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Tue, 03 March 2015
Netanyahu makes case against Iran deal in address to Congress
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23:28 Major fire at a south Mumbai chawl; four injured
A major fire broke out on the first floor of a chawl near Cotton Green station in South Mumbai injuring four firemen, a fire brigade official said.
The injured fire officials have been admitted to KEM hospital, he said.
No loss of life has been reported in the incident that broke out at Hirjee Bhojraj chawl at Ghodapdev near Cotton Green station, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials said.
"We got a call this evening alerting us about the blaze. Eight fire engines, six jumbo tankers and two ambulances were sent to the spot," said the fire brigade official.
"By the time our officers had reached the spot, the residents had already been evacuated, which saved the precious time and we could immediately start dousing the flames. The first floor was completely gutted in the blaze," he said.
The fire that was triggered due to a cylinder blast in one of the rooms on the floor, has been brought under control, he said.
23:25 Telugu TV producer held for sexual harassment
A Telugu TV serial producer was today arrested in Hyderabad for alleged sexual harassment of a woman television artist, police said.
The 32-year-old victim lodged a complaint with S R Nagar Police Station alleging the producer, Venkat Chalapathy, had been forcing her to have sexual relationship with him.
Based on the complaint, police booked Chalapathy under IPC Section 354 (assaulting a woman to outrage her modesty) and apprehended him, Inspector G V Ramana Goud said.
A probe was on in the matter, he added.
22:10 Netanyahu makes case against Iran deal in address to Congress
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a highly anticipated address to Congress, delivered a message to the Obama administration on Tuesday about the threat posed by Iran: "The enemy of your enemy -- is your enemy."
The Israeli leader spoke as part of a high-profile push to make his case against a pending nuclear deal with Iran. He urged the U.S. not to "be fooled" by Iran's efforts to oppose the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, a group the U.S. also is fighting. Netanyahu said those groups are "competing for the crown of militant Islam."
21:15 HC orders action against illegal bull slaughter in Mumbai
The Bombay High Court today ordered municipality and police authorities to take action against illegal slaughter of bulls at abattoirs in the city and suburbs.
The order was passed by the division bench headed by Justice V M Kanade on a PIL filed by Govansh Raksha Samiti, an NGO.
21:01 Attractive jihadis used as 'eye candy' to lure British girls
Attractive men are used as 'eye candy' to lure young British Muslim girls into adopting extremist ideology, a former woman extremist has claimed.
The girl named as Ayesha, a false name to protect her identity, told the BBC that she was taught to see Britain as "our enemy" but now rejects that ideology. She was speaking in reference to three London schoolgirls who recently left the UK, apparently to join Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria.
20:34 2 jawans among 4 dead in rain related incidents in North India
Incessant rains and heavy snowfall claimed lives of two army jawans in Uttarakhand and as many persons in Himachal Pradesh, even as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed for the second day today.
"Two army choppers were pressed into service to search for a missing jawan but due to inclement weather and accumulation of heavy snow on the avalanche spot at the Siyalekh checkpost on India-China border, the operation could not be conducted properly," Pithoragarh District Magistrate Sushil Kumar said.
20:34 2 jawans among 4 dead in rain related incidents in North India
Incessant rains and heavy snowfall claimed lives of two army jawans in Uttarakhand and as many persons in Himachal Pradesh, even as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed for the second day today.
"Two army choppers were pressed into service to search for a missing jawan but due to inclement weather and accumulation of heavy snow on the avalanche spot at the Siyalekh checkpost on India-China border, the operation could not be conducted properly," Pithoragarh District Magistrate Sushil Kumar said.
20:08 West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee condemns killing of Bangladeshi blogger Avijit Roy
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday condemned the brutal murder of American-Bangladeshi blogger Avijit Roy, saying everyone has the freedom of speech and expression.
"He has been killed in a brutal manner. I condemn it," Banerjee said at a programme in Kolkata.
"I have no language of consolation for the bereaved family. You cannot stop the right to speak. It is a democratic right. We strongly protest the sad death of the Bangladeshi blogger," she said.
