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Sonia’s ‘foreign origin’ and more: Pawar charts NCP’s formation in book

It was not only Sonia Gandhi’s “foreign origin” but instances of his decisions being overruled and the denial of the Congress Parliamentary Party leader post that prompted Sharad Pawar to form NCP, reveals his autobiography. “What really took the cake was a shocking amendment to the constitution of the Congress Parliamentary Party which was brought

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Mamata takes Kejriwal around Parliament: Why there’s more to this than meets the eye

On Wednesday when West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee took her Delhi counterpart and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal on a tour of Parliament House, she wasn’t merely acting as a guide. She was also sending out a strong signal to her rivals and opponents that she has him on

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Sushma Swaraj to explain government turn around on Pakistan in Parliament

Parliamentarians and diplomats are awaiting external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to explain, the rationale behind the sudden turn of government stand vis-a-vis resumption of dialogue with Pakistan. Though, she has returned to Delhi, she will be making a statement in the Lok Sabha on Friday. Officials here have refused to disclose the specifics of what

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Express in Paris: Hectic backstage talks take centrestage as deadline nears

As the clock ticked away, all the main actors at the climate talks here exited the stage on Thursday and moved backstage to strike last-minute compromises to reach the global agreement they had promised they would deliver in Paris. With just one day to go for the scheduled finish of the two-week conference, that agreement

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No celebrations this year: Manohar Parrikar asks people not to spend money for his birthday

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday appealed to the people to contribute to the Goa Chief Minister’s fund to help victims of the recent Chennai floods instead of spending money for his birthday. “People of Goa have always supported and showered their blessings on me. On the occasion of my 60th birthday on 13th December,

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PM Modi tweets birthday greetings to President Pranab Mukherjee, says he is a ‘invaluable asset’

Prime Minster Narendra Modi today greeted President Pranab Mukherjee on his 80th birthday, saying he is an “invaluable asset” to the nation. “I convey my heartfelt wishes to our beloved President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee on his birthday. I pray for his long and healthy life,” Modi tweeted. I convey my heartfelt wishes to our beloved

PM Modi tweets birthday greetings to President Pranab Mukherjee, says he is a ‘invaluable asset’ Read More »

India and US to participate in more bilateral military exercises

India and US have decided to further deepen their military-to-military ties by participating in more bilateral exercises. The decision came during a meeting between Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his US counterpart Ashton Carter yesterday. Parrikar informed Carter about India’s decision to participate in the Rim-of-the-Pacific (RIMPAC) multilateral naval exercise in 2016. The Indian Air

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Islamic State finance chief confirmed killed in air strike: US

The Islamic State group’s finance chief has been confirmed killed in a coalition air strike last month, US officials said on Thursday. Abu Saleh was killed in late November, US military spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said in a videoconference from Baghdad, calling him “one of the most senior and experienced members” of the group’s financial

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David Headley turns approver in 26/11 terror attacks trial, after being pardoned by Tada court

The TADA court in Mumbai on Thursday pardoned David Headley after he offered to become approver in the 26/11 case. The court agreed to Headley’s demand for pardon on the condition that he tells all on the 26/11 attack role of other conspirators. The next hearing is set for 8 February 2016. David Coleman Headley,

David Headley turns approver in 26/11 terror attacks trial, after being pardoned by Tada court Read More »

US updates gas-turbine engine technology transfer policy to India

The United States has updated its policy on gas-turbine engine technology transfer to India, a move that should lead to expanded cooperation in production and design of jet-engine components, a joint statement said on Thursday. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter informed Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar of the decision during the latter’s visit to Washington

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Hit-and-run: Salman walks free after lower court order quashed

Observing that “strong suspicion of guilt cannot be used to hold a person guilty”, the Bombay High Court on Thursday acquitted actor Salman Khan in a 13-year-old hit-and-run case that killed one and injured four. Overturning the order of a lower court, which had in May convicted the actor under charges of culpable homicide not

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The clash between Bajirao Mastani and Dilwale is inevitable, but who will emerge victorious?

It’s less than two weeks away now. It’s a clash of the titans, between Rohit Shetty’s Dilwale and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani, where one of the giants must tragically concede defeat. Most trade experts agree both the films cannot do equally well. One analyst who wishes to go unnamed says, “It is most unlikely

The clash between Bajirao Mastani and Dilwale is inevitable, but who will emerge victorious? Read More »

Has the time come for India to move on from Rohit Sharma? An argument and counter-argument

On day one of the Nagpur Test, India were struggling at 115/4 on a rank turner after winning the toss, when Rohit Sharma walked in to bat. It was a slightly unfair situation, given the pitch conditions. He was, after all, the standout batsman in the T20I and ODI series, but sat out the first

Has the time come for India to move on from Rohit Sharma? An argument and counter-argument Read More »

Rajkot and Pune based teams replace RR and CSK for two seasons; 2016 IPL to be held from 9 April

Two new franchisees, based out of Rajkot and Pune, on Tuesday won the bids to be part of the forthcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) — replacing suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for two seasons. IPL’s 2016 edition to be held from 9 April to 29 May, it was announced on

Rajkot and Pune based teams replace RR and CSK for two seasons; 2016 IPL to be held from 9 April Read More »

Australia pacer Mitchell Starc set to miss World T20 after ankle surgery

Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc will have ankle surgery and is “unlikely” to play in the World Twenty20 tournament in India next year, Cricket Australia said today. Starc, who has had trouble with his right ankle stemming back to the Ashes series in England this year, suffered a stress fracture of the same foot in

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Prosecution has failed to prove Salman Khan was drunk, says court

The Bombay high court on Wednesday said it has “come to conclusion that the prosecution has failed to bring material on record to establish beyond reasonable doubt that the appellant (Salman Khan) was driving and under the influence of alcohol, also, whether the accident occurred due to bursting (of tyre) prior to the incident or

Prosecution has failed to prove Salman Khan was drunk, says court Read More »

It’s matter of sorrow that Parliament is not running: PM Modi

Expressing his strong displeasure over continuous disruptions in the Lower and Upper House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that ”it’s matter of sorrow that Parliament is not running”. The Prime Minister further said that democracy “cannot be restricted to elections and government only” and everyone must feel that he or she is working

It’s matter of sorrow that Parliament is not running: PM Modi Read More »

‘Curfew-like’ situation prevails at Osmania university as cops prevent beef festival

Eight organisers of the controversial ‘beef festival’ on Osmania University campus were detained while BJP MLA T Raja Singh, who was opposing the the event, was arrested on Thursday morning, police said. A ‘curfew-like’ situation prevailed on the campus with heavy police security being deployed to prevent any untoward incident. A students’ group had earlier

‘Curfew-like’ situation prevails at Osmania university as cops prevent beef festival Read More »

Naysayers in Delhi should take a cue from China, smog measures cut pollution by 30 percent

China’s environment ministry says pollutants were reduced by a third in Beijing during this week’s temporary restrictions to reduce heavy smog, which included taking half the city’s cars off the roads. Beijing’s authorities ordered limits on cars, factories and construction sites for three days during a red alert for smog starting Tuesday. They also told

Naysayers in Delhi should take a cue from China, smog measures cut pollution by 30 percent Read More »

Russia, U.S. and U.N. to hold Syria talks in Geneva on Dec. 11

Russia, the United States and the United Nations will hold three-way talks on the Syria crisis in Geneva on Friday, the U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said on Wednesday. News of the meeting was first reported by Russia’s RIA news agency, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov. “We will present our vision of

Russia, U.S. and U.N. to hold Syria talks in Geneva on Dec. 11 Read More »

Syrian opposition seeks to close ranks as army gains on ground

Syria’s fragmented opposition and rebel groups sought common ground on Wednesday ahead of planned negotiations to end a conflict which has devastated the country and drawn forces from Cold War and Middle East rivals into ever deeper combat operations. The talks in Saudi Arabia mark the most ambitious attempt yet to unify president Bashar al-Assad’s

Syrian opposition seeks to close ranks as army gains on ground Read More »

Karnataka Lokayukta resigns over alleged bribery scandal

Facing the prospect of his removal, controversial Karnataka Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao has resigned over an alleged extortion racket in the anti-graft ombudsman’s office involving his son. Rao, who had resisted growing calls for stepping down following the allegation, had tendered his resignation on Monday and it was accepted by Governor Vajubhai R Vala today,

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C Rajagopalachari’s contribution to India was legendary: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday while remembering freedom fighter C Rajagopalachari said his contribution to India was legendary and that he was a profound thinker. “Shri C Rajagopalachari’s contribution to India is legendary. I bow to this freedom fighter and profound thinker on his birth anniversary,” he tweeted. C Rajagopalachari or Rajaji as he

C Rajagopalachari’s contribution to India was legendary: PM Modi Read More »

Rolex, jewelry and 300 bottles of foreign liquor allegedly recovered from IAS officer in Delhi

The Rs 2.2lakh bribe, allegedly accepted by the principal secretary of Delhi government’s welfare department, seems to be quite a meager sum when compared to the luxurious items the IAS officer owned. While principal secretary Sanjay Pratap Singh and his PA were arrested by CBI in an operation on Wednesday evening. The problems of the

Rolex, jewelry and 300 bottles of foreign liquor allegedly recovered from IAS officer in Delhi Read More »