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Sat, 29 October 2016
Only 2 points separate Clinton, Trump in latest tracking poll
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22:24 Only 2 points separate Clinton, Trump in latest tracking poll
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are separated by only two percentage points in a new Washington Post-ABC News tracking poll, ending a week in which the race has tightened as core Republican groups have returned to Trumps fold.
Likely voters split 47 percent for Clinton and 45 percent for Trump, according to the survey conducted Monday through Thursday. That's little changed from a 48-44 split in the previous day's tracking results, which covered Sunday through Wednesday, but it is a substantial tightening since last weekend when Clinton led by a wide margin.
21:01 Don't subject army to 'petty politics' for partisan gains: Govt to Rahul
Urging Rahul Gandhi not to subject army to "petty politics" for partisan gains, the government today said the Congress vice president was not right on facts when he questioned the implementation of the 'One Rank, One Pension' scheme.
"The first thing is Rahul Gandhi is wrong on facts. But a larger issue is to make him aware that armed forces is an important institution of the country. They are doing sensitive work to make India secure. I would urge Rahul Gandhi not to subject army to petty politics," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told news agency PTI.
Prasad, who holds the Law, Justice and Information Technology portfolios, emphasised that it was the Narendra Modi government which has taken the decision to implement the 'One Rank, One Pension' policy which comes at an annual load of Rs 10,000 crore on the exchequer.
Responding to Gandhi's charges, Prasad said that as far as equivalence part is concerned, the same has been in force since 1998-99. "There is no new policy initiative undertaken taken by the Narendra Modi government in this regard," the minister said.
He said that as far as pension payment on slab system is concerned, it is a recommendation of the Pay Review Committee which the government has not accepted.
20:47 Sharif sacks minister over news report on rift with army
The Pakistan government on Saturday sacked Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid over the recent "leaked" media report about a rift between the civilian and military leaderships on support to militancy.
The Prime Minister's spokesman Musadiq Malik confirmed that "initial evidence" was against Rashid in the leak of sensitive information of a high profile national security meeting.
"Investigation into controversial story is in the final stage and it will be shared with media in a couple of days. Who was responsible for the leakage of sensitive information to the Dawn reporter will be known soon," Malik said adding "investigation is still underway".
Rashid is a close aide of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and reports suggest that the anti-army information could not have been leaked to the media without his consent.
PTI leader Imran Khan welcomed the ouster of Rashid saying a "darbari" (courtier) of Sharif had gone and others would go soon as well.
In another development, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif left for Dubai along with his family at a time when Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has said it will lock down Islamabad on November 2 to protest against Sharif over corruption allegations.
19:43
5 killed in firing at religious gathering in Karachi's Nazimabad: Pak Media
19:43 Australian ex-Miss Universe says Trump treated her with respect
An Australian former Miss Universe said today that Donald Trump had always treated her with respect after a video emerged of an embarrassing exchange between the pair in Sydney in 2011.
Jennifer Hawkins won the pageant in 2004, when it was owned by Trump.
Trump, now the Republican presidential nominee, accuses her in the video as he addresses 10,000 people at the National Achievers Congress in Sydney of initially refusing to introduce him. She blames a
"miscommunication" with her management.
The video, released by Huffington Post, shows Hawkins raising her forearm between she and Trump as he kisses her on the cheek.
He gets laughs from the crowd with a double entendre and she tells Trump that he has embarrassed her before leaving the stage.
Hawkins, who Trump has described as his favorite Miss Universe, is a successful businesswoman who has praised Trump as an inspiration.
"Donald and his family, I have to say, have always been respectful to me, and that's all I can really say," the 32-year-old said in Melbourne today as she was questioned by media in her role as an Australian department store
ambassador.
"I've seen what's been going on in the news, but really what is there for me to say other than that he respected me during that time in my life and I have a lot of respect for him because of that," she added, referring to the 2004 pageant.
18:37 Rs 5 cr to Army welfare fund never decided at ADHM meeting: Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said the contribution of Rs 5 crore to the Army Welfare Fund by filmmakers was "never decided" at the meeting he had mediated between MNS chief Raj Thackeray and director Karan Johar to ensure smooth release of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil".
Replying to a question whether he will monitor the filmmakers' contribution demanded by the MNS, now that the film has released, Fadnavis said, "Such a decision (filmmakers' contribution of Rs 5 crore) was never taken at
the meeting. Even producers' guild chief Mukesh Bhat has said that I had told the producers that there was no compulsion to accept the MNS demand."
