State stays land acquisition for Nanar refinery after talks with Sena

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November 28, 2018

The Maharashtra government has stayed the land acquisition process for the controversial Nanar refinery project after consulting the Shiv Sena, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.

The Sena, a ruling ally of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government, has been opposing the project on the grounds that it is against the interest of the farmers and would destroy ecology in Ratnagiri district in the coastal Konkan region.

“The government has not issued any new notice for land acquisition. After talks with Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, the entire process has been stayed,” he said.

The issue came up after Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil told the House that journalist Alok Deshpande of English daily The Hindu was manhandled by police at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai Tuesday night while covering a protest against the upcoming project.

To this, Fadnavis said he would seek information about the incident and take appropriate action.

Meanwhile, four persons, including two women seated in the visitor’s gallery of the House, were detained by the Vidhan Bhavan security for raising slogans demanding to scrap of the refinery project.

Three Indian oil majors had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 11 this year with Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to develop a refinery and petrochemicals complex in the coastal district.

The Sena, rooted firmly in the Konkan region, has been opposing the project.

In April this year, senior Sena leader and Industries Minister Subhash Desai had announced in Ratnagiri that a government notification for acquiring land for the project in Nanar stood cancelled.

Desai’s statement was negated by the chief minister who said that the order had not been cancelled.

MP polls: Many EVMs malfunctioning, claims Congress

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Afternoon Voice

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November 28, 2018

The Congress on Wednesday claimed that some EVMs malfunctioned during the ongoing Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections and demanded that polling is extended.

Polling is underway to elect the 230-member Assembly, where the ruling BJP and opposition Congress are fighting for supremacy. It is being held between 8 am and 5 pm in 227 seats and between 7 am to 3 pm in three Naxal-affected segments.

“There have been several complaints that EVMs at many places malfunctioned. We have written to the Election Commission and demanded that voting time in these polling booths should be extended to compensate for the delay,” Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said.

Responding to the demand, CEC O P Rawat said in Delhi that there are provisions for the extension of time and local officers (in Madhya Pradesh) can take the call on the matter.

The battle of ballots in Madhya Pradesh is just months ahead of the Lok Sabha polls slated in the first half of 2019.

As many as 2,899 candidates, including 1,094 independents, are in the fray. The state has 5.04 crore, eligible voters.

Altogether 3,00,782 government employees, including 45,904 women, have been deployed on poll duty across the state, where 65,341 polling stations have been set up.

SC transfers 16 Bihar shelter home abuse cases to CBI

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Afternoon Voice

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November 28, 2018

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the CBI to take over the probe into allegations of physical and sexual abuse of inmates at 16 shelter homes in Bihar.

A bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur transferred the investigation being conducted by Bihar Police to the CBI and dismissed the state government’s request not to do so.

The apex court said that the report of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) raises grave concern about 17 shelter homes in Bihar and the CBI must look into all of them. Of these, the Muzaffarpur case is already being looked into by the CBI.

CBI told the bench, also comprising justices S A Nazeer and Deepak Gupta, that in principle it was ready to take over the investigation.

The agency is already investigating the Muzaffarpur shelter home case in which it is expected to file a charge sheet by December 7, the court was told.

The apex court also said that CBI officers probing the shelter home cases in Bihar will not be transferred without its prior permission.

The top court had yesterday termed as “very shameful” and “inhuman” the conduct of Bihar government is not taking appropriate action following the allegations of physical and sexual abuse of children at several shelter homes and had favoured a CBI investigation in these matters.

The court had said that the state was “very soft” and “very selective” in registering FIRs against the perpetrators and had asked the Bihar government whether these children were not the citizens of this country.

In the Muzaffarpur shelter home case, an FIR was lodged on May 31 against 11 people following the TISS report.

The probe was later taken over by the CBI and so far, 17 people have been arrested.

Cong to launch statewide agitation to demand “full-time” CM in Goa

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Afternoon Voice

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November 28, 2018

The Goa Congress will launch a statewide agitation on Friday to demand a “full-time” chief minister for the state in place of the ailing Manohar Parrikar, a senior party leader said on Wednesday.

Goa is in the “ICU”, state Congress committee chief Girish Chodankar said.

Parrikar, 62, has been recuperating at his private residence near here since October 14, when he was discharged from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi.

