, the last is a choice we think the government could realistically make," the BofA report said. 


The market will be keenly watching for action on two specific measures on the taxation front, including companies and individuals, it said. These would include changes to the long-term capital gains tax framework to reduce tax liabilities, reduction in securities transaction tax and dividend distribution tax, the report added. There is also a possibility of changes in personal income tax structures, where relief to the low income earners can result in a push to growth, it said. The tax cuts will be small as percentage of GDP because the government cannot afford to forego revenue, it said. On the flip side, some of the measures can impact cigarette companies in then near-term through the proposals, it said. -- PTI 
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16:48   Mamata urges Cong, CPI(M) to fight fascist BJP
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged the opposition CPI(M) and the Congress to put aside narrow political differences and fight together against the "fascist BJP government" at the Centre. Contending that NPR, NRC and CAA were correlated, Banerjee, who is also the TMC supremo, said the new citizenship law was "anti-people". 


The chief minister, while speaking on the anti-CAA resolution tabled in the Assembly, demanded that the contentious law be immediately repealed. "The CAA is anti-people, anti-constitutional... We want this law to be repealed immediately," she said. Insisting that the Congress and the Left Front should stop spreading canards against her government, she said, "Time has come to forget our narrow differences and fight together to save the country." 


Referring to the criticisms made by the Congress and the CPI(M) over her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent visit to the state, Banerjee said the slogan 'Didi- Modi are both sides of same coin' will boomerang for the opposition parties. "Our state government had the guts to skip the NPR meeting (in Delhi); if the BJP wants it can dismiss my government," she added. PTI 
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16:23   Sensex catches coronavirus, plunges 464 points
Equity benchmark indices extended losses on Monday led by financial, metal, banking and auto stocks as the spread of coronavirus in China led investors globally to a shift from riskier assets to safe havens.Investors assessed the possibilities of disruption to supply chains and said market nerves may remain frayed unless there are signs that virus can be contained soon.


The BSE S&P Sensex closed 458 points or 1.1 per cent lower at 41,155 while the Nifty 50 was down by 129 points at 12,119. All sectoral indices at the National Stock Exchange were in the red except for Nifty pharma.Nifty metal dipped by 3.34 per cent, PSU bank by 2.25 per cent, financial service by 1.4 per cent and realty by 0.85 per cent.


Among stocks, metal major were the worst sufferers with Vedanta down by 4.8 per cent at Rs 148.40 per share. Tata Steel fell by 4.6 per cent, JSW Steel by 4.2 per cent and Hindalco by 3.8 per cent. -- PTI
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16:17   Muslims protected in India: BJP MP to Naseeruddin
BJP Lok Sabha MP from Unnao Sakshi Maharaj on Monday refuted veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah's claims that the amended Citizenship Act has "threatened the nation's soul".


He further urged the veteran actor to point out a single Muslim who has left India due to the alleged threats."Naseeruddin Shah should have the basic knowledge that Muslims are not protected and respected anywhere else in the world as they are in India. If they feel threatened then why has not a single Muslim from India gone seeking refuge in Pakistan, Afghanistan or Bangladesh? Can Naseeruddin Shah name one Muslim who has done so?" Maharaj told ANI.


"CAA is not a law to snatch anyone's citizenship but to give it to those who faced religious persecution in the neighbouring countries, he added.


Naseeruddin Shah was among the 300 personalities who had signed a letter supporting the anti-CAA protests and termed the Act and National Register of Citizens (NRC) a "threat" to the soul of India.


Asserting that the opposition is not against the CAA or NRC but against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his way of solving long-standing issues, the BJP MP said, "They do not have problems with the CAA, but with Narendra Modiji and Amit Shah. The way they removed Article 370, solved the triple talaq matter, or ended the Ayodhya temple dispute has made the Opposition feel threatened.


"He also condemned the anti-CAA protests being held at Shaheen Bagh. "Just look at what is happening in Shaheen Bagh. They are attacking journalists there...They (protesters) think the illegal Rohingyas will be thrown out. They will definitely be thrown out as we cannot let intruders stay. But it is our duty to provide refuge to those who have come seeking protection," Maharaj said. -- ANI
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15:49   ED finds 'financial links' between PFI and anti-CAA protests in UP: Sources
The Enforcement Directorate has found that the recent violent protests in Uttar Pradesh against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) had a "financial link" with the Kerala-based outfit PFI, official sources said on Monday. 


