Latest news, updated at 5:30 pm Kanimozhi's bail plea hearing adjourned to Monday...more Parliament condemns assault on Pawar...more  100th ton eludes Sachin again...more  Dey's murder: Woman journalist arrested...more

Cabinet clears 51% FDI in multi-brand retail
Paves way for global chains to open mega stores in 53 major cities
New Delhi, November 24

The Union Cabinet today cleared 51% foreign investment in multi-brand retail and 100% in single-brand retail, throwing open the country’s estimated $590 billion (Rs 29.5 lakh crore) retail market to global supermarket giants, despite differences between the UPA allies on the issue.

Customers shop at a store, which is a joint venture of Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Bharti Enterprises, at Zirakpur near Chandigarh. — Reuters

Parliament remains paralysed for the third day in a row
Logjam over price rise, Telangana
New Delhi, November 24
On a day when Parliament seemed set for some serious business with the government and the Opposition reaching a reasonable understanding on the rules to raise the critical issues of inflation and black money, both Houses were adjourned for the third consecutive day without transaction of any business.

Sukh Ram attacker now slaps Pawar
New Delhi, November 24
Even as political parties condemned in one voice the incident in which the Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar was slapped this afternoon by Harvinder Singh, a transporter in his thirties.

Security men take away the attacker, identified as Harvinder Singh, after he slapped Sharad Pawar.

Follow procedure while acquiring individuals’ properties, SC to states
New Delhi, November 24
Slapping a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh on Haryana for illegally acquiring a farmer’s land in Sonepat, and quashing the acquisition as null and void, the Supreme Court has issued a fiat to all the states to desist from taking over the properties of individuals, particularly farmers, except in cases where it is “absolutely necessary.”

Kishenji, 3 other Maoist activists killed
Kolkata, November 24
Maoist politburo member Molajula Koteswar Rao, aka Kishenji, along with three other Maoist activists, was killed in an encounter with the Joint Action Force in the Burishol Jungle, Jambani in Jhargram, West Midnapore this afternoon. 

India: UNSC not reflective of contemporary reality
United Nations, November 24
Arguing that the UN Security Council is no longer reflective of contemporary reality, India has said this poses the ‘most important challenge’ to global peace and security as well as conflict prevention. 

Winged visitors delight bird-watchers at Sultanpur
Sultanpur (Gurgaon), Nov 24

The nip in the air here has been followed by winged visitors. Migratory birds have started descending on the Sultanpur National Park, providing a feast to the eyes. Sultanpur National Park in Gurgaon district which is witnessing the arrival of a rich variety of domestic and migratory birds. Tribune photo: Sayeed Ahmed

 

Post 26/11 Reliance, Tatas getting into security business Mumbai, November 24 Three years after terrorists from Pakistan landed in Mumbai and targeted prominent landmarks in the city, corporate houses, information technology parks, shopping malls, government establishments and even ordinary housing societies have now started exploring the option of hiring private agencies for security.