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Fri, 27 November 2015
Indrani was dead against Sheena-Rahul affair: Witness to CBI

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22:42   Commonwealth choses UK lawyer as first woman Secretary-General
Patricia Scotland, a Dominica-born British lawyer, was today appointed as the Commonwealth's new Secretary General, becoming the first woman to occupy the post in the 53-member block.

Commonwealth heads of government chose Scotland, at their biennial summit in Malta, chose 60-year-old Scotland, a former attorney general to the British government, to take over from India's Kamalesh Sharma on April 1, 2016.

Sharma was appointed to the prestigious post in April 2008. "I am incredibly proud to be the first woman to hold the post of secretary-general," Scotland told a press conference.

"Women leading from the front. Congrats to Baroness Patricia Scotland, first lady to become SG of Commonwealth!," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

The Commonwealth secretary-general is the head of the Commonwealth Secretariat, the central body which has served the Commonwealth of Nations since its establishment in 1965, and responsible for representing the Commonwealth publicly.

Scotland has served in many positions within the UK government, most notably as the Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland.
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22:40   Indrani was dead against Sheena-Rahul affair: Witness to CBI
Indrani Mukerjea, the prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, had allegedly told a friend that Sheena's relationship with Rahul, her husband's son from earlier marriage, was "not permissible at any cost".

"Indrani had told me that her sister Sheena Bora is dating with Peter's son Rahul, so she was worried about their relationship as the same is not permissible at any cost,"Abhijit Shen, Indrani's friend, said in a statement to CBI.

Indrani is accused of murdering her daughter Sheena (whom she introduced to others as her 'sister') in April 2012.     Sen, a West Bengal-based businessman, stated that he met Indrani in 1998-99 for the first time.

"Our friendship gradually developed which resulted in a physical relationship," he claimed.

Apart from him, she was also in a relationship with four others including two IPS officials, Sen alleged.

Indrani's former husband (a co-accused) Sanjeev Khanna was a liquor addict and he sometimes assaulted her, henceIndrani wanted to leave him, Sen said.
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22:32   5 members of Ravi Pujari gang arrested
Police have arrested five members of the Ravi Pujari gang with help from a local builder, who was getting extortion calls after his manager was kidnapped, a senior officer said today.

The gangsters, Shrinivas Swami alias Raju (32), Shailesh (24), Sidesh More alias Anna (27), Ganesh Naik alias Bhau (56) and Nitesh Komu alias Raj (25), were apprehended yesterday from Khar area of western suburbs, said Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Deven Bharti. 

According to the police, on Tuesday last the builder lodged a complaint alleging his manager had been kidnapped by gangsters claiming allegiance to Pujari, said to be based overseas, and demanded Rs 75 lakh in extortion money.

The gangsters used to call the complainant from the kidnapped manager's mobile phone and often threatened him and demanded he shell out the money, said Bharti.
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22:30   Tintin expert named Britain's first professor of comics
Lancaster University has created a new faculty position, for a professor in the art of graphic novels. Benoit Peeters, a French graphic novelist and literary critic, has been appointed as the university's Visiting Professor in Graphic Fiction and Comic Art, the first appointment of its kind in the UK.

Peeters, whose works include Tintin and the World of Herg, has written extensively about the Belgian cartoon character and his creator. Reflecting on the writer's quiet life in Herg, Son of Tintin, Peeters argues that "it was, more than anything else, the character that built its author.'

Read this story HERE
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22:17   President to be on a 3-day visit to Gujarat from Nov 30
President Pranab Mukherjee is expected to be on a three-day visit to Gujarat, beginning from November 30. During his visit, the President will address a convocation at the Gujarat Vidyapeeth and inaugurate the Archives and Research Centre on Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram here besides other programmes.

On the first day of his visit, he will open the cattle- feed plant, said to be the biggest in country, of Amul in Kapadvanj of Kheda district, and will visit IIM-A in evening. On December 1, he will be the chief guest at the 62nd convocation ceremony of Gujarat Vidyapeeth, established by Mahatma Gandhi, said its registrar Rajendra Khimani.

On the same day, the President will visit Gandhi Ashram and inaugurate new Archives and Research Centre on Mahatma Gandhi, said Sabarmati Ashram director Tridip Sharud.

He will travel to Diu to inaugurate international tourist festival 'Feasta-de-Diu' in the evening. Mukherjee is also likely to visit Somnath temple on last day of his visit on December 2, before leaving for Delhi.
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21:18   AAP Govt's Janlokpal Bill 'worst than a Jokepal': Bhushan
Swaraj Abhiyan leader Prashant Bhushan today claimed the Delhi government's new Janlokpal Bill is different from what was drafted during the Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption movement, as the appointment and removal of an independent ombudsman will now be done by the state government.

