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Erdogan challenges Putin to prove ISIL oil claim

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Turkish president ready to quit if Russian leader can provide evidence Turkey downed warplane to protect oil supplies.

erdogan

by Al Jazeera

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s president, has said he would be ready to quit office if allegations by his Russian counterpart that Turkey traded oil with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group were proved.

Erdogan’s comments on Monday came after Vladimir Putin accused Turkey of shooting down the Russian Su-24 warplane last week to protect supplies of oil from ISIL to Turkey.

Turkey has already rejected the accusation.

“I will say something very strong here,” Erdogan was quoted as saying by the state-run Anadolu news agency on the sidelines of the UN climate talks near Paris, which Putin is also attending.

“If such a thing is proven, the nobility of our nation would require that I would not stay in office.”

Challenging Putin, who has refused to meet Erdogan after the November 24 incident in Yamadi, in Syria’s Latakia province, Erdogan said: “And I tell Mr Putin: Would you stay in that office? I say this clearly.”

In the interview, Erdogan said: “Let’s remain patient and let’s not act emotionally.”

He maintained that Turkey obtained all its oil and gas imports “through the legal path”.

“We are not dishonest so as to do this kind of exchange with terrorist groups,” he said.

“Everyone needs to know this.”

After the Su-24  was downed by Turkish F-16 fighter jets for alleged violation of Turkish airspace, Putin accused the Turks of being “accomplices of terrorists” and said oil from ISIL territory was being exported through Turkey.

Malicious onslaught launched by govt, says Chidambaram after raid on son’s firms

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Chidambaram-karthi

New Delhi: Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday accused the government of a “malicious onslaught” launched by it against his family and said if it wants to target him it should do so directly and not harass friends of his son Karti.

“If the government wishes to target me, they should do so directly, not harass friends of my son who carry on their own businesses and have nothing to do with politics,” he said in a statement shortly after reports of Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate searches on some premises connected with Karti’s friends.

“My family and I are quite prepared to face the malicious onslaught launched by the government,” Chidambaram said.

The senior Congress leader said he was travelling and he had been informed about searches conducted on certain firms in Chennai allegedly linked to his son. “We have made it clear, repeatedly, that no member of my family has any equity or economic interest in any of the firms that are being targetted.

“They are companies that are professionally managed and are capable of answering any questions that may be put to them by the authorities. I condemn the attempt to link them to my son and harass them on that ground,” he said.

Chidambaram alleged that the agenda of the government was being implemented by an officer of the Enforcement Directorate who has a pending dispute with the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

“Orders in his case were apparently passed during the term of my predecessor. He met me and wanted me to intervene in his favour. I declined and I told him that I cannot reverse orders that were issued during the term of my predecessor.

“The change of government has given him an opportunity to misuse his powers to harass my son and his friends,” he said.

(Agencies)

Will step in if Centre obstructs Delhi Janlokpal Bill: Anna Hazare

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Anna-Hazare

Ralegan Siddhi: Social activist Anna Hazare today said he will step in if the NDA government at the Centre puts obstructions in the way of Janlokpal Bill, introduced in Delhi Assembly by the AAP government.

The anti-corruption crusader was talking to reporters after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Kumar Vishwas and Sanjay Singh met him at his native Ralegan Siddhi village in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district to brief him on the salient features of the Janlokpal Bill, tabled in Delhi Assembly by the Arvind Kejriwal government yesterday.

Hazare said that during his discussions with the AAP leaders, he expressed apprehension that the Centre may pose obstructions as the legislation provides for probing corruption in Delhi, where the central government offices are located.

“If that is the case then I assured them of my full support. I told them I am with them,” Hazare said when asked if he would launch an agitation on the issue.

He said the central government lacks the will to fight corruption and there should be no “parochial attitude” on the issue of dealing with graft.

Hazare and some top activists of his team had in 2012 parted ways with the Kejriwal-led group, opposing their plans to form a political party, after a roller-coaster ride of 18 months in which they came together to run a high-steam anti-graft movement. One of its prominent poll promises, the AAP emphasised that the Bill is similar to its original 2011 version.

It will empower the proposed ombudsman to act against any public servant in the national capital, including those of the Centre.

While the draft bill of 2015 states that no prosecution or legal proceedings can be initiated against the Janlokpal or any staff member of the Janlokpal office, AAP leaders said the process of impeachment will be applied for removal of any member of the Lokpal.

The Bill has to be cleared by the Lieutenant Governor before it becomes a law.

