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Sat, 23 January 2016
Billionaire ex-mayor Bloomberg mulling US presidential bid
Timeline Refresh
23:36 Nepal parliament amends new Constitution
Nepal's parliament voted to amend the country's Constitution with a two-thirds majority four months after its promulgation, in a bid to resolve the political crisis involving the minority Madhesi community.
The amendment aims at resolving the ongoing agitation by the Madhesi parties. The lawmakers of the agitating parties, however, boycotted the voting saying the purported amendment was incomplete and would not address their demands. "I announce that the Nepal constitution first amendment bill has been passed with a two-thirds majority in favour," said speaker Onsari Gharti Magar as lawmakers thumped their desks in agreement.
The amendment addresses two key demands of the Madhesis -- proportionate representation and seat allocation in the Parliament on the basis of population. When put to vote, the bill garnered 461 votes in its favour while seven lawmakers voted against it.
23:16
JUST IN: Three students of SVS Medical College (Viluppuram district, Tamil Nadu) commit suicide by jumping into a well, blame management in note.
22:57 Taliban want removal from UN blacklist before peace talks
Before considering rejoining peace talks aimed at ending a 15-year civil war, Afghanistan's Taliban want to be removed from a UN blacklist, a senior member said, as its political wing met activists at an unofficial forum in Qatar. After months of worsening fighting, with the province of Helmand slipping out of government control and frequent suicide bombings in the capital, Afghanistan and its neighbours are trying to get troubled negotiations back on track.
22:53 Billionaire ex-mayor Bloomberg mulling US presidential bid
US billionaire and former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg is mulling an independent bid for the White House, The New York Times reported.
The 73-year-old businessman is drawing up plans for a potential run on a third-party ticket for which he is prepared to spend $1 billion of his personal fortune, the Times said, citing anonymous sources briefed on the matter.
The Republican-turned-independent sees a potential opening should Republican frontrunner Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders -- who is surging in polls -- win their parties' nominations, the sources said.
22:22 Russian Army to hold first mountain drills with Pakistan this year
The Russian Army's Commander-in-Chief Oleg Salyukov announced that Russian ground forces will hold its first ever military exercises with Pakistan in the coming year.
The Russian Army is scheduled to hold seven international drills in 2016, including the first ever Russian-Pakistani special drills in mountainous terrain.
"As part of interaction with our foreign colleagues in 2016, we have scheduled seven joint exercises with the involvement of the relevant units of foreign states," the Russian Army Commander-in-Chief said.
The Russian Army will also hold joint anti-terror command and staff exercises of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, as well as a Russian-Vietnamese exercise, Salyukov added.
21:32 Waiting for day when Khajuraho statues are covered: Nayantara Sahgal
Noted writer Nayantara Sahgal, who has been protesting against the "rising intolerance" in the country, said she is waiting for the day when the culture minister drapes naked statues at Khajuraho with a saree. "The way things are proceeding now under Hindutva, I am just waiting for the day when the culture minister puts sarees on the naked statues at Khajuraho because they are in a very dramatic sexual postures," Sahgal said at a session of the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet.
While talking about censorship, the 88-year-old, who has returned her Sahitya Akademi award in protest against "rising intolerance", said the space for dissent has vanished and dissenters are now being attacked with sticks, stones, black paint and even murder.
"The silence of the government is its answer. Or it is busy defending the Hindutva ideology," she said adding that censorship by mob has taken over. "It is the mob which decides what is going to be censored with threats, guns and violence," Sahgal said.
20:32 'Plenty' to say on Sunanda but only after probe ends: Tharoor
Days after the FBI report concluded that the death of Sunanda Pushkar was due to poisoning, her widower and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor today claimed that he has "plenty" to say on the case but would await the ongoing probe to end. "Let me say this for the last time, I will not comment on this matter, as a matter of policy as well as principle, until the police have concluded investigation," Tharoor said.
"Once the police have done so, come to a conclusion andpresented it to a court, I will have plenty to say. But till then it will be wrong to do so and I will not do so," he said.
20:17 Pakistan army says deadly university attack controlled from Afghanistan
The Pakistani army said today the four gunmen who attacked a university in northwest Pakistan were trained in Afghanistan and the assault was controlled by a Pakistani Taliban militant from a location inside Afghanistan.
In a briefing, military spokesman General Asim Bajwa said the militants who stormed Bacha Khan University in Charsadda on Wednesday, killing at least 20 people, received training in Afghanistan and crossed over into Pakistan from the Torkham border between the two countries.
