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Militants threaten to blow up Akshardham temple in Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) Security at the famous Akshardham temple in the capital was beefed up today after police received intelligence inputs that Kashmiri militants planned to blow it up.
"We received an input that some militants belonging to Kashmir-based groups were planning to create terror in the capital by blowing up the temple," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Alok Kumar told PTI.
He did not specify which militant group was planning to carry out the attack.
Following the input, police have deployed more personnel at the temple on the banks of Yamuna in east Delhi, visited by thousands of people every day.
The Akshardham temple has recently made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for being the world's largest Hindu temple complex.
The temple is spread over expansive lawns covering an area of 86,342 square feet and is 356 feet long, 316 feet wide and 141 feet high.
Intelligence agencies had last month warned that militants plan to carry out terror strikes in the capital. PTI
HC grants bail to Ansal brothers in Uphaar fire tragedy case
New Delhi, Dec 4 (PTI) In a reprieve to Uphaar theatre owners, Sushil and Gopal Ansal, the Delhi High Court today granted them bail and suspended the two-year imprisonment awarded to them by trial court in the 1997 fire tragedy case.
"In view of the fact that convict appellants were on bail throughout the trial in last 10 years and hence, the execution of the sentence is stayed till the pendency of the appeal," Justice H R Malhotra said.
The Ansal brothers' bail plea was not opposed by the CBI which insisted that their appeal against their conviction be taken up for daily hearing. The court is now expected to start day-to day hearing in the case from Feb 15.
The court also granted bail to two other convicts, H S Panwar and Shaym Sunder Sharma, who were also sentenced to two years' jail by the trial court along with the Ansal brothers.
All the convicts, who were granted interim bail by the trial court soon after their conviction, were asked to furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and surety bond of equal amount each for getting regular bail.
Seeking an early disposal of the case, additional solicitor general (ASG) P P Malhotra, appearing for the CBI, said "The High Court has passed several orders asking trial court to conclude a trial expeditiously and hence the appeal, which is before this court, be also heard on urgent basis." Earlier, a battery of lawyers led by Ram Jethmalani argued on behalf of Ansal brothers and sought suspension of their sentence in the fire tragedy case which claimed 59 lives. PTI
CBI to book Todi family and others for abetment of suicide
New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) The CBI is understood to have come to the conclusion that Rizwanaur Rehman, a computer graphics teacher of Kolkata, had committed suicide and is likely to book two members of the Todi family and two police officers for alleged abetment.
The investigating agency, which was directed by the Calcutta High Court to probe the death, is expected to apprise the court next week of its findings and file a report in this regard, sources said.
In the wake of a raging controversy over the alleged role of policemen in collusion with the businessman' family, the issue was taken up in the Calcutta High Court, which had directed the CBI to go into the circumstances of the unnatural death of the young man, whose body was found on the rail tracks near Dum Dum on September 21 last year.
CBI sources said the agency had retrieved the last suicide note from the computer recovered from the kin of Rehman who died under mysterious circumstances after his wife was taken back to her maternal home.
CBI gathered this data from the computer which was recovered from the house of Rehman's maternal aunt, who after his death on September 21 had deleted the letter, the CBI sources said.
They said the letter was retrieved at the forensic laboratory in which Rehman had stated the condition of his mind and non cooperation from the Todi family in allowing him to meet his wife, Priyanka.
According to the CBI probe, a "close" relative of Priyanka, whom the victim[ had married, had allegedly used pressure tactics to drive Rehman to such a stage where he took the extreme step of committing suicide. PTI
National programme on cardiovascular diseases launched
New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) In an effort to deal with increase in lifestyle diseases in the country, the Government today launched a National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes and Stroke.
The pilot project inaugurated by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia is being launched in seven districts in the country such as Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Kamrup (Assam), Kancheepuram (Tamil Nadu), Punjab (Jalandhar), Shimago (Karnataka), Bhilwara (Rajasthan) and Nellore (Andhra Pradesh).