Under fire for "brokering" a deal between producers of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" and Raj Thackeray, Fadnavis had earlier said he had opposed the offer of Rs 5 crore contribution from the film makers to the Army Welfare Fund.
"When the issue of Rs 5 crore came up, I intervened and made it clear to the Film Producers' Guild that they need not have to agree to it. I also told them that the contribution has to be made voluntarily. However, it was the producers decision to accept it," Fadnavis had said explaining his stand.
18:03
Farhat, PA of Samajwadi Party MP, arrested in Pak espionage case, sent to 10-day police custody by court.
17:49 India storm into final of Asian Hockey Champions Trophy
India beat South Korea 5-4 on penalties to enter Asian Champions Trophy final after the match had finished 2-2 in normal time.
In the final, they will take on the winners of the Pakistan vs Malaysia match.
17:13 Shooter Heena withdraws from Iran event, refuses to wear hijab
Indian pistol shooter Heena Sidhu has pulled out of the Asian Airgun Shooting Championship in Iran due to the compulsory hijab rule for all women athletes.
The former world number one thinks that forcing athletes to wear a hijab is against the spirit of a sport.
"Sport is an exhibition of sheer Human Effort Performance. Our ability to dig deep for Strength, Will Power and Determination.
"This is d reason I compete n I cannot compete for anything lesser than this. But I wud also not have my personal opinion politicised," Sidhu wrote on her twitter handle.
The championship is scheduled be held in Iran's capital Tehran in December.
16:57 India's NSG membership will affect regional stability: Sharif
Pakistan has said India getting membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group will affect security in South Asia and derail "global non-proliferation'.
Pakistan says India's military nuclear programme is a threat to peace and it should not be admitted to NSG.
"This build-up (of nuclear arsenal) has been facilitated by the 2008 Nuclear Suppliers Group waiver granted to India, which not only dented the credibility of the non-proliferation regime and undermined its efficacy, but also negatively affected the strategic balance in South Asia,' said Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakariya at a weekly press briefing, reports the Dawn.
Zakariya said that another country-specific exemption by the NSG regarding membership would make the ill effects of the 2008 exemption worse.
It remains our hope that the NSG member states would make a well-considered decision this time keeping in view its long-term implications for the global non-proliferation regime as well as strategic stability in our region, he said.
16:36 Ranbir Kapoor clarifies his 'mauke pe chauka' comment
Actor Ranbir Kapoor has clarified a comment he made on Ae Dil Hai Mushkil co-star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan during an interview and said he respects her.
While talking about the intimate scenes between him and Aishwarya in the film, Ranbir apparently said in a radio interview that he felt shy, so much so that his hands used to shiver and he was hesitant to even touch her cheeks.
He then added that Aishwarya asked him to do it properly,reminding him that they were acting at the end of the day.
"Tabhi maine socha, kabhi aisa mauka milega nahi, so maine bhimauke pe chauka maar diya!" Ranbir said.
Now, in a statement, the actor has said that his comments"in a radio interview were taken in a bad taste," though he has not mentioned the particular statement. The statement says he is hurt about how a candid conversation has been blown out of context and sensationalised into headlines and stories.
"Aishwarya is such a superb actor and a also a family friend. She's one of India's most talented and respected women. I will be forever grateful to her for her contribution to Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. I could not have disrespected her like that!" the 34-year-old actor said.
16:33 India, China NSAs to meet next week to discuss bilateral ties
National Security Advisors of India and China will meet next week to discuss measures to improve bilateral ties which are strained by differences over a host of issues including India's admission into NSG and Beijing's attempts to block UN ban on JeM Chief Masood Azhar.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi will meet in Hyderabad in November first week for informal dialogue on the state of bilateral relations, specially the irritants bedevilling the development of ties, officials said.
Besides blocking India's admission into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, China had put a second technical hold on India's move to bring about a UN ban on Azhar. Also India has been protesting over the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
While India is concerned over the Pakistan factor creeping into India-China relations making the bilateral ties more complex, China too is airing its apprehensions over the movement to boycott Chinese goods in India as well the visit of US Ambassador to New Delhi, Richard Verma, to Arunachal Pradesh, which it considers as Southern Tibet and Indias permission to allow the Dalai Lama to visit the area.
Chinese officials say Beijing is apprehensive about India moving closer to US and Japan broadening its strategic and defence ties with both the countries.
Doval and Yang who are the designated Special Representatives of the India-China boundary talks, also periodically meet to discuss the whole gamut of the Sino-Indian relations.
16:02 Tata group HR head N S Rajan quits
Days after Cyrus Mistry was ousted, Tata group's human resources chief N S Rajan has put in his papers.
