23:48 PM Arafat murder probe 'of no concern' to Israel: AFP reports: A decision by French prosecutors on Tuesday to open a murder enquiry into Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's 2004 death is of no concern to Israel, the foreign ministry said.
"Israel does not feel this investigation is of any concern to it despite all the hare-brained allegations made against us," ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said.
23:11 Antony's no 2 slot reinforced: Reinforcing A K Antony's virtual no 2 slot in the UPA II government's pecking order, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is understood to have issued a communication that the defence minister will chair union cabinet meetings, if required, during his visit to Iran.
Singh, who left for Tehran this evening to attend the NAM Summit, is learnt to have issued the communication before his departure.
23:06 Stop all settlement activities: India asks Israel: India on Tuesday asked Israel to stop allsettlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territoriesand emphasised that it supports a negotiated solutionresulting in a 'sovereign, independent, viable and unitedstate of Palestine'.
"The Palestinian cause is of paramount importance toIndia. In fact, India was the first non-Arab country torecognise the state of Palestine on November 16, 1988, pursuant to the Algiers Declaration of November, 15 1988," External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said on Tuesday.
22:37 Female suicide bomber kills six in Russia: AFP reports: A female suicide bomber posing as a pilgrim killed a top Islamic scholar and at least five others in Russia's restive Muslim region of Dagestan.
President Vladimir Putin immediately reacted saying such attacks would fail to undermine Russia's spirit of religious tolerance.
The Caspian Sea region's interior ministry said the attack claimed the life of one of Dagestan's most respected religious leaders who defended moderate Islam against the rise of radical militancy.
22:08 One dead, another missing in coal mine accident: A miner was today killed while an official went missing after water gushed into a coal mine of the Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) in Bokaro district during excavation of coal.
The body of mining sirdar (Ed correct) Abhay Kant Yadav was fished out by the rescue team from the Dhori-Khas underground mine in Bermo coalfield area, an official of the CCL said at Ranchi.
21:54 Yamuna nears danger level as rains continue: The water level in Yamuna continue to hover near the danger level today prompting the authorities to evacuate more families living in the low-lying areas in East Delhi.
"The water level in Yamuna rose to 204.60 metres at 9 PM," said an official of the Flood control and Irrigation department of Delhi Government. The water level rose primarily due to incessant rains and release of around one lakh cusecs of water by Haryana from Hathini Kund barrage into the river.
A senior official said more people are being evacuated from the banks of Yamuna as the water level may cross the danger mark of 204.83 metres soon. The government had started evacuating people from low lying areas along the river since yesterday. Deputy commissioners and officials of the Irrigation and Flood Control department are closely monitoring the situation.
The government has activated control rooms in several areas and made all the arrangements to address any possible eventuality.
21:22 Obama issues Tropical Storm Isaac warning: US President Barack Obama today warned of significant damage and flooding from Tropical Storm Isaac, telling people in its path to take the "big storm" seriously and follow directions.
"I want to encourage all residents of the Gulf Coast to listen to your local officials and follow their directions, including if they tell you to evacuate," Obama said in a televised statement at the White House.
"We're dealing with a big storm and there could be significant flooding and other damage across a large area. Now is not the time to tempt fate. Now is not the time to dismiss official warnings. You need to take this seriously."
21:03 Showdown in Parliament: CPI MP from Tenkasi P Lingam and AIADMK MP from Tiruppur Sivasami created a scene in the Central Hall of Parliament recently.
In a heated argument on the issue of 69 per cent reservation the leaders almost came to blows. Luckily some senior ADMK MPs intervened to ease matter that threatened to go out of hand.
20:46 NATO helicopter crashes in Afghanistan: A NATO service member was killed in an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today, and a helicopter crashed on a mission overnight, but no one was hurt, the international coalition said. No details about the fatal attack were released.
The US-led coalition force does not identify the nationalities of casualties until individual countries name them. The Chinook helicopter made a hard landing in the eastern province of Logar late last night, coalition spokeswoman Lt. j.g. Amy Hession said.
The aircraft was heavily damaged, so the crew destroyed it before they were evacuated from the scene, she said.
20:26 Purandeswari has a word with LS speaker: Union Minister Daggubati Purandeswari recently had a quiet meeting with Speaker of Lok Sabha Meira Kumar, on the installation of a statue of her father N T Rama Rao in Parliament House.
Is Purandheswari trying to share the family disputes with Meira Kumar or does the minister want to delay the process of unveiling the statue?
Obviously Purandeswarai does not want the credit to go to Nara Chandrababu Naidu, her brother-in-law.
Telugu Desam Party MPs are too eager to know the details of this quiet meeting to inform TDP leader Naidu in Hyderabad.
20:21 Cong MP's vie for Sonia Gandhi's attention: Three-time Congress MP from Assam Nurjahan Choudhry has adopted a clever move to attract Sonia Gandhi's attention. Choudhry waits at the entry gate of Central Hall whenever Sonia Gandhi leaves CPP office to go to the Lok Sabha.
Choudhry walks fast with Sonia to speak to Sonia Gandhi but the Congress president picks up speed to keep up with the four SPG personnel who move ahead of her.