20:02 West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee condemns killing of Bangladeshi blogger Avijit Roy
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday condemned the brutal murder of American-Bangladeshi blogger Avijit Roy, saying everyone has the freedom of speech and expression.
"He has been killed in a brutal manner. I condemn it," Banerjee said at a programme in Kolkata.
"I have no language of consolation for the bereaved family. You cannot stop the right to speak. It is a democratic right. We strongly protest the sad death of the Bangladeshi blogger," she said.
19:35 Jihadi John condemned 9/11, London attacks: recording
The London graduate believed to be Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) executioner "Jihadi John" once denounced the 9/11 attacks and the 2005 bombings in the British capital, according to an audio recording released Tuesday.
Kuwait-born Mohammed Emwazi was identified by media and experts last week as the knife-wielding masked man in online videos showing the beheadings of at least five ISIS hostages.
In a conversation with a member of British rights group Cage, Emwazi described how in 2009 he was interviewed by a British officer, reported to be from domestic spy agency MI5.
Read full story HERE.
19:18 Nigeria's Boko Haram releases beheading video echoing ISIS
Nigeria's Islamist sect Boko Haram released a video purporting to show it beheading two men, its first online posting using advanced graphics and editing techniques reminiscent of footage from Islamic State.
The film, released on Monday, shows militants standing behind the two men who are on their knees, their hands tied behind their backs, with one man standing over them, holding a knife.
Read full Story HERE.
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19:12 Volcano erupts in southern Chile, 3,000 people evacuated
A volcano in southern Chile began erupting early Tuesday forcing the evacuation of some 3,000 people in nearby villages, the government said.
The Villarrica volcano, one of Chile's most active, began erupting around 3.00 am (2pm Singapore time), prompting authorities to declare a red alert and cancel classes in schools, the National Emergency Office said.
Read full story HERE.
Read full story HERE.
18:30 Tunisia blogger gets 6 months for defaming army
A Tunisian military appeals court jailed blogger Yassine Ayari for six months on Tuesday on charges of defaming the army, halving the previous sentence but failing to satisfy its critics.
Chants of "Down with the military judge" rang out from the public gallery as the sentence was read out.
Ayari was prosecuted over blogs he had written alleging financial abuses by army officers and defence ministry officials in a case that Human Rights Watch described as "not worthy of the new Tunisia".
The 33-year-old is himself the son of an army colonel who was killed in a May 2011 clash with jihadists.
Ayari was initially tried in absentia and sentenced to three years in prison.
Read full story HERE.
18:17 Govt faces setback in RS; oppn's amendment crticising it adopted
The NDA government was embarrassed today after it was forced to admit an amendment by CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechuri to the President's speech, with 118 in favour, and 58 against.
The amendment criticised the government for not curbing corruption and not doing enough to bring back black money.
17:51 Cops hired 605 CCTV cameras for Obama's visit, R-Day, says report
The Delhi police had hired 605 CCTV cameras in January this year for security purposes during the visit of US President Barack Obama and the Republic day parade all of which have been removed, Lok Sabha was informed today.
An amount over Rs 1.36 crore was spent on hiring, installation and removal of these CCTV cameras.
Minister of State for Home, Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary said that the Delhi police has informed that 605 CCTV cameras were hired in connection with the visit of the US President as well as for the Republic Day arrangements, "All the CCTV cameras have been removed after the function. An amount of Rs 1,36,58,149 has been spent on hiring, installation and removal of these CCTV cameras," he said in a written reply.
17:48
JUST IN: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not attend the AAP'snational executive meeting tomorrow, sources have said.
Earlier, Kejriwal had said that he was "hurt and pained' by what was going on within the outfit, terming it as an "ugly battle' which has "betrayed' the trust imposed by the people.
Kejriwal will leave for Bengaluru later this week to undergo naturopathy treatment for 10 days as he continues to suffer from high sugar level and chronic cough.
