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Fri, 07 December 2012
Kate hoax call nurse commits suicide?
Timeline Refresh
22:35 Kate hoax call nurse commits suicide?
A nurse who was duped into transferring a hoax call that gave away information about a pregnant Kate's health to Australian radio presenters has been found dead in what is being suspected to be a suicide case.
The body of Jacintha Saldanha, who was working on the switchboard, was found this morning at an address yards away from King Edward VII Hospital, where Kate was being treated this week.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge issued a statement saying they are "deeply saddened" by the tragedy and said: "Their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time." The King Edward VII hospital, who were not believed to be disciplining the mother of two over the incident, said it announced her death with "very deep sadness".
"Jacintha has worked at the King Edward VII Hospital for more than four years. She was an excellent nurse and well respected and popular with all over her colleagues," the statement was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. Nurse Saldanha answered the hoax call at 5.30am on Wednesday morning, and was helping out on reception at the time of the prank.
Giggling DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian were pretending to be the Queen and Prince Charles and asked her if they could be put through to Catherine. Jacintha connected them to another nurse who gave details of Kate's condition, who was suffering from acute morning sickness at the London hospital. The presenters, from the radio station, remarked during their show how their efforts were the "easiest prank call ever made", as they put on mock British accents they later described as "terrible".
22:00 Lalu's 'sacrifice': Will tie up with Congress
RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav today hit out at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the NDA government's claims on development and asked why there were demands for granting a special status to Bihar if progress had been achieved there.
Lalu also gave indications that he was keen on going along with the Congress to fight against the BJP-JD-U combine in the next general elections.
"I am ready to make a sacrifice to keep opportunistic forces at bay. Congress is a secular party and I have never tried to blackmail it," he said.
21:58 Indian team needs Tendulkar for another year: Waqar
Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis feels that due to the poor form of the Indian team, it requires the services of Sachin Tendulkar for another year, a feeling that was also echoed by former skipper Wasim Akram.
"The situation in which the Indian team finds itself at the moment, from what we find out from the ongoing England series, I believe that he (Tendulkar) would be needed for another 6-8 months," Waqar said.
21:57 No problems at Japan nuke plants after quake: IAEA
Nuclear power plants located near the epicenter of the strong earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on Friday evening have reported no problems of damage, the International Atomic Energy Agency has stated.
The IAEA added that no emergency measures were activated in any of the plants due to the quake.
21:07 US registers lowest unemployment rate in four years
The US economy created 146,000 jobs in November, bringing down unemployment rate to 7.7 percent -- the lowest since the recession time in 2008.
Even Hurricane Sandy that affected millions of people did not have much impact on creating jobs, thus indicating that the American economy is showing signs of strong growth.
"Total non-farm payroll employment rose by 146,000 in November, and the unemployment rate edged down to 7.7 percent," the US Bureau of Labour Statistics report said.
21:05 Will hand over Male airport: GMR
GMR has stated that it will hand over Male International Airport to the Maldives government-owned MACL at midnight Friday.
21:04 Anna Hazare admitted to hospital
Activist Anna Hazare was today admitted to a hospital after he complained of acidity, but he is "doing perfectly fine" now, doctors attending on him said.
Hazare, who was in Delhi, complained of acidity and weakness this morning. He was taken to a hospital in Gurgaon.
"He is doing perfectly fine. No problem at all. He complained of acidity," a doctor attending on him said.
20:17 FDI vote: Did abstaining TDP MPs help UPA?
A correspondent from Delhi adds: Three Members of Parliament from the Telugu Desam Party helped UPA defeat the motion against FDI in retail in Rajya Sabha on Friday by abstaining from voting.
20:00 Cold wave sweeps through J&K, Himachal
A cold wave is sweeping through most of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, leaving local residents distressed.
The minimum temperature recorded in the night was zero degrees Celsius in Kullu district of the state and a common sight was people sitting around bonfires wearing woollens, to warm themselves.
Recent snowfall and rains have intensified the cold conditions in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.
"From the time there the upper regions received snowfall and we received rains, the temperature has dipped," said Naresh Thakur, a resident of Kullu.
The cold wave turned to be a boon for the roadside tea vendors as people were seen sipping hot tea.
In Srinagar, temperatures dipped drastically and Dal Lake was covered with a thick blanket of fog.
19:58 Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal award to be notified by Dec-end
After nearly six years, the final award of the Cauvery Waters Dispute Tribunal will be notified by the end of this month, states sharing the disputed Cauvery river waters were informed on Friday.
At a meeting of the Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CMC) here, Secretary Water Resources D V Singh -- who chairs the panel -- told representatives of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry that steps "shall" be taken to notify the final award of the tribunal at the earliest, "but not later than the end of this month."
The meeting of the CMC was convened today to give an interim order on water sharing between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Once a gazette notification is issued, institutions like the Cauvery River Authority(CRA) chaired by the Prime Minister and the CMC will cease to exist.
The Tribunal, comprising chairman Justice N P Singh and members N S Rao and Sudhir Narain, in a unanimous award in February, 2007 had determined the total availability of water in the Cauvery basin at 740 thousand million cubic (TMC) feet at the Lower Coleroon Anicut site.
