LIVE
Wed, 28 August 2013
Live! Syria crisis: UK puts forward UN proposal
Timeline Refresh
23:37 Syria crisis: UK puts forward UN proposal
The UK has put a suggested resolution to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council "authorising all necessary measures to protect civilians" in Syria.
It calls for military action against what Britain has termed Syria's "unacceptable" use of chemical weapons.
But Russia has said the UN must finish its investigation into the claims before discussing any resolution.Syria has accused the West of "inventing" excuses to launch a strike.
23:18 Five ways for a Congress MLA to become minister
Wish to be a minister? You don't need to look beyond Jharkhand's capital Ranchi for a cue.
The newly inducted Cabinet Minister from Jharkhand, Yogendra Sao has provided all the answers, claiming how hectic lobbying in Delhi has earned him a Cabinet berth in Hemant Soren-led government in Ranchi.
Sao was caught on camera on Sunday while sharing his wisdom during a community meeting in Hazaribagh.
23:17 Obama to speak at anniversary of King's march on Washington
A march and rally marking the 50th anniversary of the civil-rights March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom stepped off Wednesday morning on Capitol Hill, as marchers began a day of events recalling the historic 1963 demonstration.
Along the 1.6-mile route through downtown Washington to the National Mall, participants walking in a light rain described a nation where minorities and women enjoy far greater legal protections than in 1963, but still experience inequality in employment, education and opportunities.
22:55 Ex-Union minister Harikishore Singh is dead
Former Union minister and Janata Dal-United leader Harikishore Singh died today of heart attack in AIIMS in Delhi, family and party sources said.
Singh, 86, breathed his last at AIIMS this evening.
He is survived by wife and two sons.
22:05 Asaram is a real saint, is innocent: Pravin Togadia
VHP leader Pravin Togadia today supported controversial self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, facing allegations of raping a minor girl, saying he was a genuine saint.
"Asaram Bapu is a real saint, he is innocent, but it has become a tradition in India to defame the religious leaders," the VHP's international general secretary said while flagging off a procession to mark Lord Krishna's birthday.
The Jodhpur police in Rajasthan is currently probing the allegations of sexual assault levelled by a 16-year-old girl against Asaram. Commenting on Uttar Pradesh government's ban on VHP's 'Chaurasi-koshi yatra', Togadia said it proved that Akhilesh Yadav government was "anti-Hindu".
Talking about Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, he said VHP had no objection if he became the prime minister.
"Asaram Bapu is a real saint, he is innocent, but it has become a tradition in India to defame the religious leaders," the VHP's international general secretary said while flagging off a procession to mark Lord Krishna's birthday.
The Jodhpur police in Rajasthan is currently probing the allegations of sexual assault levelled by a 16-year-old girl against Asaram. Commenting on Uttar Pradesh government's ban on VHP's 'Chaurasi-koshi yatra', Togadia said it proved that Akhilesh Yadav government was "anti-Hindu".
Talking about Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, he said VHP had no objection if he became the prime minister.
21:00 DM who gave clean chit to IAS officer Shakti shifted
The district magistrate, who hadgiven a clean chit to suspended IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal in the controversial demolition of a mosque wall in Gautam Budh Nagar, has been transferred, amid reports that she may be reinstated by UP government.
Ravikant Singh, who was Gautam Budh Nagar DM, has beenput on the wait list, days after he supported Nagpal, the28-year-old SDM who led the crackdown on sand mining mafia in her district and was suspended on July 27 ostensibly for ordering demolition of a wall of a under-construction mosque allegedly without following due process.
Singh had in his report to the UP government supported Nagpal, whose suspension had sparked outrage, and said that the wall was demolished by villagers themselves and no JCB machine was put in operation to demolish it.
Ravikant Singh, who was Gautam Budh Nagar DM, has beenput on the wait list, days after he supported Nagpal, the28-year-old SDM who led the crackdown on sand mining mafia in her district and was suspended on July 27 ostensibly for ordering demolition of a wall of a under-construction mosque allegedly without following due process.
Singh had in his report to the UP government supported Nagpal, whose suspension had sparked outrage, and said that the wall was demolished by villagers themselves and no JCB machine was put in operation to demolish it.
