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Tue, 30 December 2014
Live! Islamic State asks for suggestions to kill captured pilot on Twitter
Timeline Refresh
23:46 Verghese was an accomplished writer, insightful thinker: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described eminent journalist B G Verghese, who died today, as an "accomplished writer and an insightful thinker."
23:44 3 more cases of swine flu detected in Delhi
Three persons, including a mother-son duo, have tested positive for swine flu in the national capital, taking the number of H1N1 influenza cases reported in the city to 35 this year.
A five-year-old child and his 33-year-old mother, both residents of INA colony, tested positive for swine flu after they underwent a check up at a clinic here. Another 33-year-old woman also tested positive, said Charan Singh, Additional Director (Public Health), Delhi Government.
22:41 KNPP's first unit to start commercial operation tonight
The first 1,000 MWe unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) is expected to start its commercial operation at midnight tonight, a senior official said.
"The first unit of KNPP would go for commercial operation tonight at 00.00 hrs exactly," KNPP Station Director R S Sundar told PTI.
22:37 US to send second ship to aid search for AirAsia debris
The US Navy plans to send a second ship to help search for wreckage from an AirAsia jet that apparently crashed off the Indonesian coast, the Pentagon said today.
The USS Fort Worth, a littoral combat ship, is "prepared to deploy from the region from Singapore," spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told CNN. "That ship can be ready to sail in a day or two," Kirby said.
22:07 IIT Delhi faculty asks director to withdraw resignation
The IIT Delhi faculty forum today requested Director R Shevgaonkar to withdraw his resignation over which a controversy had erupted, describing him as a man of "dignity and integrity".
The request came even as the chairman of the IIT-D's Board of Governors Vijay Bhatkar met HRD Minister Smriti Irani.
"The faculty of IIT Delhi stands by the decisions that its administration has taken to uphold the autonomy of the Institute. We request the director, IIT Delhi to withdraw his resignation," the faculty forum said in a statement.
The resignation has not yet been accepted. Shevgaonkar had last Friday forwarded his resignation to Bhatkar citing "personal reasons" even as a media report suggested that he was under pressure from the HRD ministry.
The ministry has denied that any pressure was put on Shevgaonkar that may have made him quit.
The request came even as the chairman of the IIT-D's Board of Governors Vijay Bhatkar met HRD Minister Smriti Irani.
"The faculty of IIT Delhi stands by the decisions that its administration has taken to uphold the autonomy of the Institute. We request the director, IIT Delhi to withdraw his resignation," the faculty forum said in a statement.
The resignation has not yet been accepted. Shevgaonkar had last Friday forwarded his resignation to Bhatkar citing "personal reasons" even as a media report suggested that he was under pressure from the HRD ministry.
The ministry has denied that any pressure was put on Shevgaonkar that may have made him quit.
22:05 Kejriwal likens his 49-day rule to 'Ram Rajya'
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal today likened his 49-day rule in Delhi to 'Ram Rajya' even as he tried justify his decision to quit as chief minister, saying he had made a mistake but it was not a crime.
"Our government slashed electricity tariff and gave 20000 litres of free water to every household. During our tenure, we brought down inflation. But most importantly, we brought down corruption which the Congress and the BJP could not do in 65 years. During our 49-day government, people used to say that Ram Rajya (welfare state) has returned," he claimed while addressing a rally at Vivekandpuri in Sadar Bazar Assembly constituency.
Kejriwal further claimed that his government had done more work than what the Narendra Modi-led dispensation at the Centre had achieved since coming to power.
"Our government slashed electricity tariff and gave 20000 litres of free water to every household. During our tenure, we brought down inflation. But most importantly, we brought down corruption which the Congress and the BJP could not do in 65 years. During our 49-day government, people used to say that Ram Rajya (welfare state) has returned," he claimed while addressing a rally at Vivekandpuri in Sadar Bazar Assembly constituency.
Kejriwal further claimed that his government had done more work than what the Narendra Modi-led dispensation at the Centre had achieved since coming to power.
22:02 Islamic State asks for suggestions to kill captured pilot on Twitter
The Independent reports: Islamic State supporters are using Twitter for suggestions on how to kill the Jordanian pilot captured last week.
An Arabic hashtag that translates into "Suggest a way to kill the Jordanian pilot pig' has been retweeted over thousands of times. Supporters are posting gruesome photographs and recommendations on the site.
Read the complete report here
An Arabic hashtag that translates into "Suggest a way to kill the Jordanian pilot pig' has been retweeted over thousands of times. Supporters are posting gruesome photographs and recommendations on the site.
Read the complete report here
21:19 Jaitley meets PM, discusses economic performance
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is believed to have discussed the performance of the economy in the past seven months.
The meeting comes at a time when the finance ministry is in the process of firming up proposals for the 2015-16 Budget to be unveiled by Jaitley in February.
Modi had yesterday at 'Make in India' workshop announced that the government was ready to change laws and rules to boost manufacturing sector.
The economy has shown signs of pick up in the past seven months and is estimated to record a growth rate of 5.5 per cent in the current financial year.
