LPG prices touch a new high

Thiruvananthapuram: The government has given a New Year 'surprise' for the unsuspecting LPG customer by steeply increasing the price of LPG. The price of domestic LPG has been increased by Rs 230.16 to Rs 1293.50. Those with Aadhar cards would get a subsidy of Rs 714. Commercial cylinders would be dearer by Rs 385.95 and would cost Rs 2184.50. This is the first time that the price of LPG is crossing Rs 2000.

LPG prices touch a new high

Thiruvananthapuram: The government has given a New Year 'surprise' for the unsuspecting LPG customer by steeply increasing the price of LPG. The price of domestic LPG has been increased by Rs 230.16 to Rs 1293.50. Those with Aadhar cards would get a subsidy of Rs 714. Commercial cylinders would be dearer by Rs 385.95 and would cost Rs 2184.50. This is the first time that the price of LPG is crossing Rs 2000.

Indian diplomat’s UN application review still on, says US

Washington: The US is still reviewing the application for the transfer of senior Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade to UN and issue the necessary documents for full diplomatic immunity, a top official said here, giving no timeline for its decision.  "It is under review. We cannot predict when that review will be complete," said a State Department spokesperson yesterday in response to a question on the status of the UN request to grant full diplomatic status to Khobragade. 

The State Department had received her application from the United Nations in New York on December 20. Normally, the State Department takes a decision on this very quickly, but this time the US is taking an unusually long time.  "We cannot compare this to previous requests as each request is evaluated on its own merits," the spokesperson said. Khobragade was arrested on December 12 on charges of visa fraud and misrepresentation. At the time of her arrest, she was Deputy Consul General at the Indian Consulate in New York. The US says, in this capacity, she did not had full diplomatic immunity. 

Days after her arrest, the Indian government has transferred Khobragade to the permanent mission of India to the United Nations (UN), with the view that this would give her the necessary diplomatic immunity from arrest.  India has strongly objected to her arrest, and in protest has withdrawn many of the diplomatic privileges granted to the American diplomats in India.  As one enters the New Year, the Indian diplomat continues to remain in the US without diplomatic immunity. She is currently on bail bond of USD 250,000 and her passport is in possession of the court.

Indian diplomat’s UN application review still on, says US

Washington: The US is still reviewing the application for the transfer of senior Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade to UN and issue the necessary documents for full diplomatic immunity, a top official said here, giving no timeline for its decision.  "It is under review. We cannot predict when that review will be complete," said a State Department spokesperson yesterday in response to a question on the status of the UN request to grant full diplomatic status to Khobragade. 

The State Department had received her application from the United Nations in New York on December 20. Normally, the State Department takes a decision on this very quickly, but this time the US is taking an unusually long time.  "We cannot compare this to previous requests as each request is evaluated on its own merits," the spokesperson said. Khobragade was arrested on December 12 on charges of visa fraud and misrepresentation. At the time of her arrest, she was Deputy Consul General at the Indian Consulate in New York. The US says, in this capacity, she did not had full diplomatic immunity. 

Days after her arrest, the Indian government has transferred Khobragade to the permanent mission of India to the United Nations (UN), with the view that this would give her the necessary diplomatic immunity from arrest.  India has strongly objected to her arrest, and in protest has withdrawn many of the diplomatic privileges granted to the American diplomats in India.  As one enters the New Year, the Indian diplomat continues to remain in the US without diplomatic immunity. She is currently on bail bond of USD 250,000 and her passport is in possession of the court.

India, Saudi Arabia to ink labour cooperation agreement

New Delhi: Saudi Arabia and India are set to ink an important agreement on labour cooperation when the kingdom's Labour Minister Adel Fakieh arrives on a three-day visit on New Year. Saudi Arabia is one of the top destinations for Indian workers and the labour agreement is expected to standardise service conditions of Indian workers.

The agreement on Labour Cooperation for Domestic Service Workers Recruitment is to be inked on Thursday.The agreement is also expected to do away with the role of middlemen in employing Indian labour.The Saudi minister, who arrives Wednesday evening, will meet Vice President Hamid Ansari, who has served as Indian ambassador in Saudi Arabia, on Thursday. Fakieh would hold delegation level talks with the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi on Thursday after which the agreement is to be signed.

On Friday, the Saudi minister is to meet External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid before leaving.The 2.8 million plus strong Indian community in Saudi Arabia is the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom. 

IANS

India, Saudi Arabia to ink labour cooperation agreement

New Delhi: Saudi Arabia and India are set to ink an important agreement on labour cooperation when the kingdom's Labour Minister Adel Fakieh arrives on a three-day visit on New Year. Saudi Arabia is one of the top destinations for Indian workers and the labour agreement is expected to standardise service conditions of Indian workers.

