India: RBI, govt trying to reach common ground on some key issues

New Delhi, Nov 14 (PTI) The government and Reserve Bank seem to be veering around to reach an agreeable solution particulary with respect of relaxation of the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework and easing of lending norms for the MSME sector ahead of the RBI board meeting on November 19, sources said.

If not in this board meeting, sources said, the issue of relaxation of PCA framework which the finance ministry has been pitching for would be reached in the next few weeks.

Delhi gets full-time real estate regulator

New Delhi, Nov 15 (PTI) Delhi has finally got a full-time real estate regulator under RERA with Lt Governor Anil Baijal appointing retired IAS officer Vijay S Madan to the post.

Until now, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) vice-chairman was the interim regulator under the Real Estate Regulatory Act (RERA), 2016.

Delhi has already notified provisions of RERA which protects the interest of home-buyers.

Land acquisition for leather cluster in Dec

KANPUR:  Spread across130 hectares of land, the mega leather cluster will be set up in Sen Purabpara of Vidhnoo village.

As many as 64.012 hectares of land will be bought from 128 farmers. Remaining 66 hectares belongs to the Gram Samaj that will be acquired by the state government. A sum of Rs 848 crores will be spent. The process of acquisition of land will begin in December, said Sanjay Chauhan, ADM (Finance).

Chakeri airport lacks permanent waiting room

KANPUR: Though flights have started at Chakeri airport for different destinations, there is lack of adequate facilities for the passengers, for example, a permanent waiting room does not exist at the airport.

The German hanger even lacks proper safety measures. Set up in about 450 sq metres area, this temporary space is currently used as passengers’ arrival hall. As many as 225 passengers can stay at this hired hanger.

Asian leaders push toward pacts on South China Sea, trade

SINGAPORE (AP) — Leaders from Southeast Asia, China and other neighboring countries met in Singapore on Wednesday and cited progress on keeping peace in the contentious South China Sea as evidence that the region is managing to handle such issues on its own.

Both the Singapore meeting and a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum later in the week have drawn China’s leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin and heads of other regional powers, but not President Donald Trump, who sent Vice President Mike Pence instead.

CIA considered using ‘truth serum’ on post-9/11 detainees

WASHINGTON (AP) — Shortly after 9/11, the CIA considered using a drug it thought might work like a truth serum and force terror suspects to give up information about potential attacks.

After months of research, the agency decided that a drug called Versed, a sedative often prescribed to reduce anxiety, was “possibly worth a try.” But in the end, the CIA decided not to ask government lawyers to approve its use.

Swedish parliament rejects proposed government

14 Nov 2018; DW: Swedish lawmakers have voted to reject Moderate party leader Ulf Kristersson's bid to become prime minister. The vote means that Sweden will remain in a political deadlock for the foreseeable future.

The Swedish parliament, as expected, rejected center-right Moderates party leader Ulf Kristersson as new prime minister in a vote on Wednesday. There is now no end in sight to the political deadlock that has gripped the country since elections in September.

The hidden toll of American drones in Yemen: Civilian deaths

ATAQ, Yemen (AP) — The United States has waged a drone war in Yemen for 16 years, trying to suppress al-Qaida’s branch here. But the campaign has had a hidden cost: civilians cut down by the drones’ missiles.

There is no comprehensive count of civilian deaths because of the difficulty of confirming identities and allegiances of those killed. But in an examination of drone strikes this year alone, The Associated Press found that at least 30 of the dead likely did not belong to al-Qaida.

CNN sues over barring of reporter, White House vows vigorous defense

14 Nov 2018; AFP: A federal judge will hold a hearing Wednesday on CNN's lawsuit against Donald Trump's administration alleging the White House violated correspondent Jim Acosta's constitutional rights by revoking his press credentials following a heated exchange with the US president.

The White House dismissed CNN's complaint as "grandstanding" and vowed to "vigorously defend" against the lawsuit.

As US retreats, China touts its trade deal wares to Asia

14 Nov 2018; AFP: China is touting itself as the new defender of global commerce as it works with Asia-Pacific leaders to hammer out the world's largest trade deal -- with the United States relegated to the sidelines.

World leaders gathered in Singapore this week for a summit where a massive Beijing-backed agreement covering half the world's population has dominated discussions.

India: Inflation rises to 5.28 pc in Oct

New Delhi, Nov 14 (PTI) Inflation based on wholesale prices rose to a four-month high of 5.28 per cent in October, mainly due to spike in petrol and diesel prices, even as food prices softened.

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation stood at 5.13 per cent in September and 3.68 per cent in October last year.

According to the government data released Wednesday, food articles witnessed softening of prices with deflation at 1.49 per cent in October, against 0.21 per cent September.

India: SC commences hearing on pleas in Rafale case

New Delhi, Nov 14 (PTI) The Supreme Court Wednesday commenced its crucial hearing on pleas seeking a court-monitored probe into the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph is also likely to peruse the pricing details of the jets submitted by the government in a sealed cover.

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