Russia expels 60 American diplomats, UN warns of Cold War-like situations
Russia’s government on Thursday announced it's decision to expel 60 US officials and closing its Consulate in St Petersburg, in retaliation to America’s similar move. According to some media reports, President Vladimir Putin’s government also ordered sacking diplomats from the European Union, adding the numbers up to 150. Russia’s tough move comes after the US and EU on Monday expelled 60 of Moscow diplomats, backing the United Kingdom decision of cornering Russia over the poisoning and attempted assassination of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Assessing the situation the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of a return to Cold War-like tensions between the US and Russia.
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BJP puts ‘land scam’ charges on Congress' Kapil Sibal
The BJP on Thursday charged fresh allegations on Congress leader Kapil Sibal for purchasing a property in Delhi from an individual who’s involved in money laundering case. Holding a press conference, Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani said Sibal and his wife acquired the property for a meagre Rs 1 lakh, again it’s high market value. Irani also accused Sibal of acquiring ownership of Grande Castillo company owned by a businessman called Piyoosh Goyal. Taking a dig at Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Irani asked, “Is it acceptable to Rahul Gandhi?” Reacting to her statement Sibal said he has paid for the company in due time and called it an attempt to divert attention from CBSE paper leak.
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Terrorists force into police officer’s house in Jammu, shoot him dead
A special police officer was shot dead by a group of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag on Thursday night, forcing their way into his private residence. According to some media reports the martyred officer, identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh was killed on the spot, while others states he died on the way to the hospital. His wife who was also attacked, suffered injuries and is said critical. Meanwhile, in separate incidents an army patrol was attacked in Shopian and a civilian sustained injuries after being opened fired at by militants. The attacks have come following four terrorists eliminated yesterday by security forces in Rajouri and one in Budgam district.
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Dr Bhimrao ‘Ramji’ Ambedkar in Yogi’s UP, Opposition criticises
In a historic move, the Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday moved to change the name of Dalit leader Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar to Bhimrao ‘Ramji’ Ambedkar, in all of their official records, new and old alike. The idea of adding Ramji in the name, which was the name of Ambedkar’s father was campaigned by UP Governor Ram Naik on the grounds that even Dr Ambedkar, being a Marathi, had used his full name while signing on the papers of the Constitution. Oppositions Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party have called it a move to appease the dalit population, 'while followers of Baba Saheb face atrocities.’ Slamming the move, Ambedkar's grandson and politician Prakash Ambedkar said, "by 2019 elections BJP will also say grandfather was a Ram Bhakt."
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Railways employees can now avail LTC
In a good move for railways employees, for the first time they will be eligible to avail the benefits of Leave Travel Concession (LTC), as per the decision by the government.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel and Training, it said that as per the current system employees of the Indian Railways and there spouses cannot avail LTC and they have the facility of Free pass. But as per the 7th pay commission, yeh LTC was included in the facilities given to railway employees. The facility can however only be availed once in four years, the ministry added.
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Anna Hazare ends his fast, lose 5 kilos in 6 days
After losing 5 kgs in 6 days, social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday finally broke his fast by having lemon juice from the hands of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadavnis who paid a visit to the 80-year-old veteran. Hazare who was protesting for a stronger Lokpal against corruption, and better production cost for farm produce. After beginning the fast, Anna Hazare had said that he would not let any political party join him on stage. Anna had said that whoever will join the movement with him, has to sign an affidavit stating that they’ll neither join any political party or group nor will contest elections. In 2011, Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav came together under Hazare’s leadership and a new party, the Aam Aadmi Party, was born, in 2012. However, Anna was not in favor of the party and hence he made this announcement way before.
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Ball Tampering Case: Lehmann to step down as Australia's coach
Darren Lehmann, the head coach of the Australian cricket team has announced his resignation on Thursday following the ball-tampering controversy. He clarified that the 4th South Africa vs Australia Test in Johannesburg will be his last match. Earlier in the day, former captain Steve Smith held a press conference in an attempt to reachout to Australia cricket fans where he broke down in tears and apologized for his act. Lehmann said that Steve Smith's words moved him too. The Australian coach was initially set to leave when his contract ended next year but will instead step down at the end of the current series.
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Cash crunch forces Telangana, AP to borrow money from other states
Extreme cash crunch in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh has forced the states to borrow money from neighboring states, according to a media report. While Telangana is borrowing money from Kerala and Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh is refilling its ATM from Odisha and Tamil Nadu. According to media reports, the unavailability of cash is so severe that ATMs have cash only 60% of the time on a particular day.Some have even closed their shutters since the last three months. There are around 2,200 SBI banks in the city out of which only 15,000 are operating. A reason for the low cash count is also the shortage of Rs 2,000 denomination currency notes as neither are the customers depositing them, nor are they being issued by the Reserve Bank of India.
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Motor insurance premium rates reduced for small cars
The IRDAI on Thursday reduced the premium rates for third-party motor insurance by 10%, several media reports said. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India issued a circular on March 28 where it stated that the rates will be effective from April 1, 2018. The third-party insurance is mandatory for cars with engine capacity of less than 1,000 cc to Rs 1,850 from the existing Rs 2,055. There has been no change in the existing rate for cars with engine capacity higher than 1,000 cc. The rates are increased for bikes above 150 CC where high claim ratio has been reported. For the two-wheeler segment, between 75 CC and 150 CC, the rates have not been changed. For two-wheelers having an engine capacity less than 75 cc, it has been reduced to Rs 427 from the current Rs 569.
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CBSE paper leak: Police questions coaching center tutor
Around 18 school students from Delhi and five coaching center tutors were questioned by the Delhi police on Thursday in the CBSE paper leak scam almost 24 hours after the board. The alleged prime accused in the case has been identified as a tutor from Rajendra Nagar in Delhi. As per media reports, the police claimed that these students had handwritten notes of the papers. According to the FIR filed in the case against unknown people, it is alleged that the CBSE on 23 March received a fax saying that a Delhi based coaching entre is leaking papers. In spite of the accusations of theBoard being aware of the scam, HRD Minister stressed the papers were released on WhatsApp only 30 minutes before the exam.
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68 dead as fire erupts amidst riots in Venezuela
At least 68 prison inmates were killed when a fire erupted during a riot at a jail in Valencia, Venezuela on Thursday. The announcement came hours after crowds of anguished family members had gathered outside the facility, some weeping and others facing off with police officers in riot gear. The blaze reportedly started after prisoners set fire to mattresses in an attempt to break out. Police used tear gas to disperse relatives who surrounded the station after news of the fire broke. State official Jesus Santander confirmed a police officer had been shot in the aftermath of the blaze, which has been brought under control.
