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Wed, 24 August 2016
JNU rape case: Accused surrenders
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23:51 JNU rape case: Accused surrenders
JNU PhD scholar Anmol Ratan, accused of raping a 28-year-old fellow student, tonight surrendered before the police, hours after the victim recorded her statement before a magistrate.
"Anmol Ratan has surrendered at Vasant Kunj (north) police station," Additional DCP (south) Nupur Prasad said.
The accused, who was absconding since August 20, surrendered around 10.15 PM at the police station.
Ratan will be sent for medical examination and put under formal arrest, police said, adding he will be produced before Patiala House court tomorrow.
Earlier in the day, the victim, who has alleged that she was raped by Ratan, an AISA activist, recorded her statement before a magistrate.
23:29 Syria rebels backed by Turkey tanks 'seize' IS-held town
Turkish tanks and hundreds of opposition fighters thrust deep inside Syrian territory today in a lightning operation that within hours ousted Islamic State jihadists from a key Syrian border town.
The air and ground offensive -- the most ambitious launched by Ankara in the Syria conflict -- made rapid progress towards Jarabulus with rebel fighters already proclaiming victory by the late afternoon just 14 hours after it started.
"Jarabulus is completely liberated," Ahmad Othman, commander of the Sultan Mourad rebel group, told AFP from the scene, while another rebel spokesman said IS fighters had fled towards Al-Bab to the southwest.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasised the operation was also targeting Kurdish militia fighters strongly opposed by Ankara -- but backed by the US as a key ally against IS -- who had also been closing in on Jarabulus.
23:21 Habitable planet found in solar system next door
Scientists today announced the discovery of an Earth-sized planet orbiting the star nearest our Sun, opening up the glittering prospect of a habitable
world that may one day be explored by robots.
Named Proxima b, the planet is in a "temperate" zone compatible with the presence of liquid water -- a key ingredient for life.
The findings, based on data collected over 16 years, were reported in the peer-reviewed journal Nature.
"We have finally succeeded in showing that a small-mass planet, most likely rocky, is orbiting the star closest to our solar system," said co-author Julien Morin, an astrophysicist at the University of Montpellier in southern France.
"Proxima b would probably be the first exoplanet visited by a probe made by humans," he told AFP.
23:19 French burkini ban: Businessman pays women's fines
As several politicians across Europe try to outlaw outfits worn by some Muslim women, one businessman is fighting back with his checkbook.
Rachid Nekkaz, a wealthy Algerian entrepreneur and human rights activist, has stepped up to the plate to pay the penalty for any Muslim woman who is fined in France for wearing the burkini, a full-length swimsuit that covers the whole body except for the face, hands and feet.
"I decided to pay for all the fines of women who wear the burkini in order to guarantee their freedom of wearing these clothes, and most of all, to neutralize the application on the ground of this oppressive and unfair law," Nekkaz said.
Read full story HERE.
22:26 American University of Afghanistan no stranger to threats
ABC News reports: The American University of Afghanistan opened in 2006, and was a pet project of former first lady Laura Bush, who helped launch the institution on a 2005 visit to Kabul, the capital.
Much of its funding has come from the US Agency for International Development, which administers civilian foreign aid, and today has more than 1,700 full- and part-time students. It has produced 29 Fulbright Scholars and maintains partnerships with many US colleges, such as Stanford, Georgetown and the University of California network.
But the university has been no stranger to threats of violence since its creation.
Two professors at the university -- one American and one Australian -- were abducted at gun point outside the university campus earlier this month, underscoring the deteriorating security situation in the capital and across the country more generally.
22:22 Kabul university attack: 'I climbed a six-metre wall to escape'
At least 2 killed, 5 injured at American University in Afghanistan; shooting has stopped, police source tells ABC News.
Student Ahmad Mukhtar tells the BBC that he was 100 m (320ft) away from the university's main entrance when he heard "six or 10" shots and a "huge" blast.
The explosion created so much light that it momentarily lit up the surrounding area, he said.
Then there were was more firing inside the campus. He added that he had also heard students shouting.
"I climbed a six-metre wall to escape," Ahmad said.
22:09 Nepal PM to visit India to mend fractured ties
Nepal's new prime minister will visit India next month on his first foreign visit, seeking to repair the strained relationship between the neighbours, an official said today.
Nepal's relationship with India -- which is often accused of acting as a "big brother" to its smaller impoverished neighbour -- soured after a months-long border blockade last year by ethnic minority protesters.
Kathmandu accused India of imposing an "unofficial blockade" on the landlocked nation in support of the Madhesis, who share close cultural, linguistic and family links with Indians across the border.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, a former Maoist rebel chief better known by his nom de guerre Prachanda, sent special envoys to both neighbouring India and China shortly after taking office earlier this month.
"The focus of his visit is to evaluate the bitterness in the relationship after the blockade and resolve the problems," Chandra Prakash Khanal, the prime minister's political adviser, said.
21:09 Someone just bought Vijay Mallya's luxury jet
Days after the service tax department held an auction to sell embattled businessman Vijay Mallya's personal jet, little-known SGI Commex today said it emerged as the 'successful bidder' at a price of Rs 27.39 crore ($4.1 million), which is nearly one-sixth of the reserve price.
SGI Commex chairman G S Srivastava, an art connoisseur, said the aircraft, an Airbus A319-133 with registration of CJ VT-VJM, will be converted into an art pilgrimage venture under the label of 'Beyond the Obvious' and that it will not be used as a private carrier.
Srivastava said he has helped corporatise and uplift the art market with his landmark deal of the M F Hussain work 'Our Planet Called Earth Series'. He plans to utilise the aircraft to promote exotic art work ingrained in various temples and religious places across the country through religious tourism, particularly among foreigners.
The latest auction, held as part of the efforts of the department to recover over Rs 800 crore dues, took place on August 18 after an earlier auction failed on June 30.
21:05 Shehla murder case prime accused seen at coffee shop
Prime accused in RTI activist Shehla Masood's murder was today seen having a "relaxing time" at a coffee shop on the district court premises in Indore.
According to eyewitnesses, Zahida Parvez, who was brought to the special CBI court from an Indore jail for a hearing in the matter, went to the coffee shop to have a cup of tea and was spotted chatting with the two policewomen.
Zahida spent about 20 minutes there and was not handcuffed, they said.
A video purportedly showing Zahida in a 'leisurely' mood, sipping tea at the coffee shop on the court premises also cropped up on social media.
When asked about it, Indore Deputy Inspector General of Police, Santosh Kumar Singh said, "I have not seen the video yet. I can comment over the issue only after getting entire information about it."
Law expert Ashish Choubey said 'special treatment' meted out to Zahida was against the provisions of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and it shows laxity on the part of police.
File photo
20:58 Explosions heard at American University in Kabul
Explosions and gunfire have been reported at the American University in Kabul, according to witness reports and students.
Security forces responded to emergency calls in the capital.
The attack began at 7pm local time on Wednesday evening when residents heard a loud blast near the university, according to BNO News.
Students reported that the were trapped inside the building and they heard heavy gunfire. Gunmen then entered the building.
More details awaited.
20:53
Navy has been told to ask DCNS to find out about the leak: MoD Sources
20:01 Piers Morgan trolled for tweet on India's medal celebrations
British journalist Piers Morgan created a mass outrage today after he shamed India for celebrating it's meagre olympic medal tally.
In reply to a tweet from an Indian that mentioned how the two medallists Sakshi Malik and PV Sindhu were welcomed in India, Morgan commented: "Country with 1.2 billion people wildly celebrates 2 losing medals. How embarrassing is that?"
And then all hell broke loose as the 51-year-old TV personality started getting trolled.
Even Suhel Seth and Chetan Bhagat responded to his tweet.
"What is even more embarrassing are your snivelling interviews as if you had a diaper in your mouth. Sad, said Seth, to which, Morgan responded, At least youll never have to worry about being one of my interviewees, Suhel. I only interview famous people."
Cricketer Virender Sehwag too didn't spare Morgan. He tweeted: "We cherish every small happiness', But Eng who invented Cricket,&yet2win a WC,still continue to playWC.Embarrassing?"
In fact, Morgan got trolled so much, he tried to redeem himself sarcastically saying: Indian Twitter definitely wins Gold at trolling. If only their athletes were as skilled."
19:49 Kashmir: Separatists extend strike call till September 1
To keep the unrest in Kashmir going on, the separatists today extended their strike call and agitation till September 1 and announced a new calendar of protests, including a march to Srinagar-based Army headquarters on the weekend.
The separatists also called for a joint march to Eidgah in downtown Srinagar on Friday, according to a statement.
They also asked people to lock down all routes to their localities and villages by "every means" during night to "protect" people in general and youth in particular from the raids and arrests by security forces and police.
The separatists also asked women to occupy chowks in their vicinities and stage peaceful protests on August 30.
It also asked people to block all roads near Doordarshan, Radio Kashmir (AIR) and Information Department to ensure that "no employee is allowed to enter the premises" on September 1.
"Lock down all government offices except essential services on August 29," it said and warned of "social boycott" of Divisional Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners and heads of all departments if they issue threats to the employees for reporting to duties.
19:46 World's biggest aircraft crash lands after test flight
The world's longest aircraft -- the Airlander 10 -- has been damaged after nosediving on landing during its second test flight.
The airship, which is bigger than the size of six double-decker buses, sustained damage on landing from its second test flight, Hybrid Air Vehicles said, adding that all crew were safe and well following the incident.
Privately owned Hybrid Air Vehicles denied a report on the BBC that the airship had hit a telegraph pole.
"No damage was sustained mid-air," the company said on Twitter. Hybrid Air Vehicles was not immediately reachable by telephone.
Airships have a long history stretching back to the 19th century, although their popularity dipped in the face of competition from aeroplanes in the 20th century and high-profile accidents such as the Hindenburg disaster in 1937.
Hybrid Air Vehicles told Reuters in March that it aimed to be building 12 airships a year by 2018.
19:32
Maharashtra puts on hold all parole requests until new rules are in place, emergency parole to be given on case to case basis
19:31 NCP MLA who allegedly slapped Deputy Collector arrested, gets bail
NCP MLA from Karjat in Maharashtra Suresh Lad, who had allegedly slapped a senior government officer in a meeting held recently, was today arrested by police and produced before a court which granted him bail.
A fortnight ago, the MLA was caught on camera slapping Deputy Collector (land acquisition) Abhay Kalgudkar after a disagreement over payment of compensation at a meeting called by the latter in Karjat.
Judicial Magistrate First Class at Karjat S B Yadav released the MLA on bail on condition that he would refrain from interfering in the investigation, his lawyer Aniket Nikam said.
Nikam argued that the alleged incident occurred on August 11 but the FIR was lodged on August 17.
Thereafter the investigating agency issued notice to the MLA and he appeared before the police and cooperated in the probe. As he was arrested today, his custodial interrogation was not needed now, Nikam contended.
19:19
This serious matter is being thoroughly investigated by French national authorities for defence security: DCNS on India's Scorpene document leak.
Probe will determine the exact nature of leaked papers, potential damage to DCNS customers and responsibilities for this leakage: DCNS.
19:11 Police Scotland make hijab part of official uniform
The hijab or the headscarf has been made optional part of Police Scotland's uniform in an attempt to attract more women Muslim recruits to the force, which currently has less black and Asian representation.
Previously officers could wear the religious headscarf with approval but it is now formally part of the police uniform.
Police Scotland said it is working to make the force "representative of the communities we serve".
Chief Constable Phil Gormley said, "I am delighted to make this announcement and welcome the support from both the Muslim community, and the wider community, as well as police officers and staff."
"Like many other employers, especially in the public sector, we are working towards ensuring our service is representative of the communities we serve," he was quoted as saying by The Sun.
"I hope that this addition to our uniform options will contribute to making our staff mix more diverse and adds to the life skills, experiences and personal qualities that our officers and staff bring to policing the communities of
Scotland," he said.
A report earlier this year showed just 2.6 per cent of applicants to join Police Scotland were from ethnic minorities. In order to reflect the 4 per cent figure across Scottish society, the force said it would need to recruit an
additional 650 ethnic minority candidates.
19:05 Address grievances of students: PM Modi to officials
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday directed officials to address grievances of students and asked states to accelerate Aadhaar enrolment of children in the age group of 5 to 18 years so that scholarships and other educational benefits become more accessible to them.
He also reviewed the progress of vital infrastructure projects in the road, railway and power sectors, spread over several states including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Maharashtra.
The review was undertaken at the 14th meeting of Pro- Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI), an ICT-based multi-modal platform for monthly interaction by the prime minister with top officials of the states via video-conferencing.
Reviewing the progress towards handling and resolution of grievances related to school education and literacy, Modi said there is now an expectation among the people that the government will be able to resolve these grievances.
The prime minister specifically asked officials concerned to systematize the measures being taken by them to address grievances of students, a PMO statement said.
He instructed them to use all available technological tools to ensure that school children do not face inconvenience, it said.
18:54 China plans to include self immolation in Tibet as crime
China plans to include self immolation protests in Tibet in separatism-related crimes, officials said even as they refuted reports that monks are being forced to learn legal texts that highlight such offences.
"Self-immolation is likely to be included in the book (compiled by judicial authorities) since it endangers public security and violates the law," state-run Global Times quoted Qiu Ning, the former head of Aba county's united front work department as saying.
Inclusion of self-immolation in the book will make the protests a separatism-related crime.
"Cases involving illegally sending separatism-themed pictures and videos to foreign hostile forces via mobile messaging app WeChat are also a possible topic for the book," Qiu said.
Over 125 Tibetans, including several monks, committed self immolations in the last few years demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.
Officials in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Southwest China's Sichuan Province also refuted reports, forcing Buddhist monks to learn legal texts highlighting separatism-related crimes.
18:42 Powerful quake hits Myanmar, damaging famed Bagan temples
A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar today, killing at least one person and damaging pagodas in the ancient city of Bagan, officials said.
The quake, which the US Geological Survey said hit at a depth of 84 kilometres, was also felt across neighbouring Thailand and Bangladesh, sending panicked residents rushing onto the streets.
At least one man was killed in a Myanmar village near the epicentre, said Han Zaw Win, a local MP from Magway region where the quake struck.
18:32 Gopichand is my best coach: PV Sindhu
Two days after the Telangana Deputy CM made an offer to PV Sindhu of a new coach, the Olympic silver medallist is happy with her current coach.
"Gopichand is my best coach. Don't want to comment on what minister said," Sindhu replied when asked to react on minister's offer.
After Sindhu's felicitation on Monday, Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali had made an embarrassing mistake in a TV interview where he proposed better coaching for PV Sindhu.
"Sindhu is our daughter and she has made us proud. We will now provide her with an additional coach. Her current coach Gopi is good. But we want her to win Gold medals in the upcoming international competitions," said Ali.
17:58 So now Dalits and backwards are not nationalists Modiji? Asks Rahul
Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his reported remarks that BJP needs to bring dalits into its fold as nationalists were already with the party, wondering whether he did not consider dalits and backwards as nationalists.
"So now 'Dalits' and 'Backwards' are not Nationalists Modiji?," the Congress Vice President said on twitter.
Rahul was reacting to the prime minister's remarks at the BJP Core group meeting on Tuesday, where he reportedly said that without diluting the "nationalist" identity of BJP, the party needs to work to woo dalits and backwards to its fold.
Reports had it that Modi had said that nationalists are with BJP and the party now needs to bring dalits and backwards into its fold.
The BJP is seeking to woo dalits ahead of crucial assembly polls in five states early next year, including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
17:40 India gifts 17 fire fighting engines to Nepal
India today donated 18 fire fighting engines to Nepal to be utilised mostly by newly established municipalities in and around the Kathmandu valley.
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae handed over the keys of the fire engines to Minister for Federal Affairs Hitraj Pandey at a function in Kathmandu.
These firefighters will be utilised mostly by newly- established municipalities in and around Kathmandu Valley for controlling fire.
One of the fire fighting engine will be used by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
The fire engines gifted by India will play an important role in saving life and property during the time of emergency, Pandey said while addressing the gathering at the function as he thanked the Indian government for its help.
Ambassador Rae said Nepal and India enjoy close ties and during the time of disasters they extend help to each other.
17:24 BJP govt is trying to weaken Patel agitation by maligning my image: Hardik Patel
Two days after two of his former associates accused him of using the Patidar quota agitation as a "tool to nurture his leadership ambition", Hardik Patel on Wednesday hit back saying his detractors were "playing into the
hands of some in the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Gujarat who were trying to weaken the protest" by maligning his image.
Seeking to counter his rivals, Hardik's Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, the outfit leading the agitation for OBC status for the community and reservation in jobs and education, has called a special meeting on August 29 at
Udaipur where he has moved after being granted bail by the Gujarat high court.
Two days ago, two of his former close aides -- Chirag and Ketan Patel -- had levelled allegations against Hardik in an open letter which hinted at cracks in his outfit.
In the letter, they had alleged that 23-year-old Hardik "used" the agitation as a "tool to satisfy his ambition to emerge as a leader and a 'crorepati' (millionaire) within a year of launching it.
Reacting to the allegations, Hardik told PTI that Chirag and Ketan were levelling "false allegations at the behest of the BJP government in the state".
"I strongly believe that both Chirag and Ketan are playing into the hands of some people in the state government who are trying to weaken the protest by maligning my image. But, they will not succeed as the people know that I am clean. The Patel community knows who I am," he said.
"There is no need to offer an explanation to these allegations as I know that I am not at fault. This is not new to me. Even when I was in jail, certain elements had tried to malign my image by claiming that I had amassed Rs 80 lakh through the agitation. In the end, I came out clean," he added.
16:53 India to ask Scopene sub builder on documents leak
India to seek report from French shipbuilder DCNS on the leak of documents of Indian Navy's Scorpene submarine project. India to ask DCNS how the documents were leaked.
16:51 13 cops injured in grenade attacks in Pulwama
Just in: Thirteen policemen wounded in 2 grenade attacks in Pulwama, J&K. This comes at a time Home Minister Rajnath Singh is in Sringar.
16:44 6.8 earthquake in Myanmar, tremors in Bengal, Bihar, north-east
If you've just joined us, an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 on the Richter Scale hit Myanmar this afternoon with tremors felt across east India. Reports of tremors have been felt across West Bengal, Bihar, Assam and Tripura. No reports of any casualties or damage to buildings, so far.
Metro services in Kolkata have been temporarily suspended.
Reports say the tremors were felt for a few seconds across the eastern swathes of India with a few people panicking and fleeing buildings.
Deeptanshu Basu (22), an intern working with an NGO Antara, in suburban Kolkata, said, "The tremors may have lasted between 15 and 20 seconds, but nobody panicked."
Urmi Ray, a homemaker, living in south Kolkata, said she was in her car when she heard people on the road shouting, "Bhoomikompo!", but the tremors were barely felt.
Last week a 5.5 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar-India border region.
Metro services in Kolkata have been temporarily suspended.
Reports say the tremors were felt for a few seconds across the eastern swathes of India with a few people panicking and fleeing buildings.
Deeptanshu Basu (22), an intern working with an NGO Antara, in suburban Kolkata, said, "The tremors may have lasted between 15 and 20 seconds, but nobody panicked."
Urmi Ray, a homemaker, living in south Kolkata, said she was in her car when she heard people on the road shouting, "Bhoomikompo!", but the tremors were barely felt.
Last week a 5.5 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar-India border region.
16:17 Tremors felt in Bengal, Bihar, Assam after 6.8 quake hits Myanmar
Just in: Reports of earthquake in Kolkata, Patna, Guwahati. Earthquake of 6.8 magnitude strikes central Myanmar, says USGS. Residents in Kolkata have come out on to the streets.
16:04 Rajnath Singh meets Omar
A delegation of National Conference led by former J-K CM Omar Abdullah met Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Srinagar. Singh, who is accompanied by Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, will review the situation in Kashmir where as many as 65 persons have been killed and over 8000 injured in clashes between protestors and security forces that broke out in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter. The Union Minister arrived at Srinagar airport at 11.30 am in a special plane.
15:57 Celebrities with two kids have surrogate third because wife can't take pain: Sushma
External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj explains the new surrogacy bill. Childless couples cannot hire surrogate
mothers or ask anyone but close relatives to carry their babies, says a
draft law cleared by the government today. Excerpts...
"There will be a complete ban on commercial surrogacy. Childless couples, who are medically unfit to have children, can take help from a close relative, which is called altruistic surrogacy," Union Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters after a cabinet meeting in which the surrogacy law was cleared.
"The Bill comes as India has emerged as a surrogacy hub for couples and incidents reported on unethical practices. The Bill will prohibit commercial surrogacy and allow ethical surrogacy to needy infertile couples.
"If you have a biological child, or an adopted child then altruistic surrogacy won't be allowed. This has been decided so that there's no different treatment for the two kids while they're being raised, or later to avoid fights over property.
"Single parents, homosexual couples, live-in relationships couples will not be allowed altruistic surrogacy.
"Altruistic surrogacy will only be allowed for Indian citizens, not NRIs or OCI card holders.
"National Surrogacy Board at central level, State Surrogacy Boards in State & UTs will be formed.
"Jo cheez zaroorat ke naam pe shuru ki gayi thi woh ab shauk ban gayi hai," the minister said.
Swaraj commented that "celebrities are having surrogate babies, in spite of having two children, they had a third, just because the wife couldn't take the pain, and got someone else to bear their child."
Couple who get help from their relatives can only pay medical expenses. It is also yet to be defined who qualifies as a close relative.
Swaraj said it had been decided that foreigners would not be allowed to have surrogate babies from India, not even overseas Indians. "We have had cases of girls being abandoned, a twin being left behind and disabled babies being rejected," the minister explained.
The draft bill, which aims at protecting the rights of surrogate mothers, will be introduced in parliament in the winter session.
No new surrogacy clinic will be allowed and a new board which will be set up to monitor surrogacy cases.
A draft bill which aims to safeguard the rights of surrogate mothers and make parentage of such children legal was today cleared by the Union
Cabinet.
According to the Health Ministry proposal, the draft Surrogacy Bill, 2016 aims at regulating commissioning of surrogacy in the country in a proper manner.
Official sources said the Cabinet gave its green signal to the Bill to be introduced in Parliament.
A Group of Ministers (GoM) had recently cleared the bill and had referred it to the Union Cabinet for a final call.
The GoM was constituted at the behest of the Prime Minister's Office.
Image: Shah Rukh Khan with AbRam who is a surrogate child.
"There will be a complete ban on commercial surrogacy. Childless couples, who are medically unfit to have children, can take help from a close relative, which is called altruistic surrogacy," Union Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters after a cabinet meeting in which the surrogacy law was cleared.
"The Bill comes as India has emerged as a surrogacy hub for couples and incidents reported on unethical practices. The Bill will prohibit commercial surrogacy and allow ethical surrogacy to needy infertile couples.
"If you have a biological child, or an adopted child then altruistic surrogacy won't be allowed. This has been decided so that there's no different treatment for the two kids while they're being raised, or later to avoid fights over property.
"Single parents, homosexual couples, live-in relationships couples will not be allowed altruistic surrogacy.
"Altruistic surrogacy will only be allowed for Indian citizens, not NRIs or OCI card holders.
"National Surrogacy Board at central level, State Surrogacy Boards in State & UTs will be formed.
"Jo cheez zaroorat ke naam pe shuru ki gayi thi woh ab shauk ban gayi hai," the minister said.
Swaraj commented that "celebrities are having surrogate babies, in spite of having two children, they had a third, just because the wife couldn't take the pain, and got someone else to bear their child."
Couple who get help from their relatives can only pay medical expenses. It is also yet to be defined who qualifies as a close relative.
Swaraj said it had been decided that foreigners would not be allowed to have surrogate babies from India, not even overseas Indians. "We have had cases of girls being abandoned, a twin being left behind and disabled babies being rejected," the minister explained.
The draft bill, which aims at protecting the rights of surrogate mothers, will be introduced in parliament in the winter session.
No new surrogacy clinic will be allowed and a new board which will be set up to monitor surrogacy cases.
A draft bill which aims to safeguard the rights of surrogate mothers and make parentage of such children legal was today cleared by the Union
Cabinet.
According to the Health Ministry proposal, the draft Surrogacy Bill, 2016 aims at regulating commissioning of surrogacy in the country in a proper manner.
Official sources said the Cabinet gave its green signal to the Bill to be introduced in Parliament.
A Group of Ministers (GoM) had recently cleared the bill and had referred it to the Union Cabinet for a final call.
The GoM was constituted at the behest of the Prime Minister's Office.
Image: Shah Rukh Khan with AbRam who is a surrogate child.
15:29 Rajnath in Kashmir, reviews security situation
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir after arriving here on a two-day visit during which he would hold talks with various stakeholders in the Valley and invited all those who believe in 'Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and Jamhooriyat'.
Singh was briefed by top civil, army, police and paramilitary officials about the prevailing situation in the Kashmir Valley, which has been witnessing unrest for the last 47 days after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani on July 8.
The Home Minister was conveyed that there has been improvement in situation on the ground, there is no scarcity of essential commodities and health services are functioning, official sources said. As many as 66 persons, including two police personnel, have been killed and several thousands injured ever since the turmoil began. Among them is a youth who was killed in fresh clashes in Pulwama today.
Singh was briefed by top civil, army, police and paramilitary officials about the prevailing situation in the Kashmir Valley, which has been witnessing unrest for the last 47 days after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani on July 8.
The Home Minister was conveyed that there has been improvement in situation on the ground, there is no scarcity of essential commodities and health services are functioning, official sources said. As many as 66 persons, including two police personnel, have been killed and several thousands injured ever since the turmoil began. Among them is a youth who was killed in fresh clashes in Pulwama today.
15:12 Rahul's claim that he did not defame RSS accepted by SC
The Supreme Court of India hearing an appeal by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to quash the defamation case filed by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh has deferred the hearing to September 1.
Rahul Gandhi's counsel Kapil Sibal told the court today, "Rahul Gandhi never accused the RSS institution for crime." The SC accepted the statement saying, the inference of Rahul Gandhi's statement is that he never accused RSS as an institution for the crime.
However, in 2014, while addressing a rally in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, Gandhi had alleged that members of the RSS had assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi was reported as saying, "RSS people killed Gandhiji. They opposed Sardar Patel and Gandhiji."
His comment kicked up a controversy, following which Rajesh Kunte, the secretary of Bhiwandi unit of RSS, filed a defamation suit in a Maharashtra court.
Following the suit, he was summoned by the trial court on January 6, 2015.
Rahul Gandhi sought an exemption for appearing before the court and appealed that the case should be quashed.
In May 2015, Rahul Gandhi moved the Supreme Court, seeking a dismissal of the criminal case. Later, on July 19, 2016 the Supreme Court said that making a 'collective denunciation' against an organisation is wrong.
The SC asked him to either apologise or face trial. As reported earlier, a bench led by Justice Dipak Misra said, "Why did you make a sweeping statement against the RSS branding everyone associated with the organisation in the same brush? You cannot collectively denounce a group.' Citing a judgement of Punjab and Haryana High Court, the SC bench said it only says that Nathuram Godse was an RSS worker and added that Godse killed Gandhi and RSS killed Gandhi are two different things.
Rahul Gandhi's counsel Kapil Sibal told the court today, "Rahul Gandhi never accused the RSS institution for crime." The SC accepted the statement saying, the inference of Rahul Gandhi's statement is that he never accused RSS as an institution for the crime.
However, in 2014, while addressing a rally in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, Gandhi had alleged that members of the RSS had assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi was reported as saying, "RSS people killed Gandhiji. They opposed Sardar Patel and Gandhiji."
His comment kicked up a controversy, following which Rajesh Kunte, the secretary of Bhiwandi unit of RSS, filed a defamation suit in a Maharashtra court.
Following the suit, he was summoned by the trial court on January 6, 2015.
Rahul Gandhi sought an exemption for appearing before the court and appealed that the case should be quashed.
In May 2015, Rahul Gandhi moved the Supreme Court, seeking a dismissal of the criminal case. Later, on July 19, 2016 the Supreme Court said that making a 'collective denunciation' against an organisation is wrong.
The SC asked him to either apologise or face trial. As reported earlier, a bench led by Justice Dipak Misra said, "Why did you make a sweeping statement against the RSS branding everyone associated with the organisation in the same brush? You cannot collectively denounce a group.' Citing a judgement of Punjab and Haryana High Court, the SC bench said it only says that Nathuram Godse was an RSS worker and added that Godse killed Gandhi and RSS killed Gandhi are two different things.
14:48 Amitabh takes on newspaper for wrong reportage
The classy Mr B certainly has a sense of humour. This morning, Mumbai Mirror carried a three column picture of Amitabh Bachchan dressed in a suit walking by a young girl and dog. The caption read: "Stray plea: A fan's request to Amtabh Bachchan for a slefie at a studio in Mumbai did not yield any positive result."
In a pictoral rebuttal to Mumbai Mirror, the veteran actor, posted "@MumbaiMirror Avoided selfie with fan? ..WRONG ! proof I did not .. i wanted to get out of my shoot costume." The actor posted this picture (alongside) and another posing for a selfie with the young girl.
He then tweeted, "@MumbaiMirror You referring to the 'stray' in picture ? Then could i have a recording of 'stray's' request."
Mr B's legion of fans tittered appreciatively and when told, "I think your giving them to much of an explanation--- why so !!???", the actor replied, in all caps, "BECAUSE I WANT TO. "
He finally ended his tweets, with "@MumbaiMirror .. !!!! BBBAAAAAADDUUUMMMMMBAAAAAA !!"
Either the Mumbai Mirror news desk or the photographer is having a particularly bad day today.
In a pictoral rebuttal to Mumbai Mirror, the veteran actor, posted "@MumbaiMirror Avoided selfie with fan? ..WRONG ! proof I did not .. i wanted to get out of my shoot costume." The actor posted this picture (alongside) and another posing for a selfie with the young girl.
He then tweeted, "@MumbaiMirror You referring to the 'stray' in picture ? Then could i have a recording of 'stray's' request."
Mr B's legion of fans tittered appreciatively and when told, "I think your giving them to much of an explanation--- why so !!???", the actor replied, in all caps, "BECAUSE I WANT TO. "
He finally ended his tweets, with "@MumbaiMirror .. !!!! BBBAAAAAADDUUUMMMMMBAAAAAA !!"
Either the Mumbai Mirror news desk or the photographer is having a particularly bad day today.
14:27 Turkish tanks cross into Syria for anti-ISIS offensive
Turkish tanks cross border into Syria to clear town of Islamic State militants, military sources, says Reuters.
The aim of the operation, codenamed "Euphrates Shield" is to secure territory along its border with Syria from the ISIS threat, officials told Turkey's semi-official Anadolu agency.
Turkish artillery units and warplanes belonging to the US-led coalition pounded the ISIS-held Syrian town of Jarablus in the early hours of Wednesday.
Turkish tanks and special forces units are also operating along the border, CNN affiliate CNN Turk reported.
Jarablus lies along the west bank of the Euphrates River, less than a kilometer from Turkey. It's the last major town held by ISIS on the Syrian-Turkish border.
Turkey has been hitting targets inside Syria for the past three days, following a mortar attack on residential areas in Karkamis, a town on the Turkish side of the border.
The aim of the operation, codenamed "Euphrates Shield" is to secure territory along its border with Syria from the ISIS threat, officials told Turkey's semi-official Anadolu agency.
Turkish artillery units and warplanes belonging to the US-led coalition pounded the ISIS-held Syrian town of Jarablus in the early hours of Wednesday.
Turkish tanks and special forces units are also operating along the border, CNN affiliate CNN Turk reported.
Jarablus lies along the west bank of the Euphrates River, less than a kilometer from Turkey. It's the last major town held by ISIS on the Syrian-Turkish border.
Turkey has been hitting targets inside Syria for the past three days, following a mortar attack on residential areas in Karkamis, a town on the Turkish side of the border.
13:51 Cabinet clears draft bill on surrogacy
Just in: Cabinet clears draft bill on surrogacy.
The draft bill suggests carving out provisions in the law to make parentage of such children "legal and transparent". It also plans to make the option of surrogacy unavailable to unmarried couples and those who already have adopted children as well as to foreigners choosing to opt for surrogates in India.
Another key suggestion in the draft bill is to limit such an arrangement to the family and friends of the commissioning couple. However, officials said there were divergent views on this proposal and hence, it was likely to be discussed further. The draft bill is primarily aimed at keeping a check on malpractices and exploitation of women, mainly those belonging to the vulnerable sections of the society.
Image: Aamir Khan with son, Azad. Aamir and his filmmaker-wife, Kiran Rao's son was born through surrogacy using the IVF technique.
The draft bill suggests carving out provisions in the law to make parentage of such children "legal and transparent". It also plans to make the option of surrogacy unavailable to unmarried couples and those who already have adopted children as well as to foreigners choosing to opt for surrogates in India.
Another key suggestion in the draft bill is to limit such an arrangement to the family and friends of the commissioning couple. However, officials said there were divergent views on this proposal and hence, it was likely to be discussed further. The draft bill is primarily aimed at keeping a check on malpractices and exploitation of women, mainly those belonging to the vulnerable sections of the society.
Image: Aamir Khan with son, Azad. Aamir and his filmmaker-wife, Kiran Rao's son was born through surrogacy using the IVF technique.
13:42
Landslide at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, CRPF head constable dead.
13:28 As Rajnath reaches Srinagar, youth dies in fresh clashes
A youth today died in fresh clashes between protestors and security forces in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on a day Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Srinagar to review the situation. With the death of the youth, the toll in the ongoing unrest in the Kashmir Valley has climbed to 66.
"Aamir Bashir, who had pellet injuries in his chest, was brought to SMHS Hospital but the doctors declared him brought dead," a police official said.
He said the youth was a resident of Pohu village in Pulwama district where fresh clashes erupted between protestors and security forces this morning.
Several other persons have sustained injuries in the clashes which were going on till last reports came in.
Besides the 66 dead, several thousand others have been injured in the clashes that began on July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kokernag area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district.
"Aamir Bashir, who had pellet injuries in his chest, was brought to SMHS Hospital but the doctors declared him brought dead," a police official said.
He said the youth was a resident of Pohu village in Pulwama district where fresh clashes erupted between protestors and security forces this morning.
Several other persons have sustained injuries in the clashes which were going on till last reports came in.
Besides the 66 dead, several thousand others have been injured in the clashes that began on July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kokernag area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district.
12:56 Dahi handi height stays 20 feet, SC rejects plea
Just in: The Supreme Court rejects plea for increasing the height of the dahi handi pyramid above 20 feet. A bench comprising justices A R Dave, U U Lalit and L Nageswara Rao heard the plea as the festival is to be celebrated tomorrow across the country.
The fresh plea was filed by Mumbai-based Jai Jawan Krida Mandal Govinda Pathak.
The organisation says that now that the youth below 18 years of age have been barred from participating in the Dahi Handi ritual, the cap on the height of the human pyramid should be relaxed as adventure is part of every sport.
If there is no adventure in a game, then there is no point in celebrating it, the Krida Mandal says.The Supreme Court had earlier refused to relax conditions put by the Bombay High Court like barring youths below 18 years of age from participating in 'Dahi- Handi' ritual of the Janmashtami festival in Maharashtra and capping the height of the human pyramid at 20 feet.
The fresh plea was filed by Mumbai-based Jai Jawan Krida Mandal Govinda Pathak.
The organisation says that now that the youth below 18 years of age have been barred from participating in the Dahi Handi ritual, the cap on the height of the human pyramid should be relaxed as adventure is part of every sport.
If there is no adventure in a game, then there is no point in celebrating it, the Krida Mandal says.The Supreme Court had earlier refused to relax conditions put by the Bombay High Court like barring youths below 18 years of age from participating in 'Dahi- Handi' ritual of the Janmashtami festival in Maharashtra and capping the height of the human pyramid at 20 feet.
12:37 BMC passes proposal to make yoga mandatory in Mumbai civic schools
The Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has passed a proposal making yoga and Surya Namaskar mandatory in all civic schools in Mumbai despite strong protests from opposition parties.
BMCs general body cleared this proposal tabled by BJP corporator Samita Kamble on Tuesday with an aim to improve overall health of students by incorporating the ancient exercise regime into their daily routine.
The ruling allies rejected the amendment demanded by Congress and Samajwadi Party to make yoga optional for schools.
It also struck down SPs demand for removal of Surya Namaskar from the proposal terming it as a form of Hindu worship.
Making Surya Namaskar compulsory in schools is a way to promote Hindutva as the origin of Surya Namaskar lies in Hindu God Surya (Sun), Samajwadi corporator Rais Sheikh alleged.
She claimed that if BMC makes this compulsory, Muslim parents would stop sending their children to schools.
BMC runs 1,188 primary and 49 secondary schools in Mumbai. This includes nearly 400 Urdu-medium schools. About 4.85 lakh students study in primary schools while another 55,000 study in secondary schools.
The proposal passed by the House of the civic body, will now be sent to Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta who will take a final call on the issue.
BMCs general body cleared this proposal tabled by BJP corporator Samita Kamble on Tuesday with an aim to improve overall health of students by incorporating the ancient exercise regime into their daily routine.
The ruling allies rejected the amendment demanded by Congress and Samajwadi Party to make yoga optional for schools.
It also struck down SPs demand for removal of Surya Namaskar from the proposal terming it as a form of Hindu worship.
Making Surya Namaskar compulsory in schools is a way to promote Hindutva as the origin of Surya Namaskar lies in Hindu God Surya (Sun), Samajwadi corporator Rais Sheikh alleged.
She claimed that if BMC makes this compulsory, Muslim parents would stop sending their children to schools.
BMC runs 1,188 primary and 49 secondary schools in Mumbai. This includes nearly 400 Urdu-medium schools. About 4.85 lakh students study in primary schools while another 55,000 study in secondary schools.
The proposal passed by the House of the civic body, will now be sent to Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta who will take a final call on the issue.
12:13 Centre must explain Scorpene submarine leak: Congress
The Congress on Wednesday demanded a proper explanation from the government and swift punishment against culprits involved in the reported leak of sensitive data related to Indias Scorpene submarine.
Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said that the leak of papers is a very serious matter as the national security is paramount.
It is not a question of this or that. It is a question that the fundamentals of security for purposes of national security, national safety how they can be possible leaked? he said.
The government owes a very proper explanation and a strict punishment in the swiftest possible time. This should not go through a bureaucratic legalese with people trying to save their skin and passing the buck, he added.
Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said that the leak of papers is a very serious matter as the national security is paramount.
It is not a question of this or that. It is a question that the fundamentals of security for purposes of national security, national safety how they can be possible leaked? he said.
The government owes a very proper explanation and a strict punishment in the swiftest possible time. This should not go through a bureaucratic legalese with people trying to save their skin and passing the buck, he added.
12:00 SC to hear fresh plea on height of human pyramid during 'Dahi Handi'
The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a fresh plea seeking to relax the cap of 20-feet height of the human pyramid fixed by it for the 'Dahi Handi' ritual during Janmashtami festival in Maharashtra.
A bench comprising justices A R Dave, U U Lalit and L Nageswara Rao said that it will hear today itself a plea on the issue as the festival is to be celebrated tomorrow across the country.
The fresh plea has been filed by Mumbai-based Jai Jawan Krida Mandal Govinda Pathak.
The organisation says that now that the youth below 18 years of age have been barred from participating in the Dahi Handi ritual, the cap on the height of the human pyramid should be relaxed as adventure is part of every sport.
If there is no adventure in a game, then there is no point in celebrating it, the Krida Mandal says.
The Supreme Court had earlier refused to relax conditions put by the Bombay High Court like barring youths below 18 years of age from participating in Dahi- Handi ritual of the Janmashtami festival in Maharashtra and capping the height of the human pyramid at 20 feet.
A bench comprising justices A R Dave, U U Lalit and L Nageswara Rao said that it will hear today itself a plea on the issue as the festival is to be celebrated tomorrow across the country.
The fresh plea has been filed by Mumbai-based Jai Jawan Krida Mandal Govinda Pathak.
The organisation says that now that the youth below 18 years of age have been barred from participating in the Dahi Handi ritual, the cap on the height of the human pyramid should be relaxed as adventure is part of every sport.
If there is no adventure in a game, then there is no point in celebrating it, the Krida Mandal says.
The Supreme Court had earlier refused to relax conditions put by the Bombay High Court like barring youths below 18 years of age from participating in Dahi- Handi ritual of the Janmashtami festival in Maharashtra and capping the height of the human pyramid at 20 feet.
11:56 You are a public figure, you must face criticism: SC rebukes Jaya for defamation spree
The Supreme Court rebukes Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa over the several defamation cases filed by her. The SC tells Jayalalithaa that she is a public figure and must face criticism. "You cannot use a defamation case to throttle democracy," the court said. The court issues a notice to the CM on a petition alleging misuse of defamation law.
The court was hearing a petition filed by actor-politician Vijayakanth requesting that an arrest warrant against him be cancelled.
Vijayakanth, who is known as 'captain' and heads the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, was named in a police complaint after he commented that Jayalalithaa is heading a corrupt government.
There are 14 defamation cases against him for his comments criticizing the government, especially that the floods that wrecked Chennai in December 2015 had been artificially caused.
No other state misuses the state machinery like the TN government. Defamation cases cant be slapped for merely reporting on CMs health condition, the SC said.
The court was hearing a petition filed by actor-politician Vijayakanth requesting that an arrest warrant against him be cancelled.
Vijayakanth, who is known as 'captain' and heads the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, was named in a police complaint after he commented that Jayalalithaa is heading a corrupt government.
There are 14 defamation cases against him for his comments criticizing the government, especially that the floods that wrecked Chennai in December 2015 had been artificially caused.
No other state misuses the state machinery like the TN government. Defamation cases cant be slapped for merely reporting on CMs health condition, the SC said.
11:17 Scorpene submarine: Case of hacking, not 100% leaked
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said documents relating to the French Scorpene submarine being built in the country appeared to have been hacked, after an Australian newspaper reported a leak of thousands of pages detailing the vessel's top-secret capability.
"I understand there has been a case of hacking, we will find out what has happened," Manohar Parrikar told reporters. The submarines are being built at a state-run shipyard in Mumbai in collaboration with France's DCNS Group.
This (the report) came to my knowledge at 12 midnight, it is a case of hacking. Navy Chief has been asked to analyze as to what exactly has been leaked, Parrikar said.
The defence chief also said that the connection of data has to be identified and ascertained yet. "First step is to identify if its related to us, and anyway its not all 100% leak," he said.
"I understand there has been a case of hacking, we will find out what has happened," Manohar Parrikar told reporters. The submarines are being built at a state-run shipyard in Mumbai in collaboration with France's DCNS Group.
This (the report) came to my knowledge at 12 midnight, it is a case of hacking. Navy Chief has been asked to analyze as to what exactly has been leaked, Parrikar said.
The defence chief also said that the connection of data has to be identified and ascertained yet. "First step is to identify if its related to us, and anyway its not all 100% leak," he said.
11:05 Saradha ponzi case: ED summons Nalini Chidambaram
ED has summoned Nalini Chidambaram, wife of former Finance Minister P Chidamabram, in connection with its money laundering probe in the Saradha chit fund scam case.
Officials said Nalini has been asked to appear before the Investigating Officer of the case early next month in Kolkata where her statement is expected to be recorded under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The particular matter with Nalini, a Supreme Court lawyer, pertains to the legal fee paid to her by the Saradha group, official sources said.
The amount in question is Rs 1.26 crore, sources said, and the Enforcement Directorate wants to understand the exact flow of funds to her from Saradha company accounts and the contract made therein. She had earlier been questioned by the ED and CBI in this regard but sources claimed she has been summoned on the "light of new evidence."
Officials said Nalini has been asked to appear before the Investigating Officer of the case early next month in Kolkata where her statement is expected to be recorded under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The particular matter with Nalini, a Supreme Court lawyer, pertains to the legal fee paid to her by the Saradha group, official sources said.
The amount in question is Rs 1.26 crore, sources said, and the Enforcement Directorate wants to understand the exact flow of funds to her from Saradha company accounts and the contract made therein. She had earlier been questioned by the ED and CBI in this regard but sources claimed she has been summoned on the "light of new evidence."
11:02 Rohith Vemula was not Dalit, says probe panel
The one-man judicial commission, set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development to probe the circumstances leading to Rohith Vemula's suicide at the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) in January this year, has said that the 26-year-old research scholar did not belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community.Former Allahabad High Court judge A K Roopanwal, who was appointed by the then HRD Minister Smriti Irani, is learnt to have submitted his report to the University Grants Commission (UGC) in the first week of August, UGC sources said.
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10:33 Those who believe in Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat are welcome: HM
Home minister Rajanth Singh sends out a message ahead of his visit to Srinagar. "Leaving New Delhi for Srinagar on a two day visit. Shall interact with civil society groups, political parties and other stakeholders. I will be staying at the Nehru Guest House. Those who believe in Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and Jamhooriyat are welcome." the HM tweeted.
File pic of Rajnath Singh meeting J-K CM Mehbooba Mufti
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday pinned its hopes on the emergence of a viable solution and the chalking out of a strong and stern policy to end the unrest in the Kashmir through Union Home Minister Rajnath Singhs visit.
BJP leader Ravinder Raina said that all stakeholders will be taken on board during the home ministers meetings.
I think a viable solution to this crisis and a strong and stern policy will be chalked out. This visit will definitely bring fruits to calm down the present turmoil in Kashmir, he added.
Raina said Singhs visit should be seen as a significant one as the Valley has been on a boil for the last 47 days.
Pakistan-sponsored terrorists and separatists in the Kashmir Valley have created mess and turmoil and the common Kashmiris are suffering very badly. Traders, transporters, businessman and the student community are suffering badly, he added.
Echoing similar sentiments, another BJP leader Shaina NC said that Singhs visit is clearly a step in the right direction.
File pic of Rajnath Singh meeting J-K CM Mehbooba Mufti
10:24 Paternity leave will be just a holiday for men, says Maneka Gandhi
As the clamour for enhanced paternity leave grows stronger after the recent passage of the maternity leave bill in Rajya Sabha, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has said that such a legislation will have little impact in India, where men do not even avail their existing leave entitlements to share the responsibility of child care.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Maneka said, "Paternity leave can be considered only if, once the woman goes back to work after her 26 weeks of leave, we find that men are availing their sick leave for a month to take care of the child. Let me see how many men do that. I will be happy to give it but for a man, it will be just a holiday, he won't do anything."
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Speaking to The Indian Express, Maneka said, "Paternity leave can be considered only if, once the woman goes back to work after her 26 weeks of leave, we find that men are availing their sick leave for a month to take care of the child. Let me see how many men do that. I will be happy to give it but for a man, it will be just a holiday, he won't do anything."
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10:08 Sensitive data on India's Scorpene submarines leaked
Sensitive data related to India's Scorpene submarines has been leaked, with French shipbuilder DCNS which designed the submarine facing a leak of documents spreading over 22,000 pages, a report in Australian media revealed on Tuesday.
According to a report in The Australian, DCNS, which recently won a contract to design 12 submarines for Australia, includes details of submarine's underwater sensors, above-water sensors, combat management system, torpedo launch system and specifications, communications system and navigation systems.
Variants of Scorpene submarines are also used by Malaysia and Chile with Brazil to join the club soon.
First of the Scorpene class submarines being built in India Kalvari went for sea trials in May, 2016 and is expected to be inducted in the Indian Navy soon.
Indian Navy officials have said the six submarines, once inducted, would form the core of the Navy's submarine arm for the next two decades.
According to the report, DCNS has said that such a leak of technical data could not happen with its proposed submarine for Australia.
The DCNS also implied that the leak might have occurred at India's end, rather than from France.
"Uncontrolled technical data is not possible in the Australian Aarrangements," the company said as per the report in The Australian.
"Multiple and independent controls exist within DCNS to prevent unauthorised access to data and all data movements are encrypted and recorded. In the case of India, where a DCNS design is built by a local company, DCNS is the provider and not the controller of technical data," it said.
According to a report in The Australian, DCNS, which recently won a contract to design 12 submarines for Australia, includes details of submarine's underwater sensors, above-water sensors, combat management system, torpedo launch system and specifications, communications system and navigation systems.
Variants of Scorpene submarines are also used by Malaysia and Chile with Brazil to join the club soon.
First of the Scorpene class submarines being built in India Kalvari went for sea trials in May, 2016 and is expected to be inducted in the Indian Navy soon.
Indian Navy officials have said the six submarines, once inducted, would form the core of the Navy's submarine arm for the next two decades.
According to the report, DCNS has said that such a leak of technical data could not happen with its proposed submarine for Australia.
The DCNS also implied that the leak might have occurred at India's end, rather than from France.
"Uncontrolled technical data is not possible in the Australian Aarrangements," the company said as per the report in The Australian.
"Multiple and independent controls exist within DCNS to prevent unauthorised access to data and all data movements are encrypted and recorded. In the case of India, where a DCNS design is built by a local company, DCNS is the provider and not the controller of technical data," it said.
10:01 Sakshi Malik face of Haryana's Beti Bachao movement
Meanwhile, bronze medallist Sakshi Malik has been made the ambassador of the Haryana government's Beti Bachao movement. The wrestler was felicitated with a cash prize of Rs 2.5 crore by Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar. The felicitation ceremony was held in her village in Rohtak where the Haryana CM met her and congratulated her on her victory.
09:54 Italy quake: Shockwaves felt 120 km away in Rome
First images of the damage in Amatrice showed cars caked in rubble and the debris of collapse, buildings sprawled across the streets.Strong shockwaves were felt as far as the capital Rome, more than 100 miles from where the 'shallow' quake first struck at around 3.30am local time.There have already been 'reports of victims in the quake zone', according to Italian Fire Department spokesman Luca Cari.
09:46 6.2 quake rocks Italy, town at epicentre 'doesn't exist anymore'
At just after 3:30 am local time on Wednesday morning, a giant magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck central Italy. It was felt throughout the region, including in Rome. The Associated Press is reporting that the epicenter of the quake was a little northeast of Rome, near the province of Rietl.
The town of Amatrice, which is in Rietl, has been devastated. The AP is reporting that the town's mayor Sergio Perozzi has said that many residents are buried and that the town "isn't here anymore."
So far, there are two confirmed casualties. Early estimates as to how many total people may have died are varying wildly.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has put out an initial statement about the quake's possible impact. According to CNN, they anticipate "significant" casualties. "Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake resistant construction," the agency said.
Image: Many deaths are suspected in the town of Amatrice. The picture was tweeted by Flavio Maccarone.
The town of Amatrice, which is in Rietl, has been devastated. The AP is reporting that the town's mayor Sergio Perozzi has said that many residents are buried and that the town "isn't here anymore."
So far, there are two confirmed casualties. Early estimates as to how many total people may have died are varying wildly.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has put out an initial statement about the quake's possible impact. According to CNN, they anticipate "significant" casualties. "Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake resistant construction," the agency said.
Image: Many deaths are suspected in the town of Amatrice. The picture was tweeted by Flavio Maccarone.
09:33
JUST IN: Mayor of quake-hit Amatrice in Italy says residents are buried under debris and town 'isn't here anymore'.
09:24
Image: Rio Olympics bronze medalist Sakshi Malik being felicitated by villagers in Tikri Kalan town.Photograph: ANI
08:47 Wrestler Sakshi Malik returns home, ministers rally at airport to receive her
Rio Olympics bronze medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik reached Delhi early on Wednesday and was accorded a grand welcome.
Sakshi was accompanied by Haryanas Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anil Vij on her flight back home and as many as five Haryana ministers were there to welcome her.
Its a great feeling, the reception I got was amazing. A proud moment for me, Sakshi said after arriving in New Delhi.
The whole country supported me, I want to thank everyone. It was my biggest dream to win a medal for India at Olympics. I was preparing for this for the last 12 years, she said.
Sakshis father Satbir Malik said he cant believe the reception his daughter got at the airport.
Another grand reception ceremony awaits the wrestler at her village in Rohtak district, where she will be felicitated with a cash prize of Rs 2.5 crore by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
Sakshi was accompanied by Haryanas Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anil Vij on her flight back home and as many as five Haryana ministers were there to welcome her.
Its a great feeling, the reception I got was amazing. A proud moment for me, Sakshi said after arriving in New Delhi.
The whole country supported me, I want to thank everyone. It was my biggest dream to win a medal for India at Olympics. I was preparing for this for the last 12 years, she said.
Sakshis father Satbir Malik said he cant believe the reception his daughter got at the airport.
Another grand reception ceremony awaits the wrestler at her village in Rohtak district, where she will be felicitated with a cash prize of Rs 2.5 crore by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
08:25 Magnitude 6.1 quake rattles Rome, central Italy
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude estimated at 6.1 has rattled Rome and central Italy in the middle of the night. There were no immediate reports of damage early today, but state-run RAI radio said people ran into the streets in central Umbria and Le Marche regions shortly after the quake struck just after 3:30 am local time.
The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre put the magnitude at 6.1 and said the epicenter was northeast of Rome, near Rieti. The United States Geological Survey put the magnitude at 6.2.
It was felt in central Rome, as people in homes in the city's historic centre felt a long swaying.
The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre put the magnitude at 6.1 and said the epicenter was northeast of Rome, near Rieti. The United States Geological Survey put the magnitude at 6.2.
It was felt in central Rome, as people in homes in the city's historic centre felt a long swaying.
08:18 US expresses concern over human rights situation in PoK
Expressing concern over human rights situation in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, the United States has called for working out differences peaceably and through a valid political process.
"We do have concerns about the human rights situation there (PoK), have reported it for several years in our Human Rights report," State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference on Tuesday.
"We are always urging all parties in Pakistan to work out their differences peaceably and through a valid political process," he said when asked about the human rights situation in PoK.
"And with respect to Kashmir, our policy there is well known," Toner said without elaborating further.
Earlier this month, protesters took to streets in the Gilgit-Baltistan region against human rights abuses and crackdown by the Pakistani security forces.
"We do have concerns about the human rights situation there (PoK), have reported it for several years in our Human Rights report," State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference on Tuesday.
"We are always urging all parties in Pakistan to work out their differences peaceably and through a valid political process," he said when asked about the human rights situation in PoK.
"And with respect to Kashmir, our policy there is well known," Toner said without elaborating further.
Earlier this month, protesters took to streets in the Gilgit-Baltistan region against human rights abuses and crackdown by the Pakistani security forces.
04:18 FBI: Russian hacked NY Times reporters
Hackers thought to be working for Russian intelligence have carried out a series of cyber breaches targeting reporters at the New York Times and other US news organizations, according to US officials briefed on the matter.
The intrusions, detected in recent months, are under investigation by the FBI and other US security agencies. Investigators so far believe that Russian intelligence is likely behind the attacks and that Russian hackers are targeting news organizations as part of a broader series of hacks that also have focused on Democratic Party organizations, the officials said.
The FBI declined to comment and a spokesperson for The New York Times would not confirm the attacks or the investigation.
04:16 Iraq stops would-be child bomber for ISIS
A boy stands shaking in the street. Fear etched across his face. Two men flank him on either side as a third rips through the boy's Barcelona football shirt to reveal what appears to be an explosive belt.
The Iraqi security officers grip the boy tightly. A small slip of the hand and the boy could reach the trigger and all four would die.
This was the dramatic moment Iraqi police stopped Hussein, a 15-year-old suspected in a suicide bombing attempt for ISIS in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk on Sunday.
03:28 North Korea test fires sub-launched missile
North Korea test-fired a submarine- launched ballistic missile off its eastern coast today, South Korea's news agency reported.
According to Yonhap, the reported test came amid escalating cross-border tensions, with the North threatening retaliation over the start of South Korea-US military exercises condemned by Pyongyang as a rehearsal for a nuclear
attack and invasion.
02:51 Muslim mob kills eight in northern Nigeria: police
A Muslim mob in northern Nigeria has killed eight people after torching the house of a man who tried to save a Christian student accused of
blasphemy, police said today.
"Eight people were killed in the house by the mob over the alleged blasphemy," Zamfara state police spokesman Shehu Mohammed told AFP of the incident, which happened on Monday.
He said the mob of Muslim students in the town of Talata Mafara were enraged over alleged derogatory comments by their Christian schoolmate, who they attacked.
He said the victim was rescued by a passerby, a Muslim who rushed him to the police station for safety.
02:40 Vehicle carrying beef set on fire
A vehicle, allegedly carrying beef, was today set on fire by a group of people in Rampur Maniharan area here.
The mob went on a rampage after they intercepted a pick-up vehicle, allegedly carrying beef, SP Sanjay Singh said.
Police had to lathicharge to disperse the crowd, Singh said.
A case of beef smuggling has been registered in this connection and investigation is on, he added.
02:34 US to issue Diwali postal stamp
The US Postal Service today said it will issue a Diwali postage stamp, meeting one of the long pending demands of Indian-American community here.
The Diwali stamp is being issued as a "Forever" stamp, the US Postal Service said in a statement.
The stamp design, unveiled by the US Postal Service, is a photograph featuring a traditional diya oil lamp lit in a sparkling gold background.
Sally Andersen-Bruce of New Milford, Connecticut, photographed the diya.
00:49 UN chief calls for renewed focus on mass destruction weapons
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the international community to renew its commitment to eliminate weapons of mass destruction as technological advances make it cheaper and easier for
terrorist groups to produce and deliver materials for making the weapons.
Ban, speaking at a high-level meeting of the UN Security Council, said much good work has been done to curb the production of WMDs, including the landmark Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and Security Council Resolution 1540 in 2004, which legally obligates UN member states to enforce measures against the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.
But he said technological advances have made it easier for terrorist groups to gain access to the materials needed for making such weapons.
"Vicious non-state actors that target civilians for carnage are actively seeking chemical, biological and nuclear weapons," he said.
00:43 Battle looming: Iraqi troops, militia inch toward ISIS-held Mosul
The Iraqi Army Humvees barreled across the Nineveh province moonscape toward the town of al-Qayyara, the next front line in the military quest to dislodge ISIS from the sprawling city of Mosul.
ISIS tries to decrease the advancing soldiers' visibility by burning up oil tankers and flooding the air with smoke. But the troops pushed forward despite black apocalyptic skies, street after street of decimated buildings, torn electric cables whipping across the road, and hot searing winds.
Now they're just a couple of kilometers away from the town center and about 60 kilometers from Mosul. By the end of the year, they say, they will liberate Iraq's second-largest metropolitan area seized by ISIS two years ago.
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