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Sat, 26 December 2015
Live! Don't expect much from Indo-Pak talks in January: Sartaj Aziz
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23:31 Don't expect much from Indo-Pak talks in January: Sartaj Aziz
Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz today said it would not be fair to expect much from the talks scheduled here next month between the foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India.
Speaking to Radio Pakistan's Current Affairs programme about the possibility of peace between Pakistan and India, Aziz said it would not be fair to expect instant resolution of all issues between the two countries.
'And therefore, initially focus would be on reduction of tension and maintenance of calm on the Line of Control to provide relief to the people living across the LoC,' he said.
Aziz said the comprehensive dialogue in January between Pakistan and India will focus on all outstanding issues, including Kashmir.
He said in a meeting between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan in Lahore on Friday it was decided that foreign secretaries of the two countries would meet in mid-January to decide details of dialogue on all issues.
To a question, he said promotion of good relations with all neighbours is the policy of Prime Minister Sharif as this is a pre-requisite to benefit from projects aimed at regional connectivity and resolution of energy crisis.
Speaking to Radio Pakistan's Current Affairs programme about the possibility of peace between Pakistan and India, Aziz said it would not be fair to expect instant resolution of all issues between the two countries.
'And therefore, initially focus would be on reduction of tension and maintenance of calm on the Line of Control to provide relief to the people living across the LoC,' he said.
Aziz said the comprehensive dialogue in January between Pakistan and India will focus on all outstanding issues, including Kashmir.
He said in a meeting between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan in Lahore on Friday it was decided that foreign secretaries of the two countries would meet in mid-January to decide details of dialogue on all issues.
To a question, he said promotion of good relations with all neighbours is the policy of Prime Minister Sharif as this is a pre-requisite to benefit from projects aimed at regional connectivity and resolution of energy crisis.
22:30 Don't sacrifice Kashmir for 'personal friendship': Hafiz Saeed to Sharif
The mastermind of 26/11 attacks on Mumbai Hafiz Saeed has strongly reacted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Pakistan, saying Nawaz Sharif should not sacrifice Kashmir for his personal friendship with Modi.
Lashkar-e-Tayyba founder Saeed posted a video on the Twitter handle of Jamaat-ud-Dawa on Saturday saying the 'welcome given to Modi has hurt patriotic Pakistanis'.
'Before coming to India, Modi incited Afghans against Pakistan while he was in Kabul and then he came to Pakistan because of his personal friendship with our PM Nawaz Sharif. All this is very annoying and infuriating. But we mustn't forget that this is the same Modi who previously during his visit to Bangladesh openly took credit for breaking Pakistan into two and admitted being part of the volunteer-movement that actively participated,' said Saeed, whose JuD is considered a front of the Lashkar.
Lashkar-e-Tayyba founder Saeed posted a video on the Twitter handle of Jamaat-ud-Dawa on Saturday saying the 'welcome given to Modi has hurt patriotic Pakistanis'.
'Before coming to India, Modi incited Afghans against Pakistan while he was in Kabul and then he came to Pakistan because of his personal friendship with our PM Nawaz Sharif. All this is very annoying and infuriating. But we mustn't forget that this is the same Modi who previously during his visit to Bangladesh openly took credit for breaking Pakistan into two and admitted being part of the volunteer-movement that actively participated,' said Saeed, whose JuD is considered a front of the Lashkar.
22:15 Parts of US face severe weather threats
As many as 15 million people in the US are facing severe weather threats today.
Parts of the Deep South are trying to recover from tornadoes and widespread flooding as states farther west begin to brace for their own severe weather.
A major winter storm will slam the southern Rockies and the southern Plains on Sunday, the National Weather Service said. That means heavy snowfall, sleet and possible blizzard conditions could wreak havoc for some travelers headed home this holiday weekend.
An arctic cold front will swoop down to the Rio Grande area of west Texas, bringing a nasty mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain from there to New Mexico on Saturday and Sunday, the weather service said.
In addition to snow, icing conditions are expected from central Oklahoma up into Kansas with ice accumulation and strong winds, making the roads dangerous for driving. CNN
Parts of the Deep South are trying to recover from tornadoes and widespread flooding as states farther west begin to brace for their own severe weather.
A major winter storm will slam the southern Rockies and the southern Plains on Sunday, the National Weather Service said. That means heavy snowfall, sleet and possible blizzard conditions could wreak havoc for some travelers headed home this holiday weekend.
