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Tue, 11 August 2015
MH17 investigators: Possible missile parts found
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23:39 UN peacekeepers accused of death, rape in African mission
Amnesty International is accusing UN peacekeepers of indiscriminately killing a 16-year-old boy and his father and raping a 12-year-old girl in separate incidents in Central African Republic.
A statement today said the two incidents on August 2 and 3 occurred as the peacekeepers were carrying out an operation in the capital, Bangui.
Amnesty International said a spokesperson for the UN peacekeeping mission told the human rights organisation that it has opened an internal investigation into the alleged rape and killings. The spokesperson also told the group that the Bangui operation was carried out by police peacekeepers from Rwanda and Cameroon.
UN peacekeepers have been in the country since September to try to calm unprecedented, deadly violence between Christians and Muslims.
The girl had been hiding in a bathroom when a man wearing a UN peacekeeping helmet and vest "took her outside and raped her behind a truck," the group's statement said.
The next day, after armed clashes with residents had killed a soldier from Cameroon and injured several others, peacekeepers to the area and "began shooting indiscriminately in the street where the killings had taken place," the statement said.
Amnesty International said resident Balla Hadji, 61, and his son Souleimane Hadji, 16, were shot and killed outside their home.
23:21 MH17 investigators: Possible missile parts found
Read more HERE.
Authorities investigating last year's downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine are examining what could be surface-to-air missile parts that were found in the area, a Dutch-led prosecution team said Tuesday.
The parts possibly come from a Russian-made Buk surface-to-air-missile system -- the type of system that the case's lead prosecutor already has said is suspected to have downed the plane.
But the prosecutors warned that no conclusion could yet be drawn that the discovered parts have a causal connection to the MH17 crash.
"The parts are of particular interest to the criminal investigation as they can possibly provide more information about who was involved in the crash of MH17," reads a statement released by the Joint Investigation Team, the international group of prosecutors leading the criminal investigation.
The Boeing 777 was heading from Amsterdam to Malaysia when it was shot down on July 17, 2014, over Ukrainian territory controlled by pro-Russian separatists. All 298 people on board were killed.
Read more HERE.
22:10 Death toll in China Typhoon climbs to 26
The death toll from Super Typhoon Soudelor, which lashed China rose to 26 today after eight more deaths were reported.
In Fujian Province, where the typhoon made landfall on Saturday, seven people have died and three remained missing, the provincial flood control authority said. Soudelor is the most violent typhoon to hit Fujian in a decade, with torrential rain and gale-force winds destroying houses and causing landslides and floods.
Rainfall of more than 500 mm was recorded in six counties, causing rivers to rise to alarming levels and flood water affecting the provincial capital of Fuzhou for 38 hours.
In Fujian, 513,900 residents have been evacuated, 6,900 houses destroyed and 112,060 hectares of crops damaged, resulting in direct economic losses of 9.7 billion yuan ($1.5 billion).
20:30 Tech snag makes plane return to airport minutes after take-off
A Vijayawada-bound Air India flight carrying 81 passengers, including Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary IYR Krishna Rao and other senior officials, landed again at the city airport 10 minutes after its take-off from here, following a technical snag midair.
According to a senior official who was on board, the AI-544 flight took off for Vijayawada from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 4 PM, but developed some technical snag midair.
"After 10 minutes of journey, the flight came back to Hyderabad," the official told PTI adding that there were some MLAs in the flight besides senior IAS and IPS officers.
When contacted, an Air India spokesperson said the flight was then thoroughly examined and it received technical clearance following which it took off at 7.30 PM to Vijayawada again.
20:09 SIT probing 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases gets 1 year extension
A Special Investigation Team, set up by the government for conducting a fresh probe into 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases, got an extension of one year. The SIT, which was set up on February 12 for six months, has been given an extension of one year, a home ministry official said.
As mandated under its terms of reference, the SIT is re-investigating all serious criminal cases of anti-Sikh riots of 1984 by examining records of all police stations -- Delhi as well as other states -- where the riots had taken place and also examining the findings of the Justice S D Jain and Justice D K Agarwal Committee.
As per its mandate, the SIT will also take appropriate steps under law for a thorough investigation of cases and file a charge sheet in appropriate courts with sufficient available evidence.
20:02 Islamic State bombers already in Britain, ready for lone-wolf attacks
Islamic State bombers are in Britain and are ready to carry out lone-wolf attacks with World War II victory commemorations involving the Queen and the royal family being among the target, Sky News reported.
By posing on Twitter and in chatrooms as two individuals committed to jihad -- one male, one female -- the British television network gained a disturbing new insight into the extremists' tactics.
From the undercover operation it emerged that the Islamic State already has a number of potential bombers in the UK with some of whom trained in Syria and are ready to attack.
Read the full report HERE
19:26 Google's Alphabet website blocked in China on first day of launch
Technology geeks in China hoping to understand Google's newly unveiled corporate structure are fresh out of luck as the website of the new parent company, dubbed Alphabet, was blocked less than 24 hours after going live.
Google unveiled a surprise corporate overhaul on Tuesday by announcing the formation of Alphabet, a holding company that will include Internet search and a handful of independent companies, such as the research arm X Lab, investment unit Google Ventures and health and science operations.
So far, the website only contains a letter from Google co-founder Larry Page and a link to Google's existing investor relations page. But the website for Alphabet, www.abc.xyz, is already blocked in China, which operates the world's most extensive and sophisticated Internet censorship system, known as the "Great Firewall".
19:16 Long time no see!
It lasted for just about 30 seconds. When Congress president Sonia Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met they greeted each
other with a warm hug and exchanged pleasantries. It ended in just 30 seconds but turned heads in the Central Hall of Parliament.
The incident happened in the Central Hall of Parliament today.
other with a warm hug and exchanged pleasantries. It ended in just 30 seconds but turned heads in the Central Hall of Parliament.
The incident happened in the Central Hall of Parliament today.
19:03 Shaurya Chakra recommendation, jobs for bravehearts who nabbed Pak terrorist
The Jammu and Kashmir police today recommended the names of two civilians, who had overpowered and turned over Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Naved to security men, for the 'Shaurya Chakra' gallantry medal. The police also issued appointment orders to the duo who were taken hostage by the terrorist while looking for an escape route.
"Recognizing the brave act of two civilians in nabbing the Pakistani terrorist on August 5 from the forest of village Chirdi in Udhampur district, the Jammu and Kashmir Police today issued appointment orders, besides recommending them for prestigious Shaurya Chakra award," an official spokesman said.
Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar issued the orders to Rakesh Kumar Sharma, a resident of Pakhlai presently living in Narsoo Chirdi area of Udhampur, on operational grounds as constable in the state police.
"The Police Headquarters (PHQ) also recommended to the government for according relaxation in qualification bar in favour of Bikramjeet, a resident of Nanak Nagar area of Jammu, on operational grounds for appointment as follower in the department," the spokesman said.
The police also recommended their names to the government for the Shaurya Chakra gallantry medal in view of their "conspicuous gallant act".
Naved was captured after an attack on a BSF bus on Jammu-Srinagar national highway and another terrorist killed in retaliatory fire by jawans.
"Recognizing the brave act of two civilians in nabbing the Pakistani terrorist on August 5 from the forest of village Chirdi in Udhampur district, the Jammu and Kashmir Police today issued appointment orders, besides recommending them for prestigious Shaurya Chakra award," an official spokesman said.
Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar issued the orders to Rakesh Kumar Sharma, a resident of Pakhlai presently living in Narsoo Chirdi area of Udhampur, on operational grounds as constable in the state police.
"The Police Headquarters (PHQ) also recommended to the government for according relaxation in qualification bar in favour of Bikramjeet, a resident of Nanak Nagar area of Jammu, on operational grounds for appointment as follower in the department," the spokesman said.
The police also recommended their names to the government for the Shaurya Chakra gallantry medal in view of their "conspicuous gallant act".
Naved was captured after an attack on a BSF bus on Jammu-Srinagar national highway and another terrorist killed in retaliatory fire by jawans.
18:51 Will Sheila Dixit be summoned?
Delhi Government today announced the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to be headed by a retired Delhi High Court judge to probe the multi-crore CNG fitness scam in which a number of officials of previous Sheila Dikshit government were under scanner.
A meeting of the Delhi Cabinet presided by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal decide to appoint the commission into the scam which is already being probed by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB).
A meeting of the Delhi Cabinet presided by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal decide to appoint the commission into the scam which is already being probed by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB).
17:58 Why Is Pachauri still TERI boss, complainant writes to PM
In the letter to PM Narendra Modi, the woman who accused former TERI boss RK Pachauri of sexual harrassment, which eventually led to his dismissal on July 23, this year, says his sacking was a sham and that TERI has actually welcomed him back.
Citing the circumstances and specifications of her case against RK Pachauri, she has urged the Prime Minister to intervene.
The letter, which has been reproduced by The Quint, says, "At a time when you and your government are highlighting sexual harassment at the workplace through radio adverts, implementing new guidelines for the Department of Personnel and Training to protect womens right at the workplace, I urge you to take cognizance of a case where a highly influential person has been held guilty but still continues to work in the same organization where people are yet to depose in the case against him. This while I am made to sit at home."
On February 13 this year, an FIR was registered against 74-year old Pachauri. In the FIR, the senior TERI employee, filed a complaint of sexual harassment. A Delhi court had granted anticipatory bail to Pachauri.
Earlier, on February 26, the court had restrained Pachauri from entering TERI office premises and contacting its officials. It had asked him not to leave the country and also granted him interim protection from arrest till March 27.
Ajay Mathur, currently director general of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency has been appointed as the new DG in a decision taken at the governing council meeting of TERI.
Citing the circumstances and specifications of her case against RK Pachauri, she has urged the Prime Minister to intervene.
The letter, which has been reproduced by The Quint, says, "At a time when you and your government are highlighting sexual harassment at the workplace through radio adverts, implementing new guidelines for the Department of Personnel and Training to protect womens right at the workplace, I urge you to take cognizance of a case where a highly influential person has been held guilty but still continues to work in the same organization where people are yet to depose in the case against him. This while I am made to sit at home."
On February 13 this year, an FIR was registered against 74-year old Pachauri. In the FIR, the senior TERI employee, filed a complaint of sexual harassment. A Delhi court had granted anticipatory bail to Pachauri.
Earlier, on February 26, the court had restrained Pachauri from entering TERI office premises and contacting its officials. It had asked him not to leave the country and also granted him interim protection from arrest till March 27.
Ajay Mathur, currently director general of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency has been appointed as the new DG in a decision taken at the governing council meeting of TERI.
17:34 Pending mercy petitions
As reported by the National Crime Records Bureau a total of 11,797 and 125 inmates were awarded capital punishment during the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively.
As per available records, there are five cases of mercy petitions, involving nine convicts, pending under Article 72 of the Constitution of India. Data of prisons having facility for hanging convicts on death row is not maintained centrally.
Prisons and its related matter is a State subject under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. As reported by the National Crime Records Bureau, the number of convicts executed during the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 are 00, 01 and 01 respectively.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary in the Lok Sabha today.
As per available records, there are five cases of mercy petitions, involving nine convicts, pending under Article 72 of the Constitution of India. Data of prisons having facility for hanging convicts on death row is not maintained centrally.
Prisons and its related matter is a State subject under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. As reported by the National Crime Records Bureau, the number of convicts executed during the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 are 00, 01 and 01 respectively.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary in the Lok Sabha today.
17:24 Mulayam U-turn: Backs Parliament logjam 24 hours after he slammed it
Just hours after he was praised by the Prime Minister for saying, Enough is Enough, about Parliament disruptions, Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav has had a change of heart.
Yadav has warned of new disruptions to block Parliament unless the government releases the findings of a vast census that collected socio-economic and caste data.
Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday had urged Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to end the logjam in Parliament, even as constant disruptions by Opposition parties led to both Houses being adjourned for the day.
Mulayam's stand won him "the gratitude" of the PM, union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy had said.
Yadav has warned of new disruptions to block Parliament unless the government releases the findings of a vast census that collected socio-economic and caste data.
Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday had urged Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to end the logjam in Parliament, even as constant disruptions by Opposition parties led to both Houses being adjourned for the day.
Mulayam's stand won him "the gratitude" of the PM, union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy had said.
16:37 Congratulations, Mr Pichai, says PM
PM Narendra Modi congratulates Sundar Pichai on being appointed the CEO of Google Inc. "Congratulations Sundar Pichai. My best wishes for the new role at Google," the Prime Minister said.
16:34 Google CEO Sundar Pichai's Wikipedia page turns battleground over schooling
Hours after P Sundararajan aka Sundar Pichai was announced as the CEO of the newly-structured Google under the parent company Alphabet, his Wikipedia page turned battleground, a testimony to two facts - Indians love taking credit for accomplishments by one of ours anywhere in the world, and the schooling scene in Chennai is competitive. Read
16:31 Encounter in Pulwama ends, 2 militants killed
Two militants were killed in a fierce encounter in south Kashmir's Pulwama district today, Mukhtar Ahmad/Rediff.com reports.
