PMK criticises protests by AIADMK cadres against Jayalalithaa conviction

CHENNAI: The protests by AIADMK cadres against the sentencing of party chief J Jayalalithaa and three others in a wealth case is crossing all limits, said PMK chief S Ramadoss on Saturday. In a statement, Ramadoss said the cadres have also unleashed an onslaught on special judge John Michael Cunha, who delivered a landmark judgment against corruption.

If the accused are not happy with the judgment they can always approach the higher judiciary, but MLAs and MPs who are law makers should not indulge in castigating the judiciary, said Ramadoss."In the past too, former chief ministers like B S Yeddyurappa of Karnataka and Lalu Prasad Yadav of Bihar have been sentenced in corruption cases. They were also arrested but their partymen did not stage protests or attack the judiciary. These two leaders underwent jail terms and got relief from the higher judiciary later," said the PMK chief.

"The party's newspaper has attacked me and DMK chief M Karunanidhi. While MDMK chief Vaiko's house came under attack on Friday," he said. Though the state government may turn a blind eye to such violence by its partymen, the Centre and judiciary should not remain passive and should let party cadres know that their approach is wrong, Ramadoss said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Vaiko,S Ramadoss,M Karunanidhi,J Jayalalithaa,AIADMK cadres

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Top North Korean leaders to attend Asian Games: Yonhap

SEOUL: A trio of top North Korean leaders, including the man widely seen as number two to supreme leader Kim Jong-Un, will make an unprecedented trip to South Korea for Saturday's Asian Games closing ceremony, Yonhap news agency reported.

Citing the South's Unification ministry, Yonhap identified the three leaders as newly-elected vice chairman of the National Defence Commission Hwang Pyong-So, Choe Ryong-Hae and Kim Yang-Gon.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Yonhap news agency,South Korea,North Korean leaders,Kim Jong-un,Asian Games

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Two charged with rape, murder of British tourists in Thailand

BANGKOK: Thai authorities charged two illegal migrant workers from Myanmar with the violent rape and murders of a British woman and her male friend on the scenic island of Tao, off Surat Thani province.

British tourists Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, both died of severe head injuries.

Police said the killers' DNA samples matched that found on the female victim's body. The murders happened last month.

The two accused, Win and Saw, both 21, underwent a reenactment at the crime scene with police yesterday, watched by a large crowd of onlookers.

A third man from Myanmar, Maw, 23, whose DNA also matched samples found on a cigarette butt, had not been charged as of yesterday.

The three men have also been charged with illegal entry, after they were found to have entered Thailand and resided unlawfully.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha praised the police for the breakthrough in the much-publicised case saying he would soon reward them.

Citing the "confessions" of the two suspects, police said they entered Thailand about two weeks before the double murders at dawn on September 15 and worked at a pub.

Tourist business operators yesterday burst firecrackers to celebrate the arrests of the two suspects, and said they believed both men were the real culprits.

The murders were a major blow to the tourist-friendly image of Thailand.

National police chief Somyot Poompanmoung said evidence against both Win and Saw from surveillance camera footage and DNA identification had proved that they were "100 per cent the killers - not scapegoats".

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Syria's Assad makes rare public appearance at Eid prayers

DAMASCUS: Syria's President Bashar al-Assad made a rare public appearance on Saturday, attending prayers on the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday at a mosque in Damascus, state media said.

State media and Assad's official Twitter feed posted photos of the embattled president praying alongside the country's top cleric and members of his government.

"President Bashar al-Assad leads Eid al-Adha prayers at the Nuaman bin Bashir mosque in Damascus," state news agency SANA said.

Adnan Afyouni, Damascus's top cleric, used his sermon to criticise the international community for backing an uprising against Assad that began in 2011.

"Eid is associated with happiness in the life of the Muslim nation," he said.

"But Eid has not entered our homes because the West and its Arab collaborators decided to make our country a battlefield... and implement interests and agendas," he said.

