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Wed, 14 November 2018
Delhi's air quality 'improves' but still far from safe: Authorities

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23:25   Ashok Chawla resigns as Yes Bank chairman
Former bureaucrat Ashok Chawla on Wednesday resigned as non-executive chairman of Yes Bank, the private sector bank said.

According to sources, Chawla offered to quit as controversy was being generated on his continuance on the Board of Directors following his name appearing in a Central Bureau of Investigation chargesheet in the Aircel-Maxis case.

"Yes Bank announces that Shri Ashok Chawla, Non-Executive Independent Part-Time Chairman, has tendered his resignation from the Bank's Board, with immediate effect, mentioning that during the current transition period, the Bank would need a Chairman who could devote more time and attention," the bank said in a regulatory filing.

The bank shall in due course announce the appointment of a Chairman, post RBI's approval, it added.

As per sources, representations were being made by shareholders and stakeholders to the bank as well as regulators like Securities and Exchange Board of India questioning his continuance on the Yes Bank's Board after being named in chargesheet filed in Aircel-Maxis case by the premier investigating agency CBI in July.

Former Finance Secretary Chawla had also worked as Chairman of the Competition Commission of India. Following representations, the bank's Nomination & Remuneration Committee had decided to seek legal opinion on his continuance as a Chairman.  -- PTI
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23:18   Delhi's air quality 'improves' but still far from safe: Authorities
Delhi's air quality 'improved significantly' on Wednesday as overnight rains washed away bigger pollutants, giving some respite to the city which has been reeling under 'severe' pollution for the past one week, according to authorities.

The air quality, though a tad better, was still in 'poor' category with an AQI of 289.

The AQI has been oscillating between severe and the upper range of very poor for the past one week even crossing 600 post-Diwali.

According to the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR), similar conditions are likely to prevail in the coming days.

On Wednesday, the PM2.5 -- particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres -- level was recorded at 140, while the PM10 -- particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres -- was recorded at 232 in Delhi, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board.

Fourteen areas in Delhi recorded 'very poor' air quality while 20 areas showed 'poor' air quality, the CPCB said. Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Greater Noida and Noida recorded 'very poor' air quality while Gurgaon's air quality was recorded in the 'poor' category, it said.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.   -- PTI
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22:53  
Details of GSAT-29 and GSLV Mk-III-D2.
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22:52  
Top market losers today.
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22:51  
BSE Sensex today.
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22:21   Bribery FIR result of complaints against CBI chief: Asthana to HC
Central Bureau Investigation Special Director Rakesh Asthana on Wednesday claimed before the Delhi high court that the first information report lodged against him on bribery allegations was a backlash to complaints of criminal misconduct by the probe agency's chief Alok Kumar Verma.

Asthana also said that prior approval from the competent authority is mandatory to initiate probe against a public servant which was not taken in this case.

He further said that the CBI avoided this issue in its response filed earlier to his petition seeking quashing of the FIR against him.

Asthana made these claims in his rejoinder to CBI's response to his petition.

The rejoinder was filed before Justice Najmi Waziri who extended till November 28 its order asking the CBI to maintain status quo on proceedings against Asthana.

Asthana also claimed that the FIR was ante-dated and the question of merits of the FIR cannot be looked into as it was registered whilst showing complete disregard to the statutory procedure.

He said the statement of complainant Sathish Babu Sana was recorded under section 164 CrPC on October 4 and after 11 days, without obtaining the mandatory prior approval under section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, the FIR was purportedly registered on October 15 at 8 PM.

Sana had alleged to have paid bribe CBI officials to settle a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi.

The FIR reached the concerned magistrate only after 51 hours of the registration of the FIR on October 17 at 11:51 pm, the rejoinder stated.

"This goes to show that the FIR was ante-dated. This was done to firstly defy the legal and binding directions of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and was also due to the futile attempts of the respondents to extract a confession from Manoj Prasad (alleged middleman and accused) to falsely implicate the petitioner (Asthana)," he said.

He added that though the FIR has to be uploaded on the agency's website within 24 hours, it was uploaded after five days on the night of October 21.

"The FIR deserves to be quashed as it was a mere backlash to the various complaints of criminal misconduct on the part of respondent no. 2 (Verma)," he said.

The rejoinder claimed that the FIR was a 'malicious intent' to malign Asthana's reputation.

It said the CBI's averment that the FIR cannot be challenged is liable to be rejected, in as much as, Verma directed registration of the FIR despite the fact that he had been directed by the CVC to obtain prior approval under Section 17A of the PC Act.

"Filing of charge sheet and other procedural requirements cannot be allowed to be proceeded with in view of the gross illegalities of procedure adopted by the respondent agency in the registration and investigation of the FIR," it added.

CBI has opposed in the high court Asthana's plea seeking to quash the FIR against him, saying that allegations against the officer and others show cognisable offences.  -- PTI
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22:07   BJP shows 'video of Kamal Nath' saying Congress 'will take care of RSS'
Armed with a video clip purportedly featuring Congress leader Kamal Nath, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday alleged that it showed the opposition party's 'hatred' towards the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Hindus.

In the video, Nath, the Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, is purportedly seen telling a group of Muslims to be cautious about the RSS campaign and that his party will deal it with after the November 28 state assembly polls.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP office in New Delhi, party spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed that the video exposed the real face of the Congress and its president Rahul Gandhi's 'fancy-dress Hinduism'.

"A video of top Congress leader Kamal Nath is circulating on the social media, in which he is talking to a group of Muslim clerics and telling them you do not worry, we will take care of the other community and the RSS," he said.

It exposed the 'real, divisive' face of the party and its 'hatred' towards the Sangh and especially towards Hindus, Patra claimed.

It also showed the real face of the 'fancy-dress Hinduism' practised by the Congress president, who claimed to be a 'janeu-dhari' Hindu, the BJP leader said.

The 'janeu' is a sacred thread worn by Brahmins.

The Congress is in a direct fight with the ruling BJP in the Madhya Pradesh assembly polls, the results of which will be announced on December 11.  -- PTI
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21:57   DRI, Army seize huge cache of arms, ammunition of Chinese markings in Jammu
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in a coordinated effort with the Indian Army has seized a huge cache of arms and explosives bearing Chinese markings from a village in Jammu, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.