A senior police officer said militants fired at the security forces in the Ratnipora village yesterday evening triggering an encounter. Heavy army and police reinforcements were rushed to the area which has paddy fields and orchards.
A massive search operation was launched jointly by the army and police.
"The search were mounted after the entire area was cordoned off by the security forces. Intermittent firing exchange of gunfire continued and the bodies of two militants have been recovered, " a senior police officer said.
Pic: Security personnel at the spot. Photograph: Mukhtar Ahmad
A senior police officer said militants fired at the security forces in the Ratnipora village yesterday evening triggering an encounter. Heavy army and police reinforcements were rushed to the area which has paddy fields and orchards.
A massive search operation was launched jointly by the army and police.
"The search were mounted after the entire area was cordoned off by the security forces. Intermittent firing exchange of gunfire continued and the bodies of two militants have been recovered, " a senior police officer said.
Pic: Security personnel at the spot. Photograph: Mukhtar Ahmad
16:07 Special session on GST Bill?
Deputy Speaker M Thambi Durai abruptly adjourns the Lok Sabha following the tearing of papers by agitating Congress members. The government may call a special session on the GST bill.
15:50 Bombay HC grants anticipatory bail to Teesta, husband in embezzlement case
Just in: Bombay HC grants anticipatory bail to Teesta Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand in the funds embezzlement case for a museum at Gulbarg society, devastated in the 2002 riots. The court said they were not any threat to the sovereignty of the state and there was no possibility of them fleeing.
However, a magistrate's court today allowed police to add charges under three forgery-related sections of IPC to the complaint against Teesta Setalvad and her husband in the Gulberg Society fund embezzlement case.
The new charges are under sections 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and 471 (using a forged document as genuine).
On August 3, Ahmedabad police's crime branch had petitioned the court for permission to add these charges to the FIR registered last year. Judge PK Lotiya granted it after a brief hearing today.
Sixty nine persons, including former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, were killed in an attack by a mob on Gulberg Society in Ahmedabad during the 2002 post-Godhra riots.
Last January, one of the residents of society, Firoz Khan Pathan, filed a complaint against etalvad and others that they misused the money collected for building a museum in the memory of riot victims.
Setalvad collected Rs. 1.51 crore from donors in India and outside but used for personal purposes, says the FIR, filed under IPC sections 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy), 406 (fraud) and 420 (cheating).
Also read: The Teesta Setalvad interview
However, a magistrate's court today allowed police to add charges under three forgery-related sections of IPC to the complaint against Teesta Setalvad and her husband in the Gulberg Society fund embezzlement case.
The new charges are under sections 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and 471 (using a forged document as genuine).
On August 3, Ahmedabad police's crime branch had petitioned the court for permission to add these charges to the FIR registered last year. Judge PK Lotiya granted it after a brief hearing today.
Sixty nine persons, including former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, were killed in an attack by a mob on Gulberg Society in Ahmedabad during the 2002 post-Godhra riots.
Last January, one of the residents of society, Firoz Khan Pathan, filed a complaint against etalvad and others that they misused the money collected for building a museum in the memory of riot victims.
Setalvad collected Rs. 1.51 crore from donors in India and outside but used for personal purposes, says the FIR, filed under IPC sections 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy), 406 (fraud) and 420 (cheating).
Also read: The Teesta Setalvad interview
15:38 Why superspy Doval met Pranab Mukherjee today
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval briefed President Pranab
Mukherjee today over national security issues.
Though the meeting was termed 'routine', sources say the meeting assumes importance in the backdrop of Prime Minister Modi's foreign visits in the next two months and the capture of Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Naved Yakub in Udhampur, Jammu, last week.
Doval is said to be spearheading a mission to target terrorist commanders in the aftermath of the back-to-back suicide attacks in Gurdaspur in Punjab and Udhampur in J&K, killing a total of nine people in both the states and injuring over 20 others.
Doval has held several meetings with top security and intelligence officials after the July 27 attack in Udhampur to neutralise terrorists in hiding.
A highly decorated police officer and former Intelligence Bureau chief Ajit Doval, considered to be one of the finest operational brains, took over as NSA chief in May last year.
Mukherjee today over national security issues.
Though the meeting was termed 'routine', sources say the meeting assumes importance in the backdrop of Prime Minister Modi's foreign visits in the next two months and the capture of Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Naved Yakub in Udhampur, Jammu, last week.
Doval is said to be spearheading a mission to target terrorist commanders in the aftermath of the back-to-back suicide attacks in Gurdaspur in Punjab and Udhampur in J&K, killing a total of nine people in both the states and injuring over 20 others.
Doval has held several meetings with top security and intelligence officials after the July 27 attack in Udhampur to neutralise terrorists in hiding.
A highly decorated police officer and former Intelligence Bureau chief Ajit Doval, considered to be one of the finest operational brains, took over as NSA chief in May last year.
15:20 Aadhaar card NOT mandatory for social benefit schemes: SC
The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Centre to link the Aadhaar card with the public distribution system (PDS) and LPG. But the court made it clear that Aadhaar will not be mandatory for availing any social benefit scheme. The court said that the government was at liberty to use Aadhaar for PDS, especially distribution of food grains, kerosene oil and LPG with the rider that possession of the card will not be a condition for according benefits.
It asked the government to give wide publicity in print and electronic media to let people know that it is not mandatory to obtain Aadhaar card.
Further, personal information of the card holders will not be shared with any agency for any purpose, except for criminal investigation, as per the court.
The interim order was passed by a three-judge bench led by Justice J Chelameswar as it referred the matter to a Constitution bench for determining whether right to privacy is a fundamental right.
The bench noted there were apparently unresolved contradictions in the previous judgements of the top court and hence an authoritative pronouncement was required. The Centre had pressed for referring the issue to a larger bench, arguing while the Constitution did not mention privacy as a fundamental right, various judgements had taken divergent views.
It asked the government to give wide publicity in print and electronic media to let people know that it is not mandatory to obtain Aadhaar card.
Further, personal information of the card holders will not be shared with any agency for any purpose, except for criminal investigation, as per the court.
The interim order was passed by a three-judge bench led by Justice J Chelameswar as it referred the matter to a Constitution bench for determining whether right to privacy is a fundamental right.
