05.01.2013

• NATIONAL

• Half burnt body of unidentified girl found at Puri
• Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police today recovered the half-burnt body of an unidentified girl near a canal in Odisha''s Puri district but it was yet to be established if it was a case of rape.
• Coal Scam: CBI questions Manoj Jayaswal
• New Delhi: CBI today questioned Abhijeet group chairman Manoj Jayaswal in connection with its probe into the coal block allocation scam.
• Tharoor hails Kerala rape victim kin for coming out
• New Delhi: He may have been snubbed by his party, but an unfazed Union Minister Shashi Tharoor appears to be standing by his controversial remarks favouring making public the identity of the 23-year-old gang-rape victim.
• "Taliban-Afghan officials meet a "tentative" exercise"
• New Delhi: Adopting a wait-and-watch strategy on the recent meeting between Taliban and Afghan government officials, India today said it was a "tentative exercise" and hence was "premature" for it to come to any judgement.
• Govt asked to pay ex-gratia to 1997 blast victims
• New Delhi: Ruing that the government has failed to pay ex-gratia to the victims of a 1997 bomb blast in a bus that killed four persons and injured 24 others, a Delhi court today asked it to make payments within four weeks.
• Gas leakage in zinc plant: 2 dead, 9 hospitalised
• Jaipur: Two workers died and nine others fainted today after they inhaled poisonous gas at a zinc plant in Rajasthan''s Rajsamand district, police said.
• J-K Govt to bear treatment expenses of acid attack victim
• Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir government tonight said that the entire expenses spent on the treatment of the woman, who was injured in an acid attack on Wednesday, will be borne by the state government.
• I&B panel hears Jindal, Zee arguments
• New Delhi: An inter-ministerial group of Information and Broadcasting Ministry today heard the conflicting versions of representatives of Naveen Jindal led Jindal group and Zee News on allegations of extortion against the channel''s editors.
•  AFT asks govt to respond to Lt Gen's petition
• New Delhi: The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) today asked the government to file its reply to a petition by a senior Lt General who has challenged the promotion of two colleagues of same rank as Army Commanders while seeking his own elevation to that post.
• Diesel, kerosene, LPG prices may go up soon
• New Delhi: Diesel, kerosene and cooking gas prices may be hiked soon while the government may separately take up a proposal to raise cap on supply of subsidised LPG cylinders.
• Noida DM orders closure of schools till Jan 12
• Noida: The Noida authorities today ordered closure of all schools in the area from January 7 to January 12 to ensure that students do not suffer due to dipping temperature and cold condition.
• OU police registers another case against Owaisi
• Hyderabad: Close on heels of registration of two FIRs against Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi for allegedly making "hate speech" against a particular community, the Osmania University Police here today registered another case against him on a court directive.
• Reddy for deployment of tech tools to protect women's rights
• Kolkata: Citing use of social networking websites to express outrage over the Delhi gangrape incident, Science and Technology Minister S Jaipal Reddy today asked women scientists to focus on deploying technological tools to protect women''s rights.
• Lt Guv pulls up Transport dept, orders measures
• New Delhi: With the brutal gangrap of a 23-year-old exposing chinks in the public transport system, Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna has directed Delhi Government to take a series of steps like installing CCTV cameras and GPS devices onboard all public buses at the earliest.
• Delhi ganrape-cum-murder most horrendous: SC
• New Delhi: The December 16 gangrape and brutal murder of 23-year-old Delhi girl was described today by the SC as the "most horrendous crime of recent days.
• Gang-rape: Cong for re-evaluation of Juvenile Act
• New Delhi: Amid growing clamour for enhanced punishment to perpetrators of the Delhi gang-rape, Cong today underlined need for a re-look at the Juvenile Act.
• Punjab 'land of opportunities' for NRIs: Sukhbir
• Chandigarh: Highlighting Punjab as "land of opportunities", Deputy Chief Minster Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that the state has the potential to emerge as next economic hub of South-East Asia.
• Parliament delegation visits to S Africa, Namibia off 
• New Delhi: In the wake of the death of Delhi gangrape victim, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar today cancelled the visit of an Indian parliamentary delegation led by her to South Africa and her own trip to Namibia to attend a Commonwealth Speakers conference.
• MP min asks women not to cross 'Lakshman rekha'
• Bhopal/New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijaywargiya was at the centre of a controversy today over his remark that women must not cross the ''Lakshman rekha'' to avoid unwanted consequences, prompting an embarrassed BJP to disassociate itself from the comment.
