Attempts being made to corner Sonia, Rahul Gandhi before Lok Sabha polls: Agusta case

Mumbai, Jan 2 The Shiv Sena Wednesday charged that the cases of supposed agent Christian Michel in AgustaWestland case were an endeavor to corner Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in front of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The Sena, a partner of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra, further alleged that the government machinery was being abused to nail political rivals.

A Delhi court hearing the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case had a week ago forced limitations on Michel meeting his attorneys in the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) authority.

This was after the office said he was abusing legitimate access by passing chits to the supporters putting forth how to handle inquiries on "Mrs Gandhi'.

In its application looking for augmentation of Michel's remand, the ED, which is the test office fin the case, also asserted that he had spoken during questioning about the "son of an Italian woman" and how he is going to become the next prime minister of the country.

The Sena said when Michel was removed from Dubai, Assembly poll campaigns were in progress in five states and the "BJP's tail was ablaze".

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi had at some survey encourages talked about this agent and asserted there would be explosive revelations and that he would not extra anyone. We currently comprehend what he was implying at," the Sena said in an article in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

It is "laughable" that even before the test against Michel could start, Modi pointed fingers at the Gandhi family and cleared the line of test, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said.

"The BJP, which should lose polls in five states, lost regardless of Michel's removal to India. It very well may be unmistakably checked that 'Mission Michel' is gone for 2019," the Marathi distribution said.

Referring to the verdict in the Sohrabuddin Shaikh experience case, it said BJP boss Amit Shah and others got a spotless chit in it as the CBI "argued under the watchful eye of the court that there was weight on the organization to name enormous BJP leaders".

Their names would have remained in the list of the accused had the Congress been in power and the Congress today is making similar allegations, it said.

"The government machinery is under the feet of two-four individuals and being used wrongly to nail political opponents,"the Sena affirmed.

It said there have been allegations of kickbacks gotten in the AgustaWestland bargain and the guilty parties, regardless of how "huge" they are, ought not be saved.

But, just because Michel has taken the name of Sonia Gandhi and different Congress pioneers, people won't overlook the Rafale jet scam, it said.

"Like Sonia Gandhi and others have been named here (in AgustaWestland case), the previous French president has named Anil Ambani (gathering) and this (Rafale) scam merits nearly a huge number of crores," the Sena said.

"This is an attempt to corner Sonia Gandhi and his child before 2019 (polls) and after Quattrocchi (late Italian specialist who was a key figure in the Bofors embarrassment), Michel 'puran' will start in the nation now," it said.

Issues like expansion, joblessness, demonetisation, farmer suicides and Ram temple will take the secondary lounge now and elections will be battled on Michel's name, the article said in snide comments.

VHP says Hindus can hardly wait till forever for court decision on Ram Temple; demands legislation

New Delhi, Jan 2 Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Wednesday said Hindus can't hold up "till eternity" for the court's choice on Ram Temple and attested that the main route forward is to enact a legislation for its construction.

The VHP's comment came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that any choice on a law on Ram temple can happen simply after the finish of the legal procedure yet focused on the administration was prepared to attempt all efforts to satisfy its responsibility.

The VHP, considering the overall situation, continues to be of the firm view that the Hindu society can't be required to hang tight till time everlasting for a court decision, VHP international working president Alok Kumar told reporters.

"The only appropriate way forward is to order an enactment making room for the development of a grand Ram Temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi now," he included.

Modi's comments on Tuesday had come in the midst of uplifted requests by Hindutava organisations, including the RSS, for a mandate for an early development of the temple in Ayodhya.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address rally in Agra on Jan 9

Agra, Jan 2 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a rally here on January 9, SC/ST Commission Chairman and BJP MP Ram Shankar Katheria said on Wednesday.

He said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will also visit Agra on January 4 to take stock of various projects in the pipeline.

Adityanath will talk about party's preparedness for the gruelling election campaign ahead.

Donald Trump has not risen to the mantle of White House: Mitt Romney

Washington, Jan 2 Mitt Romney, the Republican party's presidential nominee in 2012, has slammed US President Donald Trump, saying his direct in the course of recent years, especially his activities this month, is proof that he has not ascended to the mantle of the workplace.

Romney, 71, who was chosen as a Republican Senator from Utah in November, will be sworn in on Thursday.

"The Trump presidency made a deep descent in December...on balance, his conduct over the past two years, especially his activities this month, is proof that the president has not ascended to the mantle of the workplace," Romney said in a op-ed published in the Washington Post on Tuesday.

His solid hitting commentary picks up essentialness that he is probably not going to pursue White House position on basic issues given that the decision party has 53 seats in a 100-member Senate.

On some basic issues Trump would require 60 votes to get his authoritative motivation passed.

Romney, remarkably enough, amid the Republican presidential primaries in 2016, had portrayed Trump as an extortionist and charged him as a cheat.

"There's a lot of proof that Mr Trump is a con man, a fake. Mr Trump has changed his positions throughout the years as well as through the span of the battle," Romney said in his discourse at the Hinckley Institute on March 3, 2016.