The bench noted there were apparently unresolved contradictions in the previous judgements of the top court and hence an authoritative pronouncement was required. The Centre had pressed for referring the issue to a larger bench, arguing while the Constitution did not mention privacy as a fundamental right, various judgements had taken divergent views.
14:33 Khel Ratna for tennis ace Sania Mirza
Tennis ace Sania Mirza wins the Khel Ratna award. Last week, the Sports Ministry confirmed that Wimbledon doubles champion Sania Mirza had been recommended for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna but made it clear that the final decision rests with only the Awards Committee.
Sania won her career's first ever women's doubles Grand Slam title with Swiss partner Martina Hingis in June. She also became world number one before winning the Grass Court major.
Sania won her career's first ever women's doubles Grand Slam title with Swiss partner Martina Hingis in June. She also became world number one before winning the Grass Court major.
14:24
Massive protests by the Congress as the GST Bill is introduced. The Rajya Sabha is adjourned for the day.
14:18 Govt introduces much-awaited GST Bill in Rajya Sabha
The government introduced the much-awaited bill on GST for passage in the Rajya Sabha even as doubts persists if the opposition Congress will allow passage of the Constitution Amendment Bill.
The Revised List of Business of Rajya Sabha said finance minister Arun Jaitley will move the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-second Amendment) Bill, 2014, incorporating recommendations made by a House select committee. Jaitley move that the Bill be passed.
The long-delayed Goods and Services Tax Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha in May. The Bill was taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley appealed to all parties to rise above partisan considerations to support it but its fate in Rajya Sabha was still a matter of speculation.
The GST framework could easily be one of the most important tax reforms for India.
It brings with it problems regarding division of taxation powers between the Centre and the states. Which is why the finance ministry had missed a number of deadlines in the past.
10 things to watch out for in the GST Bill. Read
Dummy's guide to GST. Read
The Revised List of Business of Rajya Sabha said finance minister Arun Jaitley will move the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-second Amendment) Bill, 2014, incorporating recommendations made by a House select committee. Jaitley move that the Bill be passed.
The long-delayed Goods and Services Tax Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha in May. The Bill was taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley appealed to all parties to rise above partisan considerations to support it but its fate in Rajya Sabha was still a matter of speculation.
The GST framework could easily be one of the most important tax reforms for India.
It brings with it problems regarding division of taxation powers between the Centre and the states. Which is why the finance ministry had missed a number of deadlines in the past.
10 things to watch out for in the GST Bill. Read
Dummy's guide to GST. Read
14:04
Just in: Government likely to introduce GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha after 2 pm.
13:53 The man who owns the @alphabet Twitter handle has an 'interesting Monday'
When Google, the world's second most valuable company, changes its name to Alphabet overnight, the ripples are felt the world over - not least by Chris Andrikanich, who owns the @alphabet Twitter handle. Read more
13:45 ED asks for Red Corner Notice against Lalit Modi
Lalit Modi, former commissioner of the controversial Indian Premier League (IPL), is likely to be slapped with a red-corner notice by the Enforcement Directorate.
The probe agency initiated the process with the special Interpol wing of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), soon after the Mumbai special court last week issued a non- bailable warrant against Modi, in an on-going money laundering case by the ED.
A red-corner notice is an arrest warrant or court order issued by the judicial authorities in the country concerned. Many of Interpol's member countries consider a red notice to be a valid request for provisional arrest.
The probe agency initiated the process with the special Interpol wing of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), soon after the Mumbai special court last week issued a non- bailable warrant against Modi, in an on-going money laundering case by the ED.
A red-corner notice is an arrest warrant or court order issued by the judicial authorities in the country concerned. Many of Interpol's member countries consider a red notice to be a valid request for provisional arrest.
13:40 The video that's trending in Parliament
A close aide of Sonia Gandhi has been gong around showing a three-minute video on his mobile phone in the Central Hall of Parliament. The video shows Narendra Modi with rape-accused godman Asaram Bapu. BJP MPs say this had been going on for the last two days. The video was taken in 2003 when Modi was Gujarat CM.
13:32
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and RJD Chief Lalu Yadav to hold a joint press conference tomorrow at 2 pm in Patna.
13:22 Pichai joins elite Indian-origin dozen heading $400-bn biz
As the new CEO of a re-organised Google, India-born Sundar Pichai has joined an elite league of over a dozen Indian origin persons holding top posts at global corporations with collective turnover of about USD 400 billion.
In a significant restructuring at Google, Pichai has been named the new CEO of the technology giant after the company co-founder Larry Page announced the formation of a new umbrella firm Alphabet, of which Google will be a part. Page himself will be Alphabet CEO.
Pichai, 43, has joined the league of Indra Nooyi, Lakshmi Mittal, Ajay Banga, among many other Indian-origin persons at the helm at large conglomerates headquartered abroad.
Meanwhile, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, was the first to congratulate Pichai. Nadella tweeted on Pichai's elevation at the company, writing in the micro-blogging site "Congrats @sundarpichai well deserved."
There are many other Indians heading the businesses at relatively smaller companies abroad, specially in IT sector, but at least 12 large companies have got India-born chief executives. These include Microsoft (Satya Nadella), PepsiCo (Indra Nooyi), ArcelorMittal (Lakshmi Mittal), Diageo (Ivan Menezes), Reckitt Benckiser (Rakesh Kapoor), MasterCard (Ajay Banga), DBS Group Holdings (Piyush Gupta), SanDisk (Sanjay Mehrotra), Global Foundries (Sanjay Jha), Cognizant (Francisco Dsouza) and Adobe (Shantanu Narayen). International magazine Time once termed CEOs as India's leading "export" and said that the subcontinent could be "the ideal training ground for global bosses".
In a significant restructuring at Google, Pichai has been named the new CEO of the technology giant after the company co-founder Larry Page announced the formation of a new umbrella firm Alphabet, of which Google will be a part. Page himself will be Alphabet CEO.
Pichai, 43, has joined the league of Indra Nooyi, Lakshmi Mittal, Ajay Banga, among many other Indian-origin persons at the helm at large conglomerates headquartered abroad.
Meanwhile, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, was the first to congratulate Pichai. Nadella tweeted on Pichai's elevation at the company, writing in the micro-blogging site "Congrats @sundarpichai well deserved."
