A S Kashyap

India fares better in protecting minority investors: WB

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While India’s rank for ‘ease of doing business’ has worsened to 142nd position globally, it fares much better. DH File Photo
While India’s rank for ‘ease of doing business’ has worsened to 142nd position globally, it fares much better in terms of protection of minority investors and credit availability at 7th and 36th places, respectively.

These are the only two categories (out of total ten considered by World Bank Group) where India is ranked among top-50 countries — a target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the overall ranking.

CBI court summons Dayanidhi Maran in Aircel-Marxis deal

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Former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran has been summoned by a special court hearing Aircel-Marxis deal. PTI File Photo
Former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran was Wednesday summoned by a special court hearing the Aircel-Marxis deal, as part of the larger 2G spectrum allocation case, to appear before it March 2.

Unmanned private cargo rocket explodes after launch: NASA

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An unmanned private rocket contracted by NASA to carry cargo into the space has exploded seconds after its launch along the eastern Virginia coast of the US. Reuters Image
An unmanned private rocket contracted by NASA to carry cargo into the space has exploded seconds after its launch along the eastern Virginia coast of the US.

US court issues summons against Amitabh in 1984 riots case

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A US court has issued summons against Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan in an alleged human rights violation case. PTI File Photo
A US court has issued summons against Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan in an alleged human rights violation case filed by a Sikh rights group.

The US District Court here issued the summons on a complaint filed by New York-based Sikh for Justice (SFJ) and two alleged victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The victims Babu Singh Dukhiya is based in Delhi and Mohender Singh is based in California.

LPG rate hiked by Rs 3 per cylinder

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Subsidised cooking gas (LPG) rates have been hiked by Rs 3 per cylinder after the government raised the commission paid to dealers. DH File photo
Subsidised cooking gas (LPG) rates have been hiked by Rs 3 per cylinder after the government raised the commission paid to dealers.

The commission paid to dealers was last week hiked by Rs 3 per 14.2-kg cylinder to Rs 43.71. Consequently, retail selling price of subsidised LPG too have been increased in the same proportion, officials said.

Foreign national found dead on railway track near Kanpur

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A foreigner was today found dead on Howrah-Delhi railway track, around seven kilometres from central railway station here, police said. A foreigner was today found dead on Howrah-Delhi railway track, around seven kilometres from central railway station here, police said.

Upon receiving information, Government Railway Police (GRP) found the body of the deceased identified as Evan Nan Waring (56), K Emanuel, SSP Kanpur said.

Black money: List of around 627 people submitted to SC

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The Centre government on Wednesday submitted a list of names of Indians having accounts in foreign banks to Supreme Court. DH File Photo
The central government Wednesday submitted to the Supreme Court names of the 627 Indians who are holding accounts in foreign banks revealed to it by the French government.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi handed over two sealed envelopes to the apex court bench headed by Chief Justice H.L. Dattu.Rohatgi said that half of these account holders are Indian residents and these accounts concern till 2006.

Delhi LG to explore government formation options

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Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung will explore the possibility of government formation in Delhi over the next few days. PTI File Photo
Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung will explore the possibility of government formation in Delhi over the next few days, said an official statement Wednesday.

“In view of the president’s approval to explore the possibility of installing a popular government in Delhi, Najeeb Jung would be exploring the possibility with the leaders of all political parties over the next few days,” the statement issued from LG House said.

All foreign bank accounts will be assessed by March 2015: AG

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Mukul Rohatgi today said that the deadline for investigation under the Income Tax Act into these accounts is March 31, 2015. Reuters File Photo
With the Centre submitting a list of 627 account holders in foreign banks to Supreme Court in the blackmoney case, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi today said that the deadline for investigation under the Income Tax Act into these accounts is March 31, 2015.

Former google employee held for trying to join ISIS

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A 30-year-old former Google employee, who was allegedly plotting to join the Islamic State (ISIS) ranks in Iraq, has been detained by Hyderabad Police.

Software engineer Munawad Salman, hailing from Tamil Nadu, got attracted to jihadist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) through social media networks and had planned to join its forces, a senior police officer said today.

Prohibitory orders to be relaxed in Delhi’s Trilokpuri

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The prohibitory orders on gathering and movement of people in Delhi’s Trilokpuri area following a communal clash will be relaxed for six hours. PTI File Photo
The prohibitory orders on gathering and movement of people in Delhi’s Trilokpuri area following a communal clash will be relaxed for six hours Wednesday as no fresh violence was reported, police said.

“The situation is the area is presently calm. The relaxation will be given from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. today (Wednesday),” Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjay Beniwal told IANS.

Congress taunts BJP over black money

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It is wrong for anyone to take credit for anything that is (being done) by the order of the Supreme Court, party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said. PTI file photo
The Congress Wednesday said the central government can’t take credit for revealing names of people holding black money abroad when it did so on a Supreme Court directive.

“It is wrong for anyone to take credit for anything that is (being done) by the order of the Supreme Court,” party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said.

Enjoy Halloween with some easy to make cocktails

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Planning a perfect Halloween party this Friday, but confused about what drinks to serve to the guests? Try four delightful DIY (do it yourself) drinks that are easy to make at home.

Black Magique, The Darkest Hour, The Orange Candy and The Green Apple Bite are the four easy to make cocktails. A team from Smirnoff, one of the largest vodka brands in the world, shares the recipes to make them at home:

India invites Saudi investment in oil sector

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India has invited Saudi Arabian oil companies, including Aramco, to invest in crude oil storage facilities and downstream industries in the country, the petroleum ministry said here Wednesday.

Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan invited Saudi investments in India’s hydrocarbons sector during his ongoing official visit to the kingdom. He held talks with Saudi minister of petroleum and mineral resources Ali Al-Naimi.

India imports 70 percent of its crude oil requirements and Saudi Arabia is currently the country’s largest oil supplier at about 19 percent.

Police say no to ‘Kiss of Love’ event

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Police have denied permission for holding a “kissing session” at the Marine Drive here Sunday evening, meant to counter the increasing instances of moral policing in the state.

A group of young social media buffs has asked men and women, young and old, to turn up at the Marine Drive to express their love in public.

The event “Kiss of Love” was meant to protest the recent attack by Yuva Morcha activists on a cafe at Kozhikode after a TV channel here showed young men and women who hug and kiss when they come to the place for a soft drink or snacks.

Peshmerga forces ready to cross into Syria to fight IS

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Preparations are currently underway at the predominantly Syrian Kurdish city of Kobane for receiving Peshmerga forces who arrived in southeastern Turkey early Wednesday to fight alongside other Kurdish groups against the Islamic State (IS) militants.

Preparations to receive an expected number of 150 Peshmerga fighters are going on at the border crossing that separates Kobane, also known as Ayn al-Arab, from the Turkish border, Xinhua reported citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The observatory said the IS fighters repeatedly tried to capture that border crossing in vain.

Sad music evokes positive emotions

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Why do people find solace in sad songs? To get over emotional stress and start their life afresh, an interesting study shows.

German researchers have discovered that sad music can evoke positive emotions like peacefulness and tenderness.

The biggest reward is that sad songs allow people to feel sadness without any of its “real-life implications”, they found.

“In other words, you can safely explore what it is like to be a little blue without experiencing the intense grief of mourning.

Murray upbeat despite gruelling schedule

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Britain’s Olympic tennis champion Andy Murray is playing for the sixth consecutive week at the ongoing Paris Masters but the World No.8 said that he feels no physical strain and is looking forward to being on court in the event.

“Last time I did it was when I was 18 after Wimbledon. I went and played 10 weeks in a row over in America,” the 27-year-old said here Tuesday, reports Xinhua.

Big B now focuses on movies, awaits verdict of masses

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After wrapping up the eighth edition of game show “Kaun Banega Crorepati” (KBC), megastar Amitabh Bachchan now awaits the “verdict of masses” on his forthcoming films set for a 2015 release.

The 72-year-old is currently shooting for three projects – “Shamitabh”, “Piku” and “Wazir”.

Director R. Balakrishnan, fondly called Balki, is helming “Shamitabh” that also features Dhanush and marks the Bollywood debut of southern superstar actor Kamal Haasan’s daughter Akshara.

Two men charged with terror acts in Britain

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A young man, a brother of a British Islamic State (IS) fighter, was charged by a British court Monday with preparing for acts of terrorism.

Mustakim Jaman, 23, was accused of breaking the British Terrorism Act and remanded in custody by Westminster magistrates, Xinhua reported.

Ifthekar Jaman, Mustakim Jaman’s brother, travelled to Syria with five other men from the southern port city of Portsmouth in October 2013 to fight for the IS terrorist group. Ifthekar Jaman was confirmed dead in Syria in December 2013.

Not going to act out of vindictiveness: Khattar on land scams

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Manohar Lal Khattar today said his govt would not act out of vindictiveness and that law will take its course.PTI File Photo
A day after his ministerial colleagues said that a probe will be ordered into alleged land scams during the previous Congress regime, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said his govt would not act out of “vindictiveness” and that law will take its course.

British Indian billionaire brothers eyeing F1 Marussia team

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British Indian brothers Baljinder Sohi and Sonny Kaushal are reportedly looking to purchase Formula One team Marussia, based in Britain and owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Cheglakov.

According to The Telegraph Monday, the purchasing sum is a reported 70 million euros (almost $89 million).

The English daily said the two brothers, who made their fortune in steel industry, have been in talks with Andy Webb, the chief executive of the beleaguered team, for the past three weeks to buy Marussia and save it from going into administration.

Sanam Johar wins ‘Dare 2 Dance’, thanks Akshay Kumar

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Sanam Johar, who has won the first season of unique reality show “Dare 2 Dance”, has a lot to thank Akshay Kumar for. He says the Bollywood action star encouraged him to give his best shot.

“During the initial days of practice and even before my first performance, I ended up hurting my finger and it was fractured. Then came acts where I had to perform on air, water, fire and more. I had an option of quitting, but Akshay sir motivated me so much that I stayed and the result was very much fruitful,” Sanam said in a statement.

Abhishek’s fanbase makes Big B proud (Movie Snippets)

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Amitabh Bachchan gets a sea of fans at his doorstep every Sunday, but he felt a unique sense of pride when he saw his son Abhishek’s well wishers.

Since years, the Big B steps out of the closed doors of his house to greet his fans in Mumbai every Sunday. This time, there was a double bonanza with Abhishek accompanying him as well.

Swiss authority willing to disclose info on black money:Centre to SC

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The Centre today told the Supreme Court that Swiss government has indicated its willingness to provide information on “stolen data” containing names of Indians who had allegedly stashed black money in banks there.

The government said the “development” is very significant as the Swiss government had refused to provide any information regarding it.