1400 HRS
14th March, 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Supreme Court restrains the Italian Ambassador from leaving the country; Seeks explanation from the Italian government for reneging on its assurance to send back the marines to face trial in India.

• Sri Lankan Navy arrests 34 more Indian fishermen in Delft Island.

• Inflation rises from 6.62 to 6.84 per cent in February; Sensex gains over 130 points in afternoon trade.

• Xi Jinping takes over as China's new President.

• Justice Khil Raj Regmi sworn-in as Nepal's new Prime Minister to head an interim government.

• Jorge Mario Bergoglio elected as new Pope.

• Opening day's play of third cricket test between India and Australia at Mohali called off due to rain.

• Three Indians to play their finals in the inaugural Asian Grand Prix Archery Championship in Bangkok today.

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The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Italian Ambassador and restrained him from leaving the country without its permission. The apex court took exception to Italian government's refusal to send back marines charged with the killing of two fishermen.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir also issued notice to the two marines, Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone, who were allowed by the Apex court to go to Italy to cast their vote in the elections there after Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini had given an assurance to send them back. The bench asked them to file their response by Monday.

The bench, also comprising justices A R Dave and Vikramajit Sen, passed the order after it was brought to its notice that the Republic of Italy has reneged on its assurance given to the Apex court.

Attorney General G E Vahanvati brought the issue before the bench, saying that it is a breach of undertaking given to the highest court of the land and the government is extremely concerned about it.

The bench further said that if notice is not served to the marines, who are right now in Italy, then it will be served through the Italian Ambassador.The bench posted the matter for further hearing on coming Monday after the AG pleaded for an urgent hearing on this issue.

The two marines were on board Italian vessel 'Enrica Lexie', when they shot dead two fishermen off the Kerala coast on February 15, last year.

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External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has said the Government is deeply concerned on the issue of Italian Marines. Talking to media outside parliament, he said the Government will proceed with urgency and determination to ensure that the dignity and primacy of India will be preserved. Mr. Khurshid said the Government will have to keep the Supreme Court informed and work in coordination while factoring in a lot of issues.

We have to factor in a lot of issues, but the aspirations and feelings of our own people are paramount. We have analysed it. The Attorney General will on behalf of the entire government put forward to the Supreme Court what our understanding is and what his advice is. And the court will then take the final call and hopefully that will address some of the concerns that are being circulated in the country.

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In the Kashmir valley, curfew continues in Srinagar city and situation is by and large under control. The curfew was imposed following killing of a civilian in interior Srinagar city yesterday in an alleged CRPF firing. Top officers of police and para-military forces paid tributes to five CRPF jawans killed in fidayeen attack in Bemina area of Srinagar city at a wreath laying function today.

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The government today said incidents of infiltration across the border and terror activities have declined in Jammu and Kashmir due to effective security measures. Making a statement on yesterday's terrorist attack in Srinagar in both the Houses, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said the government has strengthened the technology to monitor the terrorist activities in the valley. The Home Minister said a group of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen has claimed the responsibility for yesterday's attack.

The attack was made the militants who had taken shelter in the state. They made a fidayeen attack on CRPF peronnel. The killed terrorists are suspected to be of foreign origin. Although the responsibility for the incident was owned by an agent of Hijbul Mujahideen the authenticity of the claim is yet to be ascertained.

Earlier, raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj asked the members to unitedly challenge Pakistan and the terrorists for their unlawful activities. She criticized the government for offering reception to the Pakistani Prime Minister during his recent personal visit to the Ajmer Shrine. She demanded that as long as Pakistan does not dismantle terror camps on its soil, New Delhi should not engage itself in the dialogue process.

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With the arrest of 34 Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy today morning near Delft Island, a total of 53 fishermen in 9 trawlers are in custody of Sri Lankan authorities now. Speaking to All India Radio, Sri Lankan Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said all the arrests have been made in Sri Lankan waters for illegal poaching. 

Officials of the Indian High Commission are in touch with the relevant authorities to ensure an early release of all 53 fishermen and their fishing boats. Earlier, on March 3, the Lankan navy had arrested 16 Indian fishermen from Tuticorin. They were released last week after being remanded to fourteen day custody by a Lankan court. The distance between Rameshwaram and Munnar coast in North Sri Lanka is only about 50 miles and often the fishing boats stray into each others’ territorial waters, leading to skirmishes between fishermen of the two countries or even arrests by Naval Patrol boats. Abhishek Dayal, For Air News,Colombo

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Members from Tamil Nadu today demanded immediate release of Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy during the last two days. Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, T K S Elangovan of the DMK alleged that the government is not protecting the Tamil Nadu fishermen. He said the arrest of fishermen by Sri Lanka has become a daily routine and demanded response from the Home Minister. Echoing similar sentiments, Thambi Durai of the AIADMK sought a statement from the government giving details about the steps taken to check such incidents. He said a total of 800 Indian fishermen were killed by the Sri Lankan Navy so far.

