LIVE
Thu, 17 December 2015
Suspicious drone near Delhi airport: Cops announce reward
Timeline Refresh
23:34 9 injured as metro escalator malfunctions in Kolkata
At least nine people were injured at a metro station when an escalator malfunctioned here on Thursday.
The accident took place when the escalator in the northern end of the Girish Park metro station, moving in upward direction, suddenly started moving downwards.
Out of the injured, three have been rushed to the hospital while others were giving first aid at the station itself. Meanwhile, a probe has been ordered to find the cause of the incident.
23:34 Suspicious drone near Delhi airport: Cops announce reward
The Delhi police today announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for any information on the accused who operated a suspicious unmanned aerial vehicle near the IGI Airport in October.
On October 27, a UAV, which the police called a suspicious drone, was spotted multiple times near the airport, following which a case was registered under relevant sections of the suppression of unlawful acts against safety of civil aviation Act and the IPC, said a senior police official.
Following the incident, the Union Home ministry had asked several agencies, including the Delhi police, to submit a detailed report on the case. However, no clue about the drone operator could be found till date, despite security agencies taking several measures and conducting meetings.
23:19 Nearly 30 satellite launch orders at hand for ISRO's Antrix
Emerging as a global competitive provider for satellite launches, ISRO's commercial arm Antrix Corporation has almost 30 orders at hand from different countries for satellite launches which are scheduled to be completed in next two to three years.
ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar said tonight that the organisation is working on increasing its capabilities on critical technologies. "We have (orders of) almost 30 odd satellites from about 7-8 countries.
"We have to put them into orbit in next two-three years and we are working on it," he said.
"We are working on various projects and technologies. Yesterday, we had put the 57th international satellite into orbit and many more launches will be there in the next couple of years," he said. Achieving a new milestone, ISRO successfully launched six Singaporean satellites through Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C29 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SD
22:55 Ramanathaswamy temple to be under tight security from Jan 15
The famous Sri Ramanathaswamy temple here would be brought under tight police security cover from January 15 when 'Yagasala poojas' for its consecration would begin, Superintendent of police N Manivannan said.
He told reporters her that the consecration would be held on Jan 20. The SP Inspected various parts of the temple to give suggestions on deployment of police personnel and installation of CCTV cameras.
He said all vehicles entering the district would be subjected to checks from Jan 1. a total of 1,000 police personnel would be deployed in the island for the ceremony. crime branch police would patrol the area around the temple round the clock, he said.
22:25 Google CEO Pichai plays cricket at India Gate
Google CEO Sundar Pichai also took time out to play gully-style cricket with locals at India Gate in New Delhi today.
Earlier, talking to students at Shri Ram College of Commerce in New Delhi, he described himself as a huge fan of cricket and said he wanted to be a cricketer in his childhood.
Pichai said that Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar were his favourite cricketers.
Pichai's session at Shriram College of Commerce was moderated by cricket commentator, Harsha Bhogle, who called the India-born executive the 'Rahul Dravid of the tech industry'.
Earlier, talking to students at Shri Ram College of Commerce in New Delhi, he described himself as a huge fan of cricket and said he wanted to be a cricketer in his childhood.
Pichai said that Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar were his favourite cricketers.
Pichai's session at Shriram College of Commerce was moderated by cricket commentator, Harsha Bhogle, who called the India-born executive the 'Rahul Dravid of the tech industry'.
21:54 2 killed in blast at scrapyard in Punjab
At least two people were killed and six others were injured in an explosion at a scrapyard in Rureke Kalan village of Punjab on Thursday.
The explosion took place when the scrap vendor Amar Ram alias Koko, 30, was hammering an iron object weighing 20 kilograms.
Ram and his niece Simi, 2, were rushed to hospital where they were declared brought dead.
Four of Ram's family members also got critically injured in the explosion and have been referred to Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala.
The police is now investigating the matter as to how the incident took place.
The explosion took place when the scrap vendor Amar Ram alias Koko, 30, was hammering an iron object weighing 20 kilograms.
Ram and his niece Simi, 2, were rushed to hospital where they were declared brought dead.
Four of Ram's family members also got critically injured in the explosion and have been referred to Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala.
The police is now investigating the matter as to how the incident took place.
21:41 Sheena didn't want to pretend as Indrani's sister anymore: Rahul
Sheena Bora wanted to stop pretending as sister of the key accused and her mother, Indrani Mukerjea before her murder in 2012, her fiance Rahul Mukerjea has said in his statement before a magistrate.
Indrani had introduced Sheena, her daughter from an earlier marriage, in Mumbai social circles as her younger sister.
In a statement recorded last month, the copy of which was made available to defence advocates today, Rahul, the son of former media baron and Sheena's step-father Peter Mukerjea who is also an accused in the case, said that Indrani constantly kept changing her story about Sheena's 'disappearance' after her murder.
'Sheena said she felt that Vidhie (daughter of Indrani and her former husband Sanjeev Khanna) was being treated as her daughter, which she found very unfair,' Rahul said.
Indrani had introduced Sheena, her daughter from an earlier marriage, in Mumbai social circles as her younger sister.
In a statement recorded last month, the copy of which was made available to defence advocates today, Rahul, the son of former media baron and Sheena's step-father Peter Mukerjea who is also an accused in the case, said that Indrani constantly kept changing her story about Sheena's 'disappearance' after her murder.
'Sheena said she felt that Vidhie (daughter of Indrani and her former husband Sanjeev Khanna) was being treated as her daughter, which she found very unfair,' Rahul said.
21:11 US resumes regular commercial flights to Cuba
The United States today announced the resumption of regular flights to and from Cuba, the latest step in the thawing relationship between the two Cold War-era enemies.
'On December 16, the United States and Cuba reached a bilateral arrangement to establish scheduled air services between the two countries,' the State Department said in a statement.
The deal was finalised on Wednesday night, an official was quoted as saying by CNN.
The official could not say when flights would actually resume, because there are other steps the Federal Aviation Administration needs to take to ensure certain safety regulations are in place.
US law still bars travel to Cuba for tourism.
'On December 16, the United States and Cuba reached a bilateral arrangement to establish scheduled air services between the two countries,' the State Department said in a statement.
The deal was finalised on Wednesday night, an official was quoted as saying by CNN.
The official could not say when flights would actually resume, because there are other steps the Federal Aviation Administration needs to take to ensure certain safety regulations are in place.
US law still bars travel to Cuba for tourism.
20:57 Sunny Leone most searched on Google in India
Bollywood actress Sunny Leone was the most searched person on Google in India this year, according to Google trends.
Actor Salman Khan was on the second spot followed by A P J Abdul Kalam, Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was tenth on the list.
West Bengal topped the list of states that googled Sunny the most, followed by Chandigarh, Bihar and Assam.
Actor Salman Khan was on the second spot followed by A P J Abdul Kalam, Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was tenth on the list.
West Bengal topped the list of states that googled Sunny the most, followed by Chandigarh, Bihar and Assam.
20:45 Salman absolved of charge of not helping the victims
While acquitting the Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run case, the Bombay high court also absolved him from charge of leaving the accident spot without providing aid to the victims.
According to the prosecution, Salman fled from the spot after his SUV ran over people sleeping on footpath in suburban Bandra, killing one person and injuring four, on September 28, 2002.
A mob had gathered after the accident and the situation led the actor to leave the place, said Justice A R Joshi in the judgement, a copy of which became available today.
'Though this court has held that the prosecution has failed to establish that the appellant-accused (Salman) was driving the vehicle during the incident, still it is a factual position that he was present in the vehicle and this position cannot be negated. As such, the import of section 134 of Motor Vehicles Act is required to be construed,' the court said.
Under section 134, not only the driver but every person in charge of a vehicle which is involved in an accident is duty-bound to give medical assistance to the victims.
'Considering this argument (that people armed with sticks, rods, etc., had gathered) and the factual position that the circumstances were such that in order to escape from the fury of mob and these circumstances were beyond the control of the appellant, no such appropriate steps were taken to secure the medical aid to the injured persons,' the judge said in the order.
Therefore, 'even this charge under section 134 of Motor Vehicles Act cannot be attracted,' Justice Joshi held.
According to the prosecution, Salman fled from the spot after his SUV ran over people sleeping on footpath in suburban Bandra, killing one person and injuring four, on September 28, 2002.
A mob had gathered after the accident and the situation led the actor to leave the place, said Justice A R Joshi in the judgement, a copy of which became available today.
'Though this court has held that the prosecution has failed to establish that the appellant-accused (Salman) was driving the vehicle during the incident, still it is a factual position that he was present in the vehicle and this position cannot be negated. As such, the import of section 134 of Motor Vehicles Act is required to be construed,' the court said.
Under section 134, not only the driver but every person in charge of a vehicle which is involved in an accident is duty-bound to give medical assistance to the victims.
'Considering this argument (that people armed with sticks, rods, etc., had gathered) and the factual position that the circumstances were such that in order to escape from the fury of mob and these circumstances were beyond the control of the appellant, no such appropriate steps were taken to secure the medical aid to the injured persons,' the judge said in the order.
