Monthly Current Affairs December 2015

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan deported for landing in Hyderabad

Acclaimed Pakistani singer Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was in for a rude shock morning when he touched down at the city's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA).
2016-01-01

17,000 dogs in Corbett a big threat to its big cats

The thriving big cat population at the Jim Corbett National Park might be a show piece for successful conservation, but the famous wild life sanctuary's tigers and leopards might be at risk from canine diseases from some 17,000-odd dogs living in villages in the 5km buffer zone.
2015-12-31

For public good, states can ban booze says SC

While upholding the Kerala government's decision to render all hotels except five-star ones dry, the Supreme Court also ruled that the states could ban public consumption of cigarettes and liquor even if they had not taken steps to curb production of these intoxicants.
2015-12-31

Ashwin becomes first Indian bowler to top ICC Test rankings since Bedi in '73

Ashwin has achieved the number-one spot for first time in his career after injury prevented Dale Steyn from bowling more than 3.5 overs in England's second innings. Even though the fast bowler bagged four wickets in the first innings, these were not enough for him to end the year as the number-one ranked bowler for the sixth time since 2009.
2015-12-31

Want to enter US? Now just a visa won't suffice

The govt asked all Indian nationals to carry "necessary supporting documents regarding place of stay, financial support, sponsorship details etc".
2015-12-30

10 Janpath bigger than PM's 7 RCR, reveals RTI

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has one of the largest residences among politicians in the country, bigger than even the Prime Minister's official abode at 7 Race Course Road in size.
2015-12-30

Sex ratio dips to 917, lowest level since 1961

Two religious communities of India, Sikhs and Jains, have turned the corner on child sex ratio while all others showed further dips, as did the national average, according to fresh Census 2011 data released.
2015-12-30

Odd-even plan in Delhi

The Delhi high court asked the Arvind Kejriwal government why women and two-wheelers have been exempted from the odd-even traffic rule effective for 15 days starting January 1. Seeking a response from the government, the court said it will hear the matter next on January 6.
2015-12-30

What Kejriwal told kids about odd-even plan

"Vehicular pollution is the main reason why we are here... After conducting car-free day on 22nd of every month, we calculated pollution and it was comparatively lesser," Arvind Kejriwal said.
2015-12-30

Will Infosys help Telangana create its Mysore?

Government in talks with four domestic firms including Infosys to set up their campuses in Telangana
2015-12-30

Out Of India's 3.7L beggars, 21% have passed Class 12

In fact, more than 3,000 of them have professional diplomas, or are graduates and even post-graduates, according to the Census 2011 data on Non-workers by main activity and education level released earlier this week.
2015-12-29

ISI used Facebook to honeytrap IAF airman into spilling secrets

Ranjith KK, an Indian Air Force employee, got a Facebook friend request from a pretty woman based in the United Kingdom three years ago. He thought himself the luckiest of young men when the friendship took a spicy turn that included dirty talk late into the night.
2015-12-29

Kejriwal says DDCA panel will continue probe even if struck down by Centre

Delhi's Lt Governor Najeeb Jung had questioned the legality of appointment of the probe panel by the AAP government to probe the affairs in Delhi and District Cricket Association, triggering a new round of confrontation with Kejriwal dispensation.
2015-12-29

BJP says DDCA probe panel head's letter to NSA is drama at behest of Kejriwal

The BJP has described the one-man Commission of Inquiry's communication to the NSA as an exercise in "cheap publicity and propaganda."
2015-12-29

Book reveals how Army surprised enemy in Kargil

Book title: 'Kargil',  Author: Lt. General Mohinder Puri.