Bhushan, a noted lawyer, said the bill "thrashes" all the principles of an independent Lokpal and it is "worst than a Jokepal" -- a term used by the AAP after the Centre passed its Lokpal bill, and that it was designed to fail.


"Delhi Lokpal bill trashes all principles of an independent Janlokpal that we had drafted: Appointment &removal not under government; Independent Investigating agency under Lokpal.

Saw shockingly dishonest Delhi Lokpal bill:Appointment & removal by Delhi government; No investigating agency under it; Empowered to investigate Government Of Indiaas well; Designed to fail! (sic)" Bhushan said on Twitter.

Led by activist Anna Hazare, Bhushan and his father Shanti Bhushan, along with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, Kiran Bedi were among the leading faces in the fight for a Lokpal.

Bhushan, who formed Swaraj Abhiyan after being expelled from AAP, said the appointment and removal of Lokpal by the government itself fails the whole purpose.
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21:10   Sonipat blasts: Abdul Karim Tunda produced before court
Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Abdul Karim Tunda was today produced before a additional sessions court in connection with the 1996 Sonipat blasts case. 
Four witnesses in the case recorded their testimony before the additional sessions court judge Jagdip Singh. Five other witnesses who were supposed to be present today did not turn up, Tunda's lawyer Ashish Vatsa said.

The judge has ordered re-production of Tunda before the court on 8 January, when the matter would be heard next. Amid tight security cover, the Delhi police brought Tunda to the court and Sonipat police had also provided additional security cover.
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21:06   HSBC whistleblower Falciani sentenced to 5 years in prison
HSBC whistleblower Herve Falciani, whose 'Swissleaks' have been key to India's black money probe, was sentenced today in absentia to five years in prison by a Swiss federal court.

Falciani, who refused to appear for trial in Switzerland, has been charged of industrial espionage. According to Swiss news agency ATS, Falciani has been sentenced in absentia to five years in prison. A former employee of global banking major HSBC, Falciani leaked details of bank account holders in Geneva branch of HSBC - a list which later reached the French government and subsequently was shared with India as it had accounts of those Indians who had stashed funds abroad.

Earlier this month, he said he was willing to "cooperate" with the Indian investigative agencies in their black money probe but would need "protection".

About the sentencing, Falciani told Indian television channel NDTV that nothing has changed and it should not affect his collaboration with Indian authorities. He also told the channel that he would make an appeal to European Human Rights Court.
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20:44   Musharraf treason tribunal orders re-investigation
A special Pakistani court holding the treason trial of ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf for allegedly subverting the Constitution in 2007 today ordered re-investigation into the case.

The court also tasked the Federal Investigation Agency to complete the investigation by December 17 and report it. It also rejected a plea by Musharraf's lawyer, Farogh Nasim, to include investigators from army-run intelligence agencies in the team tasked to carry out the fresh probe.

After sweeping to power in 2013, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz constituted a three-member special court to try Musharraf for allegedly subverting the Constitution in November 2007.

A three-member special court started trial on the case in December 2013 on behalf of the federal government when he was president of the country.
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20:35   Indian-American offloaded from plane in Pak after bomb scare
An Indian-American man was offloaded today from a Qatar Airways plane at Islamabad airport after he claimed there was a bomb on the aircraft, authorities said. 

Ajit Vijay Joshi was offloaded at the Benazir International Airport around 3:00am (local time) after officials of Qatar Airways refused to board him, claiming that he had raised a bomb threat which turned out to be a hoax. 

The flight, that was on its way to Washington via Doha, landed at Islamabad airport after Joshi raised the false bomb scare. "The Qatar Airways refused to board him as he raised a false bomb threat," an official said.

Joshi was temporarily kept under detention at the airport but released after the plane left and later landed in Doha. It was not clear whether he later on left for the United States or not, the official said.
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20:02   Modi's meet with Sonia, Manmohan over GST ends
According to sources, the 'chai pe charcha' at the prime minister's residence over the GST Bill has ended.

More details are awaited.
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19:50  
According to sources, Arun Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu are also present at the meeting.
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19:28   Sonia, Manmohan reach PM's house for 'Chai Pe Charcha'
Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh have reached the prime minister's Race Course Road residence. 

According to sources, the meeting has commenced. Earlier in the day, Modi had invited Sonia and Singh for tea.

This assumes significance as the government and the Congress are at loggerheads which is stalling the passage of crucial legislations like the Goods and Services Tax Bill.
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18:46   France honors terror victims
All over France, blue-white-red national flags flew from buildings on Friday. President Francois Hollande had asked people to hoist the tricolor in patriotic solidarity with the 130 people terrorists massacred two weeks ago in Paris.

