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Sun, 16 February 2014
British Sikhs threaten poll boycott over Operation Bluestar
Timeline Refresh
21:05 Khurshid terms Kejriwal as runaway groom
Taking a dig at Aam Aadmi Party, Union minister Salman Khurshid today said that Congress supported Arvind Kejriwal and gave him eight MLAs in "dowry" but what could be done if the "groom" fled away.
"We have supported Kejriwal and gave him eight MLAs in dowry...What can we do if the 'dulha' (groom) fled away," the External Affairs Minister said.
21:04 Snowfall, rains continue to keep north India shivering
Cold wave continued to prevail in north India as snowfall and rains lashed several parts of the region bringing down temperatures and affecting normal life. Manali and parts of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh were disconnected due to heavy snowfall while Jammu and Kashmir continued to reel under intense cold conditions.
21:03 Nuclear talks to focus on centrifuges, reactor: Iran
An Iranian negotiator said nuclear talks with world powers this week would focus on advanced centrifuges and the unfinished Arak heavy water reactor, the official IRNA news agency reported today.
Iran is due to resume talks on Tuesday in Vienna with the P5+1 - Britain, France, the US, Russia and China plus Germany - aimed at reaching a comprehensive accord on its controversial nuclear programme following November's landmark interim deal.
20:30 Shoe hurled at Hooda, falls short of target
A farmer allegedly hurled a shoe at Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda during an official function at Dabwali in state's Sirsa district today but it fell short of the target.
Hooda was addressing a gathering at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of a railway over-bridge when Raja Ram, aged 45, allegedly tossed the footwear at him, police said.
20:27 Egypt: Morsi's lawyers walk out of latest trial in protest
The trial of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi on charges of espionage and conspiring to commit acts of terror was today adjourned until February 23 after his lawyers walked out in protest.
The lawyers withdrew because Morsi has been confined in a soundproofed glass cage in recent courtroom appearances to prevent him from shouting and disrupting proceedings.
20:15 British Sikhs threaten poll boycott over Operation Bluestar
Sikhs in Britain have launched a mass letter-writing campaign asking Prime Minister David Cameron to launch a large-scale inquiry into the country's role in the planning and execution of the 1984 Operation Bluestar by the Indian army to flush out militants from the Golden Temple.
Sikh Federation UK has warned that thousands of Sikh voters could boycott Conservative party candidates at next year's general election unless Cameron agrees to a large-scale probe into Britain's role in the operation in Amritsar.
20:12 Omar Sheikh attempts suicide in Pak jail
Omar Saeed Sheikh, the terrorist freed by India in exchange for the hostages of a hijacked Indian Airlines plane in 2000, has attempted suicide in a Pakistani jail, an official has said.
The British-Pakistani national, sentenced to death for killing Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, attempted to take his life in Hyderabad central jail in Sindh province on Wednesday night, senior prison official Akram Naeem said.
19:23 Telangana: Both camps strive to push ahead with their agendas
As the UPA government gears up for the passage of Telangana Bill in Parliament this week, the two sides of the regional divide in Andhra Pradesh have stepped up efforts in support of their respective agendas.
The YSR Congress is organising a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi tomorrow against the division of Andhra Pradesh.
18:38 BJP parliamentary board meets on Telangana issue
A correspondent in New Delhi reports:
The BJP Parliamentary board meeting at senior BJP leader L K Advani's house will discuss the Telangana issue that rocked Parliament on Friday.
The board will decide on what position to take with regard to the suspension of 17 MPs from Parliament for creating ruckus in the House. Some say that the crucial T-Bill cannot be discussed in the Lok sabha without these MPs as they are major stakeholders.
BJP leaders from the region want the Telangana Bill to be discussed in Parliament.
18:18 Khurshid issued notice for his 'jurassic' remark against AAP
A local court in Jaipur issued notice to union minister Salman Khurshid for allegedly making controversial remarks against Aam Aadmi Party.
