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BJP for Chidambaram's resignation over 'saffron terror' remark
Stepping up its attack on Home Minister P Chidambaram over his "saffron terrorism" remark, BJP today demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should sack him if he does not resign for using the "insulting" term.

Regulator slams Jet crew for 'serious procedural lapses'
The pilot and crew members of the Jet Airways flight involved in Friday night's emergency evacuation have been suspended after a preliminary inquiry report found "serious procedural lapses", an aviation authority said in Mumbai today. 10 staff personnel have been suspended. We regret incident, evacution in fliers' interest: Jet

Sri Lanka reverses decision to suspend visa on arrival
Sri Lanka today reversed the decision to withdraw the visa-on-arrival facility for foreign tourists, less than a day after it passed an order to do so from September 30. Sutirtho Patranobis reports.

BCCI chief backs Srinivasan; says Lalit Modi is lying
The BCCI today threw its weight behind Secretary N Srinivasan and rejected suspended IPL Chairman Lalit Modi's allegations that the senior official fixed the 2009 players' auction.

No freeze on military ties with India: China
China said today that military ties with India remained on track, despite a visa row that some reports said led to a freeze in defence contacts between the two big neighbours with sometimes testy relations.

Captain's mom claims Army killed son
Captain Sumit Kohli was found dead in his room two months after getting Shaurya Chakra. The Army says he committed suicide because of personal reasons.

US aid chief leaves Pak relief camp after 'militant threat'
Indian-American US aid chief Rajiv Shah has said that he had to leave a relief camp in flood-hit Pakistan in a hurry, after being warned of threat to his safety by extremist elements present there.

Gunfight near US consulate in Peshawar
A heavy exchange of fire erupted on Saturday at an office of security forces in northwest Pakistan, but the motive behind the attack was not immediately clear, police said.

Geetha Johri accuses CBI of pressurising her
In a new turn in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, senior Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Geetha Johri has accused the CBI of pressurising her to implicate some political leaders, including arrested BJP leader Amit Shah.

Govt to keep an eye on law firms
The Centre is set to bring law firms under the control of a regulator, which will enable the government to closely monitor their thriving business activity, Nagender Sharma reports.

India to accept Chinese college degrees
Even as China and India hit another icy patch in their stormy relations, there is great news headed towards thousands of Indian students in China, Charu Sudan Kasturi reports.

Delhi hits back after Beijing's snub to General
The discontent between India and China over issues relating to Jammu & Kashmir has reached a flashpoint with New Delhi calling off the visit of three Chinese army officers to the country this month and putting on hold all bilateral defence exchanges, barring the border personnel meeting. HT reports.

Indian medal hopes dashed as Saina Nehwal falls
Indian hopes of a medal at the world badminton championships were finally snuffed out on Friday when world number two Saina Nehwal bowed out in the women's singles quarter-finals.

Congress does balancing act on "saffron" terror remark
In an apparent balancing act, the Congress today appeared to have distanced itself from the "saffron terrorism" remarks of Home Minister P Chidambaram by saying that terror has no colour.

No change seen in Pakistan's view of India threat
The Pakistan army is unlikely to change its assessment of the threat from India despite heavy demands on its troops to provide flood relief while also fighting Islamist militants, a senior security official said.

India, China back to diplomacy after visa row
India summoned China's ambassador today to protest against the refusal of a visa to an Army general from the disputed Kashmir region, the latest spat between two Asian giants jostling for global influence and resources.

No visa-on-arrival in Lanka
On Friday, Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration announced that it was withdrawing the visa-on-arrival facility for tourists from 79 countries including India, UK, USA, China, Japan and host of European nations. Sutirtho Patranobis reports.

Government to curb unsolicited commercial calls
The government today said it will soon curb unsolicited commercial calls and messages which have become an irritant for mobile phone users across the country.

Come clean on Rahul sharing dais with Naxal, BJP tells Govt
BJP on Friday demanded a statement from Home Minister P Chidambaram on a media report of a suspected Maoist allegedly sharing dais with Rahul Gandhi in Lanjigarh in Orissa and said Government should come clean on the issue.

