LIVE
Fri, 21 November 2014
3 security personnel injured in blast by Naxals in Chhattisgarh
Timeline Refresh
23:57 Shutdown in Nepal town after Modi's trip reportedly cancelled
Normal life was partially hit today in parts of Nepal as several opposition parties enforced a shutdown against the reported cancellation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed trip to the religious town of Janakpur.
Modi was scheduled to visit Janakpur, said to be the birthplace of Sita, Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and another sacred Hindu pilgrimage site, Muktinath, located in the southern mountainous region during his visit to Nepal to attend the 18th SAARC summit here on November 26-27.
Janakpur, Dhanusha, Mahottari and Sarlani districts were among the affected areas due to the shutdown.
Educational institutions and markets were partially closed and transport services also came to a halt. There were also anti-government rallies in parts of the city.
23:24 The $50 earthquake alarm that could save thousands of lives
From the CNN: In September 1985 a devastating earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter Scale smashed into Mexico City killing 10,000 people and leaving parts of the city in ruins.
Since then, the populous Latin American nation of 122 million has invested in one of the most advanced seismic warning systems anywhere in the world.
Read the story here
23:00
Three security personnel, including a CRPF inspector, were today injured in a pressure bomb blast by Naxals in Maoist-hit Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh, police said.
The incident occurred when a joint contingent of 168 battalion of Central Reserve Police Force and district force was carrying out an anti-Naxal operation in Basaguda police station limits this evening, Bijapur Additional Superintendent of Police Indira Kalyan Elesela said.
"During the operation, security personnel accidentally came in contact with a pressure bomb planted by the Maoists that exploded injuring CRPF Inspector Gurvinder Singh and two state police jawans Irpa Ganesh and Kadti Chandru," the ASP said.
22:55 Satyarthi appeals to MPs to pass Bill banning child labour
Ahead of Parliament's Winter Session, Nobel laureate and child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi today appealed to all the MPs to ensure passage of a Bill seeking complete ban on child labour.
"I want to make an earnest appeal to all the Member of Parliaments to pass the key legislation and it is also a moral responsibility on their part to pass the Bill..."
Satyarthi said at a summit organised by a media house. The government is likely to introduce the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill which, once passed, will prohibit employment of children below 14 years in any occupation, bringing the law in consistency with the Right to Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009.
Expressing optimism over eradication of the scourge of child labour, Satyarthi said that India might have a hundred problems but it is also country of a "billion solutions".
22:27
The death toll from a rare pre-winter snowstorm rose to 13 in the northeastern United States, paralysing communities for days and dumping more than 1.8-metre of snow near Buffalo.
The National Weather Service warned an extra 60 to 90 centimetres of "lake effect snow," created when frigid air moves over warm lake waters, could fall on Thursday.
It said visibility was near zero and that thunder and lightning were likely to accompany the heaviest snow as a state of emergency and travel bans remained in place in western New York state.
Read the full story here
22:17 Phone-hacking scandal: Coulson released after 5 months in jail
Andy Coulson, former editor of the now defunct News of the World tabloid and ex-aide of UK Premier David Cameron, was today released after serving nearly five months in jail for a phone-hacking scandal that brought down media mogul Rupert Murdoch's newspaper
Coulson, 46, was sentenced to 18 months in jail in July after he was found guilty of a conspiracy to intercept voicemails for stories in the tabloid following an eight-month trial at the Old Bailey court in London.
The conditions of his release have not been released yet but it is likely that he could now be placed under home detention. It is not known whether Coulson will have to wear an electronic tag but normally, released prisoners are expected to wear a tag until half of their sentence has passed.
21:53
House Republicans have filed a lawsuit regarding President Barack Obama's "unilateral actions" on healthcare, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced on Friday.
Read the full story here
21:38 J-K polls: 166 candidates file nomination for third phase
A total of 166 candidates have filed their nomination papers for 16 constituencies that will go to polls on December 9 in the third phase of the assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir.
An official of the Election Commission said, "As today was the last day of filing of nomination papers, 166 candidates have filed their papers for the third phase of assembly election that are scheduled to be held on December 9."
The 16 constituencies are spread over three districts -- Baramulla, Budgam and Pulwama. For the Uri seat, five candidates have filed their nomination papers, in Rafiabad 13, Sopore 23, Sangrama 10, Baramulla 14, Gulmarg 9, Pattan 16, Chadoora 9, Budgam 7, Beerwah 8, Khansahib 8, Charar-i-Sharief 10, Tral 9, Pampore 7, Pulwama 10 and Rajpora 8.
21:26 An intercepted call led to probe against pro-Pak US diplomat
A former State Department official, known for her strong pro-Pakistan leanings, was placed under a probe for espionage after US authorities intercepted a call this year in which a Pakistani official said that his government was receiving American secrets from a US diplomat, a media report here said.
Robin Raphel, 67, considered one of the leading American experts on Pakistan, was placed under federal counter intelligence investigation earlier this month. The telephone conversation led to months of secret surveillance on her and during an FBI raid at her home last month agents discovered classified information, a report in the New York Times said, describing the investigation as a 'rare example' of a FBI espionage investigation breaking into public view.
The NYT report quoted the US officials, saying that while the FBI secretly monitored Raphel in recent months, agents suspected that she was improperly taking classified information home from the state department.
FBI agents searched her home in a prosperous neighbourhood near the Maryland border with Washington and found classified information, the officials said.
Raphel was stripped of her security clearances last month and no longer has access to the state department building.
21:04 CBI's Additional Director R K Dutta to head 2G case
Additional Director R K Dutta will now head the CBI probe in the 2G spectrum scam after the Supreme Court directed the agency Chief Ranjit Sinha to recuse from the investigation.
A 1981-batch IPS officer from the Karnataka cadre, Rupak Kumar Dutta is the overall in charge of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the agency which is probing the 2G cases. CBI sources said initially it was not clear whetherSpecial Director Anil Sinha who is the number two after theDirector will oversee the probe or Dutta who is incharge ofACB will lead the investigation.
They said it was decided that according to the Supreme Court order, the person heading the investigation team should be put in charge of the 2G cases.
Due to retire shortly, Sinha had yesterday suffered a major blow when the apex court removed him from the 2G probe,saying the allegations against him of protecting some accused appear to be "prima facie credible".
20:57 Obama to be chief guest at 2015 Republic Day celebration
Accepting PM Modi's invitation to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in January next year, US President Obama's press office released a statement.
