» MCI bill introduced in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 4:35:06 PM IST
The central government Wednesday introduced in the Rajya Sabha a bill to extend by another year the tenure of the board of governors of the Medical Council of India (MCI), two days after it was passed with difficulty in the lower house amidst opposition from ally Trinamool Congress.

 » Shed factionalism, prepare for future battles: Sonia to Congressmen (Lead)
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 4:35:06 PM IST
Admitting that the assembly poll results were very disappointing for the Congress in Punjab and Goa and below expectations in Uttar Pradesh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi Wednesday asked party members to shed factionalism if the party was to win or lose the coming electoral battles.

 » Saudi Arabia offers incentives to Indian pharma industry
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 4:35:06 PM IST
A high-level parliamentary delegation from Saudi Arabia currently on a visit to India Wednesday met Vice President Hamid Ansari and Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and discussed trade and collaborative ties, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector and sought a "base" for it in their country to make "affordable medicines".

 » Coolers, sheds, mangos...beating summer blues at Delhi Zoo
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 4:35:06 PM IST
The coolers are on as are the water sprinklers. Bread is off the menu and kheer, melon, cucumber and ayurvedic medicines have been brought in. Delhi Zoo's 1,300 inmates are set to chill out this summer.

 » Raja applies for bail
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 4:35:06 PM IST
Former telecom minister A. Raja moved his bail application in a special CBI court Wednesday after the Supreme Court granted bail to ex-telecom secretary Siddharth Behura.

 » Customs officials arrest one at IGI airport for carrying electrical items worth over Rs.26 lakhs
New Delhi | May 09, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
Air Customs officers arrested a passenger named Mr. Kamal on Tuesday at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport for carrying 1600 nos. of Sony Memory Cards for cyber shot cameras, 3200 nos. of game processors and other electronic items worth approximately Rs. 26.62 Lacs.

 » Home Secretary Singh lauds Assam Police for killing Maoists
New Delhi | May 09, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh on Wednesday lauded the Assam Police for killing four suspected Maoists, and said that this action would prove to be a setback for the ultras plans to set up bases in the state.

 » Hopeful of atleast 1 more berth: WFI
New Delhi | Wednesday, May 9 2012 IST
Five grapplers have qualified for the Olympics this time around but the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) wanted at least one more in the London-bound squad and it believes a stronger support system could have produced better results. 'We were hopeful of at least one more berth in both men's and women's category. Mausam Khatri in the 96kg category was a big disappointment, he was so good in World Championship but he couldn't perform to the expectations in the qualifiers,' WFI Secretary General Raj Singh said. 'Ideally we should have doubled the number. Last time three of our wrestlers made it to the Olympics, so we are one short,' he added. Former world champion and Beijing Olympics bronze medalist Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Narsingh Pancham Yadav and Amit Kumar apart from Geeta Phogat are in the fray this time. In the previous edition, apart from Sushil and Yogeshwar, Rajiv Tomar represented the country in China. Singh, however, said with some improvement in the present set-up, the country can improve its chances on the big stage. 'If you see teams like Iran, they carry a big support unit which includes doctors, psychologists, dietitian, they even travel with their own cook. But the things are not the same here,' he said. 'I personally believe there should be a physical trainer and a masseur available to the team at all times. We should also increase the number of coaches which accompany the team to the preparatory camps,' Singh insisted. 'You see there is a whole lot of activity going on at one particular moment, for instance in Colorado Springs where our boys trained before heading to the Asian Qualifiers, there are around four to five mats and the bouts go on simultaneously, so you need to have people there to keep a tab on all the happenings,' he said. The Secretary General was appreciative of the help from the sports ministry, saying that they have always been very 'receptive', the only thing is that 'you need to make them understand your point'. He was hopeful that necessary action would be taken in this direction in the near future. Meanwhile, Singh said they were mulling to send the Olympics-bound wrestlers to Colorado Springs in US for month-long training before taking them to Belarus for another 15 days before the London event. 'We are preparing a proposal to this effect and will soon send it to the Sports Ministry for approval. We would like our wrestlers to fly to US just after the conclusion of first Hariram Indian Wrestling Grand Prix. It will be a nice exposure for our athletes ahead of the Olympics in London,' he said. UNI TBA PR1530 NNNN

