Aarushi Talwar's parents have a big day in Supreme Court

New Delhi:  More than three years ago, Aarushi Talwar, 13, was found dead in her bedroom at her home in Noida near Delhi.  Today, the Supreme Court will decide if her parents need to obey summons from a court that has declared them accused of her murder.  

Indian skies safe despite 'fake' pilots, says regulator

New Delhi:  It began with a dangerous landing and has resulted in 16 pilots being sacked. India's fake flying licence scam posed a severe challenge to the country's airline safety regulator.

But in an interview with AFP, the head of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said a crackdown on pilots that involved surprise and random checks had successfully identified the fraudsters.

Would you buy this book for 1.3 crores?

New Delhi:  Not only is the driving experience of Italian car manufacturer Ferrari expensive, reading their biography will also cost you crores. Italian automobile manufacturer, Ferrari, on Thursday unveiled its official biography - The Ferrari Official Opus - a diamond-encrusted volume, priced at $250,000 (about Rs1.3 crore), making it the costliest book to be sold in India.

Pranab 'not confident' of end to Parliament logjam

New Delhi:  In a clear message to allies and opponents, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday asked them not to stand in the way of states wanting to implement Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)I in retail and said efforts are on to work out an acceptable motion to face a Parliamentary vote.

FIR against Stalin in land grab case, will he be arrested?

Chennai:  A first information report (FIR) has been registered against DMK chief M Karunanidhi's younger son MK Stalin and Chennai is abuzz with speculation that he could be arrested. Mr Stalin, who is a former Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, has been accused of coercing a man to sell his property in a prime Chennai locality to a member of his family at a reduced price.
 

FDI row: Pranab blames 'narrow politics,' govt says some BJP states supported FDI reforms

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New Delhi:  Another morning in Parliament lost - both Houses have followed their daily routine of being adjourned because of the battle over Foreign Direct Investment or FDI in retail. They will now reconvene on Wednesday.

Anand Sharma says Gujarat, Himachal wanted FDI in retail; BJP dismisses claim

New Delhi:  As expected, the BJP has reacted sharply to Commerce Minister Anand Sharma's claim that two BJP-ruled states, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, had told a parliamentary panel recently that they wanted Foreign Direct Investment in retail.
 

Bhanwari Devi case: CBI files first chargesheet, Maderna named

Jaipur:  Former Rajasthan Minister Mahipal Maderna has been named in the chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Bhanwari Devi case.

The chargesheet, the first in the case, was filed in the Rajasthan High Court today and names three other accused, Shahabuddin, Sohan Lal and Balia.

Mullaperiyar dam issue: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy meets PM

New Delhi:  Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention for an early solution to the Mullaperiyar dam row. The Chief Minister, who met Dr Singh today, described as unfortunate Tamil Nadu's stand dismissing fears over the dam's safety.

2G scam: Why did Chandolia get bail, asks Delhi High Court?

New Delhi:  The Delhi High Court today questioned the bail granted to former Telecom Minister A Raja's ex- private secretary RK Chandolia in the 2G case and asked the trial court for all records related to the decision.

Collapse of democracy, says Deepak Parekh about FDI battle

New Delhi:  One of corporate India's most-respected leaders, Deepak Parekh, says the country is staring at "a collapse of democracy."

Mr Parekh, who heads HDFC, said the government has shown courage in its decision to open up the retail sector to foreign ownership. That policy, cleared by the cabinet last week, has led to a paralysis of parliament, with the opposition demanding a vote. 

India's first naval fighter to take to skies this month

Bangalore:  Indian Navy would soon add the air element to its ranks with the first carrier-borne naval fighter aircraft "LCA Tejas (Navy)" all set to take its maiden flight this month, a top defence official said today.

Man fom UK in India slashes throat during video chat

London:  A 53-year-old Briton, on a business trip to India, killed himself by slashing his throat while his girlfriend in Britain saw the ghastly act live on the internet, a media report said on Friday.

Adrian Rowland, the father of three children, worked for an engineering firm in Woodley, Berkshire, and was in India seeking business opportunities, The Sun reported.

Highlights: Anna Hazare slams Govt's U-turn in the Lokpal draft

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Ralegan Siddhi:  Social activist Anna Hazare has slammed the government over the Standing Committee's flip-flops on the inclusion of lower bureaucracy under the ambit of Lokpal. The issue has been a major sticking point with members of the civil society, who are threatening to launch another mass agitation if all their demands on the issue are not met.

Anna slams government's U-turn in the Lokpal draft, points finger at Rahul Gandhi

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Ralegan Siddhi:  Anti-corruption crusader has taken on the government -and blamed Rahul Gandhi -for  a Lokpal Bill that he says is designed to be ineffective. "The change in stand on Lokpal Bill might be due to Rahul Gandhi's intervention," he said. Because of this "betrayal of the country," he said, he will launch a hunger strike on December 27 for eight days in Delhi.  

Bhanwari Devi case: Mahipal Maderna arrested

Jaipur:  Former Water Resources minister in the Rajasthan government, Mahipal Maderna, has been arrested in connection with the Bhanwari Devi case.

Mr Maderna was named in the first chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today. The chargesheet was filed in the Rajasthan High Court and names three other accused, Shahabuddin, Sohan Lal and Balia.