'At the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, the President will travel to India in January 2015 to participate in the Indian Republic Day celebration in New Delhi as the Chief Guest. This visit will mark the first time a U.S. president will have the honor of attending Republic Day, which commemorates the adoption of India's constitution. The President will meet with the Prime Minister and Indian officials to strengthen and expand the U.S.-India strategic partnership.' read the official statement.
20:54 Obama accepts Modi invitation to be chief guest at Republic Day
US President Barack Obama has accepted Prime Minister Modi's invitation to be chief guest at Republic Day ceremony in January 2015.
Obama's last visit to India was in 2010 and will be the first US president to attend the Republic Day ceremony.
'Invite of @narendramodi President Obama will travel to #India in Jan 2015 to participate in Indian Republic Day celebration as chief guest,' according to a US National Security Council tweet.
20:52
Here is what White House's press release says
20:51 Anand, Carlsen draw game 10
Vishwanathan Anands hopes of making a comeback received a setback as he drew the 10th game of the World Chess Championship with defending champion Magnus Carlsen. The scores are now 5.5-4.5 in Carlsens favour with two matches to play.
20:11 Naxals hit IAF chopper, ambush CRPF patrol party
Naxals today ambushed a patrol party and hit an air force helicopter which was evacuating security personnel after a gunbattle in the dense jungles of Sukma in Chhattisgarh, injuring six CRPF personnel and an IAF commando.An encounter broke out when a squad of CRPF and state police was out for an operation in the Chintagufa area.
Officials said the Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper, which flew an evacuation sortie soon after the 3.30 PM incident, was also hit by bullets fired by Maoists.
"A total of seven security personnel have been injured. All have bullet injuries. The injured include six CRPF personnel and one IAF commando," a senior officer deployed in the anti-Naxal operations grid said.
19:53 Modi invites Obama to be chief guest at 2015 Republic Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited US President Barack Obama to be chief guest at the next Republic Day.
'This Republic Day, we hope to have a friend over, invited Prez Obama to be the 1st US Prez to grace the occasion as chief guest,' Modi tweeted.
19:38 Shutdown in Nepal town after Modi's trip reportedly cancelled
Normal life was partially hit today in parts of Nepal as several opposition parties enforced a shutdown against the reported cancellation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed trip to the religious town of Janakpur.
Modi was scheduled to visit Janakpur, said to be the birthplace of Sita, Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and another sacred Hindu pilgrimage site, Muktinath, located in the southern mountainous region during his visit to Nepal to attend the 18th SAARC summit here on November 26-27.
19:06 Modi, Putin, Kerry, Malala ... Time's Person of the Year polls this far
Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads in the list of 50 global leaders, business chiefs and pop icons named as contenders by 'Time' magazine for its annual 'Person of the Year' honour. The 'Person of the Year 2014' will be announced in December and the publication said the title will be bestowed to those who have, for good or for ill, most influenced the news and our lives in the past year.
Here's the polling percentage so far:
PM Narendra Modi 12.8
Russia president Vladimir Putin 7.2
US secretary of state John Kerry 5.2
Nobel Peace price winner for 2014 Malala Yousafzai 3.8
Here's the polling percentage so far:
PM Narendra Modi 12.8
Russia president Vladimir Putin 7.2
US secretary of state John Kerry 5.2
Nobel Peace price winner for 2014 Malala Yousafzai 3.8
18:51
And that's a picture Aamir Khan tweeted with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Both the superstars are in Delhi to attend the Hindustan Times Summit.
18:48 'Underperformer' Dhir was not getting a ticket: AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday attempted to downplay MS Dhir's decision to join the BJP, saying there was a very bleak possibility of his winning the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls.
"Around two weeks ago, Sanjay Singh and I called him personally and informed him that his performance in the assembly was not good and that there was a little possibility of his getting a ticket as a candidate. Our feedback was based on what our volunteers told us and surveys that we undertook in his constituency," AAP spokesperson Ashutosh said today.
"Around two weeks ago, Sanjay Singh and I called him personally and informed him that his performance in the assembly was not good and that there was a little possibility of his getting a ticket as a candidate. Our feedback was based on what our volunteers told us and surveys that we undertook in his constituency," AAP spokesperson Ashutosh said today.
18:39 Dumraon Royal family sends legal notice to Chetan Bhagat
Irked over their reference in his latest novel, the erstwhile royal family of Dumraon has sent a legal notice to author Chetan Bhagat and the publisher, demanding unconditional public apology and recall of all copies of the book that are yet to be circulated.
The notice has been sent by Supreme Court lawyer Gaurav Ghosh on behalf of 'Maharaja' Bahadur Kamal Singh, the erstwhile ruler of the princely state of Dumraon in Bihar's Buxar district, and the heir 'Yuvraj' Chandra Vijay Singh.
The notice demands "unconditional public apology' from Bhagat and publisher Rupa Publications and "recall of all copies of the book that are yet to be circulated' failing which damages and criminal proceedings will be sought against them.
It also seeks expunging the words "Royal Family of Dumraon' and any other words that refer to the erstwhile rulers from all copies of 'Half Girlfriend' that may be published in future.
The notice has been sent by Supreme Court lawyer Gaurav Ghosh on behalf of 'Maharaja' Bahadur Kamal Singh, the erstwhile ruler of the princely state of Dumraon in Bihar's Buxar district, and the heir 'Yuvraj' Chandra Vijay Singh.
The notice demands "unconditional public apology' from Bhagat and publisher Rupa Publications and "recall of all copies of the book that are yet to be circulated' failing which damages and criminal proceedings will be sought against them.
It also seeks expunging the words "Royal Family of Dumraon' and any other words that refer to the erstwhile rulers from all copies of 'Half Girlfriend' that may be published in future.
18:25 Suspect in Aurobindo Pharma boss attack held
The Hyderabad police seem to have cracked the attempted kidnap of Aurobindo Pharma MD Nityananda Reddy.
The suspect is believed to be a former Greyhound constable named Ombulesh, who confessed that he committed a similar crime earlier. The constable is attached to the elite anti-Naxal outfit of Andhra Pradesh, called Greyhound.
Reddy's car was fired upon on Wednesday morning near the KBR park in the high-profile Banjara Hills area of Hyderabad.
