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Thu, 11 February 2016
Snapdeal employee remains missing 24 hours after abduction
Timeline Refresh
23:54 Snapdeal employee remains missing 24 hours after abduction
A female employee of Snapdeal, India's largest online marketplace, has been allegedly abducted late on Wednesday night, while she was returning home after work.
According to media reports, Dipti Sarna, 24, an executive working in Snapdeal's legal department, was in an auto rickshaw, travelling back from the company's new offices in Gurgaon, to her home, when the incident occurred.
The abduction is believed to have taken place in the town of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, and which lies adjacent to the country's capital.
23:19 Lagarde set for second term as IMF chief
IMF chief Christine Lagarde became assured today of a second five-year term after the global financial institution announced there were no other
candidates for the position.
"One candidate, current Managing Director Christine Lagarde, has been nominated," the IMF executive board said in a statement. The new term begins in July.
The United States, the largest IMF stakeholder and long a strong supporter of Lagarde's leadership in steering the crisis lender through a critical time for the global economy, swiftly declared its official backing today.
Named to head the IMF in July 2011, Lagarde, 60, also has received numerous expressions of support from officials in Europe and Latin America.
No other candidate had emerged for the position by the time the nominating process closed yesterday.
22:32 India, UAE sign 7 agreements to step up bilateral cooperation
Stepping up their cooperation, India and the UAE tonight signed a wide-ranging set of seven agreements including on cyber security, infrastructure
investment and insurance after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
At their restricted as well as delegation-level talks here, the two leaders deliberated extensively on combating threat of terrorism including from ISIS, and explored ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism, maritime security and defence.
The pact on cyber space will provide for greater synergy between security agencies of the two countries to combat efforts to radicalise youths through online platforms besides checking activities of terror groups.
Modi had visited UAE in August last year during which it was decided to elevate the relationship to "comprehensive strategic partnership", providing for greater cooperation in strategic areas including defence and security.
22:01 Scientists say they have detected gravitational ripples, just as Einstein predicted a century ago
In an announcement that electrified the world of astronomy, scientists said today that they have finally detected gravitational waves, the ripples in the fabric of space-time that Einstein predicted a century ago.
Scientists likened the breakthrough to the moment Galileo took up a telescope to look at the planets.
The discovery of these waves, created by violent collisions in the universe, excites astronomers because it opens the door to a new way of observing the cosmos. For them, it's like turning a silent movie into a talkie because these waves are the soundtrack of the cosmos.
"Until this moment we had our eyes on the sky and we couldn't hear the music," said Columbia University astrophysicist Szabolcs Marka, a member of the discovery team. "The skies will never be the same."
An all-star international team of astrophysicists used a newly upgraded and excruciatingly sensitive USD 1.1 billion instrument known as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational- Wave Observatory, or LIGO, to detect a gravitational wave from the distant crash of two black holes, one of the ways these ripples are created.
21:06 Mexico prison riot leaves 52 dead near Monterrey
A riot and a fire at a prison near Monterrey in northern Mexico has left 52 people dead, state officials say.
Another 12 were injured in the riot at Topo Chico jail that broke out just after midnight.
Smoke was seen billowing from the complex but officials in Nuevo Leon state say the situation is now under control and no inmates have escaped.
Crowds of people worried about relatives inside the jail blocked roads outside, demanding information.
Read more HERE,
20:51 Why Bernie is beating Hillary
Bernie Sanders' stellar victory in New Hampshire showed that his campaign has some serious legs. He won 6 of 10 voters and led in virtually every demographic category, except for those over 65 and households earning more than $200,000.
Slowly, Sanders has been undercutting Hillary Clinton's electoral strength and putting together a campaign that could go all the way into the summer convention.
The Clintons continue to dismiss the idea that Sanders is a serious candidate, painting him as someone who is too left of center and a politician who doesn't make the kind of serious, detailed arguments that most adult voters will demand. To be sure, there is a good deal of logic to the Clinton argument.
It is extraordinarily difficult to imagine that a democratic socialist could win a general election in the post-Ronald Reagan era.
Read more HERE.
20:28 Pak army chief confirms death sentences for 12 militants
Pakistan's powerful army chief Gen Raheel Sharif today confirmed death sentences given to 12 hardcore terrorists, including a top Pakistani Taliban
militant, by military courts for committing "heinous offences".
The terrorists were found guilty of committing series of terror attacks in the country, including attacks on security forces and a jail, the army said in a statement.
"Today, Chief of Army Staff confirmed death sentences awarded to another 12 hardcore terrorists, who were involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism," it said.
The terrorists were tried by military courts set up on December 16, 2014 after Taliban attack on a school in the northwestern city of Peshawar that killed 150 people, mostly children.
20:28 The 'Untouchable' who cycled from India to Sweden ... for love
Charlotte Von Schedvin was a blonde, blue-eyed young woman who hailed from Swedish nobility.
PK Mahanandia was a poor art student from eastern India, seen as an "untouchable" in his country's caste system.
Yet their chance meeting in Delhi, late 1975, when Von Schedvin asked him to paint her portrait, led to him cycling from India to Sweden to be with her -- a mammoth 3,600km journey spanning eight countries and taking over four months to complete.
Read more HERE.
19:56 Governor can't take away Speaker's powers: SC
The Supreme Court today critically examined a decision of Arunachal Pradesh Governor J P Rajkhowa ordering maintenance of the party-wise position of MLAs in the assembly and said he had "no role to play" in it, as the anti-defection aspect fell under the domain of the Speaker.
"How can the Governor take away the constitutional powers of the Speaker to disqualify lawmakers on the grounds of defection?
"The Governor may have some role in the functioning of the assembly, but he has no role to play in issues prescribed in the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection provision) of the Constitution," a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Justice J S Khehar said.
Observing that democracy was part of the basic structure of the Constitution, the bench said, hence, any "undemocratic" decision would be open to judicial review.
"Democracy is a basic structure of the Constitution and if some decisions are anti-democratic, it is the subject matter of judicial review," the bench, also comprising Justices Dipak Misra, Madan B Lokur, P C Ghose and N V Ramana, said.
Senior advocate T R Andhyarijuna, appearing for Rajkhowa, defended the Governor's decisions saying when the Speaker was under clout and part of a conspiracy with the state government, the Governor exercised his discretionary power which is "undefined" in the Constitution.
19:36 R K Pachauri goes on leave
Amid outrage over his appointment as TERI's Executive Vice Chairman, R K Pachauri has proceeded on leave today and will skip TERI University's convocation on March 7 after a group of students refused to receive degrees from him.
Facing the heat due to multiple sexual harrassment charges, Pachauri, the Chancellor of the University was recently elevated to the newly created post, a move which triggered severe critisism from the alumuni and women activists across the country.
"Yes. He is on leave. I can confirm this as his position as Chancellor of the TERI University. As Chancellor, he is on leave. He communicated this today.
"The convocation is on March 7. He (Pachauri) would not be attending it," Rajiv Seth, acting VC of TERI varsity told PTI.
Asked who would be holding the position of Chancellor during Pachauri's absence, Seth said it is yet to be decided and since the VC is involved in the day to day affairs of any university, Pachauri's going on leave will not affect the institution's functioning in anyway.
18:27 Former Pak president Musharraf in ICU after minor heart attack
Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf has been hospitalised after he suffered a minor heart attack.
In the immediate aftermath of the Pathankot attack, Musharraf had called on India to not 'overreact' saying that both nations were victims of extremism and also accused New Delhi of creating pressure on Islamabad over terrorism.
Speaking in an interview to a Pakistani news channel, Musharraf said that terrorism was prevalent in both India and Pakistan because of which incidents such as Pathankot would keep happening.
"Terrorism is prevalent in both India and Pakistan. We are also victims of the same, so we should not overreact to what happened in Pathankot. Yes, of course we want to control such incidents, but one should get hyper over such incidents," Musharraf said.
In the immediate aftermath of the Pathankot attack, Musharraf had called on India to not 'overreact' saying that both nations were victims of extremism and also accused New Delhi of creating pressure on Islamabad over terrorism.
