LIVE
Thu, 11 June 2015
Live! Iraq forces battle ISIS, extra US troops heading to Anbar
Timeline Refresh
23:30 Iraq forces battle ISIS, extra US troops heading to Anbar
Iraqi forces battled jihadis on several fronts Thursday and were poised to receive the help of 450 extra U.S. troops slated for deployment near Ramadi.
Washington's decision to send more advisers and trainers to Iraq failed however to silence critics who say the White House lacks a strategy to combat ISIS.
A year after a jihadi-led offensive saw the government lose control over swathes of Iraq, military operations to weaken ISIS were experiencing mixed fortunes.
The autonomous Kurdistan region's peshmerga forces pushed south and west of Kirkuk on the back of intensive bombing by Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition warplanes, security officials said.
One of the targets was a bomb-making workshop ISIS had set up after their main car bomb factory in nearby Hawijah was completely levelled in a coalition airstrike last week, one official said.
Read full story HERE.
23:07 Ornette Coleman, Jazz Legend, Dead at 85
Alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman, one of the most innovative composers and performers in jazz history, died Thursday morning in Manhattan at age 85. A representative for the musician's family cited the cause of death as cardiac arrest, The New York Times reports.
Coleman's influence on jazz music is massive. The saxophonist stirred up the jazz scene starting in the late Fifties, setting aside traditional harmonic and rhythmic rules in favor of an avant-garde approach filled with unorthodox solos and musical structures.
Read full story HERE.
22:33 New Ramadhan rules to help Nordic Muslims in midnight sun
Muslims in the Nordic region can expect new guidelines for coping with a sun that never sets ahead of the holy fasting month of Ramadhan, a Swedish Muslim association said Thursday.
Ramadan begins on June 18 this year -- three days before the longest day of the year -- when the sun blazes around the clock above the Arctic Circle and only sets for a few hours further south, presenting a problem for Muslims who are meant to fast until sunset.
"We've got two difficult questions, not just when you can break the fast in the north but also when you should start fasting," Mohammed Kharraki, a spokesman for Sweden's Islamic Association, told AFP.
"You're supposed to start fasting before the sun rises, at dawn. But there is no real dawn in the summer months in Stockholm."
In previous years Muslims in sub-Arctic towns like Kiruna were advised to break their fast at the same time as people in the south but a meeting of Swedish and European imams in northern Sweden this week recommended a new approach.
Read full story HERE.
22:11 Arnab Goswami to be Editor-in-Chief of ET Now too
Arnab Goswami has been elevated as President-News and Editor-in-Chief of both Times Now and ET Now, the Times Network today said it.
Goswami was earlier the Editor in Chief of Times Now news channel. "As a result, in addition to his role in Times Now, Goswami will lead the editorial team of ET Now with immediate effect," a Times Network statement said.
21:22 Iran nuclear talks: Israel denies bugging venues
Israel has denied it bugged talks on Iran's nuclear programme, after a security company said a computer virus hacked the venues of the negotiations.
The Russian firm Kaspersky Lab said the hacking at three European hotels was so sophisticated, it must have been created by a government.
World powers and Iran have been holding talks on the fate of Iran's nuclear programme ahead of a 30 June deadline.
20:51 US health regulator to test Nestle's India-made Maggi noodles
After being banned in India on health concerns, Maggi noodles manufactured by Swiss giant Nestle in India has come come under the scanner of the US Food and Drug Administration, which has taken samples of the instant food brand for testing.
Besides selling in India, Nestle India also exports Maggi noodles to the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore and Kenya, as per the global website of the Swiss multinational giant.
20:41 Manjhi to join hands with BJP for Bihar polls
The Bihar polls are going to be a fierce competition. Former Bihar chief minister and leader of Hindustani Awam Morcha Jitan Ram Manjhi announced that his party will join hands with the BJP for the upcoming elections. When asked about seat sharing between the two parties, Manjhi said, "We shall fight the polls together. No decision has been taken about the seats."
Earlier in the day, Manjhi had fuelled alliance rumours when he met BJP president Amit Shah at the latter's residence.
20:23 Rupert Murdoch plans to step down as 21st Century Fox CEO
Rupert Murdoch, one of the world's most influential media executives, is planning to step down as CEO of 21st Century Fox, a source said.
Murdoch, 84, is expected to hand over the media empire's reins to his son James, but he will remain executive chairman.
20:10 Not in race for Bihar CM: Ravi Shankar Prasad
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said he was not in the race for Bihar chief minister and asserted that it is not necessary for BJP to have somebody nominated before the polls. "I am nowhere in this race. I neither wish to be Chief Minister of the state nor have any interest in it," Prasad said
19:45 Andhra governor to meet Jaitley over cash for vote scam
Governor of Andhra Pradesh ESL Narasimhan will meet Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today at 8 pm in the North Block. The meet comes after the PM asked the governor to apprise Jaitley on the cash for vote scam, involving Chandrababu Naidu. On Wednesday, Naidu had met Modi to explain to the PM about the phone tapping.
