THE HEADLINES
- Newly elected JD(U) legislature party leader Nitish Kumar to meet Bihar Governor today for staking claim to form a new government; Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi says he will prove majority in Assembly.
- Haryana Women's Commission demands death sentence for rape and murder of a mentally challenged woman in Rohtak.
- Supreme Court to hear Maran brothers' plea against summoning in the 2G scam case today.
- Assam goes to elections for 32 Municipal Boards and 42 town Committees.
- In Egypt at least 30 persons killed in clashes between football fans.
- In National Games, Athletics events to begin today.
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The newly elected Janta Dal United, JD (U), legislature party leader Nitish Kumar will stake claim to form a new government in Bihar today. He has been given a time of 1:30 PM today to meet Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to stake the claim. All JD (U) legislators owing allegiance to Nitish Kumar will be paraded before the Governor to show strength and express their solidarity with Nitish Kumar. State party president Vashisht Narayan Singh yesterday, submitted a letter of support to the Governor in this regard. He said the RJD, Congress and the CPI have also supported Nitish Kumar's candidature as the Chief Minister of the state. The JD (U) has also submitted a letter to the Governor by the party president Sharad Yadav, informing the Governor that Jitan Ram Manjhi had ceased to be leader of the Legislature Party and his decisions could not be entertained by the Governor.
Meanwhile, Jitan Ram Manjhi has ruled out his resignation as Chief Minister of Bihar after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi yesterday. Briefing media persons, Mr. Manjhi said that he will prove majority in the Assembly and will step down if he is not able to prove it. Replying to a query on support from the BJP in the assembly floor test, he said that he will take support of anyone who offers it. Our Correspondent has more on the day that will unfold the political scenario in Bihar.
"Both Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and the newly elected leader of JD (U) legislature party Nitish Kumar have claimed majority in the house. They are meting Governor today in this regard. Nitish Kumar claimed that he has support of 130 legislature. Mr Kumar has asked his party MLA's and those from the supporting parties to each Raj Bhwan for parading before the Governor. On the other hand Jitan Ram Manjhi has said that he would prove majority in the house. Mr Manjhi has sought time from the governor to extend his ministry. K.K LAL, AIR News, Patna."
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Haryana Women's Commission has decided to recommend death penalty for perpetrators of the brutal rape and murder of a mentally challenged Nepalese woman in Rohtak. Chairperson of the commission Kamlesh Panchal visited the victim's family and said she would demand exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of the crime. Panchal told the family members of the deceased that the commission has taken note of the issue and will demand that the accused be nabbed at the earliest, tried and hanged.
Meanwhile, the Police yesterday claimed to have got vital clues in the case. Additional Director General of Police, law and order said the culprits will soon be arrested. The brutal rape and murder incident has triggered protests and widespread revulsion. The mutilated body of the victim was found dumped in a field along the Rohtak-Hisar highway in Haryana on the Fourth of February.
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The Supreme Court will hear the Maran brothers' plea against summons in the 2G scam case today. The Apex Court on Friday recalled its own order, saying it will hear the Maran brothers' plea today. Earlier, the apex court has refused to entertain the plea of former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanithi Maran in the Aircel-Maxis case and said they can approach the Delhi High Court against the trial court order summoning them as accused. But the CBI, which is investigating the case, was not present at the time and later said that the case cannot be heard by any high court as an earlier ruling had said that all 2G scam cases have to be heard by the Supreme Court.
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In Assam, polling for 32 municipal boards and 42 town committees is underway. Polling began at 8 AM and come to an end at 4 PM. Adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure peaceful polling. A total of 2 thousand 901 candidates are in the fray for 746 seats. 367 seats are reserved for women. Over 14 lakh 84 thousand voters are eligible to exercise their franchise. The Congress, BJP and Asom Gana Parishad are the main contenders in this poll. Counting will take place on Thursday. A REPORT:
"A total of 2 thousand 901 candidates are in fray for 746 seats. 367 seats are reserved for women candidates . Over 14 lakh 84 thousand voters are eligible to exercise their franchise. State Election Commission has deployed 37 observers to keep in eye on the polling process. Most of the seats are likely to witness triangular fight among Congress, BJP and Asom Gana Parishad . Counting will take place on 12th of February. Manas Pratim Sarma, AIR News, Guwahati."