Speaking in an interview to a Pakistani news channel, Musharraf said that terrorism was prevalent in both India and Pakistan because of which incidents such as Pathankot would keep happening.
"Terrorism is prevalent in both India and Pakistan. We are also victims of the same, so we should not overreact to what happened in Pathankot. Yes, of course we want to control such incidents, but one should get hyper over such incidents," Musharraf said.
18:17 This too shall pass, Rajan says as markets crash
Have your mutual fund investments bottomed out? Don't worry, this too shall pass.
Not us, that's what Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan said on Thursday.
He said efforts by the central bank and the government to clean up banks' balance sheets would be successful and warned analysts against "scare-mongering" about the level of stressed assets in the sector.
Rajan said the RBI would strive to have "clean and fully provisioned bank balance sheets by March 2017," while noting the government's planned capital infusion in state-run banks would be sufficient.
He also said RBI projections showed that only "a small minority" of state-owned banks would breach core capital requirements in the absence of any recapitalisation.
The speech comes as shares of state-owned lenders have tumbled badly after some of them posted a surge in bad loans.
"The market turmoil will pass. The clean-up will get done, and Indian banks will be restored to health," Rajan said in a speech in Mumbai."There are some wild claims being made by some financial analysts about the size of the stressed asset problem. This verges on scare-mongering."
Not us, that's what Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan said on Thursday.
He said efforts by the central bank and the government to clean up banks' balance sheets would be successful and warned analysts against "scare-mongering" about the level of stressed assets in the sector.
Rajan said the RBI would strive to have "clean and fully provisioned bank balance sheets by March 2017," while noting the government's planned capital infusion in state-run banks would be sufficient.
He also said RBI projections showed that only "a small minority" of state-owned banks would breach core capital requirements in the absence of any recapitalisation.
The speech comes as shares of state-owned lenders have tumbled badly after some of them posted a surge in bad loans.
"The market turmoil will pass. The clean-up will get done, and Indian banks will be restored to health," Rajan said in a speech in Mumbai."There are some wild claims being made by some financial analysts about the size of the stressed asset problem. This verges on scare-mongering."
18:09
Congress VP Rahul Gandhi pays his condolences before Lance Naik Hanumanthappa's body.
18:06 Andreessen apologises for 'colonialist' remark on India
After stirring up the hornet's nest with his "anti-colonialist" remark about India, Facebook board member Marc Andreessen today apologised saying it was "ill-informed and ill-advised" comment about Indian politics and economics.
"Last night on Twitter, I made an ill-informed and ill-advised comment about Indian politics and economics. To be clear, I am 100 per cent opposed to colonialism, and 100 per cent in favour of independence and freedom, in every country, including India," he tweeted.
Andreessen, or @pmarca as he's known on Twitter, wrote: "Anti-colonialism has been economically catastrophic for the Indian people for decades. Why stop now?"
His comment was in reference to telecom regulator TRAI banning Facebook's Free Basics and other such plans that charge different rates for Internet access based on content. The move was hailed as a victory for net neutrality, the principle that all Internet websites should be equally accessible.
Interestingly, Facebook today announced that it has shut down Free Basics in India. Launched last year in India (with Reliance Communications), Free Basics claimed to provide basic Internet access to people in partnership with telecom operators.
Critics saw this as violation of the principle of net neutrality that states that entire Internet should be available to everyone on equal terms as Free Basics allowed access to selected websites. In December, RCom put the service on hold following a Telecom Regulator Authority of India's directive to that effect.
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also distanced himself from Andreessen's comments saying the remarks were "deeply upsetting" and did not represent the company's thinking. Saying that he is huge admirer of India and the people here "who have been nothing but kind and generous to me for many years", Andreessen said he withdraws his comments in full and without reservation.
"I apologise for any offence my comment caused...I will leave all future commentary on all of these topics to people with more knowledge and experience than me," he wrote.
Andreessen's comments had drawn sharp criticism from netizens with some calling Facebook's Free Basics plan as Internet colonialism. Facing flak, Andreessen removed the tweet. Later, he attempted to walk away from the discussion he fired up saying "I hereby withdraw from all future discussions of Indian economics or politics. Carry on."
"Last night on Twitter, I made an ill-informed and ill-advised comment about Indian politics and economics. To be clear, I am 100 per cent opposed to colonialism, and 100 per cent in favour of independence and freedom, in every country, including India," he tweeted.
Andreessen, or @pmarca as he's known on Twitter, wrote: "Anti-colonialism has been economically catastrophic for the Indian people for decades. Why stop now?"
His comment was in reference to telecom regulator TRAI banning Facebook's Free Basics and other such plans that charge different rates for Internet access based on content. The move was hailed as a victory for net neutrality, the principle that all Internet websites should be equally accessible.
Interestingly, Facebook today announced that it has shut down Free Basics in India. Launched last year in India (with Reliance Communications), Free Basics claimed to provide basic Internet access to people in partnership with telecom operators.
Critics saw this as violation of the principle of net neutrality that states that entire Internet should be available to everyone on equal terms as Free Basics allowed access to selected websites. In December, RCom put the service on hold following a Telecom Regulator Authority of India's directive to that effect.
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also distanced himself from Andreessen's comments saying the remarks were "deeply upsetting" and did not represent the company's thinking. Saying that he is huge admirer of India and the people here "who have been nothing but kind and generous to me for many years", Andreessen said he withdraws his comments in full and without reservation.
"I apologise for any offence my comment caused...I will leave all future commentary on all of these topics to people with more knowledge and experience than me," he wrote.
Andreessen's comments had drawn sharp criticism from netizens with some calling Facebook's Free Basics plan as Internet colonialism. Facing flak, Andreessen removed the tweet. Later, he attempted to walk away from the discussion he fired up saying "I hereby withdraw from all future discussions of Indian economics or politics. Carry on."
17:52 Pathankot airbase had 6 terrorists; was in full command: NSG
The NSG today said there were two heavily armed terrorists hiding inside the Pathankot IAF base, apart from the four killed, even as it refuted reports about confusion in command, saying it takes "complete control" of the situation when deployed for counter-terror operations anywhere in the country.
"According to us, there were four plus two (terrorists). But, it is for the investigating agency...it is for the NIA to investigate and come up with factual details," NSG Director General R C Tayal told reporters on the sidelines of an international seminar on the menace of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) being held in New Delhi.
Stating that terrorists "came over" from Pakistan, the National Security Guard chief asserted that his strike teams had been fired upon from inside an airmen barrack which they were about to enter.
The January 2 attack on the forward air force base, which houses fighter jet planes and attack helicopters, had left seven security personnel dead. Security forces had recovered four bodies of terrorists and there has been speculation since about the possibility of some others getting killed and 'melting up' in a building which was blown up by NSG using heavy explosives. Tayal said he had "basis" for this assertion.
"NSG teams reached the airmen barrack. The commandos knocked but the door was closed from inside...We put some wall radar and got indication that someone is inside. A grenade was lobbed from inside in which five commandos got injuries and one got serious injuries.
"According to us, weapons were with them (two terrorists) as we were getting firing from inside. Besides weapons, they were carrying large quantity of explosives too," he said when asked about the forces' logic to arrive at a definite number of two more terrorists being holed up.
"According to us, there were four plus two (terrorists). But, it is for the investigating agency...it is for the NIA to investigate and come up with factual details," NSG Director General R C Tayal told reporters on the sidelines of an international seminar on the menace of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) being held in New Delhi.
Stating that terrorists "came over" from Pakistan, the National Security Guard chief asserted that his strike teams had been fired upon from inside an airmen barrack which they were about to enter.
The January 2 attack on the forward air force base, which houses fighter jet planes and attack helicopters, had left seven security personnel dead. Security forces had recovered four bodies of terrorists and there has been speculation since about the possibility of some others getting killed and 'melting up' in a building which was blown up by NSG using heavy explosives. Tayal said he had "basis" for this assertion.