An arctic cold front will swoop down to the Rio Grande area of west Texas, bringing a nasty mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain from there to New Mexico on Saturday and Sunday, the weather service said.
In addition to snow, icing conditions are expected from central Oklahoma up into Kansas with ice accumulation and strong winds, making the roads dangerous for driving. CNN
21:18 One dead in massive fire near Kolkata's Dum Dum Park
A major fire broke out in slums near Kolkata's Dum Dum Park on Saturday evening, gutting over 70-80 shanties.
A few reports, quoting police officials, said that one person has died in the incident.
Ten fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the flames.
Locals said that they heard several blast sounds, which they suspect were of LPG cylinder explosions, around 7 pm following which the fire spread out.
A few reports, quoting police officials, said that one person has died in the incident.
Ten fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the flames.
Locals said that they heard several blast sounds, which they suspect were of LPG cylinder explosions, around 7 pm following which the fire spread out.
20:31 Vadra faces flak for criticising Delhi's 'odd-even' formula over VIP exemptions
The Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party hit out at Robert Vadra on Saturday for criticising the even-odd vehicle scheme in Delhi and accused him of being a 'hypocrite' as he himself enjoyed the privileges of a VIP.
Vadra has criticised and termed as 'complete hypocrisy' the exemptions granted to vehicles of VIPs by the Delhi government in its 'even-odd scheme' to control pollution, saying all must adhere to the law.
While the AAP asked the Congress president's son-in-law to help in the success of the initiative aimed at bringing pollution under check, BJP said it was ironic and raised more questions.
"He is the biggest hypocrite and he is talking about hypocrisy. He should say what good or productive he has done for the society until now. Instead of commenting on the policy, it would be good if he makes any contribution to make Delhi government's initiative successful," AAP's Delhi unit convenor Dilip Pandey said.
The Congress, however, said Vadra was only airing the views of Delhiites as no alternative transport facilities have been created while restricting the entry of vehicles in the national capital and accused the AAP of promoting VIPs by giving them exemptions.
Taking a jibe at Vadra for talking about equal treatment, BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said, "What an irony. Mr Robert Vadra all his life took privileges for not being an ordinary citizen and he is making a comment about exemptions. I think it is an irony and it raises more questions about him."
AAP spokesperson Ashutosh said, "He is a symbol of hypocrisy...Robert Vadra has no right to speak on this subject like this because he himself is a VIP without a reason. He has been a celebrity all his life and enjoyed being a VIP."
Defending Vadra's remarks, Congress spokesperson Tom Vaddakan said he is expressing the view of the citizens of Delhi and 'rightly so, when there is no operational facility available in terms of transport, in terms of metro and the last mile factor and the connectivity is not there.'
He said while the disabled and patients are exempted by the AAP government, the doctors are not. Judges are permitted but lawyers are not.
"If democracy is to be throttled in this way and the provisions of aadm aadmi (common man) is all about khas aadmi (VIPs) by these VIP exemptions, questions will be asked by people of Delhi," Vaddakan said.
Vadra has criticised and termed as 'complete hypocrisy' the exemptions granted to vehicles of VIPs by the Delhi government in its 'even-odd scheme' to control pollution, saying all must adhere to the law.
While the AAP asked the Congress president's son-in-law to help in the success of the initiative aimed at bringing pollution under check, BJP said it was ironic and raised more questions.
"He is the biggest hypocrite and he is talking about hypocrisy. He should say what good or productive he has done for the society until now. Instead of commenting on the policy, it would be good if he makes any contribution to make Delhi government's initiative successful," AAP's Delhi unit convenor Dilip Pandey said.
The Congress, however, said Vadra was only airing the views of Delhiites as no alternative transport facilities have been created while restricting the entry of vehicles in the national capital and accused the AAP of promoting VIPs by giving them exemptions.
Taking a jibe at Vadra for talking about equal treatment, BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said, "What an irony. Mr Robert Vadra all his life took privileges for not being an ordinary citizen and he is making a comment about exemptions. I think it is an irony and it raises more questions about him."
AAP spokesperson Ashutosh said, "He is a symbol of hypocrisy...Robert Vadra has no right to speak on this subject like this because he himself is a VIP without a reason. He has been a celebrity all his life and enjoyed being a VIP."
