2100 HRS.
05-09-2013
NEWS AT NINE.
THE HEADLINES
BRICS countries reach consensus to operationalise Contingent Reserve Arrangement, with an initial corpus of 100 billion dollars.
Syria at the Centre of discussions in the G-20 summit that began in St. Petersburg, Russia this evening.
Rajya Sabha approves Consitutional amendment bill to set up Judicial Appointments Commission; Lok Sabha passes Wakf Amendment Bill.
Iranian authorities issue orders for release of seized Indian oil tanker.
Sensex surges 412 points, to 18,980; rupee strengthens 106 paise, to 66.01 against the dollar.
Leander Paes and Sania Mirza, with their partners, to play their semi-final matches in the US Open.
<><><>
A consensus has been reached between BRICS countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa on many key aspects including the operational details on the establishment of Contingent Reserve Arrangement,CRA. The consensus emerged following an informal meeting between the heads of states in St.Petersburg, Russia ahead of the G-20 summit that began this evening. An external affairs ministry official told media persons that as agreed in Durban, the CRA will have an initial size of 100 billion dollars. Individual commitments to the CRA will be that of 41 billion dollars from China while Brazil, India, and Russia will contribute 18 billion dollars each; and South Africa, 5 billion dollars. The Leaders also welcomed the good progress made in the establishment of the BRICS-led New Development Bank (NDB). On the NDB, progress has been made in negotiating its capital structure, membership, share holding and governance. The Bank will have an initial subscribed capital of 50 billion US Dollars from the BRICS countries.
<><><>
Syria is set to dominate the G20 summit that began in St Petersburg this evening, as the US and France look to bridge deep divisions with Russia over the use of military force against Damascus. Our correspondent covering the summit reports that India is against military intervention in Syria, saying it will wait for the report from the UN inspectors to fix culpability over the alleged use of chemical weapons by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Although the formal agenda of the meeting of world leaders is geared towards world economic growth, the deteriorating situation in Syria and the debate over the need for an armed intervention look imminent. India has made it very clear that conditions can be created for an inclusive political dialogue leading to a comprehensive political solution, taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. On the reported use of chemical weapons in Syria, India consistently supported elimination of such weapons worldwide. With Pushpinder Kaur this is Manikant Thakur reporting from St.Petersburg AIR News.
<><><>
India today called for a cautious approach by major economies while framing unconventional monetary expansion policies to avoid the spill over effects that harm developing countries. It also advocated strengthening the Mutual Assessment Process to prevent such a situation. Addressing the inaugural session of the G-20 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said sudden increases in cross border flows not only affect the exchange rate but also affect credit volumes and asset prices. Such flows led to excess leverage in the industrial countries before the global financial crisis. They are leading to stock market and exchange rate volatility in emerging markets today. Pointing out that a stable external environment is necessary for restoring growth, Dr. Singh said that the G- 20 must send a clear signal of collective commitment to work together for the revival of growth, which is the only way of ensuring a sustainable growth in quality jobs. He said, fiscal consolidation is important for many countries and must remain a key medium term objective. However, it must be pursued with realistic time paths, keeping in mind the current weaknesses in demand in many countries.
<><>
A Constitutional Amendment Bill paving way for the creation of a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) to replace the present collegium system to appoint judges to higher courts was passed in the Rajya Sabha today amid walkout by the BJP. It was passed by 131 votes in favour and one against. However, the main bill - the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, 2013 - which defines the establishment of the proposed body was referred to the Standing Committee.
<><>
The Lok Sabha today passed the Wakf Amendment Bill, 2010. It incorporates the amendments made by the Rajya Sabha. Replying to a discussion on the legislation, Minority Affairs Minister K.Rehman Khan announced that a National Development Corporation with a corpus of 500 crore rupees will be set up to improve Wakf properties for commercial purposes. He made it clear that Wakf land will not be given to private builders. Any one in occupation of Wakf properties without a lease agreement will be treated as a trespasser. This will be a non-bailable offence. In addition, the Wakf Board will also be more accountable, the Minister added.
<><>
Parliament passed the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2012 today with the Lok Sabha approving the four new official amendments. The Rajya Sabha had passed it last night. The bill, which will replace over a century-old law, seeks to provide fair and just compensation to farmers and to those who lose livelihoods on account of acquisitions.
