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०८००
मुख्य समाचार:०८००
- सरकार ने राष्ट्रीय एकता को कमजोर करने वाली सामग्री के आरोप में २१ सोशल नेटवर्क वेबसाइट्स पर मुकदमा चलाने की मंजूरी दी।
- निर्वाचन आयोग ने उत्तर प्रदेश विधानसभा चुनाव के पहले चरण के लिए पुलिस पर्यवेक्षक तैनात किये।
- भोपाल गैस त्रासदी के बारे में मंत्रिसमूह ने कैंसर और गुर्दे की बीमारी के १२ हजार पीड़ितों को मुआवजे के लिए एक अरब ३४ करोड़ रूपये जारी करने की सिफारिश की।
- पाकिस्तान के प्रधानमंत्री ने सरकार और सेना के बीच टकराव के मद्देनजर मंत्रिमंडल की रक्षा समिति की बैठक बुलाई।
- साइना नेहवाल क्वालालम्पुर में मलेशियाई ओपन सुपर सीरीज बैडमिंटन प्रतियोगिता के सेमीफाइनल में।
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सरकार ने विभिन्न वर्गों के बीच कथित रूप से द्वेष को बढ़ावा देने और राष्ट्रीय एकता कमजोर करने के आरोप में इक्कीस सोशल नेटवर्किंग वेबसाइटों के खिलाफ मुकदमा चलाने को कल मंजूरी दे दी। सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी विभाग ने अपनी रिपोर्ट में दिल्ली की एक अदालत को बताया कि उन पर मुकदमा चलाने के लिए पर्याप्त सामग्री है। इक्कीस नेटवर्किंग साइटों में फेसबुक, गूगल, याहू और माइक्रोसॉफ्ट शामिल हैं। अदालत द्वारा विदेश मंत्रालय को विदेशी कंपनियों को सम्मन जारी करने के निर्देश के बाद दो पृष्ठों की रिपोर्ट पेश की गई। सम्मन २३ दिसंबर को जारी किए गए थे, लेकिन तामील नहीं हो सके थे।अदालत ने २३ दिसंबर को आपराधिक साजिश करने, अश्लील पुस्तकों की बिक्री और युवाओं में अश्लील सामग्री बेचने के आरोप में इक्कीस सोशल नेटवर्किंग वेबसाइटों को सम्मन जारी किए गए थे।
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उत्तर प्रदेश में विधानसभा चुनाव के पहले चरण के मतदान के लिए सभी दस जिलों में निर्वाचन आयोग ने छह वरिष्ठ पुलिस अधिकारियों को पुलिस पे्रक्षक के रूप में तैनात किया है। हमारे संवाददाता ने खबर दी है कि पहले चरण के चुनाव के लिए खर्च की निगरानी की व्यापक व्यवस्था की गई है।कट-सूनील शुक्ल
प्रदेश विधानसभा चुनाव में पहली बार सामान्य पर्यवेक्षकों के साथ-साथ पुलिस पर्यवेक्षकों की तलाशी की गई है। चुनाव में उम्मीदवारों द्वारा किये जा रहे खर्च पर निगाह रखने के लिए सभी ५५ विधानसभा क्षेत्रों में एक-एक नये पर्यवेक्षकों के साथ-साथ दस दिनों में भारतीय राजस्व सेवा के वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों को देय पर्यवेक्षक के रूप में तैनात किया गया है। प्रचार अभियान में दिन-प्रतिदिन के खर्च पर निगाह रखी जाएगी। इसके लिए वीडियो सर्विलांस टीमें भी लगाई गई हैं। भारतीय जनता पार्टी, लोक जनशक्ति पार्टी और जनतादल यूनाइटेड में अपने-अपने उम्मीदवारों की एक और सूची जारी की है। भारतीय जनता पार्टी अब तक ३८१ क्षेत्रों के लिए अपने उम्मीदवार घोषित कर चुकी है। सुनील शुक्ल आकाशवाणी समाचार लखनऊ।
इस बीच, चुनाव के पहले चरण के लिए पहले दो दिन में कुल ३० उम्मीदवारों ने पर्चे भरे हैं। कल दूसरे दिन २८ उम्मीदवारों ने नामांकन पत्र दाखिल किये गए।
उत्तराखंड में निर्वाचन आयोग ने चुनाव खर्च की निगरानी का पुख्ता इंतजाम किया है जिससे उम्मीदवारों के चुनाव खर्च का सही हिसाब किताब रखा जा सके। राज्य की मुख्य निर्वाचन अधिकारी राधा रतूड़ी ने बताया कि निगरानी दलों में भारतीय राजस्व सेवा और भारतीय सीमा शुल्क और केन्द्रीय उत्पाद शुल्क सेवा के अधिकारियों को प्रेक्षक के तौर पर शामिल किया गया है।
हमारे संवाददाता ने बताया है कि राज्य में कल नामांकन पत्रों की जांच के दौरान लगभग २५ पर्चे खारिज कर दिए गए।
कट-राघवेश
प्रदेश में नामांकन पत्रों की जांच में खरा उतरने के साथ ही उम्मीदवार प्रचार में लग गए हैं, जबकि निर्वाचनकर्मी वोटर स्लिप और फोटो आईडी कार्ड मतदाता तक पहुंचाने में जुटे हुए हैं। इस बीच, इस महीने की ३० तारीख को होने वाले मतदान को देखते हुए निर्वाचन आयोग से अतिरिक्त पुलिस की मांग की गई है। मुख्य निर्वाचन अधिकारी राधा रतोड़ी के अनुसार परम्परागत ढंग से सर्दियों में बर्फ से ढक जाने वाले पहाड़ी इलाकों से निचले इलाकों में बसने वालों के लिए भी मतदान की विशेष व्यवस्था की गई है। राघवेश पांडेय आकाशवाणी समाचार देहरादून।
पंजाब में मतदान के विशेष प्रबंध किये गये हैं। महिला मतदाताओं की भागीदारी बढ़ाने के लिए कई स्थानों पर महिला मतदान अधिकारी तैनात किए गये हैं।