Defending Vadra's remarks, Congress spokesperson Tom Vaddakan said he is expressing the view of the citizens of Delhi and 'rightly so, when there is no operational facility available in terms of transport, in terms of metro and the last mile factor and the connectivity is not there.'
He said while the disabled and patients are exempted by the AAP government, the doctors are not. Judges are permitted but lawyers are not.
"If democracy is to be throttled in this way and the provisions of aadm aadmi (common man) is all about khas aadmi (VIPs) by these VIP exemptions, questions will be asked by people of Delhi," Vaddakan said.
19:43 Imran Khan sees 'conflict of interest' in Modi-Sharif meet
Pakistan's opposition leader Imran Khan today asked Pakistan and India to engage in dialogue through institutional framework even as he termed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi a 'conflict of interest'.
Khan who welcomed the surprise visit of Modi to Lahore on Friday took to micro-blogging website Twitter for a veiled swipe at the alleged involvement of an Indian businessman.
'Meetings of PMs through business associates undermine the detente process and raise questions of conflict of interest,' he tweeted.
'We welcome the thaw in Pak-India relations but to have a business associate arrange the two prime minister meeting has an underlying conflict of interest. Meeting of the two prime ministers, from secret Kathmandu one to Lahore one, must be through institutional frameworks with ministry of foreign affairs in the loop for sustainability,' he said.
The cricketer-turned-politician was also critical of reports that Indian steel tycoon Sajjan Jindal could have been instrumental in the latest meeting after he reportedly arranged a secret meeting of the two in Kathmandu on the sidelines of the last South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit.
Jindal was in Lahore when Modi landed there for stopover to see Sharif.
According to local media, Jindal has personal ties with Sharif and was invited for the marriage of Sharif's grand-daughter.
Khan who welcomed the surprise visit of Modi to Lahore on Friday took to micro-blogging website Twitter for a veiled swipe at the alleged involvement of an Indian businessman.
'Meetings of PMs through business associates undermine the detente process and raise questions of conflict of interest,' he tweeted.
'We welcome the thaw in Pak-India relations but to have a business associate arrange the two prime minister meeting has an underlying conflict of interest. Meeting of the two prime ministers, from secret Kathmandu one to Lahore one, must be through institutional frameworks with ministry of foreign affairs in the loop for sustainability,' he said.
The cricketer-turned-politician was also critical of reports that Indian steel tycoon Sajjan Jindal could have been instrumental in the latest meeting after he reportedly arranged a secret meeting of the two in Kathmandu on the sidelines of the last South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit.
Jindal was in Lahore when Modi landed there for stopover to see Sharif.
According to local media, Jindal has personal ties with Sharif and was invited for the marriage of Sharif's grand-daughter.
19:38 'Merry Easter': Harvey's another gaffe after wrong Miss Universe announcement
Steve Harvey, the man who gave the Miss Universe crown to the wrong contestant, has now offered Easter greetings to the world instead of Christmas.
'Merry Easter, y'all!' ran the caption to a picture of Harvey, smoking a cigar and flashing a peace sign.
The picture was posted on Friday on Harvey's Twitter handle.
On December 20, Harvey, a comedian and talk-show host, misread his cue card at the Miss Universe pageant and announced that Miss Colombia had triumphed. Moments later, he apologised and announced that Miss Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, was the actual winner.
'Merry Easter, y'all!' ran the caption to a picture of Harvey, smoking a cigar and flashing a peace sign.
The picture was posted on Friday on Harvey's Twitter handle.
On December 20, Harvey, a comedian and talk-show host, misread his cue card at the Miss Universe pageant and announced that Miss Colombia had triumphed. Moments later, he apologised and announced that Miss Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, was the actual winner.
18:41 Major victory for Congress in MP municipal council elections
The Congress on Saturday registered victory on five out of eight urban bodies seats where elections were held on December 22.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party could only manage to win three seats.
The Congress won presidential post in Shajapur Municipal Council and city councils of Dhamnod, Orcha, Bhedaghat and Majholi.
The BJP emerged victorious in Sehore, Mandsour and Shahganj.
The BJP had won seven out of these eight urban bodies in last elections.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party could only manage to win three seats.
The Congress won presidential post in Shajapur Municipal Council and city councils of Dhamnod, Orcha, Bhedaghat and Majholi.
The BJP emerged victorious in Sehore, Mandsour and Shahganj.