And in the grand square of the Hotel National des Invalides, Hollande called guests together to mourn the killings in a national ceremony.

Attack survivors appeared alongside grieving families of those killed and diplomats representing countries of victims hailing from outside France.

Read more HERE.
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18:25   Pope Francis delivers stern warning ahead of Paris climate conference
Pope Francis celebrated a historic Mass in Kenya on Thursday before delivering a stern environmental warning just days ahead of a key climate change conference in Paris.

"It would be sad, and I dare say even catastrophic, were particular interests to prevail over the common good and lead to manipulating information in order to protect their own plans and projects," the Pope said, urging nations to reach an agreement over curbing fossil fuel emissions.

He urged politicians to work together with the corporate and scientific worlds, and civil society leaders in finding solutions to stop environmental degradation.

No country, he said, "can act independently of a common responsibility. If we truly desire positive change, we have to humbly accept our interdependence."

Read more HERE.
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18:14  
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, in her closing remarks, urged members of the Lok Sabha to accept the affirmation: 'We do solemnly affirm our commitment to the ideals of the Constitution and resolve to uphold its sanctity and supremacy, respect constitutional  institutions, their freedom and autonomy, protect the unity and integrity of our country, and uphold its socialist, democratic and secular character, maintain probity and accountability in public life, and dedicate ourselves to social justice and building a strong republic.'

I hope the House agrees with this, Mahajan says, and adjourns the House till Monday, November 30.
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18:10  
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan winds up the two-day session to commemorate Constitution Day, with a brief statement. Members who could not speak for paucity of time could make written submissions, she says.
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18:07  
Leader of Opposition Kharge stands up to bring to the PM's notice that the portable PF account was a UPA initiative, as also the decision to hike the minimum pension to Rs 1000.
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18:07  
Modi winds up his slightly longer than one hour speech with an impassioned plea of what the idea of India was.

Idea of India is Satyameva Jayate, Idea of India is Vasudev Kutumbakam. Idea of India, Jan Seva is Prabhu Seva. Idea of India is Naari, tu Narayani, he winds up.
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18:06  
Government has only one dharma: India First. One holy book: Constitution. Country will run only on Constitution. There is no reason to question it, Modi assures the Lok Sabha.
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17:54   In a 1st, PM acknowledges Nehru's contribution to Parliamentary debate
PM Modi's first reference to Jawaharlal Nehru. Remember, the Congress has accused the BJP of trying to erase Nehru's contributions in the making of India.


The PM said that when Pt Nehru and Ram Manohar Lohia who was in the opposition had an argument in Parliament, Nehru stood up and said 'I disagree with what you say, but I uphold your right to disagree'. That was the greatness of Nehru, the greatness of the Indian Parliament, the PM said.   
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17:45  
PM Modi pays tribute to Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, the Bengali intellectual who played a key role in the enactment of the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act of 1856. 
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17:44  
Dr Ambedkar and his wife before an idol of Lord Buddha.
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17:43   Consensus gives democracy its greatest strength: PM
PM in Parliament: In a democracy the real strength comes when we all walk on the path towards agreement. Is sadan mein ek taraf zyada log hain lekin unko ye adhikaar nahi ki vo apni baatien thop dein. In a democracy, consensus is what gives the greatest strength.  
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17:33  
PM talks about the independence that the Constitution gives to the Judiciary, Executive and Legislature -- fundamental to the tenets of democracy. 
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17:31   Ambedkar was not vindictive while writing Constitution: PM
PM on the Constitution debate: BR Ambedkar's thoughts and teachings have been valid, true, and applicable to all generations, of any given time.


If someone has to criticize the government or defend oneself or be neutral, everyone quotes Baba Saheb Ambedkar.


BR Ambedkar faced insults all his life, it colors a person's intentions. But no where in Constitution does any of that reflect. Baba Saheb Ambedkar ne saara zeher piya aur hamaare liye Amrit chhod gaye.
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17:30  
Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar being sworn in as independent India's first law ministe, tweets @IndiaHistorypics 
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17:23   Making Constitution for nation as diverse as India difficult: PM
PM in Parliament: It must have been difficult to form a Constitution for a nation as diverse as India. To make the Constitution of a nation like India, is not easy.

"To strengthen our democracy, it is important for people to know about the aspects of our Constitution. Dignity for Indians and unity for India...this is what our Constitution is about.

"Raja Maharajaon ne nahi, Jan Jan ne is desh ko banaya hai, ghareeb ne banaya hai.