Rajan, who held the position of Tata Group's chief of human resources, was one of the members of the now disbanded Group Executive Council set up by Mistry.
He put in his papers yesterday, sources said.
Rajan came on board of the GEC in May 2013, after it was set up a month earlier headed by Mistry with the objective providing strategic and operational support to him.
On Monday, when the ouster of Mistry by the Tata Sons board was announced, the GEC was also disbanded.
Soon after, Tata Group's website removed all the details related to the GEC, including profile of the members.
15:47 Pak spy racket: SP MP's aide arrested
Samajwadi Party MP Munabbar Saleem's personal assistant who was detained on Friday night in Pakistan espionage case, was arrested today.
Farhat was detained on Friday night, said a senior crime branch officer.
Meanwhile, Saleem said that he will cooperate with the police in the case.
"I had appointed the PA a year back after due parliamentary checks. I am ready to extend all support during probe," said Saleem.
On Thursday, in the midst of heightened Indo-Pak tensions, Pakistan high commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar was detained by police for accessing sensitive defence documents while running a spy ring for Inter Service Intelligence, and was immediately declared persona non grata.
Image: Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
15:31 Another tiger dies in MP; toll rises to 23 in 2016
A tiger, popularly known as 'Kingfisher', was found dead in the Kanha Tiger Reserve, taking the death toll of the big cats in Madhya Pradesh in the last 10 months to 23.
Twenty-two deaths of tigers, three due to poisoning in the Pench Tiger Reserve on March 28, one each due to electrocution in the wilds of Chhindwara and Kanha were reported on January 22 and October 22 respectively,
This is the second tiger death in Kanha in the last week.
15:13 Wish I were born in 60s: Aamir Khan
Superstar Aamir Khan calls 1960s the golden period of Indian cinema and says he wishes he was born during that period, which had greats like K Asif, Guru Dutt at the helm of films.
The 51-year-old actor says the filmmakers of those times were a product of "turmoil" in the country, and hence brought a different sensibility to the craft.
"The 1960s were real and good. At that time people had gone through and risen from social upheaval, Independence struggle was there, partition had taken place... So, that entire generation of people who were creative at that time... Sahir Ludhianvi, Majrooh Sultanpuri...Very left wing leaning people...
"I feel I wish I was born at that time. Mehboob Khan saheb, K Asif, Guru Dutt... These are all people of that turmoil time, they grew up in that era. I feel that was the golden period of Indian cinema," Aamir said.
The actor was speaking at a panel discussion for the launch of his filmmaker uncle Nasir Husain's biography, "Music Masti Modernity: The Cinema of Nasir Husain," written by Akshay Manwani.
During the Q&A with fans, Aamir, however, pointed out that even today they are many creative people in the film industry who are trying to do ground breaking work.
"But I think in fact now today even more and more young people are coming up with different stories, challenging themselves, challenging the audience. I make films from heart. There are many people who love their art, they do all sort of crazy things just out of their love for cinema.
"The movies I have worked in, look at the writers of those films, the stories that you liked or might have liked in which I have worked...Those have been penned by other writer, not me," he added.
14:44 Govt insists no abnormal increase in vacancies in high courts
Rapped by the Supreme Court for delaying judicial appointments, the government has said it has increased the sanctioned strength of high court judges from 906 to 1,079 and insisted that there has been no abnormal increase in the vacancies in the high courts under NDA rule.
The average annual rate of appointment of judges in the high courts has not declined during the last two years, though no new appointments were made during April-December, 2015 due to hearing of the NJAC matter, sources told the Press Trust of India.
"Government of India has utmost respect for the judiciary and its independence," a source said, against the backdrop of strong statement by Chief Justice of India T S Thakur over the vacancies not being filled up.
The government, the sources said , is concerned about the increasing pendency in the judicial courts and "hence, government has been making all out efforts to see that the vacant posts are filled up".
While the sanctioned strength in June, 2014 was 906, the present government increased it to 1,079 in June this year, the sources added.
14:42 Nitish announces Rs 11 lakh ex gratia for BSF jawan's family
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today announced Rs 11 lakh ex gratia to the next of kin of BSF head constable Jitendra Singh who was killed in Pak shelling at R S Pura sector in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.
Expressing deep condolence at the martyrdom of the brave soldier from the state, Kumar said state honour was accorded to the martyred BSF man during his last rites today, he said.
The jawan, a native of Raxual in East Champaran district, was killed in shelling from Pakistan in violation of ceasefire.
The chief minister said in his condolence message that the country would always remember Singh's martyrdom and that the entire state was with his family in this hour of grief.