The agreement on Labour Cooperation for Domestic Service Workers Recruitment is to be inked on Thursday.The agreement is also expected to do away with the role of middlemen in employing Indian labour.The Saudi minister, who arrives Wednesday evening, will meet Vice President Hamid Ansari, who has served as Indian ambassador in Saudi Arabia, on Thursday. Fakieh would hold delegation level talks with the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi on Thursday after which the agreement is to be signed.

On Friday, the Saudi minister is to meet External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid before leaving.The 2.8 million plus strong Indian community in Saudi Arabia is the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom. 

IANS

US ambassador 'regrets' Khobragade arrest

New Delhi: US ambassador Nancy J. Powell Tuesday expressed "regret" over the way Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade was arrested and jailed for alleged visa fraud and underpaying her child's nanny.

Powell said in a New Year message to India that the forward movement in Indo-US relations has been "jolted by the very different reactions to issues involving one of your consular officers and her domestic worker.

"I join Secretary (of State John) Kerry in expressing our regret for the circumstances of the consular officer's arrest," she said in a brief statement.

"But we believe that we can look forward to continuing to expand our bilateral relations," she added.

She said she looked forward to increasing trade and investment including civilian nuclear cooperation, continuing consultations on Afghanistan and other key issues, expanding counter-terrorism and law enforcement cooperation, and encouraging more travel in both directions by students, business representatives and citizens.

Powell added: "I look forward in 2014 to joining with you in celebrating the multiple ways our two great nations can continue to build both a stronger and broader partnership. Happy New Year!"

IANS

US ambassador 'regrets' Khobragade arrest

New Delhi: US ambassador Nancy J. Powell Tuesday expressed "regret" over the way Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade was arrested and jailed for alleged visa fraud and underpaying her child's nanny.

Powell said in a New Year message to India that the forward movement in Indo-US relations has been "jolted by the very different reactions to issues involving one of your consular officers and her domestic worker.

"I join Secretary (of State John) Kerry in expressing our regret for the circumstances of the consular officer's arrest," she said in a brief statement.

"But we believe that we can look forward to continuing to expand our bilateral relations," she added.

She said she looked forward to increasing trade and investment including civilian nuclear cooperation, continuing consultations on Afghanistan and other key issues, expanding counter-terrorism and law enforcement cooperation, and encouraging more travel in both directions by students, business representatives and citizens.

Powell added: "I look forward in 2014 to joining with you in celebrating the multiple ways our two great nations can continue to build both a stronger and broader partnership. Happy New Year!"

IANS

One arrested for attack on Indian student in Australia

Melbourne/New Delhi: The Indian consulate in Melbourne is in touch with police and kin of an Indian student who was attacked and is in coma in a hospital. One suspect has been arrested. The Indian ministry of external affairs said Tuesday in New Delhi that its consulate is in touch with the hospital, the police and the brother of the attacked student, Manriajwinder Singh, 20.

Singh was with two friends when he was assaulted by a group of eight men and one woman over the weekend at Princess Bridge in Birrarung Marr park in Melbourne. The Melbourne police have arrested one suspect who has been produced before a judicial magistrate for remand. Two more suspects have been identified, the ministry said.

Singh, a Bachelor of Commerce at a Melbourne university, was punched, kicked and thrown to the ground by the attackers. He was also allegedly beaten with a stick after he fell unconscious. He is under coma at the Alfred hospital, Melbourne. His brother Yadwinder Singh urged the Australian government for the perpetrators to be "caught and punished so innocent people like my brother and his friend don't get bashed like this". (IANS)

One arrested for attack on Indian student in Australia

Melbourne/New Delhi: The Indian consulate in Melbourne is in touch with police and kin of an Indian student who was attacked and is in coma in a hospital. One suspect has been arrested. The Indian ministry of external affairs said Tuesday in New Delhi that its consulate is in touch with the hospital, the police and the brother of the attacked student, Manriajwinder Singh, 20.

Singh was with two friends when he was assaulted by a group of eight men and one woman over the weekend at Princess Bridge in Birrarung Marr park in Melbourne. The Melbourne police have arrested one suspect who has been produced before a judicial magistrate for remand. Two more suspects have been identified, the ministry said.

Singh, a Bachelor of Commerce at a Melbourne university, was punched, kicked and thrown to the ground by the attackers. He was also allegedly beaten with a stick after he fell unconscious. He is under coma at the Alfred hospital, Melbourne. His brother Yadwinder Singh urged the Australian government for the perpetrators to be "caught and punished so innocent people like my brother and his friend don't get bashed like this". (IANS)