Last week, hundreds of people, including some Congress leaders, had marched to Parrikar’s residence, demanding his resignation and a “full-time” chief minister for Goa.

“We have now decided to go to people with the issue and launch a taluka (administrative division)-wise agitation,” Chodankar told agencies.

The Congress will begin its agitation from Bicholim on November 30, followed by Pernem on December 1. All the talukas will be covered subsequently in due course of time, he said.

The party will hold “awareness campaigns” across the state, Chodankar said.

“We will expose this (Bharatiya Janata Party-led) government…we will highlight how Goa has suffered due to the absence of a full-time chief minister. The last cabinet meeting was also not chaired by the chief minister. Goa is in the ICU (intensive care unit),” he said.

The Congress leader said they are demanding the restoration of governance in the state.

“We want a full-time chief minister who will hold regular cabinet meetings and advice Goa governor. Right now, nobody knows what is happening. Who is running the government in the chief minister’s name? We don’t know who is signing the documents and who is taking the decisions,” he said.

It is clear from the photographs released recently by the government that Parrikar is not in a position to take any decision, Chodankar claimed.

He said the Congress’ agitation on this issue started long back when they observed a “century” (100 days) without the chief minister.

The state Congress leaders had also protested when BJP president Amit Shah was in Goa and met the governor four-five times, he noted.

Karan Johar gets nostalgic as ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ turns 15

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Afternoon Voice

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November 28, 2018

One of the most loved Bollywood films – ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ has clocked 15 years.

Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan, the film was written by Karan Johar, who co-produced it with his father Yash Johar under their Dharma Productions banner.

The ace filmmaker took to social media to mark the special day. “A film I absolutely loved writing….My father’s last release….an immortal melody and an incredible cast and crew….I love you so much #KalHoNaaHo it’s been 15 years,” he wrote.

#15YearsOfKHNH pic.twitter.com/0n6Es9PTNs

— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) November 28, 2018

In his next tweet, he thanked Nikkhil Advani for donning the director’s hat and superstar Shah Rukh Khan for “making this film happen.”

“Will always be grateful to @nikkhiladvani and the entire cast and crew for making the journey special! And the incredible @iamsrk for making this film happen!!! #15YearsOfKalHoNaHo,” added KJo.

The ‘Koffee With Karan’ host even shared a video celebrating the milestone. With the title track playing in the background, it includes different scenes from the film and even some behind-the-scenes shots that also feature KJo.

Sara Ali Khan is going to make a big impact, says Soha

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Afternoon Voice

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November 28, 2018

Soha Ali Khan says she is excited for her niece Sara Ali Khan’s acting debut in Bollywood and is hopeful that she will make a big impact with her work.

Sara, daughter of Soha’s brother Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Sigh, will be seen in Abhishek Kapoor’s “Kedarnath”, opposite Sushant Singh Rajput. The film releases on December 7.

Sara’s also has “Simmba” with Ranveer Singh in her kitty and the Rohit Shetty-directed film is set to hit cinema houses on December 28.

When asked about Sara’s two big back-to-back films, Soha said, “She is very talented. I liked the promo of ‘Kedarnath’ and I liked her work in it. I saw the episode of Koffee with Karan’ and that also I enjoyed watching.”

“She is confident, talented and she has got the right film to launch her, the promo of which looks exceptional. I think she is going to make a big impact and I wish her all the best, Soha told reporters.

Soha says she has not given Sara any advice as she believes the young actor is very much “capable”.

“I don’t think she needs it. She is very capable. My mother always said, there is always a director on the sets of a film and you must follow the director.”

Soha’s daughter Inaaya Naumi Khemmu and Saif’s son Taimur Ali Khan have become internet sensation and she says she is aware of the kids’ popularity on social media.

Southern stars more punctual, professional, says Akshay

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Afternoon Voice

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November 28, 2018

Akshay Kumar says working in the Rajinikanth-starrer “2.0” was a learning experience for him as he realised the south industry is not only more punctual but also more professional than Bollywood.

The actor plays the villain, Dr Richard, in the film which is a sequel to Shankar’s blockbuster “Enthiran”.

“Technologically, South is more advanced than us. They are more professional than us. If the shoot time is 7.30, the shooting will start sharp on time. Here, 7.30 means you can come by 9.30. Their superstars arrive on time on set,” Akshay said in a group interview.