<><>
The government today decided to refer the Right to Information (Amendment) Bill 2013 to the Standing Committee of Parliament. Minister of State for Personnel and Public Grievances V Narayanasamy said this in the Lok Sabha today.
<><>
Monsoon Session of Parliament has been extended by one day; now it will end on Saturday. Both the Houses will have sittings on Saturday, the 7th September, 2013 to transact important legislative business. This decision was taken by Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs today.
Earlier, the session was extended for five days which is ending tomorrow.
<><>
In a major breakthrough in Assam, security forces apprehended 5 cadres of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (The Ranjan Daimary faction) in the outskirts of Guwahati this evening. I G P, L R Bishnoi said, acting on specific information security forces arrested the cadres, while one managed to escape. Preliminary investigation revealed that they were on their way to Meghalaya to kidnap business men and extort money. In another incident, police arrested two persons from Guwahati city for demanding money on the name of the banned outfit National Democratic Front of Bodoland.
<><>
The Samajwadi Party today sacked Kamal Farooqi as party's Secretary. SP General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav today shot off a letter to Farooqi informing him that party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has removed him as Secretary of the party's National Executive with immediate effect. Farooqi's remarks about Bhatkal had kicked up a controversy when he asked whether his arrest is based on the grounds of crime or religion.
<><>
Finance Minister, P.Chidambaram today asserted in the Lok Sabha that rupee will correct itself and the growth will bounce back. He admitted that the economy is going through a period of stress. Responding to the criticism of the opposition while replying to the discussion on Appropriation Bill for Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2013-14 he said that a number of measures have been taken to strengthen and restore and improve confidence in Indian economy. Later, the House adopted the relevant Appropriation Bill for Supplementary Demands for grants for 2013-14.
<><>
Amid a slowing economy, the gross direct tax collections rose by 14.43 per cent to 1.88 lakh crore rupees during the April-August period of 2013-14 fiscal. The collections totalled 1.64 lakh crore rupees during the same period of the previous fiscal. The government has fixed a direct tax collection target of over 6.68 lakh crore rupees for the current fiscal, envisaging a growth of 19 per cent from 5.65 lakh crore rupees in the previous fiscal. In a statement, the Finance Ministry today said that Gross collection of corporate taxes increased 11.72 per cent to 1,08,075 crore rupees during April-August, 2013-14 from 96,738 crore rupees a year earlier.
<><>
The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange surged 412 points, or 2.2 percent, to close at a 3-week high of 18,980, today, after the new Reserve Bank governor announced a host of measures to restore confidence in the India growth story. The Nifty jumped 145 points, to 5,593. Stock markets in Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore gained between 0.1 percent and 1.2 percent. The rupee appreciated 106 paise, to 66.01 against the dollar. Gold tumbled 1,250 rupees, to 30,950 rupees per ten grams in Delhi. Silver plunged 1,800 rupees, to 53,700 rupees per kilo. And Brent crude oil futures remained above 115 dollars a barrel, while US crude gained 57 cents, to 107.80 dollars a barrel. Pradeep Kumar, AIR News)
<><><>
Iranian port authorities have said that they have issued orders for the release of the seized Indian oil tanker, MT Desh Shanti. More from our West Asia Correspondent:-
The Oil tanker MT Desh Shanti was on its way back to India with a load of Iraqi crude when the Iranian navy stopped it last month. Iranian authorities said the tanker polluted its territorial waters and seized the vessel on August 12. India had raised strong objection saying the vessel was on its way from Basrah to Visakhapatnam, not destined for Iranian ports and was forcibly diverted to Iranian waters and subjected to inspection for release of pollutants which is not tenable. The head of the Iranian ports administration, Attahollah Sadr told today that orders have been issued for the release of the ship after the Indian sailing organization presented the necessary guarantees. Atul K Tiwary, AIR News, Dubai
<><>
The Egyptian state media has reported that the country’s interior minister Mohamed Ibrahim survived an assassination attempt today. The explosion took place near the minister's residence in the capital's Nasr City district. Earlier reports said the blast resulted from a car bomb, but state TV confirmed later that a bomb was thrown by unknown assailants from a nearby building. The building from which the bomb was dropped has been identified and search operations are on to nab the culprits. At least seven, including a child, were injured in the attack.