Mining baron Janardhana Reddy gets bail

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Janardhan Reddy

Bengaluru: Mining baron and former BJP minister G Janardhan Reddy was granted bail by the Lokayukta Special Court on Monday in connection with an illegal mining case.

Justice V.G. Bopaiah accepted the bail plea on the condition that Reddy would give two sureties and a bond for Rs. 5 lakh.

The court last week sent Reddy to judicial custody till December 3, when he was produced before it by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Reddy was arrested on November 20 under the Provisions of Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988 and the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act of 1957.

A CBI team in 2011 had arrested the former Karnataka minister and mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy in Bellary, on charges of illegal mining operations in the Reddys’ Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) in Andhra Pradesh. He had secured anticipatory bail in 13 cases.

After spending three years and four months in Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Prison, Reddy was granted conditional bail by the Supreme Court in January 2015.

(Agencies)

Petrol cheaper by 58 paise, diesel 25 paise

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petrol-price

New Delhi: The price of petrol was today cut by 58 paise per litre and that of diesel by 25 paise, reversing the trend of increasing rates, on global cues.

Petrol will cost Rs 60.48 per litre from mid-night tonight in Delhi as against Rs 60.70 a litre currently.

A litre of diesel will cost Rs 46.55 from tomorrow compared with the Rs 46.80 now, said Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the nation’s biggest fuel retailer.

The price cut more than reverses the hike of 36 paise a litre in petrol rates effected on November 16, the first increase in five months. Similarly, in the case of diesel, it reverses the three rounds of hikes since October — the last being 87 paise a litre on November 16.

“The current level of international product prices of petrol and diesel and rupee-dollar exchange rate warrants a decrease in prices, the impact of which is being passed on to consumers with this price revision,” IOC said in a statement here.

Prior to the November 16 hike, petrol price had been slashed on four occasions — by Rs 2.43 on August 1, Rs 1.27 on August 16, Rs 2 on September 1 and 50 paise on November 1.

Diesel rates were not changed on November 1, but hiked by 95 paise on October 16 and 50 paise on October 1. Rates of diesel were last cut by 50 paise on September 1.

State-owned fuel retailers — IOC, Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) — revise petrol and diesel prices on 1st and 16th of every month based on average imported cost and rupee-dollar exchange rate in the previous fortnight.

“The movement of prices in the international oil market and INR-USD exchange rate shall continue to be monitored closely and developing trends of the market will be reflected in future price changes,” the IOC statement added.

(PTI)

BJP MPs asked to avoid making provocative statements

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Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

New Delhi: BJP MPs were today asked to avoid making provocative statements amid the debate in Parliament over the issue of intolerance where controversial comments by some party leaders, including ministers, have come in handy for the opposition in its attack on the government.

In the first parliamentary party meeting during the Winter session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told the members that provocative statements are being used by the anti-BJP forces to deflect the attention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development agenda.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said members were also briefed about the recent elections, including one in Bihar where BJP suffered a big defeat, and the need to work to spread the party ideology was stressed.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in the meeting that the economic growth of 7.4 per cent in the last quarter was a positive sign for the country and will help the government take development to the poor.

“MPs were told to speak with understanding and decorum. There is a need to avoid controversy… At a time when the Prime Minister is pushing ahead with his development agenda, many people are unable to digest it and any misstep will allow anti-BJP forces to work it to their benefit. We should avoid making provocative statements,” Naqvi said, quoting Naidu.

He said the debate on the issue of intolerance was “unmasking” those who were misleading the country and added that the party MPs were told that communal riots were controlled under the BJP-led NDA government and there was social harmony everywhere.

The “constructive discussion” between Modi and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was also flagged in the meeting. We have all hopes that developmental issues will be discussed and passed, Naqvi said, apparently referring to the GST bill.

Naqvi said the parliamentary party, which includes MPs of both the Houses, expressed happiness over BJP’s success in local elections in a number of states.

Asked about Bihar results, he said the party had tried hard. “We respect the people’s mandate. But no mandate is final.”

Speaking on the briefing in the meeting over intolerance debate, he said sarcastically that those protesting over the issue include many “great intellectuals” who had issued an appeal to the people to vote against Modi during the Lok Sabha poll.

People rejected their appeal but they have not able to get over it, he said.

Jaitley told the members that the economic growth at a good rate in India was a happy development at a time when it was weakening across the world.

(IANS)

Australia beat New Zealand in Adelaide day-night Test

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Shaun Marsh's 49 helped Australia to victory

Shaun Marsh’s 49 helped Australia to victory

by BBC

Adelaide: Australia sealed a 2-0 victory in the three-match series against New Zealand with a three-wicket win in a gripping inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide.