Therefore, 'even this charge under section 134 of Motor Vehicles Act cannot be attracted,' Justice Joshi held.
20:10 Kirti Azad to go ahead with presser on 'corruption' in DDCA
The Bharatiya Janata Party today reached out to its MP Kirti Azad, a known detractor of Arun Jaitley, but an unfazed Azad said he will hold a press conference on Sunday against 'corruption in Delhi District Cricket Association', an issued used by the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress to target the finance minister.
"My fight is against corruption. I will continue with it," Azad said.
His assertion came after BJP general secretary Ramlal called him earlier in the day for a meeting, apparently to persuade him against attacking Jaitley at a time when the party has rallied around him to fend off the opposition attack on him over alleged corruption in DDCA.
"My fight is against corruption. I will continue with it," Azad said.
His assertion came after BJP general secretary Ramlal called him earlier in the day for a meeting, apparently to persuade him against attacking Jaitley at a time when the party has rallied around him to fend off the opposition attack on him over alleged corruption in DDCA.
19:53 HC stays proceedings of Arunachal assembly
Guwahati High Court today stayed all the proceedings of present Arunachal Pradesh assembly session till February 2.
Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said the 14 dissidents are not rebels, they have already lost membership of the Congress as they did not attend party meeting. "Our government is stable, it's popularly elected. From our side there is no crisis. It is created by the governor," the CM said.
Tuki said that composite floor test is illegal since the assembly session has not been called and the matter is subjudice.
"Effectively now the assembly has just 44 MLAs, out of which 11 are from the Bharatiya Janata Party and two Independents," the Arunachal CM said.
Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said the 14 dissidents are not rebels, they have already lost membership of the Congress as they did not attend party meeting. "Our government is stable, it's popularly elected. From our side there is no crisis. It is created by the governor," the CM said.
Tuki said that composite floor test is illegal since the assembly session has not been called and the matter is subjudice.
"Effectively now the assembly has just 44 MLAs, out of which 11 are from the Bharatiya Janata Party and two Independents," the Arunachal CM said.
19:24 Alert in UP district after al-Qaeda operative's arrest
Following arrest of two local residents in connection with an al-Qaeda module, an alert has been sounded in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh.
"Stepping up the vigil, an alert has been sounded in the district following report that Asif, who was arrested in Delhi and Zafar Masood from Sambhal on Thursday, have local links," Sambhal superintendent of police Atul Saxena said.
He said that directives have been issued for verification of workers in factories and a search operation has been started. Hotels and guesthouses, too, are being checked, he said.
Meanwhile, IG (law and order) A Satish Ganesh told reporters in Lucknow that the suspected terrorists were in custody of Delhi police and were being interrogated by investigative agencies.
"Stepping up the vigil, an alert has been sounded in the district following report that Asif, who was arrested in Delhi and Zafar Masood from Sambhal on Thursday, have local links," Sambhal superintendent of police Atul Saxena said.
He said that directives have been issued for verification of workers in factories and a search operation has been started. Hotels and guesthouses, too, are being checked, he said.
Meanwhile, IG (law and order) A Satish Ganesh told reporters in Lucknow that the suspected terrorists were in custody of Delhi police and were being interrogated by investigative agencies.
19:02 Here's why Salman walked free in the hit-and-run case, says HC
While giving Bollywood actor Salman Khan benefit of doubt in the 2002 hit-and-run case, the Bombay High Court has observed that the prosecution's case was weak and appreciation of evidence by the trial court was not legal and proper. "....in the considered view of this court, the appreciation of the evidence as is done by the trial court in the present matter is not proper and legal as per the settled principles of criminal jurisprudence," Justice A R Joshi said in the 350-page judgement which was uploaded on the High Court website last night.
The judgement was orally pronounced in the court on December 10. The actor was present in the court when the operative part of the verdict was read out.
"In this case, considering the various weaknesses in the case of the prosecution, various shortcomings such as non-examination of necessary and appropriate witnesses, the omissions and contradictions in the evidence of the injured witnesses which go to the root of the matter, definitely a doubt has arisen as to the involvement of the appellant for the offences with which he was charged," the judge said.
On the basis of this type of evidence, the appellant cannot be convicted though the apparent perception might be different as appearing in the mind of a common man, Justice Joshi, who retires on December 21, remarked. "...this is not a case in which prosecution has successfully established its case for all the charges," says the judgement. On May 6 this year, Additional Sessions judge D W Deshpande had held Khan guilty on all counts including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and sentenced him to five years' rigorous imprisonment. The High Court overturned the lower court judgement completely by acquitting Salman of all the charges.
The judgement was orally pronounced in the court on December 10. The actor was present in the court when the operative part of the verdict was read out.
"In this case, considering the various weaknesses in the case of the prosecution, various shortcomings such as non-examination of necessary and appropriate witnesses, the omissions and contradictions in the evidence of the injured witnesses which go to the root of the matter, definitely a doubt has arisen as to the involvement of the appellant for the offences with which he was charged," the judge said.
On the basis of this type of evidence, the appellant cannot be convicted though the apparent perception might be different as appearing in the mind of a common man, Justice Joshi, who retires on December 21, remarked. "...this is not a case in which prosecution has successfully established its case for all the charges," says the judgement. On May 6 this year, Additional Sessions judge D W Deshpande had held Khan guilty on all counts including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and sentenced him to five years' rigorous imprisonment. The High Court overturned the lower court judgement completely by acquitting Salman of all the charges.
18:59 ISRO's experiment to re-start PSLV stage-IV a success
Indian Space Research Organisation has successfully reignited the fourth stage of its workhorse Polar rocket during the PSLV-C29 mission after putting in orbit six Singapore satellites, agency officials said in New Delhi on Thursday.
The engine in the upper stage of the PSLV was shut off and re-started after placing the satellites in orbit yesterday, ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) Director S Somanath said.
"We tried it for the first time and it was a success," Somnath said, adding that the technique would be useful when launching multiple satellites in different orbits.
The LSPC director was was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of the 23rd national and first international Heat and Mass Transfer Conference (IHMTC 2015), organised by (LPSC).
The PS4 is the uppermost stage of PSLV, comprising two 'Earth storable' liquid engines.
Veteran nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar, who inaugurated the conference, hailed ISRO for the successful PSLV-C29 mission.
18:55 AI Pilot, co-pilot grounded after its techie's death in freak accident
The pilot and co-pilot of an Air India plane involved in Wednesday night's freak accident at the Mumbai airport where a technician died after getting sucked into the engine have been grounded even as the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau launched a probe.
Air India Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani, who rushed to Mumbai this morning for an on-the-spot inquiry, said, "initially it seems that there was some communication gap." He, however, refused to go into the details of what could have possibly caused the mishap described as a "serious accident."
The rare mishap had occurred during push back for departure when the co-pilot of Mumbai-Hyderabad flight 619 allegedly mistook a signal for starting the engine and Subramanian, who was standing close, got sucked into it at bay 28 of the Chhatrapati Shivaji airport around 8.40 pm.
The pilot and the co-pilot of the Airbus A320 plane have been derostered after the mishap, a senior Air India official said.
18:54 Mistry, Meera among Sahitya Akademi winners for 2015
Playwright and novelist Cyrus Mistry's English novel Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer and K R Meera's Aarachar in Malayalam are among the works that have won the prestigious Sahitya Akademi award for this year.
The two works of fiction are among the four novels and six books, each of short stories and poetry, two books each of essays, criticism and plays and one of memoirs, that have won, the literary body said here today.
"The awards were recommended by distinguished jury members representing 23 Indian languages and approved by the Executive Board of the Akademi which met today under the Chairmanship of President, Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari," Akademi's Secretary K Sreenivasarao said.
The award comprising an engraved plaque, a shawl and a cheque of Rs 1 lakh will be presented to the writers at a function on February 16 next year during Festival of Letters, the annual festival of the Akademi.
The award in Bengali is to be announced at a later date.
18:54 DAC okays purchase of Russian air defence missile systems
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia, Defence Ministry's top acquisition council on Thursday cleared the purchase of an estimated Rs 40,000 crore Russian S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems, besides giving the go-ahead to other projects worth over Rs 25,000 crore.
The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, has decided to buy 5 units of the S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems that are capable of destroying incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones within a range of up to 400 km.
Defence ministry sources said that the step has been taken to enhance the national air defence capacity.
"The price discovery will happen hereafter," a source said, when asked how much the system would cost.
Industry estimates have suggested that the missile system will cost about Rs 40,000 crore. India will be the second buyer of the missile system after China if the deal goes through.
18:13 Cong wants BJP MP Kirti Azad to head DDCA probe panel
BJP in damage control mode with party general secretary Ram Lal meeting MP Kirti Azad over his allegations of corruption in the DDCA.
Amidst the party's attack on Union Minister Arun Jaitley over an alleged scam within DDCA, Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Thursday said that a JPC should go into the matter and former cricketer and BJP MP Kirti Azad should head the panel.
