Starred Articles
Ebola Fighters named Time Magazine's 'Person of the year'
World > Media >11 Dec
The Ebola fighters have been named as TIME magazine's Person of the Year 2014. The announcement was made by the magazine on Wednesday, 10th of December, 2014. Dr Kent Brantly, the U.S. doctor who contracted Ebola while treating patients in Liberia, featured on the cover page of the magazine. The cover also features Foday Gallah, an ambulance driver who survived the infection, Médecins Sans Frontières nurse Salome Karwah and Dr Jerry Brown, a Liberian surgeon who turned his hospital's chapel into the country's first Ebola treatment centre.
Each year, the magazine names the 'person' who most influenced the news, for better or worse, throughout the year.
Bengaluru youth operates one of ISIS’ most famous twitter handle
India > ISIS Twitter handle > 12 Dec
Mehdi Masroor Biswas, the operator of one of one of the most successful pro-ISIS Twitter accounts - @ShamiWitness, has been tracked down to Bengaluru by central intelligence agencies. The 24-year old youth, who hails from Gopalpur in West Bengal, had been working with an MNC in the city since 2012 and lived with his family. Cops were alerted to his presence following his interview on Channel 4, a British public-service television broadcaster. This particular twitter handle went online last year and since has been posting photos and videos of ISIS aggression. The account, which had nearly 18,000 followers, has shut down following reports. The account was followed by jihadi fighters and middle-east analysts. He had been encouraging ISIS fighters through his tweets, and had several times posted the video of US aid worker Peter Kassig's beheading. Channel 4 reported that his Facebook account was markedly different and had routine updates about dinners and work parties. He had also written two blog posts on inter-jihadi disputes and the start of the ISIS offensive in Iraq. He was in touch with English-speaking jihadis and new recruits who followed his account. Hundreds of supporters of Mehdi have vented their anger on social media with threat tweets wanting his release. Within hours of his arrest, a new Twitter handle named @ShamiWitness2 has surfaced. The police are trying to track down such accounts and tweets but say that it’s difficult. Radicalization of the youth and the spread of pro-ISIS agenda in the country is one of the primary concerns of Indian intelligence agencies.
Complaint filed against Google by Survey of India
India > Others > 16 Dec
A police complaint has been filed against technology giant Google by the Survey of India in Dehradun for wrongly depicting India's map. Google maps show an incorrect depiction of the international boundaries of India, which is not in accord with the one the Government of India has authenticated. The complaint has been registered with the cyber cell of the Dehradun police station and further action would be taken after the cyber cell's detailed report.
Pakistan Taliban attack school in Peshawar, kill 132 children
World > Peshawar attack >17Dec
In the deadliest attack in Pakistan’s history, the Pakistan Taliban attacked an army school in Peshawar and killed 145 people, 132 of them uniformed children. During the ordeal that lasted for eight hours at the Army Public School and Degree College, nine Taliban gunmen fired at random and threw grenades as they stormed through the corridors and assembly hall. Some of the 1,100 students at the school were lined up and shot with bullets to the head. Others were gunned down as they cowered under their desks, or forced to watch as their teachers were riddled with bullets. Eyewitnesses said that the gunmen singled out the survivors and fired at them till they died. A Taliban spokesman said that the attack had been in retaliation against the Pakistan’s military’s offensive against the Taliban in the North Waziristan tribal region of the country that has killed scores of Taliban militants. The Pakistan army said in a statement that all the militants have been killed and 960 students and school staff were rescued safely. Mass funerals were held in and around Peshawar and hospitals remained crowded with students injured in the attack and their relatives. Support poured in from all quarters of the world and people expressed shock and grief at the murder of innocent children. The United States and various other countries expressed full support to Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. Indian PM Narendra Modi called Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and expressed full solidarity and support.
Others
Xiaomi banned from selling and importing phones in India
India > Business > 11 Dec
The Delhi high court has banned Chinese mobile phone manufacturer Xiaomi from selling and importing its products in India. The move comes as a direct result of a case filed by Swedish company Ericsson pertaining to a SEP (Standard Essential Patents) and IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) issue. The Swedish equipment maker's patents on technologies are essential to manufacture the products that Xiaomi offers.
