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Wed, 11 February 2015
SIT to be set up to probe 1984 anti-Sikh riots
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23:27 Sudan army committed mass rape in Darfur: HRW
Sudanese army troops raped more than 200 women and girls in a Darfur town last year, in a brutal attack that should be investigated as a crime against humanity, Human Rights Watch said today.
In a 48-page report, the US-based rights organization cast doubt over Khartoum's repeated denials that a mass rape took place in October in the town of Tabit.
At least 221 women and girls were raped when the Sudanese army launched three waves of attacks over 36 hours, beginning on October 30, according to the report, based on accounts from dozens of Tabit residents.
23:22 Kejriwal not to accept Z Plus security cover: AAP
Delhi chief minister designate Arvind Kejriwal will not accept Z Plus security for him, AAP today said even as the police enhanced his security after the party's landslide victory.
"Arvind Kejriwal will not take Z plus security because it hinders his interaction with the people. We have not asked for any security until now, so there is no question of denying it.
22:23 SIT to be set up to probe 1984 anti-Sikh riots
Just in:
The home ministry will set up a Special Investigation Team in a week to probe the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases, reports NDTV.
Details awaited.
Details awaited.
21:37
The pilot and co-pilot of army's Dhruv helicopter that crashed in Bandipore have been killed, according to news channels.
21:25 Army chopper crashes in Kashmir, 2 feared dead
Just in: An army helicopter reportedly crashed in Bandipore in North Kashmir, reports NDTV. Two people are feared dead.
Details awaited.
Image for representation purpose
Details awaited.
Image for representation purpose
20:45 3 Muslim students shot dead at North Carolina campus
Al Jazeera reports: Three American students have been shot to death at a residential complex of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a suspect has been arrested over the incident, according to local police.
Chapel Hill police told local news outlets that Craig Stephen Hicks, 46, was arrested and charged with killing the three Muslim students. He is being held at the Durham County Jail, and is expected to make a first court appearance Wednesday morning. Police have not released a motive and said the investigation is continuing.
Chapel Hill police told local news outlets that Craig Stephen Hicks, 46, was arrested and charged with killing the three Muslim students. He is being held at the Durham County Jail, and is expected to make a first court appearance Wednesday morning. Police have not released a motive and said the investigation is continuing.
20:29 Modi crosses 10 mn follower mark on Twitter
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has crossed the 10 million mark in terms of number of followers on the popular social media platform Twitter.
Modi, who made his Twitter debut in January 2009, is the second most followed politician on Twitter, behind US President Barack Obama and ahead of Mitt Romney.
Besides, he is also the third most followed world leader behind Obama and the Pope. "Our PM Mr Modi has reached 10 million followers on Twitter," the micro-blogging site said in a statement today. The site added that his election victory tweet was the most retweeted tweet in India in 2014.
Modi, who made his Twitter debut in January 2009, is the second most followed politician on Twitter, behind US President Barack Obama and ahead of Mitt Romney.
Besides, he is also the third most followed world leader behind Obama and the Pope. "Our PM Mr Modi has reached 10 million followers on Twitter," the micro-blogging site said in a statement today. The site added that his election victory tweet was the most retweeted tweet in India in 2014.
20:27 Chennai Super Kings transferred to new subsidy
BCCI President-in-exile N Srinivasan led India Cements' board today approved transfer of the Indian Premier League team CSK to a wholly-owned subsidiary Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd.
A decision to this effect was taken at a Board meeting of the company held in Chennai.
"...pursuant to the decision of Board of Directors of India Cements Ltd, the company transferred the IPL franchise rights to its wholly-owned subsidiary Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd," Srinivasan told reporters after the meeting.
He further said: "The Board considered a proposal for reorganisation of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd under which ownership of the franchise will be issued to the share holdersof India Cements Ltd, subject to necessary approvals."
Srinivasan, who has been barred by the Supreme Court from contesting any polls of the board till he gave up ownership of the IPL team, did not specify who would be at the helm of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd and details of its main functionaries.
"This is the first step in slowly getting into a fully cement focussed company," he said, declining to comment on on how the new subsidiary would be capitalised. He also refused to comment on anything related to court orders or to BCCI on the issue.
A decision to this effect was taken at a Board meeting of the company held in Chennai.
"...pursuant to the decision of Board of Directors of India Cements Ltd, the company transferred the IPL franchise rights to its wholly-owned subsidiary Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd," Srinivasan told reporters after the meeting.
He further said: "The Board considered a proposal for reorganisation of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd under which ownership of the franchise will be issued to the share holdersof India Cements Ltd, subject to necessary approvals."
Srinivasan, who has been barred by the Supreme Court from contesting any polls of the board till he gave up ownership of the IPL team, did not specify who would be at the helm of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd and details of its main functionaries.
"This is the first step in slowly getting into a fully cement focussed company," he said, declining to comment on on how the new subsidiary would be capitalised. He also refused to comment on anything related to court orders or to BCCI on the issue.
20:13 Modi's Rajkot fans build temple for him
Supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here have built a temple for him. The temple, with a bust of Modi in the sanctum, stands onKothariya road and would be inaugurated on February 16.