"If you want to discuss the role of Arun Jaitley in DDCA then ask Kirti Azad as to how many scams there were in DDCA," Singh said outside Parliament. Azad is a BJP MP from Bihar. He, however, said that not only DDCA, the story was the same in all sports bodies in the country.Asked about the opposition party's demand for the constitution of a joint parliamentary committee on DDCA, Singh said, "The demand by Congress is absolutely right. Azad should be the chairman of the JPC."Singh also said that Congress was for a probe into the alleged scam in DDCA."We are in favour of a complete probe into it. (Delhi Chief Minister) should set up an inquiry commission to probe it," he said.Meanwhile, on the question of corruption charges levelled by CBI against senior Delhi bureaucrat Rajendra Kumar, the Congress veteran took a dig at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as he labelled the AAP leader a "big fighter against corruption".
Kejriwal has tried first to defend Kumar, but when he realised that defending Kumar is getting him a bad name, the big fighter against corruption changed track and came after Jaitley," said Singh.
"If you want to discuss the role of Arun Jaitley in DDCA then ask Kirti Azad as to how many scams there were in DDCA," Singh said outside Parliament. Azad is a BJP MP from Bihar. He, however, said that not only DDCA, the story was the same in all sports bodies in the country.Asked about the opposition party's demand for the constitution of a joint parliamentary committee on DDCA, Singh said, "The demand by Congress is absolutely right. Azad should be the chairman of the JPC."Singh also said that Congress was for a probe into the alleged scam in DDCA."We are in favour of a complete probe into it. (Delhi Chief Minister) should set up an inquiry commission to probe it," he said.Meanwhile, on the question of corruption charges levelled by CBI against senior Delhi bureaucrat Rajendra Kumar, the Congress veteran took a dig at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as he labelled the AAP leader a "big fighter against corruption".
Kejriwal has tried first to defend Kumar, but when he realised that defending Kumar is getting him a bad name, the big fighter against corruption changed track and came after Jaitley," said Singh.
17:53
BJP general secretary Ram Lal meets party MP Kirti Azad over his allegations of corruption in the DDCA.
17:31 Indo-Pak FS meet: Venue not yet decided, no role for Hurriyat
India today said the date and venue for next month's meeting between Indo-Pak Foreign Secretaries are yet to be finalised and asserted that all bilateral issues are to be addressed mutually between the two countries.
"Two Foreign Secretaries are in touch with each other but the date and venue are yet to be finalised. All the bilateral issues are to be addressed mutually between India and Pakistan and this was recently reiterated in a joint statement issued after the External Affairs Minister's meeting with the Pakistan Prime Minister and his Foreign Affairs Advisor in Islamabad," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
He was asked if Pakistani delegation again met Hurriyat separatists or the Kashmiri separatist leaders tried to meet them here. In August, the NSA-level talks were called off after New Delhi had made it clear that the then Pakistan National Security Advisor Sartaz Aziz would not be allowed to meet Kashmiri separatist leaders here.
"Two Foreign Secretaries are in touch with each other but the date and venue are yet to be finalised. All the bilateral issues are to be addressed mutually between India and Pakistan and this was recently reiterated in a joint statement issued after the External Affairs Minister's meeting with the Pakistan Prime Minister and his Foreign Affairs Advisor in Islamabad," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
He was asked if Pakistani delegation again met Hurriyat separatists or the Kashmiri separatist leaders tried to meet them here. In August, the NSA-level talks were called off after New Delhi had made it clear that the then Pakistan National Security Advisor Sartaz Aziz would not be allowed to meet Kashmiri separatist leaders here.
17:07 Why this Kashmiri Pandit is hugging everyone
Sandeep Mawa (the man on the left) is a Kashmiri Pandit married to a Kashmiri Muslim, intent upon spreading the message of love and Kashmiriyat. After starting his campaign in Srinagar, he now wants to hug Asaduddin Owaisi, Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi, Narendra Modi and do a pau lago to Sonia and Priyanka Gandhi. Archana Masih/Rediff.com spoke to the good doctor. Read
16:51
Google CEO, Sundar Pichai calls on the Prime Minister.
Oh to be in the PM's shoes!
Oh to be in the PM's shoes!
16:46
@ArvindKejriwal reacts to Arun Jaitley's blog: If Jaitley-ji were let off without investigations on basis of his press denial, then shud all coal n 2G accused also be similarly let off?
16:42 BJP MPs snigger at the All India Camera Congress
They are now being called the All India Camera Congress. The new and improved version of the AICC.
Congress MPs in the Rajya Sabha have adopted a 'quota and reservation' policy during the agitations in the Well of the House in parliament. MPs mostly from Andhra Pradesh are the first to troop into the Well of the House, once a signal is given by the Chief Whip. The MPs troop into the Well and position themselves at chosen spots -- to ensure they are in the limelight on the Rajya Sabha TV cameras. It's as if they have been frozen to their spots, not an inch do they move. And it happens every day.
BJP MPs wonder among themselves whether these MPs are mercenaries and why they do not have the responsibility to pass legislations. But most interestingly, they have now called the AICC the All India Camera Congress.
Congress MPs in the Rajya Sabha have adopted a 'quota and reservation' policy during the agitations in the Well of the House in parliament. MPs mostly from Andhra Pradesh are the first to troop into the Well of the House, once a signal is given by the Chief Whip. The MPs troop into the Well and position themselves at chosen spots -- to ensure they are in the limelight on the Rajya Sabha TV cameras. It's as if they have been frozen to their spots, not an inch do they move. And it happens every day.
BJP MPs wonder among themselves whether these MPs are mercenaries and why they do not have the responsibility to pass legislations. But most interestingly, they have now called the AICC the All India Camera Congress.
16:06 PM speaks to vice prez on parl logjam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on Vice President Hamid Ansari (who is the Rajya Sabha chairperson) inside Parliament and spent at least 30 minutes discussing the impact of stalling proceedings and the GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha thanks to a handful of Congress MPs.
15:56 Kalikho Pul led faction claims majority in Arunachal
FLASH: Kalikho Pul led faction claims majority in Arunachal Pradesh, reports ANI. The faction comprises 21 rebel Congress MLAs, 11 BJP, 2 Independent MLAs. Kalikho Pul led group trying to meet Arunachal Pradesh Governor to stake claim to form govt, roads blocked by protesters.
15:53 Amit Shah becomes phone VIP
BJP president Amit Shah has been provided with an RAX four digit secret phone managed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The phone has been installed at Shah's official residence at 11, Akbar Road. The RAX phone, which is not for public consumption, is meant solely for
communication between Union ministers and the bureaucracy. The Union
home ministry is the nodal agency to install and monitor the RAX phones,
whose exchange is housed in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
During the UPA regime, Sonia Gandhi also had an RAX phone as chairperson of the NAC. The Leader of Opposition is also given this facility.
But what is interesting is that Amit Shah's wife doesn't dare to enter the room where the RAX is kept. If it rings, it's meant for Amit Shah's sharp ears, and the BJP prez sprints to take the call, which is invariably from the PM.
During the the PM's foreign visits, the Union Home Ministry ensures that the RAX installed at South Block, is connected to the country Narendra Modi is visiting.
In fact, the PM can also use the RAX phone in his chamber inside the Air India One aircraft when he is travelling. The phone works at 40,000 ft above sea level, which is generally the cruising altitude.
So, the PM never misses out on any information be it from IB, RAW or from Army intelligence units as is being monitored by the PMO in South Block.
During the UPA regime, Sonia Gandhi also had an RAX phone as chairperson of the NAC. The Leader of Opposition is also given this facility.
But what is interesting is that Amit Shah's wife doesn't dare to enter the room where the RAX is kept. If it rings, it's meant for Amit Shah's sharp ears, and the BJP prez sprints to take the call, which is invariably from the PM.
During the the PM's foreign visits, the Union Home Ministry ensures that the RAX installed at South Block, is connected to the country Narendra Modi is visiting.
In fact, the PM can also use the RAX phone in his chamber inside the Air India One aircraft when he is travelling. The phone works at 40,000 ft above sea level, which is generally the cruising altitude.
So, the PM never misses out on any information be it from IB, RAW or from Army intelligence units as is being monitored by the PMO in South Block.
15:26 Delhi CM believes in untruth and defamation, blogs Jaitley
Finance minister Arun Jaitley rebuts AAP's charges that massive corruption took place in DDCA under the finance minister's watch. Jaitley blogs...
Free speech is unquestionably a pre-eminent Fundamental Right, but does free speech include the right to speak only falsehood? The Delhi Chief Minister, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, seems to believe in untruth and defamation, delivered in a language that borders on hysteria.
A few days ago, a Secretary of the Delhi Government was searched and arrested after being caught red handed for allegedly accepting a bribe. The CBI had conducted the operation. The Delhi Government welcomed the move. Four days later, another official close to the Chief Minister was searched for an alleged offence which related to the pre-Kejriwal period. The Chief Minister raised two pleas.
First, that it violates the federal structure of the Constitution. In addition, the Chief Minister used unacceptable adjectives against the Prime Minister and, second, he questioned the purpose of the search and tried to divert attention by linking it to the Delhi Cricket body rather than alleged corruption of this official.
