समाचार News 16.08.2011

दिनांक : १७/०८/२०११
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समाचार प्रभात

मुख्य समाचार :-

• सामाजिक कार्यकर्ता अण्णा हजारे तिहाड़ जेल से रिहा, लेकिन हजारे का दिल्ली के जे पी पार्क में अनिश्चितकालीन भूख हड़ताल की अनुमति मिले बगैर जेल से बाहर आने से इंकार।
• उत्तर प्रदेश के लोकायुक्त की पशुपालन मंत्री अवधपाल सिंह यादव को भ्रष्टाचार के आरोपों के मद्देनजर बर्खास्त करने की सिफारिश।
• योजना आयोग की लोगों को न्यूनतम स्वास्थ्य सुविधा देने के लिए सार्वभौमिक बीमा योजना की तैयारी।
• अमरीका ने कहा-आतंकवादी गुट लश्करे तैयबा के साथ पाकिस्तान के संबंध जारी।
• फिच रेटिंग ने अमरीका का ट्रिप्पल ए का दर्जा बरकरार रखा।

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 सामाजिक कार्यकर्त्ता अण्णा हजारे को उनके सहयोगियों के साथ तिहाड़ जेल से रिहा कर दिया गया है। तिहाड़ जेल के जनसंपर्क अधिकारी सुनील गुप्ता ने इसकी पुष्टि करते हुए कहा कि दिल्ली पुलिस से जरूरी आदेश मिलने के बाद अण्णा और उनके साथियों को रिहा किया गया। श्री गुप्ता ने बताया कि अण्णा हजारे ने राजधानी के जे पी पार्क में अनिश्चितकालीन अनशन करने की अनुमति मिलने तक जेल से बाहर आने से इंकार कर दिया है। अण्णा के अन्य सहयोगी जेल से पहले ही बाहर आ चुके हैं।
 श्री हजारे को, उनके अनिश्चितकालीन अनशन पर लगी निषेधाज्ञा का उल्लंघन करने से शांति भंग होने की आशंका के मद्देनजर कल सुबह हिरासत में लिया गया था। दोपहर उन्हें विशेष कार्यकारी मजिस्टे्रट के सामने पेश किया गया जहां उन्होंने निजी मुचलके पर दस्तखत करने से इंकार कर दिया। इसलिए उन्हें जेल भेज दिया गया। अण्णा की सहयोगी किरण बेदी और शांति भूषण को भी रिहा कर दिया गया है।
 इससे पहले, विपक्षी दलों ने अण्णा हजारे की तुरंत रिहाई की मांग की। उन्होंने श्री हजारे की गिरफ्‌तारी पर प्रधानमंत्री डॉ० मनमोहन सिंह से संसद में वक्तव्य देने की मांग भी की।
 अण्णा हजारे को हिरासत में लेने का जोरदार बचाव करते हुए गृहमंत्री पी चिदम्बरम ने कहा है कि सरकार दिल्ली पुलिस की शर्तों से खुश नहीं थी लेकिन अण्णा और उनके सहयोगियों को हिरासत में लेने का फैसला बड़े भारी मन से किया गया, क्योंकि उन्होंने और उनके समर्थकों ने सरेआम कहा था कि वे निषेधाज्ञा का उल्लंघन करेंगे। हालांकि गृहमंत्री ने कहा कि सरकार किसी प्रदर्शन या शांतिपूर्ण विरोध के खिलाफ नहीं है।
 एक निजी टी वी चैनल से बातचीत में सूचना और प्रसारण मंत्री अम्बिका सोनी ने कहा कि सिर्फ लोकपाल विधेयक से ही भ्रष्टाचांर खत्म नहीं हो सकता। उन्होंने कहा कि भ्रष्टाचार से लड़ने के लिए कई और भी कदम उठाने होंगे।

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 उत्तर प्रदेश के लोकायुक्त न्यायमूर्ति एन के मेहरोत्रा ने पशुपालन मंत्री अवधपाल सिंह यादव को भ्रष्टाचार के आरोपों के मद्देनजर बर्खास्त करने की सरकार से सिफारिश की है। समाजवादी पार्टी, भारतीय जनता पार्टी और कांग्रेस समेत सभी प्रमुख विपक्षी दलों ने मायावती सरकार पर पशुपालन मंत्री का समर्थन देने का आरोप लगाते हुए राज्य सरकार को बर्खास्त करने की मांग की है। हमारे लखनऊ संवाददाता ने बताया है कि अवधपाल सिंह लोकायुक्त द्वारा दोषी पाये जाने वाले मायावती सरकार के दूसरे मंत्री हैं।