Police conducted sham probe in '84 riots: CBI

The CBI today told the Supreme Court that the special anti-riots cell of the Delhi Police had conducted "sham investigations and farce prosecutions" in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to apparently shield senior Congress leader and former MP Sajjan Kumar, a key accused.

India will not risk national security for BlackBerry: Sachin Pilot

As a solution elude monitoring of data transmitted through Blackberry phone, India today said it would not risk national security, especially when answers to the problem have been found elsewhere in the world.

No takers for BJP's 'saffron terror' remark protest

The BJP today found itself isolated in the Rajya Sabha in its protest against Home Minister P Chidambaram's statement on rise in saffron terrorism with Left and other parties joining hands with Congress to target the main Opposition.

Brasa failed to deliver, so painting himself as martyr: HI
Hockey India today lashed out at India's chief coach Jose Brasa for his criticism of the Sports Authority of India and the national body, saying the Spaniard is trying to portray himself as a "martyr" after failing to deliver in his job.

Pakistan militants exploiting floods: US official
The United States has seen evidence that Pakistani militants and affiliated charities are deepening their involvement in flood relief in an effort to win popular support, a senior US official said. Floods in Pak: See pics

India suspends defence exchanges with China

Top Army officer serving in J&K was denied visa because he was responsible for "disputed" region of Jammu & Kashmir, according to China. Reacting to this, the government said that China must be sensitive to its concerns. In lighter vein

BlackBerry maker battles to avert shutdown in India
BlackBerry's maker is bidding to assuage security concerns but the government is cranking up the pressure in a row that could see core features of the popular smartphone shut down next week.

Can't stop talking with Pakistan: PM
Although Pakistan had tried to block India in Afghanistan and elements in the Pakistani establishment underwrote attacks on Indians in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told diplomats on Friday that dialogue must continue. HT reports. PM's priorities

CWG deadline extended again. The new excuse â€” rain
The spell of rain that has lashed the Capital in the last week has resulted in the extension of deadline for finishing up various technical works linked to the Commonwealth Games. The earlier deadline was August 31.

Nuke billâ€™s success will depend on legal hair-splitting
Indiaâ€™s nuclear energy future lies in the hands of corporate lawyers. Nuclear industry, both overseas and at home, are assessing how difficult the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Bill will make it for nuclear suppliers to do business in India, report Pramit Pal Chaudhuri & Anirudh Bhattacharyya.

No special deal for specific countries, says BlackBerry maker RIM
Four days ahead of the deadline given by the Govt to provide solutions for monitoring contents, BlackBerry maker Research In Motion on Thursday said the company does not have a "master key" to gain access to encrypted corporate information.

Prelims to be replaced by aptitude Test in Civil Services exams
In a significant move, Govt has agreed to a proposal to introduce Civil Services Aptitude Test in place of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination and added that it will shortly notify the new scheme of examination giving details of the syllabus.

Cabinet clears Direct Taxes Code; exemption limit raised
The Cabinet approves the Direct Taxes Code Bill that proposes restructuring income tax slabs, to leave you with some more money in your pocket. The Bill, which raises the income tax exemption limit from `1.6 lakh to `2 lakh a year, and rejigs existing slabs, will replace the archaic Income Tax Act. HT reports. More change in your pocket

Govt warns Indian websites of cyber attack by Pak hackers
The government today said it had warned the defence services, financial institutions, PSUs, Internet service providers and prominent private sector organisations of a possible cyber attack by Pakistani hacker groups.

Visa fees hike could hurt ties, India tells United States
The hike in visa fees for foreign skilled workers to United States could affect its wide-ranging bilateral economic relationship with India, parliament was informed today.

US still the king of spam, India comes next
India has retained its second position in originating spam, accounting for about 12.55 per cent of the global junk mails sent in July, even after reducing the number of mails sent, says a study.