Federalism
Federalism is not a one way stream. It is not always that the Union Government challenges the spirit of federalism. A State or a Union Territory, by its unacceptable conduct, can also be a threat to federalism. During the UPA Government, the Delhi Government, with no police or investigative powers, registered an FIR against two Union Cabinet Ministers of the UPA Government for voluntarily implementing a decision of the Cabinet. If State Governments start investigating decisions of the Union Cabinet there can be no greater threat to federalism. Delhi is a Union Territory with no Police powers. I had, on 12th February, 2013, written a blog and, as Leader of Opposition, condemned this violation of federalism by the Union Territory of Delhi.
If the Union Government were to consider using against the Delhi Chief Minister the adjectives that Mr. Kejriwal used against the Prime Minister, it would be legitimate to contend that this is not in consonance with the federal spirit. When two Chief Ministers, Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar Babu, supported Mr. Kejriwal, notwithstanding the use of highly objectionable words against the Prime Minister, can it be in consonance with the federal spirit? The two Chief Ministers need to redeem themselves by publicly distancing themselves from Mr. Kejriwal's vocabulary.
Now that the heat and dust of the search of an IAS officer's room has settled down, it is clear that the search had nothing to do with either the Chief Minister or his room. An official was being searched for an alleged offence in his earlier capacities. The CBI has adequately clarified that. Notwithstanding that, an actually false propaganda is being repeated continuously. Why should the Chief Minister place himself as a shield in front of an official who is facing investigation? Why should two eminent Chief Ministers lend themselves to support the blatant falsehood of Delhi's Chief Minister?
The DDCA
It is a part of propaganda technique to deflect attention when you yourselves are in the dock. Finding himself acting as a shield to cover an officer under investigation, the Delhi Chief Minister has attempted to focus attention on me. He repeats endlessly that I misled the Parliament on the Delhi raid and that he has a series of allegations to make against me in relation to my tenure as President of the DDCA Delhi's cricket body. The Congress transiently joined Mr. Kejriwal's company for the reason that its own leaders are in the dock for more than one reason.
Even though I am not concerned with cricket administration since 2013, a Member of Parliament has been writing to various governmental bodies with regard to Delhi's cricket affairs. The UPA Government seized upon the opportunity and referred the complaints to the SFIO which investigated all his complaints over a period of time and submitted a detailed Report on 21st March 2013. The Report concluded in relation to the DDCA being registered under the Companies Act, that:
"thus, in a nutshell, there are certain irregularities / non-compliance or
technical violations, but no fraud (was) noticed as alleged".
These technical and procedural violations were all compoundable and were compounded by Members against whom they were alleged. The SFIO, under the UPA regime, investigated and could not find a shred of evidence against me.
No personal allegation was ever made against me nor did I ever feel the need of contradicting it.
There are fake allegations such as escalation of cost of construction of a
stadium. When work expands, cost escalations are integral. A brand new 42,000 capacity world class stadium was constructed by the EPIL, a public sector body at a total cost of around Rs.114 crores. At the same time, the UPA Government renovated two stadiums. The Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium was renovated at a cost of over Rs.900 crores and Dhyan Chand stadium was renovated at a cost of over Rs. 600 crore.
I have felt the need for stating the above in order to counter any
unsubstantiated, non-specific allegations. I have left cricket administration in 2013. By referring to some facts of 2014 and 2015, he can't drag me in.
Free speech is unquestionably a pre-eminent Fundamental Right, but does free speech include the right to speak only falsehood? The Delhi Chief Minister, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, seems to believe in untruth and defamation, delivered in a language that borders on hysteria.
A few days ago, a Secretary of the Delhi Government was searched and arrested after being caught red handed for allegedly accepting a bribe. The CBI had conducted the operation. The Delhi Government welcomed the move. Four days later, another official close to the Chief Minister was searched for an alleged offence which related to the pre-Kejriwal period. The Chief Minister raised two pleas.
First, that it violates the federal structure of the Constitution. In addition, the Chief Minister used unacceptable adjectives against the Prime Minister and, second, he questioned the purpose of the search and tried to divert attention by linking it to the Delhi Cricket body rather than alleged corruption of this official.
Federalism
Federalism is not a one way stream. It is not always that the Union Government challenges the spirit of federalism. A State or a Union Territory, by its unacceptable conduct, can also be a threat to federalism. During the UPA Government, the Delhi Government, with no police or investigative powers, registered an FIR against two Union Cabinet Ministers of the UPA Government for voluntarily implementing a decision of the Cabinet. If State Governments start investigating decisions of the Union Cabinet there can be no greater threat to federalism. Delhi is a Union Territory with no Police powers. I had, on 12th February, 2013, written a blog and, as Leader of Opposition, condemned this violation of federalism by the Union Territory of Delhi.
If the Union Government were to consider using against the Delhi Chief Minister the adjectives that Mr. Kejriwal used against the Prime Minister, it would be legitimate to contend that this is not in consonance with the federal spirit. When two Chief Ministers, Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar Babu, supported Mr. Kejriwal, notwithstanding the use of highly objectionable words against the Prime Minister, can it be in consonance with the federal spirit? The two Chief Ministers need to redeem themselves by publicly distancing themselves from Mr. Kejriwal's vocabulary.
Now that the heat and dust of the search of an IAS officer's room has settled down, it is clear that the search had nothing to do with either the Chief Minister or his room. An official was being searched for an alleged offence in his earlier capacities. The CBI has adequately clarified that. Notwithstanding that, an actually false propaganda is being repeated continuously. Why should the Chief Minister place himself as a shield in front of an official who is facing investigation? Why should two eminent Chief Ministers lend themselves to support the blatant falsehood of Delhi's Chief Minister?
The DDCA
It is a part of propaganda technique to deflect attention when you yourselves are in the dock. Finding himself acting as a shield to cover an officer under investigation, the Delhi Chief Minister has attempted to focus attention on me. He repeats endlessly that I misled the Parliament on the Delhi raid and that he has a series of allegations to make against me in relation to my tenure as President of the DDCA Delhi's cricket body. The Congress transiently joined Mr. Kejriwal's company for the reason that its own leaders are in the dock for more than one reason.
Even though I am not concerned with cricket administration since 2013, a Member of Parliament has been writing to various governmental bodies with regard to Delhi's cricket affairs. The UPA Government seized upon the opportunity and referred the complaints to the SFIO which investigated all his complaints over a period of time and submitted a detailed Report on 21st March 2013. The Report concluded in relation to the DDCA being registered under the Companies Act, that:
"thus, in a nutshell, there are certain irregularities / non-compliance or
technical violations, but no fraud (was) noticed as alleged".
These technical and procedural violations were all compoundable and were compounded by Members against whom they were alleged. The SFIO, under the UPA regime, investigated and could not find a shred of evidence against me.
No personal allegation was ever made against me nor did I ever feel the need of contradicting it.
There are fake allegations such as escalation of cost of construction of a
stadium. When work expands, cost escalations are integral. A brand new 42,000 capacity world class stadium was constructed by the EPIL, a public sector body at a total cost of around Rs.114 crores. At the same time, the UPA Government renovated two stadiums. The Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium was renovated at a cost of over Rs.900 crores and Dhyan Chand stadium was renovated at a cost of over Rs. 600 crore.
I have felt the need for stating the above in order to counter any
unsubstantiated, non-specific allegations. I have left cricket administration in 2013. By referring to some facts of 2014 and 2015, he can't drag me in.
15:13 For boy lying on the tracks, this Vishnu is indeed the Lord
It was December 16 and young Vishnu Nair (pictured) was heading home after work. It was like any other evening, and as he reached Mahim station in central Mumbai, the usual crowds were there, commuters like him rushing home.
A newcomer to Mumbai, Vishnu, in his five months in the city, has always been amazed at the robotic life he saw all around him, especially at railway stations where people would rush through platforms to make into or out of the trains. Local trains pulling in every three minutes, belching out commuters, filling up once again and pulling out, the push and pull, the crowds on trains, everything seemed so new to him.
Still, nothing in these five months had prepared him for what he saw as he made his way through the platforms to take a train to Wadala, central Mumbai, from where he was to take another train to Khargar, Navi Mumbai. As he approached the harbour line platform No. 6, he could see the 7.28pm local pulling out and the next one was due at 7.32 pm. Platform No 6 has a single railway track, with an under-construction platform on the other side.
As Vishnu made his way to where the first class compartment halts, he saw a young boy lying on the tracks. When he pointed out the boy to other commuters, one of them said he would go and tell the station master to halt the incoming train before it crushed the boy, and disappeared from the scene.
With barely a minute left for the next train to pull in, Vishnu suddenly noticed that he was showing signs of life and was moving a little. Seeing this, and unmindful of the danger to himself, Vishnu jumped on to the tracks, picked up the boy, put him back on the platform and climbed up -- just in time as the next train was pulling into the station.
While no one bothered about the boy earlier, suddenly everyone was gathered around him. Vishnu noticed that the boy had lost a leg and was bleeding profusely, and had injuries on his forehead and shoulder. Most likely, he had fallen off the previous train, slipped between the train and platform and was run over.
