2100 HRS.

8^th November, 2013

THE HEADLINES

• India and Kuwait agree to enhance cooperation in the field of energy and investment; Both countries sign five pacts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

• Electioneering at its peak for the first phase of polling in Chhattisgarh on Monday;filing of nominations in Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram ends,Delhi poll process set to get in motion with issuing of notification tomorrow.

• Typhoon Haiyan batters central Philippines forcing millions of people to seek shelter across 20 provinces.

• Sensex drops 157 points to close at 20,666.

• India beat West Indies by an innings and 51 runs in the Kolkata test; Go 1-nil up in the two match series.

[]<><><>[]

India and Kuwait today agreed to expand cooperation in key areas including energy and investment. The two countries reaffirmed that close relations between them are important to tap vast untapped potential. After holding delegation level talks with the visiting Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al- Mubarak Al- Hamad Al- Sabah, the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said that they discussed the development of a more strategic partnership in the energy sector.

We agreed to work purposefully to expand our relations in key areas, including energy and investments. Kuwait is the fourth largest supplier of crude oil to India. His Highness Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber and I discussed the development of a more strategic partnership in the energy sector between our two countries.

Dr. Singh said, it can be done through long term supply contracts and the establishment of joint ventures in the petroleum and petrochemical sectors. He said, India has proposed several specific projects for investments by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. Dr. Singh said that the two sides will undertake discussions on specific proposals and appropriate investment vehicles for channelling Kuwaiti investments in India and a delegation of the Kuwait Investment Authority is expected to visit India in this context. Dr Singh said, the Kuwaiti Prime Minister also assured him that Indian companies will continue to enjoy fair and equal opportunities there.

Our correspondent reports that the two sides also signed five documents including an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons, cooperation in the field of sports and youth affairs, exchange of cultural and information programmes besides cooperation in the field of education.

[]<><><>[]

With just one day left for the first phase of campaigning in Chhattisgarh to end electioneering has gathered momentum in the Naxal infested state. 18 assembly constituencies will go to the polls on Monday. Some of the constituencies in Baster region will witness triangular contests. Our correspondent has filed this report.

In Chhattisgarh, for Congress its vice-president Rahul Gandhi and film actor Raj Babbar today addressed election meetings to canvass support for their candidates. While Senior BJP leader and leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley and former BJP president Venkaiyah Naidu sought support for their party candidates. Congress mainly raised issues of corruption and deteriorating law and order situation in the state while the BJP sought to project its government achievements to seek voters mandate . In the constituencies going to polls in the first phase, Maoist problem is also a major issue. Vikalp Shukla, AIR News, Raipur.

In Madhya Pradesh filing of nominations for the assembly elections ended today. Scrutiny of nominations will take place tomorrow. Our Bhopal correspondent reports that the last date for withdrawal of nominations is the 11th of this month.

In Mizoram, scrutiny of nomination will be held tomorrow and votes will be cast on the 25th of November. In Delhi, political parties are busy finalising their list of candidates. The main contest is between the Congress and the BJP. The notification for polls will be issued tomorrow and votes will be cast on 4th of December.

[]<><><>[]

The Congress has said it is not in the favour of a complete ban on Opinion polls. Instead the party supports restrictions on them during the elections process. Briefing reporters in New Delhi today, party spokesperson, Randeep Surjewala said, the Congress only endorsed the view of th eElection Commission to restrict them from the period of issuing of notification to the polling date. He said the opinion polls are full of errors and are not credible and can affect the voters. Mr. Surjewala said, the party has also decided not to send its spokespersons and panelists for TV discussions on opinion polls.

[]<><><>[]

Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi has denied any violation of the Model Code of Conduct in his speeches in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan last month. Official sources said that in his reply to the Election Commission notice for violation of the Model code of conduct, Mr. Gandhi defended his argument and claimed that he has not violated the law or the model code.

[]<><><>[]

The Government will appeal against the verdict of Guwahati High Court which in an order held the setting up of the CBI as unconstitutional. Law Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters in New Delhi today that the Department of Personnel and Training is the administrative ministry for the CBI and that he has discussed the issue with the department and it has been decided to file an appeal.

Earlier in the day, Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasamy met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh apparently to discuss the fallout of the verdict. Narayanasamy said that the Government will itself approach the Supreme Court on the matter.

CBI will not go to Supreme Court, the Government will go to Supreme Court, as far as the Government is concerned I discussed with Law Minister. We are going to meet the Attorney General, CBI officials also will meet them and we will request the government especially Law Ministry, that we have to move the Supreme Court get stay of the order because the CBI is dealing with lot of sensitive matters.

[]<><><>[]

Typhoon Haiyan is battering the central Philippines with sustained winds of 314 kilometres an hour. Meteorologists say that according to initial estimates it could be the most powerful storm ever to make landfall. The storm has forced millions to seek shelter in 20 provinces and at least three people have died. The region was already struggling to recover from a powerful earthquake last month. The authorities have warned that more than 12 million people are at risk from the storm.