According to an eyewitness, the unidentified attacker sat in Reddy's car and then threatened him with an AK-47 rifle. However, Reddy's brother, who was sitting in the car's rear seat, tried to resist the attacker's attempt. In the scuffle, the attacker fired some rounds at the car's windshield. An AK-47 and seven rounds of ammunition were left behind before the man, suspected to be Ombulesh, fled.
The suspect is believed to be a former Greyhound constable named Ombulesh, who confessed that he committed a similar crime earlier. The constable is attached to the elite anti-Naxal outfit of Andhra Pradesh, called Greyhound.
Reddy's car was fired upon on Wednesday morning near the KBR park in the high-profile Banjara Hills area of Hyderabad.
According to an eyewitness, the unidentified attacker sat in Reddy's car and then threatened him with an AK-47 rifle. However, Reddy's brother, who was sitting in the car's rear seat, tried to resist the attacker's attempt. In the scuffle, the attacker fired some rounds at the car's windshield. An AK-47 and seven rounds of ammunition were left behind before the man, suspected to be Ombulesh, fled.
18:10 Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh
Just in: Maoists attack patrolling party in Chintagufa, Sukma (Chhattisgarh), 4 CRPF and 1 BSF jawan injured.
18:00 Eavesdropping on Pak official led to inquiry into Robin Raphel
American investigators intercepted a conversation this year in which a Pakistani official suggested that his government was receiving American secrets from a prominent former State Department diplomat, officials said, setting off an espionage investigation that has stunned diplomatic circles in the US. Read how the US figured Robin Raphel was a Pak spy
17:55 No drastic job cuts post KMB-ING Vysya merger: Uday
Kotak Mahindra Bank chief Uday Kotak has assured that there will not be "any dramatic" reduction immediately in the number of employees following the merger of ING Vysya Bank. While ING has around 10,000 employees, Kotak Bank has around 29,000.
17:34
Swapan Dasgupta on Modi's mobilization of overseas Indians. Read
17:26 German vs Sanskrit controversy created 'deliberately': Irani
If you please... HRD Minister Smriti Irani today said a controversy over German being replaced in KV schools has been created "deliberately" and asserted that its continuation as third language would have been a violation of the Constitution.
"The schools were teaching German as the third language which was in violation of the Constitution, knowing that German is not a third language. We or the Ministry or KVs could not have renewed the contract.... I have taken oath under Indian Constitution and I will abide by it," Irani told reporters on the sidelines of an event.
"The schools were teaching German as the third language which was in violation of the Constitution, knowing that German is not a third language. We or the Ministry or KVs could not have renewed the contract.... I have taken oath under Indian Constitution and I will abide by it," Irani told reporters on the sidelines of an event.
17:12 TMC MP charged with criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of funds
The arrest TMC MP Srinjoy Bose, is a huge setback for West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. Bose is believed to be a close aide of the CM. The
arrest comes after the CBI summoned Bose and grilled him for six hours today.
Bose is being probed for criminal conspiracy and misappropriation of funds.
Bose had helped Saradha Group group chief, Sudipta Sen (who is in jail) when it had started its media venture in 2010. The Saradha Group had started a newspaper called Sambad Pratidin, which folded up after the scam came to light.
The Rajya Sabha MP is believed to have been funded by Sen at different occasions.
The CBI claimed that Bose had misled the investigation as his statements did not match with documents which have been seized by the the investigating agency.
Bose is being probed for criminal conspiracy and misappropriation of funds.
Bose had helped Saradha Group group chief, Sudipta Sen (who is in jail) when it had started its media venture in 2010. The Saradha Group had started a newspaper called Sambad Pratidin, which folded up after the scam came to light.
The Rajya Sabha MP is believed to have been funded by Sen at different occasions.
The CBI claimed that Bose had misled the investigation as his statements did not match with documents which have been seized by the the investigating agency.
16:55 Nepal set for Modi's Janakpur visit despite cancellation fears
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Janakpur, the revered Hindu religious site in Nepal, has not yet been officially cancelled despite reports about the trip being called off due to opposition by some political parties, the Nepal government today. Modi will be leaving India on November 25 to attend the 18th SAARC Summit in Kathmandu on November 26-27.
16:54 India less vulnerable to global shocks than before: HSBC
And some good news: India, which witnessed substantial financial volatility last year over talks of US Fed's plan to taper its bond buying programme to boost American economy, has improved its external balance position and is less vulnerable than before, an HSBC report says.
16:53 TMC MP Srinjoy Bose arrested in Saradha scam
Just in: TMC MP Srinjoy Bose arrested in connection with the Saradha scam. The Special Crime Branch of the CBI today interrogated Rajya Sabha MP Bose in connection with the Saradha ponzi scam. Bose, who owns a Bengali daily had a deal with the chief of the Saradha Group -- Sudipta Sen. He has already been questioned twice by the CBI.
Bose arrived at the CBI office in Kolkata in the morning following summons served on him. State Transport Minister Madan Mitra, who was also asked to appear before CBI today in connection with the scam, was admitted to state-run SSKM Hospital yesterday after a brief stay at a private clinic in the city.
The Saradha scam came to light in April 2013 after the group downed shutters without repaying lakhs of investors, who had parked their hard earned money in the group's companies, lured by the promise of astronomically high returns.
Bose arrived at the CBI office in Kolkata in the morning following summons served on him. State Transport Minister Madan Mitra, who was also asked to appear before CBI today in connection with the scam, was admitted to state-run SSKM Hospital yesterday after a brief stay at a private clinic in the city.
The Saradha scam came to light in April 2013 after the group downed shutters without repaying lakhs of investors, who had parked their hard earned money in the group's companies, lured by the promise of astronomically high returns.
16:39 Ex-Haryana CM: We're Arya Samajis, never visited Rampal's ashram
Former Haryana CM BS Hooda on Rampal: "We're Arya Samaji, neither me nor my family went to that ashram ever. I believe that had steps been taken (earlier) the loss would have been less than what it is.
16:32 Obama opens doors for millions of illegal immigrants
Millions of immigrants living illegally in the US will be allowed to apply for work permits under a major shake-up unveiled by President Barack Obama.They include immigrants living in the US for five years who have children staying legally in the US. Read more
15:53 CBI's Additional Director R K Dutta to head 2G case
Additional Director R K Dutta will now head the CBI probe in the 2G spectrum scam after the Supreme Court directed the agency Chief Ranjit Sinha to recuse from the investigation.