"If Constitution simply becomes a document to be followed by the Govt then democracy will suffer, that's why it needs to reach the roots."
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17:16   India is a result of the contribution of earlier govts, PMs: Modi
"A nation like India is diverse, and the Constitution has the power to bind us all. This country has moved ahead with the contribution of several governments. Nobody can say that earlier governments did not do anything. This nation is made by so many people, all the governments.

"Don't remember any PM saying from the Red Fort that this nation is what it is due to contribution of all Govts & PMs this nation has seen.  If any PM has, I bow before them.


A nation like India is diverse, and the Constitution has the power to bind us all. We need to consistently educate people about the strengths and importance of the constitution.


Baba Saheb Ambedkar ke yogdaan ko hum kabhi bhi nakaar nahi sakt. Dignity for Indians and unity for India...this is what our Constitution is about."
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17:09   Spirit of Constitution debate is not 'you' or 'I', it's 'we', says PM
PM Modi begins his speech in Lok Sabha on the Constitution debate.

"I thank everyone for the interest shown in the Constitution debate and the support it got. Some people have this wrong idea, maybe out of habit, that PM will respond to everything in the end. But I am speaking now, expressing my views, just as any other person here did. Some people have this wrong idea, maybe out of habit, that PM will respond to everything in the end. Main' aur 'tu' nahi hai spirit is charcha ka, is charcha ka spirit 'hum' hai. (The spirit of this (Constitution)debate is not "you" or "I", it is "We).

 
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16:55  
PM to speak in Parliament shortly.
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16:53   Maharashtra mulls statewide alcohol ban... again
After Bihar, Maharashtra is planning statewide ban on liquor. The Maharashtra government has been contemplating enforcing a ban on liquor in the state in July, but backtracked saying there would be no prohibition in the state.
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16:14   France will destroy army of fanatics, promises Hollande at memorial service
French President Francois Hollande promises he will destroy the 'army of fanatics' responsible for the Paris attacks. "We'll respond to attacks by 'singing more songs', going to concerts, stadiums," he said at the national memorial service for the 130 people who died in the attacks two weeks ago.

Around 1,000 people are attending the service in central Paris, including Hollande, survivors of the attacks and victims' families.

A minute's silence has been held and the names of all the victims read out.

Attackers with assault rifles and suicide belts targeted a number of sites in the capital. Islamic State later said it was behind the assault.

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16:14   Match-fixing says Yechury of Modi's invite to Cong
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Friday said he has no objection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh for discussions on Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill but appealed to include other parties as well terming the meeting as 'match-fixing'.


"They have invited Congress, but have not initiated any talks with us or any others. I had said once in the Parliament what happens between the government and the Congress is Ankho hi ankho mein ishara hota hai, baithein baithein jine ka sahara hota hai. What is this match-fixing? We have no objections with their meeting but they should have included everyone," Yechury said.
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15:59   YSRC MP booked for assaulting Air India official
A criminal case has been registered against a YSR Congress MP from Andhra Pradesh for allegedly slapping a station manager of Air India at Tirupati airport. Lok Sabha MP P Mithun Reddy went to the cabin of AI manager at the airport Rajasekhar yesterday afternoon and picked up an "argument" with him regarding boarding passes for his relatives for a flight. He later "shouted" at the manager before allegedly slapping him, Yerpedu police station sub-inspector Ramakrishnaiah said based on a complaint lodged by the victim.
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15:53   'A jeans-t-shirt revolution is going on'
"Go to any village, you'll find a Dalit 15 years and above wearing jeans. Earlier, Dalits were not allowed to wear a dhoti till the ankles. Jeans does not have this kind of restrictions or design. It is universal. So Dalits have also entered a caste neutral clothing zone.Wherever you see Dr Ambedkar's statue in this country or abroad, he is always wearing a suit and with that English comes naturally. The Dalits' veneration of Western dress is very intense,' Dalit thinker Chandrabhan Prasad tells Archana Masih/Rediff.com. Read
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15:30  
Capt. Amarinder Singh to be the next president of the Congress Punjab unit. 
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15:22   PM to survey flood-hit TN, AP; meet Jaya
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make an aerial survey of flood-hit areas in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. In Chennai, Modi will meet with Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalitha to discuss flood relief. The Centre has already sanctioned Rs 940 crore to the state. After returning from Chennai, Modi will take off for the Climate Conference in Paris.
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15:19   BJP learns the importance of state leadership
After the Bihar debacle, a few BJP MPs have become vocal critics of the party especially when they speak about their state leadership.

After the Bihar defeat, realisation has dawned on the BJP leadership that it is necessary to get along with state leaders. While BJP president Amit Shah has already called a meeting of state leaders, voices of dissent are being heard.

Uttarakhand, for one, will have a new BJP chief. The state is going to the polls in January 2017 but there are voices of dissent already.

