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Wed, 13 August 2014
Ground-to-air security apparatus for I-Day at Red Fort

Timeline  Refresh

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23:51   Justin Bieber pleads guilty in deal in US
Pop singer Justin Bieber pleaded guilty today to misdemeanour charges of careless driving and resisting arrest seven months after his arrest in Miami Beach following what police initially called an illegal street drag race. 

The 20-year-old pop star's plea deal with prosecutors, detailed at a court hearing, includes a 12-hour anger management course, a USD 50,000 charitable contribution and fines. The deal allows Bieber to avoid a driving under the influence conviction.
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23:36   Rajnath Singh admitted to AIIMS
Home Minister Rajnath Singh has been admitted to AIIMS hospital for treatment for a lower back problem.
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23:12   Ground-to-air security apparatus for I-Day at Red Fort
Around 10,000 security personnel from the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces will keep a hawk-eyed vigil at Red Fort and the area surrounding it during the Independence Day celebrations on Friday. 

A multi-layered security cover has been put in place along with a ground-to-air security apparatus to pre-empt any possible terror strikes in the city with special emphasis on the region around the venue.
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23:12   Ground-to-air security apparatus for I-Day at Red Fort
Around 10,000 security personnel from the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces will keep a hawk-eyed vigil at Red Fort and the area surrounding it during the Independence Day celebrations on Friday. 

A multi-layered security cover has been put in place along with a ground-to-air security apparatus to pre-empt any possible terror strikes in the city with special emphasis on the region around the venue.
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23:07   UP CM punishes police officers for making farmer drink urine
Taking a strong view of an incident where a farmer was made to drink urine at a police station in Lalitpur district of UP, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today ordered the suspension of two police officers and the transfer of a superintendent.
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22:50   Militants attack police convoy in J&K
Militants opened fire on a police convoy in Pampore, J&K, killing 2 policemen and 1 civilian. 
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21:55   PM said nothing wrong about 'proxy war' by Pakistan: Tharoor
Slamming Pakistan, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor today came to the defence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he had said nothing wrong about proxy war emanating from Pakistan.

"I do not think what the Prime Minister has said in itself is inappropriate or wrong," the former Union Minister of State for External Affairs said.

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused it of indulging in a proxy war against India, Pakistan today hit back by dubbing it as "baseless rhetoric" and said both countries should focus on resolving issues instead of engaging in blame game.

Stating that Pakistan is suffering because of terrorism within that country, Tharoor said that terrorism turns back and hits like a monster.
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21:17   One dead, two policemen injured in militant attack in Kashmir
A civilian was killed and twopolicemen were injured as militants attacked a police vehiclein Pampore area in south Kashmir's Pulwama district today.

The militants opened fire on the vehicle of a DeputySuperintendent of Police at Gallander area around 7:45 PMresulting in death of the civilian and injuries to two personal security guards of the officer, a police spokesman said.

The identity of the deceased civilian could not be ascertained so far.        No militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which was third on the security forces in the past two days.

A constable of Railway Protection Force  was yesterday shot dead by militants in Pulwama district.  Eight BSF personnel, including an officer, were injured when militants had attacked their convoy at Pampore on the intervening night of August 11 and August 12.
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21:08   Jaswant's condition remains critical
The condition of former BJP leader Jaswant Singh, who suffered head injuries, continues to be critical. The 76-year-old politician, who is in coma, was admitted to the Army Research and Referral Hospital in the city on Friday after he had fallen down in his house.

The former Defence Minister continues to be on life support system. "His condition continues to be critical and there is no change," a Defence Ministry spokesperson said.

Singh, who had also served as External Affairs and Finance Minister during the previous NDA regime, was expelled from BJP early this year after he had decided to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Barmer in Rajasthan as an Independent after being denied a party ticket.
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21:07   Man attempts suicide in front of PM's residence
A 26-year-old man, hailing from Haryana, allegedly attempted suicide in front of Prime Minister's 7 Race Course Road residence, police said today. The incident took place around 6 pm yesterday when the man identified as Jitendra Singh was found lying in an unconscious state on the footpath near Kamal Ataturk Marg near the 'IN' gate of the prime minister's residence.