"It is a first of its kind in Gujarat, temple of a living person," said Jayesh Patel, leader of Om Yuva Group.
More than 350 members of the group joined hands to construct it by collecting small donations and now planned to conduct daily worship there, he said.
"Members of our organisation have been worshiping Modi as God from the time he contested his first assembly election from Rajkot and became the Chief Minister of Gujarat," Patel added.
20:04 Nitish Kumar parades 138 lawmakers before President Mukherjee
Janata Dal-United's Nitish Kumar paraded 128 lawmakers before President Pranab Mukherjee this evening staking his claim to the Bihar government. He was accompanied by Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Yadav who head allied parties.
"We have met the President and have told him that we enjoy a majority in Bihar. The President has assured us that he will look into the matter," Nitish Kumar said.
"BJP ka game-plan pareshaan hai, bahumat idhar hai,' says Nitish Kumar.
"We met the President and told him we have the majority in Bihar," Nitish added.
"We want no deliberate delay in the matter. The delay has been encouraging horse-trading. We have told the Bihar governor the same thing three days ago," Nitish asserted.
19:54 Pak to release 173 Indian prisoners on Feb 16
Pakistan will release 173 Indian prisoners out of 526 inmates on February 16, External Affairs Ministry said today.
Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said the government has received a written communication from Pakistan on the release of 173 Indian prisoners including one civilian.
19:51 President extends warm welcome to Kejriwal
Delhi CM-Designate Arvind Kejriwal and AAP leader Manish Sisodia meeting President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening.
19:46 Pro-Nitish MLA's at President House
Pro-Nitish Kumar MLA's are parading outside the Rashtrapti Bhavan where Kumar is expected to meet President Pranab Mukherjee.
Nitish Kumar plans to present his MLA's before the President in the hope that he may be able to claim a majority in the Bihar assembly.
The JD-U has been in the eye of the storm ever since talks of defection from Jitan Ram Manjhi led camp have splintered the party.
19:20 Hazare not to attend Kejriwal's swearing-in
Anti-corruption campaigner Anna Hazare will not attend the swearing-in ceremony of his former protege and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday despite Delhi's chief minister-elect personally extending an invitation to him.
Hazare's aide Dadda Awari said Kejriwal had telephoned Hazare yesterday following AAP's victory in the Delhi Assembly elections and invited him for the oath-taking function at Ramlila Maidan, the venue of the 77-year-old Gandhian's fast for Lokpal in 2011.
"Kejriwal called Anna yesterday and requested him to attend the swearing-in but he expressed his inability...Anna extended his best wishes to Kejriwal for running a good government," Awari said.
Hazare is in Pune today for a routine health check-up, Awari said without elaborating on whether any health issues prevented him from attending the event.
19:15 Pro-Nitish JD-U MLA's reach Rashtrapati Bhavan
Pro-Nitish Kumar Janata Dal-United MLA's have reached the President House.
Nitish Kumar plans to present his MLA's before the President in the hope that he may be able to claim a majority in the Bihar assembly.
The JD-U has been in the eye of the storm ever since talks of defection from Jitan Ram Manjhi led camp have splintered the party.
Nitish Kumar plans to present his MLA's before the President in the hope that he may be able to claim a majority in the Bihar assembly.
The JD-U has been in the eye of the storm ever since talks of defection from Jitan Ram Manjhi led camp have splintered the party.
19:11 Spurred by Delhi success, AAP eyes Bengaluru civic polls
After its overwhelming victory in Delhi Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi party is eyeing to make its mark in the country's IT capital through city civic polls.
"Yes we are preparing for BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) elections. We will be contesting all the seats," AAP's senior functionary V Balakrishnan said.
He said "planning is already on. Through 'Bombat Bangalore' similar to 'Delhi Dialogue' that we had in Delhi we will be interacting with people in all the wards. Based on the interactions we will be preparing agenda for each of the wards."
There is uncertainty about BBMP elections that is slated for April as the government is mulling about bifurcation of the civic body.
Stating that there is a string of similarity between Bengaluru and Delhi, Balakrishnan said "whether it is bad governance, garbage issues, power problem, water and road related issues, the issues are similar. So I think there will be greater acceptance for AAP as an alternative in Bangalore."
18:53 HC extends relief to Urdu Editor in Prophet's cartoon row
The Bombay High Court today extended by a week the interim order for protection from arrest granted to the Editor of an Urdu daily caught in a row over publishing the cover of French magazine Charlie Hebdo that featured a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad.
A division bench of Justices Ranjit More and Anuja Prabhudesai said the protection granted earlier to Shirin Dalvi, Editor of Urdu newspaper Awadhnama, would continue till February 17 when the matter would be heard again after the public prosecutor in the case did not turn up.
A division bench of Justices Ranjit More and Anuja Prabhudesai said the protection granted earlier to Shirin Dalvi, Editor of Urdu newspaper Awadhnama, would continue till February 17 when the matter would be heard again after the public prosecutor in the case did not turn up.
18:35 Network of 250 Spanish butchers and phone shops funding Syrian jihadists
Spain has become a major financing hub for jihadist terrorists in Syria and Iraq through an extensive network of 250 phone call centers, butcher shops and neighborhood grocery stores, where money is transferred through an informal and virtually untraceable system, according to Spanish intelligence agencies.
This network, which uses the hawala system, manages the savings of over 150,000 Muslims without any legal oversight, and is also being used to help fund terror groups such as Islamic State and al-Nusra Front, an Al Qaeda affiliate.
Red full story HERE.
Red full story HERE.
18:24 Kejriwal reaches Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet President Mukherjee
CM-designate Arivnd Kejriwal of AAP has reached the Rashtrapti Bhavan where he will meet with President Pranab Mukherjee. The leader of the AAP has a meeting scheduled with the President at 6.30 pm today.
The AAP won the Delhi assembly elections by a landslide victory claiming 67 of the 70 seats in the house.
The AAP's chief competitor, the BJP, won the remaining three seats.
The AAP won the Delhi assembly elections by a landslide victory claiming 67 of the 70 seats in the house.
The AAP's chief competitor, the BJP, won the remaining three seats.
18:14 Bedi writes to EC, says fatwas issued affected voting
After suffering an embarrassing loss, Bharatiya Janata Party's Kiran Bedi said that fatwas issued in the Capital had affected how people voting, which may have been one of the reasons for the party's defeat. Explaining why she wanted the Election Commission to look into the matter, she said, "I was told voting for me in Krishna Nagar dropped in places where a fatwa had been issued. I can be wrong, but want it to be inquired."
Before Delhi went to polls, Syed Bukhari, who is the Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, had appealed to Muslims voters to support AAP. However, the AAP had quickly rejected the support, saying it did not need support of a man who does not respect the nation's prime minister.
17:53
Shekhar Gupta tweets: Meanwhile: Petroleum Minister @dpradhanbjp meets Nawaz Sharif. Part of TAPI gas pipeline talks. 1st hi level Ind-Pak contact in some time
17:33 Meet the aam aurat behind 'aam aadmi' Kejriwal
Just as Twitter started to sound a little drunk with glee and shock after the Aam Aadmi Party raced to victory in the Delhi polls, the picture that caught the fancy of the Internet was not one of AAP supporters gobbling laddoos or Kejriwal sans a muffler. It was of a woman, Sunita Kejriwal, hardly recognisable to the thousands of AAP voters and their many other fans across the country.
Read more about her HERE
17:12 'Janata ka CM' Kejriwal refuses Z+ security cover
Delhi chief minister-elect Arvind Kejriwal has refused the Z+ security cover given to him by the Delhi police. As per protocol, the CM is provided with three dozen personnel, besides pilot and escort vehicles as part of the security cover.
However, Kejriwal has refused it saying that if he is the 'janata's CM, then he should be with the janata and that the security would not allow him to do so.
In fact, last time too, when Kejriwal was elected as CM, he had refused the security, saying 'God was his biggest security'.
16:56 1 dead, 4 trapped as avalanche hits Gulmarg
One person died and four skiers were trapped when an avalanche hit the Affarwat heights of Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir. The authorities have started rescue operations. This is the second death this season at the famous ski resort. On January 24, a Swiss national died and five of his associates had to be rescued when an avalanche hit the Gulmarg tourist resort between Kongdoori and Afferwath.
16:23 Over 200 migrants missing after boats sink in Mediterranean Sea
JUST IN: More than 200 migrants are missing after their boats sank in the Mediterranean Sea, survivors told the UN refugee agency. "Nine were saved after four days at sea. The other 203 were swallowed by the waves," tweeted Carlotta Sami, an agency spokeswoman based in Italy.
16:03 What did Kejriwal and Rajnath talk about
Wonder what Arvind Kejriwal told Home Minister Rajnath Singh? After meeting the home minister, Manish Sisodia said that the AAP chief had extended an invitation to Singh for the oath taking ceremony on Saturday. Sisodia added that Kejriwal requested the Centre's support for full statehood for Delhi and also requested that both the state and centre work constructively together for Delhi.
Earlier in the day, Kejriwal and Sisodia had met Urban Development Minister Vekaiah Naidu and will be meeting PM Modi tomorrow at 10.30 am.
15:57 Arvind Kejriwal's victory in cartoons
Arvind Kejriwal's spectacular win in the Delhi state elections was captured by cartoonist Ravi Chunchula for BBC Hindi.
To see more, click HERE.
15:45 Who's the richest in Hollywood?
The director and producer of the Star Wars blockbuster films, George Lucas has emerged as the wealthiest Hollywood tycoon with a fortune of $5.4 billion (Rs 33,594 crore), according to Wealth-X, a global wealth intelligence and prospecting company. Steven Spielberg ranks third on the Wealth-X list with an estimated fortune of $3.3 billion (Rs 20,537 crore).
15:40 Delhi CM-elect Kejriwal meets Rajnath Singh
After meeting Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu in the morning, Delhi's Chief Minister-elect Arvind Kejriwal met Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the latter's residence. Kejriwal was accompanied by his party member Manish Sisodia.
Kejriwal stormed to power again after his party, the Aam Aadmi Party, won 67 of the 70 seats in the recently-concluded Delhi assembly polls. Kejriwal will call on President Pranab Mukherjee at 6 pm today and will be meeting PM Modi tomorrow at 10.30 am where he will be extending an invitation to the swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for Saturday at Ramlila Maidan.
15:24 Allahabad court dismisses petition against Obama
A local court in Allahabad has dismissed a petition accusing US President Barack Obama of "tarnishing India's secular image" with his statements.
Judicial Magistrate Neelima Singh yesterday dismissed the petition filed by advocate Sushil Kumar Mishra, who had sought Obama's prosecution under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (punishment for defamation).
Earlier, on Monday, the Judicial Magistrate had posted the matter for hearing on February 18.
However, while perusing the petition yesterday, she took the view that the case was "not maintainable" as the US President enjoyed "diplomatic immunity"
Mishra alleged that Obama through his reported statement that religious intolerance was on the rise in the country had "tarnished the image of India which is a secular country"
14:32 Rude tweet gets teenager fired before starting new job
A Texan teenager who tweeted her lack of enthusiasm about her new job was fired before she even turned up on the first day.
A girl named Cella was due to start work at Jets Pizza in Mansfield, Texas.
The day before what would have been Cellas first day, she tweeted, Ew I start this f*** a** job tomorrow, followed by seven thumbs down emoji.
14:10 Patna HC stays Nitish from being JD-U legislative party head
JUST IN: Setback for Nitish Kumar, as the Patna High Court stays his appointment as leader of JDU legislative party.
His rival, Bihar Chief Minister Manjhi was expelled on Monday from the JD-U for his refusal to make way for Nitish.
Unfazed, Manjhi called a cabinet meeting on Tuesday to establish that he still calls the shots. A compact group of seven ministers showed up.
A delay in a trust vote to test Nitish's strength will lead to opportunistic defections, the JD-U has argued.
Nitish and his colleagues have blamed Manjhi's rebellion on a conspiracy by the BJP in an attempt to bisect the JD(U) before Bihar votes later this year.
Ahead of the national election last year, the JD-U and the BJP uncoiled their long alliance in a nasty break-up. Manjhi's support group is tiny within the JD(U); but the BJP -- till Tuesday's disastrous rout in Delhi -- was richly alluring on account of its recent wins in several state elections. In Bihar, the JD(U) has been functioning as a largely spent force with a minority government.
13:44 Air India crew members smuggling gold: Customs
CNN-IBN reports: In yet another major embarassment for national carrier Air India, some of its crew members are alleged to have smuggled gold in the flight.
In a letter by the Customs Air Intelligence unit the department has highlighted serious lapses in the customs clearance by the Air India crew. The letter was sent to the Executive Director of western region of Air India on February 10.
The letter talks about instances of 'smuggling of gold' by Air India crew members Nihal Prajapati and Sidhesh Patil.
It highlights how an Air India crew member was caught while smuggling 3 kilos of gold valued at Rs 78.1 lakh when he was operating domestic flight AI-012 on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route.
13:31 RIL challenges oil min taking away 5 gas finds
Reliance Industries has slapped an arbitration notice challenging oil ministry's decision to take away 814 square kilometer of its eastern offshore KG-D6 area that contained five gas discoveries.
As per norm of giving up non-discovery area, RIL had in 2013 offered to give up 5,385 sq km out of a total 7,645 sq km area in Krishna Godavari basin KG-D6 block. But the ministry on October 30, 2013 ordered 6,198.88 sq km of total area to be taken away as the time allocated for producing from these had expired.
RIL on January 14 challenged this order stating the 814 sq km of additional area that the ministry had taken away contained five gas discoveries holding close to 1 trillion cubic feet of reserves.
Sources said the company in the notice demanded that the dispute on taking away the area be referred to arbitration, the relinquishment order be withdrawn and compensation be paid for breach of contract by the government.
As per norms, a contractor is allowed to retain only that area where discoveries have been made. But in case of KG-D6, the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) ordered larger area to be taken away as RIL had allegedly failed to develop the finds within the stipulated time-frame.
13:26 Former minister Rakhi Birla out of Kejriwal cabinet?
Ahead of Delhi cabinet formation, reports are saying that newly-elected AAP MLAs Jarnail Singh, Manish Sisodia, Gopal Rai and Adarsh Shastri will be given key posts in the government.
What is astonishing that AAP leader Rakhi Birla, who was minister of Women & Child, Social Welfare and Languages in Delhi during AAP's 49-day regime might not find any place in the Cabinet.
13:12 Six Jharkhand Vikas Morcha MLAs join BJP
Six Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) MLAs today joined the BJP, a day after petitioning the Speaker to allow them to sit alongside ruling BJP-led coalition members in the state assembly.
"Naveen Jaiswal (Hatia), Amar Kumar Bauri (Chandankiyari), Ganesh Ganju (Simeria), Alok Kumar Chourasia (Daltonganj), Ranjit Singh (Sarath) and Janki Yadav (Barkatha) joined the party at Jharkhand Bhavan in Delhi today," BJP's state unit spokesman Pradip Sinha said.
The JVM(P) MLAs joined BJP at Jharkhand Bhavan here in presence of Das and other BJP leaders.
Earlier BJP had 37 MLAs of its own, and it had formed the government in the state with the help of MLAs from Sudesh Mahto's AJSU.
Now the alliance has 48 MLAs and is much more comfortably placed in the 81-member assembly.
Replying to a question as to why BJP was trying to break other parties, Das said, "I am not interested in breaking but connecting others. Those who want to support the BJP government in carrying out the development of the state are welcome."
12:32 Delhi cops call in Tharoor for questioning again
Sunanda Pushkar's husband and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor will be questioned on Thursday again in connection with her murder, police said on Wednesday.
Sunanda's son Shiv Menon was questioned by the Special Investigation Team at the Vasant Vihar office for around eight hours on February 5.
Tharoor's wife was found dead in a luxury hotel room on January 17, 2014. A murder case was registered against unknown people on January 1, 2015.
Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi had earlier also indicated that Tharoor and his domestic help Narayan Singh will again be questioned.
Tharoor was questioned for around three-and-a-half hours on January 19. Police officials had then refused to share Tharoor's replies during the questioning, saying that any revelation would hamper the investigation.
Former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, two journalists -- Nalini Singh and Rahul Kanwal -- have already deposed before SIT in connection with the case.
12:31 BJP's invincibility is beginning to crumble: Pak daily
The victory of the Aam Aadmi Party in the Delhi assembly elections serves as a repudiation of the BJP's "polarising" politics and the "aura of invincibility surrounding the BJP is beginning to crumble", a Pakistani daily said on Wednesday.
That the AAP "has now become more popular than ever shows not only how resonant the AAP's anti-corruption platform is, but is also a repudiation of the polarising BJP, which has divided the country (India) with its extreme brand of Hindu nationalism and neo-liberal economic policies", an editorial in the News International said on Wednesday.
It added: "For the BJP, the defeat in Delhi serves as a symbol of its governance failures since assuming power at the centre."
The editorial appeared a day after the AAP triumphed in the Delhi Assembly Election, garnering a staggering 67 of the 70 Assembly seats. The BJP got just three seats while the Congress failed to win even a single seat.
The daily said: "Ever since its landslide victory in the general elections last year, the BJP has been running on a platform of inevitability. It has presented itself as the only political party in India that can get things done..."
12:21 Japan's warnings to female tourists in India falls short
After a Japanese woman was gang raped by tour guides in Kolkata in January this year, Tokyo had warned tourists travelling to India 'to be careful and behave cautiously'.
Perhaps had the language in the notice, put up on the Japanese consulate's web site, been specific and warned of possible sexual assault, the Japanese tourist who was sexually assaulted by a man posing as a tour guide in Jaipur earlier this week, would have been alerted to the danger of travelling alone in India.
The warning on the consulate web site, in Japanese, only asks tourists to be careful about places with cheap hotels where people who say they are guides should not always be trusted. The notice also warns tourists of credit card fraud and pickpockets, reports Joanna Sugden in IndiaRealTime, the Wall Street Journal's blog.
A Japanese consulate official in Kolkata tells her that after the January rape incident, their government had warned tourists travelling in India, particularly in parts of Kolkata. 'There are some bad people who don't speak Japanese as well,' he tells Joanna when asked why tourists were not warned to be on the lookout for Indians who speak the language.
You can read the full report here.
12:08 Editorial in 'Saamna' mocks BJP for Delhi rout
In a stinging attack on the BJP after its rout in Delhi assembly polls, the Shiv Sena today said the saffron party has been turned into "dirt" by the broom-wielding AAP and targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the poor show.
The Sena also said it's a lesson for BJP that elections cannot be won merely on the back of poll promises and speeches.
'The BJP, which won a resounding majority in the Lok Sabha elections has been turned into 'dirt' by the 'broom- wielding' Aam Aadmi Party. BJP leaders do not even need fingers to count the number of seats they won. Putting the blame of defeat on Kiran Bedi isn't right,' the Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamna.
'Elections are not merely won on the back of speeches and poll promises. This election has brought to the fore unrest within the party. Amit Shah failed to cast his magic on people and using Modi as the final weapon too failed to yield results,' the BJP's Maharashtra ally said.
11:48 Kejriwal to invite PM for swearing-in on Thursday
Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal, whose Aam Aadmi Party decimated the rivals in the Delhi assembly election, will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and invite him for the swearing-in ceremony at Ramlila Maidan on February 14.
"We had sought time from the Prime Minister, Kejriwal will be meeting him tomorrow at 10.30 AM. He will also extend an invitation to him for the oath ceremony on February 14," party sources said.
After AAP swept the Delhi polls yesterday in a landslide victory grabbing 67 seats in the 70-member assembly, the prime minister had congratulated Kejriwal on his thumping victory and assured him of all support from the Centre for development of the national capital.
Kejriwal, while thanking Modi for the greetings, had said he would like to meet him soon to discuss issues related to Delhi.
11:42 Prince Andrew loads family photo onto Facebook
They have already tried their hand at selfies and Twitter, and now the Royal family has truly joined the ranks of the Facebook generation by posting a family picture on the social networking site.
The Duke of York, who has always been a keen photographer, took a snap of the Queen, the Earl and Countess of Wessex at Buckingham Palace which he loaded onto his official Facebook page, usually reserved for official announcements.
Check out that photo HERE
11:39 Swine flu toll touches 100 in Maharashtra
The swine flu toll in Maharashtra and Rajasthan has reached 100 and 40 respectively.
According to reports, six deaths have been recorded in Mumbai due to the H1N1 virus outbreak while five more casualties were reported in Rajasthan on Tuesday.
A total of 205 swine flu cases have been recorded in Maharashtra, according to the state authorities, while 49 fresh cases were reported in Delhi with the total number of cases due to the disease going up to 488 this year.
Reports add that all civic hospitals in Mumbai have been asked to keep at least two ventilators on standby for H1N1 patients and an adequate stock of Tamiflu has been procured.
The BMC has also reportedly started a helpline over the outbreak.
Swine flu is caused by the H1N1 virus. H1N1 symptoms are similar to those produced by other influenza viruses -- fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and respiratory problems.
11:31 Kejriwal gets to work, meets Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu
Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal today met Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and discussed various issues with him including that of unauthorised colonies in the city and full statehood.
He was accompanied by party leader Manish Sisodia.
"We have discussed four big issues with the minister. Firstly, the issues of the poor such as compensation for them, we will need central government's help in that. Secondly, the issue of unauthorised colonies on which the Centre recently passed a resolution. So in order to take it forward help will be needed from MCD, DDA and the Centre," Sisodia told reporters after the meeting.
"We told him that for more schools, colleges, hospitals and parking, a lot of land will be needed so whatever land is available with DDA, we have requested for it.
"And lastly, the issue of full statehood. We have been fully assured that without any political divide we will get their support," he added.
11:12 Day after AAP-solute win, I-T notice to party on Rs 2cr donation
A day after the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party registered a historic win by winning 67 seats in the 70-member Delhi assembly, the Income Tax department on Wednesday issued a notice to the party in connection with a row over donations received by it.
As per reports, the IT department has sought AAP's reply in connection with the case by February 16.
The IT notice to AAP was issued days after a breakaway volunteer group of the party -- AAP Volunteer Action Manch (AVAM) -- accused Kejriwal's party of receiving Rs 2 crore last year through four "dubious" companies.
However, AAP categorically rejected the allegations made by the group and challenged the Centre to order a probe by any central investigation agency including CBI into the matter. AVAM had claimed that the money was donated to the AAP on the midnight of April 15 last year.
Karan Singh and Gopal Goel of AVAM alleged that four donations worth Rs 50 lakh each were remitted to the account of the AAP from four different "dubious companies".
10:51 Mirach calls off Sahara loan deal, returns fees
Engaged in a war of words with Sahara over a failed syndicate loan deal, US-based Mirach today said it has returned the entire due diligence fees of $2.625 million to the Indian group but is willing to make a $2.05 billion offer for full buyout of their three iconic hotels.
Mirach Capital, run by Indian origin businessman Saransh Sharma, who had emerged as a white-knight in Sahara's efforts to secure release of its jailed chief Subrata Roy till its $2.05 billion financing deal got embroiled in an alleged "forged letter" controversy, maintained that the Indian group remains an "unwilling seller".
In a statement, Mirach said it has remitted USD 2.625 million to the Sebi-Sahara Fund, while ending the proposed loan to Sahara Group, which involved transfer of loans taken by Saharas from Bank of China for its three overseas hotels -- The Plaza and Dream Downtown in New York and the Grosvenor House in London -- to a new syndicate of investors.
The Court had given time till February 20 for the Sahara-Mirach deal, but the deal fell apart after Bank of America came out with a disclosure that it was not involved in the deal as was being claimed.
10:49 Sensex rises over 100 points in early trade
The benchmark BSE Sensex rose over 134 points in early trade today on value-buying by investors in selective stocks amidst optimism over the upcoming Budget.
The 30-share index gained 134.85 points, or 0.48 per cent, to 28,490.47 with capital goods, consumer durables, banking, healthcare, power, auto and metal sector stocks, leading the rise.
The index had gained 128.23 points in the previous session.
Also, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty reclaimed the 8,600-mark by rising 47.10 points, 0.55 per cent, to 8,612.65.
Brokers said value-based buying by investors as select shares turned attractive after recent losses and optimism over the upcoming Budget, influenced trading sentiments here.
10:26 Nitish set to parade 130 MLAs backing him in front of President
In a show of strength, Janata Dal United leader Nitish Kumar will parade 130 MLAs who are backing his return as Bihar chief minister in front of President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday.
The move by Nitish, who has been elected as the new JDU Legislature Party Leader in place of Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, came after he questioned the "delay" by Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi in defusing the political crisis.
Sources in the Rashtrapati Bhavan said the President will decide on Wednesday on Nitish's plea to present supporting MLAs before him. Nitish said he was forced to take MLAs to the national capital to present them before Mukherjee as Tripathi had not taken any decision.
"It is more than 24 hours and no decision has come from the Bihar Governor in regard to our claim to form the government. The majority is in our favour and we will inform the President of India about it," Kumar said.
10:24 Kejriwal to start inviting leaders for his swearing-in
So here's how Arvind Kejriwal's day is scheduled to be today:
In his first meeting of the day, Arvind Kejriwal met Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu at Delhi's Nirman Bhawan. The meeting is significant in view of AAP's election promise of housing for all in Delhi.
This afternoon, he is scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh where he is expected to discuss law and order in Delhi. Better security for Delhi's citizens, particularly women, is a key AAP promise.
Kejriwal has sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi where he is likely to invite him for his swearing-in ceremony, planned for the evening of Saturday, February 14. That meeting will happen on Thursday at 10:30am.
09:52 AAP sweep endangers Congress
By now a veteran of successive electoral defeats, the Congress on Tuesday took comfort in the decimation of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Delhi assembly elections, but the repeated demonstration that parties other the Congress can defeat the BJP is bad news for the grand old party.
The inability of the Congress to stem the slide since the 2013 winter round of Assembly elections is frustrating a section of leaders who have been murmuring against the clique that surrounds party vice-president Rahul Gandhi.
Thinking of a non-Gandhi leadership is a total no-no but the Delhi results saw a sporadic burst of slogan-shouting for bringing in "Priyanka [Vadra] to save the Congress."
Read more HERE
09:47 Interpreting the AAP win
The massive victory for the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi does not merely indicate very strong electoral support for the AAP; it indicates the huge faith the people of Delhi have reposed in this new party and its relatively new leader, Arvind Kejriwal.
The man who was labelled as a 'bhagoda', the man who was blamed for running away without delivering what he had promised to the people, has led the party not just to victory but to a stunning victory in Delhi.
Hardly has there been an occasion in Indian politics when a party has registered such a massive victory.
Read more HERE
09:42 IS terror attack foiled in Australia
Australian police on Wednesday said it thwarted an imminent attack linked to the Islamic State after arresting two men from a house in Sydney during anti-terror raids.
The duo, aged 24 and 25, were on Tuesday arrested in a raid carried out by NSW Police and Australian Federal Police at a house in the western Sydney suburb of Fairfield following a tip-off that they were planning an attack.
Police seized a machete, a hunting knife and a flag associated with Islamic state along with a video of a man talking about carrying out an attack.
The accused have been charged with preparing to commit a terrorist act.
NSW Deputy Commissioner Cath Burn said the men appeared to be planning to harm or kill someone by "using one of the items recovered (in the raids), potentially a knife."
Police believed the attack was going to occur on Tuesday.
09:38 Foreign media only sees Modi's defeat in Kejriwal's landslide win
He campaigned like a local leader, handpicked his own chief ministerial candidate for Delhi and made it a personal referendum on his leadership.
Yet Prime Minister Narendra Modi could not halt the Aam Aadmi Party juggernaut in the assembly polls and in the process, lost his first election since his winning streak began with the Gujarat Assembly polls in 2002.
That was how most foreign news organisations chose to report AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal's landslide win in the national capital on Tuesday.
Read more HERE
09:35 Kejriwal to meet President, PM Modi today
A day after registering a historic win in the assembly polls, Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi's next chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will meet President Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday evening.
The AAP on Tuesday scored scored a landslide victory in Delhi, delivering to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) its first defeat since its historic Lok Sabha triumph and reducing the Congress, which ruled the capital for 15 years till 2013, to a virtual nonentity.
In the 70-member Delhi Assembly, the Kejriwal-led political outfit won 67 seats, BJP managed only 3 and the Congress failed to open its account.
09:33 President to take call on meeting Nitish Kumar today
President Pranab Mukherjee will on Wednesday take a call on meeting Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar, who is planning to parade 130 supporting MLAs before him.
Sources in the Rashtrapati Bhavan said the President will decide today on the plea of Kumar who wants to present supporting MLAs before the President to press a point that he has a majority in the Bihar Assembly.
Kumar is in Delhi with 130 supporting MLAs of his party, RJD, Congress, one CPI and an Independent to parade them before the President.
He also questioned the delay by Governor Kesari Nath Tripathi in inviting him to form the government.
He claimed that many of the supporting MLAs have told him that the Manjhi camp was offering JD(U) MLAs ministerial berths and also BJP tickets for the Assembly polls later this year to lure them to their side.
04:07 20,000 foreign fighters flock to Syria, Iraq
Foreign fighters are streaming into Syria and Iraq in unprecedented numbers to join the Islamic State or other extremist groups, including at least 3,400 from Western nations among 20,000 from around the world, US intelligence officials say in an updated estimate of a top terrorism concern.
Intelligence agencies now believe that as many as 150 Americans have tried and some have succeeded in reaching in the Syrian war zone, officials told the House Homeland Security Committee in testimony prepared for delivery on Wednesday.
Some of those Americans were arrested en route, some died in the area and a small number are still fighting with extremists.
03:16 Putin's visit to Egypt nets plan to build nuclear plant
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Egyptian counterpart said on Tuesday that the two countries plan to jointly build Egypt's first nuclear power plant, as well as boost trade relations and investments.
Putin's landmark two-day visit to Cairo, during which he was feted with much pomp and pageantry, came as Russia faces heightened tensions with Washington and the European Union over Moscow's backing of separatists in Ukraine.
03:12 Senator: It's US vs Iran in nuclear talk showdown
Five of the six world powers negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program have stepped back, leaving Washington to hammer out a deal with Tehran, a key US lawmaker said.
"It's evident that these negotiations are really not P5+1 negotiations any more," Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker said as he emerged from a closed-door briefing by Obama administration officials on the status of nuclear talks with Iran.
01:54 French court: $2.1 million in switched baby case
A French court on Tuesday ordered a private clinic in Cannes to pay 400,000 euros ($450,000) each to two 20-year-old girls accidentally switched at birth '" part of a 1.88 million-euro ($2.1 million) settlement with both their families.
The clinic's lawyer, Sophie Chas, said she didn't immediately know whether an appeal would be lodged against Tuesday's decision by the court in Grasse.
01:42 White House says no determination how or when Mueller died
The White House says US intelligence has not been able to determine how or when American Kayla Jean Mueller died while in Islamic State captivity. On Friday, the Islamic State claimed that the 26-year-old aid worker died in a Jordanian airstrike.
But White House spokesman Josh Earnest says there was no evidence that civilians were in the target area ahead of the strike.
01:31 Obama to send his new war powers request to Congress
The White House was ready to share with lawmakers its plan to seek authority for the use of military force against the Islamic State group, setting up the first war vote in Congress in 13 years.
Presidential counsel Neil Eggleston arranged to meet with Senate Democrats as President Barack Obama is preparing to formally unveil his proposed authorization, a Democratic official revealed.
00:43 Newsweek Twitter feed hijacked by pro-IS hacker
Newsweek's Twitter feed was briefly hijacked by hackers who displayed messages supporting the Islamic State group. The feed showed images similar to those from the hacking of the social media feed of the US Central Command last month.
The account showed a picture of a hooded figure and the words "Cyber Caliphate" along with the message "Je Suis IS," a response to the "Je Suis Charlie" messages following the deadly attacks at French weekly Charlie Hebdo.
00:42 Obama talks to Ukraine leader as US weighs lethal aid
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is updating President Barack Obama about a new round of peace talks aimed at securing a cease-fire with pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Obama and Poroshenko spoke by phone on Tuesday, just as Obama is weighing sending lethal defensive assistance to Ukraine's military.
00:18 Ukraine fighting intensifies ahead of peace summit
Intense fighting in Ukraine, including a rocket strike on Kiev's military headquarters in the east, killed at least 23 people on the eve of a four-way peace summit.
As diplomats scrambled to finalise a deal to end the 10-month war, pro-Russia rebels sought to encircle railway hub Debaltseve and Ukrainian forces launched a counter-offensive around the strategic port of Mariupol.
00:17 American hostage Mueller's death confirmed by Obama, family
President Barack Obama and the family of U.S. aid worker Kayla Mueller confirmed on Tuesday that the last-known American hostage held by Islamic State militants had died, with Obama promising to "find and bring to justice the terrorists who are responsible.
"U.S. officials said the family received an email and photograph over the weekend from her captors that confirmed her death but said the circumstances in which she died remained unclear.
00:16 Kayla Mueller's letter from captivity before her death
Kayla Mueller's family have released a letter sent by the IS hostage before her death in what the jihadist group says was a coalition air strike in Syria.
00:15 Top headlines in that last 24 hours
To grab power in Bihar, Nitish flies to Delhi along with 120 MLAs
Kejriwal meets LG, stakes claim to form government
Arvind Kejriwal elected AAP legislature party leader
First break alliance, then attack Modi: BJP charges back at Sena
How Congress is becoming powerless under Rahul
AAP gets 54.3 per cent vote share; BJP's dips by one per cent
Infographic: The rise of the Aam Aadmi Party
Delhi AAP ki: Kejriwal & Co decimate BJP
How Kejriwal rode the anti-Modi vote
The woman behind Kejriwal's success
5 Reasons Why the BJP Got It Wrong In Delhi
Kejriwal meets LG, stakes claim to form government
Arvind Kejriwal elected AAP legislature party leader
First break alliance, then attack Modi: BJP charges back at Sena
How Congress is becoming powerless under Rahul
AAP gets 54.3 per cent vote share; BJP's dips by one per cent
Infographic: The rise of the Aam Aadmi Party
Delhi AAP ki: Kejriwal & Co decimate BJP
How Kejriwal rode the anti-Modi vote
The woman behind Kejriwal's success
5 Reasons Why the BJP Got It Wrong In Delhi
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