Being new to the city, Vishnu had no clue about helpline numbers or any other service and yelled for the police. Someone said there were no policeman around. Realising there was little time to lose, Vishnu ran to the station master, narrated the incident and pleaded for someone to assist the bleeding boy, to provide him medical help.
By the time Vishnu got back, some Good Samaritan had tied a kerchief around his bleeding forehead and another was trying to tie a piece of cloth on his leg. Soon the station master brought some men with a stretcher to take the boy to hospital, and Vishnu headed home.
Vishnu's presence of mind, courage and helpful nature saved a 12-year-old boy from being run over by a train and adding to Mumbai's sorry statistic of death on train tracks.
A day later, what remains with Vishnu is not the thought that he saved a life, but the negligent and indifferent attitude of the people around him, who even after seeing the boy in distress did not bother to either help him or to stop the incoming train.
A newcomer to Mumbai, Vishnu, in his five months in the city, has always been amazed at the robotic life he saw all around him, especially at railway stations where people would rush through platforms to make into or out of the trains. Local trains pulling in every three minutes, belching out commuters, filling up once again and pulling out, the push and pull, the crowds on trains, everything seemed so new to him.
Still, nothing in these five months had prepared him for what he saw as he made his way through the platforms to take a train to Wadala, central Mumbai, from where he was to take another train to Khargar, Navi Mumbai. As he approached the harbour line platform No. 6, he could see the 7.28pm local pulling out and the next one was due at 7.32 pm. Platform No 6 has a single railway track, with an under-construction platform on the other side.
As Vishnu made his way to where the first class compartment halts, he saw a young boy lying on the tracks. When he pointed out the boy to other commuters, one of them said he would go and tell the station master to halt the incoming train before it crushed the boy, and disappeared from the scene.
With barely a minute left for the next train to pull in, Vishnu suddenly noticed that he was showing signs of life and was moving a little. Seeing this, and unmindful of the danger to himself, Vishnu jumped on to the tracks, picked up the boy, put him back on the platform and climbed up -- just in time as the next train was pulling into the station.
While no one bothered about the boy earlier, suddenly everyone was gathered around him. Vishnu noticed that the boy had lost a leg and was bleeding profusely, and had injuries on his forehead and shoulder. Most likely, he had fallen off the previous train, slipped between the train and platform and was run over.
Being new to the city, Vishnu had no clue about helpline numbers or any other service and yelled for the police. Someone said there were no policeman around. Realising there was little time to lose, Vishnu ran to the station master, narrated the incident and pleaded for someone to assist the bleeding boy, to provide him medical help.
By the time Vishnu got back, some Good Samaritan had tied a kerchief around his bleeding forehead and another was trying to tie a piece of cloth on his leg. Soon the station master brought some men with a stretcher to take the boy to hospital, and Vishnu headed home.
Vishnu's presence of mind, courage and helpful nature saved a 12-year-old boy from being run over by a train and adding to Mumbai's sorry statistic of death on train tracks.
A day later, what remains with Vishnu is not the thought that he saved a life, but the negligent and indifferent attitude of the people around him, who even after seeing the boy in distress did not bother to either help him or to stop the incoming train.
14:50 Never faced intolerance except when I smoke, says 'misunderstood' SRK
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan says he does not believe there is intolerance in the country, clarifying that his earlier comments on the issue were misconstrued.
The actor, who faced a strong backlash from the right groups for his remarks on intolerance in November, said he was asked to speak about future generation and his advice to them was taken out of context.
"I do not think there is intolerance or not... the question that was asked, for which people pounced on me, was 'what would you say to the future generation?' because I now fall under the seniority zone...
"Fifty per cent of our population is 25 now. If I can give any advice to them, then it would be to not differentiate in the name of region, religion, caste, colour, creed, sex or gender," Shah Rukh said on ABP News' show Press Conference.
The 50-year-old actor said he never faced any intolerance except for his habit of smoking. "I never meant that it is happening now. I don't think. I will be very clear.... everything is very nice in our country... God bless India, long live us, long live us Indians. There is no problem and nobody has been intolerant towards me except when I smoke...," the actor said, adding his stand had nothing to do with the release of his film.
Calling himself a patriot and a nationalist, SRK said he was sorry if anyone misunderstood him. "I think we are on the cusp of modernisation and best of places a country can be... We will, we can and we should be superpower. There are only small issues for young generation. I am not saying the generation which exists... I am not saying right now we have intolerance... I am not saying there is a problem. "...nowhere have I said anything which is wrong and having said that, the fact that every time I speak, things are misunderstood...," SRK said, joking that from now on he should only be asked questions about his trivialities and films.
After SRK, Aamir had landed in trouble for speaking out against the growing atmosphere of intolerance in the country.
The actor, who faced a strong backlash from the right groups for his remarks on intolerance in November, said he was asked to speak about future generation and his advice to them was taken out of context.
"I do not think there is intolerance or not... the question that was asked, for which people pounced on me, was 'what would you say to the future generation?' because I now fall under the seniority zone...
"Fifty per cent of our population is 25 now. If I can give any advice to them, then it would be to not differentiate in the name of region, religion, caste, colour, creed, sex or gender," Shah Rukh said on ABP News' show Press Conference.
The 50-year-old actor said he never faced any intolerance except for his habit of smoking. "I never meant that it is happening now. I don't think. I will be very clear.... everything is very nice in our country... God bless India, long live us, long live us Indians. There is no problem and nobody has been intolerant towards me except when I smoke...," the actor said, adding his stand had nothing to do with the release of his film.
Calling himself a patriot and a nationalist, SRK said he was sorry if anyone misunderstood him. "I think we are on the cusp of modernisation and best of places a country can be... We will, we can and we should be superpower. There are only small issues for young generation. I am not saying the generation which exists... I am not saying right now we have intolerance... I am not saying there is a problem. "...nowhere have I said anything which is wrong and having said that, the fact that every time I speak, things are misunderstood...," SRK said, joking that from now on he should only be asked questions about his trivialities and films.
After SRK, Aamir had landed in trouble for speaking out against the growing atmosphere of intolerance in the country.
14:24 Bizarre! Saudi millionaire who 'accidentally tripped and penetrated teen' cleared of rape
A millionaire property developer has been cleared by a UK court of raping a teenager after claiming he accidentally tripped and fell on her, reports the Independent.
Ehsan Abdulaziz, 46, was accused of forcing himself on an 18 year-old-girl who had slept on his sofa in his Maida Vale flat after a night out drinking.
The businessman had already had sex with the teenagers 24-year-old friend, whom he already knew, in the bedroom and said his penis might have been poking out of his underwear when he fell on the teen.
The young woman said she had woken up in the early hours of the morning, with Mr Abdulaziz on top of her, forcing himself inside her.
He claimed he had gone to see if the young woman wanted a t-shirt to sleep in, or a taxi home. But he said she pulled him on top of her and placed his hand between her legs.
His semen and DNA was found inside the young woman, but he said it was possible he had semen on his hands from having sex with the 24-year-old earlier.
In the evidence, Mr Abdulaziz showed how the girl had put her hand behind his head to pull him towards her, which is how he says he fell.
He said: Im fragile, I fell down but nothing ever happened, between me and this girl nothing ever happened.
Ehsan Abdulaziz, 46, was accused of forcing himself on an 18 year-old-girl who had slept on his sofa in his Maida Vale flat after a night out drinking.
The businessman had already had sex with the teenagers 24-year-old friend, whom he already knew, in the bedroom and said his penis might have been poking out of his underwear when he fell on the teen.
The young woman said she had woken up in the early hours of the morning, with Mr Abdulaziz on top of her, forcing himself inside her.
He claimed he had gone to see if the young woman wanted a t-shirt to sleep in, or a taxi home. But he said she pulled him on top of her and placed his hand between her legs.
His semen and DNA was found inside the young woman, but he said it was possible he had semen on his hands from having sex with the 24-year-old earlier.
In the evidence, Mr Abdulaziz showed how the girl had put her hand behind his head to pull him towards her, which is how he says he fell.
He said: Im fragile, I fell down but nothing ever happened, between me and this girl nothing ever happened.
13:58 No hike in Mumbai metro fares for now
Bombay HC refuses to allow Mumbai Metro to increase fares until the final hearing of MMRDA's plea challenging the fare fixation committee report. The matter adjourned till January 29.
13:44 Work at a place that makes you insecure, says Google CEO Sundar Pichai
A day after business meetings, including a meeting with Rail minister Suresh Prabhu and IT minister RS Prasad, Google CEO Sundar Pichai is talking to hundreds of students today at Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University. The event is being moderated by Harsha Bhogle. Highlights...
-- It is important to follow your dream and do something you are excited about, if you follow your heart you always do better.
-- We focus on innovating and making products for the future, constantly thinking of what to do next.
-- How does Google stay relevant? asks Harsha Bhogle. "We try and figure out what is next... It is also one of the reasons why we are so much interested in India because it will define future. That is why we are investing so much here," says Sundar Pichai.