A 1981-batch IPS officer from the Karnataka cadre, Rupak Kumar Dutta is the overall incharge of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of the agency which is probing the 2G cases. CBI sources said initially it was not clear whether Special Director Anil Sinha who is the number two after the Director will oversee the probe or Dutta who is incharge of ACB will lead the investigation.
A 1981-batch IPS officer from the Karnataka cadre, Rupak Kumar Dutta is the overall incharge of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of the agency which is probing the 2G cases. CBI sources said initially it was not clear whether Special Director Anil Sinha who is the number two after the Director will oversee the probe or Dutta who is incharge of ACB will lead the investigation.
15:41 Charges against me were false, reinstate me, Srinivasan tells SC
JUST IN: ICC Chairman N Srinivasan who was being probed by the Mukul Mudgal panel for the spot-fixing scam in Indian Premier League -- told the Supreme Court today to reinstate him as the president for the Board of Control for Cricket in India as the probe panel found nothing against him.
The Mudgal panel cleared me of betting, fixing charges. I must be reinstated since the charges against me were false and motivated," Srinivasan said while filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court.
Earlier, the BCCI filed an affidavit to contest the panels claim that the tainted president in-exile and four other board officials were aware of a players code of conduct violation but did not take action.
The Mudgal panel cleared me of betting, fixing charges. I must be reinstated since the charges against me were false and motivated," Srinivasan said while filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court.
Earlier, the BCCI filed an affidavit to contest the panels claim that the tainted president in-exile and four other board officials were aware of a players code of conduct violation but did not take action.
15:27 Ex-AAP MLA joins BJP
Former AAP MLA M S Dhir, who was the Speaker in the last Delhi Assembly, joins BJP. Dhir says he will serve the party to the best of his capabilities. "No AAP MLA has contacted me yet, if they do, I will appeal to them to join the BJP looking at the PM's vision of development," he said.
Dhir had already opened the front against the AAP saying there was no democracy in the party and had praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's way of functioning.
Former MLA Harish Khanna is also set to join the BJP today.
Dhir had already opened the front against the AAP saying there was no democracy in the party and had praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's way of functioning.
Former MLA Harish Khanna is also set to join the BJP today.
15:11 HRD minister unaware of SC notice on German language
Just in: The Supreme Court has slapped a notice on the Centre asking it to explain its decision to drop German as a third language in Kendriya Vidyalayas. The schools will now have to opt for Sanskrit.
Union HRD minister Smriti Irani had defended the move, saying the existing arrangement was in violation of the three-language formula. She, however, said German would continue to be taught as an "additional subject of hobby class". She said she was unaware of today's SC notice.
The centre's decision has prompted German chancellor Angela Merkel to raise the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit in Australia. Modi has assured her he would look at it within the confines of the Indian system.
The human resource development ministry's decision to drop the German language has affected over 70,000 students across 500 Kendriya Vidyalayas from classes VI to VIII, who are now supposed to be asked to switch from German to Sanskrit.
The 2011 memorandum of understanding that made German a third language was signed between the Kendriya Vidyalayas and Goethe Institute-Max Mueller Bhawan.
Union HRD minister Smriti Irani had defended the move, saying the existing arrangement was in violation of the three-language formula. She, however, said German would continue to be taught as an "additional subject of hobby class". She said she was unaware of today's SC notice.
The centre's decision has prompted German chancellor Angela Merkel to raise the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit in Australia. Modi has assured her he would look at it within the confines of the Indian system.
The human resource development ministry's decision to drop the German language has affected over 70,000 students across 500 Kendriya Vidyalayas from classes VI to VIII, who are now supposed to be asked to switch from German to Sanskrit.
The 2011 memorandum of understanding that made German a third language was signed between the Kendriya Vidyalayas and Goethe Institute-Max Mueller Bhawan.
14:59 Free Jharkhand from dynastic rule, corruption: Modi
Kicking off BJP's poll campaign in Jharkhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched an attack on the state government over the issue of development and asked the people to free the state from dynastic rule to end corruption.
"If you want Jharkhand to move on the path of development then free Jharkhand from pariwarwad (dynastic rule)," he said.
In an apparent reference to JMM supremo Shibu Soren and his Chief Minister son Hemant Soren, Modi said, "If you don't free Jharkhand from the dynastic rule, then their houses and family would get rich while the people will not benefit (from anything)".
"If you want Jharkhand to progress, want employment for youth and take the state to prosperity, you have to put an end to dynastic politics, the politics of father-son, brother- nephew and relatives," he told an election rally.
"If you want Jharkhand to move on the path of development then free Jharkhand from pariwarwad (dynastic rule)," he said.
In an apparent reference to JMM supremo Shibu Soren and his Chief Minister son Hemant Soren, Modi said, "If you don't free Jharkhand from the dynastic rule, then their houses and family would get rich while the people will not benefit (from anything)".
"If you want Jharkhand to progress, want employment for youth and take the state to prosperity, you have to put an end to dynastic politics, the politics of father-son, brother- nephew and relatives," he told an election rally.
14:41 Will mythology win over science in India's schools?
Indians were flying aeroplanes, carrying out stem cell research and may even have been using cosmic weapons 5,000 years ago, according to the chairman of India's leading historical organisation.
Professor Y. Sudershan Rao, the head of the Indian Council of Historical Research, has been criticized by fellow historians for comments that Hindu epics are adequate to understand the ancient world, rather than relying on evidence or research.
The Hindu nationalist government appointed Rao to the prestigious academic post soon after winning the biggest landslide in three decades, fuelling concerns of a push to teach the superiority of Hindu values and mythology at the cost of academic rigour, and cutting against the grain of secularism that runs through multi-faith modern India.
Read more
Professor Y. Sudershan Rao, the head of the Indian Council of Historical Research, has been criticized by fellow historians for comments that Hindu epics are adequate to understand the ancient world, rather than relying on evidence or research.
The Hindu nationalist government appointed Rao to the prestigious academic post soon after winning the biggest landslide in three decades, fuelling concerns of a push to teach the superiority of Hindu values and mythology at the cost of academic rigour, and cutting against the grain of secularism that runs through multi-faith modern India.
Read more
14:31 The lord of the Rs 100 crore cult
Devotees from as far away as Nepal throng Sant Rampal's ashram for blessings, particularly the kheer made from the milk in which he takes his daily bath. That's how revered the godman is. But all that might be coming to an end. Read the report here.