"This is what I know. Donald Trump is a fake, a cheat. His guarantees are as useless as a degree from Trump University," Romney hosted said and cautioned his gathering partners that Trump whenever selected as the Republican chosen one could never have the capacity to crush the then Democratic competitor Hillary Clinton.

Be that as it may, Trump proceeded to procure the Republcian presidential selection by beating the test from 16 others and astonished political savants by overcoming most loved Hillary Clinton in the November 2016 presidential decisions.

After Trump's discretionary triumph, the two heads met over supper in New York.

The then media reports said that Trump thought about him for the situation of Secretary of State.

In any case, later Trump gave the situation to Rex Tillerson.

Romney, multi year later, who is known for being an effective legislative head of Massachusetts chose to keep running for the US Senate from Utah.

He who won with a noteworthy edge in the November decisions. In the weeks from that point, he has expanded his assault on Trump.

In his opinion piece, Romney said that Trump can't underestimate his help.

"I will go about as I would with any president, in or out of my gathering: I will bolster strategies that I accept are to the greatest advantage of the nation and my state, and restrict those that are not," he said.

He said that he would take a stand in opposition to huge articulations or activities that are troublesome, bigot and hostile to settler.

"I don't plan to remark on each tweet or blame. Be that as it may, I will stand in opposition to noteworthy articulations or activities that are disruptive, supremacist, misogynist, against settler, exploitative or ruinous to vote based foundations," he composed.

Seeing that to an extraordinary degree, an administration shapes the general population character of the country, he said a president ought to join us and move us to pursue "our better holy messengers."

"A president ought to exhibit the fundamental characteristics of genuineness and respectability, and hoist the national talk with comity and common regard," he said.

"As a country, we have been honored with presidents who have approached the significance of the American soul. With the country so separated, angry and furious, presidential initiative in characteristics of character is basic. What's more, it is in this area where the occupant's deficit has been most glaring," Romney included.

Taking note of that the world is also watching, Romney mourned that few partners in Europe are experiencing political upheaval.

"A few previous Soviet satellite states are reevaluating their duty to majority rule government. Some Asian countries, for example, the Philippines, lean progressively toward China, which advances to equal our economy and our military," he said.

"The option in contrast to US world administration offered by China and Russia is dictatorial, corrupt and brutal," Romney wrote.

ATF value cut by 14.7%; costs not as much as petrol, diesel

New Delhi, Jan 1 Jet fuel value Tuesday was cut by a record 14.7 percent on the back of decline in international rates, making it less expensive than both petroleum and diesel.

The cost of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) - used to control planes - was cut by Rs 9,990 for every kilolitre, or 14.7 percent, to Rs 58,060.97 per kl, as per value warning issued by state-owned oil firms.

This is the second straight monthly reduction in rates and the greatest single cut ever. Costs were sliced by Rs 8,327.83 per kl, or 10.9 percent, on December 1.

The two consecutive price reduction has conveyed ATF rates to their lowest levels in a year and will provide much-needed relief to cash-strapped airlines.

Rates are currently less expensive than both petroleum and diesel in many parts of the nation and it is more affordable than even non-PDS kerosene in cities like Mumbai.

A litre of petrol, used in motorcycles and cars, costs Rs 68.65 in Delhi as compared to Rs 58,060.97 per kl or Rs 58.06 per litre cost for ATF. A litre of diesel, which is generally used as fuel in trucks and buses, seeks Rs 62.66.

ATF costs just a shade higher than the cost charged for lamp fuel sold through non-PDS (public distribution system) outlets in Delhi. Non-PDS in Delhi is evaluated at Rs 56.59 per litre.

ATF in Mumbai, home to one of the busiest airport terminal in the nation, costs Rs 58,017.33 per kl or Rs 58.01 per litre. A litre of petroleum in the city costs Rs 74.30 and diesel is valued at Rs 65.56 per litre. It costs not exactly even non-PDS lamp fuel in the city which is sold at Rs 59.53 a litre.

Rates differ from city to city depending on local taxes.

Continuing its downward march, petroleum value Tuesday was cut by 19 paise a litre and diesel rates were diminished by 20 paise.

Petrol now costs Rs 68.65 a litre in Delhi and diesel is priced at Rs 62.66.

Rates have been on the decrease since October 18 and in total costs have been cut by Rs 14.18 per litre in the event of petroleum and Rs 13.03 a litre for diesel.

State-claimed fuel retailers amend rates of ATF on first of consistently dependent all things considered worldwide oil rate and rupee-US dollar conversion scale in the former month. Petroleum and diesel costs are updated consistently.

Pakistan shares with India list of nuclear establishments

Islamabad, Jan 1 Pakistan Tuesday imparted to India a list of its nuclear installations and offices according to the arrangements of a bilateral agreement.

The list was handed over as per Article-II of the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks Against Nuclear Installations and Facilities among Pakistan and India, marked on December 31, 1988, the Foreign Office (FO) said in an announcement here.

"The list of nuclear installations and offices in Pakistan was formally given over to a delegate of the Indian High Commission at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, at 1000 hrs (local time)," it said.