He was rushed to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia hospital where his condition is stated to be critical. A suicide note addressed to the prime minister and a complaint written to the Superintendent of Police Fatehabad, were recovered.

In his suicide note and complaint, Singh has said that he was duped of Rs 5 lakh on the pretext of a job in railways by three persons identified as Subhash Bishnoi, Vishnu Bishnoi and Yuvraj Sharma.
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20:42  
The government is to appoint the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission on Friday, for which, names of three senior BJP leaders have come up. Names of N K Singh, Suresh Prabhu and two former Gujarat IAS officers are are doing the rounds as members of the commission.
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20:39  
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed a special plane of Indian Air Force be kept at the disposal of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for her to travel to neighbouring countries. This was to accommodate her itinerary suiting Parliament debates and her availability. This was the practise since the Vajpayee regime, Which Dr Manmohan Singh also continued for Dr Pranab Mukherjee.

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20:15   CBI registers case in Jiah Kha's probe
The CBI today registered a case relating to the controversial death of actor Jiah Khan whose body was found hanging at her Mumbai residence on June 3,2013.

After the death of the 25-year old actor, who featured in movies like "Nishabd", her family alleged it was not a suicide.

The case has come to CBI following the orders of theBombay High Court which had directed the agency to probe whether the death was suicide or homicide.

"The high court has directed the CBI 'to consider whether this is a case of suicidal or homicidal death. If it comes to a conclusion that it is a homicidal death, then further investigation be made to find out who is the perpetrator of the crime and accordingly action be taken," CBI spokesperson Kanchan Prasad said.

She said the Mumbai police have already filed a charge sheet on January 11, 2014 against a person under section 306(abetment of suicide) of the IPC.
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20:08   Have transferred family inheritance to Ujjwala, Rohit: N D Tiwari
Veteran Congress leader Narain Dutt Tiwari today said that he has formally "transferred" his family and political inheritance to his wife Ujjwala and biological son Rohit Shekhar.

Talking to reporters Tiwari said, keeping in view 72 years of his political services and age, he has "handed over his political and family inheritance to his wife Ujjwala and son Rohit and declared them as his registered heir." The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister clarified that in past if he had given heir status to anyone through a will or any other document, then it should be considered "null and void" from immediate effect.

The 89-year-old veteran leader said if his name was being used by any private trust, institution or organisation without his approval, it should be considered as "cancelled and ineffective" from today itself.
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19:02  
Worth a read: Pakistani cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri - A man of immense contradictions'. 
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19:01   Of fans and fan girls in Parliament
Also worth a mention are Jayadev Galla of the Telugu Desam Party. The MP brings a bamboo fan, that fits neatly into his bag. He sits in the last, but one row in the Lok Sabha.

Whenever serious discussions take place, Jayadev pulls out his fan and well, fans himself. He says he feels suffocated as the airconditioning in the Lok sabha is poor and doesn't reach the last row.


Telangana Rashtriya Samithi MP and CM K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter, has been attending proceedings every day. And every day, there's one ritual she doesn't miss -- touching LK Advani's feet.
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18:57   Cong MPs cover up for Rekha, Sachin's absence
Much has been said about the absence of Sachin Tendulkar and Rekha from the Rajya Sabha, but senior Congress leaders in the house have been pointing out that there are five Congress MPs have also been missing since the Monsoon session, prominent among whom is Ahmed Patel. They want to know why the media has been silent about it. 
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18:55   Kurta clad MPs grace Parliament
Shanta Kumar, who is the BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh, surprised many of his colleagues in the Lok  Sabha, by wearing a long kurta emroidered with flowers. If Lok Sabha speaker, Sumitra Mahajan, decides  to hold a ramp walk of male MPs wearing long kurtas, there will be at least 25 to 30 MPs in the fray. BJD MP Tathagata Satapati would probably be judged the best dressed, but a close second will be Dr Murli  Manahor Joshi from the BJP, who wears attractive, dark colors, teamed with a stole. CPM leader Saleem from West Bengal also wears dark red kurtas, may be in conjunction with his political ideology. 
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18:51   Does Sonia Gandhi have a sore throat?
At around 11:30 am during Lok Sabha proceedings, Sonia Gandhi, opens her black handbag and pops a pill. She rarely washes it down with water. Some Congress MPs speculate that it may be something to soothe her throat, because few MPs (who obviously have little else to do) have watched her chew on the pill. 
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18:48  
Our sources tell us that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is zeroing in on a senior secretary to the Government of India over disproportionate assets. CBI officials recently kept the Union Minister informed of their findings. 
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18:28   Swiss train derailed in landslide
Just in: A landslide in eastern Switzerland has derailed a train in a "serious accident", police say, amid reports that carriages have plunged into a ravine.
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18:24   AAP reacts to Shanti Bhushan
AAP reacts to Shanti Bhushan's criticism of Arvind Kejriwal. The party said that Bhushan's criticism was misplaced and the party disagrees with his views.

In what will hit the Aam Admi Party where it hurts, founder member and senior party leader Shanti Bhushan today hit out at party chief Arvind Kejriwal saying the party lacks internal democracy. He also said Kejriwal's decision to resign as chief minister of Delhi proved very expensive for the party.

In a scathing attack, Bhushan said Kejriwal lacked the ability to manage the party at the national level. He said Kejriwal was a great campaigner but lacked organisational skills.

Differences within the AAP have been out in the open, even before the cataclysmic loss in the Lok Sabha polls. In March, two founding members publicly expressing displeasure over ticket distribution. Questions had also been raised about some controversial names finding way into the list of candidates. 
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18:21  
CBI registers case for conducting a probe into the death of actress Jiah Khan. 
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18:17  
Mulayam Singh Yadav on Lalu-Nitish alliance: What has happened in Bihar I consider that to be good.

On being asked about Mayawati: Jinke baare mei pooch rahe hain unka naam main leta nahin, unke baare mei kabhi bolta nahin.
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17:57   What Modi hopes to achieve with his I-Day speech
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a two-pronged strategy for his much-awaited speech from Red Fort on August 15.  Rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt reports from New Delhi that, a source in the government has said that, "Modi would connect very well with entire India through his speech. He will give ehsas (feel) of change. The change has arrived but the prime minister will explain how. He said he will show how change is taking place and now he will be able to convince people about it.

Already, New Delhi is under siege with a security vigil all over. Modi has rejuvenated interest in a largely ceremonial I-Day speech.

There is a huge demand for VIP passes. The source said there wont any earth-shaking announcement, but people would know what the Modi government is doing and how things will be achieved, eventually.
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17:55   Uma Bharti on cleaning Ganga: Will give SC report on what has been done
Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Uma Bharti, reacts to the SC's mandate on cleaning the Ganga. She said that the Supreme Court's concern was valid and her office would give the court a report about what has been done till now.

The government has been given two weeks to explain how it plans to clean up the Ganga, with irate Supreme Court judges asking, "Are you saving the Holy River? You are showing no urgency in this matter, only in other matters."
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17:18   Clooney's girlfriend will not be joining UN commission on Gaza
A few days after it was widely reported that George Clooney's current squeeze Amal Alamuddin will be participating in the UN commission on Gaza, she says that the reports were erroneous.
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17:14   So, who is Yogi Adityanath?
So, who is Yogi Adityanath? Read  our report in April Why no 'BJPwallah' would comment on this yogi... or his politics
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17:11   Communal violence in poll-bound states: Cong
In the Lok Sabha, the debate on the communal violence continues.

The Congress says it is no coincidence that there are riots in poll-bound states only.

The TMC says that the government must learn from peaceful states.
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16:50  
Petrol prices to be reduced from 14/15 August midnight in range of Rs 1.89 to Rs 2.38 (Rs 2.18/litre at Delhi), Dharmendra Pradhan, Petroleum Minister, tweets
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16:48   BJP: Cong govt's policies communal
BJP's Yogi Adityanath asks why was there no debate when Assam was burning last year. He says the Congress government's policies have always been communal.
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16:44   BJP: 800 riots in UPA II rule
Communal violence debate on in Parliament:

The Congress sharply attacked the ruling BJP in Parliament over what it called rising communal violence since it took power. "Why have there been so many riots in the past 2-3 months? Who is behind these incidents?" questioned Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha.

"It is not a coincidence that riots are taking place only in poll-bound states. More than 600 riots have taken place in the last three months and state governments have been blamed," he added.

The BJP has hit back at the Congress saying they, and not the BJP is instigating violence. The BJP says there were over 800 incidents of communal violence during the UPAII rule.
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16:03  
BJP National President Amit Shah will address a "Vijay Sankalp Rally" on Thursday at 2 pm in Haryana. 
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16:01  
AAP's Yogendra Yadav on Shanti Bhushan's statement: Can't comment as I haven't seen his statement.
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15:59  
Sensex rises 38 pts to end at nearly two-week high of 25,918.95; gains for the third session.
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15:52   Pakistan violates ceasefire again
Update on the ceasefire violation in J-K:

One army trooper was wounded in firing by the Pakistan army today. The ceasefire violation occured in the Bhimber Gali secotr of Poonch district in Jammu region this morning.

Wednesday's ceasefire violation came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Pakistan of indulging in a proxy war against India since it had lost the strength to fight a conventional war.

A defence spokesperson said the Pakistan army carried out unprovoked firing using small arms and automatic weapons. An army spokesperson said that Indian troops gave a befitting reply using weapons of similar caliber.  
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15:36   Jaswant Singh's condition continues to be grave
Former union minister and expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh continued to be in coma Wednesday, with doctors describing his condition as "grave".

A statement issued from the Army Hospital (Research and Referral) said Jaswant Singh was "still in coma. On ventilatory support. Vitals stable. Condition continues to be grave".

The statement added that he had fever, "transient hypotension" (low blood pressure) and his condition was "slightly worse than yesterday (Tuesday)".

The 76-year-old former cabinet minister was admitted to the hospital on Aug 8 in a critical condition, with a head injury following a fall at his house in Delhi.
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15:18  
Just in: One Army jawan has been injured in firing by militants in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. 
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15:13  
The bill sets up a six-member national panel to select Supreme Court and High Court judges, currently picked by a collegium of five of the country's senior-most judges.
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15:11   Bill replaces collegium system for appointment of judges
The bill will amend Article 124 of the Constitution that deals with appointment and transfer of judges and insert Clauses 124(A), 124(B) and 124(C). These amendments pertain to the composition, functions and powers of the Judicial Appointments Commission.
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15:09   Judicial Appointments Bill passed in Lok Sabha
The National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, 2014 has been passed in the Lok Sabha. Voting on the Constitution Amendment Bill to replace the collegium system of appointing judges is likely to be a lengthy affair. As division numbers to members in the 16th Lok Sabha have not yet been allocated, the voting on the Constitution (121st) Amendment Bill is likely to be done using the old system of slips or chits.
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15:06  
The SC has dismissed suspended Gujarat IAS officer Pradeep Sharma's petition seeking transfer of cases to CBI.
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15:01  
In an aside, when the Shah of Iran complimented Lauren Bacall at a New York party saying, 'You were born to dance, Miss Bacall,' she replied, "You bet your ass, Shah.''
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14:41  
It may be recalled that AAP leader Shazia Ilmi had left the AAP alleging lack of internal democracy in the party. She had resigned after she felt that she was being consistently sidelined by the party leadership.
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14:27   Shanti Bhushan: Kejriwal lacks ability to manage party at national level
In what will hit the Aam Admi Party where it hurts, founder member and senior party leader Shanti Bhushan today hit out at party chief Arvind Kejriwal saying the party lacks internal democracy. He also said Kejriwal's decision to resign as chief minister of Delhi proved very expensive for the party.

In a scathing attack, Bhushan said Kejriwal lacked the ability to manage the party at the national level. He said Kejriwal was a great campaigner but lacked organisational skills.

Differences within the AAP have been out in the open, even before the cataclysmic loss in the Lok Sabha polls. In March, two founding members publicly expressing displeasure over ticket distribution. Questions had also been raised about some controversial names finding way into the list of candidates. 
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14:16   AIADMK MPs all set to defeat Judicial Appointments Bill
AIADMK MPs in the Lok Sabha are all set to abstain on the Judicial Appointment Bill and cause an embarrassment to the BJP. If the party indeed abstains in the Rajya Sabha, the bill will be defeated. As the Congress is vehemently opposed to the bill, the AIADMK-Congress combination will be detrimental for the BJP. This, on a day that Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai was elected. 
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13:31   Love jihad and politics of 'izzat' in Uttar Pradesh
Reports suggest that many of the recent cases of communal incidents involved direct confrontation between Dalits and Muslim. Read the report on Rediff.com. 
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13:28   Security beefed up in Valley for Independence Day
A security blanket has been thrown around vital installations and checking intensified across Kashmir Valley ahead of Independence day to thwart any attempt by militants to disrupt the celebrations.

The tightened security arrangements were made in the wake of surge in infiltration attempts and ceasefire violations from across the border and escalation in militant activities in the Valley, officials said today.

The Bakshi Stadium, the main venue of the Independence Day function in Jammu and Kashmir, was virtually sealed by a large contingent of police and CRPF personnel, while special check points have been set up at various places within the city and its outskirts, especially the entry points leading to the capital.

The vehicles are being stopped for frisking of the occupants and frequent searches of pedestrians are also being undertaken to ensure that the militants do not succeed in disrupting the functions, they said.
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13:10   Maya: Will fight elections alone, no question of tying up with Mulayam
BSP chief Mayawati has rebuffed Mulayam Singh's attempt at forging an alliance saying there is no question since "Mulayam only believes in the politics of opportunism." She said she would not consider the offer and would continue to fight elections alone.

Mulayam had said that if Lalu hold's Mayawati's hand and brings her, he was ready to to tie-up with the BSP.

The SP chief was responding to Lalu's recent suggestion that Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati should also join hands in Uttar Pradesh to defeat the BJP in the same way as he has allied with his bitter foe Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (U) in Bihar. 
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12:52   PM promises 'complete cooperation' to Thambidurai
The PM congratulated AIADMK leader M Thambidurai on being elected as the deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha. The PM said Thambidurai was an academician, activist and an agriculturist too. He said the government would give complete cooperation to him.
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12:46   To Have and Have Not
And a tribute to the other Hollywood great who died last night -- Laren Bacall. Shes one of the last of Hollywoods golden-age stars the girl who stole Humphrey Bogarts heart at age 19 and has been grappling with their dual legend ever since.   Read
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12:42   Sportscaster name-drops all of Robin Williams movies
A sports anchor has made a clever and touching tribute to Robin Williams. Zach Klein name checked 22 of the late actors movies in his sports roundup. "For those of you who suffer from Insomnia, Saturday's Braves game was perfect for you,' said Zach Klein of WSB television in Atlanta, Georgia as he launched into his two-and-a-half minute report just hours after Williams, 63, died. Read
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12:33   BJP welcome to steal our ideas, they have nothing new to offer: Sonia
In a frontal attack on the Narendra Modi government, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said there has been an "alarming increase" in communal incidents since it came to power and asked party men to resist its "authoritarian and sectarian" tendencies.

"It is our task to play the role of a vigilant Opposition, to stand up for the values and policies of the Indian National Congress, and to resist the authoritarian and sectarian tendencies of the new government as it tries to get its way in Parliament. "This we have begun to do, I believe, with increasing effectiveness," Gandhi said addressing the second meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party in the new Lok Sabha.

She also accused accused the BJP of having "nothing new to offer the country." She said the BJP, since coming to power, has implemented the policies that were introduced by the government her party led till May, when it was crushed in the national election. "But they are welcome to steal our ideas... imitation is the best form of flattery," she said.

Gandhi's comments were made in a speech to her party's law-makers at Parliament this morning, where she acknowledged that "we have been reduced in numbers to an all-time low in the Lok Sabha."
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12:15   AIADMK leader M Thambidurai is deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha
AIADMK leader M Thambidurai declared deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha. Thambidurai on Tuesday filed his nomination for the post and the first nomination paper was proposed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and seconded by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Later, the Congress also lent its support and its leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge proposed a set of nomination papers in his support and Jyotiraditya Scindia supported it.
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12:13   Pak rubbishes Modi's allegations of proxy war
A day after PM Narendra Modi accused Pakistan of waging a "proxy war" by sending militants to attack India, Pakistan reacted saying the PM's
allegations are baseless and that the Pakistan army was ready to reply to any acts of aggression by India. 
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12:13   Modi's quiet beginning dims India's hopes for swift change
During the months leading up to the spring parliamentary elections, Indians looked at Narendra Modi and saw what they wanted to see. Right-wing Hindus saw a cultural warrior. Working-class voters saw an incorruptible outsider who would impose discipline, from the "Delhi durbar," the elite cliques dating to the Mughal courts, down to police constables. Read
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12:11   Deconstructing Modis warning to Pakistan
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi's outburst against Pakistan condemning its proxy war, here, needs to be put in context. It appeared in the course of his first visit to Jammu & Kashmir after coming to power, and while addressing Indian armed forces units deployed at Leh. This background is relevant '" as also the fact that his expected visit to Siachen, which would have been highly symbolic, has been deferred by an year.  Read MK Bhadrakumar's blog here.
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11:47  
Robin Williams had 'serious money troubles' before his death. Read 
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11:39   Mulayam ready to join hands with arch-rival Mayawati if Lalu mediates
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav today said that he is ready to join hands with his arch-rival and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati if RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav mediates.

"If Lalu is ready to mediate, then I will consider joining hands with Mayawati," SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said.

The SP chief was responding to Lalu Prasad Yadav's recent suggestion that Mulayam Singh Yadav and Maywati should also joined hands in Uttar Pradesh to defeat the BJP in the same way as he has allied with his bitter foe Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (U) in Bihar.

The coming together of two traditional arch-rivals can mark a new beginning in the caste-driven politics of Uttar Pradesh. Read more
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11:34   10 things you need to know about India
Do you know which states have the largest tribal population?
The answer is Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Lakshadweep.
This and other interesting facts about India from our I-Day special section. Read 
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11:28   Four Indian docs want to return home from Ebola-hit Nigeria
Four Indian doctors in Nigeria, who claim they are being forced to treat Ebola patients against their will, have appealed to the Indian government to facilitate their return.

The doctors claim that their passports have been taken away and they are being issued threats by the Abuja-based private hospital Primus, where they are employed. The hospital has denied the charge.

The hospital has also requested them not to abandon their duties. It has issued an advisory to all its doctors, asking them to continue offering medical services "in the interest of humanity".
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11:23   Sensex rebounds 67 pts on firm buying
The benchmark BSE Sensex recovered from initial losses and moved up by 67 points in late morning trade today on robust buying in key sectors such as oil and gas, FMCG, health care, metal, auto, teck and IT. Encouraging Q1 corporate earnings as well as renewed FII buying interest along with positive global cues supported the market sentiment.
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11:20   Big egos and bylines
Having recently returned to New Delhi's media environment after reporting from Washington for 14 years for this newspaper, it is difficult to endorse the view of a contemporary publication that the prime minister, Narendra Modi, is engaged in the "disintermediation of the media' in communicating with the nation. Yet, it is a view that is commonplace in the national media these days.
Read more
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11:10   Tourist car hijacked on Srinagar-Jammu highway
Just in: A tourist car has been hijacked on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway.  Details awaited. This comes a day after PM Narendra Modi's visit to the state yesterday where he attacked Pakistan for continuing to rage a proxy war.
On Monday night, Eight men of the Border Security Force 151 battalion, including an Assistant Commandant sustained injuries in a militant attack on the paramilitary convoy at Pampore, 14 km from Srinagar, on Srinagar-Jammu highway late on Monday night.
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11:04   For God's sake, BEHAVE, President tells MPs after room squabble
President Pranab Mukherjee has from a public stage reminded the country's lawmakers that they must uphold Parliament's dignity, after members of the Trinamool Congress and the Telugu Desam Party or TDP engaged in an unseemly squabble over a room in Parliament.

"Please, for God's sake, except you nobody can do it. It is our responsibility, we the elected members of both houses including nominated members, to uphold the prestige, dignity and honour of this great, great institution," the President said at a function yesterday, where he gave away awards for the best Parliamentarians. Read more
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10:42   Sonia leads Congress charge against govt on communal violence
Attacking the government over incidents of communal violence, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi accused the BJP of divisive politics.

"Focus on communal violence. We will revive the Congress and fight the BJP," Sonia told MPs at meet on the communal violence issue ahead of the Parliament session.  
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10:11   Communal violence debate: Cong gives adjournment notice to Lok Sabha
The Congress parliamentary party meets to discuss the rising cases of communal violence. Party chief Sonia Gandhi is addressing the meet ahead of the Parliament session.

The Congress which has been demanding a debate on communal violence is expected to raise the issue in the House. The party has given an adjournment notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the matter.   
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09:59   Hollywood icon Lauren Bacall dies at 89
American film and stage actress Lauren Bacall has died at the age of 89.

Her Hollywood career spanned seven decades, with a memorable debut aged 19 opposite her future husband, Humphrey Bogart, in To Have and Have Not. More than 50 years later, The Mirror Has Two Faces earned her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination, BBC reports.

A Twitter account of the Bogart estate, run by Bacall's son, tweeted: With deep sorrow, yet with great gratitude for her amazing life, we confirm the passing of Lauren Bacall. 
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09:25   Humour, wit gradually fading away from Parliament: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lamented the growing absence of wit and humour in parliamentary proceedings during an event yesterday, where he remarked that lawmakers fear how media will play up their utterances.

"Humour and wit are gradually fading away from parliamentary proceedings as members are apprehensive as to what colour the 24x7 (media) would give to even one proverb they utter," he said.

Modi was speaking at a function at which Arun Jaitley, Karan Singh and Sharad Yadav were presented the Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards by President Pranab Mukherjee in the presence of Vice President Hamid Ansari and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan along with a galaxy of parliamentarians.
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09:09   US to send 130 military personnel to Iraq
United States President Barack Obama has authorised sending an additional 130 military personnel to northern Iraq to access the scope of the humanitarian mission for the thousands of Yezidi minority trapped on Mt Sinjar by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Syria.

The temporary authorisation from Obama comes at the recommendation of the Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel. These military personnel, comprising of Marines and special operations forces, are being sent to northern Iraq to assess the scope of the humanitarian mission and develop additional humanitarian assistance options beyond the current airdrop effort in support of displaced Iraqi civilians trapped on Sinjar Mountain by the ISIS, according to a defence official.

"These forces will not be engaged in a combat role," the defense official said on condition on anonymity.
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08:26   2 ceasefire violations by Pak since last night
Pakistan has violated ceasefire yet again. There have been two ceasefire violations since last night. Pakistani troops opened fire on four Indian posts in the RS Pura sector in Jammu and Kashmir around 1 am. Around 11 pm came the first violation. Both the sides retaliated. 

Gunbattle between the two sides continued till 5 am. Pakistan has violated ceasefire around 20 times in the last four months.  
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03:54   Palestinians say UN probe will prove Israel war crimes
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said today a probe by the UN Human Rights Council will prove Israel committed war crimes and violated humanitarian law during its Gaza offensive. 

Speaking after Israel complained that the inquiry was biased, Maliki said the Palestinians were confident in the commission, set up last month after the top UN human rights body adopted a Palestinian-drafted resolution over US opposition.
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03:54   Iranian is first woman to win prestigious math prize
An Iranian-born mathematician has become the first woman to win a prestigious global prize known as the Field Medal, the International Congress of Mathematicians has announced. 

Maryam Mirzakhani, a Harvard educated mathematician and professor at Stanford University in California, was one of four winners announced at the group's conference in Seoul.
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03:22   Ebola experimental drugs and vaccines in early days of testing
No treatments for Ebola have been proven in human trials, but the World Health Organization says the experimental drugs being developed can be used under limited circumstances.

The UN health agency's panel of medical experts reached a consensus, saying it's ethical to offer unproven interventions, given the size of the outbreak in West Africa, with caveats.

"There are some potential therapies and vaccines which look promising, but which have not yet been tested, or if they have, not thoroughly in clinical trials," said Marie-Paule Kieny, the WHO's assistant director general for health systems and innovation.
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03:21   Iraq militants changing tactics, complicating US airstrike mission
Islamic militant forces in northern Iraq appear to be shifting tactics in the face of the newly launched U.S. airstrike campaign, Defense officials say, posing a new challenge to the Obama administration as it seeks to at least slow the terrorists' advances.

According to officials, until now the Islamic State (IS) was behaving like a well-organized army, moving with strategic intent and pursuing military objectives. Now, officials are seeing at least a partial shift to classic insurgency tactics, as militants begin to blend in among the population, making targeting more difficult.
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02:26   Palestinians say UN probe will prove Israel war crimes
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said today a probe by the UN Human Rights Council will prove Israel committed war crimes and violated humanitarian law during its Gaza offensive. 

Speaking after Israel complained that the inquiry was biased, Maliki said the Palestinians were confident in the commission, set up last month after the top UN human rights body adopted a Palestinian-drafted resolution over US opposition.
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01:45   Sheriff official: Robin Williams killed himself
Robin Williams killed himself by hanging with a belt at his San rancisco-area home, sheriff's officials said today. Marin County Sheriff's Lt. Keith Boyd said Williams was found in a bedroom by his personal assistant yesterday. Boyd said toxicology tests will be performed and the investigation is ongoing.
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01:43   Maliki meets commanders as tensions rise in Baghdad
Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met with military officers today in the latest sign he won't hand power willingly to his designated successor, as U.S. and Iraqi forces battled Islamist militants.

Maliki ordered his commanders to keep out of the political crisis that has gripped Baghdad since President Fouad Masoum asked a rival Shiite politician to form a government, according to footage of the meeting shown on television. Earlier, militiamen and soldiers had fanned out across the capital in a show of force. A car bomb killed six people in the city.
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00:44   Pentagon may send more US advisors to Iraq
A senior US defence official says the Pentagon is considering sending more military advisors to Iraq. 

Their role would be to help determine future course of action for the US, based in part on the impact of several days of targeted airstrikes on the Islamic extremist fighters and how that has affected Kurdish forces opposing them in northern Iraq.
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00:43   22 injured in blast in southwestern Pakistan
At least 22 people were injured today in a bomb blast at a commercial hub in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province. 

Suspected militants threw explosives at a shop selling Pakistani flags for Independence day at Prince Road area of the city, Superintendent of Police Imran Qureshi said.
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00:27   Pakistan violates ceasefire again
Pakistan has yet again violated the ceasefire. Firing was reported at the RS Pura sector on Tuesday night. India has responded to the attack.
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00:19   UN chief hopes for 'durable ceasefire' in Gaza
UN chief Ban Ki-moon today warned that fresh "round of violence and vengeance" is "almost guaranteed" between the Israelis and Palestinians if the "underlying" causes of the conflict are not addressed as he hoped that the two sides reach a "durable ceasefire" soon.
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00:18   209 villages still marooned in Odisha, flood toll 46
Though the flood situation substantially improved in the Mahanadi river system, over two lakh people in 209 villages remained marooned while the death toll mounted to 46 in Odisha today, officials said. 

"We are optimistic that water will recede from all the villages in the next two days," Deputy Relief Commissioner Prabhat Ranjan Mohapatra said, adding the highest 115 number of villages remained marooned in Puri district, followed by 52 villages in Kendrapara district.
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00:18   EU boosts aid to Iraq, but says access is key
The European Commission boosted aid to war-torn Iraq by five million euros today but warned that finding access to desperate civilians, not funding, was the most urgent problem. 

"In the case of Iraq, it is less a problem of money than a problem of access," said EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristlina Georgieva as she announced the increase in EU aid to Iraq, which brings the total from Brussels to 17 million euros (USD 22.8 million) for the year.
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00:17   Imran Khan demands formation of caretaker govt, fresh polls
Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan today demanded formation of a caretaker government after the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif which holds fresh elections. 

Speaking at a press conference at his Lahore Zaman Park residence this evening, the cricketer-turned-politician rejected Sharif's offer to form a three-member judicial commission comprising Supreme Court judges to probe his (Khan) rigging allegations in May 2013 elections.

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