A suspected Pakistani national was killed in the operation carried out on Tuesday, it said.

The seized arms and explosives include one AK-56 rifle, 15 hand grenades, five pistols with distinct Chinese markings along with 60 rounds of ammunition, 12 detonators of Improvised Explosive Device and 234 rounds of ammunition from a forward area in Gigrial village of Akhnoor region in Jammu, the statement issued by the DRI said.

"The arms and ammunition bear distinct Chinese markings and were being smuggled into India from Pakistan across the international boundary," it said.

The DRI had developed specific intelligence that some intruders from Pakistani side will attempt to infiltrate into India from a specific location at the international border in the intervening night of November 12 and 13, the statement said.

This specific information was shared by the DRI with local Indian Army unit (15 Punjab) and an ambush was laid at the specified spot, it said.

On noticing some movement at the relevant time on that night, the Indian Army soldiers tried to intercept the intruder but were fired upon.

The intruder was killed during an exchange of fire and a huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from his possession, the agency said, adding that the infiltrator is suspected to be of Pakistan origin.

This is the second major success achieved through the concerted efforts of the DRI and its smooth coordination with the Indian Army, the statement said.

In an earlier major strike on narcotics and arms smuggling in Jammu and Kashmir, the DRI had seized 20.8 kg of high quality heroin.

Another packet of 184 gm of opium and two foreign made pistols with four magazines were also recovered from border area in Akhnoor region of Jammu on November 6. Intelligence suggested that consignment was destined for Punjab, the DRI said.

The contraband was in a packing, which indicated that it was of Pakistan origin, it said. The DRI had inputs that heroin and arms were being smuggled from Pakistan through infiltrators.

In recent past too, the DRI had seized heroin in the state. This is fourth such seizure of heroin by the DRI in a span of three months.

This involvement of Pakistan-based smugglers and agencies is also being investigated, the agency said.  -- PTI

Photograph: ANI
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21:04   Congress biggest hurdle in way of Ram Temple: Adityanath
The Congress is the biggest obstacle in the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath alleged at an election rally in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday.

Speaking at Sakri in Bilaspur district, Adityanath said he renamed Faizabad to Ayodhya so that people across the world would know the place by the name of Lord Ram.

He was campaigning for Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Takhatpur, Harshita Pandey, ahead of the second phase of polls in the state on November 20.

The Congress has fielded Rashmi Singh from the seat.

"Chhattisgarh is the place of the family of Lord Ram's mother. We have renamed a janpad (district) of UP to Ayodhya so that people from across the country and world know the place by the name of Lord Ram," he said.

"Would this (renaming) have been possible had Congress been in power? Would it have been possible to hold a Dipotsav programme in Ayodhya during Diwali, if Congress had been in power?" the BJP leader asked.

"Had Congress government been in power in Chhattisgarh, would it have been possible to build a magnificent Ram temple in Raipur," he added, referring to a prominent temple in the state capital.

"After the formation of Chhattisgarh (in 2000), Congress came to power in the state. During its rule corruption was at its peak, Naxalism flourished and coal and mining mafia were influential," he alleged.

"After the BJP came to power in 2003, the Raman Singh government created a milestone in development and worked for the welfare of farmers, labourers, youths and all sections of society," he claimed.

Nobody had imagined that the BJP would come to power in north-eastern states but now the party is in power in Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Assam, Adityanath said.  -- PTI
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20:20   NIA charges Aasiya Andrabi with 'waging war against country'
The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday filed a chargesheet against pro-Pakistani separatist and Dukhtaran-e-Millat head Aasiya Andrabi and two of her associates for allegedly 'waging war' against the country using Internet platforms, officials said.

In a statement, the NIA's spokesman said Andrabi, Sofi Fehmeeda and Naheeda Nasreen were using various social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and TV channels including some in Pakistan to spread 'insurrectionary imputations and hateful messages and speeches against India'.

The Dukhtaran-E-Millat, a banned terrorist organisation, through Andrabi and others, openly advocates secession of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India and its merger with Pakistan through violent means.

It is engaged in anti-India activities and has been inciting the general populace of Kashmir for an armed rebellion against the government of India with aid and assistance of terrorist organizations based in Pakistan.

The three were arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir police in April and the case was later transferred to the NIA in July.

The spokesman said the investigation has established that Andrabi, as the chief of  Dukhtaran-E-Millat, used social media and other platforms to abet waging of war against the government of India.

"She is spreading seditious and insurrectionary imputations against the Government of India. She is promoting ill-will and enmity between different communities in India on religious grounds.

"Investigation has also established that she has close contacts with designated global terrorist Hafeez Mohammad Saeed who is the head of Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, internationally designated terrorist organisations that are based in Pakistan."

The NIA said that Sofi Fehmeeda, personal secretary to Andrabi, and Dukhtaran-E-Millat's general secretary, Naheeda Nasreen, have been instrumental in the use of social media and other platforms to abet waging of war against the Indian government besides spreading seditious and insurrectionary imputations against it, and are promoting ill-will and enmity between different communities in India on religious grounds.

They have collected funds to carry out terrorist activities of Dukhtaran-E-Millat and have used public platforms to incite Kashmiri youths to rise in armed rebellion against the government with the objective of securing cessation of Kashmir from India and its merger with Pakistan.  -- PTI    
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19:41   Direct tax collections to exceed target this fiscal: CBDT chief
Direct tax collection has already crossed Rs 5 lakh crore and will exceed the budgeted target of Rs 11.5 crore set for the current fiscal, Central Board of Direct Taxes chairman Sushil Chandra said on Wednesday.

He further said that so far the I-T department has issued refunds to 2.15 crore assessees amounting to Rs 1.15 lakh crore and from now onwards the net collections will increase.

"We have already crossed the Rs 5 lakh crore figure that is 44 per cent of the net direct tax collection target. This is despite the fact there is a surge in refund," Chandra said.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the pavillion of the CBDT at the India International Trade Fair (IITF), Chandra said the number of people voluntarily filing tax returns has gone up substantially, and 6.85 crore income tax returns were filed last year.

This year so far 6.02 crore ITRs have been filed with the Income Tax Department.

The number of direct taxpayers was 3.8 crore when the Modi-led government took office in May 2014.

