Live! Cambodia lodges protest with India over Angkor Wat replica

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Sun, 07 June 2015

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22:24 Cambodia lodges protest with India over Angkor Wat replica

Cambodia has lodged a protest to India over a private trust's plans to build an Angkor Wat replica in Bihar, saying it "seriously violates" the 12th century Hindu temple and a world heritage property which holds exceptional and universal value.

The protest comes after Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation received a report about Patna-based Mahavir Mandir Trust's plans to construct a replica of the largest Hindu temple in the world.

The preparation for the Trust's "dream" project, some 120 kms from Patna, to build the largest Hindu temple for Lord Rama has already been made with a design very similar to the Angkor Wat.

The 'Viraat Ramayan Mandir' will be 2,800 feet in length and 1,400 feet in width and its sanctum sanctoram shall be 405 feet in height, according to details available on the Trust's website.

The site is spread over a sprawling area of 161 acres and the hall will have a seating capacity for 20,000 devotees at a time.

Saudi Arabia's supreme court has upheld a sentence of 10 years in jail and 1,000 lashes against blogger Raif Badawi on charges of insulting Islam, his wife said on Sunday.

The ruling against Badawi, which includes 1,000 lashes, is now final, Saudi newspaper Okaz reported.

The judgement came despite worldwide outrage over his case and criticism from the United Nations, United States, the European Union, Canada and others.

"This is a final decision that is irrevocable," Ensaf Haidar told AFP in a telephone interview from Canada. "This decision has shocked me."

Read full story HERE.

20:28 Iraq regains key city of Baiji from ISIS

Iraqi forces with the support of the U.S. are now in control of Baiji city, military and militia sources told CNN on Sunday.

"Forces have cleansed and are in control completely of government complex, city center, Fatah mosque (main mosque) and surrounding neighborhoods," said Brig. Gen. Tahseen Ibrahim, a spokesman for the Iraqi defense ministry.

He credited the U. S. with "a significant role supporting" Iraqi ground forces in the assault. He did not provide specifics on what kind of support the forces received.

"We can announce that Baiji city is completely liberated and the Iraqi flag was raised over the governor building," said Muhammed al-Eqabi, a spokesman for the Hash al-Shaabi Shia militia.

Read full story HERE.

20:26 PM Modi leaves for India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his 2-day visit to Bangladesh; leaves for India.

Prime Minister Modi begins his speech at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Bengali; gets a heavy round of applause.

"My two-day visit to Bangladesh is coming to an end today. But I feel that in reality my journey has just started," said PM.

"People thought we are near but now people have accepted that we are near as well as together," said Modi.

"World does not need expansionism it needs development," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Dhaka University.

"The LBA pact is no less significant than the fall of the Berlin Wall," says PM Modi.

19:10 Advertising legend Mike Khanna passes away

Mike Khanna one of the legends of the Indian advertising industry has passed away.

Mahinder K. Khanna, or just Mike as he was known, was the doyen of advertising who has steered JWT for over 30 years.

His time had seen the giant sustain itself at its position with some of the biggest clients like Horlicks and Pepsi.

Michael Maedel, worldwide president, JWT, had said of Mike, He is a shining example of one of those rare leaders who has transformed JWT India into one of the finest agency groups worldwide. JWT has been number one in India for 75 years and under Mikes leadership has helped build some of the most trusted brands. It is a testament to his leadership skills that we have such fine talent to take over the reins.

India Meteorological Department is closely monitoring a depression that has developed over the Arabian Sea and is expected to turn into a "deep depression", bringing heavy rains in Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat.

Such a phenomenon affects the progress of monsoon, weather experts said.

IMD is yet to term it as a "cyclonic storm", but Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency, has said that the "depression" has already developed into a "deep depression" and is rapidly gaining strength showing features of a "tropical storm".

"Latest satellite imagery and observations indicate that a depression has formed over east-central Arabian Sea and lay centred at 08:30 hours IST today, June 7, about 690 km southwest of Mumbai, 740 km south-southwest of Veraval (Gujarat) and 1230 km southeast of Masirah Island (Oman).