19:15 When Yechurys question stumped the government
Sitaram Yechury created a flutter at a parliament committee meeting when he questioned the safety at our Indian borders. He asked how the security forces had not anticipated or considered the Manipur ambush. On June 4, 18 Indian Army personnel were killed when Naga insurgents attacked a convoy. Yechury's questions stumped the government, leaving them with no answer.
19:01
JUST IN: The Anti-Corruption Bureau has registered an FIR against formerMaharashtra minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal in the Maharashtra Sadan scam.
18:45 Rahul tweets condolences over farmer's suicide... 24 hours later
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi wakes up to the suicide of Punjab farmer Surjit Singh, a day on. @OfficeOfRG tweets: "Extremely sad to hear of the death of Sardar Surjit Singh who I met when I visited Punjab. My deepest condolences to his family. Farmers in our country are in deep distress. I urge the Modi-Badal Govt to take action & not continue to ignore their plight."
The farmer, who Rahul met on April 28, asked him to raise the farmers' issue in the Lok Sabha. Yesterday, burdened by mounting debts and two failed crops, Singh reportedly committed suicide.
The farmer, who Rahul met on April 28, asked him to raise the farmers' issue in the Lok Sabha. Yesterday, burdened by mounting debts and two failed crops, Singh reportedly committed suicide.
18:24
Former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi reaches Amit Shah's residence.
18:24 Centre to give interest-free loans to farmers: Paswan
The Centre has decided to raise Rs 6,000 crore to provide interest-free loans to farmers so that they do not have to go to moneylenders and fall into debt traps, Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan today said.
Under the proposed farm loan disbursal mechanism, the farmers will get loan without paying interest which will be borne by the central government, the Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister said in Patna today.
Paswan was addressing a press conference to showcase the NDA government's achievements in its one year in office. Defending the controversial Land Acquisition Bill, he said the proposed legislation was a boon for the people.
Under the proposed farm loan disbursal mechanism, the farmers will get loan without paying interest which will be borne by the central government, the Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister said in Patna today.
Paswan was addressing a press conference to showcase the NDA government's achievements in its one year in office. Defending the controversial Land Acquisition Bill, he said the proposed legislation was a boon for the people.
18:21 Jung appoints PP for Tomar case
Lt Governor Najeeb Jung has appointed a special public prosecutor to represent the Delhi police in the alleged fake degree case involving former law minister and AAP leader Jitender Singh Tomar, a court was told today.
17:37 Lee was most proud of his role as Jinnah
The Telegraph's obit on Sir Christopher Lee: "It was the 1958 film Dracula Has Risen From The Grave that made him a star. He played Count Dracula opposite Sir Peter Cushing as Van Helsing. He and Cushing remained the closest of friends until the latter's death in 1994. More Dracula films followed in 1960s for the Hammer studio, but the actor was keen to move on. In a 2011 interview with the Telegraph, he said: "Please don't describe me as a 'horror legend'. I moved on from that.
"The film of which he was most proud was Jinnah, in which he played the founder of Pakistan. It is certainly the most important role I have ever played, because the responsibility on my shoulders was immense, he explained."
"The film of which he was most proud was Jinnah, in which he played the founder of Pakistan. It is certainly the most important role I have ever played, because the responsibility on my shoulders was immense, he explained."
17:18 Legendary actor Christopher Lee passes away at 93
Just in: Sir Christopher Lee, the actor who immortalized Bram Stoker's Count Dracula, dies at 93. The screen legend also starred in Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. He died in hospital after suffering respiratory problems.
17:06
Singer Mika held for assault, gets bail.
17:01 The Hindu pulls back Veerappa Moily column for plagiarism
The Hindu newspaper has officially withdrawn the article 'From welfare to paternalism' by Congress Member of Parliament Dr Veerappa Moily published in the newspaper today, from the online edition as it is investigating charges of plagiarism against him. The article talks about the cutting down of social spending by the Indian government.
Under the sub-heading Welfare to paternalism, several paragraphs have been directly lifted from another op-ed article written by G Sampath published on May 26, ironically, in The Hindu itself. This is not the only instance, other sentences too seems to have been lifted. Read more here.
Under the sub-heading Welfare to paternalism, several paragraphs have been directly lifted from another op-ed article written by G Sampath published on May 26, ironically, in The Hindu itself. This is not the only instance, other sentences too seems to have been lifted. Read more here.
16:44 CBE for Benedict Cumberbatch
Actor Benedict Cumberbatch will reportedly receive 'Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire' (CBE) honour during the Queen's birthday honours.
The "Sherlock" actor will be given the honour, which is one rank below a knighthood, for his services to drama despite being just 38-year-old, reported Metro.
"Benedict is clearly very talented but a CBE is normally for those coming towards the end of their careers," a source said. The "Imitation Game" star, who missed out on the best actor Oscar to fellow British star Eddie Redmayne, learned of the nomination weeks ago and has already agreed to accept it. The awards will be officially announced on Friday night.