मणिपुर में सरकार और कुकी उग्रवादी संगठनों के बीच कार्रवाई निलंबित करने के समझौते से जुड़े सभी गुटों को सलाह दी गई कि आगामी विधानसभा चुनाव में किसी राजनीतिक पार्टी या उम्मीदवार का समर्थन न करें।
गृह मंत्रालय के सूत्रों बताया कि कुकी उग्रवादी संगठनों के प्रतिनिधियों को निर्देश दिया गया है कि अपने कार्यकर्ताओं को निर्धारित शिविरों से बाहर न आने दें। निर्वाचन आयोग की ओर से उग्रवादियों को डाक मतपत्र दिये जाएगें जिसके जरिए वे अपने निर्धारित शिविरों से मतदान कर सकेंगे।
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भोपाल गैस त्रासदी से सम्बद्ध मंत्री समूह ने फैसला किया है कि वह सरकार से सिफारिश करेगा कि इस त्रासदी के कारण कैंसर और गुर्दे के रोगों से पीड़ित बारह हजार लोगों में बांटने के लिए एक अरब चौंतीस करोड़ रुपए जारी किये जाएं। मंत्री समूह के सदस्य और मध्यप्रदेश के मंत्री बाबूलाल गौर ने कल नई दिल्ली में समूह की बैठक के बाद यह जानकारी दी। उन्होंने बताया कि मंत्री समूह ने गैस त्रासदी से प्रभावित दस हजार ४६ लोगों में हरेक को दस लाख रुपए का मुआवजा देने का प्रस्ताव नामंजूर कर दिया। गृहमंत्री पी चिदम्बरम् की अध्यक्षता वाले इस मंत्री समूह में स्वास्थ्य मंत्री गुलाम नबी आजाद और कानून मंत्री सलमान खुर्शीद समेत कई केन्द्रीय मंत्री शामिल हैं। स्वास्थ्य मंत्री गुलाम नबी आजाद ने बताया कि भोपाल मेमोरियल अस्पताल का नियंत्रण केन्द्र सरकार ले लेगी। इस अस्पताल को अभी परमाणु ऊर्जा आयोग चला रहा है।------
देश में अब तक २८४ लाख हेक्टेयर भूमि में गेहूं की बुआई की गयी है। कृषि मंत्रालय की विज्ञप्ति में कहा गया है कि पिछले साल की इसी अवधि की तुलना में इस साल ८० हजार हेक्टेयर अधिक भूमि में गेहूं की बुआई हुई है। गेहूं के उत्पादन में मध्य प्रदेश सबसे आगे है। उसके बाद राजस्थान, झारखंड, छत्तीसगढ और बिहार का स्थान आता है। विज्ञप्ति में कहा गया है कि आंध्र प्रदेश, कर्नाटक औेर ओडिशा में धान की रोपाई में तेजी आ रही है। इस साल धान की खेती छह लाख ६१ हजार हेक्टेयर जमीन में की गयी है, जबकि पिछले साल इसी अवधि में छह लाख ३५ हजार हेक्टेयर में धान की खेती हुई थी।------
उच्चतम न्यायालय ने केंद्र सरकार से सभी सरकारी स्कूलों में, खास कर बालिकाओं के वास्ते शौचालय के निर्माण के लिए राज्यों और केंद्रशासित प्रदेशों को धन उपलब्ध कराने को कहा है। न्यायालय ने कहा कि शौचालय का अभाव बच्चों को मुफ्त और अनिवार्य शिक्षा उपलब्ध कराने के रास्ते में बाधा बन रहा है। न्यायालय ने यह आदेश इस बारे में राज्यों द्वारा दायर हलफनामे को देखने के बाद जारी किया। कुछ राज्य सरकारों ने केंद्र से वित्तीय सहायता की मांग की थी।------
पाकिस्तान सरकार ने आज दोपहर इस्लामाबाद में प्रधानमंत्री आवास पर रक्षा से संबद्ध मंत्रिमण्डल की समिति की बैठक बुलाई है। बैठक में सेनाध्यक्ष जनरल अशफाक परवेज कयानी भी भाग लेंगे। मेमोगेट विवाद से उपजे तनाव के बाद प्रधानमंत्री यूसुफ रजा गिलानी और जनरल कयानी पहली बार आमने सामने होंगे। हालांकि इस समिति की बैठक अमरीका और नेटो के साथ नये सिरे से रिश्ते निधारित करने के बारे में राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा संबंधी संसदीय समिति की सिफारिशों पर चर्चा के लिए बुलाई गई है। लेकिन इससे सरकार और सेना को आपसी मतभेद दूर करने का मौका भी मिलेगा।इस बीच, पाकिस्तान के पूर्व रक्षा सचिव नईम खालिद लोधी ने खुद को हटाये जाने का एक कारण यह भी बताया है कि उन्होंने सरकार के हलफनामें पर हस्ताक्षर करने से इंकार कर दिया था। सरकार इस हलफनामें को सुप्रीमकोर्ट को सौंपने की इच्छुक थी।
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इस्राइल और फलस्तीन के बीच आमने-सामने बातचीत का तीसरा दौर आज अम्मान में शुरू होगा। माना जा रहा है कि इस बैठक से शांति वार्ता का रास्ता खुल सकता है। हमारे संवाददाता ने बताया है कि पश्चिमी तट पर यहूदी बस्तियों के विस्तार की इस्राइल की कार्रवाई को लेकर दोनों पक्षों के बीच बातचीत रुक गई थी।कट-अतुल तिवारी
फलीस्तिनी राष्ट्रपति महमूद अब्बास बैठक से पहले ही कह चुके हैं कि किसी नतीजे की उम्मीद नहीं। वहीं इस्राइली विदेश मंत्री का कहना है कि फलीस्तिनी शांति वार्ता से ज्यादा संयुक्त राष्ट्र की सदस्यता में दिलचस्पी दिखा रहे हैं। फलीस्तीनियों का कहना है कि सीधी बातचीत पूरी तरह तभी शुरू हो सकती है, जब इस्राइल अधिकृत किनारे में यहूदी बस्तियां बनाना बंद करें और १९६७ की सीमा पर लौट जाएं। इस्राइल ने साफ कर दिया है कि बातचीत बिना किसी शर्त के ही हो सकती है। अतुल तिवारी आकाशवाणी समाचार।