Ericsson had also filed similar cases against Micromax, Gionee and Intex earlier this year, in fact, Delhi high court had ordered Micromax to offer Ericsson royalty up to 1% of the selling price of its devices to Ericsson as the former was using its technology.
Detroit comes out of bankruptcy
World > Others > 11 Dec
The city of Detroit, which had filed for bankruptcy under chapter 9 is all set to come out of bankruptcy by slashing its debt by $7 billion and reinvest another $1.4 billion over the next ten years to improve city services. Detroit bankruptcy mediators, led by U.S. District Chief Judge Gerald Rosen, raised the required funds in 20-year pledges from a group of national and local foundations to help fund the bailout. Kevin Orr who took over as the emergency manager of Detroit when it filed for bankruptcy in March, 2013 will resign from the post and given back the city's control to the mayor Mike Duggan and governor Rick Snyder as the end of bankruptcy will also end his tenure.
The city of Detroit, Michigan filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, available exclusively for municipalities on July 18, 2013. It is the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in U.S. history by debt, estimated at $18–20 billion.
Telcos fined Rs 2,179.41 crore for violation of customer verification guidelines
Corporate > Telecom operators > 11 Dec
The government has imposed a total penalty of Rs 2,179.41 crore was imposed on telecom operators till September 30, 2014, for violation of customer verification guidelines. A penalty of Rs 172.80 crore was imposed on Tata Teleservices, Rs 52.31 crore on Sistema Shyam Teleservices, Rs 11.65 crore on Uninor, Rs 11.17 crore on MTNL and Rs 10.92 crore on STel. The verification of identity of mobile phone users is mandatory and the DoT has been issuing instructions from time to time for the same. However 4% of the customer application forms were non-compliant to the guidelines and hence the fines were imposed.
The cabinet has approved an additional compensation of Rs. 5 lakh to 1984 anti-sikh riot victims
India > Others > 11 Dec
The union cabinet has decided to approve the additional compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for the relatives of the 1984 anti-sikh riots, which the home ministry had earlier proposed. The total number of victims is 3325 of which 2733 were killed in Delhi alone and the rest were from the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The move from the centre has raised speculation of the government engaging in vote-bank politics as the assembly polls are expected to be announced next month in Delhi, the main affected area of the riots.
The riots occurred in the aftermath of the assassination of the then India prime minister Indira Gandhi on 31st of October, 1984.
Global markets fear another economic crisis as Greek prime minister calls early elections
World > Greece > 15 Dec
The ongoing political crisis in Greece re-ignited strong fears of a global economic slowdown even as Greece prepares to exit its economic rescue programme. The Athens stock exchange plunged nearly 13%, its biggest drop since the 1980s and gave a major jolt to world markets, following Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ sudden decision to call early presidential election. If Antonis fails to win sufficient support for his candidate, early general elections could take place which might bring the radical left Syriza party into power. The anti-austerity Syriza party wants to negotiate a debt write-off that is the biggest in Europe and hike public spending, which will put Greece in a dispute with its creditors and might even prompt a Eurozone exit. Economists fear that early general elections will re-instate the economic crisis that Greece has still now not fully got over with.
Government planning to set up institutes of Indology on the lines of IITs, IIMs
Politics and government > IITs ,IIMs > 16 Dec
In its bid to promote research on ancient Indian knowledge and practices and their relation with the contemporary world, the government is planning to establish the country’s first centrally-funded institutes of Indology, on the lines of the Indian Institutes of Technology and Management (IITs and IIMs). Indology is understood as the study of classical Indian languages, literature and philosophical systems. The institutes will offer PG courses such as diplomas, Masters and PhD programmes in ancient literary texts and languages, classical system of economy and business, governance and administration, archaeology, history and philosophy of science and technology, traditional organic agriculture, water management and construction practices, among others. The institutes are expected to follow the structure of the IITs, where the governing council is the highest decision-making body. Students will be selected through a rigorous process which will involve a written entrance test and an interview, similar to the IITs and IIMs.