The BJP had won seven out of these eight urban bodies in last elections.
18:29 Go to court if DDCA probe panel is illegal: Kejriwal to Centre
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday that if the Centre has any problem with the appointment of an inquiry commission to probe alleged irregularities in Delhi District Cricket Association, it should go to court and reiterated that the Aam Aadmi Party government will not step back from its decision.
"We will not back off our decision. If the Union home ministry has any problem with Delhi government's notification to appoint commission of inquiry to probe the alleged irregularities in the DDCA, it may approach the Delhi high court," Kejriwal said.
Kejriwal said that an elected government of Delhi has the power to constitute a commission of inquiry and the Centre can not declare the probe panel 'null and void'.
"We will not back off our decision. If the Union home ministry has any problem with Delhi government's notification to appoint commission of inquiry to probe the alleged irregularities in the DDCA, it may approach the Delhi high court," Kejriwal said.
Kejriwal said that an elected government of Delhi has the power to constitute a commission of inquiry and the Centre can not declare the probe panel 'null and void'.
18:04 Modi's Pak stopover gets cheers from China too
China today welcomed the surprise meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore, saying improvement in Indo-Pak ties is significant for regional peace, stability and development.
"The Chinese side has noticed the report and welcomes the latest development in the Pakistan-India relationship," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said.
Lu said Pakistan and India are important countries in South Asia and the improvement of their relationship will be significant to regional peace.
"As the common neighbour and friend of both Pakistan and India, China is happy to see and will support, as always, Pakistan and India to enhance mutual trust and achieve common development through continuous dialogue," he added.
"The Chinese side has noticed the report and welcomes the latest development in the Pakistan-India relationship," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said.
Lu said Pakistan and India are important countries in South Asia and the improvement of their relationship will be significant to regional peace.
"As the common neighbour and friend of both Pakistan and India, China is happy to see and will support, as always, Pakistan and India to enhance mutual trust and achieve common development through continuous dialogue," he added.
17:41 Advani lauds Modi's Pak visit
Bharatiya janata Party veteran Lal Krishna Advani on Saturday backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative of visiting Lahore and meeting his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif.
The BJP veteran recalled former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's initiative of visiting Lahore saying the present leadership needs to take it forward.
"The efforts initiated by Vajpayee ji, should be taken forward by present leaders like Modi ji and others, regarding the relationship of India and Pakistan," Advani said.
"The friendship between both the nations must get stronger so that both can get rid of the terror outfits which have been created in last few days," he added.
The BJP veteran recalled former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's initiative of visiting Lahore saying the present leadership needs to take it forward.
"The efforts initiated by Vajpayee ji, should be taken forward by present leaders like Modi ji and others, regarding the relationship of India and Pakistan," Advani said.
"The friendship between both the nations must get stronger so that both can get rid of the terror outfits which have been created in last few days," he added.
17:05 After uproar, Air India denies dropping non-vegetarian meals from menu
NDTV reports: Air India today denied reports that the loss-making flag carrier has taken off non-vegetarian food from the menu for economy class passengers on flights up to 90 minutes duration.
Citing a circular dated, December 23, some reports had also said the airline has decided to strike off both tea and coffee from its lunch and dinner menu starting January 1.
But Air India officials said that hot meals, including non-vegetarian ones, were served only on flights over 90 minutes in duration. For shorter flights, only cold snacks were served, they said. This has now been "upgraded" to hot vegetarian meals, they added.
Junior aviation minister Mahesh Sharma said, "There is no change in the previous system, only upgradation has been done. Apart from snacks, some hot food has been started. There is no controversy of vegetarian and non-vegetarian. We have started offering hot food considering it is winter."
"In the long duration flights, the system of veg and non-veg will remain same. We have upgraded the existing facility," he added.
16:39 Delhi University professor with 'Naxal' links surrenders
Suspended Delhi University Professor G N Saibaba, accused of having links with Maoists, has surrendered before the Central Jail authorities in Nagpur as per the directive of the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court.
Saibaba, who was on bail till December 31, gave himself up to jail authorities on Friday night, prison sources said today.
On December 23, the bench had rejected his regular bail application and directed him to surrender within 48 hours.
Justice Arun Choudhary had declined the request to grant more time to Saibaba to surrender and directed the police to arrest him if he failed to turn up within two days.