Bajwa said the attack was masterminded by Umar Mansoor, a Pakistani Taliban militant based in Afghanistan who is also held responsible for the December 2014 massacre of 134 children in the city of Peshawar -- the deadliest militant attack in Pakistan's history.
A deputy of Mansoor helped the attackers reach the Torkham border from where they crossed over into Pakistan, the spokesman said.
"The attackers were prepared in Afghanistan," army spokesman Bajwa said. "We have come to the conclusion that terrorism cannot be fought when there are accomplices and facilitators."
Providing details of the planning of the attack, the military spokesman said the gunmen used public transportation from the Afghan border to reach Mardan city, about 30 kilometres from Charsadda, where they were received by four Pakistani men, now in army custody.
19:49 Journalists' body slams ABVP for threatening Siddharth Varadarajan
The Editors Guild of India strongly condemned the blatant acts of intimidation and threats to Siddharth Varadarajan, editor of The Wire, by student members of the ABVP in Allahabad University that forced the police to intervene to escort him to safety.
Varadarajan had been invited to deliver a public lecture on Democracy, the Media and Freedom of Expression by the president of the Allahabad University Students Union at the universitys Senate Hall on January 20, 2016.
The Editors Guild said, For a senior journalist to be threatened in such a manner at a leading university is deplorable. It is a brazen attack on freedom of expression, and the Editors Guild of India finds this mob mentality to silence those with divergent views unacceptable.
19:25 Separatist leader Geelani slams Islamic State
Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani said the chances of Islamic State expanding its operations to Kashmir were "almost zero" and dismissed the terror outfit's reported claims in this regard.
"The chances of the Islamic State about reaching Kashmir are almost zero," Geelani said in a statement. Reacting to the reported statement by the Islamic State on Kashmir, Geelani said the only thing it will do is "give the government of India a chance to globally defame the movement of Kashmiris".
Questioning the claims of Islamic State, Geelani said if the group had any sincerity, they would have "liberated the Al Aqsa mosque in West Asia". "They would have gone to help the Palestinian brothers who are being tortured and brutalised for the past 60 years," he added.
18:51 PM should speak to Abe regarding Netaji case: Sugata Bose
Subhas Chandra Bose's kin and historian Sugata Bose said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak to his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe to know about Netaji's mysterious disappearance.
"I do not know whether Modi has done anything on the Netaji issue. I don't feel he had spoken to Abe (regarding Netjaji's disappearance). He also did not pay his respect by visiting the Renkoji temple... But, other Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited the temple to show their respect," he said of Modi's Japan tour last year.
He referred to the letter of his mother Krishna Bose, widow of Netaji's nephew Sisir Bose, to Modi requesting him to "talk to the Japanese PM" in this connection. "The Japanese have shared with us the information they had regarding Netaji... But, I believe Modi should have spoken to Abe, whether it be in Tokyo or in Delhi, or Varanasi... I don't think he has spoken to him (Abe) regarding this," he claimed.
"It was first from Japan that we came to know what happened in August 1945," he said.
As Gujarat chief minister, Modi wrote to the Renkoji Temple authorities thanking the authorities for preserving and looking after the ashes of Netaji, Bose claimed.
Bose, a Trinamool Congress MP, said "The PM went to Russia but has not said whether he had any discussion with the Russian president regarding Netaji. He must come out in the public about his discussions with Putin."
18:11 Student fasting at Hyderabad University unwell, taken to health centre
One of the seven students of Hyderabad Central University, sitting on an indefinite hunger strike for past four days following the alleged suicide by a Dalit research scholar, was today taken away from the protest camp to the varsity's health centre after she felt unwell.
The health condition of the 26-year-old student, Vaikhari Aryat, is stable, doctors attending to her said.
"We have requested them to give up the hunger strike (in view of the health condition). We have called the medical
officer to check their health condition. She (Aryat) was feeling giddy and has been taken to our health centre for
first-aid," a senior security official of Hyderabad Central University said.
When contacted, Dr C Gangadhar of the university's health centre said, "We are giving her IV fluids and her condition is
stable now."
Mild tension prevailed on the campus when she was being taken to the health centre.
18:09 Hollande to begin 3-day India visit from Chandigarh tomorrow
French President Francois Hollande will commence his three-day India visit from the 'City Beautiful' tomorrow where he, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will attend a business summit and visit various landmarks. A thick security blanket has been thrown by security agencies in the city where the two premiers will be at the India-France Business Summit, which will be attended by corporate honchos of the two nations.
Accompanied by a high-level delegation, Hollande will land around 1 pm in Chandigarh, which was designed by Swiss-French architect Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris, also known as Le Corbusier between 1950s and 1960s.