Germany wins Hockey Champions Trophy beating Pakistan
Sports > Champions Trophy > 15 Dec
Germany won the Hockey Champions Trophy beating Pakistan 2-0 in the final held in the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on Sunday. Germany scored in the 18th And 56th minute to win the trophy for the tenth time. Germany had last won the title in 2007. Pakistan entered the finals after beating India in the semi-final.
Muslim cleric holds people hostage in Sydney cafe, demands flag of Islamic state
World > Sydney siege > 15 Dec
A self-described Muslim cleric by the name of Man Haron Monis, held more than a dozen staff and customers hostage in Sydney’s popular Lindt cafe. The 16-hour siege ended after commandos stormed the cafe and killed the gunman. Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson, 34 and lawyer Katrina Dawson, 38 were killed and 4 people including a policeman were injured in the gun-battle. Monis forced some of the hostages to hold a black Islamic banner at the window of the cafe. Central Sydney was put in lockdown as the events unfolded. Monis, an Iranian refugee, received political asylum in Australia in 1996. He was on bail facing a number of charges, including the murder of his ex-wife and more than 40 sexual and indecent assault charges. He had also been convicted of sending offensive letters to the families of deceased Australian soldiers. Monis, who described himself on a website as a Shia Muslim, had converted to Sunni Islam and was said by his former lawyer to have been an isolated figure. One of the gunman's demands was to have a flag of Islamic State, the Sunni militant group, delivered to the cafe. Prime Minister Abbott said the gunman had an "infatuation with extremism" and had been mentally unstable. The Sydney police knew about him but he was on the terror watch list. Iran’s police chief has claimed that they had requested the extradition of Monis, who was convicted of various crimes in Iran, in 2000 but the Australian authorities didn’t hand him over.
YouTube allows offline access to content in India
Corporate > YouTube > 15 Dec
You Tube has announced that from now onwards people in India will be able to view much of India’s popular YouTube content offline. YouTube has launched an offline feature in their mobile app which will allow users to take video offline using either their data plan or Wi Fi. After going offline, the videos can be viewed without an Internet connection for up to 48 hours after which the user will be required to connect to the Internet to sync the usage data and analytics with YouTube. You Tube has said that in developing countries like India a large chunk of internet users connect to the internet with a mobile phone. With this feature, YouTube hopes users will be able to enjoy smooth and buffer-free online content irrespective of the challenges of data connection, speed and cost.
Bharti Airtel to sell 1100 towers in Zambia and Rwanda
India > Business > 15 Dec
Indian Telecom giant Bharti Airtel has signed a deal with IHS Holding, Africa's leading mobile infrastructure company to provide 1100 towers in Zambia and Rwanda. The deal which will allow Airtel to lease towers to IHS for a period of ten years, was signed through Airtel's international arm Bharti Airtel International BV based in Netherlands. The Rs. 2000 crore deal is Airtel's attempt to lower its debt and decrease loss bearing operations in the continent.
This development was preceded by Airtel's sale of 4800 towers in Nigeria to American Tower Corporation in November, 3500 towers in six African countries to Eaton Towers in September and 3100 towers to Helios Tower Company in July. Bharti Airtel has not managed to make profit in Africa even four years after it entered the continent.
CBI ordered to record statement of ex-PM Manmohan Singh in Coalgate
India > Scams > 16 Dec
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was directed by a trial court to record the statement of former PM Manmohan Singh with respect to the Talabira II coal block allocation to Hindalco, when he also handled the coal ministry portfolio. The court order comes after CBI had closed the report on the Talabira coal block in Orissa, citing that no criminal offence had been committed by any of the persons involved in the allocation of the coal block.
Coal allocation scam is a major political scandal concerning the Indian government's allocation of the nation's coal deposits to public sector entities and private companies.
Chaos in parliament over forced conversion, VHP decides to put the campaign on hold
India > Politics > 16 Dec
The Lok Sabha witnessed much discord over the forceful conversion of muslims on the second day in a row. The opposition has put the Narendra Modi government under much pressure over the issue and created chaos by shouting slogans against the government. Parliamentary affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu has said that there would be a discussion over the issue. BJP MPs however refused to acknowledge the protests and said that the conversions occurred in the state of Uttar Pradesh and the matter should be handled by the state government.
The conversions are carried out to mark the golden jubilee of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and it is being termed as 'ghar waapasi' or home coming. However, the saffron brigade has hinted that the conversions will be delayed due to the saga it has led to in the parliament. According to a government official, the VHP has given it in writing that the 'ghar waapasi' programme is not their initiative, but said that the authorities should also keep an eye on the non-Hindu missionaries, which would travel throughout the country during 25th - 31st of December for large scale conversions.
Dresden, Germany the site of anti-Islam protest march
World > Others > 17 Dec
Dresden, the birthplace of a massive movement called “Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West” (Pegida), witnessed a 15,000 people strong march wherein protesters chanted “We are the People”. Although the march was ostensibly against the Islamisation of Germany, it was clear that most there were protesting against high levels of immigration and asylum seekers. Many in Germany are ashamed and horrified at this protest- in fact, a 5000 people strong counter-demonstration was also held. Immigration is currently a hot topic in Germany, with a rapid increase in the number of asylum seekers this year, due to the wars in Syria and Iraq.
SpiceJet struggles to take off due to fuel cuts
India > Aviation > 17 Dec
SpiceJet, which already has a debt of over Rs. 2000 crore to oil companies, banks and its own employees, is struggling to deal with a sudden cut in jet fuel supply by oil companies. Many flights were cancelled or delayed, leading to chaos at airports as well as an 8% drop in company shares in morning trade. SpiceJet's crisis is reminiscent of Kingfisher Airlines' downfall. It is estimated that banks may be asked to lend upto Rs. 600 crore based on the personal guarantee of SpiceJet's billionaire chairman, the media tycoon Kalanithi Maran.
Ebola Fighters named Time Magazine's 'Person of the year'
World > Media >11 Dec
The Ebola fighters have been named as TIME magazine's Person of the Year 2014. The announcement was made by the magazine on Wednesday, 10th of December, 2014. Dr Kent Brantly, the U.S. doctor who contracted Ebola while treating patients in Liberia, featured on the cover page of the magazine. The cover also features Foday Gallah, an ambulance driver who survived the infection, Médecins Sans Frontières nurse Salome Karwah and Dr Jerry Brown, a Liberian surgeon who turned his hospital's chapel into the country's first Ebola treatment centre.
Each year, the magazine names the 'person' who most influenced the news, for better or worse, throughout the year.
Bengaluru youth operates one of ISIS’ most famous twitter handle
India > ISIS Twitter handle > 12 Dec
Mehdi Masroor Biswas, the operator of one of one of the most successful pro-ISIS Twitter accounts - @ShamiWitness, has been tracked down to Bengaluru by central intelligence agencies. The 24-year old youth, who hails from Gopalpur in West Bengal, had been working with an MNC in the city since 2012 and lived with his family. Cops were alerted to his presence following his interview on Channel 4, a British public-service television broadcaster. This particular twitter handle went online last year and since has been posting photos and videos of ISIS aggression. The account, which had nearly 18,000 followers, has shut down following reports. The account was followed by jihadi fighters and middle-east analysts. He had been encouraging ISIS fighters through his tweets, and had several times posted the video of US aid worker Peter Kassig's beheading. Channel 4 reported that his Facebook account was markedly different and had routine updates about dinners and work parties. He had also written two blog posts on inter-jihadi disputes and the start of the ISIS offensive in Iraq. He was in touch with English-speaking jihadis and new recruits who followed his account. Hundreds of supporters of Mehdi have vented their anger on social media with threat tweets wanting his release. Within hours of his arrest, a new Twitter handle named @ShamiWitness2 has surfaced. The police are trying to track down such accounts and tweets but say that it’s difficult. Radicalization of the youth and the spread of pro-ISIS agenda in the country is one of the primary concerns of Indian intelligence agencies.
Complaint filed against Google by Survey of India
India > Others > 16 Dec
A police complaint has been filed against technology giant Google by the Survey of India in Dehradun for wrongly depicting India's map. Google maps show an incorrect depiction of the international boundaries of India, which is not in accord with the one the Government of India has authenticated. The complaint has been registered with the cyber cell of the Dehradun police station and further action would be taken after the cyber cell's detailed report.
Pakistan Taliban attack school in Peshawar, kill 132 children
World > Peshawar attack >17Dec
In the deadliest attack in Pakistan’s history, the Pakistan Taliban attacked an army school in Peshawar and killed 145 people, 132 of them uniformed children. During the ordeal that lasted for eight hours at the Army Public School and Degree College, nine Taliban gunmen fired at random and threw grenades as they stormed through the corridors and assembly hall. Some of the 1,100 students at the school were lined up and shot with bullets to the head. Others were gunned down as they cowered under their desks, or forced to watch as their teachers were riddled with bullets. Eyewitnesses said that the gunmen singled out the survivors and fired at them till they died. A Taliban spokesman said that the attack had been in retaliation against the Pakistan’s military’s offensive against the Taliban in the North Waziristan tribal region of the country that has killed scores of Taliban militants. The Pakistan army said in a statement that all the militants have been killed and 960 students and school staff were rescued safely. Mass funerals were held in and around Peshawar and hospitals remained crowded with students injured in the attack and their relatives. Support poured in from all quarters of the world and people expressed shock and grief at the murder of innocent children. The United States and various other countries expressed full support to Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. Indian PM Narendra Modi called Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and expressed full solidarity and support.
Others
Xiaomi banned from selling and importing phones in India
India > Business > 11 Dec
The Delhi high court has banned Chinese mobile phone manufacturer Xiaomi from selling and importing its products in India. The move comes as a direct result of a case filed by Swedish company Ericsson pertaining to a SEP (Standard Essential Patents) and IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) issue. The Swedish equipment maker's patents on technologies are essential to manufacture the products that Xiaomi offers.
Ericsson had also filed similar cases against Micromax, Gionee and Intex earlier this year, in fact, Delhi high court had ordered Micromax to offer Ericsson royalty up to 1% of the selling price of its devices to Ericsson as the former was using its technology.
Detroit comes out of bankruptcy
World > Others > 11 Dec
The city of Detroit, which had filed for bankruptcy under chapter 9 is all set to come out of bankruptcy by slashing its debt by $7 billion and reinvest another $1.4 billion over the next ten years to improve city services. Detroit bankruptcy mediators, led by U.S. District Chief Judge Gerald Rosen, raised the required funds in 20-year pledges from a group of national and local foundations to help fund the bailout. Kevin Orr who took over as the emergency manager of Detroit when it filed for bankruptcy in March, 2013 will resign from the post and given back the city's control to the mayor Mike Duggan and governor Rick Snyder as the end of bankruptcy will also end his tenure.
The city of Detroit, Michigan filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, available exclusively for municipalities on July 18, 2013. It is the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in U.S. history by debt, estimated at $18–20 billion.
Telcos fined Rs 2,179.41 crore for violation of customer verification guidelines
Corporate > Telecom operators > 11 Dec
The government has imposed a total penalty of Rs 2,179.41 crore was imposed on telecom operators till September 30, 2014, for violation of customer verification guidelines. A penalty of Rs 172.80 crore was imposed on Tata Teleservices, Rs 52.31 crore on Sistema Shyam Teleservices, Rs 11.65 crore on Uninor, Rs 11.17 crore on MTNL and Rs 10.92 crore on STel. The verification of identity of mobile phone users is mandatory and the DoT has been issuing instructions from time to time for the same. However 4% of the customer application forms were non-compliant to the guidelines and hence the fines were imposed.
