LIVE
Thu, 16 November 2017
India wants hotline connecting Indian and Chinese army headquarters

Timeline  Refresh

image
23:49   Old Vic theatre reveals 20 staff allegations against Kevin Spacey:
The Old Vic theatre says it has received 20 personal testimonies of alleged inappropriate behaviour by Kevin Spacey, who was its artistic director between 2004 and 2015.

Those affected said they "felt unable to raise concerns", and he "operated without sufficient accountability".

The London theatre said it "truly apologises" for not creating a culture where people felt able to speak freely.

The Old Vic's announcement follows recent allegations of sexual harassment and predatory behaviour made against the double Oscar winner and former House of Cards actor while at the theatre.

Spacey has not responded to them.

The actor's behaviour was alleged to have ranged from making people feel uncomfortable to sexually inappropriate behaviour, the Old Vic investigation found.

No-one alleged rape but three people told the Old Vic they had contacted the police, while 14 of the 20 complainants were told by the investigators that they should consider going to the police.

There were 20 individual allegations and 16 were former staff, all of whom were men.
image
23:41   Ajoy Kumar new Jharkhand Congress chief
The Congress today appointed former IPS officer Ajoy Kumar as its Jharkhand unit chief and Alamgir Alam as the CLP leader in the state.

The eastern state goes to poll in late 2019.

"Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has approved the name of Ajoy Kumar as the new Jharkhand PCC chief and Alamgir Alam as the CLP leader of Jharkhand Congress Legislature Party," a statement by party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said.

The Congress vice president also approved a list of five zonal coordinators, seven organisational and election-related committees of the state unit.
image
23:40   India wants hotline connecting Indian and Chinese army headquarters
India will be asking for a hotline connecting the army headquarters of India and China at the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India China Border Affairs.

WMCC will be the first major bilateral meeting between the two countries after a 73-day stand-off in the Doklam plateau in Bhutan, sources said. 

Director General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan are already connected through a hotline. The DGMOs of India and Pakistan talk to each other at least once a week to flag and sort out issues between the two armies who are deployed eye-ball to eye-ball along the Line of Control- the de-facto border between India and Pakistan.

The WMCC mechanism setup in 2012 by the Manmohan Singh government looks at "ways and means to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between military personnel and establishments" and explores "possibilities of cooperation in the border areas agreed upon by the two sides". 

The WMCC meeting is scheduled at the end of this month, sources said. The Indian delegation will be led by Joint Secretary (East Asia) and will have representation from the military operations wing of the Indian Army.
image
23:11   India wants hotline connecting Indian and Chinese army headquarters
India will be asking for a hotline connecting the army headquarters of India and China at the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India China Border Affairs.

WMCC will be the first major bilateral meeting between the two countries after a 73-day stand-off in the Doklam plateau in Bhutan, sources said. 

Director General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan are already connected through a hotline. The DGMOs of India and Pakistan talk to each other at least once a week to flag and sort out issues between the two armies who are deployed eye-ball to eye-ball along the Line of Control- the de-facto border between India and Pakistan.

The WMCC mechanism setup in 2012 by the Manmohan Singh government looks at "ways and means to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between military personnel and establishments" and explores "possibilities of cooperation in the border areas agreed upon by the two sides". 

The WMCC meeting is scheduled at the end of this month, sources said. The Indian delegation will be led by Joint Secretary (East Asia) and will have representation from the military operations wing of the Indian Army.
image
22:46   Ivanka Trump slams Republican -- accused of sexual relationships with teens
Ivanka Trump spoke out for the first time against embattled Alabama Senate Republican candidate Roy Moore, who has been accused of pursuing sexual relationships with teenagers when he was in his early thirties. 

"There's a special place in hell for people who prey on children," Trump said.

"I've yet to see a valid explanation and I have no reason to doubt the victims' accounts," the first daughter and presidential adviser said.

However, according to the report, Trump did not explicitly call for Moore to drop out of the race. Alabamans head to the polls December 12, and Moore has given no indication he will step aside. 
image
22:18   Former US President Obama to visit India on December 1
Former US President Barack Obama will be in New Delhi on December 1 to participate in a Town Hall organised by the Obama Foundation, to "expand the conversation about what it means to be an active citizen and make an impact."

In a statement, the foundation identified India as among the world's "most culturally, religiously, linguistically, and ethnically diverse nations."

Recognising the strength of the country's below-35 "engaged and passionate generation", it credited these citizens with "finding innovative ways to create positive change across India - change that benefits the world."

"President Obama believes that countries are strongest when we empower our young people - because ultimately, they're the ones who will shape our future," said Bernadette Meehan, Executive Director of International Programs at the foundation.

The event in India comes after similar programmes were held in Germany, Indonesia, and Brazil, this year.
image
21:56   Mumbai Police increase Deepika's security after threats
The Mumbai Police today beefed up the security of actor Deepika Padukone after Shri Rajput Karni Sena warned of physical harm in case she did not refrain from "inciting public sentiments", a senior official said.

Karni Sena leader Mahipal Singh Makrana today invoked the nose chopping of 'Surpanakha' in the epic Ramayana and said if the Bollywood film "Padmavati" was not banned and Padukone does not refrain from fanning sentiments with her provocative language, the Rajputs will not lag behind in acting.

