The Gujarat Congress today accused the BJP government of going slow on self-styled godman Asaram's alleged wrongdoings in the state and demanded a high court-monitored inquiry by a special investigation team. 

German officials say the country has temporarily closed its embassy in the Afghan capital due to fears of a possible attack. 

The former leader of the US House of Representatives, Tom Foley, has died at the age of 84 in his Washington home. 

Reports of the second potency test conducted on self-styled godman Asaram Bapu were positive, similar to the one obtained from Jodhpur last month, police said here today. 

Power supply was today partially restored in the cyclone-ravaged Gajapati, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Boudh districts and only in Digapahandi town of Ganjam district, Southern Electricity Supply Company of Odisha (Southco) said.

Power supply was also restored to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, City Hospital and Dakhinapur water supply system in Berhampur town from Thursday, Southco said.

The distribution company also claimed to have restored and charged lines and sub stations, 35-km of 33-KV line and nine 33/11 KV primary sub-stations.

Media entrepreneur and former CEO of Star TV, Sameer Nair today joined Aam Aadmi Party and will support the party's Delhi Assembly election campaign.

Nair, who had been following AAP since its launch, joined the party as "he wanted to contribute in the change that AAP is trying to bring in Indian politics", a party statement said.

"Even though his family and business are based in Mumbai, he has recently been making frequent trips to Delhi to support and contribute in AAP's communication strategy," the statement said.

Two Naxals, who were involved in the killing of seven security personnel in 2008 were nabbed from Kondagaon district of Chhattisgarh today, the police said.

The two identified as Kosa Muriya and Massu Muriya (both 45) were nabbed from their houses in Aadnar village under the Bayanar police station by a joint team of security personnel, Kondagaon Additional SP Surjit Atri told PTI.

Incidentally, Kosa and Massu, members of Mardapal jan-militia group, were carrying cash rewards of Rs 8,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively, he added.

Acting on a tip-off about the ultras visiting their native place yesterday, a combine team of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force, Quick Response Team and district police was mobilised in the forests of Bayanar and Mardapal, around 350km from the state capital Raipur.

Flood situation in West Bengal's six districts remain unchanged, even as the death toll rose to 17 with reports of eight more deaths from different districts on Friday.

Britain sent messages to nearly 60,000 illegal immigrants warning them to leave the country, but the campaign sparked a controversy after some legal migrants, including an Indian-origin rights activist, received the alert.

The home office today claims only 14 out of a total of 58,800 people contacted via text, email and post were mistakenly asked if they had overstayed their visas, but campaigners believe the true number is far higher. Indian-origin human rights and anti-racism campaigner Suresh Grover expressed shock after he received the message.

"I was absolutely shocked and quite horrified to receive the text. I thought it wasn't meant for me," he said.

Pakistani troops resort to heavy firing and shelling in R S Pura and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir.  

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar rejected the resignations submitted by 13 MPs from Andhra Pradesh, including ten from Congress and two of YSR Congress, against the decision on Telangana, holding these were "not voluntary or genuine".

The YSR Congress MPs included party chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy. The Speaker held that the resignations were "not voluntary or genuine", an official announcement said in New Delhi.

Taking a dig at the government Narendra Modi said, "Today our rupee is in ICU, I don't know why the Tamil people sent this person (Finance Minister P Chidambaram) to Delhi. Manmohan Singh can't even find support in his own party."

He said, "No country has suffered more from terrorism than India. It is central to our foreign policy that terrorism is driven from abroad. In the past 50 years, in all world forums, Pakistan has been able bring Kashmir to the centrestage. Atalji brought the focus to terrorism and those countries supporting terrorism were isolated," he said as he spoke at the Madras University.

"In the recent past our approach against terrorism has been weak. Modern warfare will be proxy wars -- this includes cyber attacks. Higher walls made by human lives will not be enough, made by human minds are also not enough -- what we need is walls of hearts against such attacks. And this is where India's strengths lie," he said.

"Strong economy is the driver of an effective foreign policy. We have to put our own house in order that the world gets attracted to us."
This will give us the bargaining power at some point of time.
Once the PM was going to the G8, and I wrote to him saying why can't India form its own club? I had mooted the idea of all countries which can garner solar energy - but you know what would have happened.
           

Bollywood actress Preity Zinta today appeared before a lower court here and secured bail in a cheque-bouncing case that she is facing.

"This afternoon Zinta appeared before the Metropolitan Magistrate in Andheri, which had issued a non-bailable warrant against her. The Magistrate granted her bail on a bond of Rs 20,000," said advocate Ratneshwar Jha, her lawyer.

Earlier in the day, Justice M L Tahaliyani of the high court, while hearing Zinta's petition seeking quashing of the warrant, suggested that she may appear before the Magistrate and get the warrant cancelled.

India today justified the detention of a ship owned by an American company and the arrest of its crew, saying the action was taken as the vessel in Indian waters carried arms, ammunition and armed guards without necessary authorisation.

"The vessel is owned by an American company but has the flag of Sierra Leone. It was stopped by the Coast Guard in consideration of issues like it was carrying arms, ammunition and armed guards without necessary authorisation," Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh told reporters.

During his speech at the Madras University, Narendra Modi said, "Today's world is unstable, instability arises from the lack of understanding the viewpoint of others. These are our healing powers which we can use for international relations. Our healing power is our cultural strong point."

"For many Asian and east Asian countries, Buddha is a common thread with us. We should strengthen this bond. Many neighbours look upon India as a big brother because of its size and resources. That status casts a lot of responsibility. We have failed to play that role properly," he said.

"Arun Shourie's book  explains how India is making a mockery of itself with its limited and timid approach vis-a-vis China. We remained weak where we needed to be strong, insensitive where we needed to be sensitive. One of the pillars of foreign policy should be strategic and security interests. Atal Bihari Vajpayee worshipped both -- Shakti and Shanti. He conducted a nuclear test after that sanctions were imposed upon us. It was Atalji's political will that after the 11th on 13th a second nuclear test was conducted," said Modi.

Narendra Modi addresses students at the Madras University in Chennai. He speaks on the 'India and the world' at the Nani Phalkivala Memorial Lecture.During the speech Modi praised Phalkivala.

He said, "It is a great privilege to deliver the 11th Nani Palkhivala memorial lecture. Nani Palkhivala was a gifted economist. To my mind, his biggest contribution was in upholding the Indian Constitution. Had it not been for people like him, the basic structure of the constitution would have been different," he said.  

"In a short time of two years, Nani Palkhivala was able to generate immense respect for India in the US. Whatever he did, he did it with distinction. I find his legacy more interesting than his life."

"We are lucky to be born in this country. It is said in the scriptures that India is a land where even the Gods want to take birth. Vasudheva Kutumbakam is our guiding principle for dealing with the world. The manner and message of India for the world is of peace and harmony," he added.

"Gandhiji gave importance to the moral dimension in the conduct of persons and nations. The policies during the British rule divided us internally as well as internationally. After independence, the first task should have been to collect all those threads and weave a harmonious neighbourhood. India can offer a lot and become the alchemist of the world," said Modi.    

Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban, met Queen Elizabeth II on Friday and spoke about the importance of education.

The Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, invited 16-year-old Malala to a reception for Commonwealth, youth and education at Buckingham Palace, where they met and chatted for a short time. The teenager, accompanied by her father Ziauddin, gave the Queen a copy of her book, 'I Am Malala', during their meeting, telling her, "It is a great honour for me to be here, and I wanted to present you with this book." Accepting the gift, the 87-year-old Queen replied, "That's very kind of you." 

Malala told the Queen she was passionate about every child having a right to an education, everywhere around the world, The Guardian reported. She added, "Especially in this country as well. I have heard about many children that can't go to school, and I want to continue our work."

BBC reports: Saudi Arabia has turned down a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, accusing the world body of "double standards".

The Saudi foreign ministry said the UN needs to be reformed first. It said the Security Council had failed in its duties towards Syria as well as in other world conflicts.

Read the full report here

An agreement on the setting up of Unit three and four of the Russian-assisted Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in Tamil Nadu is likely to be signed in the "near future", India said today, indicating the possibility during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Moscow next week.

Briefing the media on the upcoming five-day visit of the prime minister to Russia and China starting Sunday, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Rao refused to go into details of any agreement or answer questions regarding the issue of nuclear liability for suppliers of equipment like reactors.

"We hope to conclude specific contracts in the near future. Near future means, near future. Let's see. The companies are discussing issues--technical, legal and financial," she said in reply to a question whether a deal on setting up of two fresh reactors in the project would be signed during the visit and whether Russia's concerns on nuclear liability issues have been resolved.

The Swedish Academy says Nobel literature prize winner Alice Munro won't travel to Stockholm to collect her award because of poor health.

Academy secretary Peter Englund said in an email Friday that the 82-year-old Canadian writer had declined the invitation, and that it's not yet clear who will represent her at the Dec 10 award ceremony.

The academy announced last week that Munro had won the $1.2 million prize for this year, and called her a "master of the contemporary short story."

Admitting the appeal of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad against the special Central Bureau of Investigation court's verdict in the fodder scam, the Jharkhand high court on Friday directed placing before it all records of the lower court pertaining to the case.

The direction was issued by the single bench of Justice R R Prasad. The former Bihar chief minister had on Friday moved the high court against his conviction, five-year prison sentence and Rs 25 lakh fine imposed by the special CBI court of Pravas Kumar Singh in Ranchi.

Amid the raging protests over Telangana issue, the Group of Ministers, set up to look into the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, will deliberate issues concerning sharing of river water, power, distribution of assets and boundaries at its second meeting in New Delhi tomorrow.

The high-powered ministerial panel will also look into the legal and administrative measures required to ensure that both Telangana and residuary state of Andhra Pradesh can function efficiently from Hyderabad as the common capital for 10 years. The GoM, headed by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, was constituted to address all the issues that need resolution at the central and state government levels in the matter.

Industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla met Finance Minister P Chidambaram this evening, three days after the CBI filed an FIR against him in the coal block allocation scam.

Birla said that he hasn't done any wrong and is not worried about CBI case against him in coal block allocation. "I discussed the CBI FIR issue with the finance minister," he said.

The CPI-M today termed as "baseless and unwarranted" comments by its senior leader V S Achuthanandan that the Left was defeated in 2011 Kerala assembly polls due to lapses like "irrational" selection of candidates and asked him to refrain from making such charges in public.    

Suspended Trinamool Congress MP Kunal Ghosh today met officials of the Serious Fraud Investigation Office, which had grilled him in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam in West Bengal.     

The defence in the Aarushi-Hemraj double murder case could not initiate arguments today in the special CBI court as lawyers went on a strike demanding a bench of Allahabad high court be set up in western Uttar Pradesh.        

Former coal secretary P C Parakh had failed to explain reasons why Hindalco was given coal block after rejection, the CBI said on Friday.

The Gujarat police today raided an ashram in Ariyari village in Bihar's Darbhanga district in search of Narayan Sai, son of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu who is facing rape charges.        

Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley today said the "acceptability" of his party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi within India and among the diaspora has improved due to his track record in governance and "decisive leadership quality."       

Police today arrested an aide of Asaram Bapu's son Narayan Sai, who is wanted in a sexual assault case, for allegedly helping him abscond.

Central Vigilance Commissioner R Sri Kumar will demit office in January 2014. 

The legal wing of the Central Bureau of Investigation is abuzz with activity in the wake of new developments in the coal scam. 

The Union ministry of home affairs is now asking the public for their feedback on the decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh on its website. 

Research by an Oxford University scientist has found a genetic match between an ancient polar bear and samples said to come from the Yeti -- suggesting the creature known as the Abominable Snowman is still living in the Himalayas.

The CBI has started a preliminary enquiry on a complaint by whistle-blower IAS Ashok Khemka, alleging irregularities in the supply of wheat seeds to the Haryana Seed Development Corporation by NAFED and NCCF.        

Hitting out at the Gujarat model of development, Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh today said the state has the highest per capita debt burden on its people.    

Fifteen babies, who were admitted to the Malda Medical College and Hospital in a critical condition, have died, officials said today.        

Pakistan Peoples Party's Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari may contest from a national assembly seat which has traditionally been the stronghold of the Bhutto family in hometown Larkana in Sindh province.        

Thirty-three crew members o fa US firm owned ship were today arrested by Tamil Nadu police on charges of illegally carrying arms and ammunition and straying into Indian territorial waters without authorisation.        

Ahead of the CHOGM Summit in Sri Lanka, Lord Swraj Paul has said the Commonwealth should be more assertive in its diplomatic endeavours and it must change, adapt and grow so as not to be marginalised.        

With repeated ceasefire violations from across the Line of Control, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the Centre needs to take up the issue with Pakistan in a "strong manner" as it was getting "more serious" now.        

The Tuticorin police has questioned 33 crew members of the detained US ship at Muthiapuram police station. 

Nine people were killed while 24 others were taken ill after consuming spurious liquor in several villages in Mubarakpur area, police said today.        

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a PIL seeking court monitoring of the ASI's digging for gold in Daundia Khera village in Uttar Pradesh.

With the assembly elections round the corner in Chhattisgarh, police have received inputs of Naxals planting improvised explosive devices near polling booths in the Maoist-hotbed of Bastar division in a bid to disrupt the electoral process.        

The Supreme Court, which recently commuted the death sentence of Sushil Sharma to life imprisonment, must now deal with the legal pleas of 18 of the 22 convicts on death row.

The UPA's flagship MGNREGA scheme may not be enough to garner votes in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

There is no point in India's much-hyped Look East policy if the Centre does not resolve the conflict in the key state of Manipur which serves as the gateway to the East and borders Myanmar.

Amid widespread frustration surrounding the US shutdown and reckless brinkmanship over the debt limit, an Indian-American leader, seeking his maiden Congressional bid, has introduced a vision of bold government reform agenda.        

Concrete efforts are going on to get chemical weapons out of Syria, US President Barack Obama has said, while expressing satisfaction over the progress being made in this regard by the United Nations.        

US Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Europe next week, making him unavailable in Washington during the all-important visit of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during the period.        

The World Bank has praised India's evacuation of nearly 10 lakh people in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, which ensured minimal loss of human lives, before Cyclone Phailin made landfall, and attributed it to its years of disaster management preparedness.

An update on anti-corruption measures and the progress report of Bangladesh's preparedness for next year's World Twenty-20 will be top of the agenda when the International Cricket Council's Board gathers in London for a two-day meet starting Saturday.    

Toyota has said it was recalling 885,000 vehicles worldwide to fix a problem with air conditioning equipment that could cause a leak that could affect air bags. 

Nearly 30 million people around the world are living as slaves, according to a new index ranking 162 countries.

The director of America's eavesdropping National Security Agency plans to retire next year but his departure is not connected to leaks from former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, officials have said. 

A barrage of car bomb and suicide bomb blasts rocked Baghdad and two northern Iraqi communities today, killing at least 61 people during a major holiday period and extending a relentless wave of bloodshed gripping the country. 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the opposition Social Democratic Party (SPD) today struck a deal on a new "grand coalition" to replace the centre-right government, which lost power in the parliamentary election nearly a month ago.

A Palestinian man who used a tractor to break into an Israeli army base in the West Bank has been shot and killed by soldiers, according to a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces.

As they strolled through Westgate Mall, guns strapped to their torsos, the attackers chatted on their cell phones while they sprayed bullets at terrified shoppers.

Attacks on Shi'ite Muslims killed at least 48 people across Iraq on Thursday, including a suicide truck bomb targeting members of the country's Shabak minority, police and medics said.

India has the largest number of people in the world who are living in conditions of slavery caused by poverty, handed-down social customs and weak enforcement of anti-slavery laws, according to a new first-ever global slavery index.

BBC reports: Eleven Nobel laureates urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to drop piracy charges against 30 Greenpeace activists and journalists.

Read the full story here

Phailin aftermath: Epidemic threat in Odisha's Ganjam district 
CBI to hold preliminary inquiry on criminality in Radia tapes 
Aarushi case: Talwars mislead us, says CBI 
Saradha scam: Trinamool MP Kunal Ghosh grilled for over 8 hrs
Haryana govt preparing second chargesheet against Khemka 
Sikh student denied to board bus for wearing kirpan in US 
Indian teen bags photography award with Chambal crocodile
Hyderabad: Pro-united AP employees call off agitation 
Pak targets civilian areas in Jammu, 3 children among 4 hurt