Union Minister Ashwini Kumar too has employed a similar tactic. Some newsmen overheard Kumar tell Gandhi, 'In almost all TV debates I went hammer and tongs against the BJP - I exposed many of the points raised by Sushma and Jaitely. I was also appreciated by senior Union Ministers.'
19:40 US warns Americans against travelling to Pakistan: US has warned its citizens against travelling to Pakistan citing possible terror attacks from al-Qaeda, Taliban elements and indigenous militant sectarian groups.
"Threat reporting indicates terrorist groups continue to seek opportunities to attack locations where US citizens and Westerners are known to congregate or visit, such as shopping areas, hotels, clubs and restaurants, places of worship, schools, and outdoor recreation events," the State Department said in its travel advisory.
Travel to much of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and Balochistan was also restricted as per the new advisory that replaces the one issued earlier on February 2.
18:44 Revocation of AFSPA to begin during my govt: Omar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said gradual revocation of controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state will begin during the tenure of his government. Addressing a large public gathering at Rajpora in Pulwama district this afternoon, the Chief Minister said the state will witness revocation of AFSPA during the time of his government adding benefits of peace will be circulated all across, an official spokesman said.
18:41 Verdict on Kasab's plea against death sentence tomorrow: Kasab contended that he was not given a free and fair trial and that he was not the part of any larger conspiracy for waging war against the nation .He had also maintained that the prosecution had failed to prove the case against him beyond doubts and told the bench that his right against self-incrimination as well as his right to get himself adequately represented by a counsel to defend himself in the case had been violated during the trial.25-year-old Kasab, had filed the appeal from jail challenging his conviction and death sentence.
18:38 The Supreme Court will give the verdict on Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab's plea against his death sentence tomorrow.
18:30 Parliament will not convene tomorrow since it's Onam, but just so you know, here's a list of pending bills. Read
18:28 Govt expects 'significant' participation in spectrum auction: The government is expecting "significant participation" from existing and new telecom operators in the spectrum auction scheduled to start from November 12, 2012.
"We are expecting significant participation from the new operators and some of the existing operators which require additional spectrum may also participate in the auction," Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar said.
Uninor and Sistema Shyam Teleservices are yet to confirm their participation in the upcoming auction of airwaves.
"We are expecting significant participation from the new operators and some of the existing operators which require additional spectrum may also participate in the auction," Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar said.
Uninor and Sistema Shyam Teleservices are yet to confirm their participation in the upcoming auction of airwaves.
18:26 Cong may sue Sushma for mota maal remark: News just coming in says the Congress is likely to serve a legal notice to Sushma Swaraj for her mota maal remarks about the party.
Swaraj, leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, accused the Congress of making mota maal in the coal block allocation scam. "Chhota mota nahin, Congress ne mota maal kamaya hai," Sushma said while addressing a press conference on coal-gate.
Swaraj, leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, accused the Congress of making mota maal in the coal block allocation scam. "Chhota mota nahin, Congress ne mota maal kamaya hai," Sushma said while addressing a press conference on coal-gate.
"Congress has got a fat sum from coal block allocation; that is why this delay [in amending the Mines and Minerals Act] was caused. My charge is that huge revenue was generated but it did not reach the government... went to the Congress party," she said yesterday.
18:17 Sushma to Lalu: Mota maal from Reddys gone to Cong: The Twitter-savvy BJP senior leader Sushma Swaraj gets back at RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for saying, "Everybody knows the Reddy brothers paid huge money, 'mota (huge)' money to BJP leaders. I demand that a Parliamentary Committee be formed to probe the issue."
Swaraj tweeted: Shri Laloo Yadav wants to know as to who got Mota Maal from Reddy Bros ? I would like to inform him and the country that the Mota Maal from Reddy Bros has also gone to the Congress Party.
"All the Mines were allotted to them by the Congress Government on the recommendations of the Congress Chief Minister. I demand that all documents related to the recommendations and allotment to Reddy Bros be made public.
"The country will then know the truth as to who got them the monetary benefits and who made recommendations for them. All the facts should be placed before the nation.
Swaraj tweeted: Shri Laloo Yadav wants to know as to who got Mota Maal from Reddy Bros ? I would like to inform him and the country that the Mota Maal from Reddy Bros has also gone to the Congress Party.
"All the Mines were allotted to them by the Congress Government on the recommendations of the Congress Chief Minister. I demand that all documents related to the recommendations and allotment to Reddy Bros be made public.
"The country will then know the truth as to who got them the monetary benefits and who made recommendations for them. All the facts should be placed before the nation.
18:07 Kickbacks, commissions staple of Cong: Jaitley: Hitting back at Congress President Sonia Gandhi for saying "blackmail is the political bread and butter" of the opposition party, BJP today alleged kickbacks and commissions have been the staple of the ruling party since the Bofors scam."A government whose integrity has been painted black in the coal deals cannot be blackmailed. The staple diet of Congress ever since Bofors has been kickbacks and commissions," Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley told reporters.
He was reacting to the comments made by Gandhi earlier today in the Congres Parliamentary Party meeting. Asking her party MPs to "fight aggressively" BJP's onslaught on the coal allocation issue, Gandhi had alleged that Parliament is being held to "ransom by blackmail, which has become the political bread and butter of BJP".