"It would move north-northwestwards and intensify further into a deep depression during next 24 hours. Strong winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph would prevail along and off Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa coasts during next 48 hours. Sea condition would be rough along and off Maharashtra, Konkan and Goa coasts during the same period," IMD said.

Bihar's ruling JD-U and Lalu Prasad's RJD will contest the state assembly elections in alliance and a 6-member committee will be constituted for seat-sharing talks.

"Today, it has been decided that RJD and JD-U will contest the Bihar polls in alliance," Samajwadi Party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav said after a two-hour meeting between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad.

Emerging from the meeting held in the presence of SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Ram Gopal said a six-member panel will discuss seat-sharing but refused to name its members.

"These cannot be revealed. The two parties will appoint three members each to the panel which will undertake the important task of devising a seat-sharing formula," he said.

Asked about the contentious issue of chief ministership, the SP general secretary said,"There is no dispute. These things will be taken care of later."

Twenty civilians were among at least 45 people killed in Saudi-led air strikes on the rebel-held armed forces headquarters in the Yemeni capital early today, a medic said.

"At least 20 civilians and 25 soldiers and officers were killed" in four raids that hit the headquarters in the Tahrir residential neighbourhood in central Sanaa, the medic said.

The raids hit residential buildings, including five houses that were completely destroyed, witnesses said.

The rebel-controlled Saba news agency said 44 people were killed and more than 100 wounded "including woman and children."

Warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition carried out a string of strikes across Yemen today against positions of the Huthi Shiite rebels and allied forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

With many states banning Maggi over mounting food safety concern, a BJP MLA has sought to blame "new generation mothers" for rise in its sale, saying they have become "lazy" and hence feed their children two-minute noodles.

"I don't know why the mothers have become so lazy (that they feed their kids instant noodles)? Mothers of our generation used to serve homemade food like 'paratha', 'halwa' and 'sivaia' to their children," Usha Thakur, a ruling party MLA from the city had yesterday said while justifying the ban on sale of Maggi noodles.

Thakur's remarks drew sharp reaction from Opposition Congress which said the woman legislator has disrespected mothers.

"The BJP MLA, by dubbing Indian mothers as lazy, has shown disrespect towards them. For this, she must apologise to them," Archana Jaiswal, a senior Congress leader, told PTI today.

"Her statement is laughable and has no basis," said Jaiswal, a former State unit President of Mahila Congress.

Thakur had also said the Government's banning Maggi was a step in the right direction and served public health interest.

"Instant food items like Maggi noodles should be boycotted," the BJP legislator had said.

16:13 'PK' grosses record 100 million yuan in China

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan's "PK" has set a new record grossing 100 million yuan (USD 16.70 million) in China, becoming the first Indian film to touch the three figure mark in the largely restrictive Chinese movie market.

"PK", which is having a dream run in China since its Chinese version was released in on May 22, has hit the hundred million yuan mark today," Prasad Shetty, partner in Chinese firm Strategic Alliance, which promotes Indian films in China, told PTI.

While it is a record for an Indian film, PK's China revenue has surpassed USD 10.6 million earnings in US-Canada, the traditional overseas market for Indian films, he said.

Also "PK" has done better than George Clooney's Hollywood movie "Tomorrowland", which was released around the same time in China, Shetty said.

This means "PK" has crossed a threshold in Chinese market making it even bigger than US-Canada market, which could make the Indian film media take the Chinese market seriously, he said.

15:05 Now, Goa bans sale of Maggi

Goa today joined several other states in banning the sale of Nestle's instant noodle brand 'Maggi' which is at the centre of a raging nationwide row over food safety concerns.

Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar announced the ban keeping in view a similar measure taken by various other states though Maggi samples tested by Goa's health regulator did not find any harmful contents in them.

"Since Maggi has been already banned across the country, we have decided not to take a chance and ban it in Goa," he told reporters in Mapusa town near here.