Syria's government has long accused Western and Arab backers of the uprising against Assad of supporting "terrorism" and trying to destroy the country.

"We pledge to God almighty to protect our country from a great conspiracy that targets its role and presence and resilience," he said.

"We pledge to keep the country from being turned into a war zone, torn apart and divided," he said, referring to "plans drawn up at the White House and carried out today in north and east Syria."

The comments appeared to be a reference to strikes by a US-led coalition against the jihadist Islamic State group, which has strongholds in the north and east of the country.

More than 180,000 people have been killed in Syria since the beginning of the uprising against Assad in March 2011.

The country's conflict began with anti-government demonstrations, but spiralled into a vicious civil war after the regime opened fire on protesters.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Eid prayers,Bashar al-Assad

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nitish Kumar to campaign for Indian National Lok Dal in Haryana

CHANDIGARH: While the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has been supporting Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) at the Centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bete noire, former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar will be holding public rallies to support INLD in the assembly polls to ensure BJP's defeat.

Making an appeal for the revival of Janata Dal, Nitish Kumar has also appealed to all the Non-BJP regional outfits and its leaders to extend their support ensuring the defeat of divisive forces led by Bhartiya Janata Party, as it will become the turning point of Indian politics for the unity and formation of bigger Janata Dal parivar.

While giving details, K C Tyagi, Rajya Sabha MP and Janta Dal (United) spokesperson, K C Tyagi has said that JDU president Sharad Yadav has already announced to support the INLD led by Om Prakash Chautala in the upcoming assembly elections.

Tyagi further informed that Sharad Yadav and Nitish Kumar will hold public rallies in different parts of Haryana jointly organized by INLD and JD(U).

Welcoming the support of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to INLD in Haryana elections, JDU has also appealed Modi government's key ally and Punjab CM, Prakash Singh Badal to join hands with the Janta Dal Parivar against the "divisive forces"

"This assembly election of Haryana reminds us the elections of the state in year 1987 when Devi Lal swept the polls and which became the rallying point and consolidation of Janata Dal in 1988 under the leadership of Devi Lal and V P Singh, said K C Tyagi.

Tyagi also added that Sharad Yadav is making all round efforts and is in touch with many regional outfits to form a larger Janta Dal.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Nitish Kumar,Janata Dal,INLD,BJP

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Woman sets herself ablaze upset over Jayalalithaa’s conviction

MADURAI: A woman attempted to immolate herself on Thursday night near Narikudi in Virudhunagar district in Tamil Nadu, apparently upset over the conviction of former chief minister and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa in the wealth case and her long incarceration in a Bangalore prison.

Police said, Chitra Devi, 26, wife of Senthil Kumar of M Mukulam in Narikudi union is a mother of two small girls, Brindha and Kala.

Chithra had been upset since last week when a Bangalore court convicted Jayalalithaa in the wealth case and sentenced her to four years imprisonment. Family members told police it had been her only concern for the last few days. She would ask everyone she met as to when the AIADMK leader was likely to be released from prison.

On Thursday night, after putting her daughters to sleep, she doused herself with kerosene and set herself on fire. The woman suffered 60% burns and was taken to a private hospital in Arupukottai where her condition was stated to be serious.

Police have registered a case.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Jayalalithaa's conviction,Jayalalithaa in prison

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vietnam welcomes US partial lift of arms sales ban

HANOI, Vietnam: Vietnam has welcomed a decision by the US government to ease a ban on lethal arms sales, saying it will benefit both nations.

The United States announced on Thursday it was partially lifting the ban, a move intended to help Vietnam defend itself in the South China Sea, where it is among Asian nations facing an increasingly assertive China.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry's deputy spokeswoman Tran Thi Bich Van said in a statement Friday that his government welcomes any step that aims to promote Vietnam-US partnership.

State department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters the US will now allow sales of lethal maritime security capabilities and for surveillance on a case-by-case basis.