He will be accompanied by Modi during the sightseeing to most frequented tourist spots -- Rock Garden, Capitol Complex, and Government Museum and Art gallery. They will spend close to 15 minutes at each of the three sites before reaching a private hotel for the business meet, officials said.
Later in evening, the leaders will fly separately to Delhi, where Hollande will attend the Republic Day parade as the Chief Guest and hold talks with Modi, during which ways to strengthen counter-terror cooperation in the aftermath of Paris and Pathankot terror strikes will figure prominently.
18:02 Muzaffarnagar riots: Warrant issued against Sadhvi Prachi again
A local court today again issued a warrant against VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi for not appearing before it in connection with a 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots case. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sitaram issued a bailable warrant against Sadhvi Prachi and directed her to appear before the court on February 21 in the case.
According to prosecution, apart from Prachi, Union Minister Sanjeev Baliyan, BJP MP Bhartendu Singh, BJP MLAs Suresh Rana and Sangeet Som are facing charges under various sections of IPC for violating prohibitory orders, deterring public servants from discharging their duties and also wrongful restraint.
17:46
JUST IN: ABVP office in Mumbai's Matunga area has been attacked by some unknown assailants.
More details to follow.
17:14 Ashok Vajpeyi won't take back Sahitya award, says intolerance remains high
Noted writer and poet Ashok Vajpeyi refused to take back the Sahitya Akademi award that he had returned stating that "intolerance levels remain high" in the country. "Intolerance levels remain high and widespread. Look at what happened to a Dalit student driven to suicide. This is also intolerance," Vajpeyi said on the sidelines of the ongoing Jaipur Literature festival.
He had recently returned the D.Lit honour conferred to him by the Hyderabad Central University in protest against the "anti-Dalit" attitude of authorities. Vajpeyi said although Prime Minister Narendra Modi had voiced his grief at Rohith Vemula's suicide, he had underplayed the Dalit issue.
17:08 Kajol @ Jaipur Lit Fest: These days people seem to have become oversensitive
Choosing to play down the intolerance debate in India, actress Kajol today said there are no such dividing lines in Bollywood.
"Our industry will always keep reflecting on what is happening in our society. It will keep on going and everyone is welcome. There are no dividing lines, no caste, no creed and no intolerance in Bollywood," she said on the third day of the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival.
Filmmaker Karan Johar, a close friend of Kajol, had kicked up a storm with his remarks about freedom of expression being the biggest joke in the country on the inaugural day of the festival.
In recent months, actors Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan too have landed in controversy for speaking up against the "growing intolerance" in the country.
Kajol, who has worked with both Shah Rukh and Aamir, refused to react on the backlash faced by the "PK" star, whose controversial remarks had evoked criticism from many quarters.
"These days people seem to have become oversensitive. As public personalties it is our duty to speak well and correctly. I have always said my 'Mann ki baat' and it is no different now," she said.
16:57 70 Indigo fliers offloaded for 'unruly behaviour'
At least 70 passengers were offloaded from a Raipur-bound Indigo flight at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad last night on the grounds of "unruly behaviour", following which the fliers lodged a complaint with airport police alleging they were harassed by the airline staff.
The incident happened between 8:30 PM and 9:00 PM. The passengers, who as a group were travelling to Raipur from Hyderabad, "were trying to exchange seats among themselves. An altercation erupted between the cabin crew and two-three members of the group over this.
"The cabin crew then called the ground staff to assist them. The situation worsened and led to the extent of offloading of passengers," airport police inspector T Sudhakar said.
He said the passengers in a complaint alleged that they were harrased by the airline's staff and the flight took-off without handing them their check-in baggage.
The airline in a statement said the passengers were offloaded "on the grounds of unruly behaviour" and an FIR has been lodged with local police in this regard.
16:51
Kerala Excise Minister K Babu resigns after a court orders Vigilance to book him over bar bribery charges.
16:44
Ponzi scam case: Tis Hazari Courts sends Pearls Group CMD Nirmal Singh Bhangoo, 3 others to judicial custody till February 6
15:46 Internet's openness, dynamism at risk: WEF report
There has been a growing concern that the Internet may be in danger of splintering into a series of bordered cyberspace segments, according to a new report by the World Economic Forum.
In a session 'Keeping Worldwide in the Web', participants discussed challenges facing the open global Internet, which has become a key driver of global wealth creation, socio-cultural enrichment and human empowerment in recent decades.
The issues that dominated the discussion include emerging fragmentation of the Internet, along multiple lines, due to developments in technical, governmental and commercial realm.
