Mamata, Kejriwal attack Modi over demonetisation

Mamata, Kejriwal seeking detail of old and new hig

Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday tore into Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation with the AAP chief asking the government to roll back it in three days while the TMC supremo said such a crisis was not seen even during Emergency.

Addressing a rally here, Kejriwal alleged that demonetisation was the “biggest scam” in Independent India's history while Banerjee said Modi should not run the country through “dictatorship”, calling the protest a fight to save the country.

The Delhi Chief Minister alleged that demonetisation was being carried out to write-off around Rs.8 lakh crore of loan owed by Modi's “corporate friends” by collecting Rs.10 lakh crore from the people through the exercise.

“Black money is flooding the market again. Notes are being home delivered to some people. This is independent India's biggest scam. The government wants to amass Rs.10 lakh crore by forcing the people to deposit their money in banks and use that amount to write off loans of Modiji's friends.

“Modiji sent Vijay Mallya, who has huge debt, to London one night. He has also brought people to the streets (following demonetisation). People are being cheated. Why did IT not raid former BJP Minister G Janardana Reddy who spent Rs.500 crores in his daughter's wedding? And they want us common people to spend Rs.2.5 lakh in a wedding,” he said.

Kejriwal also took a dig at Finance Minister Arun Jaitley wondering if he spent only Rs.2.5 lakh in his daughter's wedding recently.

“Modiji, do not fool people saying standing in line is patriotism. Who is responsible for the death of 40 people standing in queues?,” he said, addressing traders at Azadpur wholesale fruit and vegetable market.

The Delhi chief minister also made certain allegations against Modi pertaining to his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, claiming to base his allegations on documents given to him by a someone sitting in a top position in the Finance Ministry.

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Nifty closes below 8,100; Bharti Airtel, TCS lead losers

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Extending declines for fourth-straight session amid demonetisation worries, domestic equity markets closed Thursday’s choppy trading session in the negative zone.

The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) closed 71 points down at 26,228 and the Nifty at the National Stock Exchange (NSE) ended 31 points lower at 8,080.

In the broader markets, BSE Smallcap and Midcaps indices slumped 0.4 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively.

Among the BSE sectoral indices, Power index closed with the biggest gain, up 1 per cent, while Telecom index closed with the biggest decline, down 2.5 per cent.

On Wednesday, the Sensex had closed six points down at 26,299 and the Nifty had closed three points higher at 8,112.

Top gainers in the Sensex-30 pack: Tata Motors (up 3.7 per cent), Power Grid (up 2.4 per cent), Cipla (up 1.7 per cent), Gail (up 1.7 per cent) and NTPC (up 1 per cent).

Top losers in the Sensex-30 pack: Bharti Airtel (down 3.5 per cent), TCS (down 2.3 per cent), Bajaj Auto (down 2.2 per cent), Coal India (down 2 per cent) and Asian Paints (down 1.5 per cent).

However, the Rupee was trading 13 paisa higher at 67.82 against the US Dollar.

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Online ticket sales for Vijender’s fight commences

Vijender Singh (Photo: Facebook)

The online ticket sales for Indian boxing star Vijender Singh's WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title defence — 'Night of the Champions' on December 17 — began on Thursday.

The tickets are available on www.bookmyshow.com. Tickets for general stands are priced at Rs.1000, Premium Stand for Rs.1500, VIP Stand Rs.2000, Gold Ringside tickets for Rs.10,000 and Platinum Ringside for Rs.15000.

There will be an early bird discount of 10 per cent till November 30. Around 5000 tickets are up for sale for the event.

Undefeated Vijender will defend his title against former world champion and current Intercontinental champion Francis Cheka.

Vijender had won his title defeating Australian boxer Kerry Hope on July 16 at the same venue.

Vijender has seven wins under his belt, with six being Knockouts while his opponent — the 34-year-old experienced boxer from Tanzania — is a veteran of 43 fights with 32 wins including 17 KOs.

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Leonard Cohen died after sudden fall during sleep

Leonard Cohen (PHOTO: Twitter)

A week after Leonard Cohen’s family announced the demise of the legendary singer at the age of 82, new details have emerged about his final days, including the circumstances of his death.

Cohen’s manager, Robert B Kory, has revealed that the singer died after a sudden fall during his sleep, reported Entertainment Weekly.

