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

ANTI-TRUMP PROTESTS ERUPT ACROSS US

Thousands of people on Thursday (Nov 10) took to the streets across the US to protest against Donald Trump's victory in the presidential polls, slamming him for his bigotry and racism, as they demonstrated against his electoral pronouncements on immigration and Muslims.

People from all ages, faiths and nationalities assembled at landmark locations in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, California, Colorado, Seattle and other cities protesting against Trump, barely a day after he registered a stunning presidential victory against Hillary Clinton.

The protesters were seen walking on roads and highways between moving traffic, holding a multitude of placards and expressing their resentment for Trump through slogans such as 'No more Hate' and 'Trump is not our President'.

Read more: https://goo.gl/7Y2YO8

MAY'S STANCE ON IMMIGRATION SPARKS ROW

Describing as 'shambolic' British Prime Minister Theresa May's just-concluded visit to India, former Liberal Democrats leader Paddy Ashdown on Wednesday (Nov 9) criticised her hardline stance on immigration as 'damaging' to UK's economy.

Ashdown spoke as he accompanied the party's Richmond Park and North Kingston by-election candidate Sarah Olney to a curry restaurant in the constituency.

The pair spoke with the owner and head chef of the Roz Ana restaurant in Kingston about its problems recruiting chefs from abroad and the impact of Brexit on rising food prices.

Read more: https://goo.gl/IWd8Wf

TRUMP COMES UP TRUMPS WITH 288 OF 538 VOTES

In a stunning result, billionaire businessman Donald Trump on Wednesdsay (Nov 9) beat seasoned politician Hillary Clinton in the knife-edge polls, defying the odds to become the 45th US President after starting off as a rank political outsider.

It was a heart-break for Democratic nominee Clinton, who was hoping to become the first woman President of the US, as Trump edged past her in a see-saw battle which he clinched by winning 288 electoral college votes to Clinton's 215.

To win the Presidential election, a candidate needs 270 of the 538 electoral college votes.

Read more: https://goo.gl/IvXoU5

PRAMILA JAYAPAL EMERGES TRIUMPHANT

Pramila Jayapal on Wednesday (Nov 9) became the First Indian-American woman to be elected to the US House of Representative, winning the Washington State Senate seat.

51-year-old Jayapal got 57 per cent of the votes from Washington State, leaving behind her rival Brady Walkinshaw who secured 43 per cent votes.

India-born Jayapal made a mark with her progressive agenda in the Washington State Senate.

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

KAMALA HARRIS FIRST INDIAN ELECTED TO US SENATE

California’s Attorney General Kamala Harris on Wednesday (Nov 9) scripted history as she won the US Senate seat from the state, becoming the first Indian-American to achieve the feat.

Harris, 51, who defeated fellow Democrat Loretta Sanchez, is also the sixth black individual to be elected to the US Senate. US President Barack Obama was the fifth black elected Senator.

She is the first black woman elected to the upper chamber in more than two decades. Read more: https://goo.gl/0Dox5d

AMERICANS VOTE TO ELECT PRESIDENT

Millions of Americans on November 8 lined up at polling stations to elect either the country's first woman President in its 240-year history or a political outsider in the White House as the race between Hillary Clinton and her rival Donald Trump remains too close to call.

Fighting for every single vote at stake, Democratic nominee Clinton and her Republican rival Trump made their last minute forceful argument before the American people with their own vision for the world's largest economy, ending the ugliest presidential campaign in US history.

Clinton, 69, was joined by husband Bill as she addressed a massive rally in Raleigh in the key battle ground state of North Carolina, which was entertained by Lady Gaga. https://goo.gl/e16u7O

FBI OKAY BOOSTS CLINTON AS D-DAY NEARS

Democrat Hillary Clinton heads into the final day of a tight White House race against Republican Donald Trump on Monday (Nov 7) with a new momentum after the FBI's announcement that no criminal charges were forthcoming in the probe of her email practices.

Both Clinton and Trump will spend the day racing across a handful of key battleground states that could swing Tuesday's (Nov 8) election, which polls show is extremely close but tilting toward Clinton.

FBI Director James Comey sent shockwaves through the race by telling Congress on Sunday (Nov 6) that investigators had worked 'around the clock' to complete a review of newly discovered emails and found no reason to change their July finding that Clinton was not guilty of criminal wrongdoing in her use of a private email server while secretary of state.

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

UK EASES VISA RULES FOR INDIAN BUSINESSMEN

British Prime Minister Theresa May and Indian PM Narendra Modi greet each other at the India-IK Tech Summit in New Delhi on Monday (Nov 7)

Eyeing India as a key trade partner after exiting from the European Union (EU), the UK on Monday (Nov 7) announced a first-ever easier visa regime for Indian businessmen that will come with swifter passage through British airports and access to EU.

India had in past also sought easier visa regime for its nationals and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asked his counterpart Theresa May to provide 'greater mobility' for its students and researchers.

Speaking at the India-UK Tech Summit, May said: 'So we will offer, for the first time to any country that needs visas to enter Britain, what we called 'Registered Traveller Scheme'.

Read more: https://goo.gl/KDO67u