20:04 Live! BSF jawan washed away in flash-flood
A BSF jawan was washed away today in a flash-flood and his body was later recovered in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district.
Jagdish Singh, a jawan of 112 battalion of BSF, was washed away after the water level in a nullah suddenly swelled up in Biela area of Mandi in Poonch district early this morning, BSF officers said. The body was later recovered and sent to his native village in Rajasthan, they said.
20:01 Live! Asaram seeks more time to appear for questioning
Controversial self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, facing allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, has sought more time from Jodhpur Police to appear before it for questioning.
The police is yet to take any decision on his request. "We have not yet received Asaram's application in this regard. The team bearing this application is yet to arrive in Jodhpur and before going through that request, we cannot say anything," DCP Ajay Pal Lamba said.
Asaram was served the summon at his Indore ashram yesterday, in which he was asked to appear before the investigating officer at Jodhpur latest by 30 August.
While receiving the summon, Asaram had told the team that he had various pre-decided religious fixtures lined up till September 19, and would not be able to appear for interrogation till then. The team had then sought a written request in this regard.
18:19 LIVE! PM, Chidambaram have run out of ideas to save economy: BJP
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P Chidambaram as the rupee touched a new all-time low and breached the Rs. 68 per dollar mark, saying lack of good governance, corruption and impropriety is responsible for the deteriorating condition of the Indian economy.
"The Indian economy is in a critical state in an ICU on a ventilator and Dr. Manmohan Singh and Chidambaram have ran out of ideas.
"The fundamental issue is that investors', manufacturers and those who run the economy do not trust this government because of large scale of scams, impropriety the whole foundation has got shakened," Prasad said.
"And obviously Dr. Manmohan Singh still has not spoken, not assured the nation because they all have ran out of ideas,' he added.
"The Indian economy is in a critical state in an ICU on a ventilator and Dr. Manmohan Singh and Chidambaram have ran out of ideas.
"The fundamental issue is that investors', manufacturers and those who run the economy do not trust this government because of large scale of scams, impropriety the whole foundation has got shakened," Prasad said.
"And obviously Dr. Manmohan Singh still has not spoken, not assured the nation because they all have ran out of ideas,' he added.
18:01 Tragic fable of Mumbai's mills
If a group of men had not assaulted a 22-year-old female photojournalist, on assignment in the derelict Shakti Mills building in the Mahalaxmi neighborhood in Mumbai on the evening of August 22, her photographs would have given us images of the city's devastated mill district. Read
17:50 Gehlot meets Shinde to discuss Asaram Bapu, assures justice
As demand is building up for spiritual leader Asaram Bapu's arrest, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Wednesday to brief him on the sexual assault case against the self-styled godman.
Gehlot assured that nobody was above the law and promised strict punishment if Asaram Bapu is found guilty.
"Let me reiterate that police should not come under any pressure while conducting its investigation and it will not happen. Strict action will be taken based on the outcome of the probe," Gehlot said.
"Saints should maintain sanctity in society so that there is no scope of raising fingers of accusations against them. They are revered and respected and are connected with religious beliefs," he added.
Gehlot assured that nobody was above the law and promised strict punishment if Asaram Bapu is found guilty.
"Let me reiterate that police should not come under any pressure while conducting its investigation and it will not happen. Strict action will be taken based on the outcome of the probe," Gehlot said.
"Saints should maintain sanctity in society so that there is no scope of raising fingers of accusations against them. They are revered and respected and are connected with religious beliefs," he added.
17:36 Rape is NOT the end of life
"Rape is not the end of life.' In a country where rape survivors are often depicted in Bollywood movies as 'living corpses', that statement was remarkable for its source.
According to Indian news reports, it was made by a 22-year-old photojournalist who was raped by several men in Mumbai last week. Read
According to Indian news reports, it was made by a 22-year-old photojournalist who was raped by several men in Mumbai last week. Read
17:30
Chetan Bhagat is careful with his words after messing up badly this morning. He tweets: "A nasty shock has killed rupee (notice using word killed). A happy surprise could lift it. Capital gains tax holiday for instance."
