French soccer team has indefinitely suspended striker Karim Benzema from the national squad over his involvement in an ongoing blackmail case which relates to an extortion scam over a sex tape featuring his teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

"I have decided that he is not available for selection," said France soccer federation president Noel Le Great as he called it a 'heart-breaking' decision.  

The Real Madrid striker has been charged with conspiracy to blackmail.

The Centre has declared the floods in Tamil Nadu as a 'calamity of severe nature', with parliamentarians being informed that they can recommend renovation and rehabilitation efforts to the tune of Rs 1 crore from their Local Area Development funds, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said today.

'Heeding my request, the central government has declared the floods (and resultant) damage as Calamity of Severe Nature,' she said in a statement.

The Centre's announcement came after she made a plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking that the floods be declared as a 'National Disaster', she said.

Further, the Parliament Secretariat has issued a circular to lawmakers that they can recommend allocating up to Rs 1 crore worth renovation and rehabilitation efforts from MPLADS in the flood-affected districts, she said.

JUST IN: Rajasthan Anti-Terrorism Squad arrests a suspected Islamic State agent from Jaipur.

The ongoing migrant crisis in Europe could lead to Britain voting to leave the European Union, Prime Minister David Cameron was quoted as saying by a British magazine on Thursday.

Britain will hold a referendum before 2017 on whether the country should be a part of the 28-member bloc or not.

Cameron is currently touring Europe in an attempt to secure reforms to the EU, before campaigning to stay in the EU ahead of the referendum.

However, he said voters could be influenced by the influx of migrants on the continent.

'With... the migration crisis, the short-term impact is for people to think, 'Oh Christ, push Europe away from me, it's bringing me problems',' he was quoted as saying by Britain's Spectator magazine.

David Coleman Headley, the Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Tayyaba terrorist serving prison sentence in the United States, was made an approver on Thursday in the 26/11 attack case after the prosecution told a Mumbai sessions court that it was ready to accept Headley's proposal on certain conditions.  

Earlier, Headley told the court that he was ready to depose and turn approver in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack trial if he was given pardon.

Headley appeared before the sessions court in Mumbai through a video link from an undisclosed location in the US.

Ujjwal Nikam, the special public prosecutor, told the judge G A Sanap that Headley was ready to turn 'approver' if given pardon.

As Nikam sought some time to consult the investigating officers, the court adjourned the proceedings for half an hour on Thursday evening.

"I have received the charging document filed against me in this court. It charges me with same conduct for which I was charged in the US. I had pleaded guilty to the charges in the US and I admitted that I was participant in these charges," Headley told the court.

"I accepted responsibility for my role in those offences in my plea agreement (in the US). I also agreed to make myself available as a witness in this court. I appear here ready to answer questions regarding these events if I receive a pardon from this court," he said.

At this point, Nikam said that Headley had proposed to become an approver provided he was given pardon.

The prosecutor then requested the judge to adjourn the hearing for half an hour, so that he could consult the investigating officers about Headley's offer.

Turkish prosecutors on Thursday sought a 35-year jail term for two traffickers who were allegedly responsible for the death of three-year-old Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi, the pictures of whose body washed ashore symbolised Syria's refugee crisis.

Acording to reports in Turkish media, the suspects, who are both Syrian nationals, stand accused of 'causing death by deliberate negligence' and 'migrant smuggling' after five Syrian refugees, including Aylan, died when their boat sank in September en route to Greece.

The photos of Aylan's body, face down in the sand on a beach off the Turkish coast, caused an outpouring of anger across the world, pressuring European leaders to begin to tackle the refugee crisis.

Aylan's mother and brother, who were in the flimsy boat seeking to cross the Aegean Sea for the Greek island of Kos, died in the same accident while his father survived.

Aylan's father, who later returned to Kobane in Syria to bury his family, said the toddler's last words were 'Daddy! Please don't die', before he slipped into the sea.

Taliban attack on the Kandahar airport was finally over late on Wednesday night after all the terrorists were killed by the Afghan forces. The attack left 50 other people dead, including 38 civilians, the Afghan defence ministry said on Thursday.

Officials said that the dead included 38 civilians, 10 Afghan soldiers, two policemen and 11 terrorists who attacked the compound used as a base by the forces of Afghanistan, United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.  

The sprawling airport, known as Kandahar Air Field, also has a civilian section. 

The terrorists mostly targeted civilian areas and witnesses said they heard Afghan forces 'pleading the terrorists to free women and children'.