BJP leaders can be seen in the Central Hall talking in small groups purpotedly to discuss the future of party. Many first-time MPs have met party stalwart Dr Murli Manohar Joshi who of late has begun using a walking stick.

BJP MPs Kirron Kher and  Meenakshi Lekhi are always seen together, we believe, discussing FTII and award wapasi.
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15:07   Assam CM Tarun Gogoi unnoticed in Parl
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was the centre of attraction in the Central Hall of Parliament today. As  he was walking alone (without hangers-on) many Congress leaders could not recognise him.


When he took his seat in the first row, some MPs began to approach him. Numbers increased when his son Gaurav Gogoi and Sushmita Dev
another Assam Congress MP walked up to him. Several BJP MPs are first timers in Parliament and some faces are relatively unknown to them.
Tarun Gogoi was confident that the Congress will be victorious and for the fourth time he would become Chief Minister.

Gogoi wants the Centre to grant Scheduled Tribe status to six communities in the state which have been on the agitational path for a long time.
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14:56   HSBC to exit India
HSBC Holdings Plc will shut its private banking business in India, a spokesman said, marking the exit of another foreign bank from the cut-throat business in Asia's third-largest economy, reports Reuters.


"After a strategic review of the global private banking operations in India, we have decided to close the business," the Mumbai-based spokesman said. "This marks further progress in the HSBC group strategy to simplify business and deliver sustainable growth."


Many foreign wealth managers had scrambled to open up shop in India a few years ago and aggressively ramped up operations to take advantage of robust economic growth, only to find themselves struggling. Even though India's economy has been minting millionaires at a strong pace, it has failed to translate into profits for the foreign wealth managers that have set up teams of well-paid bankers to help manage those riches.
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14:37   PoK will remain with Pak, J&K with India: Farooq Abdullah
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference party leader Farooq Abdullah has said Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) would remain with Pakistan, while Jammu and Kashmir would remain with India.
He also said dialogue is the only option for a settlement of the issue between India and Pakistan.


"PoK is in Pakistan, and will remain. J&K is in India, and will remain. We need to understand this," news agency ANI has reported Abdullah as saying to reporters. "War is not the solution, only lives our lost. Dialogue is the only option," he added.


Abdullah, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has also served as a Union minister.
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14:34   PM called meeting under pressure, says Rahul who has not been invited
We know that that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh for discussions over tea, this evening. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu will also be present at the meeting.

Rahul Gandhi has not been invited.

The Congress vice-president said that the government had been forced to take that step. "This meeting is happening after public pressure. This is not the way he functions," said Rahul.

The government is looking at ironing out objections to the GST Bill with Dr Singh and Sonia Gandhi before the house commences for work on Monday.


Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that the government wants smooth functioning of Parliament and "we hope the meeting would be fruitful."
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14:20   Banned Khesari dal creeps back into NCR markets as prices soar
Dal is not just costly, it may well be harmful. With the price of Arhar going beyond reach of many consumers, local traders are mixing it with the cheap and low quality Khesari pulse that was banned by the government in 1961.

Forewarned is forearmed. Read
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14:12  
TMC MP Derek O'Brien @quizderek  tweets: Lunch break.Central Hall. #Parliament Jaya-di. Jogen-da.

That's TMC MP painter Jogen Chowdhury and SP MP Jaya Bachchan.
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14:11  
Terrorist killed in encounter with Army in Manigah area of Kupwara, the place where Colonel Santosh Mahadik was killed last week.
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14:07  
All that you wanted to know about the Pink Ball but didn't know who to ask. Read
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14:04  
HSBC to shut down India private banking business, says Reuters. 
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14:00   Easing of China one-child policy too late for those who lost only child
Cui Wenlan was devastated when she heard the news last month that China was scrapping its one-child policy. She is among more than a million grieving Chinese parents who have lost the only child the government allowed them to have.Cui's son was 30 when he died after an illness and she had been forced to abort her second baby in 1985.


Now she and her husband are adrift in a country where parents traditionally rely on their children to look after them in old age."If, back then, we had been allowed to give birth again, I wouldn't be in so much trouble and wouldn't be so lonely," said Cui, 53, from the northern city of Zhangjiakou. Read more
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13:51   No threat of Emergency today, says Naidu
The government today dismissed the Opposition charge of a threat to the Constitution and sought to turn the tables on the Congress for imposing Emergency when fundamental rights were suspended.


Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu also insisted that the term 'secular' will remain part of the Preamble of the Constitution.


"Today there is no threat to the Constitution, no Emergency, there are no arrests (of political rivals), no supercession of judges. We must work together to strengthen the Constitution," Naidu said in the Lok Sabha while participating in the discussion on commitment to India's Constitution.