The proceedings of the Tribunal, set up in June, 1990, went on for more than 16 years.
18:57 JD(U) will act against MP who voted for FDI: Sharad Yadav
Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav said that the party will act against MP Upendra Kushwaha for voting in favour of the UPA Government on the issue of allowing FDI in multi-brand retail in the Rajya Sabha.Yadav's stern warning came even as a recounting of votes on FDI was ordered by Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari after the government demanded it, as the number of votes appeared more than the actual strength of the House.
Eventually, it was declared that the UPA Government had got the support of 123 MPs, while the opposition secured the support of 109 MPs.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rajiv Shukla on Friday said that it was a myth to say that the UPA Government was in a minority in the Rajya Sabha, and added that the government would continue to try to push other bills by talking to opposition leaders.
Eventually, it was declared that the UPA Government had got the support of 123 MPs, while the opposition secured the support of 109 MPs.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rajiv Shukla on Friday said that it was a myth to say that the UPA Government was in a minority in the Rajya Sabha, and added that the government would continue to try to push other bills by talking to opposition leaders.
18:45 Midnight knock on Maya's door that clinched FDI
Parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath had to work overtime to make sure the government did not trip on the threshold of FDI. "There is no deal with Mayawati. I met her after midnight on Tuesday. I explained well and she understood better," said Nath on the sidelines of "Agenda Aaj Tak 2012". Read
18:29 Breach of privilege notice against Narayanasamy
A Shiv Sena member today gave a notice of breach of privilege against Union Minister V Narayanasamy for allegedly misleading Parliament on the issue of resettlement of people displaced by the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP).
In a letter to Rajya Sabha Secretary General Shumsher Sheriff, Bharatkumar Raut (SS) said the Minister of State in the PMO had misled the House by stating in his reply to a question that there was no habitation at the site of the proposed JNPP.
"In this regard, I would submit that this is not true that there is no habitation at the proposed Jaitapur project site whereas the fact is that a large population of villagers and agriculturalists in villages including Jaitapur and Nata are there for so many years," Raut said.
In a letter to Rajya Sabha Secretary General Shumsher Sheriff, Bharatkumar Raut (SS) said the Minister of State in the PMO had misled the House by stating in his reply to a question that there was no habitation at the site of the proposed JNPP.
"In this regard, I would submit that this is not true that there is no habitation at the proposed Jaitapur project site whereas the fact is that a large population of villagers and agriculturalists in villages including Jaitapur and Nata are there for so many years," Raut said.
18:08 Ponty murder: Namdhari, Tyagi in jail for 6 more days
Sacked Uttarakhand minority panel chief S S Namdhari and his PSO Sachin Tyagi, arrested for their alleged roles in the Ponty Chadha shootout case, were today remanded in judicial custody for six days by a Delhi court.
18:07 IOA suspension triggers double attacks
Three days after the banning of IOA by the International Olympic Committee for not adhering to its Charter while conducting its election, the Amateur International Boxing Association was provisionally suspended the IABF alleging "possible manipulation" in its recent elections.
Soon came the announcement that the government too, has suspended the boxing body, besides de-recognising the Archery Association of India with immediate effect for "violating the age and tenure guidelines" of the government's Sports Code during its elections last month.
"We are passing through a very bad phase. The government is trying to resolve. The government does not have direct jurisdiction over any sports body. We want to reach out to them, want to resolve it as soon as possible.
"I am primarily concerned about sportspersons, that is our priority. The facilities will remain available for athletes," the sports minister said.
Soon came the announcement that the government too, has suspended the boxing body, besides de-recognising the Archery Association of India with immediate effect for "violating the age and tenure guidelines" of the government's Sports Code during its elections last month.
"We are passing through a very bad phase. The government is trying to resolve. The government does not have direct jurisdiction over any sports body. We want to reach out to them, want to resolve it as soon as possible.
"I am primarily concerned about sportspersons, that is our priority. The facilities will remain available for athletes," the sports minister said.
17:53 Parl gossip: Mulayam gives Akhilesh's letter to PC
Also in the Lok Sabha: Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav walked up to the Treasury benches to meet P Chidambaram and hand over a letter in Hindi from UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. The CM is seeking more funds from the Centre. Mulayam wanted to ensure that his son's letter was given due importance and so he sought the help of SP MP Neeraj Shekhar to translate the letter into English. Neeraj is the son of former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar.
17:43 Empty seats in LS as MPs watch action in Rajya Sabha
With all eyes on the Rajya Sabha as it debated and discussed, and finally voted for FDI, the Lok Sabha has been neglected for the last two days. So here's the upshot.
The Treasury benches in the Lok Sabha was almost entirely empty with the exception of a few ministers and finance minister P Chidambaram, who was on roster duty and therefore had to be present. Most of the MPs were in the Rajya Sabha watching the FDI debate, but another reason is that with Sonia Gandhi campaigning in Gujarat, many MPs have either gone to Gujarat or to their constituencies.
