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Wed, 28 October 2015
Pakistan loses UN human rights council election
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23:54 Bindeshwar Pathak selected for humanitarian award in US
Indian social activist and the founder of 'Sulabh International', Bindeshwar Pathak has been selected for a prestigious humanitarian award in recognition of his effort to enhance quality of life for millions of fellow human beings.
New York Global Leaders Dialogue Humanitarian Award will be presented to Pathak at the 2016 leadership dinner April 12 in New York. "Dr Pathak is a great humanitarian who for decades has enhanced the quality of life for millions of fellow human beings.
He embodies our philosophy of leadership, namely, that leadership is focused on creating collaborative new space in the service of others," New York Global Leaders Dialogue said in a statement said. "We are especially attracted to leaders who transform lives for the better, and Dr Pathak stands tall in embodying these rarest of qualities," it said.
23:54 Bindeshwar Pathak selected for humanitarian award in US
Indian social activist and the founder of 'Sulabh International', Bindeshwar Pathak has been selected for a prestigious humanitarian award in recognition of his effort to enhance quality of life for millions of fellow human beings.
New York Global Leaders Dialogue Humanitarian Award will be presented to Pathak at the 2016 leadership dinner April 12 in New York. "Dr Pathak is a great humanitarian who for decades has enhanced the quality of life for millions of fellow human beings.
He embodies our philosophy of leadership, namely, that leadership is focused on creating collaborative new space in the service of others," New York Global Leaders Dialogue said in a statement said. "We are especially attracted to leaders who transform lives for the better, and Dr Pathak stands tall in embodying these rarest of qualities," it said.
23:43 Internet freedom in India slightly improved in 2015
Internet freedom in India has improved slightly under the Narendra Modi-led government even as censorship and surveillance of the Web increased world over, an independent organisation for freedom and democracy Freedom House has said in a report.
India's score has improved by 2 points to 40 in 2015 from 42 a year ago, the report said. Low score is indication of reduction in barriers to freedom. However, across the world censorship and surveillance of the Internet increased leading to decline in overall online freedom for the fifth year in a row, the report titled 'Freedom On the Net 2015' said. "The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) swept to electoral victory in 2014 under its leadership candidate Narendra Modi, and the new government completed its first year in May 2015.
"In the reporting period, India maintained its position as the third largest Internet consumer base after the United States and China, and saw positive developments in terms of the regulatory framework, declining detentions for online speech, and burgeoning digital access," the report said.
23:34 Body found, police verifying resemblance with Kalburgi's killers
An unidentified body with two bullet injuries has been found at a village in Belagavi district and police were verifying if it resembled the sketch of one of the two killers of writer M M Kalburgi, who was gunned down at Dharwad in August.
The body was recovered at Manikwadi between Khanapur and Honde in Belgavi district recently and the assailant who killed the man was not known, Additional Superintendent of Police R K Gadadee told PTI.
Asked if the body bore semblance to one of the sketches of Kalburgi's killers, he said investigation was "in progress" and nothing could be said at the moment. Police had released in the first week of September the sketches prepared on the basis of the accounts given by the deceased scholar's wife, Umadevi, and another person who had a glimpse of the killers.
The state CID is probing the killing, which has led to national outrage with several writers returning their Sahitya Akademi awards over "rising intolerance", citing the murder of Kalburgi as one of the reasons for their action.
23:16 Kalam's supporters want his official house as knowledge center
Admirers and supporters of former President A P J Abdul Kalam today strongly objected to his official bungalow here being allotted to Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma and demanded that it be converted into an international knowledge centre to honour him.
"Dr. Abdul Kalam's residence, where he spent his last years in New Delhi, is being evacuated. Within days, there will be no trace of Dr. Kalam's life in that house. This house is now going to be given as residence for Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma," said a petition by R Bhagwan Singh, head of Tamil channel News7, on behalf of thousands of Kalam's supporters and admirers. In the petition posted on the International Petition Platform, he said.
"Thousands of Dr. Kalam's books and documents that he worked on through his life, the Veena that he often played, are being boxed up, so that Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, who has been in the news recently for his sexist and discriminatory comments, can move in. I'm shocked and appalled at this dishonour."
23:16 Kalam's supporters want his official house as knowledge center
Admirers and supporters of former President A P J Abdul Kalam today strongly objected to his official bungalow here being allotted to Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma and demanded that it be converted into an international knowledge centre to honour him.
"Dr. Abdul Kalam's residence, where he spent his last years in New Delhi, is being evacuated. Within days, there will be no trace of Dr. Kalam's life in that house. This house is now going to be given as residence for Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma," said a petition by R Bhagwan Singh, head of Tamil channel News7, on behalf of thousands of Kalam's supporters and admirers. In the petition posted on the International Petition Platform, he said.
"Thousands of Dr. Kalam's books and documents that he worked on through his life, the Veena that he often played, are being boxed up, so that Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, who has been in the news recently for his sexist and discriminatory comments, can move in. I'm shocked and appalled at this dishonour."
23:06 Fadnavis takes swipe at Sena, says lessons on nationalism not needed
In an apparent swipe at Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said the BJP leaders and workers do not need lessons on nationalism as they had been brought up with RSS values.
Addressing couple of election rally in Kalyan where Shiv Sena and BJP are contesting the municipal elections separately, he said, "We are from RSS school.. do not tell us nationalism".
"You are teaching loyalty. There is no need to give us lessons of nationalism. Our birth itself is from nationalism, By disrupting a couple of meetings one does not become nationalist," he said in a veiled attack on Shiv Sena. BJP and Shiv Sena, ruling alliance partners in Maharashtra, are at loggerheads with each other over several issues including cultural and sports ties with Pakistan.
"It was due to the greedy attitude of the rulers, we could not provide basic civic amenities. They have no face to show on the basis of development. They (Sena) cannot show any work done by them," Fadnavis.
23:02 Pakistan loses UN human rights council election
Pakistan today failed to win a re-election to the United Nations' human rights body.
The 193-member General Assembly voted here to elect 18 new members of the UN Human Rights Council. Sources said the loss came as a huge shock to the Pakistani delegation that had appeared confident of winning the seat. The General Assembly elected 18 members through a secret ballot.
The new members, who will start their three-year terms beginning January 1 next year, are Belgium, Burundi, Cte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Georgia, Germany, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Panama, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Switzerland, Togo, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. Pakistan lost the seat in the Asia-Pacific category in which five seats were vacant.
21:47 UP court rejects CBI closure report in Budaun gangrape case
Sharat Pradhanj/Rediff.com reports from Lucknow: The Akhilesh Yadav government received another jolt from the judiciary on Wednesday when a local court in Budaun flatly rejected the closure report filed by the CBI in the infamous "gang-rape' of two teenaged girls whose bodies were found hanging from a tree on May 28, 2014.
According to delayed reports reaching the state capital, the CBI closure report was rejected by Budaun additional district judge D K Pandey , to whom the case was remanded by the Allahabad high court following an appeal moved by the family of the two victims, who were allegedly gang-raped , strangled and then hung from a tree.
The high court had further directed the CBI to concede the family's demand for access to all the evidence on the basis of which the investigating agency had drawn its conclusions.
20:55 50 bombs found, cops exchange fire with Naxalites
Around 50 bombs were recovered following an encounter between the police and Naxalites in Latu jungle of Naxal-hit Latehar district today, an official said.
The ultras attacked the security personnel during combing operation forcing them to retaliate, the official said adding that the naxals made a hasty retreat. Following the encounter the security personnel recovered 50 bombs, four horses, a carbine, he said.
One jawan received minor injury in the encounter, the officer said.
19:50 Dhowan directs naval commands to maintain vigil, readiness
Navy chief Admiral R K Dhowan has directed his commanders to maintain highest combat readiness of naval platforms given India's geographic location and the prevailing security situation.