The Golden Globe nominees for best motion picture drama are: Spotlight, The Revenant, Carol, Mad Max: Fury Road and Room.

The mastermind of the 26/11 attacks David Headley was produced at Mumbai's Special Court on Thursday via video-conferencing.

Headley has been charged in 11 offences in relating to the 26/11 terror attack.

He accepted the charges against him in the court as he pleaded guilty in a United States court for the same offences.

He also said that he is ready to depose if he receives pardon.

"I accept the responsibility for my role in these offences. I also agree to be available as a witness in this court. I appeared here, I am ready to answer to questions regarding this event if I receive a pardon from this court," Headley said.

The Bombay high court on Thursday acquitted Bollywood star Salman Khan of all charges in the hit-and-run case in which he was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment by a sessions court.

Just In: Honda to recall 90,210 units of its sedan City, the MPV Mobilio in India, manufactured between December 2013 and Jul 2015, to replace fuel return pipe.

Responding to criticisms that its odd-even formula will create a shortfall of public transportation, the Delhi government declared that an additional 6,000 buses will run between January 1 and 15. and that the number of auto rickshaws would be doubled as well.

When the nightmare unfolded, teachers and students of the Army Public School Peshawar had just returned to their classes after recess. Some students, including 18-year-old Yasir Iqbal, gathered in the large auditorium and were attentively listening to a lecture.

Others sat at their desks, eyes on the clock instead of the blackboard, silently urging for the hands to move faster for the day to end so they could go home. In grade one, it was six-year-old Khaula's first day of school.

She was overjoyed that she had finally joined her siblings instead of staying home. It would be her only day at school.Khaula's would become one of the 144 names'"most of them children's -- on a long list created by a group of murderers that day at the school. The incomprehensibly high body count combined with the vulnerability of the victims make it the most horrific attack in Pakistan's history.

And while this number, 144, is a story unto itself, the 144 stories within it have to be told. 

Take a moment and read this story.

Asaram Bapu, lodged in a Jodhpur jail for two years, says he will be acquitted next. Asaram was arrested when a 16-year-old girl accused him of sexually assaulting her in Jodhpur. 

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan heaved a huge sigh of relief and broke down after the Bombay High Court today acquitted him in the 2002 hit-and-run case, overturning the verdict of the trial court sentencing him to five years imprisonment.

"The appeal filed by Salman Salim Khan is allowed. He is acquitted of all charges against him. His conviction and sentence stand quashed," said
Justice A R Joshi, pronouncing the judgement.

Hearing this, Khan, attired in a black and white checkered shirt and jeans, lowered his head, sighed, and then looked up again at the judge from the witness box.

After pronouncing the verdict, Justice Joshi left the court following which Salman came out of the witness box and mingled with his family and lawyers. As his lawyers scrambled around to finish the legal formalities, Khan was seen reclining against the wall and humming a song.

Then, overcome with emotion, he broke down, following which Shera, the actor's bodyguard for many years, walked up to Salman and asked him to turn his face to the wall so people do not see him cry.

His sister Alvira, who could not stop smiling, flashed a thumbs up sign at the reporters. Earlier, the 49-year-old arrived at the High Court at 1.30 pm following a direction from Justice Joshi to the actor's lawyers asking him to remain present in the court at least for the operative part of the order. Salman walked into the packed courtroom with sister Alvira Khan Agnihotri, brother-in-law Aayush Sharma and Shera.


The actor was shooting in Karjat and had to leave midway. He later thanked his lawyers, including senior counsel Amit Desai. Desai later said, "This is a victory not just for Salman, but also us. It is satisfying as an advocate when the court appreciates your arguments and accepts it."

"I was on the left side of the chopper looking at every woman if she had a bump," says Squadron Leader Venkatramanan. Just then they spotted Deepthi Velchamy, the lady they had set out to rescue. Since her pregnancy would not permit her to be winched up, the pilots indicated that she be brought to the top of the water tank on the terrace.


Wing Commander Charles Simon and Squadron Leader S Venkatramanan (pictured) speak to Archana Masih/Rediff.com on rescuing a pregnant woman from a rooftop in rain-ravaged Chennai.  Read

The Special Protection Group (SPG) handling security for the Gandhis has expressed their concern about their appearance in court in the National Herald case. The SPG says the court is congested and it does not want to expose the Gandhis to the risk.

A similar plea was made by the SPG in the case of P V Narasimha Rao and also for a kin of Deve Gowda, when they had to appear in court.


The SPG has sought help from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to protect the area with the Central para military forces and Delhi Police forming the outer cordon.

