CURRENT AFFAIRS: 08/26/11

Friday, August 26, 2011

Hurricane Irene: Evacuations, transit shutdown ordered in New York

New York: In an unprecedented decision, nearly 300,000 people who live in flood-prone areas of New York City were ordered to evacuate on Friday as Hurricane Irene sets its sights on the nation's largest city. New Yorkers, many of them without cars, don't have much time to get out of the way before the city shutters its subways, buses and trains on Saturday.

New Delhi: Team Anna today made it clear that a mere discussion in Parliament will not serve any purpose and the Gandhian will not call off his fast till Parliament passes a resolution that the cleared Lokpal Bill will include three contentious points raised by them.

New Delhi: Team Anna today termed as "disappointing" Rahul Gandhi's speech in Parliament on Lokpal issue, but, at the same time, supported his idea of making the anti-corruption authority a constitutional body.

I have been deeply distressed at the developments of the last few days. Many aspects of the situation have caused me anguish.

We are all aware that corruption is pervasive. It operates at every level. The poor may carry its greatest burden but it is an affliction that every Indian is desperate to be rid off. Fighting corruption is as integral to eliminating poverty as is Mahatma Gandhi NREGA or the Land Acquisition Bill. Yet it is equally imperative to the growth and development of our nation.

New Delhi: Anna Hazare has sent a letter to the Prime Minister explaining why he is unable to end his hunger strike. Anna, 74, has not eaten in 11 days; he has lost 7 kilos.

Chennai: US Vice-Consul Maureen Chao, who was caught in a row for her remarks of "dirty and dark" Tamilians, has decided to leave India.

"Ms Chao herself decided to leave her posting in Chennai in the near future", a US Consulate spokesperson said in Chennai on Friday without elaborating.

Lokpal Bill debate: Resolution suggested by Team Anna

New Delhi: PROPOSED RESOLUTION FOR THE PARLIAMENT

The house resolves that:

1) A Lokpal Bill shall be passed by the Parliament in the ongoing session of Parliament which will set up an independent Lokpal institution at centre and independent Lokayukta institution on same model in each state.

New Delhi: The BJP today criticised Rahul Gandhi's speech in Lok Sabha, saying he should not give sermons to the nation and persuade the Prime Minister to bring changes in the Lokpal bill.

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New Delhi: As the government searches for a solution that will persuade Anna Hazare to end his hunger strike, it played its ace on Friday. Rahul Gandhi chose Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha to break his silence on the Lokpal Bill - thanking Anna for articulating the sentiments of the poor on the issue of corruption, but also warning that democratic processes could not be undermined.

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New Delhi: Wearing an 'I Am Anna' T-shirt, a lone protester managed to enter the Parliament complex today and shouted slogans before security personnel took him away.

As soon as he reached the main porch, the protester raised slogans in support of the Jan Lokpal Bill, shouting "Vande Mataram", "Inquilab Zindabad", and "Anna Hazare Zindabad".

Delhi: Furious with the government's approach on the Lokpal debate today, the BJP demanded this afternoon that a discussion on the anti-corruption bill should end with a vote in Parliament. The party then also gave notice for its own resolution on the debate - effectively, it submitted its own terms of reference for the discussion.

Chennai: The three men facing death penalty for the 1991 assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi will be hanged on September 9 at Tamil Nadu's Vellore prison, a jail official said on Friday.

Prison Superintendent R Arivudainambi on Friday afternoon received the official communication to carry out the execution of Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan.

Delhi: A group of protesters outside Rahul Gandhi's home this evening were put into buses by the police. Not before a little taste of Rahul Gandhi-giri.

His staff sent cold drinks and samosas to the demonstrators. Which were accepted.

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Delhi: Kiran Bedi, a close associate of Anna Hazare, has denied media reports, including one on NDTV.com, that said she apologised for her on-stage theatrics targeting MPs.

The NDTV correspondent apologises for the error in the report.

Ahmedabad: The Narendra Modi Government on Friday termed Governor Kamla Beniwal's decision to appoint Lokayukta in the state as "one sided" and blamed the opposition Congress' "non-cooperation" for the delay in naming the anti-graft ombudsman.

New Delhi: Anna Hazare has now been fasting for 12 days. He has clearly stated that to end his hunger strike, Parliament must debate and pass a tough anti-corruption law based largely upon a draft prepared by his team of activists. That debate - on the Jan Lokpal Bill - will begin today at 11 am. It was meant to start on Friday afternoon, but was postponed after the BJP insisted that the discussion must lead to a vote. A compromise has been worked out - the debate will begin with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee sharing the government's stand on what's intended as a historic piece of legislation. (Read: Who is Anna Hazare?) | (Read: What is Jan Lokpal Bill?)

Breaking his silence, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhion Friday asserted that Lokpal Act alone would not help eradicate corruption and appeared to disapprove Anna Hazare's fast, saying "individual dictates" must not weaken democratic process as dangerous precedent could be set.

Clear divisions appeared in Team Anna on Friday as two key members of the civil society -- Justice Santosh Hegde andSwami Agnivesh -- slammed it for continuing with its hard line even after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed to an open debate in Parliament over the issue of Jan Lokpal.

Jayendra Saraswati

Chennai, Aug. 25: Madras High Court today stayed for eight weeks the trial in the Sankararaman murder case, in which Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswati is the prime accused, following a petition alleging attempts to influence a Pondicherry court’s verdict.

Hazare's detention: SC agrees to examine violation of right

The Supreme Court today agreed to examine whether the government violated fundamental right of a citizen by taking Anna Hazare into preventive custody on August 16.

A bench of justices P Sathasivam and BS Chauhan, however, declined to issue notice to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and HRD Minister Kapil Sibal for the incident.

Rajiv assassins plea to Jaya to intervene

Vellore (TN), Aug 26 (PTI) Rajiv Gandhi assassins Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan, facing the death row, today appealed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to intervene in the matter even as their hanging may take place on September 9.Reports said authorities at Vellore jail have fixed their execution on September 9, but there was no official confirmation.

Book by death row convict

Penning his side of the story as a death row convict in prison for the past 21 years in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, A.G. Perarivalan's book An Appeal From The Death Row (Rajiv Murder Case — The Truth Speaks) was released by Communist Party of India general secretary A.B. Bardhan here on Tuesday in the presence of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Vaiko, CPI leader D. Raja and Perarivalan's mother Arputham Ammal.

DRUMMING UP SUPPORT: Actor Vijay addressing the anti-corruption protest rally on the Ramlila Grounds in New Delhi on Thursday. Anna Hazare is in the picture. Photo: Sandeep Saxena

The HinduDRUMMING UP SUPPORT: Actor Vijay addressing the anti-corruption protest rally on the Ramlila Grounds in New Delhi on Thursday. Anna Hazare is in the picture. Photo: Sandeep Saxena

Popular Tamil actor Vijay on Thursday joined a number of celebrities in expressing support to Anna Hazare’s fast for a strong Lokpal, saying the Gandhian’s stir has triggered a nationwide debate on uprooting corruption.

Lokpal debate in Lok Sabha on Saturday, but no voting

NEW DELHI: The stand-off between government and Anna Hazare on Friday showed no signs of resolution, with Parliament failing to meet the Gandhian's key demand for a discussion on JanLokpal Bill as major political parties sparred on how it should be debated.

Anna Hazare would call off his fast the moment Parliament passes a resolution containing three of his demands or at least table the Jan Lokpal Bill, a key member of his team said on Friday.

“He (Hazare) has made his position clear that he will break his fast if this minimum demand of at least the resolution containing three things is passed by Parliament or at least table the Jan Lokpal Bill. Then he will withdraw the fast,” Prashant Bhushan, a member of Team Anna, said.

Anna Hazare is given a drink on the 11th day of his fast in New Delhi. Rahul Gandhi has said Hazare's motives are right but his tactics are wrong. Photograph: Parivartan Sharma/Reuters

The scion of India's most powerful political family has praised a reform activist for galvanising anger against corruption, but condemned his hunger strike as "a dangerous precedent for a democracy".

Rosaiah appointed new Tamil Nadu governor

NEW DELHI: President Pratibha Patil Friday appointed former Andhra Pradesh chief minister K. Rosaiah as the new governor of Tamil Nadu in place of Surjit Singh Barnala, whose term is ending, according to a statement issued here.

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has appealed to Anna Hazareto end his fast, suggesting to him that his team members could fast instead and continue the anti-corruption agitation.

"Please end the fast, considering your deteriorating health. Let Kejriwal, Bedi, Sisodiya fast instead and continue the stir," Thackeray said in a letter to Hazare.

PTIFormer Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah has been appointed the new Tamil Nadu Governor. File photo

The Government on Friday formally announced the appointment of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah as the new Tamil Nadu Governor. Mr. Rosaiah is among four new governors whose appointment was announced by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

London, Aug 24 (ANI): Are you desperate to lose weight without major dieting, rumbling stomachs or expensive protein shakes? Then opt for a lighter lunch.

Scientists from Cornell University in New York have found that eating lighter lunches a few times a week could be an easy way of cutting down on calories without feeling it.

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian striker Bhaichung Bhutia announced his retirement from international football on Wednesday, ending a 16-year career with the national team for which he played a record 109 games.

One ANNA Hazare’s fight against corruption seems to have made the government uncomfortable. But it would perhaps take a hazar Annas to get rid of the malaise that has taken deep roots in Indian sport over the decades.

The two are helping each other out for their respective films and may come together to repeat the magic of ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ soon

Brokerages see the downside somewhere in the range of 4000- 4660 for the National Stock Exchange ( NSE) index Nifty according to a survey conducted by Mail Today. The Nifty closed on Monday at 4,898.80 points, while the BSE Sensex ended the day at 16,341.70.

Oh how quickly and quietly they went ... down.

Lost the series, sorry WHITEWASHED. Lost the number one ranking...not lost England took it and declared they are the best Test team by some distance and deserve to top the rankings. Dhoni and co must be thanking Mr. Anna Hazare for taking the spotlight away from them after being repeatedly humiliated by England in the four-Test series and looking completely out of their elements.

Read it -- Tata Vista. The Indica badge at the car’s rear has shrunk. So has its Indica-ness. The car’s first major makeover in three years is Tata’s clear attempt to get deep into the premium hatchback segment and make it a popular choice among those who hesitate to proudly say, ‘I drive a Tata Indica’.

Photography: Clint Thomas, Yahoo! India News

The new Vista shares its front fascia with its elder sibling Manza. The chrome grille and larger triple barreled head lamps make its face more aggressive

Kolkata, Aug 26 (IANS) The state could soon get a new name, teachers receive salaries on the first of every month, Darjeeling is quiet after a tripartite pact and the Singur Act has been passed -- the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal has set a hectic pace as it completes 100 days in office Saturday.

Lokpal bill part of UPA's commitment: Congress

New Delhi, Aug 25 (IANS) The Lokpal bill had not been brought to parliament under any pressure but as part of the commitment of the Congress and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Thursday told a meeting of his party's MPs.

Mukherjee briefed the MPs about developments on the Anna Hazare situation. The 74-year-old's fast for a powerful Lokpal bill has entered its 10th day.

The minister, Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters after the meeting, informed MPs about the draft of a Lokpal bill when he chaired the standing committee. He said a new bill was prepared following emphasis laid by Congress president Sonia Gandhi after the UPA government returned to power in 2009.

Minissha

Mumbai, Aug 25 (IANS) Actress Minissha Lamba is 'flummoxed' after getting threatening calls from unknown numbers, but says she would like to get to the bottom of the matter.

'It started on Saturday when I received the first spate of calls from an international number and an Indian number, which turned out to be from somewhere in or around Haryana. At first I answered the phone. The callers from both numbers say the same thing - 'Don't attend the event in New York.',' she said.

New Delhi, Aug 26 (IANS) The parliament was all set to discuss the Jan Lokpal bill Friday, the 11th day of Anna Hazare's fast. He has lost seven kg till now, although doctors monitoring him said he was fine.

The virtual climbdown by the government came Thursday after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made an emotive appeal to Hazare to end his hunger strike in view of his failing health but the 74-year-old activist declined unless parliament discussed three key issues.

NEW YORK: Steve Jobs pushed the envelope many times when it came to product design, and the results weren't always pretty. Here are seven products created under his direction that failed commercially or functionally:

1. Apple III (1981) — The successor to the very popular Apple II was focused on business users and priced accordingly. Unfortunately, the hardware was unreliable. Apple lost the business market to the IBM PC, launched the same year, and a rapidly expanding market of PC clones.

Patna, Aug 26 (IANS) Bihar, for years a metaphor for backwardness, will now harness modern communiction tools to nail corruption. It will expose officials seeking bribes in welfare schemes by uploading clips of complaints against them on the video-sharing website YouTube.

Lara Dutta to be a supermom!

Do you know who will be the next mummy in B-town after Aishwarya Rai Bachchan? The recent buzz in tinsel town is that Lara Dutta is pregnant. The sexy diva who is married to tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi on February 16, 2011, is three months pregnant and is expecting her baby by the end of January 2012.

The wonders which fasting can do have already been demonstrated by Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement built around it.

While fasting can amount to pushing your body to an extreme, it does bring some health benefits along with it. During the course of human history people have practiced fasting both for its health benefits as well as for spiritual and religious reasons.

New Delhi, Aug 24 (IANS) Activist Anna Hazare may be fighting to wipe out corruption from society but what is drawing the ire of the police is the growing number of traffic violations by his supporters, with 336 people being booked for various offences over the last three days.

As Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement gains critical momentum, we take you back to some basic information you might have missed in all the action.

Sexual fantasies are good for you!

I think about other people during sex with my husband. Is this common?

I guess you mean that you fantasise about other people while you are having sex with your husband. If people simply popped into your mind-in the way that sometimes one thinks about random things during sex-you would probably not have asked this question.

New Delhi: The Ramlila Maidan witnessed five people suffering heart attacks within a short span of three hours. The India Against Corruption medical camp has registered nine cases of heart attacks in till now. Dr. Sanjeev Chhiber, who is a senior cancer specialist and is leading the team of doctors at the camp said, "Five patients had suffered heart attacks in Ramlila Maidan today and we treated them immediately and subsequently sent them to LNJP Hospital for further care."

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the latter's 7 Race Course Residence, apparently, PTI reports, to discuss the Lokpal issue. The meeting came a few hours before Parliament begins a debate on Anna Hazare's Jan Lokpal Bill and two other draft Bills.

Friday, August 26, 2011

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