Top Stories on 9 march in a capsule

STORY OF THE DAY

Democracy is under attack: Sonia Gandhi at India Today Conclave 2018

Ex Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the ruling party of BJP, saying ‘democracy is under attack.’ Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2018, Gandhi said "The freedom to think for oneself, to differ and disagree, to eat according to one's choice, to meet and marry according to one's wishes and more is under attack.” The former UPA chairperson dismissed reports for her party for having a ‘soft Hindutva’ approach and son Rahul visiting temples during election campaigns for balance the same. "Every leader of a party has his or her particular style of working and Rahul has his style,” she added.


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Gunman takes three people hostage in largest veteran's home in the US

A gunman took three hostages at a veterans care facility in Veterans Home of California in Yountville on Friday. The authorities said there had been bullets fired, however, no casualties have been reported. More than a dozen armed officers have marched into the building, said media reports. State Senator Bill Dodd, who represents the area, said the gunman was a member of the Pathway Home, a facility for veterans suffering from a post-traumatic stress disorder.About 840 veterans live on the grounds, a spokesperson for Pathway Home to the media.

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MEA rules out any foul play in Sridevi's death

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday denied any ‘suspicious’ claims over the death of Bollywood actress Sridevi and said that if there was no foul play in it. Addressing a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "The paperwork from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government were handed over to us and the mortal remains were brought to India. Had there been something suspicious, it would have come out by now.” The death of the yesteryear actress in a Dubai hotel was surrounded by controversy after the initial reason for her demise was ruled ‘cardiac arrest’, but the postmortem report termed it a case of ‘accidental drowning’, reportedly in her bathtub.

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PM Modi takes charge of Civil Aviation, after TDP Minister resigns

As the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju submitted his resignation as Civil Aviation Minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was handed over the portfolio. Taking to Twitter on Friday, President Ram Nath Kovind said, “As advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that the work of the ministry of civil aviation will be looked after by the Prime Minister,” while stating that the resignations of Raju and another Union Minister Y S Chowdary of the TDP has been accepted “with immediate effect”. Raju and Chowdary on Wednesday had quit from PM Modi’s Cabinet, citing differences over special status to Andhra Pradesh.

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Rajasthan introduces bill for the death penalty against child rapists

The government of Rajasthan on Friday passed the bill to award death penalty for those found guilty of raping girls below the age of 12. The bill, that was tabled on Tuesday has been amended to add section 376-AA in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), that says: “Whoever commits rape on a woman up to twelve years of age shall be punished with death, or rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than fourteen years but which may extend to imprisonment for life.” With this move, Rajasthan has become the second state after Madhya Pradesh to pass the bill.

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Chennai girl stabbed to death, right outside her college

A 20 year old girl in Chennai was stabbed to death, by a 25-year-old man claiming to be her husband on Friday. Deceased Ashwini Mohan, a second-year BCom of Meenakshi College, has picked up a fight with accused Alagesan just outside her college when in the heat of the moment he pulled out a knife and stabbed her in the heart and stomach. Locals hanged up to thrash Alagesan while Mohan was rushed to KM Hospital and declared brought dead. Akegasan has alleged that claimed that married Ashwini on February 16 this year but after a fight, they had separated.

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North Korea and US agree to meet to discuss the nuclear program

In a historic decision, the US and North Korea have decided to meet each other, over nuclear program negotiations, the White House said on Friday. The move that is set to change the diplomatic relations between the two nations who have engaged in threats of war. The White House said President Trump has accepted North Korea’s invitation that was conveyed by South Korea’s Head of Security Chung Eui-Yong, who had visited North Korea on 6 February. “He (Kim Jong) expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible,” Chung said. He added that Trump has agreed to “meet Kim Jong-Un in May to achieve permanent denuclearization.”

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Sikh separatist leader apologies for attending Canadian PM’s dinner

Sikh separatist, Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal on Thursday apologized for visiting the official dinner held for Canadian PM in India and ‘causing an embarrassment to both the countries’. Addressing a press conference in Vancouver, Atwal also said, "I renounce any form of terrorism and do not advocate for an independent Sikh nation.” The issue in question refers to the official dinner held at Mumbai for Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and family, who were on an official visit to India. Atwal, termed a terrorist member of the banned International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) was photographed with Trudeau’s wife which went on strain the relations between both countries.

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SC appointed CoA seeks removal of IPL chairman

Unhappy with the current set of officer bearers, the Supreme Court appointed a committee of administrators CoA has sought the removal of BCCI office bearers and the current IPL chairman, citing the end of their tenures as per BCCI constitution. The two-member committee comprising of Vinod Rai and Diana Edulji, have constantly accused the office bearers of delaying the implementation of Lodha reforms. Accordingly, as per the existing constitution, the tenure of all office-bearers, elected during the AGM have ended their term on March 1, 2018.

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Videocon seeking extension for loan amount almost double of PNB Scam

Videocon Industries is seeking an extension of five years to repay its 22,000 crore loan from a consortium of 17 banks. It is demanding an extension so that it can sell off its assets to cut its debt amount. Venugopal Dhoot, chairman of Videocon Industries, told DNA Money, "We are not asking for any interest waivers. We are only requesting banks to delay the repayment of the dues by five years. The stock price will bounce back after the initial panic as the company is backed by strong underlying assets." VIL has a total debt of 43,100 crores. From this, he owes 22,000 crores to the domestic banks and 21,000 to foreign banks like Bank of America and Standard Chartered.

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United Breweries can clear Kingfisher’s dues: Vijay Mallya

United Breweries, the holding company of Vijay Mallya group on Thursday said before the Karnataka High Court that it can clear Kingfisher Airlines loans to its lenders. UBHL was the corporate guarantor for the loans raised by the now-defunct airline. UBHL,’s total assets exceed 12,400 crores. This statement was made in response to Karnataka High Court’s questions to United Breweries to submit a concrete plan to repay its loans. UBHL further said that it cannot submit a concrete plan as ED had attached some of the parent company’s properties in the loan case.

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PNB lost Rs 2,800 crores to fraud last year, most in govt banks

Punjab National Bank lost rupees 2,500 crore to various bank frauds last year, the government said on Friday. This makes the biggest loser in state-run banks even before it uncovered the 12,700 crore fraud this year. The country's second-biggest state-owned bank in February accused two high-profile jewelers, Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi with some of the bank employees to to secure credit from overseas lenders using fraudulent guarantees between 2010 and 2017. Punjab National, better known as PNB, alone reported 158 cases of fraud in 2016/17, the ministry said.