He also asked them to ensure diligent monitoring of developments in the maritime domain. His remarks came as the second edition of this years' bi-annual Naval Commanders' conference ended today in the national capital.
Dhowan chaired the conference and addressed the top naval leadership on a host of issues including enhancing operational readiness of the Commands, infrastructure development, human resources management, coastal security, cyber security in the Indian Navy and foreign cooperation initiatives among others, a statement by the Navy said.
Emphasising upon India's geographic location and the prevailing security situation which demands continuous vigil and readiness to respond to any contingencies in our area of interest, Admiral Dhowan urged the Commanders' to maintain highest combat readiness of our platforms and diligent monitoring of developments in the maritime domain, it said.
19:46
The Indian Army pays homage to Naib Subedar KVS Reddy who had laid down his life while fighting terrorists in Pulwama yesterday.
Two militants and Reddy were killed in an encounter at Drabgam area of south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Monday.
19:30 10 filmmakers return national awards over 'threat to freedom of expression'
JUST IN: 10 filmmakers, including Dibakar Banerjee and Anand Patwardhan, return their national awards over 'growing intolerance' and in support of FTII students.
"Government must reveal its commitment to protect freedom of expression," said the filmmakers while addressing a press conference in Mumbai.
Patwardhan said: "We are disenchanted with what is happening in the country."
The filmmakers also condemned the murders of rationalists, including senior Kannada writer professor MM Kalburgi.
"Murders of rationalists are not random acts of violence. People being murdered for their beliefs and opinions... If we don't protest now, we're in danger of being part of flattening diversity," they added.
Earlier, FTII students said they were ending their 139-day strike and would return to classes but they said they would continue their protests against the appointment of small-time TV actor Gajendra Chauhan as chairman.
19:13 SC to examine issue of discrimination of Muslim women
A Supreme Court bench has asked the Chief Justice of India to constitute an "appropriate bench" to examine the question as to whether Muslim women are facing gender discrimination in cases of divorce or due to other marriages of their husband.
A bench of Justices Anil R Dave and A K Goel ordered registration of a Public Interest Litigation and for putting it up before the new bench to deal with the issues related to the challenge to the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act.
It noted that the issue was not merely a policy matter but concerns the fundamental rights of the women guranteed under the Constitution.
The issue has cropped-up during the hearing of a matter related to Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act and the bench noted that "an important issue of gender discrimination which though not directly involved in this appeal, has been raised by some of the counsel for the parties which concerns rights to Muslim women. Discussions on gender discrimination led to this issue also."
"It was pointed out that inspite of guarantee of the Constitution, Muslim women are subjected to discrimination. There is no safeguard against arbitrary divorce and second marriage by her husband during currency of the first marriage, resulting in denial of dignity and security to her," it noted.
19:10 Sedition case: Hardik undergoes voice-matching test
The Ahmedabad crime branch today conducted voice matching or 'spectrography' test on Patel quota stir leader Hardik Patel in connection with a sedition case against him.
"We conducted the voice spectrography test on Hardik Patel after he gave his consent," Assistant Commissioner of Police K N Patel told PTI.
The test was conducted at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) at Gandhinagar against the leader, who is accused of sedition as well as waging war against the government.
The voice-matching test was needed to verify police's claim that Hardik's phone conversations revealed that he intended to wage a war against the government, police said.
Besides Hardik, five leaders of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti -- Chirag Patel, Dinesh Patel, Ketan Patel, Alpesh Kathiria and Amrish Patel -- are accused in the case.
18:36 Puri Shankaracharya calls for law banning cow slaughter
Amid the beef row, Puri Shankaracharya Adhokshajanand Tirtha Maharaj today called for a central legislation banning cow slaughter even as he was critical of the Delhi police action in Kerala Bhawan in the national capital over a complaint of beef being served there.
"Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi should bring a legislation for ban on cow slaughter in the Parliament as well as a ban on export of beef," Shankaracharya of Goverdhan Peetham Adhokshajanand Maharaj said here while talking to reporters.
The seer was in favour of withdrawal of beef from the menu of hotels and boycott of different products made from body parts of cow.
However, the Shankaracharya, remained critical of beef row in Kerala Bhawan on Monday and termed the police intervention an "attack on sovereignty of state government".
"Virtually it is an attack on the sovereignty of duly elected state government. If not checked, it would spoil the basic structure of the country," he said commenting on the issue.
18:35 Angry China summons US envoy over warship in South China Sea
China on Wednesday said the US' naval and air incursions in the artificial islands in the South China Sea will be counter-productive leading to "miscalculation" and "crisis", as Beijing summoned the American ambassador to protest the US Navy's sailing of a warship into the disputed waters.
China resorted to high pitch protests by summoning US Ambassador Max Baucus on Tuesday to protest against American warship USS Lassen, a guided missile destroyer, sailing close to the artificial islands being built by China in the disputed South China Sea.
China's foreign ministry said on its website on Wednesday that Executive Vice Minister Zhang Yesui told Max Bacaus that the US had acted in defiance of repeated Chinese objections and had threatened China's sovereignty and security.
Chinese officials are concerned over assertions by US officials that Washington will send more ships through the area, challenging Beijing's claims of sovereignty.
"China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha (Spratly) islands adjacent waters. The US vessel sailed into the SCS and relevant waters without permission jeopardising the security of personnel and facilities of the relevant island," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told media briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.
"It is a provocation and violates the UN law of the sea and as well as China's domestic law," he said.
17:53 Badaun deaths: Court rejects CBI report that sisters committed suicide
Just in: Court rejects CBI claim that the Badaun sisters committed suicide. In its 91-page report, filed in February this year, which included the medical evidence and the
closure report, the investigating agency said the girls committed
suicide, ashamed that the relationship that one of them had with one of the men earlier accused in the case, had been
exposed.
The agency said the younger of the two sisters was also desirous of a relationship with the same man. Both girls committed suicide in shame, on being discovered by an uncle.
The kin of the two girls have also received a copy of the CBI report. The girls' family said they would contest the report in court.
The agency said the younger of the two sisters was also desirous of a relationship with the same man. Both girls committed suicide in shame, on being discovered by an uncle.
The kin of the two girls have also received a copy of the CBI report. The girls' family said they would contest the report in court.
17:44
Rs 3,000 crore Greenfield International Airport project in Goa gets environment clearance.
17:10 Nepal gets its first woman president!
Nepal gets its first woman president.
Vice-chairperson of Nepal's ruling Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist Bidhya Bhandari became the Himalayan nation's first woman head of state.
The 54-year-old widow of popular communist leader Madan Bhandari heads the list of three candidates who filed their nominations on Tuesday. The election for the president's post was held today, reported the Hindustan Times.
Vice-chairperson of Nepal's ruling Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist Bidhya Bhandari became the Himalayan nation's first woman head of state.
The 54-year-old widow of popular communist leader Madan Bhandari heads the list of three candidates who filed their nominations on Tuesday. The election for the president's post was held today, reported the Hindustan Times.
17:01 Please come talk to me, resolve issues: Gajendra Chauhan tells FTII students
Now, that the FTII strike is over and the government has refused to backdown on its decision on the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the chairman, the (presumably) jubilant actor says, "I again appeal to the FTII students to come and talk to me, we can resolve issues."
After a four-month (139-day) long strike, the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students blink and have announced they have ended their strike. Students say they will continue their protests in a democratic and peaceful manner but will return to classes.
Students of the FTII, the countrys premier film education centre, went on an indefinite strike since June 12 protesting the Information & Broadcasting Ministrys surprise appointment of television actor-turned-politician Gajendra Chauhan as Chairman of the institute.
After a four-month (139-day) long strike, the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students blink and have announced they have ended their strike. Students say they will continue their protests in a democratic and peaceful manner but will return to classes.
