Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has mooted holding a floor test when Parliament reconvenes on November 14 to give the two rival political camps a chance to display majority. Issuing a statement after meeting representatives of all parties on Wednesday evening, Mr. Jayasuriya said that the government wanted the House adjourned soon …
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Trump claims ‘tremendous success’ despite GOP losses
It was a big win despite pressure from a nasty and hostile media, says President U.S. President Donald on Wednesday claimed victory in the midterm congressional elections despite his Republican Party losing control in the House of Representatives to the Democrats. “Those that worked with me in this incredible Midterm …
Read More »EC issues order on poll expenses
The costs incurred on publicising information about the criminal cases against a candidate, as recently directed by the Supreme Court, will be counted as part of poll expenditure, according to the Election Commission. The expenses will be borne by the candidate and the political parties. “This being an expenditure [made] …
Read More »‘Trial judges should make case calendar’
The Supreme Court has framed a series of guidelines for the conduct of criminal trials, primarily dealing with the preparation of a “case calendar” by judges to put themselves on a deadline to complete the trial. The judgment by a Bench of Justices A.M. Sapre and Indu Malhotra on October …
Read More »Srinagar shivers, records season’s coldest night
Minimum temperatures drop below the freezing point throughout Kashmir Srinagar recorded the season’s coldest night at minus 2.2 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperatures throughout Kashmir Valley dropped below the freezing point on Wednesday, the weather office said. “The minimum temperatures remained below the freezing point in the Valley as …
Read More »China ropes in India as digital economy partner
In tune with its rise as an Internet giant, China is roping in India as a niche digital partner, as part of Beijing’s drive to cyber-connect with Eurasia — its new frontier for trade and investments. At a conference on defining common international standards for two-dimensional (2D) barcodes — the …
Read More »Greater Nagaland idea worries Manipur
Officials say Centre has indicated to the State the need for the formation of such an entity Manipur has been indicated that a “Greater Nagaland” may be on the anvil as part of the final Naga agreement that is under negotiation, a State government official said. On February 23, Naga …
Read More »‘Law for temple an option’
Ministers hint that the court cannot have the last word on the issue The government, while showing no firm signs that there is any move on its part to bring in an ordinance or a new law for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, has also maintained that …
Read More »Democrats win House, Republicans keep Senate
The Democrats made a significant comeback on Capitol Hill in Tuesday’s midterm congressional election as they took control of the U.S. House of Representatives, winning at least 220 of its 435 seats. They had 193 seats in the House. The Republicans, however, expanded their thin majority in the Senate, winning …
Read More »Unanimous decision: SC Collegium
Recommendation on judges’ elevation a result of extensive deliberations, it says The Supreme Court Collegium led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said it took “extensive deliberations and discussions” among themselves and their colleagues to unanimously resolve to recommend four names for elevation as judges to the apex court. …
Read More »Homing in on that empty slot
Indian student’s algorithm uses big data analytics to identify parking space An Indian student in the U.S. has created a space-detecting algorithm that can help tackle the problem of finding a parking spot by using big data analytics and save a person’s time and money. Sai Nikhil Reddy Mettupally, a …
Read More »Wrong to blame Trump for synagogue shooting: Israel
Protests greet President in Pittsburgh as he meets survivors With U.S. President Donald Trump getting a cool welcome from the Jewish community in Pittsburgh, Israel’s envoys came to his defence, saying it was “unfair and wrong” to link him to the tragedy. Mr. Trump was greeted by hundreds of chanting …
Read More »Crisis continues in Sri Lanka
Speaker requests President Sirisena to convene Parliament Sri Lanka’s political deadlock entered its sixth day on Wednesday, with the sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, appointed in his place, vying for legitimacy. Mr. Rajapaksa, holding additional charge as Finance Minister in the new Cabinet, said: “We …
Read More »Pak. acquits Asia Bibi of blasphemy
Christian woman was facing death for ‘insulting Islam’; SC says prosecution failed to prove charges The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday acquitted Asia Bibi, a Christian woman on death row for blasphemy. This was her final legal appeal before execution. Ms. Bibi was accused of committing blasphemy in 2009. …
Read More »Madras HC bans online sale of drugs
A writ petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association had sought a ban on websites that facilitate online sale of drugs. The petition wanted the ban to be in place till the Centre brings into force a legal framework for permitting such sales. Senior counsel AR.L. Sundaresan …
Read More »Perusing files, will call officers if needed: CVC
Have not questioned anyone so far, says K.V. Chowdary Chief Vigilance Commissioner K.V. Chowdary on Wednesday said that the commission had not examined any Central Bureau of Investigation officer till now. He added that the commission was still examining the files sought for and sent by the CBI with reference …
Read More »These were custodial deaths: HC
‘The Hashimpura massacre victims were not in an enclosed place but were unlawfully detained’ The Delhi High Court on Wednesday held that the killing of 38 Muslims in Hashimpura in 1987 by the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel was a case of custodial death. “In the present case, …
Read More »Share non-confidential info on Rafale deal, SC tells govt.
Asks Centre to file affidavit on its objections to disclosing details of pricing The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave the government 10 days to provide petitioners, including former Union Ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, information which can be “legitimately placed in the public domain” about the Rafale deal. This …
Read More »India helped Maldives restore democracy, says Gayoom
‘India-first policy will continue under the new government’ India played a “positive” role in restoration of democracy in Maldives by “exerting pressure” on the ruling regime, and the new government in the island nation would be “sensitive” towards New Delhi’s “concerns”, said former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Sunday. …
Read More »Pittsburgh shooting suspect wrote anti-Semitic posts
Evidence suggests attack on synagogue was motivated by his anti-Jewish views The gunman who killed eight men and three women during the Shabbat services at a Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday morning has been charged with 29 counts of federal crimes related to firearm offences. Meanwhile, the chief medical examiner of …
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