Service of External Affairs in New Delhi gave over the rundown of Indian Nuclear Installations and Facilities to a delegate of the High Commission of Pakistan at 1030 hrs (local time), the FO said.

The agreement, which was signed on December 31, 1988 and went into power on January 27, 1991, provides, inter alia, that the two nations educate each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on the first of January of every calendar year.

"This has been done consecutively since January 1, 1992," the FO said.

The act of trading arrangements of lists of nuclear installation has endured despite many low in bilateral ties.

Veteran actor author Kader Khan passed away at 81

Toronto, Jan 1 Kader Khan, best known for penning some of the most powerful dialogues and comic timing as an actor, passed away on December 31 because of prolonged sickness. He was 81.

Khan was admitted to a hospital in Canada and his son Sarfaraz affirmed that the actor passed on Monday.

"My father has left us. He passed away on December 31 at 6 pm according to Canadian time because of delayed ailment. He slipped into trance like state toward the evening. He was in the doctor's facility for 16-17 weeks," Sarfaraz told.

He also said the last rituals of the veteran actor will be performed in Canada.

"The last rites will be performed here in Canada as it were. We have our whole family here and we live here so we are doing it. We are appreciative to everybody for their blessings and prayers," he added.

The news of the passing of the actor screenwriter, who was at his top during the 1980s-90s, comes a day after his son dismissed media reports of his end.

Khan had created breathing issues and the specialists had apparently exchanged him from ordinary ventilator to BiPAP ventilator.

According to reports, he was suffering from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a degenerative disease that causes loss of equalization, trouble in walking and dementia.

Born in Kabul, Khan made his acting presentation in 1973 with Rajesh Khanna's "Daag" and has featured in over 300 movies.

He wrote dialogues for more than 250 movies. Before becoming an actor he had written dialogues for Randhir Kapoor-Jaya Bachchan's "Jawani Diwani".

As a screenwriter, Khan frequently collaborated with Manmohan Desai and Prakash Mehra.

His movies with Desai incorporate "Dharam Veer", "Ganga Jamuna Saraswati", "Coolie", "Desh Premee", "Suhaag", "Parvarish" and "Amar Akbar Anthony" and movies with Mehra incorporate "Jwalamukhi", "Sharaabi", "Lawaaris", "Muqaddar Ka Sikandar".

Khan's continuous associate megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Manoj Bajpayee and Arjun Kapoor recalled the on-screen character for his commitment to film.

"Kader Khan passes away. Dismal discouraging news. My petitions and sympathies. A splendid stage craftsman a most sympathetic and achieved ability on film.

"A writer of eminence; in most of my very successful films. A delightful company and a mathematician," Bachchan wrote.

The duo worked together on blockbusters, for example, "Do Aur Do Paanch", "Muqaddar Ka Sikandar", "Mr Natwarlal", "Suhaag", "Coolie" and "Shahenshah.

"Rest in peace Kader Khan saheb," Bajpayee tweeted.

Union minister Smriti Irani credited Khan for giving the crowds probably the best interesting minutes.

"In the event that you were a late 80s-90s child who watched Hindi movies, odds are you experienced the enchantment of Kader Khan. Never had the benefit of meeting him however in the event that I at any point had I would state 'thank you for the chuckling, thank you for your specialty'," she tweeted.

Calling him one of the best performing artists of India, Kher said Khan will be missed for his brilliance.

"Kader Khan Saab was one of the best on-screen characters of our nation. It was a delight and a learning knowledge to be on the sets with him. His improvisational abilities were exceptional. His amusingness was endless and unique. He was a superb essayist. We will miss him and his splendor," he composed.

"An on-screen character and an essayist who characterized an age... You've left a void in the business that can't be filled... Tear Kader Khan... My sincere supplications to his family," Arjun tweeted.

Movie producer Madhur Bhandarkar stated, "Dismal to hear the downfall of the adaptable essayist, on-screen character, entertainer Kader Khan. He made us snicker and cry at the equivalent time.He engaged us with his punchful discoursed. God favor his spirit RIP Sir."

Executive Anees Bazmee tweeted, "Disheartened to catch wind of #KaderKhan. Had the benefit to work with him as an author in Aankhen, Raja Babu, Shola Aur Shabnam, Bol Radha Bol, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and direct him in my introduction movie Hulchul. Tear Kader Khan. You will dependably be missed."

Actor-comic Vir Das remembered Khan as one of the "couple of abilities to straddle comedic and emotional work so brilliantly for so long."

Filmmaker Milap Zaveri said he has a huge regret that he never inspired a chance to work with the very respected actor.

"Tear Kader Khan sir... You were an actor par excellence but an equally brilliant writer. Still statement your lines from the first 'Agneepath' to people. 'Peeche nahi jaane ka. Peeche jaane se guzra hua waqt laut ke nahi aata'," he tweeted.

National Film Archive of India (NFAI) additionally paid tributes to the actor.

"We are profoundly disheartened by the death of noticeable actor-screenwriter #KaderKhan. Eminent for his easy comic exhibitions, he additionally composed the striking discoursed for the absolute most well known Hindi movies like 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Coolie' and 'Agneepath'," a post on its official Twitter handle read.