• A matter of interest: India on Pak military doctrine
• New Delhi: India today reacted guardedly to Pakistan Army''s new military doctrine that described homegrown militant groups and internal dangers as the biggest threat to the country''s security.
• UP to have 20 per cent women constables: Official
• New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh is planning to have 20 per cent of its total constabulary as women in the next few years, a top state government official today said.
• Report on greening rural development released
• New Delhi: Economic growth, infrastructure creation and holistic development of the country should be based upon the principles of sustainability and inclusion, Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan said today.
• BSP submits memorandum on protection of statues
• Lucknow: A BSP delegation today submitted a memorandum to Uttar Pradesh Governor B L Joshi demanding proper security arrangements around the statues of various Dalit icons and stern punishment to those damaging them.
• Trehan defends decision to shift victim to Singapore
• New Delhi: Renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr Naresh Trehan, who had checked the 23-year-old gangrape victim before she was taken to Singapore, today strongly defended the decision to shift her saying it was done only to stablise her condition and not for any immediate intestinal transplant.
• Yasin Malik taken into preventive custody
• Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Yasin Malik along with a number of activists and supporters today were taken into preventive custody here as the group kick-started its 10-day ''jail bharo'' agitation against awarding of death sentences and lifers to Kashmiri prisoners by various courts.
• Centre asks states for 33 pc women in police forces
• New Delhi: The Centre today asked all state governments to increase the number of women in police forces to 33 per cent, saying an environment must be created for women and weaker sections to visit a police station without difficulty.
• "Bhagwat's remark has to be understood in entirety"
• New Delhi: Pushed on the backfoot by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's comment that rapes happened in cities, BJP today said the statement should be seen in the proper context.
• Rape victim's brother regrets juvenile name being left out
• Ballia(UP): Brother of the Delhi gang-rape victim today regretted that the name of one accused was left out in the chargesheet filed on the grounds that he was a minor, saying his crime cannot be taken as any lesser merely on the basis of his age.
• Iran rejects allegations in Israeli embassy car attack
• New Delhi: Denying any role in bomb attack on an Israeli embassy car here last year, Iran today alleged that the charges of its involvement in the incident were made by those who have "their own criminal records".
• Rail passengers can view fog affected areas on portal
• New Delhi: With train services hit due to fog in Northern states, Railways have made the train enquiry platform much more interactive helping passengers view the fog affected areas and check the affected stations.
• Separatist sponsored strikes down in 2012 in J-K
• Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a fall in strikes sponsored by militants and separatists in 2012 with terror violence registering a dip of nearly 45 per cent from 195 incidents to 118.
• Women Cong leaders seek dismissal of Shettar Govt
• Bangalore: A delegation of women Congress leaders today met Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj and urged him to dismiss the BJP Government for its "failure" to safeguard women and children from sexual exploitation.
• Rural development schemes to drive 'green agenda'
• New Delhi: Realising their "immense potential", Government is planning to use rural development schemes like MGNREGA as a vehicle to promote green agenda.
• JD(U) MP resigns, attacks Nitish Kumar
• New Delhi: Suspended JD(U) MP Upendra Kushwaha today resigned from the party, slamming Chief Minister Nitish Kumar''s alleged "autocratic" functioning in Bihar.
• Rape convicts names to be on the web in Haryana
• Chandigarh: Haryana police has begun the process of putting the names of convicted rapists on an official website as also on various social networking sites, including Facebook.
• "Laws be amended to include death for rape"
• New Delhi: Laws should be amended to include death as a punishment for rape in cases where after the crime the victim "is no longer able to enjoy a normal state of existence and functioning", Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath said today.
• Constable suspended for hurling shoe at senior
• Aurangabad: A woman constable, who allegedly hurled a shoe at a senior police officer, who had allegedly sent her lewd messages on her cellphone, has been suspended, officials said.
• Iran for deeper bilateral ties with India
• New Delhi: Iran today strongly pitched for deeper bilateral ties and increased cooperation in security and economic arena with India, saying both countries face "common threats and interests".
• Alagiri furious over Karuna's succession plan
• Chennai: Fissures re-emerged in DMK after party chief M Karunanidhi hinted that Stalin would lead the party after him with his elder son M K Alagiri today saying that DMK is not a "mutt" to appoint successor.