"The Mumbai Police have increased actor Deepika Padukone's security after the outfit issued the nose chopping threat," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Deven Bharti. 

We are providing her adequate security after the threat, he said. The police will also provide security at the actress's residence as well as office in Mumbai.

They have already provided protection to filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali after the Rajput community outfit protested outside his office in Mumbai's Juhu area last Saturday while accusing him of distorting historical facts in the history drama.
image
21:45   BJP, Congress delay announcement of poll nominees in Gujarat
The ruling BJP and the opposition Congress are yet to declare their candidates for the first phase of the Gujarat assembly election, nominations for which opened on November 14.

One of the main reasons for delay is that both the parties are waiting for the other side to come out with its nominees, sources said.
The last date of filing nominations for the first phase of the polls - when 89 seats will see voting on December 9 - is November 21.
image
21:26   No contradiction in blocking resolution on Masood Azhar: China
China has asserted that there is no contradiction in its policy to block India's bid to designate Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN, saying the BRICS declaration was against terror groups and not individuals, Pakistani media today reported.

A veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked India's move to impose a ban on the Jaish-e-Mohammed chief under the Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the Council.

The latest technical hold by China came on November 2 when it blocked another proposal by the US, France and the UK to list Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. Beijing had blocked such a move in February this year.

Speaking to a delegation of Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors in Beijing this week, Counselor and Asia Division Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chen Feng said vetoing a resolution against Azhar after the BRICS declaration against terror outfits did not reflect a contradiction in China's policy as BRICS members have not entered into any such agreement.

The Chinese move was not in contradiction with Chinese policy in the context of BRICS declaration against terrorism, Chen was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune.

-- PTI
image
21:09   No overpricing in Rafale deal: IAF Chief
The Indian Air Force today said that there was "no overpricing" in the Rafale purchase as the government had "negotiated a very good" deal for the French fighter aircraft.

"It is not overpricing... We have negotiated for 36 French fighter aircraft Rafale (at a price) lower than that in the contract. The government has negotiated a very good deal," Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said.

Stressing that it was a "government-to-government contract", he said that the IAF was getting 36 Medium Multi-Role Combat
Aircraft at a greatly "negotiated price".

The Rafale deal has been the focus of debate with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accusing the Prime Minister of changing the "entire deal" to benefit a businessman, a charge debunked by the ruling BJP.

The Congress also claims technology is not being transferred to India under the deal.

Dhanoa said two aircraft had been purchased in a fly-away condition as an emergency measure.
image
20:33   Mayawati open to alliance with secular parties... conditions apply
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said on Thursday that while her party 'favoured' joining hands with secular parties in Lok Sabha and state polls, it will do so only if it gets a respectable number of seats to contest.

The BSP supremo made the comments at the meeting of party coordinators ahead of municipal body elections in Uttar Pradesh.

All office bearers of the party were present in this meeting. BSP is going to contest municipal body elections in state on its own symbol after a gap of almost 17 years.

Mayawati also slammed other political parties for defaming her party on the charges of dynasty politics. The hunt for an able leader to take forward the BSP movement is still on and that is why for the time being my brother Anand Kumar is taking care of the responsibilities. My nephew Akash is also helping his father along with his studies and no responsibility of the party is given to him as of now, she said.

"Our party is in favour of fighting the assembly and Lok Sabha elections in alliance with any secular party, but only when it gets a respectable number of seats in seat sharing or else it would go alone," Mayawati said. 
image
20:31   Delhi's smog-fighting helicopters can't fly -- because of smog
An ambitious plan to use helicopters to fight Delhis air pollution has been grounded because the aircraft cannot operate in the thick smog, underscoring growing frustration at authorities inability to address the toxic haze engulfing the city.

Read full story HERE
image
19:50   Guj CM, state BJP chief behind Hardik's morphed sex clips, alleges PAAS
The Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti today alleged that the Gujarat chief minister and state BJP unit chief were behind the "morphed" sex clips
of its leader Hardik Patel, a charge rejected by the ruling party.
    
The BJP dismissed the allegation as "baseless" and termed the circulation of the video clips as the "fallout" of a dispute within the PAAS.
   
"We have learnt that a Surat-based builder who is a BJP supporter and another person are behind these morphed clips. They did it at the behest of the Gujarat chief minister (Vijay Rupani) and the state BJP unit president Jitu Vaghani to tarnish Hardik's image ahead of the polls to save the BJP,"
PAAS convener Dinesh Bambhania alleged at a news conference.
    
This was done as part of a "Rs 40 crore deal", he alleged, but did not elaborate.
image
19:13   Delhi pollution drives Costa Rican envoy to retreat to Bengaluru
High level of air pollution in Delhi has affected the health of the Costa Rican envoy prompting her to retreat to Bengaluru.
Ambassador of Costa Roca to India Mariela Cruz Alvarez appealed to the people, saying the "blue planet is crying" due to pollution.

In a personal blog post, she said, "This past week the levels of pollution in Delhi reached impossible numbers. The consequences of breathing this air I had no idea -- until I
reached Bangalore and my system collapsed."

