INDIA INC LIKELY TO FACE MORE FRAUDS IN 2 YRS: DELOITTE SURVEY

A majority of the India Inc feelscorporate fraud will rise in next two years, and have identified diminishing ethical values as the most common cause for such incidences, says a survey.As per Deloitte's India Fraud Survey, about 70 per cent top executives representing large corporates,  54 per cent belonging to small and medium enterprises and 65 per cent of working professionals indicated fraud would rise in coming two years. 

The survey covers a total of 309 top executives from large (domestic and multinational) companies, SMEs, besides working professionals. Diminishing ethical values was identified as the top reason for frauds by 38 per cent respondents from large firms, 68 per cent surveyed in SMEs and 42 per cent professionals. 

"Respondents continue to identify known frauds such as bribery and corruption, diversion/theft of funds and vendor favouritism (only large organisations) and conflict of interest (only SMEs) as top fraud schemes that their organisations had experienced in the last two years," Deloitte said Interestingly, while concerns around fraud appear similar, the methods employed to deal with fraud revealed vast differences in approach within firms, indicating that fraud is complex and companies have a long way to go in mitigating it. 

Read more: https://goo.gl/DpFMLZ

CURRENCY WORTH RS 5.92 LAKH CRORE ISSUED SINCE DEMONETISATION

The Reserve Bank on Wednesday said banks have issued currency worth over Rs 5.92 lakh crore to the public since the demonetisation of old high value notes last month. The central bank also said that it has issued 2.2 billion (220 crore) pieces of notes of new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 during the period -- November 10 to December 19.

The currency infused into the system, however, is much less than what has been deposited in the form of defunctnotes. The old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes returned to RBI and Currency Chests amounted to Rs 12.44 lakh crore as on December10. 

Consequent to the announcement of withdrawal of Legal Tender status of banknotes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations from the midnight of November 8, 2016, the RBI said, it madearrangements for supply of "adequate quantity" of banknotes in various denominations to the public through the banks.

Read more: https://goo.gl/dcvZWS

ASHWIN, JADEJA OCCUPY TOP TWO SPOTS IN ICC TEST BOWLING CHART

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja made it a rare instance of two India bowlers topping  the ICC Test rankings after the left-arm spinner's maiden 10-wicket match haul against England in the Chennai Test propelled him to the second position. 

Jadeja's performance has earned him 66 points and brought him within eight points of star off-spinner Ashwin, who has already been occupying the number one position.This is just the second time the top two spots in the bowlers chart is occupied by India players, with the pair emulating left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi and leg-spinner Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, who were ranked one and two in 1974.

Read more: https://goo.gl/1nM80f

OVER RS 3,185 CRORE OF UN-DISCLOSED INCOME HAS BEEN DETECTED

Over Rs 3,185 crore of un-disclosed income has been detected while Rs 86 crore worth new notes have been seized by the Income Tax department as part of its country-wide operations against black money hoarders post the demonetization of two high value currencies by the government.

Official sources said the taxman carried out a total of 677 search, survey and enquiry operations under the provisions of the Income Tax Act since the note ban was declared on November 8, even as the department has issued over 3,100 notices to various entities on charges of tax evasion and hawala-like dealings.

The department, they said, has seized cash and jewellery worth over Rs 428 crore during the same period even as the new currency seized (majorly Rs 2000 notes) is valued at about Rs 86 crore.

Read more: https://goo.gl/RJPwJ8

ANALJIT SINGH RESIGNS FROM "TGB " BOARD

A day after Cyrus Mistry quit from six Tata group firms, Independent Director Analjit Singh, who was supporting the ousted Chairman, resigned from the board of Tata Global Beverages Ltd. 

Max India Chairman Analjit Singh was one of the two directors on the board who had opposed a resolution moved by the promoter Tata Sons seeking removal of Mistry as the company's Chairman.

"Analjit Singh, Non - Executive Independent Director of Tata Global Beverages Ltd has resigned from the Board of the company with immediate effect," the company said in a BSE filing.

Read more: https://goo.gl/a2dKdm

FRESH CURBS ON DEPOSITS OF OLD NOTES

Deposits of demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes worth more than Rs 5,000 into bank accounts can be made only once till December 30. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced fresh restrictions on deposits to check laundering of unaccounted cash using bank accounts.