2015-12-29

No LPG subsidy for consumers with taxable income of more than Rs 10 lakh

The new rule would be applicable from January 2016 and will be initially implemented on a self-declaration basis, according to a release issued by the government.
2015-12-28

Congress Foundation Day Celebration

In a huge embarrassment for the Congress on its Foundation Day, articles in its mouthpiece criticized Jawaharlal Nehru's policy on Kashmir, and alleged that Sonia Gandhi's father was a "fascist soldier", leaving the party squirming.
2015-12-28

Severe water crisis may force evacuation of Bengaluru by 2025

Groundwater, a major resource in times of crisis, is dwindling. Increase in the number of borewells and the decline of groundwater levels have resulted in bore wells sinking to the depths of 1,000 feet in several areas.
2015-12-28

IS influencing youth in south India: NIA chief

NIA director general Sharad Kumar on Sunday said IS is emerging as a major threat for radicalization of youth, especially in south India.
2015-12-27

Smoking dips 10% in 2 years in India but women smokers up sharply

Smoking in India is falling steadily even as the number of women smokers is rising, making it home to the second largest number of female smokers after US.
2015-12-27

China officially ends one-child policy

China has officially junked its controversial one child policy, allowing couples to have a second child amid deepening demographic crisis of shrinking workforce and ageing population in the world's second largest economy.
2015-12-27

PM Modi's 15th 'Mann ki Baat'

Addressing the year's last version of his bi-weekly radio address Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government will announce the action plan of his ambitious 'Start-up India, Stand up India' on January 16.
2015-12-27

Modi's detour to Lahore may well redefine future India-Pakistan engagement

When PM Modi landed in Lahore to wish Nawaz Sharif on his birthday, in effect, he restored a process started in May 2014 but derailed in August when his govt cancelled the foreign secretary-level talks with Pak over its high commissioner's meeting with the Hurriyat.
2015-12-26

To bypass Hurriyat, talks to be in Islamabad

Foreign secretary S Jaishankar is likely to travel to Islamabad for a meeting with his counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary on January 15 in what marks an important and immediate takeaway from PM Narendra Modi's Christmas date with his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif.
2015-12-26

India, Pak working on Saarc disaster diplomacy

Disaster diplomacy is the new buzzword in the Narendra Modi-led government which is closely working with Pakistan along with six other member-countries of Saarc in raising a common disaster response force, on the lines of UN peace keeping force, for specialized response to natural and man-made disasters.
2015-12-26

End of BCCI as we know it? Lodha panel set to propose massive overhaul

2016 is expected to ring in sweeping changes in the structure, management and functioning of the world's richest cricket body Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) as the committee headed by former Chief Justice of India R M Lodha is set to give its report to the Supreme Court on January 4.
2015-12-26

Arun Jaitley finds no mention in Kejriwal govt's DDCA probe report

The report of the three-member inquiry set up by the Delhi government to probe the affairs of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) which was held out by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to have made out a strong case against Arun Jaitley, does not even mention the finance minister.
2015-12-26

Jaitley biggest disappointment says Ram Jethmalani

Lashing out at Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, noted lawyer and former law minister Ram Jethmalani said, "Arun Jaitley is the biggest disappointment."
2015-12-26

Ram Madhav says - India, Pak and Bangladesh will reunite to form 'Akhand Bharat'

Ram Madhav, the BJP general secretary, clarified that this will not happen through war, but through "popular consent".
2015-12-26

PM Modi meets Sharif in surprise Lahore visit

During his 150-minute surprise stopover in Lahore, PM Modi held talks with Nawaz Sharif at the Pak PM's residence. The two leaders decided to open ways for peace for the "larger good" of the people of the two countries.
2015-12-25

SMS alerts directly from PM Modi

Soon, you could get an e-mail or SMS straight from the Prime Minister informing you of a new policy decision or even an urgent alert in national interest.The e-Sampark initiative launched as a part of 'Digital India' last year is now being extended to private citizens, especially professionals.
2015-12-25

Actress Sadhana Shivdasani passes away

Veteran actress Sadhana Shivdasani passed away today morning. The actress who completed 74 years of age this September, was reportedly admitted to the Hinduja hospital.
Sadhana Shivdasani, better known mononymously as Sadhana, was an Indian actress who was one of the top actresses in the 1960s and the early-1970s, a period regarded as Bollywood's "golden era".
2015-12-25