The last rites of the BSF personnel was held at his native Siswa village in Raxual along Indo-Nepal border.
13:52 Implement OROP in a meaningful way: Rahul to PM Modi
Coming down heavily on the Centre for hurting the sentiments of India's Armed Forces, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to implement the One Rank One Pension (OROP) in a meaningful way, as soldiers should not struggle to claim what is due to them.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Rahul asserted that decisions taken over the last few weeks by the government have adversely affect the morale of the armed forces, adding that it was the government's duty to show the soldiers, who risk their lives each day to defend the nation, that they are cared for.
"Just days after our soldiers conducted the surgical strikes, the disability pension system was converted to a new slab system, that in many instances drastically reduces the pension received by these brave men in case of a disability. The roll out of the 7th Pay Commission continues to keep our defence forces at a disadvantage and further exacerbates the disparity between them and civil employees," the letter read.
The full text of the letter can be read by clicking on the image (left).
13:44 Jolie, Pitt sell New Orleans home for $4.9 million
Former power couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have sold their New Orleans home for $4.9 million.
The property was purchased by the exes back in 2007 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina for $3.5 million shortly after creating the Make It Right Foundation, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The organization was established with an aim to boost real estate development.
The property over 7,500-square-feet has three stories. The house comprises of five bedrooms, three full bathrooms and two half-bathrooms.
In September, Jolie filed for divorce from her husband of two years citing "irreconcilable differences".
The two had been together since 2004.
According to court documents, Jolie, 41, is currently seeking physical custody of their six kids and not seeking spousal support.
13:06 5th ODI: India opt to bat vs New Zealand
Dhoni wins the toss, India opt to bat vs New Zealand at Vizag. The series stands level at 2-2
12:48 Fire in crackers shop in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district
A fire broke out out in a crackers market in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district.
Ten fire tenders have reached the spot.
More details are awaited.
12:38 BSF, Army giving befitting reply to Pak firing: Rajnath
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said that the BSF and the Army are giving befitting reply to ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
"I want to assure the nation that our BSF and Army are giving befitting reply to Pakistan. India won't be let down," Singh said.
Praising soldier's effort, Rajnath said, "If today we are being able to celebrate Diwali, it is only because of our jawans."
Four army and three BSF personnel have died in the latest escalation along the boundary with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.
12:16 Pak espionage case: SP MP Munabbar Saleem's PA detained
Personal assistant of Samajwadi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Munabbar Saleem has been detained by Delhi Police in connection with the espionage racket in which a Pakistan high commission staffer was expelled from the country and three persons were arrested.
Farhat, the PA of SP's Rajya Sabha MP was detained last night, said a senior Crime Branch officer, adding his interrogation is underway.
Delhi Police is also trying to nab other members of the racket who, it believes, were in close contact with Pakistan high commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar who was caught receiving secret documents in New Delhi on October 26.
Two others, Maulana Ramzan and Subhash Jangir, residents of Nagaur, Rajasthan, were held along with Akhtar. Another accused Sohaib was detained in Jodhpur and brought to Delhi by the police where he was arrested.
11:40 Bihar road rage case: Rocky Yadav surrenders
Rocky Yadav, who is accused of killing Aditya Sachdeva, a Class 12 student in a road rage case in Gaya in May, today surrendered in the Gaya civil court.
Rocky -- who was not traceable after the Supreme Court on Friday cancelled his bail granted by the Patna high court -- arrived at Patna airport morning from Delhi and surrendered in the Gaya court, said a district police official.
M I Khan/Rediff.com in Patna
11:33 SRK, Alia on Koffee with Karan premiere
Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt will be the first guests on Season 5 of Koffee with Karan.
Karan Johar shared a video which shows Alia and SRK answering KJo's questions. KJo is an old SRK buddy and has been a mentor to Alia who he launched in Student Of The Year.
09:03 Clinton campaign doubts FBI motive, seeks more info
Stunned by the FBI's decision to re-open its investigation into Hillary Clinton's email scandal, her campaign has raised serious doubt over the agency's move just 11 days before the US presidential elections and sought more information about the probe.
'It is extraordinary that we would see something like this just 11 days out from a presidential election. The Director owes it to the American people to immediately provide the full details of what he is now examining. We are confident this will not produce any conclusions different from the one the FBI reached in July,' Clinton Campaign chairman John Podesta said in a strongly worded statement.