Union minister for agriculture Sharad Pawar took the last row seat in the Lok Sabha assuming the same logic of a backbencher in college. Chinta Mohan, the Congress MP from Andhra Pradesh was seen inside the Lok Sabha talking to Pawar for over 30 minutes. Another Andhra Congress MP, Lanco Rajagopal, exchanged phone numbers with Abhijieet Mukherjee, the son of the Pranab Mukherjee. Our sources said that the two chatted for at least half an hour.
The Treasury benches in the Lok Sabha was almost entirely empty with the exception of a few ministers and finance minister P Chidambaram, who was on roster duty and therefore had to be present. Most of the MPs were in the Rajya Sabha watching the FDI debate, but another reason is that with Sonia Gandhi campaigning in Gujarat, many MPs have either gone to Gujarat or to their constituencies.
Union minister for agriculture Sharad Pawar took the last row seat in the Lok Sabha assuming the same logic of a backbencher in college. Chinta Mohan, the Congress MP from Andhra Pradesh was seen inside the Lok Sabha talking to Pawar for over 30 minutes. Another Andhra Congress MP, Lanco Rajagopal, exchanged phone numbers with Abhijieet Mukherjee, the son of the Pranab Mukherjee. Our sources said that the two chatted for at least half an hour.
17:28 How dear departed Kim Jong Il is bankrupting N Korea
South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper reports that North Korea may be spending millions of dollars in remembrance of its late leader, Kim Jong Il.The paper quotes an unnamed source in North Korea who said that a 75-foot bronze statue of the late "Dear Leader" erected in April cost $10 million, adding that seven other statues of Kim, who died in December 2011, built around the country cost another $50 million altogether. Read
17:16 People preach not practice Gandhism in Guj: Sonia
Congress president Sonia Gandhi took on Narendra Modi on his home turf today. Accusing the Gujarat government of making tall development claims, she said that progress is nowhere to be seen and the ruling party's promises are "hollow and false".
Sonia, who addressed a rally in the tribal dominated area of Surat district in South Gujarat said, "They (Modi and BJP) have no interest in poor and common people but its only interest is development of its own and a select few people.
"The development which was promised in a big way is nowhere to be seen in this tribal land...because what they promised were hollow and false," Sonia who is campaigning in the state before the first phase of assembly elections here, said addressing a huge rally.
"This is a land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel who used to preach what they practiced. Now there are people who give big advice but not follow them," she said taking on Modi without naming him.
Sonia, who addressed a rally in the tribal dominated area of Surat district in South Gujarat said, "They (Modi and BJP) have no interest in poor and common people but its only interest is development of its own and a select few people.
"The development which was promised in a big way is nowhere to be seen in this tribal land...because what they promised were hollow and false," Sonia who is campaigning in the state before the first phase of assembly elections here, said addressing a huge rally.
"This is a land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel who used to preach what they practiced. Now there are people who give big advice but not follow them," she said taking on Modi without naming him.
17:08 BJP on FDI: Govt will get fitting reply from people
Reactions after the Rajya Sabha voted for FDI. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath urged the BJP to accept its defeat, and said that the people of the
country have now understood that the main opposition party is
politicising the FDI issue.
"The BJP always makes these allegations and I would wish that they were better losers. They lost in the Lok Sabha they made the allegations, they lost in the Rajya Sabha and they are making these allegations," he said, when asked whether the FDI votes were bought.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader M. Venkaiah Naidu on his part expressed disappointment with the UPA's victory in the Rajya Sabha, saying the ruling government would get a fitting reply from the people of the country. "We might have lost in numbers because of the manipulation of the ruling party. But it's a moral victory. If you go by the speeches made in the house by different parties, overwhelming majority members of the Rajya Sabha has opposed the FDI in retail."
"The BJP always makes these allegations and I would wish that they were better losers. They lost in the Lok Sabha they made the allegations, they lost in the Rajya Sabha and they are making these allegations," he said, when asked whether the FDI votes were bought.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader M. Venkaiah Naidu on his part expressed disappointment with the UPA's victory in the Rajya Sabha, saying the ruling government would get a fitting reply from the people of the country. "We might have lost in numbers because of the manipulation of the ruling party. But it's a moral victory. If you go by the speeches made in the house by different parties, overwhelming majority members of the Rajya Sabha has opposed the FDI in retail."
17:02 Lanka minister 'mesmerised' by former beauty queen MP
In other news: A Sri Lankan minister has been accused of sexism after he told a former beauty queen MP he was so mesmerised by her looks he could not answer her questions in parliament. Read more
16:32 Guwahati molestation: 11 convicted, journalist acquitted
The Guwahati High Court today convicted 11 of the 16 men accused of assaulting and molesting a girl in public outside a pub in Guwahati on July 9.The court acquitted local television journalist Gaurav Jyoti Neog, who had filmed the molestation and was arrested on charges of having planned the mob attack on the 20-year-old girl. The footage was aired by the local channel and went viral in the social media, causing widespread outrage. Neog was forced to resign on July 15 and arrested on July 21. Read the full report on NDTV.
16:25 Childlessness 'may increase likelihood of early death'
In other news: Involuntary childlessness may increase the likelihood of early death, the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health reports.The Danish study looked at more than 21,000 couples seeking IVF treatment. Read moreon the BBC.
16:04 Japan quake: Tsunami warning lifted, five injured
Tsunami warnings lifted by meteorological agency; five people taken to hospital in Miyagi prefecture with injuries, none serious, says the Japan Times
16:01
On Twitter: Girls grow so fast.! See how quickly Mayawati has grown up. Now she is discussing FDI. Only a few days back she was playing statue statue!
15:55 Debt recovery Bill needs a relook
Now that FDI is over and done with, the government has listed the Enforcement of Security Interest and
Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011, for consideration and
passing during the current session of Parliament. All that you wanted to know about the Bill, but didn't know whom to ask Read
15:37 Small tsunami waves hit Japan after 7.3 quake
Update on the Japan quake. The temblor was registered at a magnitude of 7.3 (down from 7.4 reported earlier) and struck at 5:18 p.m. local time, accordingto the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake hit in the same area as a devastating quake and tsunami in March last year that killed nearly 20,000 people and triggered the world's worst nuclear crisis in 25 years.
Although the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no risk of a widespread tsunami, warnings were issued for the Miyagi Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Miyagi was at the center of the 2011 disaster.
Shortly afterward, the first batch of tsunami waves, measuring about 3 feet tall, hit the town of Ishinomaki, in Miyagi Prefecture, according to Japanese television. Another tsunami wave, measuring about a foot tall, was detected at Ofunato. Read
Although the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no risk of a widespread tsunami, warnings were issued for the Miyagi Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Miyagi was at the center of the 2011 disaster.
Shortly afterward, the first batch of tsunami waves, measuring about 3 feet tall, hit the town of Ishinomaki, in Miyagi Prefecture, according to Japanese television. Another tsunami wave, measuring about a foot tall, was detected at Ofunato. Read
15:23 Parliament passes FDI in retail: RS 123, LS 253
The House moves on to other business of the day. Walmart, Tesco, Ikea, is where you will soon be shopping at, apart from your neighbourhood grocer. When McDonald's came to India, prophecies ran the burger would kill the humble vada pav. Both have survived and are doing quite well, thank you.
15:17 Numbers change to 123:109, UPA still wins FDI vote
After a couple of minutes, Chairperson Hamid Ansari says the figures have been corrected. It is now Ayes 109 (for the opposition motion), Noes 123.
15:14 BSP, SP ensure win for UPA in Rajya Sabha as well
As with the Lok Sabha, the BSP (by voting with the government) and the SP (by staging a walkout) ensured a win for the UPA. In the Lok Sabha, the motion brought by the opposition was defeated by a margin of 35 votes as 218 members voted in favour of the motion while 253 against it. In the Lok Sabha, both the SP and the BSP had staged a walkout.
15:11 UPA wins FDI vote in RS, 116: 95
As expected, the UPA has won the FDI vote in the Rajya Sabha. 116 Noes (Defeating the Opposition motion against the introduction of FDI) vs 95 Ayes. 1 MP abstained.
15:06
The voting begins. The start of voting and the closing of voting is a gap of 10 seconds. Some MPs say that the voting has not been registered. The process is being re-started.
15:03 How the voting takes place
This is how the voting will take place. Each MP is allotted a seat. Each seat has four buttons: For, Against, Abstain, Present. When the bell rings, the MP presses the initiation or present button and then the button of his/her choice: For/Against/Abstain. The MP has to hold down the button for 10 seconds till a bell is rung. If there is a mistake he can correct it, by pressing the right button, but before the bell rings. The result shows up on each seat. The button pressed at the 10th second will be recorded.
14:57 FDI vote begins in RS, govt needs 117 to win
The UPA, including all allies, has 94 MPs and nine of the 10 nominated MPs are expected to vote for it, a total of 103. The 10th, Sachin Tendulkar, is playing the Kolkata third Test against England and will not be in the House. The Rajya Sabha has 244 members. With the nine Samajwadi Party MPs expected to abstain, as the party did in the Lok Sabha, and Sachin absent, the House strength will come down to 234 and the majority mark to 118. Mayawati's 15 MPs will take the pro-FDI total to 118, exactly the number it requires.
14:54 Govt set to win FDI vote in RS: SP walks out
Samajwadi Party stages a walkout. Anand Sharma is now concluding his speech. "If you think there are discrepancies in your data with what the Congress has presented, you need to rebuke your research assistants. You (the BJP) have shamed India before the world considering how uncivilly you have behaved. This will mean that foreign investors will be scared to invest here in future."
BJP's Ram Jethmalani wants to make a statement, but is prevented from doing so, since he hasn't informed the chair. Jethmalani asks the chair, "Are you so scared that you don't want me to speak?" he asks the deputy chairman.
Dr V Maitreyan takes over for the concluding statements before the House gets ready to vote.
BJP's Ram Jethmalani wants to make a statement, but is prevented from doing so, since he hasn't informed the chair. Jethmalani asks the chair, "Are you so scared that you don't want me to speak?" he asks the deputy chairman.
Dr V Maitreyan takes over for the concluding statements before the House gets ready to vote.
14:43
Dr Manmohan Singh sitting next to commerce and industries minister Anand Sharma has finally stirred. The PM actually looks around when Opposition members create a ruckus. The PM then settles down for some shut-eye. Rekha wearing a scarlet lipstick looks stunning as always. Unlike yesterday, the MPs are in full attendance.
14:39 Rekha, Mallya ensure glamour quotient in Parliament
Rajya Sabha reconvenes after the session was disrupted in the morning when Anand Sharma said that the BJP had given free publicity to Walmart. Sharma is speaking now. Rekha and Vijay Mallya in attendance.
Also read: Fact-checking the FDI. debates.
Also read: Fact-checking the FDI. debates.
14:30 Apollo 17 commander left camera on moon 40 years ago
Updates on the Japan quake in a bit. In other news: The last man to walk on the moon has revealed how he left his camera behind on the lunar surface 40 years ago, only to find that no one went back to collect it for him. Read
14:25 Tsunami warning near Fukushima N-plant
The epicentre of the quake was about 245 km south-east of Kamiashi at a depth of about 36km, the US Geological Survey said. The quake was felt in the capital Tokyo, while the tsunami warning was issued for the coast of Miyagi Prefecture. This is same area which was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. -- BBC.
14:13 NO irregular radiation at Fukushima N-plant
Reuters: Bank of Japan says no problem with central bank's financial settlement system after the Japan quake. Tokyo Electric says no irregularities seen in radiation levels at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant after the quake.
14:10 7.4 quake strikes Japan, tsunami warning for Tokyo
Early reports say that this is the same area where the March 2011 earthquake occurred. The good news is that the Fukushima nuclear plant is safe, says Tokyo Electric. In Tokyo, buildings shook as the 7.4 magnitude quake struck the east coast of Japan. The quake hit around 5:15 pm (Japan time). Tsunami advisories have been issued and people in the affected areas have been asked to move to higher areas.
14:06 7.4 quake strikes Japan, tsunami warning for Tokyo
Just in: 7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes east coast of Japan. A tsunami warning has been issued for Tokyo. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre however says there is no fear of a widespread tsunami.
13:57 Kejriwal: Why has Anna had a change of heart?
A day after Anna Hazare made it clear that he will not vote for his party, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal today said he will talk to the activist to know why his impression of his party changed. Kejriwal said he will talk to him soon.
"Let me ask him what is it that gave him that impression. If we are doing something wrong, we will change that," he told reporters. He said a few days ago Hazare had said that the party is "very good" and he will support them.
"So I will ask him why did he say that," he said. Hazare had yesterday blamed Kejriwal's fascination for power for the split in the anti-graft movement and said that he will not vote for the Aam Aadmi Party, charging that it is going the same way as others by taking the path of 'money through power' and vice versa.
Flashback: Anna Hazare's fast at Bandra Kurla Complex in December 2011. Arvind Kejriwal hadn't entered politics then and was a part of Team Anna, which has since been disbanded.
"Let me ask him what is it that gave him that impression. If we are doing something wrong, we will change that," he told reporters. He said a few days ago Hazare had said that the party is "very good" and he will support them.
"So I will ask him why did he say that," he said. Hazare had yesterday blamed Kejriwal's fascination for power for the split in the anti-graft movement and said that he will not vote for the Aam Aadmi Party, charging that it is going the same way as others by taking the path of 'money through power' and vice versa.
Flashback: Anna Hazare's fast at Bandra Kurla Complex in December 2011. Arvind Kejriwal hadn't entered politics then and was a part of Team Anna, which has since been disbanded.
13:52 BJP demands CBI inquiry against Ajit Pawar
Asserting that Ajit Pawar's return to the Maharashtra Cabinet has raised questions on Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's credibility, the BJP on Friday demanded that a CBI inquiry with court monitoring should be initiated against the senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader in connection with the irrigation scam. BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said it is astonishing that Ajit Pawar has returned to the Maharashtra Ministry without an inquiry.
13:49 Kejriwal detained during protest outside Delhi CM's residence
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal has been detained by the Delhi Police (yanked into the police van) after he led a protest match to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's residence. He was taken to the Parliament Street police station. Kejriwal went to Dikshit's residence to seek an appointment and discuss the demolition of houses in Shaheen Bagh near Okhla. Residents whose houses were demolished two days ago accompanied him.
13:44 Govt derecognises boxing, archery federations
Just in: The Sports ministry announced that it has derecognised the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation as well as the Archery Association of India. Details in a bit.
13:34 Cong: BJP has given free publicity to Walmart
So, commerce and industries minister Anand Sharma's comments that the BJP had given so much publicity to Walmart, that when it finally opened shop in India, it would not have spend anything on advertising. Much like the Lok Sabha, the BJP and Congress battled over the post-harvest loss figures with neither side winning the argument. Congress insists the figure is between 30 and 40 per cent, while the BJP says it's only 15 per cent.
13:19 NOBODY in the Congress is afraid of Modi: Ashwani Kumar
In other news: taking potshots at Narendra Modi for taunting Rahul Gandhi, Union Law and Justice Minister Ashwani Kumar said today that none of the members in the ruling party at the Centre are afraid of the Gujarat Chief Minister, and added that the Congress General Secretary who has his own political identity would be campaigning in the poll-bound state at an appropriate time. Kumar said the people of the country are now fed up with the BJP''s politics of allegations and counter-allegations.
Also read: Nobody is invincible, not even Modi: Shweta Bhatt
Also read: Nobody is invincible, not even Modi: Shweta Bhatt
13:00 Amar Singh backs SP's arch enemy Ms Mayawati
Anand Sharma says 19 chief ministers wrote back to him on FDI. Earlier, Amar Singh, a former Samajwadi Party leader, came out in defence of the SP's arch rival the BSP. Amar Singh latched on to Sushma Swaraj's comment in the Lok Sabha that fear of the CBI had prompted the SP to stage a walkout thereby ensuring the . UPA won the polls. "What kind of hypocrisy is it that when Mayawati supports the BJP it is because she is is a right-thinking person, but when she supports the Congress, it is out fear of the CBI" he said. The voting is to take place in the afternoon.
12:46 Peeved Sharma tells BJP: I met 14 CMs personally
Back in the Rajya Sabha, Congress' Anand Sharma and BJP's Arun Jaitley trade charges. Sharma says the allegation that there was no consultation with parties on FDI. "Don't say we did not reach out to parties. All farmers' associations have given support to FDI and the policy was made without any foreign influence, whatsoever. I have personally met 14 chief ministers and mailed others on the issue," says the commerce and industries minister.
12:40 India freezes Rs 250-cr loan to Maldives
India has announced that it would be freezing a Rs 250-crore loan to Maldives. The investment of GMR Infrastructure and debt exposure of a clutch of Indian banks to the Male International Airport appeared to be under a cloud as a Singapore court upheld the right of Maldives to take over the airport, after days of fierce wrangling. The court, however, also emphasised GMR's right to compensation.
12:36 Paswan: Kaun mai ka laal hai, jo desh ko kharid lega!
In the Rajya Sabha, LJP's Ram Vilas Paswan says theatrically, "Kaun mai ka laal hai, jo desh ko kharid lega!. The BJP yesterday said, at different times, that the FDI would ensure India will be sold to foreigners and the manufacturing sector would be killed. Paswan continued saying the Opposition was making a mountain out of a molehill. "You should think of all this when when you go around cutting ribbons at mall openings."
12:31
The Lok Sabha has adjourned till 2 pm following an uproar over the non-procurement of paddy in UP and Bihar.
12:01 John McAfee refused asylum by Guatemala
John McAfee, the founder of anti-virus software which bears his name, has been refused asylum in Guatemala.He is wanted for questioning in neighbouring Belize in connection with the death of his neighbour, Florida businessman Gregory Faull, last year. Read
11:58 China to flatten 700 mountains for new metropolis in the desert
A new area plan in China will begin with 'mountain-moving project', but financial and environmental wisdom of project questioned. Read
11:48 Whos afraid of moral defeat?
Irrespective of how the Rajya Sabha votes on the resolution against Foreign Direct Investment in multi-brand retail, the United Progressive Alliance government has won where it matters most: in the Lok Sabha.
Given that some of the constituents and supporting parties of the UPA were against FDI in multi-brand retail, the government did well to tide over this mini-crisis, defeating the Opposition-sponsored resolution comfortably enough in the end. Read more
Given that some of the constituents and supporting parties of the UPA were against FDI in multi-brand retail, the government did well to tide over this mini-crisis, defeating the Opposition-sponsored resolution comfortably enough in the end. Read more
11:43 Kejriwal stages dharna near Sheila Dikshit's residence
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal and scores of people staged a sit-in near Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's residence on Friday morning to protest against demolition of buildings in a south Delhi locality and demanded that they be given an audience with her.
Over 100 people started gathering at Ms Dikshit's Motilal Nehru Marg residence at 7 am while Kejriwal joined them an hour later to protest demolition of their houses in Shaheenbagh.
A large number of police personnel were deployed at the spot to avoid any untoward incident.Police barricaded one side of road from Janpath side which has the entry gate to Dikshit's residence.
Over 100 people started gathering at Ms Dikshit's Motilal Nehru Marg residence at 7 am while Kejriwal joined them an hour later to protest demolition of their houses in Shaheenbagh.
A large number of police personnel were deployed at the spot to avoid any untoward incident.Police barricaded one side of road from Janpath side which has the entry gate to Dikshit's residence.
11:30 FDI vote: PM phones all nominated members for support
With the Bahujan Samaj Party's Mayawati pledging the suppport of her 15 MPs, the Manmohan Singh government is expected to win the vote on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail in the Rajya Sabha too. But because the victory margin will be razor thin, the government is scrambling to ensure that every pro-FDI MP is present when the House votes today. Read
11:23 Rs 9,573 was spent on the Kasab's funeral
The Maharashtra government has refused on security grounds to reveal Ajmal Kasab's post-mortem report and details of his mercy petition in response to an RTI query.But it has said that Rs 9,573 was spent on the 26/11 gunman's funeral, and that Rs 33.75 was spent on food and Rs 169 on clothes in the final hours before his November 21 execution in Pune's Yerwada jail. Read
11:08 Voting on FDI in retail in Rajya Sabha today
Voting will be held in the Rajya Sabha on Friday on the BJP's motion opposing the Congress-led UPA Government''s move to allow Foreign Direct Investment in multi-brand retail. Initiating the discussion on the motion disapproving the government's decision to allow FDI on Thursday, AIADMK leader V K Maitreyan said the government never consulted the State Chief Ministers on the issue. Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley said the country would have to pay a heavy price if FDI in retail is allowed.
11:03 Cop, crowd heckles, abuses Manipuri playwright
Manipuri playwright and theatre artiste Swar Thounaojam, who has made Bangalore her home, was allegedly abused and heckled by a mob of passersby on DVG Road late Wednesday night.In a complaint filed with Basavanagudi police on Thursday, she alleged that the crowd misbehaved with her and abused her after a two-wheeler rammed her car at Nettakallappa Circle the previous night. She also filed a complaint in connection with the accident. Read
11:00 Delhi-Gurgaon highway is Indias deadliest road
Perhaps, the deadliest stretch in the country falls on the Delhi-Gurgaon border on NH8. Data available with TOI shows that 260 lives were lost on this 40-km stretch last year. Read
10:46 I will NOT vote for greedy Kejriwal: Anna
In yet another flip-flop, activistAnna Hazare blamed Arvind Kejriwal's fascination for power for the split in the anti-graft movement and said he would not vote for theAam Aadmi Party.Asked whether his former aide had become "greedy" for power, the 75-year-old activist said, "It is right." "I thought I will (vote for AAP) but now I find it difficult because it is being seen that it is moving towards the path of 'money through power and power through money', I will not be anywhere near them," news agencies quoted him as saying. Read
10:42 Workers have to prove employer deducted PF dues
The EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organization), which manages lifetime savings of 6.15 crore individuals, has just made life tougher for workers. Employees will now have to prove that their employers deducted the statutory dues while giving them salaries, a move that will further benefit construction companies and contractors in particular who often claim that they have paid salaries to thousands of workers without actually transferring it. Read
10:41 US asks China to respect human rights; free Nobel peace winner
Expressing concern over the "deteriorating" human rights situation in China, the US has asked Beijing to respect and implement long-standing and internationally recognised fundamental freedoms. "We remain concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in China, including the Chinese government's continued use of arrests, convictions, forced disappearances, and extralegal detentions of human rights activists," said National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden.
10:24 7 dead in Bihar after consuming adulterated liquor
Seven people died in Bihar's Bhojhpur after consuming adulterated liquor.
10:11 Sonia to campaign in Gujarat today, Rahul on Tuesday
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will campaign in Gujarat today.
She will two rallies -- one near Gorsamba village in Surat district and the second in Keshod town of Junagadh district, party sources said.
Both areas will go to poll in the first phase of Assembly election on December 13.
Rahul Gandhi will campaign in Gujarat on Tuesday.
She will two rallies -- one near Gorsamba village in Surat district and the second in Keshod town of Junagadh district, party sources said.
Both areas will go to poll in the first phase of Assembly election on December 13.
Rahul Gandhi will campaign in Gujarat on Tuesday.
09:40 Ajit Pawar returns as Maha dy CM; BJP, Sena skip swearing-in
Ajit Pawar has been re-inducted as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra today after he was given a clean chit in the irrigation scam.
Pawar took oath at the Raj Bhavan this morning. His re-induction is being protested by the opposition. The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena boycotted the swearing-in.
Pawar was forced to step down as deputy CM on September 25 over allegations of irregular deals when he was the state's irrigation minister. A White Paper by the state government last week absolved him of wrongdoing.
Pawar took oath at the Raj Bhavan this morning. His re-induction is being protested by the opposition. The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena boycotted the swearing-in.
Pawar was forced to step down as deputy CM on September 25 over allegations of irregular deals when he was the state's irrigation minister. A White Paper by the state government last week absolved him of wrongdoing.
09:29 After IOA, Indian boxing body suspended
After the shock suspension of the Indian Olympics Association by the International Olympic Committee, the International Amateur Boxing Association handed over a provisional suspension to the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, reports NDTV.
The IABF is led by Abhay Singh Chautala, who was also elected as the president of the Indian Olympic Association.
In its statement from Lausanne in Switzerland, the AIBA said: Further to the International Olympic Committee's suspension imposed on the Indian Olympic Association, the International Boxing Association executive committee bureau has decided today, 6 December 2012, to provisionally suspend the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation. This provisional suspension is also due to the fact that AIBA had learned about possible manipulation of the recent IABF's election. AIBA will now investigate this election and especially a potential political link between IOA [resident, as former chairman of the IABF, and the IABF election.
The IABF is led by Abhay Singh Chautala, who was also elected as the president of the Indian Olympic Association.
In its statement from Lausanne in Switzerland, the AIBA said: Further to the International Olympic Committee's suspension imposed on the Indian Olympic Association, the International Boxing Association executive committee bureau has decided today, 6 December 2012, to provisionally suspend the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation. This provisional suspension is also due to the fact that AIBA had learned about possible manipulation of the recent IABF's election. AIBA will now investigate this election and especially a potential political link between IOA [resident, as former chairman of the IABF, and the IABF election.
09:24 Eden Test Live! England begin cautiously on Day III
Scorecard:
Pragyan Ojha replaces Zaheer in the attack in the 79th over, giving away two runs first up.
Cook has survived a leg before shout from Ashwin.
England 221 for one after 81 overs.
09:22 Venkaiah Naidu makes woman MP weep, apologises
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Venkaiah Naidu had to apologise in Parliament yesterday after a woman MP from the Congress broke down when he snapped at
her for interjecting during his speech in Rajya Sabha on Foreign Direct
Investment in multi-brand retail, reports NDTV.
While Naidu was speaking, the Congress MP interjected. Naidu called her bewakoof (stupid) for disrupting his speech.
Read the full story here
While Naidu was speaking, the Congress MP interjected. Naidu called her bewakoof (stupid) for disrupting his speech.
Read the full story here
09:12 Eden Test Live! Cook, Trott look to consolidate on Day 3
Scorecard:
R Ashwin to start the day for India. He gives away only a single in each of his first two overs for the day.
It is Zaheer from the other end and he too concedes only one.
England 219 for one after 77 overs.
09:00 Eden Test Live! England look to dominate India
Scorecard:
England will look to consolidate on Day Three and take the game away from India.
Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott will continue to do the good work.
08:43 Indian woman kills son for not memorising Quran
An Indian-origin mother who beat her son "like a dog" for not being able to memorise passages of the Quran, has been found guilty by a British court of murdering him and setting his body on fire to hide evidence.
Sara Ege, 33, a mathematics graduate from India, was found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday of beating her son Yaseen Ege to death at their home in Pontcanna, Cardiff, in July 2010 and setting fire to his body.
She was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice in the Court. Sentence was adjourned, the BBC reported.
Sara Ege, 33, a mathematics graduate from India, was found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday of beating her son Yaseen Ege to death at their home in Pontcanna, Cardiff, in July 2010 and setting fire to his body.
She was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice in the Court. Sentence was adjourned, the BBC reported.
03:29 Morsi offers few concessions amid unrest
In televised address on Thursday night, Egyptian president calls for dialogue, but refuses to delay December 15 constitutional referendum.
01:46 Egypt deploys tanks outside Morsi palace
At least seven people have been killed and more than 770 injured in clashes outside the presidential palace in Cairo.
At least five tanks were deployed outside the Egyptian presidential palace in a street where supporters and opponents of President Mohamed Morsi had been clashing into the early hours of the morning, witnesses said.
01:13 Egypt violence: Voices from a divided Cairo
Hundreds of President Mohammed Morsi's supporters spent the night in front of the presidential palace in Cairo on Wednesday. At around 13:30 local time (11:30 GMT) their mobile phones started to ring almost all at once. Orders came through from the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood - to which Mr Morsi belongs - to clear the area for the Presidential Guard, a branch of the military whose official responsibility is to protect the president and presidential buildings.
It took only 15 minutes for the crowd to clear the huge area around the palace, a testament to the extremely organised nature of the Islamic movement. As they left they seemed to be content with the way things have gone.
01:08 K'taka begins to release Cauvery water to TN
Karnataka tonight began releasing Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu from the Krishna Raja Sagar Reservoir as per a Supreme Court directive. Irrigation Department sources said four crush gates of the reservoir have been opened for releasing water.
The current water level at the reservoir stood at 9.08 ft as against its full level of 124 ft, they said. The apex court had Tuesday in an interim order directed Karnataka to release 10,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu, and asked the Cauvery Monitoring Committee to hold its meeting to decide the amount of water required by the states.
The court had also said the interim order would continue till the CMC files its report. It also asked the Committee to meet on December 7 or December 8 to find out water requirement for crops in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for the month of December. The report would be submitted to the authority concerned.
00:13 Indian officials accused of Kashmir rights abuses
More than 500 members of India's armed forces are accused of human rights abuses in a damning report on conflict in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The alleged offences detailed in the report by a leading human rights group include custody deaths, abduction, torture and rape. Army, police and paramilitary officers of senior rank are among those named. There was no immediate army response. Read more on BBC
00:08 Top headlines at this hour
UPA convinces Mayawati to vote with it on FDI
Ajit Pawar to make comeback in Maha govt as Dy CM Friday
Cabinet approves amendments to Lokpal Bill
V K Singh keeps away from ex-Army chiefs' meet
BJP is a bigger evil than Cong-JDS: Yeddyurappa
Anna says he will not vote for Kejriwal's party
IN PICS: Ambedkar followers throng 'Chaityabhoomi'
Why Modi will never be Vajpayee for the Muslims
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