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In Manipur, Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been on fast unto death demanding immediate repeal of the Armed Forces(Special Powers) Act, has been re-arrested by the Police last evening just one day after her release from jail. Later, she has been remanded to judicial custody till the 26th of this month. Soon after her release from jail on Tuesday, Sharmila Chanu, who has been on a fast since November 2000, continued her agitation at her fasting shed at Porompat in Imphal.

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After declining for four consecutive months, inflation rose marginally to 6.84 per cent in February, as food items such as rice, wheat, onions and fruits became costlier. Inflation based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) had stood at 6.62 per cent in January. In February, 2012, it was 7.56 per cent. As per official data released today, the rate of price rise in the manufactured items category witnessed a slight decline at 4.51 per cent last month. Rice became costlier by 18.84 per cent in February, as against 17.31 per cent in the previous month. However, inflation in vegetables was at 12.11 per cent, from 28.45 per cent in January. For the fuel and power category, it was up by 10.47 per cent in February, compared to 7.06 per cent in January 2013.

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The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange gained 46 points, to 19,409 in early trade, today, on emergence of buying by funds, amid largely weak regional bourses. Later, after some volatility, the Sensex gained further ground, and stood 137 points, in positive territory, at 19,499 in afternoon deals, a short while ago.

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Xi Jinping has taken over as China's new president and head of the military succeeding Hu Jintao. This completes a generational transition of power in the world's most populous country.

China's parliament formally elected Xi, 59, as President, four months after he took charge of the Communist Party. Besides being the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi has been appointed as the Chairman of the Powerful Military Commission.

The Military Commission supervises a 2.3 million-strong and the world's largest standing army called People's Liberation Army, incorporating the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The National People's Congress of China also elected Li Yuanchao, a reformist and Politburo member of the CPC, as Vice President.

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Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi was today sworn-in as Nepal's new Prime Minister to head an interim government that will hold elections in three months. With this a long political deadlock has come to an end.

Regmi, 63, was sworn in as the head of interim government as a part of the eleven-point deal reached among three major parties and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) yesterday during a marathon meeting to form an interim government. President Ram Baran Yadav administered the oath of office and secrecy to Regmi. 

With Khil Raj Regmi taking over as the Prime Minister of the Interim government he has called on the political parties to work towards forming the constitution instead of holding protest on the streets. He said he is committed to holding elections and would as soon as possible form the cabinet and announce the date of elections after holding consultations with the Election Commission. The main task of the eleven member interim council is to hold elections to 491 member new Constituent Assembly by June .Jane Namchu, AIR NEWS, KATHMANDU.

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Argentina's Jorge Mario Bergoglio has been elected as new pope to lead the the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics. He chose the name Pope Francis. The 76-year-old from Buenos Aires is the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to become pope. He will be installed officially in an inauguration Mass on Tuesday. Pope Francis greeted crowds in St Peter's Square in Rome after his election last night. US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon have sent warm wish to the new Pope.

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The opening day's play of the third cricket Test between India and Australia was today called off, due to inclement weather. Persistent rain at Mohali played spoilsport, as umpires decided to call the day off, after inspecting the situation in the post-lunch session. The toss will now take place tomorrow. Hosts India are currently leading the 4-match series, 2-0.

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India's Rahul Banerjee, Jignas C. and Anjali Kumari will play their respective finals of the inaugural Asian Grand Prix Archery Championship in Bangkok today.

In the Men's individual recurve event final, Rahul will meet Japan's Olympic Gold medalist Takaharu Furukawa. In the same category, India’s Atanu Das will face Hsin-Fu Chen of Chinese Taipei in the bronze medal play-off match.

In the Men's compound individual event finals, Jignas C will meet China's He Ying. In the Women's compound individual event, Anjali Kumari will clash with Indonesia's Threesyadinda Dellie in the final round.

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The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly was adjourned today with opposition parties stalling the proceedings on Telengana statehood demand and power charges. Demanding the government to pass a resolution in favour of Telengana state, the Telengana Rashtra Samithi members did not allow the Speaker N. Manohar to take up the listed business.

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The Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Awards for the year 2011 have been announced. The Best of All Award has been won by DAV ACC Senior Secondary Public School, Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh for excellent service standards. The awards given by Bureau of Indian Standards are intended to encourage manufacturing and service organizations to strive for excellence and also to give special recognition to quality leaders. Food Minister K V Thomas announced the awards in New Delhi.