Ahluwalia also distributed cheques to representatives from the seven states to implement the project.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and stroke have emerged as major public health problems due to an ageing population and environmentally-driven changes in behaviour.
"Roughly more than six million people have coronary artery disease and about five million people have rheumatic heart disease. Approximately, two lakh babies are born with some form of congenital cardiothoracic defect," he said.
Ramadoss also said the total plan allocation for the programme under the XIth five year plan would be Rs 1620.50 crore and the project would be extended to all the districts in the country. PTI
Musharraf reviews security situation in Pakistan
Islamabad, Jan 4 (PTI) Amid concern over the recent spate of violence in Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf today reviewed the security measures put in place to maintain law and order during Muharram and the upcoming general elections.
Musharraf called a high level meeting which was attended by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro, Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz Khan, army chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani and top security officials, to discuss the security situation.
Musharraf emphasized the need for peace during the "present critical period" and said all possible efforts should be made to protect the lives and property of the people.
The meeting, held at the President's office in nearby Rawalpindi, carried out an intensive review of the law and order situation ahead of the Islamic month of Muharram and the general election scheduled for February 18.
Musahrraf called for the timely assessment and evaluation of damage caused to public and private property during the violent protests that erupted following the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto on December 27.
"Necessary steps have to be taken so that it does not ever occur again," he said.
Soomro said a mechanism for assessing the damage is being put in place and the federal government is coordinating with the four provinces in this regard.
The meeting also reviewed the deployment of the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Rangers for internal security duties in aid to the civil administration in various parts of the country.
Musharraf has said the army and paramilitary forces will be deployed across Pakistan before and even after the polls. PTI
Lanka says still open to negotiated political settlement
T V Sriram
Colombo, Jan 4 (PTI) Sri Lanka today said it was still open to a "negotiated political settlement" with the Tamil Tigers to the over two-decade-old ethnic conflict despite scrapping a ceasefire agreement, which it claimed, had been violated "thousands of times" by the rebels.
"I wish to underline that the termination of the CFA (Ceasefire Agreement) does not in anyway hamper the process of moving towards a negotiated political settlement," Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogallagama told reporters.
"In fact it gives us a broader space to pursue this goal in a manner that involves all sections of the Sri Lankan polity, which remained sidelined due to the CFA," he said after talks with heads of various missions on the abrogation of the ceasefire agreement.
He said President Mahinda Rajapakse had made it clear that the doors remain open for the LTTE to join this process.
"At the Thimpu Talks of 1985, the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement of 1987, the 1990 talks between late President Premadasa and the LTTE, as well as talks between former President Chandrika Kumaratunga's administration and the LTTE in 1994 were not done within the presence of a CFA," he said.
The Minister charged the LTTE with violating the ceasefire "thousands" of times and being involved in indiscriminate targeting of civilians including women and children in recent weeks. PTI
Obama defeats Hillary, Huckabee wins over Romney in Iowa
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Jan 4 (PTI) In stunning political developments in the US, Democrat African-American Barack Obama defeated former first lady Hillary Clinton in the opening 2008 White House nominating contest while Republican Mike Huckabee scored a facile win over former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
The victory of 46-year-old Obama, the first time Senator from Illinois, in Iowa caucuses last night dealt a serious blow to the bid of New York Senator Clinton to become the first US woman President while giving boost to his own chances to become the first black American to occupy the White House.
Final Democratic returns showed Obama gaining 38 per cent support. Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, the 2004 vice presidential candidate, stood second, edging out Clinton in a tight battle.
"We are choosing hope over fear," Obama told a victory rally. "We're choosing unity over division and sending a powerful message that change is coming to America." Shortly after her defeat, Clinton called Obama to congratulate him, according to her aides.
In a short speech at her Iowa headquarters in Des Moines, she said was "optimistic" and "confident" about the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday.