There are many other Indians heading the businesses at relatively smaller companies abroad, specially in IT sector, but at least 12 large companies have got India-born chief executives. These include Microsoft (Satya Nadella), PepsiCo (Indra Nooyi), ArcelorMittal (Lakshmi Mittal), Diageo (Ivan Menezes), Reckitt Benckiser (Rakesh Kapoor), MasterCard (Ajay Banga), DBS Group Holdings (Piyush Gupta), SanDisk (Sanjay Mehrotra), Global Foundries (Sanjay Jha), Cognizant (Francisco Dsouza) and Adobe (Shantanu Narayen). International magazine Time once termed CEOs as India's leading "export" and said that the subcontinent could be "the ideal training ground for global bosses".
13:10 Arunachal chopper crash: Three bodies found will be airlifted today
Just in: Bodies of three people on board the helicopter that disappeared in Arunachal Pradesh last week, have been found. The bodies will be airlifted from the crash site.
The wreckage of Pawan Hans helicopter, which went missing last week, was found in Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap district yesterday.
"The Air Force has confirmed that the wreckage of the missing helicopter has been found 12 km south of Khonsa, the headquarters of Tirap district," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said.
The Dauphin VT-PHK helicopter owned by Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd took off from Khonsa for Longding last week with a government official and two pilots and lost communication with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) five minutes after departure.
The helicopter was on a routine sortie to Longding and was to return to Mohanbari airport in Assam's Dibrugarh city when the contact was lost. The ATC received the last signal from the chopper near Deomali in Tirap, officials said.
A massive search operation was launched to trace the missing chopper.
The wreckage of Pawan Hans helicopter, which went missing last week, was found in Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap district yesterday.
"The Air Force has confirmed that the wreckage of the missing helicopter has been found 12 km south of Khonsa, the headquarters of Tirap district," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said.
The Dauphin VT-PHK helicopter owned by Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd took off from Khonsa for Longding last week with a government official and two pilots and lost communication with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) five minutes after departure.
The helicopter was on a routine sortie to Longding and was to return to Mohanbari airport in Assam's Dibrugarh city when the contact was lost. The ATC received the last signal from the chopper near Deomali in Tirap, officials said.
A massive search operation was launched to trace the missing chopper.
12:49 Other than disruptions this is what happened in Parliament
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee likely to make an appearance in the Central Hall of Parliament today much to the delight of her party MPs.
Congress MPs in Central Hall seemed isolated from other political parties. None of the Samajwadi Party MPs went near the Congress MPs after Mulayam Singh Yadav lashed out against the Congress for the continued logjam in Parliament.
First timers in the Congress in the Lok Sabha are thrilled at the excitement in Parliament but have had to ask for hot water from the canteen to soothen their throats after shouting in the Well of the house.
Congress MPs in Central Hall seemed isolated from other political parties. None of the Samajwadi Party MPs went near the Congress MPs after Mulayam Singh Yadav lashed out against the Congress for the continued logjam in Parliament.
First timers in the Congress in the Lok Sabha are thrilled at the excitement in Parliament but have had to ask for hot water from the canteen to soothen their throats after shouting in the Well of the house.
12:35 When Obama, Kim hugged
No, that isn't US President Barack Obama and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un hugging. That's a photo-shopped tea advertisement in China, and the ad when translated to English, says, "After drinking, the people of the world will become united."
12:06 PM praises Cong-ally Mulayam for speaking out against Parliament logjam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hit out at Congress for "misusing" Parliament to stop the country's growth and hailed SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav for "understanding this conspiracy" and working to end the logjam in the House.
Addressing the last scheduled BJP parliamentary party meet in the Monsoon session, Modi spoke of "some people", a reference to top Congress brass, who are working to stall economic growth, Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy told reporters after the meeting.
"The Prime Minister said a message has gone out as the session draws to a close that there are some people who are using misusing Parliament to stop the pace of country's development. Their main goal is to stop the economic growth.
"He expressed his gratitude to those, especially Muyalayam Singh Yadavji, and all those parties who have felt that this is a conspiracy to stop the country's progress. He hailed them and asked the party and members to do so as well," Rudy said quoting Modi.
The SP supremo yesterday broke ranks with the opposition which has been agitating in Parliament over the Lalit Modi row and the Vyapam scam, saying, "Enough is enough... We will not back you if you keep protesting."
This came as a surprise to Congress as Yadav had last week extended his party's support to Congress after 25 of its members were suspended by the Speaker.
Congress had sarcastically dubbed the SP supremo as 'Khudai Khidmatgar', which implies that a person is more loyal than the king himself.
"If Yadav had any plan or was wanting to mediate, he should have talked to the Congress and should not have gone about the way he had gone," a Congress leader had said.
Addressing the last scheduled BJP parliamentary party meet in the Monsoon session, Modi spoke of "some people", a reference to top Congress brass, who are working to stall economic growth, Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy told reporters after the meeting.
"The Prime Minister said a message has gone out as the session draws to a close that there are some people who are using misusing Parliament to stop the pace of country's development. Their main goal is to stop the economic growth.
"He expressed his gratitude to those, especially Muyalayam Singh Yadavji, and all those parties who have felt that this is a conspiracy to stop the country's progress. He hailed them and asked the party and members to do so as well," Rudy said quoting Modi.
The SP supremo yesterday broke ranks with the opposition which has been agitating in Parliament over the Lalit Modi row and the Vyapam scam, saying, "Enough is enough... We will not back you if you keep protesting."
This came as a surprise to Congress as Yadav had last week extended his party's support to Congress after 25 of its members were suspended by the Speaker.
Congress had sarcastically dubbed the SP supremo as 'Khudai Khidmatgar', which implies that a person is more loyal than the king himself.
"If Yadav had any plan or was wanting to mediate, he should have talked to the Congress and should not have gone about the way he had gone," a Congress leader had said.
11:49 14-day police custody for Pakistani terrorist Naved
An NIA court in Jammu on Tuesday granted the police 14 days remand of terrorist Mohammed Naved Yakub, the Pakistani militant who was caught alive last week after the Udhampur terror strike in which two BSF personnel were killed.
The Indian Express reports that based on information provided by Naved, police and central security agencies have launched a manhunt for a businessman who is alleged to have paid him and Mohammed Noman alias Momin Rs 5 lakh for sharing it with other Lashkar-e-Taiba cadre.
The businessman, who reportedly owns a shop in uptown Srinagar, had provided the money to the Naved and his handlers to run LeT network in Kashmir and to carry out terror strikes.
So far 11 people have been rounded up by the police based on information provided by Naved during his interrogation and all of them are being questioned, the sources said.
