Border Security Force aircraft crashed, ten dead December 22, 2015 15:44
A Border Security Force (BSF) aircraft has crashed soon after taking off near the Delhi airport on Tuesday morning. Ten people including 2 pilots were killed in the incident. According to initial reports, a technical snag was developed in the Superking aircraft soon after it took off from the runway 28 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 9.37 a.m. The aircraft’s pilot asked for a priority landing to the Delhi air traffic control (ATC). Eventually, full emergency was announced and measures were taken. The ATC allowed the BSF aircraft priority landing and made arrangements for two other approaching aircrafts to be on the stand-by. According to the IGI airport sources, the aircraft had overshot the runway when it was taking off to Ranchi. This could probably have damaged forcing plane to land back. Meanwhile, the reports are impending confirmation. While the aircraft was on its way back, reaching the runway 10 of the airport from the Dwarka side, it lost radio contact all of a sudden with the ATC. At the outer periphery boundary wall of the airport, the plane crashed on the western side. It happened while it is descending towards the runway in the morning around 9.50am. Yogesh, a local resident, said, “We saw the plane flying really low and could see fire coming out of it too. After the plane crashed, I saw two bodies with deep cuts on their neck and hands.” Two laborers were also injured while working near the crash site, as the crashed aircraft’s smoldering parts fell on them, according to reports. Delhi Police personnel rushed them to a local hospital. The flight that crashed was going to Ranchi with 10 BSF personnel on board. They include pilots BP Bhatt and Rajesh Shriram, Inspector RP Yadav and SN Sharma, Deputy Commandant D. Kumar, Assistant Sub Inspector DP Chouhan, Sub Inspector Ravindra Kumar, Sunder Singh and Chotte Lal, and Constable K Rawat. -Sumana
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Finance Minister files defamation suit against AAP leaders, even Arvind Kejriwal December 21, 2015 15:49
Arun Jaitley, Union finance minister, has filed a defamation suit against Arvind Kejriwal, other AAP leaders including Raghav Chadha, Sanjay Singh, Ashutosh and Deepak Bajpayee, in the Patiala House court. Through the defamation suit, the minister is seeking Rs 10 crore damage for indulging in slander and baseless allegations in the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) case. Under the Indian Penal Code Section 500, a criminal defamation complaint was also filed by Jaitley against these leaders in the Patiala House court seeking their prosecution. On Sunday, the AAP government ordered a commission of inquiry under Gopal Subramaniam for a probe alleged irregularities in the DDCA. Subramaniam's appointment was also being viewed by Jaitley as the probe panel’s head as a clear intent of the Kejriwal government's bellicosity. Subramaniam was solicitor general under the UPA regime. The SC collegiums recommended the appointment of Subramaniam for appointing as a judge of the apex court, few days ahead of the end of the UPA government. Subramaniam has been appearing for and has been advising the Delhi government on run-ins over jurisdictional issues with the Center. AAP's view was endorsed by Subramaniam when the Delhi Government was blocked in with the Centre on who had the jurisdiction to appoint and transfer Delhi officials. AAP's view wasvthat the power vested with the CM but not the lieutenant governor. - Sumana
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Legal team of Sonia, Rahul decides to seek bail in National Herald case December 19, 2015 15:50
According to reports from the Indian Express, the legal team of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and its vice president Rahul Gandhi took a decision to appear before court to seek bail in the National Herald case. This ends speculation about Gandhis’ would go to Tihar jail. Sources were quoted as saying that bail bonds are ready, while the defence lawyers would carry them to the trial court. The two Congress leaders and five other accused in the National Herald case were directed by the Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen to appear before it Saturday. They were summoned by the trial court as accused. The court took the cognisance of the complaint by Dr Subramanian Swamy, BJP leader, against them for alleged cheating as well as misuse of funds in taking control of the now-defunct National Herald newspaper. Sources said, “there is no apprehension that they would be fleeing the country and they would fully cooperate with the trial”. Sources added that the bail for the Congress president would be on the basis of ill-health. “This a politically motivated case and preposterous one and we will argue this before court. It will serve no purpose for not seeking bail. We are ready with bail bonds and will produce it before the court, while seeking bail. We also do not anticipate a situation where the court may deny us a bail,” a source said. Sources said “the legal team is ready with its case, while it argues against framing of charges in the National Herald case. While it is only at a later stage that the court will hear arguments on framing of charges, we are, however, ready with arguments on framing of charges in the matter,” the sources added. -Sumana
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Jayalalithaa requests PM to reschedule civil services exams December 14, 2015 15:48
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa urged the Centre to postpone the civil services main examinations by minimum two months. It was actually scheduled from 18 December 2015. The CM intends to allow the students of the state to be able to prepare enough, who were seriously disturbed by the floods. Jayalalithaa wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which he was asked to use PM’s good offices with the Union Public Service Commission to postpone the examinations so that aspirants would be enabled to make up for lost time. She has stated, "This would provide the TN students a level playing field with their counterparts," "There was considerable interruption to various services including electricity supply. Schools and colleges are expected to reopen only December 14," she added. Very recently, record rainfall in Chennai along with overflow water from reservoirs paralyzed life besides hammering rescue operations. Swelling rivers submerged bridges. Water has over flown from lakes in the suburbs. Thousands of people lost shelters. Many thousands were struck at the homes without water, food and electricity. -Sumana