"I am so ready for the rest of this campaign (across the US) and I am so ready to lead," Clinton said, flanked by her husband and ex-president Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea.
The victory of Huckabee, a baptist preacher turned politician, was more robust. He was winning with 34 per cent support, compared to 25 per cent for Romney.
"A new day is needed in American politics, just like a new day is needed in American government," Huckabee told his cheering supporters. "It starts here, but it doesn't end here." PTI
Malaysian court allows joint trial for 54 ethnic Indians
Kuala Lumpur, Jan 4 (PTI) A Malaysian court has allowed a joint trial for 54 ethnic Indians who took part in an "illegal" assembly organised by a non-governmental Hindu group in November last year to protest against the alleged marginalisation of the community.
Thirty seven of the 54 ethnic Indians turned up in court yesterday and claimed trial for participating in the unlawful assembly organised by Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
N Sivanathan, the lead counsel for the accused, said the remaining 17 were not aware of the court date as it was earlier fixed for another day, 'New Straits Times' said.
Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, who headed the nine-member prosecution team, told the court that some 16 prosecution witnesses were expected to give evidence.
The next hearing has been set for March 3 by the court, which also allowed a joint trial for all the 54 accused.
Hindraf had organised a massive protest on November 25 last year against the alleged marginalisation of ethnic Indians. Over 20,000 people of the community participated in the assembly declared as illegal by the government.
Authorities took into custody scores of people following the assembly but now five members of Hindraf remain in detention, who were held under the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA). PTI
Sandeep named in three-nation hockey probables
Chennai, Jan 4 (PTI) Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh returned to the reckoning for a berth in the national squad as he was picked among the 29 probables announced today for the three-nation hockey tournament starting January 22.
Mid-fielder Pavan Lakra and young forward Bikash Topo were also named in the list. The probables will undergo a national camp in Bangalore from January 10 for the lead-up tournament to the Olympic qualifiers in Chile in March.
Indian chief coach, Joaquim Carvalho, who released the list of probables, told PTI today that the 29 players picked for the camp have to prove themselves to gain a berth in the final team for the three-nation tourney.
Carvalho said the final team will have either 22 or 24 players.
Pakistan and Belgium, who have already qualified for the Beijing Olympics in August, are the other teams for the January 22-30 tournament.
The three teams will play each other twice and the top two will play the final.
Sandeep Singh, who has been impressive so far in the ongoing Premier Hockey League in Chandigarh, will have to work kard to find a place in the final squad.
"I cannot right now confirm that Sandeep, or any one for that matter, will be in the final team. Each of probables has a chance to make it to the final squad for the three-nation tournament," Carvalho said.
"A 24 or 22 member final team would be selected for the tournament after which the team will leave for Western Australia for training-cum-competition there." PTI
Jinx broken, now to get even with Aussies: Tendulkar
Sydney, Jan 4 (PTI) Relieved at having broken last year's nervous 90s jinx to get his 38th Test hundred, Sachin Tendulkar today said his ton has given India a chance to get even with Australia for the humiliating loss in Melbourne.
Tendulkar, who had not scored a hundred since May last year, falling in 90s several times, broke the jinx with an unbeaten 154 to add a third hundred at the SCG to his credit.
"Australia are the best side in the world. It's good when you perform well against the top side in the world. It's a challenge to rise up to the occasion and beat them. That's what the whole (cricket) world is trying to do," Tendulkar said after the third day's play.
His ton has put India in a good position in the ongoing second Test here after a humiliating 376-run loss in Melbourne.
"It was a little different this time because in 2007 I missed a lot of hundreds and I didn't want that to continue." "I wanted to move on into 2008 and it was extremely important that it came at the right time so I am happy about that," he added.
Tendulkar revealed that he had been fighting a face allergy ahead of the match which forced him to practice indoors and also required an appointment with the doctor. PTI
It would be great if players walk on their own: Speed
By Ashish Shukla
Sydney, Jan 4 (PTI) International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Malcolm Speed has suggested that the umpiring issue could be stopped from blowing over if batsmen choose to walk once they get out.
"It would be great if they were to walk and there was universal acceptance on calling their own decisions. But it does not seem to be going that way," said Speed.
The visiting Indian cricket team has been so upset by umpiring standards exhibited by Steve Bucknor that they at one stage decided to make an official complaint to the match referee.
Umpires are currently allowed to refer only run-outs, stumping decisions, bump-ball catches and catches they could not see properly to the third umpire.
There is now a clamour to allow all decisions -- particularly lbw shouts and delicate edges behind -- to be reviewed by television replays.
Speed claimed that a new system could soon be in place which would allow teams three chances to appeal to the third umpire. It will be experimented upon at the Champions Trophy one-day tournament in Pakistan later this year.
Speed had also tried to implement this system during the 2006 Champions Trophy in India but the majority support from the ICC's units was not forthcoming. PTI
It was a relief to get to three figures: Tendulkar
Sydney, Jan 4 (PTI) Having been dismissed in the 90s on several occasions in the recent past, it was a great relief for Sachin Tendulkar when he reached his 38th Test century at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.
"I breathed a sigh of relief as I had missed eight or nine hundreds in 2007," Tendulkar, who punched the air in joy and looked towards the heavens on reaching the ton, said.
He was not looking at the scoreboard during his knock but admitted that he asked Harbhajan Singh to run quickly for the two runs that got him the hundred.
He was particularly pleased that his effort had put India in a good position with a first innings lead of 69 over Australia in the second Test.
"I kept fighting and tried to play according to the merit of the ball and waiting for the loose deliveries," Tendulkar said after the third day's play.
He added a vital 129 for the eighth wicket with Harbhajan (63) which rescued India from a difficult situation.
"I knew Harbhajan can get runs and he put his head down today. If you give confidence to lower-order batsmen, they get charged up to prove themselves," the 34-year-old batsman said. PTI
US dollar ends cheaper against Rupee
Mumbai, JAN 04 (PTI) The US dollar ended cheaper against the rupee at Rs 39.34/35 per dollar and the pound sterling also finished lower at Rs.77.78/80 per pound at the close of the Interbank Foreign Exchange (FOREX) market here today.
Following are Interbank Forex and RBI Rates. (In Rupees per Unit) Unit Interbank RBI Reference rates US Dollar 39.34/35 US Dollar Rs. 39.32 Pound Sterling 77.78/30 Euro Rs. 57.91 Euro 57.83/85 Japanese Yen (100) 35.99/36.01 PTI
Sensex reaches new closing peak of 20,686.89 pts
Mumbai, Jan 4 (PTI) The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex today set a new closing peak of 20,686.89 as investors bought heavy-weight stocks such as ICICI Bank, L&T and Reliance Industries.
The Sensex, which fell by 120 points yesterday, recovered sharply to close with a hefty gain of 341.69 points at 20,686.89. It also set a new intra-day record at 20,762.80, while it fell to 20,367.94 points during the day.
Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty gained by 95.75 points to close at its new high of 6,274.30, after touching a high of 6,300.05 points and a low of 6,179.10 points.
RIL and state-run ONGC rose on hopes that crude oil prices may continue to trade over 100 dollars a barrel mark.
The oil and gas segment index rose by 314.78 points at 13,917.04 while capital goods index gained the most by 499.04 points at 20,029.24, followed by metal index by 299.34 points at 20,297.51.
Banking index shot up by 234.58 points at 11,905.06, PSU index by 81.75 points at 11,092.67, power index by 36.90 points at 4843.02, realty index by 39.47 points at 13,285.29 and FMCG index by 44.38 points at 2424.39.