The "Sherlock" actor will be given the honour, which is one rank below a knighthood, for his services to drama despite being just 38-year-old, reported Metro.
"Benedict is clearly very talented but a CBE is normally for those coming towards the end of their careers," a source said. The "Imitation Game" star, who missed out on the best actor Oscar to fellow British star Eddie Redmayne, learned of the nomination weeks ago and has already agreed to accept it. The awards will be officially announced on Friday night.
16:35 Kolkata's house of horrors reveals three skeletons
Three skeletons were today recovered from a flat in the southern part of Kolkata during a search operation after a fire in which the owner died of burns. Three skeletons allegedly that of a woman, resident of the flat on Robinson Street under Shakespeare Sarani police station and two pet dogs were recovered this morning during the search, a police officer said.
The operation was initiated this morning after last night's fire in which the owner had died of burns, the officer said. Fire fighters had recovered the owner's almost "charred body" and he was declared dead when taken to a local hospital, the police said. The skeletons have been sent to the forensic laboratory. No arrests have been been made in this connection.
The operation was initiated this morning after last night's fire in which the owner had died of burns, the officer said. Fire fighters had recovered the owner's almost "charred body" and he was declared dead when taken to a local hospital, the police said. The skeletons have been sent to the forensic laboratory. No arrests have been been made in this connection.
16:26 Muslims can take Allah's name in place of shlokas: Minister
After dropping 'surya namaskar' from the official yoga programme to "avoid controversy", the government today said chanting 'shlokas' during 'International Yoga Day' was not "compulsory" and appealed to Muslims to participate in the event. Shripad Naik, Minister for AYUSH, the coordinating ministry for the event at Rajpath on June 21, said Muslims can "take the name of Allah instead of reciting 'shlokas'" during the event.
While some minority groups have objected to the holding of the event by government, especially inclusion of Surya namskar, representatives of some Muslim organisations who met Naik today said those opposing yoga were "enemies of humanity" and yoga has nothing to do with religion.
While some minority groups have objected to the holding of the event by government, especially inclusion of Surya namskar, representatives of some Muslim organisations who met Naik today said those opposing yoga were "enemies of humanity" and yoga has nothing to do with religion.
16:06 Singer Mika Singh arrested for assaulting doctor
Just in: Singer Mika Singh has been arrested for assaulting a doctor during a live performance in April 2015. The singer was taken to the Indrapuri police station in Delhi, but is likely to released soon since it is a bailable offence.
TV reports say that the incident happened during the Mika Singh Live-in-concert which was coordinated by the Delhi Ophthalmological Society as a part of the three-day conference.
The doctor who was assaulted, apparently kept coming on to where the women were dancing and was creating a nuisance of himself. Mika told the police he had warned the doctor not to do so, but his advice went unheeded. Mika then called the doctor on to the stage and slapped him hard.
The doctors association IMA has asked for a boycott on the singer and demanded his arrest.
This is not the first time Mika was arrested. In February 2013, Mika was arrested at the international airport in Mumbai for allegedly carrying Indian and foreign currency beyond permissible limit, customs officials said. During checking, he was found in possession of $12,000 and Rs 3 lakh in cash.
TV reports say that the incident happened during the Mika Singh Live-in-concert which was coordinated by the Delhi Ophthalmological Society as a part of the three-day conference.
The doctor who was assaulted, apparently kept coming on to where the women were dancing and was creating a nuisance of himself. Mika told the police he had warned the doctor not to do so, but his advice went unheeded. Mika then called the doctor on to the stage and slapped him hard.
The doctors association IMA has asked for a boycott on the singer and demanded his arrest.
This is not the first time Mika was arrested. In February 2013, Mika was arrested at the international airport in Mumbai for allegedly carrying Indian and foreign currency beyond permissible limit, customs officials said. During checking, he was found in possession of $12,000 and Rs 3 lakh in cash.
15:40 Oscar nominated actor who played Fagin dies
Actor Ron Moody, who played Fagin in the hit film version of Oliver!, has died aged 91, reports the BBC. The British character actor was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe for his performance in the 1968 Charles Dickens adaptation.
15:20 A desperate thirst
Reuters photographer Soe Zeya Tun captures the plight of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants who were rescued off Myanmar's southern coast last week from a boat carrying 734 people through these moving images. Months have gone by with little water and food for them. Everyone was dirty and had likely washed little while at sea. And then the sky opened up. Take a look.
15:11 Pak senate passes resolution condemning India's 'hostile' statements
The Pakistan Senate today unanimously passed a resolution condemning
the "provocative and hostile" statements from prominent Indian
leaders against Pakistan.
The resolution said such attempts by India are unacceptable and Pakistan rejects this ongoing hegemonic mindset. The resolution emphasized that Pakistan will never allow its territory to be violated by India under any pretext.
The political leaders in Senate stated that Pakistani armed forces are fully capable to give a befitting response to any incursion and Pakistan people stand shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces.
The resolution said such attempts by India are unacceptable and Pakistan rejects this ongoing hegemonic mindset. The resolution emphasized that Pakistan will never allow its territory to be violated by India under any pretext.
