As the US prepares to sell F-16s to Pakistan, the country's former top diplomat has warned the Congress that such fighter jets would end up being used against India and not against terrorists.

Describing sale of such military hardware and even reported talk of a civil nuclear deal as an appeasement policy towards Pakistani military, the former top Pakistani diplomat has urged the US to tell the leaders in Pakistan that their ambition of rivalling India is akin to Belgium trying to rival France or Germany.

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Monday called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States in the most dramatic response by a candidate yet to last week's shooting spree by two Muslims who the FBI said had been radicalised.

"We have no choice," Trump said at a rally in South Carolina, warning of more Sept. 11-style attacks if stern measures are not taken.

Two private equity firms and a strategic partner are in the race to buy the Jaypee Group's cement business at an enterprise valuation of close to Rs 19,500 crore.

The sale is expected to be concluded by next March, according to a source. ICICI Securities, which is managing the sale, has asked the three bidders to give their offers. The proceeds will be used by Jaiprakash Associates to retire a part of its Rs 61,285 crore debt held in 2014-15, down from Rs 72,599 crore in 2013-14 (see chart).

Tata Motors, India's fifth largest maker of passenger vehicles, has stopped producing the Manza sedan and the Vista hatchback.

With this, Tata Motors has exited its ageing portfolio of cars. The Indica and Indigo are available for commercial use only. The company phased out the older generation Nano late last year.

Infosys will expand operations in Ireland, doubling the number of staff to 500 in three years and setting up its first product-centric research and development (R&D) centre outside India.

I am delighted to welcome 250 new jobs at Infosys. This is a vote of confidence in Ireland, our great workforce and our reputation as a hub for technology and innovation, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said on Monday. The expansion will see the Bengaluru-headquartered firm create up to 95 roles at its first dedicated product-centric R&D centre outside India, and open a second Irish facility to house up to 155 people who will provide information technology services to Infosys clients.

Private telecom companies are increasing their customers but not improving services which are “very bad”, government said in Rajya Sabha today and asserted that it will take “stern” steps to address the menace of mobile call dropping.

Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the private telecom companies have been asked to improve the infrastructure and the government is monitoring it.

Indian bowlers led by Ravichandran Ashwin showed outstanding perseverance to end South Africa’s dogged resistance and register a comprehensive 337 run victory in the final cricket Test, winning the four-match series by a historic 3-0 margin.

Needing a mammoth 481 to win, South Africa depended on their ultra-defensive strategy before being bowled out for 143 in 143.1 overs, the last five wickets falling for a mere seven runs in a dramatic collapse.

In a blow to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul, the Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed their pleas challenging a summons issued to them in the National Herald case and in which they are schedule to appear before a trial court tomorrow.

"Petitions are dismissed," Justice Sunil Gaur said in his judgement while also declining another of their plea for exemption from personal appearance in the lower court.

Tata group is banking on winning the Rs 60,000-crore project to design and build a Fighting Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) under Make in India in Defence to bring more than a dozen group companies together. Tata Motors is one of the ten contenders — L&T, Tata Power (SED), Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bharat Forge, Pipavav Defence, Rolta India, Punj Lloyd, Titagarh Wagons, and the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) — for the FICV programme, who have been issued an expression of interest (EOI) by the defence ministry.

These firms have been asked to submit proposals by January 15, 2016 to build the FICV, a tracked, armoured battle-taxi, which will be operated by three crewmembers and carry eight combat soldiers into battle. As per the EoI, the FICV must be air-portable by IL-76 and C-17 aircraft, and fire anti-tank guided missiles up to 4,000 metres.

Earthquake in Delhi: A strong quake measuring 7.2 magnitude struck in Tajikistan on Monday, shaking buildings as far away as New Delhi and in Pakistan, the US Geological Survey and witnesses said.

The epicentre of the quake was 111 km (65 miles) southwest of Karakul, the USGS said.

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