The Clinton campaign was taken aback when it learned from the US media that FBI Director James Comey had written a letter to top Congressional leaders informing that it has learned of the existence of emails that appear to be pertinent to its investigation in to the use of private server and personal emails by Clinton, when she was the secretary of state from 2009 to 2012.
Neither the State Department or the White House knew about the FBI's latest move until the letter was leaked to the media by a Republican leader in the United States Congress.
08:50 Nobel left me speechless: Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan has broken his silence on the Nobel Prize for literature, which he says left him 'speechless.'
Asked if he would accept the Prize? 'Of course,' Dylan told the Swedish Academy, which awards the Prize, a fortnight after he was awarded the prize.
There was uncertainty if Dylan would accept the prize, leading one academy member to call him 'impolite and arrogant.'
When The Daily Telegraph newspaper asked Dylan if would turn up in Stockholm on December 10 to accept the Nobel Prize, Dylan said: 'Absolutely. If it's at all possible.'
Dylan also told the Telegraph that the award was 'amazing, incredible,' saying: 'It's hard to believe.' '
Whoever dreams about something like that?'
00:55
Reuters reports: New emails tied to Clinton inquiry discovered after FBI seized devices from Clinton aide Huma Abedin and Anthony Weiner
00:47 US stocks sink as FBI reopens Clinton email probe
Wall Street stocks took a sudden turn lower today on news that the FBI had reopened a probe into Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's emails.
US stocks had been comfortably in positive territory prior to news that Federal Bureau of Investigation head James Comey informed lawmakers that he was restarting the probe.
Comey in June sharply criticised Clinton's handling of classified information as Secretary of State on a private email server, but did not recommend charges be brought against her.
Near 17.30 GMT, the S&P 500 was down 0.3 per cent at 2,127.70 after hitting a session high of 2,140.72 shortly before the news broke.
00:45
NDTV reports: Jayalalithaa signs off on by-poll affidavit with thumb print; doctor says right hand inflamed, temporarily unable to sign
00:44 If India can grow at 8 pc, why can't US: Trump
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump today criticised outgoing President Barack Obama for leading a slow economic growth, arguing that if a "large country" like India can grow at eight per cent, why the US is not.
Trump's remarks at an election rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, came hours after latest figures showed the American economy grew 2.9 per cent in the third quarter this year.
The outspoken billionaire from New York said Obama is the first American president under whom the economic growth rate of the US has not crossed three per cent in any of the years.
Trump said he is being told that the US cannot grow faster as it is a big country.
"Well, India is a large larger country. It is a growing at 8 per cent," Trump said, asking his audience if India can grow at such a high rate, why the US is not.
Similarly, he said, China is growing between six and seven per cent. "If they (India, China) grow at two-three per cent, this would be considered disastrous by them, he said.
00:38 State Department says ready to cooperate on new Clinton emails
The US State Department said on Friday it will cooperate with an FBI investigation covering additional emails that have surfaced related to Hillary Clinton's use of a personal email server.
"We certainly stand ready to cooperate if we are asked to do so, but we just don't have any additional details or information at this point," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told media persons.
00:35 Russia loses election to UN rights council
Russia on Friday failed to win re-election at the UN Human Rights Council during a vote that capped a campaign by rights groups to reject Moscow over its role in the war in Syria.
The UN General Assembly elected Hungary and Croatia instead to represent eastern Europe at the rights council, in a major upset for Moscow which has been a member for all but one year since the council was set up in 2006.
The 193 member-states voted to fill 14 seats at the 47-nation council, which is tasked with monitoring and investigating rights violations worldwide.
More than 80 human rights and aid organizations had urged UN member-states to vote Russia off the council for its military support of President Bashar al-Assad in the war in Syria.
Russia has been accused by western powers and rights groups of indiscriminate bombings in the monthlong Syrian government operation to seize rebel-held eastern Aleppo.
00:34 Italy antitrust agency probes WhatsApp
Italy's antitrust watchdog said on Friday it had opened a probe into whether messaging service WhatsApp obliged users to agree to sharing personal data with its parent company Facebook and imposed "unfair" conditions on users.
WhatsApp said in August it would start sharing phone numbers with the social network, prompting European regulators to declare they would put the matter under close scrutiny.
The Italian agency said it was investigating whether the WhatsApp application had led users to believe they would have not been able to continue using it unless they agreed to terms and conditions including the sharing of personal data.
It is also looking into WhatsApp's terms of use including only the provider having the right to terminate the agreement, and "unjustified" interruptions to service.
Read more HERE
00:33 Top headlines at this hour
Terrorists mutilate body of Indian soldier killed in cross-LoC encounter
Missed Friday's commentary? Click HERE
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