17:22 LIVE! Plea rejected: Asaram has to appear before cops by August 30
The Jodhpur police today rejected self-styled godman Asaram Bapu's plea seeking more time for appearing before it in connection with sexual assault charges against him even as he dismissed the allegations as being "baseless".
The 72-year-old godman has to appear before the police for questioning on or before August 30. Asaram personally received the police summons in Jodhpur for questioning in the case, but claimed he had been framed as part of a conspiracy.
"The allegations levelled against me are dirty and baseless and I have been framed as part of a conspiracy," Asaram told reporters at his ashram.
The 72-year-old godman has to appear before the police for questioning on or before August 30. Asaram personally received the police summons in Jodhpur for questioning in the case, but claimed he had been framed as part of a conspiracy.
"The allegations levelled against me are dirty and baseless and I have been framed as part of a conspiracy," Asaram told reporters at his ashram.
17:11
The rupee closes at new all-time low of 68.80, down 256 paise from yesterday.
17:10 LIVE! 1993 Mumbai blasts accused nabbed in Kerala
An absconding accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts that killed 257 people, was today arrested in Kannur, Kerala, police said.
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Manojlal Bhawarlal (48), the 24th accused in the case, was taken into custody from his house at Athazhakkunnu in Kannur district, police said.
He was awarded life imprisonment in the Mumbai blast case by the trial court and after 14 years in jail, he was released on special consideration.
A CBI team was set up to nab him after the Supreme Court clarified that convicts undergoing life term are expected to remain in custody till death. The accused had married a Kannur-based woman in 2008 and was living in Athazhakkunnu, police said, adding, they have informed the CBI at Mumbai of the matter.
He was awarded life imprisonment in the Mumbai blast case by the trial court and after 14 years in jail, he was released on special consideration.
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Manojlal Bhawarlal (48), the 24th accused in the case, was taken into custody from his house at Athazhakkunnu in Kannur district, police said.
He was awarded life imprisonment in the Mumbai blast case by the trial court and after 14 years in jail, he was released on special consideration.
A CBI team was set up to nab him after the Supreme Court clarified that convicts undergoing life term are expected to remain in custody till death. The accused had married a Kannur-based woman in 2008 and was living in Athazhakkunnu, police said, adding, they have informed the CBI at Mumbai of the matter.
He was awarded life imprisonment in the Mumbai blast case by the trial court and after 14 years in jail, he was released on special consideration.
16:43 When right becomes left
RSS ideologue KN Govindacharya and a former BJP leader is often seen addressing seminars at the Jawaharlal Nehru University euologising Maoists. His statements and presence at the JNU has surprised many Left Wing extremists and are none too happy with about it
16:36 If BJP wins the polls and Modi is PM...
BJP leaderYashwant Sinha had a personal conversation with Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar recently where both seem to have understood the way ahead for the 2014 polls.
But the bulk of responsibility lies with party stalwarts like Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and Jaswant Singh, who are expected to pave the way for the party to win the 2014 Lok sabha polls for Narendra Modi to reach to 7 Race Course Road. It is unlikely though that Modi would want them in his council of ministers if he does get to be PM.
What is being said is that they will be made governors of major states and there may be the possibility of accommodating their kin in during the run up to the Lok Sabha polls. A similar position is being carved out for LK Advani. Wait and watch.
But the bulk of responsibility lies with party stalwarts like Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and Jaswant Singh, who are expected to pave the way for the party to win the 2014 Lok sabha polls for Narendra Modi to reach to 7 Race Course Road. It is unlikely though that Modi would want them in his council of ministers if he does get to be PM.
What is being said is that they will be made governors of major states and there may be the possibility of accommodating their kin in during the run up to the Lok Sabha polls. A similar position is being carved out for LK Advani. Wait and watch.
16:07 BJP to announce Narendra Modi as PM candidate next month
The BJP is expected to make it official in the first week of September that their prime ministerial candidate is Narendra Modi. Eleven members of the BJP's parliamentary board has decided on Modi and a formal meeting of the Board is expected in the first week of September.
16:04 Sonia's day in Parliament tomorrow
The Land Bill will be taken up in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Congress MPs are eagerly awaiting the presence of party president Sonia Gandhi, though she may not speak on the Bill. MPs want to enquire about her health.
15:59 Rude electronic media leaves Deepika in tears
Rude behaviour from members of the electronic media marred the felicitation function of the gold-winning archers in Chennai on Tuesday with Deepika Kumari breaking into tears. Read
15:45 PM should step down if he cannot stop rupee's slide: BJP
With the rupee going downhill, BJP today said bankruptcy of ideas and indecisiveness of Congress-led UPA government is responsible for it and demanded that economist Prime Minister Manmohan Singh step down if he cannot stop the slide.
15:43 Hyderabad blasts: Charges framed against four IM operatives
A local court tin oday framed charges against the four accused in the August 2007 twin bomb blasts in Hyderabad, that left behind 42 people dead. The second Metropolitan Sessions Judge's (MSJ) court framed charges against Anique Shafiq Syed, Mohammed Sadiq, Akbar Ismail Choudhary and Ansar Ahmed Badhsah Sheikh -- all alleged Indian Mujahideen operatives.
15:24 Mumbai gang-rape survivor discharged
Just in: The Mumbai gang-rape survivor has been discharged from Jaslok hospital, six days after the incident that shook the nation.
Earlier in the day, the Mumbai crime branch took the five accused were taken to the Shakti Mills compound to retrace the crime scene.
Earlier in the day, the Mumbai crime branch took the five accused were taken to the Shakti Mills compound to retrace the crime scene.
15:20 King, like all frauds your end is approaching: FBI's warning to Martin Luther
The FBI wrote to Martin Luther King in 1964 and essentially told him to kill himself. Read
15:18 Obama to share his dream with Dr King
Fifty years after Martin Luther King shared his dream of an America no longer divided by race, President Barack Obama will deliver his own assessment of the nation's progress towards that goal. Read
15:07 The biggest change is that nobody is calling her a zinda laash: Flavia Agnes
Flavia Agnes, women's rights lawyer and founder of Majlis, talks about the Mumbai rape case, what it reflects about the city, and the dangerous effect of moral policing. Read
15:02 Arunachal school hostel warden held for raping 14 girls
A shocking case of rape of 14 minor girls allegedly by the hostel warden of a private school in Likabai in West Siang district has come to light after a few students reported the matter to police. Read
14:59
Chetan Bhagat's response to the slap on the wrist over his rape analogy with the falling rupee. "Really. I am trending now? Surely reforming me must be the most pressing issue. Economies crash everyday."
14:57 There's a lack of leadership in the country, says Ratan Tata
"There is a lack of leadership in the country to lead from the front," said industrialist and former chairman of Tata Sons Ratan Tata in a special interview to CNN-IBN's Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai on the channel's Leadertalk programme. Read
14:49 India's real economic battle is between Chidambaram and Pranab
There seems to exist a top secret note, written by President Pranab Mukherjee to the government, which asks for details on the state of the economy and the falling rupee. The government received the note today.
The Prime Minister's Office does not want to be seen taking sides in the controversial remarks of the Finance Minister hinting at and hitting out against his immediate predecessor -- Pranab Mukherjee.
Negative media reports on fiscal conditions and pressure from the President to right the situation bring discomfort not only to Dr Manmohan Singh, but also to P Chidambaram.
Senior policy makers are likely to meet the President and explain the real picture.
The Prime Minister's Office does not want to be seen taking sides in the controversial remarks of the Finance Minister hinting at and hitting out against his immediate predecessor -- Pranab Mukherjee.
Negative media reports on fiscal conditions and pressure from the President to right the situation bring discomfort not only to Dr Manmohan Singh, but also to P Chidambaram.
Senior policy makers are likely to meet the President and explain the real picture.
14:35
Chetan Bhagat, rape jokes are just not funny. Read
14:27 Pak SC withdraws contempt notice against Imran Khan
In a major relief for cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, Pakistan's Supreme Court today withdrew the contempt of court notice against him.
Khan, 60, had run into trouble with the assertive judiciary because of a press statement issued by him after the May 11 eeneral elections. The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief had later said the statement was made in good faith wherein the reference to the judiciary was for the returning officers (ROs) and district returning officers (DROs) belonging to the subordinate judiciary assigned to the election process.
Khan, 60, had run into trouble with the assertive judiciary because of a press statement issued by him after the May 11 eeneral elections. The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief had later said the statement was made in good faith wherein the reference to the judiciary was for the returning officers (ROs) and district returning officers (DROs) belonging to the subordinate judiciary assigned to the election process.
14:10 LIVE! Omnishambles, phablet... and other new words added to Oxford Dictionary
New entries in the Oxford dictionary include selfie, phablet and a host of other terms from the digital world - read on for Fomo (fear of missing out). Read
13:51 Now, delete your web traces with JustDelete.me!
A new site has been reportedly developed which allows users to delete their web trace from social media to retailer databases with much ease.
The site called JustDelete.me has been created by UK-based web developer Robb Lewis and designed by Ed Poole and provides users with a directory of URLs highlighting links to pages that they want to remove themselves from.
The site went live on August 19, with 16 services in its directory including sites like Facebook, Foursquare, Dropbox and Feedly which are ranked as per their level of difficulty in deleting accounts, Fox News reports.
Lewis said that he came up with the idea for the site after hearing how difficult it is to delete a Skype or Netflix account.
The site called JustDelete.me has been created by UK-based web developer Robb Lewis and designed by Ed Poole and provides users with a directory of URLs highlighting links to pages that they want to remove themselves from.
The site went live on August 19, with 16 services in its directory including sites like Facebook, Foursquare, Dropbox and Feedly which are ranked as per their level of difficulty in deleting accounts, Fox News reports.
Lewis said that he came up with the idea for the site after hearing how difficult it is to delete a Skype or Netflix account.
13:44 Will win gold in 2016 Olympics: Mary Kom
Olympic bronze medal winner in boxing, MC Mary Kom has expressed confidence that she would win a gold medal in the next Olympics in Rio and said she will start regular training after six months.
"I am confident that I will clinch a gold medal in the 2016 Olympics," the boxer said in Bhopal last evening after she arrived to take part in a function to be held today.
"I am confident that I will clinch a gold medal in the 2016 Olympics," the boxer said in Bhopal last evening after she arrived to take part in a function to be held today.
13:34 Why rape jokes are never funny
Just in case you were thinking about it...
Rape jokes are not innocuous. They perpetuate rape culture and promote rape myths which consequently invalidate the experiences of survivors and justify the actions of perpetrators of sexual violence. Read
Rape jokes are not innocuous. They perpetuate rape culture and promote rape myths which consequently invalidate the experiences of survivors and justify the actions of perpetrators of sexual violence. Read
13:29 Early elections only solution to suffering economy: Yashwant Sinha
BJP leader Yashwant Sinha on Wednesday suggested that the country should go into early Lok Sabha elections to bail the economy out of its present slump, and said that the economic future under the Congress-led UPA Government looks bleak.
"The only thing which will stabilize the market and the rupee is for the government to resign and to go for fresh elections -- that is the only thing which is going to stabilize the market.
"I shudder to think what is going to happen over the next eight-nine months, if this government continues in power. Without any prejudice, I am saying let's go for elections otherwise we will suffer even more," Sinha said.
"The only thing which will stabilize the market and the rupee is for the government to resign and to go for fresh elections -- that is the only thing which is going to stabilize the market.
"I shudder to think what is going to happen over the next eight-nine months, if this government continues in power. Without any prejudice, I am saying let's go for elections otherwise we will suffer even more," Sinha said.
12:57 DELHI, a day at a time: Capital thoughts
Thoughts and observations from one of the biggest cities on Earth -- Delhi. Read
12:45 LIVE! Mumbai gang rape: Accused to be taken to Shakti Mills to recreate crime scene
One of the accused who claimed to be a juvenile will now undergo a Bone Ossification Test to determine his actual age. However, Mumbai police commissioner Satyapal Singh has said that none of the accused was a minor.
12:41 Moon water discovery hints at mystery source deep underground
In other news: Evidence of water spotted on the moon's surface by a sharp-eyed spacecraft likely originated from an unknown source deep in the lunar interior, scientists say. Read
12:39 Mumbai gang rape: Accused to be taken to spot to recreate crime scene
Update on the Mumbai gang rape: The Crime Branch will take all the five accused to the crime spot at Shakti Mills, Mahalaxmi, to recreate the crime scene. This, they believe will help create a watertight case.
12:30 Apologies and excuses: The nexus between politics and big business
A bright, enterprising Indian, who recently turned down an offer to run one of India's leading industry organizations, summed up the rejection so succinctly as to make sense of the gathering gloom about the country's economy.
This individual, whose access to American leaders short of the president and the vice president has been witnessed firsthand by this columnist, said that the decision to turn down the offer was because industry organisations had lost their relevance in the current lay of governance. Read
This individual, whose access to American leaders short of the president and the vice president has been witnessed firsthand by this columnist, said that the decision to turn down the offer was because industry organisations had lost their relevance in the current lay of governance. Read
12:19 LIVE! Gold prices zoom to all-time high of Rs 34,000
Gold prices after hitting a record high of Rs 32,585 per 10 grams on Tuesday, zoomed to fresh high of Rs 34,000 today at the domestic bullion as stockists and investors bought up the precious metal amidst supply constraints as no imports have taken place since July when the government hiked duty amid positive global cues. Read
12:12 At least 7 dead in Vadodara twin building collapse; Modi orders probe
Update on the Vadodara building collapse: At least seven persons were killed and 40 feared trapped under the debris as two multi-storey buildings collapsed in Madhavnagar locality in Vadodara in the early hours today.
The twin multi-storey buildings collapsed behind Atladara area around 4:30 am, catching the sleeping occupants unaware. About 13 to 14 families were staying in the building constructed by the Vadodara Urban Development Authority (VUDA) The injured have been rushed to government and private hospitals for treatment.
The twin multi-storey buildings collapsed behind Atladara area around 4:30 am, catching the sleeping occupants unaware. About 13 to 14 families were staying in the building constructed by the Vadodara Urban Development Authority (VUDA) The injured have been rushed to government and private hospitals for treatment.
12:09 Largesse oblige
Even with an economist as the prime minister, economic considerations take a backseat to politics. There was a time when Manmohan Singh was fond of saying that good economics make for good politics. He obviously does not hold that belief any more. Read
12:03 Rising Ganga threatens Patna
Threat of flood loomed large over the Bihar capital as the water level in river Ganga rose well above the danger mark and is set to go up on Wednesday,and other major rivers including Sone also in spate that threatened Bhojpur and Arwal districts, officials on Wednesday said.
Despite rising river Ganga in Patna that has created fear of flood among thousands of people along its banks here, the state Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said that there is no need for panic.
Despite rising river Ganga in Patna that has created fear of flood among thousands of people along its banks here, the state Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said that there is no need for panic.
11:52 Waheeda Rehman goes back to school
Dressed in a chiffon saree and sporting a string of pearls around her neck, noted Hindi actress Waheeda Rehman was a picture of timeless beauty as she walked the corridors of Hawa Mahal in the city on Tuesday.
She went down on a nostalgia trip during a private visit to the city. Waheeda had spent a few years of her childhood in the city in the 1940s when her father was posted here and was back after a long gap. Read
She went down on a nostalgia trip during a private visit to the city. Waheeda had spent a few years of her childhood in the city in the 1940s when her father was posted here and was back after a long gap. Read
11:47 New movie aims at channelling rage about rape
The film, 'Kill the Rapist?', directed by Sanjay Chhel, doesn't advocate the death penalty for convicted rapists. Read
11:43 Nod for Thackeray memorial at Shivaji Park, unveiling likely in November
After months of uncertainty over the location of late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's memorial, the civic body has cleared the decks for one at Shivaji Park in Dadar, which has been the traditional venue for the party's Dusshera rallies, and where his funeral was held.
The BMC has given its nod for a landscaped memorial at the same spot where the makeshift one stands. Read
The BMC has given its nod for a landscaped memorial at the same spot where the makeshift one stands. Read
11:33 Mumbai gang-rape case: Accused assaulted 4 other women in past 6 months
The accused in the Mumbai gang-rape case have admitted to attacking at least four women in Shakti Mills complex in the last six months, including raping a ragpicker and a sex worker besides molesting a girl when a couple entered the desolate area for privacy, police said. Read
11:29 8 months after the Delhi gang rape, changes in law are inadequate
The fact that there is still no verdict in the Delhi rape trial is a sobering reminder that the Criminal Law Amendment Act 2013 is insufficient reform. Read
11:25 Faithful to the cause
Public outrage over the brutal slaying of renowned rationalist Narendra Dabholkar finally forced the Maharashtra government's hand in clearing an ordinance against superstition and black magic. Read
11:24 A speculative attack on the rupee
The rupee that touched another record low at below 66-to-the-dollar, is on a downward slide the end of which none can see. Read
11:11 Indian Amercian gas station attendant shot dead in New Jersey
In other news: An Indian Amercian gets killed in New Jersey. Surinder Singh was the kind of man who was always willing to help someone.
He worked as a gas station attendant at Garden State Fuel for more than a decade, and in that time his customers became his friends. Those friends recalled his life on Monday, hours after Singh, 40, was shot and killed during an attempted robbery. Read
He worked as a gas station attendant at Garden State Fuel for more than a decade, and in that time his customers became his friends. Those friends recalled his life on Monday, hours after Singh, 40, was shot and killed during an attempted robbery. Read
11:03 Her poverty, not son's fate, on the mind of Dec 16 juvenile's mother
Almost nine months after the Delhi gang rape, when news reached the mother of the juvenile that the Juvenile Justice Board would decide the fate of her son on August
31, she was worried. Not about her son, but about how the family would survive poverty. Read
10:50
Rupee hits historic low of 68.52 against the dollar, plunges 176 paise in morning trade.
10:26 6 killled in building collapse in Baroda
At least six people were killed after a three-storey building collapsed in Madhavnagar locality in Baroda in the wee hours of Wednesday.
The incident occurred behind Atlandara area around 4.30 am when the three-storey building came crashing down, catching the sleeping occupants unawares, said H J Tapariya, chief fire brigade officer of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation.
Manish Bhardwaj, Vadodara municipal commissioner, Satish Sharma, city police commissioner, Mayor Bharat Shah and other senior officials have rushed to the site.
10:11 Chemical weapon warfare waged only a few times
The Syrian government has attracted global condemnation after reportedly using chemical weapons on rebel fighters to quell the civil war that has engulfed the country.
This deadly form of warfare has only been used a few times in history.
10:06 UP: Four children succumb to encephalitis, toll 202
Four more children succumbed to encephalitis at the BRD Medical College Hospital in Gorapkhpur, taking the death toll in the disease in eastern Uttar Pradesh to 202 this year.
The deceased belonged to Gorakhpur, Mahrajganj, Kushinagar and Bihar, health officials said today.
As many as 14 persons suffering from encephalitis have been admitted to the hospital since Tuesday, they said, adding that a total of 137 patients are undergoing treatment at the hospital.
09:58 US, India among nations demanding info from Facebook
As many as 74 nations have asked Facebook to divulge information about a whopping 38,000 users in 2013 itself.
To no one's surprise, the maximum number of requests for information about Facebook users comes from the United States -- 12,000.
Interestingly, India occupies the second spot, with over 3,000 requests for information about over 4,000 users.
09:51 India, China to participate in joint military drill
The mighty armies of India and China will participate in a joint military exercise, in Chengdu Military Command area in China in November, amid heightened tension between the two nations along the Line of Actual Control in Arunchal Pradesh and Ladakh.
09:46 UP government may revoke Durga Nagpal's suspension
The suspension of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal, which had triggered nation-wide outrage, may soon be revoked.
According to media reports, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to revoke Nagpal's suspension.
Nagpal was suspended by the UP government on July 27 allegedly for taking on the sand mining mafia operating in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, where she was posted as a sub-divisional magistrate.
The state government had claimed that Nagpal had been suspended as she had ordered the demolition of a wall of a local mosque.
08:59 Assad responsible for Syria chemical weapons attack: US
The Obama administration has held the Assad regime solely responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria and asserted that it would pay the price for this gross violation of international norm.
"There is no doubt that an essential international norm has been violated. Chemical weapons have been used. Everyone acknowledges their use. No one doubts that innocent men, women and children havebeen the victims of chemical weapons attacks in Syria," US Vice President Joe Biden said in his address to the American Legion 95th National Convention in Houston.
08:57 Person of Indian origin awarded White House Fellowship
Kapil Parakh, a person of Indian origin and a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins, has been selected for the prestigious White House Fellowship for the year 2013-14 along with 11 others.
Parakh is a co-founder of 'Health for America', a non-profit organisation that mobilises youth to improve the health of communities through innovation while shaping the next generation of leaders
08:56 NYT website attacked, unavailable to readers
The website of the popular American daily, The New York Times, has experienced an external attack, due to which hundreds and thousands of netizens were unable to browse it for hours.
"Our website was unavailable to users in the United States for a period of time. The outage was the result of an external attack on our domain name registrar, and we are at work on fully restoring service," the New York Times said in a message posted on its website.
03:42 Iran names envoy to UN nuclear watchdog
Iran appointed career diplomat Reza Najafi as its new ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Najafi, a disarmament expert, previously headed the political and international affairs bureau at the foreign ministry after chairing the disarmament and international department there.
03:42 Lawmakers to Obama: Syria strikes need our OK
President Barack Obama's possible military intervention in Syria is already running into fierce opposition among some members of Congress, with a growing chorus of Republican and Democratic lawmakers demanding he seek congressional authorisation for any strikes against the Assad regime.
In the House, Republican Rep. Scott Rigell is asking colleagues to sign a letter to Obama that urges him to reconvene Congress and seek approval for any military action. And in the Senate, even some who support punishing the Syrian government for launching alleged chemical weapons attacks are joining the call for the president to first gain Congress' approval.
03:40 Five killed, including child, in German plane crash
Five people, one of them a child, were killed today after a small plane crashed in Frondenberg, in the north-west of Germany, local media reported.
As well as the child, two women and two men also died. Three other children were seriously injured in the crash, said firefighters.
03:40 Violent protests close South African university
Students at a South African university have been ordered home after police used rubber bullets to put down their protests against a five-week strike by lecturers.
At least a dozen students from the Walter Sisulu University ended up in hospital after demonstrating at their lack of classroom time because of industrial action by lecturers, who are demanding more money.
01:40 France says ready to punish those who gassed civilians
President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday that France stood ready to punish those behind a chemical attack on civilians in Damascus last week and would increase its military support to the Syrian opposition.
Hollande said it seemed certain that forces loyal to President Bashar Assad were behind the chemical attack - believed to have killed hundreds of civilians - and said it was the outside world's responsibility to respond.
01:40 Israel, always in the crosshairs, jittery over Syria
More than 1 million Israeli children started their first day of school Tuesday as Israel waited to see whether the United States would attack Syria over chemical weapons, and whether the Jewish state would pay a price for it.
Schools held outdoor welcoming ceremonies despite the gathering signs that the United States and its allies will strike at President Bashar Assad militarily for his alleged gassing of his people to halt a rebellion.
01:04 Outgoing US official warns of 'major cyber event'
Outgoing US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today warned of a "major cyber event" in the future that would have a "serious" impact on American society.
In what she described as "a kind of open letter to my successor," Napolitano warned of terrorist threats, major weather events and the need to reinforce US border security.
"Our country will, for example, at some point, face a major cyber event that will have a serious effect on our lives, our economy, and the everyday functioning of our society," she said.
00:18 Iran warns Syria strike would threaten regional stability
Any Western military action against Tehran-ally Syria would threaten the stability and security of the region, Iran's Defence Minister Hossein Dehqan warned today.
"In case of military action against Syria, the region's security and stability will be threatened," Dehqan told the official IRNA news agency.
00:15 Asaram seeks more time to appear before cops, rejects charges
Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu today sought more time from Jodhpur police for appearing before it in connection with sexual assault charges against him even as he dismissed the allegations as being "baseless".
The 72-year-old godman, who personally received the police summons here for questioning in the case, claimed he had been framed as part of a conspiracy.
00:15 No doubt Syria used chemical weapons, says White House
Asserting that there is "little doubt" that the embattled Syrian regime has used chemical weapons against its own people, the White House today said President Barack Obama is still weighing the response to the devastating attack that left hundreds of civilians dead.
What kind that response would take, Obama is still deciding on it in consultations with his national security team, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters at his daily news conference.
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