The agency, which is probing the Popular Front of India (PFI) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) since 2018, has found that at least Rs 120 crore were deposited in bank accounts in western Uttar Pradesh after the Act was passed by Parliament late last year. It is suspected and alleged that these funds were used by PFI affiliates to fuel anti-CAA protests in various parts of UP, sources said, citing the findings of the Enforcement Directorate probe report. 


They said the ED has shared these findings with the Union home ministry. The UP police had also recently sought a ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI), days after its complicity was suspected in the statewide violent protests against the amended citizenship law. -- PTI
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15:32   Left groups to form human chain on Jan 30 at Rajghat
Left groups on Monday announced they will form a human chain on January 30 at Rajghat to display 'solidarity with the Constitution, democracy, and secularism.


'The initiative will be conducted under the banner of 'Jan Ekta Jan Adhikar Andolan'.


Earlier on January 26, Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan participated in a human chain organised by Left Democratic Front (LDF) against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). He said that "the law is a threat to secularism of this country." -- ANI


Image: Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan participated in a human chain organised by the Left Democratic Front against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
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15:21   Ahead of EU debate on CAA, Cong accuses govt of internationalising issue
As the European Union is set to debate a batch of resolutions against India's amended citizenship law, the Congress on Monday accused the government of having internationalised the issue. 


"The fact that the European Union is debating the CAA, this government has internationalised the issue of citizenship law," senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said. 


The powerful bloc of 28 nations is set to debate and vote on a motion tabled by a large chunk of its members against India's new citizenship law, which it alleges marks a "dangerous shift" in the country's citizenship regime. 


A total of six resolutions have been tabled by groups within the European Union, including the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D), Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) (PPE), Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Verts/ALE), European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), Renew Europe Group (Renew) and European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) Group. 


The European Union Parliament should not take any action questioning the rights and authority of democratically elected legislatures, government sources have said ahead of a EU debate on a batch of resolutions against the contentious CAA. India hopes that the "sponsors and supporters" of the resolutions will engage with the government to get a full and accurate assessment of facts before they proceed further, the sources said. -- PTI
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15:14   56" chest govt will bend before people: Yashwant
Terming the Citizenship Amendment Act as "unconstitutional", former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha on Monday said the "government with a 56-inch chest" will have to shed its arrogance on the new citizenship law and bend before the people who have been protesting against the law in large numbers across the country.


The former BJP leader also slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his remarks that the government would not take the CAA back and people could do whatever they can."The Citizenship Amendment Act is against the basic structure of the Constitution. There was no need for this kind of amendment in the citizenship law as the Government of India already had the power to grant citizenship to anyone. This law cannot be implemented," Sinha said at a press conference in Lucknow where Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was also present.


Sinha said as per the previous law, India's citizenship could be given to anyone just as it was given to, for example, (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi who was born in Italy and Pakistani singer Adnan Sami. 


"There was no need to amend the said law on a religious basis. This cannot be implemented. It is the government's duty to reach out to people who have been protesting against the CAA, and resolve their problem and create an environment of peace in the country. The government with a 56-inch chest will have to bend before the people," he said, taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's macho image who had once said that it took a "56-inch chest" to teach India's enemies a lesson".


Slamming Amit Shah's remarks over the CAA, Sinha said, "The Union Home Minister gave a statement that he would not move an inch back on CAA. It is not a democratic statement. Does it behove a Home Minister to speak like this? The remark shows the arrogance of power."


Sinha alleged that all the BJP-led governments in the states are using "policy of suppression".


Expressing concerns over the worrisome state of the Indian economy, the former Union Finance Minister lambasted the Centre, saying that instead of finding solutions to rising unemployment, agrarian crisis and the declining economic growth, the government was busy using its energies on unnecessary issues. -- ANI
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14:54   Accord will lead to full, final solution to Bodo issue: Himanta
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the Bodo Peace Accord signed in New Delhi on Monday will lead to a "full and final" solution to the decades-old Bodo issue.

In a tweet, Sarma said the Bodo Peace Accord has "full support" of the Assam government led by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Bodoland Territorial Council Chief Sri Hagrama Mohilary, "making it a full and final solution to the over decades old Bodo issue".

"The Bodo Accord shall reaffirm the territorial integrity of Assam and at the same time usher us into a new hope of peace and progress in Bodoland," Sarma, also the North East Democratic Alliance convenor, added.