Responding to the debate on the term secularism witnessed in the House yesterday, he said the word is part of the Preamble "and will remain so. But what I want to say is that it should be in our hearts and should remain."


At the same time, he hit out at 'pseudo secularists' saying those who followed politics on the basis of caste and communal lines "call others as anti secular."


"People get swayed and misled by caste and religion. Then for five years, they cannot do anything," he said. Naidu's remarks came in the backdrop of Congress President Sonia Gandhi's targetting of the government yesterday on the issue of intolerance alleging that ideals and principles of the Constitution were under threat and being attacked deliberately.
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13:44   Did Rajnath Singh just try to copy Indira Gandhi's strategy?
Some academics and lawyers are seeing in home minister Rajnath Singh's comments on the Constitution an effort to borrow a leaf out of Indira Gandhi's book.


"They (the NDA government) are doing exactly what Indira Gandhi did during the Emergency: use the Constitution to send a message about her politics," said Pratap Bhanu Mehta, political scientist and the president of the Centre for Policy Research.


"She made the mistake of wanting to use the Constitution as the touchstone of her ideology; now this government is making the same mistake."   Read more


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13:35  
PM Narendra Modi will meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi at 7 pm today at his 7 RCR residence to discuss the GST Bill. 
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13:33   TN rains: Death toll mounts to 184, more rains expected
A new low pressure over south east Bay of Bengal was expected to bring more rains to Tamil Nadu, where eight more persons were killed in rain-related incidents taking the death toll 184. Rains continued to lash many parts of the state including Chennai and its suburbs.
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13:31   Awesome foursome
@MirzaSania  tweets: Delhi - we have arrived see you all tonight ... @Maheshbhupathi @leander @Martina.


On Wednesday, the legendary Martina Navratilova showed glimpses of her past with her super-fit partner Leander Paes, but it was the duo of Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi who prevailed 7-5, 7-5 to win the Kolkata leg of the Tennis Masters, a prelude to the IPTL.


Paes and Martina squandered a 0-3 lead and went down in the first set after Bhupathi and Mirza broke back by winning fifth, seventh and 11th games.
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13:15  
Parliament adjourns for lunch till 2:30 pm. All the MPs are off to the subsidised canteen.
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13:01   Blanking out Nehru is BJP's intolerance: Azad
Ghulam Nabi Azad speaking now, says the BJP is stealing Congress leaders like Sardar Patel and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He said most of the preamble is based on Nehru's objectives, but the Leader of the house (Arun Jaitley) spoke of the Constitution but doesn't mention Pandit Nehru's 'objectives resolution'.  Blanking out Nehru is BJP's intolerance. 
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12:40   Jaitley compares Indira's Emergency to Hitler's Third Reich
Jaitley compares Indira Gandhi and the imposition of Emergency to Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. "You imposed Emergency, you detained the opposition, you amended the Constitution. The Constitution and its provisions were used to subvert democracy during the Third Reich in Germany," Jaitley tells the Congress.

Jaitley also referred to a speech by Hitler's right hand Rudolf Hess wherein he said, "Adolf Hitler is Germany and Germany is Adolf Hitler" echoing Indira's famous, "India is Indira" slogan.

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12:31   I expected Sonia to condemn Mani Aiyar's comment: Venkaiah
In the Lok Sabha, BJP's Venkaiah Naidu says, "Former external affairs minister and another former minister goes to a foreign country and says overthrow Indian PM. I expected Sonia-ji to condemn that statement. It didn't happen."


Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar stoked controversy by saying that relations between India and Pakistan will improve only if Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being removed from his post. He and Salman Khurshid were in Pakistan, where Aiyar gave an interview to a TV channel.

To  I don't know what is an Aryan. I am an Indian.
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12:22   Blue moon in the skies today as Tendulkar appears in the Rajya Sabha
Blue moon in the skies today as Rajya Sabha MP Sachin Tendulkar makes an appearance in Parliament. Dressed in a blue shirt, Sachin listens to Arun Jaitley hold forth on the Constitution.

Tendulkar, who was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in April 2012, rarely comes to Parliament for which he has been often criticised. In the last Winter session, he had attended the House only for three days out of 22 sittings. In Monsoon session in 2014, members cutting across party lines had termed his long absence as "disrespect to House and nation' and there were demands for seeking an explanation from him particularly when he was in Delhi to attend a programme near Parliament but did not come to the Rajya Sabha.


Sachin was in Los Angeles last week playing for the inaugural Cricket All-Stars Series. Tendulkar and Shane Warne headlined a stellar lineup of renowned cricket players from around the world.