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Women vote for first time in Saudi Arabia December 12, 2015 15:58
On Saturday, Municipal elections began in Saudi Arabia. For the first time, a total of 978 women registered as candidates, alongside 5,938 men. Women for the first time, stood as candidates, despite the kingdom being only country where are restricted to drive. During campaign appearances, female candidates had to be represented by a male or speak behind a partition. Officials revealed that nearly 130,000 women registered to vote. However the male voter registration number is 1.35 million. The first woman registering for vote, Salma al-Rashed told BBC, “It felt really good.” “Change is a big word but the election is the way to make sure we are really represented.” Even elections are rare in Saudi Arabia. The Saturday election will just be the third time in the history where Saudis went for polls. Between 1965 and 2005, for 40 years there were no elections. Late King Abdullah took the decision to allow women to participate in the election. This is the key part of his legacy. Later on Saturday, the election results are expected. -Sumana
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Even, odd number vehicles seen on alternate days in Delhi from 2016 December 04, 2015 18:04
The Arvind Kejriwal government decided to allow even and odd numbered private vehicles on alternate days from 1 January 2015 in the national capital. The decision from the government came after the day when Delhi HC said, “living in the city was like living in a gas chamber".This means, private vehicles with odd number are allowed on Delhi roads one day, while private vehicles with even number are allowed the next day. The rule is not applicable for public vehicles. The rule is applicable to vehicles, entering Delhi from other staes too.With the decision taken at a meeting, in which Kejriwal presided, the Delhi government hopes to cut emission by half in the city. The government even decided to shut down Badarpur power plant in south Delhi. It is a coal-based NTPC plant. The government also announced the launch of a web application so that people can report about polluting vehicles. On an average, Delhi adds approximately 1000 cars each day. Studies also reveal that the city has more cars compared to combined number of cars in other cities in the country like Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.-Sumana
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Modi says, centre and state should work together for progress December 04, 2015 15:12
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the centre and states should work together for the progress of the nation. He said that the states are being taken on the board for the development of India. He also asserted that Indian can only move on the strong shoulders of the states, but not Delhi alone. As he delivered the inaugural address at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Modi said, “India is not going to progress from Delhi.”Mr. Modi cited several measures of the government such as setting special departments for states at the Centre in taking them along.“States have the most important role in India’s progress. India can move ahead only on the strong shoulders of the states and not from Delhi alone. If we walk together shoulder to shoulder then results will automatically come,” Modi said. He added during his 40-minute speech that the strengths of the state should be known to the world.He stressed on prominence of a stable Government and said it a big thing that cannot be ignored. “Fractured mandates always have uncertainty,” he said."The good news is Parliament is running,” remarked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to backdrop of monsoon session washout.“I have to go to Parliament. The good news is that Parliament is running,” he said, and hastened to add, “the credit does not go to Modi but to all the parties”. -Sumana
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Fresh rains lead to serious flooding in Chennai December 02, 2015 13:39
Fresh rains in Chennai lead to serious flooding, suspension of trains and flights, besides leaving hundreds of people without power. Following the two days of heavy rains, authorities deployed army and the National Disaster Response Force for the rescue of stranded people, who are thousands in number. Since last month, a minimum of 188 people have reportedly died due to floods in Tamil Nadu. Rains in coastal areas were triggered due to depression in the Bay of Bengal. The State capital was brought to a standstill last month, due to non-stop rain for almost a week. Now, massive rains these two days landed in massive flooding, that led to the suspension of flights from the Chennai airport, as flood waters entered the tarmac areas and the runway. As per the reports, nearly 400 passengers at the airport are stranded, while all flights were cancelled. As flood waters inundated the tracks, over a dozen trains were cancelled. Power supply to nearly 60% of the city's neighbourhoods was suspended. Main streets of Chennai are waterlogged. Schools were shut down for 17th day since November. Water floods entering the building of government hospital in the Tambaram area made to evacuate patients. Social media was taken by the residents to offer food, accommodation, as well as mobile phone recharges to citizens who have no option but to evacuate their properties. A resident of Sowcarpet area Ashok Modi, told BBC Hindi's Imran Qureshi, that, "We only saw rains like this some 25-30 years ago when there was no electricity for almost a week. It has been raining since Monday night and there has been no respite. Everywhere you look, there is two to three feet of water.” According to Muralitharan of BBC Tamil, “All the reservoirs around Chennai are full and the rivers are flooded with the excess waters released from the reservoirs.” People residing in the river banks were move to temporary shelters. As per the meteorological office, "scattered to heavy" rains are expected to continue in coming three days. -Sumana