The meeting comes at a time when the finance ministry is in the process of firming up proposals for the 2015-16 Budget to be unveiled by Jaitley in February.
Modi had yesterday at 'Make in India' workshop announced that the government was ready to change laws and rules to boost manufacturing sector.
The economy has shown signs of pick up in the past seven months and is estimated to record a growth rate of 5.5 per cent in the current financial year.
21:17 'PK' row: Maha govt to look into content, promises necessary action
Amid protests by right wing groups demanding ban on the Aamir Khan-starrer movie PK, the BJP-led Maharashtra government today asked the police to look into the "content" of the film and said it will "step in" if the issue blows into a major law and order problem.
Minister of State for Home and BJP leader Ram Shinde told PTI that he has asked senior police officer Deven Bharti, IG (Law & Order), to look into objectionable scenes, if any, in the film and has promised "necessary" action if any "wrong" is found.
"The Censor board may have found the film fit to be released and hence they cleared it from their end. But after the release, some organisations have objected to some part of the film. Protests have been going on and information from social media suggests that protests against the film may intensify in the days ahead," Shinde said.
The Rajkumar Hirani-directed film has raised the hackles of the saffron brigade with the Bajrang Dal leading demonstrations against it's screening at various places in the country for "insulting" Hindu deities through their "objectionable" portrayal in the film.
Minister of State for Home and BJP leader Ram Shinde told PTI that he has asked senior police officer Deven Bharti, IG (Law & Order), to look into objectionable scenes, if any, in the film and has promised "necessary" action if any "wrong" is found.
"The Censor board may have found the film fit to be released and hence they cleared it from their end. But after the release, some organisations have objected to some part of the film. Protests have been going on and information from social media suggests that protests against the film may intensify in the days ahead," Shinde said.
The Rajkumar Hirani-directed film has raised the hackles of the saffron brigade with the Bajrang Dal leading demonstrations against it's screening at various places in the country for "insulting" Hindu deities through their "objectionable" portrayal in the film.
20:53 Our thoughts are with the families of those on flight QZ8501: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the death of passengers and crew on board the ill-fated AirAsia plane after its wreckage and debris was found today, three days after it went missing while flying from Indonesia to Singapore.
"Our thoughts are with the families of those on flight QZ8501. We offer our condolences and stand firmly with them in this hour of grief," Modi said in a statement.
The Airbus A320-200 was carrying 155 passengers -- one British, one Malaysian, one Singaporean, three South Koreans, 149 Indonesians -- and seven crew members -- six Indonesians and a French co-pilot.
"Our thoughts are with the families of those on flight QZ8501. We offer our condolences and stand firmly with them in this hour of grief," Modi said in a statement.
The Airbus A320-200 was carrying 155 passengers -- one British, one Malaysian, one Singaporean, three South Koreans, 149 Indonesians -- and seven crew members -- six Indonesians and a French co-pilot.
20:51 Uttarakhand guv, who took on Modi govt, shunted to Mizoram
PTI reports: Uttrakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi, who had taken the Modi government to Supreme Court for alleged attempts to ease him out of office, was today shifted to Mizoram.
A Presidential communique said that Qureshi has been transferred and appointed as the governor of Mizoram for the remainder of his term till May 2017 and Meghalaya Governor K K Paul will take his place.
Paul, who was appointed as the governor of Meghalaya on July 8, 2013, will continue to hold additional charge of governor of Manipur till further orders, it said.
Qureshi, who was among the governors appointed by the UPA government and was told by Home Secretary Anil Goswami to quit after change in the government, approached the Supreme Court against attempts to ease him out.
In his petition, Qureshi had said that after the NDA government came to power, Goswami had called him on July 30 and asked him to tender resignation and made it clear that he will be removed from office if he does not step down. He alleged, in his petition, that Goswami again called him on August 8 insisting that he resign.
A Presidential communique said that Qureshi has been transferred and appointed as the governor of Mizoram for the remainder of his term till May 2017 and Meghalaya Governor K K Paul will take his place.
Paul, who was appointed as the governor of Meghalaya on July 8, 2013, will continue to hold additional charge of governor of Manipur till further orders, it said.
Qureshi, who was among the governors appointed by the UPA government and was told by Home Secretary Anil Goswami to quit after change in the government, approached the Supreme Court against attempts to ease him out.
In his petition, Qureshi had said that after the NDA government came to power, Goswami had called him on July 30 and asked him to tender resignation and made it clear that he will be removed from office if he does not step down. He alleged, in his petition, that Goswami again called him on August 8 insisting that he resign.
20:47 Uttarakhand guv transferred to Mizoram
Just in: Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi was transferred to Mizoram today.
D. Krishan Kant Paul, governor of Meghalaya is now appointed as the governor of Uttarakhand for the remainder of his term. Keshari Nath Tripathi, governor of West Bengal, will discharge the functions of the governor of Meghalaya, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.
Image: Aziz Qureshi
D. Krishan Kant Paul, governor of Meghalaya is now appointed as the governor of Uttarakhand for the remainder of his term. Keshari Nath Tripathi, governor of West Bengal, will discharge the functions of the governor of Meghalaya, in addition to his own duties, till further orders.