He also thanked all those who made the "historic" accord possible which, Sarma said, was signed with the "blessings" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under the "leadership" of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The accord was signed by leaders of all the four factions of the NDFB, All Bodo Students Union chief Promod Boro, BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary, Sonowal and Sarma.

The government on Monday signed the accord with one of the dreaded insurgent groups of Assam -- the National Democratic Front of Boroland -- providing political and economic bonanza. 

-- PTI
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14:34   WB govt tables anti-CAA resolution in Assembly
The West Bengal government on Monday tabled a resolution against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in the Assembly.

The resolution appeals to the Union government to repeal the amended citizenship law and revoke plans to implement NRC and update NPR.

As per reports, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee introduced the resolution in the House around 2 pm.

Three states - Kerala, Rajasthan and Punjab - have already passed resolutions against the new citizenship law.

The law has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the state, with the TMC opposing the contentious legislation tooth and nail, and the BJP pressing for its implementation. 

-- PTI
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14:05   Bodo issue: Govt signs accord with NDFB, ABSU
The government on Monday signed an accord with one of the dreaded insurgent groups of Assam -- the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) -- providing political and economic bonanza. The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU), which has been spearheading a movement for a Bodoland state was also signatory to the accord. 


The tripartite agreement was signed by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, top leadership of the four factions of the NDFB, ABSU, Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry Satyendra Garg and Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. 


"It is a historical accord," Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said and asserted that the pact will bring comprehensive solution to the Bodo issue. -- PTI
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13:44   Top priority: SC on Nirbhaya convict's plea
The Supreme Court on Monday asked counsel of one of the Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder convict - Mukesh Kumar Singh - to approach the registry of the court for an urgent listing of his plea against rejection of mercy petition by the President.


A bench, headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, noted that a matter is of top priority if somebody is going to be executed on February 1.Mukesh had, on Saturday, approached the Supreme Court challenging the rejection of his mercy petition by the President of India and sought commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment.


Supreme Court's five-judge bench, headed by Justice NV Ramana, had earlier, dismissed the curative petitions of Mukesh and another death row convict, Vinay Kumar Sharma.After the dismissal of the curative petition by the Supreme Court, Mukesh had filed a mercy petition before the President of India, who had also rejected the plea.Mercy petition is the last constitutional recourse that a death row convict can exhaust.


A 23-year-old paramedical student was brutally gang-raped in a moving bus on December 16, 2012, by six men (including a juvenile), in Delhi. One of the accused, out of five adult accused, Ram Singh, had committed suicide in the Tihar jail during the trial of the case.Apart from Mukesh, three other convicts - Pawan Kumar Gupta, Vinay Kumar Sharma, and Akshay Kumar Singh - are facing the gallows in the matter. -- ANI
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13:24   Shaheen Bagh textbook case for suppression: Prasad
Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday alleged that Delhi's Shaheen Bagh protest is emerging as "a textbook case of a few hundred people trying to suppress the silent majority". 


He claimed that those trying to fragment India are getting cover at Shaheen Bagh protest where the tricolours are being waived. "It is offering platform to 'tukde tukde gang' elements under the garb of opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. This protest is not just a protest against CAA it is a protest against Modi," Prasad said in a press conference. 


"Lakhs of people are distressed because they can not go to office, shops are shut and their children are not able to go to school due to road block by Shaheen Bagh protesters," he said. PTI
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13:22   SC seeks Centre, Assam's response on plea alleging exclusion of transgenders in NRC
The Supreme Court on Monday sought response of the Centre and Assam government on a plea alleging exclusion of around 2000 transgenders in the final National Register of Citizens in Assam. 


A bench comprising Chief Justice SA Bobde and justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant issued notice to the government on the PIL filed by one Swati Bidhan Baruah. Baruah, the first transgender judge from Assam, has moved the Supreme Court, citing exclusion of transgenders during the NRC process and at stages subsequent to publication of the final draft. -- PTI
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13:14   Medvedev bows out of Australian Open
Daniil Medvedev, 2019 US Open finalist, has bowed out of the Australian Open in Round 4. The Russia, seeded fourth, lost in five sets to 2014 Australian Open winner Stan Wawrinka -- 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 2-6. The two players have played each other twice before with Medvedev winning both of the matches. 
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13:07   Priyanka condoles demise of American basketball player Kobe Bryant
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday expressed grief over the demise of American basketball player Kobe Bryant and said "the world has lost a legend."


"The world has lost a legend, and a family has lost its light. May the prayers of millions of people from around the world give #KobeBryant 's family and those of the others who died in this heartbreaking tragedy courage and strength," she tweeted.


Bryant and his 13-year old daughter Gianna Maria Onore Bryant were among the nine people killed when a helicopter they were traveling in crashed amid foggy conditions and burst into flames in the hills above Calabasas, local media reported. -- ANI
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12:41   Can't sell family silver: BJP's Swamy on AI sale
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Monday said that disinvestment of Air India is "anti-national" and he will move Court against it.


"Air India disinvestment process restarts today. THIS DEAL IS WHOLLY ANTI NATIONAL and I WILL FORCED TO GO TO COURT. WE CANNOT SELL OUR FAMILY SILVER," tweeted Swamy.


In November last year, Air India and Pawan Hans Ltd were among 28 central public sector enterprises (CPSEs), which have been approved 'in principle' for strategic disinvestment by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. -- ANI
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12:37   Bhim Army chief arrives in Delhi after Hyderabad police sends him back
Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad arrived in Delhi on Monday morning after he was put on a flight by police in Hyderabad, where he was detained while on his way to take part in an anti-CAA and anti-NRC event. Promising to be "back soon", the Dalit leader said on Twitter early on Monday that Bahujan society would never forget the insult. 


Aazad, who landed in Delhi shortly after 9 am, said police had denied demonstrators the right to protest and alleged that they had been beaten up. 


"In Telangana, dictatorship is at its peak, people's right to protest is being snatched, first our people were lathi-charged, then I was arrested, now I am being taken to the airport and are sending me to Delhi. 


"Remember Bahujan society will never forget this insult. Will be back soon," he tweeted, tagging the Telangana Chief Minister's Office. Aazad is unwell and will be taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, his aides said. If he's okay, the Dalit leader will go to Karnataka on Tuesday to address two rallies in Gulbarga and Bidar. He also plans to attend the birth anniversary celebrations of late journalist Gauri Lankesh on January 29 in Bangalore, they said. 


Police in Hyderabad said there was no permission for the event on the Citizenship Amendment Act, the National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register that Aazad was supposed to address. Azad's detention came days after he was released from Tihar prison in Delhi following his arrest for allegedly inciting people during an anti-CAA protest. -- PTI


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12:32   AMU students block highway, demand release of arrested student
Hundreds of AMU students overnight blocked traffic on the main Aligarh-Moradabad Highway demanding release of a student who was held for allegedly heckling the AMU Vice Chancellor during his Republic Day speech, a university official said on Monday. 


The blockade, which started on Sunday evening, continued till 2 am, the official said. AMU Vice Chancellor Tariq Mansoor was on Sunday heckled by a group of students during his Republic Day speech here soon after he termed as "unfortunate" the recent happenings on the campus and said peaceful protests will be allowed on any issue within the ambit of law. Four students identified as Tahir Azmi, Rafiuddin, Sudhir Gulati and A Mujtaba Faraz, who were involved in the heckling, were handed over to police. In the afternoon, a group of protesters collected at the gate of the AMU Proctor's office demanding the release of the four.  -- ANI


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12:26   Anti-CAA activist Sharjeel Imam's house raided in Bihar
The police in Jehanabad, carried out a raid at the ancestral house of anti-CAA activist Sharjeel Imam, who has been slapped with a sedition case in the national capital for alleged inflammatory speeches he gave at Shaheen Bagh and the Jamia Milia Islamia, a senior official said on Monday. 


According to Superintendent of Police, Jehanabad, Manish Kumar, Imams house in Kako police station area was raided late on Sunday night following "help sought by central agencies" which are investigating the cases lodged against the JNU research scholar. Imam was not found at his house but two of his relatives and their driver were detained for interrogation and let off thereafter, the SP said. A graduate in computer science from IIT-Mumbai, Sharjeel Imam had shifted to Delhi for pursuing research at the Centre for Historical Studies, JNU. 


He was slapped with a sedition case after his alleged speeches went viral on the social media wherein he was heard speaking about Assams possible secession from the country in the wake of the Citienship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Earlier, he had been booked on similar charges at a police station in Aligarh for a speech he delivered on the AMU campus.
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12:05   Air India sale: Bidders to have access to all records in initial stage
Potential bidders for Air India will have access to draft share purchase agreement and all records of the airline in the initial stage of the disinvestment process itself, according to a bid document. Besides, a due diligence report about the airline would be provided to potential bidders before the request for proposal stage. 