BJP suspends Kirti Azad for attacking finance minister Arun Jaitley

When Arun Jaitley had filed a defamation case against Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders in the DDCA case, Kirti Azad had openly dared the finance minister to sue him also.
2015-12-23

Delhi HC refuses to stay AAP's odd-even formula

The bench further observed that the city government has called for representation from various stakeholders of the society and as of today they have not finalised any scheme.
2015-12-23

Silicon Valley fraud: MEA advisory asks students to defer departure

The external affairs ministry has advised Indian students seeking admission in two California-based universities to defer their departure till it gets a response from the US government on the issue. 19 students were offloaded from an Air India flight in Hyderabad, when they were on their way to San Francisco to join Silicon Valley University in San Jose and North Western Polytechnic in nearby Fremont.
2015-12-23

BSF plane crash near IGI Airport kills 10

A Border Security Force aircraft crashed just outside IGI Airport, within five minutes of taking-off from there on Tuesday morning, killing all 10 on board including two pilots and eight technicians from the force who were headed for Ranchi to repair an Mi-17 V5 helicopter.
2015-12-22

'Napping' Jet Airways bus driver wrecks AI plane

Calling it 'gross act of negligence', Air India said it was a clear morning when the Jet Airways bus intruded into the space where the aircraft was parked. Airlines sources said the loss, which is being ascertained, will run into crores.
2015-12-22

Donald Trump takes vulgar swipe at Hillary Clinton

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump used a crude slang to describe Hillary Clinton's loss to Barack Obama for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.
2015-12-22

Rajya Sabha passes Juvenile Justice Bill, Nirbhaya's mother 'satisfied'

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Juvenile Justice Bill, which will ensure that now on 16-year-olds involved in heinous crimes would be prosecuted as adults.
2015-12-22

RComm, Aircel in talks to merge mobile business

2015-12-22

BSF aircraft crashes near Dwarka, all 10 killed

2015-12-22

Husband arrested for Mumbai artist's murder

Contemporary artist Chintan Upadhyay was arrested in connection with the murders of his estranged wife Hema Upadhyay and her lawyer Haresh Bhambhani. Chintan was detained after a new piece of evidence emerged.
2015-12-22

Indian Navy's ops force pirates to shift base

Over the past three decades, the INS Godavari class warship has been successfully deployed in numerous international operations since it was inducted into the fleet. After its decommissioning, the Indian Navy will decide on the three aspects of the future of the warship.
2015-12-21

MHA for all sex crime convicts' info on log

The Union home ministry, in its draft guidelines for registry of sex offenders, has proposed inclusion of all those convicted of sexual offenses ranging from voyeurism and stalking to rape and aggravated sexual assault.
2015-12-21

Despite visa 19 students were treated like criminals'

Air India stopped 19 students from flying to the US, citing the plight of 14 students who had earlier traveled to San Francisco but were deported.

Air India barred these students on the grounds that the two US universities in which they had secured admission are under "scrutiny" of American authorities.
2015-12-21

India welcomes Nepal's deal with Madhesis

India has welcomed Nepal government's decision to amend its new Constitution to address two key demands of agitating Madhesis. "Government of India welcomes developments as positive steps that help create the basis for a resolution of the current impasse in Nepal," the external affairs ministry said.
2015-12-21

63 students failed in IITs in last session: Irani

Irani said this in Parliament in response to a query about whether students have been expelled from IITs on the ground of poor performance. Out of the failed students 8 were from General category, 9 from OBC, 16 and 30 from Scheduled Caste (SC) and 16 from Scheduled Tribe (ST) category respectively.
2015-12-21