-- On Start-ups: You will get many opportunities to reinvent yourself. It's worthwhile to take a risk. If it doesn't work first time, you can try again. I think in Silicon Valley, a part of reason why so many people start companies is even if you fail it is a badge of honour. I remember when I started working, people discussing ideas, they would build on it. It is a part of the culture.
-- Work in a place that makes you insecure. That will help you challenge yourself. It will make you wonder if your colleagues are doing better than you, it will push you to perform better. If you are comfortable doing what you do, there is never any stress. But that means you are not pushing yourself to perform better. Work with people who are better than you.
-- It is important to follow your dream and do something you are excited about, if you follow your heart you always do better.
-- We focus on innovating and making products for the future, constantly thinking of what to do next.
-- How does Google stay relevant? asks Harsha Bhogle. "We try and figure out what is next... It is also one of the reasons why we are so much interested in India because it will define future. That is why we are investing so much here," says Sundar Pichai.
-- On Start-ups: You will get many opportunities to reinvent yourself. It's worthwhile to take a risk. If it doesn't work first time, you can try again. I think in Silicon Valley, a part of reason why so many people start companies is even if you fail it is a badge of honour. I remember when I started working, people discussing ideas, they would build on it. It is a part of the culture.
-- Work in a place that makes you insecure. That will help you challenge yourself. It will make you wonder if your colleagues are doing better than you, it will push you to perform better. If you are comfortable doing what you do, there is never any stress. But that means you are not pushing yourself to perform better. Work with people who are better than you.
13:25 Pranab book BJP can take leaf out of
Floor managers of the BJP may do themselves a favour if they were to read one chapter of President Pranab Mukherjee's book, The Dramatic Decade: The Indira Gandhi Years, published earlier this year. Read more
13:18 Fake firms, money siphoned in DDCA, screams AAP targeting Jaitley
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today alleged massive corruption in Delhi's cricket body, DDCA at a time it was headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Delhi's ruling party alleged that the CBI raid on Arvind Kejriwal's top officer Rajender Kumar was linked to a DDCA file in the Chief Minister's office.
"This scam was about siphoning off money by creating fake companies between 1999 and 2013 and one year after that. This went on for 15 years," said AAP leader Kumar Vishwas at a press conference.
"When we tried to raise this with the Anti-Corruption Branch, it was taken away from us. The Chief Minister's office was raided. His daily diary was taken up," he said.
The Chief Minister alleges that the CBI had searched for files linked to the DDCA or Delhi and District Cricket Association in his office on Tuesday. The raids were aimed at seizing these files to help Jaitley, he said, adding that the raid team did not take the documents away only because he had highlighted this in the media.
Jaitley has rubbished the allegations and the government has stood by him. "Their strategy revolves around spit and run," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu. Another minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad, said Jaitley's honesty and integrity were well-known.
"The fact is, Kejriwal and his government are cornered, after trying to shelter a corrupt officer. Why has AAP taken up this issue, when it's in deep trouble itself?"
Jaitley was the president of the DDCA for 13 years till December, 2013.
"This scam was about siphoning off money by creating fake companies between 1999 and 2013 and one year after that. This went on for 15 years," said AAP leader Kumar Vishwas at a press conference.
"When we tried to raise this with the Anti-Corruption Branch, it was taken away from us. The Chief Minister's office was raided. His daily diary was taken up," he said.
The Chief Minister alleges that the CBI had searched for files linked to the DDCA or Delhi and District Cricket Association in his office on Tuesday. The raids were aimed at seizing these files to help Jaitley, he said, adding that the raid team did not take the documents away only because he had highlighted this in the media.
Jaitley has rubbished the allegations and the government has stood by him. "Their strategy revolves around spit and run," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu. Another minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad, said Jaitley's honesty and integrity were well-known.
"The fact is, Kejriwal and his government are cornered, after trying to shelter a corrupt officer. Why has AAP taken up this issue, when it's in deep trouble itself?"
Jaitley was the president of the DDCA for 13 years till December, 2013.
13:01
BJP spokespersons meeting Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Parliament.
12:42 Make in India? Country is a lowly 97th in Forbes ease of doing biz list
India has been ranked a low 97th out of 144 nations, behind Kazakhstan and Ghana, on Forbes' annual list of the best countries for doing business in 2015, scoring poorly on metrics like trade and monetary freedom and tackling challenges like corruption and violence.
Denmark topped the list of the 144 nations on the Best Countries of Business in 2015 list by Forbes.
The US has dropped four spots to number 22, continuing a six-year descent since 2009 when it had ranked second overall. The US is the financial capital of the world and its largest economy at USD 17.4 trillion (China is second at USD 10.4 trillion), but it scores poorly on monetary freedom and bureaucracy/red tape, Forbes said. India is ranked 97th on the list, with Forbes saying that while the country is developing into an open-market economy, traces of its "past autarkic policies" remain.
Denmark topped the list of the 144 nations on the Best Countries of Business in 2015 list by Forbes.
The US has dropped four spots to number 22, continuing a six-year descent since 2009 when it had ranked second overall. The US is the financial capital of the world and its largest economy at USD 17.4 trillion (China is second at USD 10.4 trillion), but it scores poorly on monetary freedom and bureaucracy/red tape, Forbes said. India is ranked 97th on the list, with Forbes saying that while the country is developing into an open-market economy, traces of its "past autarkic policies" remain.
12:31 Anil Ambani, Spielberg join hands to form Amblin Partners
The Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Entertainment and acclaimed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks today announced formation of Amblin Partners -- a new film, television and digital content creation company. Participant Media led by Jeff Skoll and Entertainment One (eOne), a leading US-based media company, are also part of the joint venture.
12:20 Grenade attack at CRPF bunker in Srinagar, no one injured
Militants lobbed a hand grenade at a bunker of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in downtown Srinagar this morning. No one was, however, injured in the blast, according to a senior police officer. He said some private vehicles parked nearby were damaged.
"Militants lobbed a grenade at a CRPF bunker in Sekidaffar area of the old city. No one was injured," the officer said. The area around the camp was surrounded by the security forces for searches. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mukhtar Ahmad/Rediff.com in Srinagar
Pic: A car was damaged in the grenade explosion.
"Militants lobbed a grenade at a CRPF bunker in Sekidaffar area of the old city. No one was injured," the officer said. The area around the camp was surrounded by the security forces for searches. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mukhtar Ahmad/Rediff.com in Srinagar
Pic: A car was damaged in the grenade explosion.
12:06 Sensex slips 40 points in late morning trade
The benchmark BSE Sensex pared its initial gains and slipped by 39.60 points in late morning trade on profit-booking in key stocks of energy, auto, oil and gas, technology and FMCG sectors.
Earlier, the market rallied 165 points on a firm trend in Asian equities following overnight rally in US bourses after the Federal Reserve announced the first interest rate hike in nearly a decade.
The index resumed higher at 25,596.63 and hovered between 25,659.32 and 25,452.88. It was trading at 25,454.77 at 1145 hours, showing a loss of 39.60 points, or 0.16 per cent, over its previous close. The NSE Nifty was also trading lower by 8.65 points, or 0.11 per cent, at 7,742.25.
Earlier, the market rallied 165 points on a firm trend in Asian equities following overnight rally in US bourses after the Federal Reserve announced the first interest rate hike in nearly a decade.
The index resumed higher at 25,596.63 and hovered between 25,659.32 and 25,452.88. It was trading at 25,454.77 at 1145 hours, showing a loss of 39.60 points, or 0.16 per cent, over its previous close. The NSE Nifty was also trading lower by 8.65 points, or 0.11 per cent, at 7,742.25.
12:03 Is India REALLY immune to Fed cuts?
India is not immune to potential market jitters on account of interest rate hike by the US Fed, but favourable economic growth outlook makes it attractive for foreign investors, Fitch Ratings today said.
The country's less dependence on exports and improved external balances make it better placed than many of its peers, it said.
"India is not immune to potential general emerging market jitters related to the Fed lift-off, but it is better placed than many of its peers for a number of reasons," said Thomas Rookmaaker, Director, Sovereign Ratings, Fitch Ratings.
The US Federal Reserve had last night hiked interest rates by 0.25 per cent. This is the first hike in about a decade, signalling a recovery in the US economy. "India's favourable economic growth outlook makes India relatively attractive for foreign investors," he said.
India Ratings and Research, a Fitch Group company, said the interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve is a welcome sign of normalisation in the US economy and will augur well for domestic financial markets like forex and bonds.
The country's less dependence on exports and improved external balances make it better placed than many of its peers, it said.
"India is not immune to potential general emerging market jitters related to the Fed lift-off, but it is better placed than many of its peers for a number of reasons," said Thomas Rookmaaker, Director, Sovereign Ratings, Fitch Ratings.
The US Federal Reserve had last night hiked interest rates by 0.25 per cent. This is the first hike in about a decade, signalling a recovery in the US economy. "India's favourable economic growth outlook makes India relatively attractive for foreign investors," he said.