18:03 Coal-gate: 15 questions that PMO wants BJP to answer: Officials in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's office are disseminating 15 questions for the Bharatiya Janata Party to answer on the coal scam or risk getting exposed. Read
18:00 Complete ban on employing kids up to 14 yrs soon: A proposal to put a complete ban on employment of children up to the age of 14 both in hazardous and non-hazardous work by amending an anti-child labour Act was cleared by the government today.
The Union Cabinet, which met here, approved bringing amendment to the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, which has also penal provisions for non compliance. As per the existing Act, children below 14 years of age are allowed to work in industries not considered to be hazardous.
Children between 14-18 years will also be defined as "adolescents" in the amended Act, said Labour and Employment Ministry officials.
The Union Cabinet, which met here, approved bringing amendment to the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, which has also penal provisions for non compliance. As per the existing Act, children below 14 years of age are allowed to work in industries not considered to be hazardous.
Children between 14-18 years will also be defined as "adolescents" in the amended Act, said Labour and Employment Ministry officials.
17:55 No effective implementing of bonded labour laws: Agnivesh: Activist Swami Agnivesh today alleged that central and state governments were not properly implementing legislations on checking bonded labour and ensuring minimum wages.
He also claimed that states do not properly rehabilitate rescued labourers. "Both the state and the Union governments were unable to oversee the effective implementation of various Acts like the Bonded Labourers Act, 1979, Minimum Wages Act, 1948, Inter State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979, among others," Agnivesh, who leads Bonded Labour Liberation Front, said.
He also claimed that states do not properly rehabilitate rescued labourers. "Both the state and the Union governments were unable to oversee the effective implementation of various Acts like the Bonded Labourers Act, 1979, Minimum Wages Act, 1948, Inter State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979, among others," Agnivesh, who leads Bonded Labour Liberation Front, said.
17:30 Devastated Victoria left 'seething' after David's 'affair': Their 13-year marriage is largely considered to be one of the most rock solid of the showbiz world. But last week, Victoria and David Beckham were rocked by sensational internet rumours claiming he'd had an affair with Katherine Jenkins, and they were just days away from calling time on their union. Read more
17:24 Verdict in Naroda Patiya riot case likely tomorrow: The judgement in the Naroda Patiya case in which 97 people of a minority community were killed during post-Godhra riots in 2002 is likely to be pronounced tomorrow by a special trial court.
The key accused in the case include former Minister in Narendra Modi government and MLA from Naroda constituency Maya Kodnani, ex-VHP leader Babu Bajrangi, local BJP leaders Bipin Panchal, Kishan Korani, Ashok Sindhi and advocate Raju Chaumal. Additional Principal Judge Jyotsna Yagnik, presiding over the trial, had deferred the pronouncement on June 30 and fixed tomorrow's date for the verdict against the 61 accused.
The incident had taken place a day after the Godhra train burning incident on February 27, 2002.
The key accused in the case include former Minister in Narendra Modi government and MLA from Naroda constituency Maya Kodnani, ex-VHP leader Babu Bajrangi, local BJP leaders Bipin Panchal, Kishan Korani, Ashok Sindhi and advocate Raju Chaumal. Additional Principal Judge Jyotsna Yagnik, presiding over the trial, had deferred the pronouncement on June 30 and fixed tomorrow's date for the verdict against the 61 accused.
The incident had taken place a day after the Godhra train burning incident on February 27, 2002.
17:17 The curious case of AK Hangal: Like Benjamin Button, Avtar Krishan Hangal seemed for generations of cinemagoers to have been born old. Read the obit on the Hindu.
17:12 Spanish mag puts Michelle's head on portrait of topless slave: A Spanish magazine landed themselves in the middle of a racial controversy over a Photoshopped picture of First Lady Michelle Obama on the cover of their latest issue. The picture has places Mrs Obama's face in a 1800 portrait of a slave with an exposed breast, and Magazine de Fuera de Serie likely knew the image was going to stir up controversy. Read more
17:07 Sensex drops to 2-week low as Parliament logjam continues: Falling for the third straight day, the Sensex today shed 47 points to close at over two-week low amid the Parliament failing to transact business yet again, raising concerns over fate of much-awaited economic reforms.
16:55 India not safe from nuclear disaster, finds CAG: The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG) has just released its report for the year ending March 2012 on the activities of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. The AERB was set up in 1983, under the Atomic Energy Act, to carry out regulatory and safety functions of India's nuclear assets. Read
16:36 Power bills set to shoot up from Sept in Maharashtra: Get set for a hike in your electricity bills if you stay in Maharashtra. From September, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission is hiking the fuel adjustment cost ceiling to 20 percent from the present 10 percent.
"...The commission revises the average FAC ceiling to 20 percent of variable tariff for all distribution licensees in the state," MERC said in its order yesterday.
The revised FAC ceiling will come into effect (for the FAC allowable to be charged to consumers) from September onwards. The Fuel Adjustment Cost is a variable energy rate that can fluctuate each quarter with fuel and purchased power costs of suppliers.
The decision is bound to affect monthly budgets of consumers who are already reeling under high tariffs and will now have to factor in the hike.