Mahindra KUV100: Five things you need to know

Arun Jaitley on Monday filed a civil defamation suit in the Patiala House court against Arvind Kejriwal and five other AAP leaders for issuing allegedly false and defamatory statements against him and his family members over alleged irreguralities at the Delhi and District Cricket Association(DDCA).
2015-12-21

Closeness between Modi, Obama is real: US envoy

India and US need each other, says Richard Verma, US ambassador to India in an exclusive conversation with Indrani Bagchi, as he looks back on 2015 and prioritizes an important checklist for 2016, spanning nuclear energy, defense cooperation on jet engines and aircraft carriers and a bilateral investment treaty.
2015-12-20

RSS shakha spreads its wings to 39 countries, most branches in Nepal, US

2015-12-20

WTO deal a huge setback for India: Congress

The Congress on Sunday attacked the NDA government for agreeing to the WTO deal in Nairobi, describing it as a huge setback for India and other developing countries.
2015-12-20

Haryana wants Class XII pass for civic polls

After fixing minimum educational qualification of Class X for candidates contesting panchayat polls, Haryana will now make class XII mandatory for aspirants to urban local body elections.
2015-12-20

Sri Lanka banks on India to modernize its military

Sri Lanka's military is set to be modernized with assistance from militarily advanced nations such as India, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said. Wickremesinghe was addressing a military passing out parade in the central town of Diyathalawa.
2015-12-20

Iraq gets first beauty queen since 1972

2015-12-20

Centre had opposed juvenile's release: RijijuÂÂ

Kiren Rijiju put the onus on Delhi govt on the convict's rehabilitation. "In principle, the central government opposed the release of the juvenile offender at this stage for which we have presented our position before the honourable Delhi High Court," Rijiju said.
2015-12-20

Delhi gang-rape: Juvenile released

The juvenile convicted in the gang-rape and murder of a paramedical student in Delhi three years ago, will be released today. The Supreme Court refused the dramatic post-midnight move of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) to stay his release by giving an urgent hearing.
2015-12-20

WTO talks conclude; India disappointed

After hectic negotiations for five days--exceeding the scheduled closing by almost 24 hours--the WTO Trade Ministers concluded their talks this evening without any commitment by rich countries to check subsidies.
2015-12-19

Young pacer Brainder Sran gets India call-up

The Indian selectors threw a major surprise when they announced the name of unheralded Punjab left-arm seamer Brainder Sran in the India ODI squad for the upcoming Australia tour that starts in January next year.
2015-12-19

Yuvraj returns to India T20 squad for Aus tour

Pacer Mohammed Shami and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja made a comeback to the India squad for the ODI and T20 series in Australia starting January 12.
2015-12-19

National Herald case: Sonia, Rahul get bail

In a massive relief for Congress president Sonia Gandhi and son Rahul in the high-profile National Herald case, the Patiala House court in New Delhi granted them unconditional bail on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each.
2015-12-19

Al-Qaida's India chief comes from freedom fighters family

Intelligence agencies have learnt that the elusive India head of al-Qaida was born in a family of freedom fighters in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, less than 200km from New Delhi. Last Sunday, 40-year-old Sanaul Haq was unmasked as Maulana Asim Umar, the head of al-Qaida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and one of the most wanted men today.
2015-12-19

Two nations that had no idea they were in Saudi anti-terror coalition

While Pakistan reaffirmed its position of non-involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts, Lebanon said it was also equally baffled. Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia announced a new 34-country coalition of Muslim nations to fight terrorism.
2015-12-19

UN council endorses Syria peace plan

The United Nations Security Council unanimously agreed a resolution endorsing an international road map for a Syria peace process, a rare show of unity among major powers on a conflict that has claimed more than a quarter million lives.
2015-12-18

Parliament blocks bill to decriminalise gay sex

Parliamentarians blocked a private member's bill to decriminalize gay sex, in a setback for sexual freedom in India. Shashi Tharoor, sought to table a bill to amend section 377 of the Indian penal code, which bans homosexual acts as "carnal intercourse against the order of nature".
2015-12-18