RBI sources said large deposits cannot be made multiple times in bank accounts and people can deposit up to Rs 5,000 on which there is no restriction. These restrictions aimed at tightening checks for fake currency will not apply to deposits into the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.

Meanwhile, seeking to check the use of blackmoney and money laundering in politics, the Election Commission has recommended that the government amend laws to allow exemption from tax only to parties that win seats in elections and ban anonymous contributions of Rs 2,000 and above to parties.

Read more: https://goo.gl/3H1HTj

AIR FORCE MEN CAN'T SPORT BEARD: SUPREME COURT

The Supreme Court on Thursday (December 15) held that personnel working in the Indian Air Force (IAF) cannot sport a beard based on religious grounds. A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said that the Centre's decision to prohibit personnel of a particular community from sporting beard does not infringe upon the fundamental rights.

The bench also comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and L Nageswara Rao dismissed the pleas filed by two Muslim personnel of IAF who had challenged the dismissal of their pleas by the Delhi High Court.

The apex court verdict came on two petitions filed separately by two personnel, Mohammed Zubair and Ansari Aaftab Ahmed, challenging the IAF authorities' 'confidential' order dated February 24, 2003, prohibiting Muslim personnel from sporting a beard.

Read more: https://goo.gl/vVlVGE

I HAVE DETAILED INFO ABOUT ‘PERSONAL CORRUPTION’ BY PRIME MINISTER MODI: ALLEGES RAHUL GANDHI

After claiming that there will be an “earthquake” if he speaks, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday (14) alleged that he has detailed information about “personal corruption” by prime minister Narendra Modi which he wants to present in Lok Sabha but is not being allowed to do so by Modi.

Parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar rejected Gandhi’s allegation as “false and baseless” and “very unfortunate”. “The allegation was made out of desperation and he (Gandhi) should apologise to the nation,” Kumar told reporters.

As the parliament remained deadlocked over the issue of demonetisation, Gandhi said the prime minister is personally terrified of him being allowed to speak inside Lok Sabha.

Read more: https://goo.gl/ar4egL

TATA OUSTS MISTRY FROM IT BUSINESS BOARD AS PURGE IS STEPPED UP

India’s Tata has ousted Cyrus Mistry as a director of its cash cow IT business Tata Consultancy Services as the Indian conglomerate steps up its purge of its former chairman.

TCS said in a statement late on Tuesday (13) that shareholders had voted overwhelmingly at an extraordinary general meeting in India’s commercial Mumbai to dump Mistry from its board.

In the statement to the National Stock Exchange of India it said that Mistry is “hereby removed from the office of Director of the Company with effect from the date of this meeting”.

Read more: https://goo.gl/hfjQET

PAKISTAN AIRLINE CHAIRMAN RESIGNS AFTER FATAL PLANE CRASH

The chairman of Pakistan’s embattled national carrier has resigned following a fatal plane crash that killed 47 people last week, one of the country’s deadliest air disasters.

Muhammad Azam Saigol tendered his resignation on Monday (12) due to personal reasons, according to PIA spokesman Danyal Gilani. Saigol’s resignation came after a Pakistan International Airlines plane crashed into a mountain on the way to Islamabad from the city of Chitral after one of the aircraft’s two turboprop engines failed, killing everyone on board.

On Monday (12) PIA grounded its 10 remaining ATR turboprop planes for thorough testing in the wake of the crash and another incident in which a plane was recalled to its parking bay after experiencing a fault just before take off at Multan airport.

Read more: https://goo.gl/d4Vomw

‘RAEES’ WORK OF FICTION, NOT BASED ON ANY PERSON: SHAH RUKH KHAN

Superstar Shah Rukh has debunked the reports claiming that his upcoming film “Raees” is based on underworld figure Abdul Latif’s life, saying the movie is “pure work of fiction”.

The 51-year-old actor along with the makers of the movie including Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar and director Rahul Dholakia has denied that the film has any resemblance to the life of Latif, who structured his empire around illicit liquor.

“In view of certain media reports that claim that the film ‘Raees’ is based on a real-life story and rumours to that effect being circulated, we take this opportunity to clarify that the Story of the film ‘Raees’ is a pure work of fiction, Not based on any person; living or dead.

