LIVE
Tue, 26 January 2016
Live! US Navy medical centre under attack
Timeline Refresh
22:47 US Navy medical centre under attack
A shooting has been reported at the Naval Medical Center San Diego, according to the center's Facebook page.
"An active shooter has just been reported in building #26 at Naval Medical Center San Diego," Tuesday morning's post reads.
"All occupants are advised to run, hide or fight. All non-emergency response personnel are asked to stay away from the compound."
On its website, Naval Medical Center San Diego bills itself as 'the largest and most comprehensive military healthcare system in the Western United States.'
It has eight clinics for active duty personnel and nine primary care sites for their family members
Read HERE
"An active shooter has just been reported in building #26 at Naval Medical Center San Diego," Tuesday morning's post reads.
"All occupants are advised to run, hide or fight. All non-emergency response personnel are asked to stay away from the compound."
On its website, Naval Medical Center San Diego bills itself as 'the largest and most comprehensive military healthcare system in the Western United States.'
It has eight clinics for active duty personnel and nine primary care sites for their family members
Read HERE
22:06 Months after Sena's threat, Ghulam Ali to visit Mumbai
Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali will be in Mumbai this week to attend an event and his hosts have sought adequate security for him from the Maharashtra government, months after his concert here was cancelled due to Shiv Sena's opposition.
Ali, scheduled to arrive in Mumbai on Thursday, will attend the music launch of Ghar Wapsi, a movie directed by TV show host-turned-filmmaker Suhaib Ilyasi, on January 29. He has sung a patriotic song in the movie apart from acting in it.
Ilyasi of India's Most Wanted fame has requested the state's Bharatiya Janata Party-led government to provide adequate security to the 75-year-old artist during his two-day visit.
"On January 29, we are releasing the music of our film. We want him to have a secure and peaceful stay while he is Mumbai. We have requested the Mumbai Police and the state government to provide protection for the same, so that no untoward incident happens," Ilyasi said.
"In October last year, his concerts (in Mumbai and Pune) were cancelled due to a threat by Shiv Sena. The reason they gave was the tension prevailing between India and Pakistan," he added.
The director said he is yet to get a confirmation from the authorities on his request for security to Ali.
Ali, scheduled to arrive in Mumbai on Thursday, will attend the music launch of Ghar Wapsi, a movie directed by TV show host-turned-filmmaker Suhaib Ilyasi, on January 29. He has sung a patriotic song in the movie apart from acting in it.
Ilyasi of India's Most Wanted fame has requested the state's Bharatiya Janata Party-led government to provide adequate security to the 75-year-old artist during his two-day visit.
"On January 29, we are releasing the music of our film. We want him to have a secure and peaceful stay while he is Mumbai. We have requested the Mumbai Police and the state government to provide protection for the same, so that no untoward incident happens," Ilyasi said.
"In October last year, his concerts (in Mumbai and Pune) were cancelled due to a threat by Shiv Sena. The reason they gave was the tension prevailing between India and Pakistan," he added.
The director said he is yet to get a confirmation from the authorities on his request for security to Ali.
21:42 Pakistan closes schools in Punjab amid Taliban threats
Pakistani authorities today closed all the schools in the country's largest province, Punjab, following an alert over possible militant attacks, according to a government notice.
The warning comes a week after a breakaway Taliban faction attacked a northwestern university and killed 21 people, mostly students. That school - the Bacha Khan University in the northwestern town of Charsadda -- reopened briefly yesterday but then closed indefinitely to give students more time to recover from the incident.
The government memo, which was obtained by the Associated Press, says there is intelligence that 13 Taliban fighters recently entered the country from neighboring Afghanistan and were planning suicide attacks on schools across Pakistan.
The schools in Punjab would remain closed till the end of the month, said the province's education minister, Rana Mashood Ahmad.
He did not cite the alert but said the closures were due to harsh winter weather and heavy fog. Schools were also closed in southwestern Baluchistan province for the usual winter break there.