Facing persistent questioning by a host of interrogators, Naved has now told them he has shared all information available with him and that there was nothing more. "Mere kol jitna bhi tha, mein dus ditta. Haur mere kol kuch na hai, mainu tang na karo (I have shared whatever I knew. I don't know anything beyond this. Please stop asking me again and again)," Naved reportedly told his interrogators today when he was being questioned again about the route he took for infiltration.
The Indian Express reports that based on information provided by Naved, police and central security agencies have launched a manhunt for a businessman who is alleged to have paid him and Mohammed Noman alias Momin Rs 5 lakh for sharing it with other Lashkar-e-Taiba cadre.
The businessman, who reportedly owns a shop in uptown Srinagar, had provided the money to the Naved and his handlers to run LeT network in Kashmir and to carry out terror strikes.
So far 11 people have been rounded up by the police based on information provided by Naved during his interrogation and all of them are being questioned, the sources said.
Facing persistent questioning by a host of interrogators, Naved has now told them he has shared all information available with him and that there was nothing more. "Mere kol jitna bhi tha, mein dus ditta. Haur mere kol kuch na hai, mainu tang na karo (I have shared whatever I knew. I don't know anything beyond this. Please stop asking me again and again)," Naved reportedly told his interrogators today when he was being questioned again about the route he took for infiltration.
11:43
More trouble for Radhe Maa as businessman Ramesh Joshi complains to Mumbai police that seven family members were instigated to committed suicide.
11:42
Independence Day rehearsal at the Red Fort this morning.
11:41 Kejriwal condemns former colleague Yogendra Yadav's arrest
Activist Yogendra Yadav, who spent the night in police custody after being detained late last night from a farmer protest, has now been arrested along with 90 others. He was dragged by policemen this morning as he tried to speak to the media.
Yadav had barely started speaking when he and his supporters were pushed away by personnel at the police station where he was kept all night.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) colleague, tweeted: "I strongly condemn the treatment meted out to Yogendraji by Delhi police. They were protesting peacefully. It is their fundamental right."
Yadav had barely started speaking when he and his supporters were pushed away by personnel at the police station where he was kept all night.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) colleague, tweeted: "I strongly condemn the treatment meted out to Yogendraji by Delhi police. They were protesting peacefully. It is their fundamental right."
11:35 Single out Sushma left alone in cold
Sushma Swaraj's isolation in the BJP was established yesterday when the Prime Minister left her out of his Gaya poll speech while endorsing Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vasundhara Raje despite the duo being scandal-singed like the foreign minister.
Narendra Modi had showered praise on chief ministers Chouhan and Vasundhara, claiming they had respectively pulled Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan out of the quagmire they stagnated in for years.
Read more
Narendra Modi had showered praise on chief ministers Chouhan and Vasundhara, claiming they had respectively pulled Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan out of the quagmire they stagnated in for years.
Read more
11:23
The show cause notices issued to three television channels by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Friday for their coverage of the Yakub Memon issue and events in the run-up to his execution, are unwarranted and have little basis in law. The notices were issued to NDTV 24X7, ABP News and Aaj Tak, for alleged defamation and aspersions cast by them against the integrity of the President and the judiciary. Read more
11:17 Did PM err by thinking that India was Gujarat and Gujarat was India?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first mistake on May 26, 2014, when he took oath along with 45 ministers. He erred by inducting only politicians, including many for whom he had little respect and time when he was on the ascendant. But the PM chose his ministers not because of their abilities and track record but because they fitted into caste, region and lobby formulae.
Read Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay's blog on the Indian Express.
Read Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay's blog on the Indian Express.
11:11 Is right to privacy a fundamental right, SC asks
The Supreme Court wants an authoritative pronouncement as to whether
right to privacy is a fundamental right. The SC has now referred to a larger constitutional bench a batch of petitions challenging the govt's ambitious Aadhaar project.
This comes after the Centre on Wednesday reiterated its stand that privacy was not a fundamental right, while contesting a bunch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme on the ground of violation of citizens' right to privacy.
Addressing the court for referring the matter to a constitution bench in the context whether privacy was part of the right to liberty and thus a fundamental right, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the apex court bench of Justices J. Chelameswar, S.A. Bobde and C. Nagappan that one could not telescope privacy in any of the fundamental rights.
right to privacy is a fundamental right. The SC has now referred to a larger constitutional bench a batch of petitions challenging the govt's ambitious Aadhaar project.
This comes after the Centre on Wednesday reiterated its stand that privacy was not a fundamental right, while contesting a bunch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme on the ground of violation of citizens' right to privacy.
Addressing the court for referring the matter to a constitution bench in the context whether privacy was part of the right to liberty and thus a fundamental right, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the apex court bench of Justices J. Chelameswar, S.A. Bobde and C. Nagappan that one could not telescope privacy in any of the fundamental rights.
11:07 BJP whip to all MPs to be present in Parliament
The BJP has issued a whip to its MPs in both Houses of Parliament to ensure their presence over the next three days during the passage of two constitutional amendment Bills pertaining to the GST and land boundary agreement with Bangladesh, for which it has also sought the support of all parties.
The Congress has meanwhile, moved an adjournment motion.
The Congress has meanwhile, moved an adjournment motion.
11:03 Fresh tremors in Kathmandu
Fresh tremors felt in Nepal's Kathmandu valley where a devastating earthquake struck in April.
11:02
Congress MPs enter Lok Sabha wearing black arm bands.
10:58
The Supreme Court refers to a larger constitutional bench, a batch of petitions challenging government's ambitious Aadhaar project.
10:57 PM praises Mulayam
PM Modi praises Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav for his 'effort to break the logjam.' The PM said some people were misusing Parliament to hamper growth.
10:30 'Dawood offered to return to India in 2013, but UPA govt rejected'
Indian Express reports: As recently as 2013, a Delhi-based lawyer, who is also a Congress leader, communicated to his party leadership that underworld fugitive Dawood Ibrahim was ready to "return" to India.
Confirming this, top officials of the former UPA government said the "offer to return" was discussed at the "highest level" within the party and the government -- two decades after Dawood first expressed his "willingness" to face trial in India, months after the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.
The "offer", The Indian Express has been told, was also discussed between former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Shivshankar Menon, the then National Security Advisor.
The lawyer, who is said to have discussed Dawood's "offer" with at least two senior Congress leaders, was told it was too much of a "hot potato" and that the prospect of conducting a trial against India's most wanted on his terms was too risky.
Read more HERE http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/two-years-ago-upa-discussed-an-offer-from-dawood-ibrahim-to-return-home/#sthash.B87kBeqQ.dpuf
10:29 Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani hospitalised after 3am bike accident
Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani met with an accident in the wee hours of Tuesday morning after falling off a bike.