The HC cited a medical report which clearly stated that proper medical aid was extended to Saibaba by doctors when he was lodged in the Nagpur prison.
Lawyers of the wheelchair-bound Professor had pleaded for extension of bail on health grounds.
Saibaba was arrested in May 2014 by Gadchiroli police of Maharashtra for alleged active links with Naxals.
15:44 India, Pakistan, Bangladesh will reunite: BJP's Ram Madhav
India, Pakistan and Bangladesh will reunite one day to create "Akhand Bharat" or an 'Undivided India', BJP's National General Secretary Ram Madhav has said.
In an interview to Al Jazeera, the former spokesperson and national executive member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh said that this can happen "without war, through popular consent".
"The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh still believes that one day these parts, which have for historical reasons separated only 60 years ago, will again, through popular goodwill, come together and Akhand Bharat will be created," Madhav said.
Madhav further added that he holds on to that view as a member of the RSS - the ideological mentor of the BJP.
"That does not mean we wage war on any country, [or that] we annex any country. Without war, through popular consent, it can happen," he clarified.
Read more HERE
15:41 Mumbai police bans boat parties on New Year's eve
Mumbai is again on the radar of terrorists, reports claimed on Saturday.
As per an IBN7 report, terrorists could target Mumbai on New Year.
Taking precautions, the Mumbai Police has gone into alert mode and and banned private New Year boat parties on the city's coastline.
No one will be allowed to hold any party on a boat or yacht on the night of December 31, police sources said.
A three-tier security system will be in place for the New Year. The naval boundary will be secured by the Navy while the Coast Guard will patrol waters off the Mumbai coast. The coastline will be manned by the Marine Police.
15:38 Veteran actress Sadhana cremated
Veteran Bollywood actresss Sadhana Shivdasani, who passed away on Friday morning after a long battle with cancer, was cremated on Saturday afternoon at the Oshiwara Electric Crematorium in Mumbai in the presence of her family and a handful of members from the Hindi film fraternity.
She was 74 and a widow, and is survived by her foster daughter.
The legendary actress underwent a surgery for bleeding oral lesion last year.
A top-rung Bollywood star in the 1960s and 1970s, Sadhana was born in Karachi, now in Pakistan. However, after partition, when she was barely seven, her family migrated to India and settled in Bombay (now Mumbai).
She entered films as a child artiste in 1955 with a minor appearance in Raj Kapoor's film, Shree 420.
15:11 3 youths on their way to join ISIS held at Nagpur airport
In a joint operation by Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad and Telangana Police, three youths from Hyderabad were on Saturday arrested at the international airport in Nagpur while they were allegedly on their way to join the terror organisation ISIS.
"We got information that the youth would be boarding the early morning flight from Nagpur to Srinagar," a senior ATS officer told PTI.
The men were held in a joint operation conducted by the Telangana Police and the ATS, the officer said.
"The youth, who came to Nagpur by cab, were handed over to the Telangana Counter-Intelligence cell," the officer said.
They were residents of Humayun Nagar Gulshan Iqbal Colony in Hyderabad and were reported missing, he said.
They were planning to board an flight to Srinagar from Nagpur after arriving from Hyderabad on Friday.
15:06 89 people injured as quake jolts Pakistan
At least 89 people were injured in Pakistan on Saturday when a powerful earthquake measuring 6.9-magnitude on Richter Scale jolted several parts of the country including areas bordering Afghanistan.
The centre of the quake with 196-km depth was Afghanistan and it was also felt in parts of Tajikistan and India, said Ghulam Rasool, Meteorological Department Director General.
However, no loss of life transpired from the earthquake, said an official of the Police Emergency Control Room.
The US Geological Survey put the intensity of the quake at 6.3 and the epicenter 41 kilometres west-southwest of Ashkasham area of Afghanistan, in the Hindu Kush Mountains, and at a depth of 203-km.
As many as 59 people were injured in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber-Pakthunkhwa, whereas other minor injuries reported include 17 from Swat, 12 from dir Lower district and one from Buner district, an official of Provincial Disaster Management Authority said.
15:05 Chillai-Kalan freezes Kashmir; weatherman predicts rains
The mercury remains sub-zero at most places in Kashmir and Ladakh, even as it went up by few notches amidst MET office forecast of scattered rains for next two days.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, an increase of two degrees from the previous night's minus 5.2 degrees Celsius, a spokesman for the MET department said in Srinagar.