Pope recognises second Mother Teresa miracle

Pope Francis has recognized a second miracle attributed to Mother Teresa, clearing the path for her elevation to sainthood next year. She is expected to be canonized on September 4, 2016. Mother Teresa was beatified in 2003 by Pope John Paul II.
2015-12-18

These 6 bills will survive House logjam

The government and main opposition Congress have reached an agreement to pass six legislations next week when the winter session concludes. These include two appropriations bills, amendment bill on sugar cess, prevention of atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Tribes bill, atomic energy bill and one on waterways.
2015-12-17

Pune teen girl on ATS radar for IS leanings

A 16-year-old college girl from Pune, who was allegedly in touch with arrested Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) executive Mohammed Sirajuddin, has been put under surveillance for her suspected links with the Islamic State (IS), assistant commissioner of police Bhanupratap Barge of the anti-terrorism squad, Pune unit, said.
2015-12-17

Govt to buy Rs 39K cr Russian missile systems

The government on Thursday approved the Rs 39,000-crore acquisition of five advanced Russian S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems, which have even rattled NATO countries because they can destroy incoming hostile aircraft, stealth fighters, missiles and drones at ranges of up to 400 km.
2015-12-17

India ups ante as WTO agri draft favours US

2015-12-17

Reservation should continue: RSS chief Bhagwat

Making a complete U-turn from his previous statement that the quota system needed a review, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat has said that reservation should continue in the country as long as there was social discrimination and asserted that the Sangh was not in favour of scrapping it.
2015-12-17

What Pichai would do if he was not Google CEO

Google CEO Sundar Pichai said if he were not the chief executive of the internet search giant, he would have still been building software products
2015-12-17

Jolt for I-T firms: US to hike H-1B, L1 visa fee

The US Congress has imposed a special fee of up to $4,500 on the H-1B and L-1 visas popular among Indian IT companies to fund a 9/11 healthcare act and biometric tracking system. PM Narendra Modi has raised the issue of visa fee hike with with US President Barack Obama.
2015-12-17

Modi govt dismissed 13 officers, penalized 45

The Modi government has so far dismissed, removed or compulsorily retired 13 bureaucrats and imposed pension cut on 45 others for unsatisfactory performance and delivery in public service, the government informed Rajya Sabha.
2015-12-17

UGC to rank all universities, irks watchdogs

In a controversial overreach, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has said it will rank all institutions across the country. Private colleges and universities will come under the ratings ambit.
2015-12-16

Diesel car buyers to pay 1-time pollution tax: SC

The Supreme Court banned registration of diesel-guzzling high-end luxury cars and SUVs with engine capacity of 2,000cc and more in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) till March 31 and said it would impose a one-time pollution tax on small diesel cars in the new year.
2015-12-16

Isro successfully launches 6 Singapore satellites

India has successfully put six Singapore satellites into orbit after a perfect launch of its polar rocket in its landmark 50th space mission from Sriharikota that also gave a boost to its space business.
2015-12-16

Govt hikes excise duty on petrol, diesel

The government increased excise duty on petrol by Rs 0.30 per litre and by Rs 1.17 a litre on diesel to make use of slump in oil prices to garner an additional Rs 2,500 crore. This is the second increase in excise duty in less than six weeks.
2015-12-16

SC bans diesel vehicles of over 2000cc in Delhi

In a landmark ruling aimed at curbing the alarming pollution level in Delhi, the Supreme Court on Wednesday banned the registration of all diesel SUVs and luxury cars with engine capacity of 2000 cc or more in the entire National Capital Region till March 31 this year.
2015-12-16

BJP got Rs 2.5cr from buffalo meat exporters

BJP received Rs 2.50 crore in donations from companies exporting buffalo meat, according to contribution reports for financial years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 submitted to the Election Commission of India.
2015-12-16