17:41 How global warming helped cause the Syrian war
The bloody conflict in Syria -- which enters its fifth year this month -- has killed almost 200,000 people, created 3.2 million refugees, and given rise to the murderous extremist group known as the Islamic State.
Read this interesting article HERE
17:37 Renovated Taraporevala aquarium in Mumbai reopens
The country's oldest Taraporevala Aquarium reopened today, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis saying that the 'iconic' landmark will be a major tourist attraction in the financial capital.
Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com had visited the aquarium a week before it opened. This was his experience
17:32 Adarsh case: HC to pronounce order on Chavan's plea tomorrow
The Bombay High Court today reserved till tomorrow its order on an application filed by former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan seeking recall of an earlier ruling refusing CBI the permission to drop his name from the Adarsh Housing Society scam case. Justice M L Tahaliyani said he would pass the order tomorrow.
Chavan had approached the HC in December 2014, a month after Justice Tahaliyani refused CBI the permission to delete his name from the charge sheet.
He pleaded that certain observations in the order were on the points which had not been argued and he had not got the opportunity to address these. CBI had first approached the trial court seeking to drop Chavan's name as an accused on the ground that the Governor had refused to sanction his prosecution.
As the CBI court rejected it, the agency moved the HC.
17:25 No way I support Mufti Mohd Sayeed's statement: PM
Speaking about Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's statement on Pakistan and Hurriyat, the prime minister reiterated that he in no way support's the statement.
Sayeed had given credit to Pakistan, the Hurriyat and militants with the smooth conduct of elections in the state
17:20 Ex-serviceman arrested for spying for Pakistan
An ex-serviceman has been arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan's intelligence agencies, police said here today.
Photographs of vital installations and movements of army vehicles, hand-made maps of restricted areas, photocopies of restricted training manuals of the army and information regarding the army attacking formations have been seized from his possession, they said.
Sukhwinder Singh, a resident of Dayalgarh area of Sangrur district, was arrested on the basis of specific information and had been booked under Sections 3, 4, 5 and 9 of Official Secrets Act, 120-B of Indian Penal Code, the police said.
Preliminary questioning of Singh revealed that he retired from 21 Sikh Light Infantry in 2005, and was presently working as a security guard in a private warehouse in Channo village of the district.
17:05
"Kanoon tha, rahega, bas kamiya dur ki jaa rahi hain (The law has been around and will be around, we only need to take away the shortcomings.)," Modi added.
17:03
On the Land Bill, the PM said,"The land bill that was passed had shortcomings. But the compensation clause hasn't been touched,on land acquisition please do not spread lies that compensation is reduced."
17:00
Three accused, who were arrested in the corporate espionage case, were today remanded to judicial custody till March 17, by a court here after the Delhi Police said their custodial interrogation is not required.
The three accused --Lokesh Sharma, Jitender Nagpal and Vipan Kumar-- were produced before the court as their police custody expired today. "Accused are sent to the judicial custody. Let them be produced on March 17," Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Satish Kumar Arora said.
16:58
"Those with an imported ideology got to serve in West Bengal for 30 years. What happened there?" asked the prime minister in the Rajya Sabha.
16:52
"Whatever we are doing, let us take it to the ground and take it to the people. Our efforts are in that direction : PM in Rajya Sabha.
16:45
Hitting out at the Congress, Modi said, "In 2004, the cabinet secretary was removed, and the foreign secretary was made without taking seniority into consideration. You insulted governors and removed them."
16:34 Corporate espionage and worse: All too common
The recent Delhi case does not even scratch the surface of this menace which has been going on for decades.
Read this article HERE
16:33 Solution to agrarian distress lies in rapid growth of manufacturing
In 1918, a young Indian economist named B.R. Ambedkar wrote a perceptive paper on solutions to the agrarian problem.
His main insight anticipated some of the principal models of economic change that made their mark during the high noon of development economics a few decades later.
Read this article HERE
16:28
"The Congress followed NDA policies,only renamed policies formulated during Vajpayeeji's tenure : PM Modi in RS.
16:28 No threat issued to any oppn party on black money: Modi in RS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday that no threat was issued to any opposition party on the issue of black money.
