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Mon, 23 September 2013
Live! H'bad blasts: NIA granted 15 days custody of Yasin Bhatkal
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22:36 H'bad blasts: NIA granted 15 days custody of Yasin Bhatkal
Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal was today sent to 15-days custody of NIA by a local court following his arrest in connection with the February 21 Dilsukhnagar twin blasts cases.
Mohammed Ahmed Siddibappa, alias Yasin Bhatkal, was produced by NIA officials before the court of First Additional Metropolitan Session Judge here this afternoon amid tight security, which earlier sent him in judicial remand till October 17.
The NIA counsel then moved a police custody petition seeking custodial interrogation of Bhatkal (who has been named as an accused in the cases) alleging the funding for the terror operation was routed through hawala transactions and there was a need to identify the members of this hawala racket and it was possible to get these details only through his custodial interrogation.
To know the hawala racket and the source of explosives, there was a need to take him (Yasin Bhatkal) to various places across the country after taking him into custody, the police petition said.
Mohammed Ahmed Siddibappa, alias Yasin Bhatkal, was produced by NIA officials before the court of First Additional Metropolitan Session Judge here this afternoon amid tight security, which earlier sent him in judicial remand till October 17.
The NIA counsel then moved a police custody petition seeking custodial interrogation of Bhatkal (who has been named as an accused in the cases) alleging the funding for the terror operation was routed through hawala transactions and there was a need to identify the members of this hawala racket and it was possible to get these details only through his custodial interrogation.
To know the hawala racket and the source of explosives, there was a need to take him (Yasin Bhatkal) to various places across the country after taking him into custody, the police petition said.
21:23 Bo Xilai appeals against his life sentence conviction
China's disgraced former Communist Party leader Bo Xilai today appealed against his life sentence conviction on three counts, including corruption.
The move came a day after a court in eastern China sentenced Bo to life in prison for bribe-taking, embezzlement and abuse of power. Besides the life sentence, he was stripped of political rights and his assets were seized.
He received the life sentence for bribe-taking, 15 years for embezzlement and seven years for abuse of power. Bo, 64, has appealed his verdict and sentencing, a source with direct knowledge of the case was quoted as saying by the CNN.
Bo -- a former rising political star, fell from power amid a scandal involving murder, betrayal and financial skullduggery. Reports say that Bo has informed the court about his decision to go on an appeal to a higher court.
According to Chinese law he could appeal to the higher court in the province whose judgement will be final. Analysts say that the life sentence ensures that Bo, who headed pro-Maoist faction in the ruling Communist Party of China, will not have chance to come out of the prison until the scheduled retirement of President Xi Jinping in 2022.
The move came a day after a court in eastern China sentenced Bo to life in prison for bribe-taking, embezzlement and abuse of power. Besides the life sentence, he was stripped of political rights and his assets were seized.
He received the life sentence for bribe-taking, 15 years for embezzlement and seven years for abuse of power. Bo, 64, has appealed his verdict and sentencing, a source with direct knowledge of the case was quoted as saying by the CNN.
Bo -- a former rising political star, fell from power amid a scandal involving murder, betrayal and financial skullduggery. Reports say that Bo has informed the court about his decision to go on an appeal to a higher court.
According to Chinese law he could appeal to the higher court in the province whose judgement will be final. Analysts say that the life sentence ensures that Bo, who headed pro-Maoist faction in the ruling Communist Party of China, will not have chance to come out of the prison until the scheduled retirement of President Xi Jinping in 2022.
20:41 120 ceasefire violations by Pak this year, highest in 8 years
120 incidents of ceasefire violation have occurred this year so far along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, highest in the last eight years.
"Pakistani troops have engineered over 120 ceasefire violations along Jammu and Kashmir in 2013 till now," a defence spokesman said today.
Of the 120 incidents of firing from across the border, 98 ceasefire violations have taken place in Jammu region along the LoC in South of Pir Panahcal ranges while others have taken place along the border in Kashmir, he said.
The ceasefire violations are highest this year than the past five years. There were 93 violations of the 2003 ceasefire by Pakistan along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in 2012, 51 in 2011 and on 44 occasions in 2010, according to the defence ministry.
In 2009, the Pakistani troops violated ceasefire 28 times, while on 77 occasions in 2008, 21 in 2007 and 3 in 2006.
"Pakistani troops have engineered over 120 ceasefire violations along Jammu and Kashmir in 2013 till now," a defence spokesman said today.