India Ratings and Research, a Fitch Group company, said the interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve is a welcome sign of normalisation in the US economy and will augur well for domestic financial markets like forex and bonds.
11:40 The Salman effect? Drunk-driving lawyer gets her licence back
A week after Salman Khan was acquitted in the 2002-hit-and-run case, corporate lawyer Janhavi Gadkar, accused in a drunken driving case, has been given back her driving licence.
According to a report in the Hindustan Times, the sessions court ordered the police to return her driving licence.
Gadkar was reportedly allowed to take her licence back after she submitted the required endorsement from the RTO. The court had allowed the car to be returned to her last week, and she can use the car without changing its colour.
Gadkar was granted bail against a surety of Rs 30,000 on August 5, after spending 57 days in jail. Along with other charges, she is charged with culpable homicide, not amounting to murder.
According to a report in the Hindustan Times, the sessions court ordered the police to return her driving licence.
Gadkar was reportedly allowed to take her licence back after she submitted the required endorsement from the RTO. The court had allowed the car to be returned to her last week, and she can use the car without changing its colour.
Gadkar was granted bail against a surety of Rs 30,000 on August 5, after spending 57 days in jail. Along with other charges, she is charged with culpable homicide, not amounting to murder.
11:29 US doubles H-1B visa fee for Indian IT professionals to $4,000
The US Congress has imposed a special fee of up to $4,500 on the H-1B and L-1 visas popular among Indian IT companies to fund a 9/11 healthcare act and biometric tracking system.
Congressional leaders, while agreeing on the $1.1 trillion spending bill, decided to impose a special fee of $4,000 on certain categories of H-1B visas and $4,500 on L-1 visas. The US House of Representative is slated to vote on the $1.1 trillion spending bill deal.
The money generated, expected to be more than a billion dollar per annum, would be used to fund a biometric entry and exit tracking system, in addition to funding health screenings and treatments for 9/11 first responders.
According to the agreed bill, the new $4,000 fee would apply to companies having at least 50 employees with 50 per cent of their employees on H-1B or L-1 visa.
Such companies would have to pay a new fee of $4,000 for H-1B visas and $4,500 for L-1 visas. While the specific provisions of the spending bill has no mention of Indian IT companies, the language of the bill has been written in such a way that it would have a big impact on Indian IT companies.
Though the lawmakers behind the bill described it as a temporary provision, the new H-1B and L-1 visa fee increase is for a period of 10 years as against a previous provision of five years. The previous such provision from 2010 to 2015 of $2,000 for H-1B visas lapsed on September 30.
In a study released in September this year, NASSCOM, the trade association of Indian IT industry, said Indian IT companies have paid between $70 to $80 million annually for the US Treasury approximately.
Given that, the new punitive measure is expected to raise between $1.4 billion and $1.6 billion every year for the next one decade. Expecting that this provision would generate more than $1 billion per annum, the bill says that after $1 billion is deposited for 9/11 first responders and the Biometrics Ext account, the rest of the money would be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury.
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised the issue with US President Barack Obama when the latter telephoned him to thank for his leadership role on achieving the historic agreement on climate change in Paris on December 12.
"The Prime Minister shared with President Obama the concerns of the Indian IT industry and professionals on the proposed legislation in the US Congress relating to H-1B and L-1 visas," according to the prime minister's office.
Congressional leaders, while agreeing on the $1.1 trillion spending bill, decided to impose a special fee of $4,000 on certain categories of H-1B visas and $4,500 on L-1 visas. The US House of Representative is slated to vote on the $1.1 trillion spending bill deal.
The money generated, expected to be more than a billion dollar per annum, would be used to fund a biometric entry and exit tracking system, in addition to funding health screenings and treatments for 9/11 first responders.
According to the agreed bill, the new $4,000 fee would apply to companies having at least 50 employees with 50 per cent of their employees on H-1B or L-1 visa.
Such companies would have to pay a new fee of $4,000 for H-1B visas and $4,500 for L-1 visas. While the specific provisions of the spending bill has no mention of Indian IT companies, the language of the bill has been written in such a way that it would have a big impact on Indian IT companies.
Though the lawmakers behind the bill described it as a temporary provision, the new H-1B and L-1 visa fee increase is for a period of 10 years as against a previous provision of five years. The previous such provision from 2010 to 2015 of $2,000 for H-1B visas lapsed on September 30.
In a study released in September this year, NASSCOM, the trade association of Indian IT industry, said Indian IT companies have paid between $70 to $80 million annually for the US Treasury approximately.
Given that, the new punitive measure is expected to raise between $1.4 billion and $1.6 billion every year for the next one decade. Expecting that this provision would generate more than $1 billion per annum, the bill says that after $1 billion is deposited for 9/11 first responders and the Biometrics Ext account, the rest of the money would be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury.
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised the issue with US President Barack Obama when the latter telephoned him to thank for his leadership role on achieving the historic agreement on climate change in Paris on December 12.
"The Prime Minister shared with President Obama the concerns of the Indian IT industry and professionals on the proposed legislation in the US Congress relating to H-1B and L-1 visas," according to the prime minister's office.
11:21 Tactless raid, unsavoury fallout
There may be some questions of propriety arising from the CBI raids on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's office, but the development need not have been followed by the unsavoury political war that has broken out between the Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP '" indeed, between the Delhi and Central governments. Read more
Pic: Ashish Joshi had filed the complaint against Rajender Kumar.
Pic: Ashish Joshi had filed the complaint against Rajender Kumar.
11:19 It is good to see Indian intellectuals retain their 'moral voice'
Indira Gandhi is reported to have remarked to a friend that her stint in
office after returning to power in 1980 was made difficult by her lack
of support among the intelligentsia.
Indira Gandhi was not an intellectual herself, and hence not given to making extravagant comments for effect, as intellectuals often do; she obviously meant what she said. But then why should lack of support among the intelligentsia matter to her? Those in political power are surrounded by officers belonging to the Indian Administrative Service and other such services, who, in a certain sense, belong to the intelligentsia and who advise them as a matter of course. She obviously did not miss their support. So what is it that she missed that, by her own admission, made life difficult for her in the post-1980 period? Read more
Indira Gandhi was not an intellectual herself, and hence not given to making extravagant comments for effect, as intellectuals often do; she obviously meant what she said. But then why should lack of support among the intelligentsia matter to her? Those in political power are surrounded by officers belonging to the Indian Administrative Service and other such services, who, in a certain sense, belong to the intelligentsia and who advise them as a matter of course. She obviously did not miss their support. So what is it that she missed that, by her own admission, made life difficult for her in the post-1980 period? Read more
11:14 Kejriwal's secretrary reaches CBI office for questioning
Principal Secretary to Delhi Chief Minister, Rajender Kumar who has been accused for criminal conspiracy and has a case registered against him by the CBI reached the investigating agency's headquarters in New Delhi this morning for questioning.
He has been accused of setting up various companies to give work contracts without tenders which has been a huge loss to the Delhi government.
Facing the ire of the Delhi Government for the raid conducted on the Delhi Secretariat, the CBI has said that it would be producing search cum seizure memo containing details of all seized items from Rajender Kumar before the competent court.
He has been accused of setting up various companies to give work contracts without tenders which has been a huge loss to the Delhi government.
Facing the ire of the Delhi Government for the raid conducted on the Delhi Secretariat, the CBI has said that it would be producing search cum seizure memo containing details of all seized items from Rajender Kumar before the competent court.
11:07 Impact of Fed rate hike on India will be 'very minimal': CEA
The rate hike by the US Federal Reserve is in line with global expectations and its impact on India will be "very minimal" due to our strong macroeconomic conditions, Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian said today.
"This rate hike was widely anticipated, so I think markets should have priced this in and there shouldn't be much of an impact of this per se (on markets)," he told reporters here. "As far as India is concerned, we are really well cushioned. Inflation is coming down, fiscal deficit situation is very good, external situation is also robust. So, I think for all these reasons, impact on India would be very minimal," he added.
Subramanian further said that there should not be much volatility in the Indian market due to this global development. US Federal Reserve had last night raised the interest rate by 0.25 per cent.
"This rate hike was widely anticipated, so I think markets should have priced this in and there shouldn't be much of an impact of this per se (on markets)," he told reporters here. "As far as India is concerned, we are really well cushioned. Inflation is coming down, fiscal deficit situation is very good, external situation is also robust. So, I think for all these reasons, impact on India would be very minimal," he added.
Subramanian further said that there should not be much volatility in the Indian market due to this global development. US Federal Reserve had last night raised the interest rate by 0.25 per cent.
10:56 'Desperate Housewife' visits Taj Mahal with fiance
Hollywood actress Eva Longoria, who recently got engaged to boyfriend Jose Antonio Baston, visited the Taj Mahal along with her fiance. The 40-year-old "Desperate Housewives" star took to social media to share pictures of her visit. The actress behaved like a stereotypical tourist as she leapt in front of the mausoleum for an Instagram post. "Can't leave Agra without a jumping photo in front of Taj Mahal."
10:42 Onus of running Parliament smoothly on govt as well: Shashi Tharoor
Stating that Congress cannot be blamed for the logjam in Parliament, party leader Shashi Tharoor said the onus of ensuring its smooth functioning was "as much" on the government as he asked the Narendra Modi dispensation to take the party's concerns "very seriously".
Tharoor said there will be constructive response from opposition parties only if the government reached out to them in a "constructive way".
At a time when Congress is up in arms against the government, Tharoor will on Friday introduce three private members bills seeking to amend Section 377 of IPC to de-criminalise homosexuality, offering rights to foreign nationals seeking asylum in India and amending Section 124A of IPC to ensure that the sedition term is not misused.
10:35 'India well-prepared to deal with US Fed's rate hike'
The finance ministry today said India was well prepared to deal with the impact of the US Federal Reserve's interest rate hike and the end of uncertainties will actually help policy-makers in emerging economies.
"US Fed rate hike and reference to gradualism are on expected lines. India well prepared," Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das tweeted.
The US Federal Reserve last night hiked interest rates by 0.25 per cent.
This is the first hike in about a decade, signalling a recovery in the US economy.
"End of uncertainty and accommodative outlook for future will help policy-makers in emerging economies," Das said.
He added that the Fed's confidence on recovery is good news for India's exports, especially for the IT sector.
Meanwhile, the rupee today opened 13 paise higher at 66.60 against the US dollar. Besides, the 30-share BSE Sensex rose 131.43 points at 25,625.80 in opening trade.
Image alongside shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
10:00 Kejriwal's principal secretary Rajender Kumar questioned again
After being questioned for nine hours on Wednesday, Rajendra Kumar, principal secretary to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, was grilled again on Thursday. As the CBI tries to unearth a seven-year-long scam, Kumar has been quizzed for nearly 22 hours in the past two days. After two days of intensive questioning, the CBI is yet to establish a quid pro quo, saying that Kumar had favoured a private firm, whose owners had worked with Kumar at some point of time.
09:43
JUST IN: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia meets Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, to address a press conference at noon today.
09:41 Maharashtra to file fresh plea in Supreme Court to keep dance bars shut
In a last-ditch attempt to keep the ban on dance bars in Maharashtra -- the Supreme Court had lifted the ban in an interim order in October -- the state government has said it will file a fresh affidavit in the top court, and highlight how reopening the bars will give rise to "social ills".
The decision to file the fresh affidavit comes even as the state has started framing rules to govern how dance bars function, if the ban is fully lifted. The new affidavit, the state said, is likely to stress further on the need for the ban for "the good of society'. The state will file it in the next few weeks. The SC will next hear the case in February 2016.
09:13
Rupee appreciates to 66.62 against the US dollar.
09:08 Liftoff! Asian markets rise after historic Fed decision
We have liftoff! Asian markets rose Thursday after the US Federal Reserve added one to the history books, announcing it would raise interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade. Japan's benchmark Nikkei led the way in morning trading, rising 2.3%. The ASX All Ordinaries gained 1.6%, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was up around 1.3%. The Sensex and Nifty, in all probability will maintain their upward bias and open on a firm note Thursday, mirroring the trend seen in other Asian markets.
08:40 California shooters buried in quiet funeral following Islamic rituals
Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, who opened fire on a San Bernardino holiday party earlier this month, were buried in a quiet, graveside funeral guarded by FBI agents.
Many of those who attended mosque with the couple refused to attend, two mosque members said.
US-born Farook, 28, and his Pakistani-born wife Malik, 29, killed 14 people and injured 21, in what US officials have called a terrorist attack. They died later that day in a gun battle with police.
The funeral followed traditional Islamic rituals, said an attendee. At a Muslim cemetery hours away from San Bernardino, the bodies were cleansed according to Islamic rules, wrapped in white cloth and buried.
08:08 Trump's Muslim ban plan is 'full of hatred', says Nobel prize winner Malala
Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager and Nobel Peace Prize winner, condemned Donald Trump's controversial plan to ban Muslims. "Well that's really tragic that you hear these comments which are full of hatred, full of this ideology of being discriminative towards others," she said.
In a 2012 assassination attempt, Malala was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen. The attack took place when Malala, an advocate for girls' right to education, was riding a bus on her way home from school.
Some Muslim advocacy groups have similarly criticised Trump for lumping in peaceful Muslims with radical Islamic terrorist groups. Trump has said the US does not have the capability to distinguish between the two.
08:02 IAF finds 3 women trainees suitable to fly combat planes
Three women training at the Air Force Academy near Hyderabad have been found suitable to fly warplanes, bringing them a step closer to becoming India's first female fighter pilots.
One of the three women is the daughter of an air warrior. The other two are from civilian backgrounds, though one of them has a brother serving in the army.
The cadets will graduate from the academy on December 19 before those selected for the fighter stream head for Hakimpet near Hyderabad in early January for stage-II training on Kiran Mk-II planes for six months.
The decision to allow women to fly warplanes -- a watershed in the air force's 83-year history -- has been taken on an "experimental basis" and the government will review it after five years.
02:39 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens': What critics are saying
You may have heard that the Force will be awakening on December 18. To provide an outlet for our excitement, we've assembled another Vulture Advent Calendar -- in this case, 25 Star Wars-themed stories, one per day until Christmas. None of them will involve midi-chlorians.
The home stretch is upon us, we've finally made it! After years and years of waiting patiently (and eagerly clinging to any developments and news we could get our hands on), Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be making its way into theaters across the country this Friday.
Critics screened the film earlier this week, and with the reviews rolling in, we've compiled a roundup of what they're saying -- and in an effort to be as spoiler-free as possible, we only included parts that don't specifically talk about the plot.
Read this article HERE
01:53 Man punches Spanish PM in face, breaks his glasses
A young man punched Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy hard in the head Wednesday evening after managing to get next to him at a campaign appearance in the northern city where Rajoy grew up.
The unidentified attacker was standing next to Rajoy on a street in the city of Pontevedra in the Galicia region while he talked to a crowd, then pulled his arm back and delivered a punishing left hook to Rajoy's left check.
Video on Spanish TV showed Rajoy falling toward the ground from the impact but being propped up by others around him.
01:49
President Obama spoke on phone today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to thank him for his vision and leadership in achieving the historic climate agreement in Paris on December 12, noting that it continued their close and strong partnership on a range of issues that are important to both the United States and India.
Obama and Modi each underscored the importance of implementing the agreement and working together in the future on climate change, including through the Mission Innovation initiative announced in Paris on November 30.
00:53 US to sell $1.83 billion worth arms to Taiwan
The Obama administration today notified Congress of a $1.83 billion arms sale package for Taiwan amid firm opposition from China.
"Today, the Administration notified Congress of a $1.83 billion defensive arms sale package for Taiwan," said David McKeeby, a spokesperson for the US Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. This notification follows previous notifications by the Obama Administration totalling over $12 billion.
The notification is consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, and its support for Taiwan's ability to maintain a sufficient self-defence capability, he added.
This foreign military sales package supports Taiwan's efforts to develop more innovative and asymmetric defensive capabilities. McKeeby said the US arms sales to Taiwan are guided by the Taiwan Relations Act and based on an assessment of Taiwan's defence needs.
00:38
US stocks extend gains in volatile trading, as investors digest Fed decision to raise rates.
00:37
Spot gold pares gains after Fed raises rate.
00:34 US Federal Reserve raises key rate by 0.25%
JUST IN: The US Federal Reserve has raised the key rate by 0.25%. This is the first time it has been done so since June 2006.
00:11 No India-type nuke agreement with Pakistan: US
The Obama Administration today ruled out any India-type nuclear agreement with Pakistan as top American lawmakers expressed serious concerns over the growing Pakistani nuclear arsenal.
"We are not negotiating a 123 agreement with Pakistan," Richard G Olson, Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, told lawmakers during a hearing on Pakistan convened by the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee. "We had a very candid discussion with Pak about some of the concerns that we have including about short range nuclear weapons. Pakistan is prepared to have discussions with us," he said in response to a question. Olson said Pakistan is well aware of the extremist and insurgent threats to the security of its nuclear weapons and has a professional and dedicated security force.
"As with all nuclear-capable states, we have urged Pakistan to restrain its nuclear weapons and missile development and stressed the importance of avoiding any developments that might invite increased risk to nuclear safety, security, or strategic stability," he said.
Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in his remarks alleged that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is on a track to be the third largest.
00:03 Top headlines of the last 24 hours
HC pulls up Delhi police, terms demolition drive a 'raid'
Air India staffer sucked into jet engine at Mumbai airport, dies
Kejriwal's principal secretary questioned at CBI headquarters for nine hrs
India launches six Singapore satellites onboard PSLV-C29
Karti Chidambaram's office searched by ED
France's Hollande to be chief guest at next Republic Day parade
Air India staffer sucked into jet engine at Mumbai airport, dies
Kejriwal's principal secretary questioned at CBI headquarters for nine hrs
India launches six Singapore satellites onboard PSLV-C29
Karti Chidambaram's office searched by ED
France's Hollande to be chief guest at next Republic Day parade
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