उत्तर प्रदेश में लोकायुक्त न्याय मूर्ति के एन के मल्हौत्रा ने पशु धन विकास मंत्री अवध पाल सिंह यादव को उनके भ्रष्टाचार और अपराधिक गतिविधियों को लेकर मंत्री परिषद से हटाने की सिफारिश की है। लोकायुक्त आरोपी मंत्री के नये जनपद एटा में ज+मीन हड़पने की गतिविधियों सहयोग देने आरोप में जिलाधिकारी बलकार सिंह पूर्व अधीक्षक लक्ष्मी नारायण सहित कुछ प्रशासनिक अधिकारियों के विरूद्ध भी कार्रवाई करने की सिफारिश की है। मंत्री पर यह भी आरोप है कि उनके परिजनों ने पिछले दो तीन वर्षों के दौरान जिले में १८९ अस्पतालों और प्राथमिक स्वास्थ केन्द्रों के भवनों का निर्माण कराया है, जहां चिकित्सक और पैरामेडिकल स्टाफ पद चिकित्सक नहीं है। सुनील शुक्ल आकाशवाणी समाचार लखनऊ।

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 गुजरात में अहमदाबाद में सी बी आई की विशेष अदालत ने निलंबित आई पी एस अधिकारी अभय चूड़ास्मा की जमानत की अर्जी खारिज कर दी है। वह वर्ष २००५ में सोहराबुद्दीन शेख फर्जी मुठभेड़ मामले में कथित रूप से मुख्य षड्यंत्रकारियों में से एक है।
 सी बी आई के विशेष न्यायाधीश आर एम परमार ने जमानत याचिका पर सुनवाई करते हुए कहा कि चूड़ास्मा जघन्य अपराध के आरोपी है और सी बी आई ने दावा किया है कि यह साजि+श उन्होंने ही रची थी।

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 योजना आयोग ने कहा है कि वह एक ऐसी बीमा योजना का खाका तैयार कर रहा है जिससे देश में सभी लोगों को न्यूनतम स्वास्थ्य सुविधाओं का लाभ मिल सके। योजना आयोग के उपाध्यक्ष मोंटेक सिंह अहलुवालिया ने नई दिल्ली में पत्रकारों से बातचीत में यह जानकारी देते हुए बताया कि इस समय गरीबी रेखा से नीचे रह रहे परिवारों और अन्य अतिरिक्त श्रेणियों के लिए राष्ट्रीय स्वास्थ्य बीमा योजना की सुविधा उपलब्ध है। आयोग ने बारहवीं पंचवर्षीय योजना के अंत तक स्वास्थ्य पर खर्च बढ़ाकर सकल घरेलू उत्पाद का दो दशमलव पांच प्रतिशत प्रति वर्ष करने की बात कही, जो इस समय एक दशमलव चार प्रतिशत है।
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 अमरीका ने माना है कि पाकिस्तान के भारत विरोधी आतंकी संगठन लश्कर-ए-तैयबा से संबंध हैं। कल वाशिंगटन में विदेश मंत्री हिलेरी क्लिंटन के साथ एक सार्वजनिक कार्यक्रम में अमरीकी रक्षा मंत्री लिओन पनेटा ने कहा कि उत्तर पश्चिम क्षेत्र में सक्रिय हक्कानी नेटवर्क के साथ भी पाकिस्तान के संबंध हैं, जो अफगानिस्तान में अमरीकी सेनाओं पर हमले करवाता है। हक्कानी नेटवर्क और लश्कर-ए-तैयबा दोनों संगठनों को अमरीका ने आतंकवादी संगठनों की सूची में शामिल किया हुआ है।
 एक प्रश्न के उत्तर में पनेटा ने कहा कि इस प्रकार के मुद्दे पाकिस्तान के साथ अमरीकी रिश्ते जटिल बनाते हैं। उन्होंने कहा कि अमरीका और पाकिस्तान के बीच और भी कई मुद्दों पर कठिनाइयां आ रही हैं, जिनमें वीजा की समस्या भी शामिल है।
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 प्रमुख अंतर्राष्ट्रीय ऋण रेटिंग एजेंसी फिच ने अमरीका के ट्रिपल-ए दर्जे की पुष्टि की है। इसका मतलब है कि अमरीका अपनी संपत्ति और वित्तीय लचीलापन की बदौलत  दुनिया के सबसे भरोसेमंद कर्जदार देशों में एक है। यह रेटिंग वैश्विक वित्तीय प्रणाली में अमरीका की महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका और आरक्षित मुद्रा के रूप में डॉलर की अहम भूमिका को भी दर्शाता है। फिच के सरकारी रेटिंग के प्रमुख डेविड रिले ने बताया कि उनकी एजेंसी को अब भी विश्वास है कि अमरीका कर्ज की दृष्टि से बहुत मजबूत देश है।
 दो हफ्ते पहले ही अंतर्राष्ट्रीय एजेंसी स्टेंडर्ड एंड पुअर ने अमरीका का दर्जा घटाकर डबल-ए प्लस कर दिया था। इस रेटिंग की घोषणा से दुनियाभर के शेयर बाजारों में उथल-पुथल मच गई थी।