The post was written last week, and on November 14 she wrote another piece highlighting the environmental concern.

"I'm sick with this poison as thousands are around the world in big cities, some more than others yes," she said.

"What happened last week in Delhi was her voice speaking to the whole world. Headlines spoke about poisonous air, doctors claim the city was to be evacuated. I was there as millions watched how we breathed her hideous fumes.

"But they are not hers only even though she is taking the blame for all. The pollution comes from a blue planet that is crying," Alvarez said.

The envoy, in her emotion-laden post appealed to the society and humanity to listen to the cry of the planet.
image
18:47   'Maharajas' after filmmaker now, scurried when British trampled their honour: Tharoor
Amid a row over film 'Padmavati', former Union minister Shashi Tharoor claimed today that the "so called valourous maharajas" had scurried to accomodate themselves when the British "trampled" over their honour and were now after a filmmaker claiming prestige was at stake.

At an event, Tharoor was asked why his book, 'An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India', had a "whiff of victimhood" when he holds that Indians had connived with the English.

"It is (our fault) and I say so. I actually don't take the mantle of victimhood. In about half a dozen places in the book, I am harsh enough on us... Some British reviewers said 'Why doesn't he explain why the British conquered?' And it's a fair question...," Tharoor said.

"In fact, every single one of these so called valorous maharajas, who today are after a Mumbai filmmaker because their honour is at stake, they were less concerned about their honour when the British were trampling all over it. They scurried to accommodate themselves. So let's face it, there is no question, that we were complicit," he said.

The Congress leader's comments come at a time when Sanjay Leela Bhansali's movie 'Padmavati' has been in the eye of a storm as the Shri Rajput Karni Sena and some other outfits have accused the filmmaker of distorting history and hurting Hindu sentiments.

-- PTI
image
18:08   No winter session of Parliament in 2017
There will be no winter session of Parliament this year. The BJP does not want to disturb its MPs and Union Ministers from the campaign trail in Gujarat. But the Congress party insists that there should be a winter session. There were precedents during UPA regime also and the Manmohan Singh government has skipped Parliament sessions. The final decision on this will be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the winter session if it is indeed held will be for 10 days after the first phase of polls in Gujarat. However you look at it, the winter session will be a hungama session.
image
18:03   The tax raids that changed the AIADMK
Tamil Nadu politics has changed with the income tax raids on VK Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dinakaran. The Centre's decision to raid 142 places with the search party comprising 30 women officers totalling to 1245 senior and junior level income tax officials has changed the discourse of Tamil Nadu politics. Called Operation Elephant, the raids went on for over seven days. It is considered as the third major strike in the history of the income tax department against individuals. Politically speaking, the ripple effect of this raid will be felt by the AIADMK faction for at least three or four months. The rough estimate of the income tax assessment is that during the raid unaccounted wealth worth Rs 30,000 crore in 250 bank accounts have been revealed.
image
17:54   Film cannot distort history: Gadkari defends anti-Padmavati brigade
The first reaction by a senior BJP minister on the Padmavati controversy.  Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari blames filmmakers saying, the freedom of speech is not absolute. "Padmini part of our history. The film cannot distort history. The film needs to maintain cultural identity and sensitivity," he said in an interview with India Today. He maintained that people have a right to be offended.

The Sri Rajput Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi has said that actress Deepika Padukone who essays the role of Rani Padmini of Chittor should be given the same treatment that Lakshman did with Ravana's sister Shurpanakha. In the epic Ramayana, Lakshman cut off the ears and nose of the Shurpanakha. The Karni Sena said if need be action will be taken against the actress.

Kalvi also warned of dire consequences if the release of 'Padmavati' was not stalled. The period drama, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, has been facing protests from various groups for allegedly tampering with historical facts. 
image
17:42   'We will do to Padmavati what Lakshman did to Shurpanakha'
Approving Sri Rajput Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi's remark on actress Deepika Padukone for allegedly portraying a demeaning image of Rajputi women in 'Padmavati' film, a member of the organisation said if need be, action will be taken against the actress.


Speaking to ANI, Mahipal Singh Makrana said, "Rajput Karni Sena is fighting to protect the image of women being portrayed in the films. We never raise a hand on women but if need be, we will do to Deepika what Lakshman did to Shurpanakha for violating the rules and culture of India."


Earlier in the day, Kalvi said the Sena would gather in lakhs and call for a nation-wide shutdown on December 1."Our ancestors wrote history with blood, hence, we will not let anyone blacken it," the Sena chief added.


Meanwhile, Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha members protested against the film in Jaipur and filed signatures with blood to be sent to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).


Rajput Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi also warned of dire consequences if the release of 'Padmavati' was not stalled.The period drama, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, has been facing protests from various groups for allegedly tampering with historical facts.


The Karni Sena had earlier demolished the sets of the movie in Jaipur and also thrashed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.The Karni Sena activists have amped up the act by staging protests in various parts of the country, covering Bangalore in the South as well.


The protests have turned even more violent, as acts of vandalism in Rajasthan's Kota were reported on Tuesday. -- PTI
image
17:27   Economy has cost PM Modi: Omar
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today said a survey was not needed to admit that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most popular leader in India at the moment but the economy has cost him.