US officials say it could include both boats and air assets, particularly for Vietnam's coast guard.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Vietnam's coast guard,South China Sea

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Corporates adopt monuments, cities in 'Clean India' campaign

The author has posted comments on this articlePTI | Oct 3, 2014, 02.19PM IST

PANAJI: Corporate houses have joined hands with the Union government to keep various cities and historic monuments across the country clean, Union tourism minister Sripad Naik said.

Naik told PTI that corporates like ONGC have come forward to adopt twelve destinations including Taj Mahal (Agra), Lal Quila (Delhi), Purana Quila (Delhi), which they will keep clean at their own expense.

He said that industrialists and corporate houses have also expressed interest in adopting various cities across the country.

"The corporate houses can display their banners in places where they have adopted," the minister said.

Naik said that with corporate and industrialists volunteering in large numbers to contribute for the 'Clean India' campaign, changes would be visible within next one year.

He said that Goa is also included in the list the cities that would be adopted by industrialists.

Wielding the broom himself, Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, launched the 'Clean India' campaign joined by chief ministers, lawmakers, prominent personalities from various fields along with lakhs of countrymen in a mass-drive that is expected to cost nearly Rs 2 lakh crore.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tamil Nadu leaders condole death of industrialist Pollachi N Mahalingam

CHENNAI: Leaders lead by chief minister O Panneerselvam have condoled the death of well-known politico-industrialist Pollachi N Mahalingam. In a statement, the chief minister expressed shock at the sudden death of Mahalingam. "As head of Sakthi group, Mahalingam built the business empire through hard work. He provided employment opportunities to several youngsters. He was also a member of the legislative assembly for three terms," Panneerselvam said.

DMK chief M Karunanidhi said he has lost a good friend in Mahalingam. "From my youth, I knew Mahalingam and he was a good friend and both of us participated in several functions together," said Karunanidhi.

The DMK chief recalled an incident in Coimbatore in 1969 when he was chief minister during which a function ended in disaster due to sudden rain. "Mahalingam, despite being hurt badly, apologised profusely," he said.

PMK chief S Ramadoss said Mahalingam was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and Ramalinga Vallalar and had given shape to the Parambikulam Aliyar project when Mahalingam was the MLA thrice. The death of Mahalingam is a loss to several people and especially to the followers of Gandhiji and Vallalar, said Ramadoss. MDMK chief Vaiko and others have also condoled the death.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Sakthi Group,Pollachi N Mahalingam,Parambikulam Aliyar Project,O Panneerselvam

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Magnitude 5.7 earthquake jolts central Philippines

MANILA, Philippines: A magnitude 5.7 earthquake has jolted the central Philippines, sending workers out of their offices and causing cracks on a building's wall. There are no immediate reports of casualties.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology says the epicenter of Friday's earthquake was Antique province's Culasi municipality, 360 kilometers (224 miles) south of Manila.

John Paul Fallarme of the institute says field personnel reported cracks on the wall of a building in Culasi. Police say there are no immediate reports of damage in other areas.

Culasi police officer Richard Sombilon says officers and municipal employees ran out of their offices and gathered at a nearby plaza when the ground started shaking.

The Philippine archipelago lies in the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where earthquakes and volcanic activities are common.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Philippine archipelago,Culasi municipality

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bombay HC grants no relief against rejected nomination forms in Maharashtra state polls

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Wednesday granted no relief to nine prospective political candidates whose dreams local returning officers had dashed by rejecting their nomination forms for the forthcoming Maharashtra state assembly polls. A bench of justices V M KAnade and Pramod Kode rejected petitions challenging the rejection of nine nomination applications.

"Election process had already started and hence at this stage no relief can be granted,'' the judges said.