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 नेपाल के प्रधानमंत्री झालानाथ खनल के इस्तीफे से नेपाल में एक बार फिर राजनीतिक संकट पैदा हो गया है। राष्ट्रपति ने उनसे आम सहमति वाली सरकार बनने तक पद पर बने रहने को कहा है। राष्ट्रपति रामबरन यादव ने कहा कि अगर २१ अगस्त तक आम सहमति नहीं बन पायी तो वह चुनाव कराने के अपने संवैधानिक अधिकार का प्रयोग करेंगे।

राजनैतिक स्थलों के बीच परामर्श पर चुकी है। राष्ट्रपति ने दलों को रविवार शाम तक एक सहमति एक सहमति सरकार बनाने के लिए समय दिया है। लेकिन दो बड़े दलों ने प्रधानमंत्री पद का दावा किया है। सहमति से सरकार नहीं बनेगी तो संसद में बहुमत के लिए वोटिंग हो जायेगा। जे नामचू आकाशवाणी समाचार के लिए काठमांडु।

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 देश के उत्तरी और पूर्वी हिस्सों में लगातार वर्षा के कारण ३२ और लोगों की मौत हो गई है, जबकि अनेक भागों में बाढ़ का खतरा पैदा हो गया है। भारी वर्षा के कारण उत्तराखंड में ९, हिमाचल प्रदेश में ८, उत्तर प्रदेश में ६, मेघालय में ५ और पश्चिम बंगाल में ४ लोग मारे गये हैं। हिमाचल प्रदेश में लगातार भारी बारिश के कारण सामान्य जनजीवन बुरी तरह प्रभावित हुआ है। व्यास सहित सभी नदियां उफान पर है और ब्यास नदी खतरे के निशान से ऊपर बह रही है।
 उत्तराखंड में बारिश के कारण अनेक स्थानों पर ताजा भूस्खलन की खबरें हैं जिसके कारण प्रशासन को स्कूल बंद करने पड़े हैं। मौसम विभाग का अनुमान है कि अगले २४ घंटों में और बारिश हो सकती है ।

राज्य में बारिश का कहर जारी है। करीब १०० से ज्यादा मुख्य सड़के और संपर्क मार्ग  भू-स्खलन के कारण अभी भी बंद हैं। बड़ी संख्या यात्री अपने वाहनों के साथ जगह-जगह फंसे हुए हैं। दूर दराज के क्षेत्रों में आवश्यक सामानों की आपूर्ति बाधित होने की खबर है। इन बीच सड़कों दुरूस्त करने का काम युद्ध स्तर पर जारी है। राघेवश पाण्डेय आकाशवाणी समाचार देहरादून।
 हरियाणा से ६ लाख क्यूसेक से ज्यादा पानी छोड़े जाने के कारण यमुना का जलस्तर बढ़ने से पूर्वी दिल्ली के कुछ इलाकों में बाढ़ का खतरा पैदा हो गया है।
 उत्तर प्रदेश में अनेक पश्चिमी जिले बाढ़ के खतरे का सामना कर रहे हैं। हमारे संवाददाता ने बताया है कि राज्य की प्रमुख नदियों का जलस्तर बढ़ रहा है।

पिछले छत्तीस घंटों के दौरान विभिन्न बैराजों से छोड़ा गया पानी अब नदियों में आना शुरू हो गया है। इससे बेहराइच, जे. पी. नगर, बागपत, और गोंडा में बाढ़ की स्थिति गंभीर होने की आशंका पैदा हो गई है। संबंध जिला प्रशासन ने तटवर्ति आबादी को हटाने का काम शुरू कर दिया है। इस काम में नावे और मोटर बोट लगाई गई हैं। बलिया में गंगा घाघरा और तमसा नदियां सीधे खतरे के निशान से ऊपर बह रहीं हैं। सलमान हैदर आकाशवाणी समाचार गोरखपुर।
 उधर, पश्चिम बंगाल में प्रमुख नदियां खतरे के निशान से ऊपर बह रही हैं। राज्य में चौदह जिलों के २६ लाख लोग इससे प्रभावित हुए हैं।
 मेघालय में बारिश और भूस्खलन से कई पेड़ और बिजली के खंभे उखड़ गए और अनेक इलाकों में पानी भर गया। ऊपरी असम में बाढ़ की स्थिति अभी भी गंभीर बनी हुई है।