The CBDT chief said that so far the net growth rate in direct tax collection is 14.5 per cent, while the gross collection grew 16.5 per cent.

"Our asking rate is 14.55 per cent and definitely we will exceed our target Rs 11.5 lakh crore. There is buoyancy. In the second quarter, there has been good profit to India Inc and we saw very good advance tax collection," Chandra said.  -- PTI
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19:34   HC dismisses Daati Maharaj's plea against CBI probe in rape case
The Delhi high court on Wednesday dismissed self-styled preacher Daati Maharaj's plea for review of its decision to transfer the probe in the rape case against him to Central Bureau of Investigation and cautioned the agency against starting a fresh inquiry in the matter.

A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao rejected the preacher's contention that facts were suppressed by the petitioner -- a lawyer -- while seeking transfer of the probe. It said the investigation was handed over to CBI 'after going through the charge sheet in detail' and after considering the plea moved by the 'victim herself'.

"The contention of the applicant (Daati Maharaj) that there is suppression of fact cannot be accepted in its totality and this submission gets diluted or becomes non-effective because of the fact that the victim herself has approached this court and it was after considering her prayer and also after going through the charge sheet in detail that the order in question was passed by us," said the bench.

It said it found 'no error apparent on the face of the record to review the order' of October 3.

The preacher had also contended that CBI had started a fresh investigation in the case which was not permitted.

Dealing with the argument, the court said it had directed only for further investigation by the CBI and not a de novo (fresh) probe.

"Our intention was not at all to order a de novo inquiry into the matter. We had directed for supply of the entire charge sheet to the CBI and they were required to go through the charge sheet, conduct further investigation as is permissible under law and then submit a report to us," the bench said.

"The report submitted by them, interim in nature, only indicates that they have initiated the process and, therefore, we caution them to ensure that the investigation to be conducted by them is not a de novo inquiry but it is only a further investigation or inquiry into the matter," it said.

"In the meanwhile, based on the charge sheet already filed, the trial court shall proceed with the matter in accordance with law," it added and dismissed the application.

On October 3, the high court had said that the manner in which the probe was carried out by police 'casts a shadow on the investigation' as it did not arrest the accused in the case even after recording the complainant's statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

The preacher's plea against the October 3 order was initially filed in the Supreme Court which had asked him to approach the high court with his grievance.

The CBI had earlier submitted before the high court its status report of the probe in a sealed cover. The agency had registered a case of rape and unnatural sex against Daati on October 26.

The complainant's plea was earlier being heard by a single judge bench of the high court, but was transferred to the division bench after a PIL on the issue was filed.

A complaint was filed against Daati Madan Lal alias Daati Maharaj on June 7 and an FIR was registered on June 11. On June 22, police questioned the accused, who has been charged with rape of a disciple at his ashrams in Delhi and Rajasthan. The accused has claimed that he was being framed.

The complainant has filed the case against the preacher, his three brothers and a woman at Fatehpur Beri police station in South Delhi.

The case was later transferred to the crime branch. The complaint said the FIR against him has been registered for alleged heinous offences of rape, unnatural sex, molestation and common intention under the IPC.  -- PTI
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18:42   Gehlot, Pilot to contest polls; reject reports of infighting
Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot on Wednesday declared that they both will contest the December 7 assembly election, firing up the race for the chief minister's post in the state where the party is seeking to wrest power from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Gehlot and Pilot, however, dismissed suggestions that there was any infighting among the state leaders and asserted that they will unitedly take on the BJP.

The two leaders ended the speculation over whether they will contest the polls at a joint press conference here at the Congress headquarters, where the party announced the joining of BJP MP Harish Chandra Meena from Dausa in Rajasthan.

"We are all united in Rajasthan and the BJP is conspiring to spread false propaganda that the Congress is divided. I will contest the upcoming assembly election and Sachin Pilot and other senior leaders will also contest," Gehlot told reporters.

He was asked about the delay by the Congress in announcing candidates and reports that claimed that infighting among the top state leaders over distribution of tickets was responsible for it.

Filing of nomination papers in Rajasthan started on Monday and will continue till November 19. Pilot also said that on party chief Rahul Gandhi's directions and Gehlot's request, he will contest the assembly elections.

Pilot had last contested the Lok Sabha election from Ajmer in 2014, which he lost.

He, however, did not contest the bye-election earlier this year.

Sources said the leadership race in Rajasthan will now intensify with both main contenders throwing their hat in the ring.

"There is no division in the party in the state and all the leaders are united in the bid to defeat the BJP with a thumping majority," Pilot said.

On the issue of chief ministerial candidate, Gehlot said since independence the Congress has never declared its chief ministerial face in Rajasthan and the party is happy to carry on this tradition.  -- PTI
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17:44  
Just in: Winter session of parliament from December 11 to January 8.
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17:39   Hinting at Pak, PM points to single source in global terror attacks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday told US Vice President Mike Pence that all the traces and all the leads in the global terror attacks ultimately leads to a "single source and single place of origin", in an apparent reference to Pakistan.


Modi, who held talks with Pence on a wide range of bilateral and global issues of mutual interests on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit here, also expressed concern over the participation of terrorists in the elections in Pakistan.


Briefing reporters after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said there was some discussion on the issue of terrorism. Pence referred to the upcoming 10th anniversary of the deadly Mumbai terror attack on November 26 and hailed cooperation between the two sides on counter terrorism, Gokhale said.


Some 166 people were killed in the attack carried out by Pakistan-based 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists.


Modi thanked Pence for his words and reminded him that in one way or another all the traces and all the leads in the global terror attacks ultimately leads to a "single source and single place of origin", without naming any country or organisation. He was apparently referring to Pakistan.