Poplur novelist Chetan Bhagat on Thursday locked horns with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Twitter after the AAP chief retweeted trolls making personal attacks on the author.


Bhagat tweeted, "Dear CM, when you retweet trolls making personal attacks on me,you tacitly encourage them. And that's what they are doing right now. Thanks."


It all started when Chetan Bhagat took to Twitter to criticise the Delhi's government's plan to exempt women-only cars under odd-even formula. "So odd-even rule doesn't apply to women only cars, for safety. Because men, you know, can never be robbed, attacked, feel unsafe or killed," Chetan Bhagat had tweeted.

And that set loose a barrage of tweets which got Bhagat trending.

@harshrelan  @chetan_bhagat hawwww..instead of criticising the good initiative . be a good citizen suggest the better formula to control pollution.

@TheLitttleLiar 
Chetan Bhagat life cycle:

1.Find flaw in society.
2.Write nasty books.
3.Get hi-5's frm publishers. 4.Feel good
5. Repeat.

@agvg10  4m4 minutes ago
@chetan_bhagat So u mean making men feel safe from all the Dangerous women outside is more important than curbing pollution.

@hyderabadi2  @aparna_jain @chetan_bhagat either agree women are not equal to men or start acting like equals. Oh this hypocrisy of feminists!


But that was just today.

When the scheme was announced on December 2, Bhagat tweeted: @chetan_bhagat At a time when we need economic growth and jobs, somebody decides to get half the vehicles off the roads and destroy productivity. Nice.


To which of course the response was immediate with @RamniekSingh
@chetan_bhagat tweeting: Health is wealth! A better future tomorrow is more important for our kids than your economic growth!.

Rahul Gandhi has been telling his confidantes that on December 19, when he goes to the magistrate in the National Herald case, like Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, he too will not seek anticipatory bail or exemption from court appearances or for that matter special protection during cross examination.

Now, to the other big day in court on December 19, when Rahul and Sonia Gandhi will have to appear in person in the National Herald case.


At least, a 100 Congress MPs, four Congress chief ministers, almost all PCC Presidents will show their solidarity with the Gandhis by marching to the lower court from 10 Janpath.


The Congress rank and file will assemble from 12:30 pm at 24, Akbar Road. The Gandhis are expected to leave for court at around 2:30 pm. 

Amit Desai, Salman Khan's lawyer, says, "It's very satisfying, it's a big relief for him and he is very happy."

Bhaijaanz, the popular restaurant in Bandra (west) which is themed on the life and times of actor Salman Khan, has announced a special treat for his fans on his acquittal in the 2002 hit-and-run case.

It announced on Twitter:

Celebrate with us @bhaijaanZ come in and make your own bill... You decide what you have to pay for what we serve to you..

Updates:

-- Bandra police directed to hand over Salman's passport.
-- Salman will have wait in court till his bail bond is cancelled.
-- The actor is inside courtroom #43
-- The Maharashtra government will point out the loopholes in High Court's observations in the case. The government will file a special leave petition in the case.
PTI says Salman, surrounded by his family members, breaks down
after hearing the verdict. Reporters at the court room said, however, that the actor was impassive when the verdict was read out.

A Salman Khan fan outside the star's Bandra home says, "He is a very good human being, good that he got acquitted."

So, the mystery that begs to be solved: Who killed Noorullah Khan?
Salman had been convicted for killed Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run-case.

@davebesseling  tweets this cartoon. 

The Maharashtra government will approach the Supreme Court for a fresh hearing of the 2002 hit-and-run case involving Salman Khan.

The Bombay High Court has ruled that Salman Khan has been acquitted of all charges in the 202 hit and run case. The charges against Salman were:

Salman was booked under the provisions of the IPC, Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949

Mumbai Police also invoked section 304-II of IPC i.e culpable homicide not amounting to murder which attracts punishment of jail term of 10 years. This is the charge against which the actor had appealed.

The court said today that on the basis of evidences produced by the prosecution, the appellant cannot be convicted, no matter how differently the common man thinks.

Salman left in the middle of a film shooting at a Mumbai studio after he was asked by the court to be present.

Reports say the actor showed no emotion while the verdict was read out.  

So, the Bombay High Court has ruled that Salman Khan has been acquitted of all charges in the 202 hit and run case. The charges against Salman were:

Salman booked under the provisions of the IPC, Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949

Mumbai Police also invoked section 304-II of IPC i.e culpable homicide not amounting to murder which attracts punishment of jail term of 10 years. This is the charge against which the actor had appealed.