"...The commission revises the average FAC ceiling to 20 percent of variable tariff for all distribution licensees in the state," MERC said in its order yesterday.
The revised FAC ceiling will come into effect (for the FAC allowable to be charged to consumers) from September onwards. The Fuel Adjustment Cost is a variable energy rate that can fluctuate each quarter with fuel and purchased power costs of suppliers.
The decision is bound to affect monthly budgets of consumers who are already reeling under high tariffs and will now have to factor in the hike.
16:29 No question of Parliament adjourning sine die: Govt: Government today scotched speculation that the Monsoon Session of Parliament will be curtailed and both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will adjourn sine die. Sine die means the Monsoon session will be adjourned without assigning a day for a further meeting.
"There is no question of adjourning Parliament sine die," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat told reporters here. He said the Government was making all efforts to end the logjam on the issue of CAG report on coal block allocation and accused the BJP of continuously disrupting the House where issues concerning the common man should be discussed.
"There is no question of adjourning Parliament sine die," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat told reporters here. He said the Government was making all efforts to end the logjam on the issue of CAG report on coal block allocation and accused the BJP of continuously disrupting the House where issues concerning the common man should be discussed.
16:25 Everyone knows Reddy brothers paid BJP a bribe: Lalu: RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav today alleged that Karnataka's mining baron Reddy brothers paid huge money as bribe to BJP leaders and demanded a thorough probe into the issue by a parliamentary panel."Everybody knows the Reddy brothers paid huge money, 'mota (huge)' money to BJP leaders. I demand that a Parliamentary Committee be formed to probe the issue," he told reporters outside the Parliament House.
His demand came amid vociferous protests by BJP in Parliament over the CAG report on coal block allocation. Lalu alleged Sangh Parivar was responsible for continuous disruption of Parliament proceedings. "BJP and Sangh Parivar are responsible for holding Parliament to ransom," he said, adding that he is not in favour of adjourning Parliament sine die.
16:17 Kanda sent to jail till Sept 11 in Geetika case: Former Haryana minister Gopal Goyal Kanda, key accused in the Geetika Sharma suicide case, was today sent to 14-day judicial custody by a Delhi court.Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate D K Jangala remanded Kanda to judicial custody till September 11 after the Delhi police said he was not required for further custodial interrogation.
Kanda was produced before the court after expiry of three days of police custody which was extended on August 25 after seven days of custodial interrogation.
16:10 Why CAG is mum on post-coal report mayhem: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) today declined to join a public debate on the controversies over its findings on the coal blocks allocation which have come under attack from Prime Minister, the Congress party and critics.
"Being a Constitutional authority, the C&AG (Vinod Rai) feels that it would be improper on his part to join a public debate on this issue. "It is hereby stated that the organisation of C&AG would clarify on the report at the appropriate forum when required," an official statement from the CAG office said.
"Being a Constitutional authority, the C&AG (Vinod Rai) feels that it would be improper on his part to join a public debate on this issue. "It is hereby stated that the organisation of C&AG would clarify on the report at the appropriate forum when required," an official statement from the CAG office said.
16:06 NAM should help tackle key political, economic challenges: PM: Underlining the relevance of Non- Aligned Movement, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said NAM should help in tackling key political and economic challenges, including worsening situation in Syria and a persistent global economic slowdown.
The PM issued this statement before he headed to Tehran on a four-day visit to attend the 16th NAM Summit, Singh also lamented that the outdated structures of global governance have not been able to keep pace with contemporary political and economic challenges. The Prime Minister's remarks come in the backdrop of questions being raised over the relevance of 120-nation NAM in today's time and age.
The PM issued this statement before he headed to Tehran on a four-day visit to attend the 16th NAM Summit, Singh also lamented that the outdated structures of global governance have not been able to keep pace with contemporary political and economic challenges. The Prime Minister's remarks come in the backdrop of questions being raised over the relevance of 120-nation NAM in today's time and age.
16:01 The Talkfest in Tehran: Should Americans really worry about the Non-Aligned Movement, a relic of the Cold War whose purpose is no longer clear? Read
15:49 How to pack for Iran: It is my first visit to Iran so naturally, I am excited about going to a country which has had historic ties with India, and is currently going through a politically tumultuous phase, writes Smita Prakash for ANI.
Being part of the Prime Minister''s media delegation to Tehran to report on the 16th Non Aligned Summit, there won''t be much time available to do sight seeing or visit any museums.
But packing for the three-day trip to an Islamic nation that restricts women''s freedoms is a challenge.
The dress code is quite strict for women, so I have to pack with care. The contents have to be carefully selected and placed so that my bag is not opened at the customs counter and its contents displayed in front of everybody.
I also have to make sure that I have the ''right clothes'' packed. Reporters, government officials and friends who have been to Iran are generous with tips. The head has to be covered at all times, so pack long dupattas and shawls. Full long-sleeved kameez that should cover the butt. An overcoat or manteau is advised. Loose salwars or pants, no churidaars. No sarees because those have a tendency to not stay in place. Anyway, who has long-sleeved-high-necked blouses other than Pratibha Patil?
Being part of the Prime Minister''s media delegation to Tehran to report on the 16th Non Aligned Summit, there won''t be much time available to do sight seeing or visit any museums.
