7th January News in Nutshell: Important stories of the day
Important stories of the day
National News
UP Election 2017: Mayawati announces third list of candidates with 24 Muslim aspirants
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) today released its third list of candidates for 100 more Assembly seats, with 24 Muslim aspirants getting tickets. The party has declared nominees for 300 of the 403 assembly seats so far.
Akhilesh to release SP manifesto; chances of reconciliation very low, says CM’s aide Naresh Uttam
Senior Smajwadi Party leader Naresh Uttam today said that the chances of reconciliation between the two factions of the ruling party was very low and that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will release party’s manifesto after January 11. Besides, he will also release a statement in coming two-three days appealing voters to exercise their franchise in favour of honest candidates in the upcoming polls, Uttam informed.
Election Commission seeks Centre’s response on oppositions’ demand to delay Budget
The Election Commission of India has asked the central government to respond on the opposition parties demand seeking postponement of Union Budget until the assembly elections in five states are over. According to a report in Indian Express, the poll body has written a letter to Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha seeking the government’s stand on the matter.
With an eye on China, India decides to station first squadron of Rafale fighter jets in Bengal
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has finalised plans to host the first squadron of Rafale fighter jets, which are also capable of delivering nuclear weapons. According to reports, the first 18 Rafales will be stationed at the Hasimara airbase in Bengal from late-2019. The decision is said to be a part of the overall policy to gradually build nuclear as well as conventional deterrence against China.
DMRC allows knives for women passengers in metro coaches
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Friday lifted prohibition on knives for women passenger in favour of ‘self-defence’. The capital's prime transporter, however, came up with a clarification that knives inside metro coaches are an old decision. There were reports that the decision was taken in the wake of Bengaluru mass-molestation incidents.
International News
Restrain India from interfering in Pak’s internal affairs, Islamabad tells UN
Pakistan on Friday asked the United Nations to restrain India from interfering in Pakistan's internal affairs and from activities aimed at destabilizing the country. Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi, delivered a dossier on what she said was India's promotion of terrorism in Pakistan to new UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Foreign Office said.
Former Pak Army chief Raheel Sharif appointed head of Saudi-led Islamic military coalition
Retired Pakistan Army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif has been appointed as the head of Saudi Arabia-led 39-nation Islamic military coalition formed to combat terrorism. Confirming the news, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday said that the decision was taken after taking the incumbent government into confidence and it was finalised first.
US Congress confirms Donald Trump's presidency
The US Congress confirmed President-elect Donald Trump's presidency by a tally of electoral votes, finalised the election procedure despite unsuccessful challenges from Democrats. The largely ceremonial gathering on Friday confirmed that Trump had received 304 electoral votes to rival Hillary Clinton's 227 and will take over the baton from Barack Obama come January 20.
Richard Verma to quit as US envoy before Trump takes charge
US Ambassador Richard Rahul Verma, a political appointee by Obama Administration and the first Indian-American to hold the post, is set to demit office before January 20 when Republican Donald Trump takes over as American President.
Syria: Car bomb kills at least 15 in Azaz
At least 15 people were killed in a car bomb attack in the rebel-held Syrian town of Azaz on the border with Turkey on Saturday, a monitor said. The Syrian Civil Defense, a team of first responders, says the initial casualty count shows that at least 15 people died Saturday in the explosion in Azaz, a border town in the northern province of Aleppo.
Business News
Uber hikes taxi fares up to 50 pc in Delhi-NCR
App-based taxi aggregator, Uber has hiked fares of its entry-level offering UberGo by up to 50 per cent in Delhi-NCR. The US-based firm has increased the minimum fare from Rs 40 to Rs 60, while ride time charge has been raised to Rs 1.5 per minute from Rs 1 earlier.
Cash deposit deadline extended for those outside country
The government has extended the deadline for all Indian citizens, who were outside India from November 9 to December 30, to exchange or deposit scrapped notes till March this year. According to an official statement issued here on Friday, this facility will be available for those who are not residents of India till June 30 in order to allow them adequate time to plan a visit as per their convenience.
Apple cuts CEO Tim Cook's pay as iPhone sales hit globally
Hit by a slump in iPhone sales globally which led to the company missing its revenue and profit goals for 2016, tech giant Apple has cut its CEO Tim Cook's pay for the year. Cook received $8.75 million in total compensation for 2016 -- down from $10.28 million in 2015 -- which the company said declined for the first time since he assumed office in 2011. Cook's base salary, however, rose 50 per cent to $3 million.
Entertainment News
Watch video: When Om Puri had predicted his obituary on India TV’s ‘Aap Ki Adalat’
Veteran actor Om Puri died on Friday morning due to a massive heart attack at his residence here. He was 66. The entire Hindi film industry expressed their shock and grief. Salman tweeted a segment of Om Puri’s interview from India TV’s ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ programme, hosted by Editor-in-chief Mr Rajat Sharma.
Om Puri may you remain with your ever-infectious smile: Big B
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has mourned the death of veteran actor and theatre personality Om Puri, saying may he remain with his "ever infectious smile". The 66-year-old actor was found dead at his residence on Friday morning. He suffered a cardiac attack.
Sports News
Sourav Ganguly backs Yuvraj Singh's inclusion for England series
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Friday backed Yuvraj Singh to get some runs in the limited overs cricket series against England after the dashing left-hander was included in the team to be led by new skipper Virat Kohli.
Watch: Virat Kohli pays emotional tribute to MS Dhoni, says captain cool saved me from getting dropped many times
In a latest revelation by captain of Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli said M S Dhoni saved me from getting dropped from the team many a times. Kohli has played his entire international cricket under Dhoni's captaincy since his ODI debut in Sri Lanka back in 2008.