[]<><><>[]

The Geneva talks between Iran and six major world powers enter the second day today with heightened hopes of a breakthrough in the negotiations. More from our Correspondent:

Hopes are running high that the six major powers may be able to achieve a breakthrough in talks with Iran over its nuclear program. The Chief nuclear coordinator for the six major world powers, Catherine Marie Aston told that a fully verifiable agreement can be expected at the end of the negotiating process. Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif has already sounded that an agreement is on the cards. A phased agreement is doing the rounds as one of the options wherein as the first step Iran would stop advances in its nuclear program in return for easing of some of the economic sanctions. However the core sanctions will remain in place till a fully verifiable agreement is arrived at. Iran has said it won’t forego its right to enrich Uranium however the details can be worked out. Atul K Tiwary, AIR News, Dubai

[]<><><>[]

Standard and Poor's has cut France's credit rating to AA from AA+. The move comes almost two years after the country lost its top-rated AAA status The French government responded by saying that its debt rating was one of the safest in the eurozone.

[]<><><>[]

The Congress today said that a decision on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet - CHOGM at Colombo will be taken keeping in view the national interest and the interests of Tamils in Sri Lanka. Briefing reporters in New Delhi, party spokesperson Randip Singh Surjewala said, while taking the decision, the view of the political parties in Tamil Nadu will also be considered.

Earlier, the Congress Core Group met in New Delhi today under the leadership of Party President Sonia Gandhi. The meeting took place in the back drop of Political parties and various groups in Tamil Nadu strongly opposing India's participation in the CHOGM summit.

[]<><><>[]

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma today said in New Delhi that investment banker Goldman Sachs' recent report on India is most inappropriate and objectionable. He said the country will not entertain any preions from unconnected entities. The Minister said India's growth story has always been strong and intact.

Sharma was reacting to the recent report of investment banker Goldman Sachs which suggested that BJP-led NDA could win the forthcoming general elections and described the party's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as more business-friendly.

[]<><><>[]

BUSINESS WORLD:-

Falling for the fourth straight session, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange dropped 157 points, or 0.8 percent, to close at 20,666, amid declining global markets, today, on concerns that the US Federal Reserve will start tapering its monetary stimulus sooner than expected. The Nifty fell 47 points, to 6,141. Stock markets in Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore lost between 0.6 percent and 1.1 percent. The rupee depreciated 6 paise, to 62.47 against the dollar. Gold gained 50 rupees, to 31,400 rupees per ten grams in Delhi. But silver declined 215 rupees, to 49,100 rupees per kilo. And Brent crude oil futures steadied around 104 dollars a barrel, while US crude gained 23 cents, to 94.43 dollars a barrel. Pradeep Kumar, AIR News

[]<><><>[]

India today convincingly beat the West Indies in the first cricket test match at Kolkata on day 3 itself. A report from our sports desk.

India handed out an innings and 51 run defeat to the West Indies, on day 3 of first Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, to take 1-0 lead in the 2 match series. Clinical performances by test debutants Mohammad Shami and Rohit Sharma with R Ashwin's all around assistance helped India to emerge victorious. India piled on a lead of 219 runs, from their first innings total of 453 runs with the help of Rohit Shrma's 177 and R Ashwin's 124. Replying to the total posted West Indies, were bowled out for 168 runs in their secon innings. Mohammad Shami who had earlier taken 4 wickets in the first innings casted a very discplined bowling spell as he took 5 for 47 in the second innings. With this win MS Dhoni became the first Indian Captain to win 25 tests and four wins against Australia and win against West Inidies, India have won 5 tests in a row for the first time in their history. This is Meeqat Hashmi for Sports Desk.

[]<><><>[]

In Bihar, today is the third day of the four day long festival of Sun worship of Chhath Puja. Our Patna Correspondent reports that people started gathering at ghats from the afternoon to worship the setting Sun. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and all big leaders also reached the Ghats to celebrate this auspicious occasion. The puja began on Wednesday.

[]<><><>[]

In Himachal Pradesh, the cold wave further intensified its grip today as snowfall continues at several places in the tribal districts of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and the remote Bharmour and Pangi area of Chamba district. Some parts including capital Shimla were lashed by rain today. Our correspondent reports that minimum temperature decreased by three to four degrees Celsius at most of the places in the past 24 hours.

In Lahaul valley people were facing shortage of petrol and diesel as the area has been cut off by road connectivity after snowfall in Rohtang Pass which received more than three feet of snowfall till today evening. Although the Border Roads Organization men were trying to clear the snow but continuous snowfall has hampered their operation. The district authorities have appealed people to drive their vehicles carefully as the interior roads have become slippery after frequent spell of snowfall in the district. Shishu Sharma Shantal, AIR News, Shimla.

[]<><><>[]

More than 40 human skulls have been found at the Burundian home of an Italian expatriate. Giussepe Favaro was arrested last month after two skulls were intercepted at the airport. Police say they were in a package being sent to Thailand. Police have refused to disclose any further details. Mr Favaro has lived in Burundi for several years.

[]<><><>[]

The President today called upon National Institutes of Technology's, NITs to make innovation a way of life and develop at least one Department as a model of excellence. In his concluding remarks at a two day conference of NITs in New Delhi, President Pranab Mukherjee said innovation clubs should be set up in all NITs on a priority basis.

[]<><><>[]

The Rajasthan High Court today directed the District and Sessions court, hearing the sexual assault case involving Asaram and four others, to start daily proceedings and wrap up the trial as early as possible. The court gave these directions while hearing the bail application of the co-accused in the case.

[]<><><>[]

In Gujarat, a MiG-29 fighter aircraft crashed this morning in a rural area near Jamnagar. The pilot of the aircraft ejected safely and no casualty has been reported.