The actor believes newcomers should do at least five films down south before coming to Bollywood as time is not a luxury one can afford in southern cinema.

“You learn a lot. I sometimes feel a newcomer should do five films there and then come here. He or she will learn a lot. In a day, they take 30-40 shots. Here we manage around 12-13 shots… They don’t take other people for granted. They value other people’s time,” he said.

The actor says he was bowled over by the humility of megastar Rajinikanth when he first met him.

“We used to talk in Marathi. He is a Maharashtrian and I also know the language. He is a great man. It’s amazing how you give him one dialogue and he changes it into an epic dialogue. He puts entertainment in every line,” he said.

Recently, Rajinikanth had said that “2.0” will belong to Akshay but the “Padman” star consider himself to be the “Amrish Puri” of the action-fantasy genre.

“He (Rajinikanth) is just being humble. It’s very much his film because the title is ‘2.0’. I can’t be that. He is ‘2.0’. he is just being kind and nice to me. I respect him for that. It’s very much his film. I am the Amrish Puri of the film,” he quipped.

“2.0” is scheduled to release on Thursday.

Kristen Stewart to star in rom-com ‘Happiest Season’

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Afternoon Voice

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November 28, 2018

Actor Kristen Stewart is all set to play one of the two leads in LGBTQ romantic comedy “Happiest Season”.

According to a media report, the film will be directed by Clea DuVall, who also developed the script along with Mary Holland.

The story is set during an annual family holiday party where a young woman plans to propose to her girlfriend. The plan gets an unexpected twist when the woman finds out her partner hasn’t come out as gay to her conservative parents.

The project hails from TriStar Pictures, with Hannah Minghella and Shary Shirazi overseeing it for the studio.

Marty Bowen, Isaac Klausner, and Jaclyn Huntling will be handling the production.

Stewart will be next seen in Elizabeth Banks’ “Charlie’s Angels” reboot.

Robert De Niro reacts on split from wife Grace Hightower

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Afternoon Voice

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November 28, 2018

Veteran Hollywood star Robert De Niro has finally broken his silence over his split from wife Grace Hightower and has asked for “privacy and respect from all.”

Earlier this month, multiple news outlets reported that De Niro and Hightower decided to call it quits after over 20 years of marriage. While the news was confirmed by sources close to the couple, neither De Niro nor Hightower verified the reports, until now.

In a statement given to a agency, the Academy Award winner, while addressing the split reports, said: “Grace and I have two beautiful children together. We are entering a period of transition in our relationship which is a difficult but constructive process. I honor Grace as a wonderful mother and ask for privacy and respect from all as we proceed to develop our roles as partners in parenting.”

De Niro met Hightower in 1987 when she was working at famed eatery Mr. Chow in London, and got hitched in 1997 after dating for about a decade. They share two children together, son Elliott (20) and daughter Helen Grace (6).

According to a magazine, in 2004, the Hollywood couple renewed their vows in front of A-list celebrities including Martin Scorsese, Meryl Streep, Ben Stiller, and Tom Brokaw.

The two were last spotted together on the red carpet of the 72nd Annual Tony Awards in New York City.

Judge Judy is world’s highest-paid TV host

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Afternoon Voice

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November 28, 2018

Judy Sheindlin, a.k.a. Judge Judy, is the world’s highest-paid TV host, according to a new Forbes list.

Shiendlin, the formidable host of the courtroom series ‘Judge Judy’ for more than two decades, raked in USD 147 million pretax last year. The 76-year-old even holds the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a TV judge.

“Last year she sold the rights to her Judge Judy’s 5,200-episode library, as well as future episodes of the show, to CBS for an estimated USD 100 million. Between that paycheck and the USD 47 million she gets for hosting Judge Judy and producing Hot Bench, Sheindlin took in triple her typical annual paycheck. With that added to her bank account, she also became 48th-richest self-made woman in America, with a net worth of USD 400 million,” noted Forbes.

Ellen DeGeneres, on the other hand, has taken the No. 2 spot on the list of highest-paid talk show hosts with USD 87. 5 million.

In third place is perpetual advice-giver Dr. Phil McGraw with USD 77.5 million, followed by multi-hat-wearing host and ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ producer Ryan Seacrest at USD 47 million, and ‘Family Feud’s Steve Harvey with USD 44 million.