Read more: https://goo.gl/Jvg2DC

INZAMAM CRITICISES ANDERSON OVER COMMENTS ON KOHLI

Pakistan chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq has criticised James Anderson for his uncharitable comments about Virat Kohli’s technique, saying that the England pacer should first take wickets in India before questioning the Indian skipper’s capabilities.

Anderson had recently said Kohli’s technical deficiencies were not at display during the ongoing Test series between India and England because the pitches in India are devoid of bounce and there is lack of movement.

“It is surprising to me that Anderson should question Kohli’s runs and ability because I haven’t seen him take too many wickets in India,” Inzamam said.

Read more: https://goo.gl/HFgyFc

2 MEN JAILED IN UK FOR GIVING CASH TO BRUSSELS TERROR SUSPECT

Two men, who were found guilty of giving £3,000 to a key suspect in the Paris and Brussels terror attacks during a meeting in a Birmingham park, have  been jailed by a UK court.

Mohammed Ali Ahmed, from Birmingham, who had pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism last month was sentenced to eight years on Monday (December 12).

Co-defendant Zakaria Boufassil, also from Birmingham, was found guilty at Kingston Crown Court of the same charge at the end of a trial last week and was sentenced to three years.

Read more: https://goo.gl/i9pojl

PRIYANKA CHOPRA NAMED UNICEF GOODWILL AMBASSADOR

Indian actress Priyanka Chopra has been appointed as UNICEFs newest global Goodwill Ambassador. Footballer David Beckham and 12-year-old British actress Millie Bobby Brown announced Chopra's appointment at a star-studded celebration at the United Nations late on Monday (December 12) night to commemorate 70 years of the world body's children's agency.

'My wish for children is freedom. The freedom to think, the freedom to live,' Chopra said, addressing top UN diplomats, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors and children at the event. She urged people from across nations to become the 'collective voice' of oppressed children in the world and join forces to leave a better future for the coming generations.

Chopra said that while man has made unprecedented advancements in every sphere of life, children across the world remain unprotected from violence, abuse and exploitation. 'I, we ask you to join us today to become the collective voice of the oppressed children across the world in our fight against the injustices that they have to endure everyday,' she said.

Read more: https://goo.gl/A2TEWV

ASHWIN LEADS INDIA TO SERIES WIN OVER ENGLAND

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin blew away England's lower order resistance to spin India to a crushing series-clinching victory on the final day of the fourth test at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday (12).

The touring side, who resumed the final day on 182 for six, were only able to add 13 runs to their total as Ashwin (6-55) took all four remaining wickets in a little more than half an hour and the hosts won by an innings and 36 runs.

The five-wicket haul was the 24th for the world's top-ranked test bowler and his seventh 10-wicket haul, after the 30-year-old also took six wickets in England's first innings, inspired India to an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Read more: https://goo.gl/Kda4CN

RAJAH SPICES LAUNCHES ITS DELICIOUS NEW RANGE OF HEAT & STIR DALS

A delicious dal is a cornerstone of Asian households and nothing quite comes close to tucking into a hot dal with rotis, chapatis or rice in these cold winter days. But after a long hard day at work, just thinking about coming home and cooking makes you tired…now thanks to Rajah Spices’ newly launched Heat & Stir range of dals, you can enjoy your favourite dal dishes without the stresses of cooking.

Rajah Spices have worked tirelessly to ensure that their delicious Dal Makhani and Tadka Dal are not only quick to make but also a healthy option by using 18 individual herbs, spices and ingredients, with no preservatives.

In a recent survey, 82% of women found the the Tadka Dal and Dal Makhani to be flavoursome and fresh and were surprised this was achieved with no artificial flavourings or preservatives.

Read more: https://goo.gl/Uru62P

MODI GOVT TO PRINT PLASTIC CURRENCY NOTES

The Narendra Modi-led Indian Government on Friday (December 9) informed Parliament that a decision has been taken to print plastic currency notes and procurement of material has started.

'It has been decided to print banknotes based on plastic or polymer substrate. The process of procurement has been initiated,' Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal said in a written reply in Lok Sabha to a query whether RBI proposes to print plastic currency notes in place of paper ones.

The Reserve Bank for long has been planning to launch plastic currency note after field trials. In February 2014, the government had informed Parliament that one billion plastic notes of Rs 10 denomination would be introduced in a field trial in five cities selected for their geographical and climatic diversity. The selected cities were Kochi, Mysore, Jaipur, Shimla and Bhubaneswar.