Those who had moved the HC included Shiv Sena party's Rajul Patel who had filled the nomination form for the Versova assembly constituency in the city, Kuldeep Pednekar, a member of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) who had filed for the Byculla seat, Changez Multani, a former Samajwadi Party member who had filed as an independent candidate from Versova constituency andSitaram Tiwari from Bharatiya Janata Party who wanted to contest from Chandivali. There were five who moved the HC on Wednesday against the September 29 rejection of their nomination plea. Khan Mainuddin Mohammed also from Chandivali said he was contesting as a member of the All India Majlis E Itehad Ul Muslimena, a recognized national party. Mohammed Islan had wished to contest the Chandivali seat for the Peace Party, as did Gulam Banani as an independent candidate and Mohhamed Quereshi from the Awami Vikas Party.

Multani is currently in judicial custody in a criminal case where all of them had filled their nomination forms on September 27 and two days were told by the returning officers that they were rejected. Seven of those rejected were from the Chandivali assembly constituency. They all said that the official from the Election Commission found them invalid. The returning officer pointed to incomplete forms and "shockingly'' to a check list which they said they had never submitted. The action of the officials, the petitioners complained was "high handed'' and ''illegal.'' One of the petitioners was a Sudhakar Kamble, a senior crime reporter from a Television channel. Multani is at present in judicial custody in a case of abetting a rape accused marry the survivor.

The 56 year old Pednekar said he has no criminal record and thus cannot be barred from contesting the October elections.

He said he was served with the notice dated September 27 to comply and rectify the errors in the nomination form. He said he complied with the request but two days later his nomination was rejected on minor and technical grounds which the Supreme Court has also in various judgments frowned up on.

The HC however, said it could not entertain their petitions and dismissed them. The judges said they could file election petitions under the Representation of Peoples Act. But that legal option is not likely to get them swift relief which could enable them to contest the October 15 polls in Maharashtra said lawyers.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ten killed by shells in east Ukraine's Donetsk: Official

DONETSK: Ten civilians died in attacks in Ukraine's rebel-held city of Donetsk on Wednesday, including from a shell that hit a school on the first day of class, regional authorities said, blaming pro-Russian rebels.

"Four people died and eight were injured" when a shell landed near a school in the north of the city and six more when another shell hit a public minibus, the pro-Kiev Donetsk regional government said in a statement.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Ukraine attack,Pro-Russian rebels,Donetsk

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rajasthan govt, Gujjar leaders to meet on Oct 5 to discuss 5 per cent quota issue

JAIPUR: A meeting between Rajasthan government and Gujjar leaders on the issue of reservation will be held on October 5, which will also be joined by legal experts.

A delegation of Gujjar leaders led by Kirori Singh Bainsla on Wednesday met state ministers Rajendra Rathore, Hem Singh Bhadana and advocate general Narpatmal Lodha, who assured them that the topic will be discussed on Sunday in presence of legal experts.

"We want 5 per cent reservation under the legal limit and the issue is lingering on for the last six years. Since the matter is in high court, it is for the state government to represent the case effectively so that the issue could be settled as soon as possible, Himmat Singh Gujjar, an aide of Bainsla, said.

Ruling party MLA Man Singh said that the meeting was held in cordial manner and the community members have been assured by the government full cooperation.

"Legal expert, government representatives, and community leaders would hold discussions in the next meeting on October 5," the MLA said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Rajasthan government,Himmat Singh Gujjar,Gujjar leaders

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

US slaps sanctions on two Pakistan terror groups for helping LeT

WASHINGTON: The US has targeted two Pakistan-based terrorist organisations and frozen the assets of their leaders for providing financial support to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) held responsible for the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

The action by the US treasury against the leader of Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HuM) and the LeT financial support networks came as India and US committed to make joint and concerted efforts to dismantle terrorist safe havens.

A joint statement issued on Tuesday after the first bilateral summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama specifically named four Pakistan-based groups Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, the D-Company, and the Haqqanis besides al-Qaida.

"Both LeT and HuM are violent terrorist organisations that train militants and support the activities of many of the best known and brutal extremist groups, including Al Qaeda," said under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence David S Cohen.

"Today's designations will disrupt efforts by these terrorist organisations to access their financial networks and the international financial system," he said.

