1400 HRS.
21-05-2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Chinese Premier Li Keqiang calls for people to people interaction, says India and China declare 2014 as the year of friendship to promote understanding between the two neighbours.
• Former Ranji player Baburao Yadav arrested in connection with the IPL spot-fixing scandal.
• Supreme Court agrees to give an urgent hearing to a public interest litigation seeking stay on all remaining matches of IPL.
• Death toll rises to 91 in a huge tornado in Oklahoma City of United States.
• Nation pays tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 22nd death anniversary today.
• Sensex gains over 70 points in afternoon trade; Rupee strengthened by 16 paise.

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called for increased people-to-people interaction between India and China and said that 2014 has been declared as the year of exchanges between the two nations to boost the understanding and friendship. Addressing a meeting in New Delhi organised by FICCI and ICWA, he said India and China have the ability to address trade balances. He said China never has any intention to seek trade surplus. He said only a systematic trade balance is sustainable to both the countries. Mr Li pitched for greater synergy between the markets of both the countries. He said if the markets of both the countries are connected, then it will be conducive for New Delhi and Bejing to create a new dynamism to global economy. He hoped that if India and China join hands, both will be the engines for the growth of world economy. Favouring trade balance aimed at decreasing trade deficit between the two countries, Mr Li said Beijing will support Chinese enterprises to increase investments in India and help Indian products to have access to Chinese market. On in border issue, the Chinese premier said New Delhi and Beijing have the wisdom to find mutually acceptable solution to the problem and the two countries have not shied away from addressing the vexed issue. Mr. Li favoured peace and stability in the South-East Asia region and hoped the relevant issues will be resolved soon. He said peaceful co-existence between India and China will be of global significance and they should seek close cooperation. He said the cooperation between the two countries will induct a new dynamism in their relations. External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid described the Chinese Premier's visit as historic. He said Mr Li had fruitful discussions with the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari and UPA Chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi and others.

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Delhi Police today arrested former Ranji player Baburao Yadav in connection with the IPL spot-fixing scandal. The Police said it is likely to seek further custody of three arrested players and some bookies. Yadav, was picked up from Delhi yesterday and questioned on his links with arrested player Ajit Chandila. Police sources said Yadav had allegedly introduced Chandila to bookie Sunil Bhatia, who is already arrested. With the arrest of Yadav, a total of 18 people including three IPL players, four former players and 11 bookies and their assistants have been arrested since last Thursday in connection with the scandal. Delhi Police sources also said they will seek custody of three arrested players -- Sreesanth, Chandila and Ankit Chavan and 8 bookies when they will be produced in court as their remand ends today. Rajasthan Royals had yesterday lodged a complaint with Delhi Police against its three players Chandila, Sreesanth and Ankit Chavan accusing them of cheating and other charges. Meanwhile, BCCI's anti-corruption unit chief Ravi Sawani, who has been asked to head the probe in spot-fixing by the cricketing body, yesterday held a meeting with Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar and other top officials and offered all help.

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The Supreme Court today agreed to give an urgent hearing to a public interest litigation seeking stay on all remaining matches of IPL in view of the spot-fixing scandal. A bench of justices B S Chauhan and Deepak Misra posted the matter for further hearing this afternoon. The PIL also seeks setting up of a Special Investigation Team to look into the issues of match fixing and other alleged irregularities in the IPL. The petition by a Lucknow resident has made all IPL franchises and BCCI party in the case along with the Centre.

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The Election Commission of India and the Human Resources Development Ministry have teamed up together for the first time to promote electoral literacy through National Literacy Mission in the country. A Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between the country's apex election body and National Literacy Mission Authority, NLMA, was inked in New Delhi today for the purpose. The agreement is intended to sensitize adults, vulnerable and disadvantaged women and minorities about the importance of their electoral rights and participative democracy. As part of the MoU, NLMA will include electoral literacy in its curriculum for adult literacy and basic education. On the occasion, Human Resources Development Minister M M Palam Raju termed the MoU as a historic step to strengthen roots of democracy in the country. Minister of State for Human Resources Development Shashi Tharoor said electoral literacy is a tool for greater empowerment of citizens. Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath said the agreement is a welcome initiative which will endeavour greater participation for the vibrant democracy.

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Vice President Hamid Ansari today left on a four-day visit to Uzbekistan during which issues of cooperation in counter-terrorism, Afghanistan and development projects in the region will come up for discussion. Ansari is visiting with a high-level delegation to Tashkent where he will meet Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov. The visit will give a fillip to bilateral relations between the two countries. India and Uzbekistan have a bilateral trade worth 200 million US dollars with the balance of trade tilted in favour of New Delhi. Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan, MPs K N Balagopal, Shivanand Tiwari, Sumitra Mahajan and E M S Natchiappan are accompanying the Vice President.

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In Uttar Pradesh, 13 people were killed and 24 others injured in a road accident in Sadar police station area of Kannauj district this morning. Injured persons have been rushed to district hospital. Those critically injured have been sent to Kanpur Hospital. The incident occured when a truck carrying a marriage party collided head on with a roadways bus around 6 AM on GT Road national highway today. In another incident seven persons, including three children, were killed and 40 others injured when a bus in which they were travelling lost control and fell into the Khannaut river in Pilibhit district. Police said the incident took place last evening when the bus was on its way to Pilibhit from Shahjahanpur. The injured were admitted to a hospital, where their condition was stated to be stable.

