NEW DELHI: Excessive "judicialisation" of Information Commissions across the country would deprive them of a flexible style of functioning, Chief Information Commissioner Satyananda Mishra said here today.Speaking at the Central Information Commission's annual convention, Mishra said the approach of the Commissions, including the state and centre, in all these years has been to act like an umpire standing right...

MUMBAI: Bowing to public pressure and criticism from the court, the Maharashtra government today informed the Bombay High Court that it has decided to drop sedition charge against cartoonist Aseem Trivedi for allegedly insulting national symbols."After having a close look at the case, it can be seen that there is clearly no case under section 124(a) of IPC for...

NEW DELHI: Voicing concern over frivolous and vexatious use of RTI Act, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the citizens' right to know should definitely be circumscribed if it encroaches on an individual's privacy."There is a fine balance required to be maintained between the right to information and the right to privacy, which stems out of the fundamental right...

OSLO: The European Union won the Nobel Peace Prize today for its efforts to promote peace and democracy in Europe - despite being in the midst of its biggest crisis since the bloc was created in the 1950s.The Norwegian prize committee said the EU received the award for six decades of contributions "to the advancement of peace and reconciliation,...

NEW DELHI: Nothwithstanding stiff opposition from the Air Force, government has decided to give the control of attack helicopters to the Army."We have received a letter from the defense ministry and we have been given the attack helicopters by the government," Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh told PTI here.The Army had been demanding control over attack and medium-lift helicopters...

MUMBAI: Some of the biggest stars in Bollywood came together to wish a happy birthday to megastar Amitabh Bachchan on his 70th birthday today, recalling qualities that made him the "Big B" of Indian cinema.Ramesh Sippy who directed Bachchan in 'Sholay' said Big B was a thoroughly professional actor. "Bachchan has always been sincere and committed to work. He...

MELBOURNE: India and Australia are likely to finalize a safeguards agreement during Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's visit to New Delhi next week that would open up uranium sales to the Asian giant.Gillard will arrive in New Delhi on Monday for a three-day visit.She will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other senior government ministers, apart from calling on...

NEW DELHI: Ending months of feud, realty major Unitech today said it will exit from the telecom joint venture with Telenor by selling its entire 32.75 per cent stake to the Norwegian firm.Telenor, which held 67.25 per cent stake in the JV firm Unitech Wireless that runs under Uninor brand name, said in a separate statement that it is...

THENI, Tamil Nadu: Investigation into the theft of 28 ancient idols, dating to between the 15th and 17th centuries, over the last two years from two temples in this district has revealed that many of them were sold to buyers in Singapore, Malaysia and Germany, police said today.Twelve of these idols have since been recovered, they said.Nineteen idols had...

COLOMBO: Former India captain Anil Kumble was on Thursday unanimously appointed chairman of ICC's Cricket Committee by the game's governing body, replacing West Indies great Clive Lloyd."In Anil Kumble, we have a new chairman who has unquestioned experience not only as a player with India but also as an administrator with Karnataka State Cricket Association as well," ICC President...