The court said today that on the basis of evidences produced by the prosecution, the appellant cannot be convicted, no matter how differently the common man thinks.

Salman left in the middle of a film shooting at a Mumbai studio after he was asked by the court to be present.

Reports say the actor showed no emotion while the verdict was read out.  

Justice AR Joshi gives his verdict in the 2002 hit-and-run case involving Bollywood star Salman Khan. Salman has been acquitted of all charges in the case. The bail money of Rs 25,000 will be returned to the star.

Justice Joshi, who heard Khan's appeal against the five-year sentence awarded to him by a sessions court, said there is no place for public opinion to be a factor while deciding a case. He says suspicion cannot be grounds for conviction. He said Salman may be a star but he cannot be penalised because of the fact.

Salman's sisters Alvira, Arpita and his father Salim Khan are in court. 

Salman Khan acquitted of ALL charges in 2002 hit-and-run case. 

Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com reporting from the Bombay High Court says its a free for all inside and outside the court room, with other lawyers, the actor's fans, reporters milling around.

The actor, wearing a blue shirt, has now reached the court room. 

Judge AR Joshi has retired to his chambers in the Bombay High Court since the appellant Salman Khan is yet to arrive. The verdict will only be read out in Salman's presence. The court says that it won't be swayed that a person must be pronounced guilty only because of his status. He said given the evidence submitted by the prosecution, conviction was not possible.

CNN IBN reports that Salman Khan was not in Mumbai, but is now on his way to court.

Meanwhile, it promises to be high drama on December 19, Saturday, when all eyes will be in Delhi. That's when Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi along with four others will appear before a magistrate in the National Herald case. Elaborate security arrangements are being planned to protect the Congress leaders.

The dictation of the verdict in the 2002 hit-and-run case involving Bollywood star Salman Khan has almost ended with Justice AR Joshi now waiting for the actor to reach the court before pronouncing his verdict.


Justice Joshi, who heard Khan's appeal against the five-year sentence awarded to him by a sessions court, said there is no place for public opinion to be a factor while deciding a case. He says suspicion cannot be grounds for conviction.


Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com who is in court says the moment the judge said Salman had to be present in court, the number of people both inside the courtroom and outside has gone up five times.

Salman's father Salim Khan leaves Galaxy Apartments in Bandra for the Bombay High court. No sign of the actor as yet.

Judge AR Joshi continuing his dictation in the hit and run case where Salman Khan has been convicted for five years. Highlights of what Judge Joshi is saying in court now.

-- Some loose ends are there and it gives the benefit of the doubt to the accused.

-- This is not a case where the prosecution has established all its charges.

-- Ready to give order as soon as Salman Khan comes.

-- Doubt arises over the involvement of the appellant in the case.

--  Court is expected to be impervious to media and public pressure.

-- Trial court erred.

-- Salman Khan cannot be convicted.

-- Investigation was conducted in a faulty manner.

Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com reporting from the Bombay High Court says Judge Joshi has said he is ready to read out the order as soon as Salman is present in court. 

Judge AR Joshi continuing his dictation in the hit and run case where Salman Khan has been convicted for five years. Highlights of what Judge Joshi is saying in court now.


-- Salman Khan's bodyguard, Ravindra Patil, said in court that he does not remember his interview to Mid Day of September 29, 2002, in which he had described what had happened.

-- Asked whether Salman Khan threatened him when he told him not to drive at 90 kmph, Patil said he does not remember.

(Ravindra Patil passed away in 2007)

-- The Mid Day reporter was also not brought to court by the prosecution.

-- Dealing with the death of Nurulla Mehboob Khan in the drunk driving case, the judge noted that a crane was brought to lift the vehicle, which had rammed into the platform, and to place it aside so that the injured could be extricated.

-- The argument of the appellant was that Nurullah's death was caused by the crane which fell on him. Column 17 of the submission shows multiple injuries and all internal organs crushed.

-- Why did Salman Khan run away from the scene of the accident?

-- Apellant said a mob came with rods and other articles, it was furious and the appellant feared there could be a law and order situation.

-- Which was why Salman Khan could not take the accident victims for medical help, an obligation under the Motor Vehicles Act. So even this charge cannot be sustained in this case.

-- The perception of the public has to be proved in a court of law, and the burden on the prosecution cannot be forgotten.

-- Prosecution has failed to establish its case on all the charges, so the benefit of the doubt must be given to the accused, says the judge.

Just in: All three men accused of gang-raping Suzette Jordan have been found guilty. The quantum of punishment will be decided tomorrow. Two of the five accused are absconding.

Jordan, the rape survivor who went public with her identity, died in March of meningitis after a long battle for justice.

Then 37, Suzette Jordan had been gang-raped on the night of 5th and 6th February 2012 by five men who offered to drop her home from a night club on the Park Street.

She had filed her complaint with the police a few days later and chief minister Mamata Banerjee had called it a "sajano ghatana" or fabricated case.

But senior police officer Damayanti Sen had pursued the case and identified the five accused. She was later shunted out from her post. However, three of the five accused were arrested. Two of them, including the main accused Kader Khan, are still absconding.

Trial in the case began only in 2013, delayed by the accused who demanded copies of crucial CCTV footage that had been sent to Hyderabad for forensic tests. The accused claimed the case was false. Suzette Jordan was examined and cross examined over almost six months.

Today, the three accused are likely to be produced in court around noon. Judgement is expected around 2 pm. The judgment will apply only to the three accused and not to the absconders.

After the waters recede in Chennai, this is is what's left behind -- tons of garbage. Medical teams have been out on the streets with disinfectant to ensure there is no spread of diseases. Crematoriums and burial grounds have been working overtime to cope with the spike in the number of bodies coming in.

Also read: Suzette Jordan showed that India isn't ready for rape survivors who deny their victimhood

The National Green Tribunal bans camping activity from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand with immediate effect. It however allows rafting activity in the river Ganga, saying it does not cause pollution.'

Details awaited.

A court in Kolkata is likely to pronounce its judgement today in what has come to be known as the Park Street rape case. Suzette Jordan, the rape survivor who went public with her identity, died in March of meningitis after a long battle for justice.

Then 37, Suzette Jordan had been gang-raped on the night of 5th and 6th February 2012 by five men who offered to drop her home from a night club on the Park Street.

She had filed her complaint with the police a few days later and chief minister Mamata Banerjee had called it a "sajano ghatana" or fabricated case.

But senior police officer Damayanti Sen had pursued the case and identified the five accused. She was later shunted out from her post. However, three of the five accused were arrested. Two of them, including the main accused Kader Khan, are still absconding.

Trial in the case began only in 2013, delayed by the accused who demanded copies of crucial CCTV footage that had been sent to Hyderabad for forensic tests. The accused claimed the case was false. Suzette Jordan was examined and cross examined over almost six months.

Today, the three accused are likely to be produced in court around noon. Judgement is expected around 2 pm. The judgment will apply only to the three accused and not to the absconders.

Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com, says Salman Khan is expected in court betwee 1 pm and 1:30 pm. The court will reconvene in a short while.


Yesterday, the Bombay high court said it has "come to the conclusion that the prosecution has failed to bring material on record to establish beyond reasonable doubt that the appellant (Salman Khan) was driving and under the influence of alcohol, also, whether the accident occurred due to bursting (of tyre) prior to the incident or tyre burst after the incident ..."


The court also observed that Khan's former, now late, police body guard, the first informant in the 2002 case against the actor, who was in the vehicle and the crucial witness on whose testimony and "improved statement'' of "Salman's speeding" the prosecution had rested its case, was "not a wholly reliable witness''.

Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com, reporting from the Bombay High Court, said Judge A R Joshi, on the third day of dictating his order on Salman Khan's appeal against his conviction and sentence in the drunk driving case, says the Bollywood superstar should come to court. The court says that the appellant (Salman Khan) has to be present in court when the verdict is being read out. The judge asks Salman's lawyers to locate him and ensure his presence in court.  

Salman Khan has not attended court proceedings this week; his family members were present. Even today, Salman's sister Alvira was present in court.

His lawyers, who checked his availability, said he was in Mumbai, but needed to check with the police as well, since the last time he attended the court proceedings, it led to chaos in the premises. His lawyers have asked for security to bring him in court. 

The judge also referred to Section 437 A of the Criminal Procedure Code, which says: 'Before conclusion of the trial and before disposal of the appeal, the Court trying the offence or the Appellate Court, as the case may be, shall require the accused to execute bail bonds with sureties, to appear before the higher Court as and when such Court issues notice in respect of any appeal or petition filed against the judgment of the respective Court and such bail bonds shall be in force for six months.'

Uproar continues over the National Herald case in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress moves an adjournment motion to discuss BJP lawmaker Virendra Singh, who made controversial comments against its leaders. In a debate in Parliament yesterday, Singh said while the Congress is talking about the pain of the farmers, their leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia and Rahul Gandhi cannot even identify between bajra, jowar and wheat.

"They have known farmers through books," he said, adding that the Congress had a problem with a "poor" becoming the Prime Minister and it thought that the post was reserved only for those from the Nehru Gandhi family.

The Congress has demanded that the Speaker ask the MP to apologise. BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said he condemned the personal remarks made  against Rahul and Jyotiraditya Scindia.


Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi today said it is a matter of sorrow that Parliament is not running.

For the third consecutive day yesterday, the Congress disrupted Parliament over the 'National Herald' controversy. So far, the Congress has not found much support, except from the Trinamool Congress.

Bills for consideration and passing pending in the Lok Sabha include:
-- The Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Bill, 2015.
- The Industries (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015.
-- Further discussion on drought situation in various parts of the country.

In the Rajya Sabha, bills for consideration and passing:

-- The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015.
- The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2015.
- The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015.
-- Short duration discussion on the situation arising out of growing intolerance endangering the unity and diversity of the country.

The recent flooding exposed the bad planning behind the newly developed areas of the city including the OMR region. Read

Researchers in the U.S. have created the world's first litter of puppies through in vitro fertilization (IVF), a breakthrough they say could help eradicate diseases in dogs -- and in humans. Read

Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram today has spoken out in support of party president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case. Speaking to India Today, Chidambaram deemed the Delhi HC's judgment as erroneous and said that the Gandhis received no financial benefit in the National Herald case. The former minister also went on to add that the Gandhis WOULD appear in court on December 19. 

The New York Times seems set for another controversy over its portrayal of India. It has now published a cartoon mocking the stand India has taken at the ongoing climate talks in Paris. The cartoon that NYT, titled 'India at the Paris Climate Conference', shows a giant elephant labelled 'India' blocking a coal-chugging steam engine labelled 'Paris Climate Summit'.

Pakistani-American LeT terrorist David Coleman Headley is likely to appear before a Mumbai court on Thursday in 26/11 terror attacks case. Earlier, on November 18, Headley was made an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case after a local court allowed a plea of Mumbai police. "Your exhibit (application) is allowed," said judge GA Sanap while he issued summons for Headley.

'Angry Indian Goddesses' director Pan Nalin claims that he has been getting threatening calls against the content of the film. However, he remains undeterred. "I will not allow (myself) to be terrorised by messages and calls I have been receiving like, 'How dare you blaspheme Hinduism through 'Angry Indian Goddesses? We will make sure you go Charlie Hebdo way!'" or another one goes "What did you achieve by showing these... non-Sanskari Indian c**ts!" I need not say anything more," Nalin said in a statement.

The Bombay high court is likely to deliver its verdict today on actor Salman Khan's appeal against his conviction in the 2002 hit-and-run case.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg wants to protect the rights of Muslims, saying they should not fear being "persecuted for the actions of others". Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post that the Muslim community should not face discrimination following attacks in Paris and elsewhere linked to extremists. 

The man accused of shooting three people to death and wounding nine others at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado last month declared himself guilty and a "warrior for the babies" during an outburst in court. 

As the floods forced most of Chennai and neighbouring districts to shut down, crematoriums and burial grounds worked overtime to cope with the spike in the number of bodies coming in. With burial grounds flooded too, many bodies had to be sent elsewhere, while some were tied to poles and trees so they wouldn't get wet. 

With the National Herald issue continuing to roil Parliament and the government aggressively countering the Congress by questioning the rationale for stalling the House over an issue which is in court, there is disquiet among a section of party MPs over the correctness of the strategy to obstruct proceedings. To add to the unease, the Congress action has not found enough support from others in the Opposition. The discomfort, it seems, is over the tactics. Some Congress MPs are asking is whether it is politically prudent and sustainable to take a legal battle to Parliament crying retribution. 

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi today at 11 am. The meet comes after the Bihar CM said that the PM should now keep his word on the special package of Rs 1.65 lakh crore for the state. "Centre should implement the package,' said the Bihar CM in the state assembly. This was the first time Nitish welcomed the special package, which he had dismissed as Centre's statistical jugglery during the election campaign. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to lead a yoga session for top cops at the All-India Conference of Directors General/Inspectors General of Police at Dhordo village in Kutch district from December 18-20. "Five yoga instructors have been hired to conduct daily yoga sessions for cops at 6 am," said Gujarat DGP P C Thakur. "The prime minister is likely to participate in the 45-minute yoga session."