• Crimes against women need to be curbed with iron hand: Shinde
• New Delhi: Maintaining that crimes against women like rape are unacceptable, the goverment said they need to be curbed with an iron hand.
• Dalai Lama holds special prayer at Nitish residence
• Patna: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today held a special prayer at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar''s official residence here for world peace and praised the state government for taking interest in Buddhism.
• "Lokpal to come up in Budget Session of Parliament"
• New Delhi: The Government has agreed on most of the recommendations of a Parliamentary select committee on Lokpal Bill and the legislation is likely to come up in the Budget Session of Parliament, Union Minister V Narayanasamy said today.
• Shops observe 2hr shutdown to protest acid attack
• Srinagar: The commercial hub of Lal Chowk and adjoining areas today observed a two-hour shutdown against the acid attack on a woman here earlier this week.
• Massive combing operation in Koraput district
• Koraput (Odisha): Security personnel have launched a massive combing operation at Narayanpatna area of Odisha''s Koraput district following intelligence inputs about the presence of top Maoist leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in the region.
• Haryana puts rapists profiles on net
• Chandigarh: Haryana police today began putting names and details of convicted rapists on a government website even as two youths were arrested in Jind district for allegedly recording and circulating the obscene MMS of a teenager.
• Hate speech: Police notice to Owaisi for questioning
• Hyderabad: AP police issued notices to MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi to appear before it for questioning, a day after registering FIRs against him for allegedly making "hate speech".
• Can't direct suspension of MPs, MLAs facing criminal cases: SC
• New Delhi: SC declined to hear a plea for disqualification of MPs and MLAs charge sheeted for crime against women but agreed to go into issues of fast track trial of rape cases.
• Mount Abu freezes at zero degree Celsius
• Jaipur: Biting cold has thrown normal life out of gear in parts of Rajasthan where mercury settled at zero degrees Celsius in Mount Abu.
• EC visits Nagaland, reviews poll preparedness
• Kohima: The Election Commission reviewed the poll preparedness in Nagaland where Assembly election is due in March.
• U'khand to implement 'no work no pay' rule
• Dehradun: Uttarakhand government has decided to strictly implement "no work no pay" regulation to discourage government employees from resorting to frequent strikes in support of their demands.
• Half of Arunachal still make living out of forest
• Itanagar: Even though the Arunachal Pradesh government has launched a Green Arunachal campaign to protect its greenery, a recent Census report has found that half of the state''s population is still dependent on forest for their livelihood.
• Thane police to call up people to them on plaints
• Thane: In a new initiative to instill confidence among people, Thane police have decided to call up complainants and them about the status of their complaints.
• Constable arrested for misbehaving with teenager
• Bahraich (UP): A constable was arrested and suspended for allegedly misbehaving with the teenaged daughter of his colleague here, police said today.
• Girl jumps out of auto to foil molestation bid
• Thane: A teenaged girl jumped out of a moving autorickshaw to save herself from the clutches of three men, who allegedly tried to molest and kidnap her in Mumbra township of neighbouring Thane district, police said today.
• Fog disrupts flight operations at IGI Airport
• New Delhi: Ops at IGI Airport were affected after fog disrupted schedule of around 30 flights. Around 16 flights were delayed while 1 was cancelled & 3 intl flight were diverted.
• BJP blames lack of funds for bad roads in MP
• Bhopal: With Madhya Pradesh scheduled to go for Assembly polls later this year, the bumpy roads in the state may give a jerk to the ruling BJP as it had won the 2003 and 2008 elections by promising to improve quality of roads.
• Delhiites shiver as minimum dips to 2.7 degrees
• New Delhi: Delhiites pulled out more woollens from their winter wardrobe as morning temp plummeted to season's lowest of 2.7 degrees Celsius.

• INTERNATIONAL

• Nepal govt protests colonel's arrest in UK
• Kathmandu: Nepal today summoned the British ambassador and demanded the immediate release of an army colonel arrested in the UK on charges of torture committed during the decade-long Maoist insurgency that claimed almost 15,000 lives.
• 1,000 ships stuck in China's sea ice
• Beijing: About 1,000 ships have been left stranded in the water as a thick layer of sea ice has developed on Laizhou Bay in east China''s Shandong Province due to extreme cold.