A number of terrorist attacks across the world have been carried out by people of Pakistani origin. On December 2, 2015, 14 people were killed in a mass shooting by a Pakistani origin married couple in San Bernardino, California. A Pakistani-origin man was among three knife-wielding militants responsible for carrying out the brutal terror attack in London that killed seven people and injured 49 in June 2017. -- PTI


Image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US Vice President Mike Pence.
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17:15   ISRO launches GSAT-29 on board GSLV-MkII D2
JUST IN: Indian Space Research Organisation launches GSLV-MK-III D2 carrying GSAT-29 satellite from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

GSAT-29 carries Ka and Ku band high throughput transponders intended to meet the communication requirements of users, including in the North East and in Jammu and Kashmir. -- ANI
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17:04   Cyclone Gaja: Schools in Rameshwaram, Cuddalore to remain shut
The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday announced that all schools in Cuddalore and Rameswaram will remain shut on Thursday as cyclone Gaja gathers strength in the Bay of Bengal.Speaking to media, Cuddalore District Collector V Anbuselvan said, "All private and government schools in Cuddalore to remain closed tomorrow due to cyclonic storm 'Gaja'.


"Cyclone Gaja is expected to make a landfall between Pamban and Cuddalore tomorrow. In an attempt to mitigate damage to properties and human lives, the state administration headed by chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has planned to evacuate around 20,000 people residing on the coastal line and moving them to relief camps. For the safety of the people, the state government has also formed 19 interdepartmental zonal teams for the rescue operations. Not only Tamil Nadu, states liked Andhra Pradesh and union territory Puducherry are also bracing for the impact of the cyclone which is likely to bring heavy downpour and strong winds to several parts of the region for next couple of days. -- ANI


Representational image only.
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16:37   Market ends flat after choppy session
Benchmark equity indices gave up early gains to end marginally lower at 35,141.99 after a highly volatile session Wednesday as losses in pharma and information technology shares offset gains in energy, banking and metal stocks, amid weak global cues.


The BSE Sensex swung nearly 365 points both sides on heavy buying and selling during the session. The 30-share index, after a gap-up opening at 35,330.14 points, hit a high of 35,351.88 points at the outset on the back of sliding global crude oil prices and recovery in rupee.


However, a weak trend in most other Asian markets and a lower opening of European markets, triggered selling on the domestic bourses, dragging the Sensex into negative terrain to hit a low of 34,986.86. The index finally settled 2.50 points, or 0.01 per cent down at 35,141.99. It had rallied 332 points on Tuesday. -- PTI
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16:34   West Bengal celebrates "Rosogolla Dibas"
The West Bengal government is celebrating Wednesday as "Rosogolla Dibas" to commemorate the first anniversary of the sweetmeat getting Geographical Indication tag as 'West Bengal's Rosogolla'. As a mark of its celebrations, different varieties of rosogollas are being showcased in the stalls of the 'Mishti Hub', set up in one part of the Eco Park in New Town area.


"Banglar Rosogolla got the GI tag last year on this day. We are observing this day as #RosogollaDibas at #MistiHub in #Kolkata to mark this sweet occasion. Everyone is welcome," Banerjee tweeted today.


On November 14 last year, West Bengal received the GI tag for Rosogolla. The GI tag is a sign that identifies a product as originating from a particular place. -- PTI
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16:31   No plans to grant MFN status to India: Pak govt
Pakistan has "no immediate plans" to grant Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, a senior aide to Prime Minister Imran Khan has said, amid the chill in bilateral ties. Asked whether the government was considering granting MFN status to India and that Prime Minister Khan was keen to hold peace talks with the Indian government, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Commerce, Textile, Industry and Investments, Abdul Razak Dawood said, "No such plans at the moment".

"At present we have no immediate plans to grant MFN status to India," he said at an event in Lahore on Tuesday. However, he said Pakistan is working out free trade agreements with different countries, especially China, and hopes to complete the second FTA with China by June, 2019.


Pakistan is yet to award the MFN status to India and it maintains a negative list of 1,209 items which are not permitted to be imported from India. As per a World Trade Organisation rule, every member of WTO is required to accord this status to other member countries. India has already granted this status to all WTO members, including Pakistan. -- PTI
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16:19   6 injured as Maoists blow up truck ferrying security men after poll duty in Chhattisgarh
Five security personnel returning from election duty and a civilian were injured when Maoists blew up a truck with an IED in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Wednesday, a senior police official said. Four personnel of the BSF and one of the District Reserve Guard were among those injured, he said.


The incident took place around 9 am at Bijapur Ghati in the district, located around 450 km from state capital Raipur, Bijapur Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg told PTI.


After completing their duty in the first phase polling on Monday, the BSF personnel, along with the local police, left in a convoy from Modakpal to Dhamtari district for deployment for the second phase of polling on November 20, he said. When they reached Bijapur Ghati, Maoists blew up the truck leading the convoy with an improvised explosive device hidden beneath the road, he said. -- PTI
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15:37  
Supreme Court reserves verdict on a bunch of petitions demanding a probe into the Rafale deal.
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15:36   Delhi HC extends interim relief to Rakesh Asthana
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday extended the interim relief from arrest to Central Bureau of Investigation Special Director Rakesh Asthana till November 28 in connection with alleged bribery case.


During the course of the hearing, counsel for Joint CBI Director AK Sharma sought time to file reply on pleas of Asthana and Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar seeking quashing of FIR lodged by the probe agency in the case.


Sharma's counsel told the court that agency has incriminating material against Asthana and Kumar.Asthana and Kumar had earlier approched the high court seeking quashing of FIR registered against them.


The interim order of status quo in the case will continue till next date of hearing, which is November 28. Asthana came under scrutiny after the CBI filed an FIR against him on the charges of extortion, forgery, bribery and corruption. -- PTI
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15:32   Hindus believe SC decision will be in Ram temple favour: VHP
Hindus have faith that the Supreme Court will rule in favour of construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Vishwa Hindu Parishad  international vice president Champat Rai said Wednesday. He said that the people of the country should understand the sentiments of the Hindus.


"The struggle for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya has been going on for 500 years and now the wait is unbearable," Rai said. "Hindus have faith that the Supreme Court will rule in favour of construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya," he said.


He said on November 25, the VHP would organise a Dharm Sabha in Ayodhya and one lakh people would participate in it. In similar event later in New Delhi, over 5 lakh people were expected, he claimed, adding it was being organised to apprise about the sentiments of the Hindus to the government and the court. Replying to a question, he said the work to carve stones for the Ram temple had been completed. -- PTI
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15:20   How Bancroft was caught ball-tampering
Tampergate, when Australia's cricketers were caught in a ball-tampering scandal in March this year, is probably the biggest row to hit international cricket. But the scandal could not have been uncovered without the assistance of the onfield cameras that surround stadiums.   