"NSG teams reached the airmen barrack. The commandos knocked but the door was closed from inside...We put some wall radar and got indication that someone is inside. A grenade was lobbed from inside in which five commandos got injuries and one got serious injuries.
"According to us, weapons were with them (two terrorists) as we were getting firing from inside. Besides weapons, they were carrying large quantity of explosives too," he said when asked about the forces' logic to arrive at a definite number of two more terrorists being holed up.
17:30 Headley may be told to depose in Ishrat case, says encounter cop Vanzara
Controversial former IPS officer D G Vanzara, an accused in the fake encounter cases of Ishrat Jahan and Soharabuddin Sheikh, who is out on bail since February 2015, holds a press briefing in the wake of David Headley's deposition today that Mumbra girl Ishrat Jahan was a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist.
Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com who is at the briefing reports:
Vanzara said there was nothing new in David Headley's deposition, but the Gujarat police's stand has been vindicated. "What everybody knew has come before the court now," the former IPS officer said.
He also quoted from the Gajwa Times, the LeT mouthpiece, which said Ishrat was a member of the terror group.
"Fake cases of fake encounters were filed against the Gujarat police. The encounter was genuine. Ishrat Jahan was portrayed as an innocent student. It was propaganda. A national lie has been exposed by Headley," he said.
When asked to relate what happened on the day Ishrat was killed, Vanzara said he cannot speak on the matter since it is subjudice.
"As a female, I have all respect for Ishrat, but what was a student doing with three terrorists? Two of them were confirmed Pakistanis. Ishrat was killed in counter firing by the police. Some terrorists get apprehended, some get encountered," he said.
"There are political conspiracies and those who encounter terrorists get victimised. The Gujarat police is a target of political conspiracy. Headley's testimony will be useful for our stand, but we had no doubt even then that Ishrat was a terrorist. So, Headley's certificate is not necessary for the Gujarat police but he may be used as a defence witness.
"The target of Ishrat and other terrorists was Gujarat CM Narendra Modi. Ishrat Jahan's mother is a citizen of India. She has a right to express her opinion within the parameters of law," he said.
Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com who is at the briefing reports:
Vanzara said there was nothing new in David Headley's deposition, but the Gujarat police's stand has been vindicated. "What everybody knew has come before the court now," the former IPS officer said.
He also quoted from the Gajwa Times, the LeT mouthpiece, which said Ishrat was a member of the terror group.
"Fake cases of fake encounters were filed against the Gujarat police. The encounter was genuine. Ishrat Jahan was portrayed as an innocent student. It was propaganda. A national lie has been exposed by Headley," he said.
When asked to relate what happened on the day Ishrat was killed, Vanzara said he cannot speak on the matter since it is subjudice.
"As a female, I have all respect for Ishrat, but what was a student doing with three terrorists? Two of them were confirmed Pakistanis. Ishrat was killed in counter firing by the police. Some terrorists get apprehended, some get encountered," he said.
"There are political conspiracies and those who encounter terrorists get victimised. The Gujarat police is a target of political conspiracy. Headley's testimony will be useful for our stand, but we had no doubt even then that Ishrat was a terrorist. So, Headley's certificate is not necessary for the Gujarat police but he may be used as a defence witness.
"The target of Ishrat and other terrorists was Gujarat CM Narendra Modi. Ishrat Jahan's mother is a citizen of India. She has a right to express her opinion within the parameters of law," he said.
17:02 'He said he would kill 10 terrorists before he died and he did'
On Republic Day, Bhawna Goswami walked up to President Pranab Mukherjee to receive the country's highest award for gallantry in peacetime. She fought hard to hold back tears as she received the Ashok Chakra, while the announcer provided an account of Lance Naik Goswami's act of bravery in eliminating India's enemies in the mountains of Kashmir.
"I was able to walk the dais because I felt my husband was pushing me. I felt him walking beside me. It was a moment of immense pride and acute sadness," she says sitting in a room with photographs that chronicle the life of Lance Naik Goswami, a Special Forces commando from the 9 Parachute Regiment, the first SF battalion raised in the Indian Army.
Archana Masih/Rediff.com meets the woman he left behind. Read
"I was able to walk the dais because I felt my husband was pushing me. I felt him walking beside me. It was a moment of immense pride and acute sadness," she says sitting in a room with photographs that chronicle the life of Lance Naik Goswami, a Special Forces commando from the 9 Parachute Regiment, the first SF battalion raised in the Indian Army.
Archana Masih/Rediff.com meets the woman he left behind. Read
17:00 Facebook shuts 'Free Basics' in India
In a boost to net neutrality, Facebook has decided to shut down its controversial 'Free Basics' programme in India, following telecom regulator Trai's decision decision to bar operators from charging different rates for Internet access based on content.
Facebook had met with severe criticism for its programme, which aimed at providing basic Internet access to people in partnership with telecom operators.
Critics saw this as violation of the principle of net neutrality that states that entire Internet should be available to everyone on equal terms as Free Basics allowed access to selected websites.
"Free Basics is no longer available to people in India," a Facebook spokesperson said in an emailed response.
16:53 Govt welcomes Headley's revelations
The government on Thursday welcomed Pakistani-American terrorist David Headley's revelations, including that Ishrat Jahan, who was killed in an alleged fake encounter in 2004 in Gujarat, was actually a Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative, saying it was good for the country.
"Whatever revelations have come, all are good for the Government of India, security agencies and prosecution," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told reporters when asked to comment on Headley's remarks on Ishrat.
In his testimony before a Mumbai court today, Headley reportedly said Ishrat, who was killed in an alleged fake encounter in 2004 near Ahmedabad in Gujarat, was actually an LeT operative.
"His (Headley) revelations are giving right direction to the investigating agencies and prosecution. It is good for all of us," he said.
Rijiju, however, refused to disclose what steps the security and investigating agencies would take after Headley's testimony.
16:43 Nation pays homage to Hanamanthappa, family waits to take him home
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar, three service chiefs at the wreath
laying ceremony at Brar Square in New Delhi. Lance Naik Hanamanthappa's
body will be flown back to his home in Dharwad, Karnataka for the final
rites which are likely to take place tomorrow.
Hanamanthappa, who was battling for his life at the Armys Research & Referral hospital in New Delhi, breathed his last on Thursday morning.
Really sorry to inform everyone that LNk Hanamanthappa is no more. He breathed his last breath at 11:45 a.m. today, Army officials said on Thursday.
He was admitted at the hospital on Tuesday morning and was on ventilator since. His condition steadily deteriorated due to multiple organ failure.
The soldier of 19 Madras Regiment was rescued alive on Monday night after being buried under 35 feet of snow for six days. He was flown to Delhi on Tuesday in an Air Force aircraft. The avalanche had buried their camp on February 3.
He is survived by his wife and two-year-old daughter.
Hanamanthappa, who was battling for his life at the Armys Research & Referral hospital in New Delhi, breathed his last on Thursday morning.
Really sorry to inform everyone that LNk Hanamanthappa is no more. He breathed his last breath at 11:45 a.m. today, Army officials said on Thursday.
He was admitted at the hospital on Tuesday morning and was on ventilator since. His condition steadily deteriorated due to multiple organ failure.
The soldier of 19 Madras Regiment was rescued alive on Monday night after being buried under 35 feet of snow for six days. He was flown to Delhi on Tuesday in an Air Force aircraft. The avalanche had buried their camp on February 3.
He is survived by his wife and two-year-old daughter.
16:33 Wreath-laying ceremony for Hanamanthappa begins
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar, three service chiefs at the wreath laying ceremony at Brar Square in New Delhi. Lance Naik Hanamanthappa's body will be flown back to his home in Dharwad, Karnataka for the final rites which are likely to take place tomorrow.
16:28
Other updates on the Odd-Even rule:
-- 500 retired defence personnel will be employed to enforce the formula. SDMs won't be deployed.
-- School buses will be exempt.
-- VIPs will be exempt.
-- 500 retired defence personnel will be employed to enforce the formula. SDMs won't be deployed.
-- School buses will be exempt.
-- VIPs will be exempt.