Read more: https://goo.gl/VGer9q

NOTE BAN BIGGEST SCAM, SAYS RAHUL GANDHI

CONGRESS Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Friday (December 9) accused the Central government of not allowing him to speak in Parliament on demonetisation, which he dubbed as the 'biggest scam', and said he would reveal in the House what was behind the move to scrap high-denomination notes.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gandhi said that his party wants debate on demonetisation so that the truth can come to the fore, but the government is running away from it.

The Congress Vice President said that when he gets a chance to speak about demonetisation in the House, 'the Prime Minister will not be able to even sit there'.

Read more: https://goo.gl/psQhBU

SYNDICATE EXCHANGING OLD NOTES UNEARTHED

Income Tax officials on Thursday said they have post-demonetisation uncovered several cases of fraud, including unearthing of a syndicate was exchanging old currency notes for 35 per cent commission and seizure of cartons packed with Rs 100 notes.

They also found a case in Nagpur where a large sum of money was deposited in a bank account without the knowledge of the account holder and seven accounts were being fraudulently operated by unknown persons to launder Rs 4.25 crore.

Central Board of Direct Taxes said some investigations at Mumbai found that a syndicate of ground level operators was converting banned currency notes into legal tenders for a commission.

Read more: https://goo.gl/ZLywri

TRIPLE TALAQ IS CRUEL: ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT

Observing that the judicial conscience is 'disturbed', the Allahabad High Court has held that triple talaq is 'cruel' and raised a question whether the Muslim Personal law could be amended to alleviate the sufferings of Muslim women.

Coming down heavily on the practice, the court has held that this form of 'instant divorce' is 'most demeaning' which 'impedes and drags India from becoming a nation'.

'The question which disturbs the court is--should Muslim wives suffer this tyranny for all times? Should their personal law remain so cruel towards these unfortunate wives? Whether the personal law can be amended suitably to alleviate their sufferings? The judicial conscience is disturbed at this monstrosity', a single judge bench of Justice Suneet Kumar said in a judgement passed last month which was put online only now.

Read more: https://goo.gl/3kRp6C

TRUMP IS TIME'S PERSON OF THE YEAR

US President-elect Donald Trump was on Wednesday (December 7) named by TIME magazine as its Person of the Year 2016 for his stunning upset victory in the presidential election.

‘It's a great honour. It means a lot. I have grown up reading TIME magazine, it’s a very important magazine. It is a tremendous honor, I am lucky to be on the cover of TIME in the past," Trump told NBC's news program Today minutes after TIME announced the next US President was Person of the Year 2016.

TIME said after campaigning as an anti-establishment, populist candidate, 70-year-old Trump was elected the 45th President of the US a stunning end to a presidential bid that repeatedly broke with political precedent.

Read more: https://goo.gl/smKHvn

NO SURVIVORS LIKELY IN CRASH OF PAKISTANI PLANE CARRYING AN ESTIMATED 40 PEOPLE

There are unlikely to be any survivors from a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane carrying about 40 people that crashed on Wednesday (7) in a mountainous northern region, a government official at the crash site said.

PIA said its plane lost contact with the control tower en route to the capital, Islamabad, from the northern region of Chitral. The plane crashed in the Havelian area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, about 125 km (77 miles) north of Islamabad.

“All of the bodies are burned beyond recognition. The debris is scattered,” said Taj Muhammad Khan, a government official based in Havelian.

Read more: https://goo.gl/30xiq9

PAKISTANI COURT CHARGES BROTHER IN KILLING OF SOCIAL MEDIA STAR QANDEEL BALOCH

There are unlikely to be any survivors from a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane carrying about 40 people that crashed on Wednesday (7) in a mountainous northern region, a government official at the crash site said.

PIA said its plane lost contact with the control tower en route to the capital, Islamabad, from the northern region of Chitral. The plane crashed in the Havelian area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, about 125 km (77 miles) north of Islamabad.

“All of the bodies are burned beyond recognition. The debris is scattered,” said Taj Muhammad Khan, a government official based in Havelian.

Read more: https://goo.gl/30xiq9

SONIA GANDHI ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL

Congress President Sonia Gandhi was on Tuesday admitted to a hospital here following a viral infection."The Congress President has been admitted to a hospital following viral fever. She will be discharged within two days. She will resume her Parliament duty soon. There is no cause  for worry," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.        