How exactly Cameron Bancroft was caught tampering the ball, and how the other cricketers were trapped, is revealed by Geoff Lemon in his book, Steve Smith's Men.   

Lemon was a commentator during the Cape Town test in March 2018, and thus had a ringside view of the scandal as it was discovered.   

'It was Bancroft they had followed first, tipped off to the possibility of shenanigans and tracking his every movement with or without the ball in hand. An hour or so later, they had the shot.  Cricket lenses have 76 to 95 zoom, able to shoot from the grandstand to track a single bead of sweat running down a batsman's face. 

'Through this extensive framing latitude, every dramatic on-site sensation can be captured,' is how Canon describes it. Too true. Bancroft was holding the ball in his left hand, scrubbing his cupped right palm and fingers over the leather as though battling an unforgiving doorknob. You could see the pressure he was applying by the white flush of his knuckles. The fix was on,' Lemon writes in an excerpt from his book, published in The Guardianhere.
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15:16   The war that epitomised the callousness of imperialism
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Bengal famine of 1943, a heart-rending episode in which three million persons died, and which epitomised the callousness of imperialism. The scale of devastation can be understood if we remember that in the United Kingdom, taking civilian and military casualties together, the total loss of life during the entire Second World War was just 0.45 million and in the United States of America 0.42 million. Read the column here.
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15:10   Sadananda Gowda takes charge of chemicals and fertilisers ministry
Union minister D V Sadananda Gowda Wednesday assumed additional charge of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. The move was necessitated following the demise of Ananth Kumar on Monday. Gowda is currently the minister for statistics and programme implementation Gowda took charge of the ministry in addition to the existing portfolio, an official statement said.  -- PTI
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14:36   PM Modi holds bilateral meeting with US VP Pence
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a bilateral meeting with the United States Vice President Michael R Pence in Singapore on Thursday.


During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi said that India and the US share the same fundamental values and the two countries should join hands to achieve world peace.


"India and the United States share the same fundamental values. India has always believed that the world is one family and the first condition for that to happen is peace. You must have noted that India has always contributed in a big way for world peace and India's role is a pro-active one. We would like to work together for world peace, world progress, global economic progress and poverty alleviation which is important for our values," Prime Minister Modi asserted.


The Prime Minister also reiterated that there was a great opportunity for the US in India in making defence equipment and setting up defence industry.


Conveying his regards to US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude for the celebration of Diwali in the White House.


The Prime Minister further offered his condolences on the California wildfire which affected hundreds and thousands of people. -- PTI
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14:22   US military superiority has eroded to 'dangerous degree', warns report
'America's military superiority has "eroded to a dangerous degree,' leaving the US in a "crisis of national security,' especially if faced with more than one conflict at once, a new congressionally-mandated report concluded,' writes Aaron Mehta in defensenews.com, quoting a report issued Wednesday by the US National Defense Strategy Commission.   

'The US military could suffer unacceptably high casualties and loss of major capital assets in its next conflict. It might struggle to win, or perhaps lose, a war against China or Russia. The United States is particularly at risk of being overwhelmed should its military be forced to fight on two or more fronts simultaneously.   

'Additionally, it would be unwise and irresponsible not to expect adversaries to attempt debilitating kinetic, cyber, or other types of attacks against Americans at home while they seek to defeat our military abroad. US military superiority is no longer assured and the implications for American interests and American security are severe,' Mehta quotes from the report, here.
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14:18  
Rafale Jet Deal Case: Air Vice Marshal Chalapathi is present inside Court number 1 and answering the questions put forth by CJI Ranjan Gogoi.
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14:16   Rafale pricing can be discussed only if facts of deal come into public domain: SC
The Supreme Court Wednesday said a discussion on the pricing of Rafale fighter jets can only take place if the facts of the deal are allowed to come into the public domain.


The apex court, which began its hearing on pleas seeking a court-monitored probe into the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France, also said it was dealing with the requirements of the Air Force and would like to hear from an Air Force officer and "not the official of the Defence Ministry".


"The decision we need to take is whether to bring the fact on pricing in public domain or not," a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said. The bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, told Attorney General K K Venugopal that there is no question of any debate on pricing without making the facts public. The bench clarified that any discussion on price will be considered if it thinks the issue should enter the public domain. The top court also sought the assistance of an Air Force officer on the issue.


"We are dealing with the requirements of the Air Force and would like to ask an Air Force officer on Rafale jets. We want to hear from an Air force officer and not the official of the Defence Ministry on the issue," the bench said when the attorney general began his arguments on behalf of the Centre in the pre-lunch session. The SC has resumed hearing the case as you read this.


In his arguments, Venugopal defended the secrecy clause relating to the pricing of the Rafale jets, saying adversaries may get an advantage if the entire details are disclosed. Refusing to divulge details on the pricing aspect, he said he would not be able to assist the court further on the pricing issue. "I decided not to peruse it myself as in a case of any leak, my office would be held responsible," Venugopal said. The bench then told him there is no question of any debate on pricing without making the facts public. Venugopal said these matters are for experts to deal with. "We have been saying that even Parliament has not been told about the complete cost of the jets," he said.

The hearing saw Venugopal opposing advocate Prashant Bhushan who wanted to submit information on the secrecy clause of the Rafale agreement. "Secrecy agreement has to be secret and how is he producing it in court?" Venugopal asked when Bhushan raised the issue. Bhushan, appearing on behalf of himself and former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, alleged that the government was hiding behind the secrecy clause and had not disclosed the price of the fighter jets. The CJI told Bhushan, "We are giving you full hearing. Use this opportunity carefully and cite only those things which are necessary." -- PTI
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14:06   Hizbul militants arrested
Security forces Wednesday arrested two local militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and recovered cache of arms and ammunition from their possession in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.


Acting on a credible input, the security forces arrested the duo at a check point at Panzgam in Awantipora area, a police spokesman said.


"During checking, security forces recovered arms and ammunition from their possession which includes UBGL, grenades and live rounds and other incriminating material," he said.


The arrested militants have been identified as Jan Mohammad Sheikh and Nasir-ul-Islam, both affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen, the spokesman said. A case has been registered under relevant sections of law. -- PTI
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13:11   PM did not inform defence minister on changes in Rafale deal: Bhushan
Senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan's submission in the court on the Rafale case.