There is no such thing as saffron terrorism: Gadkari
Hitting out at Union Home Minister P Chidambaram for his "saffron terrorism" remark, BJP President Nitin Gadkari today said it is a ploy by the Congress to "appease minorities" for vote bank politics.

Kashmiris' <EM>azadi</EM> not possible: BJP
Kashmiris are demanding secession from India and not jobs or economic development, the Bharatiya Janata Party said today and slammed the government for its failure to handle the unrest in the Kashmir Valley that has seen 64 people killed since June 11.

What if US is seen as exporter of terrorism? CIA thinks it over
Citing the case of Pakistani-American David Headley, a classified CIA document released by whistleblower organisation, Wikileaks, asks what would happen if foreign countries began to view the US as an "exporter of terrorism".

I am your soldier in Delhi: Rahul to tribals
Making a visit to Lanjigarh, Orissa against the backdrop of the Centre rejecting environment clearance for the Vedanta mining project, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today hailed the decision as a victory for tribals of the area and vowed to fight for their cause. Listen to podcast

Pakistan orders nearly half a million to evacuate
Pakistan ordered nearly half a million people to evacuate towns today as rising floods threaten further havoc in a country straining to cope after its worst humanitarian disaster.

N-Bill to boost US economy: Reports
Describing it as a personal victory of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before the visit of US President Barack Obama to India, American media today said the passage of the Nuclear Liability bill would pave the way for much needed foreign investment in the crucial atomic energy sector of the country.

Maoists are our own people, Manmohan says again

Reiterating that the Maoists "are our own people", Manmohan Singh said the government was ready to hold dialogue if they abjured violence. He added that much more had to be done to combat Maoist violence.

Thousands of protesting farmers throng parliament
Delhi geared up for more traffic trouble on Thursday as thousands of farmers congregated outside parliament Thursday to demand enhanced compensation for their lands being acquired for the Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh, and thousands more were expected to join them.

Maoists strike again, attack police station in Giridih
Maoists fired indiscriminately at a police station in Giridih, blew up a building and set on fire trucks on the Grand Trunk road in the wee hours today to protest the arrest of their two associates. See special

Just three days to go, is CP game for cycling test event?
The cycling test event for the Commonwealth Games is three days away. And the organisers plan to put the cyclists through their paces on the rubble-covered lanes of Connaught Place. Neelam Pandey reports. The beaten track

How BJP almost shot itself in the foot
The BJP may have repeatedly attacked the government for attempting to dilute supplier liability in the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, but it almost ended up doing precisely that. Vikas Pathak and Jayanth Jacob report.

IPL players' auction fixed, claims TV channel
On Wednesday, news channel, CNN-IBN, claimed that the playersâ€™ auction of the Indian Premier League was fixed. The channel claimed to have accessed e-mails between former IPL commissioner, Lalit Modi, and Chennai Super Kings owner, N Srinivasan, that proved that the two colluded to help CSK bag Andrew Flintoff in the 2009 auctions.

Hearing on Narendra Modi's quizzing by riots panel deferred
The hearing on a plea seeking summoning of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and three others before the Justice GT Nanavati commission, probing the 2002 riot cases, was today deferred till September 7.

Tulsiram Prajapati's murder also part of conspiracy: CBI
The Central Bureau of Investigation has told the Supreme Court that Gujarat staged shootout victim Sohrabuddin Sheikh's aide Tulsiram Prajapati was also killed as part of a criminal conspiracy.

Nuclear liability Bill passed as govt drops 'I-word'
Creating consensus over the contentious clauses of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Bill 2010, the government got it passed in Lok Sabha through a voice vote on Wednesday. HT reports. All is well

More Americans have unfavourable views on Islam
The number of Americans viewing Islam favourably has declined since 2005, but there is little change in those saying that Islam is more likely than other religions to encourage violence, according to a new poll.

Chidambaram warns police chiefs against 'saffron terror'
Home Minister P Chidambaram spoke out again against "saffron terrorism" on Tuesday. Chidambaram mentioned saffron terror while reminding his audience the terror threat had not gone away. HT reports.