In the northwest and the south, schools remained open and it was not immediately clear if there where additional concerns that prompted the closures in Punjab.
The Charsadda attack revived memories of the horrific December 2014 Taliban attack on an army run school in the nearby city of Peshawar that killed 150 people, 144 of them children. AP
The warning comes a week after a breakaway Taliban faction attacked a northwestern university and killed 21 people, mostly students. That school - the Bacha Khan University in the northwestern town of Charsadda -- reopened briefly yesterday but then closed indefinitely to give students more time to recover from the incident.
The government memo, which was obtained by the Associated Press, says there is intelligence that 13 Taliban fighters recently entered the country from neighboring Afghanistan and were planning suicide attacks on schools across Pakistan.
The schools in Punjab would remain closed till the end of the month, said the province's education minister, Rana Mashood Ahmad.
He did not cite the alert but said the closures were due to harsh winter weather and heavy fog. Schools were also closed in southwestern Baluchistan province for the usual winter break there.
In the northwest and the south, schools remained open and it was not immediately clear if there where additional concerns that prompted the closures in Punjab.
The Charsadda attack revived memories of the horrific December 2014 Taliban attack on an army run school in the nearby city of Peshawar that killed 150 people, 144 of them children. AP
20:50 Now, JNU Dalit scholar alleges discrimination, threatens suicide
Amid a nationwide outrage over the suicide of a research scholar in Hyderabad central University, a Dalit student of Jawaharlal Nehru University has sent two letters to the vice chancellor threatening to end his life if his research grant is not extended next year.
While H Sharma, the varsity's controller of examinations, said that the extension of his senior research fellowship was withheld as he had not been able to get clearance from the finance officer, outgoing vice chancellor S K Sopory said the matter will be resolved soon and asked the university's chief security officer to keep an eye on the student.
Alleging that he has been 'discriminated and harassed' by his department which is trying to 'block his PhD', the Dalit researcher has demanded resumption of his fellowship in a week's time or he would commit suicide.
In a separate letter, he contended that he was absent from the university for a certain period due to death of four members of his family, including his father and brother, and now that he has resumed his studies, he wants his fellowship to continue.
The researcher with International Organisation division, Centre for International Politics, Organisation and Disarmament, had received an advance payment of Rs 66,000 for his field trip to Brussels, Belgium.
"The student was supposed to return this advance amount to allow his fellowship to continue. But the money has not been returned. Also, the researcher deregistered himself as a JNU student between December 2013 and July 2015," Sharma said.
The vice chancellor, who demits office tomorrow said, the matter will be resolved at the earliest and till then the student is being counselled.
While H Sharma, the varsity's controller of examinations, said that the extension of his senior research fellowship was withheld as he had not been able to get clearance from the finance officer, outgoing vice chancellor S K Sopory said the matter will be resolved soon and asked the university's chief security officer to keep an eye on the student.
Alleging that he has been 'discriminated and harassed' by his department which is trying to 'block his PhD', the Dalit researcher has demanded resumption of his fellowship in a week's time or he would commit suicide.
In a separate letter, he contended that he was absent from the university for a certain period due to death of four members of his family, including his father and brother, and now that he has resumed his studies, he wants his fellowship to continue.
The researcher with International Organisation division, Centre for International Politics, Organisation and Disarmament, had received an advance payment of Rs 66,000 for his field trip to Brussels, Belgium.
"The student was supposed to return this advance amount to allow his fellowship to continue. But the money has not been returned. Also, the researcher deregistered himself as a JNU student between December 2013 and July 2015," Sharma said.
The vice chancellor, who demits office tomorrow said, the matter will be resolved at the earliest and till then the student is being counselled.
20:23 Congress gives Rs 5 lakh to Rohith Vemula's family
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday presented Rs 5 lakh cheque to Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula's mother at the University of Hyderabad.
"We express solidarity to the students of HCU. The vice chancellor must be sacked and the responsible person must be arrested," Reddy said.
The family members of Rohith had earlier refused to accept ex gratia amount and demanded arrest of those responsible for his suicide.
