THE HEADLINES
- At least eight passengers killed and 12 seriously injured in Bangalore-Ernakulam Inter City Express derailment near Hosur in Karnataka; Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu orders inquiry.
- Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi says he will not step down before floor test in the assembly; Refutes JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar's charges of horse-trading.
- Supreme Court defers arrest of Teesta Setalvad till Thursday in Gulbarg Society fund embezzlement case.
- Prime Minister Modi calls up four SAARC leaders as Cricket World Cup begins tomorrow, Also wishes Team India.
- Union Cabinet recommends revocation of President’s rule in Delhi to pave way for installation of new government.
- Sensex gains over 200 points in afternoon trade; Rupee strengthens 21 paise against the dollar.
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At least eight passengers were killed and 12 seriously injured, when the Bangalore-Ernakulam Inter City Express derailed between Anekal Road and Hosur on Bangalore- Salem section this morning. Railway officials said about nine coaches have been derailed in the mishap that occurred between Anekal-Hosur on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border at around 7.40 AM. The train had departed from Bangalore City Railway Station about an hour prior to the accident. Karnataka Government rushed several ambulances to the spot and launched rescue operations. The injured trapped in derailed bogies were being removed and rushed to hospitals in Bengaluru and nearby Hosur, sources said. Karnataka Home Minister K J George and Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy visited the accident spot. The railways has set up a Help desk at Bangalore City Railway Station and at accident site. Bangalore city help desk numbers are 080 22371166,080-22156553, 080-22156554, 9731666751. The Accident site number is 9448090599. More from our correspondent;
"The coach D-7 and D-8 of Ernakulam bound Intercity Express that met with accident today morning was severely damaged due to the accident. There is no clear view till now on the causes of accident. But an official in the railways informed that the impact and jamming of coaches into each other makes one believe that something made the train to come to a screeching halt. Investigation alone can reveal the real reason. As the terrain was not easily accessible to ambulances, the rescue workers and locals had to carry the injured on stretchers for some distance. Some of the passengers with minor injuries were also seen helping their co-passengers to come out of the coaches. The Home minister K J George has said that Government will extend all help to the injured to get treatment and dead will be handed over to their family members. SUDHINDRA/AIR NEWS / BENGALURU. "
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today ordered an inquiry into the derailment of the Bangalore-Ernakulam Inter City Express and announced a compensation for the families of those killed in the mishap. He said an inquriy into the mishap will be conducted by Commissioner (Railway Safety). The minister announced a compensation of two lakhs rupees for the families of the deceased while 50 thousand would be given to those severely injured and 20 thousand would be given to those who suffered simple injuries. Mr. Prabhu has rushed to the site along with Chairman Railway Board. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased in a train accident. In a tweet, Mr. Modi wished the injured a speedy recovery. He said Railway Minister and officials are closely monitoring the situation and ensuring timely relief.
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Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today firmly stated that he will not step down before floor test in the state assembly. Talking to reporters in Patna, Mr.Manjhi reiterated that he will win the vote of confidence. He refuted the JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar's charges of horse-trading. Mr.Manjhi said he is ready to face any consequences for the sake of self-respect. When asked about the reason for the differences with Nitish Kumar, Mr.Manhji said that since he did not want to be tool in the hands of Mr.Kumar he was targeted for his defiance. Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (United) has decided to sit in the opposition bench in the Bihar Assembly which is commencing from 20th February. The leader of the party in the Assembly Vijay Kumar Chaudhary while talking to reporters in Patna said that he had requested the Speaker of the House to allot separate seat in opposition bench. He further stated that he has decided to sit in opposition as it does not have faith in the Manjhi government.
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The Supreme Court today deferred till February 19 the hearing on the anticipatory bail plea of social activist Teesta Setalvad in Gulbarg Society fund embezzlement case. The apex court had yesterday stayed till today the arrest of Teesta Setalvad and her husband, soon after the Gujarat High Court rejected their anticipatory bail plea in the alleged fund embezzlement for a museum at Gulbarg society, devastated in the 2002 riots. The Supreme Court protects Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand from the arrest till the matter is heard. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal pleaded against the imminent arrest of the couple, soon after the Gujarat High Court rejected their anticipatory bail. The apex court said the allegations against Setalvad are grave, and warned her counsel against bringing politics into it.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today directed Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi to come down hard on those involved in the alleged vandalization of Holy Child Auxilium school in Vasant Vihar area of south Delhi. Mr. Modi asked Police commissioner to beef up security and take prompt action. A short while ago, Mr. Bassi met Prime Minister and is reported to have briefed him about the incident. Holy Child Auxilium school was allegedly vandalized by a group of people early this morning. In the incident, principal's office was vandalized and cash of eight thousand rupees were missing. An FIR in this regard has been registered at Vasant Vihar police station. Talking to reporters, Delhi Police commissioner B S Bassi said that investigations have revealed that it is a case of theft and the probe is on.
Inside the school, they a have a donation box which is far away from the church. There is theft from it. It is a case of theft. We suspect the involvement of some insider who knew that CCTV camera are installed.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to wish him on Cricket World Cup. In a tweet, Mr. Modi said that he had spoken to Mr Sharif and the heads of other SAARC countries whose teams are playing in the ICC World Cup to wish them luck. Mr. Modi spoke to Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President of Sri Lanka Maithiripala Sirisena and conveyed his good wishes. The Prime Minister said, five SAARC Nations are playing and all are excited about the World Cup. He expressed confidence that the world cup will celebrate the sportsman spirit and will be a treat for sports lovers. Mr Modi said, cricket connects people in the region and promotes goodwill. He hoped that players from SAARC region play with passion and bring laurels to the region. The Prime Minister added that he will send the new Foreign Secretary Dr S Jaishankar on a SAARC Yatra soon to further strengthen the ties. The Prime Minister also wished all the members of Team India.
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After a glittering opening ceremony at Christchurch yesterday, the ICC Cricket World is all set to begin tomorrow. In the opener, New Zealand will clash with Sri Lanka at Christchurch at 3:30 AM Indian Time. In the other Pool-A fixture, Australia will play England at Melbourne at 9 AM.India, which is in Pool-B, will play its group opener against Pakistan on Sunday at the Adelaide Oval. Before Team India begins its quest for its third World Cup, here is the recap of that 2011 India-Sri Lanka final which got us the coveted trophy after 28 years:
"Sri Lanka opted to bat at the Wankhede Stadium, posting 274 for 6 anchored by Mahela Jayawardene's 103 not out. In a thrilling riposte, Team India had a nervy start. Gautam Gambhir played a crucial role in steering India out of danger as he partnered with Kohli and MS Dhoni in two crucial partnerships. Skipper and Man of the match, Dhoni, then, bludgeoned a maximum in the second ball of the 48th over which every Indian still remembers. It was undoubtedly an emotional night. Let's just hope, Team India gives us that proud feeling this time as well. SAVVY HASAN KHAN, FOR AIR NEWS. (Music)"
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The 35th National games being held in Kerala, will conclude today. Services with 142 medals, including 84 gold medals, is assured of Games title. With 131 medals including 41 gold medals, hosts Kerala is in the second position. Kerala today won two gold medals in canoeing and kayaking, one gold medal in Taekowondo and one gold medal in Badminton mixed doubles. In athletics, 12 finals will be held today. Services is all set to create a record. More from our Thiruvananthapuram correspondent:
In the national games, Services is advancing towards a unique record. They have been topping the medals tally for the third consecutive time in the history of National games. Services have been maintaining the lead since the 31st national games in Punjab.Services maintained supremacy in the Jharkhand national games also. THIS IS GEORGE MATHEW /AIR NEWS /THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.
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The Union Cabinet has recommended revocation of President’s rule in Delhi to pave the way for installation of a new government. Our correspondent reports that a decision in this regard was taken today following the completion of assembly elections in the city.
"Delhi was placed under President's Rule on February last year following the resignation of then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Meanwhile, preparation is in full swing for the oath taking ceremony of new government Aam Aadmi Party government tomorrow. Lieutenant Governor Najib Jung will administer oath of office to Mr Kejriwal and his Cabinet at Ramlila Maidan. The new council of ministers will have seven-members. Party sources said, it will include Manish Sisodia as Deputy Chief Minister and four new faces. With Diwakar Kumar this is Vasundhra, AIR News, Delhi. "
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Former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor was questioned today again in Delhi in Sunanda Pushkar murder case. It is the third interrogation of Mr. Tharoor by the SIT of Delhi Police in the case during the last 24 hours.
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After a positive opening, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange gained further ground in afternoon trade, and had surged 226 points, to regain the 29,031-mark. Earlier in the morning, the Sensex had climbed 110 points. Similarly, the Nifty at the National Stock Exchange had advanced 77 points, to 8,788 a short while ago.At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee had strengthened 21 paise, to 62.10 against the dollar in late morning trade, on dollar selling by banks and exporters.
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Today is the World Radio Day. The day is observed every year on the 13th of February to celebrate radio as a forum for entertainment and information, as a bridge of communication for remote communities and its role in empowering people. Addressing a function on the occasion in New Delhi , Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati Jawhar Sircar said that Radio has brought people from all walks of life together. He stressed on the need to promote community Radio as FM Radio has some limitations.
For community Radio we need three things, we need a minimal technology, it is so minimal that a guy can handle , a little smart phone can also handle it, B obviously the cost of having set it up, worth worrying , please believe it nothing to worry about, C is what do you put up on that Radio.
Prasar Bharti chairman Dr. A Surya Prakash today said that the face of Doordarshan and Akashwani will be changed soon. During his interaction with officers of AIR and Doordarshan in Bhopal, he said that change in progarmmes of both the public broadcasters is the need of the hour.
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