Pakistan warns of new floods as UN says 800,000 cut off

Pakistan is battling to save areas threatened by more devastating flood waters as the United Nations has warned that 800,000 people in desperate need of aid had been cut off by the floods. See pics | Map

Last 21 months terror free, but we can't rest: PC
There is no let up in attempts by militants to infiltrate into India, however, the last twenty-one months have been free of terror, Home Minister P Chidambaram said today.

Tahawwur Rana's status hearing adjourned till Sept 20

The status hearing of Pakistani-Canadian terror suspect Tahawwur Rana, charged with conspiring in the Mumbai attacks, was today adjourned for four weeks.

Oppn has its way, Govt makes 18 changes to N-bill

Moving the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Bill, 2010 in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State in the PMO Prithviraj Chavan, tabled an amendment to Clause 17(B) which now now does not not have the word "intent" with regard to suppliers or their employees in causing an accident in a nuclear plant.

Ministry asks CWG OC to release Rs 1.75 cr to IWF to pay fine
The Sports Ministry today directed the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee to immediately release Rs 1.75 crore interest-free loan to the Indian Weightlifting Federation so that it can pay the doping fine of $ 3,75,000 to the international parent body before the August 31 deadline.

N-liability bill in House today, Govt confident of its passage
The contentious Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill will be taken up for consideration and passage in Lok Sabha today. Govt sources are confident of resolving the deadlock with the Opposition and passing the bill. HT reports.

Govt unlikely to allow firmâ€™s Cairn India takeover
There seems to be more trouble brewing for Vedanta Resources owner Anil Agarwal. His much-discussed R4.3 lakh crore takeover of Cairn India is unlikely to get the Indian governmentâ€™s approval. The deal may ultimately fall through. Anupama Airy reports.

The law catches up with Vedanta
Industry has to come to terms with the culture of adherence. The denial of forest clearance for Vedantaâ€™s Orissa project is an illustration of that, report Varghese K George and Chetan Chauhan. See graphics | Cracking the whip | Listen to podcast | Highlights of panel report

It is disappointing but want to move on: Viswanathan Anand
World Chess Champion Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand today termed the controversy over his nationality as disappointing but said he does not want to stretch the issue too far and would prefer to move on.

Govt hints at dropping contentious proposal on suppliers' liability
As it prepares to move the nuclear liability bill in Parliament on Wednesday, government today sought to rope in Left parties amidst indications that it could consider dropping a contentious proposal regarding the suppliers' liability.

India reminds Afghanistan of Taliban 'red lines'
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today conveyed India's concerns over the proposed plan to reintegrate the Taliban to Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmay Rassoul and said New Delhi was against any external interference in Afghan affairs.

43 killed as plane overshoots runway in northeast China
A passenger plane crashed in northeast China late on Tuesday, overshooting the runway and bursting into flames, killing 43 of 96 people onboard in what was one of the nation's worst air disaster in years.

India mulls deploying missiles near border in North-East
The move comes close on the release of a report by Pentagon, which suggested that China has moved its new advanced longer range CSS-5 missiles close to its border with India and developed contingency plans to shift airborne forces to the region at short notice.

Orissa searches for alternate bauxite source to feed Vedanta
With the Centre refusing final approval to the proposed mining project at Niyamgiri, UK-based Vedanta today claimed Orissa Govt was actively considering allocation of an 'alternate source' of bauxite for its refinery at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district. Listen to podcast | Highlights of panel report

Police resorting to Nazi tactics in Kashmir: Mirwaiz
Condemning the crackdown operations, All Parties Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Mohammad Umar Farooq today described the police crackdown on protesters as "Nazi tactics". HT Correspondent reports.

â€˜Madani played role in IPL blastsâ€™
Peopleâ€™s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Abdul Nasser Madani, who has been arrested in connection with the 2008 Bangalore bomb blasts, was also allegedly involved in the twin explosions near Chinnaswamy Stadium here on April 17.

Government offers to consider Left's views on nuclear bill
Government today offered to consider the Left parties' views on the civil nuclear liability bill, which includes their strong opposition to provisions they feel "protect" the foreign suppliers' interests. See cartoon

Sibal apologises to Anand after row over nationality
A move to confer honorary doctorate for Chess icon Vishwanathan Anand was today at the centre of a raging storm after the HRD ministry reportedly raised questions over his Indian nationality but Minister Kapil Sibal stepped in to apologise to him.

Centre rejects eco-clearance for $1.7 bn Vedanta mine
In a landmark decision to safeguard the environment while implementing industrial projects, Environment and Forests minister Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said the bauxite mining clearance given to Vedanta Resources and the Orissa Mining Corporation in Orissa had been withdrawn. Chetan Chauhan reports. Graphics: Cracking the whip | Listen to podcast | Highlights of panel report

Tiger Woods and wife Elin divorce after sex scandal
Tiger Woods and his wife Elin Nordegren divorced on Monday, their six-year marriage succumbing to the massive sex scandal that enveloped the world's number one golfer, a joint statement said.

Atwal first Indian to win US PGA title
On the eve of the final day of the PGA tourâ€™s Wyndham Golf Championship in the United States, Arjun Atwal, 37, who became on Sunday the first Indian ever to win it, received a text message from a friend. Who was the friend? Tiger Woods. Anirudh Bhattacharyya reports.

POSCO green flag likely, but not for Vedanta yet
The Centre is likely to remove green hurdles for Poscoâ€™s steel plant in Orissa but bauxite mining for Vedanta Resources may get stuck for now. Chetan Chauhan reports.

Obama trip to avoid Bangalore?
The dates of US President Barack Obamaâ€™s visit to India have been finalised for Nov 8 to 11. Though details of his itinerary and programme in the country are still being worked out, sources said that while Obama was keen to visit another Indian city apart from New Delhi, his choice was unlikely to be Bangalore. Jayanth Jacob reports.

Liability clause impractical, says Govtâ€™s own N-operator
Even as the BJP and the Left cry foul and claim the supplier liability provisions in clause 17 (b) of the N-liability bill arenâ€™t strong enough, the state-owned NPCIL- the countryâ€™s sole operator of nuclear plants â€” has hit out against the existing provision, saying its terms are "neither practical nor implementable". Jayanth Jacob reports.
Controversial clause

Government checkmates Anand, doubts his citizenship
World chess champion Viswanathan Anand may have earned India laurels across the globe, but the government isn't convinced he is an Indian citizen. Charu Sudan Kasturi reports.

How India could nuke itself
The signing of the Indo-US civil nuclear cooperation agreement ended Indiaâ€™s nuclear power sectorâ€™s technological and financial isolation. Though not without accomplishment, it was stunted, struggling even to provide 4 per cent of the countryâ€™s power needs. Pramit Pal Chaudhuri reports.

PM, Ramesh asssured me of speedy clearance to Posco: Naveen
Pushing for expediting the Posco steel plant, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said he has received an assurance from both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on speedy clearance for the Rs 54,000-crore project in the state.

200 per cent salary hike proposed for Delhi MLAs
Taking a cue from the central government, the Congress-led Delhi government has proposed a hike of about 200 per cent in the 70 lawmakers' salary with Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today promising to consult the opposition before a decision.

26 people killed in Pak bomb attacks
A former parliamentarian was among 26 people killed in two separate bomb attacks that targeted a mosque and a tribal council today in the restive South Waziristan region of northwest Pakistan.

Govt reaches out to BJP on N-bill, but gets no support promise
Under attack from Left and Right for some proposed amendments in the Nuclear Liability Bill, Govt today sought to reach out to BJP but the main Opposition party said it doubts the "intent" behind the move and could not commit support unless the changes are dropped.

Tennis payment row: Ministry seeks details

The payment row which prompted top tennis players to issue a Commonwealth Games boycott threat is expected to take another fortnight to resolve as the Sports Ministry today sought more details of the expenses from the All India Tennis Association to release the money.

Hizbul Mujahideen kill three in J&K
The Hizbul Mujahideen has killed three people, including a mother and a daughter, in separate incidents in Kashmir, police said on Monday.

One more succumbs to injuries in Kashmir, unrest toll 63
One more person injured in firing by security forces in Kashmir Valley succumbed to his injuries today, when restrictions and curfew continued in several towns, including this summer capital that again saw deserted streets and most businesses and educational establishments shut.

Police to storm Manila hostage bus, gunman threatens to kill
Police fired at the tyres of a bus with Hong Kong tourists held by a heavily armed former policeman on board to immobilise it even as a disgruntled ex-policeman threatened to kill 16 tourists from Hong Kong and a local driver he took hostage on a bus in the Philippine capital on Monday. In pics | See video | Who is Rolando Mendoza?

Opposition raises fresh objection to nuclear bill

Opposition parties have reneged on a promise to support a bill that seeks to open up the country's nuclear power market, saying current provisions make it difficult to get compensation in case of accidents.

Yamuna level crosses danger mark, flood fear in Delhi
Delhiites got drenched while on way to schools and offices with incessant rains lashing the national capital for the fifth consecutive day, even as the water level in Yamuna river remained above the danger mark.

Somalia blast kills 'fighters' from India, Pak: Ministry
An explosion at a house used by insurgents in the Somali capital killed at least 10 al-Shabab militants, including two Indians and three Pakistani fighters, the Somali Information Ministry has said.

Govt claims tax on tech firms' on-shore income: Report
Authorities have claimed tax on income earned by outsourcers from sending staff to work with clients abroad, or on-shore software development, the Economic Times reported today.

Arjun Atwal wins Wyndham Championship, earns back PGA card
Arjun Atwal scripted history by becoming the first Indian golfer to clinch a US PGA Tour title as he lifted the Wyndham Championship trophy in Greensboro.

BlackBerry meet next week as August 31 deadline looms
Ahead of the August 31 deadline for BlackBerry to put on the table a solution to intercept its corporate email service, the Govt will hold a crucial meeting next week that could signal if the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) would face a blackout in India. HT Correspondent reports.
The standoff: Some questions and answers

Nuclear Liability Bill: More trouble likely
Among the 18 amendments the Indian government has moved in the Civil Nuclear Liability Bill is a clause providing for a future situation in which the government covers the liability for a private nuclear operator. The amendment to this - clause 7 - may raise controversy too. Jayanth Jacob reports. See graphics

Mamata proposes, Railway ministry disposes

What Mamata Banerjee proposes, the Railway Ministry disposes. Or so recent developments indicate. Srinand Jha reports.

India has vital role in strengthening world peace: Dalai Lama
Tibetan spiritual guru the Dalai Lama today said he foresees India playing a pivotal role in strengthening the world peace. "Strong democratic institutions in India will help it play an effective role in making a peaceful and better world in the 21st century," he told reporters at a Tibetan monastery in Manali.

Govt open to take Oppn's N-bill concerns onboard: Cong
As the amendments to the nuclear liability bill triggered a fresh political storm, the Congress today said the government was open to take opposition concerns onboard to build the widest possible consensus on the matter.

Manmohan to raise visa issue during Obama visit: Preneet Kaur
India will raise the issue of the proposed increase of visa fees with US President Barack Obama during his visit to the country in November, Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur said today.

Jagan to go ahead with <EM>yatra </EM>despite Congress warning
Congress MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy appears to be heading for showdown with the party leadership by launching his 'Odarpu (consolation) yatra' in his native Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh on Monday.

Nuclear Liability Bill faces fresh hurdles from BJP, Left
The Nuclear Liability Bill faced fresh roadblocks today with the BJP and the Left parties asserting that they would oppose any dilution of the suppliers' liability.

Install server or close services: Govt to BlackBerry
Toughening its stand, the Government has conveyed to the BlackBerry makers to install its server in India for tracking its messenger and enterprise mail service as the offer made by it to provide data from its Canada-based server could be detrimental to national security.

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