To help build a shared understanding about this global challenge, WEF's Global Challenge on the Future of the Internet initiative reached out to three leading experts -- William J Drake, Vinton Cerf, and Wolfgang Kleinwachter -- to produce a white paper.
15:38 Secularism often used as a bad word, democracy next: Amartya Sen
NDTV reports: Noted economist and Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen said today that the country is in a situation in which "a sense of division is being cultivated along communal lines." The situation has led to secularism being used as a bad word. Democracy and liberty could be next, he said.
"Right now, in the country there is a sense of division that is being cultivated along communal lines, so much so the word secularism is often used as a bad word. It is quite extraordinary," he said. "I am waiting for the day democracy would be used as a bad word and liberty would be used as a bad word," Prof Sen said, speaking at the Netaji Research Institute in Kolkata on the occasion of Subhash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary.
Prof Sen said the present government is not doing enough in dealing with the social inequalities that Netaji was the first to see. "I don't think the independent governments of India, I am on record on that, did enough to pursue the demands of equity and justice and I think the present government is doing even less in dealing with that."
Read more HERE
14:59 Netaji must be given 'leader of the nation' title: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Saturday Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose "must be given the title (of) Leader of the Nation", minutes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi declassified a set of files relating to the freedom fighter.
"Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose must be given the title 'Leader of the Nation'. He deserves that honour," she tweeted.
"We believe that the truth about the last days of Netaji must come out through documentation and proof."
"It is our responsibility towards the young and future generation to share with them the truth...," the Trinamool Congress chief said in a series of tweets.
14:56 Highly qualified youths getting into terrorism worrying: Rajnath
Home Minister Rajnath Singh: "Highly qualified youths are getting into terrorism. This is a cause of worry for the country."
14:32 Delighted, says Ruskin Bond on joining Twitter
Noted author Ruskin Bond, who has kept himself aloof from social networking sites like Facebook, has finally opened an account on Twitter.
"Hello world, Delighted to be on Twitter," wrote the 81-year-old writer in his first tweet.
Bond, who has written over 500 short stories, essays and novellas and more than 40 books for children, has said most of his initial stories were fictional narratives of actual experiences.
"A lot of my earlier stories are actual experiences, characters, experiences and situations, which I then turned into fictional narratives," he said earlier at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival.
Bond is an author associated with publisher Penguin Random House, who announced at the literary festival, its partnership with Twitter India to introduce its Twitter Books vertical in the country.
14:29 Minister appeals to students to withdraw protest
Union Minister of State for HRD Upendra Kushwaha today appealed to the agitating students of Hyderabad Central University to withdraw their protest following the alleged suicide of a Dalit research scholar and assured them that they will get justice.
"From our ministry judicial commission has been set up. We want to tell all students...keep faith...you will get justice. Now there is no need for continuing the agitation," he told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.
He said that based on the report of the judicial commission set up to look into the matter, the HRD ministry will take necessary steps.
"From the ministry, a two-member fact-finding committee looked into the matter and gave its report. There were some shortcomings/loopholes as per the report. Based on the report, a judicial commission was set up for further inquiry. The commission will do its work and give report in three months. Based on it, the ministry will take necessary steps," he said.
13:21 Only one person can publicly talk about his 'Mann ki Baat': Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday supported Bollywood director and producer Karan Johar for his remark about growing 'intolerance' in the country. Kejriwal also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the intolerance issue.
The Delhi CM on Saturday tweeted in Johar's support and said that, "Karan Johar right. Only one person in this country can publicly talk abt his mann ki baat. No one else can do that."
Speaking at the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival on Saturday, the producer-director has said that 'freedom of expression' is "the biggest joke" in today's world.
He said, "Revealing your mind in today's time can land you in jail. We are in a tough country to speak about our personal lives. I feel very sad about it, because being a public figure, you are expected to help a certain movement."
13:06
Baramulla police busts Harkatul Mujahideen module which was planning to attack security forces on Republic Day
13:04
Maharashtra ATS arrests person identified as Imram Moazzam Khan Pathan from Aurangabad; hands him over to NIA.
12:52 PM Modi declassifies files on Netaji
The Narendra Modi government on Saturday declassified some of the secret files relating to great freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The files, digitised and given "preliminary conservation treatment" by the National Archives of India, were released on the birth anniversary of Netaji.
The iconic freedom fighter's family members, who had sought making public the documents hoping questions about his mysterious disappearance seven decades back would be answered, turned emotional upon seeing the files.
The demand for declassification of secret files with the Centre had gathered momentum, especially after the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal declassified 64 files in its possession last year.
Banerjee has maintained that she didn't believe that the freedom fighter died in air crash and demanded that the 'Russian angle' in Netaji's disappearance needs to be probed.
12:44 Another hoax call; GoAir flight makes emergency landing after bomb scare
A Bhubaneswar-Mumbai bound GoAir flight had to make an emergency landing early Saturday in Nagpur after a bomb scare.
The passengers were deplaned immediately after the bomb threat. A thorough check was carried inside by the airport security personnel; however no suspicious objects were found on the plane.
According to a source, an anonymous phone call today morning alerted the airport authority of presence of bomb inside the plane, after which the authority deplaned the passengers.
However, the call turned out to be a hoax as nothing was found inside the plane. The call came at a time when the nation is on red alert and security is all time high in view of the Republic Day.
11:57 Dalit student who protested against Modi evicted from guesthouse
Karan Nirmal and Amrendra Kumar Arya found themselves surrounded by security personnel soon after raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Their mouths were forcibly shut as they were dragged away to preventive detention.
Shortly after he stepped out of custody, Nirmal, 31, was dissapointed and shocked to hear that the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University officials cancelled his stay at the University hostel as a punitive measure. Nirmal finds a glaring similarity between his eviction and the harassment faced by Hyderabad scholar Rohith Vemula.
"I voiced my dissent. For that I was evicted from the Siddhartha Boys' Hostel of the university and my boarding for the night cancelled even though my room was booked for two days. We had deposited Rs 200 for the boarding, said Nirmal, who was left to bear the nippy North Indian winter night without any roof. A copy of the hostel bill is with The Hindu.
Read more HERE
11:27 PM Modi pays tributes to Bose
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid rich tributes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary, saying generations of Indians remember him for his bravery and patriotism.
"Remembering Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary. His bravery and patriotism endears him to several Indians across generations," he tweeted.
The prime minister chose this day to declassify secret files relating to Netaji with a view of throwing some light on his mysterious disappearance.
Modi said, "Today is a special day for all Indians. Declassification of Netaji files starts today."
The prime minister also put out a proclamation issued by Netaji in 1944 asking Indians to fulfil their 'duty' in liberating India.
10:37 PM Modi to release 100 files on Netaji today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the digital copies of 100 files related to Subhash Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary today.
"The National Archives of India is placing 100 files relating to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in public domain after preliminary conservation treatment and digitization. On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Netaji, the prime minister will release the digital copies of these files in public domain," an official release said.
The initiative will meet the "long-standing public demand" to access these files as well as facilitate scholars to carry out further research on Bose, it said.
The NAI also plans to release digital copies of 25 declassified files on Bose in the public domain every month.
Modi, in his meeting with members of Bose family in New Delhi on October 14, last year, had announced that the government would declassify the files relating to Bose and make them accessible to public.
The first lot of 33 files were declassified by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and handed over to the NAI on December 4, last year.
10:35
Contrary to earlier media reports, Camel contingent to remain a part of the Republic Day Parade
10:09 Rahul's 7km padyatra in drought-hit Bundelkhand today
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to undertake a padyatra in drought-hit Bundelkhand region today when he is likely to hold meetings with farmers.
Gandhi, who will arrive in Mahoba district of the region by road from Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, will walk seven kms and hold a meeting in Supa village to interact with the villagers, Congress sources said.
He is also scheduled to hold a meeting with the mahila self-help group at the Supa railway station and later hold a meeting with farmers in Laadpur village, they said.
Bundelkhand region, home to 18.3 million people as per the 2011 census, is blighted with drought and unseasonable rains that has destroyed standing winter crops.
In the past few years, several farmers have committed suicide due to poor crop production in 13 districts that comprise the region.
10:06 Airlines cancel thousands of flights as big storm advances
Airlines canceled around 7,600 flights to, from or within the United States for Friday and Saturday, as a blizzard began covering much of the Eastern US.
The bulk of Friday's 3,500 cancelations are in Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, according to flight tracking service FlightAware. Another 4,100 flights were canceled for Saturday.
Those cancelations center on Philadelphia, Washington, and New York, with airlines essentially shutting down all flights into those cities.
By Sunday afternoon, however, the airlines hope to be back to a full schedule to handle the typical influx of business travelers heading out to start a week on the road.
Overall, the airlines have canceled about 15 percent of their scheduled flights in the U.S. for Friday and Saturday.
One bit of good news: Saturday is the slowest travel day of the week. There are a little more than 22,000 flights scheduled to, from or within the US, according to FlightAware.
10:04 5 dead, 2 injured in Canada school shooting
Shots rang out at a high school in Canada's western plains province of Saskatchewan, leaving five people dead and two others critically injured, the prime minister has said.
The school in La Loche was on lockdown for most of the afternoon, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police urged parents to stay away while they responded to the yesterday's "ongoing serious incident."
A nearby elementary school was also shuttered "as a precaution," a federal police spokeswoman told AFP.
The school shooting is the deadliest in 26 years in Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking in Davos, Switzerland, where he was attending the World Economic Summit, said: "There was a shooting in the community, five people were killed (and) two others are in critical condition."
The suspected shooter has been taken into custody and police have the situation under control, he said.
"We all grieve with and stand with the community of La Loche and all of Saskatchewan on this terrible tragic day," Trudeau added.
03:34 Ahead of Hollande's visit, CIA pitches in for security
Ahead of the one-day visit in Gurgaon of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande, the American Central Intelligence Agency today asked Haryana police to submit crime status report for Gurgaon, Faridabad and other adjoining districts as part of efforts to ensure proper security arrangements.
The two leaders have a programme scheduled on January 25 at National Institute of Solar Energy situated on the Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway where the foundation stone for the interim secretariat of the international solar alliance will be laid.
As France is a friendly nation of the United States, the CIA is involving itself in the security measures for the Hollande visit. The agency has specifically asked the Gurgaon and Faridabad district administrations to provide action-taken report, especially in the vicinity of the Aravalli mountain range, which is known for illegal mining and other criminal activities.
Hawa Singh, ACP (PRO) of Gurgaon police, said that the spy agency has been focusing on Mewat district, where different security agencies have arrested four or five terrorists in the past three years.
A suspected al-Qaeda operative was nabbed by the Special Cell of Delhi Police from Mewat district last week. The CIA has asked the police in Gurgaon, Faridabad and adjoining districts to submit data on all criminal activities reported in their respective areas.
The district administrations of Gurgaon and Faridabad have already imposed Section 144 in a radius of 2 km from the venue with SWAT teams also in place. Section 144 will also be imposed at prominent malls, shopping centres, strategic locations and crowded places between January 24 and 26.
The two leaders have a programme scheduled on January 25 at National Institute of Solar Energy situated on the Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway where the foundation stone for the interim secretariat of the international solar alliance will be laid.
As France is a friendly nation of the United States, the CIA is involving itself in the security measures for the Hollande visit. The agency has specifically asked the Gurgaon and Faridabad district administrations to provide action-taken report, especially in the vicinity of the Aravalli mountain range, which is known for illegal mining and other criminal activities.
Hawa Singh, ACP (PRO) of Gurgaon police, said that the spy agency has been focusing on Mewat district, where different security agencies have arrested four or five terrorists in the past three years.
A suspected al-Qaeda operative was nabbed by the Special Cell of Delhi Police from Mewat district last week. The CIA has asked the police in Gurgaon, Faridabad and adjoining districts to submit data on all criminal activities reported in their respective areas.
The district administrations of Gurgaon and Faridabad have already imposed Section 144 in a radius of 2 km from the venue with SWAT teams also in place. Section 144 will also be imposed at prominent malls, shopping centres, strategic locations and crowded places between January 24 and 26.
03:00 Hardik files fresh bail pleas in two sedition cases
Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel on Friday filed fresh bail applications in courts in Ahmedabad and Surat where charge sheets in two sedition cases have been filed against him.
In Ahmedabad, he moved the court of additional sessions judge N G Dave. His lawyer Rafiq Lokhandwala contends in the application that the sedition case against his client is false, frivolous, fabricated and politically motivated and filed only to suppress the agitation of the Patel community.
The agitation for reservation cannot be said to be unlawful in any manner, the bail application says.
Hardik and five others are charged under Indian Penal Code Sections 124(A) (sedition), 121 (A) (conspiracy to wage war against the government) and 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy) in the case.
In Ahmedabad, he moved the court of additional sessions judge N G Dave. His lawyer Rafiq Lokhandwala contends in the application that the sedition case against his client is false, frivolous, fabricated and politically motivated and filed only to suppress the agitation of the Patel community.
The agitation for reservation cannot be said to be unlawful in any manner, the bail application says.
Hardik and five others are charged under Indian Penal Code Sections 124(A) (sedition), 121 (A) (conspiracy to wage war against the government) and 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy) in the case.
01:50 45 migrants, including 20 kids, drown off Greek coast
At least 45 migrants drowned when three refugee boats sank today off Greece, as Turkey pledged to 'do everything' to stop migrants heading to Europe.
Despite wintry conditions, thousands of people fleeing war and misery are still embarking on the dangerous sea journey to seek a better life in Europe.
In a stark illustration of the high cost of the voyage, Greek and Turkish coastguards recovered the bodies of 45 migrants -- including 20 children -- whose boats capsized on their way to Greece, officials said today.
Greek rescuers pulled 74 people to safety after two boats ran into trouble off the Aegean islands of Farmakonisi and Kalolimnos in the early hours. But the toll could rise as rescuers were still scouring the waters for people missing from the boat that capsized off Kalolimnos.
Of the survivors, 'most are in a state of shock. There were families on board and in some cases only the father survived,' United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees official Marco Procaccini said.
Charity Doctors without Borders (MSF in its French acronym), which is providing psychological care to survivors of the Kalolimnos shipwreck, described the horror on its Twitter account, saying 'one man lost his pregnant wife and two kids, a 17-year-old lost his brother, an entire family was swallowed by the sea'.
Separately, the Turkish coastguard found the bodies of three children today after a third boat sank near the seaside resort of Didim, the Dogan news agency reported.
The UN refugee agency said smugglers were offering desperate migrants discounts to lure them out.
"Newly arriving refugees told the UNHCR that the smuggling rates had halved in recent days. This discount acts as a grim enticement to take extraordinary risks given worsening weather," the agency said.
Despite deteriorating weather, the Greek islands were witnessing a surge with more than 3,000 people arriving daily in the last 48 hours, it said. AFP
Despite wintry conditions, thousands of people fleeing war and misery are still embarking on the dangerous sea journey to seek a better life in Europe.
In a stark illustration of the high cost of the voyage, Greek and Turkish coastguards recovered the bodies of 45 migrants -- including 20 children -- whose boats capsized on their way to Greece, officials said today.
Greek rescuers pulled 74 people to safety after two boats ran into trouble off the Aegean islands of Farmakonisi and Kalolimnos in the early hours. But the toll could rise as rescuers were still scouring the waters for people missing from the boat that capsized off Kalolimnos.
Of the survivors, 'most are in a state of shock. There were families on board and in some cases only the father survived,' United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees official Marco Procaccini said.
Charity Doctors without Borders (MSF in its French acronym), which is providing psychological care to survivors of the Kalolimnos shipwreck, described the horror on its Twitter account, saying 'one man lost his pregnant wife and two kids, a 17-year-old lost his brother, an entire family was swallowed by the sea'.
Separately, the Turkish coastguard found the bodies of three children today after a third boat sank near the seaside resort of Didim, the Dogan news agency reported.
The UN refugee agency said smugglers were offering desperate migrants discounts to lure them out.
"Newly arriving refugees told the UNHCR that the smuggling rates had halved in recent days. This discount acts as a grim enticement to take extraordinary risks given worsening weather," the agency said.
Despite deteriorating weather, the Greek islands were witnessing a surge with more than 3,000 people arriving daily in the last 48 hours, it said. AFP
01:07 Tabla maestro Pt Shankar Ghosh dies
Eminent tabla player Pandit Shankar Ghosh passed away tonight at a private city hospital in Kolkata, his family said. He was 80.
Ghosh leaves behind his wife -- Hindustani classical vocalist of Patiala gharana Sanjukta Ghosh -- his famed percussionist son Pt Bickram Ghosh, daughter-in-law Jaya Seal Ghosh and two grandsons.
Ghosh, who had been admitted to the hospital following heart ailment, was in coma since past 40 days and died at 9 pm today, Jaya Seal Ghosh said. The legendary classical exponent, who is the mentor of Bickram Ghosh, had been admitted to the ICU of a super-speciality hospital on E M Bypass, since mid December and underwent angioplasty on December 14.
"He was in an unconscious state for about one-and-half months and left for his heavenly abode at 9 pm. The condition further worsened since Wednesday last. We will keep the body at a mortuary and are planning to take it to our ancestral residence and then to Rabindra Sadan complex tomorrow morning," Jaya, an acclaimed dancer and actor, said.
After being initially admitted with cardiac problems, Ghosh had developed symptoms of pneumonia and geriatric complications and had multi-organ failure in the last few hours, the bereaved family said.
'He had been suffering from pneumonia with a background of ischaemic heart disease. Old age, diabetes and hypertension had added to the problems,' a statement released by the hospital said.
'Lost him, The Emperor of Tabla. My beloved father,' Bickram tweeted.
The 80-year-old, amongst the most well-known tabla players in the country, was awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in the year 2000.
Ghosh trained mainly with legendary Pandit Gyan Prakash Ghosh. Ustad Feroz Khan, Pandit Anath Nath Bose and Pandit Sudarshan Adhikari were his other teachers and he followed the Farukhabad gharana of Hindustani classical music.
He had taught tabla to a large number of students not only in Kolkata but also in Europe. He also received the ITC Sangeet Research Academy award and the Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan award.
At various points, Ghosh performed with vocalists such as Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Pandit Omkarnath Thakur, Pandit Vinayakrao Patwardhan, Girija Devi and Akhtari Bai.
Away from India, he collaborated with artists like Greg Ellis, Pete Lockett and John Bergamo.
He had also done 'jugalbandi' with celebrated classical musicians like sitarists Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan and violinist Pandit V G Jog and earned rave reviews.
A pall of gloom descended over the city's music fraternity as news of his death spread and many prominent personalities from the art and culture world rushed to the hospital.
Ghosh leaves behind his wife -- Hindustani classical vocalist of Patiala gharana Sanjukta Ghosh -- his famed percussionist son Pt Bickram Ghosh, daughter-in-law Jaya Seal Ghosh and two grandsons.
Ghosh, who had been admitted to the hospital following heart ailment, was in coma since past 40 days and died at 9 pm today, Jaya Seal Ghosh said. The legendary classical exponent, who is the mentor of Bickram Ghosh, had been admitted to the ICU of a super-speciality hospital on E M Bypass, since mid December and underwent angioplasty on December 14.
"He was in an unconscious state for about one-and-half months and left for his heavenly abode at 9 pm. The condition further worsened since Wednesday last. We will keep the body at a mortuary and are planning to take it to our ancestral residence and then to Rabindra Sadan complex tomorrow morning," Jaya, an acclaimed dancer and actor, said.
After being initially admitted with cardiac problems, Ghosh had developed symptoms of pneumonia and geriatric complications and had multi-organ failure in the last few hours, the bereaved family said.
'He had been suffering from pneumonia with a background of ischaemic heart disease. Old age, diabetes and hypertension had added to the problems,' a statement released by the hospital said.
'Lost him, The Emperor of Tabla. My beloved father,' Bickram tweeted.
The 80-year-old, amongst the most well-known tabla players in the country, was awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in the year 2000.
Ghosh trained mainly with legendary Pandit Gyan Prakash Ghosh. Ustad Feroz Khan, Pandit Anath Nath Bose and Pandit Sudarshan Adhikari were his other teachers and he followed the Farukhabad gharana of Hindustani classical music.
He had taught tabla to a large number of students not only in Kolkata but also in Europe. He also received the ITC Sangeet Research Academy award and the Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan award.
At various points, Ghosh performed with vocalists such as Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Pandit Omkarnath Thakur, Pandit Vinayakrao Patwardhan, Girija Devi and Akhtari Bai.
Away from India, he collaborated with artists like Greg Ellis, Pete Lockett and John Bergamo.
He had also done 'jugalbandi' with celebrated classical musicians like sitarists Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan and violinist Pandit V G Jog and earned rave reviews.
A pall of gloom descended over the city's music fraternity as news of his death spread and many prominent personalities from the art and culture world rushed to the hospital.
00:49 US says China taking 'self-isolating' steps in SCS issue
The United States today said China is taking some steps that are 'self-isolating' with regard to the South China Sea and the US will 'fly, sail and operate' whatever international law permits there.
"I am not one of those people who believe that conflict between China and the US is inevitable. It is certainly not desirable and I don't think it is likely. The US will fly, sail and operate whatever international law permits in the South China Sea," US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said.
"I am not one of those people who believe that conflict between China and the US is inevitable. It is certainly not desirable and I don't think it is likely. The US will fly, sail and operate whatever international law permits in the South China Sea," US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said.
00:08 Kolkata hit-and-run: Sambia admits he was driving Audi
Sambia Sohrab, accused in the Kolkata hit-and-run case, has confessed that he was driving the Audi that killed an Indian Air Force officer during a Republic Day parade rehearsal on January 13, police said.
Sohrab is the son of former Rashtriya Janata Dal legislator and Trinamool Congress leader Mohammad Sohrab.
He has been booked under Indian Penal Code Sections 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 212 (harbouring offender) and 427 (mischief causing damage).
Sohrab is the son of former Rashtriya Janata Dal legislator and Trinamool Congress leader Mohammad Sohrab.
He has been booked under Indian Penal Code Sections 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 212 (harbouring offender) and 427 (mischief causing damage).
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