Generally, access to all data records and draft share purchase agreement are provided to bidders who put in their interest after the preliminary information memorandum (PIM) stage. 


The government on Monday came out with the PIM for 100 per cent disinvestment of debt-laden Air India as well as sale of Air India Express and 50 per cent shareholding in equal joint venture AISATS. An official in the know said the legal and technical aspects of various contracts would be looked at during the due diligence process. 


The government would soon be appointing a technical and a legal advisor for carrying out the due diligence. Entities seeking access to "data room" and SPA would have to deposit Rs 1 crore. The last date for submitting expression of interest (EoI) is March 17 while the last date for queries related to the disinvestment is February 1. 


In 2018, the government had proposed to offload 76 per cent equity share capital of the national carrier as well as transfer the management control to private players. However, there were no bidders. -- PTI
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11:58   TDP misused majority, says YSRCP over abolition of legislative council
The state cabinet has approved the draft bill to abolish the legislative council after a decision in this regard was taken in the cabinet meeting held here on Monday.


Elaborating on the decision, YSRCP in a statement said, "The opposition Telugu Desam Party is misusing its majority in the legislative council to halt the bills that have received majority voting in the legislative assembly."


"Earlier the council has delayed and rejected the separate commissions for SC and ST. It has rejected the bill that introduces the English medium in government schools," the statement said.


The YSRCP also alleged that recently, the TDP has politicized the two bills in council - Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation of Governance and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill 2020 and repealing of the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority, that were approved in the assembly.


"TDP has the advantage of council chairman from its party and is using the powers and majority for political benefits," the statement added. -- ANI
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11:50   Aghadi ministers earned positions on merit: Pawar
NCP chief Sharad Pawar has said that many ministers in the Shiv Sena-led coalition government in Maharashtra do not belong to political families and have earned their position purely on merit. 


Pawar made the statement on Sunday night in Kalwa area of Thane district while felicitating local MLA and Cabinet minister Jitendra Awhad.


"Those who lacked any family background in politics became ministers in the Vikas Aghadi government purely on merit," he said. 


Notably, 19 of the total 43 ministers in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government are dynasts. On the occasion, Pawar praised Awhad for doing "wonderful" work in his Kalwa-Mumbra constituency. 


During his speech, Pawar hailed late Yeshwantrao Chavan, the first chief minister of Maharashtra, for grooming him in politics. The NCP chief also said that Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray had always supported him. -- PTI
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11:32   Union Minister Prahlad Joshi calls all-party meeting
An all-party meeting has been called by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.The meeting is scheduled to take place on January 30 at the Parliament Library Building. More details in this regard are awaited. 
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11:12   Nirbhaya convict moves SC on Prez plea dismissal
Death row convict in the 2012 Nirbhaya murder and gang rape case Mukesh Kumar Singh on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking urgent hearing on his plea against dismissal of his mercy petition by the President. 


The 32-year-old convict's mercy plea was dismissed by President Ram Nath Kovind on January 17. 


A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said, "If somebody is going to be hanged then nothing can be more urgent than this" and asked Kumar's counsel to approach the mentioning officer as the hanging is scheduled on February 1. 


The bench also comprised justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant. The warrant for execution of death sentence for the four convicts in the case has been fixed on February 1 at 6 am. Singh had moved the mercy petition after the Supreme Court had dismissed his curative petition against his conviction and death sentence. -- PTI
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10:47   Kejriwal supporting tukde-tukde gang: Nadda
Close on the heels of the Delhi Assembly polls, newly elected national president of BJP, JP Nadda said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is supporting those elements in JNU who want to break India for his vote-bank politics.


"Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and other anti-India forces raised seditious slogans like 'Bharat tere tukde honge' in JNU. They were threatening to violate India's sovereignty. Law enforcement agencies moved in, investigated the matter and in January 2019 and were ready to file chargesheet," tweeted Nadda.


"They sought Kejriwal's permission to prosecute this tukde tukde gang but one year later, till yesterday, no permission was granted. Kejriwal must tell Delhi why is he supporting those who want to break India? Is it because acting against these anti-nationals will hurt his vote bank?" read his subsequent tweet.


Assembly elections in Delhi will take place on February 8 and votes will be counted on February 11.


