Bank of England says holds key interest rate at 5.25%
6:16 PM
India's net direct tax collection rises 23.4% Y-o-Y April-November
The Indian government's net direct tax collection rose 23.4 per cent on the year to Rs 10.64 trillion ($127.75 billion) in the period from April 1 to Nov. 30, it said on Thursday. Gross tax collected, before adjusting refunds, was Rs 12.67 trillion, about 17.7 per cent higher than last year.
5:16 PM
Opposition MPs have been suspended because we want action on this incident of security breach: Chaturvedi
On the Parliamentary security breach incident, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi says, "Opposition MPs have been suspended because we want action on this incident of security breach. Is it not the responsibility of the Union Home Minister to come and answer on this? We want action against BJP MP Pratap Simha..."
5:15 PM
It shows that the BJP has no concern for Parliament: CPI MP Binoy Viswam says
On suspension of 15 MPs from the Parliament, CPI MP Binoy Viswam says, "...It shows that the BJP has no concern for Parliament, no regard for democracy. We are not surprised to see this because they follow the footsteps of Hitler who burned the parliament building in Germany in the 1930s that is the ideology they follow..."
4:59 PM
Putin saya a total of 617,000 Russian troops are currently fighting in Ukrain
President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that a total of 617,000 Russian troops are currently fighting in Ukraine. Some 244,000 of them are soldiers who were called up to fight alongside professional Russian military troops, according to the president. Putin revealed those rare details about the military operation during his year-end press conference. He dismissed the need for another wave of mobilisation after drafting some 300,000 men last year in a move that proved widely unpopular.
4:55 PM
Opposition MPs address the media over the suspension of 15 MPs from the House
Opposition MPs address the media over the suspension of 15 MPs from the House. RJD MP Manoj Jha says, "...When such an act takes place in the House, it is not just a Parliamentary matter - it is related to security. A government which can't keep its Parliament secure, can't keep the country safe. Mark my words...We would tell you - the country is not safe in your hands. You are not coming before us even after 24 hours...We will continue to raise this issue in the House and force the Home Minister to come."
MP Danish Ali says, "...This included one such MP who was not even present in the House. He too was suspended. God knows how is this country running..."
3:01 PM
HC allowed our application where we had demanded survey of Shahi Idgah Masjid : Hindu side advocate
2:53 PM
Suspended MP Derek O'Brien continues to be present in RS despite Chairman's direction to leave
Suspended TMC MP Derek O'Brien continues to be present in the Rajya Sabha despite Chairman's direction to leave the House. "It is most unfortunate that suspended member Derek O'Brien continues to be present in the House. His conduct has handicapped the House from transacting business". House adjourned till 3pm.
2:47 PM
Deliberations on for framing laws on seizure of electronics: Centre to SC
Several rounds of talks have been held in order to formulate guidelines for seizure of electronic devices like mobile phones and laptops of individuals, especially those from the media, in the course of criminal investigations, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Thursday. It said until the time the new guidelines are put in place, central probe agencies will follow the CBI manual for search and seizure of such equipment.
The apex court had on November 7 asked the Centre to put in place guidelines on seizure of electronic devices of individuals, particularly media professionals, saying impounding equipment without following a regulation was a serious matter.
2:32 PM
Five Congress MPs suspended from LS for rest of session for 'unruly conduct'
2:29 PM
Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned till 2:30 pm during post-lunch session
Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2:30 pm on Thursday in the post-lunch session amid Opposition demand for a discussion on the Parliament security breach and protests over the suspension of TMC member Derek O'Brien.
When the Upper House, which witnessed two adjournments earlier in the day, reassembled for the post-lunch session, Opposition members started sloganeering and demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah to come to the House and give a statement on Wednesday's security breach in the Lok Sabha. Without naming O'Brien, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said his continued presence in the House despite the suspension was in disregard of the rules and asked him to leave.
2:15 PM
Oppn slams Centre over suspension of TMC's Derek O'Brien in Rajya Sabha
Opposition MPs on Thursday slammed the Centre over suspension of Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien from the Rajya Sabha and taking no action against the BJP MP who authorised the entry in Parliament of the two men who caused the security breach.
O'Brien was on Thursday suspended from the Rajya Sabha by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar for the remainder of the Winter session for "unruly behaviour" and "misconduct." Leader of the House Piyush Goyal moved a motion in this regard, which was passed by the House.
1:50 PM
Decision on old pension scheme before budget session, says Ajit Pawar
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said CM Eknath Shinde has assured government employees demanding restoration of the old pension scheme (OPS) that a decision on it will be taken before the upcoming budget session.The state legislature's budget session is generally held in February-March every year.
Speaking to reporters in the Vidhan Bhavan premises in Nagpur, where the winter session of the state legislature is currently underway, Pawar informed about discussions held with the representatives of government employees demanding the OPS.
1:46 PM
Fire breaks out on second floor of Vizag hospital
A fire broke out on the second floor of Indus Hospital in Visakhapatnam. Fire tenders were at the spot and all patients had been evacuated at the time of filing this report.
The preliminary investigation suggests that the fire may have broken out at the operation theatre.
1:41 PM
West Bengal's Malda, known for its mangoes, grows oranges in a first
A farmer in West Bengal's Malda district, which is known for its mangoes, has set a record this year by growing oranges. Dipak Rajbanshi has grown around 1.5 quintal of orange in his garden.
He claimed that the oranges that he grew were tastier than the ones grown in Maharashtra's Nagpur.
The four arrested accused - Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Neelam Azad and Amol Shinde - brought to Patiala House Court by Delhi Police.
Opposition MPs address the media over the suspension of 15 MPs from the House. RJD MP Manoj Jha says, "...When such an act takes place in the House, it is not just a Parliamentary matter - it is related to security. A government which can't keep its Parliament secure, can't keep the country safe. Mark my words...We would tell you - the country is not safe in your hands. You are not coming before us even after 24 hours...We will continue to raise this issue in the House and force the Home Minister to come."
The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed a resolution suspending five Congress MPs for the remainder of the session after being named by the Speaker for disrupting House proceedings. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a resolution amid the din to suspend the five. "I move the following that this House having taken misconduct of T N Prathapan, Hibi Eden, Jothimani, Ramya Haridas and Dean Kuriakose Kuryakus in utter disregard to the House and the authority of this Chair and having been named by the chair ...to be suspended from the service of the House for reminder session," the resolution read.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 2pm amid sloganeering by Opposition MPs over yesterday's security breach incident. The opposition MPs also demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the incident
The Lok Sabha Secretariat has suspended eight personnel for the security breach in Parliament, sources said on Thursday. Those suspended have been identified as Rampal, Arvind, Vir Das, Ganesh, Anil, Pradeep, Vimitt and Narendra. In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on Wednesday, two persons -- Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D -- jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by the MPs.
 "LIVE: Delhi police produce four accused before court seeking 15-day custody")