Designating HuM leader Fazl-ur Rehman Khalil, the treasury said, "HuM is a terrorist group that operates throughout India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, and maintains terrorist training camps in eastern Afghanistan."

In 2005, HuM attacks in Kashmir killed at least 15 people, and in 2007, Indian troops were killed in a firefight with HuM militants in the area, it said.

HuM founder leader Khalil has been involved in directing the group's affairs, and he has maintained control over all important HuM financial decisions and has maintained a close relationship with al-Qaida, including with its leader Osama bin Laden prior to his death.

In addition to the designation of Khalil, the treasury department also designated Muhammad Naeem Sheikh and Umair Naeem Sheikh for acting for or on behalf of, and for providing financial support to LeT

Their Lahore, Pakistan-based businesses Abdul Hameed Shahab-Ud-Din (AHSD) and Nia International were also designated for being owned or controlled by Muhammad Naeem Sheikh and Umair Naeem Sheikh respectively.

To date, the treasury department has designated 27 individuals and three entities associated with LeT.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Pakistan terror groups,Lashkar-e-Taiba,US sanctions

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Govt notifies PIO cards valid for lifelong

NEW DELHI: Just two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in New York that Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholders would get lifetime visas and be exempt from police reporting in India, his government has walked the talk and formally notified the two measures.

The Union home ministry, in deference to the declaration made by Modi while addressing the Indian diaspora at Madison Square Garden in New York, issued a notification on Tuesday making PIO cards valid for lifetime and doing away with the requirement of police reporting/registration by those holding these cards.

"In pursuance of the announcement made by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at Madison Square Garden in New York on September 28, 2014, ministry of home affairs has issued a notification on September 30, 2014 to the effect that Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card shall be valid for life time and the PIO card holder shall be exempt from police reporting/registration, " said the home ministry notification.

It further clarified that all the cards issued prior to September 30, 2014, shall be automatically deemed to have lifetime validity.

Modi had on Sunday announced to a rapturous crowd of Indian-origin people at New York's Madison Square Garden that PIO cardholders would get lifelong visas. "Happy?," he had asked amid loud cheers from the audience.

"There is more to come," he said, before declaring that NRIs staying in India for long would not have to visit the police station for reporting/registration anymore.

Modi also promised that the PIO and Overseas Citizens of India schemes would be merged and a new comprehensive scheme announced soon.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=PIO cards,Overseas Citizens of India,Narendra Modi,Madison Square Garden

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Strides buys Shasun Pharmaceuticals in all-stock deal

The author has posted comments on this articleAnshul Dhamija, TNN | Sep 29, 2014, 08.00PM IST

BANGALORE: Pharmaceutical major Strides Arcolab Limited has acquired Shasun Pharmaceuticals Limited in an all-stock deal valued at about $200 million, which will give the combined entity revenues in excess of Rs 2,500 crore.

Strides also announced that Jordan-based GMS Holdings is picking up a 25.1% stake in its biotech arm Stelis Biopharma for $ 21.90 million.

The two deals saw Stride's shares rise over 9% to Rs 701.95 a piece on Monday in an otherwise flat Mumbai trade. Shares of Shasun were down 0.38% at Rs 176.92.

The board of directors of both the pharmaceutical companies approved a scheme of amalgamation whereby each equity shareholder of Shasun will get five equity shares of Strides in lieu of 16 equity shares held in Shasun.

Based on the exchange ratio Shasun shareholders will own 26% of the combined entity, read a joint press statement issued by both companies.

The amalgamation of Shasun into Strides comes 19-months after Bangalore-based Strides sold its injectable unit Agila Specialties to US-based Mylan for over Rs 8,000 crore ($1.6 billion).
The merger also reflects the consolidation drive that's happening in the Indian pharmaceutical sector. In April this year Sun Pharmaceutical agreed to buy Ranbaxy Laboratories for $3.2 billion.

Strides, a major manufacturer of soft-gel and hard-gel capsules, and tablets, now gets access to Shasun's strong portfolio of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), the core substance of any drug. Both companies have a wide range of products that cater to an array of therapeutic areas.

The statement by the two listed Indian firms said that the merged entity would leverage on Shasun's API manufacturing capacities, and shift focus towards niche API's that are aligned with finished dosages and drugs in the pipeline.

Arun Kumar, founder and group CEO of Strides said, "The company has refocused on its oral finished formulation business. The combination with Shasun accelerates our strategy and growth prospects by creating a larger scale, fully integrated, pharma company with multiple growth drivers."

The combined entity now has a product pipeline of over 100 drugs. Together they will also have a combined portfolio of 12 manufacturing facilities, including three US-FDA approved finished dosage manufacturing facilities, two US-FDA approved API manufacturing facilities, one US-FDA approved crams facility and six manufacturing facilities catering to emerging markets.

"Strides and Shasun bring complementary strengths and shared values of developing products and market opportunities across geographies and the combination accelerates both scale and scope," said Abhaya Kumar, CEO and MD of Shasun Pharmaceuticals.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jan Dhan Yojana: Dakshina Kannada achieves 95% success

MANGALORE: Dakshina Kannada district achieves 95% of the target in the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana by ensuring bank accounts to 4.17 families, said Amarnath Hegde, Lead Bank manager.

Banks in Dakshina Kannada have opened 1.42 lakh new bank accounts through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana to achieve 95% of the target. While the district has 4.40 lakh families as per 2011 census, banks have succeeded in ensuring accounts for 4.17 lakh families, Hegde said.

He added that banks will hold campaigns on last Saturdays of all months to provide bank accounts for remaining 23,000 families under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. "Special drive will be held on last Saturdays from 8am to 8pm. Directions have been given to all banks to conduct surveys on all Saturdays to identifies families without bank accounts. Special drive should be continued till all families are provided with bank accounts," Hegde said adding that arrangements will be made for registration of Aadhar Cards during the drive.

It may be recalled that the a mega camp was held to open bank accounts for all families under Jan Dhan Yojana at Town Hall in the city on August 28 simultaneously when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the drive in New Delhi.

In Dakshina Kannada, there are 2.26 families in rural areas and 2.14 lakh families in urban regions. The district-level committee on implementation of Jan Dhan Yojana headed by deputy commissioner AB Ibrahim has directed all banks to implement the scheme successfully before October 31, Hegde said.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Japan PM Shinzo Abe vows to keep cautious watch on tax hike's impact

TOKYO: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he will carefully watch the impact of April's sales tax hike and rising fuel prices on the economy, as he must decide by year-end whether Japan can cope with a second tax increase next year.

Speaking at the opening of a parliament session, Abe reiterated his pledge to put top priority on economic policy aimed at beating nearly two decades of deflation, saying that he is still at the halfway point in carrying out regulatory reforms.

"We are aiming to revive the economy and proceed with fiscal consolidation at the same time, and ensure a virtuous cycle in the economy," Abe said.

"A major mission of the Abe cabinet is to make people in every corner of the country feel the economy's recovery."

A sales tax rise to 8% from 5% in April pushed the economy into its deepest slump in the second quarter since the 2009 global financial crisis, raising some worries that a second hike to 10% could hit the economy harder.

Abe said this month that he was neutral on whether to implement the second tax hike and that he would make a decision by examining economic data in the current quarter.

Turning to diplomacy, Abe renewed his calls for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and vowed to improve ties with China and South Korea, countries angered by territorial disputes with Japan and Abe's approach to Japan's wartime past.

Abe, who came to office in December 2012, has not met bilaterally with the leaders of China and South Korea since taking office. Abe is keen to meet Xi on the sidelines of a November Asia-Pacific summit in Beijing.

"In order for Japan and China to build a stable friendship, I'd like to achieve a summit at an early stage and further promote a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests through dialogue," Abe said.

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Five more lifeless bodies found on Japan volcano: Official

TOKYO: The lifeless bodies of five more people have been discovered on the Japanese volcano that erupted at the weekend, officials said, taking to 36 the feared death toll.