Image: Aziz Qureshi
20:13 We are vindicated, says BJP after charges dropped against Amit Shah
The BJP today termed Amit Shah's discharge in Sohrabuddin fake encounter killing case as a"victory of truth and a vindication" of its stand that the Congress had "misused" the CBI against its opponents for political gains and asked Sonia Gandhi to apologise from the nation.
A special CBI court in Mumbai discharged Shah in the case of Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter killing in 2005 holding there existed "no case" against him and that he had been implicated for "political reasons".
"The order of the special court is a victory of truth. It is a vindication of our stand that the Congress has misused the CBI and other agencies against its opponents for political gains.
"Since the Congress cannot win over the BJP politically and thus it conspired to tarnish the image of Amit Shah by embroiling him in a fake case. People of the nation will never pardon the Congress for its ugly actions. Congress President Sonia Gandhi should apologise before the nation," BJP's national secretary Shrikant Sharma said in a statement.
A special CBI court in Mumbai discharged Shah in the case of Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter killing in 2005 holding there existed "no case" against him and that he had been implicated for "political reasons".
"The order of the special court is a victory of truth. It is a vindication of our stand that the Congress has misused the CBI and other agencies against its opponents for political gains.
"Since the Congress cannot win over the BJP politically and thus it conspired to tarnish the image of Amit Shah by embroiling him in a fake case. People of the nation will never pardon the Congress for its ugly actions. Congress President Sonia Gandhi should apologise before the nation," BJP's national secretary Shrikant Sharma said in a statement.
19:35 6 new airlines to start operations in India in 2015: Govt
Six new airlines are expected to fly the Indian skies next year, the government said today as it asked states to join hands to promote regional connectivity and help the aviation sector meet its burgeoning losses by reducing taxes on jet fuel.
"Most of the airlines in the country are reported to have incurred losses and some airlines are struggling to stay afloat despite a high (air traffic) growth rate," Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said at a meeting of state civil aviation ministers in New Delhi.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said six airlines would start operations in the next year. He, however, did not name the air carriers. While AirAsia India has launched operations, Vistara, the Tata-SIA joint venture carrier, would start flights from January nine.
Earlier this year, the ministry had said that three more companies -- Quickjet Cargo Airlines, Ligare Aviation and LEPL Projects (Air Costa) -- had been given air operator permits after they completed the process for launching new airlines.
"Most of the airlines in the country are reported to have incurred losses and some airlines are struggling to stay afloat despite a high (air traffic) growth rate," Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said at a meeting of state civil aviation ministers in New Delhi.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said six airlines would start operations in the next year. He, however, did not name the air carriers. While AirAsia India has launched operations, Vistara, the Tata-SIA joint venture carrier, would start flights from January nine.
Earlier this year, the ministry had said that three more companies -- Quickjet Cargo Airlines, Ligare Aviation and LEPL Projects (Air Costa) -- had been given air operator permits after they completed the process for launching new airlines.
19:01 AirAsia QZ8501: Not 40, only 3 bodies recovered as yet, says rescue agency chief
Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency chief said today that only three bodies had been recovered so far in the search for the AirAsia plane which crashed in the Java Sea, after media reports put the number at 40.
"Today we evacuated three bodies and they are now in the warship Bung Tomo," Bambang Soelistyo said, speaking at a news conference in Jakarta, adding that they were two females and one male.
Reports that had been circulating earlier said that 40 bodies had been found in the sea.
But the navy spokesman clarified that report was a miscommunication by his staff.
The plane carrying 162 people crashed Sunday en route from Indonesia to Singapore.
18:37 Mehbooba to meet J&K Governor tomorrow over govt formation
Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti will meet Governor N N Vohra over the issue of government formation in the state, even as her father and party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed continued consultations within the party.
The PDP leader today left for Jammu to hold discussion with the governor.
"Mehbooba is scheduled to meet the governor on his invitation tomorrow to discuss the situation, arising out of the split verdict in the recent elections," PDP's chief spokesperson Naeem Akhtar said in a statement here.
The governor on Friday invited the PDP president and BJP state unit president Jugal Kishore Sharma for separate meetings to hold discussions on formation of government in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Assembly elections threw up a hung verdict with PDP emerging as the single-largest party with 28 seats in the 87-member lower house.
BJP emerged as the second-largest party with 25 seats followed by National Conference at 15 and Congress with 12.
18:35 AirAsia QZ8501: Bad weather halts retrieval process
The recovery for AirAsia flight QZ8501 has been hampered by bad weather, Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency said on Tuesday evening.
The team has temporarily stopped the operation for now, the agency's chief Bambang Soelistyo said, but will resume as soon as possible.
The main challenge in the recovery process is 2 to 3-metre high waves, he said.
Soelistyo also said that just three bodies had been recovered so far in the search for the AirAsia plane which crashed in the Java Sea, after another official said 40 had been found.
Read full story here.