 » HC restrains Air India Pilots from going on strike
New Delhi | Wednesday, May 9 2012 IST
The Delhi High Court today restrained Air India pilots from going on strike. Justice Reva Khatrapal after hearing the Air India management, which had moved the Court seeking an order restraining the pilots from going on strike, directed the pilots to resume their duties and deemed the strike illegal. Counsel for Air India Lalit Bhasin had sought an injunction order to restrain Air India pilots from going on strike. UNI SNG SLD 1553 NNNN

 » SC panel to look into Vrindavan widow's plight
New Delhi | Wednesday, May 9 2012 IST
The Supreme Court today decided to initiate the process for improving the pitiable living conditions of the widows living in the various ashram in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. A bench headed by Justice D K Jain ,directed a seven member panel headed by the Chairman of Mathura Legal Services Authorities to examine the issue and submit its report within eight weeks. The apex court took the initiative after hearing the counsel for the petitioner who alleged that these unfortunate women were living in state of utter neglect being subjected to all sorts of exploitation. The attitude of the district administration and the state government towards these them was totally indifferent and callous, he added. UNI SC PA 1521 NNNN

 » Saudi delegates meet Azad; keen to get pharma products
New Delhi | Wednesday, May 9 2012 IST
Keen to get Indian pharmaceutical products, a Saudi Parliamentary delegation here today met Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

 » India can learn water management from Israel: Minister
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 4:05:05 PM IST
The availability of per capita water resources is declining steadily in India which has a lot to learn from Israel in the field of water management technology, Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath said here Wednesday.

 » Apex court grants bail to Siddharth Behura
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 4:05:05 PM IST
The Supreme Court Wednesday granted bail to former telecom secretary Siddharth Behura who is currently in judicial custody for his alleged involvement in the 2G scam.

 » Businessman shot dead in Delhi
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 4:05:05 PM IST
A 53-year-old businessman who ran a button factory was shot dead here by two men, police said Wednesday.

 » Court restrains Air India pilots from striking
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 3:35:05 PM IST
The Delhi High Court Wednesday restrained pilots of flag carrier Air India from going on strike.

 » UP cop's honour killing comment draws sharp criticism
New Delhi | May 09, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
Minister of State for Home Jitender Singh on Wednesday condemned the honour killing comment's made by a senior Uttar Pradesh cop, saying sensitivity should be maintained while listening to the complaint of everybody.

 » NCTC: Sonia voices Cong commitment to strengthen federalism
New Delhi | Wednesday, May 9 2012 IST
Voicing the commitment of the Congress towards strengthening federalism, party President Sonia Gandhi today said the Centre could not shirk its responsibility on the issue of fighting terrorism or dealing with Left wing extremism.

 » Sparrow decline indicates serious environmental change: Experts
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 3:05:05 PM IST
House sparrows are an indicator of the environmental health of an area, and their disappearance could be linked to a rise in infectious diseases and ecological change, say experts.

 » Rising temperature to hit wheat production in India, says report
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 3:05:05 PM IST
The annual mean temperature in India is expected to rise by 3.5-4.3 degrees Celsius by 2098, badly impacting production of wheat - a major grain crop - and increasing malaria outbreak, according to Indias submission to the United Nations (UN) released here Wednesday.

 » India asks Pakistan to ensure protection of minorities
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 3:05:05 PM IST
India Wednesday asked Pakistan to ensure the protection of the constitutional rights of minorities following reports that Hindus in the country had been allegedly persecuted.

 » Aerial crashes: many leaders died, others survived
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 3:05:05 PM IST
Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda's chopper accident Wednesday has put the spotlight back on aerial crashes in India, where helicopters are frequently used to ferry VIPs. Several leaders were killed while others, like Munda, had narrow escapes.

 » Hillary at Taj Palace! The tryst continues
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 2:35:05 PM IST
From a platter of Indian sweets to large-sized coffee mugs and a personal masseur, everything was customised to Hillary Clinton's tastes. After all, the Tata suite of Taj Palace hotel seems to be the chosen address for the US secretary of state whenever she is in Delhi.

 » Evolving hostage policy under consideration: Chidambaram
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 2:35:05 PM IST
Days after a kidnapped district collector was freed in Chhattisgarh, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday said the government will consider evolving a central hostage policy for the country.

 » India's share in global trade up: Minister
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 2:35:05 PM IST
Admitting that India's trade deficit has grown, the government Wednesday said the country was still performing better than most countries and its share in global trade has increased.

 » 
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 2:35:05 PM IST
Model-turned-actress Sheena Chohan, who has been trained by former beauty queen Sushmita Sen for her participation in the 2010 Miss Universe competition, says she doesn't have any godfather in the industry.

 » No plan to review laws on death sentence: Chidambaram
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 2:05:05 PM IST
There were no plans to review laws on death sentence, Home Minister P. Chidambaram clarified Wednesday and said the present government had disposed of a large number of mercy petitions.

 » Cheetah translocation was cabinet decision: Jayanthi
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 2:05:05 PM IST
With the Supreme Court putting on hold the governments ambitious project to import the cheetah from Africa, Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan Wednesday said her ministry would respond after reading the court orders.

 » Government might consider downsizing Air India: Ajit Singh (Update/Air India Strike)
New Delhi | May 09, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on Wednesday said the government might consider downsizing national carrier Air India if the agitation by the pilots continues.

 » Nupur Talwar writing book on Aarushi's death
New Delhi | May 09, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
Nupur Talwar, accused in the 2008 twin murder of her teenaged daughter and domestic help Hemraj, is writing a book named 'Mystery behind Aarushi's death-Story of an unfortunate mother' inside Ghaziabad's Dasna Jail where she is lodged.

 » Air India's 'sick' pilots continue protest, four flights cancelled (Lead)
New Delhi/Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 1:35:05 PM IST
The agitation by Air India's 'sick' pilots continued for the second day Wednesday forcing the management to cancel four international flights, an official said.

 » Sonia Gandhi calls on Congress leaders, activists to defend govt., fight as one disciplined team in state polls
New Delhi | May 09, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
Addressing a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) on Wednesday, party president Sonia Gandhi called on leaders and activists to defend the UPA-II regime's policies and be a disciplined team facilitating greater interaction between Centre and the states.

 » Notice to DGCA, home ministry on chopper firm's plea
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 1:05:05 PM IST
The Delhi High Court Wednesday issued notice to the union home ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on a plea by Global Vectra Helicorp challenging the aviation regulator's decision to suspend the company's operations permit.

 » Air India moves high court against striking pilots
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 1:05:05 PM IST
Air India Wednesday moved the Delhi High Court against the pilots who have gone on en masse 'sick leave', causing several flight cancellations.

 » Striking Air India pilots say 99 percent of their demands should be met(Lead:AI strike)
New Delhi | May 09, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
The Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) on Wednesday said that its striking members would be willing to go back to work if 99 percent of their demands were met.

 » Pilots strike hurting Air India's credibility, says Ajit Singh
New Delhi | May 09, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
As the strike called by protesting Air India pilots entered its second day on Wednesday, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh termed their action illegal and unjustified, saying they have hurt the credibility of the national carrier.

 » Sonia talks tough, tells MPs to avoid factionalism
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 12:05:05 PM IST
Congress president Sonia Gandhi Wednesday asked her party MPs to avoid factionalism, fight the opposition as one disciplined team and speak in one voice for the achievements of the government led by her party.

 » SC notice to government on supply of adulterated milk
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 11:35:05 AM IST
The Supreme Court Wednesday issued notice to the central and five state governments on a petition seeking complete curb on the sale and supply of synthetic and adulterated milk and its products like ghee, khoya and paneer.

 » Passengers worst hit as Air India pilots strike enters day two
New Delhi | May 09, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
The strike called by protesting Air India pilots entered its second day on Wednesday with three international flights being cancelled from New Delhi and Mumbai.

 » A tale of survival in a North Korean jail (IANS Books)
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 10:05:05 AM IST
Twenty-six-year-old Shin Dong-hyuk may not be as famous Dith Pran, the Cambodian labour camp survivor in the 1984 screen drama, "The Killing Fields", but his true survival story as a condemned political prisoner in North Korea who escaped is as powerful as it is unbelievable.

 » Warm morning in Delhi
New Delhi |Wednesday, 2012 10:05:05 AM IST
The capital woke up to a warm, sunny morning with the minimum temperature shooting three notches above normal to 28.4 degrees Celsius. The met department has predicted partly cloudy skies.