"We have newly found five more people in cardiac arrest on the mountain," a Nagano prefectural police spokesman told AFP.

First responders use the phrase of someone who appears dead but has not yet been certified by a doctor.

The news came as rescuers called off their search for the day because soaring levels of poisonous fumes from the continuing eruption were making it dangerous.

Mount Ontake erupted around lunchtime on Saturday, when its slopes were busy with walkers enjoying the autumn scenery.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Japan volcano eruption toll,Japan volcano eruption,Japan volcano

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Maharashtra govt agrees for ex-judge probe into CM quota flats

MUMBAI: Maharashtra government on Tuesday told the Bombay High Court that it is agreeable to an inquiry by a retired high court judge into irregularities in the allotment of flats under the chief minister's discretionary quota.

A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Girish Kulkarni heard a public interest litigation by activist Ketan Tirodkar seeking action against double allottees.

On September 23 , the judges said rather than "bits and pieces" of enquiry on information provided by Tirodkar it is better that a committee or even "one person looks into all cases of allotments" made under 5 per cent Urban Land Ceiling and 2 per cent under Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority right from the date of the first application.

Advocate General Darius Khambata while conveying the government's consent said it would prefer a one man committee to conduct the probe. The judges said the retired judge would require assistance of officials to help him access records. The judges said the inquiry would be right from the 1982 government resolution under which allotments were made.

The judges asked Khambata to produce a draft of terms and references of aspects into which the retired judge will conduct the inquiry. They said they will also get the name of the retired judge to be appointed from the HC registry and pass formal orders on October 6.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Maharashtra govt,Ketan Tirodkar,Justice Abhay Oka,Urban Land Ceiling

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

John Kerry to skip Afghan president inauguration for Modi's luncheon

NEW YORK: US secretary of state John Kerry would skip inauguration of new Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on September 29 to attend the luncheon he and Vice President Joe Biden have organized for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kerry, who personally invested much of his time and energy in resolving the Afghan crisis after the presidential elections and visited Kabul several times to negotiate between the two candidates - Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah - was scheduled to travel to Afghanistan to be personally present at the swearing in ceremony of the new president.

However, given the importance that the Obama administration attaches to the Modi government and its efforts to strengthen relationship with India, the secretary of state, it is learnt, decided not to travel to Kabul for the September 29 presidential inauguration.

Modi, who is currently in New York to attend the annual session of the UN general assembly, would travel to Washington DC on September 29.

On the same day, US President Barack Obama will host a dinner for him.

After the formal Modi-Obama Summit at the White House on September 30, Biden and Kerry will host a lunch for the Prime Minister at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the state department.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Narendra Modi,John Kerry,Joe Biden

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Maharashtra assembly polls: Over 7,000 candidates file nomination

MUMBAI:As many as 7,401 candidates have filed nominations for the October 15 Maharashtra assembly polls, which is set to witness a five-cornered contest in all the 288 constituencies.

The nomination process ended yesterday with approximately 7,401 candidates filing their papers, state electoral office said.

The final list of candidates from few constituencies has not been received by the state electoral office.

The highest 91 nominations have been filed from Nanded-South constituency while the lowest nine each have been filed at Guhagar (in Ratnagiri), Mahim (Mumbai) and Kudal (Sindhudurg) seats.

Congress campaign committee chief Narayan Rane is contesting from Kudal.

On the last day of filing of nominations yesterday, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and home minister RR Patil filed their papers.

Chavan, who resigned as chief minister after NCP pulled out of the government, filed nomination from Karad South amidst rousing welcome from supporters.

This will be Chavan's first electoral battle after he lost the 1999 Lok Sabha elections from Karad, which he represented thrice.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who had declared at a rally a few months ago that he would enter the electoral battle by contesting the polls, will not contest.

The Congress has fielded candidates for all the 288 seats, while the NCP has fielded 286 candidates.

BJP has fielded candidates in 257 seats, state party spokesperson Keshav Upadhye had said yesterday.

