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Fri, 05 December 2014
Five reasons Nelson Mandela would worry about South Africa today
Timeline Refresh
23:23 Five reasons Nelson Mandela would worry about South Africa today
South Africa today commemorates one year since the death of Nelson Mandela, its greatest leader who steered the country out of apartheid towards democracy 20 years ago. But is Africa's most powerful country moving in the right direction today?
23:15 NASA's Orion has 'bull's eye' landing after test mission
An unmanned capsule NASA is designing to carry astronauts to an asteroid and eventually Mars splashed down in the Pacific Ocean Friday to conclude a successful first test flight.
After two laps of Earth, the Orion spacecraft plunged through the atmosphere at 20,000 mph, enveloped in a fireball that scorched its heat shield with temperatures up to 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
22:37 28 rescued from migrant boat off Spain, 23 missing
Spain's Marine Rescue service said today it has saved 28 African migrants from an inflatable boat in waters off southeast Spain, and is searching for 23 others believed missing after the vessel ran into stormy weather.
21:53 Babri anniversary: Over 10k security personnel guarding Ayodhya
On the eve of 22nd anniversary of Babri mosque demolition, the temple town has turned into a fortress with nearly 10,000 security personnel deployed amid calls by Muslim outfits to mark the day by hoisting black flags even as Hindu bodies seek to commemorate it.
Prohibitory orders have been clamped in the city and mounted police will be among about 10,000 police and anti-riot personnel keeping a vigil.
The local administration has laid a three-tier security cordon around the twin cities of Ayodhya and Faizabad with officials of superintendent rank manning the key areas.
Two dozens CCTV cameras have also been installed across the Ayodhya city.
Muslim organisations have announced that it will be marked as a black day while appealing to the community to hoist black flags and observe a shut down. While the Hindu organisations, including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, has said it will observe it as "day of bravery victory".
A flood company of PAC has been deployed in Saryu river for round the clock water patrolling to prevent any untoward incident that may happen through the river.
21:05 CBSE schools may be asked to abide by three language formula
Armed with the Supreme Court's observation, government is likely to direct CBSE-affiliated schools to implement the 'three language' formula under which Sanskrit or any other 'modern Indian language' would be mandatory along with English and Hindi.
Indication in this respect came from HRD Ministry officials who said issuing a circular afresh has become imperative now so as to "course-correct" any anomalies and abide by National Policy on Education which espouses the three language formula.
Most of the CBSE schools do not "strictly" follow the three language formula despite a directive issued in this regard earlier, the officials said.
Under the three-language formula, any 'modern Indian language' as per the Constitution, could be taken as third language by a student along with English and Hindi.
The 'modern Indian languages' include Sanskrit which has been in focus recently after government decided to bring it to replace German as third language in Kendriya Vidyalayas.
The Supreme Court today accepted the proposal of the HRD Ministry with regard to introduction of Sanskrit as a third language, observing that it would not create any additional burden on the students as no exam would be conducted.
20:31 Pope to theologians: Listen to ordinary faithful
Pope Francis today urged the Catholic Church's top theologians to listen to what ordinary Catholics have to say rather than just making their own pronouncements on hot-button issues.
Francis, whose near-disdain for theologians is well-known, told the International Theological Commission that they must "humbly listen" to what God tells the church by paying attention to how ordinary Catholics live out their faith.
The Vatican's orthodoxy and theology watchdog, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has long been assailed for issuing critiques of Catholic academics without even consulting them or advising them that they were under investigation.
Francis said theologians must "open their eyes and ears to the signs of the times."
19:25
Aaditya Thackeray tweets: The SS is in pivotal position of Maha politics only bec of blessings of Shri Balasaheb, leadership of Uddhavji n effort of each Shiv Sainik.
19:16 PM: Kashmir attacks desperate attempts to derail atmosphere of goodwill
The PM Narendra Modi has condemned attacks in Kashmir, says these are desperate bids to derail atmosphere of hope and goodwill as seen by increased voter turnout.
The PM tweeted saying, "125 crore Indians bow to our brave Army men who sacrificed their lives. These men lived and died for nation. We won't forget them. Attacks in J&K are condemnable.
"They are desperate attempts to derail the atmosphere of hope and goodwill as seen by increased voter turnout," he said.
Read more: Four terror strikes in 12 hours
The PM tweeted saying, "125 crore Indians bow to our brave Army men who sacrificed their lives. These men lived and died for nation. We won't forget them. Attacks in J&K are condemnable.