In 2015, the Aam Aadmi Party got a landslide victory by winning 67 of the 70 Assembly seats in the national capital. -- ANI
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10:34   Paved with care
Broken paver blocks? No footpath? Open manholes? 
The bane of every Indian irrespective of where we live. 

But where there's a will, there's clearly, a way. 

The BMC tweeted this image saying, "Have u noticed colorful footpath near Wadia children's hospital ?? Surely your children will love to see ... #Beutifulmumbai. @mybmc."


Wadia Hospital is in Parel, central Mumbai. 


Thank you, BMC for doing what you are supposed to be doing. 
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10:29   AI employees' union to meet over stake sale
Various Air India employee unions will meet in New Delhi on Monday to discuss the proposed privatisation of the debt-laden airline, sources said. The meeting was scheduled after the government, earlier in the day, announced sale of 100 per cent stake in Air India as it issued the preliminary bid document for the strategic disinvestment. 


Representatives of various Air India trade unions will meet here to discuss the government's privatisation plans, sources said. There are around a dozen recognised trade unions at Air India. 


As part of the strategic disinvestment, Air India would also sell 100 per cent stake in low-cost airline Air India Express and 50 per cent shareholding in joint venture AISATS, as per bid document issued on Monday. 


Management control of the airline would also be transferred to the successful bidder. This is the second time in less than two years that the government has come out with proposal for selling stake in Air India, which has been in the red for long. The government has set March 17 as the deadline for submitting the expression of interest. PTI
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10:03   Impending budget, Coronavirus pare Sensex
Market benchmark Sensex tumbled over 250 points in opening session on Monday tracking losses in index-heavyweights HDFC duo, Kotak Bank and Reliance Industries amid weak global cues. The 30-share BSE index was trading 240.72 points or 0.58 per cent lower at 41,372.47.


Similarly, the broader NSE was trading 76.70 points, or 0.63 per cent, down at 12,171.55. Top losers in the Sensex pack included Tata Steel, Kotak Bank, HDFC twins, Hero Motocorp, SBI and Tech Mahindra. On the other hand, UltraTech Cement, ICICI Bank, M&M, Titan and NTPC were trading on a positive note. 


According to analysts, global investors increasingly turned nervous as fears over the global economic impact of the deadly China virus extended last week's selloff. On the domestic front, analysts expect the cautious trend to continue in the near-term since a lot has been factored in the market about budget wish list and expectation of revival in earnings growth, but the actual Q3 results have been below par. 
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09:55   Absolutely devastated: Virat Kohli condoles demise of Kobe Bryant
India skipper Virat Kohli condoled the demise of American basketball legend Kobe Bryant and said he was "absolutely devastated to hear the news".


Taking to Instagram, Kohli said that in his childhood he used to get up early to watch Bryant play."Absolutely devastated to hear this news today. So many childhood memories of waking up early and watching this magician doing things on the court that I would be mesmerized by. Life is so unpredictable and fickle. His daughter Gianna passed away too in the crash. I am absolutely Heartbroken. Rest in peace. Strength and condolences to the family," Kohli wrote.


Bryant and his 13-year old daughter Gianna Maria Onore Bryant were among the nine people killed when a helicopter they were travelling in crashed amid foggy conditions and burst into flames in the hills above Calabasas, local media reported.


"Sad day for the sporting world today. One of the greats of the game gone to too soon. Rest in peace Kobe Bryant and his little daughter Gianna and the other victims," Rohit Sharma wrote on Instagram.


"Rest in peace Kobe and his daughter and also the victims of the helicopter crash. Devastated," Shreyas Iyer tweeted.


Taking to Twitter Jaspirt Bumrah wrote, "Gone too soon. Rest in peace legend. #KobeBryant."Bryant, 41, and his daughter were expected at the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks for a basketball game scheduled for Sunday afternoon (local time), CNN reported.


Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told reporters that as per a manifest, nine people -- including the pilot -- were on board the helicopter that crashed on a hillside. -- PTI
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09:43   Chinese PM arrives in Coronavirus-hit Wuhan city
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives in coronavirus hit Wuhan city, the first such visit by a top leader. President Xi Jinping on Saturday said that China is facing a 'grave situation', but exuded confidence that the country will 'win the battle' against the coronavirus epidemic that has claimed 80 lives and infected nearly 2744 people so far.

Meanwhile in India, the Superintendent of the Patna Medical College and Hospital said that a girl from Chapra, who recently returned from China, was admitted to ICU at a hospital after she showed symptoms similar to that of Coronavirus. "She is on the way to Patna, she'll be admitted at PMCH."