But packing for the three-day trip to an Islamic nation that restricts women''s freedoms is a challenge.
The dress code is quite strict for women, so I have to pack with care. The contents have to be carefully selected and placed so that my bag is not opened at the customs counter and its contents displayed in front of everybody.
I also have to make sure that I have the ''right clothes'' packed. Reporters, government officials and friends who have been to Iran are generous with tips. The head has to be covered at all times, so pack long dupattas and shawls. Full long-sleeved kameez that should cover the butt. An overcoat or manteau is advised. Loose salwars or pants, no churidaars. No sarees because those have a tendency to not stay in place. Anyway, who has long-sleeved-high-necked blouses other than Pratibha Patil?
15:44 Anorexic identical twins die in house fire following prophecy: A pair of identical twins, who became famous through their battle with anorexia, have died in a house fire. Clare and Rachel Wallmeyer, 42, were killed after a fire broke out in their home in Geelong, near Melbourne, one perishing in the flames, the other succumbing to her severe burns on the way to hospital. Read more
15:34 Zardari likely to meet Singh on margins of NAM Summit : Zardari, who will lead the Pakistani delegation to the Summit, is expected to hold several bilateral meetings in the Iranian capital during August 29-31, the officials said.
Zardari last met Singh in April during a day-long private visit to India to pray at a Sufi shrine in Ajmer. Besides Zardari, Singh is expected to hold meetings with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and leaders of Nepal and Bangladesh, Indian officials have said.
Zardari will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, who will use the multinational forum to project Islamabad's position on key international and regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan.
Zardari last met Singh in April during a day-long private visit to India to pray at a Sufi shrine in Ajmer. Besides Zardari, Singh is expected to hold meetings with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and leaders of Nepal and Bangladesh, Indian officials have said.
Zardari will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, who will use the multinational forum to project Islamabad's position on key international and regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan.
15:23 PM leaves for Tehran to attend 4-day NAM summit: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has left for Tehran, Iran, to attend the NAM summit. The Prime Minister will arrive in the Iranian capital of Tehran on a four-day visit today to attend the NAM Summit, prior to which he will hold crucial bilateral talks with Iran's top leadership, including supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ignoring US reservations.
Dr Singh will also be holding bilateral meetings with leaders from other countries, including Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of the 16th Summit of the 120-nation grouping.
Dr Singh will also be holding bilateral meetings with leaders from other countries, including Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of the 16th Summit of the 120-nation grouping.
15:10 Rajat Gupta's sentencing date on Oct 17: The sentencing of former Indian-American Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta, convicted of passing confidential market information to Galleon hedge fund founder Raj Rajaratnam in one of America's biggest insider trading cases, has been preponed by a day to October 17.US District Judge Jed Rakoff had set as October 18 the date for sentencing Gupta after the ex-McKinsey head was found guilty by a jury here of passing confidential company information to Rajaratnam.
Gupta, 63, was found guilty on three counts of securities fraud and one count of conspiracy in June. He faces up to 20 years in prison for his conviction on securities fraud while the conspiracy fraud carries a maximum term of five years.
14:56 Grim poll prospects for Cong: Survey: A new poll looking at how four big states would vote if a general election were held today spells fresh bad news for the ruling United Progressive Alliance coalition, led by the country's grand old party, Congress. Read
14:51 New book in battle over east vs. west: The New York Times speaks to Pankaj Mishra on his book, From the Ruins of Empire. Read
14:38 Behind the scenes -- BJP general secretaries met at LK Advani's office in Parliament today and decided to launch a countrywide agitation on the coal scam. Details are being worked out.
14:35 Mumbai violence: One held for damaging war memorial: One of the two alleged rioters, suspected to have damaged the Amar Jawan memorial during the August 11 violence in Mumbai, has been detained, police said on Tuesday.Read
14:31 India, Russia sign agreement for producing Smerch rockets: India and Russia have signed an agreement for producing the 80 km-range Smerch rockets at ordnance factories here. "Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) signed an MoU for a joint venture with Russian Rosoboronexport and Splav 'Spa' to manufacture five versions of Smerch rockets based on the transfer of technology from Russia," the Defence Ministry said in a release here.
More than two regiments of the Smerch rockets have been in service in the Army after their induction about six years ago.
"Smerch rockets are technologically superior having a range of 70-80 kms. After indigenizing the technology of Smerch rockets, OFB will attain new heights in manufacturing of advanced rocket system," the Ministry said. It said the MoU approved by Defence Minister A K Antony was signed by the three sides yesterday.
More than two regiments of the Smerch rockets have been in service in the Army after their induction about six years ago.
"Smerch rockets are technologically superior having a range of 70-80 kms. After indigenizing the technology of Smerch rockets, OFB will attain new heights in manufacturing of advanced rocket system," the Ministry said. It said the MoU approved by Defence Minister A K Antony was signed by the three sides yesterday.
14:23 Was the Essex 'lion' a pet cat called Teddy Bear?: Essex got its 15 minutes of fame yesterday with news that a lion was on the loose. Turns out that the 'lion' which caused an extensive police operation after being spotted in a field in Essex, may be a pet cat. Read
14:16 Parl adjourned till August 30, BJP wants PM's head: Earlier in the day, before the Parliament had adjourned to meet at 2 pm, in a display of determination to aggressively take on BJP, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today led from the front by egging on her members in the Lok Sabha to counter opposition's sloganeering on coal allocation issue.Gandhi showed her combativeness in Parliament soon after telling party MPs not to be deflected by the "intemperate Congress bashing" by the opposition. Even before the Question Hour began, she was seen engaged in an animated conversation with leaders of key UPA allies -- NCP chief Sharad Pawar and NC head Farooq Abdullah.
Then, she walked up to Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav seat and sat with him for a chat. She wished Yadav with a "namaste" and left with a "shukriya" (thank you). Gandhi's pro-activeness was visible later when the Lok Sabha met again at noon after the Question Hour was adjourned.
When BJP members trooped into the Well and shouted slogans against Congress, Gandhi asked Minister Ambika Soni to stand up and counter them. Amid din, Gandhi also tried to draw the Chair's attention towards Soni. Soni tried to speak at the top of her voice but was inaudible.
Gandhi then asked other Congress members to stand up and take on BJP. When some members from Treasury Benches walked to the Well and had an exchange of words with BJP MPs, Gandhi restrained her party colleagues from entering the Well.
14:04 Parliament adjourns for the day: Parliament adjourns within minutes as ruckus continues. Both houses will now meet only on Thursday as tomorrow is a holiday for Onam. Shouting slogans, disrupting proceedings in the house -- a full day's work for MPs.
13:59 Brahmaputra floods six districts in Assam, lakh displaced: Over one lakh people are reeling under the impact of the third wave of floods in six districts of Assam as the rising water of the Brahmaputra River inundated vast areas of human habitation and cropland.
The Brahmaputra River at Nematighat in Jorhat district and Dhansiri River at Numaligarh in Golaghat district, Gai Nadi in Dhemaji district and Singora in Lakhimpur district, besides Jia Bhoroli in Lower Assam's Sonitpur district were flowing above the danger level, official sources said today. No loss of human life has been reported so far.
The Brahmaputra River at Nematighat in Jorhat district and Dhansiri River at Numaligarh in Golaghat district, Gai Nadi in Dhemaji district and Singora in Lakhimpur district, besides Jia Bhoroli in Lower Assam's Sonitpur district were flowing above the danger level, official sources said today. No loss of human life has been reported so far.
13:46 Thaw? Sushma meets Speaker, Kirti Azad meets Sonia: Two meetings that gives you hope Parliament may function when it reopens at 2 pm. The first meeting was between Sushma Swaraj and Speaker Meira Kumar and the second meeting was between the BJP's Kirti Azad and UPA chief Sonia Gandhi.
13:29 CAG on ONGC: Emphasis on oil exploration tardy: More fuel for the Opposition's ire as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on state-owned Oil & Natural Gas Corp says that it did not place desired emphasis on discovering oil and gas and was tardy in monetizing its discoveries.
CAG's report on Hydrocarbon Exploration Efforts of ONGC, which was tabled in Parliament today, expressed concern at the company's lack of adequate efforts and results in new fields and wanted the Oil Ministry to reset annual targets set out in MoU that the firm signs with the government.
"ONGC did not place the desired emphasis on its core exploration activity. Coupled with the low priority on exploration are the anomalies in MoU target setting and reporting as well as performance measurement which can potentially mislead the stakeholder," it said. CAG said ONGC showcases a healthy reserve replacement ratio while production continues to remain static.
CAG's report on Hydrocarbon Exploration Efforts of ONGC, which was tabled in Parliament today, expressed concern at the company's lack of adequate efforts and results in new fields and wanted the Oil Ministry to reset annual targets set out in MoU that the firm signs with the government.
"ONGC did not place the desired emphasis on its core exploration activity. Coupled with the low priority on exploration are the anomalies in MoU target setting and reporting as well as performance measurement which can potentially mislead the stakeholder," it said. CAG said ONGC showcases a healthy reserve replacement ratio while production continues to remain static.
13:23 Assam violence unacceptable, treacherous: Sonia: This part of Sonia Gandhi's speech at the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) almost got passed over after her rant against the BJP. Condemning as "unacceptable" the ethnic violence in Assam, Sonia today said no government can ignore such "treacherous activities" and pitched for "strictest possible action" against those who targeted people from the northeast.She termed as "unacceptable" the "painful" the targeting of people from northeast in Mumbai, Bengaluru and in other parts of the country in the wake of the Assam violence.
"The strictest possible action must be taken against those who deliberately seek to divide us, incite and provoke people by their incendiary speeches and aggressive actions," Gandhi said.
12:57 And Neil Armstrong was the first man on the ...?: Poor Neil Armstrong -- this is one epitaph he can do without. The HT story that calls him the First man on the ... See
12:54 Ex-Maha CM Ashok CM moves HC on Adarsh : Just in: Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan moves the high court in the Adarsh scam seeking the quashing of the case against him.Nearly two months ago, he was chargesheeted in the Adarsh Housing Society scam and cheating and corruption cases were registered against him by the CBI. Chavan and 12 others were chargesheeted by the CBI on July 4, with the Congress leader being accused of granting some approvals to the housing society in upscale Colaba as quid-pro-quo for allotment of three flats to his kin.
In his petition filed under section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the former chief minister has reiterated the stand taken by the Maharashtra government that the CBI does not have jurisdiction to probe the matter as neither the state government not the HC had handed over the case to the premier investigating agency.
12:48 Derek O'Brien @quizderek LS & RS adjourned but there is plenty of toast & butter diplomacy taking place now in Central Hall.
Derek O' Brien is a Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP.
Derek O' Brien is a Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP.
12:41 Persian puzzle for Manmohan Singh at NAM: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh walks a tightrope at the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Iran this week. Not only is the summit being hosted by a country facing the wrath of the West, it also faces a tough challenge in the form of the Syrian crisis and its implications for the Middle East. Read the Reuters report
12:37 At NAM PM will meet Zardari, Sheikh Hasina: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will arrive in the Iranian capital of Tehran today on a four-day visit to attend the NAM Summit, prior to which he will hold crucial bilateral talks with Iran's top leadership, including supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ignoring US reservations.
Dr Singh will also be holding bilateral meetings with leaders from other countries, including Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of the 16th Summit of the 120-nation grouping.
Also read: Iran uses Non-Aligned Movement summit to criticize US, West
Dr Singh will also be holding bilateral meetings with leaders from other countries, including Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of the 16th Summit of the 120-nation grouping.
Also read: Iran uses Non-Aligned Movement summit to criticize US, West
12:28 Sohrabuddin case: SC wants trial to be shifted to Maharashtra: The Supreme Court today said it would consider allowing former Gujarat Minister Amit Shah, an accused in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, to enter the state in view of the upcoming assembly polls but would like the trial of the case to be shifted to Maharashtra.
"That is one aspect. That must come to an end (keeping him outside the state)," a bench comprising justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai said. However, the bench said it has strong reservation over holding the trial of the case in the state. "We have strong reservation about the trial to be conducted in the state. Trial has to go to Maharashtra," the bench said.
"That is one aspect. That must come to an end (keeping him outside the state)," a bench comprising justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai said. However, the bench said it has strong reservation over holding the trial of the case in the state. "We have strong reservation about the trial to be conducted in the state. Trial has to go to Maharashtra," the bench said.
12:26 India, Iran firm up ties ahead of NAM Summit: Ahead of the 16th NAM Summit, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has said that India hopes to boost mutual cooperation with Iran especially in the economic sector.The remarks came even as US has been leaning on India to decrease its engagement with Tehran which has been hit by a series of sanctions slapped by Washington and some other Western countries.
Krishna yesterday told reporters upon his arrival at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport that India, as a founder member of NAM, thinks of boosting cooperation among the movement's member states.
He said India and Iran have long had friendly relations and New Delhi hopes to boost mutual cooperation especially in economic area, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said in a report.
12:08 And there you go, Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm. Question Hour has been derailed in the Rajya Sabha, and yes, it's adjourned till 2 pm, as well.
12:05 Will wonders never cease? Five minutes now, and Parliament has still not been adjourned... Opposition members continue to shout slogans.
12:04 Did NOT leak Niira Radia tapes, govt tells SC: Just in: The central govt rejects before the Supreme Court the allegation that the tapped conversations of Niira Radia was leaked by it. The Centre on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that it had destroyed the entire Radia tapes, publication of excerpts from which threw the spotlight on ways of doing business as well as the tendency of security agencies to violate privacy of citizens. The SC pulled up the government today for not putting in place a mechanism to prevent such leakage of tapped conversation. "The probe report on Radia tape leakage is hardly satisfactory," the SC told the government.
Also read: Prabhu Chawla's blog on the Niira Radia tapes
11:54 DMK carries banners in RS, BJP shouts slogans: Ten minutes more for Parliament to resume. An hour ago, in the Rajya Sabha, DMK members moved to the aisles carrying banners that read 'Stop Training Sri Lankan Army' the moment Chairman Hamid Ansari called the House to order.
"Please don't do that...no banners please," Ansari pleaded with DMK members. BJP members on the other hand shouted slogans demanding resignation of the Prime Minister. When DMK members started moving towards the Well, Ansari warned them that he "will name them" if they stepped into the Well. He then adjourned the House till noon.
"Please don't do that...no banners please," Ansari pleaded with DMK members. BJP members on the other hand shouted slogans demanding resignation of the Prime Minister. When DMK members started moving towards the Well, Ansari warned them that he "will name them" if they stepped into the Well. He then adjourned the House till noon.
11:44 Stop shedding crocodile tears, Cong tells BJP: Immediately after the Parliament was adjourned till noon, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari hit (there's the word again) out at the BJP saying, "I would like to ask the BJP who has been shedding crocodile tears for the sanctity of constitutional institutions, that isn't Parliament a constitutional entity too?"
He warned that Congress activists would take to the streets to let people know how the BJP was subverting democratic institutions.
He warned that Congress activists would take to the streets to let people know how the BJP was subverting democratic institutions.
11:37 BJP: Don't need certificate of responsibility : BJP's Ravishankar Prasad hits back (the two words you will read ad nauseam) at the Congress. "We don't need a certificate of responsibility from the Congress, we need conduct of accountability from them. The government only talks of debate inside Parliament but not of accountability," said Prasad.
11:30 In Tehran, PM to tread middle path on gas block: Ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's much-awaited Tehran visit, Iran is pushing India to go full-throttle on a gas block, which may irk the Americans as it goes against the US-sanction on that country. Read
11:25 Taking a dig at BJP leader LK Advani for calling the UPA government "illegitimate", Sonia Gandhi told partymen that it showed scant respect for Parliament.
11:13 Parl adjourned till noon, Rs 147 crore loss so far : Rajya Sabha has been adjourned as well over the CAG report on coal block allocation. The BJP says that it won't allow Parliament to hear the PM's statement on the issue. Sonia Gandhi said earlier that the BJP was holding Parliament to ransom. This is the seventh day that the Parliament has been adjourned, which effectively means a loss to the exchequer of Rs 147 crore.
11:06 The government and the Prime minister are always prepared for debate on any issue, on any CAG report or any perceived shortcoming on their part, said Sonia.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha has been adjourned till noon, minutes after it opened.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha has been adjourned till noon, minutes after it opened.
10:13 Blackmail BJP's bread and butter: Sonia:
Addressing party members on Tuesday morning, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said that 'blackmail has become the bread and butter of BJP'.
She was addressing party members on the coalgate which has turned into a major logjam in the Parliament. Gandhi also urged partymen to fight the 'intemperate politics of Opposition'.
"We have nothing to hide or to be defensive about,' she added.
09:52 Barred from exam, Stephen's alumni bat for Unmukt:
A day after he led the India Under-19 cricket team to World Cup victory, the Association of Old Stephanians took up the case of cricketer Unmukt Chand, who has been disallowed by St Stephen's College to sit for his annual exam because his class attendence was poor.
The Under-19 captain was forced to approach the Delhi high court. According to the petition, he said he was unable to attend classes because of cricket matches, including the Indian Premier League. He requested the high court to ask his college to allow him to sit for the annual exam.
08:45 Mullah Omar, aides living in Pakistan: US general:
PTI: In a direct repudiation of repeated claims of Pakistan, a top American general based in Afghanistan has said that reclusive Taliban leader Mullah Omar is hiding in Pakistan along with his commanders. The statement contradicts Islamabad's stand that the Taliban leader lives across the border in his own country.
"Omar lives in Pakistan, as do many of his commanders. From that safe vantage point, they've sent hundreds of young, impressionable, largely spiritual and helpless youths to their deaths and detention in Afghanistan. For this, they must forfeit their honour and any claim to Islamic virtue," General John Allen, Commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, wrote in an article in The Washington Post.
03:32 Guinea troops fire on opposition leader's car: AP reports: Security forces in Guinea opened fire on a car carrying three of the country's top opposition leaders on Monday, leaving bullet holes in the sides of the vehicle and heightening tension between the country's opposition and the ruling party, according to witnesses.
No casualties were reported. Opponents of the ruling party had gathered early today at the home of opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo, who came in second during the 2010 election.
02:34 20 injured in LPG tanker explosion in Kannur: At least 20 persons were injured when an LPG tanker exploded on the national highway in the Chala area, the police said.
The tanker lorry was on its way to Kannur from Kozhikode when the incident occurred, they said.
Police and Fire and Rescue Service personnel rushed to the spot and no casualty has been reported so far, they said.
02:11 Venezuela refinery blast toll rises to 48: AP reports: The death toll rose to 48 at Venezuela's biggest oil refinery, where fires were still raging on Monday nearly three days after a powerful explosion.
The higher toll was announced by Falcon state Governor Stella Lugo in remarks to the Venezuelan radio station Union Radio.
Officials have said scores of people were injured.Residents in a neighborhood next to the refinery say they hadno warning before the explosion hit at about 1 am onSaturday.
01:14 Mursi appoints his presidential team: Egypt's President Mohammed Mursi on Monday appointed his presidential team with a Coptic Christian intellectual and a woman university professor being part of it, even as Islamists clinched the lion's share of the posts.
After nearly two months in office the Mursi finally announced his presidential team which was announce at a press conference held hours before the Egyptian president left for China for his first non-Arab destination.
00:41 Pentagon checking SEAL raid book for secrets : AP reports: The Pentagon is reviewing a copy of a soon-to-be-published account of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, checking for leaks of classified information. Pentagon spokesman George Little said today the Pentagon 'received the manuscript and we are looking at it'.
The book, No Easy Day, is scheduled for publication on September 11. The author, a former Navy SEAL who participated in the raid, did not submit the book until now for pre-publication review that is required by the military secrecy agreements officials say he signed.
00:27 German group gives Facebook privacy deadline: AP reports: A consumer protection group Germany has sent Facebook a 'cease and desist' letter that claims the social-networking website breaches German privacy law. The Federation of German Consumer Organisations says Facebook has one week to stop automatically giving third party applications information about its users without their explicit consent.
The group said in a statement today that if Facebook fails to comply by September 4 it will sue the California company. Facebook representatives in Germany didn't immediately respond to an email requesting comment.
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