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Sun, 17 June 2012
RSS chief favours Kalam
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21:56 RSS chief favours Kalam
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat today came out in support of the candidature of A P J Abdul Kalam in the Presidential poll, saying he is apolitical and that it will be good if he is elected.
"It will be good if he(Kalam) is elected as President. The comman man thinks that he is a nice man. While rest of the people have a political background, he does not. We can only give our opinion. But only lawmakers can elect the president,' Bhagwat told reporters.
Bhagwat's remarks came on a day the NDA deferred its decision on whether or not to contest the Presidential election as it was divided over opposing UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee.
21:23 Tihar undertrial alleges sexual abuse by inmates
An undertrial prisoner has alleged that two inmates sexually abused him inside Tihar jail and a case has been registered in this regard following a court direction, police said today.
The 32-year-old victim, who is lodged in Tihar jail number 5, claimed that he had an argument with a jail official in May. He alleged that an inmate and the official demanded money from him and when he refused, he was threatened. The victim was taken to a barrack, undressed and beaten up. He was also sexually abused by the male inmates, he alleged.
The incident came to light when he was produced in a court where he levelled these allegations. On the directions of the court, police conducted medical examination.
20:43 BJD sticks to Sangma as Prez candidate
With NCP leader P A Sangma refusing to pull out of the Presidential race, the ruling BJD in Odisha, which was the first to moot his name for the top post, today stuck to its support for the former Lok Sabha Speaker.
"Having proposed Sangma's name as the Presidential candidate, the BJD is whole-heartedly supporting the prominent tribal leader," senior MP and BJD Parliamentary Party leader Arjun Charan Sethi said.
Recalling that BJD supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was the first to moot the name of Sangma for the top post, Sethi said "there has been no change in our party's stand on the issue."
He said senior BJD leaders, who held a series of meetings and discussed the issue threadbare at the Chief Minister's residence since Friday night, were strongly in favour of supporting Sangma.
Meanwhile, undaunted by threat of disciplinary action by NCP leadership, Sangma also stuck to his decision to remain in the race for presidency.
20:41 25 killed in northern Nigeria church bombings
Suicide bombers targeted four churches in a series of attacks in northern Nigeria today, killing at least 25 people, many of them children, and prompting reprisal attacks. As many as 80 people were also reported wounded in the restive Nigeria region that has become a centre of ethnic strife in the country.
In Kaduna city, where 10 people were killed inside a Catholic church and 29 wounded, the attacks also led to reprisals by Christian youth against local Muslims. Following reports of violence, the government imposed a 24-hour curfew to prevent the situation from going out of hand. In all, two churches were attacked in Kaduna city while another two were bombed in a nearby Zaria city. Red Cross officials in the city said in a church located in Zaria town, most of those killed or wounded were children. At least 25 people have been killed in the violence, initial estimates by officials said.
20:26 Fire in Navi Mumbai hospital
A fire broke out at Gurukul hospital in Koparkhairne, Navi Mumbai on Sunday evening. Two fire tenders have arrived at the hospital to put out the blaze.
Venkata Satish sent us this photo
19:51 Left parties to decide on Prez polls on Jun 21
Left parties will meet on June 21 in Delhi to arrive at a decision on the July 19 Presidential election, General Secretary of Revolutionary Socialist Party T J Chandrachoodan said today.
Asked whether his party would propose a name at the meeting, he told reporters at the end of the party's two-day central committee meet here: "We have not decided anything, but we don't want to support a candidate fielded by Congress or BJP."
19:18 French diplomat does not have diplomatic immunity
The French diplomat, who has been accused of raping his three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, does not have diplomatic immunity and can be tried in India, official sources said here today. Pascal Mazurier, Deputy Head of Chancery in the Consulate of France, Bangalore, "holds a service passport and not a diplomatic passport," they said.
He does not enjoy diplomatic immunity and can be prosecuted in India, the sources said. The diplomat's wife, Suja Jones Mazurier, who is an Indian citizen, had in a letter to Home Minister P Chidambaram and External Affairs Minister S M Krishna appealed to the government to ensure that the official faces trial in India. A case has been registered against the diplomat and he was quizzed by the police which had said they were trying to ascertain his legal status.
18:13 Pak violates ceasefire again, fires on Indian positions
In the fourth incident of ceasefire violation within a week, Pakistani troops pounded Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) with mortar shells in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, injuring an army jawan.
Pakistani troops armed with heavy machine guns, mortars and UBGL grenades fired at several Indian posts along the LoC in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district at around 2200 hours last night, a senior Army officer told PTI. The firing continued till the wee hours today, he said, adding that the Indian troops guarding the border retaliated, resulting in an exchange of fire.
One army jawan sustained minor injuries in the incident, the officer said. This is the fourth incident of ceasefire violation in the last one week.
18:08 Greeks vote in cliffhanger euro election
Greeks fed up with austerity voted today in elections that could decide their future in the eurozone amid unprecedented external pressure not to vote for a radical leftist party. Some 9.8 million Greeks began voting in a showdown between the conservative New Democracy party and the anti-austerity Syriza party that has spooked European leaders and the markets.
The man at the centre of the storm, Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras, said his side would win and Greece would keep its place as an "equal" member in a "changing" Europe. "We have conquered fear," Tsipras told a room packed with reporters from around the globe, an apparent reference to criticism that his threat to scrap a multi-billion EU-IMF loan agreement endangers Greece's eurozone membership.
"Today we open a path to hope, to a better future," the 37-year-old former student leader said after casting his vote in the working-class Athens district of Kypseli. "We will win," Tsipras said. Greek newspapers said the vote was the most critical since the end of military rule in 1974, as conservative chief Antonis Samaras argued that a "new era" would begin for the recession-hit eurozone state on Monday.
17:27 I am still in the Prez race: Sangma
NCP leader P A Sangma today said that he is still in the race for the President's post and has sought support of Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee for his candidature. He said that he had spoken to many NDA leaders, ahead of their meeting today and appealed them to support his candidature.
"I am still in the race. I have made an appeal to all political parties to support my candidature. Since NDA meeting was scheduled for today, I spoke to many of the NDA leaders yesterday till late in the evening, appealing them that they should extend their support to my candidature," he told reporters here. Replying to a query whether he has spoken to the TMC chief seeking support for himself, Sangma said, "I had spoken to Mamata Banerjee day before yesterday, late in the evening.
I have appealed to her also to support my candidature." He said that Banerjee was insistent on the name of former President A P J Abdul Kalam.
17:25 Not waiting for striking pilots to return: Govt
Virtually sounding a warning to the striking Air India pilots, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh today said the government is not waiting for the pilots to return to work but making plans to move ahead. Reminding the pilots and other employees that their survival was linked to Air India, he said that nobody is going to give anymore public money to the airline and "they will not survive for too long" if the company does not become competitive.
"We are not waiting. We are making plans. If you take the pilots trained in V-737 or Airbus 320, (in) three to six months they can be trained to fly these planes. "So, in our plan for revival, when we implement Dharmadhikari report, we have to be very patient and firm at the same time. "There will be many such hiccups on the way," he told reporters here on the sidelines of a book release function. Contending that there are "no issues" to go on strike and the pilots were "ill", he said plans were afoot to induct and train more pilots.
16:58 Lanka thanks Cuba for UNHRC vote support
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has thanked Cuba for its support at the UNHRC vote held late March over its alleged human rights violations during the last phase of the civil war against Tamil rebels.
Rajapaksa is currently on a 3-day official visit to Cuba and held bilateral talks with his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro. Presidential spokesman Wijayananda Herath said in Havana that Rajapaksa personally thanked Castro for voting against the US sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council.
16:05 Taliban praises India for resisting US pressure on Afghanistan
In an unusual comment, Afghan Talibanhas praised India as a "significant country" in the region andsaid New Delhi has done well to resist US calls for greater military involvement in Afghanistan.
"No doubt that India is a significant country in theregion... They are aware of the Afghans' aspirations, creedsand love for freedom. It is totally illogical they shouldplunge their nation into a calamity just for the Americanpleasure," the Taliban said in a statement.
The group, accused of repeatedly targetting Indianinterests in Afghanistan and believed to be close to Pakistanispy agency ISI, praised India for what it called sending USDefence Secretary Leon Panetta "empty handed towards Kabul."
Taliban led by elusive one-eyed Mullah Omar said thatPanetta in his recent visit to India encouraged New Delhi totake a more active role in Afghanistan as most foreign combattroops leave the country in 2014, but he failed to "gain anysuccess or progress in his efforts."
15:52 Taliban praises India for resisting US pressure on Afghanistan
In an unusual comment, Afghan Talibanhas praised India as a "significant country" in the region andsaid New Delhi has done well to resist US calls for greater military involvement in Afghanistan.
"No doubt that India is a significant country in theregion... They are aware of the Afghans' aspirations, creedsand love for freedom. It is totally illogical they shouldplunge their nation into a calamity just for the Americanpleasure," the Taliban said in a statement.
The group, accused of repeatedly targetting Indianinterests in Afghanistan and believed to be close to Pakistanispy agency ISI, praised India for what it called sending USDefence Secretary Leon Panetta "empty handed towards Kabul."
Taliban led by elusive one-eyed Mullah Omar said thatPanetta in his recent visit to India encouraged New Delhi totake a more active role in Afghanistan as most foreign combattroops leave the country in 2014, but he failed to "gain anysuccess or progress in his efforts."
15:49 'China catching up with US in space tech'
With China poised to establish its own space lab after successful launch of its manned mission to experiment manual space docking, a leading Chinese scientist has said the technological gap between China and advanced countries like US is narrowing.
"The technological disparity is narrowing fast," Lu Xinguang, designer of the control system of the upgraded Long March-2F rocket, that safely propelled Shenzhou-9, carrying China's first woman astronaut astronauts into space, said. "The speed of development grows increasingly fast, which means some gaps might have needed 50 years to close in the past, but only 10 years in the future," he told state-run Xinhua news agency.
An example of this pace can be seen in comparing the technical leaps forward that China needed to make in launching the unmanned Shenzhou-8 spacecraft and orbiting space lab module Tiangong-1, and now Shenzhou-9.
15:22 LK Advani to speak to various leaders on prez candidate
The National Democratic Alliance's meeting on Sunday morning to decide on its future course of action in the presidential election, remained inconclusive.
Senior leader LK Advani, at whose residence the meeting was held, will be speaking to various state-level leaders to arrive at a consensus, it is learnt.
Janata Dal-United chief Sharad Yadav said the NDA has decided to defer a decision on either supporting the candidature of UPA candidate Pranab Mukherjee or fielding a candidate against him.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has reiterated that her party will nominate APJ Abdul Kalam and no one else for the presidential election.
15:20 Hurriyat leader Geelani, two aides detained
Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and two of his aides were detained today as they were leaving for Eidgah in the old city to pay tribute to over 100 youths killed during the 2010 agitation in Kashmir.
Geelani, Ayaz Akbar and Altaf Ahmad Shah were detained as they were leaving for Eidgah martyrs' graveyard to pay tribute to the youths killed during the 2010 summer agitation, a spokesman of the Hurriyat said. Police said that the trio was taken to Humhama police station and lodged there.
15:11 Saina Nehwal wins Indonesia Open
Saina Nehwal wins Indonesia Open Super Series badminton tournament in Jakarta.
14:47 Saina Nehwal wins Indonesia Open
Saina Nehwal wins Indonesia Open Super Series badminton tournament in Jakarta.
14:38 Differences in NDA, decision on Prez poll deferred
Strong reservations from key ally JD-U over pitting a candidate against UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee today forced the NDA to defer its decision on the Presidential election.
At a two-hour inconclusive meeting of the NDA, the JD-U is believed to have disavoured a fight against Mukherjee because of his stature but BJP is said to have been keen on backing former Speaker P A Sangma, who has been propped up by BJD and AIADMK with an eye on the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
After the meeting at BJP leader L K Advani's residence, from which BJP's oldest ideological ally Shiv Sena kept away, NDA convener Sharad Yadav merely said more discussions were needed to arrive at a right decision. "The NDA meeting took place today. Various leaders put forth their views in detail. More discussions are required in this regard to arrive at the right decision.
12:08 Jet Airways in talks with rival airlines groups
Jet Airways, which has been in advanced talks to join the global airlines' grouping Star Alliance, is also holding discussions with the competing alliance SkyTeam.
"We are in talks both with Star Alliance and Sky Team. Let us see what materialises. That is all I can tell you at this point of time," Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal has said.
Jet Airways was earlier in an advanced stage of joining Star Alliance along with Air India, whose induction into the airlines' grouping was put off primarily due to its precarious financial health.
12:07 Govt in dilemma over who will head GoMs post-Pranab
With Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee virtually set to move to Rashtrapati Bhavan as President, the government will have to look for successors to chair the two dozen odd GoMs and EGoMs he heads
Mukherjee chairs ministerial groups on diverse issues from deciding the location of the National War Memorial to tackling issues related 2G and 3G telecom licenses.
Of the current 39 ministerial groups, he chairs 12 of the 27 Group of Ministers and all the 12 Empowered Group of Ministers.
11:22 Which way will the NDA go in presidential poll?
The National Democratic Alliance began its meeting on Sunday morning to decide on its future course of action in the presidential election, with the Shiv Sena deciding to sit it out. The meeting is being held in senior leader LK Advani's residence in New Delhi.
The NDA is expected to decide if it will back the United Progressive Alliance candidate Pranab Mukherjee for President, or to go in for a contest.
However, divisions in the NDA on the issue have come to the fore with the Shiv Sena skipping the key meeting. "Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackerey will take a decision on the issue," said party leader Sanjay Raut, when asked about speculation that the Sena was against fielding any candidate against Pranab Mukherjee, the UPA's presidential nominee.
The Shiv Sena is the oldest ideological ally of the BJP. It had not backed former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in the presidential poll the last time despite the BJP and several others in the alliance supporting him. At that time, it had backed Pratibha Patil -- a Maharashtrian.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has reiterated that her party will nominate APJ Abdul Kalam and no one else for the presidential election.
10:45 CVC's helpline hit by lack of manpower
Tired of calling the Central Vigilance Commission's anti-corruption helpline and getting no response?
Believe it or not, the country's premier anti-corruption watchdog is grappling with increasing complaints of "no-response" from the anti-corruption call centre set up to register corruption complaints in central government departments.
Official sources said the probity watchdog does not have dedicated manpower to man the helpline, causing trouble to aggrieved callers.
10:32 Ministry sought for dealing with NGOs
A conglomeration of NGOs has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to set up a ministry on the lines of the corporate affairs ministry which can act as a sounding board for the voluntary sector and coordinate with the government.
The demand of the Voluntary Action Network India, an apex body of voluntary organisations, has come against the backdrop of lack of a lawful mechanism in place.
In a letter to the prime minister recently, VANI said voluntary organisations do not have any nodal ministry or even a department which can be a sounding board for the sector as well as to coordinate its affairs.
10:30 Centre to pay for states' hiring choppers for anti-Maoist ops
The Centre has decided to allow Maoist-hit states to hire helicopters on their own from private firms to use them for anti-Naxal operations till it acquires eight Mi-17V-5 choppers.
Home ministry officials said the Central government would reimburse all the expenses to be incurred by the state governments in hiring the helicopters, which will primarily be used for casualty evacuation, emergency reinforcement of forces and transportation of medicine and other supplies.
00:59 Saudi Arabia's crown prince Nayef dies
Saudi Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, a half brother of King Abdullah, died, the royal court said, leaving the oil powerhouse with no apparent successor to the throne.
Prince Nayef, a long-serving interior minister, "died outside" Saudi Arabia having recently left the Gulf state for medical treatment, said a statement carried by state media, including Al-Ekhbariyah Television and SPA news agency. His funeral would be held today after sunset prayers in the Muslim holy city of Mecca in western Saudi Arabia, after his body is repatriated, it added.
Prince Nayef, a long-serving interior minister, "died outside" Saudi Arabia having recently left the Gulf state for medical treatment, said a statement carried by state media, including Al-Ekhbariyah Television and SPA news agency. His funeral would be held today after sunset prayers in the Muslim holy city of Mecca in western Saudi Arabia, after his body is repatriated, it added.
00:56 Prez poll: NDA may ask for VP of its choice
A decision on whether to support Pranab Mukherjee or not in the presidential polls is expected after a key meeting of NDA allies.
However sources say that the NDA may ask for its own person as vice-president in exchange for supporting UPA's candidate. The name of Punjab Chief Minister and veteran Akali leader Parkash Singh Badal and BJP's Jaswant Singh is said to have cropped up in this context.Akali Dal leader Naresh Gujral has however rubbished the talks of any quid pro quo.
"The UPA has never made an offer on the Vice-President's post. Why would NDA come into this? It's not our call," he told NDTV adding that "Parkash Singh Badal is very happy in Punjab. People of Punjab are also very happy with Badal Ji."
However sources say that the NDA may ask for its own person as vice-president in exchange for supporting UPA's candidate. The name of Punjab Chief Minister and veteran Akali leader Parkash Singh Badal and BJP's Jaswant Singh is said to have cropped up in this context.Akali Dal leader Naresh Gujral has however rubbished the talks of any quid pro quo.
"The UPA has never made an offer on the Vice-President's post. Why would NDA come into this? It's not our call," he told NDTV adding that "Parkash Singh Badal is very happy in Punjab. People of Punjab are also very happy with Badal Ji."
00:31 Mumbai: 2 local trains collide, 15 reportedly hurt
Two suburban trains collide at Andheri railway station in Mumbai. Initial reports say that at least 15 passengers were injured.
A signal failure is reported to be the cause of the accident, which occurred at 11.23 pm. Two bogies were derailed.
More details awaited.
A signal failure is reported to be the cause of the accident, which occurred at 11.23 pm. Two bogies were derailed.
More details awaited.
00:31
Top headlines in the last 24 hours:
Prez poll: NDA divided over Pranab, decision on Sunday
Prez polls: Ram Jethmalani to enter race against Pranab
Thanks to Mamata, Pranab set to become President
Pawar confident of Sangma withdrawing his Prez candidature
Mamata debuts on Facebook, pitches for Kalam as President
32 killed as bus falls from bridge in Osmanabad
Yesterday's live commentary link
Top headlines in the last 24 hours:
Prez poll: NDA divided over Pranab, decision on Sunday
Prez polls: Ram Jethmalani to enter race against Pranab
Thanks to Mamata, Pranab set to become President
Pawar confident of Sangma withdrawing his Prez candidature
Mamata debuts on Facebook, pitches for Kalam as President
32 killed as bus falls from bridge in Osmanabad
Yesterday's live commentary link
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