The Airport Health Organisation GOI said there is no passengers to Bengaluru having history of visit to Wuhan, China, in the last 14 days who reported positive with Coronavirus. A total 392 passengers underwent thermal scanner screening from yesterday till 8 am today at Bengaluru International airport.
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09:26   Congress Questions Adnan Sami's Padma Shri
Attacking the government over the Amended Citizenship Act, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh asked if Adnan Sami can get Indian citizenship and the Padma Shri award, what was the need of bringing CAA. He said that the new law has been brought to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims.

I was criticised for recommending citizenship to Adnan Sami. I'm happy that he got citizenship & Padma Shri. If government can grant citizenship to a Pakistani Muslim, what is need to bring CAA? It has been implemented to create a rift between Hindus & Muslims, Singh said.

Hitting out at the Modi government for bestowing Sami with the Padma Shri, Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill asked why Kargil War veteran Mohmmad Sannaullah was declared a foreigner through the NRC for Assam, while the son of a Pakistan Air Force pilot has been conferred with one of India's highest civilian honour.

Sami was one of the 118 people whose names were announced on Saturday for the Padma Shri awards, with the Ministry of Home Affairs list showing his home state as Maharashtra.

Sami, born in London to a Pakistani Air force veteran, applied for Indian citizenship in 2015 and became a citizen of the country in January 2016.
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08:56   Jinnah's idea winning in India: Shashi Tharoor on CAA
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has said if the Citizenship Amendment Act leads to the implementation of the NPR and the NRC, it would be a complete victory for Pakistan's founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

He said Jinnah's idea of a country was already winning in India with the contentious CAA coming into effect, but asserted that there was still a choice available.

"I would not say Jinnah has completely won, but I would say Jinnah is winning. There is still a choice available to the nation between Jinnah's idea of a country and Gandhiji's idea of a country," he said on the sidelines of the Jaipur Literature Festival.

The CAA came into force in India in December amid protests across the country and around the world.

The MP from Thiruvananthapuram said the amended Citizenship Act took Jinnah's logic by declaring that religion shall be the basis of nationhood, reaffirming that Gandhi's idea is that all religions are equal .

"The CAA is, if you are talking Tennis, you would say one set up or big first set lead for Jinnah. But the next step would be if the CAA would lead to the National Population Register and the National Register of Citizens. If that happens, then you would consider that Jinnah's victory is complete," he said.

-- PTI
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08:54   Govt to sell 100% stake in Air India
The government on Monday issued the preliminary information memorandum for 100 per cent stake sale in national carrier Air India.
  
As part of the strategic disinvestment, Air India would also sell 100 per cent stake in low cost airline Air India Express and 50 per cent shareholding in joint venture AISATS, as per the bid document issued on Monday.

Management control of the airline would also be transferred to the successful bidder.

The government has set March 17 as the deadline for submitting the Expression of Interest.

EY is the transaction adviser for Air India disinvestment process.
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07:57   Obama remembers Kobe Bryant as "a legend on the court"
Former US president Barack Obama remembered Kobe Bryant Sunday as one of the NBA's great players.

"Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act," Obama tweeted after it was confirmed Bryant was among others killed in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles.

"Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day."

Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna was also among the fatalities in the helicopter crash which claimed the life of the NBA icon, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti confirmed on Sunday.

"LA. is grieving with the Bryant family over the loss of Gianna, who perished with her father and friends in today's tragedy," Garcetti wrote on Twitter. 

Bryant and Gianna had been flying to a game his daughter was expected to play in when their helicopter crashed, according to US reports.

Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters
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07:47   Coronavirus reaches Rajasthan, man in isolation
A suspected case of coronavirus has been reported in Rajasthan, following which the patient has been kept in isolation, state Health Minister Raghu Sharma said.

He said a doctor, who returned to India after completing the MBBS course in China, was kept in isolation at the SMS Hospital here on the suspicion of being affected by coronavirus.

Directions were given to conduct a screening of all the family members of the patient, he added.

In an official statement, the minister said a blood sample of the patient was sent to the National Virology Laboratory in Pune.

He added that a total of 18 people from four districts of the state had returned to the country from China and the respective district chiefs and medical officers were directed to keep them under surveillance for 28 days.

Sharma also urged the Union health minister to make the screening facility available at the international terminals of various airports in the country.

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