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 मलयालम पंचांग के अनुसार आज से केरल में नववर्ष-चिंगम शुरू हो रहा है। किसी भी नये कार्य की शुरूआत के लिए आज के दिन को शुभ दिन माना जाता है। इस दिन का किसानों के लिए काफी महत्व है, क्योंकि इसी दिन से राज्य में कटाई का मौसम शुरू होता है। राज्य में बड़ी संख्या में लोग आज सुबह से ही मंदिरों में पहुंचे, जहां विशेष पूजा आयोजित की गई थी।

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 भारत के लिएंडर पेस और महेश भूपति अमरीका में सिनसिनाटी में ए टी पी वेस्टर्न एंड सदर्न ओपन टेनिस टूर्नामेंट के दूसरे दौर में पंहुच गए हैं।
 भारत के टेनिस स्टार रोहन बोपन्ना और उनके पाकिस्तानी जोड़ीदार एसाम-उल-हक़ कुरैशी को भी दूसरे दौर में जगह मिल गई है। सिंगल्स में कोई भी भारतीय मुख्य प्रतिस्पर्धा में नहीं है। भारत के सोमदेव देवबर्मन पहले दौर में बाहर हो गए थे।

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समाचार पत्रों से

 लोकपाल बिल पर समाजसेवी अन्ना हज+ारे के आंदोलन से जुड़ी ख्+ाबरें आज के अखबारों की अहम सुर्खी है। अखबारों ने गिरफ्तारी से चले सम्पूर्ण घटनाक्रम को विस्तार दिया है। संसद के दोनों सदनों में इसी मुद्दे पर कार्यवाही ठप्प होने को नवभारत टाइम्स ने कहा है-सियासत में भी उबाल। राष्ट्रीय सहारा का कहना है-अन्ना की गिरफ्तारी पर संसद ठप्प। विपक्ष हुआ एकजुट-कहता है वीर अर्जुन, नई दुनिया और जनसत्ता।
 अखबारों ने कोलकाता हाईकोर्ट के न्यायाधीश सौमित्र सेन के खिलाफ महाभियोग की कार्यवाही आज शुरू होने का समाचार देते हुए इसे देश के न्यायिक इतिहास की दुर्लभ घटना बताया है।
 देशबंधु ने मुखपष्ठ पर ख्+ाबर दी है कि सर्वोच्च न्यायालय का कहना है कि विभिन्न विभागों में पारदर्शिता से सूचना के अधिकार के तहत मांगे जाने वाली जानकारियों से संबंधित आवेदनों की संख्या में कमी आ सकती है।
 इकनॉमिक टाइम्स ने पहले पन्ने पर लिखा है-मुनाफा वसूली के चलते छोटी और मझोली कम्पनियों के शेयरों में तेज+ी से गिरावट आई और चोट पड़ी रियलिटी और इन्फ्रास्ट्रक्चर कंपनियों पर। पत्र का मानना है-अमरीका की डाउन ग्रेडिंग अब भी निवेशकों को कर रही है परेशान।
 बिज+नेस भास्कर ने बैंकिंग लाइसेंस के लिए भारतीय रिज+र्व बैंक के दिशा-निर्देश अगले दो सप्ताह में आ जाने को प्रमुखता दी है।
 वित्तमंत्री प्रणब मुखर्जी के इस बयान को भी अखबारों ने अहमियत दी है कि इस वर्ष बढ़िया मॉनसून और सख्त मौद्रिक नीति के मद्देनज+र महंगाई की दर में कमी आने की आशा है।
 दैनिक ट्रिब्यून की सुर्खी है-यमुना में उफान, फसलें और अनेक गांव जलमग्न। पत्र लिखता है-हथिनीकुण्ड बैराज से पानी छोड़े जाने से कई नदियां लबालब हैं। दिल्ली जाने वाले मार्ग पर भी पानी, दिल्ली में अगले साठ घंटे में हरियाणा से छोड़ा पानी पहुंचने की आशंका।
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17 August, 2011

THE HEADLINES:

• Anna Hazare released from Tihar jail; Refuses to come out unless allowed to carry out indefinite fast at JP Park in Delhi.
• Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta recommends sacking of Animal Husbandry Minister Awadhpal Singh Yadav on corruption charges.
• Planning Commission preparing a Universal Insurance Scheme to provide minimum health cover to everyone.
• US says Islamabad continues to maintain links with terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.
• FITCH Ratings affirms Triple A status to the United States.