16:25
Mortal remains of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa brought to Brar Square, Delhi.
16:22 Delhi reinstates Odd-Even scheme for 15 days from April 15
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announces the reinstatement of the Odd-Even scheme from April 15 to April 30. Women drivers are exempt.
Reading out the survey results on whether Odd-Even should be reintroduced, he said the government is reviewing public feedback on the scheme with 81% of respondents saying that odd-even scheme should be reintroduced.
The survey says Odd-Even cannot be a permanent plan unless the public transport system is fixed. 60 per cent of respondents want Odd-Even to be a permanent feature.
Transport minister Gopal Rai said that the government will make the announcement on the reinstatement of the scheme after reviewing over 11 lakh responses received from the public through multiple channels.
Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia suggested that the licence plate policy will be back "once again" while sources said that its next phase could be enforced in April after the CBSE Board examinations.
Majority of respondents have said that VIPs should not be exempt.
Reading out the survey results on whether Odd-Even should be reintroduced, he said the government is reviewing public feedback on the scheme with 81% of respondents saying that odd-even scheme should be reintroduced.
The survey says Odd-Even cannot be a permanent plan unless the public transport system is fixed. 60 per cent of respondents want Odd-Even to be a permanent feature.
Transport minister Gopal Rai said that the government will make the announcement on the reinstatement of the scheme after reviewing over 11 lakh responses received from the public through multiple channels.
Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia suggested that the licence plate policy will be back "once again" while sources said that its next phase could be enforced in April after the CBSE Board examinations.
Majority of respondents have said that VIPs should not be exempt.
16:03
How Pranesh Pillai became Javed Ghulam Sheikh. Read
16:02
Defence minister Parrikar to lay a wreath on the body of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa at Delhi Cantt at 5 pm.
15:55 Army reveals what happened to Hanamanthappa befpre he died
Lt Gen SD Duhan (pictured) holds a press briefing on Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad's death and the circumstances that led to it.
"On arrival on Feb 9, his body temperature was normal, his heart rate was fast, he had a low BP.
"As time progressed, when the blood was supplied to body parts which did not receive blood for 5-6 days, cells which had been deprived of oxygen and glucose could not handle the metabolic load that was being put on them.
"His brain swelled and electrical activity of his brain gradually stopped few hours before his death. Despite all our precautionary measures, his neuro functions, his heart functions worsened over time. His already failing kidney totally shut down within six hours of arrival."
"On arrival on Feb 9, his body temperature was normal, his heart rate was fast, he had a low BP.
"As time progressed, when the blood was supplied to body parts which did not receive blood for 5-6 days, cells which had been deprived of oxygen and glucose could not handle the metabolic load that was being put on them.
"His brain swelled and electrical activity of his brain gradually stopped few hours before his death. Despite all our precautionary measures, his neuro functions, his heart functions worsened over time. His already failing kidney totally shut down within six hours of arrival."
15:38 Is Kumar Vishwas headed to BJP?
Speculation is rife that AAP senior leader Kumar Vishwas may join the BJP (that's one of the reasons he was trending today). Vishwas spent his 46th birthday party yesterday surrounded by BJP leaders and conspicuously missing was his party boss and
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Kejriwal is believed to be upset with Kumar Vishwas on a policy matter. Vishwas had contested against Rahul Gandhi and Smriti Irani in Amethi in 2014 and lost.
Apart from BJP leaders like Om Mathur, Vijay Goel and Pankaj Singh, who is the son of union home minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval too attended the party in Delhi's Chanakyapuri.
From AAP Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and many lawmakers were present.
Kejriwal is believed to be upset with Kumar Vishwas on a policy matter. Vishwas had contested against Rahul Gandhi and Smriti Irani in Amethi in 2014 and lost.
Apart from BJP leaders like Om Mathur, Vijay Goel and Pankaj Singh, who is the son of union home minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval too attended the party in Delhi's Chanakyapuri.
From AAP Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and many lawmakers were present.
15:23
While on the Ishrat Jahan story, read our 2013 report: The CBI story: How Ishrat Jahan and others were killed.
15:20 Centre may reopen Ishrat Jahan case after Headley's deposition
The Centre may reopen the Ishrat Jahan case with the CBI likely to initiate a fresh FIR on the basis of David Headley's deposition today. The Pakistani-American terrorist on Thursday said that
Ishrat Jahan -- who was killed in an alleged fake encounter in 2004 in
Gujarat --was actually a suicide bomber of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba terror
outfit.
The Centre wants to book the officials who it believes was responsible for changing the home ministry affidavit in 2013. The CBI may also take on a few politicians including former union ministers as the centre believes the affidavit was altered at that level.
The first affidavit from the union home ministry to the Gujarat High Court said that there was reliable information with the central government that the LeT was plotting the assassination of top leaders of Gujarat. The revised affidavit said the information from the Intelligence Bureau was a tip-off, and could not be seen as valid ground for the shootout.
BJP MPs in both houses of Parliament will use the Ishrat Jahan case to their benefit in parliament to embarrass the Congress including Sonia and Rahul. The UPA has maintained that Ishrat Jahan was innocent.
The case will be used by the BJP to weigh in on the Congress when it stalls the Budget session as it will.
The Centre wants to book the officials who it believes was responsible for changing the home ministry affidavit in 2013. The CBI may also take on a few politicians including former union ministers as the centre believes the affidavit was altered at that level.
The first affidavit from the union home ministry to the Gujarat High Court said that there was reliable information with the central government that the LeT was plotting the assassination of top leaders of Gujarat. The revised affidavit said the information from the Intelligence Bureau was a tip-off, and could not be seen as valid ground for the shootout.
BJP MPs in both houses of Parliament will use the Ishrat Jahan case to their benefit in parliament to embarrass the Congress including Sonia and Rahul. The UPA has maintained that Ishrat Jahan was innocent.
The case will be used by the BJP to weigh in on the Congress when it stalls the Budget session as it will.
15:06 Ravan ke dus laddoo gire: How the Quaid was taken
Brigadier Varinder Singh's unfinished handwritten manuscript was meant to be an account of the Indian Army's capture of Pakistan's Quaid Post from Sonam, where one soldier out of 10 survived an avalanche last week.
The brigadier died in 2012 doing what he loved best -playing basketball in a Noida court.
Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, of 19 Madras, now tenuously hanging on to life (the story was published before his death this morning) at the army's Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi, was flown down from Sonam. He continues a tradition set nearly 30 years back by Major Varinder Singh and his band of brothers from the 8 JAKLI (Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry). Read more
The brigadier died in 2012 doing what he loved best -playing basketball in a Noida court.
Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, of 19 Madras, now tenuously hanging on to life (the story was published before his death this morning) at the army's Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi, was flown down from Sonam. He continues a tradition set nearly 30 years back by Major Varinder Singh and his band of brothers from the 8 JAKLI (Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry). Read more
14:57 Sensex falls to 23K, down 750 points
Sensex falls by 747.59 points, currently at 23,011.31. The BSE Sensex slumped on Thursday as a string of
state-run lenders reported disappointing numbers in the December
quarter. The broader Nifty came close to breaching the key 7,000 levels
for the first time since May 12, 2014. The BSE Sensex is now staring at a
fourth consecutive day of triple-digit losses that has hit investor
sentiments.
14:50 Hanamanthappa's wife reaches Army hospital where his body lies
Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad's wife who is in New Delhi for the last three days, has just arrived at Army R&R Hospital where the body of her husband lies.
Mahadevi Koppad, daughter Nethra and Hanamanthappa's parents had been flown in to New Delhi from Dharwad in Karnataka after the Lance Naik had been flown in to Delhi from Siachen.
Hanamanthappa, 33, died today of multiple organ failure at the army hospital in Delhi. He survived six days under 25 feet of ice after a deadly avalanche on the Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield. Nine of his colleagues were killed. A rescue team found him barely conscious with a faint pulse. Army officers said an "air pocket" may be the reason he was alive.
His wife Mahadevi had in an interview just after he was brought in alive to Delhi had said that the next time God wanted to take a life, it should be hers. "Let my husband live to protect the country, he should survive," she had said.