Appearing on behalf of himself and former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, Bhushan alleged that the government was hiding behind the secrecy clause and has not disclosed price of the Rafale jets. CJI  Ranjan Gogoi told Bhushan, "We are giving you full hearing. Use this opportunity carefully and cite only those things which are necessary."


The bench, also comprising justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, is likely to peruse the pricing details of the jets submitted by the government in a sealed cover.

During the hearing, Bhushan said the price per aircraft was 155 million Euro and now, it was 270 million Euro. This shows that there was hike of 40 per cent in its price, the advocate said. He said the CBI is bound to register an FIR in this case. The lawyer alleged that there was a conspiracy with French company Dassault, which granted the offset right to Reliance, and it amounts to gratification and constitutes an offence.


He said Reliance has no competence of executing the offset contract. Bhushan said the petition by them has been filed after the CBI did not register the FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He said this matter needs an investigation and argued that how can somebody say there was no need of the court-monitored probe.


Bhushan quoted ex-French president Franois Hollande and other Dassault officials to impute criminal motive in granting the offset contract to Reliance.


FIR is the legal requirement of the law and this court should order registration of the FIR, he added.


The activist-lawyer submitted that the NDA government "short circuited" the acquisition process by taking the Inter Government Agreement (IGA) route to avoid giving tender. He said there was no sovereign guarantee from the French government in the deal and argued that initially the Union Law Ministry flagged the issue and later gave in to the proposal of entering into IGA.


Bhushan, referring to the process of defence acquisition, said the Air Force needed 126 fighter jets and had intimated it to Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). He said initially, six foreign companies had applied and two firms were shortlisted during the earlier process. Later, the deal went to French firm Dassault and state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd was part of it. But, suddenly a statement was issued which said there will be no technology transfer, and only 36 jets would be procured, the lawyer told the court.


Bhushan submitted that nobody knows about the alleged change in the deal done by the prime minister, and even the defence minister was not aware about the change. Advocates M L Sharma, Vineet Dhanda and AAP MP Sanjay Singh, also advanced their arguments before Bhushan.



Sharma, who opened the argument, told the court that the IGA was "illegal" and sought an investigation into the matter. Dhanda sought a proper reply from the Centre on his plea questioning the Rafale deal.


AAP leader's counsel Dheeraj Singh asked as to why the government reduced the deal of 126 jets to 36. He said the government should have increased the number of jets when there was a concern that adversaries were inducting more fighter jets.


Bhushan also raised the same point as Singh and said three and a half years have passed since the deal was signed on 36 Rafale jets but no aircraft have been received till now. The first jet is to be delivered in September 2019 and delivery to continue till 2022, he said.


"If the 126 aircraft deal was still on, at least 18 jets would have been delivered by April 2019," he submitted. Hearing is currently underway in the top court. The petitions in the matter have been filed by advocates M L Sharma, Vineet Dhanda. -- PTI


Image: Prashant Bhushan told the court that the PM made changes in the Rafale deal and the defence minister was not aware of them. Manohar Parrikar was the defence minister at the time.
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12:10   Govt short-circuited Rafale acquisition process to avoid tenders: Bhushan
The Supreme Court Wednesday commenced its crucial hearing on pleas seeking a court-monitored probe into the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph is also likely to peruse the pricing details of the jets submitted by the government in a sealed cover.


During the hearing, advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing on behalf of himself, and former union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, submitted that the NDA government "short circuited" the acquisition process by taking the Inter Government Agreement  route to avoid giving tender. He said there was no sovereign guarantee from the French government in the deal.


Bhushan argued that initially the Union Law Ministry had flagged the issue, but later gave in to the proposal of entering into the IGA. The Air Force needed 126 fighter jets and had intimated the Defence Acquisition Council about it, he said referring to the process of defence acquisition. Initially, six foreign companies had applied and two firms were shortlisted during the earlier process.


Later the deal went to French firm Dassault and state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd was part of it. But, suddenly a statement was issued and it said there will be no technology transfer, and only 36 jets would be procured, the lawyer told the court.


Bhushan submitted that nobody knows about the alleged change in the deal done by the prime minister and even the defence minister was not aware about the the change.


Advocates M L Sharma, Vineet Dhanda and AAP MP Sanjay Singh, also advanced their arguments before Bhushan. Sharma, who opened the argument, told the court that the IGA was "illegal" and sought an investigation into the matter. Dhanda sought a proper reply from the Centre on his plea questioning the Rafale deal.


AAP leader's counsel Dheeraj Singh questioned as to why the government reduced the deal of 126 jets to 36. He said the government should have increased the number of jets when there was a concern that adversaries were inducting more fighter jets.


Bhushan also raised the same point as Singh and said three and a half years have passed since the deal was signed on 36 Rafale jets but no aircraft has been received till now. He said the first jet is to be delivered in September 2019 and delivery to continue till 2022. "If the 126 aircraft deal was still on, at least 18 jets would have been delivered by April 2019," he submitted.  --  PTI
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11:49   Trump draws flak for leaving out Hindus in Diwali tweets
United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday made a resounding error while tweeting about the Diwali celebrations at the White House. In a glaring error, President Trump completely missed out mentioning the main and largest religious group which celebrates Diwali, that is, Hindus, while giving out his Diwali greetings.


Trump tweeted, "Today, we gathered for Diwali, a holiday observed by Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains throughout the United States and around the world. Hundreds of millions of people have gathered with family and friends to light the Diya and to mark the beginning of a New Year."


Along with the tweet, President Trump also shared pictures of him participating in the Diwali ceremonial lighting of the Diya and a YouTube link of the celebrations.The mistake of missing Hindu religious group was immediately pointed out to the US President by Twitteratis.


Trump, however, rectified his mistake and recognised Diwali as the Hindu Festival of Lights."It was my great honor to host a celebration of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, in the Roosevelt Room at the @WhiteHouse this afternoon. Very, very special people!," he tweeted. India's Ambassador to the United States, Navtej Singh Sarna, was also present at the event along with his wife, Avina Sarna.