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Social activist Anna Hazare along with his associates have been released from Tihar jail. Confirming this the Public Relation Officer of Tihar Jail Sunil Gupta said that Team Anna has been released after receiving proper orders from the Delhi Police. Mr. Gupta said that Anna Hazare has refused to come out of jail unless he is allowed to carry out his indefinite fast at JP Park in the National capital. His other associates have already come out of the jail.

Mr. Hazare was taken into custody yesterday morning on grounds of apprehension of breach of peace following his intention to defy prohibitory orders and to to go on an indefinite fast. Later, he was sent to Jail after he was produced before a Special Executive Magistrate and refused to give the undertaking. Anna's associates Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan, who were detained, were also released.

Earlier, Opposition Parties had demanded the immediate release of Anna Hazare. They also demanded a statement from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament on his arrest.

Home Minister P.Chidambaram said that the government is not happy with the conditions imposed by the Delhi Police.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni asserted that only a Jan Lokpal Bill will not root out corruption. She said, the anguish of the people is understandable and that several measures have to be taken for combating the menace of corruption.

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Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta Justice NK Mehrotra has recommended the sacking of Animal Husbandry Minister Awadh Pal Singh Yadav for his involvement in corruption and criminal activities. The Lokayukta Spokesperson AK Singhal told AIR that Justice Mehrotra sent his report to Chief Minister Mayawati yesterday. Our correspondent has filed this report:

"Justice Mehrotra has suggested for initiating criminal and revenue-related cases against the Minister for his illegal activities in his native place Etah. It is alleged that the close family members had constructed 189 hospitals and Primary Health Centre buildings during last 2 to 3 years where even posts of doctors and Para medical staff were not sanctioned. The Lokayukta has observed that it was grass misuse of public money. The issues of illegal and criminal activities of the Minister and their probe had stormed the both the houses of state legislature in just concluded monsoon session and it was adjourned sine die one day ahead of schedule.

Sunil Shukla, AIR News Lucknow."

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The Planning Commission is framing up a blue print for a universal insurance scheme which will provide a minimum health cover to everyone in the country. This was disclosed by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia in New Delhi yesterday. He said, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna- RSBY is currently available to all BPL families and other additional categories. Mr Ahluwalia said, it is also quite possible that it can be expanded for others. Under RSBY, below poverty line households are provided a health insurance cover, which entitles them to hospitalisation coverage of up to 30,000 rupees. Beneficiaries under RSBY need to pay only 30 rupees as registration fee, while the central and state governments pay the premium to the insurer.

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In Gujarat, a CBI court in Ahmedabad has rejected the bail application of suspended IPS officer Abhay Chudasama, who is alleged to be a key conspirator in the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case.

Special CBI Judge R M Parmar, while rejecting Chudasama's bail plea, observed that the officer is accused in a heinous crime and claimed to be the key conspirator in the case by the prosecuting agency, the CBI, and thus, cannot be granted bail.

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Flood threats loom large over parts of north and eastern India as rain continued to paralyse normal life in the region. 32 people lost their lives in rain related incidents yesterday. While 9 people were killed in Uttarakhand, 8 died in Himachal Pradesh, six in Uttar Pradesh, five in Meghalaya and four in West Bengal.

In Uttarakhand, nine persons were killed in the rain over the last 28 hours. Our correspondent reports that the state government has sounded an alert.

"Rainfall continued to play havoc in the state. According to official sources more than hundreds of roads and link roads were blocked due to landslides from for the last 48 hours following the heavy rain. A large number of passengers with their vehicles have been stranded in different parts of the state. Efforts are on to clear debris and resume the vehicular traffic on these roads.

Raghvesh Pande, AIR News, Dehradun."

In Himachal Pradesh, normal life has been badly affected due to continuous heavy rain. All major rivers are on spate.

In Uttar Pradesh, several western districts are facing threat of flood due to release of water from barrages. Heavy rain also continues to lash the state leading to overflow of reservoirs.

The flood situation in Upper Assam continues to remain grim due to incessant rain. More from our correspondent:

"More than One lakh 50 thousand population in about 250 villages have been affected by the rising waters of the rivers-Gaai,Simen ,Kumotia,and Jia Dhol in Dhemaji district. Flood also damaged around 19 thousand hectares of crop. The district administration has recovered bodies of the four missing people this morning that swept away on 15th August. The district administration has deployed four machine boats and ten county boats for relief and rescue works. 11 temporary relief camps have been set up in the district. Many political and student organizations requested government to provide special package for relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims.

Manas Pritam Sharma, AIR News, Guwahati."

In Meghalaya, the rain triggered landslides, uprooted trees and electricity poles and has submerged several areas.

