NEW DELHI, Jan 17: Refined soya oil prices softened by 0.45 per cent to Rs 675 per 10 kg in futures trading today as speculators reduced holdings due to weak demand in the spot market.
At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, refined soya oil for delivery in February declined by Rs 3.05, or 0.45 per cent, to Rs 675 per 10 kg with an open interest of 1,08,260 lots.
Likewise, the oil for delivery in January traded lower by 75 paise, or 0.11 per cent, to Rs 688.10 per 10 kg in 10,990 lots.
Analysts said trimming of positions by speculators amid weak demand in the spot market mainly weighed on refined soya oil prices at futures trade. (AGENCIES)

JERUSALEM, Jan 17: An Israeli draft law that would criminalise the use of the word Nazi in most cases has sparked a debate on freedom of speech in a state that was founded out of the ashes of the Holocaust.
Seven decades later, memories of the extermination of millions of Jews during World War II permeate virtually every aspect of life in Israel.
Public figures and interest groups frequently invoke the World War II genocide to score political points, and the word and Nazi symbols have slipped into Israeli discourse over the years.
The bill would impose a fine of 100,000 shekels (nearly USD 29,000) and six months in jail for anybody using the word or symbols from Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich in a “wrong or inappropriate way.” Educational settings or artistic performances would be exempt.
The Knesset gave preliminary approval to the measure on Wednesday, but it still must pass three more readings and committee discussions before becoming law. A similar effort in 2012 fell in committee amid opposition.
Its sponsor, Shimon Ohayon from the hard-line Yisrael Beitenu party, said the law would put Israel on par with other nations “battling anti-Semitism.”
He acknowledged enforcement would largely rely on violations being reported to police.
“We want to prevent disrespect of the Holocaust,” said Ohayon, the bill’s sponsor. “We allow too many freedoms which are taking over in a way that is harming us.”
Opponents say the measure endangers freedom of speech in a country that takes pride in being a democracy in a volatile region dominated by monarchies and authoritarian leaders.
“Week after week you want to shut mouths and harm freedom of expression,” said Zehava Galon, leader of the opposition Meretz party.
Six million Jews were murdered in the systematic Nazi effort to kill all the Jews of Europe. Created in 1948 in the shadow of the war, Israel provided a haven for hundreds of thousands of refugees freshly liberated from Nazi death camps.
Today, it is home to about 200,000 aging survivors.
Preserving the memory of the Holocaust has become a central tenet of Israeli identity. Students learn about the event from a young age and thousands of high school pupils make an annual pilgrimage to Auschwitz and other Nazi death camps in Europe to forge a personal link to the murder of millions of Jews.
The country comes to a standstill on Israel’s annual Holocaust remembrance day, when Israelis reflect for a moment as a siren sounds nationwide.
Visiting foreign leaders are routinely brought to Israel’s Holocaust memorial to directly confront the dimensions of the nightmare, and the nation’s military leaders hang posters of a famous flyover by the Israeli air force over Auschwitz in 2003. (AGENCIES)

BANGKOK, Jan 17: At least 22 people were injured today when a grenade was lobbed at an anti-Government rally in Bangkok, the latest attack by unknown assailants on opposition supporters seeking to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
The blast occurred at the rally led by opposition leader and Peoples Democratic Reforms Committee movement chief Suthep Thaugsuban, who was unhurt. The explosion damaged a truck.
An official said 22 people were injured when the grenade was lobbed at the rally from a three-storey building.
The anti-Government protesters have been blocking major roads in Thai capital since Monday as part of their campaign to shutdown Bangkok and topple the 46-year-old prime minister.
The opposition Democrat party, which has not won polls in two decades, has been venting its ire against the Yingluck Government for two months now holding protest marches here.
The protesters want Yingluck and her brother former premier Thaksin Shinawatra out of Thai politics. Thaksin was overthrown in a coup in 2006 and is in self-exile in Dubai.
Yingluck has called for snap polls on February 2. But the opposition has said it will boycott the polls.
Thailand’s Election Commission has warned of a possible conflict leading to civil unrest if the elections went ahead.
Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, who is one of the five election commissioners, said postponement of the elections until May could help ease the situation between two sides.
He said the extended period could be spent implementing reforms or changing laws, as demanded by the protesters.
“The Government seems to opt for a war by pushing ahead with the February 2 election,” Somchai said.
“If we remain stubborn, we will see hell before us,” the Nation paper quoted him as saying.
He warned of possible riots by people who disagree with an early election. There could also be widespread outrage if police take action against voters who break the law.
On Wednesday, Yingluck, after meeting representatives from 37 parties, said the majority of the participants had agreed polls should be held on time.
Ruling coalition spokesperson Aumnuay Khlangpha yesterday said he would sue the election commissioners if the February 2 election does not take place. (AGENCIES)