"That said I don't need a survey to tell me what most would admit - PM is the most popular leader in India at the moment however Economy has cost him," he tweeted.


He was reacting to the results of the survey conducted by Pew Research Global, which claimed that most Indians hold a favourable opinion of Modi, and many are content with the state of the economy and the direction the country is.


"Could very well still be true but we know a week is a long time in politics & this survey was done between Feb & March 17. Much could have changed!" Omar said in another tweet.  -- PTI
image
17:25   Rahul attacks PM on Rafale,
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale fighter aircraft agreement and asked the media why it didn't question him for allegedly changing the "entire deal" to benefit a businessman.


He also asked why no questions were posed to the prime minister on BJP president Amit Shah's son Jay, whose company the Congress alleged has witnessed a quantum jump in turnover since the Modi government came to power.


"You ask me so many questions and I answer all of them. I want to ask you, why don't you question Prime Minister Modi on the Rafale deal. Why don't you ask about Amit Shah's son?


"Why don't you question the prime minister who changed the entire Rafale deal to help a businessman?" he asked. He was speaking to reporters after the meeting of the newly formed All India Unorganised Workers Congress (AIUWC).


Gandhi expressed satisfaction over the formation of the AIUWC and said he felt good interacting with them. The Congress vice president told unorganised workers to work at the grassroots and ground level to bring change. Merely sitting and holding meetings would not help anymore.  -- PTI
image
17:21  
Pradhyumn murder case: Hearing on the bail plea of bus conductor Ashok Kumar has been adjourned to November 20 by the Gurugram court 
image
16:03   LIVE! Hello BJP, the woman in the pic is Nehru's sister!
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya posted a collage of images of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru with different women, captioning the images: 'Seems Hardik has more of Nehru's DNA'.  

This comes after BJP's national spokesperson, Sambit Patra, told a news channel in a debate that Patedar leader Hardik Patel, a thorn on the BJP's Gujarat electoral hopes, is quite similar to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The implication was that both Nehru and Patel have had dalliances with women. 

The connection with Hardik Patel is that the BJP had outed a 'sex' video of Patel (which in fact has no sex).
 
Except of course, Malviya goofed up pretty badly. Two of the images in the collage are in fact with Nehru's sister Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit. One picture shows him kissing her on the cheek and another in a tight embrace. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit served as India's ambassador to Russia and to US and Mexico. Pandit also became the first woman to be elected president of the UN General Assembly.  


The other women in Malviya's crude and incorrect collage and assessment of one of India's finest prime ministers include Jacqueline Kennedy, Edwina Mountbatten and Mrinalini Sarabhai.
image
15:32   Modi's popularity 'rises unabated', Shah says after Pew survey
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity has risen unabated across the country and people's satisfaction with the economy is at an "all-time high", BJP chief Amit Shah said today, citing a survey by the Pew Research Center. According to a survey conducted by the American think tank, more than eight-in-10 Indians say economic conditions are 'good' in the country despite Modi's decision to abolish high-value bank notes last November.


"The findings of Pew Global research are very significant. After Modi Government came to power, people's trust in Government, Democracy and confidence that the nation is in the right direction has gone up drastically," Shah said in a series of tweets.


Modi remains the most popular national figure in Indian politics tested in the survey. His popularity is relatively unchanged in the north, has risen in the west and the south and is down slightly in the east, according to the survey's findings.


"PM @narendramodi's popularity rises unabated across the length & breadth of the country and across demographic groups. His handling of various issues also receive a thumbs up from people," Shah said.


The survey was conducted among 2,464 respondents in India from February 21 to March 10 this year. Shah also extended greetings to media professionals on the occasion of National Press Day and applauded their commitment towards their profession. -- PTI
image
15:16   HC allows Delhi marathon
The Delhi High Court has given its nod to the marathon scheduled to be held in the city on November 19.

A bench of Justices issued a notice to the Delhi government, police, the pollution control panel DPCC and the organisers of the event and sought their reply today.

Terming the air quality in the national capital as poor and unsafe, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on November 14 urged the Delhi High Court to pass directions to postpone the Delhi Half Marathon.

Taking note of the present air pollution in the city and the urgency expressed by the IMA, a bench of Justices S. Ravindra Bhat and Sanjeev Sachdeva issued notice to the Delhi government, police, the pollution control panel DPCC and the organisers of the event. 
image
14:41   Indian student shot dead by robbers at grocery store in US
A 21-year-old Indian student has been shot dead allegedly by four armed robbers, including an Indian-origin man, at a grocery store in the US state of California, according to a media report.


Dharampreet Singh Jasser was on duty at a grocery store next to a gas station in Fresno city in California on Tuesday night when four armed robbers, including an Indian-origin man, barged in to loot the store, local daily Fresnobee reported.


Jasser reportedly hid behind the cash counter but was shot by one of the four robbers while they were leaving the service station after looting cash and goods, the report said.


The incident was reported to the police yesterday when a customer who had stopped by to buy some goods, discovered Jasser's body on the floor. Originally from Punjab, Jasser was a student of accounting and had gone to the US around three years ago on a student visa.


Police has arrested 22-year-old Athwal, an Indian-origin man, who is believed to be one of the four suspects who looted the gas station and fired multiple shots one of which hit Jasser.  -- PTI
image
14:34   Install rainwater harvesting system in 2 months: NGT to Delhi schools, colleges
The National Green Tribunal today directed all Delhi government and private schools as well as colleges to install rainwater harvesting systems in their premises within two months at their own cost.


A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar ordered that any institution that fails to install the rainwater harvesting system within the stipulated period shall be liable to pay environment compensation of Rs 5 lakh.


The tribunal directed schools and colleges to approach a committee constituted by it. The committee will inspect the premises and grant permission to institutions for operating the system.


The committee, comprising senior officials from the education department of the Delhi government, Delhi Jal Board, Public Works Department, representative of Central Groundwater Authority and others, was formed and asked to deal with the applications from schools and colleges.


"The committee shall meet twice a month and deal with the application of the schools and colleges expeditiously," the bench said. If it is not possible to install a rainwater harvesting system, the institution should approach the committee within a week from today. The committee will then inspect the premises.


"Upon inspection, if it feels that there is no possibility of setting up such system, then the panel may issue exemption certificate," the bench said.
image
14:21   Oxford launches first-ever Hindi word of the year
The Hindi word of the year will be a word or expression that has attracted a great deal of interest this year. The chosen word should reflect the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of the year. It is not necessarily a new word, but should be one that is strongly linked somehow to 2017.


This word of the year will be announced in January 2018. Oxford Dictionaries has called on Hindi speakers across the country to help choose the word.


Submissions need to be made before November 29.


Following public suggestions, the word will be chosen by the Hindi Dictionaries team at Oxford University Press along with an advisory panel of language experts who each bring a unique perspective.


The panel includes writer-publisher Namita Gokhle, Indian language expert Kritika Agrawal, journalist Saurabh Dwivedi, senior editorial manager at OUP India Malika Ghosh, and Ranchi University associate professor Poonam Nigam Sahay.  -- PTI
image
14:11   Aadhaar cards enrolment at Maha, Goa post offices from 2018
Residents of Maharashtra and Goa will be able to enrol for Aadhaar cards at over 1,200 post offices in the two states from next year, a senior official said today.


"Those who have not got Aadhaar cards, can now get their unique identity numbers, besides getting (their already issued Aadhaar cards) corrected or updated at our 1,293 post offices, out of the total 2,216, from the beginning of the new year," Maharashtra and Goa circle's Chief Post Master General H C Agrawal told PTI.


The Department of Post had in June this year started an updation facility for Aadhaar at its 120 post offices across the Maharashtra and Goa circle. -- PTI
image
14:08   Online hiring activity sees 9 pc growth in Oct: Report
Online hiring activity registered a 9 per cent jump in October, indicating signs of recovery in the job market as employers are cautiously optimistic about the recruitment activity, a report says.


The Naukri JobSpeak index for October this year stood at 1,728, up 9 per cent from 1,580 in the year-ago period . Key industries like banking/insurance recorded a growth of 28 per cent in hiring in October, while in terms of cities, hiring picked up across all 13 cities tracked, the report noted.


"There seems to be an air of cautious optimism in the job market. The Jobspeak index for October has witnessed a 9 per cent year-on-year growth," Naukri.com Chief Sales Officer V Suresh said adding that though the non IT sector has led this growth, it is good to see a slow recovery in the IT sector.

Among other industries, auto, construction/engineering and insurance saw a growth of 23 per cent, 22 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively in October.  -- PTI
image
14:05   She went back to running at 42 and won medals for India
At 42, Diezny D'Souza trained with teenagers at a school ground to get back into running. She went on to win a silver and bronze for India in China. Rediff.com's Archana Masih meets the sprinter who picked up her spikes again and proved she could win. Do read
image
13:59   Why Pakistan is feeling threatened
India's plan to buy futuristic tanks and infantry combat vehicles -- estimated to be worth Rs 80,000 crore to Rs 100,000 crore each -- will certainly intimidate Pakistan which already feels threatened by our vast tank strength. Read Ajai Shukla's report here.
image
13:34  
Tahoe China Open badminton, 2nd round: LEE Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong beat HS Prannoy 21-19 21-17. Match report in a bit.

image
13:33   Pradhyumn's father to oppose conductor's bail
Update on bus conductor Ashok Kumar's bail plea which will be heard in court this afternoon. Murdered Ryan International school student Pradhyumn Thakur's father, Varun, says he will oppose the bail plea of the conductor. He says giving bail to someone who was charged under section 302 (murder) by the police can harm the investigation. The investigation is still going on, no clean chit has been given to anyone in the case, he says.


The lawyer of the bus conductor, who was given a clean chit by the Central Bureau of Investigation last week in the murder case, said they were going to ask for his bail today.


"We are going to ask for Ashok's bail because as of now the CBI hasn't got any evidence against him," Ashok's lawyer Mohit Verma told ANI.


Earlier on November 12, the investigation in the Pradhyumn murder case revealed the illegality and destruction of evidence by the Gurugram Police, CBI sources said.


This is what the bus conductor's wife said in an interview to Rediff.com.
image
13:05   China builds worlds fastest wind tunnel
The wind tunnel will test weapons that could strike the US within 14 minutes. Researchers want new facility to be up and running by 2020 as race to develop hypersonic technology intensifies. Read the report here.
image
12:57   Indian economy recovering from temporary blip: Jaitley
India's economic slowdown has bottomed out and now it should start moving upwards after recovering from the "temporary blip" seen during the recent structural changes, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today.


Addressing investors at the Morgan Stanley annual conference in Singapore on 'India: Structural Reforms and Growth Path Ahead', Jaitley talked about the "massive" economic reforms undertaken by India.


He acknowledged that there was a "temporary blip" as a result of structural changes that were initiated by the government. "I think the bottoming out of the economy is complete and now it should start moving upwards. The global economy is also moving up," said Jaitley.


As part of the summit, Jaitley met the senior management of Morgan Stanley and addressed a gathering of senior fund managers and key financial institutional investors.


"How do I see the economy moving? our basic parametres are quite stable. And we grew between 7-8 per cent over the last three years,' he said. "Therefore, we need over the next, at least, a decade, if not more, significantly higher growth rates in order to go ahead with expansion plan of the Indian economy,' Jaitley said. The finance minister also assured investors of a strong banking sector in India. -- PTI
image
12:32   'Pak using social media to recruit militants in Kashmir'
Pakistan is using social media to recruit militants in Kashmir, said Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Munir Khan on Thursday.


Khan said, "Relentless social media campaign has been started by Pakistan to lure youth to join militancy."


He made this statement while briefing media about anti-militancy Operation Kund, which has been continuing since November 14.


The operation is being carried out in the forest area of Haalan-Kund area of Qazigund, in south Kashmir's Kulgam district.


"Three terrorists have been arrested alive in this operation," said Khan.


He added that a militant and an army soldier were killed on the first day of the operation.


"We think two more militants are still hiding in the area, so operation is going on," Khan said.


Khan identified the arrested militants as Atta Mohammad Malik, Shams ul Wiqar and Bilal Sheikh. He said that Atta was arrested in injured state and is presently hospitalized -- ANI
image
12:07   Unlike present PM, Indira Gandhi stood up for refugees: Antony
Senior Congress leader A K Antony has criticised the Modi government for not accommodating Rohingyas and cited the example of former prime minister Indira Gandhi who "insisted on protecting" refugees from Bangladesh.


The former defence minister yesterday accused the government of pushing out around 40,000 Rohingyas when they were seeking help and care.


"When more than one crore refugees came to India from Bangladesh in the 70s, former prime minister Indira Gandhi insisted on protecting them by disregarding the mighty seventh fleet of the US," he said. She mustered courage to wage a war and carved out a new nation for them, Antony said.


He was speaking at the launch of the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ), Delhi. According to him, Indian pluralism and freedom of expression were under attack.  -- PTI


IMAGE: Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, the first President of independent Bangladesh, introduces then prime minister Indira Gandhi to members of his cabinet.
image
11:56   Indira's greatest triumph was not Bangladesh
'According to me, her (Indira Gandhi's) finest hour was in 1983-1984 when she neutralised a combined US-Pakistan-British conspiracy to Balkanise India by creating an independent Sikh State of Khalistan,' says military historian Colonel Anil A Athale (retd). A special assessment of Indira Gandhi on her centenary. Do read
image
11:52   Ryan murder: Conductor's bail hearing this afternoon
Update on the bail plea for Ashok Kumar, the Ryan International school bus conductor. His lawyer Mohit Verma said the Court has asked on what basis was Ashok arrested to which the CBI was not not able to give a response. Now, the  Court has asked the CBI to file a detailed reply by 2 pm after which arguments will be heard. The matter is being heard in the Gurugram sessions court.

The lawyer of the bus conductor, Ashok, who was given a clean chit by the Central Bureau of Investigation last week in the Pradhyumn murder case, said they were going to ask for his bail.


"We are going to ask for Ashok's bail because as of now the CBI hasn't got any evidence against him," Ashok's lawyer Mohit Verma told ANI.


Earlier on November 12, the investigation in the Pradhyumn murder case revealed the illegality and destruction of evidence by the Gurugram Police, CBI sources said.
image
11:33   Indian student shot dead by robbers at grocery store in US
A 21-year-old Indian student has been shot dead allegedly by four armed robbers, including an Indian-origin man, at a grocery store in the US state of California, according to a media report.

Dharampreet Singh Jasser was on duty at a grocery store next to a gas station in Fresno city in California on Tuesday night when four armed robbers, including an Indian-origin man, barged in to loot the store, local daily Fresnobee reported.  -- PTI
image
11:30   Fire in Nirman Bhawan
A fire broke out on the second floor of Nirman Bhawan today, the Delhi Fire Services said. No injuries were reported. A call was received at 10.05 am about the fire and five fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire was doused within 15 minutes. -- PTI
image
11:19   This businessman thinks Demo/GST are good
"In a country like ours, people talk about wanting to be like Singapore, but when it comes to paying taxes, they start criticising. The medicine is bitter, but the long term effect is good," Senthil Natarajan, who runs Kovai Pazamudhir Nilayam, a one of its kind fruit and vegetable chain in Tamil Nadu, tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih. Read the full interview here.
image
11:07   'Rum is the true spirit of India'
"In Sri Lanka, they told me if you remove the India branding from the bottle, we'll buy it. I told them the reason we have India in the logo is because we are proud and want to showcase the product. Just to sell, I won't sell my soul. With tiger stripes and India in its logo, Gautom Menon wants to put an Indian rum on top of the world. In a conversation with Rediff.com's Archana Masih, over a sniff of rum, Gautom talks about his mission to put India on the world's rum map.  Read the full interview here
image
10:58   Pradhyumn case: Conductor's lawyer to ask for his bail today
The lawyer of the bus conductor, Ashok, who was given a clean chit by the Central Bureau of Investigation last week in the Pradhyumn murder case, said they were going to ask for his bail.


"We are going to ask for Ashok's bail because as of now the CBI hasn't got any evidence against him," Ashok's lawyer Mohit Verma told ANI.


Earlier on November 12, the investigation in the Pradhyumn murder case revealed the illegality and destruction of evidence by the Gurugram Police, CBI sources said.


Last week, the murder case of the seven-year-old Ryan International School student took a new turn after the CBI arrested a class XI student of the same school and gave a clean chit to Ashok, who was arrested by the Gurugram Police for the murder and sexual assault of the child.


The agency claimed before a Gurugram court that the student had confessed of committing the crime.


The Gurugram police had, however, on November 9, defended their investigation, saying they handed over the case to the CBI at the initial stage and it was not concluded at that time.


On November 6, the murder mystery of the seven-year-old took a new turn with the Central Bureau of Investigation giving a clean chit to Ashok and arresting a Class 11 student of Ryan International School.


Pradyuman was found inside the toilet of the school with his throat slit on September 8. -- ANI
image
10:42   Ban on entry of trucks, construction lifted in Delhi
The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control and Prevention Authority has rolled back the ban on construction work, entry of trucks and four-fold hike in parking fees in Delhi.

The EPCA said that the decision has been taken after smog situation seems to be in control in the city.

For the first time in two weeks, the air quality in Delhi-NCR dropped to 'poor' category from 'very poor' on Thursday morning. 

At Lodhi Road, prominent pollutants PM10 and PM2.5 dipped to 288 and 289, even though smog continued to hamper train services. 

Other Graded Response Action Plan measures like ban on diesel generators, hot mix plants, stone crushers and brick kilns, however, continue to remain in place.
image
10:12   EC clears use of 'Yuvraj' by BJP to target Rahul
The BJP has released a video which makes a reference to "Yuvraj" to apparently target Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, after the Election Commission barred the party from using the word "Pappu" in an electronic advertisement for the upcoming polls in the state.   

The latest advertisement, released today on the Facebook page of Gujarat BJP, after getting a clearance from the Election Commission (EC), uses the word "Yuvraj" (prince) to target the Congress leader.   

While "Pappu" is perceived as a social media slur coined to target Gandhi, BJP leaders frequently taunt the Congress scion with words like "Yuvraj" or "Shahzada".        

The BJP and opposition Congress have been targeting each other's leaders by putting up mocking advertisements on social media with a growing frequency.   

Gujarat goes to polls on December 9 and December 14.
image
09:57   Doha-bound flight suffers bird hit, returns to Chennai airport
A Doha-bound flight carrying 134 passengers today suffered a bird hit, prompting it to return here, airport officials said.
     
The aeroplane operated by a private airline suffered the bird hit after taking off from the Anna International Airport here, they added.
     
Subsequently, the flight returned to Chennai and made a safe landing.
     
The passengers were accommodated in an alternative flight, the officials said.
     
The carrier later resumed its journey to Doha after a two-hour delay. -- PTI
image
09:47   Fully committed to upholding freedom of press & expression: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that he is fully committed to upholding freedom of press and expression in all forms.

Greeting the media on the occasion of National Press Day, the PM said role of the media in giving voice to the voiceless is commendable.

"A free press is the cornerstone of a vibrant democracy. We are fully committed to upholding freedom of press and expression in all forms. May our media space be used more and more to showcase the skills, strengths and creativity of 125 crore Indians," he said in a series of tweets.

"I appreciate the hardwork of our media, especially the reporters and camerapersons, who tirelessly work on the ground and bring forth various news that shapes national as well as global discourse," Modi said in another tweet.

"The role of the media in giving voice to the voiceless is commendable. Over the last three years, the media has added great strength to 'Swachh Bharat Mission' and effectively furthered the message of cleanliness," he further said. 

Modi hoped that due to consumption of news through mobile phones the media space will become more democratic and participative.

"In this day and age we are seeing the rise of social media and news being consumed through mobile phones. I am sure these advancements will further the reach of the media and make the media space even more democratic and participative," he said.
image
09:26   Have dealt Islamic State one crushing defeat after another: Trump


More than 10 months after coming to power, President Donald Trump said that the United States has "dealt Islamic State one crushing defeat after another."
Earlier this year in Saudi Arabia, Trump said he spoke to the leaders of more than 50 Arab and Muslim nations about his strategy to defeat terrorists by stripping them of financing, territory, and ideological support.
"I urged the leaders to drive out the terrorists and extremists from their societies. Since that time, we have dealt Islamic State one crushing defeat after another," Trump said on Wednesday in a televised address to the nation, a day after he returned from a nearly two-week Asia trip.
Early this year, he said In Israel, he reaffirmed the unbreakable bond between America and the Jewish State, and he met with leaders of the Palestinian Authority and initiated an effort to facilitate lasting peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Trump said when he came into office, America was faced with a series of growing dangers.
"These threats included rogue regimes pursuing deadly weapons, foreign powers challenging America's influence, the spread of the murderous terror group ISIS, and years of unfair trade practices that had dangerously depleted our manufacturing base and wiped out millions and millions of middle-class jobs," he said.
In September, at the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump said, he urged that the nations of the world join in confronting rogue regimes that threaten humanity and laid out a model for international cooperation grounded in respect for sovereignty and the responsibilities that come with it. -- PTI
image
08:41   Northern India is just entering its smog season: NOAA
Cities in north India and Pakistan will continue to experience dangerous level of smog-filled pollution over the next several months and the region is just entering its smog season, a top American atmospheric organisation has said.
"This is just the start to the smog season in northern India and Pakistan, as the monsoon will last for much of the upcoming winter. That means there are plenty of more opportunities for cold, stagnant air to fill with pollution,
turning cities into dangerously unhealthy snow globes," National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a statement.
The NOAA released satellite pictures and explained the reasons behind such a polluting atmosphere in major parts of north India and Pakistan.
Widespread smog caused by the combustion of fuels, and the burning of crops and fires made it dangerous to be outside in cities in northern India and Pakistan, it said.
For air to get this polluted, in addition to needing a good amount of human help from the combustion of fuels and burning of crops and garbage, there needs to be specific atmospheric conditions that let the air remain still enough for pollution accumulate, it said.
"This stagnation occurs when there is an inversion layer in the atmosphere," NOAA said.
An inversion layer refers to instances where the air does not cool as one moves up in the atmosphere, it explained.
"Instead, warmer air sits on top of denser, colder air near the ground. Since that cold air has no place to go thanks to the warm lid placed atop it, it just sits there gathering pollution like a hazy snow-globe," NOAA said.
So, in late fall across the Indian subcontinent, the northeast monsoon is beginning to take hold, it said, adding that, the Northeast monsoon is driven by temperatures differences between the land and surrounding waters.
At this time of year, the large landmass to the north begins to cool down considerably forming a dense, cold air mass known as the Siberia high pressure system.
Meanwhile the waters off of India remain warm. This contrast draws northerly winds across northern India, bringing cold air down off the Tibetan Plateau. The cold air settles into the valleys, creating inversions, NOAA said.
Referring to satellite images, NOAA said the widespread burning of crop fields in northern India contributed to dangerous levels of air pollution in cities across northern India and Pakistan. -- PTI
image
08:26   Padmavati's release can cause law & order problem: Yogi govt
The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday apprised the centre that the release of Bollywood film "Padmavati" on December 1 will pose a law and order problem for the state.
In a letter written to the ministry of information and broadcasting, UP Principal Secretary-Home, Arvind Kumar said the censor board should be apprised about the public resentment over the alleged distortion of facts in the movie.
"The censer board members should take a decision after taking into account people's views. They should be apprised about it.
"It has come to the notice through intelligence reports that the film's producers have presented the movie for censor board clearance. After the release of the trailer of the movie on October 9, various social and other organisations opposed the film," the letter said.
Kumar said such strong protests has created law and order problems in the state.
The letter further stated that "in view of the civic polls, polling for which is scheduled on November 22, November 26 and November 29 and the counting on December 1, and also the 'Barawafat' procession by Muslims on
December 2, the film's release can pose serious security issues".
Taking precautionary measures ahead of the scheduled release of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed movie, Uttar Pradesh DGP Sulkhan Singh had earlier asked the force to remain extra vigilant.
"Keeping in view the protests against the movie by some organisations, the force should remain alert, especially at all malls and cinema halls with anti-riot equipment," Singh said in his directives to all district police chiefs. -- PTI
image
00:22   Indians in Zimbabwe are safe: Swaraj
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday night that she was in constant touch with the Indian Embassy in Zimbabwe and assured that all Indians were safe in the country where unrest has triggered speculation of a coup.

Zimbabwe's Army took control of the country and said it had President Robert Mugabe and his wife in custody.

Swaraj said there was no cause for concern for Indians.

'I am in constant touch with Indian Embassy in Zimbabwe. Our Ambassador has informed me that Indians there are safe and there is no cause for concern,' she tweeted.

Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Harare, in a tweet, said, 'Situation in Harare is calm. Embassy staff, Indian Community, both PIO (Person of Indian Origin) and expats are safe. No reason for concern and worry.'  -- PTI

IMAGE: Military vehicles and soldiers patrol the streets in Harare on Wednesday. Photograph: Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters

TOP STORIES