• Philippine police rescue Indian, kill 4 abductors
• Manila: Philippine officials say police have rescued a kidnapped Indian businessman whose severed finger was delivered to his family.
• Pak teenage activist Malala discharged from British hospital
• London: Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenage activist, has been temporarily discharged from a British hospital after she made "excellent progress in her recovery," doctors said.
• Chinese official owning 29 houses faces graft probe
• The procuratorate of Zhengzhou, capital of Henan, decided today to investigate Zhai Zhenfeng, the former director of the housing administration bureau in Erqi district of the city.
• Philippine police rescue Indian, kill 4 abductors
• Manila: Philippine officials say police have rescued a kidnapped Indian businessman whose severed finger was delivered to his family.
• US offers India assistance to check crime on women
• "Our goal is, whether it''s in India or anywhere else, to help strengthen all of the public and private organisations that are working to combat violence against women," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said yesterday.
• Pak Commerce Ministry asked to speed up MFN process to India
• The cabinet, during its meeting yesterday, discussed the issue of normalising trade ties and reiterated its earlier resolve of granting MFN-status to India, Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Khan said.
• Protests in Toronto, Ottawa over Delhi gangrape
• Toronto: Protesters expressing solidarity with the 23-year-old gang-rape victim in Delhi have held rallies in the Canadian cities of Toronto and Ottawa, and demanded speedy justice for the deceased.
• No delay for Czech presidential election: Court
• Prague: The Czech Republic''s top court today refused to delay the country''s first direct presidential election planned for January 11-12, ruling against an injunction request filed by a rejected candidate.
• Shooting rampage in Philippines leaves 9 dead
• Manila: A man who was apparently intoxicated fatally shot eight people, including a pregnant woman and a 7-year-old girl, before he was shot dead by police today near the Philippine capital, officials said.
• 7 children among 10 dead in fire accidents in China
• Seven children died when fire engulfed a private orphanage home in Lankao county in north China''s Henan Province today.
• Malala Yousafzai discharged from hospital
• London: Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenage activist, who was shot in the head by Taliban for advocating girls'''' education, has been discharged from a British hospital treating her, the hospital said today.
• Gunman kills three in Philippines
• Manila: A gunman killed at least three people and wounded several others on the outskirts of the Philippine capital today, authorities said.
• SL welcomes closing of UN dossier on child soldiers
• Colombo: The UN has closed its dossier on Sri Lanka over child recruitment in armed conflict after deciding it is no longer an issue, a move welcomed by Colombo.
• Bera, Tulsi create histroy; sworn in as US lawmakers
• Washington: Indian-American Ami Bera & first Hindu US lawmaker, Tulsi Gabbard scripted history after being sworn in as newly-elected members of US House of Representatives.
• Iraq attack death toll rises to 23 Shiite pilgrims
• Hilla (Iraq): The death toll from a truck bomb targeting pilgrims after the conclusion of annual mourning rituals for a revered figure in Shiite Islam has risen to 23, an official said today.
• Pak man extradited to US for role in Qaeda plot
• Abid Naseer, a Manchester resident, was extradited to Brooklyn yesterday and would make his initial court appearance on January 7 before Judge Raymond Dearie of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
• Grenades found at Walt Disney World in Florida, US
• Washington: 3 hand grenades were found in a bin in parking lot of Walt Disney World in Florida. A cleaner spotted grenades while emptying trash containers at Disney area.
• Indo-Americans elated over Bera, Gabbard's success
• Bera and Gabbard created history today after being sworn in as new members of the US House of Representatives. They were administered the oath of office by Speaker John Boehner.
• 9-year-old girl gangraped in Pakistan
• Lahore: A nine-year-old girl was in a critical condition in hospital after being raped by three men in Pakistan''s Punjab province, police said.
• Pak panel seeks to ban Indian soaps at prime time
• The Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting of the National Assembly or lower house of parliament made its recommendation during a meeting chaired by Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker Belum Hasnian.
• Kashmir issue has to be settled by India, Pak: Envoy
• United Nations: Pakistan said Kashmir issue with India to be settled by two countries while describing UN resolutions as an "important framework" for its settlement.
• Pak operative extradited to US for role in Qaeda plot
• Abid Naseer, a Manchester resident, was extradited to Brooklyn yesterday and would make his initial court appearance on January 7 before Judge Raymond Dearie of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
• Malala Yousafzai to undergo cranial surgery
• London: Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in head by Taliban for advocating girls' education, will undergo cranial reconstructive surgery within weeks.
• Clinton plans to return to office next week
• "Some of the senior staff who spoke to her about half an hour ago say that she''s sounding terrific, upbeat, raring to go. She''s looking forward to getting back to the office," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters.
• Indian American renominated as federal judge
• Washington: Indian-American Srikanth Srinivasan is among 33 federal judges re-nominated by US President Barack Obama for the US Court of Appeals.
• N.Ireland rioters petrol bomb police
• London: Eight police officers were injured in Belfast after being pelted with petrol bombs in the latest violence sparked by the city council''s decision not to fly the British flag all year round.

• BUSINESS

• CNG price in Indian capital Delhi hiked to Rs 39.90
• New Delhi: CNG price in national capital Delhi was on Friday hiked by Rs 1.55 per kg to Rs 39.90 due to higher input cost. The new price would be effective from midnight tonight.
• BJP slams Maha govt's new industrial policy
• Mumbai: BJP today attacked Maharashtra government''s new industrial policy alleging it shows regional disparity and asked the state government to look beyond cities like Mumbai, Pune and Nashik.
• DoT looking to start 2G auction from March 11
• New Delhi: The second round of auction for selling unsold telecom spectrum is likely to start from March 11 with a lower base price.
• Diesel, kerosene, LPG prices may go up soon in India
• New Delhi: Diesel, kerosene and cooking gas prices may be hiked soon while the government may separately take up a proposal to raise cap on supply of subsidised LPG cylinders.
• Power Grid to invest Rs 182.80 cr for project in TN
• Mumbai: Central transmission utility Power Grid Corp today said its board has approved an investment of Rs 182.80 crore for a project in Tamil Nadu.
• Govt should do its part in ensuring safety of women: Nasscom
• New Delhi: With women constituting almost a third of workforce in IT-BPO sector, industry body Nasscom today said the sector had "robust guidelines" for security of employees but the government needs to play its part in ensuring safety of women.
• Transport Min writes states on vehicles registration
• New Delhi: In the backof the charge that the bus in which the Delhi gangrape took place was registered on false address, the Union Road Transport Ministry has begun asking the states for action against vehicle registration officials in such cases.
• Tax concession sought for social sector in Budget
• New Delhi: Social sector representatives today pitched for tax exemptions and greater involvement of NGOs in implementation of welfare programmes of the government.
• Rupee plummets 57 paise, biggest in 2 months
• Mumbai: The Indian rupee on Friday recorded its biggest slump in two months by plunging 57 paise to end at 55.07 on massive demand of the US currency from oil firms, amid dollar gaining strength on speculation that some US Fed officials are not in favour of continuing the bond-buying plan.
• Countervailing duty: India to send a delegation to US
• Kochi: India will send a delegation of professionals, including MPEDA officials and members of Seafood Exporters Association to the US next week in the backof America''s move to impose countervailing duty on the seafood industry, an official said today.
• S&P, Fitch assign negative outlook to Power Grid
• New Delhi: Two rating agencies Standard & Poor''s and Fitch have assigned negative outlook to state-owned transmission utility Power Grid Corporation in line with the sovereign credit rating outlook of the country.
• After SC rap, govt set to notify rules for drug trials
• New Delhi: After over 2,242 deaths during clinical drug trials in last five years, government plans to regulate the USD 500 million sector by bringing changes in drug laws to make lapses by pharma MNCs a punishable offence and enhance compensation among other steps.
• Sebi allows mkt entities to verify PAN via IT website
• Mumbai: Sebi today allowed the market entities to verify the Permanent Account Number (PAN) of Qualified Foreign Investors through the Income Tax Department''s website, as against the current practise of asking for their original PAN card.
• Pak Com Min asked to speed up MFN process to India
• The cabinet, during its meeting yesterday, discussed the issue of normalising trade ties and reiterated its earlier resolve of granting MFN-status to India, Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Khan said.
• Sensex rises for 4th day, up 19 pts as oil stocks soar
• Mumbai: The BSE benchmark Sensex today erased initial losses to end 19 points higher on fag-end buying in oil & gas stocks triggered by expectations of hike in fuel prices, stretching market''s gains to the fourth straight day.
• Sebi moots corp governance norms overhaul
• Mumbai: Market regulator Sebi today proposed wide-ranging overhaul of corporate governance norms for listed companies, through measures like checks against unjustifiable CEO pay, greater powers to minority shareholders, an orderly succession planning and hefty penalties for non-compliance.
• "Govt to soon send comments on new bank licences"
• New Delhi: The government will soon send its comments to the Reserve Bank on issuing new bank licences, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said today.
• Govt yet to take call on hiking fuel prices, says Moily
• New Delhi: M Veerappa Moily said govt is yet to take view on raising diesel, kerosene and LPG prices. Vijay Kelkar Committee had recommended deregulation of diesel prices.
• CPI(M) questions legality of cash transfer scheme
• New Delhi: CPI(M) has questioned the legality of the government''s cash transfer scheme, saying the law on which the pogramme is based has not yet been passed by Parliament.
• Rural development schemes to drive 'green agenda'
• New Delhi: Realising their "immense potential", Government is planning to use rural development schemes like MGNREGA as a vehicle to promote green agenda.
• Indian-origin hedge fund manager pleads not guilty
• "I plead not guilty, your honour," Martoma, 38, said calmly to each of three counts that US District Judge Paul Gardephe in Manhattan read to him yesterday.
• OilMin allows RIL,Cairn to explore producing fields
• New Delhi: In his first major decision, Oil Min Veerappa Moily has allowed Reliance Industries and Cairn India to explore oil and gas within producing fields subject to certain conditions.
• Govt recasts IFCI board; nominates 2 directors
• Mumbai: The government today restructured the board of IFCI Ltd by nominating two new directors in the wake of its raising stake in the domestic financial institution (DFI) to 55.57 per cent.
• "Demand for heating appliances doubles this winters"
• New Delhi: With steep fall in temperature in North India, the demand for heating appliances has nearly doubled this winters, a survey by industry body Assocham said.
• Power Grid Corp's outlook negative: S&P
• New Delhi: The outlook for country''s biggest transmission utility - Power Grid Corporation - is negative, in line with the country''s credit profile, Standard & Poor''s Ratings Services said today.
• Sebi rejects 149 consent pleas; 16 from RIL group
• Mumbai: Sebi has rejected 149 consent applications, finding them unsuitable for settlement through payment of charges, including 16 from entities related to Relaince group.
• Sensex remains sluggish; down 53.03 points
• Mumbai: Stock market remained sluggish in morning trade, with Sensex down 53.03 points on profit-booking in metals, realty, FMCG, auto and banking sectors.
• Sensex down 43 points in early trade
• Mumbai: BSE benchmark Sensex fell by over 43 points in early trade, snapping its three-session winning streak, as funds and retail investors preferred to book profits.
• Rupee down 33 paise against dollar
• Mumbai: The rupee weakened by 33 paise to Rs 54.83 against the US dollar in early trade today at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on increased demand for the American currency from importers amid strengthening of the dollar overseas.
• Indian-origin hedge fund manager pleads not guilty
• New York: Indian-origin hedge fund portfolio manager Mathew Martoma pleaded not guilty today to criminal charges after he was indicted last month in one of the "most lucrative" insider trading schemes ever involving USD 276 million.

• SPORTS

• Cilic, Wawrinka ousted from Chennai Open
• French fifth seed Benoit Paire handed two-time champion and third seed Cilic a 6-4 1-6 7-5 defeat in the quarter-final, which lasted one hour and 54 minutes.
• Misra resigns, AITA feels sorry for him
• AITA feels sorry for the "respected" man but has not decided as yet if he will be replaced.
• Gavaskar, Imran blame IPL for India's poor show
• New Delhi: Sunil Gavaskar and Imran Khan held IPL responsible for Indian team's recent downfall, with former going on to say that for some Indian players national duty comes second to cash-rich Twenty20 league.
• Players threaten boycott; AITA to give more money
• Hours after the players issued a fresh threat to pull out of the upcoming Davis Cup tie against South Korea from February 1, the national tennis body dropped enough hints that it may increase the players'' share in the Davis Cup prize money, which is one their major demands.
• Now IPL-style league in golf
• New Delhi: Golf is all set to turn shorter and snazzier as the Twenty20 version of the sport is set to make its debut with the USD 400,000 Golf Premier League, scheduled to be held at the picturesque Aamby Valley from February 8 to 10.
• Batsmen under scanner as Pujara set for ODI call-up
• New Delhi: Talented Cheteshwar Pujara is all set to get a call-up when selectors meet here to choose team for the upcoming five-match ODI series against England starting in Rajkot.
• South Africa win despite Brownlie hundred
• Cape Town: Dean Brownlie hit a maiden Test century for New Zealand but could not prevent a South African victory on the third day of the first Test at Newlands today.
• India, Pakistan teams arrive in Delhi for 3rd ODI
• New Delhi: The Indian and Pakistani cricket teams arrived here this evening amid tight security cover for the inconsequential third and final ODI to be held at the Feroze Shah Kotla ground on Sunday.
• IOA continues defiance of IOC, meeting on Jan 19
• New Delhi: Blatantly defying the IOC''s diktat not to conduct any official activity after its suspension last month, the Indian Olympic Association has called a meeting of its Executive Council on January 19 here, the first assembly of the office bearers after being barred from the Olympic family.
• Sections of AIFF against Mohun Bagan ban
• New Delhi: It is not just restricted to a few former stars but a certain section of the AIFF, too, is against the federation''s decision to ban Mohun Bagan from the I-League for two years.
• Miandad cancels trip to India in wake of controversy
• Lahore: Javed Miandad, whose son is married to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's daughter cancelled his visit to Delhi in wake of a raging controversy over giving him visa for trip.
• Miandad cancels trip to India in wake of controversy
• Former Pakistan captain Miandad, who was to watch the third and final ODI in Delhi, cancelled his visit to avoid a controversy, a PCB official said on condition of anonymity.
• I have lot of fire left in my belly: Sreesanth
• The maverick bowler, who will turn 30 next month, faced the dark prospect of an end to his cricket career because of injuries in his toes suffered on the field. He has been off the field for 14 months during which he has undergone surgeries.
• Indian hockey team has improved a lot, says Oltmans
• After a disastrous Olympic campaign in London where they finished last, the fourth-place finish at the prestigious Champions Trophy in Melbourne and the second spot in the Asian Champions Trophy in Doha came as a soothing balm for Indian hockey, as it tries to slowly regain its footing after a steady decline during past decade.
• Australia lead Sri Lanka but toss away wickets
• Sydney: Australia made hard work of grabbing a narrow lead over tenacious Sri Lanka on a second day tarnished by reckless run outs and rash shot-making in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
• 'Time spent on wheelchair was life's darkest phase'
• New Delhi: Back from two career-threatening injuries, pacer S Sreesanth says that months spent on wheelchair were the "darkest" of his life.
• Indian team looks jaded : Zaheer Abbas
• New Delhi: Pakistan's dominance in ongoing ODI series against India has surprised country's former captain Zaheer Abbas, who feels host team looks jaded after too much cricket.
• I prefer 'underdog' tag: Soumyajit
• The 19-year-old does not want to take any pressure ahead of the event, starting January 7, as he is expecting tough competition from the likes of Achanta Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai and defending champion Anthony Amalraj.
• Hockey India League announces Technical Officials
• New Delhi: Englishman Barry Anderson was today appointed Tournament Director of the inaugural Hero Hockey India League scheduled from January 14 to February 10.
• Warner, Hughes miss hundreds in Sydney
• Sydney: David Warner and Phil Hughes missed out on centuries before veteran Mike Hussey came out to bat in his farewell Test for Australia in the third Test against Sri Lanka in Sydney today.
• We will wait and see, Bopanna on Davis Cup
• Chennai: Still awaiting AITA's response to their demands, Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna said he and his fellow revolting players will adopt a wait-and-watch approach.
• Glenn McGrath inducted into ICC Hall of Fame
• Sydney: Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath was inducted into International Cricket Council's Hall of Fame, making him its 68th male member.
• Whirlwind Warner gives Australia flying start
• Sydney: David Warner went on the charge as Australia made a lively run-a-minute response to Sri Lanka''s below-par 294 first innings score on the second day of the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.
• South African mountain biker killed in road mishap
• Johannesburg: Champion mountain biker Burry Stander was today killed in a road accident after being run over by a minibus, local media reported.
• Bhupathi and partner crash out of Chennai Open
• Chennai: The top seeded pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Canadian Daniel Nestor were ousted from the Chennai Open ATP Tennis tournament after suffering a defeat at the hands of the unseeded Russian-American pair of Raveen Klaasen and Nicholas Monroe in the doubles quarterfinal here.

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