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The Election Commission has ordered re-polling in two polling stations in Delhi where voting took place on Saturday. Voting is underway at polling station number 31 in Delhi Cantonment and polling station number 132 in the Rohtas Nagar Assembly constituency. An official release said, the decision was taken after scrutiny by election observers. The poll panel said that there were problems in the Electronic Voting Machines at the two booths. Meanwhile, the commission has made elaborate arrangements for the counting of votes tomorrow Counting will take place at 14 centers in nine districts of the national capital. The entire process of counting will be video taped. There is a three tier security for the strong rooms. Each room is guarded by the CISF personnel, armed police and the local police. Delhi saw a voter turnout of 67.14 per cent during polling in the 70 assembly constituencies.
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Singapore President Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yam arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a four-day visit to India. During his visit Dr. Yam will meet President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. A ceremonial reception will be hosted for the visiting dignitary at Rashtrapati Bhawan today.
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In Egypt, at least 30 people have been killed while several others have been injured in stampede and clashes between the supporters of rival teams in Cairo yesterday. Egypt's cabinet has suspended the football league competition for an indefinite period after the latest tragedy. It said that fans failed to adhere to the safety procedures required to enter the stadium. More from our Correspondent:
"The incident took place ahead of a game between Egyptian Premier League clubs Zamalek and ENPPI at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo. Health authorities said most of the deaths took place due to stampede and suffocation. The sad part was that the match went on despite the tragedy. Interior ministry said police had to use tear gas to disperse members of the Ultras White Knights fans as they tried to attend the game without buying tickets and were engaged in clashes. Only 10,000 supporters were allowed to attend the match since a league crowd ban has been in place after the Port Said tragedy in 2012 , which left 74 fans of Ahly dead. Atul K Tiwary,AIR News,"
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National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has met Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi on the sidelines of an international security conference in Munich, Germany and discussed steps to deepen bilateral cooperation. Their talk was focused on ways to resolve the India-China border issue ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China in May. The two officials are due to hold the 18th round of border talks in Beijing later this month to take the process of resolving the boundary issue further. Negotiations over boundaries and to effectively maintain peace and safety of border areas.
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In the ongoing 35th National Games in Kerala, the much awaited Athletic events will begin today at University Stadium at Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram. Four finals will be held on the opening day of the athletics competition. High jump, shot put in the women's category and 5,000m for both men and women will be decided today. In Football, Mizoram will lock horns with Punjab in the men's final today at Calicut. The bronze play-off match will also take place today, and Goa will take on Maharashtra. Meanwhile, Services continue to lead the medals table with 42 Gold, as Maharashtra and Haryana rally behind with 27 Gold each.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts on students preparing for board and competitive exams in the next 'Mann Ki Baat' Programme on All India Radio. In a tweet, Mr Modi urged students, parents and teachers to share their exam experiences that would inspire youngsters and even motivate them in exam preparation. People can share their views on the web portal mygov.in.
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The News Services Division of All India Radio in its weekly bilingual live phone-in programme 'PUBLIC SPEAK', will bring you a discussion tonight on 'Indian youth and Skill development'. This can be heard on FM Gold Channel and additional frequencies from 9.30 P.M. Listeners can ask questions to the experts sitting in our Studio on telephone number: 011: 2331-4444 (I Repeat 011: 2331-4444). You can also post your questions on our Twitter handle @airnews alerts by #tag Askair. This programme is also available on Doordarshan DTH.
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NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES:
- The first meeting of the NITI Aayog's Governing Council which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by state chief ministers in Delhi, is extensively covered by the papers. The Statesman writes - the Prime Minister called upon all Chief Ministers to work with the Centre as 'Team India' to chart a common course to progress and prosperity.
- The Centre clearing the air on the understanding reached with the US recently on the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act , is another prominent story. The Asian Age writes - under the agreement the foreign suppliers of equipment for nuclear reactors cannot be sued by the victims in case of a nuclear accident, but the Suppliers can be held liable by the Operator, who has the right of recourse in accordence with the contract signed between the operator and the supplier.
- In an exclusive, The Indian Express reports that as part of a global agreement, a trove of secret documents from HSBC's Swiss private banking arm has revealed the names of 1,195 Indian account holders and their balances for the year 2006-07, roughly doubling the number that was given by French authorities in 2011. This is expected to significantly widen the scale and scope of the ongoing probe by the Supreme Court appointed SIT.
- "Individuals, companies may get some tax relief in budget", is a top headline in the Times of India. As the Government is keen to restart the investment cycle and deepen the manufacturing sector as part of it Make in India Campaign, the 2015-16 Budget is likely to include major tax relief for individuals to boost savings and for companies to encourage them to invest in the country.
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