"The remaining 31 seats have been given to our allies," he said.

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, whose name was being pitched by his party as the chief ministerial candidate, is also not contesting.

The Sena declared a list of 286 candidates. The two constituencies where the party has not fielded candidates are Parli, where Gopinath Munde's daughter Pankaja is BJP nominee, and Byculla, where Arun Gawli's daughter Geeta is nominee.

The scrutiny will take place on September 29 and last date of withdrawing the nominations is September 30.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=RR Patil,Prithviraj Chavan,Narayan Rane,Maharashtra assembly polls

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Russia's Lavrov says ties with Washington need new 'reset'

MOSCOW: Moscow wants to improve ties with Washington and is not interested in a continued "sanctions war" with the West, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said.

In an interview with Russia's Channel 5 TV, Lavrov said relations needed a "reset 2.0", referring to a previous US attempt to mend bilateral ties that has been undermined by a series of confrontations, most recently over Ukraine.

He said Russia did not feel isolated from the west but accused Washington of hurting their relationship and of applying double standards in the struggle against "terrorism".

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu vows to refute Palestinian 'lies' at UN

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu headed to New York today, vowing to expose "slander and lies" laid out by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in his UN speech.

In a Friday address to the UN general assembly, Abbas accused Israel of carrying out a "genocidal crime" in its 50-day war against Gaza militants in which nearly 2,200 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed.

"In my speech to the general assembly, I will refute the lies that are being told about us and I will tell the truth about our state and the heroic soldiers of the IDF, the most moral army in the world," Netanyahu said on the tarmac at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv before boarding the plane.

Earlier, an official from Netanyahu's office called the Palestinian leader's remarks "an inciteful hate speech full of lies," with Netanyahu pledging to refute it along with claims laid out in the UN speech of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

"After the Iranian president's deceptive speech and Abu Mazen's inciteful speech, I will tell the truth on behalf of Israel's citizens to the entire world," he said in a statement late yesterday, using Abbas's nickname.

"In my UN general assembly speech and in all of my meetings I will represent the citizens of Israel and will — on their behalf — refute the slander and lies directed at our country," Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu will deliver his speech to the general assembly tomorrow, then will travel to Washington to meet US President Barack Obama at the White House on Wednesday.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=UN General Assembly,Gaza militants,Benjamin Netanyahu,Barack Obama

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Threat to blast Madhya Pradesh minister's hotel; one person arrested

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh police on Sunday arrested a 25-year-youth who had sent an email threatening bomb blasts at the residence and hotel owned by state transport, Science and Information Technology minister Bhoopendra Singh in Sagar.

Police said investigations got complicated as identity of the person who sent the email was minister's namesake - Bhupendra Singh.

Sagar Superintendent of police (SP) Sachin Atulkar said accused is a resident of Damoh and had worked as account manager at minister's hotel for some time.

He had left the job a couple of months ago. "The e-mail was received by me on my official e-mail ID. It was traced to a cyber cafe at Indore," Atulkar told TOI.

The mail was created in the name of Mohammad Zaleel and stated that an explosion would be carried out without specifying the date, the officials said.

"The e-mail ID from which the mail was sent seemed was created recently," he said.

As a proxy server was used police had to take help of Google's investigation wing to trace the IP.

The register of the cyber cafe operator was checked it was found that a person named - Bhupendra Singh.

"This made us think that person who sent the mail must have used a fake identity," said the SP. Police then alerted their field intelligence unit to keep the cafe under surveillance.

"After a week-long monitoring we zeroed in on the suspect and arrested him. During interrogation he spilled the beans," officer said. Accused said he was to trigger a panic in the hotel. He has been booked on charges of intimidation and violation of Information Technology (IT) Act.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/followceleb.cms?alias=Sagar Superintendent of police,Madhya Pradesh police,Madhya Pradesh Minister,Information Technology (IT) Act,cyber café

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India's mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.

08.21 | 0 komentar | Read More