“Leonard Cohen died during his sleep following a fall in the middle of the night on November 7. The death was sudden, unexpected, and peaceful,” Kory said.

No cause of death had been given initially, although fans knew that Cohen had been ailing of late.

The musician was buried in “an unadorned pine box” next to his parents in a Montreal cemetery.

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Mamata warns of intense protests over demonetisation

Mamata Banerjee (Photo: Facebook)

Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday warned the Centre of intense protests if the problems being faced by people over demonetisation are not resolved in three days' time.

During a rally organised at Azadpur Mandi, Banerjee said “Prime Minister Modi has broken constitutional rules… Why did not you (Modi) make a proper plan before the implementation (of demonetisation). Common man is suffering due to it. We are giving you three days. If you do not fix all problems, we will not leave you. We are still alive.”

Banerjee said that people of the country had lost their trust in Modi.

She added that her MPs were trying to bring an adjournment motion in the Parliament.

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Anti-gay marriage protest rally in Taiwan

Protesters dressed in white and holding placards with the slogans including ‘Stand forward for the next generation’s happiness’ protested arguing traditional family values would be undermined.

Representational image (Photo: AFP)

Thousands protested in Taipei on Thursday against draft bills that would make Taiwan the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage, arguing traditional family values would be undermined.

Protesters dressed in white and holding placards with the slogans including “Stand forward for the next generation’s happiness” packed a street outside the parliament, where a committee was debating the issue.

They shook their hands in the air and gave the thumbs-down as they watched a live stream of the committee meeting on a big screen.

Supporters of gay rights are more hopeful than ever that same-sex marriage will soon become a reality under the pro-gay rights Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which is in control of parliament for the first time.

But opposing voices have been building since proposed amendments to legalise same-sex marriage passed initial vetting in parliament earlier this month.

While Taiwan is considered progressive on many issues, its roots in Confucianism translate into a strong sense of adherence to traditional values such as family loyalty and social hierarchy.

David Tseng, spokesman of the rally’s organiser, The Happiness of the Next Generation Alliance, said that while the group supported equal rights for same-sex partners in certain areas, marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

“Now they want to amend the law to do away with the ‘father’ and ‘mother’ altogether,” he told AFP.

“We are different from the West. In Eastern culture, we place great importance on filial piety to one’s father and mother. This is a virtue we must keep,” he said.

Tseng also called for a referendum on the issue, criticising the absence of public participation in drafting the bills.

Taiwan is one of the region’s most forward-thinking societies when it comes to gay rights, but progress on marriage equality had been stagnant, because of resistance from the Kuomintang (KMT) party, which dominated politics for decades before being unseated by the DPP in May.

President Tsai Ing-wen has also openly supported marriage equality and said she would respect any decision reached by parliament.

A Christian alliance came to Taipei from the south of the island Thursday to protest. Dozens wearing black clerical clothing listened to a sermon while some blew horns used during worship.

“Only a heterosexual marriage can create the possibility of bearing children, and only then can we sustain the nation’s next generation,” said Wang Tzu-hao, a pastor representing the group.

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Jewellery shops remain shut for 7th day

Representational image (Photo: Facebook)

Gold and jewellery establishments remained closed for the 7th day in the national capital on Thursday after the Income Tax Department carried out surveys following reports of alleged profiteering and efforts at tax evasion following the government’s demonetisation move.

The government last week demonetised high denomination of Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 currency notes to flush out black money.

Most of the jewellery showrooms in the national capital have been closed since November 11.

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Govt eases cash withdrawal limit for farmers

(PHOTO: AFP)

With cash crunch following demonetisation impacting agriculture sector, the government on Thursday eased guidelines for farmers by allowing them to withdraw up to Rs.50,000 cash per week from bank.

Besides, it has also extended the deadline for payment of crop insurance premium by 15 days and permitted APMC-registered traders to withdraw up to Rs.50,000 per week.

This steps will ensure that sowing takes place adequately in the Rabi season and enough cash is available to the farmers to buy fertiliser, seeds and other inputs, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das told reporters here.

“The government has decided to permit the farmers to draw up to Rs.25,000 per week against the crop loan sanctioned and credited to their accounts, subject to the limits…and this will also apply to Kisan Credit Cards,” he said.