"I had said it from the Red Fort- every Government, every PM, every state government has contributed to India's progress," he said.
15:34 Former SL Army commander Fonseka promoted to Field Marshal
Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to promote former army commander Sarath Fonseka to the rank of Field Marshal. The ministry of defence is currently organising the relevant function, which is to be held on March 22.
Accordingly, Fonseka is to be the first Sri Lankan to be appointed to the rank, which is the highest rank in an army. Fonseka, who led the military to flatten the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, was later stripped of his titles under charges of harbouring army deserters during the 2010 presidential election.
15:18 Nifty on cloud 9, hits all-time high
Nifty hit an all-time high of 8,996.80 as markets rallied for the fourth straight day on Budget optimism. The Nifty gained nearly 40 points, edging past its previous record high of 8,996.60 hit on January 30, 2015. The Nifty has now gained around 300 points or over 3 per cent since Friday. The Sensex is up over 800 points in the last four sessions.
14:49 PM asks BJP MPs to make people aware of Union budget
Stating that the 2015-16 Budget had something in it for every Indian, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked BJP MPs to make people aware of its features. At a parliamentary party meeting of BJP legislators, the party which leads the government also reiterated its resolve about getting various bills passed in Parliament.
Addressing BJP members at the meeting, Modi asked them to pick out target groups like youths, women and the socially and economically deprived sections and share with them the contents of the budget aimed at their welfare, sources said.
14:40 The matrimonial ad that went viral
When 24-year old Indhuja Pillai, an engineer in a Bangalore startup, created a webpage detailing the kind of man she was looking to wed a cheeky repudiation of a dreary matrimonial ad placed by her parents she was not expecting to be inundated. But in the three short weeks since her rebellious matrimonial CV went live, it has gone viral on social networks, gathering 230,000+ page views and landing Pillai dozens of marriage proposals, including from foreigners like Lukas Rosenstock who asked on Twitter, "Are non-Indians eligible to apply to marry you?"
Read more HERE
14:35 Telangana MP demands separate HC for state
Leader of Telangana Rashtriya Samithi Jithender Reddy raised the issue of the Centre not implementing the Andhra Bifurcation Act on the division of Telangana and Andhra high courts. But Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu intervened, and said that the law minister is in consideration of the issue, and until such time, the Centre and the two states should sort out this legal issue. The TRS members of Parliament were satisfied by this assurance and Speaker Sumitra Mahajan accepted the government's version.
14:16 Was very upset when Afzal Guru was hanged: Mani Shankar Aiyar misfires
Congress's Mani Shankar Aiyar has once again stirred controversy after stating that he was against the hanging of Afzal Guru. The Congress leader said, "I was very upset when he was hanged, as there wasn't any conclusive evidence," adding that he felt that a great injustice had taken place. Aiyar added that despite the government stating that his remains would not be returned, he was in favour of giving the family closure and handing over the remains.
14:07 Prince William tries out football diplomacy in China
Britain's Prince William practised sports diplomacy in China on Tuesday. His trip to China, making him the highest-profile royal visitor since Queen Elizabeth II in 1986, has been laden with symbolism as Britain attempts to improve top-level diplomatic relations with Beijing.
On Monday, William reached out to China's top leader, President Xi Jinping, telling him: "I also gather you're quite a football fan."
William -- a supporter of relegation-threatened Aston Villa -- chatted with students taking part in the football clinic at Nanyang secondary school, part of a programme run by the British Council and the Premier League.
13:30 BJP MP wants Gmail to be banned for common man
During zero hour today in Rajya Sabha, BJP MP Tarun Vijay congratulated the government for banning the use of Gmail, Yahoo, and all third party e-mail services for government officials. Congratulating the government, he said that as these services stored data abroad, it was not safe for the government to depend on it. He also added that these services should provide alternative e-mail services to the common man, as providers like Gmail, Yahoo etc. He said they should be declared 'untrustworthy' for common citizens too.