He was admitted to the ICU of the Lilawati Hospital in Mumbai at 3am.
Hirani, who has suffered severe injures, is being treated by Dr Jalil Parkar and his staff.
Hirani is one of Bollywoods most celebrated directors. His films Munnabhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots and PK find a mention in Bollywoods biggest blockbusters list.
09:41 I was beaten, dragged, arrested: Yogendra Yadav
Activist Yogendra Yadav, who spent the night in police custody after being detained late last night from a farmer protest, was dragged by policemen on Tuesday morning as he tried to speak to the media.
Yadav had barely started speaking when he had his supporters were pushed away by personnel at the Parliament Street police station, where he was kept all night.
Yadav had been detained by the police along with 96 Swaraj Abhiyan members during a protest at Jantar Mantar while marching towards Race Course Road.
Yadav was holding a Hal Satyagraha at Jantar Mantar for the plight of the farmers when the police allegedly manhandled the group and took them in.
"Is standing peacefully with a Hal an offence? We were not obstructing traffic, were willing to cooperate with any reasonable condition. Why this brutal assault then? I have been beaten up, manhandled, dragged, pushed and arrested at the parliament street police station. What's the crime, I wonder," said the former AAP-leader in a series of Tweets.
Scores of farmers from across the country had planned to place an installation in front of the Prime Minister's residence in the Capital as a symbol of protest against the Delhi Race Course, which they want to be converted into a farmers' memorial. The protesters, however, were prevented by police from marching any further than Jantar Mantar.
09:41 Salman Khan is a man without brains: Raj Thackeray
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has blasted his long-time friend, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, over his tweets, that were perceived as being in favour of Yakub Memon (some of which were withdrawn later), ahead of the execution.
"Salman is a man without brains, while his father is a respectable man. He does not read newspapers and does not know the law and thus went on tweeting in his (Yakub's) favour.
Then there are people who sent letters to the President seeking mercy for the traitor. How can anybody question a Supreme Court order?" he asked.
Days before Yakub was hanged, Salman had tweeted: "Been wanting to tweet this for 3 days and was afraid to do so but it involves a man's and his family. Don't hang brother hang the lomdi (fox) who ran away," he had posted.
He had further tweeted - "We can die for our family. Tiger, your brother will be hanged for you in some days. Say something, make a statement or address that it was you. What kind of brother are you? Where are you hiding Tiger? Sharif Saab, I would request you to let us know about Tiger, if you have any information about him."
After his tweets created a massive uproar, the actor had offered an 'unconditional' apology.
09:27 India-born Sundar Pichai named new CEO at re-organised Google
India-born Sundar Pichai will be the new CEO of Google under a major restructuring at the technology giant, as co-founder Larry Page lauded the IIT alumnus' "progress and dedication" and said it is "time" for him to take over the company's reins.
In a surprise and significant re-organisation, Page announced the formation of a new parent company Alphabet Inc which will replace Google as the publicly-traded entity and all shares of Google will automatically convert into the same number of shares of Alphabet, with all of the same rights.
Google will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alphabet, which will have Page as CEO and co-founder Sergey Brin as President.
Pichai, 43, who was previously in-charge of product and engineering for Googles Internet businesses, will be the CEO of the "slightly slimmed down" Google.
He received a B Tech from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur and holds an MS in Engineering and Materials Science from Stanford University and an MBA from the Wharton School.
He had joined Google in 2004 as its vice president of product management, where he led the team working on Google's Chrome browser and operating system.
08:57 Govt set to push GST bill past Rajya Sabha today
The government will today bring the much-awaited bill on GST for passage in the Rajya Sabha even as doubts persists if the opposition Congress will allow passage of the Constitution Amendment Bill.
The Revised List of Business of Rajya Sabha said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will move the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-second Amendment) Bill, 2014, incorporating recommendations made by a House Select Committee.
Jaitley will also move that the Bill be passed, it said.
The Goods and Services Tax, that seeks to replace all indirect taxes, with a uniform levy has already been approved by the Lok Sabha and was in last session referred to a Rajya Sabha Select Committee.
The panel has given its report endorsing majority of the provisions, while suggesting changes in compensation to states and definition of supply for the purpose of states levying additional one per cent tax.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy assailed Congress for opposing the Bill, which he said was its own brain child.
Asked whether the GST is unlikely to be passed in the Rajya Sabha in the ongoing session of Parliament, Rudy said: "Looks like as of now".
08:41 1997 Uphaar fire: SC to hear Ansals' plea from today
The Supreme Court is likely to begin hearing today the plea of convicts in the Uphaar fire tragedy where 59 cinegoers had died of asphyxia in a massive blaze that engulfed the theatre nearly 18 years ago.
A three-judge bench comprising Justices A R Dave, Kurian Joseph and Amitava Roy would hear the appeal which has been kept "top of the board" after the victims' association had moved the court for it.
Citing previous instances when the hearing has been adjourned at the request of the counsel for the convicts, Neelam Krishnamoorthy, President of Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT), said, "I sincerely hope that the Ansals' counsel will not seek another adjournment.
"Because, this is the ploy adopted by them each time the matter is listed for hearing. They ask for it as they do not wish to go behind the bars."
Earlier, a bench of justices T S Thakur and Gyan Sudha Mishra (since retired) had on March 5, 2014, held real estate barons Sushil and Gopal Ansal guilty, but differed on the quantum of sentence to be awarded to them.
It had concurred in holding that there was "contemptuous disregard" of civic laws on the part of Ansals that led to the tragedy as they were more interested in making money than ensuring safety of people.
08:40 Syngene to debut on stock market today
Biotechnology major Biocon's research arm Syngene International, which recently concluded its initial public offer, will make its debut on the stock market today.
The company's IPO was subscribed 32.03 times last month, helping it raise an estimated Rs 550 crore. The company had raised Rs 150 crore from anchor investors.
The issue price for the public offer was Rs 250 per share. The IPO had opened on July 27 and closed on July 29.
Syngene offers integrated drug discovery and development services with capabilities in medicinal chemistry, biology and toxicology.
In January, Biocon concluded a sale of 10 per cent stake in Syngene for Rs 380 crore to IVF Trustee Company. The deal had put the entire valuation of Syngene International at Rs 3,800 crore.
08:40 Phase 3 of coal mines auction to begin today
The third leg of coal mines auction will kick-off today with firms like JSPL, Hindalco, Vedanta and JSW Steel in the fray for five blocks that the government has put up for bidding.