The minimum temperature at the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg registered an increase of over four degrees from the previous night's minus 10.2 degrees Celsius to settle at minus 5.7 degrees Celsius.
Another famous tourist resort Pahalgam, which serves as a base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, recorded a low of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, also an increase of over four degrees from minus 8.0 degrees Celsius of the previous night, the spokesman said.
13:45 'Star Wars' breaks Christmas day box office record!
Star Wars: The Force Awakens continues to add feats to its list of box office records and now has the biggest Christmas Eve domestic gross with $27.5 million, defeating previous record holder Avatar which took in $11.2 million in 2009.
The seventh installment of the Star Wars saga also broke the opening week domestic box office record, earning $391.1 million after seven days in theatres, reported Ace Showbiz.
The film beat out previous record holder Jurassic World, which took in $296.2 million during its first week at North America box office in May.
The Star Wars movie is now the 22nd highest domestic grosser of all time. It outpaced Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II ($381 million), Finding Nemo ($380.8 million) and Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith ($380.3 million).
12:53 Strike disrupts normal life in Kashmir
Normal life was disrupted in Kashmir Valley today due to a strike called by Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani to protest the killing of a mother-son duo in Rajouri district by a member of Village Defence Committee.
Shops, business establishments, private offices and petrol pumps in and around the city centre in Srinagar remained shut, while attendance in government offices was affected due to the strike, officials said.
They said public transport was sparse but private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws plied normally.
Banks remained closed on account of the fourth Saturday of the month, while schools are shut because of the ongoing winter vacations.
Reports of shutdown were also received from most of the district headquarters of the Valley, the official said.
Geelani had called for a state-wide shutdown to protest the killing of Shamima Akhter and her three-year-old son Tohid allegedly by VDC member Mushtaq Ahmed.
11:36 Air India to serve only veg meals in economy class domestic flights from Jan 1
If Indians travelling on international airlines have been complaining about being foisted with vegetarian fare despite choosing otherwise, here is a shocker for them.
Starting this New Year's Day, Air India has decided to serve only vegetarian food on its flights clocking between 61 and 90 minutes of flying time.
A circular, dated December 23 and signed by Captain D X Pais, general manager of Air India, addressed to the cabin crew, stated, "It has been decided to provide only Indian vegetarian hot meals in economy class on domestic sector flights with duration between 61 and 90 minutes, from January 1, 2016."
The directive also said that tea and coffee would be off the menu on flights that fly during lunch and dinner time.
Trying to explain the move, an official said, "During take-off and touch down, there is no scope for any service as the galley equipment has to remain fastened. In the time available for service, it is not possible for us to juggle passenger choices' of meals. As a non-vegetarian can have a vegetarian meal but not the other way round, the decision was logical."
Read more HERE
11:29 We will kill Rajan in Tihar jail, says Chhota Shakeel
India Today reports: Dreaded underworld don, Dawood Ibrahim, who has been reportedly hiding in Pakistan since the Mumbai blasts in 1993, has turned religious.
In an exclusive interview with Mail Today, his closest aide Chhota Shakeel spilled the beans on Dawood's birthday celebrations, their plans for Chhota Rajan and more. Dawood is turning 60 today.
A section of the media had reported that massive celebrations will take place and an announcement will be made of a heir apparent during Dawood's birthday celebrations. Shakeel said all these are just rumours.
Speaking to Mail Today over the phone, Shakeel called these media reports part of a 'Bollywood script' and said there would be no big celebrations, but India should wish Dawood on his 60th birthday.
Read more HERE
11:26 Dawood retiring from D-company on 60th birthday today?
Zee News reports: India's most wanted person and 1993 Mumbai serial blasts mastermind Dawood Ibrahim is all set to celebrate his 60th birthday in Pakistan on Saturday and, as per reports, announce his retirement from D-company.
If reports are to be believed, Dawood, a designated terrorist, will today bid adieu to the underworld and appoint his closest confidante Chhota Shakeel as his successor to head the D-company.
However, some media reports indcate that the mafia kingpin will hand over the reins of the organised crime syndicate to his younger brother Anees Ibrahim and Shakeel.
The underworld don's birthday celebrations are expected to be organsied on a grand scale in Pakistan's Lahore.
Relatives of Dawood from Dubai have already flown to Lahore to attend the function, which is also to be attended by his business associates from Kenya and Nairobi.