18:10 Anti-PK protests spread, director Rajkumar Hirani saddened
Protests by Bajrang Dal activists against Aamir Khan blockbuster 'PK' spread to more places today even as a saddened Rajkumar Hirani, the film's director, rejected allegations that it was disrespectful to Hinduism and said it upheld the true spirit of religion.
In a statement, Hirani, 52 , said he had no intention to hurt anyone's sentiments and maintained that the Aamir Khan-starrer upholds the true spirit of religion while condemning "only the abuse" of it.
Activists of right-wing outfits Bajrang Dal and Hindu Sena staged a protest outside a cinema hall in Central Delhi, demanding a ban on the film for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
18:10 AirAsia flight overshoots runway in Philippines, no reported injuries
An AirAsia plane overshot the runway at Kalibo International Airport near Boracay, a popular Philippine tourist destination, on Tuesday evening.
Several posts on social media showed emergency slides being deployed from the Airbus A320 plane, which appeared to have come to a halt on a grassy field.
Read full story here.
17:42 CBI's clean chit to Amit Shah vindicates BJP's stand: Rajnath Singh
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the special CBI court discharging BJP President Amit Shah in Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter killing case has vindicated the party's stand.
Using his personal twitter handle, Singh tweeted that he was "extremely pleased" to know that Shah was given a clean chit by the special CBI court.
"The court's verdict vindicates our stand," he tweeted. Special CBI Judge in Mumbai M B Gosavi today ruled that Shah could not be charged in the 2006 Sheikh's fake encounter case.
Singh views were echoed by senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari who said, "Amitji hs been acquitted, very happy about that. I always maintained this but the court said it today."
17:33 Twitter floods with messages on Dhoni's retirement
Cricketers from across the world reacted with surprise and lavished praise on Mahendra Singh Dhoni after the Indian cricket captain today decided to call it quits in the Test format.
A close teammate of Dhoni, Suresh Raina tweeted:"Valiant while you led. Valiant in your departure. #Respect@msdhoni"
Stating that Dhoni would be missed, India medium-pacer RVinay Kumar wrote on his twitter account: "Congrats Dhoni bhaion your wonderful journey of test cricket.. You will be surelymissed."
Spinner Pragyan Ojha also congratulated his captain on a"wonderful career".
"Congratulations Dhoni Bhai on a wonderful test career.@msdhoni #respect #CaptainCool."
Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi said Dhoni leftthe cricketing fraternity completely baffled with his suddendecision.
"MSDhoni's retirement in midst of test series leaves lotof us perplexed! But that's his prerogative.I'd like 2 wishMSD Happy Retirement!!," Bedi tweeted.
Another former cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar said he wassad at the Dhoni's hasty decision to retire from Tests.
"Just feeling a bit sad about Dhoni's retirement fromTest Cricket. Didn't see it coming at all," he said.
Former Pakistan Saqlain Mushtaq posted a photograph ofhis with the Indian skipper and said: "Well done @msdhoni on awonderful career in test cricket."
17:12 Luise Rainer, first winner of consecutive Oscars, dies at age 104
The German-born actress Luise Rainer who won the Oscar for best actress consecutively in 1936 and 1937 -- a feat achieved by only five actors in Academy Awards history to date -- passed away at age 104.
17:06 Dhoni's decision comes as a huge suprise: Gavaskar
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said that Mahendra Singh Dhoni's retirement news was as surprising to him as to anybody and he never expected the 'Captain Cool' to quit Tests altogether.
"The decision comes as a huge surprise. Though it is not sudden. I was expecting him to step down from captaincy after the Sydney match but did not think he will retire as a player. I still think that he had 2 or 3 more years of cricket left in him," Gavaskar said.
16:56 Sachin tweets on MSD: 'Always enjoyed playing together'
As celebrities and other public figures continue to fill the feeds which are abuzz with news of Dhoni's retirement from Test cricket, Sachin Tednulkar joined the twitter feed.
Sachin tweeted: well done on a wonderful career in test cricket @msdhoni. Always enjoyed playing together. Next target 2015 WC my friend!!
Sachin tweeted: well done on a wonderful career in test cricket @msdhoni. Always enjoyed playing together. Next target 2015 WC my friend!!
BJP leader and MP Anurag Thakur also tweeted: Dhoni's decision is in interest of Indian cricket.His commitment to 1-day/T20s shws he will focus on WC & win the cup again.
16:45 AirAsia jet turns back in Thailand due to 'irregularity'
AirAsia Flight FD3254 returned to Bangkok shortly after takeoff on Tuesday (Dec 30) when pilots detected an "irregularity" in the storage compartment.
It was allowed to resume service after engineers ruled out any technical problems.
16:40 Jaswant Singh discharged, to get supportive care at home
Former BJP leader Jaswant Singh was today discharged from Army Research and Referral hospital here in a "minimally conscious state" and will continue with "supportive care" at home, four months after he was admitted there with severe head injuries.
"Jaswant Singh is in minimally conscious state and is having unassisted breathing. He has been discharged to home for supportive care," Defence Ministry officials said.
The 76-year-old leader was admitted on August 8 to the hospital in a critical condition after his family found him lying on the floor of his house in an unconscious state.