"Though the results of Maggi samples tested in state-run Food and Drugs Administration's (FDA) laboratory did not show presence of any harmful contents, the State Government has decided to ban sale of Maggi here," he said.

Mortal remains of sepoy Manjit Singh, who was killed in an ambush in Manipur, were consigned to flames today with full military and state honours at his native village Akhwana.

Wrapped in Tricolour, the martyr's body was brought to the cremation ground in an army vehicle by officers and jawans of Dogra Regiment.

Manjit's brother Sandeep Singh lit the pyre and performed the last rites.

People from all walks of life attended the cremation and paid tribute to the martyr.

Major General Dinesh Agnihotri, MLAs Ashwani Kumar, Seema Devi and Dinesh Babbu and other senior officers of the army and district administration were present during the cremation.

The MLAs assured the bereaved family all type of assistance on behalf of Punjab Government.

26-year-old Manjit Singh was among 18 army personnel who were killed in an ambush in Manipur's Chandel district on June 4.

The Kolkata-Agartala bus service via Dhaka reached Agartala last midnight amid warm welcome from people of Tripura.

Senior state officials received the bus at the Indo-Bangla border of Tripura.

People waved at the bus as it passed through different areas and halted at the state capital terminus.

"This has been made possible by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," one of those present at the site, said.

Marking Modi's maiden visit to Bangladesh, two bus services connecting key cities in the two countries were flagged off yesterday in Dhaka by the three dignitaries to boost connectivity and enhance people-to-people contact.

Good Samaritans saving lives of road accident victims need not fear harassment by police or hospital authorities, while lack of response by a doctor in such cases would be construed as professional misconduct.

This good 'Samaritan; guidelines form part of a notification by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry and assume significance as India accounts for five lakh road accidents annually with 1.5 lakh deaths.

Not only a bystander or good Samaritan, including an eyewitness of a road accident taking an injured to a nearest hospital should be allowed to leave immediately, but they "shall be suitably rewarded or compensated to encourage other citizens to come forward to help the road accident victims by the authorities in the manner as may be specified by state governments," the notification said.

Hamas should no longer be classified as a terrorist organisation in the eyes of Egyptian authorities, an appeals court ruled Saturday, overturning a decision made months earlier about the Palestinian Islamist group.

The appeals court in Cairo threw out the February 28 decision by a lower court because it "lacked jurisdiction to issue the ... ruling," the state-run Ahram Online news outlet reported.

This development could be significant given the makeup of Egypt's current government -- which took over after the military ousted Muslim Brotherhood leader-turned-president Mohammed Morsy -- and Hamas' prominent, controversial place in the Middle East, including its control of the Palestinian territory of Gaza.

Hamas evolved from the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, having formed in 1987 with a goal of establishing an Islamic state in place of Israel, according to the US National Counterterrorism Center.

Controversial BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj today declared the Ram temple at Ayodhya will be built under the Centre's BJP government, which has "four more years to go", drawing sharp criticism from opposition Congress.

"If Ram temple is not built under BJP rule, will it be constructed under a Congress dispensation? Will (SP chief) Mulayam or (BSP leader) Mayawati build it?

"It is certain that Ram Mandir will be constructed under the BJP rule. If it is not built today, it will be built tomorrow or the day after. We have completed just one year in power, four more years are to go," he said.

Sakshi Maharaj's assertions came even as a top VHP leader said that Modi government has come to power not only for ushering in development but also to deliver on the core saffron agenda, including building a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya.

Justifying the ban on Maggi, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Indore in Madhya Pradesh Usha Thakur said mothers across the country have gone lazy and that's why they feed their children instant noodles.

The remarks came as the Nestle India's product has been banned in 13 states after it allegedly violated food safety standards.

Usha Thakur said, "I think it is required to ban Maggi. The new generation mothers are lazy, hence feed their children Maggi."

The regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, meanwhile, said it will test samples of instant noodles across brands to ensure food safety.

PM Narendra Modi receives Liberation Award of War Honor on behalf of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the Bangabhaban.

"It is a matter of great fortune for all Indians that a great leader like Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee is being feted with the Liberation Award. When Bangladesh was fighting for its independence millions of Indians were fighting alongside them to give form to their dreams. I thank Bangladesh for recognising the work and fortitude of Atal Bihari Vajpayee," said Modi.

The prime minister added that were he in better health Vajpayee would have received the award himself.

China today held a mourning ceremony for the victims of its worst shipping disaster in 70 years after the death toll in the cruise ship that capsized in the mighty Yangtze river jumped to 431.

Only 14 people have been found alive, while another 11 people remain missing, according to the rescue headquarters in Jianli, central China's Hubei Province.

The solemn ceremony was held in remembrance of those who died and were still missing after the 2,200-tonne Eastern Star cruise ship carrying 456 people on an 11-day trip capsized on June 1 in the Yangtze River in a storm.

Ship horns wailed as hundreds of people stood at the accident site and observed a three-minute silence after the ship was lifted with the help of the huge cranes.

Over 1,400 relatives of the deceased passengers joined the mourning for their dear ones at the event attended by China's transport minister Yang Chuantang.

12:23 Naga militants open fire at Assam Rifles

Suspected Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland militants opened fire at Assam Rifles camp in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh today.

"There are no casualties," said Tirap district SP Ajit Kumar Singla.

11:58 Mild tremor felt in Nepal

A mild tremor was felt in Kathmandu Valley and other districts of Nepal this morning as life is limping back to normal in the quake-hit country.

A 4.6-magnitude tremor was recorded at 11.02 am with epicentre at Sindhupalchowk district, according to National Seismological Centre.

With this, a total number of 301 aftershocks with 4 and more magnitude have been recorded after the April 25 earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people and displaced thousands others.

Doordarshan will be launching a weekly news programme in Sanskrit on June 28, coinciding with the World Sanskrit Conference starting in Bangkok the same day.

"DDNews will launch half hour News Mag in Sanskrit from June 28, Sunday, 12 noon to coincide with World Sanskrit Confn, Bangkok starting that day," Prasar Bharti Chairman A Surya Prakash said on Twitter.

The 16th World Sanskrit Conference is being organised in Bangkok from June 28 to July 2. Union Ministers Sushma Swaraj and Smriti Irani are expected to attend the event.

Officials say there have been demands from a section of viewers for a news programme in Sanskrit and DD News being the public broadcaster, wants to cater to this demand and will be launching the programme in order to attract a niche audience.

The channel already has a five minute Sanskrit news bulletin -- 'Varta' -- which is telecast at 6.55 pm everyday.

However, it was felt that five minutes was not adequate and hence this half an and hour programme for weekends will be launched.

11:49 Lalu refuses comment on Nitish-Rahul meeting

Lalu Prasad Yadav refuses to comment on the Nitish and Rahul meeting.

The Bihar CM and the Congress vice president met today and are expected to talk about mounting an alliance against the Narendra Modi-led NDA government in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections.

The US Air Force has destroyed an Isis stronghold after an extremist let slip their location on social media.

According the Air Force Times, General Herbert Hawk Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, said that Airmen at Hulburt Field, Florida, used images shared by jihadists to track the location of their headquarters before destroying it in an airstrike.

Gen Carlisle told the Air Force Association: The [airmen are] combing through social media and they see some moron standing at this command.

So they do some work, long story short, about 22 hours later through that very building, three JDAMS (Joint Direct Attack Munitions) take that entire building out... Bombs on target in 22 hours.

11:42 Nitish Kumar reaches Rahul Gandhi's residence

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has reached the Delhi residence of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.

The meeting takes place in the backdrop of alliance talks for the upcoming Bihar assembly polls.

The two leaders are expected to talk about mounting an oppostion against the Narendra Modi-led NDA government on various issues.

11:19 PM Modi visits Dhakeshwari temple in B'desh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today offered prayers at the famous 12th century Dhakeshwari national temple, the most revered place for Hindu community in Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister spent around 15 minutes at the temple, which is considered an essential part of Dhaka's cultural heritage and one of the major 'Shaktipeeths' of the region.

The name "Dhakeshwari" means "Goddess of Dhaka" and experts said the Bangladesh capital derived its name from Dhakeshwari.

Since the destruction of Ramna Kali Mandir in 1971 by the Pakistan army during the Bangla Liberation War, the Dhakeshwari temple has assumed status as the most important Hindu place of worship in Bangladesh.

Members of the temple authorities felt Modi's visit to Dhakeshwari signified a message of solidarity to the Hindu community.

Modi was felicitated by the priests and authorities of the temple. He was given a replica of Goddess Dhakeshwari and a shawl besides other memorabilia.

A number of people here said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visits the temple once every year.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had visited the temple when she came here in June last year.

The Dhakeshwari temple was built in the 12th century by Ballal Sen, a King of Sena dynasty.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was treated to a lavish vegetarian spread at a state banquet here hosted by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday.

The banquet at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel where Modi is staying was also attended by senior ministers of Hasina's cabinet and top Indian and Bangladesh diplomats.

Vegetable Shammi Kebab, Paneer Butter Masala, Dal Tadka and Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani were laid out for Modi, who is a vegetarian.

Potol Dolna, a Bengali speciality, Khichdi and Green mango chutney were also served at the banquet.

The menu included Khaman Dhokla, seasonal mixed salad. The dessert included Rasgulla mixed with exotic fruits.

The banquet was also attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Banerjee had delayed her return from Dhaka to Kolkata by a few more hours to attend the banquet following a request by Hasina.

00:14 Car bomb blast kills 14 people in Iraq

Authorities in Iraq say a car bomb attack near a market has killed 14 people in a town northeast of Baghdad.

Police officials say the attack took place tonight in the Shiite town of Balad Ruz, killing 14 people and wounding 37 others.

Balad Ruz is 70 kilometers (45 miles) northeast of Baghdad. Several shops and cars were damaged in the attack.

Police sealed off the blast area.

Medics in a nearby hospital confirmed the death toll. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to journalists.

Nobody claimed responsibility, but the Islamic State group, which controls large swaths of the country, frequently claims attacks targeting security forces and Shiite Muslims who the IS group deems heretics.

Russian scientists staged a rare anti-government demonstration today, amid fears that after cracking down on the media, rights activists and the opposition, the Kremlin is now training its sights on science.

Several thousand protesters including scientists and intellectuals took to the streets of Moscow to express fears that scientific research in Russia faces dire prospects due to stifling bureaucracy and mismanagement.

Prominent opposition figures including top activist Alexei Navalny joined the rally.

"Authorities are strangling science" and "Nobel laureates are foreign agents" read some of the placards held by protesters.

"Putin cannot solve problems, he is the problem," read another sign.

Astrophysicist Boris Shtern told the rally: "Alas, science is slowly dying. The massive advance of ignorance is being supported by the media and authorities."

Authorities in Germany say 33 people have been hurt after lightning struck a rock festival in western Germany overnight.

The Rock am Ring festival in the town of Mendig was hit by two lightning strikes early today.

Police and organizers said eight people from production teams were injured when the first strike hit the backstage area around 1 am (2300 GMT).

Organizers later halted concerts and offered visitors shelter in large, lightning-proof tents. A little before 4 am, lightning hit the festival's camping area and another 25 people were injured.

Police say all of those injured have been taken to hospitals for observation and are in good health. None suffered a direct hit by lightning. The festival is going ahead as planned.

00:12 Top headlines at this hour

Williams claims 20th Grand Slam with French Open win

7 dead, 18 injured in fire at Mumbai high-rise

Modi, Hasina and Mamata flag off new bus services

One Rank One Pension: Talks fail; military veterans to go on hunger strike

Telugu actress Aarthi Aggarwal dies

Normalcy returning to protest-hit Jammu, army withdrawn

Where are the jobs Modi promised; he's busy doing yoga: Rahul

Goa minister's shocker! 'Small' rape incidents occur where tourism flourishes

India and Bangladesh renew hope in ties

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