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मलेशियाई ओपन सुपर सीरीज बैडमिन्टन टूर्नामेंट के सेमीफाइनल में आज भारत की सायना नेहवाल का मुकाबला नम्बर एक खिलाड़ी चीन की यी हान वांग से होगा। कल कुआलालम्पुर में महिला सिंगल्स क्वार्टर फाइनल में सायना नेहवाल ने डेनमार्क की टिन बॉन को एक रोमांचक मैच में २१-१३, २१-२३ और २१-१३ से हराया। इस टूर्नामेंट में सायना नेहवाल के अलावा बाकी सभी भारतीय खिलाड़ी टूर्नामेंट से बाहर हो गए हैं।------
पर्थ में भारत के साथ तीसरे क्रिकेट टैस्ट मैच के दूसरे दिन आज ऑस्ट्रेलिया अपनी पहली पारी में ताजा समाचार मिलने तक बिना विकेट खोए १५५ रन बना लिए हैं। भारत ने पहली पारी में मात्र १६१ रन ही बनाए हैं।------
दोहा में बारहवीं एशियाई निशानेबाज+ी चैंपियनशिप में भारत के अभिनव बिन्द्रा को दस मीटर एयर राइफल स्पर्धा में स्वर्ण पदक मिला है। ओलिम्पिक स्वर्ण पदक विजेता अभिनव ने कुल ७०१ दशमलव एक अंक हासिल कर पहला स्थान प्राप्त किया। चीन के कीनन झू दूसरे और ताओ वांक तीसरे स्थान पर रहे।------
अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय क्रेडिट रेटिंग एजेंसी-स्टेंडर्ड एण्ड पूअर्स ने फ्रांस की रेटिंग ट्रिप्पल ए से नीचे कर दी है। यूरो जोन के आठ अन्य देशों की रेटिंग भी गिराई गई है। लेकिन जर्मनी की रेटिंग ट्रिप्पल-ए बरकरार है। ये रेटिंग किसी भी देश की अर्थव्यवस्था की मजबूती और कमजोरी का संकेत मानी जाती है ।संवाददाताओं के अनुसार फ्रांस के लिए यह एक बड़ा झटका है और इस कदम से फ्रांस में सरकारी कर्जे की कीमत बढ़ जायेगी। ऑस्ट्रिया की रेटिंग के भी नीचे गिरने की अटकलें लगायी जा रही थीं लेकिन इस बारे में एजेंसी ने कोई घोषणा नहीं की।
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ब्रिटेन की नौसेना ने हिन्द महासागर में सोमालिया के १३ समुद्री लुटेरे गिरफ्तार किये हैं। ब्रिटेन के रक्षा मंत्रालय के अनुसार उसके युद्धपोत आर एफ ए फोर्ट विक्टोरिया और अमरीकी नौसेना के जहाज ने लुटेरों की नाव रोकने कोशिश की। लेकिन लुटेरों ने ब्रिटिश नौसेना के हेलीकॉप्टर से चेतावनी जारी करने के बावजूद रूकने से इंकार कर दिया।------
पाकिस्तान में सियासी उठापठक आज लगभग सभी अखबारों में छाई है। दैनिक ट्रिब्यून के अनुसार पाक में तनातनी के बीच असमंजस, पंजाब केसरी और नई दुनिया को जरदारी-गिलानी का भविष्य शीर्ष अदालत पर निर्भर लगता है। राष्ट्रीय सहारा की सुर्खी है- घबराए गिलानी ने मांगी ब्रिटेन से मदद।राष्ट्रीय सहारा और नई दुनिया के अनुसार प्रधानमंत्री ने मुख्य निर्वाचन आयुक्त को भरोसा दिलाया है कि चुनाव आयोग की स्वायत्तता का सम्मान किया जाता रहेगा और उसकी हर शंका का खयाल रखा जाएगा।
पर्थ में हो ही गया अनर्थ- शीर्षक से नवभारत टाइम्स ने तीसरे क्रिकेट टैस्ट के पहले दिन भारत की पतली हालत का जिक्र किया है। हिन्दुस्तान की पहली सुर्खी है- धूल चाटते धुरंधर। राष्ट्रीय सहारा के अनुसार टीम इंडिया पर्थ में भी पस्त।
टैस्ट ट्यूब बेबी और इनविट्रो फर्टिलाइजेशन के इस युग में मनचाही सन्तान पाने के लिए अब विज्ञापन भी दिये जाने लगे हैं। हिन्दुस्तान के अनुसार चेन्नई के एक दम्पत्ति को अपनी संतान के लिए ऐसे आईआईटी छात्र की तलाश है, जो शुक्राणु दान कर सके। उन्हें उम्मीद है कि इन शुक्राणुओं से उत्पन्न संतान प्रतिभाशाली होगी।
राजधानी में चल रहे ग्लोबल रोबोटिक सम्मेलन के संदर्भ में नई दुनिया की सुर्खी है- भारत में रोगों का बोझ कम करेगा रोबोट।
0815 HRS
14th January, 2012
HEADLINES
- Government grants sanction to prosecute 21 social networking sites for causing prejudice to national integration.
- Election Commission deploys police observers for the first phase of Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.
- The Group of Ministers on Bhopal gas tragedy recommends release of 134 crore rupees as compensation for 12000 victims suffering from cancer and kidney ailments.
- Pakistan Prime Minister convenes meeting of Cabinet Defence Committee amidst tussle between government and army.
- Saina Nehwal enters semi finals of the Malaysian Open Super Series Badminton tournament in Kuala Lumpur.
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The Government yesterday granted sanction to prosecute 21 social networking sites for allegedly promoting enmity between classes and causing prejudice to national integration. The Department of Information Technology, in its report, told a Delhi court that there is sufficient material to proceed against them. Facebook, Google, Yahoo and Microsoft are among the 21 networking websites to be prosecuted. The two-page report was placed after the court directed the Ministry of External Affairs to get the summons served on over ten foreign-based companies. The summons were issued on December 23rd last but they remained unserved.
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The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to ensure availability of funds with state governments and union territories for construction of toilets, specially for girls, in all government schools. It said the absence of toilets has been coming in the way of providing free and compulsory education to children. The orders were issued by the apex court yesterday after perusing the affidavits filed by the states about the progress of work.
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The Group of Ministers, GoM on Bhopal gas tragedy has decided to recommend to the government to release 134 crore rupees as compensation to be distributed among 12,000 people suffering from cancer and kidney ailments. This was disclosed by the GoM member and Madhya Pradesh Minister Babulal Gaur after a meeting of the GoM in New Delhi yesterday. Mr Gaur said, the GoM has rejected the proposal to give 10 lakh rupees each as compensation to 10,046 people, who were affected by the gas tragedy. The GoM, headed by Home Minister P Chidambaram, has several Union Ministers, including Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Law Minister Salman Khursid as its members.
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In Uttar Pradesh, Election Commission has deployed 6 senior police officers as police observers for the all 10 districts going to polls in the first phase of Assembly elections. Our correspondent has filed this report.
"First time police observers have been deployed in the state in the Assembly elections in addition to general observers. 10 senior Indian Revenue Service officers have been deployed as expenditure observer for all 10 districts in addition to observers deployed for each constituency to monitor day to day election expenditure incurred by candidates. The monitoring of expenditure has to be done on a regular basis during the campaign period. Video surveillance teams have also been deployed for each Assembly constituency. A total of 30 candidates have filed their nomination in first two days for nominations Sunil Shukla, AIR News Lucknow."
In Uttarakhand, nomination papers of about 25 candidates of different political parties including Bahujan Samajwadi Party and Samajwadi Party were rejected yesterday during scrutiny. The last date of withdrawal of candidature is 16th of this month. More from our correspondent:
As per election officials, distribution of voter slip and photo id card is going on across the state. Additional forces have also been sought including home guard from the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh for the polling which is scheduled on 30th of this month. According to Chief Election Officer Radha Raturi, arrangements have also been made for those voters who traditionally migrate from higher reaches to lower hilly areas during winter. Raghvesh Pande, AIR News, Dehradun."
In Punjab, about 200 nominations were rejected at different places during the scrutiny of nominations yesterday. Nearly 19 hundred candidates had filed their nominations for 117 seats of Punjab Assembly for which polling will be held on 30th of this month.
In Manipur, the Kuki militant outfits having Suspension of Operations (SO) agreement with the government have been advised not to support any political party or candidate in the forthcoming state assembly elections.
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Over 284 lakh hectare area have been brought under wheat cultivation across the country so far. A data released by the Agriculture Ministry said the cultivated area is about 80 thousand hectare more than last year during the same period. Higher average of wheat has been reported from Madhya Pradesh followed by Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Bihar. The release said that sowing of rice is also picking up in States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha.
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Pakistan government has convened a meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet, the country's highest decision-making body for security matters at the Prime Minister's House in Islamabad this afternoon. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani will come face to face for the first time since they crossed swords over the memo issue.
Though the meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet has been convened to discuss the Parliamentary Committee on National Security's recommendations for resetting ties with the US and NATO, it could give the government and the military an opportunity to address their differences on the memo issue.
Meanwhile, Former Pak Defence Secretary Lt Gen Khalid Naeem Lodhi claimed that he was dismissed after Prime Minister Gilani realised he has made a big mistake by describing the army chief's handling of the memo scandal as unconstitutional. We spoke to senior journalist Rahul Jalali on this.
"It seems a break through might happen in Pakistan. Prime Minister Gilani has convened a meeting of the defence committee where the army chief and he will come face to face and might have an opportunity to sort out their differences. But with the parliament in session where the Prime Minister is seeking a trust vote it seems that the differences between army and civilian government are not that easy to be reconciled. Even the stand which the judiciary has taken and the conditions within Pakistan, a coup which seemed imminent might not happen."
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The third round of face to face talks between Israelis and Palestinians will be held in Amman today. Our correspondent reports that it is expected that the series of meetings might lead to the resumption of full peace talks.
"The stalled peace talks began in Amman on 3rd January after a gap of 16 months. The Palestinian side says talks can be held only when Israel freezes the expansion of Jewish settlements in occupied West Bank and goes back to 1967 borders. Israel says the talks can begin only without any pre conditions. The Quartet of international peace mediators- the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations has set a deadline of 26th January for the resumption of full fledged peace talks. Atul tiwary,AIR News.
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The British Navy has captured 13 Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. The British Ministry of Defence says RFA Fort Victoria and a US Navy vessel intercepted the pirates' boat, which had refused to stop despite warning shots from a Royal Navy helicopter. Royal Marines in speedboats approached the vessel and boarded it, capturing 13 pirates and seizing weapons.
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Railway stations along the Bihar - Nepal border were put on high alert following intelligence report that a group of terrorists have sneaked into the state and could pose a threat to railway facilities. Police sources said a Pakistani terrorist was arrested in Kathmandu in Nepal last week. To seek his release a group of eight Afghan terrorists have sneaked into Samastipur district from Nepal posing a threat to railway stations and trains besides other vital installations along the border.
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In Madhya Pradesh, eight people were killed and at least four injured in a stampede at Hussain Tekri in Ratlam district last late night. Scores of people had gathered to observe Chehallum ceremony related to martyrs of Karbala there. The district administration has announced an ex-gratia of 10 thousand rupees to the relatives of each deceased.
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India’s shuttle queen Saina Nehwal stormed into the semi-finals of the Women’s Singles category at the Malaysian Open Super Series Badminton tournament in Kuala Lumpur. In the quarter-finals yesterday, World Number 4, Saina defeated fifth seed Tine Baun of Denmark, 21-13, 21-23, 21-13 in a high-voltage game that lasted for about an hour. Saina, who is the lone Indian left in this 4 lakh US Dollars tournament, will play her semi-final match today.
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Australia were 170 for no loss against India in the third cricket test at WACA ground in Perth a short while ago. Australia resumed their first innings at 149 for no loss on the second day today.
Earlier yesterday, Australia’s decision to bowl first, paid immediate dividend. After Virender Sehwag fell in the third over, one after an other top order batsmen fell in quick succession and the visitors were bundled up for a modest 161 in the post-tea session.
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India’s ace shooter Abhinav Bindra bagged a Gold medal in the Men’s 10-metre Air Rifle event at the 12th Asian Shooting Championships in Doha. Abhinav, the 29-year old Olympic Gold Medallist, amassed a total of 701.1 points, 0.3 points more than China’s Qinan Zhu, who finished second. Third place also went to China, with Tao Wang scoring a total of 699.9 points. Another Indian Gagan Narang finished fourth with 698.2 points.
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NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES
The government's decision to sanction prosecution of 21 social networking sites for content that allegedly promotes enmity between classes has been reported on the front pages of most dailies. "Facebook, Google in legal web, Government says, prosecute" headlines the Hindustan Times, while the Mail Today remarks "Touchy government rewinds to pre tech age - Censor Sibal cracks down on Social Media".
In a front page story the Hindu reports, "Making a U-turn, Congress distances itself from Khurshid's quota promise of 9 per cent reservation for minorities within the 27.5 per cent quota for OBCs in UP. In a related story, the Asian Age reports "Election Commission not in doubt, Prime Minister tells CEC".