16:10 Twitter buzz on MSD: 'Valiant while you led. Valiant in your departure'
The news of MS Dhoni's retirement from Test cricket has triggered a major buzz on Twitter.
Here are some reactions from celebs:
Suresh Raina @ImRaina: Valiant while you led. Valiant in your departure. #Respect @msdhoni
Here are some reactions from celebs:
Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha): Whichever way, you look at it, it's been a wonderful career. He's staying on to play his stronger suit. #Dhoni
Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL): "One of India's greatest Test Captains under whose leadership India became the No. 1 team in the Test Rankings" #ThankYouDhoni
BCCI (@BCCI) The art of leadership by MS Dhoni...What made MSD captain extraordinaire? He reveals it here - http://t.co/UUQ5aYQAiV #Dhoni #Captain
Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket): India under MS Dhoni in Tests: At home: P-30, W-21, L-3, D-6, Win%-70.00 Abroad: P-30, W-6, L-15, D-9, Win%-20.00 #mahiretires
Suresh Raina @ImRaina: Valiant while you led. Valiant in your departure. #Respect @msdhoni
15:32 Militants torch 2 schools in Pak amid extended winter holidays
Taliban militants today torched two primary schools in Pakistan's restive northwest tribal region as the country's educational institutions observed extended winter holidays after the Peshawar school carnage.
The incident came two weeks after Taliban massacred 150 people, mostly children at an army-run school in Peshawar.
"The Taliban militants set on fire two government primary schools today early morning in the Kurram agency of federally administered tribal areas," a government official said.
The pre-dawn arson attacks occurred in two villages in the Kurram tribal district where Taliban insurgent activity and violence are rampant.
Schools' records, furnitures and buildings were completed destroyed in the incident.
No group has so far claimed the responsibility.
Authorities have extended winter vacations of the schools until January 12 following the Peshawar school massacre amid threats of terrorists' backlash in the wake of government's decision to execute hundreds of inmates on death row.
15:30 There was not a word against RBI Governor: Jaitley
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today sought to dispel the impression that he had taken on RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan on interest rate saying he had only suggested steps to boost India's manufacturing capabilities.
Referring to media reports of his speech yesterday purportedly critical of Rajan, he said in a Facebook post, "there was not a single sentence reference (not even a word) in my entire speech (at the Make In India workshop yesterday) on either the Reserve Bank or its Governor".
"What is reported is a speech that I did not deliver. The reports indicated that I had spoken on the Reserve Bank, its Governor and voiced differences with them," he said.
Yesterday Jaitley had stated that high cost of capital was "singular factor which has contributed to slowdown of manufacturing growth itself."
In the Facebook post headlined 'Reporting with an Agenda', Jaitley said: "One of the many points that I made was that the cost of capital has to be cut down. Any one speaking on the subject of Make in India into a manufacturing hub would necessarily suggest this.
"The report of this speech in several sections of the Media convinces me that in the competitive world of journalism, reporters are always looking for an 'angle'. Where none exists, the speech itself can be twisted to create one."
15:27 More than 40 bodies believed to be from Flight QZ8501 found
More than 40 bodies believed to be from AirAsia Flight QZ8501 found, says the Indonesian navy.
The warship Bung Tomo has retrieved 40 bodies and the number is growing, a navy spokesperson said. It is trying to rescue bodies being tossed by strong waves.
Earlier in the day the debris of the missing AirAsia plane were spotted in the Java Sea off Indonesia, close to the area where contact was lost with the aircraft on Sunday morning.
The warship Bung Tomo has retrieved 40 bodies and the number is growing, a navy spokesperson said. It is trying to rescue bodies being tossed by strong waves.
Earlier in the day the debris of the missing AirAsia plane were spotted in the Java Sea off Indonesia, close to the area where contact was lost with the aircraft on Sunday morning.
14:48 Modi, Rekha are India's hottest vegetarians: PETA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and veteran actress Rekha have been named the hottest vegetarian celebrities by People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Celebrities like Kangana Ranaut, Shahid Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, R Madhavan, Jacqueline Fernandez and Hema Malini put up a real fight. But after thousands of votes were cast to help PETA India choose the winners, the results indicated Modi and Rekha to be on the top, said a statement.
"Rekha and Prime Minister Modi have inspired caring people everywhere to ditch meat in favour of vegetarian foods. Both of PETA India's winners prove that nothing is hotter than kindness, which they show every time they sit down for a meal," said Poorva Joshipura, chief executive officer, PETA India.
14:45 Dhoni retires from Test cricket; Kohli to be captain in 4th Test vs Aus
The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday announced that Mahendra Singh Dhoni is immediately retiring from Test cricket.
In a series of tweets, the BCCI said:
@BCCI: 'MS Dhoni has chosen to retire from Test Cricket with immediate effect. Virat will be the captain for the 4th and Final Test against Australia.'
'Captiain cool' reportedly cited strain of playing all cricket formats for retiring.
'Captiain cool' reportedly cited strain of playing all cricket formats for retiring.
14:31
Security expert Brahma Chellaney tweets:
@Chellaney: After Gen Raheel Sharif's America visit, US is showering Pakistan with goodies. Latest is $532 million military aid to prop up that country.
14:15 BJP to submit formal proposal to J&K Governor on Thursday
A two-member BJP delegation today met the Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra to discuss government formation in the state and later said it would submit a formal proposal to him on January 1.
A day after the PDP came out with the idea of a "grand alliance" with its arch-rival National Conference and the Congress to form the government, BJP slammed the plan as a "betrayal" with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters, BJP state unit chief Jugal Kishore Sharma, who met the Governor along with General Secretary Ram Madhav, said "Party leaders will meet the Governor on January 1 to hand him our proposal. Today's meeting with the Governor can be seen a part of the ongoing process of government formation in the state."
"The process of government formation is on and during this process people keep on meeting but our formal meeting with the Governor is scheduled for January 1 when the BJP will be submitting its proposal to the Governor," he said.
14:12 Saradha Group chairman Sudipto Sen admitted to jail hospital
Saradha Group Chairman Sudipto Sen, presently lodged in the Alipore Jail, was today admitted to the prison hospital following health problems.
"Sen has been admitted to the Alipore Jail hospital following complaints of some health problems. He will undergo a check-up in the hospital and doctors are looking after him," a senior jail official said.
In August too, Sen was admitted to the jail hospital for a health check-up.
Arrested for the multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam, Sudipta Sen is in jail custody along with several ruling TMC leaders.
14:12 TV actress alleges molestation
A TV actress has alleged molestation by unidentified man near her house in Kolkata.
In her police complaint, the actress has stated that someone tried to grab her while she was entering her house.
On protesting, the attacker fled the scene with her mobile phone.
Police have registered a case and investigation is on.
13:37 Amit Shah no more an accused in Sohrabuddin fake encounter case
A CBI court in Mumbai on Tuesday dropped all charges against BJP President Amit Shah in the alleged fake encounter killings of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, a small-time criminal, his wife and a witness.
With the special court accepting Shah's discharge application, he will not have to face trial in the case any more.
The case was transferred from Gujarat to Mumbai earlier this year.
In September 2013, the CBI had chargesheeted Shah -- the former Home Minister of Gujarat -- and 18 others, including several police officers. Shah was charged with criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence and offences under the Arms Act.
According to the CBI, Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife Kauser Bi were kidnapped by Gujarat's Anti-Terrorism Squad in November 2005 and killed in a fake encounter. The Gujarat Police had claimed Sohrabuddin had links with Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Tayiba and planned to assassinate important political leaders.
A year later in December 2006, Tulsiram Prajapati, a witness to the encounter, was killed by the Gujarat Police, who claimed he had been trying to escape from custody.
The CBI alleges that Shah, who was Gujarat's home minister at the time, was involved in both killings as the police reported to him.
Shah, who was in the Gujarat cabinet led by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, stepped down in 2010 after he was arrested in the case. He got bail three months later.
13:13 Rajnath Singh holds high-level security meet
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday held a high-level meeting at Ministry of Home Affairs to discuss the security situation in the wake of Bangalore blast and Pakistan government's order to suspend detention of 26/11 plotter Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.
The meeting was attended by top officials including Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.
Singh had held a meeting yesterday as well to discuss the blast in Bangalore in the heart of the city. The blast, which took place near a famous restaurant 'Coconut Grave', killed a 37-year-old Chennai resident Bhavani.
13:12 Debris sighted off Indonesia's coast is from AirAsia QZ8501: Indonesian Civil Aviation chief confirms
JUST IN: Debris sighted off Indonesia's coast is from AirAsia QZ8501: Indonesian Civil Aviation chief confirms
Items resembling an emergency slide, plane door and other objects were spotted in the sea during an aerial search Tuesday for missing AirAsia flight QZ8501.
Items resembling an emergency slide, plane door and other objects were spotted in the sea during an aerial search Tuesday for missing AirAsia flight QZ8501.
Indonesia National Search and Rescue spokesman Yusuf Latif said an Indonesian military aircraft saw white, red and black objects, including what appears to be a life jacket, off the coast, about 105 miles south of Pangkalan Bun.
An AFP photographer on the search flight that spotted the possible debris said he had seen objects in the sea resembling a life raft, life jackets and long orange tubes.
Indonesian air force official Agus Dwi Putranto told reporters: "We spotted about 10 big objects and many more small white-coloured objects which we could not photograph."
"The position is 10 kilometres (six miles) from the location the plane was last captured by radar," he said.
The agency has dispatched at least one helicopter to pick up the items for investigation, which will be taken to the search and rescue coordination post on Belitung Island.
13:00 Top Bangladesh Islamist sentenced to hang for war crimes
Bangladesh's war crimes court Tuesday sentenced a leading Islamist to death for rape, mass murder and genocide during the country`s 1971 independence conflict.
ATM Azharul Islam, 62, became the 16th person and the 11th Islamist to be convicted of atrocities by the International Crimes Tribunal, which found him guilty of being a key member of a notorious pro-Pakistan militia.
Azharul Islam is the assistant secretary general of the nation`s largest Islamist party, the Jamaat-e Islami.
He was ordered "hanged by the neck" for the genocide of more than 1,200 people in a flood plain in the northern district of Rangpur.
"No doubt, it was mass murder," presiding judge Enayetur Rahimjudge Rahim told a packed court.
12:01 IAF aircraft makes emergency landing in Jaipur
An IAF aircraft carrying 35 jawans made an emergency landing at the Sanganer Airport in Jaipur after it developed some technical problems mid-air.
The IL-76 aircraft was flying to Jodhpur from Agra with some 35 jawans when it had to make the landing after permission from ATC last evening, MP Bansal, Officiating Director, Sanganer Airport, said today.
The landing was safe.
A technical team is inspecting the aircraft.
11:29 Day after India's rap, 26/11 plotter Lakhvi is re-arrested
A day after the Islamabad high court suspended detention orders for Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, the Pakistan government Tuesday once again arrested the 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind.
The move came after New Delhi summoned Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit to register "strong concern" that "Pakistan remains a safe-haven for terror groups" after the court's soft-pedalling on Lakhvi.
Lakhvi's lawyer confirmed the arrest. "My client has been re-arrested. I have no other information," Rizwan Abbasi, Lakhvi's lawyer told CNN-IBN.
"This is very unfortunate. My client is being denied his fundamental rights."
The court order Monday had effectively made the Lashkar-e-Tayiba commander a free man.
10:17 26/11 mastermind Lakhvi to walk free from Pak jail today
A day after a Pakistan court ordered the conditional release of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack, is set to walk free from the Adiala Jail on Tuesday, despite strong protests lodged by the Indian government in this regard.
The Indian government had on Monday summoned the Pakistani envoy to "convey concern" over the Islamabad High Court order for the conditional release of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.
Justice Noorul Haq Qureshi who heard a petition filed by Lakhvi, seeking an end to his detention, suspended his detention and asked him to submit a security bond of Pakistani Rs.1 million (around $9,000), Dawn online reported.
On December 18, Lakhvi was granted post-arrest bail by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad. However, the federal government extended his detention in the Adiala Jail under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance.
On December 26, Lakhvi challenged his detention in the high court.
During Monday's hearing, Lakhvi's counsel Rizwan Abbasi said the court previously accepted his client's bail plea, but the administration detained him, which was unlawful. He said grant of bail was an issue of fundamental right.
After hearing the arguments, the court suspended Lakhvi's detention.
09:33 Another foggy day in Delhi; 60 flights, 100 trains delayed
Dense fog once again disrupted air and rail traffic in Delhi.
Over 60 flights and 100 trains were delayed today as visibility dropped to 100 metres due to fog.
The minimum temperature in the national capital this morning was 4.5 degrees Celsius, considerably higher than Sunday's 2.6 degrees which was the lowest recorded in the last five years.
09:25 Bangla war crimes tribunal to deliver Azhar verdict today
Bangladesh's war crimes tribunal is expected to deliver its verdict today on a senior leader of the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami accused of war crimes, including genocide and rape, during the country's 1971 independence war against Pakistan.
Hearing in the case of ATM Azharul Islam, assistant secretary general of the Jamaat, was completed on September 18.
The 61-year-old Jamaat leader, indicted on November 12 last year, stands accused of murder, genocide, abduction, torture, and rape in Rangpur during the 1971 Liberation war.
According to the prosecution, charges brought against Azhar include murder of 1,225 people in Rangpur, murder of four more, abduction of 17 people, torture on 13 people, and arson.
Azhar, a higher secondary student at Rangpur's Carmichael College in 1971, was the chief of the Islami Chhatra Shangha, the then student wing of Jamaat.
He had allegedly led the Al-Badr militia to assist the Pakistani army.
Azhar was arrested from his Moghbazar residence on August 22, 2012 and has been in jail since then.
09:22 IS releases interview with captive Jordanian pilot
The Islamic State group has published an interview with the Jordanian pilot captured last week after his plane crashed in northern Syria.
First Lieutenant Mu'ath al-Kaseasbeh F-16 went down near the Islamic State group's de facto capital of Raqqa on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Jordanian is the first foreign military pilot to fall into the extremists' hands since an international coalition began its aerial campaign against IS in September months ago.
In a short question-and-answer segment in the extremist group's monthly English-language magazine posted online yesterday, al-Kaseasbeh said his fighter jet was shot down by a heat-seeking missile near Raqqa, which is located on the banks of the Euphrates River in northern Syria.
Al-Kaseasbeh said he landed in the river after ejecting from the aircraft and landed in river, where he was taken captive by IS fighters.
Jordan's government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said that he has seen the comments but declined to comment.
The United States has denied that IS shot down the Jordanian aircraft. The head of the U.S. military's Central Command, Gen. Lloyd Austin, said the US will not tolerate IS's "attempts to misrepresent or exploit this unfortunate aircraft crash for their own purposes."
09:06 Search for missing AirAsia plane enters Day 3
The multinational search for the missing AirAsia flight on Tuesday entered into third day after a futile day-long scanning of the Java Sea where the Airbus 320-200 is believed to have gone down with 162 passengers and crew.
About 30 ships and 15 aircraft continue searching for the missing AirAsia flight QZ8501 which went off radar on Sunday morning on a flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore.
The search is divided and extended to cover land area on the Indonesian province of Kalimantan.
Aircraft and ships from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and South Korea have been deployed to scan the rough and choppy waters of Java Sea, according to media reports.
India, China, Britain, France and the United States have also offered help in the search and locate operation with offer to arrange for planes, naval ships, experts and investigators, the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency said.
The six-year-old Airbus A320-200 was flying over the Java Sea in Indonesian airspace when communication with air traffic control ceased about 42 minutes after take-off from Juanda Airport.
08:50 Uber rape aftermath: Delhi govt formulates new rules for radio taxis
In the aftermath of the Uber cab rape case in the national capital, Delhi government has come up with a new set of rules for the radio taxis in the city.
As per a Transport Department statement, the licensee has to maintain minimum fleet of 200 radio taxis either owned or through an agreement with individual taxi permits holders, ANI reported.
The statement also said that Radio Taxi should be fitted with GPS and GPRS based tracking device, printer and display panel showing path traversed and total distance covered.
The new taxi rules also states that cab service provider should maintain a web-portal containing all details of its ownership, registered address, services offered, fare structure, insurance liabilities, control room number, name and contact details of a duly appointed grievance redressal officer.
Transport helpline number was also given for the benefit of the people. The department said that number 42400400 along with police help line number 1095 would be prominently displayed inside and outside radio taxis.
The cab service provider will have to ensure the facility of a panic button in the radio taxi so that in case of any distress, the signal is transmitted to the their control centre and therefrom, to the nearest police station or the police control room.
04:05 2 gunmen open fire on Los Angeles police car
Two men opened fire on a police car patrolling a tough part of Los Angeles, but the two officers inside were not injured and one was able to shoot back, authorities have said. One of the suspects was later arrested and the other is on the loose.
04:05 At least six killed in DR Congo plane crash
At least six people died after a plane flying from Uganda crashed into the Uvira mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo's east, a DR Congo official has said.
The plane, which made a stop in the Burundian capital Bujumbura, crashed into the mountains on Sunday about four minutes after take-off, local government official Noella Nafranka said yesterday.
03:30 UN chief urges North Korea to accept talks with Seoul
UN chief Ban Ki-moon has welcomed a South Korean proposal to hold high-level talks with North Korea and urged Pyongyang to accept the offer.
Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister, said yesterday dialogue was the only way forward to build trust and promote relations on the peninsula, which has been divided since 1945.
03:00 Al-Jazeera journalists await appeal after year in Egyptian jail
Three Al-Jazeera journalists are marking one year since they were arrested in Egypt on charges of supporting the banned Muslim Brotherhood, as they look toward a court date Thursday to appeal their case.
Australian Peter Greste and Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fahmy are in prison on seven-year sentences, while their Egyptian colleague Baher Mohamed is serving a 10-year sentence.
02:07 Death toll in the Greek ferry fire rises to 10
Fighting high winds and stormy seas, helicopter rescue crews today evacuated hundreds of people trapped aboard a Greek ferry that caught fire off Albania.
The death toll climbed to 10 as survivors told of a frantic rush to escape, caught among flames, pelting rain and passengers who fought others for rescue.
The evacuation of the overnight ferry from Greece to Italy was completed in the early afternoon with the rescue of 427 people, including 56 crew members, said Italy's transport minister, Maurizio Lupi.
02:06 Qaeda claims failed ambush on Yemen general, death of soldier
Al-Qaeda today said it had carried out an unsuccessful bid to assassinate a top Yemeni general in an ambush the government said killed two soldiers and wounded 11 others. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula also said it had killed an intelligence officer in a separate incident today.
00:40 7 injured as Iranian border guards fire rockets in Pak
Seven Pakistani civilians were injured today when Iranian border guards fired rockets in the Kech area of the troubled Balochistan province. Pakistani security officials said that at least 42 rockets landed in the Zamuran area of Kech district in a village, wounding seven civilians.
00:39 US, NATO mark end of Afghanistan mission
The NATO-led military alliance in Afghanistan formally ended its 13-year-long combat mission, leaving a relatively under-trained Afghan national security force to fight the deadly Taliban insurgency largely on its own.
A special ceremony was organised at the Kabul headquarters of the coalition Sunday to mark the conclusion of operations by the U.S.-led International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF.
00:38 Uber assures transport dept of complying with new rules
Uber, a US-based cab service provider which was banned earlier this month by Delhi Government, today gave a representation before the transport department assuring that they will comply with the new rules for plying of its taxis in the national capital.
00:38 WB: Miscreants throw acid at 20-year-old woman
A 20-year-old woman suffered injuries when miscreants threw acid at her in Hooghly district, a senior police officer said.
Sovan Malik, a resident of Ramchandrapur village in Singur was cycling to her home after getting down from a train at Biara station when the miscreants who were on motorcycles follwed her threw acid at her and fled on Saturday evening, Superintendent of Police Sunil Chowdhury said.
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