Of the 120 incidents of firing from across the border, 98 ceasefire violations have taken place in Jammu region along the LoC in South of Pir Panahcal ranges while others have taken place along the border in Kashmir, he said.
The ceasefire violations are highest this year than the past five years. There were 93 violations of the 2003 ceasefire by Pakistan along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in 2012, 51 in 2011 and on 44 occasions in 2010, according to the defence ministry.
In 2009, the Pakistani troops violated ceasefire 28 times, while on 77 occasions in 2008, 21 in 2007 and 3 in 2006.
20:22 Kenyan forces take control of shopping centre
Kenyan security forces have launched an assault on the Westgate shopping complex in the capital Nairobi in an attempt to break the two-day siege.
Sporadic gunfire is continuing at the mall, where suspected al-Shabab militants remain holed up.
Kenyan Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku said in a tweet that security forces were now in control of all floors in the building.The official death toll now stands at 62 and more than 170 have been injured.
19:35 Egypt court bans Muslim Brotherhood
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood was banned from carrying out any activities in the country and its assets confiscated by a court today, in a body blow to Islamists who have been vehemently protesting President Mohammed Morsi's ouster by the powerful army.
"The court bans the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood organisation and its non-governmental organisation and all the activities that it participates in and any organisation derived from it," said the presiding judge Mohammed al-Sayed.
19:27 Assad: Syria will allow access to chemical sites
Syrian President Bashar Assad says his government will allow international experts access to its chemical weapons sites but rebels might block them from reaching some of the locations.
In an interview with Chinese state TV broadcast, Assad today said Damascus is dedicated to implement a Russia-US agreement to surrender its chemical weapons to international control.
19:26 Jessica murder: Case lodged against Shayan Munshi for perjury
Cases have been filed before a court here seeking prosecution of Bollywood actor Shayan Munshi and a ballistic expert for turning hostile in the Jessica Lall murder case.
Two complaints against Munshi and ballistic expert Prem Kumar Manocha were filed by the Delhi High Court registrar before the court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vidya Prakash on the basis of March 22 high court order directing their prosecution for perjury.
19:23 EC for 24X7 vigil against paid news in run up to polls
The Election Commission today said an effective mechanism including a round-the-clock monitoring system will be put in place to check cases of paid news in the run up to the assembly elections in Delhi slated for November.
ECI Director General Akshay Rout said the poll panel will soon hold discussions with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on how to check the growing incidents of paid news.
18:00
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to use his good offices to ensure safety of Indian victims in the Nairobi terror attack, which has left 69 people dead so far.
In a letter to the PM, Modi said, "I stressfully urge that the central government should use all the resources available to it to provide safety and security to families of those Indians and Gujaratis who are victims of the terror attack." "Among those killed and injured in the terror attack, Indians are also victims and have lost lives and some of them are also injured. This inhuman act has put many Indian origin families in insecure position and they expect help from Indian government immediately," Modi said
In a letter to the PM, Modi said, "I stressfully urge that the central government should use all the resources available to it to provide safety and security to families of those Indians and Gujaratis who are victims of the terror attack." "Among those killed and injured in the terror attack, Indians are also victims and have lost lives and some of them are also injured. This inhuman act has put many Indian origin families in insecure position and they expect help from Indian government immediately," Modi said
17:36 Jagan Reddy granted bail after 14 months in jail
Mohammed Siddique reports from Hyderabad: YSR Congress leader Jaganmohan Reddy has been granted bail by a special CBI court in Hyderabad in the disproportionate assets case. He was arrested on 27 May, 2012. The former Kadapa MP was granted bail on surety of Rs 2 lakh.
16:50 BlackBerry 'pauses' rollout of BBM for Android, iOS
Smartphone maker BlackBerry has paused the global roll out of instant messaging service BlackBerry Messenger on rival Android and iPhones, blaming the delay on issues caused by an unreleased version.
However, the Canada-based firm, which has not specified the time when the app will be available, said customers who have downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to use it.
"We know you're waiting. Pausing #BBM4All rollout to fix issues caused by unreleased BBM for Android app," BlackBerry said on social networking site Twitter.
"We will provide you an update on timing as soon as we can. Teams are working non-stop," it added. Blackberry had earlier announced that it will provide its popular chat application BBM on Android operation system from September 21 and for iPhone users from September 22.
16:41 Putin NOT marrying former Olympic gymnast: Aide
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has denied claims that the head of the country has married a former Olympic gymnast.
Social media and Internet forums were flooded with claims that the recently divorced Putin had tied the knot with Alina Kabayeva in a secret ceremony.
According to Sky News, the rumours were sparked by Putin's political rival Alexei Navalny, who tweeted that Putin and Kabayeva have married at the Iver Monastery.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the suggestions in a TV interview, calling the rumours 'Internet exercises out of boredom'.
Putin and his wife, Lyudmila, had made a joint announcement revealing they were to separate in a TV appearance in June. Both said the reason for their split was the time-consuming nature of the president's work.
16:34 Muzaffarnagar riots: Akhilesh 'bowed' before Azam, says Maneka
Attacking the SP government over the Muzaffarnagar riots, BJP MP Maneka Gandhi today said party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had "bowed" before UP Cabinet Minister Azam Khan.
"Both father and son have bowed in front of Azam Khan and his likes...this should be taken note of by people," Maneka told reporters in Badaun on a question regarding Khan's alleged involvement in the Muzaffarnagar riots. "Azam will damage the state with his language," Maneka said, adding that dividing communities was not right and the state was "fed up with this discrimination."
A TV channel had aired a sting operation showing alleged political interference in functioning of police during the Muzaffarnagar riots.
16:24 Congress MP who wanted probe against Vadra quits party
Congress MP Rao Inderjit Singh, who was recently in the limelight for demanding a probe into the land deals of Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra, today said he was bidding goodbye to "Congress politics".
Addressing a rally, the member of Lok Sabha from Gurgaon said he would not contest the next elections from Congress as he was upset with the"existing circumstances" in the party.
"I have been in the Congress for 35 years, but under the existing circumstances, I won't contest elections from the Congress party, and I also bid bye to Congress politics," the 63-year-old leader said.
16:23 Life sentence is unfair, unjust: Bo Xilai
Fallen Chinese leader Bo Xilai reacted angrily, shouting "unfair" and "unjust", when a Chinese court gave him life sentence in a corruption case, before he was forcibly taken out of the courtroom.
Bo, 64, erupted in anger after the judge in Jinan Intermediate People's Court on Sunday sentenced him for corruption and abuse of power.
The former Politburo member yelled out 'Unfair!' and 'Unjust!' in an explosive ending to one of China's most politically charged trials.
16:15 More attempts will be made to polarise: Omar
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today voiced apprehensions that more attempts would be made in the country to weaken the social fabric and to polarise communities in the run-up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Appealing to political parties to desist from dividing communities, the chief minister spoke candidly about the recent communal violence in Kishtwar area of his state and in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Omar told the National Integration Council chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the riots in Kishtwar were unfortunate although the area had been free from communal trouble for the last four years.
16:07 'White widow' feared to be behind Kenya mall attack
The wife of 7/7 suicide bomber Jermaine Lindsay is the 'prime suspect' behind the Nairobi shopping mall massacre, which has so far killed 68 people.
Fanatical Samantha Lewthwaite, dubbed the 'White Widow', is a key member of al-Shabaab, the militant group that has claimed responsibility for the massacre.
According to the Mirror, Lewthwaite's husband was one of the suicide bombers in the 7/7 attacks on London.
The 29-year-old could even be among the masked gun gang still under siege in the Westgate mall, the report said.
In a Twitter message, Al-Shabaab praised the 'White Widow' and boasted that she was with them.
The attack has left at least 175 seriously injured.
15:56 Is the world heading to a Red October?
Are we facing a Red October ahead?
Nomura's Geopolitical Guru Alistair Newton thinks so.
America's looming fiscal crisis and the Obama administration mulling military intervention in strife-torn Syria are some of the reasons for his bleak predictions.
15:25 Chandrababu Naidu walks out of NIC meeting over Telangana
TDP chief and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu today walked out of the National Integration Council meeting in Delhi in protest against the move to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.
During the meeting, which was convened to discuss the growing incidents of communal violence, attack on women and atrocities on SCs and STs, Naidu wanted to raise the issue of Telangana and bring the central government's attention to the continuous protests in Seem-Andhra region against the bifurcation move.
Naidu said when he raised the issue, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi objected to it and told him that the NIC was not the forum to discuss the Telangana issue.
15:22 Muzaffarnagar riots: 'No case against Azam Khan'
In the backdrop of demands for the arrest of state cabinet minister Azam Khan in connection with the Muzaffarnagar riots, a senior SP leader today said no case or FIR had been registered against him and there was no basis for his arrest.
"No case has been registered against Azam Khan in connection with the violence in Muzaffarnagar, nor has he been named in any FIR. On what basis should he be arrested," National General Secretary Ramasre Kushwaha told reporters.
He was replying to a query that only leaders of BJP and other parties were being arrested for their alleged role in the riots, though there were allegations of Khan's involvement too.
15:14 Congress Rajya Sabha MP behind hoax Sonia calls?
A correspondent from Delhi reports: A Congress MP from Punjab and his lawyer friend, now a legal officer, allegedly engaged a PSU officer to impersonate Congress President Sonia Gandhi and make seven hoax calls to Attorney General Goolam E Vahanvati.
During these phone calls, Vahanvati was told to stop pursuing coal scam-related cases and stop appearing in Supreme Court in connection with the cases.
The woman also asked the AG to resign.
The seven calls were made between September 5 and September 19.
Interestingly, the issue of missing files in the coal scam is coming up before the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The IB, the CBI and Delhi police have been asked to investigate the hoax calls.
15:03 Kerala wedding age row: Politicians, women's group protest
Cutting across political and religious lines, political leaders and women campaigners in Kerala have come out strongly against some Muslim outfits' move to approach the Supreme Court, seeking to get the marriageable age of girls in the community lowered from 18.
Dubbing this as a backward step which would harm the interests of the community in general and women in particular, they said this move is a conscious attempt by vested interests to restrict the freedom of women by 'sabotaging' their education, social advancement and economic self-reliance.
Nine Muslim religious outfits had met in Kozhikode last week and resolved to approach the apex court to seek the exemption, arguing that setting a minimum age limit went against the Muslim Personal Law.
15:01 Nairobi attack: Obama offers support to Kenyan President
US President Barack Obama has offered support to his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta to bring to justice the perpetrators of the terrorist attack on a Nairobi shopping mall that left at least 68 people dead.
"Obama reiterated US support for Kenya's efforts to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice," the White House today said after a telephone call between the two leaders.
15:01 Where do the missing girls of Lakhimpur go?
Nearly 40 girls go missing every month from Assam's Lakhimpur district. Is this the new capital of human trafficking?
14:57 Kenyan forces surround mall, prepare for final ambush
Kenyan security forces have surrounded the Nairobi mall in which militants affiliated with the Al Qaeda are holding between 10 and 30 people hostage.
Over 1,000 people have already been evacuated from the mall, said authorities.
Members of Somali militant group Al Shabaab attacked the Nairobi mall on Saturday. In the ensuing three-day siege, 68 people have been killed so far.
14:19 Aus: Patel pleads not guilty to charge of causing harm to patient
Indian-origin surgeon Jayant Patel today pleaded not guilty to a charge of causing potentially life-threatening bodily harm to a patient during a surgery nine years ago in Australia.
The 64-year-old doctor, who was the head of surgery at the Bundaberg Hospital in southern Queensland, is facing trial in the Brisbane District Court for unnecessarily removing patient Ian Rodney Vowels's colon during the surgery in 2004.
It took nearly an hour for a jury to be selected.
14:18 High time to address issue of gun violence: Obama
US President Barack Obama today joined the memorial service of the family members of those who were recently killed in the Navy Yard shootout and said that the nation can no longer accept such horrific shootouts and it is high time the issue of gun violence is addressed.
"We can't accept this. As Americans bound in grief and love, we must insist here today there is nothing normal about innocent men and women being gunned down where they work. There is nothing normal about our children being gunned down in their classrooms. There is nothing normal about children dying in our streets from stray bullets," Obama said.
14:15 Vote bank politics responsible for communal tension: MP CM
Holding that vote bank politics was a major factor behind communal frenzy, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said one group or organisation should not be made a scapegoat and held responsible for such instances.
He also expressed his concern over the spread of cyber terrorism and crimes through social media platforms and advocated an effective law to check the menace.
"Our view is that justice is for everybody, opportunities are for everyone and refusal to no one. Our vision is clear. We believe that the immediate frenzy of communalism has a root in vote bank politics," he said.
13:40 Communal violence cannot be allowed to spread: Nitish
Cautioning against forces who fan communal tension in order to polarise the situation in their favour, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today voiced concern over the Muzaffarnagar riots and said such violence cannot be allowed to spread.
Speaking at the National Integration Council, Kumar, whose party JD-U snapped its 17-year-old ties with BJP in June to protest against Narendra Modi's elevation, asked whether competitive politics should necessarily lead to passionate persuasion of a "divisive agenda".
13:38 Muzaffarnagar: BJP MLA Suresh Rana booked in another case
BJP MLA Suresh Rana, who was arrested in Lucknow on September 20 for allegedly inciting violence by making provocative speeches, has been booked in another case of rioting, police said today.
A case of rioting was registered against Rana and others in connection with an incident in Shamli on June 16 this year, police sources said, adding a warrant has been issued to Rana.
On June 16, a girl was allegedly kidnapped and gangraped, following which hundreds of people including Suresh Rana staged a protest and damaged shops and vehicles, demanding the arrest of the accused.
13:37 Lankan court orders release of 35 TN fishermen
A Sri Lankan court today ordered the release of 35 fishermen who were arrested by the Lankan Navy in August, officials said. The fishermen from Pamban South area were arrested on August 25 for allegedly fishing in the Lankan sea zone.
They were produced before Puthalam Court Magistrate Pasis, who ordered their release, fisheries department officials said.
13:25 Aadhar not mandatory for govt services: Supreme Court
In a setback to the central government, the Supreme Court on Monday stated that possession of an Aadhar card was not mandatory for availing essential government services like marriage registration, provident fund account and gas connection.
Both central and state governments had attempted to make Aadhar card compulsory for various government amenities.
13:12 India among top 5 targets of America's spying
India is among the top five nations which were spied on by America's National Security Agency's infamous surveillance programme.
Whistle-blower Edward Snowden has provided documents to Indian daily The Hindu that prove the NSA used at least two programmes to glean information from phone calls and e-mails in India.
13:07 CBI quizzes Gujarat law minister in Ishrat case
The CBI on Monday questioned Gujarat Law Minister Pradeep Singh Jadeja in connection with the Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case.
The agency has also summoned Gujarat Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, former minister Praful Patel and Advocate General Kamal Trivedi for questioning.
12:42 Modi's claim of 8.4 pc growth FALSE: Chidambaram
Finance Minister P Chidambaram today charged Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi with staging a "fake encounter with facts" regarding his claims of economic growth during the BJP-led NDA regime being 8.4 per cent and said nothing can be farther from the truth.
"The average for the six year period (under Atal Bihari Vajpayee government from 1998-99 to 2003-04) was 6.0 per cent and the average for the last five years (1999-2000 to 2003-04) was 5.9 per cent," he said in a statement.
12:40 Death toll in Pakistan church attack touches 81
The death toll from the deadly twin suicide bombings on a historic church in northwestern Pakistan rose to 81 today.
The attack on All Saints Church at Kohati Gate area of Peshawar was the deadliest ever on the country's Christian minority.
Bombers set off their suicide vests as people were emerging from Sunday mass.
All the 81 people killed in the bombings have been laid to rest, while the 145 injured are receiving treatment in hospitals, authorities said.
12:25 Kashmir: IAS officer arrested over land scam
Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar Baseer Ahmed Khan, an IAS officer, has been arrested in connection with the Gulmarg land scam case.
Further details are awaited.
12:09 Sinister motive behind communal riots: Home minister
Voicing concern over rise in incidents of communal violence, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today said the frequency of riots has suggested that there is a sinister motive behind such clashes and attempts are being made to polarise the society.
He said statistics on the communal violence show an increasing trend in the last two years and minor incidents tend to get escalated into major incidents of violence leading to displacement of affected communities.
11:44 HC issues production warrants for death row rapists
The Delhi high court has issued production warrants to the four death row convicts in the December 16 gangrape-cum-murder case.
The four men had been awarded the death penalty by a special fast-track court for brutal gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old girl in a moving Delhi bus in December last year.
11:16 Mall siege: Arrested militant fires inside hospital
The only militant captured alive so far by Kenyan forces in the Nairobo mall siege was brought to the MP Shah Hospital in the city.
But the militant, from terror outfit Al-Shabab, had managed to smuggle a gun in, which he promptly started firing inside the hospital.
11:13 The story behind the horror of encephalitis in Gorakhpur
Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur has become synonymous with endless cases of encephalitis and reports about several of its weakest citizens -- children -- succumbing to the disease every year.
Many of these children have fallen prey to the deadly disease in spite of being administered a vaccine against it.
11:08 Will the peace process work in Manipur?
Manipur, a state severely hit by insurgency, has finally witnessed the beginning of a peace process, with three militant groups signing a memorandum of understanding with the state government.
But major militant groups, including the PLA, PREPAK and the UNLF have stayed away from the peace talks.
After years of violence and bloodshed, will Manipur usher in an era of peace or will this just be another cosmetic gesture?
11:00 Militants strike in Srinagar, kill CISF jawan
Mukhtar Ahmad reports from Srinagar: A jawan of Central Industrial Security Force was killed and another critically injured in a militant attack at Hazuribagh, in the heart of Srinagar, on Monday.
Militants fired at the two jawans from a close range, injuring them critically, said a senior police official.
The two jawans were rushed to the hospital, where one of them succumbed to his injuries.
The entire area has been cordoned off.
10:56 PM rakes up UP's dismal riots record at NIC meet
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while addressing a meeting of the National Integration Council on Monday, appealed political parties and the media not to "politicise communal tension"
Referring to the Muzaffarnagar riots, he said a minor incident had blown up into a major riot, and added that the state had witnessed several riots in the last three years.
The state government should take strict action against elements fomenting communal tension, said the PM, adding that the administration should ensure an environment in which members of all communities felt safe.
10:15 PM, Sonia attend NIC meet; Modi skips it
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday attended the meeting of the National Integration Council.
The meeting was held in the backdrop of the communal riots in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, in which 48 people were killed and over 40,000 rendered homeless.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has decided to skip the meeting.
Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh, his son and UP CM Akhilesh Yadav are among the attendees.
Before the beginning of the meeting, BJP patriarch L K Advani was seen warmly greeting Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Kumar had walked out of the BJP-led NDA due to Modi's elevation within the party.
10:09 Rupee down 20 paise against dollar in early trade
The rupee fell by 20 paise to 62.43 against the dollar in early trade today at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on demand from importers for the US currency amid a lower opening in the domestic market.
Forex dealers said besides fresh demand for the American currency from importers, a hike of 25 basis points in key lending rates by the Reserve Bank on Friday and a lower opening in the equity market mainly put pressure on the rupee but dollar's weakness against other currencies overseas limited the fall.
09:19 The terror group behind the Kenya mall attack
Al-Shabab, the Somali-based militant group that attacked a mall in Nairobi and killed over 60 people, is affiliated to Al Qaeda.
US officials had, evidently erroneously, claimed earlier that Al-Shabab had practically disintegrated in the face of an offensive backed by America.
09:15 The Pakistan connection to Nairobi mall attack
A Pakistani-origin man is believed to be the security and training chief of Al Qaeda linked Shahab group that carried out the horrific attack at Westgate mall in Nairobi, killing at least 59 people.
Abu Musa Mombasa, a Pakistani citizen, serves as Shabaab's chief of security and training, the Long War Journal had said in a 2010 report.
09:13 Sikh professor assaulted in New York City
Dr Prabhjot Singh, a professor at Columbia University, was assaulted on Saturday night in Manhattan in an alleged hate crime.
According to media reports, the attackers knocked Singh down and punched him in the face repeatedly, saying, "Get Osama", and "terrorist".
09:08 Don't micro-manage Nepal affairs: Prachanda to India
Maoist chief Prachanda today warned India against attempting to "micro-manage" Nepal's political system, saying it would be detrimental to Indian interests.
"India should not engage in micro-management like who should be the minister and who should not in Nepal," Prachanda said.
09:07 BJP accuses Delhi govt of creating food insecurity
Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel today accused the Sheila Dikshit government of adding to the food related woes of the people through poor implementation of its food security schemes.
Addressing a public rally as part of his Gaon-Gaon Sampark Yatra, Goel said poor people had been hit the hardest as the application forms and food grains meant for them under the food security scheme were being sold in black by touts.
He also alleged that there is a lack of clarity regarding the eligibility criteria for availing rations.
09:06 Rape case against minister: Three quizzed by CID
The Rajasthan CID today quizzed three people employed at the official residence of former minister Babulal Nagar, who has been alleged of raping a 35-year-old woman.
The state government, meanwhile, sent a letter to the Union home ministry recommending a CBI probe into a rape case.
Three employees at Nagar's official residence were questioned by the CID unit of the state police, a police spokesman said.
09:03 V K Singh to file RTI for a copy of army report
Under attack over the purported activities of a secret intelligence unit set up by him, former army chief General V K Singh is planning to seek a copy of the army probe into the functioning of the TSD by filing RTI applications on Monday.
"We are planning to move an RTI application to ask for a copy of that report submitted by the army," his lawyer Vishwajeet Singh said.
On whether the top secret inquiry report could be sought through RTI applications, close aides of V K Singh said if the government could leak the report to the media organisations, it should also be willing to provide it to them as well.
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