Image: US president Donald Trump at the Diwali celebrations at the White House.
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11:45   India votes against UNGA draft resolution on use of death penalty
India has voted against a UN General Assembly draft resolution on the use of death penalty, saying it goes against the statutory law of the country where an execution is carried out in the "rarest of rare" cases.


The draft resolution, taken up in the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian, Cultural) of the General Assembly Tuesday, was approved with a recorded vote of 123 in favour, 36 against and 30 abstentions. India was among the countries that voted against the resolution, which would have the Assembly call on all States to respect international standards on the rights of those facing death penalty and ensure that it is not applied on the basis of discriminatory laws or as a result of discriminatory or arbitrary application of the law. -- PTI
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11:40   International-level sprinter commits suicide, SAI orders inquiry
Parvinder Chaudhary, an 18-year-old athlete who represented India at international level, committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan at the capital's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, prompting the Sports Authority of India to order a "departmental inquiry".


Chaudhary was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his hostel room at the athletics academy of JLN stadium. "We have ordered a departmental inquiry as the incident happened in our premises. The inquiry will be headed by Secretary SAI Swarn Singh Chabra and it should be completed within a week," SAI Director General Neelam Kapur told PTI.


Hailing from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, the athlete was brain dead by the time he was rushed to the Safdarjung Hospital, and could not be revived. Apparently, he took the extreme step after an argument with his father over monetary issues, the top SAI official said. His fellow trainees and staff at the stadium were shocked as the athlete showed no signs of depression while training through the day. -- PTI


Image: Athlete Parvinder Chaudhary's father. Pic: ANI
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11:22   Nandy vs Nihalani
Meanwhile... @PritishNandy tweets: "Dear @NihalaniPahlaj Now remember the grief you gave others. Life comes back full circle, Rangeela Raja. Now suffer."


Pahlaj Nihalani responds: "Gratitude is for the elites; sophisticated filmmakers who produce films such as #Mastizaade forget how they received the certificate finally. But they say, Opportunists will keep trolling on social media. You made the most then, Make the most now!
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11:21   Rafale hearing: Prashant Bhushan's submission in SC
Senior SC lawyer, Prashant Bhushan, appearing for former Union minister Arun Shourie, who is also one of the petitioners in the Rafale deal case, submitted to the three-judge Apex Court that only in three situations, the intergovernmental route can be resorted. Bhushan, also told the Apex Court that there was no sovereign guarantee from the side of the France government in the deal.
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11:19   Lankan parliament votes against PM Rajapaksa
In a major setback to President Maithripala Sirisena, the Sri Lankan parliament on Wednesday voted against newly-appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's government. The parliament has approved a no-trust vote against Prime Minister Rajapaksa, speaker of parliament Karu Jayasuriya announced in the House. "According to the voice, I recognise that the government has no majority," Jayasuriya announced as Rajapaksa backers protested. -- PTI
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11:18   Petitioner tells SC govt has already revealed Rafale pricing details
Update: The Supreme Court Wednesday commenced its crucial hearing on pleas seeking court-monitored probe into procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph is likely to peruse the pricing details submitted by the government in a sealed cover.

The initial arguments are being commenced by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma, who told the court that the Inter Government Agreement was "illegal" and sought an investigation in the matter.     


Besides Sharma, another lawyer Vinnet Dhanda has also filed a plea in the matter. Later, AAP MP Sanjay Singh had also filed a petition. Former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan also filed a joint petition.  Hearing is currently underway in the top court.

Petitioner advocate ML Sharma tells the Supreme Court that the report filed by the government in the court reveals that there has been serious fraud while making the decision after May 2015.


The petitioner urges the court that the matter be heard by a five-judge bench.


Counsel appearing for AAP leader Sanjay Singh tells the apex court that pricing of the 36 Rafale aircraft deal was revealed in the Parliament twice, hence, the submission of government that pricing details cannot be made public was not acceptable. He points out MPs defence Subhash Bhamre has told the Parliament that cost of a Rafale aircraft is Rs 670 crore.
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10:41   SC begins hearing on Rafale deal pricing details
The Supreme Court has just begun hearing the sensitive pricing details of the 36 Rafale fighter jets, submitted by the centre in a sealed cover.


A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph will hold a crucial hearing in the case during which the petitioners, who have sought a court-monitored investigation into the deal, will also make submissions.


The Centre had on Monday handed over a 14-page document titled "Details of the steps in the decision making process leading to the award of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft order" to the petitioners in the case.


The government had also filed in the court in a sealed cover the pricing details of the Rafale jets.


The petitioners are likely to respond to the contents of the documents in which it has been stated by the government that the deal for 36 Rafale jets were negotiated on "better terms" and the Defence Procurement Procedure laid out in 2013 were "completely followed".


The centre has also said the Cabinet Committee on Security approval was secured before the deal was inked with France.The details of the decision-making process and pricing were placed in the court in compliance with its October 31 order.


India signed an agreement with France for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in a fly-away condition as part of the upgrading process of the Indian Air Force equipment. The estimated cost of the deal is Rs. 58,000 crore. -- PTI
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10:16   4-day-long Chhath Puja concludes with oblation to rising sun
The four-day long Chhath Puja celebrations concluded today after lakhs of people across India and the world paid oblation to the rising sun. The festival, which is celebrated across various states-primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, began on Sunday and concluded today after devotees offered 'arhgya' to the rising sun and ended their 36-hour long fast.


The Chhath Puja is celebrated on the sixth day of the Kartik month of the Hindu calendar which also happens to be the fourth day after Diwali.


As per the Hindu tradition, devotees worship the sun god and his wife Usha to express gratitude and seek their blessings.


According to Hindu mythology, Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, was unhappy and troubled. In order to get rid of suffering, she was advised to pray sun god and observe Chhath Puja. She observed the fast and got rid of her sufferings.

Day one of the festival is called Nahai Khai, which begins with devotees taking the holy dip in Ganga River.


On the next day, devotees observe a full-day fast which is completed in the evening after praying to the sun and the moon during sunset.


The third day is called 'pehla argha' or 'saandhya argha'. The devotees and their families go to the river bank and offer prasad to the Sun God during sunset and pray for happiness and prosperity.


On the fourth and the last day, which is the also is known as 'doosra argha', devotees offer their prayers to the sun on the river banks before the sunrise and conclude their fast and eat special prasad and delicacies made for the festival.


A large number of people gather on ghats of various rivers and other water bodies since early morning. This festival is connected with purity, devotion to the sun god, who is considered as the source of life on this earth and regarded as the deity who fulfils all wishes. In Patna, people gathered on Ghats of Ganga, Kosi, Gandak and Sone rivers. -- PTI
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09:41   Rupee rises 67 paise against US dollar on falling crude prices
The rupee appreciated 67 paise to 72 against the US dollar at the interbank foreign exchange Wednesday after crude prices fell to a one-year low in the global market, easing concerns over expanding current account deficit and inflation. The rise in the rupee was also supported by dollar-selling by exporters and banks and the US unit's weakness against some currencies overseas, traders said. -- PTI


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09:24   Have great respect for PM Modi: Trump at WH Diwali celebrations
US President Donald Trump said he has great respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and would be talking to him very soon.

Trump and Modi are slated to attend the G-20 Summit in Argentina on November 30 and December 1, where there is a likelihood of a meeting between the two. The White House has not made any announcement in this regard so far.

"I'll be talking to him soon. Thank you," Trump told Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Singh Sarna, during the Diwali celebrations at the White House. 

"He looks forward to seeing you, Sarna replied.

Trump told the top Indian diplomat, who was a special invitee to the White House Diwali celebrations, that he loves India. 
We love your country. I have great, great respect for, as you know, Prime Minister Modi -- tremendous respect. So just please give my warmest regards, said the US President. 

Trump and Modi enjoy a strong personal friendship. 
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08:58   Modi pitches India as favourite investment destination in Singapore
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that financial inclusion has become a reality for 1.3 billion Indians as he pitched India as a favourite destination for investment at the Fintech Festival in Singapore. 

Modi became the first world leader to address the festival which was launched in 2016 and is in its third edition.

"Financial inclusion has become reality for 1.3 billion Indians. We have generated more than 1.2 billion biometric identities- Aadhaar or foundation- in just a few years," Modi said at the event.

The Singapore Fintech Festival is already the world's largest event on financial technology or fintech. In 2017, the event drew as many as 30,000 participants from over 100 countries.

The SFF involves a three-day conference, and exhibition of FinTech firms and capabilities, a global competition of FinTech solutions and a platform for matching entrepreneurs and investment capital.

Modi said through Aadhaar and cellphones, his government has launched Jan Dhan Yojana and opened 330 million new bank accounts in three years.

"These are 330 million sources of identity, dignity and opportunities. Less than 50 per cent of Indian had bank accounts in 2014. Now, it is nearly universal. So today, more than a billion biometric identities, more than a billion bank accounts and more than a billion cell phones give India by far the biggest public infrastructure in the world," Modi said.

"We are in an age of a historic transition brought about by technology. From desktop to cloud, from Internet to social media, from IT Services to Internet of Things, we have come a long way in short time," he said.

-- PTI
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08:35   Top film body expels Alok Nath amid rape allegations
The Cine and TV Artists Association said it has expelled Alok Nath, a month after the actor was accused of rape by a writer-producer. 
  
Vinta Nanda, best known for the hit '90s TV show "Tara", had accused Nath of raping her more than once 19 years ago.

In a statement released on Twitter,  CINTAA, which has previously sent show-cause notice to Nath, said, "In view of the various allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against Mr Alok Nath, after due diligence and consideration, the Executive Committee of CINTAA has decided to expel him from the Association."

When contacted, Nath said he is yet to receive any official communication. "I have not received anything from CINTAA yet," he said. 

Besides Nanda, actor Sandhya Mridul also accused Nath of sexual harassment at an outdoor shoot years ago. 

Nath, who has repeatedly denied the claims, has also filed defamation case against Nanda.

Nath is famous for shows like "Buniyaad" and films such as "Hum Aapke Hain Kaun!" and "Hum Saath Saath Hain".

-- PTI
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07:59   India a tough trade negotiator: Trump
US President Donald Trump described India as "very good negotiators" as he celebrated Diwali in the White House along with top Indian-Americans and said he is "grateful" for his friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The United States has deep ties to the nation of India and I am grateful for my friendship with Prime Minister Modi," Trump said before lighting the ceremonial diya in the historic Roosevelt Room of the White House. It is the second consecutive year that Trump has celebrated the largest festival of India and Indian Americans in the White House.

"We're trying very hard to make better trade deals with India. But, they're very good traders. They're very good negotiators. You would say right. The best. So we're working. And it's moving along," Trump said referring to the India-US trade deal negotiations that have started between the two largest democracies of the world.

"Modi is my friend and now her (Ivanka) friend and has great respect for India and the Indian people that I can say," said the US President as he introduced his daughter to the audience, who was present in the room. 

"Absolutely," replied Ivanka, who had visited India last year. She was the first top official of the Trump Administration to travel to India.

-- PTI
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00:22   Crucial hearing on Rafale deal in SC today
The sensitive pricing details of the 36 Rafale fighter jets, submitted by the Centre in a sealed cover, is scheduled to be examined by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph will hold a crucial hearing in the case during which the petitioners, who have sought a court-monitored investigation into the deal, will also make submissions.

The Centre had on Monday handed over a 14-page document titled 'Details of the steps in the decision making process leading to the award of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft order' to the petitioners in the case.

The government had also filed in the court in a sealed cover the pricing details of the Rafale jets.

The petitioners are likely to respond to the contents of the documents in which it has been stated by the government that the deal for 36 Rafale jets were negotiated on 'better terms' and the Defence Procurement Procedure laid out in 2013 were 'completely followed'.

The Centre has also said the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval was secured before the deal was inked with France.

The details of the decision-making process and pricing were placed in the court in compliance with its October 31 order.

India signed an agreement with France for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in a fly-away condition as part of the upgrading process of the Indian Air Force equipment. The estimated cost of the deal is Rs 58,000 crore.

The Rafale fighter is a twin-engine Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) manufactured by French aerospace company Dassault Aviation.

The petitions seeking the probe in the Rafale deal were first filed by advocates Manohar Lal Sharma and Vineet Dhanda.

Later, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh had also filed a petition.

Former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan had also filed a joint petition in the apex court.  -- PTI

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