"We don't need money, I refuse to take money, if you want you take that money and tell me the truth. We strongly demand that anybody who is involved in his death must be arrested or suspended," said Raju, Rohith's brother.
The HCU had earlier announced an ex gratia of Rs 8 lakh to the family of Rohith.
"We express solidarity to the students of HCU. The vice chancellor must be sacked and the responsible person must be arrested," Reddy said.
The family members of Rohith had earlier refused to accept ex gratia amount and demanded arrest of those responsible for his suicide.
"We don't need money, I refuse to take money, if you want you take that money and tell me the truth. We strongly demand that anybody who is involved in his death must be arrested or suspended," said Raju, Rohith's brother.
The HCU had earlier announced an ex gratia of Rs 8 lakh to the family of Rohith.
19:52
And this is the Rashtrapati Bhavan illuminated on the occasion of 67th Republic Day. Photograph: ANI
19:36 We'll seek justice from SC, says Arunachal's ex-CM
Soon after President's rule was imposed in the state, Arunachal Pradesh's former chief minister Nabam Tuki said that his party will seek justice from the Supreme Court.
"The matter was sub-judice, therefore we awaited court's order. They said not to hold an assembly session. We will fight this battle legally," Tuki said on Tuesday.
"I had a feeling that they (Centre) will do this as this was their intention. But we aren't nervous, we will fight," he said.
Rejecting the Centre's claim that law and order is deteriorating in the state, Tuki said, "Point to me even a single questionable law and order situation in Arunachal Pradesh. They can't, because there is none. Arunachal Pradesh is a peaceful state, you can go and see and give a report."
Reacting to the development, Janata Dal-United's K C Tyagi said that this is a 'black day' for democracy in India.
"The matter was sub-judice, therefore we awaited court's order. They said not to hold an assembly session. We will fight this battle legally," Tuki said on Tuesday.
"I had a feeling that they (Centre) will do this as this was their intention. But we aren't nervous, we will fight," he said.
Rejecting the Centre's claim that law and order is deteriorating in the state, Tuki said, "Point to me even a single questionable law and order situation in Arunachal Pradesh. They can't, because there is none. Arunachal Pradesh is a peaceful state, you can go and see and give a report."
Reacting to the development, Janata Dal-United's K C Tyagi said that this is a 'black day' for democracy in India.
19:27 'I'm fine', tweets Sharad Pawar rubbishing death rumours
'I am well and perfectly fine,' Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar tweeted today after 'reports' about his 'death' were widely circulated on social media platforms since Tuesday.
A WhatsApp message was circulated on Tuesday which claimed that Pawar died on Monday morning but the news has been kept secret due to Republic Day.
'Thank for your good wishes,' said the 75-year-old leader who is admitted in a Pune hospital since Sunday evening for 'minor kidney problem' and 'water retention'.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai, NCP's Maharashtra unit president Sunil Tatkare said Pawar is doing 'fine' and will be discharged in the next 1-2 days.
A WhatsApp message was circulated on Tuesday which claimed that Pawar died on Monday morning but the news has been kept secret due to Republic Day.
'Thank for your good wishes,' said the 75-year-old leader who is admitted in a Pune hospital since Sunday evening for 'minor kidney problem' and 'water retention'.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai, NCP's Maharashtra unit president Sunil Tatkare said Pawar is doing 'fine' and will be discharged in the next 1-2 days.
18:56 President's Rule imposed in Arunachal Pradesh
President's Rule has been imposed in Arunachal Pradesh after Dr Pranab Mukherjee gave assent to the proposal on Tuesday.
The decision comes even as the Congress' plea against the recommendation of President's Rule in the state is pending before the Supreme Court, hearing on which will be conducted tomorrow.
However, with this decision, central rule will be imposed in the state with immediate effect and the governor will take over the administration.
Dr Mukherjee had earlier asked the Centre to explain why there is a need to impose President's Rule in the state and the latter cited deteriorating law and order as the reason for recommendation.