Additional Sessions Judge Harvindar Singh issued the notice yesterday on a review petition filed by AAP member, advocate Poonam Chand Bhandari, directing the External Affairs Minister to appear before the court, or through his counsel, on March 5.
18:17 Mobile phone tariffs likely to rise
Mobile phone tariffs are set to increase and freebies and discounts likely to be further brought down, leading mobile service providers made it clear today. The fresh spectrum purchases at the recent auction were being cited as one of the factors for the likely rise in tariffs.
18:04 18 people feared dead in Nepal plane crash
All 18 people, including a foreigner and an infant, on board a small plane were feared killed today when it crashed in bad weather while on its way from a popular tourist resort to a town in western Nepal.
The 19-seater Twin Otter of Nepal Airlines took off from Pokhara airport at 12:40 pm and disappeared 15 minutes later.
17:38 Pak militants using social media for propaganda
Terrorist organisations in Pakistan like the Taliban are increasingly using social media networks Twitter and Facebook to spread their propaganda and as a means of intimidation.
A number of Twitter accounts allegedly managed by members of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan have emerged, on which they post messages and engage in dialogue with their followers. Facebook pages are used to upload statements and videos.
17:34 Pakistani Taliban decide on ceasefire: Reports
The Taliban have decided in principle on a ceasefire that is likely to be announced in the next 24 hours but have demanded the release of detained non-combatants and withdrawal of the Pakistani Army from North Waziristan region, media reports said today.
The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)'s political 'shura' or council met in the tribal belt to deliberate on the government's demand for a truce to take forward a controversial and fragile peace process.
17:14 Kejriwal acted in haste: Omar
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister today said AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal acted in a haste by submitting his resignation over the Jan Lokpal bill, and hinted that it was probably the "aim".
Kejriwal resigned as the Delhi chief minister on Friday after suffering a defeat in the Assembly on the Jan Lokpal Bill after Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung had advised the Speaker against transacting the Bill which, he said, should have prior clearance of central government.
16:57 Policeman guarding polio workers killed in Pak blast
A policeman guarding a polio vaccination team was killed and another injured in a bomb blast near this northwestern Pakistani city today, the latest in a series of attacks on workers involved in the campaign against the crippling disease.
The incident happened near a CNG station on the outskirts of Peshawar, officials of a rescue service said. One policeman was killed and the injured was taken to a nearby hospital.
16:12 Plane with 18 people on board goes missing in Nepal
A Nepal Airlines small plane carrying 18 people, including a foreigner, went missing today while on its way from a popular tourist resort to a town in western Nepal, police said.
The Twin Otter took off from Pokhara airport at 12:40 pm and disappeared 35 minutes later.
16:11 Marines case should have been settled in 1st three days: Italy
Italy has regretted that the case of two of its marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen should have been resolved in the first three days of the incident, before the issue became enmeshed in India's "deadly judicial and political-electoral gears".
"The most suitable time to resolve it were the first 72 hours," Staffan de Mistura, special envoy of the Italian government, was quoted as saying by Italy's ANSA news agency.
16:03 Tri-colour finally unfurled at Sochi Games
The Indian flag was today unfurled at the Winter Olympics Village here at a special ceremony, five days after the International Olympic Committee revoked a 14-month suspension on the country.
The ceremony, which lasted around 45 minutes and organised at the International Plaza of the Mountain Village, was attended by the three Indian athletes taking part in the event, Indian Olympic Association President N Ramachandran and IOC officials nine days into the Sochi Games.
16:01 Blast on railway track kills 5 in Pakistan
At least five persons were killed and 30 others injured when a bomb blast hit a train in Pakistan's Sindh province.
The explosion took place as the Khushal Khan Express from Karachi to Peshawar approached the Unnar Wah railway station in Jacobabad.
15:48 AAP announces its list of Lok sabha candidates
The Aam Aadmi Party which said it would contest the Lok sabha election has announced its list of key candidates.
Former TV journalist Ashutosh has been fielded against Congress minister Kapil Sibal.
Social activist Medha Patkar will fight from Mumbai.
Kumas Vishwas to contest against Rahul Gandhi.
Mukul Tripathy to contest against External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid from Farrukhabad.
Challenging Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav from Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh is Baba Hardeve.
Anjali Damania will contest against former BJP President Nitin Gadkari from Nagpur
Meera Sanyal is likely to get a ticket from South Mumbai against Milind Deora
Mayank Gandhi could take on Gurudas Kamat from North East Mumbai.
Khalid Parvez to contest against Congress MP Mohammad Azharuddin from Moradabad constituency
Subhash Wade against Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi from Pune.
Senior lawyer and Human Rights activist HS Phoolka to contest from Ludhiana.
Yogendra Yadav to contest from Gurgaon.
15:19 Pornography probe: SDP says no info leaked to Indian-origin MP
Germany's Social Democratic Party (SDP) has defended its stand on its Indian-origin former MP's alleged involvement in child pornography, dismissing claims that he was informed about plans to open an investigation against him. Sebastian Edathy, 44, is suspected of involvement in child pornography.
15:14
"I'm a victim of political untouchability in India"
Modi attacks UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for her 'fields of poison; remark. Says it is Congress that is spreading poison.
Modi accused Congress of dividing the nation. Telangana strife due to Congress's wrong policies, says Modi
15:09 No tailor made solution for development: Modi
Modi: Must develop infrastructure, go beyond announcing trains. No tailor made solution for development for every state. development must be based on needs of every state.
14:54
"Congress does not have the humility to admit its mistakes. Cong policies ruining farmers," says Modi
Says BJP will form special policy for Himalayan states.
14:44 Politics is a business for Congress Party: Modi
Slamming the UPA government's foreign policy, Modi says despite being a strong nation, India's neighbours continue to work against it.
Says the UPA has failed to bring down rising prices.
Modi is speaking at a rally in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh
14:37
Modi at Himachal rally: People have lost faith in the Congress led UPA government.
"BJP is like a family and not just a political party."
14:34 Narendra Modi addresses rally in Himachal Pradesh
Narendra Modi who is addressing a rally in Himachal Pradesh says that party workers for the BJP have a relationship with the party and are not merely workers.
He says politics a is a business for the ruling Congress party at the Centre
14:16 India can only become a superpower if women are empowered: Rahul
On the second day of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's election campaigning in Karnataka, he is addressing a rally in Tumkur.
Says he is happy to come here as the place has seen a lot of development. States where women are empowered are developing faster.
Rahul Gandhi tell the crowd listening to him that India cannot become a superpower if its women are not empowered.
14:15 Karzai hopes Pakistan will give transit route to India
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has expressed hope that Pakistan will provide access for a key transit route for trade between his land-locked country and India, underlining that commerce between the three nations is an essential element for their progress and stability.
"The trade has to happen if they want to establish the region with prosperity and free of conflict. I hope Pakistan will soon give transit route to India," he said.
13:57 Rakesh Maria takes charge as Mumbai Police Commissioner
Senior IPS officer Rakesh Maria, who was heading the Maharashtra ATS, today took charge as Mumbai Police Commissioner and stressed on adopting zero tolerance towards street crimes while describing urban terrorism and organised crime as challenges before the force.
13:31 Forbes website hacked by notorious Syrian Electronic Army
The notorious pro-Assad hacker group known as the Syrian Electronic Army has reportedly published a database that it says contains login credentials for 1 million users of business publication Forbes.com.
While Forbes confirmed the attack saying that user's email address may have been exposed, it did not reveal as to how many credentials had been compromised.
13:15 Tatas find fraudsters using its name for online ponzi scheme
A British Virgin Islands entity has been found to be fraudulently using Tata brand name to lure investors to online investment plans promising huge monthly returns of up to 100 per cent for payments made in bitcoins and some other virtual currencies.
13:14 Kejriwal says AAP members shouldn't have called L-G a Congress agent
Outgoing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal admitted that the Aam Aadmi Party leaders should not have called Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung a Congress agent.
Speaking to IBN18 Network Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai, Kejriwal said, "The words used against the Lieutenant Governor by some AAP partymen should not have been said. We should use our words carefully."
12:48 Letters to be sent to 23 lakh assessees for not filing returns
In a last-ditch effort to meet revenue targets, the Income Tax Department will be sending out letters to 23 lakh assessees who have not filed returns.
"We have identified 23 lakh people who have invested their money, but have not filed returns. We will be sending out letters to them asking them details of their tax returns," an official said.
12:42 Happy to see Rakesh Maria as Mumbai police commissioner: Anupam Kher
For My role of Police Commissioner in "A Wednesday' I had observed Rakesh Maria closely. Happy he is PC of Mumbai now. No Nonsense man.:)
Senior Indian Police Service officer Rakesh Maria was appointed as Mumbai's police commissioner on Saturday, a fortnight after Satyapal Singh quit the post to join politics.
12:40 FIR against Veerappa Moily? As absurd as one against Kejriwal
Aam Admi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal has filed an FIR accusing petroleum minister Veerappa Moily of conspiring with Mukesh Ambani to raise the price of natural gas, bestowing billions of windfall profit on Reliance Industries Ltd.
Now, the Ambanis and Congress politicians have committed a thousand sins over the years. I will cheer any serious attempt to nab them. But this must be based on solid grounds, backed by evidence. Instead Kejriwal has backed a silly conspiracy theory based on falsehoods.
12:12 Chidambaram to attend G20 meet in Australia, hold roadshows
Finance Minister P Chidambaram will visit Australia later this week to attend the G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors and hold roadshows to attract investment.
Chidambaram will be accompanied by ministry officials, including Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram, on his visit to Sydney. Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan will also attend the meeting.
12:11 Threat to Mumbai's coastal security, say fishermen
A random security check on fishing vessels by Coast Guards has found that several fishing vessels were operating under a single name and licence, a fishermen's organisation has said raising concerns over Mumbai's coastal security.
The random security check by Coast Guards had revealed that several fishing vessels were operating under a single name and licence, said the Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kriti Samiti.
12:11 Notices likely to 75 leases for illegal mining in Odisha
The Centre may issue show cause notices to companies, including SAIL, Tata Steel, Essel Mining, JSPL and OMC, that hold 75 leases where illegal mining of iron and manganese ores was found by the Shah Commission.
The step would be in addition to legal action being initiated by the Odisha government against firms that carried out mining operations without environmental and other clearances.
12:05 No cops at DMK rally in Tiruchirapalli
The BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's rally in Tiruchirapalli in September last year had a secuirty over of around 5000 policemen. In stark contrast the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's two-day conference in Tiruchirapalli has no cops.
Security had been beefed up all over the city and additional units of police were deployed all over Tiruchirapalli for NaMo's rally. The G corner, the venue of the meeting had been taken over by the special wings of Tamil Nadu police
NaMo's Trichy rally was a big gathering - perhaps 100,000 people attended.
12:04
The DMK has announced Rs 106 crore collection for the Lok Sabha polls but have not mentioned how much they spend on their two-day conference.
11:23 Gas pricing: Kejriwal targets Modi, Rahul
With an eye on Lok Sabha polls, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday targeted Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, asking him to break his silence on the gas pricing issue.
Kejriwal tweeted, "Modi shud break his silence on gas pricing. Also, what is his relation and his party's relation with Mukesh Ambani and Adani? (sic)'
11:21 AAP getting ready for Lok Sabha polls
As the Union Cabinet approved President's Rule in Delhi on Saturday following the resignation of the Aam Aadmi Party government, the party is getting ready for the Lok Sabha polls. Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal will head the poll campaign and the party has also launched the 'jhadoo chalao yatra' against corruption across more than 300 constituencies.
Many political rivals and critics describe Kejriwal's resignation as Delhi Chief Minister as an orchestrated drama and a choreographed performance. Even though the party is being criticised for its actions, it is busy focusing on the Lok Sabha elections.
11:16 Sonia and Rao had strained relations: says Cong minister
Sonia Gandhi and late Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao had strained relations when he was the Prime Minister as she was unhappy over the slow pace of progress in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination probe, says a book written by a union minister.
And when Gandhi chose to go public with her unhappiness over the probe in August 1995, it was a build up to what she would choose two years later to enter active politics, says Union Food Minister K V Thomas in his book 'Sonia--The Beloved Of The Masses'.
11:08 What's holding Pakistan together?
Not Islam - this fiction was exploded in 1971, and continues to be exposed today in Balochistan. Far from being a uniting factor religion, and the uses to which it is being put, is proving to be the biggest divisive factor of all, Pakistanis killing each other in the name of sect and faith '" a country created on the basis of religion floundering at the altar of religion, earnest Pakistanis forever engaged in the quest to discover what Allah's commandments mean and what they do not.
11:07 What will the BJP do now on T-Bill
Outmaneuvered and outflanked by the Congress over the Telangana Bill in the Parliament, BJP leaders find themselves in a tight corner. They are damned if they support the Bill and damned if they don't.Lacking a cohesive strategy, the BJP leaders have painted themselves into a corner by their contradictory statements.
The Congress, on the other hand, is sitting pretty having roped in even the Samajwadi Party, which is opposed to smaller States.
00:08 Najeeb Jung is a nice man: Kejriwal
Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has admitted that there is a pro-Modi wave across the country but added that making the BJP strongman India's next PM will not change anything.
Reacting to accusations that he had used activist Anna Hazare and former top cop Kiran Bedi to fulfill his political aspirations, Kejriwal said, "Do you think people like Hazare and Bedi are so gullible that they can be used so easily".
AAP members should not have called Lt Guv Najeeb Jung a "Congress agent", said Kejriwal, adding that, "He is a nice man but he has his own compulsions".
00:04 Have no desire to become CM or PM: Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal claimed that he had no aspirations of becoming either "a CM or a PM".
"All I want to do is to spend my life working for my country," he said.
When asked how the AAP plans to contest the Lok Sabha polls -- without sufficient candidates or an organisational structure in place -- Kejriwal replied, "Janta khadi kar degi" (the people will take us to power).
He claimed that the people wanted the AAP to contest the Lok Sabha polls.The government led by him had delivered on the promises made by it in its 49-day tenure, said Kejriwal.
On whether he will contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, Kejriwal said, "I will definitely campaign for AAP candidates. Contesting elections is not a primary concern for me".
00:04 We gave the people a reason to dream, to hope: Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal, who stepped down as the CM of Delhi recently, on Saturday claimed that his detractors could call him a "left-wing or right-wing leader", but he would still provide a non-corrupt and clean government.
In an interview with CNN-IBN, Kejriwal defended his decision to resign over the Jan Lokpal Bill, claiming that he had done nothing unconstitutional by refusing to seek the Centre's permission over the bill.
"Show me where is it mentioned in the Constitution? Why do I have to seek permission from the Union home ministry for the bill," he said.
He also said that if the AAP government, in its short stint, had given the people a reason to hope and dream about a better future.
"The problem is people don't dream enough in India. If we could give them a reason to dream, that is enough," he said.
00:03 Of course I am in a hurry: Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal also claimed that Delhi LG Najeeb Jung's stance on the Jan Lokpal Bill was "not the final one".
"Just because he said something, that does not make it right," said the former Delhi CM.
On what he will do if the AAP performed badly in the Lok Sabha polls, as he had already given up power in Delhi, Kejriwal retorted, "I am not worried about that. I am not fighting elections for my own agenda".
Speaking on whom he considered a greater enemy -- Narendra Modi or Rahul Gandhi -- Kejriwal said his greatest foes were "inflation, corruption and communalism".
When asked if he was indeed a man in a hurry, Kejrwal said, "Yes, of course I am in a hurry. If all of us don't hurry, desh barbaad ho jayega (the country will be destroyed)".
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