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Thu, 06 June 2013
Live! Burma's Suu Kyi Wants to be president in 2015
Timeline Refresh
23:34 200 Russian Islamists with Al-Qaeda in Syria: official
Some 200 Russian Islamists who back North Caucasus insurgents are fighting in Syria for Al-Qaeda, the head of the Russian security service said today, Russian news agencies reported.
"The fact that around 200 fighters from Russia are fighting on the side of the Caucasus Emirate under the flag of Al-Qaeda and other related structures provokes concern in Russia," the head of the FSB Alexander Bortnikov said at an international security forum in the central Russian city of Kazan.
23:24 Burma's Suu Kyi Wants to be president in 2015
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi says she wants to become her country's next president in 2015, when national elections are planned as part of an ongoing transition from decades of military rule.
"I want to run for president, and I am quite frank about it. If I pretended that I did not want to be president, I would not be honest. And I would rather be honest with my people than otherwise. But, the president is not directly elected. For me to be eligible for the post of the presidency, the constitution will have to be amended,'' she said.
23:19 Pak families of victims demand Sharif to stop US drone strikes
The families of victims of US drone strikes have asked Pakistan's new Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to stop the campaign by shooting down the CIA-operated spy planes if necessary, their lawyer said today.
The victims' families had written a letter to the Prime Minister, asking him to act on the Peshawar High Court's May 9 order that declared the drone strikes a "war crime", lawyer Mirza Shahzad Akbar said.
22:56 US 'orders Verizon to disclose millions of phone records'
The US National Security Agency is collecting the telephone records of tens of millions of Americans, according to the Guardian newspaper.
On Wednesday, the newspaper publishedthe secret order directing the Verizon company to hand over telephone data.
Senior US Senator Dianne Feinstein has confirmed the secret court order was a three-month renewal of an ongoing practice.
22:50 New Palestinian government sworn in
A new Palestinian government, headed by prime minister Rami Hamdallah, was sworn in today in front of president Mahmud Abbas at his headquarters in Ramallah.
The 24-member cabinet included some changes, notably the appointment of two deputy premiers and a new finance minister, but remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, an AFP correspondent said.
Hamdallah succeeded Salam Fayyad, who resigned in mid April after months of difficult relations with president Mahmud Abbas and stayed on as caretaker until Hamdallah's appointment on Sunday.
22:40 Austria to quit UN's Golan force over Syria violence
Austria said on Thursday it would pull out of a UN force on the Golan Heights after battles between Syrian troops and rebels there, in a blow to a mission that has kept the Israeli-Syrian war front quiet for 40 years.
Israel is anxious for the international mission to remain in place, worried that the Golan will become a springboard for attacks on Israelis by Islamist militants fighting to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
But the departure of the Austrians, who make up about 380 of the 1,000-strong United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, threatens the whole operation.
22:36 More about our next Man in Islamabad
Dr Tirumallai Cunnuvakum Anandanpillai Raghavan will be India's next high commissioner to Pakistan. Dr Raghavan is currently our high commissioner in Singapore. According to a 2009 profile (http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20091106-178295.html), he was 'born in Nagpur -- his father is from Tamil Nadu and his mother is from Allahabad.' He is an alumnus of St Stephen's College and JNU from where he has a PhD in history. His wife Ranjana Sengupta is an editorial director at Penguin India.
22:23 Pakistan appoints new Intelligence Bureau chief
Senior police officer Aftab Sultan was today appointed the head of Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been pleased to appoint Mr Aftab Sultan... as Director General of Intelligence Bureau," said a spokesman of the Prime Minister's House.
Sultan had earlier served as chief of the Intelligence Bureau when Yousuf Raza Gilani was the Prime Minister.
22:04 Feel sorry for Ashraful but not surprised: Former coach
Former Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons is not surprised by Mohammad Ashraful's involvement in match-fixing during the second season of the Bangladesh Premier League, but said he feels "sorry" for the ex-captain.
Siddons also revealed that he had informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board Board and the ICC about such a possibility, but said he did not elaborate on the matter.
22:03 Microsoft, FBI take down cyber crime network
Microsoft, FBI and other authorities joined hands to take down a cyber crime network that is believed to have caused losses worth over $500 million, the US-based software giant said today.
"The Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit worked with leaders of the financial services industry, other technology industry partners and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to disrupt a massive cyber threat responsible for stealing people's online banking information and personal identities," Microsoft said in a statement.
21:51 Jayalalitha to meet Montek to seek more funds for TN
A correspondent from Delhi reports: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha will visit Delhi next Monday to discuss the annual plan of the state with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
She has demanded a multi-fold increase in the Centre's allocation of funds for Tamil Nadu.
The TN CM's visit to Delhi will be a quiet affair. She will land in Delhi around noon, attend the Planning Commission meeting at 3 pm and leave for Chennai at 5.45 pm.
21:41 Pro-Telangana activist commits suicide at TRS meeting
A pro-Telangana agitator today ended his life by consuming insecticide at a Telangana Rashtra Samiti meeting in Manthani town of Karimnagar district, police said.
While TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao was addressing the meeting, Gunda Nagaraju of Surayyapalli village of Manthani mandal tried to board the dais, but party men stopped him.
Nagaraju immediately went behind the dais and consumed insecticide, while raising the slogan of 'Jai Telangana'.
21:38 3 more PMK activists booked under NSA
Three PMK activists, arrested in connection with violenceover the detention of their party supremo S Ramadoss, were today booked under the National Security Act.
Arivoli of Edapadi, Venkatesan and Murugesan in the district have been booked under the NSA, police said.
21:07 After Lokayukta order, Gupta files CBI complaint against CM
A Delhi BJP leader today filed a complaint with the CBI, seeking a probe against Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit for alleged misuse of public funds on an advertisement campaign ahead of assembly polls in 2008, for which the Lokayukta had indicted her in May.
Former Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta, in his complaint, mentioned the Lokayukta order against Dikshit and alleged that she misused government machinery and public funds on the advertisement campaign.
21:06 Jaya seeks PM's intervention to secure release of fishermen
Strongly protesting the 'abduction' of 49 fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to instruct the external affairs ministry to secure their release.
"I request you to instruct the ministry of external affairs to immediately summon the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi and lodge the government of India's strong protest against this latest act of illegal and high-handed abduction of such a large number of innocent fishermen in the Palk Bay by the Sri Lankan Navy," she said in a letter to Dr Singh.
21:04 NOT involved in any wrongdoing: Raj Kundra
Facing the heat after he confessed to having placed bets on IPL matches, Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra today defended himself, saying he was "not involved in any wrongdoings".
"I will make formal statement soon, rest assured I am not involved in any wrongdoings. Do not misconstrue silence 4 guilt. Truth will prevail," Kundra wrote on his twitter handle.
20:58 President bemoans the state of higher education in India
President Pranab Mukherjee today lamented the fact that there is not even a single Indian varsity among the list of the top 200 universities of the world.
He was addressing the eighth convocation of the Rajiv Gandhi Technological University.
Mukherjee said that many meritorious Indian students seek admission in foreign universities today and added that it would be possible to revive the lost 'glory' of India's ancient universities if this pool of bright students could be retained.
20:31 Live! Savita only maternal death recorded in Ireland in 2012
Ireland, a predominantly Catholic country, has recorded the of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar as the only maternal casualty in 2012, which anew report has found was not true.
The latest annual report of Ireland's Central Statistics Office for 2012 records only one maternal death during the year, that of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar, while at least five other fatalities were reported by maternity units.
The lack of accuracy has been blamed on limited sources and reliance on death certificates for information without contacting hospitals, a spokesperson told the 'Irish Independent'.
The death of 31-year-old Halappanavar following a miscarriage has been the subject of two inquiries and an inquest since the incident at University Hospital Galway on October 28, 2012.
The latest annual report of Ireland's Central Statistics Office for 2012 records only one maternal death during the year, that of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar, while at least five other fatalities were reported by maternity units.
The lack of accuracy has been blamed on limited sources and reliance on death certificates for information without contacting hospitals, a spokesperson told the 'Irish Independent'.
The death of 31-year-old Halappanavar following a miscarriage has been the subject of two inquiries and an inquest since the incident at University Hospital Galway on October 28, 2012.
19:23 Two-member panel to probe spot fixing: BCCI
Refusing to comment on the details of the BCCI's internal report on spot fixing, he said a more extensive probe will be carried out by a two-member panel comprising retired high court judges.
19:17 Will take STRICT action on Kundra if needed: BCCI
Interim BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya today announced that Sanjay Patel and T Venkatesh will be the new secretary and treasurer of the cricketing body respectively.
The duo will replace Sanjay Jagdale and Ajay Shirke.
He added that the BCCI will hold a meeting on June 10 to discuss the fall-out of Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra's involvement in the spot-fixing issue.
Dalmiya added, "We will take strict action if needed".
BCCI has sought more information about Kundra's involvement from the police, he said.
18:40 Hindu terror remark; plea filed to make PM, Sonia witnesses
A plea was today filed in a Delhi court to seek its nod to examine Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi as witnesses in a private complaint case filed against Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde for his alleged "Hindu terror" remarks made at Jaipur. Taking up the application, Metropolitan Magistrate Harun Pratap asked complainant Vivek Garg, a RTI activist, to explain why was it relevant to summon the Prime Minister and Gandhi as witnesses.
18:35 NO money recovered, but no clean chit to Raj Kundra: Delhi CP
Neeraj Kumar also said that Kundra, who was questioned for almost 10 hours yesterday, did not try and mislead them, since his answers were identical when the same questions were posed to his friend Umesh Goenka. It was Goenka who had first told the cops that Kundra was involved in betting and today, when questioned again, said, Shilpa Shetty had bet on one match, as well. Neeraj Kumar has not ruled out questioning Shetty, the co-owner of Rajasthan Royals and Kundra's wife.
The long and short of his interview to CNN IBN was that so far, there is no evidence to suggest Raj Kundra is involved in match/spot fixing.
The long and short of his interview to CNN IBN was that so far, there is no evidence to suggest Raj Kundra is involved in match/spot fixing.
18:30 No clean chit to Raj Kundra yet, probe still on: Delhi CP
"As of now, there is no evidence to show Raj Kundra had asked any player to under-perform," says Neeraj Kumar. "We are yet to decide on whether to question Shilpa Shetty. The Gambling Act in India is governed by an act framed in 1867. The Delhi police commissioner said no money has been recovered from Kundra, and refused to specify the amounts the RR owner is said to have lost in betting.
"It is still an open question whether Raj Kundra can be given a clean chit, investigations are still going on. We have withheld Kundra's passport till the probe against him is over," said Kumar.
"It is still an open question whether Raj Kundra can be given a clean chit, investigations are still going on. We have withheld Kundra's passport till the probe against him is over," said Kumar.
18:16 'Kundra's admission inadmissible in court, can't arrest him'
CNN IBN's Rajdeep Sardesai speaking to Delhi CP Neeraj Kumar says Raj Kundra cannot be arrested since the confession (that he had bet on matches since the last two years) was made to the police and is therefore inadmissible in court. "There are also no corroborative evidence to link Kundra to fixing. The case is about organised crime, about fixing and criminal breach of trust, not gambling. There is no money trail in Kundra's case," says Kumar. "The Gambling Act is very weak and we have to have more evidence to arrest him," he adds.
18:07 Amul to manufacture few dairy products in US
Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), marketing its dairy products under brand 'Amul', today said it would begin manufacturing few of its dairy products in the US over the next 6-8 months. The move is being viewed as a dry run for the Indian co-operative sector dairy giant to set up its own manufacturing facility in the US at a later stage.
17:54 Vindoo claims innocence: I didn't do any wrong
Actor Vindoo Dara Singh, who is out on bail in the IPL spot-fixing scandal, claimed innocence on Thursday, saying the police have no evidence to link him with the betting scam. Asked if police tried to implicate him, Vindu replied: "No, no; why they will try to implicate me. I didn't do any crime, I didn't do any wrong." Read
17:52 Shilpa breaks her silence: Have NEVER bet on any cricket match
And after hours of silence, Shilpa Shetty tweets: "For those who care, my apparent involvement in betting is complete nonsense and I have never bet on any cricket match ever. Truth will prevail. We love cricket, it's the passion for the sport that made us a part of IPL. It's extremely disheartening to keep clarifying that. Won't be saying anymore as the case is sub-judice..:( :( :( "
Umesh Goenka, who is Raj Kundra's friend and business associate is believed to have told the Delhi police, who are questioning him for the second time since yesterday, that Shilpa Shetty had asked him to place bets in a particular match. The police say they will verify Goenka's statements and haven't ruled out questioning Shetty. Shetty is a co-owner of Rajasthan Royals along with her husband Raj Kundra and two other partners.
Umesh Goenka, who is Raj Kundra's friend and business associate is believed to have told the Delhi police, who are questioning him for the second time since yesterday, that Shilpa Shetty had asked him to place bets in a particular match. The police say they will verify Goenka's statements and haven't ruled out questioning Shetty. Shetty is a co-owner of Rajasthan Royals along with her husband Raj Kundra and two other partners.
17:46
Economist Bibek Debroy on whether the government is asking for trouble while trying to settle with Vodafone. Read
17:36 Everest climber to get double promotion
Wansuk Myrthong, woman constable from Meghalaya, would get double promotion for becoming the first tribal Khasi woman from North-East to scale Mt Everest. "The woman constable was a member of the first North-East India Everest Expedition team, which scaled the peak recently. We propose to reward her appropriately for this feat," Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told PTI.
17:34 Modi has to wait it out, BJP's Goa meet may not name him
Amid growing clamour for declaring Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi BJP's campaign committee head, party leader Yashwant Sinha today said a decision on the leadership issue is unlikely at the Goa National Executive meet as it is too large a body to discuss it.
Virtually putting at rest reports that the announcement of Modi as campaign committee chief is imminent, he said such a decision will be taken by the Parliamentary Board.
Asked if leadership issue is the focus of the Goa conclave, Sinha told CNN-IBN in an interview, "The National Executive of the BJP is too large as a body to discuss leadership issues... The BJP has already made it very clear that these issues will be decided in the Parliamentary Board."
Virtually putting at rest reports that the announcement of Modi as campaign committee chief is imminent, he said such a decision will be taken by the Parliamentary Board.
Asked if leadership issue is the focus of the Goa conclave, Sinha told CNN-IBN in an interview, "The National Executive of the BJP is too large as a body to discuss leadership issues... The BJP has already made it very clear that these issues will be decided in the Parliamentary Board."
17:19 The Cronut the US pastry sensation that must cross the Atlantic
Hunger alert: Do not read on an empty stomach. A cross between croissants and doughnuts are all the rage in New York, but haven't left the US yet. So can you replicate them in your own kitchen? Read
17:14 Dal mein kuch kala hai: Food Bill hits road block
The promise of near-universal coverage is now nowhere in sight. And the UPA's seemingly fretful efforts to get the measure through do not appear to be convincing, says the Hindu. Read
17:11 With Murthy, there is only one boss at Infosys: Mohandas Pai
Mohandas Pai, former CFO and HR Head of Infosys, was a key part of the core executive team that piloted the company during its growth phase of the late 90s, and early part of the last decade. In this interview with The Hindu, he shares his thoughts on the recent happenings at Infosys. Excerpts
17:01 Chavan's bail hearing tomorrow
Disgraced Rajasthan Royals player Ankeet Chavan, who surrendered before the police today was sent to judicial custody till June 18. He has applied for bail again. The hearing will be held tomorrow. Chavan is accused of spot-fixing in IPL 6. He was granted bail for his marriage which took place over the weekend.
16:51 The Murthys and the Maoists
Between the relentless demands of corporate leaders and the capacity of the underclass to match the state's violence, India needs a vision for itself that is morally defensible. Read the opinion piece on the Hindu.
16:49 Reading the results of Narendra Modi's win
Narendra Modi has reaped a bumper harvest in the form of two sets of stunning by-election verdicts ahead of the Bharatiya Janata Party's national executive meeting in Goa. Read
16:46 British writer Tom Sharpe dies
British writer Tom Sharpe, author of the dark-humoured "Wilt" series about a harassed literature teacher, died Thursday at the age of 85 in northeastern Spain, his publisher said.
"He died this morning of complications of the diabetes he had," said a source at his Spanish publisher, Anagrama, who asked not to be identified.Sharpe, who wrote 16 best-selling novels, died in the coastal town of Llafranc, Catalonia, where he had lived since the late 1980s, the source said.
"He died this morning of complications of the diabetes he had," said a source at his Spanish publisher, Anagrama, who asked not to be identified.Sharpe, who wrote 16 best-selling novels, died in the coastal town of Llafranc, Catalonia, where he had lived since the late 1980s, the source said.
16:38 Jagdale: BCCI should take decision on RR as per rule book
Former BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale says BCCI should take a decision on Rajasthan Royals as per the rule book.
This is what the rule book says: As per rule 11.3 clause C of the BCCI-IPL constitution, a franchise can be terminated with immediate effect by written notice if "the Franchisee, any Franchisee Group Company and/or any Owner acts in any way which has a material adverse effect upon the reputation or standing of the League, BCCI-IPL, BCCI, the Franchisee, the Team (or any other team in the League) and/or the game of cricket."
This is what the rule book says: As per rule 11.3 clause C of the BCCI-IPL constitution, a franchise can be terminated with immediate effect by written notice if "the Franchisee, any Franchisee Group Company and/or any Owner acts in any way which has a material adverse effect upon the reputation or standing of the League, BCCI-IPL, BCCI, the Franchisee, the Team (or any other team in the League) and/or the game of cricket."
16:35 CBI questions Kalmadi in over Rs 70 cr CWG contracts
Former CWG Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi was today questioned by CBI for alleged irregularities in over Rs 70 crore contracts given to a Mauritius-based company for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
The Lok Sabha MP from Pune was questioned for about three hours during which he was asked various details related to the controversial contracts, official sources said.
He was also asked about reasons behind selecting the firm for executing contracts for the mega sporting event held from October 3-14, 2010, they said. The firm--Event Knowledge System (EKS)--was allegedly given three contracts worth over Rs 70 crore by the committee for giving consultancy on issues like venue development and management, games workforce planning and project management services.
The Lok Sabha MP from Pune was questioned for about three hours during which he was asked various details related to the controversial contracts, official sources said.
He was also asked about reasons behind selecting the firm for executing contracts for the mega sporting event held from October 3-14, 2010, they said. The firm--Event Knowledge System (EKS)--was allegedly given three contracts worth over Rs 70 crore by the committee for giving consultancy on issues like venue development and management, games workforce planning and project management services.
16:25 Let Lalu be on cloud nine, jubilation is short lived: Nitish
Criticising the RJD for acting in a pompous manner after retaining the seat, Nitish Kumar said, "This is not the defeat of JD(U) in the Maharajganj elections.
This was not our seat. This seat belonged to RJD and RJD won. You can assess the mood and temperament of the RJD by the manner in which they are behaving after their victory," he said. The JD(U) leader said his party has been regularly winning elections but has never been pompous, unlike RJD.
"If we have not been able to win in Maharajganj, there is no issue about it," he said. On RJD President Lalu Prasad taking potshot at him on the defeat, Kumar said, "Let RJD be on cloud nine...this jubilation is short lived." Seeking to take virtue out of the defeat, he said, "Though we lost, the vote percentage of JD(U) has increased in the bypoll from that in last general election and assembly elections in 2010."
This was not our seat. This seat belonged to RJD and RJD won. You can assess the mood and temperament of the RJD by the manner in which they are behaving after their victory," he said. The JD(U) leader said his party has been regularly winning elections but has never been pompous, unlike RJD.
"If we have not been able to win in Maharajganj, there is no issue about it," he said. On RJD President Lalu Prasad taking potshot at him on the defeat, Kumar said, "Let RJD be on cloud nine...this jubilation is short lived." Seeking to take virtue out of the defeat, he said, "Though we lost, the vote percentage of JD(U) has increased in the bypoll from that in last general election and assembly elections in 2010."
16:16 Shilpa Shetty bet on matches, Kundra's friend tells cops
Umesh Goenka, who is Raj Kundra's friend and business associate is believed to have told the Delhi police, who are questioning him for the second time since yesterday, that Shilpa Shetty had asked him to place bets in a particular match. The police say they will verify Goenka's statements and haven't ruled out questioning Shetty. Shetty is a co-owner of Rajasthan Royals along with her husband Raj Kundra and two other partners.
16:12 Alliance with NDA intact, says Nitish
Dismissing rumours of cracks within NDA on the defeat of JD(U) candidate in Maharajganj by-poll, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said the loss would have no adverse impact on the alliance.
He also downplayed his party's crushing defeat in the bypoll and criticised RJD for acting in a pompous manner after retaining the seat. "Our alliance is intact...members of coalition worked together in the Maharajganj by-election," Kumar said at Patna Airport on return from Delhi.
"NDA workers laboured hard in Maharajganj bypoll," he said refuting any chink in the coalition.
He also downplayed his party's crushing defeat in the bypoll and criticised RJD for acting in a pompous manner after retaining the seat. "Our alliance is intact...members of coalition worked together in the Maharajganj by-election," Kumar said at Patna Airport on return from Delhi.
"NDA workers laboured hard in Maharajganj bypoll," he said refuting any chink in the coalition.
16:05 After ONE-seat win, Lalu asks Nitish to quit
Making a scathing attack at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for playing down the defeat in Maharajganj by-poll, RJD President Lalu Prasad today said he should quit as people had rejected his governance.
"Nitish Kumar had told the people during campaigning in Maharajganj that if they are satisfied with his governance they should vote for NDA else do not. People have rejected him by voting against JD(U) candidate showing they are not satisfied with his rule," Prasad told reporters.
Prasad was reacting to Kumar's statement that RJD had merely retained the Maharajganj seat which was with them in the last general elections. The RJD chief asked Kumar to quit as people had rejected his governance.
"Nitish Kumar had told the people during campaigning in Maharajganj that if they are satisfied with his governance they should vote for NDA else do not. People have rejected him by voting against JD(U) candidate showing they are not satisfied with his rule," Prasad told reporters.
Prasad was reacting to Kumar's statement that RJD had merely retained the Maharajganj seat which was with them in the last general elections. The RJD chief asked Kumar to quit as people had rejected his governance.
15:54 RBI asked banks not to sell gold coins: Chidambaram
RBI has advised banks not to sell gold coins to retail customers, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said a day after the government increased import duty on the metal amid widening Current Account Deficit.
"I think the RBI has advised banks they should not sell gold coins," he said at the AGM of the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) today. This is in addition to RBI's restrictions on gold imports by banks and other agencies. Banks have also been advised to restrict advances against gold coins. Both the government as well as the Reserve Bank have been taking steps to curb the gold imports, which have averaged 152 tonnes in April and May, resulting in foreign exchange outgo of about USD 15 billion. The average monthly gold import was 70 tonnes in the last fiscal.
"I think the RBI has advised banks they should not sell gold coins," he said at the AGM of the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) today. This is in addition to RBI's restrictions on gold imports by banks and other agencies. Banks have also been advised to restrict advances against gold coins. Both the government as well as the Reserve Bank have been taking steps to curb the gold imports, which have averaged 152 tonnes in April and May, resulting in foreign exchange outgo of about USD 15 billion. The average monthly gold import was 70 tonnes in the last fiscal.
15:34 Bachchan's dog Shanouk dies after brief illness
In other news (if this is what news is), megastar Amitabh Bachchan's beloved pet dog, Shanouk, died today after a brief illness.
Bachchan, 70, loved to spend time with his Piranha Dane dog, one of the world's tallest dog breeds. Shanouk means a gentle warm breeze on a cold morning and was named by actor's son Abhishek.
"'The gentle warm breeze on a cold morning'... Just stopped. Shanouk my pet Piraana Dane passed away a short while ago...," posted Bachchan. Bachchan had been quite distressed with his pet's deteriorating condition and posted on his blog, "The other distressing news that I was wanting to comment on Twitter was that Shanouk is very very ill. Shanouk is, as you know my lovely Pirana Dane.
"His heart is giving way, water is collecting in his stomach and he is in serious condition. We revived him today at the vet by sedating him and pumping out the excess water collected, but things are not looking good! Sad!." Shanouk once featured on a magazine cover with his famous master.
Bachchan, 70, loved to spend time with his Piranha Dane dog, one of the world's tallest dog breeds. Shanouk means a gentle warm breeze on a cold morning and was named by actor's son Abhishek.
"'The gentle warm breeze on a cold morning'... Just stopped. Shanouk my pet Piraana Dane passed away a short while ago...," posted Bachchan. Bachchan had been quite distressed with his pet's deteriorating condition and posted on his blog, "The other distressing news that I was wanting to comment on Twitter was that Shanouk is very very ill. Shanouk is, as you know my lovely Pirana Dane.
"His heart is giving way, water is collecting in his stomach and he is in serious condition. We revived him today at the vet by sedating him and pumping out the excess water collected, but things are not looking good! Sad!." Shanouk once featured on a magazine cover with his famous master.
15:32
CNN IBN now reporting that Shilpa Shetty may also be involved in betting.
15:25 Rajasthan Royals terminated? BCCI may meet today
CNN IBN reports that the BCCI is likely to call an emergent meeting of the working committee to arrive at a decision on whether Rajasthan Royals should be terminated. This comes in the wake of the Delhi police's statement on Raj Kundra, that he admitted to placing bets on his own team, Rajasthan Royals. The BCCI is likely to discuss the termination clause for IPL and decide if Rule 11.3(C) of the BCCI-IPL agreement has been breached.
As per rule 11.3 clause C of the BCCI-IPL constitution, a franchise can be terminated with immediate effect by written notice if "the Franchisee, any Franchisee Group Company and/or any Owner acts in any way which has a material adverse effect upon the reputation or standing of the League, BCCI-IPL, BCCI, the Franchisee, the Team (or any other team in the League) and/or the game of cricket."
As per rule 11.3 clause C of the BCCI-IPL constitution, a franchise can be terminated with immediate effect by written notice if "the Franchisee, any Franchisee Group Company and/or any Owner acts in any way which has a material adverse effect upon the reputation or standing of the League, BCCI-IPL, BCCI, the Franchisee, the Team (or any other team in the League) and/or the game of cricket."
15:04 Indian Official Urges Bankers to Get Nasty
In a rare public confrontation, a senior bureaucrat in India's finance ministry recently blasted the country's banking industry for the sector's high level of bad loans. Read
14:59 Crimes Against Women: A New WSJ E-Book
The Wall Street Journal and HarperCollins today present an e-book that, we hope, will not only provide the most informative and in-depth reporting on crimes against women on the subcontinent but will aid in the national dialogue about how India can better treat its women. Read
14:54 Foreign women tourists arming themselves with pepper spray
Some female tourists are taking extra precautions in case of attack while traveling in India, after recent alleged assaults on women travelers in the country. Others say the dangers are exaggerated. Read
Meanwhile, the three accused in the gang rape of a 30-year-old American national in Manali were arrested on Thursday. The accused were arrested in the wee hours and the tipper used by them for perpetrating the crime has been seized, police said. All the three arrested are truck drivers, Superintendent of Police Vinod Dhawan said.
Out of the three, two have been arrested from Manali while one from Mandi. The victim was allegedly raped on Monday night by the occupants of the tipper, who offered her a lift back to Manali from Vashisth where she had gone to visit some friends. The medical examination of the victim has confirmed rape, the SP said.
Meanwhile, the three accused in the gang rape of a 30-year-old American national in Manali were arrested on Thursday. The accused were arrested in the wee hours and the tipper used by them for perpetrating the crime has been seized, police said. All the three arrested are truck drivers, Superintendent of Police Vinod Dhawan said.
Out of the three, two have been arrested from Manali while one from Mandi. The victim was allegedly raped on Monday night by the occupants of the tipper, who offered her a lift back to Manali from Vashisth where she had gone to visit some friends. The medical examination of the victim has confirmed rape, the SP said.
14:49 Karzai greets Pak new PM Sharif
In other news: Afghan President Hamid Karzai today congratulated Nawaz Sharif on becoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan and invited him to visit Afghanistan.
Karzai telephoned Sharif this morning and felicitated him on assuming the office of the premier.
Sharif accepted Karzai's invitation to visit Afghanistan and thanked him, said a statement from the Pakistani Prime Minister's Office. While talking to Sharif, Karzai "extended his best wishes and expressed the hope that both the brotherly countries will continue to work for further improvement in the bilateral relations which would augur well for peace and stability in the region" the statement said. Sharif further said he was looking forward to visit Afghanistan.
Karzai telephoned Sharif this morning and felicitated him on assuming the office of the premier.
Sharif accepted Karzai's invitation to visit Afghanistan and thanked him, said a statement from the Pakistani Prime Minister's Office. While talking to Sharif, Karzai "extended his best wishes and expressed the hope that both the brotherly countries will continue to work for further improvement in the bilateral relations which would augur well for peace and stability in the region" the statement said. Sharif further said he was looking forward to visit Afghanistan.
14:42 Kundra won't be arrested till fixing proof is found
The Delhi Police also claim that Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty placed bets on Delhi Daredevils and Pune Warriors as being IPL6 finalists. Police commissioner Neeraj Kumar said Kundra was unlikely to be arrested till they are able to find links to fixing. So far, the police say, Kundra has admitted to placing bets on his own team, Rajasthan Royals. There are no links to either spot fixing or matching fixing as yet. The police also said they would provide information on Kundra to BCCI if desired.
14:39 Outrage on Twitter
And here's what Twitter says: Poorvaja '@WhatteWow3m Waiting for Shilpa Shetty to call Raj Kundra a "cricket enthusiast
@coaham5m @TheShilpaShetty The cat's out of the bag now. Are we still furious at media and cops?SENsibly Yours
@sudeepsengupta Raj Kundra has confessed to betting in front of the CBI. Tihar Jail is planning a new season of Nach Baliye with Shilpa Shetty as judge.
@VaibhavPuranikk Who is she fooling RT @ndtv: Shilpa Shetty to NDTV: We're doing everything to aid the police; very upsetting, Umesh Goenka misused Raj's name
@coaham5m @TheShilpaShetty The cat's out of the bag now. Are we still furious at media and cops?SENsibly Yours
@sudeepsengupta Raj Kundra has confessed to betting in front of the CBI. Tihar Jail is planning a new season of Nach Baliye with Shilpa Shetty as judge.
@VaibhavPuranikk Who is she fooling RT @ndtv: Shilpa Shetty to NDTV: We're doing everything to aid the police; very upsetting, Umesh Goenka misused Raj's name
14:09
On Twitter: I pity Rahul Dravid, true cricketer. Was sweating on field for these crooks # Raj Kundra & his better half
14:07 No plans to arrest Raj Kundra yet: Neeraj Kumar
Delhi Police commissioner Neeraj Kumar says there are no plans to arrest Raj Kundra as yet, but he can't rule out more arrests. He said there are more players on the radar and the police would question them in days to come.
14:05 Delhi police chief confirms: Raj Kundra placed bets on RR
This means serious trouble for Raj Kundra and Rajasthan Royals. Kundra said that he placed bets on the IPL for the last two-three years. In India, betting on all sports, except horse-racing is illegal and the penalty, according to rules laid down by the BCCI is suspension for up to two to five years.
Telling silence from Kundra and wife Shilpa Shetty after Neeraj Kumar's disclosure, after the initial indignation from the two. This is what Shilpa Shetty had tweeted this morning: @TheShilpaShetty tweets: Also to all the BREAKING NEWS channels 'Don't get into assumptions, we too are most curious to know who the culprit is'!
Omar Abdullah tweets: Just when you thought the #IPL couldn't get messier.
Telling silence from Kundra and wife Shilpa Shetty after Neeraj Kumar's disclosure, after the initial indignation from the two. This is what Shilpa Shetty had tweeted this morning: @TheShilpaShetty tweets: Also to all the BREAKING NEWS channels 'Don't get into assumptions, we too are most curious to know who the culprit is'!
Omar Abdullah tweets: Just when you thought the #IPL couldn't get messier.
13:28 Delhi police chief: Raj Kundra admitted to placing bets on RR
Delhi police commissioner Neeraj Kumar tells CNN IBN that during the 10-hour interrogation yesterday, Rajasthan Royals' owner Raj Kundra confessed to betting on his own team and even said he had made losses. He placed the bets through his friend and business associate Umesh Goenka.
The police also said that even thought Kundra was an NRI, it would not affect investigations.
The police also said that even thought Kundra was an NRI, it would not affect investigations.
13:20 What Mamata has to learn from by-poll win
Mamata Banerjee has won the Howrah by-poll battle that has reaffirmed a lesson the West Bengal chief minister has been trying to unlearn: she needs an ally as a cushion for the war of 2014. Read
13:17
How suspicion of female journalists grew in Pakistan after the Hindu sent female journalists. Read
12:40
Specially for Lalit Modi, Raj and Shilpa Kundra -- Arnab Goswami's News Hour remix. Listen in
12:33 And now, Kapil Sibal turns lyricist!
A side of Union law minister Kapil Sibal that you didn't know of: He can write mean lyrics. Sibal has penned a song on spot-fixing brought to life by Daler Mehndi. Watch: Cricket nahi yeh tamasha, paiso kihi paribhasha hai.
12:23 Niira Radia returns from the cold to advice UP CM Akhilesh Yadav
New Delhi grapevine says political lobbyist Niira Radia is back in business. She is believed to be unwell, but is now advising Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav attract investments to the state. She is also believed to be close to three Congress leaders and will pitch in during the election campaigns. The former corporate lobbyist is likely to launch her company by the end of this year. Radia used to run a public relations firm named Vaishnavi Communications, whose clients include Tata Teleservices and Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries.
12:11 BJP to launch full frontal attack on PC
The BJP is set to launch a verbal attack on P Chidambaram for his interference with the CBI when the CBI raided MK Stalin's house and impounded his foreign luxury cars. Both the Prime Minister and Chidambaram apologised to the DMK for the CBI gatecrash. They also want answers on why Chidambaram said that the BJP was interfering with the CBI probe in the Ishrat Jahank fake encounter case.
12:06 How Advani-Modi mended fences ahead of Goa meet
Meanwhile, our sources in Delhi tell us that BJP senior leader LK Advani called Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi to congratulate him for winning six seats in by-polls yesterday. Modi was talking to party president Rajnath Singh when Advani's number flashed on Modi's cell phone. Modi proudly stood up and thanked him for the blessings and the canny politician he is, used the opportunity to rush to Advani's house to spend 10 minutes with him.
11:54
Mukesh Ambani at the RIL AGM: Retail business has achieved cash break even.
11:52
@TheShilpaShetty tweets: Also to all the BREAKING NEWS channels 'Don't get into assumptions, we too are most curious to know who the culprit is'!
11:48
Meanwhile, Times Now, (Raj Kundra's bete noir) says that the Rajasthan Royals owner told sources that if he was indeed fixing matches, he would have made a lot of money. And that he would have bet on his own team.
11:46 RIL to produce gas from MP oil fields
Here's what's happening at the Reliance Industries Ltd AGM. Mukesh Ambani says the recent gas discovery, 2 kilometres below the surface, is currently producing gas in the KG-D6 block, and has the potential to significantly add to RIL's resource base. The company aims to begin producing from the Sohagpur CBM blocks in Madhya Pradesh in 2015.
11:43 Raj Kundra admitted to betting in IPL 6, claims Delhi police
Raj Kundra's tweet an hour ago: Good morning woke up to news Raj Kundra faces the heat (times now). Yes it's very hot in Mumbai. Media has misconstrued everything using...
And this, 12 hours ago: For the media who spent a full day outside crime branch and didn't get a bite. My visit to crime branch was to help them in the case! GN.
Raj Kundra, a co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals, has admitted to betting in the Indian Premier League or IPL, claimed sources in the Delhi Police, which interrogated the businessman all day yesterday in connection with the spot-fixing and betting scandal that is the subject of multiple investigations.
Police sources said that Mr Kundra said that he placed bets on the IPL "for the last two-three years." Betting on all sports except horse-racing is illegal in India.
To prevent him from leaving the country, Kundra was made to hand over his passport to the Delhi Police yesterday. Read the full story here.
And this, 12 hours ago: For the media who spent a full day outside crime branch and didn't get a bite. My visit to crime branch was to help them in the case! GN.
Raj Kundra, a co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals, has admitted to betting in the Indian Premier League or IPL, claimed sources in the Delhi Police, which interrogated the businessman all day yesterday in connection with the spot-fixing and betting scandal that is the subject of multiple investigations.
Police sources said that Mr Kundra said that he placed bets on the IPL "for the last two-three years." Betting on all sports except horse-racing is illegal in India.
To prevent him from leaving the country, Kundra was made to hand over his passport to the Delhi Police yesterday. Read the full story here.
11:37 RIL to invest Rs 1.5 lakh crore over three years: Mukesh
Reliance Industries (RIL) chairman Mukesh Ambani begins the 39th AGM in Mumbai. First up: RIL Industries will invest Rs 1.5 lakh crore over three years, says Chairman Mukesh Ambani.
11:25 Pulwama encounter enters second day
The encounter in Pulwama district of south Kashmir entered the second day today as security forces exchanged fresh fire with holed-up militants in the wee hours.
"Fresh firing between the security forces and the holed- up militants took place at around 4 am. Intermittent firing continued for several hours since then," police sources said.
The security forces have maintained a tight cordon around the militants to prevent them from escaping. The gun battle broke out in Rajpora area of the district, 45 kms from here, yesterday afternoon when a foot patrol of 44 Rashtriya Rifles came under fire from the militants. A top militant of Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit was killed in the encounter yesterday.
"Fresh firing between the security forces and the holed- up militants took place at around 4 am. Intermittent firing continued for several hours since then," police sources said.
The security forces have maintained a tight cordon around the militants to prevent them from escaping. The gun battle broke out in Rajpora area of the district, 45 kms from here, yesterday afternoon when a foot patrol of 44 Rashtriya Rifles came under fire from the militants. A top militant of Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit was killed in the encounter yesterday.
11:17
Headlines Today also reports that Raj Kundra had acknowledged that he was into betting.
11:15 Angry Kundra tells media: Don't make derogatory statements
Rajasthan Royals owner Raj Kundra and his wife Shilpa Shetty have been tweeting endlessly about the Delhi police questioning him yesterday in the spot-fixing case.
Here's a sampling:
Raj Kundra tweets: Really upset with the media fr casting aspersions without any proof, making derogatory statements..Uncalled for and will not be tolerated. Try speaking to the Main guys at crime branch. Why does media hype things and make such stupid claims to sell news. Is there an arrest warrant? I am back home in Mumbai. Kindly let Delhi crime branch do their work. media stop using derogatory statements.
And here's what Shilpa Shetty tweeted: Just to reiterate, we will do all it takes to reach to the bottom of this "spot fixing case" and be of complete help till that happens! "STOP PRESS" literally! Getting on my nerves to c to wht extent the press wud go to make Headlines! Its annoying n distressing fr family.
Kundra's passport has been seized by Delhi Police which questioned him for about 10 hours in connection with the IPL spot-fixing scandal and allegations that he was into betting. Headlines Today reported that Kundra's friend Umesh Goenka has apparently told the police that Kundra had asked him to gather information on the team. Kundra will be questioned again today.
Here's a sampling:
Raj Kundra tweets: Really upset with the media fr casting aspersions without any proof, making derogatory statements..Uncalled for and will not be tolerated. Try speaking to the Main guys at crime branch. Why does media hype things and make such stupid claims to sell news. Is there an arrest warrant? I am back home in Mumbai. Kindly let Delhi crime branch do their work. media stop using derogatory statements.
And here's what Shilpa Shetty tweeted: Just to reiterate, we will do all it takes to reach to the bottom of this "spot fixing case" and be of complete help till that happens! "STOP PRESS" literally! Getting on my nerves to c to wht extent the press wud go to make Headlines! Its annoying n distressing fr family.
Kundra's passport has been seized by Delhi Police which questioned him for about 10 hours in connection with the IPL spot-fixing scandal and allegations that he was into betting. Headlines Today reported that Kundra's friend Umesh Goenka has apparently told the police that Kundra had asked him to gather information on the team. Kundra will be questioned again today.
11:05 Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif changes name of his office
In one of his first decisions after assuming charge, Pakistan's new Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has changed the name of his office. "Prime Minister Mr Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has decided to rename the Prime Minister's Secretariat as Prime Minister's Office with immediate effect," said a brief statement issued by the premier's media office. Nasir Mahmood Khosa, a senior bureaucrat from Punjab province, has been appointed the Secretary to the Prime Minister. Fawad Hassan Fawad was appointed the Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister.
10:55 Jaish-e-Mohammad commander killed in Pulwama encounter
The district commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed, Altaf Baba, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir''s Pulwama district last evening. The encounter started on Wednesday evening when security forces and police laid a cordon in Achgoza village. According to television reports, Altaf Baba was active in South Kashmir for the past six years. One AK-47 rifle and a huge quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site.
10:46 As Nawaz Sharif becomes PM, Kashmir gets voice in Pakistan power
Kashmir may have been missing from the agenda of the elections in Pakistan, but the country's new government will have Kashmiris in vital positions -- beginning with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif himself.Sharif, 63, who was sworn in for a historic third term on Wednesday, belongs to a family that migrated to Amritsar from South Kashmir's Anantnag district in the beginning of the last century. Read
10:02 Spot-fixing: Raj Kundra cannot leave country, no clean chit yet
Rajasthan Royals owner Raj Kundra surrenders his passport to the special cell of the Delhi police.
Police sources say he cannot leave the country and is yet to be given a clean chit.
Kundra and his business partner-friend Umesh Goenka were questioned for several hours yesterday in connection with the Indian Premier League spot-fixing scandal following the claims made by a cricketer and to know about the ownership pattern of the team.
Goenka will be grilled by the police today as well.
Police sources say he cannot leave the country and is yet to be given a clean chit.
Kundra and his business partner-friend Umesh Goenka were questioned for several hours yesterday in connection with the Indian Premier League spot-fixing scandal following the claims made by a cricketer and to know about the ownership pattern of the team.
Goenka will be grilled by the police today as well.
08:53 3 terror suspects from Pak detained in Uttar Pradesh
NDTV reports:
: Three terror suspects from Pakistan have been detained in the
Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh while they were entering India from
Nepal.
The three men claim they had received terror training in Pakistan and were on their way to Jammu and Kashmir to surrender.
Read the full report on NDTV
The three men claim they had received terror training in Pakistan and were on their way to Jammu and Kashmir to surrender.
Read the full report on NDTV
08:42 Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris, attempts suicide
The daughter of late pop legend Michael Jackson, Paris, is in
hospital after attempting to kill herself, BBC reports.
The 15-year-old is physically fine, the report says.
Emergency officials said they responded to a reported overdose in the Calabasas area of Los Angeles where Paris lives, but did not identify the patient.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Read the full report on BBC
The 15-year-old is physically fine, the report says.
Emergency officials said they responded to a reported overdose in the Calabasas area of Los Angeles where Paris lives, but did not identify the patient.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Read the full report on BBC
03:53 A Turning Point for Pakistan?
'Pakistan is at a crossroads, says Bruce Riedel, an expert on South Asia and career U.S. intelligence officer. Although the country's "internal security situation is grim," he says that the inauguration of Nawaz Sharif as prime minister--the first time that two Pakistani civilian governments have succeeded each other peacefully--is an encouraging milestone. Moreover, Riedel is hopeful that Sharif can deal successfully with India, which he says is "the single most important thing" for the future of South Asia. He urges Washington to take this opportunity to rebuild relations with Islamabad. "You can be pessimistic about Pakistan and you'll often be right, but Pakistan is too important to give up on," he says.' More on the Council on Foreign Relations site: http://www.cfr.org/pakistan/turning-point-pakistan/p30854
03:39 Indian-origin engineer arrested for stealing trade secrets
An Indian-origin engineer has been arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for allegedly stealing trade secrets from his former employer.
Ketankumar Maniar, a resident of Mahwah township in New Jersey allegedly stole trade secrets of products being developed by a global medical technology company named Becton, Dickinson and Co.
03:29
Stephen Fry tried to commit suicide when he was shooting overseas last year. The incredible British comic actor was saved by a producer who dropped into his hotel room and found him unconscious. You can read The Daily Mirror report here: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/stephen-fry-suicide-attempt-unconscious-1934033 Fry seems to have made a good recovery; our colleague Abhishek Mande disrupted his wedding lunch to shoot pictures with him in Mumbai in March. Read Abhishek's account here: http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/spotted-stephen-fry/20130302.htm
03:20 Hollywood Macho, a Lama and Vlad's friend to boot
A Hollywood action star, a Buddhist lama, someone who made the news recently for his friendship with Russia's judoka President Vladmir Putin. Who are we talking about here? No clue? Find out more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/06/bulletproof-monk-steven-seagals-mix-of-zen-and-guns.php
03:16 Baba Shetty out as Newsweek CEO
Politico reports that 'Newsweek/Daily Beast CEO Baba Shetty is stepping down after just nine months on the job.' A staff memo from Editor-in-Chief Tina Brown confirmed Shetty's exit. Shetty 'has presided over a terrific nine months of product development and digital growth...We wish Baba great success in his future ventures,' Brown wrote to her staff. Newsweek still has one Indian in its higher echleons: Patanjali 'Tunku' Varadarajan, whose younger brother Siddharth edits The Hindu.
03:11 Memories of a Public Square
'In order to make sense of the protests Taksim Square, in Istanbul, this week, and to understand those brave people who are out on the street, fighting against the police and choking on tear gas, I'd like to share a personal story,' Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk writes about his native Turkey here: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2013/06/memories-of-a-public-square.html
02:46 Sgt. Robert Bales describes killing 16 Afghans
The American soldier charged with killing 16 Afghan civilians during nighttime raids on two villages last year pleaded guilty Wednesday then described shooting each victim, telling a military judge there is "not a good reason in this world" for what he did.
To avoid the death penalty, Staff Sgt. Robert Bales pleaded guilty to multiple counts of murder at the hearing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord south of Seattle. He then read from a statement in a clear and steady voice, describing his actions for each killing in the same terms.
02:41 Venezuela frees US filmmaker jailed as alleged spy
A US filmmaker jailed for alleged espionage in Venezuela was expelled from the country and returned to the United States on Wednesday in a gesture that could signal a thaw in tense relations between the two countries.
The release of Timothy Tracy, 35, was secured with the help of former U.S. Rep. William Delahunt, who has long worked to improve often strained U.S.-Venezuelan ties and was hired by Tracy's family as an attorney in the case.
"He's been informally advising us since pretty much the onset and we retained him last week," Tracy's sister, Tiffany Klaasen, said of Delahunt, a member of the US delegation at the March funeral of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
02:19 Pippa Middleton named Vanity Fair's new contributing editor
Kate Middleton's younger sister Pippa has been named as a contributing editor of American magazine Vanity Fair.
"We're delighted to have Pippa as a contributor to Vanity Fair," magazine's editor Graydon Carter said. "She's a keen observer of classic British pastimes. She is also an avid sportswoman, and we look forward to her take on traditional English pursuits, beginning with Wimbledon," Carter said in a statement today.
02:19 French president awarded peace prize
He has been praised as a war chief in Mali. Now, French President Francois Hollande has been awarded a UN-sponsored peace prize, barely a year into his presidency and just months after launching his first war against Islamic extremists.
The prize givers and African leaders attending today's awards ceremony, including Malian president Dioncounda Traore, say Hollande deserves UNESCO's Felix Houphouet-Boigny prize precisely because they say the Mali intervention is about long-term peace for a volatile region.
02:10 Turkey's Erdogan: Successful leader or 'dictator'?
He's perhaps the most powerful and popular politician Turkey has seen in generations. But Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan may also be the most polarising.
And now, the man who boasts economic and political accomplishments during 10 years in office is fending off complaints from large crowds of protesters that he's turning into a "dictator."
"The only thing that we want," said one of the thousands packed into anti-government demonstrations in Istanbul, "... we want him to resign."
01:50 World must act over Syria chemical weapons: Hollande
French President Francois Hollande has said the growing proof of chemical weapons use in Syria "obliges the international community to act".
However, Hollande cautioned: "We can only act within the framework of international law".
He spoke hours after Syrian government forces retook full control of the strategic western town of Qusair, after a siege lasting more than two weeks.A BBC News team taken by government forces to Qusair said it was in ruins.
01:49 Four Wildcards That Could Make or Break Pakistans New Government
'We should therefore keep our expectations in check, and hope for relatively modest achievements from Islamabad's new leadership. These include improving the economy, stabilizing civil-military ties, and maintaining adequate relations with India and the United States. Success, however, will hinge on four unpredictable factors,' Michael Kugelman writes in Foreign Policy. Please read here: http://afpak.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/06/05/four_wildcards_that_could_make_or_break_pakistan_s_new_government
01:41 Israeli judge resigns after rape comments
An Israeli judge resigned from a government appeals board on Wednesday after public uproar over reports he had told a courtroom that some girls "enjoy rape".
Nissim Yeshaya headed a three-member panel hearing a young Israeli woman's appeal for recognition as a victim of a nationalist attack for having been raped when she was 13, in a crime blamed at the time on four Palestinians.
01:39 Miss World axes bikinis...
No, no, not for the World, so all you pursuers of feminine pulchritude can rest easy... The ban on bikinis is only for Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country. More here: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/miss-world-axes-bikinis-muslim-indonesia-162220520.html
01:37 8 Pakistan Rangers injured in bomb attack
At least eight Pakistan Rangers personnel were wounded in a bomb attack at their camp office in Nazimabad today. Unidentified men also threw hand grenades at a office of a political party but there were no casualties in the same area.
Two men on a motorcycle threw handmade bombs at the camp office of Rangers at a time when the personnel were having their evening meal.
01:36 About 100 Chinese arrested in Ghana for illegal mining
Police in Ghana have arrested about 100 Chinese citizens this month on charges of illegal mining, a senior embassy official said today. "The Ghanaians have claimed that those Chinese are engaged in illegal mining," Yu Jie, told AFP in the capital Accra.
"It is nearly about 100 since June 1," he said, adding "they will be deported back to China." It is unclear if they would be charged in court in Ghana. The arrests took place around the country, including in the central Ashanti region, long known for its rich gold veins.
01:32 'Indian statesmanships debt to doctor-turned-diplomats'
K P Nayar in The Telegraph on the power of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, arguably, the most powerful Indian-American organization. More here: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130605/jsp/opinion/story_16969834.jsp#.Ua-YQ0Dvv28
01:10 China's stealth wars
China, says Brahma Chellaney, is 'waging stealth wars against its Asian neighbors that threaten to destabilise the entire region. The more economic power China has amassed, the greater its ambition to alter the territorial status quo has become.'Read more: http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/china-s-destabilizing-designs-on-its-neighbors-by-brahma-chellaney#mODGLGqd6ITtbfHd.99
01:06 US security agency scraps plan to allow small knives on planes
The top US transportation security official said on Wednesday that he had decided not to permit passengers to carry small knives on airplanes, after receiving a drumbeat of criticism from flight attendants and the public that easing restrictions would increase flight dangers.
Transportation Security Administration head John Pistole, who had proposed to loosen rules put in place in the wake of the September 11 hijackings, told Reuters he had decided to scrap the changes.
00:56 India warns citizens against travelling to 3 Nigerian states
India has issued a travel warning to its nationals in Nigeria urging them to be cautious while visiting the oil-rich nation's troubled northeastern region, where a state of emergency had been declared last month.
The High Commission of India in Nigeria, on its website, urged its nationals living in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states "to weigh their options and consider relocation until the security situation settles down."
The emergency rule had been declared by President Goodluck Jonathan in the three states on May 14 after the radical Islamic sect Boko Haram continued their campaign of terror by killing security, government officials, traditional rulers and civilians.
00:51 Republican candidate: Yoga Opens You to Satanic Possession
According to The Atlantic magazine Virginia Lieutenant Governor candidate E W Jackson, who is a Christian pastor: 'When one hears the word meditation, it conjures an image of Maharishi Yoga talking about finding a mantra and striving for nirvana. . . . The purpose of such meditation is to empty oneself. . . [Satan] is happy to invade the empty vacuum of your soul and possess it. That is why people serve Satan without ever knowing it or deciding to...' More here: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/06/gop-candidate-yoga-opens-you-to-satanic-possession/276570/
00:48 London stabbing defendant says he's a 'soldier'
One of the men accused of killing a British serviceman in broad daylight called himself a soldier during a rambling court appearance Wednesday.
Michael Adebolajo appeared by video link from prison for a hearing at London's Central Criminal Court. The 28-year-old was addressed as "Mr. Hamza," in line with his wish to be known as Mujahid Abu Hamza.
00:46 10 things you may not know about India
Only 3% of Indians pay income tax, in a population of 1.2bn and other stories. Please read more here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22772391
00:31 Susan Rice named Obama's new national security advisor
Susan Rice, the tough-talking US Ambassador to the UN, was today named as President Barack Obama's new National Security Advisor, in a significant shakeup to the White House foreign policy team.
Considered a strong advocate of India-US relationship, 48-year-old Rice would take over as National Security Advisor in early July. She would replace 58-year-old Tom Donilon.
00:18 At UN, Rice has led US policy on Syria, NKorea
Susan Rice, tapped by President Barack Obama to become the next National Security adviser, has been at the center of the international feuding over Syria's disastrous civil war as the outspoken US ambassador at the United Nations.
She is expected by bring her blunt negotiating style to her new, higher-profile post at a time when Russia and the United States are struggling find a political way out of Syria's conflict, one of the most intractable foreign policy challenges facing the Obama administration.
00:16 Paris Jackson hospitalised after possible suicide attempt
Michael Jackson's 15-year-old daughter Paris was hospitalized early Wednesday morning following an attempt at suicide, a source told FOX411.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said that fire personnel responded to a home in Calabasas for a medical rescue on Wednesday.
"We received a call at 1:27 in the morning. We transported a patient to the hospital at 1:47," a rep told us. "We responded to a call of an overdose. That's the kind of call we got."
00:13 Philadelphia building collapse injures 12
Authorities were searching for at least two people believed to be trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed building in downtown Philadelphia after 12 people escaped with minor injuries, officials said Wednesday.
The incident, which will be investigated, was being treated as an accident. There were no reports of any explosion at the site, and there was no fire, officials said.
Parts of a four-story property collapsed onto a Salvation Army thrift store at 22nd and Market streets at about 10:45 a.m., Mayor Michael Nutter told a televised news conference.
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