The political leaders in Senate stated that Pakistani armed forces are fully capable to give a befitting response to any incursion and Pakistan people stand shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces.
Participants urged the international community to take note of such anti statements which negatively impact on the prospects of regional peace, sovereignty and stability.
15:07
Govt sounds high security alert across North-East after reports that NSCN-K militants have entered India for revenge attack.
14:32
Bombay High Court decides to hear tomorrow Nestle's plea over FSSAI's ban on Maggi noodles.
14:22 Shakuntala Gamlin removed as Secretary (Industries)
Alright then, we've come a full circle. Shakuntala Gamlin has been removed from the post of Secretary (Industries).
The turf war between AAP and Lt Governor Najeeb Jung began with the appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary last month and escalated with the Delhi government saying that the BJP was attempting to carry out a "coup' against it through Najeeb Jung.
The turf war between AAP and Lt Governor Najeeb Jung began with the appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary last month and escalated with the Delhi government saying that the BJP was attempting to carry out a "coup' against it through Najeeb Jung.
14:11
Somnath Bharti's mother on allegations of domestic violence against her son, "I want to see my son and his family happy."
13:53 Day after India's chest-thumping over Myanmar, Pak violates ceasefire in LoC
Just in: Pakistan resorts to unprovoked firing across the Line of Control at Sawjian sector in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, since 9:15 am today. No causalities or damages reported. Pak troops fire using small arms and automatic weapons, and early reports say, India responds to firing with equal caliber fire.
In February, the army foiled an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control, while there had been unprovoked firing on BSF positions from across the international border.
In February, the army foiled an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control, while there had been unprovoked firing on BSF positions from across the international border.
13:19 In police custody at undisclosed location Jitender Tomar grilled again
Former Delhi Law Minister Jitender Singh Tomar was today grilled in Faizabad for the second day in the fake degree case with Delhi police trying to gather evidence on the veracity of his documents.
The AAP leader, who was arrested on Tuesday and remanded in four-day police custody, was taken to the Saket Degree College in Faizabad where documents were being examined, police said.
Tomar, who was brought to Faizabad yesterday, was kept at an undisclosed location during the night.
Earlier, it was reported that he was being taken to Munger in Bihar for verification of his degrees after initial interrogation in Faizabad yesterday.
The RML Awadh University, from where he claimed to have graduated, yesterday denied having any such record. A Delhi Police team had examined documents at the Awadh University Registrar's office and taken them in a sealed cover.
Stating its willingness to cooperate with the ongoing probe into the case, the university stood by its earlier stand, saying Tomar's BSc degree was a forged one. "One Pradeep Kumar had filed an RTI asking for verification of a set of documents related to Tomar's mark sheets and degree. The university had replied on January 22 saying it had nothing of that sort in its records. We stand by our previous stand," its media in-charge S N Shukla said.
He was replying to a question on Tomar's B.Sc degree. Tomar had also claimed to have completed his LLB degree from VNSL Studies, a law college affiliated to Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University of Bihar.
On the way to Faizabad, Tomar had yesterday maintained that the allegations against him were false and accused the Centre of a "conspiracy".
Tomar, who quit as Delhi Law Minister after his arrest yesterday, claimed that his degrees were "genuine". 49-year-old Tomar, MLA from Delhi's Trinagar constituency and a first-time minister, was remanded in four-day police custody by a Delhi court on Tuesday.
The AAP leader, who was arrested on Tuesday and remanded in four-day police custody, was taken to the Saket Degree College in Faizabad where documents were being examined, police said.
Tomar, who was brought to Faizabad yesterday, was kept at an undisclosed location during the night.
Earlier, it was reported that he was being taken to Munger in Bihar for verification of his degrees after initial interrogation in Faizabad yesterday.
The RML Awadh University, from where he claimed to have graduated, yesterday denied having any such record. A Delhi Police team had examined documents at the Awadh University Registrar's office and taken them in a sealed cover.
Stating its willingness to cooperate with the ongoing probe into the case, the university stood by its earlier stand, saying Tomar's BSc degree was a forged one. "One Pradeep Kumar had filed an RTI asking for verification of a set of documents related to Tomar's mark sheets and degree. The university had replied on January 22 saying it had nothing of that sort in its records. We stand by our previous stand," its media in-charge S N Shukla said.
He was replying to a question on Tomar's B.Sc degree. Tomar had also claimed to have completed his LLB degree from VNSL Studies, a law college affiliated to Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University of Bihar.
On the way to Faizabad, Tomar had yesterday maintained that the allegations against him were false and accused the Centre of a "conspiracy".
Tomar, who quit as Delhi Law Minister after his arrest yesterday, claimed that his degrees were "genuine". 49-year-old Tomar, MLA from Delhi's Trinagar constituency and a first-time minister, was remanded in four-day police custody by a Delhi court on Tuesday.
13:01 US court to hear arguments against Sonia in 1984 riots case in August
A US appeals court will hear oral arguments in August in a lawsuit against Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.