<><><>
A team of three former Chief Election Commissioners and one former High Commissioner to Maldives will fan out to various parts of Maldives on Saturday as observers to the crucial Presidential elections. A report:
Maldives Election Commission gives final touches to its preparations for conducting Presidential polls under intense international scrutiny, the Indian team of observers are charged with the duty to see that polls are fair and credible. On the polling day, a team under former Chief Elections Commissioner N Gopalaswamy will tour the Southern Atolls, another team under S M Gavai will visit the northern islands, while two teams under J M Lyngdoh and B B Tandon will tour the 110 polling centres of Male. High Commissioner Mr Rajeev Shahare said that the nature of the Indian delegation shows the level of importance India attaches to its ties with Maldives. ABHISHEK AIR NEWS COLOMBO
<><><>
In Afghanistan, a noted Indian woman author, who wrote a popular memoir about her escape from the Taliban, has been shot dead by suspected militants. Police say Sushmita Banerjee, who was married to an Afghan businessman, was killed outside her home in Paktika province. Ms Banerjee had recently moved back to Afghanistan to live with her husband. A senior police official told the BBC that Ms Banerjee, who was also known as Sayed Kamala, was working as a health worker in the province and had been filming the lives of local women as part of her work. No group has yet said it carried out the attack.
<><><>
Leander Paes and Sania Mirza, with their partners, will play their semi-final matches of the US Open Tennis tournament at New York later today. In the Men's Doubles, the fourth seeded Indo-Czech pair of Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek will lock horns with America's top seeded Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike. Paes is the only Indian left in the Men's Doubles section. In the Women's Doubles, the tenth seeded Indo-Chinese duo of Sania Mirza and Jie Zheng will take on the eighth seeded Aussie team of Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua.
<><><>
On the ongoing SAFF Football Championship in Kathmandu, Nepal defeated India 2-1 in a thrilling match in Dasarath Stadium today. Both teams have qualified for the semi finals from Group-A with Nepal getting seven points from three matches and India four points.
05-09-2013
NEWS AT NINE.
THE HEADLINES
BRICS countries reach consensus to operationalise Contingent Reserve Arrangement, with an initial corpus of 100 billion dollars.
Syria at the Centre of discussions in the G-20 summit that began in St. Petersburg, Russia this evening.
Rajya Sabha approves Consitutional amendment bill to set up Judicial Appointments Commission; Lok Sabha passes Wakf Amendment Bill.
Iranian authorities issue orders for release of seized Indian oil tanker.
Sensex surges 412 points, to 18,980; rupee strengthens 106 paise, to 66.01 against the dollar.
Leander Paes and Sania Mirza, with their partners, to play their semi-final matches in the US Open.
<><><>
A consensus has been reached between BRICS countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa on many key aspects including the operational details on the establishment of Contingent Reserve Arrangement,CRA. The consensus emerged following an informal meeting between the heads of states in St.Petersburg, Russia ahead of the G-20 summit that began this evening. An external affairs ministry official told media persons that as agreed in Durban, the CRA will have an initial size of 100 billion dollars. Individual commitments to the CRA will be that of 41 billion dollars from China while Brazil, India, and Russia will contribute 18 billion dollars each; and South Africa, 5 billion dollars. The Leaders also welcomed the good progress made in the establishment of the BRICS-led New Development Bank (NDB). On the NDB, progress has been made in negotiating its capital structure, membership, share holding and governance. The Bank will have an initial subscribed capital of 50 billion US Dollars from the BRICS countries.
<><><>
Syria is set to dominate the G20 summit that began in St Petersburg this evening, as the US and France look to bridge deep divisions with Russia over the use of military force against Damascus. Our correspondent covering the summit reports that India is against military intervention in Syria, saying it will wait for the report from the UN inspectors to fix culpability over the alleged use of chemical weapons by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Although the formal agenda of the meeting of world leaders is geared towards world economic growth, the deteriorating situation in Syria and the debate over the need for an armed intervention look imminent. India has made it very clear that conditions can be created for an inclusive political dialogue leading to a comprehensive political solution, taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. On the reported use of chemical weapons in Syria, India consistently supported elimination of such weapons worldwide. With Pushpinder Kaur this is Manikant Thakur reporting from St.Petersburg AIR News.
<><><>
India today called for a cautious approach by major economies while framing unconventional monetary expansion policies to avoid the spill over effects that harm developing countries. It also advocated strengthening the Mutual Assessment Process to prevent such a situation. Addressing the inaugural session of the G-20 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said sudden increases in cross border flows not only affect the exchange rate but also affect credit volumes and asset prices. Such flows led to excess leverage in the industrial countries before the global financial crisis. They are leading to stock market and exchange rate volatility in emerging markets today. Pointing out that a stable external environment is necessary for restoring growth, Dr. Singh said that the G- 20 must send a clear signal of collective commitment to work together for the revival of growth, which is the only way of ensuring a sustainable growth in quality jobs. He said, fiscal consolidation is important for many countries and must remain a key medium term objective. However, it must be pursued with realistic time paths, keeping in mind the current weaknesses in demand in many countries.
<><>
A Constitutional Amendment Bill paving way for the creation of a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) to replace the present collegium system to appoint judges to higher courts was passed in the Rajya Sabha today amid walkout by the BJP. It was passed by 131 votes in favour and one against. However, the main bill - the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, 2013 - which defines the establishment of the proposed body was referred to the Standing Committee.
<><>
The Lok Sabha today passed the Wakf Amendment Bill, 2010. It incorporates the amendments made by the Rajya Sabha. Replying to a discussion on the legislation, Minority Affairs Minister K.Rehman Khan announced that a National Development Corporation with a corpus of 500 crore rupees will be set up to improve Wakf properties for commercial purposes. He made it clear that Wakf land will not be given to private builders. Any one in occupation of Wakf properties without a lease agreement will be treated as a trespasser. This will be a non-bailable offence. In addition, the Wakf Board will also be more accountable, the Minister added.
<><>
Parliament passed the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2012 today with the Lok Sabha approving the four new official amendments. The Rajya Sabha had passed it last night. The bill, which will replace over a century-old law, seeks to provide fair and just compensation to farmers and to those who lose livelihoods on account of acquisitions.
<><>
The government today decided to refer the Right to Information (Amendment) Bill 2013 to the Standing Committee of Parliament. Minister of State for Personnel and Public Grievances V Narayanasamy said this in the Lok Sabha today.
<><>
Monsoon Session of Parliament has been extended by one day; now it will end on Saturday. Both the Houses will have sittings on Saturday, the 7th September, 2013 to transact important legislative business. This decision was taken by Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs today.
Earlier, the session was extended for five days which is ending tomorrow.
<><>
In a major breakthrough in Assam, security forces apprehended 5 cadres of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (The Ranjan Daimary faction) in the outskirts of Guwahati this evening. I G P, L R Bishnoi said, acting on specific information security forces arrested the cadres, while one managed to escape. Preliminary investigation revealed that they were on their way to Meghalaya to kidnap business men and extort money. In another incident, police arrested two persons from Guwahati city for demanding money on the name of the banned outfit National Democratic Front of Bodoland.
<><>
The Samajwadi Party today sacked Kamal Farooqi as party's Secretary. SP General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav today shot off a letter to Farooqi informing him that party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has removed him as Secretary of the party's National Executive with immediate effect. Farooqi's remarks about Bhatkal had kicked up a controversy when he asked whether his arrest is based on the grounds of crime or religion.
<><>
Finance Minister, P.Chidambaram today asserted in the Lok Sabha that rupee will correct itself and the growth will bounce back. He admitted that the economy is going through a period of stress. Responding to the criticism of the opposition while replying to the discussion on Appropriation Bill for Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2013-14 he said that a number of measures have been taken to strengthen and restore and improve confidence in Indian economy. Later, the House adopted the relevant Appropriation Bill for Supplementary Demands for grants for 2013-14.
<><>
Amid a slowing economy, the gross direct tax collections rose by 14.43 per cent to 1.88 lakh crore rupees during the April-August period of 2013-14 fiscal. The collections totalled 1.64 lakh crore rupees during the same period of the previous fiscal. The government has fixed a direct tax collection target of over 6.68 lakh crore rupees for the current fiscal, envisaging a growth of 19 per cent from 5.65 lakh crore rupees in the previous fiscal. In a statement, the Finance Ministry today said that Gross collection of corporate taxes increased 11.72 per cent to 1,08,075 crore rupees during April-August, 2013-14 from 96,738 crore rupees a year earlier.
<><>
The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange surged 412 points, or 2.2 percent, to close at a 3-week high of 18,980, today, after the new Reserve Bank governor announced a host of measures to restore confidence in the India growth story. The Nifty jumped 145 points, to 5,593. Stock markets in Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore gained between 0.1 percent and 1.2 percent. The rupee appreciated 106 paise, to 66.01 against the dollar. Gold tumbled 1,250 rupees, to 30,950 rupees per ten grams in Delhi. Silver plunged 1,800 rupees, to 53,700 rupees per kilo. And Brent crude oil futures remained above 115 dollars a barrel, while US crude gained 57 cents, to 107.80 dollars a barrel. Pradeep Kumar, AIR News)
<><><>
Iranian port authorities have said that they have issued orders for the release of the seized Indian oil tanker, MT Desh Shanti. More from our West Asia Correspondent:-
The Oil tanker MT Desh Shanti was on its way back to India with a load of Iraqi crude when the Iranian navy stopped it last month. Iranian authorities said the tanker polluted its territorial waters and seized the vessel on August 12. India had raised strong objection saying the vessel was on its way from Basrah to Visakhapatnam, not destined for Iranian ports and was forcibly diverted to Iranian waters and subjected to inspection for release of pollutants which is not tenable. The head of the Iranian ports administration, Attahollah Sadr told today that orders have been issued for the release of the ship after the Indian sailing organization presented the necessary guarantees. Atul K Tiwary, AIR News, Dubai
<><>
The Egyptian state media has reported that the country’s interior minister Mohamed Ibrahim survived an assassination attempt today. The explosion took place near the minister's residence in the capital's Nasr City district. Earlier reports said the blast resulted from a car bomb, but state TV confirmed later that a bomb was thrown by unknown assailants from a nearby building. The building from which the bomb was dropped has been identified and search operations are on to nab the culprits. At least seven, including a child, were injured in the attack.
<><><>
A team of three former Chief Election Commissioners and one former High Commissioner to Maldives will fan out to various parts of Maldives on Saturday as observers to the crucial Presidential elections. A report:
Maldives Election Commission gives final touches to its preparations for conducting Presidential polls under intense international scrutiny, the Indian team of observers are charged with the duty to see that polls are fair and credible. On the polling day, a team under former Chief Elections Commissioner N Gopalaswamy will tour the Southern Atolls, another team under S M Gavai will visit the northern islands, while two teams under J M Lyngdoh and B B Tandon will tour the 110 polling centres of Male. High Commissioner Mr Rajeev Shahare said that the nature of the Indian delegation shows the level of importance India attaches to its ties with Maldives. ABHISHEK AIR NEWS COLOMBO
<><><>
In Afghanistan, a noted Indian woman author, who wrote a popular memoir about her escape from the Taliban, has been shot dead by suspected militants. Police say Sushmita Banerjee, who was married to an Afghan businessman, was killed outside her home in Paktika province. Ms Banerjee had recently moved back to Afghanistan to live with her husband. A senior police official told the BBC that Ms Banerjee, who was also known as Sayed Kamala, was working as a health worker in the province and had been filming the lives of local women as part of her work. No group has yet said it carried out the attack.
<><><>
Leander Paes and Sania Mirza, with their partners, will play their semi-final matches of the US Open Tennis tournament at New York later today. In the Men's Doubles, the fourth seeded Indo-Czech pair of Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek will lock horns with America's top seeded Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike. Paes is the only Indian left in the Men's Doubles section. In the Women's Doubles, the tenth seeded Indo-Chinese duo of Sania Mirza and Jie Zheng will take on the eighth seeded Aussie team of Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua.
<><><>
On the ongoing SAFF Football Championship in Kathmandu, Nepal defeated India 2-1 in a thrilling match in Dasarath Stadium today. Both teams have qualified for the semi finals from Group-A with Nepal getting seven points from three matches and India four points.
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