In West Bengal, major rivers continue to flow above the red mark, affecting a population of 26 lakh in 14 districts.

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The US acknowledged that its ally Pakistan maintain ties with the anti-India terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. In response to a question at National Defence University in Washington, Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said, such issues make ties with Islamabad complicated. Panetta also cited other difficulties that have crept up in US-Pak ties including the visa problem.

However, Panetta and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, argued in a joint public appearance that it is not possible to snap ties with Pakistan as it provided some crucial cooperation in fighting the al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. Panetta said, Pakistan has ties with the Haqqani network that conducts cross-border attacks on US forces in Afghanistan.

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Pakistan's intelligence agency the ISI is continuously sponsoring terrorist infrastructure in that country to help infiltration into India. Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh said this in written reply to Lok Sabha. He said as per available inputs of central intelligence and security agencies, Pakistan has not yet dismantled the terrorist infrastructure in the territory under its control.

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Leading International credit rating agency, FITCH has affirmed the triple A status of the United States. It implies that the wealth and the financial flexibility of US as one of the world's most reliable borrowers continues. The move is a reflection of the pivotal role of the United States in the global financial system and the role of the dollar as the reserve currency. David Riley, head of Government ratings at FITCH ratings said that the agency still believes that the US has an exceptionally strong credit. The FITCH ratings virtually amount to a vote of confidence for Washington's Deficit reduction efforts. The agency however, said that it will revisit its decision at the end of the year.

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Economic growth slowed markedly in the April-to-June period in the 17-nation European bloc that employs the common Euro currency, stoking new fears of another global recession. The European Union yesterday reported that the economy in the Euro region grew just two-tenths of one percent in the second quarter, a quarter of the rate in the first three months of the year. Europe's biggest economy, Germany, advanced only a tenth of a percent.

IMF Chief Christine Lagarde warned governments that they must balance spending cuts with measures to support growth to avoid the risk of a double-dip recession. Ms Lagarde acknowledged the need for governments to reduce debt levels, but said slamming on the brakes too quickly will hurt the recovery and worsen job prospects.

French and German leaders have called for true economic governance for the eurozone in response to the euro debt crisis. Speaking at a joint news conference, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged much closer economic and fiscal policy in the eurozone.

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India's Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have advanced to the second round of the ATP Western and Southern Open at Cincinnati in the US. The India duo will take on the winner of the match between Serbs Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki and the Spanish combo of Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal. Another Indian advancing to the second round is Rohan Bopanna, who, along with Pakistani partner Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi, got a bye in the first round.

The fifth seed Indo-Pak pair next face the Argentine duo of Juan Ignacio Chela and Juan Monaco, who overcame the challenge of Austria's Oliver Marach and Belgium's Dick Norman 6-4 3-6 10-6 in their opening round match. No Indian is competing in the singles main draw with Somdev Devvarman failing to cross the qualifying hurdle. He lost in the first round.

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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has asked the international community, particularly countries with economic ties with Syria, to act against the authoritarian regime of Bashar-al Assad. Clinton said the international chorus of condemnation against Syria was growing and pointed out that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries had also joined in the chorus against Assad.

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NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

Team Anna's massive countrywide support - following Anna Hazare's arrest - and its impact on the Central Government - is covered extensively by the Press. " August Kranti-2 Begins," headlines the Asian Age. " Anna Arrests Government, " writes the Indian Express, adding that the government climbed down and till late in the night was trying to persuade Hazare to leave Tihar Jail. The Hindustan Times quotes Kiran Bedi - ' Let there be no doubt that Hazare will continue with his fast. He will insist on the same place - the Jai Prakash Narayan Park".

" India Inc cautious on Government - Anna Standoff, " reports the Financial Express. In a cautious stock taking on the fallout of Hazare's attempted fast and the government response, Industry Chamber FICCI put the onus on Government, saying it must find the necessary balance that strengthens our democratic institutions and conventions.

The Tribune inform's us that " apparently influenced by the positive impact made by India's Right to Information Act, China has tightened Laws to secure information within the ambit of its one-party system, granting citizens rights to sue Government agencies for failing to disclose information.

"Supreme Court halts Hasan Ali's bail by High Court", writes the Asian Age on its front page. Key black money case accused Hasan Ali Khan's relief in securing bail from the Bombay High Court proved short lived, with the Supreme Court staying its operation - as the probe has entered a crucial stage.

And finally, The Times of India writes -' Now researchers at the British medical journal Lancet say that just 15 minutes of daily physical exercise can improve your health to a great extent, reduce death risk by 14% and increase life expectancy by 3 years.