The lawsuit brought by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) alleges that Gandhi shielded and protected the perpetrators of the anti-Sikh riots that followed the assassination of former Prime Indian Minister Indira Gandhi.
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals will hear the oral arguments on August 18 on several issues including whether the rights group has associational standing to file the lawsuit.
In June 2014, a federal judge had dismissed the lawsuit against Gandhi ruling that SFJ has no standing to bring the lawsuit and that Gandhi is not liable under the Torture Victims Protection Act (TVPA) for the allegations leveled against her in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit brought by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) alleges that Gandhi shielded and protected the perpetrators of the anti-Sikh riots that followed the assassination of former Prime Indian Minister Indira Gandhi.
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals will hear the oral arguments on August 18 on several issues including whether the rights group has associational standing to file the lawsuit.
In June 2014, a federal judge had dismissed the lawsuit against Gandhi ruling that SFJ has no standing to bring the lawsuit and that Gandhi is not liable under the Torture Victims Protection Act (TVPA) for the allegations leveled against her in the lawsuit.
12:50
Somnath Bharti's wife has been provided with police security because she was feeling apprehensive, says Delhi CP, BS Bassi.
12:31 PM hands over 'Bangladesh Liberation War Honour' award to Vajpayee
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Thursday to hand over the Bangladesh Liberation War Honour.
During the PM's visit over the weekend, Bangladesh conferred its prestigious liberation war honour on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his "active role' in its independence struggle and consolidating friendship with India.
PM Modi had received the honour on Vajpayee's behalf. President Abdul Hamid handed over the Bangladesh Liberation War Honour to PM Modi at a glittering ceremony at Bangabhaban.
During the PM's visit over the weekend, Bangladesh conferred its prestigious liberation war honour on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his "active role' in its independence struggle and consolidating friendship with India.
PM Modi had received the honour on Vajpayee's behalf. President Abdul Hamid handed over the Bangladesh Liberation War Honour to PM Modi at a glittering ceremony at Bangabhaban.
12:25
Nestle India approaches the Bombay High Court against food safety regulator FSSAI's ban on Maggi noodles. Nestle India has sought a judicial review of order dated 5th June, 2015 passed by FSSAI and order dated 6th June, 2015 by FDA, Maharashtra.
12:10
Just in: Nestle India approaches the Bombay High Court against food safety regulator FSSAI's ban of Maggi noodles.
12:02 Rajnath, Parrikar, Doval in closed-door meeting
Just in: Meeting at the home ministry on right now, chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and NSA Ajit Doval in attendance.
A day after the Indian Army's retaliatory strike against insurgents believed to be behind the Manipur ambush, India and Myanmar are differing in their stand on where the operation exactly happened. While Myanmar claims that Indian soldiers did not cross into its territory, India continues to insist that the terror camps which were destroyed in the operation were in Myanmar.
Parrikar said on Thursday morning that the Indian Army's operation to neutralise two camps of militants on Tuesday has led to a "change in mindset."
A day after the Indian Army's retaliatory strike against insurgents believed to be behind the Manipur ambush, India and Myanmar are differing in their stand on where the operation exactly happened. While Myanmar claims that Indian soldiers did not cross into its territory, India continues to insist that the terror camps which were destroyed in the operation were in Myanmar.
Parrikar said on Thursday morning that the Indian Army's operation to neutralise two camps of militants on Tuesday has led to a "change in mindset."
11:40 Jitender Tomar denied bail, remains in police custody till June 16
Delhi Law minister fake degree case: The Delhi Sessions Court rejects Jitender Tomar's bail plea hearing. The bail plea will now be heard on June 16. The former Delhi law minister moved a Delhi court against his arrest. Tomar resigned on Tuesday night as law minister of the Delhi government for allegedly faking a law degree.
Police today took Tomar to Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh yesterday as part of the investigation into the allegation that he forged his graduation and law degrees. He was taken by train from the capital around midnight to Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow and from there by road to Faizabad last morning. The police said they needed to take him there for a spot verification and questioning.
Tomar has emphatically denied the accusations. "My degree is absolutely genuine. It is a conspiracy by the BJP and the central government. Yes, they are not letting the AAP government work," he told reporters yesterday.
Tomar sent his resignation to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after a Delhi court sent him to four days in police custody on Tuesday night, saying he was resigning because he did not want the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's image to be tarnished.
Police today took Tomar to Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh yesterday as part of the investigation into the allegation that he forged his graduation and law degrees. He was taken by train from the capital around midnight to Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow and from there by road to Faizabad last morning. The police said they needed to take him there for a spot verification and questioning.
Tomar has emphatically denied the accusations. "My degree is absolutely genuine. It is a conspiracy by the BJP and the central government. Yes, they are not letting the AAP government work," he told reporters yesterday.
Tomar sent his resignation to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after a Delhi court sent him to four days in police custody on Tuesday night, saying he was resigning because he did not want the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's image to be tarnished.