Sources said that 69-year-old Gandhi was down with viral fever and doctors advised her to be under medical supervision. She will also undergo some tests at Sir Gangaram hospital, they said.

        

Read more: https://goo.gl/xtjbJZ

TATAS INK PACT WITH LIBERTY HOUSE FOR UK ASSETS

Tata Steel on Monday (Nov 28) clinched a pact with UK-based Liberty House Group that allows it to start exclusive talks for potential sale of its Speciality Steels business for an enterprise value of 100 million pounds subject to due diligence and corporate approvals.

The signing of the letter of intent (LoI) is in line with the company’s overall restructuring strategy of the UK portfolio. Liberty House Group, led by India-origin businessman Sanjeev Gupta, had emerged as the frontrunner for the Indian steel giants UK plants when these were put on the block earlier this year.

The agreement covers some of Tata Steels South Yorkshire-based assets, including the Rotherham electric arc steelworks, the steel-purifying facility in Stocksbridge and a mill in Brinsworth as well as service centres in Bolton and Wednesbury in the UK and in Suzhou and Xian in China.

Read more: https://goo.gl/l6ZpKm

INDIA BEAT ENGLAND BY 8 WICKETS

India spinners once again held centre-stage as the hosts produced a clinical performance to cruise to a comfortable eight-wicket victory against England on the fourth day of the third cricket Test on Tuesday (Nov 29).

India has taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The trio of Ravichandran Ashwin (3/81), Ravindra Jadeja (2/62) and Jayant Yadav (2/21) shared bulk of the spoils to dismiss the visitors for 236 in their second innings.

Comeback man Parthiv Patel then made a mockery of the target of 103 runs, smashing his way to an unbeaten 67 off 53 balls studded with 11 fours and a six.

Read more: https://goo.gl/GiV36M

AAMIR HOPES 'DANGAL' WON'T BE AFFECTED BY DEMONETISATION

Bollywood Superstar Aamir Khan hopes that the business of his upcoming film "Dangal" does not get affected by the government's demonetisation move.        

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to withdraw Rs500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes has been hailed as well as criticised by different sections. 

Films like "Rock On 2", "Force 2" have been affected due to demonetisation. I hope it (demonetisation) doesn't affect our film. I think things are slowly getting back to normal. I think 'Rock On 2' got affected (due to demonetisation) because it had released right at that time," he said.

Read more: https://goo.gl/6Zqswe

INDIA LAUNCHES NEW TAX EVASION AMNESTY SCHEME TO UNEARTH UNACCOUNTED CASH

Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday (28) unveiled a scheme to give tax dodgers another chance to come clean, as he sought to bring billions of dollars worth of undeclared income into the mainstream economy.

The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to scrap 500-rupee and 1,000-rupee banknotes in a bid to flush out cash earned through illegal activities, or earned legally but never disclosed.

Under the proposed scheme, a person making the declaration would have to pay 50 percent in taxes and surcharges. The individual would also have to park a quarter of the total sum in a non-interest bearing deposit for four years.

Read more: https://goo.gl/V7VPao

INDIA'S JADEJA AND ASHWIN TURN SCREW ON ENGLAND

Ravindra Jadeja led India's strong lower-order batting display with a career-best 90 before spin partner Ravichandran Ashwin wrecked England's top order to put the hosts firmly in charge of the third test on Monday.

Jadeja fell agonisingly short of his maiden test century but shared 75-plus partnerships with Ashwin and Jayant Yadav to give India, who were all out for 417, a handy first-innings lead of 134 runs.

Ashwin struck three times in the final session as England, 1-0 down in the five-match series, slumped to 78-4 at the end of third day, still 56 runs behind.

Read more: https://goo.gl/0sCtmX

FEARING TIGHTER US VISA REGIME, INDIAN IT FIRMS RUSH TO HIRE AND ACQUIRE

Anticipating a more protectionist US technology visa programme under a Donald Trump administration, India's $150 billion IT services sector will  speed up acquisitions in the United States and recruit more heavily from college campuses there.

Indian companies including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) , Infosys and Wipro have long used H1-B skilled worker visas to fly computer  engineers to the U.S., their largest overseas market, temporarily to service clients.