The decision comes even as the Congress' plea against the recommendation of President's Rule in the state is pending before the Supreme Court, hearing on which will be conducted tomorrow.
However, with this decision, central rule will be imposed in the state with immediate effect and the governor will take over the administration.
Dr Mukherjee had earlier asked the Centre to explain why there is a need to impose President's Rule in the state and the latter cited deteriorating law and order as the reason for recommendation.
18:42 French President departs from Delhi, Modi bids farewell
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today bid a warm farewell to French President Francois Hollande who left India after his three-day visit, expressing confidence that their discussions would further deepen the bilateral ties.
'Thank you President @fhollande for visiting India & gracing our Republic Day celebrations,' said Modi in a tweet as the French President left the country.
'India's friendship with France is special... Am sure the discussions during President @fhollande's visit will further deepen our relations,' he said in other tweets.
He also tweeted in French language to bid goodbye to Hollande.
During his visit, Hollande visited Chandigarh and held talks with Modi.
The two sides signed 30 pacts, including an MoU for the purchase of 36 French Rafale aircraft even though persisting differences over the pricing of the fighter jet came in the way of final multi-billion dollar deal being concluded.
The talks between the two leaders focused on ways to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, security, civil nuclear energy and sustainable development.
'Thank you President @fhollande for visiting India & gracing our Republic Day celebrations,' said Modi in a tweet as the French President left the country.
'India's friendship with France is special... Am sure the discussions during President @fhollande's visit will further deepen our relations,' he said in other tweets.
He also tweeted in French language to bid goodbye to Hollande.
During his visit, Hollande visited Chandigarh and held talks with Modi.
The two sides signed 30 pacts, including an MoU for the purchase of 36 French Rafale aircraft even though persisting differences over the pricing of the fighter jet came in the way of final multi-billion dollar deal being concluded.
The talks between the two leaders focused on ways to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, security, civil nuclear energy and sustainable development.
17:51
JUST IN: Alert sounded in Odisha after four men presenting themselves as Iraqi nationals disappear when asked to produce ID proof at a hotel.
17:38 IAF jet shoots down 'balloon-like' object near Pak border
A Sukhoi 30 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force today shot down an 'unidentified' balloon-shaped object in Barmer district of Rajasthan after the IAF radar picked it, setting off alarm.
Defence sources said that the object is likely to be a meteorological balloon.
"Between 10.30 and 11 am today, an unidentified balloon shaped object was picked up by IAF radar. An IAF fighter was launched which intercepted the object and brought it down. Further investigation is underway,' an IAF spokesperson said.
The incident happened in Barmer, nearly 500 km from Rajasthan's capital Jaipur, where some villagers have reported an incident of certain metal pieces falling down from the sky.
IAF officials said the force was on high alert due to Republic Day and the object was flying in from the western sector.
Defence sources said that the object is likely to be a meteorological balloon.
"Between 10.30 and 11 am today, an unidentified balloon shaped object was picked up by IAF radar. An IAF fighter was launched which intercepted the object and brought it down. Further investigation is underway,' an IAF spokesperson said.
The incident happened in Barmer, nearly 500 km from Rajasthan's capital Jaipur, where some villagers have reported an incident of certain metal pieces falling down from the sky.
IAF officials said the force was on high alert due to Republic Day and the object was flying in from the western sector.
17:28
JUST IN: Air India says all passengers on board Flight 137 to Milan, which made and emergency landing sometime ago, are safe. They're being transferred to another aircraft that will take off soon.
16:51 AI flight to Milan makes emergency landing at IGI airport
An Air India flight to Milan in Italy from New Delhi had to return to the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday after smoke erupted inside the cabin.
Flight 137 from Delhi to Milan departed at 3 pm on Tuesday but had to make a full emergency landing shortly after reports of smoke inside the cabin. ANI
Flight 137 from Delhi to Milan departed at 3 pm on Tuesday but had to make a full emergency landing shortly after reports of smoke inside the cabin. ANI
16:38 Women's group stopped from entering Shani temple
A group of women attempting to enter Shani Shingnapur temple's sanctum sanctorum was stopped by police in Supa, Maharashtra.
16:05 Fighter jet `accidently` drops bombs over Barmer in Rajasthan
In a bizarre incident, a fighter jet accidently dropped five bombs over Gugdi town in Rajasthan's Barmer district on Tuesday.The sound of the explosion was heard in a 10 km radius.
No casualties have been reported as of now.
Further details awaited.
14:37 Sikh removed from Trump rally says would continue protest
A turbaned Sikh, who was forced out of Donald Trump's election rally after he protested the Republican presidential frontrunner's anti-Muslim speeches with a 'Stop Hate' banner, has said that he plans to take his peaceful protests to other rallies of the real-estate tycoon. Arish Singh, a former editor of a local newspaper 'Little Village' and a comedian, was thrown out of a Trump rally in Iowa on Sunday after he interrupted Trump's signature anti-Muslim speech by displaying the banner.
"I am a not a Muslim. But you don't have to be a Muslim to stand against anti-Muslim bigotry," Singh, a resident of Chicago, tweeted yesterday afternoon.
"I did interrupt him. I did say, 'why do you give shelter to white supremacists. Why do we have white supremacists robocalling in Iowa?' I did say that as we dropped the banner," Singh told the publication in an interview.
Singh said that he decided to interrupt the speech due to a series of remarks by Trump '" such as his suggestion that the US ban all Muslim immigrants '" which have coincided with a rise in incidents of xenophobia and bigotry against Sikhs and Muslim Americans.
13:31 Pathankot railway station evacuated after 'suspicious' bag found
An abandoned bag sparked a scare at the Pathankot railway station and an operation is underway to neutralise the situation.An alert was sounded after the police found the bag following which the railway station was evacuated immediately.
The police are already on the spot combing through the area and experts in bomb defusal from the army have been rushed to the spot.Pathankot has been on high alert since the deadly terrorist attack on its Indian Air Force Base last month, killing seven defence personnel.
Meanwhile, an alert has been sounded in Uttarakhand where reports have emerged of terror suspects on the loose in the state.
12:33 Spectacular IAF flypast concludes the parade
A spectacular flypast by the IAF concluded the Republic Day parade with the 'Globe' formation, comprising one C-17 Globemaster flanked by two Su-30s 'Chakra' formation.
It started with three Mi-35 helicopters in 'the Vic' formation, followed by the 'Hercules' formation comprising three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in 'Vic' formation.
12:23 Republic Day celebrations pass off peacefully in Kashmir
Amid tight security, Republic Day celebrations in Kashmir passed off peacefully with unfurling of the tricolour and cultural programmes at various places.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asghar Samoon took the salute at the march past at Bakshi Stadium, where the main function in the Valley was held. Despite bone-chilling cold, good turnout was witnessed at the Republic day functions at various district headquarters in the Valley, officials said.
It was for the second time in as many years that a civilian administrator, and not a minister of the state government, presided over the Republic Day function at Bakshi Stadium due to Governor's Rule in the state.
"The Republic Day celebrations have concluded across Kashmir peacefully with no untoward incident reported from anywhere in the Valley," a senior police officer said.
He said adequate security arrangements were put in place to thwart any designs of militants to disrupt the celebrations. Heightened security arrangements were put in place across the Valley in view of the terror attack on the Pathankot airbase in Punjab on January 2.
11:31 'Daredevils' stun visitors at R-Day parade
And here come the Border Security Force "Daredevils" motorcycle riders.
It may be recalled that United States President Barack Obamasaid that he would "not drive' a motorbike after watching the daredevil motorcycle performance by Border Security Force personnel at the Republic Day parade last year.
11:21 Remembering Ambedkar on his 125th birth anniversary
The tableau depicted the 125th Anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, a great philosopher, parliamentarian, orator, scholar, jurist, economist, politician and social reformer.
He played key role in establishing unity, integrity and democratic fabric of our Country. A Renowned Alumnus of Columbia University and London School of Economics, he took-up cudgels against social discrimination.
11:11 Goa leads the state tableau; Gujarat follows
The Goan tabloid depicted Perni Jagor -- the traditional folk dance-drama -- performed by the Hindu Kunbi and Christian Gauda community of Goa, to seek the Devine Grace for protection and prosperity of the crop led the tableaux contingent. It was closely followed by Gujarat
Literal meaning of Jagor is "jagran' or wakeful nights. The strong belief is that the night long performance, awakens the deities once a year and they continue to remain awake throughout the year guarding the village.
10:50
BSF officials exchanging sweets with Pakistan Rangers at Attari Border on the occasion of Republic Day.
10:46
The colourful BSF Camel Regiment consisting of 56 camels led by Deputy Commandant Kuldeep J Choudhary walked through Rajpath, saluting President Pranab Mukherjee.
A 34-camel mounted band also marched alongside the BSF camel regiment. Initially, the contingent wasn't going to participate, but they have been added to the parade quite last minute.
10:28 Army dog squad makes a comeback after 26 years
After 26 years, the Indian Army's dog squad, which has saved the lives of many soldiers in counter-terrorism operations, will march down Rajpath.
The army, which has about 1,200 Labradors and German Shepherds, has selected 36 canines to march down Rajpath with their handlers.0bzU.dpuf
10:14 French army soldiers march down the Rajpath
For the first time in the history of India's Republic Day Parade, a 76-member French army contingent led by a French military band consisting 48 musicians marching on Rajpath presented a ceremonial salute to the President.
The French army contingent is led by Lt Col Paul Bury.
10:11 Pram Vir Chakra awardees on the Rajpath
Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Bana Singh (Retd), Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers and Naib/Subedar Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles and Ashok Chakra winners Major General Cyrus A Pithawalla (Retd), Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Sunder Singh (Retd), Major D Sreeram Kumar, Instructor, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Lieutenant Colonel Jas Ram Singh (Retd), Honorary Naib Subedar Chhering Mutup (Retd), Shri Hukum Singh and Shri Govind Singh and Shri Bhure Lal.
10:07
The President awarded the Ashoka Chakra to Bhawna Goswami, the widow of lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami.
Goswami, a Special Forces commando of the army laid down his life while battling militants in Handwara in September, had eliminated 10 terrorists in a short span of 11 days before making the supreme sacrifice in Kashmir.
10:05 President Pranab Mukherjee arrives at Rajpath
President Pranab Mukherjee has now arrived at the Rajpath for the main event. He is ushered in by the prime minister.
The prime minister gave President Mukherjee and Hollande a warm welcome as they arrived at the main viewing gallery along Rajpath.
The prime minister gave President Mukherjee and Hollande a warm welcome as they arrived at the main viewing gallery along Rajpath.
09:57 Modi leaves for Rajpath, to welcome President Pranab
Prime Minister narendra Modi is now approaching the main stage at the Rajpath, where he will welcome President Pranab Mukherjee.
09:49
Present at the memorial were Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister of State Defence Rao Inderjit Singh, along with the three service chiefs -- Chief of the Army Staff General Dalbir Singh, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R K Dhowan.
09:47 Modi lays wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti
The prime minister is has laid the wreath at the Amar jawan Jyoti. It is followed by two minutes of silence.
09:40 French President Francois arrives at Rajpath
French President Francois Hollande, who is also the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, has arrived at the Rajpath. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will now accompany him at the Amar jawan Jyoti.
09:15 Akbaruddin presents his credentials to UN Secretary General
Senior diplomat Syed Akbaruddin has presented his credentials as India's new permanent representative to the United Nations to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Receiving the credentials yesterday, Ban welcomed his appointment as the top Indian diplomat to the UN and appreciated the significant role India plays at the powerful world body as a long-trusted partner of multilateral system. The former high-profile spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated India's commitment to the UN and assured the secretary general of his support in helping the UN achieve its ideals and priorities Ban had set out at for 2016, including that of Agenda 2030 and the quest for peaceful political solutions for all problems, an official statement said. Akbaruddin, India's 21st Permanent Representative at the UN, succeeds Asoke Mukerji who demitted office on December 31.
Prior to this appointment, Akbaruddin was the chief coordinator of the India-Africa Forum Summit -- a milestone event with participation of all 54 African states held in October 2015 in New Delhi.
08:46 French army, dog squad to march at Rajpath; parade begins shortly
The duration of the parade this year will be shorter -- from 115 minutes to nearly 90 minutes.
After 26 years, the Indian Army's dog squad, which has saved the lives of many soldiers in counter-terrorism operations, will march down Rajpath.
The army, which has about 1,200 Labradors and German Shepherds, has selected 36 canines to march down Rajpath with their handlers.
For the first time in the history of the Republic Day parade, a foreign contingent -- 130 French soldiers -- will march down Rajpath along with Indian troops in presence of French President Francoise Hollande, the chief guest this year.
08:10
The R-Day celebrations will begin at 9:25 am. Security has been tightened in the capital, turning it into a virtual fortress.
08:00 BSF camel contingent marches on Google doodle on R-Day
As a tribute on 67th Republic Day, search giant Google's doodle today showed a march of a richly caparisoned camel contingent of the Border Security Force, a major attraction at the annual parade at the Rajpath on January 26.
The doodle presents six colourfully bedecked camels with bandsmen riding their back and playing martial music, marching elegantly in one neat row as they do on the ceremonial boulevard. Each of the six camels carries a letter of the word 'Google' on their golden caparison.
The BSF is the only force in the country to have these majestic and elegantly dressed four-legged animals for both operational and ceremonial duties. They are used by BSF personnel for patrolling along the Thar Desert running along the Indo-Pak International Border in Rajasthan.
07:54
And this is the world's tallest and largest Tri-Colour -- at 66 x 99 feet, 490+ feet above surface on a 290+ feet mast hoisted at Ranchi's popular PahariMandir.
It was hoisted by Defence minister Manohar Parrikar yesterday.
07:49 Revealed: Price is holding up the Rafale deal
Nitin Gokhale, founder, BharatShakti.in, reveals what is holding up the Rafale deal.
Read it all HERE
07:43 Terrorist shot dead in Anantnag
JUST IN: One terrorist has been killed in an encounter with security forces in Anantnag in J&K. One AK-47 has been recovered from him.
More details are awaited.
07:40 India celebrates 67th Republic Day today; PM salutes Dr Ambedkar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Republic Day greetings and paid tributes to those "great personalities' who framed our Constitution.
"Tributes to all great personalities who framed our Constitution. I salute Dr. Ambedkar for his efforts as Chairman of Drafting Committee," he tweeted.
03:59 Delhi turns into fortress for Republic Day
A multi-layer security blanket has been thrown around the national capital on Republic Day eve with anti-aircraft guns and light machine guns positioned at vantage points in view of intelligence inputs that terror groups may target some important installations in the national capital.
Gunners have been given clear instructions to bring down any aerial object flying without permission. A 'NOTAM' (Notice to Airmen) has been declared from 10.35 am to 12.15 pm during which no flights will land or take off at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Special arrangements have been made at the historic Rajpath where President Pranab Mukherjee, who is the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, will be witnessing nation's military might that will be on display.
French President Francois Hollande, who is the Chief Guest of this year's Republic Day, will be seated along with Mr Mukherjee and host of VVIPs including Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
03:59 British explorer dies after getting within 30 miles of finishing solo Antarctic trek
A British adventurer attempting to become the first person to cross the Antarctic alone and unsupported has died after collapsing from exhaustion within miles of his goal.
Former army officer Henry Worsley was just 30 miles from the end of the almost 1,000-mile trek when he called for help and was airlifted off the ice Friday.
His family said Monday that Worsley, 55, died "following complete organ failure" at a hospital in Punta Arenas, Chile. He had undergone surgery a day earlier for bacterial peritonitis -- an infection of the tissue lining the abdomen, which can lead to septic shock.
Pulling supplies on a sled, Worsley was trying to complete Ernest Shackleton's attempt of a century ago to cross the Antarctic via the South Pole. Shackleton's journey turned into a desperate survival mission after his ship, the Endurance, was trapped and sunk by pack ice in 1915, leaving his team stranded.
Read more HERE
03:52 Suicide bombers strike northern Cameroon town
At least 25 people are reported to have been killed after suicide bombers struck a town in northern Cameroon near the border with Nigeria.
A local official said many of those who died had been in the market in Bodo. At least three suicide bombers were said to be involved.
The Nigeria-based militant group Boko Haram is suspected of carrying out the attack.
Last month, two female suicide bombers blew themselves up in Bodo.
Cameroon is part of a regional coalition fighting Boko Haram, along with Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Benin
03:52 Greece threatened with expulsion from Schengen over migration crisis
European Union interior ministers urged Greece on Monday to do more to control the influx of migrants, some threatening to have it excluded from the continent's prized passport-free travel zone as the crisis increasingly divides bloc members.
Greece was the main gateway to Europe for more than a million refugees and migrants who reached the EU last year. It has been criticised for a failure to control the flow of arrivals, which has shown little sign of easing over the winter.
Some member states said Athens must deliver on obligations to alleviate the crisis, which has put the passport-free Schengen zone -- hailed by many as the greatest achievement of European integration -- on the verge of collapse.
"If we cannot protect the external EU border, the Greek-Turkish border, then the Schengen external border will move towards central Europe," said Austria's Interior Minister Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner.
"Greece must increase its resources as soon as possible and accept help," she said.
Read more HERE
03:50 Severe turbulence hospitalizes 7 aboard American Airlines flight
Seven people were taken to the hospital after severe turbulence occurred on an American Airlines flight carrying 203 people from Miami to Milan, Italy, on Sunday night, the airline said.
American Airlines Flight 206 made an emergency landing at St. Johns International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada, after extreme turbulence injured several passengers, according to CNN. The flight was met by paramedics who evaluated those on board and transported three flight attendants and four passengers to the hospital, the airline said.
Passengers said the severe turbulence began about three to four hours after takeoff, and those injured were near the back of the plane, reports CBC News.
00:41 China has its own Pentagon and it's a sad, empty place
A giant shopping mall in China designed as a replica of the Pentagon has been left virtually abandoned because the space is too expensive and too confusing.
The $200 million Shanghai Pentagonal Mart, built in 2009, is bigger than the Virginia headquarters of the U.S. Defense Department, sprawling across over 70 acres.
But according to the BBC, its reportedly the largest vacant building in Shanghai and despite the demand for retail space, has sky-high rent.
At the time it was opened, the space was heralded for being a shopping meca with the potential to attract hundreds of thousands of shoppers a day. Owners Shanghai Megamall said they had signed thousands of tenants, including a number of Western brands.
But most are gone and shopkeepers say its interior is like a labyrinth, reports the People's Daily News. Only a small portion of its stores have been leased out, mainly on the outer ring, while the interior is virtually abandoned.
00:38 India second-most affected with Android malware: Report
India is not only home to one of the largest smartphone user base, but also the second-most affected in terms of Android malware with close to one million devices being infected in 2015, a report by Cheetah Mobile Security said.
India trails only China, which had 1.5 million infected devices last year. Other countries with high infection rates included Indonesia (8,00,327 devices), Russia (4,63,385), Malaysia, Mexico, the US (3,22,833), Vietnam, the Philippines and Iran.
"In 2015, China, India and Indonesia were the three-most severely-afflicted countries. Apart from large Android user bases, another reason of these countries becoming the worst-hit ones is that third-party app markets are prevailing in these areas, many of which have been contaminated by malware due to weak monitoring," the company said.
00:36 Top headlines at this hour:
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances