At least two people were killed and 45 injured by a magnitude-6.5 earthquake that knocked down houses and buckled roads in southern Japan tonight.

Both victims are from the hardest-hit town of Mashiki, about 15 kilometres east of Kumamoto city on the island of Kyushu.

Earlier, Japanese Red Cross Kumamoto Hospital said it had admitted or treated 45 people, including five with serious injuries.

The quake struck at 9.26 pm at a depth of 11 kilometres near Kumamoto city on the island of Kyushu, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. There was no tsunami risk.

In a touching gesture, the Indian Air Force tonight announced that its vital airbase at Panagarh in West Bengal will be named after Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh.

IAF Chief Air Chief Marshall Arup Raha made the announcement at a function here tonight to mark the eve of Arjan Singh's 97th birthday which was attended by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag and several retired chiefs.

The base at Panagarh will be now called Air Force Station Arjan Singh, IAF officials said. It's a departure from the past as the IAF does not name its bases after individuals.

A squadron of the IAF's special operations planes the C-130J will be based at Panagarh and will be tasked to operate in tandem with the Army's Mountain Strike Corps.

The infrastructure for basing the C-130J's is ready and will be formally inaugurated in the first week of May. Its runaway has been re-carpeted.

Microsoft is suing the United States government over a federal law that lets authorities examine customer emails or online files without the individual's knowledge.

The lawsuit comes as the tech industry butts heads with US officials over the privacy rights of customers.

Microsoft says the US is abusing a decades-old law that allows a court to order the company to turn over email or other customer files that are stored on its servers, while prohibiting Microsoft from notifying the customer.

The company says that violates constitutional rights of free speech and protection against unreasonable searches.

Microsoft says in a lawsuit filed today that authorities demanded customer information more than 5,600 times in the last 18 months. In nearly half those cases, a court ordered the company to keep the demand secret.

Just in: Fifa could consider stripping Qatar of the 2022 World Cup if its record on the treatment of migrant workers does not improve within 12 months. This move comes after a report authored by a Harvard professor commissioned by the world footballs governing body into its human rights responsibilities. Fifa has come under fire over its failure to consider human rights issues in host countries including Brazil, Russia and Qatar and its reluctance to exert its influence to improve the situation.

In particular, the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar building the infrastructure to host the 2022 tournament has come under the spotlight following a series of investigations by NGOs and the Guardian.

Professor John Ruggies report makes 25 explicit recommendations, praising Fifa for making a start in addressing the situation by commissioning the report. But he said it must now match its words with action.

Read more


Qatar given 12 months to end migrant labour exploitation. Fifa asked to strip Qatar as hosts of 2018 world cup. If Qatar does not act it faces UN enquiry. Prof John Ruggie appointed by Fifa to produce a report on Human rights violations. There are major human rights issues facing the 2018 World Cup.

human rights exploitation  

A strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu on Thursday, but there was no danger of a tsunami, local authorities said.

The quake struck at 9:26 pm (1226 GMT) in Kumamoto, central Kyushu at a relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometres, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

An 18-year-old woman in the US has been accused of filming the sexual assault of a minor girl and uploading it in the social media, prompting a grand jury to indict her and her boy friend on several charges including rape.

The woman, Marina Lonina from Ohio is charged with streaming the rape of the 17-year-old girl via Twitter's live video app Periscope, US media reported.

The case came to light when authorities were contacted after an out-of-state friend of the woman saw the images, Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said. Marina Lonina and co-defendant Raymond Gates, 29, have been both charged with rape, kidnapping, sexual battery and pandering sexually-oriented matter involving a minor, NBC News reported. O'


Brien said Lonina and the victim, who were friends, were socialising with Gates at a home when Gates raped the girl. Lonina used the Periscope app to livestream the assault, said to have occured on February 27 in the city of Colombus. Periscope is an app for smartphones which uses a video function to allow users to stream events live. Meanwhile, Lonina's lawyer said that she "categorically" denies the charges. The duo each face up to 40 years in prison, if convicted.

More than half of people in rural areas still go for open defecation though things seems to be changing after construction of community toilets as part of Swachh Bharat Mission, a survey has found.


"In rural areas, the percentage of persons going for open defecation was estimated to be 52.1 per cent," said a Rapid Survey on 'Swachhta' Status conducted by the NSSO during May-June 2015 covering 3,788 villages and 2,907 urban blocks.The study further found that in rural areas, 55.4 per cent households contributed to open defecation.

A strong earthquake with a 6.4 magnitude hits southern Japan.

This is the West Bengal CM's response to the EC's showcause notice for poll code violation.


"Do whatever you like. I heard that Election Commission has showcaused me. What I have said I will say it again, I will say it thousand times. I will say it a lakh times. Do whatever you like. If anyone spread canards against me I will seek answers," she said during an election meeting in Birbhum district.

Just in: The Kerala High Court permits use of firecrackers in the Thrissur Pooram programme with restrictions. No fireworks from 10 am to 6pm and restriction on high decibel firecrackers.

In a setback to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, the Election Commission has decided to show-cause her for allegedly violating the model code of conduct.

Mamata is accused of violating the poll code in an election rally in Asansol where she announced the creation of a new district.

She has to answer the notice within a fixed time-frame failing which EC can take action against her.


Reacting to the show-cause, a defiant Mamata Banerjee has justified her announcement saying she is completely unrepantant and would do it again. "The Election Commission has show-caused me on Bengali New Year today, people will show-cause them on May 19." 

The counting of the votes will take place on May 19.

Pakistan on the death of Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh: Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh died of heart attack. Not appropriate to see everything through prism of suspicion and conspiracy, says the Pak Foreign office.

The MEA has asked Pakistan to send Kirpal Singh's body back to India and has called for a postmortem to ascertain the cause of death.

Contrary to the earlier report, the army has clarified that Colonel H S Lidder, Commander 21 Para, is fine.

People's Daily, China ‏@PDChina tweeted this picture saying, "It must be quite a strong handshake with #Indian PM Nanrendra Modi by just looking at the Princes hand."

The PM shook hands with Prince William when he hosted the royal couple for lunch at Hyderabad House in New Delhi during their four-day visit to India. Look carefully at William's hand (click on the picture to enlarge) to see the marks Modi left behind.

We hear Prince William is still coming to grips with the handshake.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said that fireworks display will not be banned in Kerala. It will be allowed, but with strict controls and checks. This comes after an all-party meeting convened by the CM today.


The meeting was called in the wake of widespread demand for banning fireworks in temples following the Puttingal temple tragedy that claimed 110 lives. The government has also said the chemical used in the fireworks at the temple will be probed.

The government has said that it will not support a complete ban on fireworks, but will ban competitive fireworks.

The government has allotted Rs 20 crore for carrying out relief works following the tragedy, he said after a high level meeting convened at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. He also said that the government's priority was to give the best treatment to the victims of the tragedy. 

'President Cafe' opened in Krasnoyarsk (which is 4,000 miles away from Moscow) last month - and although Russian president Vladimir Putin is far away, his presence is certainly felt here. Here's how


Picture: Ilya Naymushin/Reuters

Moringa curry, jowari chi bhakri, and unwashed fruit. The food emerging from the kitchens of a region wracked by drought offers an illuminating lesson in sustainability. Read more

A Shiv Sena MLA from Nanded held up more than 2,000 passengers on the Devgiri Express at CST on Wednesday night in a tantrum over a side berth that lasted more than an hour. The MLA, Hemant Patil, and an aide refused to accept the 'side' seats 35 and 36 in the 2nd AC coach and got the group accompanying them to keep pulling the chain, ensuring it didn't move out of the platform. Read more

Although it may have been the hottest ticket during New York Fashion Week, it sounds like Vogue chief Anna Wintour didn't have the best time at Kanye West's extravagant album party-come-fashion show back in February.


The image of Wintour, who has been at the helm of the Cond' Nast title since 1988, at West's Madison Square Gardens fashion show was shared many a time after she was pictured complete with trademark dark sunglasses sitting by herself amid empty chairs waiting for the show to start. Read more

Former Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa today assumed charge as state BJP President and set an ambitious target of having an absolute majority by winning 150 seats in the 224-member House in the 2018 Assembly polls.


Taking over the mantle of Presidentship for the fourth time, he termed the Congress a "sinking ship" and asked his party men to work hard to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of "Congress-free India" by achieving the goal of "Congress-free Karnataka".


"I assure you, I have no personal matters here on...I will not let you sit silent, we all party workers have to put in our best efforts. At present we have 47 MLAs, we have to make it 150," Yeddyurappa, known for his combative style of leadership, said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tribute to father of India's Constitution and nation's first Law and Justice Minister Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar at the late leader's birthplace in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary.

The Environment Ministry today expressed its readiness to help non-tiger countries with re-introduction and conservation of the animal in the wild through cooperation "in all aspects" which may include lending the big cats for breeding. 

Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan today chose to stay mum over her name figuring in the Panama Paper leaks for allegedly having links with offshore entities. When asked by journalists about Panama Paper leaks, Aishwarya's co-star Randeep Hooda tried to come to her aid and said "Sarabjit Sarabjit" (apparently implying that questions should be related to their upcoming film only).


However, the actress, who was at the trailer launch of her upcoming film "Sarabjit", said, "The statement has been made to all of you already. Hope you all are aware about it."


When asked by PTI about the statement, the actress said, "Why are you acting so desperate? You are the only one asking for it." Her manager, who was present at the event, said, "The statement is there in the Indian Express take it from there."


The reported secret list, called 'Panama Papers', contains of about 500 prominent Indians, including megastar Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya among other politicians and businessmen.


The Panama Papers are a leaked set of 11.5 million confidential documents that provide detailed information about more than 214,000 offshore companies listed by the Panamanian corporate service provider Mossack Fonseca, including the identities of shareholders and directors of the companies.


Earlier, Bachchan had issued a statement saying that his name was "misused" and he was not aware of any of the companies mentioned in the report. Aishwarya's legal adviser had called the investigation false.

PM Modi at the the Bhim Birthplace Memorial (Bhim Janma Bhoomi) in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.

Meanwhile, curfew-like restrictions continued for the second day in parts of Kashmir and mobile internet services were suspended in some areas. Tension prevailed in the Valley following the killing of four persons in action by security forces during violent protests since Tuesday. Strict restrictions have been imposed in Kupwara town, Kralgund, Handwara, Magam and Langate areas in north Kashmir to maintain law and order, a police official said.


He said the restrictions were imposed following death of three persons during protests against alleged molestation of a girl by a soldier in Handwara town on Tuesday.

Another youth was killed in Drugmulla area of Kupwara during protests against the Handwara incident yesterday.

Cautioning dalits and backwards against BJP's designs, former UP chief minister Mayawati today said its leaders will only act as a "bonded labourers of RSS" and claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi could do little for the OBCs though he claims to belong to the community.


"BJP or RSS can make any dalit or backward as the prime minister or chief minister of any state but he cannot do any thing good for his people...he will always remain a bonded labourer of BJP or RSS," the BSP supremo said taking on her political rivals at a meeting to pay homage to Dr Ambedkar on his 125th birth anniversary.

Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh DFC will turn 97 on 15 April. The Indian Air Force has planned a grand function at Akash Officers' Mess, New Delhi today to celebrate the occasion. 

A large number of dignitaries will be in attendance which will include the former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the three Service Chiefs among others.

The Marshal of the Air Force was the first Indian Air Chief to lead a young Indian Air Force into war. He was Chief of the Air Staff when the IAF saw action in 1965. He was hardly 44 years of age when entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Indian Air Force.


Pic: Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh receives the Padma Vibhushan from President Mukherjee

Poor quality of materials is one of the key reasons behind the collapse of the Vivekananda Road flyover, according to a preliminary report by two professors from IIT Kharagpur. The initial finding adds an alarming dimension to the tragedy that claimed 26 lives on March 31 and highlighted the danger of syndicates supplying substandard materials.


The revelation also raises questions about the durability of other flyovers and similar infrastructure in the city.  Read more

In a bizarre incident, an anonymous user has put Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif up for sale on ebay, an American ecommerce store.


The advertisement has been posted under the caption, "Useless Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif for Sale."


"Used Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for sale. No longer needed. Needs a bit of TLC. No box or instructions. Buyer must collect. Seller not prepared to touch item. Pick up from central London today, address will be supplied on completion of sale. Buyer must arrange own transport," the advert says.


"The whole range of the product and its family is genetically defected and corrupt. Not in working condition. It never worked. It was faulty and corrupt by birth. Buy this and a similar item in smaller pack Mr Shahbaz Sharif will be given for free with it and that item is good with drama and passionate speeches but no use too," it adds.


"Usually found in England, America and Turkey more than in Pakistan. All business, properties and family in London but still wants to be a prime minister in Pakistan," it further said.


The identity of the person, who has posted this advertisement, has not been ascertained.The Pakistani premier (ebay item no 162037014813) currently stands at a 66,200 pounds bidding price. So far, 100 bids have been made.

Kate and Will meet the King of Bhutan and his wife, Jetsun Pema, the youngest queen in the world. She has been dubbed the Kate Middleton of the Himalayas since she has a lot in common with the Duchess of Cambridge - both are daughters of pilots, studied art history at university and are known for their sense of style.

That's the heartbreaking picture of the rhino shot dead with an AK 47 today.

The rhinoceros was killed and its horn taken away by poachers at the Kaziranga National Park.

A study suggests that a shared history of over a 1,000 years, a tradition of Sufi Islam and a recourse to a democratic framework along with a watchful State have kept Muslims moderate. Read more

@mumbaiheritage  tweets: Today in 1965, the 1st flyover in India -- 'Kemps Corner Flyover -- in Mumbai was opened. It was built by Shirish Patel for Rs 17.5 lakh.

The body of Major Amit Deswal, who was killed in an encounter yesterday, was today recovered from a remote place in Tamenglong district in Manipur and being flown to Imphal, army officials said. The body will then be taken to Surheti in Jhajjar district of Haryana via New Delhi, Army officials said.


Maj Deswal of 21 Para SF was killed in a gunbattle with ZUF militants in densely forested Nungba area during a combing operation undertaken by Rashtriya Rifles and Special Forces personnel. One militant was also killed in the encounter.


Deswal is survived by wife and a three-and-a-half years old son. For the time being, the combing operation which was going on for the last few days has been called off by the Army, the officials said.

A rhinoceros was killed and its horn taken away by poachers at the Kaziranga National Park, a forest official said today. A male adult rhino was killed and its horn taken away by armed poachers last night, KNP Divisional Forest Officer Subhashis Das said. The carcass of the rhino was recovered from a place under Burhapahar range of the Park. Das said 88 empty cases of AK-47 cartridges were found from the spot.


Just three days earlier, park officials said yet another rhino had been poached, bringing the total number of rhinos killed in Kaziranga National Park this year to six. Poachers shot the rhinoceros and, while it was still alive, sawed off its horn before fleeing before dawn Sunday, wildlife official Subasis Das said. Once the dying animal was discovered, park officials rushed to try to save it but were unsuccessful, he said.


Pic: Kate shares a special moment with a baby rhino in Kaziranga yesterday.

Saying that he was capable of withstanding pressures both political and otherwise because of the strong support of his family, businessman Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress President Sonia Gandhi said, "I am born and brought up here, would never leave my country, no pressure, even if I am humiliated. No matter what the government says, I have the ability to sustain and to absorb. I have a very strong and good family which gives me strength."


In an exclusive interview to ANI, Vadra who has often played a secondary role to his wife in the social and political life said, "I don't need my wife Priyanka to enhance my life, I have enough, I have always had enough. My father gave me enough. I have been educated enough to sustain in all types of situations."


When asked whether he would take the plunge into active politics, Vadra said, "I would not say never, let's see what future has in store for me.'


Robert Vadra has campaigned for his brother-in-law Rahul Gandhi and his mother-in-law Sonia Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh but has never made campaign speeches or taken part in political meetings.


When asked whether he planned to change that strategy, Vadra replied, "When people will call for me, when they think I can make some change, then only will I think of joining politics. I understand my responsibilities. I know with which family I am associated, what they have done for generations. I have to make sure that I respect it."

The family of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula, whose suicide at Hyderbad Central University in January created a firestorm of protest, has converted to Buddhism in Mumbai today.

Today is the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar, the Dalit icon and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.


Rohith's mother and brother were given "deeksha' by Buddhist monks, Prakash Ambedkar, a former MP, said.


The ceremony will be held at noon at Ambedkar Bhavan in Dadar, he said. "We have organised the deeksha ceremony as the family approached us,'  Babasaheb Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar said today.

When contacted, Rohith's younger brother Raja Vemula said "it is true that we are going to embrace Buddhism in Mumbai."

A crucial yet sometimes overlooked driver of economic growth, Morgan Stanley's Ruchir Sharma wrote in the March/April issue of Foreign Affairs, is growth in the working-age population. Over the next decade, India is expected to be the leader by that metric among the world's 10 biggest economies. Read more

The Government of India has reconstituted the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) Trust with immediate effect, which will now be headed by senior journalist Ram Bahadur Rai, a former editor of Jansatta. He replaces Chinmaya Ghare Khan. This is the new list of the 20-member team of trustees.

IGNCA was founded in 1985 in the memory of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and inaugurated by the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

IGNCA, primarily serves as a resource centre for the arts and undertakes research and publication programmes.

In a high voltage drama, Bhoomata Ranragini Brigade leader Trupti Desai on Wednesday night got engaged in a scuffle inside the famous Mahalaxmi temple here.

Desai, however, managed to get darshan of goddess Mahalaxmi by entering into sanctum sanctorum of the temple despite defying the "dress code" prescribed by police and priests.Notwithstanding the "advice" given by the police to wear sari inside 'garbh griha' of the temple, the woman activist entered the inner sanctum in salwar kameez though some priests and devotees tried to block her way.


She and her Bhoomata Ranragini Brigade activists were, however, roughed up.


Desai was later admitted to a hospital, where her condition is said to be fine.


Talking to news agency ANI today, Desai alleged that people pulled their hair, tore her clothes, and abused them. "I think the attackers planned to kill me," alleged Desai.


The attackers said "don`t let Trupti Desai get out alive". The doctor said I could've got a paralysis attack," added Desai. She also said that even the priest was abusing them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is speaking at the inauguration of Maritime India Summit in Mumbai. Highlights:    

-- It's a great pleasure in being with you and welcoming you at the Maritime India Summit.
-- Maritime transport can be the most extensive mode of transport. It is also the most eco-friendly mode of transport.
-- Our lifestyle, transport systems and trading behavior should not spoil the ecology of oceans.
-- This is the first time that a global event on such a large scale is being organized by India.
-- Today is also the 125th birth anniversary for someone who lived and worked in Mumbai - Dr. BR Ambedkar   
-- Dr Ambedkar is the architect of the water and river navigation policy in India.
-- We have embarked on the development of National Waterways in keeping with Babasaheb's vision and foresight.
-- We Indians are inheritors of a glorious maritime heritage.
-- It is my government's endeavour to revive and restore India's position of eminence in the global maritime sector.
-- In the very early days of our Government, we announced the Sagarmala programme.
-- Want to modernize ports & integrate them with SEZs, Port based Smart Cities, Industrial Parks, Warehouses, Logistics Parks.
-- Our maritime agenda will complement this ambitious infrastructure plan for the hinterland which is going on in parallel.
-- Long coastline of India along with diverse coastal regions and hard working coastal communities can become an engine of growth of India.
-- We have greatly liberalised the licensing regime.

Dr. Ambedkar being sworn in as a minister in Pt Nehru's Cabinet, 1947.

A crucial yet sometimes overlooked driver of economic growth, Morgan Stanley's Ruchir Sharma wrote in the March/April issue of Foreign Affairs, is growth in the working-age population. Over the next decade, India is expected to be the leader by that metric among the world's 10 biggest economies. Read more

"The Army must always be balanced in response. Rabble rousers will demand that it be given a free hand against anti-national elements in the streets. That is exactly what the adversaries want. Burning the Kashmir Valley through the summer is their desire; the Army will never contribute to enhancing their aim," says Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd), who served as the General Officer Commanding 15 Corps in Kashmir.

Read

It was a low-key Vishu in Kerala today in the backdrop of the Kollam temple tragedy which had left 113 dead and over 350 injured. Vishu falls in the Malayalam month of 'Medam' and people look ahead to a year of plenty and prosperity.


People woke up in the early hours to see the auspicious 'Vishukkani' symbolising hope, promise and fine prospects they wish to have in the year ahead.  


The ritual consists of arranging on platters auspicious articles like seasonal fruits, vegetables, flower, gold and clothes which together form the first sight of the people when they woke up on the Vishu day.  


People living around the temple complex, where the tragedy occurred during the fireworks display, are yet to recover from the shock of enormity of the mishap. Many families in the area have either moved to houses of relatives or are busy repairing damaged portions of their residences.

A Zeliangrong United Front militant cadre has been killed in an encounter between security forces and militants in Manipur's Tamenglong district.

 On 14th April, when the nation is celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar '" the chief architect of Indian Constitution, the spotlight is back on a 90-year-old monk who converted him to Buddhism. 

It seems that having absurd views on entry of women in Shani Shingnapur temple was not controversial enough for Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati.

'Game Of Thrones' showrunners David Beinoff and D B Weiss have revealed that US President Barack Obama wanted advanced copies of upcoming season of the HBO series. 

After an Army Major was killed in an encounter in Manipur yesterday, security forces have called off the combing operation in Tamenglong district and are trying to bring back the officer's body from the remote area.

President Barack Obama today appointed Indian American MasterCard CEO Ajay Banga to a key administration post as a member of the Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity. 

At least two people have lost their lives and more than 70 have been injured in Assam after an earthquake measuring 6.8 at the Richter scale rocked eastern and north eastern parts of the country last evening.

Unarmed Russian fighter jets made two extremely close overflights this week of the USS Donald Cook, sailing in the Baltic Sea.

The fire that broke out in Mumbai's Lokhandwala area, on 13th floor of Raheja Classique building has been brought under control now.

Paying homage to Bharat Ratna Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on his 125th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the architect of the Indian Constitution was a 'Vishwa Manav', who devoted his life in service of the poor and the marginalised.

JUST IN: A fire has broken out at Mumbai's Lokhandwala area, reportedly on the 13th floor of Raheja Classique building.

The Zika virus has been confirmed to cause a rare birth defect called microcephaly and other severe problems of the brain, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Relatives of those who died last year when a Germanwings pilot deliberately crashed a plane in the French Alps filed a wrongful death suit on Wednesday against the United States flight school that trained him.

'Andreas Lubitz, the suicidal pilot, should never have been allowed to enter' the training program at Airline Training Center Arizona, Inc (ATCA), said Brian Alexander, an attorney who filed the suit in federal court in Phoenix, Arizona.

It was filed on behalf of 80 people whose relatives perished in the March 15, 2015 crash of a Germanwings' Flight A320.

Alexander's firm, Kreindler and Kreindler, was joined in the suit by attorneys in Britain, Germany and the Netherlands.

The crash took 150 lives, including that of Lubitz, a troubled pilot who had struggled for years with mental health problems.

The 28-year-old locked the pilot out of the cockpit and while alone at the controls, steered the jetliner into the side of a mountain, killing all 144 passengers and six crew.

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has requested Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to lead the 'Loktantra Bachao, Uttarakhand Bachao' agitation against the dismissal of the party's government in the hill state.

Rawat, who met Gandhi to brief him about the political scenario in the state, told the Congress vice president that his participation would enthuse party workers in Uttarakhand, who have launched an aggressive agitation against the Centre over the dismissal of the Rawat government.

Talking to reporters, Rawat said the party will organise a series of agitations to highlight how the Narendra Modi government is pursuing its 'Congress-mukt Bharat' agenda by 'toppling democratically-elected party governments'.

The Congress has started the 'Loktantra Bachao, Uttarakhand Bachao' (Save Democracy, Save Uttarakhand) campaign to elicit the support of the people against the Bharatiya Janata Party over the imposition of President's rule in the state.

Prominent Patel leaders and Gujarat-based businessmen on Wednesday announced the formation of a new outfit to push for the release of jailed quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel and his three aides.

They later sat on a day-long hunger strike in support of their demand.

The group, 'Patidar Sangh', is the outcome of an initiative launched by Surat-based diamond tycoon Laljibhai Patel, a Bharatiya Janata Party supporter who was in the news for buying Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pinstriped suit for Rs 4.31 crore at an auction last year.

Around 400 businessmen and prominent Patel leaders, most of them BJP supporters, sat on a day-long hunger strike in Surat, about 200km from here, to demand the release of Hardik and his aides -- Chirag Patel, Ketan Patel and Dinesh Patel.

They are in jail since their arrest late last year and are all facing a slew of charges, including that of sedition.

A man who has admitted hijacking a domestic EgyptAir flight and diverting it to Cyprus is requesting political asylum on the island, claiming he is afraid of how he could be treated by Egyptian authorities because of his political beliefs, officials said on Wednesday.

Cyprus' Interior Minister Socrates Hasikos told The Associated Press that 59-year-old Seif Eddin Mustafa's asylum claim is being examined while a request by Egyptian authorities for his extradition proceeds.

The asylum claim is based on Mustafa's fears about his possible treatment at the hands of Egyptian authorities, said his lawyer, Robertos Vrahimis.

Former Maharashtra Advocate General Srihari Aney, who quit the post recently over his remarks supporting separate statehood for Marathwada, has courted a fresh controversy after photographs emerged of him cutting into four pieces a birthday cake featuring a map of the state.

The photographs were taken at his 66th birthday celebrations at Bhandara in Vidarbha on Tuesday midnight.

Aney, an eminent lawyer, has long been a strong proponent of a separate Vidarbha state.

Reacting to the matter, MNS chief Raj Thackeray said Aney 'will remember this birthday for a long time'.

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said 'nothing better' can be expected from someone like Aney.

Aney, known to be close to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, stepped down as the AG after his remarks that Marathwada, too, should become a separate state created a furore.

Several outstation students of the National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, met Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday and requested for shifting the campus outside Srinagar.

"We placed our demands before them. We were given assurance that some of them will be fulfilled. We demanded that the NIT be shifted out of Srinagar, and also suggested alternatives," said the students after meeting the HRD minister in New Delhi.

"Discussions with the HRD minister revolved around valid reasons for shifting the NIT. They put forth their suggestions/constraints. Suggestions were given by us as well," they said.

The United States-led coalition campaign against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria has successfully completed its first 'phase' of operations, a US military spokesman said on Wednesday.

The coalition is working through three main steps as it wages its 20-month-old fight against the IS group, Baghdad-based spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said.

"Our enemy has been weakened and we now are working to fracture him. Phase one of the military campaign is complete," Warren told Pentagon reporters, noting that this initial step was to 'degrade' the IS group by stopping it from making additional territorial gains.

"We are now in phase two, which is to dismantle this enemy," he added.

Warren said the final phase of the campaign is to ensure the IS group is dealt a lasting defeat, primarily by enabling local forces to prevent a resurgence of jihadist influence.

Quake hits at Indo-Myanmar border, tremors felt in several parts of India

IPL: Rohit's 'Eden' love affair continues as Mumbai down KKR

A Hindu is a Hindu, tradition can't justify ban on women's entry in Sabarimala: SC

Kirpal died of heart attack, says Pak as India takes up issue

Kollam temple tragedy: 'Dead' man found alive, family cremates wrong body

SBI-led consortium files counter to Mallya's claim of Rs 594 crore