However, auto index fell by 41.92 points at 5,687.65 and information technology index by 44.49 points at 4,319.14. PTI
FM would like banks to cut deposit and lending rates by 0.5%
New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said he would like PSU banks to cut deposit and lending rates by half a per cent to spur investment and consumption so that the economy can be sustained on a high growth path.
"I would like, I can't wish this, that banks cut lending and deposit rates by 50 basis points so that it stimulates investment and consumption," he told reporters after the Quarterly Review with chairpersons of public sector banks.
However, this has to be decided by each bank, taking into consideration its assets and liabilities, he said.
Chidambaram also foresaw stable interest rates and "possibly" moderate interest rates in the medium term, if the RBI's Monetary Policy is supportive.
"At least, we should aim for stable interest rates and hope to moderate them in the medium term," Chidambaram said.
He impressed upon the banks' chairpersons not to go for competitive bidding for bulk deposits because there was a huge price to be paid.
"You (banks) should keep cost of money low so that cost of lending can be kept low.....Deposits are anyway growing at satisfactory rate," he said.
Inflation rose to 3.5 per cent for the week ended December 22 as compared to 3.45 per cent in the previous week, mainly on account of higher prices of some manufactured and fuel items. PTI
Interest rates may come down by 0.25-0.50 pc this quarter
New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) The Indian economy may soon see interest rates easing by quarter to half a per cent, with bankers hinting at a cut in lending and deposit rates following a request by Finance Minister P Chidambaram today.
The cut in lending rate could, however, be restricted to loans for consumer goods as the Finance Minister favoured moderating credit to the housing sector as per Reserve Bank's directions.
"With inflation at its five-year low, falling interest rates globally, and surplus liquidity with the banks, the interest rates can come down by 0.25-0.50 per cent this quarter," Indian Banks Association Chairman M B N Rao told reporters here.
After meeting bankers earlier in the day, Chidambaram said that he would like PSU banks to cut deposit and lending rates by half a per cent to spur investment and consumption so that the economy can be sustained on a high growth path.
"I would like, I can't wish this, that banks cut lending and deposit rates by 50 basis points so that it stimulates investment and consumption," he said.
He also wanted banks to enhance lending for consumer goods, while credit to housing sector could continue to be moderated as per the RBI's directions.
The Finance Minister said cut in interest rates have to be decided by each bank, taking into consideration its assets and liabilities.
Rao, who heads Canara Bank, said that his bank would take a decision in this regard after a meeting of the Asset- Liability Committee shortly.
Some banks said they may wait for RBI's quarterly review of monetary policy, slated for January 29 before taking any decision on interest rates. PTI
Inflation rises to 3.5 pc
New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) Higher prices of some manufactured and fuel items pushed the inflation up to 3.5 per cent for the week ended December 22 as compared to 3.45 per cent in the previous week.
The wholesale price based index stood at 5.78 per cent in the corresponding week a year ago.
Despite the marginal increase in the index, it remained well below RBI projection of close to 5 per cent for the current fiscal.
During the week, furnace oil got expensive by 5 per cent while bitumen and naptha rose by four per cent and three per cent respectively.
In the food article segment, prices of coffee and vegetable moved up, while gram, moong, urad and rice became cheaper.
Terming food prices as a cause of concern, Finance Minister P Chidambaram had said "All other prices are under control. There have been occasional flare ups. Onion prices go up one day and come down another day. Edible oil goes up one day and comes down the other.
"I am basically worried about the supply-demand mismatch. We have requested the ministries concerned to do a more rigorous and realistic assessment of supply and demand," he had said.
Chidambaram said he would be happy if there was a free inter-state movement of food articles. It would also help the cause if there were big retail chains for procurement and supplies, he added. PTI
Newsletter: Groupism to the fore in Puducherry Congress
Puducherry, Jan 3 (PTI) With intra party squabbles leading to criticism by Congress functionaries of their own government, the opposition is blaming the government of inaction on the development front.
AICC General Secretary V Narayanasamy, a Rajya Sabha MP pointing at the development in the Thattanchavady Assembly constituency represented by the Chief Minister N Rangasamy has been saying that Thattanchavady alone was not the whole Puducherry and asserting that all constituencies should develop on equal footing.
His latest act was dashing a letter to the Chief Secretary seeking details of the job opportunities available to those from Thattanchavady, welfare schemes implemented there and other particulars with comparative details of picture of progress in other segments.
The PCC president and senior congress leader of Puducherry P Shanmugham has expressed anguish at such open spats from the functionaries in the party.
Shanmugham has appealed to the rank and file in the party and also office bearers not to wash their dirty line in the public and said that any grievance or complaint should be placed before him or before the high command.
He told a recent meeting held to celebrate the 122nd anniversary of the party that it was indeed a matter of concern that most of the functionaries in the party were going to the press to criticise the government and its policies. This would not help the party in any way, he said. PTI
Rane rattles Deshmukh
Mumbai, Jan 2 (PTI) Barely a month after the Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh celebrated completion of his three year tenure as chief minister of this state, his own cabinet colleague Narayan Rane gave him a massive jolt when he publicly revolted against him.
Though the epicentre of this revolt was in New Delhi where Rane held a press conference questioning Deshmukh's ability to lead the state, its tremors rattled his throne in Maharashtra.
Rane while addressing a press conference in New Delhi without naming Deshmukh after meeting Margaret Alva, AICC general secretary in-charge of Maharashtra said the government was not working for the 10 crore people of the state but only for 'one person'.
While it is an open secret that Rane, a former Shiv Sena Chief Minister had quit the party in 2005 following his differences with the Sena and joined the Congress was nursing an ambition to become the chief minister, his open revolt was surprising if not shocking to political observers.
After Rane was expelled from Sena he joined the Congress with a one point agenda of reoccupying the chair of Chief Minister. Interestingly Rane fired his salvo against Deshmukh after meeting the AICC incharge of Maharashtra, Margaret Alva, a strong Deshmukh baiter. This is being interpreted in the political circles that Rane had her tacit support though neither of them admitted it.
What seems to have made things difficult for Deshmukh is the fact that even after such an outburst against Deshmukh, Rane managed to get an audience with the Congress President Sonia Gandhi. This has given grist to the rumour mills that Deshmukh's days as Chief Minister of Maharashtra are numbered and that there could be a change of guard. PTI
Ancient cave paintings in new light
Annie Samson
New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Stunning murals by fifth-century painters in dimly lit man-made caves in India have found place in the latest edition of the renowned magazine, National Geographic.
The monthly has featured photographs by art-historian Benoy Behl, who uses a long, light-soaking photography exposure technique to bring out the true-colours of the ancient paintings and murals inside the dark confines of caves and temples.
The feature, 'Faces of Divine,' is an interview of Behl by the magazine's writer Tom O Neill who accompanied Behl and his team as they criss-crossed the length and breadth of the country.
"We are reminded in the ancient paintings that the stated purpose of art was not to present photographic reality but to convey the essence and harmony which underlines all of creation," says Behl who had visited Ajanta caves 16 years ago with the challenge of photographing murals using only natural light.
"For 15 years the National Geographic team followed my work and earlier this year, their photographer and writer accompanied me and my team in our travels across India. They realised that ancient Indian art was one of the most sublime in the world," says Behl.
The technique of photography is one that Behl has used in all his works, that of extremely long exposure in dim light. "Not only are they perfectly captured they are also very much better. Several renowned archaeologists have commended the picture quality and said the paintings were much clearer," he says. PTI
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The sensex closed at 20686.89, up 341.69
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1 U.S. $ = 39.245 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.3588 INR
1 British Pound = 77.507 INR
1 Canadian $ = 39.738 INR
1 Singapore $ = 27.390 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 10.685 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 10.479 INR
1 Euro = 57.735 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 10.796 INR
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