Mahadevi, a mother of an 18-month old Netra, had been in a state of shock since last Wednesday when her husband Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Ramappa Koppad got buried in the snow along with nine soldiers from the Madras Regiment.
Mahadevi Koppad, daughter Nethra and Hanamanthappa's parents had been flown in to New Delhi from Dharwad in Karnataka after the Lance Naik had been flown in to Delhi from Siachen.
Hanamanthappa, 33, died today of multiple organ failure at the army hospital in Delhi. He survived six days under 25 feet of ice after a deadly avalanche on the Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield. Nine of his colleagues were killed. A rescue team found him barely conscious with a faint pulse. Army officers said an "air pocket" may be the reason he was alive.
His wife Mahadevi had in an interview just after he was brought in alive to Delhi had said that the next time God wanted to take a life, it should be hers. "Let my husband live to protect the country, he should survive," she had said.
Mahadevi, a mother of an 18-month old Netra, had been in a state of shock since last Wednesday when her husband Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Ramappa Koppad got buried in the snow along with nine soldiers from the Madras Regiment.
14:26
CM of Karnataka tweets: I've asked d officers at Karnataka Bhavan to make arrangements for a special flight to bring d body of d soldier back.
14:23
And the nonsense begins: Bajrang Dal and Durga Vahini members burn Valentines' Day greeting cards in Hyderabad.
14:19 Headley says he used IndusInd Bank for transactions, bank clarifies
In the buildup to the 26/11 attacks, David Coleman Headley received several thousands in American, Indian and Pakistani currency from Pakistans Inter Services Intelligence, the Lashkar-E-Toiba, fellow convict Dr Tahawwur Rana and his friend in the Pakistani Army Major .
Headley, who is deposing in a special court via video link, gave details on Thursday morning about the money transactions and said he used the Nariman Point branch of IndusInd Bank to make the transactions.
IndusInd Bank clarifies:
"We refer to a few news items that have appeared this morning relating to the ongoing deposition by David Headley, in which a reference has been made about release of funds received by him through a branch of IndusInd Bank.
In this regard, the Bank wishes to clarify as under:
1. In 2006, the Bank, under a money transfer arrangement, duly approved by regulators, handled a few inward remittances under the Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS), in the normal course of business, in October --November.
2. As per the regulatory guidelines in force, cash was handed over to David Headley after completing due diligence.
3. The Bank obtained the required documents, including a copy of his passport, issued by the US authorities, and valid from March 2006 to March 2016.
4. There were investigations by national agencies between 2009 and 2011 and the KYC documents were produced before them.
5. The Bank wishes to reiterate that it has not opened any account in the name of David Headley, and has not handled any other business for him.
All rumours circulating or suggesting otherwise are not true."
Headley, who is deposing in a special court via video link, gave details on Thursday morning about the money transactions and said he used the Nariman Point branch of IndusInd Bank to make the transactions.
IndusInd Bank clarifies:
"We refer to a few news items that have appeared this morning relating to the ongoing deposition by David Headley, in which a reference has been made about release of funds received by him through a branch of IndusInd Bank.
In this regard, the Bank wishes to clarify as under:
1. In 2006, the Bank, under a money transfer arrangement, duly approved by regulators, handled a few inward remittances under the Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS), in the normal course of business, in October --November.
2. As per the regulatory guidelines in force, cash was handed over to David Headley after completing due diligence.
3. The Bank obtained the required documents, including a copy of his passport, issued by the US authorities, and valid from March 2006 to March 2016.
4. There were investigations by national agencies between 2009 and 2011 and the KYC documents were produced before them.
5. The Bank wishes to reiterate that it has not opened any account in the name of David Headley, and has not handled any other business for him.
All rumours circulating or suggesting otherwise are not true."
14:00
Cartoonist Satish Acharya pays tribute.
13:56
Barkha Dutt tweets: 21,000 'hardship' allowance for Siachen Heroes;55,000 for Babus. As we tribute Hanamanthappa, think about it.
13:52 The soldier in you remains immortal, tweets PM
"He leaves us sad & devastated. RIP Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. The soldier in you remains immortal. Proud that martyrs like you served India," PM Modi tweets.
While India will grieve for the soldier and move on, his family has to live their life without him. Seems terribly unfair that after surviving for six days under 25 feet of ice and battling it out in hospital, he lost his biggest battle.
His wife Mahadevi had in an interview prayed that the the next time God wanted to take a life, he/she should take her life instead. "Let my husband live to protect the country, he should survive," she had said.
Mahadevi, a mother of an 18-month old Netra, had been in a state of shock since last Wednesday when her husband Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Ramappa Koppad got buried in the snow along with nine soldiers from the Madras Regiment.
Pic: Hanamanthappa's family grieves
While India will grieve for the soldier and move on, his family has to live their life without him. Seems terribly unfair that after surviving for six days under 25 feet of ice and battling it out in hospital, he lost his biggest battle.
His wife Mahadevi had in an interview prayed that the the next time God wanted to take a life, he/she should take her life instead. "Let my husband live to protect the country, he should survive," she had said.
Mahadevi, a mother of an 18-month old Netra, had been in a state of shock since last Wednesday when her husband Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Ramappa Koppad got buried in the snow along with nine soldiers from the Madras Regiment.
Pic: Hanamanthappa's family grieves
13:26 Pachauri goes on leave, won't attend convocation after 2nd sex abuse surfaces
JUST IN: Dr RK Pachauri goes on leave as TERI University Chancellor and will not attend the March 7 convocation. This comes after outrage mounted over TERI's decision to promote and vest executive powers with Pachauri, accused of sexual harassment by a colleague who later resigned. Yesterday, another former TERI employee stepped forward to level similar allegations.
This morning, a group of Teri University students and alumni wrote a letter to the acting vice-chancellor, condemning the appointment and has refused to accept their degrees at the convocation in March. "Given the flow of events, it seems like Dr Pachauri is using all his political clout, media influence and networks to stall the judicial process, intimidate witnesses, coerce TERI colleagues and employees to 'persuade' the complainant to withdraw her case and settle out of court as it would be 'better for her since she has nothing more to gain'," the letter said.
This morning, a group of Teri University students and alumni wrote a letter to the acting vice-chancellor, condemning the appointment and has refused to accept their degrees at the convocation in March. "Given the flow of events, it seems like Dr Pachauri is using all his political clout, media influence and networks to stall the judicial process, intimidate witnesses, coerce TERI colleagues and employees to 'persuade' the complainant to withdraw her case and settle out of court as it would be 'better for her since she has nothing more to gain'," the letter said.
The
group added, :We would like to make it explicitly clear that we are not
in a position to accept our degrees from Dr Pachauri at the upcoming
convocation on March 7, 2016".
The first complainant had written an open letter saying that the decision to elevate him as Teri's
executive vice-chairman made "her flesh crawl' and she vowed to continue
her battle for justice.
12:51
Hanamanthappa was rescued from under 25 feet of ice in the Siachen glacier, after six days. He was hospitalised for three days, but despite aggressive medication could not survive.
12:47 Lance Naik Hanamanthappa passes away
Just in: Lance Naik Hanamanthappa passes away. The army hospital says he died at 11.45am.
The only survivor in the Siachen avalanche that killed nine others, Hanamanthappa slipped into deeper coma this morning.
Hanamanthappa was on maximal life support. His kidneys were non-functional and he had been put on dialysis. His pneumonia also worsened and there were indications that the blood clot disorder had reversed.
Hanumanthappa Koppad, who was buried in an avalanche at Siachen Glacier on February 3 and rescued on February 8, deteriorated on Wednesday despite aggressive therapy and supportive care, the Army said.
Officials said his urea and creatine levels were above normal, signalling kidney dysfunction. He has been put on dialysis, they said. Sources also said the oxygen levels in his blood and brain had dipped as compared to Tuesday, when he was first admitted to the capital's Research & Referral Hospital.
He leaves behind his parents, wife and a daughter.
The only survivor in the Siachen avalanche that killed nine others, Hanamanthappa slipped into deeper coma this morning.
Hanamanthappa was on maximal life support. His kidneys were non-functional and he had been put on dialysis. His pneumonia also worsened and there were indications that the blood clot disorder had reversed.
Hanumanthappa Koppad, who was buried in an avalanche at Siachen Glacier on February 3 and rescued on February 8, deteriorated on Wednesday despite aggressive therapy and supportive care, the Army said.
Officials said his urea and creatine levels were above normal, signalling kidney dysfunction. He has been put on dialysis, they said. Sources also said the oxygen levels in his blood and brain had dipped as compared to Tuesday, when he was first admitted to the capital's Research & Referral Hospital.
He leaves behind his parents, wife and a daughter.
12:41
The health bulletin on Lance Naik Hanamanthappa. Click on the picture to enlarge.
12:38
Sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik pays tribute.
12:37 Hanamanthappa given maximum permissible medication: Hospital
The health bulletin from the Army Hospital says Hanamanthappa remains on ventilator support and has been given the maximum permissible medication that his condition permits.
12:29 Lance Naik Hanamanthappa very critical, slips into deeper coma
Siachen soldier Lance Naik Hanamanthappa slips into deeper coma, says army. A fresh bulletin from the Army R&R Hospital says Hanamanthappa is on maximal life support. His kidneys are non-functional and has been put on dialysis. His pneumonia has worsened and the blood clot disorder is not reversing.
Hanumanthappa Koppad, who was buried in an avalanche at Siachen Glacier on February 3 and rescued on February 8, deteriorated on Wednesday despite aggressive therapy and supportive care, the Army said.
Officials said his urea and creatine levels were above normal, signalling kidney dysfunction. He has been put on dialysis, they said. Sources also said the oxygen levels in his blood and brain had dipped as compared to Tuesday, when he was first admitted to the capitals Research & Referral Hospital.
Hanumanthappa Koppad, who was buried in an avalanche at Siachen Glacier on February 3 and rescued on February 8, deteriorated on Wednesday despite aggressive therapy and supportive care, the Army said.
Officials said his urea and creatine levels were above normal, signalling kidney dysfunction. He has been put on dialysis, they said. Sources also said the oxygen levels in his blood and brain had dipped as compared to Tuesday, when he was first admitted to the capitals Research & Referral Hospital.
11:59 LeT #2 Abu Khafa instructed 26/11 terrorists over phone: Headley
Pakistani-American
terrorist David Coleman Headley divulges the identity of the man speaking over the phone to the 10 terrorists on 26/11. Excerpts.
-- I met Abu Khafa in Muridke near Lahore in Pak at a meeting. Hafiz sahab and Lakhvi sahab were also present in the meeting.
-- Headley tells court that LeT handler Abu Kahfa was instructing the ten terrorists from a control room in Karachi during 26/11 attacks.
-- I know Abu Khafa, who comes on 2nd position in LeT after Lakhvi.
-- I came to know that Abu Khafa was involved in 26/11 terror attack after I heard his voice on Sajid Mir's laptop.
-- Besides India occupied Kashmir, Muzzammil(LeT),planned many attacks in different states of India, particularly Maharashtra and Gujarat.
-- Muzzammil Bhatt had planned to attack Akshardham temple in Gujarat after the destruction of the Babri Masjid.
-- Sajid Mir and Abu Khafa were talking on phone with 26/11 attackers from a control room in Karachi.
-- I met Abu Khafa in Muridke near Lahore in Pak at a meeting. Hafiz sahab and Lakhvi sahab were also present in the meeting.
-- Headley tells court that LeT handler Abu Kahfa was instructing the ten terrorists from a control room in Karachi during 26/11 attacks.
-- I know Abu Khafa, who comes on 2nd position in LeT after Lakhvi.
-- I came to know that Abu Khafa was involved in 26/11 terror attack after I heard his voice on Sajid Mir's laptop.
-- Besides India occupied Kashmir, Muzzammil(LeT),planned many attacks in different states of India, particularly Maharashtra and Gujarat.
-- Muzzammil Bhatt had planned to attack Akshardham temple in Gujarat after the destruction of the Babri Masjid.
-- Sajid Mir and Abu Khafa were talking on phone with 26/11 attackers from a control room in Karachi.
11:46
Public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam asks Headley to name the LeT terrorist from three options....
Q: I gave you three options. Noor Begum. Ishrat Jehan and ((inaudible))
A: Ishrat Jehan
David Headley had earlier denied involvement of any woman suicide bomber in LeT, but seconds later remembered to name Ishrat.
Q: I gave you three options. Noor Begum. Ishrat Jehan and ((inaudible))
A: Ishrat Jehan
David Headley had earlier denied involvement of any woman suicide bomber in LeT, but seconds later remembered to name Ishrat.
11:44 Told Rana to leave India before 26/11: Headley
Making fresh disclosures on the brazen 26/11 attacks, Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley on Thursday exposed how ISI and LeT majorly funded terror operations in India and financed him from time to time and that Pakistan native Tahawwur Rana visited Mumbai before the terror strikes.
Resuming his deposition before a court in Mumbai today via video-link after a days break due to a technical glitch at the US end yesterday, the LeT operative also said that RBI has turned down a request to open a bank account for their office in India.
Giving details of his funding, he said, Before coming to India in September 2006, he received USD 25,000 from ISIs Major Iqbal.
I also got 40,000 in Pakistani currency from LeT operative Sajid Mir between April and June 2008, he told the court, adding that Major Iqbal used to regularly sent him money in instalments.
Also, Major Iqbal gave me counterfeit Indian currency once or twice in 2008, he said.
Besides Abdul Rehman Pasha, also from ISI, gave me Rs 80,000, Headley said.
Tahawur Rana (Headleys associate and a Pakistani native who operated a Chicago-based immigration business) used to send me money from the US in September 2006 when I came to India to do intelligence work on instructions of LeT, he told the court.
The 55-year-old, who recently turned approver in the case, also said that it was my idea to open an office in India. It was a part of my cover (as an immigration consultant). I had discussed about this with Major Iqbal and Sajid Mir and they both agreed to it.
I also told Rana that Major Iqbal had asked me to do intelligence work in India. Iqbal told me that if Rana was reluctant to be associated with this (Headleys India operations) then he (Headley) should appeal to his (Ranas) sense of patriotism towards Pakistan, he testified.
But Rana was not reluctant and he agreed readily for me to go to India, Headley said.
Headley also revealed that Rana had visited Mumbai before the terror attacks.
I advised Rana to leave India before the attacks as I was afraid that he would be in danger, he told the court.
Headley also disclosed that Rana had asked Raymond Sanders (who ran an immigrant law centre in Chicago) to submit an application to the RBI to open a bank account for their office in India.
Muzzammil Bhatt had planned to attack Akshardham temple in Gujarat post destruction of Babri Masjid: David Headley tells Mumbai court.
Besides India occupied Kashmir, Muzzammil(LeT),planned many attacks in diff states of India,particularly Maharashtra & Gujarat-David Headley.
Resuming his deposition before a court in Mumbai today via video-link after a days break due to a technical glitch at the US end yesterday, the LeT operative also said that RBI has turned down a request to open a bank account for their office in India.
Giving details of his funding, he said, Before coming to India in September 2006, he received USD 25,000 from ISIs Major Iqbal.
I also got 40,000 in Pakistani currency from LeT operative Sajid Mir between April and June 2008, he told the court, adding that Major Iqbal used to regularly sent him money in instalments.
Also, Major Iqbal gave me counterfeit Indian currency once or twice in 2008, he said.
Besides Abdul Rehman Pasha, also from ISI, gave me Rs 80,000, Headley said.
Tahawur Rana (Headleys associate and a Pakistani native who operated a Chicago-based immigration business) used to send me money from the US in September 2006 when I came to India to do intelligence work on instructions of LeT, he told the court.
The 55-year-old, who recently turned approver in the case, also said that it was my idea to open an office in India. It was a part of my cover (as an immigration consultant). I had discussed about this with Major Iqbal and Sajid Mir and they both agreed to it.