Students of the FTII, the countrys premier film education centre, went on an indefinite strike since June 12 protesting the Information & Broadcasting Ministrys surprise appointment of television actor-turned-politician Gajendra Chauhan as Chairman of the institute.
16:49 Salesmanship as statesmanship
From non-alignment, under which India acted without any specific agenda for itself, we have reached a stage of pragmatic alignment, where we view relationships through the prism of 'profits'. Can a foreign policy solely based on perceived returns, without a global vision, be beneficial in the long run? Read
16:46 One man saving India, Sena's caustic edit in Saamna
In a sarcastic take on Narendra Modi, the Shiv Sena today said the Prime Minister clearly seems disturbed over the state of affairs in the country while presenting his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' as he single-handedly is taking so much trouble to alleviate the pains of the common man over a plethora of issues.
"One man is taking so much trouble to take away the pains of common man. He is fighting corruption, economic difficulties, unemployment, inflation, terrorism, political opponents and loud mouths from his own party," Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana today.
"In the middle of this he is on foreign tours and finishing off pending work and then coming back to solve the problems of common man. He (Modi) has also taken the burden of Bihar election on himself," it quipped. Modi has also announced gold coins bearing the Ashok Chakra. "What more can the government do for poor people?" the Sena taunted.
Taking a jibe on Modi's recent announcement that interviews will be abolished for appointments to Group D, C and B non-gazetted posts in Central government, the Sena sought to know the number of such job opportunities available.
"The PM recently said there will be no interviews required. But how many of these jobs are available and who gets these jobs?," the editorial stated. "Recently, UP government gave an advertisement for 360 Chaprasi jobs for which 23 lakh people applied. Even in the Mumbai municipal corporation, lakhs of people apply for a hundred posts," it pointed out.
"One man is taking so much trouble to take away the pains of common man. He is fighting corruption, economic difficulties, unemployment, inflation, terrorism, political opponents and loud mouths from his own party," Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana today.
"In the middle of this he is on foreign tours and finishing off pending work and then coming back to solve the problems of common man. He (Modi) has also taken the burden of Bihar election on himself," it quipped. Modi has also announced gold coins bearing the Ashok Chakra. "What more can the government do for poor people?" the Sena taunted.
Taking a jibe on Modi's recent announcement that interviews will be abolished for appointments to Group D, C and B non-gazetted posts in Central government, the Sena sought to know the number of such job opportunities available.
"The PM recently said there will be no interviews required. But how many of these jobs are available and who gets these jobs?," the editorial stated. "Recently, UP government gave an advertisement for 360 Chaprasi jobs for which 23 lakh people applied. Even in the Mumbai municipal corporation, lakhs of people apply for a hundred posts," it pointed out.
16:18 Home ministry gives clean chit to Delhi police over Kerala House beef raid
Just in: No apologies forthcoming there. The union home ministry has given a clean chit to the Delhi police on the beef raid at Kerala House on Monday. The home ministry briefed the prime ministers office on Tuesday about the raid at Kerala House in the new Delhi over allegations of beef being served at the state guesthouses canteen, an incident that triggered a political slugfest.
The PMO sought details from the home ministry, to which Delhi Police report, as the political storm sucked both the NDA government and the capitals police into it.
The Congress-led UDF government in Kerala threatened to take legal action over police 'raid' at Kerala House in New Delhi on complaints of cow meat being served there, if the "mistake" is not admitted, and said it has affected Centre-State relations.
The state cabinet at its meeting today discussed the issue and decided to take legal course if the Centre also sticks to the explanation given by Delhi police that "they only did their duty and carried out an inspection in accordance with the law," Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said.
The Kerala government asked the canteen to resume serving its popular buffalo meat dish from Wednesday . The canteen, open to the public, had temporarily taken its buffalo meat preparation off the menu after the police action. Buff (buffalo meat) was sold out in just 30 minutes.
The PMO sought details from the home ministry, to which Delhi Police report, as the political storm sucked both the NDA government and the capitals police into it.
The Congress-led UDF government in Kerala threatened to take legal action over police 'raid' at Kerala House in New Delhi on complaints of cow meat being served there, if the "mistake" is not admitted, and said it has affected Centre-State relations.
The state cabinet at its meeting today discussed the issue and decided to take legal course if the Centre also sticks to the explanation given by Delhi police that "they only did their duty and carried out an inspection in accordance with the law," Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said.
The Kerala government asked the canteen to resume serving its popular buffalo meat dish from Wednesday . The canteen, open to the public, had temporarily taken its buffalo meat preparation off the menu after the police action. Buff (buffalo meat) was sold out in just 30 minutes.
15:58 Indrani admitted to JJ hospital with dengue
Sheena Bora murder accused Indrani Mukerjea has been admitted to JJ Hospital in Mumbai. Mukerjea has been diagnosed with dengue, the jail authorities have informed the court. The next date of hearing is October 31.
15:52 Govt to ban surrogacy services for foreigners
The union government said today that it plans to ban surrogate services for foreigners wanting babies, a move likely to hit hard the booming and lucrative industry. "The government does not support commercial surrogacy," it said in an affidavit to the Supreme Court, which is hearing a petition into the industry."No foreigners can avail surrogacy services in India," it added.
15:20 India-Africa bond has great potential but nothing to do with China
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi plays host this week to a galaxy of heads of state and government at the ongoing India-Africa summit in New Delhi, the event has drawn attention to a phenomenon that has largely been overlooked around the world -- the emergence of India as a source, rather than a recipient, of foreign aid. Read what Shashi Tharoor has to say.
15:05 'Moment of a lifetime': Conjoined twins vote in Bihar polls
Meanwhile, at the third phase of polling in Bihar, an unusual sight: Conjoined twins Farah and Sara, vote. M I Khan reports. Read
14:58 FTII students end 4-month-long strike, will return to classes
After a four-month (139-day) long strike, the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students blink and have announced they have ended their strike. Students say they will continue their protests in a democratic and peaceful manner but will return to classes.
Students of the FTII) the countrys premier film education centre, went on an indefinite strike since June 12 protesting the Information & Broadcasting Ministrys surprise appointment of television actor-turned-politician Gajendra Chauhan as Chairman of the institute.
The students at FTII have sharply questioned Chauhans creative credentials and whether he has the requisite vision in guiding the institute that has been earlier helmed by internationally-renowned luminaries such as Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Girish Karnad, U.R. Ananthamurthy, and Shyam Benegal, who have graced Indian theatre, cinema and literature.
Many view the appointment as an attempt by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government to foist its right-wing agenda upon the institute.
Forced to open a dialogue with the students recently, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry seems largely to have used the talks as a delaying tactic, counting on the strike to end out of student fatigue. The latest meeting on October 20 has left the students feeling dejected and convinced of the callous nature of the government towards FTII.
Yesterday, the Bombay high court granted a conditional interim protection to the 12 FTII students facing arrest over the August 17 gherao of the institute's director.
Students of the FTII) the countrys premier film education centre, went on an indefinite strike since June 12 protesting the Information & Broadcasting Ministrys surprise appointment of television actor-turned-politician Gajendra Chauhan as Chairman of the institute.
The students at FTII have sharply questioned Chauhans creative credentials and whether he has the requisite vision in guiding the institute that has been earlier helmed by internationally-renowned luminaries such as Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Girish Karnad, U.R. Ananthamurthy, and Shyam Benegal, who have graced Indian theatre, cinema and literature.
Many view the appointment as an attempt by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government to foist its right-wing agenda upon the institute.
Forced to open a dialogue with the students recently, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry seems largely to have used the talks as a delaying tactic, counting on the strike to end out of student fatigue. The latest meeting on October 20 has left the students feeling dejected and convinced of the callous nature of the government towards FTII.
Yesterday, the Bombay high court granted a conditional interim protection to the 12 FTII students facing arrest over the August 17 gherao of the institute's director.
14:45
33.88% polling recorded till 1 pm for 3rd phase of Bihar polls
14:44 Beef row: Chandy warns of legal action if mistake not admitted
The Congress-led UDF government in Kerala today threatened to take legal action over police 'raid' at Kerala House in New Delhi on complaints of cow meat being served there, if the "mistake" is not admitted, and said it has affected Centre-State relations.
The state cabinet at its meeting today discussed the issue and decided to take legal course if the Centre also sticks to the explanation given by Delhi police that "they only did their duty and carried out an inspection in accordance with the law," Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said.
"The raid conducted without the permission of state officials at the state-run official guest house crossed all limits of propriety, violated law and also affected the Centre-State relation," he said.
The version of the Delhi police on the raid was "not at all acceptable to the state and we are waiting for the reply to the letter sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the issue. Kerala will take legal action if the reply from Centre also collaborate with the stand taken by Delhi police on the matter", Chandy said.
He said cow meat, banned in Delhi, was not served at the Kerala House. "But, buffalo meat, which is not banned, will be served from today itself at Kerala House no matter who opposes it," he said.
Chandy thanked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for their support to Kerala's stand on the issue.
The state cabinet at its meeting today discussed the issue and decided to take legal course if the Centre also sticks to the explanation given by Delhi police that "they only did their duty and carried out an inspection in accordance with the law," Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said.
"The raid conducted without the permission of state officials at the state-run official guest house crossed all limits of propriety, violated law and also affected the Centre-State relation," he said.
The version of the Delhi police on the raid was "not at all acceptable to the state and we are waiting for the reply to the letter sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the issue. Kerala will take legal action if the reply from Centre also collaborate with the stand taken by Delhi police on the matter", Chandy said.
He said cow meat, banned in Delhi, was not served at the Kerala House. "But, buffalo meat, which is not banned, will be served from today itself at Kerala House no matter who opposes it," he said.
Chandy thanked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for their support to Kerala's stand on the issue.
14:40
Just in: The Delhi police submits a report to the home ministry on the raid at Kerala House.
14:27 Buff sells out in 30 minutes after it returns to the menu at Kerala House
Buffalo meat or buff sold out in half an hour at Kerala House after it returned to the menu after day-long protests yesterday over the high-handed behaviour of the Delhi police in raiding the government house.
The popular 'carabeef' (buffalo meat) dish returned at Kerala House this morning after being taken off the menu following a complaint by a group opposed to beef consumption and a subsequent visit by the Delhi Police.
Around 20 Delhi police officials triggered uproar on Monday by visiting the Kerala House premises after the Hindu Sena's complaint. The police action led to allegations of "intolerance' and an attack on the federal structure by chief ministers of Kerala, Delhi and West Bengal, besides Left leaders.
Officials from Kerala House confirmed on Tuesday they had got orders from Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy to bring back the 'carabeef'.
Sudheesh Kumar of Kerala House said: "We are going to bring back carabeef on the menu. We have the approval of Gyanesh Kumar, the resident commissioner of the Kerala government.' He said the facility serves Kerala cuisine which includes buffalo meat.
Chief minister Chandy earlier asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to instruct home minister Rajnath Singh to take action against the police officers who raided the Kerala House.
Delhi Police commissioner BS Bassi, meanwhile, said his men did not raid Kerala House and broke no law. He said the police only wanted to prevent possible trouble after they got a complaint that beef was served in the canteen of Kerala House, located in the heart of the capital.
Earlier, speaking in Kozhikode, Chandy said the police raid was unwarranted and unfortunate. The police action is not acceptable. Delhi Police was wrong in what they did.
The popular 'carabeef' (buffalo meat) dish returned at Kerala House this morning after being taken off the menu following a complaint by a group opposed to beef consumption and a subsequent visit by the Delhi Police.
Around 20 Delhi police officials triggered uproar on Monday by visiting the Kerala House premises after the Hindu Sena's complaint. The police action led to allegations of "intolerance' and an attack on the federal structure by chief ministers of Kerala, Delhi and West Bengal, besides Left leaders.
Officials from Kerala House confirmed on Tuesday they had got orders from Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy to bring back the 'carabeef'.
Sudheesh Kumar of Kerala House said: "We are going to bring back carabeef on the menu. We have the approval of Gyanesh Kumar, the resident commissioner of the Kerala government.' He said the facility serves Kerala cuisine which includes buffalo meat.
Chief minister Chandy earlier asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to instruct home minister Rajnath Singh to take action against the police officers who raided the Kerala House.
Delhi Police commissioner BS Bassi, meanwhile, said his men did not raid Kerala House and broke no law. He said the police only wanted to prevent possible trouble after they got a complaint that beef was served in the canteen of Kerala House, located in the heart of the capital.
Earlier, speaking in Kozhikode, Chandy said the police raid was unwarranted and unfortunate. The police action is not acceptable. Delhi Police was wrong in what they did.
14:19 Sena-BJP ties hit rock bottom as Fadnavis completes one year
Even as the Devendra Fadnavis government completes a year in office this week, the partnership between BJP and its oldest ideological ally Shiv Sena is at an all-time low, raising a question mark over the political stability of the regime.
The unfolding scenario has thrown up doubts in the minds of people whether the government will be able to complete its tenure, say political observers.
The Sena, after severing ties with BJP on the eve of assembly polls, joined the government in December last year and since then has relentlessly been attacking the policies and approaches of the ministry through its mouthpiece 'Saamana' on various issues.
Increasing its stridency, the Sena recently forced cancellation of Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali's event in the city and later opposed the book launch of former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri. Sena activists blackened the face of the event organiser, Sudheendra Kulkarni, causing much embarrassment to BJP and triggering widespread protests across the country.
Though the BJP has refrained from openly reacting to the ally's aggressive posturing, state party functionaries, requesting anonymity,said the Government would continue even if the Sena pulls out of it.
The unfolding scenario has thrown up doubts in the minds of people whether the government will be able to complete its tenure, say political observers.
The Sena, after severing ties with BJP on the eve of assembly polls, joined the government in December last year and since then has relentlessly been attacking the policies and approaches of the ministry through its mouthpiece 'Saamana' on various issues.
Increasing its stridency, the Sena recently forced cancellation of Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali's event in the city and later opposed the book launch of former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri. Sena activists blackened the face of the event organiser, Sudheendra Kulkarni, causing much embarrassment to BJP and triggering widespread protests across the country.
Though the BJP has refrained from openly reacting to the ally's aggressive posturing, state party functionaries, requesting anonymity,said the Government would continue even if the Sena pulls out of it.
13:54 Wanted: Minsters at the India-Africa summit
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) (which former Narendra Modi sympathiser and eminent journalist Arun Shourie has called weak) has admitted to a shortage of union ministers. Ministers have gone MKIA with the ongoing Bihar election campaign.
The shortage is apparent at the Third India-Africa Forum Summit set to begin in New Delhi tomorrow. The PMO needs dedicated ministers to be 'ministers in waiting' to African leaders for the summit, which is normal protocol.
So far, 53 African heads of state and government have confirmed their attendance. To welcome them, the External Affairs Protocol division wanted to assign duties to 53 Union Ministers.
But Modi's council of minsters consists of 13 Ministers of State (independent charge) and 25 Ministers of State. Protocol duties are always in accordance with the status of a minister and in any case, the PMO is short of 15 ministers.
Still, the foreign office has worked things out as the summit begins tomorrow but insiders say that ministers lack the experience of handling such crucial issues which needs political sagacity and a confidence.
Pic: King Mswati III of Swaziland with Union culture minister Dr Mahesh Sharma at the India Africa summit in New Delhi on Monday.
The shortage is apparent at the Third India-Africa Forum Summit set to begin in New Delhi tomorrow. The PMO needs dedicated ministers to be 'ministers in waiting' to African leaders for the summit, which is normal protocol.
So far, 53 African heads of state and government have confirmed their attendance. To welcome them, the External Affairs Protocol division wanted to assign duties to 53 Union Ministers.
But Modi's council of minsters consists of 13 Ministers of State (independent charge) and 25 Ministers of State. Protocol duties are always in accordance with the status of a minister and in any case, the PMO is short of 15 ministers.
Still, the foreign office has worked things out as the summit begins tomorrow but insiders say that ministers lack the experience of handling such crucial issues which needs political sagacity and a confidence.
Pic: King Mswati III of Swaziland with Union culture minister Dr Mahesh Sharma at the India Africa summit in New Delhi on Monday.
13:37 Anushka Sharma denies marriage rumors with Virat Kohli
Dil Dhadakne Do' actress Anushka Sharma has refuted rumours that she is tying the knot with cricketer boyfriend Virat Kohli. Anushka, 27, opened about her relationship with Virat last December and since then they have been facing marriage rumours.
The latest grapevine suggested that the 26-year-old cricketer was planning to move in with the actress in Mumbai.
"There is no truth to the stories/rumours about Anushka Sharma's impending wedding. Currently she is busy and happy with her work commitments," read a statement on the behalf of Anushka.
"She has always been open about her life and would appreciate it and request everyone to wait for her to make announcements about her life instead of speculating,' the statement added.
Earlier, Anushka reportedly dated actor Ranveer Singh, with whom she worked on "Band Baaja Baaraat', "Ladies vs Ricky Bahl' and this year's release "Dil Dhadakne Do'.
The latest grapevine suggested that the 26-year-old cricketer was planning to move in with the actress in Mumbai.
"There is no truth to the stories/rumours about Anushka Sharma's impending wedding. Currently she is busy and happy with her work commitments," read a statement on the behalf of Anushka.
"She has always been open about her life and would appreciate it and request everyone to wait for her to make announcements about her life instead of speculating,' the statement added.
Earlier, Anushka reportedly dated actor Ranveer Singh, with whom she worked on "Band Baaja Baaraat', "Ladies vs Ricky Bahl' and this year's release "Dil Dhadakne Do'.
13:27 No blanket ban on bursting firecrackers, 10 pm-6 am ban stands: SC
The Supreme Court has refused to impose a blanket ban on the bursting of firecrackers. Hearing a PIL filed by three children through their parents seeking a ban on firecrackers ahead of Diwali, the SC reiterated their previous order stating no firecrackers can be burst between 10 pm and 6 am on Diwali or any other day.
Earlier, the Centre, during the hearing, asserted that it is not in favour of a blanket ban on crackers, referring to the apex court's 2001 ruling which allowed fireworks from 6 am to 10 pm.
The court said it was unhappy with the lack of publicity on noise pollution and directed the Centre and states to educate people about the ill effects of crackers and advise them not to use fireworks. The court said the centre and states must actively raise awareness on air pollution between October 31 and November 12.
Three infants aged between 3 to 14 months had approached the Supreme Court urging it to ban the sale of firecrackers on Dussehra and Diwali stressing that a pollution-free environment was their right.
Earlier, the Centre, during the hearing, asserted that it is not in favour of a blanket ban on crackers, referring to the apex court's 2001 ruling which allowed fireworks from 6 am to 10 pm.
The court said it was unhappy with the lack of publicity on noise pollution and directed the Centre and states to educate people about the ill effects of crackers and advise them not to use fireworks. The court said the centre and states must actively raise awareness on air pollution between October 31 and November 12.
Three infants aged between 3 to 14 months had approached the Supreme Court urging it to ban the sale of firecrackers on Dussehra and Diwali stressing that a pollution-free environment was their right.
13:03 Indrani Mukerjea has dengue, say jail authorities
Just in: Sheena Bora case: Prime accused Indrani Mukerjea suffering from dengue for the last seven days, jail authorities inform court. Next date of hearing is October 31.
Mukerjea, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and her driver Shyamvarf Rai are currently in judicial custody in connection with the Sheena Bora's murder and dumping her body in a forest in Raigad district in April 2012. Last month, Maharashtra government decided to transfer the probe to CBI.
On October 2, Indrani was taken to JJ Hospital from Byculla womens' prison in an unconscious state, fueling speculation that she had overdosed on anti-depressant drugs.
But the probe by Inspector General (prisons) ruled out the possibility of drug overdose, poisoning or suicide bid.
On October 6, the 43-year-old was discharged and sent back to jail. CBI was permitted to question her in the jail.
Mukerjea, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and her driver Shyamvarf Rai are currently in judicial custody in connection with the Sheena Bora's murder and dumping her body in a forest in Raigad district in April 2012. Last month, Maharashtra government decided to transfer the probe to CBI.
On October 2, Indrani was taken to JJ Hospital from Byculla womens' prison in an unconscious state, fueling speculation that she had overdosed on anti-depressant drugs.
But the probe by Inspector General (prisons) ruled out the possibility of drug overdose, poisoning or suicide bid.
On October 6, the 43-year-old was discharged and sent back to jail. CBI was permitted to question her in the jail.
12:44
Question: How Facebook can help poor and uneducated people?
Mark Zuckerberg: So this is a really interesting area. I sometimes wonder about the impact I can have outside Facebook I've been learning about the education system. Internet.org can help provide internet access to the remotest areas. It can provide a lot of information on education and health.
Mark Zuckerberg: So this is a really interesting area. I sometimes wonder about the impact I can have outside Facebook I've been learning about the education system. Internet.org can help provide internet access to the remotest areas. It can provide a lot of information on education and health.
12:40
Q: What are future products we cn expect from Facebook?
Mark Zuckerberg: In 5-10 years we want to be able to build computer systems which concieve better, which can recognize things around the world, can translate language better, can understand language better.
Mark Zuckerberg: In 5-10 years we want to be able to build computer systems which concieve better, which can recognize things around the world, can translate language better, can understand language better.
12:38 Zuckerberg@IIT Delhi: Promises to get rid of Candy Crush invites
Possibly the most important question at the Town Hall meet: How do I stop getting Candy Crush invitations?"
A huge round of applause as everyone relates to it.
Zuckerberg grins and says this is why such townhalls are so useful. There are a lot of people who play games on Facebook, but there are as many who don't. This was the top voted questions on our thread. I told my developers that can we have a solution to this probably by the time I do my Q&A. So we are doing it now so, they are working on getting rid of Candy Crush.
A huge round of applause as everyone relates to it.
Zuckerberg grins and says this is why such townhalls are so useful. There are a lot of people who play games on Facebook, but there are as many who don't. This was the top voted questions on our thread. I told my developers that can we have a solution to this probably by the time I do my Q&A. So we are doing it now so, they are working on getting rid of Candy Crush.
12:29 We want another billion people online: Zuckerberg
For those of you who have just joined us, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is holding a townhall Q&A session at the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi right now. This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the company headquarters last month where he answered questions from the audience at a Townhall meeting there.
The floor is now open to questions, however, Zuckerbeg will not discuss financial results, performance or acquisitions.
So, on to what he's saying now:
It's important for us to speak to the consumers of India. Connecting India is the key to connecting the world. A lot of people in India do not have internet access. Internet can help people get jobs. We want to get another billion people online."
The floor is now open to questions, however, Zuckerbeg will not discuss financial results, performance or acquisitions.
So, on to what he's saying now:
It's important for us to speak to the consumers of India. Connecting India is the key to connecting the world. A lot of people in India do not have internet access. Internet can help people get jobs. We want to get another billion people online."
12:22 Excited to be in India, energy here is awesome: Zuckerberg
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg begins his Townhall Q&A at IIT Delhi, and tells a packed auditorium, "It is always great to be here."
"Came to know about the terrible earthquake, its moments like these when it is important for people to come together. Facebook helped people connect," Zuckerberg says. "I'm excited to be in India, the energy here is awesome."
"More than 130 million people use Facebook in India. I'm looking forward to hearing directly from one of our most active and engaged communities," Zuckerberg says.
"Came to know about the terrible earthquake, its moments like these when it is important for people to come together. Facebook helped people connect," Zuckerberg says. "I'm excited to be in India, the energy here is awesome."
"More than 130 million people use Facebook in India. I'm looking forward to hearing directly from one of our most active and engaged communities," Zuckerberg says.
12:16 Kerala beef house row: Hindu Sena chief detained for false complaint
Just in: Hindu Sena Chief Vishnu Gupta detained by Delhi police. It was Gupta who had called the police saying beef was being served at Kerala House. Gupta has detained for raising a false alarm.
Nearly 20 police officials went to Kerala House Monday evening after Gupta, complained the canteen at the state guest house was serving beef, said police.
However, the Kerala House said they served only buffalo meat and had named it "beef'.
Confirming the incident, a senior police official of New Delhi district said they received a PCR call around 4.30 pm over "beef' being served in the canteen. The officer said the police rushed to the spot to prevent any untoward situation.
Nearly 20 police officials went to Kerala House Monday evening after Gupta, complained the canteen at the state guest house was serving beef, said police.
However, the Kerala House said they served only buffalo meat and had named it "beef'.
Confirming the incident, a senior police official of New Delhi district said they received a PCR call around 4.30 pm over "beef' being served in the canteen. The officer said the police rushed to the spot to prevent any untoward situation.
11:58 IIT Delhi waits for Zuckerberg
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will hold a town hall Q&A at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi this morning. The session is set to begin shortly.
Zuckerberg will interact with students and faculty at IIT Delhi and is expected to speak for about 15 minutes before answering questions from the audience for an hour.
According to a report, one in every nine IIT students selected through a lottery will get entry to the hall, which has a seating capacity of 1,110. Facebook received over 3,500 applications through a link posted to the IIT website.
The picture was Tweeted by @kapur_ritu
Zuckerberg will interact with students and faculty at IIT Delhi and is expected to speak for about 15 minutes before answering questions from the audience for an hour.
According to a report, one in every nine IIT students selected through a lottery will get entry to the hall, which has a seating capacity of 1,110. Facebook received over 3,500 applications through a link posted to the IIT website.
The picture was Tweeted by @kapur_ritu
11:51
Explosion reported near gate of Herat prison in Afghanistan,; casualties feared, local media reports
11:49
20.72% polling recorded till 11 am for 3rd phase of Bihar polls
11:48 Close aide Vicky Malhotra likely to take over Chhota Rajan's empire
Underworld don Chhota Rajan's trusted aide Vicky Malhotra could be taking over Rajan's business - with his mentor's blessings - to emerge as an independent entity who could be a check on the Dawood Ibrahim gang's network. Going by Malhotra's movements in recent months, it would appear that he is now looking to carve a niche for himself, agencies tracking him feel. Read more
11:42 Not afraid of anyone: Gangster Chhota Rajan on Dawood Ibrahim
Gangster Chhota Rajan tells reporters as he is led away by the police in Denpasar in Bali, that he is not afraid of anyone. He responded to questions on whether he was afraid of absconding 1993 blasts accused gangster Dawood Ibrahim, who is holed up in Pakistan.
Wearing an orange prison uniform and handcuffs, Rajan, 55, was arrested on Sunday. He was absconding for nearly 20 years.
Various newspaper reports suggest that Rajan (55), who has been hunted by the police in many countries, was scared to return to India because of threats from Dawood, his former mentor turned bitter rival.
Bali police commissioner Reinhard Nainggolan said Rajan is being kept at a local police station. "He is looks scared. He keeps smoking constantly. He said he didn't want to go to India as his wife and father had died."
Rajan's wife Sujata Nikalje, however, is alive.
He has also been found to be medically fit, which contradicts speculation that one reason the gangster wanted to return to India was because of his liver and kidney problems. Reports say that he is on dialysis.
Reports state that a CBI-led team from India is likely to reach Bali, Indonesia by Thursday to begin the process of bringing back via deportation Mumbais mafia don Chhota Rajan alias Nana.
Some reports also stated that Rajan is likely to be lodged in the same high-security cell in Arthur Road Jail in which 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorist Ajmal Kasab was imprisone
Rajan is wanted in India for between 15 to 20 murder cases.
Wearing an orange prison uniform and handcuffs, Rajan, 55, was arrested on Sunday. He was absconding for nearly 20 years.
Various newspaper reports suggest that Rajan (55), who has been hunted by the police in many countries, was scared to return to India because of threats from Dawood, his former mentor turned bitter rival.
Bali police commissioner Reinhard Nainggolan said Rajan is being kept at a local police station. "He is looks scared. He keeps smoking constantly. He said he didn't want to go to India as his wife and father had died."
Rajan's wife Sujata Nikalje, however, is alive.
He has also been found to be medically fit, which contradicts speculation that one reason the gangster wanted to return to India was because of his liver and kidney problems. Reports say that he is on dialysis.
Reports state that a CBI-led team from India is likely to reach Bali, Indonesia by Thursday to begin the process of bringing back via deportation Mumbais mafia don Chhota Rajan alias Nana.
Some reports also stated that Rajan is likely to be lodged in the same high-security cell in Arthur Road Jail in which 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorist Ajmal Kasab was imprisone
Rajan is wanted in India for between 15 to 20 murder cases.
11:32
Just in: PM Narendra Modi will attend the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.
11:16 Pakistan supported, trained Lashkar, admits Musharraf
Former president Pervez Musharraf has admitted that Pakistan supported and trained terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba in 1990s to carry out militancy in Kashmir.
"In 1990s the freedom struggle began in Kashmir...At that time Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and 11 or 12 other organisations were formed. We supported them and trained them as they were fighting in Kashmir at the cost of their lives," Musharraf said in an interview to Dunya News on Sunday.
The former army chief was responding to a question about action against LeT's Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. He said Saeed and Lakhvi-type people enjoyed the status of heroes at that time.
"The Kashmiri freedom fighters including Hafiz Saeed and Lakhvi were our heroes at that time. Later on the religious militancy turned into terrorism. Now they (referring to militants in Pakistan) are killing their own people here and this should be controlled and stopped," he said.
To a question whether Saeed and Lakhvi should also be "controlled and stopped", Musharraf said: "No comments." Musharraf said that "religious militancy" was started by Pakistan which brought militants from all over the world to fight against Soviet forces. He said in 1979 Pakistan was in favour of religious militancy. "We trained Taliban and sent them to fight against Russia. Taliban, Haqqani, Osama Bin Laden and Zawahiri were our heroes then. Later they became villains," he said, adding that people need to understand the whole environment at that time.
"In 1990s the freedom struggle began in Kashmir...At that time Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and 11 or 12 other organisations were formed. We supported them and trained them as they were fighting in Kashmir at the cost of their lives," Musharraf said in an interview to Dunya News on Sunday.
The former army chief was responding to a question about action against LeT's Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. He said Saeed and Lakhvi-type people enjoyed the status of heroes at that time.
"The Kashmiri freedom fighters including Hafiz Saeed and Lakhvi were our heroes at that time. Later on the religious militancy turned into terrorism. Now they (referring to militants in Pakistan) are killing their own people here and this should be controlled and stopped," he said.
To a question whether Saeed and Lakhvi should also be "controlled and stopped", Musharraf said: "No comments." Musharraf said that "religious militancy" was started by Pakistan which brought militants from all over the world to fight against Soviet forces. He said in 1979 Pakistan was in favour of religious militancy. "We trained Taliban and sent them to fight against Russia. Taliban, Haqqani, Osama Bin Laden and Zawahiri were our heroes then. Later they became villains," he said, adding that people need to understand the whole environment at that time.
11:09 'Indian grandfather slammed to ground, paralysed in 101 secs'
The Indian grandfather, who was violently assaulted by an American police officer earlier this year, was slammed to the ground and left paralysed in 101 seconds after encountering police despite pleading five times that he knows no English, a US court has been told.
The retrial of police officer Eric Parker, accused of violently assaulting 58-year-old Sureshbhai Patel that left him partially paralysed, began this week in a federal court in Alabama. Parker is charged with violating the civil rights of Patel following an encounter in a Madison neighbourhood off County Line Road on February 6.
Patel, who was visiting his son in Alabama to meet his newly born grandson, was slammed to ground and left paralysed in 101 seconds after encountering the police early this year despite him pleading as many as five times that he knows no English, federal prosecutors said. As the retrial of Parker began in Alabama, Assistant US Attorney Robert Posey told the jury that the grand father told the police officer "no English" five times. Patel said "India" three times and pointed to his son's home and kept trying to walk officers toward the home, Posey told the federal jury yesterday.
Patel made no sudden movements, he was quoted as saying by Al.Com. Presenting a strong case, Posey sought 10 years imprisonment for Parker for using excessive force in the leg sweep takedown that left Patel in need of spinal surgery. However, appearing on behalf of Parker, defence attorney Robert Tuten told the jury that the escalation of force was largely the fault of Patel.
"When you come to the US. We expect you to follow our laws and speak our language. Mr Patel bears as much responsibility for this as anyone," he said. Claiming that Patel understands the word "stop", Tuten alleged that despite this he walked two steps, then seven steps and then nine more steps as police attempted to question him. Thereafter, Patel reached for his pockets, which could have contained a weapon, he said. Parker's retrial has 14 members in the jury, of which 11 are women and three men.
During the trial, Posey alleged that Parker threatened Patel. "Mr Parker kicks Mr Patel's leg out from under him and at the same time pushes his head and shoulders full force into the frozen ground," he alleged. Tuten alleged that Patel not taking his hand out of his pocket was dangerous for Parker. If you act like a criminal you are going to be treated like one.
"It's unfortunate that he didn't speak English. But in America that's the language that we speak," he said. Patel was on a walk when the incident happened.
The retrial of police officer Eric Parker, accused of violently assaulting 58-year-old Sureshbhai Patel that left him partially paralysed, began this week in a federal court in Alabama. Parker is charged with violating the civil rights of Patel following an encounter in a Madison neighbourhood off County Line Road on February 6.
Patel, who was visiting his son in Alabama to meet his newly born grandson, was slammed to ground and left paralysed in 101 seconds after encountering the police early this year despite him pleading as many as five times that he knows no English, federal prosecutors said. As the retrial of Parker began in Alabama, Assistant US Attorney Robert Posey told the jury that the grand father told the police officer "no English" five times. Patel said "India" three times and pointed to his son's home and kept trying to walk officers toward the home, Posey told the federal jury yesterday.
Patel made no sudden movements, he was quoted as saying by Al.Com. Presenting a strong case, Posey sought 10 years imprisonment for Parker for using excessive force in the leg sweep takedown that left Patel in need of spinal surgery. However, appearing on behalf of Parker, defence attorney Robert Tuten told the jury that the escalation of force was largely the fault of Patel.
"When you come to the US. We expect you to follow our laws and speak our language. Mr Patel bears as much responsibility for this as anyone," he said. Claiming that Patel understands the word "stop", Tuten alleged that despite this he walked two steps, then seven steps and then nine more steps as police attempted to question him. Thereafter, Patel reached for his pockets, which could have contained a weapon, he said. Parker's retrial has 14 members in the jury, of which 11 are women and three men.
During the trial, Posey alleged that Parker threatened Patel. "Mr Parker kicks Mr Patel's leg out from under him and at the same time pushes his head and shoulders full force into the frozen ground," he alleged. Tuten alleged that Patel not taking his hand out of his pocket was dangerous for Parker. If you act like a criminal you are going to be treated like one.
"It's unfortunate that he didn't speak English. But in America that's the language that we speak," he said. Patel was on a walk when the incident happened.
11:05 India moves up in World Bank's ease of doing business list
India now ranks 130 out of 189 countries in the ease of doing business, moving up 12 places from last year, according to a World Bank report.
"A forward movement of 12 spots in the ease of doing business by an economy of the size of India is a 'remarkable achievement," World Bank's Chief Economist and Senior Vice President Kaushik Basu said.
"For any big economy, a rank improvement of 12 is a remarkable achievement. Going from 142 in the world to 130, as India has done, is very good sign. It gives a good signal about the way things are moving in India," Basu told PTI in an interview as World Bank released its annual report 'Doing Business 2016' which is topped by Singapore, followed by New Zealand, Denmark, South Korea, Hong Kong, Britain and the US. China is ranked 84 and Pakistan is at 138th place.
Pakistan in fact has slipped 10 spots from 128 last year while China has moved six spots in a year from 90 since the last report.
"A forward movement of 12 spots in the ease of doing business by an economy of the size of India is a 'remarkable achievement," World Bank's Chief Economist and Senior Vice President Kaushik Basu said.
"For any big economy, a rank improvement of 12 is a remarkable achievement. Going from 142 in the world to 130, as India has done, is very good sign. It gives a good signal about the way things are moving in India," Basu told PTI in an interview as World Bank released its annual report 'Doing Business 2016' which is topped by Singapore, followed by New Zealand, Denmark, South Korea, Hong Kong, Britain and the US. China is ranked 84 and Pakistan is at 138th place.
Pakistan in fact has slipped 10 spots from 128 last year while China has moved six spots in a year from 90 since the last report.
11:02 Indian-origin woman's sex assault jail term increased in UK
A 25-year-old Indian-origin care home worker who sexually assaulted elderly patients, including a 101-year-old woman, has had her jail term increased to 15 years from the previous 10 years.
Christina Sethi targeted three victims, one male and two female, at a care home in Devon, south-west England, between January 2014 and May this year. She also filmed the assaults on her mobile phone before sharing them with her boyfriend.
Plymouth Crown Court had sentenced her to 10 years after a trial in August. However, after a reference to the Court of Appeal, three senior judges decided to hike the sentence.
Justice Hallett said 15 years is the absolute minimum Sethi should have been given. Sethi deliberately targeted victims suffering from dementia, the oldest of whom was a 101-year-old female. One of her victims has died since the incident. Sethi had admitted three counts of sexual assault and two of assault by penetration in July.
During the sentencing, judge Richard Stead had said she had committed "horrific abuse of three vulnerable and elderly victims who were in a care home under your care." "You humiliated three elderly people who trusted you," he said. Devon and Cornwall Police described Sethi's actions as "incomprehensible."
Christina Sethi targeted three victims, one male and two female, at a care home in Devon, south-west England, between January 2014 and May this year. She also filmed the assaults on her mobile phone before sharing them with her boyfriend.
Plymouth Crown Court had sentenced her to 10 years after a trial in August. However, after a reference to the Court of Appeal, three senior judges decided to hike the sentence.
Justice Hallett said 15 years is the absolute minimum Sethi should have been given. Sethi deliberately targeted victims suffering from dementia, the oldest of whom was a 101-year-old female. One of her victims has died since the incident. Sethi had admitted three counts of sexual assault and two of assault by penetration in July.
During the sentencing, judge Richard Stead had said she had committed "horrific abuse of three vulnerable and elderly victims who were in a care home under your care." "You humiliated three elderly people who trusted you," he said. Devon and Cornwall Police described Sethi's actions as "incomprehensible."
10:55 Cracker ban on Deepavali against Hindu tradition
A plea by three infants in the Supreme Court for a ban on firecrackers during Deepavali has been strongly objected to in the Supreme Court by various organisations, one of them contending that "crackers are burst on Deepavali to celebrate the victory of good over evil' and a ban will "affect the traditional and customary rights of the Hindus. Arjun Gopal, Aarav Bhandari and Zoya Rao Bhasin had voiced the growing despair of children choking on the National Capital's noxious air. They asked the apex court for a restriction on the bursting of firecrackers this Deepavali as an immediate measure to help them breathe better.
10:14 SC calls for scrapping quota in higher education institutes
A Supreme Court bench urged the Centre to take steps "objectively' in order to do away with all forms of reservations in institutions of higher education. Justices Dipak Misra and PC Pant observed that in spite of several reminders to the Central and state governments, reservation continues to hold sway over merit.
The bench made the observation with regard to making merit the primary criteria for admission to super-specialty courses. The bench also noted that even after 68 years of independence some "privileges remain unchanged'.
The bench said there should be no reservation so as to improve the standard of higher education, and also asked authorities not to relax eligibility criteria in order to maintain the standards of training institutes.
09:51 Modi set to visit Srinagar in November with massive aid package
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on course to hold a public rally at Srinagar's Sher-i-Kashmir stadium on November 7 where he will announce a massive development package for Jammu and Kashmir. The rally, on the eve of the Bihar election results, will also be attended by chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. The development package that Modi is set to announce is expected to be worth around Rs 92,000 crore.
This is the second time Modi is visiting the Valley around Diwali as he spent his last festival of lights in Srinagar commiserating with the public over the loss of lives in the 2014 Jhelum floods.
09:12 NSA Doval devised plan to arrest Chhota Rajan, Dawood hunt in works
Police and home ministry sources have said that national security adviser Ajit Doval devised a plan to secure Chhota Rajan's arrest in Indonesia as a part of a strategy to hunt down the country's most-wanted man, Dawood Ibrahim.
Doval, who is reputed to have handled Rajendra Nikalje -- also known as Chhota Rajan -- as a security asset in the past, wants to bring him in from the cold to help target Ibrahim who is reportedly living in Pakistan.
Officials in the home ministry and CBI, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Doval had played a key role in orchestrating the arrest of Rajan.
08:53
JUST IN: 5.59% polling has been recorded till 8 am in phase 3 of the Bihar assembly polls.
08:49 China's Xi pledges aid for quake-hit Afghanistan, Pakistan
Condoling the loss of lives in the powerful 7.5 magnitude quake that ravaged parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan, Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged assistance to both countries in providing relief to those affected by the disaster.
The magnitude-7.5 earthquake hit Hindu Kush mountain range in northern Afghanistan on Monday in which over 300 people were killed in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In his message to Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain, Xi said that China and Pakistan are "all-weather strategic partners of cooperation" and the Chinese people also feel the pain of the Pakistani people.
Xi also sent a message to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani saying that China and Afghanistan share a traditional friendship and the Chinese people are saddened by the loss of life and property in Afghanistan in the earthquake.
The Chinese leader pledged assistance for both countries if needed, expressing the belief that the two nations can overcome the aftermath of the disaster and rebuild their homelands.
08:26 India jumps 12 spots in World Bank's ease of doing business list
India now ranks 130 out of 189 countries in the ease of doing business, moving up 12 places from last year, according to a World Bank report.
"A forward movement of 12 spots in the ease of doing business by an economy of the size of India is a remarkable achievement," World Bank's Chief Economist and Senior Vice President Kaushik Basu said. "For any big economy, a rank improvement of 12 is a remarkable achievement. Going from 142 in the world to 130, as India has done, is very good sign. It gives a good signal about the way things are moving in India," Basu said.
Singapore tops the list, followed by New Zealand, Denmark, South Korea, Hong Kong, Britain and the US. China is ranked 84 and Pakistan is at 138th place.
08:11 Sena leader rushed to hospital after being shot at
Shiv Sena leader Anil Chavan has been admitted to hospital in Mumbai after he was shot at by two unidentified men.
More details are awaited.
08:01 Race for Bihar: Nitish and Lalu bastions go to poll in 3rd phase today
Fifty constituencies spread over six districts are voting today in the third phase of the assembly elections in Bihar. The third phase is seen as a crucial one for the anti-Bharatiya Janata Party Grand Alliance in which Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's popularity will be tested on his home turf Nalanda and his ally, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad's grip on Saran.
01:14 PM to hold 20 bilateral meetings with African leaders
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold as many as 20 bilateral meetings with heads of states and governments from Africa tomorrow, a day ahead of the Third India-Africa Forum Summit on Thursday.
The bilaterals will include talks with Zimbabwe's President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, South African President Jacob G Zuma, Swaziland King Mswati III, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry Vikas Swarup said.
Both sides are expected to discuss key strategic issues of trade, energy, security, UN Security Council reforms as well as ways to enhance cooperation in areas of Blue or Ocean economy, maritime security and counter-terrorism.
01:13 Is Marco Rubio Hillary Clinton's worst nightmare?
Hillary Clinton has strengthened her position as the Democrat to beat in her quest to become the country's first woman president. But the biggest obstacle in her path to victory could be a young senator who few outside Florida know much about.
Read this story HERE
00:57 Pakistan supported, trained terror groups: Musharraf
Former president Pervez Musharraf has admitted that Pakistan supported and trained groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba in 1990s to carry out militancy in Kashmir.
"In 1990s the freedom struggle began in Kashmir...At that time Lashkar-e-Taiba and 11 or 12 other organisations were formed. We supported them and trained them as they were fighting in Kashmir at the cost of their lives," Musharraf said in an interview to Dunya News on Sunday. The former army chief was responding to a question about action against LeT's Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.
He said Saeed and Lakhvi type people enjoyed the status of heroes at that time. "The Kashmiri freedom fighters including Hafiz Saeed and Lakhvi were our heroes at that time. Later on the religious militancy turned into terrorism. Now they (referring to militants in Pakistan) are killing their own peopl
00:46 Fire in garments market in Delhi; septuagenarian woman dies
A 74-year-old woman died and four persons suffered severe burn injuries when a fire broke out at a garments market in central Delhi's Karol Bagh today.
The deceased, identified as Mathura Devi, lived adjacent to one of the six shops which were gutted in the fire.
"She couldn't escape and died of suffocation," a police official said. The fire was reported around 6.25 pm and five fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
The fire was doused by 7.50 pm after which a cooling operation was launched, a fire official said. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, the official added.
00:11 China says US warship's Spratly islands passage 'illegal'
Chinese officials have condemned a US ship's passage near disputed islands in the South China Sea as "illegal" and a threat to their country's sovereignty.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen breached the 12-nautical mile zone China claims around Subi and Mischief reefs in the Spratly archipelago.
The US has confirmed the operation took place, apparently as part of its Freedom of Navigation programme.
The operation is a challenge to China's claims over the artificial islands.Lu Kang, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry, said Beijing would "resolutely respond to any country's deliberately provocative actions".
Read the story HERE
00:09 Top headlines of the last 24 hours
BSF lodges strong protest with Pak Rangers over border firing
What China's military plans mean for India
India says it should not face problem in bringing back Rajan
NGO that took care of Geeta declines PM's Rs 1 crore donation
Driver convicted for rape, murder of woman techie from AP
India woos Africa, pushes it to seek global standing
What China's military plans mean for India
India says it should not face problem in bringing back Rajan
NGO that took care of Geeta declines PM's Rs 1 crore donation
Driver convicted for rape, murder of woman techie from AP
India woos Africa, pushes it to seek global standing
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