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16 August, 2011

THE HEADLINES

• Social activist Anna Hazare being released from Tihar Jail ; All 1500 people detained during the day released.
• Both houses of Parliament adjourned over the detention of Anna Hazare; Opposition demands statement of Prime Minister in Parliament.
• Congress says the demands of the civil society activists are not in accordance with democratic norms.
• Inflation declines to an eight month low of 9.22 percent in July; It will ease further following good monsoon says, Pranab Mukherjee.
• 5.49 crore households provided employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme during 2010-11.
• Heavy rain affects normal life in North India; Over 50 thousand people marooned in Assam.

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Social activist Anna Hazare is being released from Tihar jail shortly. Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat told AIR that his release order has been sent to Tihar Jail. He said, Anna Hazare's associates are also being released. Bhagat said, all the 1500 people detained during the day, have already been released. Mr. Hazare was taken into custody this morning on grounds of apprehension of breach of peace following his intention to defy prohibitory orders to go on an indefinite fast. He was sent to Jail this afternoon after he was produced before a Special Executive Magistrate and refused to give the undertaking. Anna's associates Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan, who were detained, were also released. Earlier, Opposition Parties had demanded immediate release of Anna Hazare. They also demanded a statement from the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in Parliament on his arrest. The demand was made after a meeting of leaders of various political parties including Sitaram Yechuri of CPM, Gurudas Dasgupta and D. Raja of CPI, Shailendra Kumar of the Samajwadi Party, Raghuvamsh Prasad Singh of the RJD and Mysoora Reddy of TDP besides NDA partners. Talking to reporters following the meeting, CPIM leader Seetaram Yechury said that they wanted the Prime Minister to explain the government's action in both the Houses. In a seperate briefing, senior BJP leader, Mrs. Sushma Swaraj echoed similar sentiments. However, there was no consensus amongst the opposition parties on boycotting the parliament on the issue.

Strongly defending Anna Hazare's custody, the Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram had earlier said that the government was not happy with the conditions imposed by the Delhi Police. But it was a painful decision to detain Anna as he and his supporters had made it public that they will defy the prohibitory orders. Mr. Chidambaram however made it clear that the government is not against holding any demonstration or peaceful protest. Talking to a private TV channel, Information and Broadcasting minister Ambika soni, asserted that only the Jan Lokpal Bill will not root out corruption. She said, the anguish of the people is understandable and several measures have to be taken for combatting the menace of corruption.

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The Congress has asked the opposition parties to justify whether the demands of the civil society activists are in accordance with democratic procedures. It also asked whether the opposition would agree with the civil society version of the Lok Pal bill. Human Resource Development Minister, Kapil Sibal asked the Civil Society memebrs to come to Parliament and appear before the Standing Committee and put forward their views.

Answering a volley of questions at a press conference in New Delhi today, Party Spokesman Mr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi asserted that it is only the UPA government which had initiated several measures to deal with corruption for the last two years.

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Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day today after witnessing several adjournments over the detention of civil society leader Anna Hazare by the Delhi Police. The Lok Sabha was adjourned thrice before adjourning finally. The scene was no different in the Rajya Sabha, which witnessed two adjournments. As the Lok Sabha met for the day, the BJP-led opposition demanded suspension of the question hour to discuss Anna Hazare's detention. Amidst the din, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr. Pawan Kumar Bansal said, the government is prepared for a discussion on the issue and pleaded that question hour be allowed. In the Rajya Sabha, which met again at Noon, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Arun Jaitley expressed anguish over the detention of Anna Hazare saying it is a serious issue facing the country.

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Inflation declined to an eight-month low of 9.22 per cent in July, this year, as the rate of price rise in food articles and petro-products eased. Inflation, as measured by the Wholesale Price Index, had stood at 9.44 per cent in June. According to data released by the government, today, prices of food articles rose 8.19 per cent in July, on an annual basis, lower than the 8.38 per cent inflation recorded in June. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said inflation pressure would ease further on the back of a good monsoon. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Mr. Mukherjee expressed confidence that a good monsoon will ensure moderation of inflationary pressure. He also said, the government and the Reserve Bank are working in tandem to contain prices.

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A total of 5.49 crore households across the country have been provided employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme during 2010-11. This led to the generation of 257.15 crore persondays. Giving this information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, the Minister for Rural Development, Mr. Jairam Ramesh said, there has been steady increase in the total number of households provided employment and persondays generated during 2006-07 to 2009-2010. He said though the total number of households provided employment increased in 2010-11 compared to 2009-10, there was a decline in persondays generated in 2010-11. The Minister said, the decline was substantial in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Assam.