11:23 Nation will pay cost of PM's tea in Lahore: Congress
The Congress Party on Saturday launched a tirade at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his surprise visit to Pakistan, saying that the cost of his meals would be paid by the country in terms of national security.
"What has changed between India and Pakistan that the Prime Minister dropped in for tea in Lahore? Has Pakistan agreed to re-arrest Lakhvi? Have they agreed to expedite the 26/11 trial? Have they agreed to handover Dawood Ibrahim to India? Have they agreed to return back the parts of Kashmir which are illegally occupied by them?" Congress leader Manish Tewari told ANI.
"Prime Minister can have breakfast in Kabul, tea in Lahore and dinner in New Delhi but the cost of that would be paid by the country in terms of its national security," he added.
10:15 Tremors in parts of North India after 6.5 quake in Hindu Kush
A moderate intensity earthquake, with epicentre in Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, shook Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of North India in the wee hours of Saturday.
The earthquake, measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale, was 186 km deep, according to the National Seismology division of Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The earthquake occurred at 12:44 am, India Meteorological department said. There was no report of any loss of life or damage to property till the last reports came in.
People in the national capital region of Delhi rushed out of their homes.
Jammu and Kashmir also felt the tremors. People in the Kashmir region rushed to safety in chilling cold after feeling the quake.
An official of the Meteorological department in JK said that it would be premature to say whether there has been any loss of life or damage to property in the state due to the earthquake.
10:09 India, Pakistan foreign secretaries to meet on Jan 15
The foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan will meet on January 15 in Islamabad.
Though there was no official announcement to this effect, sources said that Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar will travel to Islamabad to hold talks with his counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry.
The meeting will discuss modalities of bilateral comprehensive dialogue which was announced during the visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Islamabad earlier this month.
On December 23, the neighbouring country had proposed talks between their foreign secretaries to discuss all the outstanding issues in the middle of January.
According to sources, India had accepted the proposal.
10:05 3 Indians, who were assaulted by Saudi employer, return home
Three Indian workers, who were allegedly physically tortured by their employer in Saudi Arabia, returned to Trivandrum this morning.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had tweeted, "All the three Indian workers are reaching Trivandrum from Saudi Arabia by Flt FZ 439 at 02.30 hrs on December 26 2015."
According to reports, the three youths, hailing from Haripad in Kerala's Alappuzha District, were taken to Saudi Arabia by a placement agency on false job promises.
A video recorded by one of the youths and circulating on WhatsApp showed their Saudi employer beating them with a wooden plank.
10:01 Tamil Nadu observes 11th anniversary of tsunami today
Tamil Nadu is today observing the 11th anniversary of tsunami disaster.
The tsunami, which had hit on December 26, 2004, devastated the Nagapattinam district and claimed over 6,680 lives.
Fishermen in many coastal districts of Tamil Nadu will not be venturing out into the sea today to pay homage.
10:00 Coast Guard rescues eight crew members of distressed ship
In yet another life-saving mission, Indian Coast Guard on Friday evening rescued eight crew members of a cargo vessel which suffered crack on the hull off the Murud coast near Mumbai.
Coast Guard Ship Samrat, on patrol duty, received a distress alert at about 06.45 PM from the crew of the dhow, MSV Sarojini, which was 12 NM (20km) west of Murud, about 50km south of Mumbai.
The vessel was on passage from Porbandar to Beypore (Kerala) carrying 430 tonnes of soda ash with eight crew (all from Gujarat), a Coast Guard spokesperson said in a release.
The ship experienced crack on the hull and its engine room started flooding. On receiving the message, ICGS Samrat proceeded for rescue operation and intimated Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Mumbai as well as Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (West) about the exercise.
Braving the night and weather conditions, all eight crew of the ill-fated MSV were safely rescued and brought onboard ICGS Samrat.
09:59 UN chief welcomes Modi-Sharif meeting in Lahore
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise diplomatic move by visiting Pakistan on his way back home, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the surprise meeting between Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore, hoping that the bilateral dialogue will be maintained and strengthened going forward.
"The Secretary General has long been encouraging both leaders of the two countries to engage in dialogue. He obviously welcomes this visit and this step in the right direction and he hopes that the dialogue will be maintained and strengthened," a UN spokesperson told PTI when asked about the UN chief's response to Modi's visit to Pakistan, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in more than a decade.
09:56
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