According to the Times of India, the Group of Ministers on the Bhopal Gas tragedy won't revise criteria for claiming compensation, but recommend release of rupees 134 crore as relief for 12 thousand victims who suffer from Cancer or Kidney ailment.
The Hindu reports from Kolkata of a shocking incident where a woman who was allegedly denied admission in two government hospitals died shortly after giving birth to twins out in the open.
The Pakistan government's standoff with the military, also finds mention in many papers "Tough talking Gilani draws the lines - says choice is between dictatorship and democracy".
India's dismal performance in the Perth Test has the Hindustan Times lamenting "India down under" while the Times of India remarks "Disgrace - another whitewash looms for Dhoni's battered bunch".
Many dailies like Times of India, Hindustan Times and the Asian Age have reported on the arrest of an Indian origin math's lecturer Devinder Sivia at Oxford University's top ranked St. Johns College in connection with the death of Steve Rawlings, and internationally renowned Oxford astrophysicist. The Two had been friends for over 30 years and had even co-authored a book.
And finally, the Times of India reports on a miraculous escape from death by an 18 year old who fell from the terrace of his thirteen floor building at Powai in Mumbai on Wednesday morning, and survived the steep fall only with a leg fracture.
1400 HRS
14th January, 2012
THE HEADLINES:
- Domestic flight operations of AIR INDIA affected with 40 pilots reporting sick; Government says their salaries and allowances to be cleared by the end of next week.
- Twelve people killed and several injured in a stampede at a religious place in Jaora Town of Ratlam district in Madhya Pradesh.
- Standard and Poor downgrades Credit ratings of nine Euro Zone countries; France looses triple A rating.
- In Iraq, at least twenty people killed in a bomb blast in Southern city of Basra.
- India's Saina Nehwal loses to World Number One Yihan Wang of China in the semifinal of Malaysian Open Super Series Badminton.
- Australia all out for 369 at the Perth Cricket test, gain first innings lead of 208 against India.
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Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh today said that most of the pending salaries and allowances of Air India pilots will be cleared by the end of next week. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Mr Singh conceded that the national carrier is going through a financial crisis. Mr Singh informed that he will hold discussions with the Finance Ministry on Tuesday to discuss the issue and he expressed hope that the issue will be resolved soon.
The Minister also appealed to the pilots who did not report for work today to resume their duty. Our Correspondent reports that the domestic flight operations of Air India were severely affected today with nearly 40 pilots reporting sick across the country. Over 20 flights have been cancelled since morning. In New Delhi alone 14 flights were cancelled after the pilots reported sick as part of their agitation against the airline management's failure to pay their salary.
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The President, Mrs. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil today called upon the nation to eradicate the evils of dowry, child marriage and female foeticide. Stressing the need for women empowerment she said that the education and healthy food are a must for overall development of the girl child. Mrs. Patil also expressed concern on the decreasing male- female ratio in India.
She said that the male - female ratio of 1000-914 as projected in the preliminary data of the national Census should be a matter of concern. She was speaking at the 175th birth anniversary celebration of famous Shayar Khwaja Altaf Hussain Hali at Hali park in Panipat. She said that the impact of participation of Rani Jhansi Laxmibai in the first independence struggle is visible in the poetry of Hali. She said that Poet Hali had also expressed the miserable condition of women in his poems and had advocated for betterment of women.
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In Uttar Pradesh, more than 1 thousand 200 FIRs have been lodged so far violation of model code of conduct for the Assembly elections. Poll authorities have taken actions on more than 4 lakh complaints in this regard.
Our Lucknow correspondent reports, preventive actions have been taken against about 7 lakh people and more than one lakh 50 thousand licensed arms have been deposited in view of Assembly elections. Security forces have unearthed about 4 thousand illegal units for arms fabrication.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its list of 34 more candidates for state Assembly elections, which includes four women. With this candidates for about 381 constituencies out of total 403 have been announced by the party.
Janata Dal United and Lok Janshakti Party have also announced their candidates for Assembly polls in the state. Both parties have decided to contest all 403 seats in the state.
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In Punjab, 125 Election observers have started working for the smooth conduct of polling on the 30th of this month. These include 55 general, 43 expenditure and 27 police observers. The Election Commission spokesman said in Chandigarh that sufficient number of para-military forces has been deployed in the state to build confidence among the voters to participate in polling.
Meanwhile, nomination papers of about 200 candidates were rejected yesterday during scrutiny. Candidates can withdraw till 16th January. More from AIR Correspondent:-
In Uttarakhand, Election machinery is making special arrangements for those polling booths which are situated at higher reaches keeping in view of possibility of snow fall in the state. Our correspondent reports, helicopters may be use to drop polling parties in remote areas for ensuring smooth polling which is scheduled on 30th of this month.
Snow boots, snow jackets, and especial sleeping bags would be provided to those polling personnel who are going to be deployed at higher reaches where there is a possibility of snowfall. According to Chief Electoral Officer Radha Raturee Nehru Mountaineering Institute of Uttarakashi, Indo-Tibetan Border Force and SSB have been asked to supply mountaineering related equipments like snow cutters and other items. She told that Helicopters would be put on as stand by so that it may be use as per requirements. Meanwhile Major political parties Congress and Bhartiya Janta Party have hired choppers to facilitate its campaigners and candidates to reach out to voters.
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In Madhya Pradesh, twelve people were killed and several injured in a religious place Hussain Tekri near Jaora in Ratlam district last late night when a stampede occurred during Chehallum ceremony. Our correspondent reports that thousands of people belonging to different communities had gathered there to observe Chehellum which is observed in the memory of martyrs of Karbala after forty days of Moharram.
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According to initial reports the stampede broke out when a huge crowd gathered at Hussain Tekri's main entry to take part in Chehllum were pushed backward to regulate their entry. The district administration has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the incident. The state home minister Umashankar Gupta and Director General of Police S K Rout reached at Hussain Tekri this afternoon and inspected the place of incident. Expressing deep grief on the incident, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced an ex-gratia of one lakh rupees to the relatives of each deceased.
Still with Madhya Pradesh, the State Human Rights Commission has asked the state government to pay five lakh rupees each to the kin of farmers who had committed suicides due to crop failure last year. It has also recommended a relief of one lakh rupees each to the families of those farmers who had attempted suicides.
In its report submitted to the state government after a detailed study of farmers’ related issues in the state, the Commission has recommended a series of solutions including framing an agriculture-industry policy. It has also recommended that farmers should not be compelled to grow crops in accordance with the obligations of the international treaties.
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The Government has appointed Prasanna Kumar Pincha as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities. Our correspondent reports that it is for the first time ever that a person with disability has been appointed as the Chief Commissioner for Disabilities in the country. An official release says ,a disability right activist of caliber ,Pincha is visually disabled .Mr Pincha is also associated with the National Human Rights Comission as its Special Reporter Persons with Disabilities.
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The country needs more environment friendly technology to deal with the issue of climate change. This was stated by Economic Affairs Secretary R Gopalan at a conference on Climate Change Financing in New Delhi today. He said the government is working effectively to tackle this issue. He added developing a low carbon growth strategy will be the main focus of the 12th five year plan. Reiterating India’s commitment to deal with climate change at the global level, he said it is a common challenge for all humanity. Mr Gopalan said setting up a green Climate Fund was a major achievement at the Durban Climate Conference.
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In Assam, Sarva Siksha Mission, SSA, has taken unique steps for the overall development of school children. In a bid to develop their potential over 5 thousand Saturday Clubs have been set up in elementary schools so far. State Programme Officer of SSA said that Assam is the only state to have such an initiative. A report;
The main idea of constituting Saturday Club is to give a platform to the children to exhibit and nurture their talents in right direction under the supervision and support of the community. It provides an opportunity to engage the students with the diversified and multi-dimensional activities like gardening, clay-modeling, campus cleaning, song, drama, art and craft works, literature and sports. A committee has been formed in each school to monitor the activities of the club representing the parents, teacher and community leaders. Another achievement of the Saturday Club is that, Centre for Environment Education has implemented the Paryavaran Mitra programme in Assam through 3000 such clubs .Sarva Siksha Mission has also decided to extend the Saturday Club in almost 41 thousand elementary schools in phased manner. Manas Pratim Sarma, AIR News,Guwahati.
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In Odisha, massive culling operation of poultry birds is going on at Keranga, about 35 km from Bhubaneswar and nearby villages following detection of bird flu. As many as 10 rapid response team members have been engaged in this operation in Keranga and nearby 19 villages. So far more than 17,000 poultry birds have been culled. The members are visiting door-to-door and collecting poultry birds for the culling. All the culled birds are dumped after taking precautionary measures.
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The international ratings agency Standard and Poor's has downgraded the credit ratings of nine Euro zone countries. It stripped France, the second biggest economy in the zone, of its triple A rating. Italy, Spain and Austria were also downgraded but Germany retained its AAA rating.
The European Union’s Economic affairs commissioner Olli Rehn has criticised the decision. He said the move was inconsistent as the euro zone was taking decisive action to end the debt crisis. Other senior European officials have also hit out at the move. The downgrade was announced yesterday.
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In Iraq, at least 20 people have been killed in a bomb attack on Shia pilgrims in the southern city of Basra. A number of people have also been injured in the attack. Iraqi police said the attack was aimed at pilgrims marking the festival of Arbain, one of the main holy days of the Shia calendar. Security had been tight amid fears of insurgent attacks during the festival.
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At least 17 people were killed and several others injured when a bus plunged into a canyon in Southeastern Bangladesh today. According to police, the accident took place at Shilerjhir in remote Thanchi sub-district of Bandarban hill districts.
The bus on its way from Thancchi to Bandarban plunged into the canyon after the driver lost control over the wheels while it was coming downwards from a slope. Reports say, the mishap occurred due to dense fog.
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The President of Myanmar, U Thein Sein, has ordered government forces to stop attack on the ethnic armed group of Kayin National Union (KNU) following the signing of an initial peace agreement between the government and the armed group at the state level in south-eastern Kayin state's capital of Hpa-an.
The five-point preliminary peace pact was signed by State Security and Border Affairs Minister Colonel Aung Lwin and Brigadier-General Saw Johnny. Another 11-point principled preliminary agreement was also signed by Rail Transportation Minister U Aung Min and Vice Chairman of the KNU Peace Making Group General Saw Mutu Say Pho for further discussions at the central level.
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UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has called upon the Lebanese leaders to initiate a dialogue to disarm the Hezbollah militant group. At a press conference in Beirut, the visiting UN Chief expressed concern about the military capacity of the Hezbollah and the lack of progress in disarmament. Ban Ki Moon held talks with Lebanese leaders.
He said the mandate of a UN-backed court probing the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri would be extended. The mandate of the Netherlands-based Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) expires on February 29. Hezbollah had toppled the government of Saad Hariri, the slain leader's son a year ago after he refused to cut ties with the tribunal.
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Ahead of the third round of face to face talks in Amman, the Palestinian negotiators have said they would stick to the end of January deadline for resumption of full fledged peace talks. Palestinian and Israeli negotiators met last week for the first time in 16 months at Jordan’s initiative to revive the stalled peace talks. However the two sides have different views on the timeframe.
The Quartet of Mideast negotiators - the U.S., U.N., E.U. and Russia in October set a deadline of three months seeking proposals from each side on the issues of territory and security by 26th January.
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Thousands of devotees from far flung areas have been reaching at Sangam in Allahabad for tomorrow’s main bathing of Makar Sankranti. Since it is tradition to celebrate Makar Sankranti on 14th January thousands of devotees who already reached at Sangam area are taking a holy dip. More from AIR correspondent;
According to mela administration huge rush of pilgrims are being seen in all over Sangam area. Devotional programmes are being organised in Kalpwasis and various other religious camps. About one hundred water police boats have been place at Sangam safe and secure bathing. The mela administration has said that ten bathing ghats have been made at Sangam and bank of Ganga River. The Magh Mela officer told AIR that night stay of pilgrims would not be a problem because more than one hundred night shelters have been built for this purpose. Many social organisations have also been organizing langars for pilgrims. However strict security arrangements have been made in Magh mela area. The railway has also opened a booking counter at Magh Mela area. Extra Magh Mela special trains have been arranged for all important bathing days. Many trains have also given extra stoppage at local stations nearing Sangam areas. This is Sanjay Pratap, AIR News, Allahabad
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In Andhra Pradesh, Makara Sankranthi has festivities commenced with people celebrating Bhogi today with traditional fervor and gaiety. The three-day post harvest festival is being celebrated across the State with much pomp.
On the first day of the Sankranti festival, Bhogi is being celebrated with people burning their old and unused belongings to get rid of the bad and evil. Our correspondent reports that people are inviting Lord Sankranthi lakshmi by decorating their houses with colorful Rangoli and Mango leaves and flowers.
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In Kerala, pilgrims thronged the holy shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala to celebrate Makaravilakku festival tomorrow. However, Makarasamkrama pooja and related rituals will start after midnight tonight. Our correspondent reports, elaborate security arrangements are in place in view of last year's Pullumedu stampede.
Tens of thousands of pilgrims are thronging the holy shrine of Sabarimala to witness the auspicious Makarasamkrama pooja and Makaravilakku festival. Apart from state police security personnel belonging to Rapid Action Force, and other central forces have been deployed to ensure hassle free darshan. Three day procession of Thiruvabharanam , the golden attire to adorn Lord Ayyappa, will be reaching the shrine tomorrow afternoon. More than three crore devotees visit Sabarimala every year during the two month long pilgrim season.
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In Sports, India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal today lost to World Number One Yihan Wang of China in the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open Super Series Badminton tournament at Kuala Lumpur. World No. 4 Saina, who was the lone Indian left in the tournament, lost to the top seeded Chinese 21-15, 21-16 in 41 minutes. This was Yihan Wang's fifth consecutive victory over Saina.
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In Shooting, India today failed to find a place in the Women’s 10-metre individual Air Rifle event, at the 12th Asian Championships in Doha. Indian shooters Anjali Bhagwat, Ayonika Paul and Mampi Das could not obtain sufficient points in the qualifying round, which resulted in their crashing out of the competition. Yesterday, India's Abhinav Bindra bagged a Gold medal in at the Men's 10 metre individual Air Rifle event.
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Hosts Australia were all out for 369 in their first innings against India, on the second day of the third test at Perth. The Aussies now have a lead of 208 in the first innings, as India made a modest 161 runs, batting first. When reports last came in India were 42 for two in their second innings.
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The musical hit “Why This Kolaveri Di”” is going places. Its Arabic Version has gone viral in the West Asia region with the people humming and dancing to its tunes. The song has been rendered in Arabic by a Pakistani national based in Riyadh. The version is based on sponsorship issues faced by the expatriates.
The original soundtrack in Tamil and English is by Tamil Actor Dhanush and composed by Anirudh Ravichander. The number is already a multilingual musical sensation and has broken the language barriers. It is available now in Punjabi, Konkani, Bengali, Kannada, Gujarati and among the foreign languages in Dutch, French, Spanish and Mandarin along with the latest addition in Arabic.