India racing ahead of China in pollution

An evaluation of the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) data maintained by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released has revealed that as many as 15 out of the 17 cities that are being monitored fail to meet the ambient air quality standard by a considerable margin.
2015-12-15

VVIP chopper deal: Interpol notice to 2 Italians

On the request of the Enforcement Directorate, the Interpol has issued Red Corner Notices against two Italian nationals- Carlo Gerosa and Guido Ralph Haschke who were allegedly the middlemen in the Rs 3600 crore AugustaWestland VVIP chopper deal.
2015-12-14

'87% of Himalayan glaciers stable since 2001'

As many as 248 of 2,018 or 12.3% of Himalayan glaciers are retreating while 18 are advancing, environment minister, Prakash Javadekar told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. The minister's reply, however, also revealed that a majority or about 86% of glaciers have remained stable.
2015-12-14

Now, US army lets Sikh soldier keep beard, turban

It is the first time in decades that the military has granted a religious accommodation for a beard to an active-duty combat soldier a move that observers say could open the door for Muslims and other troops seeking to display their faith.
2015-12-14

Paris deal: Climate justice won

Shortly after a climate change deal was reached by 195 nations in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the historic accord, saying "climate justice has won". "Outcome of Paris agreement has no winners or losers. Climate justice has won and we are all working towards a greener future," he tweeted from his personal handle.
2015-12-13

Shirdi temple pledges 200kg gold to PM's scheme

Shirdi temple has decided to move 200kg of its gold reserves to the government-sponsored Gold Monetisation Scheme. The glitch is that in 2012, Bombay HC had banned the temple trust from melting the gold, following a PIL that said devotees had made the offerings to Sai Baba, and not for raising money.
2015-12-13

Now, Google CEO Sundar Pichai comes out in support of Muslims in US

India-born Google head Sundar Pichai is the latest technology industry CEO to come out against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent anti-Muslim tirade. Earlier this week, Trump issued a advocating ban on all new immigration of Muslims to the US.
2015-12-12

India, Japan sign defence, N-energy agreements

India and Japan inked a number of pacts in key areas of defence and nuclear energy as well as building of first bullet train network between Mumbai- Ahmedabad at a cost of about Rs 98,000 crore.
2015-12-12

Japan to import Maruti cars from India

"India is a land of possibilities with excellent human resources and a technological base," PM Modi said while addressing the India-Japan business leaders forum with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Delhi.
2015-12-12

'Schools in Delhi may be shut down from Jan 1-15'

Delhi government is contemplating shutting the city's schools for 15 days from January 1 during the trial period of odd-even vehicle formula.
2015-12-11

India and Pakistan will meet next month

Foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan will meet next month to work out the details of a comprehensive bilateral dialogue, the Pakistani ministry of foreign affairs said. The meeting will also decide the modalities and schedule of the meetings under the dialogue.
2015-12-11

NGT bans registration of new diesel vehicles in Delhi till January 6, 2016

The National Green Tribunal(NGT) ordered that no new diesel vehicles would be registered in Delhi till January 6, 2016. The NGT also directed the Centre and the Delhi govenment not to buy any diesel vehicles for their departments.
2015-12-11

US Republican front runner Donald Trump says total shutdown Muslims entering America

2015-12-11

NGT okays rafting on Ganga, not camping near it

In a big blow to Ganga beach camp owners who were hoping for a reprieve, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) upheld its ban on beach camping near the river from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, an order which it had passed in March.
2015-12-10

Accident victims want funds from Salman Khan

Bollywood megastar Salman Khan was acquitted by the Bombay high court of all charges in the 2002 accident that killed a pavement dweller. After the verdict, Salman wiped away tears of relief as his overjoyed family flanked him.
2015-12-10

ISIS finance chief Abu Saleh killed

The Islamic State group's finance chief has been confirmed killed in a coalition air strike last month, US officials said.
2015-12-10

Mumbai Court pardons David Headley, makes him an approver in 26/11 case

Headley, one of the main accused in the 26/11 case, is now a prosecution witness after court pardoned him in the case on certain conditions.
2015-12-10

Bombay HC acquits Salman Khan of all charges in 2002 hit-and-run case

A little over 13 years after Salman Khan's late night drive home turned fatal for a labourer sleeping on a sidewalk in Bandra, the Bombay high court acquitted the Bollywood actor of all criminal charges that he had been held guilty of by a trial court in May.
2015-12-10

42 militant groups have pledged support to ISIS

The groups range from Ansar Al-Khilafah in the Philippines to factions in Egypt's Sinai province
2015-12-10

Japan pips China to build India's 1st bullet train

The bullet train accident in China four years ago along with low-cost finance and a promise to have a substantial Make in India component and transfer of technology clinched the deal for Japan to build the first high-speed train that will run between Mumbai and Ahmedabad with the possibility of extending it to Delhi in future.
2015-12-09

India-Pak joint statement: 5 key highlights

PCB chief Shaharyar Khan said that hopes of resumption of bilateral cricketing ties between India and Pakistan with a short series later this month are "dying" with too little time left to organize the big ticket event.
2015-12-09

Ban Donald Trump from entering the UK

The number of signatories to a petition seeking ban on Donald trump from UK was growing fast, but Britain's finance minister George Osborne said that Trump should not be banned from the country.
2015-12-09

Heart of Asia" summit held in Islamabad.

"It's time we display maturity and self-confidence to do business with each other and strengthen regional trade and co-operation. The entire world is rooting and waiting for a change. Let's not disappoint them," Sushma Swaraj while addressing the "Heart of Asia" summit in Islamabad.
2015-12-09

Latest and last Country to give women freedom

Despite Saudi women standing for office for the first time, the country still has a long journey towards gender equality. Women in Saudi Arabia will be voting and standing for office for the first time in the oil monarchy's municipal elections this weekend.
2015-12-09

Punjab goes bust, puts widow home, jails on 'girvi'

The last place from where you expect a state government to raise funds is jails and a widow home. But that is precisely what the Punjab government has done in the past two months to tide over its severe financial crisis.
2015-12-08

'Reports of ISIS presence in India baseless'

The All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat (AIMMM), the umbrella body of Indian Muslim organizations, has dubbed media reports on the presence of the terrorist organization ISIS in India as baseless and misleading.
2015-12-08

CAG slams govt for mismanaging submarine refit

The Navy was unable to use the kilo-class submarine over the last decade, with the refit cost going up from Rs 629 crore to over Rs 1,000 crore, at a time when the force continues to grapple with an ageing and depleting underwater combat arm.
2015-12-08

CAG slams govt for mismanaging submarine refit

The Navy has been unable to use the Kilo-class submarine for about a decade. The refit was to be finished by January 2009, but remains incomplete. The cost of the refit has gone up from Rs 629 crore to over Rs 1,000 crore. All this, at a time when the Navy grapples with an ageing and depleting underwater combat arm.
2015-12-08

Delhi's odd-even vehicle plan to follow dates

Delhi's transport minister has announced that the odd-numbered vehicles will ply on odd dates, while the even-numbered vehicles would ply on even dates.
2015-12-08

No vendetta, Gandhis should face court: Jaitley

Jaitley attacked the Congress over disruption of Parliament on National Herald issue and asked Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to face the courts. "India is not a banana republic in which Parliament or media can decide the guilt or innocence in such matters," Jaitley said.
2015-12-08

IPL to have two new teams from Pune and Rajkot

Pune and Rajkot became the new franchises in the IPL, replacing the suspended teams of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for a period of two years. The Pune franchise was bought by Kolkata-based business tycoon Sanjiv Goenka's company New Rising, while the Rajkot bid was won by Intex Mobiles.
2015-12-08

23 Flipkart employees get over Rs 1cr salary

Flipkart Internet employee benefit expenses swelled threefold to Rs 476 crore, according to its filing with the Registrar of Companies.
2015-12-08

Donald Trump's latest tirade: Ban all Muslims from entering US

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump called for a "total and complete" block on Muslims entering the United States, in the wake of last week's mass shooting in California by a Muslim couple believed to have been radicalized.
2015-12-08

SC leaves uniform civil code to Parliament

2015-12-07

Beijing issues 'red alert' on air pollution

Beijing has issued its first red alert for smog, urging schools to close and invoking restrictions on factories and traffic that will keep half the city's vehicles off the roads. It's the second time this month that notoriously polluted Beijing has experienced a prolonged bout of smog.
2015-12-07

All flight ops at Chennai airport to start tomorrow

Altogether five passenger flights, all of Air India, took off from or landed at Chennai Airport till 5pm on Sunday. An Oman Air plane stranded at the Chennai airport departed for Muscat with two crew. From Monday, full operations will resume at the airport.
2015-12-06

HWL: India beat Netherlands 3-2 in penalty shootout to win bronze medal

The Indian team maintained their calm in a high scoring encounter in Ranchi to edge past world no. 2 Netherlands in the penalty shootout 3-2 to take the bronze medal.
2015-12-06

IT cos suffer $60 mn loss due to Chennai floods

Crippling floods in the city have caused huge losses to the IT industry. IT insiders have pegged the losses at $5-10 million for mid-size firms and $40-50 million for large companies.
2015-12-05

Delhi's Odd Even Rule: Private vehicles in Delhi can run only on alternate days

Taking a tough decision to improve the city's toxic air quality, Delhi's AAP government decided to restrict the number of private vehicles on the roads for a fortnight starting on New Year's Day, allowing cars and bikes with odd and even numbered registration plates to run on alternate days.
2015-12-04

Pak-origin couple kills 14 in California carnage

2015-12-03

Britain joins US-led Syria air war, Putin vows more sanctions on Turkey

While Britain on Thursday joined the US-led air strikes against Islamic State in Syria, Vladimir Putin issued bitter new denunciations of Turkey for shooting down a Russian plane. Meanwhile, the US said it will not launch a 2003-style invasion of Syria or Iraq.
2015-12-03

PM announces Rs 1,000cr more for TN relief works

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an immediate relief of Rs 1000 crore for flood-hit Tamil Nadu over and above the Rs 940 crore package announced last week. He also made an aerial survey of the submerged Chennai and areas around it affected by the torrential downpour.
2015-12-03

NDRF doubles strength of rescue teams to 1,200

NDRF teams have doubled the number of their rescuers in the rain and flood-battered Chennai and adjoining areas to 1,200 even as the force on Thrusday decided to penetrate deep into the affected areas to aid the marooned.
2015-12-03

Zuckerberg gives 99% of his shares to charity

2015-12-01

Britain prepares for air strikes in Syria 'within hours' of vote

Britain's parliament will vote on bombing Syria, Prime Minister David Cameron said, confident he can secure its approval after the opposition Labour Party allowed its members to vote freely on the issue.
2015-12-01

RBI keeps key policy rates unchanged

The Reserve Bank of India is likely to keep its policy rate unchanged on Tuesday, following a big cut two months ago, and to sound cautious about the scope for more easing as it aims to meet its 2017 inflation target and braces for a US rate hike.
2015-12-01

Source: Times of India News

Latest Abbreviations used:

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA)
Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Services (DANICS)
Delhi and District Cricket Association(DDCA)
Delhi Commission for Women (DCW)
al-Qaida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)
National Capital Region (NCR)
National Air Quality Index (NAQI)
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
National Green Tribunal(NGT)
National Green Tribunal (NGT)
All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat (AIMMM)
National Disaster Response Force(NDRF)

Source: The Times of India News