14:19 Achche din is here for stakeholders and investors: Uday Kotak
Uday Kotak, executive vice-chairman and managing director of Kotak Mahindra Bank, was at a press conference after the announcement of the deal with ING Vysya Bank, saying the deal was an alliance between US (Uday Sareen, chief executive-designate of ING Vysya Bank) and UK (Uday Kotak). In an interview with Nupur Anand, he explains the synergies of the deal. Read the excerpts of the interview here.
14:07 CBI interrogates Bengal minister, Trinamool MP
The Special Crime Branch of the CBI today interrogated West Bengal Textiles Minister Shyamapada Mukherjee and Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Srinjoy Bose in connection with the Saradha ponzi scam. Mukherjee and Bose arrived at the CBI office in Kolkata in the morning following summons served on them to appear before the agency sleuths.
14:01 Go beyond power politics
India is structurally short of electricity. Power pricing is fundamentally disconnected, with retail tariffs significantly lower than the cost of production. Electricity losses, due to theft and illegal connections, account for more than 25% of power generated in India. Massive state electricity board bailouts have resulted in higher losses, mostly borne by public sector banks.
That's BJP MP Varun Gandhi writing for the Economic times. Read
That's BJP MP Varun Gandhi writing for the Economic times. Read
13:59 AIADMK govt takes credit for fishermen release
Taking potshots at other political parties for claiming credit over release of five Indian fishermen from Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam today asserted that his AIADMK-led government's initiatives saved them from gallows and led to their freedom.
13:56
JUST IN: Meghalaya Home Minister Roshan Warjri resigns, owning responsibility for law and order crisis in Garo Hills.
13:48 Here's who's funding Mulayam's birthday bash
The BJP's question over how the Samajwadi Party was funding Mulayam Singh Yadav's 75th birthday bash has been answered.
UP's powerful minister Azam Khan, who is hosting the two-day event in Rampur that begins today, has said, that gangsters Dawood Ibrahim, the Taliban and Abu Salem have paid for the bash.
Obviously, Mr Khan is being sarcastic and the question will remain unanswered. The BJP has pointed out that the UP government has ignored the abysmal economy of the state, but has thought it fit to spend crores on Mulayam Singh's birthday.
During the party's annual jamboree at Saifai in Jaunary this year, crores were spent flying in Bollywood celebrities at a time when Muzaffarnagar riot victims were freezing in relief camps.
The highlight of Mulayam's Singh Yadav's birthday bash is a 75-feet long U-shaped cake made in New Delhi. Accompanied by his Chief Minister son Akhilesh Yadav, Mulayam will fly to Rampur this afternoon in a state aircraft from Lucknow.
After landing at the CRPF airstrip, he will take a 12- km ride through the town in a Victorian buggy imported from the UK. Read more on the event here.
UP's powerful minister Azam Khan, who is hosting the two-day event in Rampur that begins today, has said, that gangsters Dawood Ibrahim, the Taliban and Abu Salem have paid for the bash.
Obviously, Mr Khan is being sarcastic and the question will remain unanswered. The BJP has pointed out that the UP government has ignored the abysmal economy of the state, but has thought it fit to spend crores on Mulayam Singh's birthday.
During the party's annual jamboree at Saifai in Jaunary this year, crores were spent flying in Bollywood celebrities at a time when Muzaffarnagar riot victims were freezing in relief camps.
The highlight of Mulayam's Singh Yadav's birthday bash is a 75-feet long U-shaped cake made in New Delhi. Accompanied by his Chief Minister son Akhilesh Yadav, Mulayam will fly to Rampur this afternoon in a state aircraft from Lucknow.
After landing at the CRPF airstrip, he will take a 12- km ride through the town in a Victorian buggy imported from the UK. Read more on the event here.
13:27 Man's headaches due to tapeworm living in his brain for four years
A man who went to see his doctor after suffering headaches and experiencing strange smells was found to have been living for more than four years with a rare parasitic worm in his brain.In the first case of its kind in Britain, the ribbon-shaped tapeworm was found to have burrowed from one side of the 50-year-old man's brain to the other. Read
13:26
Did you know the IPC sections against littering? Here's gyan...
269 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) 270 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life)
269 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) 270 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life)
13:10 Pakistani soldier killed at LoC?
The Dawn reports that a Pakistani soldier has been killed in fresh firing on the Line of Control. Here's what the report says, "Hours after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan will speak with Kashmiri leaders before it enters into dialogue with India, a Pakistan army soldier was killed by Indian troops' 'unprovoked firing' at the LoC in Pandu sector near Muzaffarabad on Thursday."
Read more
No confirmations from India so far.
Read more
No confirmations from India so far.
12:40 Missing links in universal health care
Over 95 per cent of patients coming to super-speciality hospitals are at the wrong place and have incurred hardships when they could have been treated at their neighbourhood primary care centre. Read
12:32 Falling footfall worry for Taj
Foreign footfalls have fallen. So have the number of night halts. Even domestic tourists have been fewer. Is the Taj Mahal losing its appeal? Read
12:22 Fishermen released by Lanka reach their villag in Tamil Nadu
The five fishermen from Tamil Nadu who got a new lease of life after Sri Lanka commuted their death sentence reached their village today. Massive celebrations are on in their village.
The fishermen, who spent three years in a Sri Lanka jail were sentenced to death for alleged drug trafficking but set free after President Mahinda Rajapaksa pardoned them.
Earlier in the day, families of the fishermen gathered in Tiruchirappalli airport anticipating their arrival there from Colombo, but returned to Rameswaram disappointed, as officials told them the five would be flying directly to Delhi.
The fishermen, who spent three years in a Sri Lanka jail were sentenced to death for alleged drug trafficking but set free after President Mahinda Rajapaksa pardoned them.
Earlier in the day, families of the fishermen gathered in Tiruchirappalli airport anticipating their arrival there from Colombo, but returned to Rameswaram disappointed, as officials told them the five would be flying directly to Delhi.
12:05 Diplomacy wins the day
The unconditional release by Sri Lanka of five fishermen sentenced to
death by a court in that country on charges of drug smuggling is a
welcome development.
Sri Lanka must be commended for taking this large-hearted step.
It is not often that nations set aside their own laws and procedures, as well as domestic political considerations, to make exceptions for nationals of another country; three Sri Lankans convicted in the same case remain on death row. Read more
Sri Lanka must be commended for taking this large-hearted step.
It is not often that nations set aside their own laws and procedures, as well as domestic political considerations, to make exceptions for nationals of another country; three Sri Lankans convicted in the same case remain on death row. Read more
12:01 Why is the HC taking note of Bukhari's successor?
So, why is the Delhi high court tabling its decision on Imam Bukhari's successor. It's because there have been a slew of public interest litigations which in effect say that the mosque is the property of the Delhi Wakf Board, which administers Muslim religious properties. This means that the Shahi Imam cannot unilaterally decide his successor.
Bukhari was in the news last week when he invited Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to his son's anointment, but did not extend the same courtesy to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Bukhari was in the news last week when he invited Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to his son's anointment, but did not extend the same courtesy to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
11:51 Shahi Imam has to explain decision to anoint son as successor by Jan 28
The Delhi High Court refuses to stay the anointing ceremony of Shahi Imam Bukhari's son as the Naib Imam of the Delhi Jama Masjid.
The court said that the Shahi Imam Bukhari's decision to anoint his son as his deputy and successor has no legal sanctity. The court has asked him to explain his decision to pick his son as his successor.
Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of India's largest mosque, the Jama Masjid, is supposed to anoint his 19-year-old son as Vice-Imam tomorrow.
The court said his move "has no legal sanctity" but did not cancel the ceremony; it has asked Bukhari to explain his move by January 28.
The court said that the Shahi Imam Bukhari's decision to anoint his son as his deputy and successor has no legal sanctity. The court has asked him to explain his decision to pick his son as his successor.
Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of India's largest mosque, the Jama Masjid, is supposed to anoint his 19-year-old son as Vice-Imam tomorrow.
The court said his move "has no legal sanctity" but did not cancel the ceremony; it has asked Bukhari to explain his move by January 28.
11:38
Delhi HC seeks reply of the Centre, Wakf Board and Imam Bukhari by January 28.
11:19 Mulayam's birthday bash celebrations begin with 75-ft long cake
At least 45 UP govt ministers are likely to participate in SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's birthday celebrations in Rampur today. The highlight of the event is a very special 75-ft long ,U-shaped cake prepared by a top notch bakery in New Delhi. The cake will be carted to Rampur about 200 km away. Though the birthday falls on November 22, the celebrations will commence from this afternoon and continue until the following day.
11:01 Mangalyaan wins: 'Nobody gets Mars right on the first try. India did'
Mangalyaan has been named among the best inventions of 2014 by Time magazine which described it as a technological feat that will allow India to flex its "interplanetary muscles."
"Nobody gets Mars right on the first try. The US didn't, Russia didn't, the Europeans didn't. But on September 24, India did. That's when the Mangalyaan ...went into orbit around the Red Planet, a technological feat no other Asian nation has yet achieved," Time said about Mangalyaan, calling it "The Supersmart Spacecraft."
Mangalyaan is among the 25 'Best Inventions of 2014' listed by Time magazine that are "making the world better, smarter and'"in some cases'"a little more fun."
Also read: 5 things you should know about Mangalyaan
"Nobody gets Mars right on the first try. The US didn't, Russia didn't, the Europeans didn't. But on September 24, India did. That's when the Mangalyaan ...went into orbit around the Red Planet, a technological feat no other Asian nation has yet achieved," Time said about Mangalyaan, calling it "The Supersmart Spacecraft."
Mangalyaan is among the 25 'Best Inventions of 2014' listed by Time magazine that are "making the world better, smarter and'"in some cases'"a little more fun."
Also read: 5 things you should know about Mangalyaan
10:47 Will Maldives pay GMR Rs 4953 cr for terminating airport contract?
GMR Infra claims USD 803 million (Rs 4953 crore) from Maldivian government towards damages for terminating Male Airport contract.
GMR has won a more than 18-month long legal battle with the Maldives government which started after the government cancelled the company's contract to develop and operate the country's main airport.
According to GMR's filing on the National Stock Exchange, a Maldives' tribunal has judged the government's rejection of the contract "wrongful".
GMR has won a more than 18-month long legal battle with the Maldives government which started after the government cancelled the company's contract to develop and operate the country's main airport.
According to GMR's filing on the National Stock Exchange, a Maldives' tribunal has judged the government's rejection of the contract "wrongful".
10:40 Kim's back in Dubai, folks.
Kim Kardashian West '@KimKardashian tweets Words can't describe how grateful I am to be back in Dubai. I love it here so much!
Kim Kardashian, who shot to fame with popular television series Keeping Up With The Kardashians, was supposed to make a trip to India to promote her new fragrance Fleur Fatale.
Her itinerary included making an appearance in Salman Khan-hosted reality show Bigg Boss 8. Unfortunately, her trip has been cancelled.
Kim Kardashian, who shot to fame with popular television series Keeping Up With The Kardashians, was supposed to make a trip to India to promote her new fragrance Fleur Fatale.
Her itinerary included making an appearance in Salman Khan-hosted reality show Bigg Boss 8. Unfortunately, her trip has been cancelled.
10:36 Chidambaram's son: 'Tired slogans won't take us anywhere'
"We cannot capture the mind space of today's youth by evoking past sacrifices. Politics is about hope; hope for the future. The Congress hankers about the past too much," Congress leader Karti Chidambaram tells Shobha Warrier/Rediff.com.
Read
Read
10:27 Nifty scales new peak; Sensex up 187 pts in early trade
The benchmark NSE Nifty rose nearly 60 points to hit new record of 8,461.65 and the BSE Sensex climbed over 187 points to trade at 28,254.85 in early trade today on increased buying by foreign funds and retail investors amid a mixed trend at other Asian bourses. The Nifty was quoted higher by 59.75 points, or 0.71 per cent, to new life-time high of 8,461.65, surpassing previous high of 8,455.65 touched on November 19.
10:21 Japan's lower house dissolved for snap election
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved the lower house of Japan's parliament today, paving the way for a general election next month.
The move is widely seen as an attempt by Abe to shore up support for his government after a series of finance-related scandals hit his newly named Cabinet this fall.
His ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which has been in power for most of the post-World War II era, may lose some seats but is likely to retain a solid majority with its coalition partner in the 480-seat lower house.
The election, expected to be set for Dec. 14, follows Abe's decision this week to postpone a planned increase in the consumption tax after the economy slipped into recession. He is portraying the election as a referendum on his economic revitalisation policies, known as Abenomics, and the postponing of the tax increase.
The snap poll has puzzled many voters, as Abe has been prime minister for only about two years.
Analysts say it is perhaps the best timing for Abe to get a fresh mandate to try to ward off any possibility of the mounting scandals sending his government into a downward spiral.
10:05 Pakistan detains 56 Indian fishermen
The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency has detained 56 Indian fishermen off the coast of Gujarat and also captured their boats.
Of the ten boats, eight were from Porbandar while the remaining two were from the Okha and Mangrol port respectively.
All the boats were reportedly captured in Indian territorial waters.
According to reports, this incident is the third such episode since September.
09:56 India played productive role inside Afghanistan: US
Praising India for playing a useful and productive role inside war-torn Afghanistan, the US today said it is looking forward to India's leadership and its continued participation in regional security.
"India is a strong regional power and we know that India has interests in stability and security in the region. They have played a useful, productive role inside Afghanistan already in terms of some training that they have done," Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said.
"I will leave it to India to decide and to speak to what they will contribute to regional security after the end of this year, but we certainly look to India's leadership and their continued participation," Kirby said in response to a question.
09:53 Inside Rampal's ashram, piles of food & medicine, X-ray facilities
Indian Express reports: When security personnel finally entered Sant Rampals Satlok Ashram Thursday, the sight that greeted them spoke of its enormous resources.
The ashram was stockpiled to feed and heal its inmates for several months. There was also evidence of a planned resistance, with hundreds of bottles intended to be used as crude bombs, and even Holi toys filled with petrol.
Separate areas were demarcated as kitchen, polytechnic, and satsang area spanning 12 acres, each stocked with essential items, contradicting government claims before the operation that with the administration having cut off the supply chain, the ashram was running out of food and medicine.
Read more HERE
09:42 Delhi HC to decide today whether Shahi Imam can anoint son as successor
The Delhi High Court is likely to pass an order on Friday on whether the Shahi Imam of Delhi's historic Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, can anoint his son as his deputy and successor.
The high court is hearing three petitions on the matter.
On Thursday, the Centre and the Delhi Wakf Board had submitted before the court that the ceremony by the Shahi Imam anointing his son as his deputy and successor, due to be held tomorrow, has no legal sanctity.
The submission was made before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice RS Endlaw during arguments on three public interest litigations challenging the November 22 ceremony where Bukhari plans to anoint his son as Naib Imam who will be the next chief cleric.
The Board also told the court that it would be holding a meeting soon and action will be taken against Bukhari for what he has done.
The Centre, represented by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta, and the Board made the submission in response to the court's query as to what is the legal position on the issue.
The ASG also suggested that the ceremony can go on without having any legal sanctity but at any other place than the Jama Masjid. The bench, after hearing arguments of the petitioners, Centre and the Board, had said yesterday that it will pass orders.
The court, during arguments, also queried as to whether the Jama Masjid was under the supervision of the Board and if yes, what has it been doing on the issue.
09:41 Modi to address rallies in Jharkhand amid threat from Naxals, IM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address two rallies in the poll-bound Jharkhand amid unprecedented security in view of threats from the Naxals and the banned terror outfit Indian Mujahideen on Friday.
PM Modi, who returned from a three-nation tour yesterday, is expected to reach here around 10 am to formally kick off his party's election campaign in the state.
PM Modi is scheduled to hold rallies at Daltonganj and Chandwa in Palamu district.
He is also likely to make time to campaign for the subsequent four phases of assembly polls in Jharkhand, a state wrecked by political instability since it was formed 14 years ago.
He is also likely to make time to campaign for the subsequent four phases of assembly polls in Jharkhand, a state wrecked by political instability since it was formed 14 years ago.
A tight security cover has been put in place to avoid any untoward incident in view of reports from the Intelligence Bureau, which claims the Naxals in collusion with the outlawed IM may target the prime minister there.
09:07 Senior Congress leaders upset at not being invited for Nehru's event?
CNN-IBN reports: The rift within the Congress party seems to be wide open.
According to sources, senior party leaders like former finance minister P Chidambaram and former Union minister Kamal Nath are upset with the Congress high command over not being invited for the event organised on the 125th birth anniversary of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
The leaders are reportedly upset with Anand Sharma who was the main organiser of the event.
However, the Congress has defended the snub as a goof up.
Several senior party leaders including AK Antony, P Chidambaram, Sushil Kumar Shinde and Kamal Nath were conspicuous by their absence at the International Conference on Jawaharlal Nehru organised last week.
Read more HERE
08:54 Indians among 5 million illegal immigrants granted legal status by Obama
US President Barack Obama has used his executive power to announce a series of administrative measures to provide legal status to more than five million illegal immigrants in the country, including those from India.
The executive actions, said to be one of the largest measure by a US President on immigration, are expected to help a significant number of Indians in the technology field, especially those having H-1B visas.
The executive actions is expected to benefit five million of the estimated 11 million undocumented workers.
In a televised address to the nation yesterday evening, Obama said he is taking these actions after Republicans in the Congress posed hurdles in the way of a comprehensive immigration reform. He announced three major actions.
"First, we'll build on our progress at the border with additional resources for our law enforcement personnel so that they can stem the flow of illegal crossings, and speed the return of those who do cross over," Obama said.
"Second, I'll make it easier and faster for high-skilled immigrants, graduates, and entrepreneurs to stay and contribute to our economy, as so many business leaders have proposed. Third, we'll take steps to deal responsibly with the millions of undocumented immigrants who already live in our country," he said.
Obama said even as the US is a nation of immigrants, it is also a nation of laws and undocumented workers broke the country's immigration laws and must be held accountable, especially those who may be dangerous.
08:52 World Hindu Congress begins in Delhi today
With an aim to unite Hindus across the globe, the World Hindu Congress 2014 will begin here on Friday.
The conference is being organised by the World Hindu Foundation and is expected to be attended by about 1,500 delegates from 40 countries.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will address the inaugural session.
Union ministers Smriti Irani, Nitin Gadkari and Nirmala Sitharaman are also scheduled to address the gathering.
BJP president Amit Shah is among those set to take part in later sessions.
The conference, which has attracted educationists and scientists, will have 45 sessions.
The organisers said the WHC intends to serve as a channel for Hindus across the globe to congregate on a common platform and deliberate on ways to strengthen the community.
They said the Congress will also help organise the talent of Hindus that remains scattered and help people network with one another.
08:52 World Hindu Congress begins in Delhi today
With an aim to unite Hindus across the globe, the World Hindu Congress 2014 will begin here on Friday.
The conference is being organised by the World Hindu Foundation and is expected to be attended by about 1,500 delegates from 40 countries.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will address the inaugural session.
Union ministers Smriti Irani, Nitin Gadkari and Nirmala Sitharaman are also scheduled to address the gathering.
BJP president Amit Shah is among those set to take part in later sessions.
The conference, which has attracted educationists and scientists, will have 45 sessions.
The organisers said the WHC intends to serve as a channel for Hindus across the globe to congregate on a common platform and deliberate on ways to strengthen the community.
They said the Congress will also help organise the talent of Hindus that remains scattered and help people network with one another.
08:36 Modi's public meetings in Nepal cancelled?
NDTV reports: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meetings in Nepal, scheduled to be held during his visit to the country next week, are unlikely to take place, said sources.
PM Modi will be in Nepal on November 26 and 27 to attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation or SAARC summit.
The PM's public meetings were scheduled to be held in Janakpur and Lumbini, where Modi was expected to address rallies and distribute cycles during the events.
These meetings are likely to be called off, said sources in the Nepal government.
Read more HERE
03:35 Pakistan, Russia sign defence cooperation agreement
Pakistan and Russia today signed a military cooperation agreement to deepen their defence ties and vowed to translate their relationship in "tangible" terms during the first-ever visit of a Russian defence minister in 45 years.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's visit to Pakistan comes at a very critical juncture as US-led NATO forces are drawing down from Afghanistan by the end of this year.
03:07 Boko Haram strikes again in Nigeria, 45 feared dead
Reports coming in Borno state is that the Boko Haram Insurgents have killed no fewer than 45 persons in a recent attack on Azaya Kura village of the state which occurred on Wednesday.
Premium Times report that the suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked the village, located in Mafa local local government area of Borno State, at about noon that day.
Read the full story here
02:34
A vehicle explodes. Two trucks full of armed men race closer to the resulting crater at the Karm el-Kawadees army camp in North Sinai. The black-clad militants chase the survivors, killing all the soldiers.
All of it is captured on video. At least 31 Egyptian soldiers were killed in the October attack, the deadliest to date committed by the Sinai-based militant group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis (Champions of Jerusalem).
ABM militants released video of the ambush in mid-November -- just days after pledging allegiance to ISIS, the Islamic terror group that now controls large parts of Syria and Iraq.
Read the full story here
02:02 Florida State Univ gunman identified as an alumnus and attorney
The shooter who opened fire early Thursday at Florida State University has been identified as Myron May, Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo told reporters.
May graduated from FSU in 2005.
Read the full story here
01:53
Five fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who were sentenced to death in Sri Lanka for alleged drug trafficking but set free after President Mahinda Rajapaksa pardoned them, arrived in Chennai today.
The fishermen from Rameswaram, who were released by Sri Lankan authorities yesterday, arrived by an Air India flight at 1.05 am, airport officials said. Tamil Nadu Ministers B Valarmathi, Dr S Sundararaj and K A Jayapal, Union Minister of State and senior BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan, state BJP President Tamilisai Soundararajan were among those who received the fishermen.
The five -- Emerson, P Augustus, R Wilson, K Prasath and J Langlet -- are likely to call on Chief Minister O Panneerselvam in Chennai tomorrow before returning to their home town.
Earlier in the day, families of the fishermen gathered in Tiruchirappalli airport anticipating their arrival there from Colombo, but returned to Rameswaram disappointed, as officials told them the five would be flying directly to Delhi.
01:18 Hamas member admits to running over soldiers in Nov 5 attack
A Palestinian man confessed to running over soldiers in the West Bank earlier in the month in a planned attack, police said Thursday.
Earlier in the day, security officials confirmed that the November 5 hit-and-run, in which three Israeli soldiers were struck by a van driven by a Palestinian, was in fact a terror attack and not a car accident.
Read the full story here
00:57
From the BBC: Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi says he is considering the possibility of granting pardons to two of the three Al-Jazeera journalists jailed in Egypt.
"Let us say that this matter is being discussed to solve the issue," Sisi said in an interview with France 24.
The journalists are appealing against seven-year sentences given in June on charges including spreading false news. President Sisi has previously refused to intervene in the case, despite an international outcry and condemnation.
However, last week he issued a decree allowing foreigners charged or sentenced in Egypt to be repatriated.
Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed (left to right) listen to the ruling at a court in Cairo. Photograph: Asmaa Waguih/Reuters
00:40
Magnitude 5.4 earthquake hits near Myanmar, India border.
00:07 Three GNLA militants killed in encounter in Assam
Three GNLA militants were killed in an encounter in lower Assam's Goalpara district and arms recovered from them tonight, a police officer said. On a tip off, the police waylaid the militants riding on a motorcycle at Sesapani under Dudhnoi police station and asked them to halt,
Additional Superintendent of Police Rosy Kalita said. The extremists of the neighbouring Meghalaya based outfit attempted to flee by firing at the security men, who retaliated killing the three on the spot, Kalita said. A pistol, some live ammunition and extortion demand letters were recovered from the slain ultras, she said.
00:05 Top headlines of the last 24 hours
Teach two ruling families in J&K a lesson: Shah to voters
No smoke without fire: Former CBI chiefs about SC remarks on Sinha
Chidambaram's son: 'Tired slogans won't take us anywhere'
Chopper deal: ED files chargesheet in money laundering case
39 bills to come up during Parliament's Winter Session
India scraps Rs 2,700 cr deal for South Korean minesweepers
No smoke without fire: Former CBI chiefs about SC remarks on Sinha
Chidambaram's son: 'Tired slogans won't take us anywhere'
Chopper deal: ED files chargesheet in money laundering case
39 bills to come up during Parliament's Winter Session
India scraps Rs 2,700 cr deal for South Korean minesweepers
00:03
Sotheby's smashed expectations at its American art sale this morning when it sold Georgia O'Keeffe's painting Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 for $44.4 million, roughly quadrupling the high estimate of $15 million and becoming the most expensive painting by a female artist ever sold.
The previous auction record for any work by a female artist was $11.9 million, set by Joan Mitchell's Untitled at Christie's New York in May 2014. The sale also sailed past O'Keeffe's previous auction record of $6.2 million.
Read the full story here
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances