0815 HRS  

4th January , 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Chargesheet filed against five accused in the Delhi gang rape case seeks death sentence for the culprits; the sixth accused to undergo Bone Density Test to determine his age.
• Authorities need to be sensitised towards women's problems, says Supreme Court.
• Andhra Pradesh police files two FIRs against Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi for his alleged hate speech.
• SEBI makes it mandatory for listed companies to disclose all price-sensitive information to stock exchanges.
• At least 28 Shia pilgrims killed in a suicide bombing in Iraq.
• Pakistan win the three match ODI series against India 2-nil; Last match to be played in Delhi on Sunday.

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The Delhi Police have filed a chargesheet in the Delhi gang rape case in the Saket metropolitan magistrate court. An over 1,000-page charge sheet gives in detail the crime and charges against the five accused in the December 16 gang rape case. The accused have been charged with murder, attempt to murder, gang rape, kidnapping, robbery and destruction of evidence.

The sixth accused, who is thought to be a juvenile, will be charged separately. His bone density is being analysed to ascertain if he is a juvenile or an adult. The charges against  him will be  submitted before a juvenile justice Board. 

According to reports, the chargesheet says the DNA reports have confirmed that all the six accused were involved in the horrific crime in which the 23-year old girl lost her life later in a hospital in Singapore.

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The Supreme Court has said that there has been a phenomenal rise in crime against women in society and it can be curbed only when the authorities are sensitised towards women’s problems. The apex court yesterday strongly disapproved of a trial court order which had held that wife beating is a normal facet of married life and termed the judgement as perverse. A bench headed by Justice Aftab Alam has said while referring to the sessions court's judgement that there is a phenomenal rise in crime against women that protection granted to women by the Constitution and other laws can be meaningful only if those who are entrusted with the job of doing justice are sensitised towards women’s problems.

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The Home Ministry has ordered the appointment of two women sub-inspectors and seven woman constables in every police station in the national capital. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, the Home Minister, Mr. Sushil Kumar Shinde said that he has cleared the file for appointment of police personnel in this regard. Mr Shinde also said that the Delhi Police will soon launch a special drive for recruiting female constables and officers and appoint more women personnel in police stations to instill confidence among women.

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The Home Ministry has convened a conference of Chief Secretaries and Director Generals of Police of various states in New Delhi today to discuss issues regarding crime against women and atrocities on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the country. The conference  will discuss the challenges in combating crime against women, honour killings, acid attack on women and victim compensation scheme. Atrocities against the weaker sections, institutional mechanisms and capacity building, amendments in the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Bill will also be deliberated upon in the day long conference.

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The Andhra Pradesh police have filed two FIRs against MIM legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi for allegedly making provocative speech against a particular community a few days ago. State Director General of Police Dinesh Reddy said in Hyderabad that two separate FIRs were registered last evening in Nizamabad and Adilabad districts where the MLA had delivered his alleged inflammatory speeches last month, and notices were issued to Akbaruddin for appearing before the investigating officers for recording his statement. A Hyderabad court yesterday directed the police to register the FIR against Akbaruddin over his alleged derogatory speech against a particular community. Minister of State in the PMO, V Narayanasamy has described the statement as unfortunate.

It is unfortunate that such statement has been made by a political leader and I would like to say that for the purpose of keeping the nation's unity and integrity communal harmony is very much required. Case has been filed in the court. The court will take its own course.

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 The Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam will inaugurate the Children's Science Congress in Kolkata today. The three-day event is being organised as a part of the Indian Science Congress. In the afternoon, Union Science & Technology Minister S. Jaipal Reddy will open the Women’s Science Congress. More from our correspondent:

The Centenary Session of the Indian Science Congress will also mark Children and Women’s Science Congress. The Children Science Congress is aimed at to provide a unique opportunity to children to use their scientific temperament and knowledge and to give them a platform to showcase their innovations and creativity in scientific projects. Women’s Science Congress will deal Women Empowerment for the development of the country. With Girish Chandra Dash, Arijit Chakraborty, AIR News, Kolkata

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The Securities and Exchange Board of India, SEBI has asked all listed companies to compulsorily disclose all price-sensitive information, including monthly sales figures, to the stock exchanges. In a circular issued in Mumbai yesterday, SEBI said all events or material information which will have a bearing on the performance or operations of the company as well as price sensitive information shall be first circulated to the stock exchanges. SEBI said the disclosure is necessary to enable security holders and the public to appraise company’s position.

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Two Italian marines facing a murder trial in India for killing two Kerala fishermen have returned to India after being allowed to spend Christmas in Italy. The two sailors, part of a team protecting the tanker Enrica Lexie, are accused of shooting two fishermen in last February.

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The government has defended its decision to grant visa permit to former Pakistan cricket captain Javed Miandad to visit India for the ongoing one-day match series. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said that the Ministry of Home Affairs issued the visa after due diligence.      

               It's a decision taken by the government. No Pakistani visa gets cleared without M.H.A. clearance and M.H.A would take inputs from all agencies including from our missions abroad and I think that's a internal procedure.

The BJP has opposed the proposed visit of former Pakistani cricketer Javed Miandad to India as he is a close relative of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, party spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the visit will hurt the sentiments of the country

People will not accept as a state guest any relative of Dawood Ibrahim, who is aiding and abetting terrorism.

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In Iraq, at least 28 Shiite Muslim pilgrims were killed in a suicide car bomb explosion in the town of Mussayab yesterday. The death toll is likely to go up with many wounded being in critical condition. No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts but the security agencies have pointed the role of  militants affiliated to the Al Qaeda outfit in Iraq behind these attacks. More from our West Asia Correspondent-

Security agencies told that the suicide bomber rammed his explosives laden car into a busy bus station where Shiite pilgrims had gathered after performing the Arbain rite in the holy city of Karbala. The pilgrims were catching the buses back to Baghdad and the northern provinces. They police said that the target were the Shiite pilgrims returning from the holy city of Karbala. Arbain have been a frequent target for militants since the U.S.-led invasion after the toppling of Saddam Hussein regime. Atul K Tiwary, AIR News, Dubai.

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Pakistan have won the three-match ODI cricket series against India by a two-nil margin. In the second encounter in Kolkata last evening, the visitors beat the hosts by 85 runs. Set to score 251 runs for a win, India were all out for165 in 48 overs. Skipper MS Dhoni remained unbeaten on 54, while opener Virender Sehwag made 31.

Earlier, put in to bat, Pakistan were all out for 250 in 48.3 overs.  Opener Nasir Jamshed was the top-scorer with a fine 106.

Pakistan had won the opening match played in Chennai by six wickets. The third and final ODI between the two teams will be played in Delhi on the 6th of this month.

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Two-time champion Marin Cilic of Croatia has entered the quarterfinals of the Aircel Chennai Open ATP tennis tournament.  He came from behind to beat Sergiy Stakhovsky of the Ukraine 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. It took Cilic 110 minutes to see off the challenge of Stakhovsky.     

In a doubles match, at the outside court, German pair of Andre Begemann and Martin Emmrich survived some anxious moments before prevailing over the English duo of Jamie Delgao and Ken Skupski 7-6, 6-1 in 64 minutes.       

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NEWSPAPER HEADLINES

The Delhi Police seeking death penalty for the 5 Delhi gang rape accused in their charge sheet, is highlighted by the Press. "Charge sheet seeks death for 5 accused, leaves out minor,'' writes The Times of India. The Tribune headlines reports that the - " Crime was well planned".

Hindustan Times writes that  " In the wake of unprecedented public outrage over the incident, the Union Home Minister has ordered every police station in the Capital to have at least 9 Police women personnel.

 The Statesman reports that the Supreme Court has said - the uncontrolled clinical trail of drugs on humans by multinational companies is creating havoc in the country, and has asked the government to handle the problem on an urgent basis.
The Hindu reports that DMK president - M Karunanidhi has dropped another hint that his son and party treasurer - MK Stalin will be his political successor.
The Economic Times writes that C Rangarajan, key economic advisor to the PM has said the government could consider a rate of tax higher that the current 30% on the 'Super Rich', to raise greater revenue.

The Indian Express writes "Sirhind had the worst child sex ratio in 2001," but now two of its daughters are among the first beneficiaries of India's Direct Benefits Transfer Scheme - Dhanalakshmi, and have received  stipends of Rs 750/- each in their Bank accounts on January the 1st..

HT Business writes " Chances of landing yourself a job in the financial services sector are higher and brighter in 2013 thanks to the impending entry of new players in banking, following a liberalisation of licenses.

Times of India writes that blinking not only keeps your eyes lubricated, but that your brain takes a nap every time you blink, according to researches in Japan's Osaka University. The mental break can last anywhere from a split second to a few seconds - before attention is fully restored