The cabinet has approved an additional compensation of Rs. 5 lakh to 1984 anti-sikh riot victims
India > Others > 11 Dec
The union cabinet has decided to approve the additional compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for the relatives of the 1984 anti-sikh riots, which the home ministry had earlier proposed. The total number of victims is 3325 of which 2733 were killed in Delhi alone and the rest were from the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The move from the centre has raised speculation of the government engaging in vote-bank politics as the assembly polls are expected to be announced next month in Delhi, the main affected area of the riots.
The riots occurred in the aftermath of the assassination of the then India prime minister Indira Gandhi on 31st of October, 1984.
Global markets fear another economic crisis as Greek prime minister calls early elections
World > Greece > 15 Dec
The ongoing political crisis in Greece re-ignited strong fears of a global economic slowdown even as Greece prepares to exit its economic rescue programme. The Athens stock exchange plunged nearly 13%, its biggest drop since the 1980s and gave a major jolt to world markets, following Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ sudden decision to call early presidential election. If Antonis fails to win sufficient support for his candidate, early general elections could take place which might bring the radical left Syriza party into power. The anti-austerity Syriza party wants to negotiate a debt write-off that is the biggest in Europe and hike public spending, which will put Greece in a dispute with its creditors and might even prompt a Eurozone exit. Economists fear that early general elections will re-instate the economic crisis that Greece has still now not fully got over with.
Government planning to set up institutes of Indology on the lines of IITs, IIMs
Politics and government > IITs ,IIMs > 16 Dec
In its bid to promote research on ancient Indian knowledge and practices and their relation with the contemporary world, the government is planning to establish the country’s first centrally-funded institutes of Indology, on the lines of the Indian Institutes of Technology and Management (IITs and IIMs). Indology is understood as the study of classical Indian languages, literature and philosophical systems. The institutes will offer PG courses such as diplomas, Masters and PhD programmes in ancient literary texts and languages, classical system of economy and business, governance and administration, archaeology, history and philosophy of science and technology, traditional organic agriculture, water management and construction practices, among others. The institutes are expected to follow the structure of the IITs, where the governing council is the highest decision-making body. Students will be selected through a rigorous process which will involve a written entrance test and an interview, similar to the IITs and IIMs.
Germany wins Hockey Champions Trophy beating Pakistan
Sports > Champions Trophy > 15 Dec
Germany won the Hockey Champions Trophy beating Pakistan 2-0 in the final held in the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on Sunday. Germany scored in the 18th And 56th minute to win the trophy for the tenth time. Germany had last won the title in 2007. Pakistan entered the finals after beating India in the semi-final.
Muslim cleric holds people hostage in Sydney cafe, demands flag of Islamic state
World > Sydney siege > 15 Dec
A self-described Muslim cleric by the name of Man Haron Monis, held more than a dozen staff and customers hostage in Sydney’s popular Lindt cafe. The 16-hour siege ended after commandos stormed the cafe and killed the gunman. Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson, 34 and lawyer Katrina Dawson, 38 were killed and 4 people including a policeman were injured in the gun-battle. Monis forced some of the hostages to hold a black Islamic banner at the window of the cafe. Central Sydney was put in lockdown as the events unfolded. Monis, an Iranian refugee, received political asylum in Australia in 1996. He was on bail facing a number of charges, including the murder of his ex-wife and more than 40 sexual and indecent assault charges. He had also been convicted of sending offensive letters to the families of deceased Australian soldiers. Monis, who described himself on a website as a Shia Muslim, had converted to Sunni Islam and was said by his former lawyer to have been an isolated figure. One of the gunman's demands was to have a flag of Islamic State, the Sunni militant group, delivered to the cafe. Prime Minister Abbott said the gunman had an "infatuation with extremism" and had been mentally unstable. The Sydney police knew about him but he was on the terror watch list. Iran’s police chief has claimed that they had requested the extradition of Monis, who was convicted of various crimes in Iran, in 2000 but the Australian authorities didn’t hand him over.
YouTube allows offline access to content in India
Corporate > YouTube > 15 Dec
You Tube has announced that from now onwards people in India will be able to view much of India’s popular YouTube content offline. YouTube has launched an offline feature in their mobile app which will allow users to take video offline using either their data plan or Wi Fi. After going offline, the videos can be viewed without an Internet connection for up to 48 hours after which the user will be required to connect to the Internet to sync the usage data and analytics with YouTube. You Tube has said that in developing countries like India a large chunk of internet users connect to the internet with a mobile phone. With this feature, YouTube hopes users will be able to enjoy smooth and buffer-free online content irrespective of the challenges of data connection, speed and cost.
Bharti Airtel to sell 1100 towers in Zambia and Rwanda
India > Business > 15 Dec
Indian Telecom giant Bharti Airtel has signed a deal with IHS Holding, Africa's leading mobile infrastructure company to provide 1100 towers in Zambia and Rwanda. The deal which will allow Airtel to lease towers to IHS for a period of ten years, was signed through Airtel's international arm Bharti Airtel International BV based in Netherlands. The Rs. 2000 crore deal is Airtel's attempt to lower its debt and decrease loss bearing operations in the continent.
This development was preceded by Airtel's sale of 4800 towers in Nigeria to American Tower Corporation in November, 3500 towers in six African countries to Eaton Towers in September and 3100 towers to Helios Tower Company in July. Bharti Airtel has not managed to make profit in Africa even four years after it entered the continent.
CBI ordered to record statement of ex-PM Manmohan Singh in Coalgate
India > Scams > 16 Dec
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was directed by a trial court to record the statement of former PM Manmohan Singh with respect to the Talabira II coal block allocation to Hindalco, when he also handled the coal ministry portfolio. The court order comes after CBI had closed the report on the Talabira coal block in Orissa, citing that no criminal offence had been committed by any of the persons involved in the allocation of the coal block.
Coal allocation scam is a major political scandal concerning the Indian government's allocation of the nation's coal deposits to public sector entities and private companies.
Chaos in parliament over forced conversion, VHP decides to put the campaign on hold
India > Politics > 16 Dec
The Lok Sabha witnessed much discord over the forceful conversion of muslims on the second day in a row. The opposition has put the Narendra Modi government under much pressure over the issue and created chaos by shouting slogans against the government. Parliamentary affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu has said that there would be a discussion over the issue. BJP MPs however refused to acknowledge the protests and said that the conversions occurred in the state of Uttar Pradesh and the matter should be handled by the state government.
The conversions are carried out to mark the golden jubilee of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and it is being termed as 'ghar waapasi' or home coming. However, the saffron brigade has hinted that the conversions will be delayed due to the saga it has led to in the parliament. According to a government official, the VHP has given it in writing that the 'ghar waapasi' programme is not their initiative, but said that the authorities should also keep an eye on the non-Hindu missionaries, which would travel throughout the country during 25th - 31st of December for large scale conversions.
Dresden, Germany the site of anti-Islam protest march
World > Others > 17 Dec
Dresden, the birthplace of a massive movement called “Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West” (Pegida), witnessed a 15,000 people strong march wherein protesters chanted “We are the People”. Although the march was ostensibly against the Islamisation of Germany, it was clear that most there were protesting against high levels of immigration and asylum seekers. Many in Germany are ashamed and horrified at this protest- in fact, a 5000 people strong counter-demonstration was also held. Immigration is currently a hot topic in Germany, with a rapid increase in the number of asylum seekers this year, due to the wars in Syria and Iraq.
SpiceJet struggles to take off due to fuel cuts
India > Aviation > 17 Dec
SpiceJet, which already has a debt of over Rs. 2000 crore to oil companies, banks and its own employees, is struggling to deal with a sudden cut in jet fuel supply by oil companies. Many flights were cancelled or delayed, leading to chaos at airports as well as an 8% drop in company shares in morning trade. SpiceJet's crisis is reminiscent of Kingfisher Airlines' downfall. It is estimated that banks may be asked to lend upto Rs. 600 crore based on the personal guarantee of SpiceJet's billionaire chairman, the media tycoon Kalanithi Maran.
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