Staff from those three companies accounted for around 86,000 new H1-B workers in 2005-14. The U.S. currently issues close to that number of H1-B visas each year.

Read more: https://goo.gl/UuFjEI

INDIA FINANCE MINISTER TELLS PUBLIC TO REDUCE CURRENCY AND GO DIGITAL

Amid a raging debate on demonetisation, the government on Friday (25) said in Lok Sabha that it wanted a reduction in the use of physical currency in the economy, which should be substituted with digital money.

Responding to a question on digital payment systems, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government wanted the physical currency to come down and be substituted by digital currency. While physical currency should decline, business and commerce should prosper.

He said out of 80 crore debit cards, 40 crore were actively used at ATMs. Electronic wallets and digital transfer of funds was the future technology which the government is encouraging and has asked various state governments to contribute.

Read more: https://goo.gl/zD3M3H

INDIA'S SOLAR FARM IS NOW THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD

India has overtaken California and now has the largest solar farm in one location in the world. It was built in a record eight months, despite monsoons and floods. The vast 2,500 acre site in Tamil Nadu is the size of nearly 60 Taj Mahals, while the area of the solar panels alone could hold 476 football pitches. And, during the construction, just the storage area was the equivalent of 6 Sydney Opera Houses.

The southern Indian solar farm can generate 648 megawatts of clean, green electricity. By 2022, India aims to power 60 million homes by the sun. This will help propel India as a world leader in renewable energy generation.

Vneet Jaain, CEO of Adani Power, says, "Before us, the largest solar power plant at a single location was in California in the U.S. That was 550 MW and was completed in around three years. We wanted to set up a solar plant of 648 MW in a single location in less than a year."

Read more: https://goo.gl/bpJccD

REJUVENATED ASHWIN SPINS INDIA BACK TO THE TOP

For those who feared for the future of finger-spin bowling, Ravichandran Ashwin's stupendous success over the last 16 months has come as a mighty relief.

While the art of off-spin has grappled with the menace of chucking, the 30-year-old Indian has risen to the top of the ICC test bowling rankings on the back of seven Man of the Series performances.

Apart from skipper Virat Kohli, nobody is more important to India's test success on home soil and on Saturday (26) he will unpack his bag of tricks in Mohali as the hosts attempt to lock up the five-test series against England.

Read more: https://goo.gl/XH5ndA

DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT SITUATION IN KASHMIR: BAN KI-MOON

Deeply concerned over the “deterioration” in situation along the Line of Control in Kashmir, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for restoration of stability in the region, saying the world body supports “all efforts” to reach “durable” peace and security.

“The secretary-general is deeply concerned about the deterioration of the situation along the Line of Control in Kashmir in recent days,” a United Nations statement attributed to his spokesman said. “He calls on all involved to prioritise the restoration of calm and stability in order to prevent any further escalation and loss of life,” the statement said, adding that Ban “trusts India and Pakistan can find common ground and work towards a sustainable peace.”

“The UN stands by the people of the region and supports all efforts to reach durable peace and security,” said the statement.

Read more: https://goo.gl/80781M

CHENNAI EXPRESS WRITER K SUBASH IS NO MORE

Director-writer K Subash, who helmed Tamil superhit film Chathriyan and also penned the story of superstar Shah Rukh Khan's Chennai Express, died  in Chennai on Wednesday (Nov 23) following kidney problems.

He was 57. He is survived by wife and two daughters.Subash was the son of R Krishnan, one of the two directors of the super hit Parasakthi that launched thespian Sivaji Ganesan in 1952.

He started his career as an assistant to Mani Ratnam in Nayagan.He made his directorial debut with Kaliyugam with Prabhu. His second film Chatriyan starring Vijayakanth was a blockbuster.

Read more: https://goo.gl/Ek1yBZ

UK TELLS INDIA, PAKISTAN TO SOLVE KASHMIR ROW

Britain has asked India and Pakistan to find a 'lasting' solution to the Kashmir issue amid an escalation in tension, but made it clear that it was not for the UK to 'prescribe a solution or act as a mediator'.

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who is on his first visit--for two days--to Islamabad, said 'we call for an end to the violence'.

'The longstanding position of the UK is that is it for India and Pakistan to find a lasting solution to the situation in Kashmir taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people,' Johnson told reporters on Thursday (Nov 24) at a joint press conference with Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.