"They are desperate attempts to derail the atmosphere of hope and goodwill as seen by increased voter turnout," he said.
Read more: Four terror strikes in 12 hours
19:02 HC allows transfer of German Bakery blast convict to Pune jail
The Bombay High Court today allowed the plea of German Bakery blast convict Himayat Baig that he be shifted from Central Prison at Arthur Road here to Yerwada prison in Pune. Baig may be shifted to Pune jail until his appeal against conviction comes up for hearing before the High Court.
18:20
One of the four civilians injured in a grenade attack in Tral, Pulwama. One person was killed in the incident.
18:11 3-2-1 and Nasa's Orion lifts off!
NASA's new Orion spacecraft has lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This is the craft's first test flight. The launch of Orion -- a craft designed to eventually explore deep space -- is to be one of NASA's biggest moments since the shuttle era ended in 2011. The launch was delayed by 24 hours because of a technical fault.
17:59 RIP Lt Col Kumar, Lance Naik Singh, Constable Kaul
Names of some of the army men killed by militants in Uri, Baramulla today, have been released. Eight army men and three policemen were killed around 3.10 am at the camp in Mohra in Uri tehsil of north Kashmir's Baramulla district.
Constable Sanjay Kaul from Anantnag, Lt Col Sankalp Kumar, Havaldar Subhash Chand, Lance Naik Gurmail Singh of 24 Punjab, were killed fighting terrorists today.
The daring pre-dawn attack ahead of third phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir on December 9, also claimed the lives of six terrorists.
The army camp is 20 km from the Line of Control.
While bodies of four army personnel were charred, one had burn injuries and the other three had bullet injuries, the sources said.
Uri is about 100 km northwest of Srinagar, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to campaign on Monday.
Constable Sanjay Kaul from Anantnag, Lt Col Sankalp Kumar, Havaldar Subhash Chand, Lance Naik Gurmail Singh of 24 Punjab, were killed fighting terrorists today.
The daring pre-dawn attack ahead of third phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir on December 9, also claimed the lives of six terrorists.
The army camp is 20 km from the Line of Control.
While bodies of four army personnel were charred, one had burn injuries and the other three had bullet injuries, the sources said.
Uri is about 100 km northwest of Srinagar, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to campaign on Monday.
17:46 Managing risks, avoiding disasters
Shaken by the Bhopal gas disaster in 1984, social scientists worldwide have worked intensively on understanding the complex dynamics underlying such disasters and mobilising theoretical tools that are pragmatic, adaptive and iterative. This article summarises five key ideas that have emerged from this research. Read
17:26 India lashes out at Pak and its support of Hafiz Saeed
"Pakistan's support to designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed and his proscribed JuD is nothing short of mainstreaming of terrorism. It is blatant disregard for global norms on terrorism," says India.
17:03 Rajnath: If Pakistan can't stop these attacks, let it take India's help
Home minister Rajnath Singh on the Jammu and Kashmir attacks: If Pakistan can't stop these attacks, let it take India's help.
In multiple attacks two days ahead of Prime Minister's visit to Jammu and Kashmir, militants stormed an army camp in Uri in Baramulla district, killing 11 security personnel, including a Lt Colonel, and targeted a police party in Shopian.
Read more
In multiple attacks two days ahead of Prime Minister's visit to Jammu and Kashmir, militants stormed an army camp in Uri in Baramulla district, killing 11 security personnel, including a Lt Colonel, and targeted a police party in Shopian.
Read more
17:00
Eight army troopers including an officers, three cops and six militants were among 17 persons killed in a deadly gunfight in the Mohura village near the border town of Uri in north Kashmir Baramulla district Friday.
Six AK rifles with 55 magazines, two shotguns, two night vision binoculars, 4 radio sets, 32 unused grenades, 1 medical kit were recovered from the dead terrorists in Uri (pictured below).
Six AK rifles with 55 magazines, two shotguns, two night vision binoculars, 4 radio sets, 32 unused grenades, 1 medical kit were recovered from the dead terrorists in Uri (pictured below).
16:48 Shiv Sena ministers take oath in Devendra Fadnavis govt
Ten cabinet ministers -- five each from the Shiv Sena BJP take oath and join the Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra.
The Sena and the BJP mended ties this week, with the Fadnavis committing to 12 berths to the Sena -- five of cabinet rank and six ministers of state.
The two parties agreed to extend their partnership to jointly fighting polls to local bodies starting from March next year.