These accounts have to be in the name of the concerned farmers, the accounts will have to be KYC compliant, Das said.

Besides, if the farmers receive payments either by way of cheques or RTGS into the bank accounts, they can withdraw up to Rs.25,000 per week, Das said.

Similarly, the registered traders with the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) markets also will be permitted to draw Rs.50,000 per week to meet various cash requirements like payment of wages to workers and other sundry expenses.

“So, this will facilitate smooth procurement process and help farmers to sell their produce without any difficulty,” Das said.

The government has also allowed its Group C employees, including from PSUs, defence and railways, to get salaries up to Rs.10,000 in cash in advance which will be adjusted against their November salary. “It is expected that this will relief pressure on banks,” Das said.

Following the demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes on November 8 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government allowed withdrawal of up to Rs.24,000 per week per person through cheque and Rs.2,500 from ATMs.

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Punjab Congress delegation meets CEC, seeks President’s Rule

Captain Amarinder Singh (Photo: Facebook)

Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday led a delegation of party MPs and MLAs to meet Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Naseem Zaidi with the demand for the imposition of President’s Rule in Punjab to ensure free and fair elections.

With elections to the state assembly due early next year, Amarinder sought the Election Commission’s early intervention to prevent further vitiation of the political, administrative and law and order environment in the state.

The Congress team urged the Election Commission to hold the Punjab assembly polls in a single phase to prevent the Akali government in the state from using any additional time to further misuse their authority.

If they (the Akalis) are allowed to continue with their uninhibited control over the state’s administration till the completion of the polls, they will not only plunge the state into further lawlessness but will misuse the SGPC to control their black money into white, Amarinder said.

Alleging that the Akalis were planning to sell off all Punjab water to make money for themselves, Amarinder said if allowed to be built, the SYL canal will deprive the people of the Malwa region even of potable water.

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Aamir Khan didn’t interfere with music: Amitabh Bhattacharya

Amitabh Bhattacharya (PHOTO: Facebook)

National Film Award winning lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya, who has penned all the songs for Aamir Khan’s upcoming film Dangal, said that the actor-producer is very involved by nature in the creative process but never interfered in it.

“Aamir sir was involved, not interfering in the process of music and lyrics writing. The best part is Aamir sir understands the nuances of lyrics,” Amitabh said on his birthday here on Wednesday.

“As we keep calling him a ‘perfectionist’, I understood why they say so when I worked with him. He is always interested in interacting with us (lyricist and composer) and to improve the narration from all aspects,” he added.

Asked if there is any reason behind interacting with the media on his birthday, he said, “It actually coincided with my birthday. But I am enjoying the day talking about our upcoming films and my work.”

Sharing his birthday memories, the Emotional Attyachar lyricist said, “I had a very normal childhood where all my friends would come for cake cutting and my mother would cook something special for me. After staying away from home for long, now that my parents shifted with me, I am expecting that Ma will prepare a birthday special Payesh (a Bengali sweet dish) tonight (Wednesday).”

While Haanikaarak Bapu and the title song Dangal is gaining popularity among the listeners, Amitabh says, “The film has five songs and all of them are involved in the narration. All the songs are adding up to the story. So they are situational.”

Sharing his experiences of working with Aamir Khan, Amitabh said, “I was one of those youngsters who bunked classes to watch Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar five times. Working with him was not even in my wildest dreams. So today, when I am interacting with him, writing for his film, it is absolutely overwhelming.”

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Dangal starring Aamir Khan and Sakshi Tanwar in lead roles, is releasing on December 23.

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Govt lowers notes exchange limit to Rs.2,000

(Getty Images)

Government on Thursday lowered the exchange limit for now-defunct 500 and 1,000 rupee notes to Rs.2,000 from the existing cap of Rs.4,500, effective from Friday.

Among other measures, it has allowed up to Rs.2.5 lakh cash withdrawal from bank account of a bride or groom or their parents for a marriage during the ongoing wedding season.

“To enable larger number of people to get benefit of over-the-counter exchange of Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 notes, the existing limit of Rs.4,500 will be reduced to Rs.2,000 with effect from tomorrow (Friday),” Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das told reporters.

The over-the-counter exchange of Rs.500/1,000 in return of new currency will be available “once per person till December 30”.