12:57 AAP's problems take toll on Kejriwal's health; to take 10-day leave
With the problems of the Aam Aadmi Party intensifying, reports have come in that the health of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has worsened and that he will be taking a 10-day leave to tend to his medical problems.
Kejriwal is off to a naturopathy centre for on March 5 for 10 days where his sugar-related problems will be tended to.
The CM's leave comes after the crucial meeting, which will decide the fate of senior leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, who have slammed the functioning of the party.
12:15 Pakistan jails 471 parents who refused to give polio vaccine to children
Hundreds of parents in north-west Pakistan have been arrested and jailed after refusing to give their children polio vaccinations, according to officials. Feroz Shah, a spokesman for the district administration in Peshawar, said 471 people had been imprisoned in the city and surrounding villages under government orders on charges of endangering public security. "This is the first time such drastic action was taken,' Shah said. "This shows the determination of the government to eradicate polio.'
12:07 Afzal Guru's remains WON'T be handed over to family
Amid repeated demands to hand over Afzal Guru's remains to his family, the home ministry has finally stepped forward and said that the demand cannot be made. In a statement, the home ministry said that Guru was, as per jail manual, buried in an unmarked grave, and so his remains can't be returned.
It also added that the PDP's demand for the remains was denied as there were political motives behind the request. The 2001 Parliament attack Parliament attack case convict Mohammed Afzal Guru was hanged and buried inside the Tihar jail complex in February 2013.
11:58 AAP rift: Bhushan to skip tomorrow's crucial meet
Prashant Bhushan, founding member of the Aam Aadmi Party, will not be attending the crucial National Executive meet tomorrow. Bhushan has accused the party of deviating from its core and becoming a 'one-man party'.
11:28 PDP's demand for Afzal Guru's remains creates stir in Parliament
A day after Peoples Democratic Party members made demands for the remains of Afzal Guru, the man responsible for the Parliament attack, a row broke out in Parliament with the opposition demanding the government to issue a statement and answers from PM Modi. Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress, speaking in Lok Sabha, said, "We appeal PM Modi to come to the house and condemn statement given by Jammu and Kashmir CM.
11:11 Haryana CM announces compensation for victim
JUST IN: A FIR has been registered against the driver of Haryana CM's convoy who hit a pedestrian on the road last night. ML Khattar has also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the vicitim.
11:01 Am deeply pained; this is a betrayal of trust: Kejriwal on AAP rift
Amidst the turmoil that has plagued the Aam Aadmi Party, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has tweeted his displeasure saying, "I am deeply hurt and pained by what is going on in the party. This is betrayal of trust that Delhi posed in us." He added that however, he would not let the problems of his party affect governance and would focus on the problems of Delhi.
The AAP has been facing problems with senior leaders allegedly questioning the methods and functioning of the party and criticising the one-man show. According to reports, Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav might be axed from the party's apex decision-making body political affairs committee.
10:29 SAARC Yatra: Jaishankar arrives in Pakistan
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday to hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary, seven months after India had cancelled foreign secretary-level talks.
Jaishankar, who flew in Islamabad from Dhaka, was received by Indian High Commissioner T C A Raghavan at the airport.
Jaishankar, who started his 'SAARC yatra' on Sunday with Bhutan and visited Bangladesh on Monday, will also call on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif later before flying out to Afghanistan on Wednesday.
10:22 Jaitley to introduce Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill in LS today
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will be introducing the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill-2015 in the Lok Sabha. The bill will replace the Insurance Act of 1938, General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972 and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999. The minister is also expected to place an explanatory statement showing reasons for the immediate legislation by promulgation of the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014.
09:48 His statements carry no value: Nirbhaya's parents
After a convict in the December 16 Delhi gang rape brazenly blamed the accused for the heinous crime, her parents have hit back at him, saying that he is convicted of a heinous crime and what he says holds no significance.
On Monday, Mukesh Singh, one of the men convicted and sentenced for brutally raping and murdering a 23-year-old in Delhi, in an interview was remorseless of the crime.
Nirbhaya's father said, "Would like to appeal to the PM that till such time people like him are allowed to make such statements then programmes like 'Beti Bachao' will carry no value."
The parents also added that people like Singh should be given the most stringent punishment -- the death sentence -- as a deterrent for the future.
08:50 A Pak yatra as SAARC yatra?
Six months after talks with Pakistan were called off Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar lands in Islamabad today to kick off a new attempt to engage their government. While Indian officials have taken care to downplay the visit's significance, calling it a "SAARC yatra not a Pak yatra', it seems clear that the trip has been made with a special emphasis on Pakistan. The decision to re-engage with Pakistan, through whichever means, signifies two things: one that the decision to cancel talks in July 2014 was only a temporary one for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the assumption that talks could be restarted at a later point, and two, that engaging Pakistan is the norm, rather than an aberration.
Read more HERE
08:41 Will continue to work for AAP: Yogendra Yadav
Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Yogendra Yadav, who is in the middle of a rift within the party, has said he will be a part of it as long as it continues to work for the people and nurture their hopes.
The AAP is in strife with its internal lokpal pointing to a breakdown in mutual trust in the top leadership, and two senior leaders -Yadav and Prashant Bhushan - accusing it of abandoning its guiding principles.
Sources says the two senior leaders may be asked to step down from a top decision-making body at a national executive meeting on Wednesday as the two-year-old outfit tries to douse the flames after a series of leaked letters complaining about its functioning exposed a growing rift.
Yadav said he will go for the national executive meeting if he is invited. "AAP is a signal of hope for a large number of people in and outside Delhi. As long as it continues to work as a vehicle for good work, I will be part of it," said Yadav when asked whether he is going to resign from the party.
"As of now, I am discharging the responsibility given to me by the party. I will do the same if I am given a different responsibility. I am not in the party for a position," he added.
08:27 Haryana CM's convoy mows down pedestrian
Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar's convoy rammed into a pedestrian while it was on its way to Karnal. The pedestrian has succumbed to his injuries. Two policemen were also injured in the incident. Officials said that the deceased, a pedestrian, was trying to cross the highway when he was hit by a pilot vehicle. He said that efforts were on to establish the identity of the victim.
01:39 So what happened to MH-370?
One year ago this month, Malaysia Airlines flight 370 disappeared from the skies.
No trace, not even wreckage.
The void has confounded experts, anguished families, and hatched endless conspiracy theories.
But as Sean Flynn of GQ magazine reports, some disturbing truths are emerging, including a clear trail of failure that turned a disaster into something so much worse
Read more HERE
01:38 All sanctions must go if US wants a nuke deal: Iran
A deal on Iran's nuclear programme could be concluded if the US and other Western powers agree to remove all sanctions on Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said today.
"If they want an agreement, sanctions must go. We believe all sanctions must be lifted," Zarif said after a meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry on the sidelines of the UN Human Rights Council session in Montreux.
The meetings of the political directors are also underway of the so-called P5+1 groupthe UN Security Council permanent members plus Germany and the Iraninan nuclear delegation which includes President Hassan Rouhani's brother, Hossein Fereidoun, AEOI head, Ali Akbar Salehi, his deputy Kamalvandi and Deputy Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
Before leaving for Montreux, Kerry said, "We all believe that the best way to deal with the question surrounding this nuclear programme is to find a comprehensive deal but not a deal that comes with any cost. Not a deal for the purpose of a deal."
"But one that meets the test of providing the answers and the guarantees that are needed in order to know that the four pathways to a nuclear bomb have been closed off," Kerry said.
01:38 The head of Google+ has reportedly quit his job
David Besbris became head of Google+ in April 2014. In October 2014, he proclaimed that Google was invested in its underwhelming social network "for the long haul." Now, less than a year after he took the job, Besbris is reportedly out as Google+ lead.
According to TechCrunch, Besbris has been replaced by Bradley Horowitz, a Google VP of product who's been with Google+ from the start.
It took six months for Google to offer an official statement on the direction of its social media operation after previous boss Vic Gundrota departed.
Besbris -- who won the job over Horowitz in April 2014 -- gave a lengthy interview to Recode in which he managed to say very little about Google+'s future plans and dodge questions about what the social network could improve on.
Read more HERE
01:37 Pak wastes $3.7 million worth of donated vaccines
Vaccines worth $3.7 million provided by UNICEF to protect Pakistani children from different diseases were wasted due to official negligence to store them properly, a senior minister said today.
Minister of state for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar said that some official have been suspended and a probe has been launched to find if more people were involved.
The wasted medicines were combination of different vaccines and were used to immunize children against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, hepatitis B, meningitis and pneumonia.
According to the standard procedure these vaccines must be kept at cold places like refrigerators but no precaution were taken by the officials responsible for maintaining the temperature, Tarar said.
However, an official of Health Ministry said that the frequent power outage was the main cause of the loss as top bosses failed to address the problem despite complaints by lower staff.
The wasted vaccines were donated by UNICEF and included about 1.3 million doses.
01:36 The disturbing way some teens are really using Instagram
Jessie discovered it accidentally.
"It was on the popular page," he said. "I thought it was just a hot guy with his shirt off."
Jessie, a 20-something male in New York, had clicked on what he thought was an innocuous selfie on Instagram, the kind of photo we've come to expect from a generation which thinks the best way to prove your worth is to purse your lips while staring into a water-stained bathroom mirror. But the image, it turned out, wasn't of a "hot guy" -- it was of a young boy.
"Like, 11-years-old young boy," Jessie said.
Jessie was creeped out, but what he noticed next disturbed him most: The picture had received thousands upon thousands of likes.
"A lot of [the likes] came from other young people, teenagers," he said. "But a lot of them weren't. Accounts with blank profile photos, or of older men. People who obviously didn't know this boy but were getting off to him."
Jessie had stumbled upon the dark underbelly of Instagram, where adults prey on teenagers whose intimate photos sit in plain sight among the sierra-filtered fall foliage and #skinnyarm besties. In the four years since its creation, Instagram has become a welcome mat for sexual predators, the result of a perfect storm: validation-hungry teenagers who distribute sexualized images publicly and lecherous adults who know that showering them with likes and follows is the best way to lure them closer.
Read more HERE
01:35 Iraq launches major assault to retake Tikrit from IS
Some 30,000 Iraqi troops and militia backed by aircraft pounded jihadists in and around Tikrit today in the biggest offensive yet to retake one of the Islamic State group's main strongholds.
Government forces have battled their way north for months, notching up key victories against IS, but Tikrit has been their toughest target yet with the jihadists having resisted them several times.
Commanders voiced hope the broadest operation since IS overran swathes of the country last year would be a step towards the liberation of Mosul, the jihadists' main hub in Iraq.
"Security forces are advancing on three main fronts towards Tikrit, Ad-Dawr (to the south) and Al-Alam (to the north)," a senior army officer on the ground told AFP by telephone.
The operation began in early morning after being announced by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi the previous evening.
The army officer said the forces involved were from the army, police, counter-terrorism units, a government-controlled volunteer group known as the Popular Mobilisation units and Sunni tribes.
Military sources said warplanes were involved but it was not immediately clear whether foreign air support -- Iranian or from the US-led coalition fighting IS -- was also called in.
01:34 Top headlines at this hour
She shouldn't have fought back: Delhi bus rapist rants without remorse
Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan to be axed from AAP decision-making body?
PM keeps promise, Citizenship Bill passed to benefit NRIs
J&K alliance faces another row as PDP demands Afzal Guru's remains
PM lunches with MPs in Parliament canteen, pays Rs 29 for 'thali'
Mukesh Ambani is richest Indian for the 8th year
Jagmohan Dalmiya elected BCCI President
Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan to be axed from AAP decision-making body?
PM keeps promise, Citizenship Bill passed to benefit NRIs
J&K alliance faces another row as PDP demands Afzal Guru's remains
PM lunches with MPs in Parliament canteen, pays Rs 29 for 'thali'
Mukesh Ambani is richest Indian for the 8th year
Jagmohan Dalmiya elected BCCI President
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