Set 187 to win after bowling the Kiwis out in the first session on day three, the hosts were made to work hard for every run.

Trent Boult took 5-60 but Shaun Marsh’s 49 and 28 each from Adam Voges and Mitchell Marsh proved decisive.

Josh Hazlewood took a career-best 6-70 to help dismiss New Zealand for 208.

All of the real drama, though, was reserved for the evening when, for the third day running, the extra swing of the pink ball ensured a regular fall of wickets.

Boult was the main beneficiary, adding a five-wicket haul to the 2-41 he claimed in the first innings to keep an increasingly nervous home side and crowd on edge throughout what had seemed a straightforward chase.

Hazlewood shines with pink ball

In the absence of Mitchell Starc, who has been unable to bowl or field since injuring his foot on Friday, Hazlewood came to the fore, spearheading the Australia pace attack in impressive fashion.

The 24-year-old helped the home side dominate the first session, getting them off to the best possible start by dismissing BJ Watling – caught at slip by Steve Smith – before the Kiwis had added to their overnight lead of 94.

Hazlewood completed his five-wicket haul when he had Mark Craig caught behind for 15 to leave New Zealand 140-7.

After spinner Nathan Lyon had Mitchell Santner, the innings’ top scorer with 45, stumped and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh claimed a third wicket by having Tim Southee (13) caught pulling at deep backward square, Hazlewood finished New Zealand off by bowling Boult.

Doug Bracewell was the last man standing, his 27 not out helping the visitors set a modest target of 187.

Boult gives New Zealand hope

Wary of a repeat of the extra swing generated by the pink ball in the first two days of the Test, Australia set about their chase in an urgent fashion, amassing 34 runs in five and a half overs.

Their progress was checked, though, as Boult began to capitalise on the increased movement to trap Joe Burns lbw for 11.

The Kiwi seamer repeated the trick to dismiss Australia captain Steve Smith, shortly after David Warner had edged Doug Bracewell to Southee at second slip following a typically rapid 35 from 37 balls, to leave the home side vulnerable at 66-3.

Voges and Shaun Marsh steadied the ship with a resilient partnership of 49 – the third highest of a low-scoring match – before Boult struck again, dismissing the former by finding an edge that was again taken by Southee at second slip.

Marsh’s crucial innings

Having lost partner Voges, Shaun Marsh showed superb resilience to forge another important partnership with brother Mitchell.

The pair put on 46, taking Australia to within 26 runs of victory before Mitchell departed, caught off a top-edge by Kane Williamson from the bowling of Mitchell Santner.

Shaun Marsh added 15 more crucial runs with Peter Nevill before he too fell, caught at slip off Boult, to silence the crowd and bring Peter Siddle to the crease.

Boult provided one more twist, getting Nevill to nick one to a diving BJ Watling, but Siddle and the limping Starc finally saw Australia home.

‘Don’t bomb Syria’: Protests across the UK as Syria vote looms

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Demonstrators protest against British bombing of Syria outside Downing Street in London, Britain, 28 November 2015. British Prime Minister David Cameron is calling on MP's to vote for Britain to join France with bombing raids against ISIS in Syria. (EPA/ANDY RAIN)

Demonstrators protest against British bombing of Syria outside Downing Street in London, Britain, 28 November 2015. British Prime Minister David Cameron is calling on MP’s to vote for Britain to join France with bombing raids against ISIS in Syria. (EPA/ANDY RAIN)

by Common Dreams

Thousands of people protested in London and around Britain Saturday against Britain joining in bombing attacks on ISIS in Syria.

The UK Parliament will vote next week on whether to join with the US and France in launching air strikes on Syria. Prime Minister David Cameron is leading the push for bombing.

The UK protests are organized by the Stop The War Coalition movement, which is also holding a string of other demonstrations around Britain.

The Stop The War Coalition said in a statement: “The proposed vote in Parliament on bombing Syria by British forces is likely to take place within the next week. The vote is more likely following the terrible events in Paris. Yet this bombing will not stop terror attacks. Stop the War is opposed to this military response.”

Cameron’s previous government suffered a humiliating defeat in 2013 over launching military action against the Assad government and did not push for a vote for the UK to join in bombing Syria last year.

Current Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who is a founder of the Stop The War Coalition, opposes air strikes.

Writers, musicians, politicians, academics, filmmakers, trade unionists, campaigners and artists write to David Cameron.
To be delivered by Brian Eno and Mark Rylance at the Downing Street protest on 28 November 2015.

28 November 2015

Dear Prime Minister

The current rush to bomb Syria following the terrible events in Paris risks a dangerous escalation which will inflame the war there and increase bitterness against the West. The US has been bombing Isis for a year and admits that Isis is as strong as ever and has continued recruiting.

The experience of the wars in Afghanistan Iraq and Libya shows that Western military interventions lead to large scale casualties, devastating destruction and huge flows of refugees.

Far from tackling terrorism the last fourteen years of war have seen massively increased Jihadi terrorist organization around the world.

Rather than ignoring this recent history by joining the long list of countries that have bombed Syria in the last year we urge the government to stop arming reactionary and aggressive regimes like Saudi Arabia and Qatar that sponsor terrorist groups and look for political solutions as the only viable way to end the conflict.

Yours,

Mark Rylance Actor
Brian Eno Musician
Hans von Sponeck Former UN Assistant Secretary-General
Frankie Boyle Comedian
Will Self Writer
Ken Loach Filmmaker
John Pilger Journalist
Owen Jones Journalist
Caryl Churchill Playwright
Francesca Martinez Comedian
Jeremy Hardy Comedian
Caroline Lucas MP Green Party
Tommy Sheppard MP SNP
Arthur Smith Comedian
Miriam Margolyes Actor
John Hilary Executive Director of War on Want
Michael Rosen Writer
Mark Serwotka PCS General Secretary
Tariq Ali Writer
David Gentleman Artist
Prof John Kinsella Poet
Prof Diane Reay University of Cambridge
Prof Richard Wilkinson University of Nottingham
Victoria Brittain Journalist
Manuel Cortes TSSA General Secretary
Christine Shawcroft Labour NEC
Prof Ray Bush University of Leeds
Prof Christopher Cramer SOAS
Prof George Irvin SOAS
Andrew Murray Chair of Stop the War Coalition
Lindsey German Convenor of Stop the War Coalition
Kate Hudson CND General Secretary
Logic Musician
Prof Susan Newman University of the West of England
Prof Gurminder Bhambra University of Warwick
Prof Ozlem Onaran University of Greenwich
Prof Prem Sikka University of Essex
Jean Urquhart MSP Independent
Elaine Smith MSP Labour

No leads in Church Street blast, even a year later: NIA

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church street

Bengaluru: It has been a nearly a year since an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) killed a woman while three others were injured on the Church Street in the state capital; however the National Investigating Agency (NIA) has said that the Bengaluru police had not given them any clue that would help in getting a breakthrough in the case.

Reports have stated that there was no progress in investigations even though suspects were questioned.

The city police conducted initial investigations and handed over details to the NIA, but officials say that it was not enough; the CCTV footage recovered did not provide clear details on the suspects.

It was on December 28, 2014 that the IED explosion at Church Street resulted in the death of Bhavani Devi (38), native of Chennai and injured Karthik, Sandeep and Vinay.

Several officials were instructed to work on the case, but details of nearly a lakh calls over a period of five months did not yield any results.

Later, city Police Commissioner M N Reddi urged the government to hand over the case to the NIA as they felt there was a possible involvement of inter-state terror groups and on May 20, 2015, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recommended the same.

Though the NIA officials worked closely with the police, they met a dead end. An official said that it was not known which organization had carried out the attack and none had claimed responsibility.

(Agencies)

Ruckus in Lok Sabha as CPI-M nails Rajnath’s ‘first Hindu ruler after 800 years’ remark

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Rajnath-Salim

New Delhi: There was uproar in the Lok Sabha on Monday after CPI(M) leader Mohammed Salim targetted Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for allegedly describing Prime Minister as India’s ‘first Hindu ruler after 800 years’.

“I was quoting from a magazine. If Rajnath Singh is denying it, then let him send a legal notice to the publication,” said Salim.

“Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that for first time in 800 years, a Hindu has become India’s PM,” he added.

Salim further quoted Rajnath Singh, as saying in that article, that “after Prithviraj Chauhan, we have a Hindu ruler after 800 years.”

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Saugata Roy said, “It is true that notice should be given. Outlook magazine is dated November 16, two weeks have passed. If it was not true, home minister should have taken note and issued a denial letter. Why did he not do it?

The Home Minister, on his part, expressed his disappointment over the CPI (M) leader’s remark, saying he has never been hurt as much as today in his entire parliamentary career.

“If a Home Minister gives such a statement, then, he should not be in such a position,” he added.

The Lok Sabha is presently holding a debate on the situation arising out of incidents of intolerance in the country under rule 193.

(Agencies)

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