I also told Rana that Major Iqbal had asked me to do intelligence work in India. Iqbal told me that if Rana was reluctant to be associated with this (Headleys India operations) then he (Headley) should appeal to his (Ranas) sense of patriotism towards Pakistan, he testified.
But Rana was not reluctant and he agreed readily for me to go to India, Headley said.
Headley also revealed that Rana had visited Mumbai before the terror attacks.
I advised Rana to leave India before the attacks as I was afraid that he would be in danger, he told the court.
Headley also disclosed that Rana had asked Raymond Sanders (who ran an immigrant law centre in Chicago) to submit an application to the RBI to open a bank account for their office in India.
Muzzammil Bhatt had planned to attack Akshardham temple in Gujarat post destruction of Babri Masjid: David Headley tells Mumbai court.
Besides India occupied Kashmir, Muzzammil(LeT),planned many attacks in diff states of India,particularly Maharashtra & Gujarat-David Headley.
11:13 RBI had rejected Headley's application to open business account
The Reserve Bank of India had rejected an application by David Coleman Headley seeking clearance to open a business account in June 2007, the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist told a Mumbai court today.
Headley told the court today that he had received funds for terror from both the Lashkar and Pakistan's spy agency ISI, which he used for "gathering intelligence and other works in India," including starting a business as a cover for his operations. Headley said he hired an office in south Mumbai's Tardeo area on rent for 13,500 and on October 12, 2006, applied to central bank RBI for permission to open a business account.
He said his visa consultant in Chicago, Raymond Sanders - who had earlier allegedly assisted him in procuring an Indian visa with false information - also helped him with RBI formalities, but the central bank rejected the application on June 1, 2007. Headley's testimony on the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, in which 166 people were killed, continued this morning after a day's break.
On Wednesday, his deposition via video link had to be cancelled because of a technical glitch. The US national, who has detailed in court how he conducted reconnaissance of the landmarks in Mumbai that the Lashkar planned to attack, has earlier said he was ordered to open a business in India by his Lashkar handlers.
The terrorist, who is serving a 35-year prison term in the US, is deposing from an undisclosed location in that country. On Monday and Tuesday, Headley revealed details about the ISI's collaboration with terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which he said planned and executed the 26/11 attack.
He has named and identified in court key plotters like terrorists Hafiz Saeed and Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi and has told the court how he joined the Lashkar-e-Taiba and worked for the ISI.
Headley told the court today that he had received funds for terror from both the Lashkar and Pakistan's spy agency ISI, which he used for "gathering intelligence and other works in India," including starting a business as a cover for his operations. Headley said he hired an office in south Mumbai's Tardeo area on rent for 13,500 and on October 12, 2006, applied to central bank RBI for permission to open a business account.
He said his visa consultant in Chicago, Raymond Sanders - who had earlier allegedly assisted him in procuring an Indian visa with false information - also helped him with RBI formalities, but the central bank rejected the application on June 1, 2007. Headley's testimony on the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, in which 166 people were killed, continued this morning after a day's break.
On Wednesday, his deposition via video link had to be cancelled because of a technical glitch. The US national, who has detailed in court how he conducted reconnaissance of the landmarks in Mumbai that the Lashkar planned to attack, has earlier said he was ordered to open a business in India by his Lashkar handlers.
The terrorist, who is serving a 35-year prison term in the US, is deposing from an undisclosed location in that country. On Monday and Tuesday, Headley revealed details about the ISI's collaboration with terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which he said planned and executed the 26/11 attack.
He has named and identified in court key plotters like terrorists Hafiz Saeed and Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi and has told the court how he joined the Lashkar-e-Taiba and worked for the ISI.
10:59 Women set to lose exemption in second phase of Delhi's odd-even scheme
The Delhi government is likely to not grant an exemption to women drivers in the second phase of the "odd-even' car rationing formula that is expected in April, after the board examinations in the city's schools are over by the end of March. The scheme that was rolled out on January 1 for 15 days is all set to make a comeback, the dates for which will be announced by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday.
Sources said that in the second phase of the AAP government's ambitious scheme, women drivers could lose the exemption they enjoyed during the first phase in January. But two-wheelers are likely to be kept out again, sources said, as the government does not want to overload the already-burdened public transport system, they said.
10:30 Villagers upset with Karnataka CM for not meeting Lance Naik's family
Clearly disappointed with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for not taking time out for the family of Lance Naik Hanumantappa Koppad , who miraculously survived an avalanche in the Siachen Glacier and is now battling for his life in a Delhi hospital, the people of Betadur village are not buying his argument that he was not in time to meet them.
"The CM is wrong in saying that the soldier's family had left for Goa before he landed in Hubballi. He was busy campaigning for the panchayat elections in the afternoon when all the family members were still in Hubballi. On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the hospital in Delhi to enquire about Hanamanthappa's condition," said one Betadur villager.
10:02 Sonam Kapoor's 'Neerja' banned in Pakistan
Sonam Kapoor-starrer 'Neerja', based on real incidents during the hijacking of the Pan Am Flight 73 at the Karachi airport in 1986, has been banned in Pakistan allegedly for showing the country in poor light. In an unusual case the film has been banned without even being submitted to the censor boards.
The movie revolves around Neerja Bhanot, a flight attendant on board a Pan Am Mumbai-New York flight, who was shot dead by terrorists during the hijacking while trying to save the lives of passengers.
09:50 In Bengaluru, 134 schools declare holiday after leopard scare
Over 130 schools have been asked to remain shut today following repeated sightings of leopards near the vicinity of Vibgyor High School in Marathahalli. Earlier, video footage of a leopard roaming around the school had turned up which showed the leopard walking around the school campus last Sunday. Two days later, on Tuesday, two leopards were spotted outside two apartments near the same school.
09:41 Pathankot mastermind is missing, may be in Afghanistan
The man whom India holds responsible for last month's deadly attack on the air force in Pathankot, Pakistani terrorist Masood Azhar, is on the run and may even be hiding in Afghanistan, top sources in Islamabad have revealed.
Days after the Pathankot base was breached by six Pakistani terrorists, launching a gruelling 80-hour-operation to regain control of the massive compound, India said the attack was the work of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed group and listed Azhar, who chiefs the group, and some of his relatives as directly responsible for the siege which left seven military personnel dead and left Indo-Pak relations precariously placed just as they seemed to be improving after a tough year.
Following the attack,reports from Pakistan said that Azhar and his relatives had been placed under house arrest in Islamabad, and that Jaish seminaries and offices had been raided and shut down.
India, however, said that it had not been told by the Pakistani government that Azhar, a 47-year-old cleric, had been arrested.
Now, top-ranking officials in the Pakistan government sources have said that while some Jaish operatives are under arrest, Azhar is not among them. In fact, these sources have addedthat Azhar is untraceable and may well be hiding in Afghanistan.
08:55 Zuckerberg chides board member over 'deeply upsetting' India comments
Facebook founder and head Mark Zuckerberg has distanced himself from the comments made by Marc Andreessen about India, saying the remarks were "deeply upsetting" and did not represent the company's thinking. "I want to respond to Marc Andreessen's comments about India yesterday. I found the comments deeply upsetting, and they do not represent the way Facebook or I think at all," Zuckerberg said in a Facebook posting.
Andreessen made a objectionable tweet after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ruled against Facebook's free but restricted internet programme. "Anti-colonialism has been economically catastrophic for the Indian people for decades. Why stop now?" Andreessen tweeted, immediately evoking a sharp reaction from Indians.
Andreessen quickly deleted the tweet and apologised through a series of tweets yesterday.
08:50 I received $25000 from Major Iqbal before 26/11: Headley to court
After being unable to depose before the Mumbai court owing to a technical snag, 26/11 planner and Pakistani-American terrorist David Headley began his deposition before the Mumbai court for the third day today.
He's continuing on how the 26/11 attacks were planned and the ISI's hand in the assault, which killed over 150 people.
Here are the highlights from the deposition so far:
* I opened an office in Mumbai's Tardeo AC market area on September 14, 2006
* On October 11, 2006, I received Rs 66,605 from Dr Tahawwur Rana when I was in Mumbai
* On November 7, 2006, I received $500 from Dr Tahawwur Rana
* I received Rs 17,636 On November 30 & $1000 on Dec 4 2006 from Tahawwur Rana
* I received all the amount through Nariman branch of IndusInd Bank
* Rana visited Mumbai before terror attack & I advised him to return back to the US, so that he won't be in any danger
* Before my visit to India, I received $25000 from Major Iqbal & 40000 Pak rupees from Sajid Mir
* I received Rs 2000 in April 2008 & Rs 1500 in June 2008 from Major Iqbal
* Major Iqbal gave me counterfeit Indian currency 2-3 times
08:20 Potter fans rejoice! New Book coming this July
Attention Harry Potter fans.
A new Harry Potter book will be published this July. The book, called Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II picks up the story of Harry, Ron and Hermione where the epilogue left off, according to author JK Rowling's website Pottermore.
It will pick up the story 19 years after Harry was last seen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, waving his two eldest children off to Hogwarts.
The book is based on the script of a play by the same name that's opening in London this summer.
Well, we can't wait, what happens next in the wizarding world, can you?
08:08 TERI students refuse to accept degrees from R K Pachauri
A group of Teri University students and alumni wrote a letter to the acting vice-chancellor, condemning the appointment of RK Pachauri as executive vice-chairman of the green body, and has refused to accept their degrees at the convocation in March. "Given the flow of events, it seems like Dr Pachauri is using all his political clout, media influence and networks to stall the judicial process, intimidate witnesses, coerce TERI colleagues and employees to 'persuade' the complainant to withdraw her case and settle out of court as it would be 'better for her since she has nothing more to gain'," the letter said.
The group added, :We would like to make it explicitly clear that we are not in a position to accept our degrees from Dr Pachauri at the upcoming convocation on March 7, 2016".
Two women have has accused the former UN climate panel chief of sexual harassment with one of the women saying that the decision to elevate him as Teri's executive vice-chairman made "her flesh crawl' and she vowed to continue her battle for justice.
07:50 Headley deposes before Mumbai court for third day
Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley today continued his deposition for the third day before a court. Headley's deposition did not take place yesterday due to a technical snag in the video conference in the US.
Headley, who had conducted recce of the places in Mumbai which were attacked by 10 LeT terrorists on November 26, 2008, also revealed that the outfit had initially planned to attack a conference of Indian Indian defence scientists in Taj Mahal Hotel. He said he had also conducted a recce of the famous Siddhivinayak Temple and Naval air station on directions of LeT commanders.
03:50 Carly Fiorina Ends Bid For Republican Presidential Nomination
Carly Fiorina is exiting the Republican presidential race after a seventh-place showing in last night's New Hampshire primary.
"While I suspend my candidacy today, I will continue to travel this country and fight for those Americans who refuse to settle for the way things are and a status quo that no longer works for them," said Fiorina in a statement.
Fiorina was an unconventional candidate. Her only previous political effort had been a 10-point loss in a race for US Senate in California, and her tenure at Hewlett-Packard was most notable for her being fired by the board of directors after an unsuccessful merger with Compaq.
Read more HERE.
03:49 Chris Christie suspends presidential campaign
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie formally suspended his presidential campaign today.
The New Jersey governor held a meeting with his campaign staff at 4 pm this afternoon to thank them and announce the news, a spokesperson to the campaign confirms to ABC News.
The decision comes a day after the New Jersey governor came in a disappointing 6th place in New Hampshire, despite a heavy investment of time and funds into the first-in-the-nation primary contest.
"We came to new Hampshire to bring the message," Christie told gathered supporters in Nashua, New Hampshire as election results rolled in last night.
"The message was heard by a lot of folks. And it was stood for by a lot of folks here in New Hampshire, just not enough."
"We have worked incredibly hard up here, spent so much time and we don't regret one minute," he told the crowd.
Read more HERE.
03:47 Funny or Die releases spoof Donald Trump biopic starring Johnny Depp
The comedy website Funny or Die has released a surprise 50-minute film about the controversial businessman turned politician Donald Trump in the wake of his victory in the New Hampshire primary.
Michael Moore: 'Donald Trump is a performance artist'
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Donald Trumps The Art of the Deal: The Movie, which was made for the site co-founded by Will Ferrell, stars Johnny Depp in the central role with support provided by Ron Howard, Alfred Molina and Christopher Lloyd. It takes its title from the controversial businessman turned politicians 1987 best-seller. The spoof is pitched as a TV movie, made by Trump, to illuminate his road to success and provide tips for others to follow.
It was a crazy, completely nuts idea that somehow we pulled off, Adam McKay, another of the sites co-founders, told the New York Times. McKay has been nominated in the best director at the forthcoming Oscars for his financial comedy The Big Short.
Read more HERE.
02:04 New Harry Potter book to publish this summer
Harry Potter is back for another round of magic, struggles with the darkness and parents.
This time, Harry's the dad, struggling with his own son.
The eighth installment of the Harry Potter series, the two-part play, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," will be published as a book this summer, author J.K Rowling announced on her Pottermore website Wednesday.
The "special rehearsal edition" script book will be available at midnight on July 31, a day after the Harry Potter play opens in London.
The newest Potter installment, the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage, is based on an original new story by Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, and is written by Thorne.
Read more HERE.
02:02 Brazil's Catholic Church rejects Zika abortion argument
The Catholic Church in Brazil today rejected calls supported by the United Nations to allow abortion in cases of the birth defect microcephaly.
Abortion is restricted in Latin America's biggest country to cases of rape, where the fetus has no brain, or where the mother's life is in danger.
The UN human rights office has called on countries where the Zika virus is thought to be linked to a rash of microcephaly cases to relax laws and allow pregnant women with Zika to terminate.
But Auxiliary Bishop Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, secretary general of the Brazilian Bishops' Conference, rejected the argument.
"Microcephaly has been occurring in Brazil for years. They are taking advantage of this moment to reintroduce the abortion topic," he was quoted as saying in the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper.
01:53 '500 dead' in Syria regime's Aleppo assault
A Russian-backed regime onslaught in northern Syria was reported today to have killed more than 500 people this month, as Turkey faced new pressure to open its border to people fleeing the violence.
World powers urged Russia to end its air strikes which a senior US official said were "directly enabling" the Islamic State group, and the UN Security Council met to discuss the conflict.
The meeting behind closed doors came ahead of crucial international talks tomorrow in Munich to push for Syrian peace negotiations.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 506 people had died since the regime launched a major offensive against rebels in Aleppo province on February 1.
They include 23 children who were killed in Russian air strikes, according to the Britain-based monitor, which relies on a network of sources on the ground.
Tens of thousands of Syrians were still stranded today at the Oncupinar border crossing, which remained closed.
01:35 How did a socialist kibbutz influence Bernie Sanders?
A small collective community in northern Israel, modeled after the communist ideals of the Soviet Union, may hold clues to the development of US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders' political beliefs.
Sanders is Jewish and a self-described "democratic socialist." In the 1960s, he spent several months volunteering on an Israeli collective farm, or kibbutz, that functioned according to communist principles.
For years, Sanders has said he had been on a kibbutz but has been vague about exactly where he stayed. The mystery was apparently solved last week when Israeli newspaper Haaretz dug up a 1990 interview with Sanders.
The kibbutz was a cornerstone of Israeli society in the decades before and after the nation was founded in 1948. They were a way for Jewish immigrants from all over the world to work together, growing crops and building a sense of community.
Read more HERE.
00:40 35 dead in NE Nigeria suicide attacks: state govt
At least 35 people were killed in a twin suicide bomb attack at a camp for people displaced by Boko Haram's Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria, the head of the Borno state emergency management agency said.
"We recovered 35 dead bodies and 78 injured following the attack on Dikwa IDP (internally displaced persons camp) on Tuesday morning," Satomi Ahmed told AFP today.
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