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US to tighten the US Visa Waiver Program December 01, 2015 14:51
Steps were taken by the US to tighten the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) applicable for citizens belonging to 38 countries. In comes in the wake of Paris terrorist attacks. Here are the new changes quoted by Xinhua as said by White House in a statement. • Homeland security department (DHS)’s aggressive steps• To collect past travel information from VWP travelers• To check if they travelled to countries considered by the US as terrorist safe• Projected pilot programs to collect biometric information from travelers The DHS would identify any VWP partner countries deficient in key areas of operation". It would recommend options regarding forcing compliance by a range of incentives as well as penalties. As per the statement, new change also includes the DHS’s effort seeking authorities from the Congress to raise fines for air carriers failing to verify passport data of a traveler. At present, failure to provide advance passenger information leads to fine up to $5,000 to airlines as per the advance passenger information system. According to White House, the Congress would be asked for to raise the fine to $50,000. Right now, VWP permits visa free travel for 20 million visitors per year to the US for citizens belonging to 38 program partner countries. The worry about the current VWP to the US lawmakers and government officials begin after the Paris attacks on 13 November 2015. It killed a minimum of 130 people besides injuring more than 350 others. VWP allows citizens from partner countries to enter US and stay for a period of 90 days without a visa and this could be a threat to homeland security. -Sumana
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Four accused minors arrested for gangrape on Mumbai teen November 27, 2015 18:34
Four boys who gang raped their 15-year-old schoolmate and shared a video related to the act on WhatsApp messaging application was arrested and sent to a remand home. The crime came into light after one of the relatives of the victim receives video.Four teenagers who have allegedly gang raped their schoolmate were booked by the Malad police. According to police, the sexual assault occurred on 8 November 2015. The relative who met the victim and showed the video to her, was narrated the ordeal by her. It was then that the relative approached the Malad police to register a complaint.Malad police station Senior Police Inspector Shashank Sandbhor, said, "All the four accused, who are minors, stay in the same area as the victim. As soon as the victim approached us, we sent teams to their residences and brought them to the police station. They were booked and are now in the juvenile remand home in Dongri,"Police said that the accused called the victim to one of their houses on the 8 November evening and allegedly forced her and threatened to kill incase she resisted. They blackmailed hr showing the recorded video.-Sumana
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ICHR chairman resigns citing personal reasons November 27, 2015 18:26
Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) chairman Yellapragada Sudershan Rao has resigned from his post citing personal reasons. He only had 16 months of tenure as ICHR chairman.Reports indicated that he was not happy as the Human Resources Development (HRD) ministry denied his proposal of honorarium of Rs 1.5 lakh. While Mr. Rao said, he only had put in his papers and was still waiting for the response from the ministry. He earlier retired from Kakatiya University Department and was appointed as ICHR chairman for a three–year term.It is learnt that Mr. Rao is a member of the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana. He had been a controversial one and many historians criticized him expressing surprise over questioning academic credentials.When contacted, Mr. Rao said that he had “resigned because of personal reasons.” He also added that do not want to speak more and was awaiting ministry’s response According to reports, resignation was sent by Mr. Rao to HRD minister Smriti Irani on 24 November 2015.On 23 September 2015, at the 81st meeting of the General Council of ICHR, a proposal to grant Mr. Rao an honorarium was discussed. It found support of the Council members and was even sent to the HRD ministry.-Sumana
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CBI allowed grilling Dayanidhi Maran for six days November 27, 2015 15:42
The SC directed former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran to appear before the CBI for questioning regularly and without fail for six days between 30 November 2015 and 5 December 2015 in the illegal telephone exchange case. CBI custodial interrogation was denied by the Apex court. During the six-day period, Mr. Maran would answer to CBI questions between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.A bench of Justices T.S. Thakur and V. Gopala Gowda, told the CBI represented by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi that "We will not give you custodial interrogation."It was indicated by the court that it is keen to find the truth on allegations against Mr. Maran, thus a short order was delivered by the bench directing Mr. Maran to appear before CBI probe officer regularly and "answer all questions relevant issued by the investigating officer".Justice Thakur insisted CBI to prepare a "proper" questionnaire targeting accused BSNL officials and the former minister to get to the bottom of the case. The questions should include ‘who gave the order for the installation of the high-speed lines’, ‘why such an order was given, if at all’, etc."Please co-operate," Justice Thakur told Mr. Maran's side.The former minister is accused of diverting high-speed service connection he got in his capacity as minister to use in Sun TV network, run by his family.-Sumana
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