January 12: Top news at noon

Amazon removes offensive Indian flag doormats from its site

After strong protest by India over Amazon selling doormats depicting Indian flag, the e-retail giant today removed the offensive article from its Canadian website. A spokesman for Amazon based at its headquarters in Seattle told The Washington Post that the doormat was no longer for sale on its website. Taking strong exception to Amazon Canada selling doormats depicting the Indian flag, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday on Twitter asked the e-retailer to withdraw the products and tender an unconditional apology, failing which no official of Amazon will be granted Indian visa and the ones issued earlier will also be rescinded. Swaraj's tweets went viral and led to an outrage on the social media by Indians and people of Indian-origin.

Kharagpur firing: AITC demands probe into BJP leaders' role

AITC General Secretary Subrata Bakshi tonight urged the police to look into the role of local MLA and BJP state President Dilip Ghosh in the deaths of two party activists in Kharagpur even as the saffron party termed the charge as baseless. Two Trinamool Congress activists, one of them the husband of a party councillor, were killed on Wednesday while three others were seriously injured when miscreants opened fire at them inside the party office at Kharagpur in West Midnapore district, police said. "There should be a proper probe to arrest the culprits and unearth the truth. The police should also look into the role of the person, who has won from this segment in last assembly polls," Bakshi said. Ghosh is the local MLA from Kharagpur Sadar assembly seat. In a swift retort, BJP state General Secretary Shamik Bhattacharya said, "The allegations made by AITC are baseless.”

MoS’ wife launches second Scorpene class submarine Khanderi

Khanderi, the second Scorpene class submarine that has superior stealth and the ability to launch a crippling attack with torpedoes as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles whilst underwater or on surface, was today launched at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai. Union Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre presided over the function to initiate the launch of Khanderi (Yard 11876). The submarine was launched by the Union minister's wife, Bina Bhamre. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lamba was also present on the occasion when the submarine was separated from the pontoon on which it was assembled.

Will repeal, replace Obamacare simultaneously: Trump

In an effort to set at rest all speculation with regard to the signature health care programme of outgoing US President Barack Obama, President-elect Donald Trump today said that he would simultaneously repeal and replace 'Obamacare'. One of his major campaign promises, Trump alleged that Obamacare is a complete and total disaster. He blamed the media for being guided by supporters of Obamacare. "As soon as our Secretary is approved and gets into the office, we'll be filing a plan. We're going to have a health care that is far less expensive and far better," he said.

Coldest day of the season in Delhi

Delhiites today woke up to the coldest day of the season with the mercury plummeting to 2 degrees Celsius in parts of the national capital. The Safdarjung observatory, reading of which is considered the official one for the city, recorded a low of 3.4 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 17.2 degrees, a MeT official said. Lodhi Road recorded a minimum of 2 degrees Celsius, the official said. Yesterday, it had posted a low of 2.3 degrees Celsius. Chilly winds continued to make inclement weather more difficult for people.