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A report of Global Financial Integrity (GFI) has estimated the total value of illicit money that has gone out of India as at 462 billion dollars approximately 20 lakh crore rupees. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for Finance, S. S. Palanimanickam informed this. He said, the present value of India's total illicit financial flows, as per the GFI report is 462 billion dollars. As per the GFI report, the country lost a total of 213 billion dollar illicit financial flows during 1948-2008.

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Falling for the third straight session, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange declined 109 points, or 0.7 percent, to 16,731, today, on interest rate concerns, and amid weak global markets. The Nifty fell 37 points, or 0.7 percent, to 5,036. Stock markets in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea ended largely lower. The rupee depreciated 5 paise, to 45.39 against the dollar. Gold gained 150 rupees, to 26,250 rupees per ten grams in Delhi. Silver jumped 1,100 rupees, to 60,200 rupees per kilo. And U.S. crude oil futures dropped 1.24 dollars, to 86.64 dollars a barrel, while Brent crude slipped below 109 dollars a barrel.Pradeep Kumar, AIR News Delhi.

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The government today said there was unwillingness on the part of Mauritius to revise its double tax avoidance treaty with India. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for Finance S S Palanimanickam, however, said, the two countries have now agreed to hold further talks on the issue. He, said, the government has proposed to review the India-Mauritius Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC). Around 42 per cent FDI and about 40 per cent FII fund flows into India are routed through the island nation. India has proposed to amend the DTAC with Mauritius to prevent abuse of the treaty and strengthen the mechanism for exchange of tax information. Mr. Palanimanickam informed the House that recently both countries agreed to convene the next meeting of the Joint Working Group, which comprises members from the Indian and Mauritius governments.

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The National Capital of Delhi topped the number of cases of crimes against women in the country. This has accounted for 15.4 per cent of the total of about 24 thousand cases of crimes reported in 35 mega cities in 2009. Giving this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr. Jitendra Singh said, according to the National Crime Records Bureau, 3,701 cases of crimes against women were reported in Delhi followed by 1896 cases in Hyderabad in 2009. Ahmedabad is in the third place with 1474 crimes against women.

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Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa was today served summons by the Lokayukta police to appear before a special court on August 27 in connection with irregularities in denotification of land. Mr. Yedyurappa was forced to quit office following the Lokayukta report indicting him on illegal mining of iron ore in the state.

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In Uttar Pradesh, several western districts are facing threat of floods due to release of water from barrages. Our correspodnent reports heavy rain also continues to lash the state causing overflow of the reservoirs.

"Heavy rain has filled the barrages to brim and water had to be released from Ganga Barrage in Haridwar and Yamuna Barrage in Tajewala. Over six lakh cusecs of water from Tajewala has been released into Yamuna river today. Several districts like Baghpat and Jyotibaphule nagar have come under the threat of flood. The administration has evacuated the nearby population. Flood and water logging situation remains the same in rest of the affected districts. Salman Haider/AIR news/ Gorakhpur."

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In Uttarakhand, incessant rain triggered fresh landslides at various places today prompting the administration to declare closure of schools for two days till tomorrow. Our correspondent says the Met department has predicted that heavy rain may occur in the Garhwal region in the coming 24 hours.

The landslides blocked vehicular traffic on various roads including the national highways leading to the four Himalayan shrines. Many places in hill areas have been completely cut off from rest of the state due to disruption in road connectivity. Water level of the rivers, including Ganga, Yamuna, and Gaula increased due to continuous rains. Some parts of railway track at Haldwani railway station were also submerged in Gaula River. Meanwhile more than dozen of houses were damaged and five persons were reported killed in rain related incident during last 24 hours.

Raghwesh Pandey AIR NEWS Dehradun.

In Himachal Pradesh heavy rain has claimed eight lives in the state during the past twenty four hours. The normal life has been badly affected due to continuous heavy rain in the state. More from our correspondent.

Several houses were also damaged due to incessant rain through out the state . heavy rain has thrown normal life out of gear. River Beas is flowing above danger mark.NH-21 from Chandigarh to Manali And NH-20 from Pathankot and Mandi are closed due to heavy land slides., boulders and flooded river Beas which flowing on the Road leading to Manali at Swarghat. Nandini Mittal AIR NEWS DELHI

In Assam, the flood situation in Upper Assam still remain grim due to incessant rains. More than One lakh 50 thousand population in about 250 villages have been marooned by the rising waters of the rivers-Gaai, Kumotia and Jia Dhol in Dhemaji district. In Meghalaya, at least five persons have been killed and several injured due to heavy and continuous rainfall since the last two days in the west Garo hills region. Rain triggered landslides, uprooted trees and electricity polls and have submerged several areas.

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