The historic tour marks the first time these super stars have played in the US. Tendulkar and Shane Warne will each captain a hand-picked team featuring some the best cricketers to ever play the game including Wasim Akram (Pakistan), Brian Lara (West Indies), Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka), Jonty Rhodes (South Africa) and Michael Vaughn (England), among others.
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12:09   Jaitley compares Emergency with Hitler's Germany
MP Sachin Tendulkar listens to Arun Jaitley hold forth on the Constitution debate.

"No law can violate fundamental rights. After 65 yrs, are we ready to say all personal laws are compliant with Constitution? We still have personal laws across all religions which violate fundamental rights. Article 15 gave special rights to SC, ST and socially-educationally backward and we respect those rights."


Jaitley now compares Emergency with Hitler's Germany.
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11:57  
Jaitely also talks about the excessive use of money in elections being a matter of concern and a challenge before the Election Commission.

Jaitley questions the Janata govt's repeal of right to property -- 19 (1) (f) as a fundamental right. "Would today's Parliament accept if Dr. Ambedkar had suggested uniform civil code and ban on slaughter of cattle? How would members react if Dr. Ambedkar had proposed article 44 and article 48 today? Article 13 says no law can violate Fundamental Rights.
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11:48   Those who talk of tolerance snatched the Right to Life during Emergency: Jaitley
Arun Jaitely on the Constitution debate:


-- It goes to the credit of the government which comprise mostly of people who had suffered because of suspension of Article 21.

-- The Constitution was amended and Article 21 was made non-suspendable.

-- One of the fundamental rights of the Constitution was also the right to own property.

-- The only fundamental right that has been repealed in India is the Right to own and acquire property.

-- Coop Federalism, one great aspect of it has been that after misusing it mostly during one party rule, it has gradually been phased out'.

-- Those who talk of tolerance' snatched the Right to Life during emergency.

-- The separation of powers among the executive, legislative and judiciary was one of the core ideas that Ambedkar gave us.

-- If there is a dilution of separation of powers which is taking place, it is not coming from executive or legislative; it is not coming from Central or state governments.

-- In fact what started as a positive note as activism by courts, at times a question is raised does it cross the lakshman rekha of separation of power.

-- The argument is that when legislature doesn't act, we have to. You only have the power to direct.
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11:39  
India today test fires indigenously built short range nuclear capable Agni-I missile from a test range off the Odisha coast.
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11:39   In Ajmer, VHP men smear grease on officials over death of cows
Members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) allegedly blackened the faces of two Ajmer municipal corporation officials Thursday morning over the death of two cows and three calves on Wednesday night at a corporation-run shelter for stray cows. According to officials, the cows had died due to consumption of plastic. Read more
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11:28   A statement on TV becomes an issue of intolerance: Jaitley
Arun Jaitely on the Constitution debate: BR Ambedkar showed the way to fight discrimination, says the finance minister, who is also leader of the house in the Rajya Sabha. Motilal Nehru and Shyama Prasad Mookerjee find mention in Jaitley's speech on the Constitution as well.


-- Free speech, freedom to practice your religion are the basic tenets of the Constitution. Jaitley talks about Article 21 of the Constitution which talks about the Protection Of Life And Personal Liberty: No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. "Sabse bada adhikaar, jeene ka adhikaar hai," Jaitley says. Article 21 was made non-suspendable by the then PM Morarji Desai.  Right to life and liberty was suspendible till the seventies.


-- Ambedkar is not seen just as the creator of our Constitution but also as a social reformer. The harsh conditions in which he was brought up and the hardships he faced.

-- He fought against the injustice believing in the values of our country. Dr Ambedkar's statements are very important for society even today.


-- When we look back in these 65 years we see how world has changed and democracy was dissolved in many countries and dictatorship took over and in this country whenever there was any fear for the democratic system we fought it.


-- Today someone comes up on the TV and makes a statement and it becomes an issue of "intolerance"
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11:10  
Arun Jaitley opens the Constitution debate in the Rajya Sabha.
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11:08  
The Supreme Court sets aside the Karnataka HC order quashing the sanction granted to Law Minister Sadananda Gowda to build his house in Bengaluru.
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11:05  
Up ahead in Parliament:


Lok Sabha: Further discussion on commitment to India's Constitution.


Rajya Sabha: Arun Jaitley to initiate discussion on commitment to India's Constitution.
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10:49   RSS is India's No 1 terror group: Former Mumbai police officer
Claiming that RSS activists have been indicted in at least 13 terror cases across India, former Maharashtra inspector general of police SM Mushrif  described the Hindutva outfit as India's No 1 terrorist organisation. "RSS activists have been charge-sheeted in at least 13 cases of terror acts in which RDX has been used. If organisations like Bajrang Dal are taken into the account, then the number of such cases goes up to 17," Mushrif said. The RSS is India's number one terrorist organisation, there is no doubt on this," said Mushrif, referring to the 2007 Mecca Masjid bombing in Hyderabad, the 2006 and 2008 Malegaon blasts in Maharashtra and the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombings among others.
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10:06  
JUST IN: Enforcement Directorate summons Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh in connection with money laundering case
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10:02   PM Modi to meet Sonia Gandhi on GST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to reach out to the Congress on the GST Bill this evening, according to M Venkaiah Naidu, the minister for parliamentary affairs. 

Sources confirm the venue for the meeting is being worked out as Sonia and her son Rahul Gandhi do not wish to visit 7, Race Course Road, Modi's home. Neither does Modi want to visit 10, Janpath, Sonia's home. 

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan may host a tea for Modi, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, former commerce minister Anand Sharma and Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia may be present at the meeting.
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09:53   Wife kills self after argument over Aamir remark
A 24-year-old Jabalpur woman committed suicide after having a heated argument with her husband over actor Aamir Khan's recent remark on rising intolerance. Sonam Pandey, a resident of Kotwali area in Jabalpur, consumed poison after the quarrel. Her husband, Mayank Pandey, who works with an NGO, told the police that their discussion on Aamir's statement on intolerance had led to the argument.
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09:25   Indian hackers 'pay back' Pakistan for 26/11
A group of Indian hackers, calling themselves the Indian Black Hats launched a symbolic cyber attack against Pakistan for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, by hacking into two government sites and around 10 non-government domains on Thursday, the seventh anniversary of the terror attacks. 

The websites that the Indian Black Hats hacked till evening on Thursday were www.csd.gov.pk and www.mona.gov.pk, while a variety of non-government domains, including www.metroshoes.com.pk, as well were hacked by the Black Hats. The "attack" was launched as a tribute to the martyrs of 26/11, they said, adding that the "payback' was still on.
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08:43   If nation can tolerate Aamirs film (PK), how can he feel unsafe: RSS
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh all-India sah prachar pramukh  J Nanda Kumar slammed voices against perceived rising intolerance in the country, saying those who alleged intolerance were engaging in "intellectual terrorism'. Speaking out against Aamir Khan, Kumar said, "Has he been attacked? I want to ask a simple question. Can a film like PK be made in Pakistan? If the country could tolerate his film, how can he feel unsafe here." 
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07:55   Delhi cash van driver who fled with Rs 22.5 crore nabbed
The cash van driver who fled with Rs 22.5 crore, considered as one of the biggest heists in the nation's capital, has been arrested. Last evening, a cash van driver made off with Rs 22.5 crore in Delhi's Govindpuri when the armed guard accompanying the van got off the vehicle to relieve himself. The driver, identified as Pradeep Shukla, was nabbed this morning from Okhla and the authorities also found the stolen money in Shukla's possession. 
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02:02   One killed in attack on Shia mosque in Bangladesh
A 70-year-old man was killed and three others injured, including the imam, in Bangladesh today when three gunmen opened fire at worshippers during prayers at a minority Shia mosque.

Three gunmen fired as Shia Muslims were offering their evening prayers at a mosque in Shibganj area of Bogra district.

"The assailants fled the scene immediately but we have launched the investigations," Bogra's police chief M Asaduzzaman told PTI over phone. 

The assailants fled the scene crossing a wall after locking the mosque's main gate from inside apparently to prevent people in the neighbourhood to come to the rescue of the victims, sources said.
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00:57   Tried to call Putin but he did not return the call: Turkey president
JUST IN: Turkey's President Erdogan has said that he tried to call Russia's Vladimir Putin but he did not return the call.

More details are awaited.
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00:18   Two held over Mali hotel attack
Malian special forces have arrested two suspects in connection with the siege at a hotel in the capital Bamako that left 20 people dead, officials say.

The suspects' identity and alleged role in Friday's attack at the Radisson Blu hotel was not immediately known.

Armed men held 170 guests and staff hostage during the nine-hour siege, killing 20 and wounding 14 before police stormed the building.

Read this story HERE
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00:12   Video clip showing VHP workers kicking cow goes viral
A video clip, purportedly showing some VHP workers kicking a cow during immersion of ashes of Ashok Singhal, went viral on social media platforms today, after which the Hindutva outfit said action would betaken if any of its members was involved in the act.

If VHP members are involved then they will be identified and action taken against them, VHP spokesman Sharad Sharma told PTI, adding that "for us, cow has always been and will be sacred.

We can never disrespect her... VHP has always takenstance on cow". The video shows that some persons in a procession carrying ashes of Singhal for immersion in Lucknow yesterday were kicking the cow which came in the way of the rally.

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