Read more: https://goo.gl/DWBHJb

KUMBLE, NASSER HUSSAIN BAT FOR VIRAT KOHLI

After a leading British daily alleged that Indian skipper Virat Kohli was involved in ball tampering during the first India versus England Test in Rajkot, ex-England skipper Nasser Hussain and India coach Anil Kumble have come out in Kohli’s support.

While Hussain, who is on the commentary duties in India, lashed at ICC for the way they handled the Faf du Plessis ball-tampering issue in Australia, Mohali, Nov 24 (PTI) India coach Anil Kumble has also categorically dismissed the allegations, saying he does not believe in 'giving wind to such stories'.

'It's ludicrous, really. Much ado about nothing. The whole ball-shining thing with something in your mouth has been going on for ages,' Hussain told India Today in Mumbai.

Read more: https://goo.gl/kGfGQO

MODI CALLS CABINET OVER DEPOSITORS' FEARS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called Cabinet meeting late on Thursday (Nov 24) evening, possibly to discuss the penal 200 per cent tax that is keeping away the scrapped 500 and 1000 rupees notes from entering the formal system.

The meeting, summoned at a very short notice, comes amid reports of high tax penalty terrifying people from putting their cash savings into the formal banking system.

Sources said the government wants all of the 500 and 1000 banknotes to be deposited and not burnt or destroyed for the fear of penal action.

Read more: https://goo.gl/M89HRs

TRUMP PICKS NIKKI HALEY AS UN ENVOY

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley was on Wednesday (Nov 23) picked by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as US ambassador to the United Nations, becoming first Indian-American to be appointed to a cabinet-level post in the US administration.

Haley, 44-year-old daughter of Indian immigrants, is the first woman tapped by Trump for a top-level administration post during his transition to the White House.

Citing a source familiar with the decision, CNN reported that President-elect Trump had picked South Carolina's Governor Haley to be the US ambassador to the United Nations.

Read more: https://goo.gl/XDbjE0

93% BACK CURRENCY BAN IN SURVEY ON MODI APP

More than 93 per cent of the five lakh people who participated in a survey on Narendra Modi App have supported demonetisation, the PMO said on Wednesday (Nov 23), a day after the Prime Minister sought public feedback on the issue.

‘I thank people for the historic participation in the survey. It's satisfying to read the insightful views & comments,’ the Prime Minister tweeted along with the results of the survey conducted on Narendra Modi App.

‘Unprecedented response to App Survey, record number of citizens share their view,’ said the title of a write-up on narendramodi.in whose link was shared by the Prime Minister on his twitter account.

Read more: https://goo.gl/5AEBXP

INDIANS IN UK WILL GET HELP TO DEPOSIT BANNED NOTES

The Indian government is looking at ways to help NRIs who may possess some banned currency notes so that they can deposit them at a branch of an Indian bank overseas, India's acting high commissioner to the UK has said.

'Our endeavour is to help everybody. We have asked Delhi about it (any banned notes with NRIs). I have a feeling we will work out something so that people who have carried certain amount of cash in their pocket, should be able to deposit it in any Indian bank abroad,' Dinesh Patnaik said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as part of an anti-corruption drive earlier this week, giving Indians the option to exchange them at banks across India until December 30.

Read more: https://goo.gl/M2scxq

ISRAELI TECH TO AID OF DIAMOND UNITS

An Israeli company has invented a machine, currently undergoing advanced large-scale testing in India, that it claims instantly grades the clarity of polished diamonds.

The new groundbreaking system is likely to be marketed from mid-2017 by Sarine Technologies which has offices in Surat and Mumbai and employs about 450 people.

The machine, which is currently undergoing advanced Large-scale testing in India, can revolutionise the diamond industry by bringing in more transparency and trust in the way the market operates.

Read more: https://goo.gl/D77US0

PARLIAMENT PARALYSED OVER CURRENCY BAN

Parliament was paralysed over demonetisation, with Rajya Sabha witnessing a sharp clash over certain remarks by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, leaving a debate on the issue incomplete in the House which had a lively discussion on Wednesday (Nov 16).

Opposition parties, led by the Congress, created uproar in both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha as soon as the Houses met for the day and it continued throughout.

The Lok Sabha could carry out business only during the Question Hour, that, too, amid the uproar, after which it was adjourned for the day minutes past 12 noon. The Rajya Sabha could not transact any business.