With this, the strength of the alliance is now 183 -- well past the halfway mark of 144 in the Assembly.
Pic: Senior Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai takes oath as Maharashtra Cabinet Minister.
The Sena and the BJP mended ties this week, with the Fadnavis committing to 12 berths to the Sena -- five of cabinet rank and six ministers of state.
The two parties agreed to extend their partnership to jointly fighting polls to local bodies starting from March next year.
With this, the strength of the alliance is now 183 -- well past the halfway mark of 144 in the Assembly.
Pic: Senior Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai takes oath as Maharashtra Cabinet Minister.
16:45
AG Mir (IG, Kashmir) on Soura: Had inputs that militants were planning something big, congratulate Srinagar police on tackling the situation.
16:42 CRPF: Encounter in Soura still on, we have surrounded the area
Prabhat Kumar, Commandant-115 Battalion, CRPF, says, the encounter in Soura is still on. "We have surrounded the area, lets hope for the best."
Two terrorists have been killed in the Soura operation.
Another update coming now says that one civilian has been killed and nine injured in the grenade attack at a bus stand in Tral, Pulwama.
Two terrorists have been killed in the Soura operation.
Another update coming now says that one civilian has been killed and nine injured in the grenade attack at a bus stand in Tral, Pulwama.
16:32 Terrible day in the Valley today, Omar tweets
Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah tweets: "It's been a terrible day - 4 attacks & a number of deaths - security forces & innocent civilians killed in the valley today. My heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the 4 attacks today. I hope @HMOIndia takes steps to plug the gaps in CI grid."
16:13 No militant group owns up to J-K attacks yet
Seven persons injured in the grenade attack at the crowded bus stand in Tral, in the Pulwama district of south Kashmir.
Unidentified militants lobbed the grenade on a security patrol at Tral bus stand.
The whole area was cordoned off immediately after the blast and a hunt has been launched to nab the militants involved in the incident.
No militant outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
Unidentified militants lobbed the grenade on a security patrol at Tral bus stand.
The whole area was cordoned off immediately after the blast and a hunt has been launched to nab the militants involved in the incident.
No militant outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
16:08 India rushes water to help thirsty Maldives
India has responded to the Maldives government's appeal for drinking water after it was cut off to more than 100,000 residents in the capital, Male, because of a fire in the city's water treatment plant.
The capital is located on a low-lying island in the Indian Ocean that has no natural water source and depends entirely on treated sea water.
The government provided bottled drinking water free of charge but the people struggled without enough water for washing.
Minister Mohamed Shareef said the government has declared a crisis situation. He also said that it may take days to resume operations in the treatment plant because destroyed parts need to be brought in from abroad.
Vice president Maldives, Mohamed Jameel Ahmed tweeted: Our deepest appreciation to PM @narendramodi & Govt. of India for the urgent aid provided due to #MaleWaterCrisis.
The capital is located on a low-lying island in the Indian Ocean that has no natural water source and depends entirely on treated sea water.
The government provided bottled drinking water free of charge but the people struggled without enough water for washing.
Minister Mohamed Shareef said the government has declared a crisis situation. He also said that it may take days to resume operations in the treatment plant because destroyed parts need to be brought in from abroad.
Vice president Maldives, Mohamed Jameel Ahmed tweeted: Our deepest appreciation to PM @narendramodi & Govt. of India for the urgent aid provided due to #MaleWaterCrisis.
15:57 Bhopals long shadow
Thirty years later, history's worst industrial accident still colors US relations with India. Read
15:56 Several injured in grenade attack at bus stand in Pulwama
Just in: Mukhtar Ahmad/Rediff.com reporting from Srinagar reports that there has been yet another terror attack in Kashmir. A grenade was lobbed in the Tral bus stand area of Pulwama injuring several civilians.
This is the fourth terror attack in 12 hours in the state.
This is the fourth terror attack in 12 hours in the state.
15:25 Defence minister blames J-K terror attacks on impressive poll figures
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's statement on today's terror attacks in Kashmir: Parrikar said, "It could possibly be because of the elections; we have killed three of them. Last few days, Army has been intercepting terrorists and eliminating them. I think it's a sign of increased interception by Army."
In a rerun of record polling in the first phase, a 71 per cent voter turnout was registered in the second phase of incident-free assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. There was no incident that vitiated the poll process in the state during this phase.
In fact, immediately after the first phase of polls (71%), J-K CM Omar Abdullah had cautioned the media against using headlines that said voters defy militants. He had said it would push militants towards terror attacks.
In a rerun of record polling in the first phase, a 71 per cent voter turnout was registered in the second phase of incident-free assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. There was no incident that vitiated the poll process in the state during this phase.
In fact, immediately after the first phase of polls (71%), J-K CM Omar Abdullah had cautioned the media against using headlines that said voters defy militants. He had said it would push militants towards terror attacks.
15:13 Cong asks PM blueprint to prevent Pak-sponsored terror attacks
The Congress party as expected, has strongly condemned the three incidents of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, and asked Prime Minister Modi to present a blueprint to prevent Pakistan-sponsored terror attacks in the nation.
15:06 Why Delhi politicians cant give up govt homes
With their gracious proportions and wrap-around lawns, it's hardly surprising that politicians find it difficult to leave government-allotted bungalows, the white-washed mansions that dot the swanky streets of Lutyens's Delhi, when their term ends. But leave they must. Read the full story here.
14:59 Heard of the Ginger Group in Parliament?
They call themselves the Ginger Group of the BJP and some names include MPs like Varun Gandhi, Poonam Mahajan, Dhushyant Singh, Pritam Gopinath Munde, Kirron Kher, spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi and 10 others.
They often meet in the Central Hall of Parliament to take on the Congress Party and probably the most active amongst them is Poonam Mahajan.
Meanwhile, many first-time MPs witnessed Congress MPs trooping into the Lok Sabha with a black gag on their mouth.
The Ginger Group, we hear, wanted to tell the Congress MPs that the party had already blackened their face with a sorry 44-seat haul in the 2014 polls, so the black gag was unnecessary. But Modi Prime Minister asked them to be quiet.
But in Budget session in March 2015, these first-time BJP MPs will have developed courage to take on the Congress Party, and we believe, they have resolved to do so.
They often meet in the Central Hall of Parliament to take on the Congress Party and probably the most active amongst them is Poonam Mahajan.
Meanwhile, many first-time MPs witnessed Congress MPs trooping into the Lok Sabha with a black gag on their mouth.
The Ginger Group, we hear, wanted to tell the Congress MPs that the party had already blackened their face with a sorry 44-seat haul in the 2014 polls, so the black gag was unnecessary. But Modi Prime Minister asked them to be quiet.
But in Budget session in March 2015, these first-time BJP MPs will have developed courage to take on the Congress Party, and we believe, they have resolved to do so.
14:45 Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth gets six-month extension
Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth was today given a six-month extension in service, his third after he was appointed to the top bureaucratic post.
His extension was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Seth, a 1974-batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, had taken over as Cabinet Secretary on June 14, 2011 with a fixed tenure upto June 13, 2013. The UPA government had extended his tenure by a year.
The Modi-government had given six-month extension to Seth in June. He was due to retire on December 13.
His extension was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Seth, a 1974-batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, had taken over as Cabinet Secretary on June 14, 2011 with a fixed tenure upto June 13, 2013. The UPA government had extended his tenure by a year.
The Modi-government had given six-month extension to Seth in June. He was due to retire on December 13.
14:42 Omar talks about fake encounters amid encounters
While the encounters are on in Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said it was due to his demand for the revocation of AFSPA that fake encounters and killings like Machil and Nowgam were taken "a lot more seriously".
14:35
That's the 31 field regiment army camp in Uri, that was attacked today, leaving eight soldiers, including an officer, and three policemen dead. Six militants were also killed.
14:33 No casualties in Shopian attack
Early reports indicate that there have been no casualties among the policemen in the Shopian attack and we hope that's the way it stays. It's the third terror attack in less than 12 hours.
However, in the Uri suicide attack, casualties have been high. Eleven security personnel have been killed including armymen . The attack occurred on an army artillery camp in the Uri sector.
The third phase of the J-K elections takes place on December 9. The state has polled an impressive 71 percent in the first two phases of the elections.
However, in the Uri suicide attack, casualties have been high. Eleven security personnel have been killed including armymen . The attack occurred on an army artillery camp in the Uri sector.
The third phase of the J-K elections takes place on December 9. The state has polled an impressive 71 percent in the first two phases of the elections.
14:26 Third terror attack in J-K: Grenade hurled at Shopian police station
Just in: Reports coming in of a third terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. A grenade has been lobbed at a police station in Shopian.
14:17 Move to use Hindi is an act of linguistic assertion: Goa Guv
Goa Governor Mridula Sinha today said that the use of the Hindi language at administrative levels is a welcome step and should be seen as an expression of linguistic and cultural assertion.
Addressing the delegates at fifth Goa Arts and Literature Festival, Sinha supported the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has emphasised the use of Hindi at all levels of government functioning.
"This decision is an act of cultural and linguistic assertion, which is a welcome step for the country," she said delivering a lecture on "Changing India: The Role of Hindi."
"Such a decision was taken (to use Hindi) because thePM wanted to keep India alive in foreign countries," she said, adding "this needs huge courage".
Addressing the delegates at fifth Goa Arts and Literature Festival, Sinha supported the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has emphasised the use of Hindi at all levels of government functioning.
"This decision is an act of cultural and linguistic assertion, which is a welcome step for the country," she said delivering a lecture on "Changing India: The Role of Hindi."
"Such a decision was taken (to use Hindi) because thePM wanted to keep India alive in foreign countries," she said, adding "this needs huge courage".
14:10 TRS faces internal problems
Telangana Rashtriya Samithi member of Parliament, K Kavitha, also the daughter of party chief and Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao, is not attending the Lok Sabha, as she was not permitted by the party leader in the lower house, AP Jitender Reddy, to speak on the black money issue.
Alarmed by the tensions in the party, KCR has now called Kavitha and Reddy to meet him over dinner in Delhi to sort out their differences, "to nip them in the bud," according to one party source.
14:06 Another terror attack: One militant killed in Srinagar encounter
Even as the army battles on with militants in Baramullah's Uri area, another encounter is taking place in Soura, Srinagar. Security forces killed a militant during the firing and according to officials, the firing is still on. Soura is also the location where PM Modi will be addressing crowds on Monday ahead of the third-phase of elections.
In Uri, officials said that all 6 militants who had attacked the army camp had been killed. Around 3.10 am, militants opened fire on the security forces at the barracks.
-- Mukhtar Ahmad/Rediff.com
13:57 Pramod Mahajan's wife meets Modi
Rekha Mahajan, wife of former BJP strongman Pramod Mahajan, on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament House. Her daughter, Poonam Mahajan, member of Parliament from Mumbai North-Central, was also present.
Interestingly, it was also the day Poonam put up a supplementary question about Aurangabad anganwadis in the Lok Sabha, and her mother was in the visitor's gallery, watching the young MP perform her parliamentary duties.
13:53 Gowda says no to Congress walkout from LS
Why did former prime minister Deve Gowda refuse to join the Congress walkout from the Lok Sabha on Friday?
Sources say there was no ideological divide behind it. In fact, \the reason for Gowda staying put was that the walkout was led by the Congress's Mallikarjuna Kharge, who too hails from Karnataka, Gowda's home state.
Petty politics, thus, scored over national issues.
13:48 Ammas MPs drop her name
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MPs on Monday broke their own convention during Question Hour, when they did not mention their party leader, Jayalalithaa (popularly known as Amma) even once.
This lapse did not go unnoticed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party MPs, and a Union minister even asked them why Amma's name had been blacked out, why they did not thump the desk to announce 'the people's chief minister' as they usually do when they speak in Parliament.
Not unsurprisingly, there was no response from any of Amma's 37 Lok Sabha MPs.
13:43 Why Telangana CM is in Delhi on Friday
The chief ministers' conference on Nidhi Aayog, the new avatar of Planning Commission, is to be held on Saturday, but Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is reaching the national capital on Friday, a day earlier. And thereby hangs a tale.
Apparently Rao never flies on Saturday, and there are two reasons for this.
One, as per his horoscope Saturday is said to be bad for air travel, and two, the common belief that Saturday is an inauspicious day.
12:59 In global struggle for Internet freedom, the Internet is losing
Repressive regimes have begun opting for a "technically uncensored Internet," US-based pro-democracy think tank Freedom House finds, but one that is increasingly controlled by national laws about what can and can't be done online. In 36 of the 65 countries surveyed around the world, the state of Internet freedom declined in 2014.
Read more HERE.
12:45 UK spy agency hacked Reliance, accessed data, says Snowden
According to the latest documents leaked by US whistleblower Edward Snowden, British intelligence hacked into two undersea cables owned by Reliance Communications compromising millions of users, including those from the Indian government. The breach took place sometime between 2009 and 2011, the documents reveal.
12:24 Attack on army camp desperate attempt to disrupt peace: Omar
Hours after a fierce gunbattle broke out an army camp, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the attack was a "desperate attempt' to disrupt peace and normalcy.
"Once again this shows the desperate levels militants will go to disrupt peace and normalcy," Omar wrote on Twitter. Omar said Jammu and Kashmir police and army were responding to the attack in Uri. "Militants have struck an army camp in North Kashmir between Baramulla and Uri. Security force casualties are feared. It's an ongoing encounter," he added.
12:21 Ministers get trapped inside lift in Kerala assembly
Three ministers of the Kerala cabinet had a narrow escape after a lift carrying them fell down at the state legislative assembly building. None of the lift occupants were injured in the mishap, sources said. State Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, Public Works Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob and some of their staff were on the lift when the incident occurred.
12:12 Centre sticks to stand of scrapping German in Kendriya Vidyalayas
The Ministry of Human Resource Development has stuck to its decision of scrapping German as a third language in Kendriya Vidyalayas. The Centre said that students can opt either German or Sanskrit in this academic session. The SC agreed with the Centre's proposal, saying it was a good solution and there will be no burden on students.
11:49 Wearing black masks, Congress MPs protest outside Parliament
Following her controversial remarks, the Congress has been demanding that the Union minister be fired from her post.
Not satisfied with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement and action taken against minister Sadhvi Jyoti Niranjan, Congress MPs led by Rahul Gandhi wore black masks and held a protest outside Parliament House.
Following her controversial remarks, the Congress has been demanding that the Union minister be fired from her post.
11:30 CBI to take over Saradha cases
The CBI has agreed to take over investigation of two cases registered against the Saradha Group in Assam. It was submitted by the Assam government in Guwahati high court today.
According to the state government, these are case number 7328/2013 registered at Dispur police station and case number 256/2013 registered at Dhubri police station.
The government stated that the process for handing over the two cases to the CBI is under way. It also informed the high court that two cases registered against deposit collecting companies 'Unipay 2 U and Basil International' had already been handed over to the CBI.
11:24 Paid news is old, unpaid ads is new
Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad's leading newspaper, has filed a criminal complaint against the Times of India for republishing its classified ads and passing them off as its own.
That India's leading newspaper, through its Medianet, charges a fee for having articles published is now part of publishing lore. But this charge by Deccan Chronicle, if upheld by the courts, would mean that while articles are paid for, ads are for free!
Deccan Chronicle, which has managed to hold on to its market leader position despite the attack from ToI for the last 14 years, has published images of its classified ads that were republished by its rival after a few days -- complete with its name, CA codes and box numbers which are unique to it.
This practice, says Deccan Chronicle, was resorted to by the ToI from January 2013 to June that year, and some 1000-odd ads were thus lifted. It was a time when DC's web edition was in .pdf format, making such lifting possible, and the practice halted once DC moved to publishing its ads in .jpg format in low resolution, making reproduction impossible.
Why did the ToI do it? Deccan Chronicle says in a report that the mark of a newspaper's success lies in the strength of its classified ads, which attests to its popularity among readers as well its ability to produce results. By undermining its classifieds, its rival was trying to send out a message that reader/advertiser loyalty had shifted to it.
Following its criminal complaint, DC says, the court directed the police to investigate the matter under Indian Penal Code Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 379 (theft) and 467 (forgery). An FIR was registered thereafter.
For more information on the unusual media turf war being waged in Hyderabad, read here.
11:15 Minister has apologised, House should be generous, says PM
Speaking to the members of Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "The minister concerned apologised. She is a first time member and comes from a rural background. I thank members of the Lok Sabha that the House functioned. We should respect the traditions. I strongly opposed the use of such words. I disapproved of the minister's language."
Modi added that the minister was new in Parliament and seniors should set an example by accepting her apology. He said that by doing so, seniors would be showing their large-heartedness and generosity. Modi concluded that 'we should move ahead with our work of taking the nation forward'.
Minutes after the PM issued his statement, members of the opposition stood up and protested leading to the House being adjourned till noon.
10:50 Our soldiers will keep dying till we give a reply to Pakistan: Sena
Following the militant attack on an army camp in Kashmir in which four security personnel were killed, Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut said, "Jab tak Pak ko unki bhasha mei jawab nai denge,humare jawan shaheed hote rahenge (Till we don't give Pakistan an answer in their own language, our soldiers will keep dying)." This morning, 2 army jawans and 2 police personnel were killed in Uri when heavily armed militants attacked the camp around 3.10 am.
10:18 Delhi on alert for LeT strike before Obama visit
A high alert has been sounded in the Capital after credible intelligence inputs suggested that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba jihadis were planning a sensational terror attack in the run-up to US President Barack Obama's two-day visit during the Republic Day next month. The alert has been communicated to the highest levels of the Modi government.
Since Obama is the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, the Delhi police and security agencies have advanced security screening and anti-sabotage check by nearly a month. Rather than tighten security a month before the parade, a decision has been taken to impose blanket measures this week on.
10:10 2 army soldiers, 2 cops killed after militants attack army camp in Kashmir
Two policemen and 2 cops have been killed after gunfight erupted at a heavily guarded camp in Mohra village near the border town of Uri. The firing began after militants tried to attack the camp early this morning. Firing exchanges are still on between the militants and the security forces.
According to an official, a head constable and a constable have been killed. Reportedly a militants has been killed too in the firing.
Police officers along with heavy reinforcements have reached the spot and the area has been cordoned off, added the officer. The traffic on the strategic Baramulla-Uri highway has been disrupted owing to the gunfight.
Uri, part of Baramullah district, goes to polls on December 9 in the third phase of the ongoing five-phase state assembly elections.
-- Mukhtar Ahmad/Rediff.com in Srinagar
09:15 Dineshwar Sharma is new IB chief
Senior IPS officer Dineshwar Sharma is learnt to have been appointed as the Director of the Intelligence Bureau. He will succeed incumbent IB chief Syed Asif Ibrahim, who will retire later this month.
Sharma, a 1979 batch IPS officer of Kerala cadre, is presently Special Director in the IB. As per the procedure, Sharma will now work as Officer on Special Duty to acclimatise himself in the office of Director IB.
Sources said the decision was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday after consultations.
08:52 Shakti Mills rape case: HC to take final call on death sentence today
The Bombay high court is scheduled to hear the death sentence confirmation petition of three convicts in the Shakti Mills gang-rape case today. In April, the sessions court had convicted Vijay Jadhav, Salim Ansari and Kasim Bengali, along with Siraj Khan, for the rape of a photo journalist in August 2013. Three accused were given death sentence as they had earlier been convicted of raping a telephone operator in the same premises earlier.
08:35 Argentine footballer dies after hooligan attack
Argentine football player Franco Nieto, 33, died after being struck in the head following a match. Nieto, the captain of regional club Tiro Federal, was beaten and bashed with rocks on Saturday, and died on Wednesday. According to the police, the match between Tiro Federal and Chacarita ended early owing to an on-pitch fight between the players. After the game was over, Nieto was attacked by several people, which eventually led to his demise.
08:27 Inside the 'world's most dangerous' hospital
A hospital in Guatemala has been described by campaigners as the world's most abusive and dangerous mental health institution. Former patients say they were raped while sedated, and the director himself admits while being filmed undercover that patients are still being sexually abused.
Read the shocking report HERE
07:56 Rajnath Singh to address rallies in Jammu, Rajouri today
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will address three rallies in Rajouri and Jammu district today to campaign for Bharatiya Janata Party candidates for the state assembly. He is scheduled to address his first rally in Thanamandi area and then in Darhal belt of Rajouri district. The third rally will be in Pargwal belt of Jammu after which he will fly back to New Delhi.
07:54 AAP raises over Rs 6 lakh through Twitter
In another unique fundraising initiative, this time through online crowdsourcing, the Aam Aadmi Party has managed to add more than Rs 6 lakh to its coffers.A tweet by a young AAP volunteer Nishant Beria to donate Rs 2 to the party every time his message was retweeted, kicked off the campaign, which was taken forward by about 400 people, including celebrities.
"I will donate Rs. 2 to AAP for every RT this tweet gets in next 24 hours," Beria tweeted, and got 490 retweets, which prompted him to commit around Rs 1,000 to the party.
Taking cue from his initiative, around 400 other supporters tweeted on the same line pledging to donate further, which got retweeted in large numbers as well.
04:37 Ibolya Ryan, killed in Abu Dhabi, loved teaching
Relatives and former associates of a former Colorado woman stabbed to death in an Abu Dhabi shopping mall this week said they were shocked to learn of her brutal demise, describing her as a warm and caring person who loved being an educator.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said Thursday that they had arrested a woman in connection with the stabbing of the teacher, Ibolya Ryan, 47 years old. Ms. Ryan had previously lived in Colorado, where she met her ex-husband, Paul, and settled in Denver, a relative said.
03:39 Bahrain dissident gets 3 years for tearing up king's photo
A Bahrain court has sentenced an opposition figure to three years in prison for insulting the king by tearing up a photograph of him, Amnesty International said.
Zainab al-Khawaja, the daughter of prominent rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who is serving a life term, was also fined about USD 8,000, said the London-based rights watchdog.
02:53 GSAT-16 launch deferred due to inclement weather in Kourou
The launch of India's latest communication satellite GSAT-16 in the early hours on Friday by Arianespace rocket from Kourou in French Guiana was deferred due to inclement weather at the launch base, ISRO has announced.
GSAT-16, designed to augment the national space capacity in communication services, was scheduled to be launched at 02.08 am on Friday (IST) on board Ariane 5 VA221 rocket.
02:33 Putin vows that West will never destroy resurgent Russia
President Vladimir Putin has portrayed Russia as an invincible nation beset by foreign foes intent on weakening and even destroying it, in a combative speech that suggested he would not bow to Western pressure over the Ukraine crisis.
In an annual state-of-the-nation address, Mr Putin claimed the West had wanted to see his country dissolve in bloody chaos like Yugoslavia, but would suffer defeat like Adolf Hitler's Germany if it challenged Russia militarily.
01:40 South African inmates crochet blankets for Mandela
Ahead of the first anniversary of Nelson Mandela's death, inmates at a South African prison have been making brightly coloured blankets to commemorate the anti-apartheid leader who became South Africa's first black president.
The prisoners at the Zonderwater medium security facility outside Pretoria, the South African capital, have crocheted the blankets as part of a charity project for poor communities.
01:40 Several thousand march in Hungary in anti-graft protest
Several thousand Hungarians protested against corruption in Budapest today, the latest demonstration challenging the government of controversial Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
The crowd, estimated at around 3,000 by an AFP photographer, marched from the parliament to the presidential palace, chanting for "zero tolerance" of corruption.
01:39 Ghani hopes Afghanistan will never need foreign troops
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani today voiced the hope his country would never again need foreign combat troops and said he wanted to "do business differently" with the international community.
"Afghans in our very long history have only needed direct combat support in the last 30 years. We hope that we will never need direct combat support," he said after a conference in London.
00:38 Gunmen attack Pak lawyer defending blasphemy case
A lawyer, who is defending a university lecturer accused of blasphemy, was attacked by unknown gunmen at his residence in Multan in Pakistan's Punjab province, police said.
Lawyer Shahbaz Gormani escaped unhurt after motorcycle- borne gunmen opened fire at his residence in the late hours yesterday, a senior police official said.
00:38 US diplomat back in Bahrain after expulsion
A top American diplomat was back in Bahrain today five months after being declared "unwelcome" by the Sunni-ruled US ally after he met with the Shiite opposition.
The official BNA news agency said Tom Malinowski, US assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour, was received in Manama by Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah al-Khalifa.
00:37 UN chief to help push for Lima climate draft deal
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon heads to Lima next week to help spur action on climate change and clinch a draft deal on emissions reduction. Ban today said he wanted to "keep ambitions high" at the UN climate talks that opened in the Peruvian capital on Monday and are due to wrap up December 12.
00:37 US tried to rescue hostages held by Al-Qaeda in Yemen
The US has conducted rescue operation to free a number of hostages, including American citizen Like Somers, held in Yemen by Al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula, the Pentagon said today.
"This operation was conducted in partnership with the armed forces of Yemen and involved air and ground components. Some hostages were rescued, but others - including Somers - were not present at the targeted location. Details about the mission remain classified," Pentagon Spokesperson Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement.
00:34 Top headlines in that last 24 hours
Youth arrested for allegedly threatening Madhuri Dixit
Despite PM's remarks, stalemate over Sadhvi's remarks persists
History is not only about the past, but also about the present
Justice VR Krishna passes away at 100
Stand-off in Punjab: Followers of 'godman in freezer' refuse to cremate him
Naxal attack martyrs' blood-stained uniforms found in dump
Can India and China ever be friends?
Bank accounts with possible links to Burdwan blast case found
Despite PM's remarks, stalemate over Sadhvi's remarks persists
History is not only about the past, but also about the present
Justice VR Krishna passes away at 100
Stand-off in Punjab: Followers of 'godman in freezer' refuse to cremate him
Naxal attack martyrs' blood-stained uniforms found in dump
Can India and China ever be friends?
Bank accounts with possible links to Burdwan blast case found
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