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In the United States, death toll has risen to 91 in tornado in Oklahoma City suburbs. Officials said 20 children are among those killed in the devastation. The Worst hit was Moore, south of the city, where neighbourhoods were flattened and schools destroyed by winds of up to 320 kilometre per hour. About 120 people are being treated in hospitals. President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in Oklahoma. Hours after the storm struck, the frantic search-and-rescue operation is still going on. Heavy machinery is being used under floodlights to try and find and free those still trapped under the tons of debris.

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The nation remembers former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 22nd death anniversary today. President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were among those who paid rich floral tributes at the Rajiv Gandhi memorial Vir Bhumi. Family members of Rajiv Gandhi including his wife and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Son and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, daughter Priyanka offered prayers at his memorial. Shanti Mantra was recited on the occasion. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, Defence Minister A K Antony, Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath were also among those who paid tributes to the leader. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on the 21st of May in 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu during a poll campaign. Our correspondent reports that the Martyrdom of Rajiv Gandhi is also observed as Anti Terrorism Day.

 
Anti Terrorism Day is observed to create awarenees among the youth to break free from the influence of terror philosophies that promote violence and destruction. It is an ocassion to promote sentitivity to the sufferings of common people and to lead a harmonious life of unity in diversity. Several functions are being held across the country cautioning about the danger caused by unmerciful acts of terrorism that continue to claim innocent lives. People from all walks of life today reaffirmed their commitment to oppose and defeat all forms of terrorism and to uphold peace, social harmony and understanding among fellow human beings.Shiela, AIR News, Delhi.

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The 22nd death anniversary of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was observed at his memorial site at Sriperumbudur where he was killed. Union Minister of State for Railways, Mr. K. H. Muniyappa, Tamilnadu Congress Committee Chief Mr. B.S.Gnanadesikan, former Chief Mr.Thangkabaalu, Senior congress leaders of the region and a large number of people gathered at Sriperumbudur to remember their beloved leader who was killed this day in 1991.

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In Puducherry, Floral tributes were paid to the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 22nd death anniversary. The Chief Minister Rangasamy, his cabinet colleagues, assembly speaker Sabhapathy and other N.R Congress functionaries garlanded the Rajiv Gandhi statue. The Chief Minister administered the anti terrorism pledge to the participants.

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Entire Rajasthan is facing severe heat wave. Our correspondent reports that Churu was the hottest place in the state with 48.2 degree Celcius yesterday.

There is no sign of relief from scorching heat for the people of Rajasthan. According to Jaipur met office this heat wave condition will continue for next 48 hours. Impact of heat is so high that morning temperatures are also being recorded above 40 degree celcius.Today at 11.30 am mercury crossed 44 degree at Sriganganagar and 43 at Kota.At Churu also temperature was above 42 degree in the morning hours. The administration has started water spray on roads in Churu and at few other places to reduce the impact of heat.Anurag Vajpeyi AIR News Jaipur

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In Madhya Pradesh, there is no respite from intense heat wave in most parts of the state. Our Bhopal correspondent reports that the maximum temperature is expected to touch 45 degrees celsius.

Scorching heat has badly hit normal life in several parts of the state. Especially citizens in northern Madhya Pradesh are facing harrowing time as temperatures have jumped even 46 degrees in the region. Khajuraho recorded maximum temperature of 46.7 degrees yesterday. Streets wear a deserted look in the day time in most places as the Sun spew fire. The intense heat wave has claimed three lives in the state so far. The Met Department has predicted that the heat wave will persist for at least next two days in the state. Shariq Noor/Air News /Bhopal

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In Jammu and Kashmir, heat waves swept across plain areas of Jammu region. Jammu city experienced the hottest night of the season as the lowest temperature was recorded at 28.5 degree Celsius. Here is a report:

 
A Met official disclosed that the maximum temperature in the city also shot at least five notches above average to 43.7 degrees Celsius. Weatherman predicted that there would be further increase in the temperature in the next few days. The scorching heat wave have brought the normal life in Jammu city to grinding halt as most of people preferred to remain off the streets in the comfort of home. With mercury soaring around 43 degree Celsius in Jammu resulting into more consumption of power and overloading on the feeders, the frequent Power cuts has added the miseries to woes of people in this region. Chander Kant Sharma/Air News/Jammu

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The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange gained 35 points, or 0.2 percent, to 20,259 in opening trade, this morning, on selective buying by funds and retail investors. But later the Sensex turned volatile, and after swinging between gains and losses, stood 74 points, or 0.4 per cent in positive territory, at 20,298 in afternoon trade, a short while ago.

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The rupee today strengthened by 16 paise to trade at 54.95 against the dollar at the Inter-bank Foreign Exchange on selling of the US currency by exporters. The rupee had lost 23 paise to close at five-month low of 55.11 a dollar yesterday due to sustained dollar demand from oil importers. Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark index Sensex recovered by 35.41 points, to 20,259.39 in early trade

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