Read more: https://goo.gl/wmyU7W

EAST MEETS WEST AT INTER-FAITH GATHERING IN RISHIKESH

Faith leaders from 20 nations gathered in Rishikesh, a city in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand, in the Himalayan foothills beside the Ganges River.

THE world came together for a major, high-profile inter-faith gathering in which faith leaders from the West came to learn from faith leaders from the East. Attending were dignitaries and audience members from over 20 nations.

The esteemed leaders joined forces in focusing on how to globally expand values of respect between religions as well as an appreciation for the diversity and dignity of all people. In so doing, the event highlighted the values of respect between religions and appreciation for diversity and dignity of all people.

Read more: https://goo.gl/XL58o0

CASH CRISIS: RELIEF TO FARMERS, MARRIAGE PARTIES

THE Indian government on Thursday (Nov 17) lowered the exchange limit for now-defunct 500 and 1,000 rupee notes to Rs 2,000 from the existing cap of Rs 4,500, effective Friday (Nov 18) but has given a big relief to farmers ahead of the sowing season and to families planning weddings.

 'To enable larger number of people to get benefit of over-the-counter exchange of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, the existing limit of Rs 4,500 will be reduced to Rs 2,000 with effect from tomorrow,' Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das told reporters in New Delhi.

Among other measures, the government has allowed up to Rs 2.5 lakh cash withdrawal from bank account of a bride or groom or their parents for a marriage during the ongoing wedding season.

Read more: https://goo.gl/anSe1s

THERESA SEEKS BUSINESS LEADERS' HELP FOR BREXIT

British Prime Minister Theresa May has called on business leaders to help her government win back Britons disillusioned with liberal elites and globalization by forging an economy that ‘works for everyone’.

Describing the election of real estate magnate Donald Trump as US President and Britain's vote to leave the European Union as proof that ‘change is in the air’, May said on Monday (Nov 14) that Britain should not shy away from making the case for globalization.

Instead, government and business, she said, must show the benefits of global trade and liberalism can be shared more widely, creating jobs by pressing on with her ‘new industrial strategy’ and also by encouraging companies to help communities, she said.

Read more: https://goo.gl/Rs4bxM

TOP COURT REFUSES TO STAY CURRENCY BAN

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (Nov 15) refused to stay the Indian government's notification demonetising Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes but asked the administration it to spell out the steps taken to minimise public inconvenience.

'We will not be granting any stay,' a bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and D Y Chandrachud said. The remarks were made after some advocates insisted on a stay.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the petitioners, however, said he was not asking for a stay on the notification but seeking answers from the government about the steps taken to remove public inconvenience.

Read more: https://goo.gl/7k5Lgc

CONG RAPS MODI AS HIRABA VISITS BANK TO EXCHANGE NOTES

The Congress has taken a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his 97-year-old mother Hiraba visited a bank at her village in Gujarat to replace now-defunct banknotes with new ones, saying ‘no good son’ would ever want this.

‘I am very sad. No good son ever wants that his 97-year-old mother has to (face such a situation) and they boast of a 56-inch chest,’ party spokesman Kapil Sibal told reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday (Nov 15).

Congress leader Rashid Alvi, speaking separately, accused Modi of not following ‘putra dharma’ (duties of a son).

Read more: https://goo.gl/Bco3z7

SHARIA COURTS UNDER LENS IN BRITAIN

For more than 30 years, sharia courts enforcing Islamic law have been operating quietly across Britain. But two official inquiries have put them in the spotlight amid accusations that they discriminate against women.

Very little is known about them, even their number, which one study by the University of Reading puts at 30, while the British think tank Civitas estimates there are 85.

Sharia courts or councils, as they prefer to be called, mainly pronounce on Islamic divorces, which today constitute 90 percent of the cases they handle. https://goo.gl/uRCaJW

BOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES SHOCKED BY TRUMP WIN

Bollywood celebrities have expressed their dismay over Republican candidate Donald Trump's win in the US elections on Wednesday (Nov 9).

Personalities like Kabir Khan, Javed Akhtar, Radhika Apte, Twinkle Khanna among others expressed shock over Trump becoming the new President.

Trump, a former reality star, who has hosted 'The Apprentice', defeated Hillary Clinton in the knife-edge US Presidential elections.

Read more: https://goo.gl/9MHcAm