“This will enable larger number of people to exchange notes. There is no cash shortage and enough cash is available,” he said.

The decision comes a day after the government directed banks to put indelible ink mark on the right index finger of persons to screen them from using the exchange facility more than once.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on November 8 demonetised Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 notes in his bigger war against black money, terror financing and counterfeit notes.

Since then a lot of representations have come to Prime Minister and Finance Minister to ease withdrawal norms for wedding purposes.

“This has been considered by the government and decided that for wedding ceremonies, up to Rs.2.5 lakh will be allowed to be withdrawn from account if father or mother or the bride and groom,” Das said.

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Double Trouble: Ranbir, Ranveer on Koffee With Karan

Australia call on Hohns, Chappell to fix crisis

The last time Australia lost six straight Tests, the coach at the time, Mickey Arthur was sacked.

Rod Marsh (Photo: Facebook)

Trevor Hohns was on Thursday appointed Australia’s interim chairman of selectors after Rod Marsh quit, with Greg Chappell drafted in to help rescue a national team in crisis.

The experienced Hohns, who previously served as chief selector during a hugely successful period for Australia, currently sits on the four-man selection panel with Mark Waugh, coach Darren Lehmann, and now Chappell.

Cricket Australia chairman David Peever said Hohns had agreed to step up to ensure continuity while the search for a full-time replacement was carried out.

“It is vital that Australian cricket finds the best candidate for this role,” said Peever.

“Trevor is highly experienced as a selector, and will ensure we place our best players on the field this summer while we seek a permanent replacement for Rod.”

Former Test fast bowler Jason Gillespie and ex-captains Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh have all been touted as possible successors to Marsh.

The retired wicketkeeper resigned on Wednesday with immediate effect after a run of five heavy Test defeats left the team humiliated and facing demands for heads to roll.

They crashed to a third-straight home series defeat to South Africa on Tuesday and now face being whitewashed in a home series for the first time in their history if they lose to the Proteas in Adelaide next week.

The last time Australia lost six straight Tests — against India and England in 2013 — the coach at the time, Mickey Arthur, was sacked.

While spinner Hohns played only seven Tests for Australia, he had a highly successful previous stint as a national selector from 1993 to 2006, including a decade as chairman.

Under his guidance, Australia won a record 16 successive Test matches and claimed the 1999 and 2003 World Cups in a golden era. He rejoined the selection panel in 2014.

He will be aided in trying to turn around the team’s fortunes by former Test captain Chappell, who has been drafted in on a temporary basis ahead of a raft of changes expected for Adelaide.

Lehmann has declared that only four players — captain Steve Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood — were sure to keep their places after Australia’s second demoralising collapse in the Hobart Test this week.

Peever said Chappell, who has had two previous stints as a selector, had been instrumental in restructuring Cricket Australia’s youth pathway programme and had his finger on the pulse of young talent.

“His in-depth knowledge of up-and-coming talent in the Australian system will be invaluable,” he said.

“Naturally the board and our senior executive are disappointed with the recent Test performances,” Peever added.

“But we have every confidence that all those involved, including our coaching staff and team management, will do their utmost to turn that around.”

Australia’s team announcement for next week’s third and final day-night Test has been delayed until Sunday so selectors can assess players’ form in domestic Sheffield Shield matches.

Mark Waugh said selectors may need to use their “gut instinct” when they finalise the batting order due to a lack of clear-cut contenders.

“Obviously there will be changes at Adelaide. I can’t say how many or who at this present point in time,” Waugh said.

“But I can assure you we are looking at a lot of batsmen.

And if someone sticks their hands up and gets a 150 or a 100 in this (Shield) round then it is really important.

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UN warns severe mass atrocities risk in South Sudan

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warns that there is a real risk of mass atrocities being committed in South Sudan, following a sharp rise in hate speech and ethnic incitement.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon( Photo: AFP)

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warns that there is a real risk of mass atrocities being committed in South Sudan, following a sharp rise in hate speech and ethnic incitement.

In a report to the Security Council released yesterday, Ban said that UN peacekeepers in South Sudan lack the manpower and capability to stop mass atrocities should they occur.

“There is a very real risk of mass atrocities being committed in South Sudan, in particular following the sharp rise in hate speech and ethnic incitement in recent weeks,” the report states.

“While the secretariat will continue to make every effort to implement the mandated task of protecting civilians through the use of ‘all necessary means,’ it must be clearly understood that United Nations peacekeeping operations do not have the appropriate reach, manpower or capabilities to stop mass atrocities.”

In the report, Ban repeated earlier calls on the Security Council to impose an arms embargo on the country which he said is “inundated with weaponry.”

He also said that government restrictions on the peacekeepers movements have led to mission paralysis and are undermining humanitarian operations in the world’s youngest nation.

South Sudan has been riven by ethnic violence since shortly after gaining independence from Sudan in 2011.

In 2013, the country was plunged into civil war broke when government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, battled rebels led by his former vice president Machar, who is a Nuer. A peace agreement was signed in August 2015, but fighting continues. Tens of thousands have been killed and more than 2 million displaced.

Ban’s report recommended that the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force first deployed in 2011 be renewed for another year.

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Ban Ki-moon

Adam Voges hit by bouncer, suffers concussion

It is the second concussion Voges has suffered in 2016.

Adam Voges (Photo: Facebook)

Australia Test batsman Adam Voges has suffered a concussion after being struck on the head by a bouncer on Thursday during a Sheffield Shield first-class match between Western Australia and Tasmania.

Voges was helped from the field by medical staff after being hit on the back of the head by a delivery from Tasmania fast bowler Cam Stevenson.

The 37-year-old fell to his knees as players rushed to his assistance.

It is the second concussion Voges has suffered in 2016.

He was struck on the head by a fielder’s throw while playing for the English county Middlesex in May.

Voges will take no further part in the current four-day match and it is not clear whether he will be available for Australia’s third Test against South Africa.

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Google rolls out new themes, smart stickers for Allo

(Photo: Getty Images)

Ramping up the user experience in its smart messaging app Allo, Google on Thursday released a new set of updates including smart smileys, chat themes and an exclusive “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” sticker pack.

With smart smiley, Google Allo makes it easier to find and send the perfect emoji or sticker based on the topic and sentiment of the conversation.

Users just need to tap the smart smiley button as they are typing a message and Allo will suggest relevant emojis and stickers to help finish the thought, the company said in a statement.

Enhancing the customised chat experience, the latest update will also bring new themes, including a variety of different colours and patterns.

In addition, an exclusive “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” sticker pack featuring characters and creatures for the upcoming hollywood movie are now available for download in Google Allo.

Further, Google has now made it easier to download new sticker packs. Users can now simply tap on any sticker a friend shares in chat to download it directly from the respective sticker pack in the sticker marketplace.

The smart smiley will be available in English and Hinglish to start with and will come to more languages soon.

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Modi has risked his political legacy: Vivek Oberoi

Vivek Oberoi (PHOTO: Facebook)

Actor Vivek Oberoi on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has risked his own political career by demonetising Rs.500 and Rs.1000 currency notes in an attempt do something unique for the country.

“Our country has become like instant noodles. We want all things at once. Our Prime Minister has taken a big risk. He has risked his political legacy for doing something unique for our country. This is what I feel,” Vivek said here when asked to comment on Modi’s demonetisation move.

The actor was speaking at a function here to announce the second edition of the Marathi Filmfare Awards.

Listing the advantages of the decision, the 40-year-old actor said: “The common man will be benefited by the money which is getting deposited in banks. People will get loan easily and the banks’ interest rates are going to drop, which will produce more work opportunities.

“It is right that we are going through a little difficulty now. But this is a kind of war and after this ‘labour pain’, a new India is going to emerge. In the long run, our country will witness fast-track growth,” he said.

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Mamata, Kejriwal attack Modi over demonetisation

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Australia call on Hohns, Chappell to fix crisis

The last time Australia lost six straight Tests, the coach at the time, Mickey Arthur was sacked.

Related Latest News

UN warns severe mass atrocities risk in South Sudan

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warns that there is a real risk of mass atrocities being committed in South Sudan, following a sharp rise in hate speech and ethnic incitement.

Related Latest News

Adam Voges hit by bouncer, suffers concussion

It is the second concussion Voges has suffered in 2016.

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Google rolls out new themes, smart stickers for Allo

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Modi has risked his political legacy: Vivek Oberoi

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