Two mines on offer tomorrow are Marki Mangli-I mine in Maharashtra and Bhaskarpara mine in Chhattisgarh.
The third tranche follows the government garnering over Rs 2 lakh crore in the first two phases of mines auction earlier this year.
The companies in the race for Marki Mangli-I mine are Grace Industries Ltd, Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd and Topworth Urja & Metals Ltd.
Firms vying for Bhaskarpara mine are Jindal Steel and Power Ltd and Crest Steel and Power Pvt Ltd and Godawari Natural Resources Ltd.
While the extractable reserves of Marki Mangli-I mine is 9.96 million tonnes (MT), for Bhaskarpara mine it is 24.06 MT.
On Wednesday, Chitarpur mine in Jharkhand will be put on offer, while on Thursday Parbatpur Central mine in Jharkhand and Majra mine in Maharastra will be put up for auction.
The schedule for the auction of Jamkhani coal mine in Odisha will be announced at a later date due to court case.
03:21 Washington Post reporter could soon get verdict in Iran case
The Iranian-American reporter for the Washington Post detained in Tehran for more than a year on charges including espionage spoke in his own defense Monday during a final closed-door hearing in a trial that has been criticized by the paper and press freedom advocates.
A verdict in journalist Jason Rezaian's case could come as early as next week, said his lawyer, Leila Ahsan. She told The Associated Press she submitted a 20-page defense brief at the start of Monday's session, gave an oral defense during the hearing, and provided the court with a separate written statement at the end following remarks from the prosecutor.
02:39 Scores killed by car bomb attacks in eastern Iraq
At least 42 people have been killed and many more injured in two bomb attacks in eastern Iraq, local officials say.
A car bomb exploded in a marketplace near the city of Baquba, 35 miles (60km) north-east of Baghdad, killing at least 35 and injuring more than 70.
A second car bomb at a checkpoint east of the city reportedly killed at least seven and wounded approximately 25.
01:24 US consulate in Turkey targeted as wave of attacks kills nine
Two women shot at the US consulate in Istanbul on Monday and at least nine people were killed in a wave of separate attacks on Turkish security forces, weeks after Ankara launched a crackdown on Islamic State, Kurdish and far-left militants.
The NATO member has been in a heightened state of alert since starting its "synchronised war on terror" last month, including air strikes against Islamic State fighters in Syria and Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in northern Iraq. It has also rounded up hundreds of suspected militants at home.
01:23 State of emergency set in Ferguson after shooting anniversary violence
Authorities declared a state of emergency in Ferguson, Missouri, after gunfire erupted on the anniversary of a high-profile police shooting and prosecutors on Monday charged an 18-year-old man with assault on officers.
The man, Tyrone Harris, was critically wounded in an exchange of gunfire with police on Sunday night as people marked the shooting death one year ago of unarmed black man Michael Brown by a white officer in Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis.
01:22 Hazare gets threat letter
Social activist Anna Hazare has received a threat letter which states that he would be "bumped off" if he does not dissociate himself from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
A case has been registered under IPC section 506 (criminal intimidation) at Parner police station in Ahmednagar district, a police official from Parner told PTI over phone. "The letter is dated August 7 and is mostly written in English," the official said.
01:21 Iraq: Bombs in Diyala province kill over 40 people
Two bombs striking neighbourhoods in Iraq's eastern Diyala province killed at least 42 people today, officials said, less than a month after it was the scene of one of the deadliest attacks to hit the country in recent years.
The deadlier of the two attacks happened near the provincial capital, Baquba, located 60 kilometres northeast of Baghdad. Police said a suicide car bomb tore through a marketplace, killing at least 35 people and wounding 72.
00:19 Pregnant Swedish teen held by IS in Syria: media
A pregnant 15-year-old Swedish girl is being held by the Islamic State group in Syria after running away from her foster home with her boyfriend to join Al-Qaeda, Swedish media reported today.
The Swedish foreign ministry remained tight-lipped about the case, confirming only minimal details.
"We have been informed that a Swedish minor is in Syria. We are in contact with family members," ministry spokesman Gabriel Wernstedt told AFP, refusing to disclose any other details.
Swedish daily Expressen and local paper Boras Tidning reported that the 15-year-old girl, whose name was not disclosed, disappeared from her foster home in Boras, near the southwestern town of Gothenburg, on May 31.
It said she is six months pregnant.
She and her 19-year-old boyfriend reportedly travelled to Syria via Turkey, and were recruited on arrival by an Al-Qaeda-linked group.
00:18 World Trade Center skydivers 'sullied' 9/11 memories
The jump exposed lax security at the new World Trade Center, built on part of the site destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and an emblem of the city's rejuvenation.
Two base jumpers who skydived off the World Trade Center "sullied the memories" of victims of the 9/11 attacks, a New York judge said today, slapping them with hefty sentences of community service.
Steel worker James Brady, 33 and carpenter Andrew Rossig, 34, were ordered to carry out 250 and 200 hours of community service respectively, and each fined USD 2,000 in the state Supreme Court.
They had faced up to two years in jail for their daring night-time stunt in September 2013, the video of which sparked an Internet sensation.
The jump exposed lax security at the new World Trade Center, built on part of the site destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and an emblem of the city's rejuvenation.
00:08 Afghanistan slams Pakistan over wave of bloody Kabul attacks
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani accused Pakistan today of sending "messages of war" and harbouring bomb-making camps, after a wave of devastating blasts in Kabul killed at least 56 people.
The complete statement can be read HERE.
The complete statement can be read HERE.
A Taliban suicide car bomber claimed lives of five people today near the entrance of Kabul's international airport, the latest in a barrage of violence that has convulsed the Afghan capital since Friday.
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The Taliban are stepping up their summer offensive amid a bitter leadership dispute following the announcement of the death of longtime supremo Mullah Omar.
Since coming to power last year Ghani has actively courted Pakistan, which has historically backed the Taliban, in what experts call a calculated gambit to pressure the militants to the negotiating table.
But in a volte-face today, Ghani slammed Pakistan for failing to rein in the Taliban as peace talks falter and insurgents step up attacks that are a test for beleaguered Afghan security forces.
"The last few days have shown that suicide bomber training camps and bomb-producing factories which are killing our people are as active as before in Pakistan," Ghani told a news conference.
"We hoped for peace but we are receiving messages of war from Pakistan.... We can no longer see our people bleeding in a war that is exported from outside."
In today's attack a suicide car bomber tore through a crowd during the lunchtime rush at a checkpoint where passengers undergo the first round of body checks before entering the airport.
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