11:30 The battle for Delhi
After months of sparring by means of official notifications, rounds of litigation, and orders of transfer and dismissal of various officers, the seemingly endless battle for the control of Delhi between the Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP-led Central government has taken an ugly turn with the extraordinary arrest of Jitender Singh Tomar. Read more
11:25 Parrikar to Pak: Those who fear India's new posture are reacting
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar reacts to Pakistan's warning to India over the Myanmar operation. Parrikar said today that those who fear India's new posture have started reacting.
On Myanmar's statement that operation was carried out outside the country, India has continued to assert that the operation was carried out in Myanmar. Parrikar said on Thursday morning that the Indian Army's operation to neutralise two camps of militants on Tuesday has led to a "change in mindset."
"Change requires a change in mindset. A simple action against insurgents has changed the mindset of the security scenario of the country," the Defence Minister said.
Terming Myanmar's stand as "diplomatic statement", India confirmed that the operation was "carried out successfully by Indian Army and two camps running in Myanmar were destroyed".
Parrikar also refused to divulge any details about the operation, but asserted that the operation by the army had "changed the mindset towards India".
This comes even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Minister of State of the PMO, Jitendra Singh, to visit Manipur and take stock of situation.
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval is also slated to visit Myanmar to discuss further "joint action". Reports suggest he will also visit Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
On Myanmar's statement that operation was carried out outside the country, India has continued to assert that the operation was carried out in Myanmar. Parrikar said on Thursday morning that the Indian Army's operation to neutralise two camps of militants on Tuesday has led to a "change in mindset."
"Change requires a change in mindset. A simple action against insurgents has changed the mindset of the security scenario of the country," the Defence Minister said.
Terming Myanmar's stand as "diplomatic statement", India confirmed that the operation was "carried out successfully by Indian Army and two camps running in Myanmar were destroyed".
Parrikar also refused to divulge any details about the operation, but asserted that the operation by the army had "changed the mindset towards India".
This comes even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Minister of State of the PMO, Jitendra Singh, to visit Manipur and take stock of situation.
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval is also slated to visit Myanmar to discuss further "joint action". Reports suggest he will also visit Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
10:59 Times Now valued at zero
In its latest available balance sheet BCCL has written down it's entire investment totalling Rs 514 crores in Times Global Broadcasting which runs Times Now. So, how can a market leader with growing profits can be worth nothing? Read
10:58 Inside Myanmar, in hot pursuit
By striking at militant camps across the border and inside Myanmar's territory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has demonstrated that he is willing to bite the bullet and take tough action when it comes to the killing of Indian soldiers.
Days after the June 4 killing of at least 20 personnel of the 6 Dogra Regiment in Chandel district of Manipur allegedly by militants of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), a robust response has come from the Indian Special Forces. Read more
Days after the June 4 killing of at least 20 personnel of the 6 Dogra Regiment in Chandel district of Manipur allegedly by militants of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), a robust response has come from the Indian Special Forces. Read more
10:48 Myanmar U-turn: Chest-thumping on militants backfires
Myanmar was last night quoted as saying Indian forces had carried out an operation on insurgents "on the Indian side".
The reported statement challenges New Delhi's version and possibly seeks the only recourse available to a sovereign country after the Narendra Modi government went to town on the raid on militants who killed Indian soldiers last week.
"According to the information sent by Tatmadaw (the Myanmarese army) battalions on the ground, we have learned that the military operation was performed on the Indian side at India-Myanmar border," AFP quoted Zaw Htay, director of Myanmar's presidential office, as saying in a Facebook post. Read more
The reported statement challenges New Delhi's version and possibly seeks the only recourse available to a sovereign country after the Narendra Modi government went to town on the raid on militants who killed Indian soldiers last week.
"According to the information sent by Tatmadaw (the Myanmarese army) battalions on the ground, we have learned that the military operation was performed on the Indian side at India-Myanmar border," AFP quoted Zaw Htay, director of Myanmar's presidential office, as saying in a Facebook post. Read more
10:03 Assam flood situation worsens, nearly 1.95 lakh affected
Zee News reports: The flood situation in Assam has deteriorated drastically, affecting more than 1.95 lakh people in over 550 villages and destroying crops in more than 8,200 hectares in the Bramhaputra valley, said reports on Thursday.
Assam State Disaster Management Authority said in its daily flood report that more than 1.95 lakh people have been hit in the first wave of flood in Assam and as of now in 553 villages across Barpeta, Sonitpur, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Tinsukia, Darrang, Nalbari, Goalpara, Jorhat, Kamrup Metropolitan, Baksa, Dibrugarh and Kamrup districts.
Till yesterday, 81,000 people were affected. The flood death toll remained two, one each in Bongaigaon and Lakhimpur.
The report said Brahmaputra river is flowing above the danger mark at Nematighat in Jorhat district, Jia Bharali at NT Road crossing in Sonitpur and Puthimari at NH Road crossing in Kamrup district.
Ferry services to Majuli Island have been suspended due to rising water level and strong current in Brahmaputra river.
09:30 KFC among top eateries flouting environmental laws
India Today reports: In the past one year, about 100 top-of-the-line eateries, restaurants and commercial establishments -- including KFC and Cafe Coffee Day -- have been found flouting environmental laws.
But despite clear instructions from the green watchdog to down their shutters, the authorities didn't take action against them in 90 per cent cases.
Whenever Delhi Pollution Control Committee asks such polluting units to shut shop, it tells Delhi Jal Board and power discoms to disconnect supplies and the area SDMs -- who report to the divisional commissioner -- to seal the premises.
But in the past 12 months, neither of these agencies or officials acted in 90 per cent cases. The result: the defaulting units were free to poison Delhi's air and wasting huge quantities of water.
Read more HERE
08:57 Pranab on 5-day Shimla retreat from today
President Pranab Mukherjee will be away on a five-day sojourn from today in the quiet climes of the 'Retreat Building' surrounded with thick pine forests near Shimla.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Kalyan Singh will host a cultural programme and banquet in honour of the President on June 12.
The President will host a reception for senior dignitaries of the state, ministers and officials on June 14.
Located on the hill top of Mashobra, the building was taken over during 1895 by the then Viceroy. The President visits 'The Retreat' at least once a year and the core office shifts to that place during his stay.
Located thousand feet higher than the Shimla Ridge Top, 'The Retreat' is located in a picturesque surrounding and the architectural pattern and the natural beauty of the place have made it a tourist attraction in Shimla. The redeeming feature of this building is that it is purely a wooden structure with 'dhajji' wall construction.
08:55 Oman test awaits India in FIFA World Cup qualifiers
An acid test awaits the Indian football team as it gets ready to host higher-ranked Oman in the second round opening match of AFC qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Though India have made progress under Englishman Stephen Constantine, beating Nepal in a two-legged preliminary qualifier in March, the chief coach knows it's going to require an extraordinary effort to emerge with a victory against Oman who, at 101, are ranked 40 places higher than the hosts in the pecking order.
The side will be led by Arnab Mondal and not Subrata Paul, Constantine said on the eve of the match.
The Indians have been training with renewed vigour for these matches. Last Saturday, Constantine put the team through a boot camp organised by the Indian Army on the ASC campus here. It was a team-building exercise, meant to help push the side over the line.
In the four meetings against Oman so far, India have conceded 11 goals while winning just one fixture, losing two and drawing one.
08:53 Fake degree: Session court to hear Tomar's plea today
A session court in Delhi will on Thursday hear the petition by former Delhi law minister Jitender Singh Tomar challenging his arrest in the alleged fake degree case.
In the application filed before the sessions court on Wednesday, Tomar alleged that police had arrested him in violation of prescribed procedure under the law.
Additional Sessions Judge Sanjeev Jain refused to give an urgent hearing to Tomar's plea and said that the matter will
be heard on Thursday.
49-year-old Tomar was arrested on Tuesday by Delhi Police on a FIR registered on the basis of a complaint lodged by Bar Council of Delhi for allegedly forging documents, including educational degrees, to enrol as an advocate.
He was remanded to four-day police custody till June 13 by a magisterial court.
Police had sought five-day custody of Tomar saying his educational certificates relating to law degree were "fabricated" and he was required to be taken to Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh and Bhagalpur in Bihar to ascertain his educational qualification.
Police had told the court that educational certificates which Tomar claimed to be true were fabricated and during their initial probe, the authorities who signed those certificates have denied their genuineness.
08:50 India loses ground in Asia University Ranking, 2015
Indian universities continue to lag way behind other institutes in a latest ranking of Asian universities that is dominated by varsities from Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and China.
According to the Times Higher Education Asia University Ranking 2015, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore comes closest at 37th place and Punjab University at 38th position, down six places from last year, according to a statement issued by ranking body.
"India's progress has faltered, it has nine top 100 universities, one fewer than last year," added the statement.
The IIT's of Roorkee, Bombay, Delhi, Kharagpur and Madras, besides Aligaarh Muslim University and Jawaharlal Nehru University figure among the top 100, though their rankings have come down from last year.
University of Tokyo continued to retain the top position while Natipnal University of Singapore and University of Hong Kong retained the second and third place respectively.
03:53 Putin: Sanctions on us cost Italy
Russian President Vladimir Putin, on a visit to Italy, said Wednesday that sanctions imposed on his home country also have cost Italian businesses millions of dollars.
The comments came after Putin met with Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
The Russian leader later met with Pope Francis, who gave Putin a medallion depicting the angel of peace, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said. The Vatican called it "an invitation to build a world of solidarity and peace founded on justice."
Putin, who arrived at the Vatican an hour behind schedule, gave the pope an embroidery of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
Read full story HERE.
01:51 Ebola spikes again in Guinea, Sierra Leone: WHO
The number of Ebola cases has risen in Guinea and Sierra Leone for the second consecutive week, the World Health Organization said today.
In Guinea, 16 new cases were found in the week ending June 7, with 15 more found in neighbouring Sierra Leone.
In the previous week, 13 new cases had been found in Guinea, a clear increase on the nine reported a week before that.
The pattern was similar in Sierra Leone, where 12 new cases were found in the last week of May compared to only three the previous week.
"This is the second consecutive weekly increase in case incidence," the WHO said.
Ebola has killed 11,158 of the 27,237 people infected, the WHO said in its latest situation report.
The number of health workers affected in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia has risen to 869, of whom 507 have died, since the current epidemic broke out in west Africa in December 2013
Liberia was declared Ebola-free in May, but hopes that Sierra Leone and Guinea would quickly follow suit have been dashed in recent weeks.
The global health agency also voiced concern that the areas affected in Guinea have increased.
In the week leading up to June 7, two new cases were confirmed in Guinea's capital Conakry, which had been Ebola-free during the three previous weeks.
01:42 Former brain-eating Papua tribe offers clues on mad cow disease
Research involving a former brain-eating tribe from Papua New Guinea is helping scientists better understand mad cow disease and other so-called prion conditions and may also offer insights into Parkinson's and dementia.
People of the Fore tribe, studied by scientists from Britain and Papua New Guinea, have developed genetic resistance to a mad cow-like disease called kuru, which was spread mostly by the now abandoned ritual of eating relatives' brains at funerals.
Experts say the cannibalistic practice led to a major epidemic of kuru prion disease among the Fore people, which at its height in the late 1950s caused the death of up to 2 per cent of the population each year.
Read full story HERE.
01:17 Attacks on peacekeepers, civilians in Darfur increasing: UN
The United Nations on Wednesday warned that violent attacks on international peacekeepers and civilians in Sudan's conflict-torn Darfur region have been increasing while tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee the fighting.
UN officials and diplomats say the Sudanese government has become increasingly confrontational toward the United Nations and the West over the joint UN-African Union mission to Darfur (Unamid), which Khartoum wants shut.
Deputy UN peacekeeping chief Edmond Mulet told the 15-member Security Council that there has been negligible progress in peace efforts for Darfur, adding there was a worrying rise in attacks on Unamid.
UN chief Ban Ki Moon's latest progress report on the force said there were 60 "incidents and hostile attacks against Unamid" in the three months to May 15, compared with 46 in the previous quarter.
Read more HERE.
00:38 Polish government ministers resign over eavesdropping scandal
Three Polish government ministers and the speaker of parliament tendered their resignations on Wednesday over a high profile eavesdropping scandal, the country's premier said.
Centrist Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz announced that Parliamentary Speaker Radoslaw Sikorski and the ministers of the treasury, health and sports had resigned as her unpopular government faces a general election this autumn.
Polish media on Tuesday was awash with news of the publication on the Internet of leaked transcripts from a government eavesdropping scandal that erupted in June last year.
00:34 World powers urge Libyans to seize 'last chance' for peace
World powers urged Libya's warring factions at a meeting in Berlin to wrap up peace talks quickly, calling the current round of negotiations a "last chance" for progress.
Twenty-three Libyan envoys joined diplomats from the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council in the German capital and other Western nations at a meeting announced Tuesday by Bernardino Leon, chief of the UN Support Mission in Libya.
The governments and the EU issued a statement calling on "all Libyan parties to overcome the remaining obstacles to an agreement, to create a conducive environment for a lasting and inclusive solution to the current conflicts, to immediately cease all hostilities and to prevent all actions that may disturb the political process."
Libya descended into chaos after a 2011 NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with heavily armed former rebels carving out fiefdoms across the country.
Germany's top diplomat, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who hosted the Berlin meeting, said that time was running out to wrap up a peace accord.
"The round of negotiations that just began moderated by Bernardino Leon is perhaps the last chance for a long time for Libya to avoid breaking apart," he said at the meeting.
Participants said in the final communique that they would offer "significant support" to a government of national accord in the oil-rich country.
Leon is pushing for a final peace agreement before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on June 17.
"We can continue to work for days and months to reach the perfect agreement but Libya doesn't have the time," Leon said.
He presented a draft deal to delegations from the rival sides at talks in Morocco this week but Libya's internationally recognised parliament said yesterday it was "very unhappy" with the proposal.
00:34 Three guards charged over New York inmate death
A current and two former corrections officers have been charged in connection with the beating death of an inmate at New York's notorious Rikers Island jail in 2012, prosecutors said today.
It is the latest development relating to what prosecutors have called "a pervasive and deep-seated culture of violence" at what is one of the largest municipal jails in the United States.
Ronald Spear, 52, died in the early hours of December 19, 2012 after being repeatedly kicked in the head while lying face down and restrained, on the floor of a medical wing of the prison.
He had been seriously ill with kidney disease and was assaulted after getting into an expletive-fueled row with then corrections officer Brian Coll about seeing a doctor, court papers said.
Coll, 45, who is no longer a Rikers guard, and currentcorrections officer Byron Taylor, 31, were arrested by the FBI Wednesday in connection with the death and covering up the assault.
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances