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Mon, 18 May 2015
Tweeter-in-chief Obama gets own account
Timeline Refresh
23:39 Ex-tennis star Bob Hewitt sentenced to six years for rape in South Africa
Former Grand Slam doubles tennis champion Bob Hewitt was sentenced to six years in prison by a South African court on Monday after being found guilty of two counts of rape and a charge of sexual assault of minors, local media reported.
The Australian-born Hewitt, 75, was found guilty of assaulting three under-age girls during his time coaching children in South Africa in the 1980s and 1990s.
Before sentencing, Hewitt pleaded with the court to take his poor health into consideration and said he had received anonymous threats warning of assault if he was put behind bars, Talk Radio 702 reported.
Read more HERE!
23:13 Tweeter-in-chief Obama gets own account
"Hello, Twitter! It's Barack. Really! Six years in, they're finally giving me my own account."
With that inaugural Tweet sent from a smart phone in the Oval Office before jumping on Marine One Monday, the President of the United States Barack Obama -- or @POTUS -- cast off security and bureaucratic chains in place since he was elected.
The account -- which already had nearly 150,000 followers in the first half hour -- will instantly become one of the world's top hacking targets, but it will also allow Obama to communicate directly for the first time.
Until now Obama has tweeted through his executive staff @WhiteHouse or the remnants of his campaign staff @BarackObama.
"The @POTUS Twitter account will serve as a new way for President Obama to engage directly with the American people, with tweets coming exclusively from him," the White House said.
The already verified account features the customary headshot of Obama, but also a background photo of him walking over the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in March, when he marked the 50th anniversary of a civil rights march that changed America.
23:12 IS takeover of Ramadi a 'setback': US military
The US military said today the fall of Ramadi to the Islamic State group was "a setback" but vowed the Iraqi government backed by American air power would eventually seize back control of the western city.
"We've said all along that there are going to be ebbs and flows. This is a difficult, complex, bloody fight," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven Warren told reporters.
"And there's going to be victories and setbacks. And this is a setback," Warren told reporters.
Citing reports of atrocities by the jihadists in Ramadi, Warren said civilians living in the city now faced the IS group's "trademark brutality."
"That said, we will retake Ramadi," he said.
"We will retake it in the same way we are slowly but surely retaking other parts of Iraq, and that is with Iraqi ground forces combined with coalition air power."
21:37 Republican Bobby Jindal launches presidential exploratory committee
Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La.) on Monday formally launched a presidential exploratory committee.
"For some time now, my wife Supriya and I have been thinking and praying about whether to run for the Presidency of our great nation," Jindal said in a statement. "If I run, my candidacy will be based on the idea that the American people are ready to try a dramatically different direction. Not a course correction, but a dramatically different path."
Jindal said he will decide whether or not to launch a full-fledged presidential campaign after the Louisiana legislative session ends on June 11.
Jindal, a Republican whos finishing up his second term as governor cant seek re-election because of term limits, has been weighing a run for the GOP nomination for several months.
He has made frequent trips to states that fall early in the presidential nominating process, like Iowa and New Hampshire.
Hes also ramped up appearances on conservative television and talk radio shows, and shifted his focus toward highlighting national policy proposals on health care and foreign policy, among other topics.
Read full story HERE.
21:28 Bus with 60 Indian Umrah pilgrims crashes in UAE; 3 killed
At least three Indians have been killed and as many as 57 others injured when a bus carrying 60 Indian Umrah pilgrims met with a road accident in the UAE. All the victims including the deceased are Dubai-based Indians from Kerala who were returning from Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah on Saturday evening.
The incident took place after the bus driver lost control near Abu Al Abbyadh, about 200 km from the Abu Dhabi city. Three people from Kerala died on the spot while 57 others sustained injuries and the condition of 12 is said to be critical. Those killed were identified as Mohammed Moulavi, 40, Abu Bakr, 46, and Abdul Latheef, 38, the Gulf News reported. Moulavi is survived by his wife and three children who are in Kerala.
Driver of the bus Abdul Latif, who is survived by his wife and three children, was assisted by another driver during the ten-day trip to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
Latif had called up his close relatives and friends on the fateful day, and shared his excitement about his travel back home next month to see his 28-day-old baby and for a planned housewarming party.
21:15 Nepal imposes ban on construction of new building projects
Nepal today imposed a two-month ban on the construction of new building projects and limited ongoing construction to two storeys following the deadly earthquakes that destroyed over 2,00,000 homes.
The ministry of local development has also put on hold the approval of new house designs for the same period. Nepal government imposed a temporary ban on all constructions of houses and buildings, including those which are already under construction or whose maps have been approved for construction before the recent earthquake.
The ban would remain in effect until July 16, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Local Development. Those structures that were built by violating the existing building codes and those weakened by the recent earthquake and its aftershocks should be immediately demolished, the statement said.
21:12 Guj CM addresses business leaders in China
Aiming to attract investment in the state, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today addressed business leaders of China during a roadshow in Guangzhou city of Guangdong province.
Patel, who is on her first foreign tour as CM also witnessed signing of 12 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) between Gujarat and Guangdong province. According to an official release, Patel today addressed over 100 business leaders of China at a Roadshow in Guangzhou city. Aiming at collaborations across various sectors, 12 MoUs were also signed, it said.
Later, Patel had high-level discussions with representatives of Guangdong Committee of the China Council for Promotion of International Trade, the release added. In her address at Guangzhou Roadshow, Patel called for developing mutual cooperation in all spheres between provinces of the two nations.
21:07 AI pilot found drunk in Sharjah let off with a warning by UAE
A senior Air India pilot, who was found to be allegedly drunk by Sharjah International Airport security just prior to flying, has been let off with a warning by the UAE authorities.
The commander of a Delhi-bound Air India flight from Sharjah via Kochi was replaced and taken off duty after security personnel at the airport suspected the behaviour of the pilot and questioned him, only to find out that he was under the influence of alcohol, the Khaleej Times reported today.
He was also arrested briefly after the Saturday incident, due to which 120 passengers of Flight AI 934 faced a delay of three hours after the airline was asked to provide another pilot.
The senior pilot was made to undergo a breathalyzer test and was found to be under the influence of alcohol, following which he was not allowed to fly the aircraft.
21:05 2014 Bengaluru IED blast: NIA likely to take over probe
The NIA is likely to take over the probe into last December's IED blast at a busy road in Bengaluru in which a woman was killed.
The Centre may issue a notification to this effect soon asking the NIA to carry out the probe into the incident that took place on December 28 when suspected militants had wrapped the improvised explosive device in a plastic bag and placed it in a bushy plant.
The restaurant is close to the fashionable Brigade Road and MG Road, dotted with bars and restaurants with teeming crowd on weekends. Initial leads suggested the role of banned SIMI behind the attack and NIA had provided all assistance to the state police during the probe.
After the blast, Karnataka police had claimed that it had busted a terror module of banned Indian Mujahideen and their role in the Bengaluru blast was being probed.
20:39 KPLT area commander killed in encounter in Assam
K Amurag reports from Guwahati: A self-styled area commander of Karbi Peoples Liberation Tigers was killed in an encounter with security forces today in Assam's Karbi Anglong district.
Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the army and police launched an operation at Bhelughat area of the district and were engaged in an encounter with a group of KPLT militants in which the top militant of the outfit was killed, a defence spokesman said.
The militant was identified as Seme Kro. The security forces recovered a 7.65 mm pistol with magazine, one live round of ammunition and some documents from the spot.
In another operation, yet another joint team of army and police apprehended a National Santhal Liberation Army militant from Silaimatha in Kokrajhar district, the spokesman added.
20:27 Boundless possibilities for cooperation with S Korea: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said there were "boundless" possibilities for cooperation with South Korea in India's economic transformation and the two countries will prosper when the region is peaceful.
"We are two major Asian democracies. We have boundless possibilities for cooperation in India's economic transformation and our shared progress," Modi said at a banquet hosted in his honour by South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
"Our destinies are linked with the future of Asia and the Pacific. We will prosper when the region is peaceful and our sea lanes are secure and free. We know that we must be secure in our cyber world and safe in our physical world," he said.
Modi lavished praise on President Park at the banquet, saying, "President Park you are a deeply admired leader in the region and the world. You have drawn personal strength from adversity. And, you have sought peace with persistence and wisdom."
20:18 Things desired by workers will happen at the right time: Jaya
Ahead of the May 22 meeting of party legislators where she is expected to be elected their leader paving the way for her return as the chief minister, AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa today said things desired by her workers will happen at the right time and that "nobody can stop" it.
Responding to the alleged suicide by a party functionary reportedly miffed over the delay in her return as CM, Jayalalithaa appealed to her supporters not to put her to grief by resorting to such extreme steps.
She said her political enemies were creating falsehoods "unable to bear our (AIADMK) rise".
"Those who have tried to defeat me have never succeeded. Rumours are being spread by them with an intention to ensure their political survival," she said in a statement, days after her acquittal in the disproportionate assets case.
She asked her party workers to ignore rumours and insisted that the AIADMK walked a path of discipline and planned strategies.
20:10 ICSE national topper from Mumbai wants to become lawyer
Ananya Patwardhan, one of the three students who topped ICSE Std X, aspires to be a lawyer and says the result, which was declared today, came as a pleasant surprise.
Ananya, a student of the Chatranbhuj Narsee Memorial School in surburban Vile Parle, secured 99.2 per cent with a score of 596 out of 600 marks.
When asked what career she would like to pursue, she said, "I want to become a lawyer."
"I sang, acted in plays, participated in elocution competition. It was not only studies and more studies for me," she said, speaking about her preparations. "I expected above 95 per cent, but didn't expect to be the national topper," Ananya said. "It hasn't sunk in yet, but it is a wonderful feeling."
Ananya, a student of the Chatranbhuj Narsee Memorial School in surburban Vile Parle, secured 99.2 per cent with a score of 596 out of 600 marks.
When asked what career she would like to pursue, she said, "I want to become a lawyer."
"I sang, acted in plays, participated in elocution competition. It was not only studies and more studies for me," she said, speaking about her preparations. "I expected above 95 per cent, but didn't expect to be the national topper," Ananya said. "It hasn't sunk in yet, but it is a wonderful feeling."
19:48 Pakistan's Islamabad airport gets blast-proof walls
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today inaugurated upgraded facilities, including a blast-proof wall, at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad that cost Rs 460 million.
Completed in nine months, it has a new building for international departure and fast track check-in counters, according to an official statement. "The new facilities have been completed at a cost of Rs 460 million and include a new taxiway," the statement said.
The construction of 1,700 feet x 75 feet taxiway link, adjacent to the lone runway which will help to save over Rs 1 billion per annum by reducing waiting time for aircraft. It is estimated that the new features will save Rs 120 million per month for airlines.
A blast-proof concrete wall has been built in front of the main terminal to separate it from the car park to make the airport more secure.
Completed in nine months, it has a new building for international departure and fast track check-in counters, according to an official statement. "The new facilities have been completed at a cost of Rs 460 million and include a new taxiway," the statement said.
The construction of 1,700 feet x 75 feet taxiway link, adjacent to the lone runway which will help to save over Rs 1 billion per annum by reducing waiting time for aircraft. It is estimated that the new features will save Rs 120 million per month for airlines.
A blast-proof concrete wall has been built in front of the main terminal to separate it from the car park to make the airport more secure.
19:45 Delhi Deputy CM writes to LG, says won't comply with your orders
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has written a lettter to Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on the ongoing row over appointments.
Sisodia in his letter to the LG says, "I received a letter from your office but what you have written in it is against the provisions of law and Constitution hence it can not be implemented. We won't comply with your order"
"In this regard the chief minister is writing a letter to the prime minister," he writes.
The turf war between the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi and Jung escalated a senior Delhi bureaucrat found himself locked out of his office. AAP has clashed head on with Jung over his decision to appoint a top officer without Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's consent.
Principal Secretary Anindo Majumdar found his office on the seventh floor of the Delhi Secretariat sealed. He was removed by Kejriwal on Saturday and was replaced by with another officer, Rajender Kumar. The Lieutenant Governor has called both decisions void in a letter. "The Chief Minister will respond appropriately to the letter," said a party source.
Sisodia in his letter to the LG says, "I received a letter from your office but what you have written in it is against the provisions of law and Constitution hence it can not be implemented. We won't comply with your order"
"In this regard the chief minister is writing a letter to the prime minister," he writes.
The turf war between the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi and Jung escalated a senior Delhi bureaucrat found himself locked out of his office. AAP has clashed head on with Jung over his decision to appoint a top officer without Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's consent.
Principal Secretary Anindo Majumdar found his office on the seventh floor of the Delhi Secretariat sealed. He was removed by Kejriwal on Saturday and was replaced by with another officer, Rajender Kumar. The Lieutenant Governor has called both decisions void in a letter. "The Chief Minister will respond appropriately to the letter," said a party source.
19:31 PM meets UN chief in South Korea, discusses key global issues
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Seoul and discussed key global issues with him.
"Discussed key global issues during the wonderful meeting with @UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon," Modi tweeted. Ban is a South Korean national. He is set to retire in 2016 after two terms.
Modi, who arrived in Seoul earlier in the day on the last leg of his three-nation tour, was accorded an official welcome at the Grand Garden.
"Discussed key global issues during the wonderful meeting with @UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon," Modi tweeted. Ban is a South Korean national. He is set to retire in 2016 after two terms.
Modi, who arrived in Seoul earlier in the day on the last leg of his three-nation tour, was accorded an official welcome at the Grand Garden.
19:26 NDA will form govt in Bihar, will accept BJP choice for CM: Paswan
Asserting that vote bank of rival parties had "ruptured" in Bihar, Lok Janshakti Party president and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today claimed that the National Democratic Alliance will form a government in the state "with two-third majority" in the assembly polls due later this year.
"Whether it is due to JD-U rebels led by Jitan Ram Manjhi or RJD dissidents led by Pappu Yadav, the vote bank of Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad has ruptured. The NDA's vote bank is neutral and united. We will form a government with two-third majority here after elections, which will be possibly held in September-October," Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan Paswan told reporters.
Dismissing reports on a tussle among NDA constituents over chief ministerial candidate and seat-sharing in the coming elections, Paswan said his party would "accept and support whoever the BJP announces as the CM candidate."
"With regard to seat-sharing, all three NDA constituents in Bihar -- the BJP, LJP and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party will decide on it together when the time comes. Our sole aim will be to win all seats that we contest," he said.
Meanwhile, commenting on the merger of six Janata Parivar parties, Paswan said he had always held it was just a merger of batons and not of parties.
"Now all of them have started wielding their sticks. Nobody is willing to accept Nitish Kumar as the leader here. RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh is already saying his party will contest 145 out of 243 assembly seats here," he said.
"Whether it is due to JD-U rebels led by Jitan Ram Manjhi or RJD dissidents led by Pappu Yadav, the vote bank of Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad has ruptured. The NDA's vote bank is neutral and united. We will form a government with two-third majority here after elections, which will be possibly held in September-October," Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan Paswan told reporters.
Dismissing reports on a tussle among NDA constituents over chief ministerial candidate and seat-sharing in the coming elections, Paswan said his party would "accept and support whoever the BJP announces as the CM candidate."
"With regard to seat-sharing, all three NDA constituents in Bihar -- the BJP, LJP and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party will decide on it together when the time comes. Our sole aim will be to win all seats that we contest," he said.
Meanwhile, commenting on the merger of six Janata Parivar parties, Paswan said he had always held it was just a merger of batons and not of parties.
"Now all of them have started wielding their sticks. Nobody is willing to accept Nitish Kumar as the leader here. RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh is already saying his party will contest 145 out of 243 assembly seats here," he said.
19:02 'Locking IAS officer's office will lead to morale collapse'
As the controversy over appointment of the Delhi chief secretary escalates, senior IAS officer Amitabh Kant today said locking up of an official's room would lead to "collapse of morale" of the officers.
"Thank God I am not posted with Delhi government. Imagine the plight of officers. Rooms getting locked without notice. Will lead to collapse of morale," Kant said in a tweet from his personal handle.
Kant is Secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) and he also tweets from official handle of DIPP on department-related matters.
The turf war between Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today turned uglier with AAP government locking the office of a senior bureaucrat, who had issued an order notifying the appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting chief secretary.
"Thank God I am not posted with Delhi government. Imagine the plight of officers. Rooms getting locked without notice. Will lead to collapse of morale," Kant said in a tweet from his personal handle.
Kant is Secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) and he also tweets from official handle of DIPP on department-related matters.
The turf war between Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today turned uglier with AAP government locking the office of a senior bureaucrat, who had issued an order notifying the appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting chief secretary.
18:21
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to meet President Pranab Mukherjee tomorrow evening at 6 pm to discuss the issue of the appointment of the principal secretary.
18:05 LIVE! Modi gifts pashmina stoles with Tagore's poetry for S Korea prez
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is in Seoul today, presented South Korean President Park Geun-Hye two finely woven pashmina stoles on which a poem that Rabindranath Tagore had written specially for Korea is hand embroidered in English and Korean. The text of Tagores poem that was published in 1929 in the Korean daily Dong-A Ilbo reads: ]
In the golden age of Asia
Korea was one of its lamp bearers
And that lamp is waiting
To be lighted once again
For the illumination of the East
India and South Korea on Monday signed seven bilateral agreements and agreed to upgrade ties to "special strategic partnership".
"Our relationship started with a strong economic emphasis. But, it has also now become strategic in content," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.
"The decision to upgrade bilateral ties reflect how seriously we take the new framework of our relationship. Republic of Korea is the second country with which India will have a diplomatic and security dialogue in 2+2 format," PM Modi said while addressing a joint press conference with South Korean President Park Geun-hye in Seoul.
PM Modi said that "we consider South Korea a crucial partner in India's economic modernization".
In the golden age of Asia
Korea was one of its lamp bearers
And that lamp is waiting
To be lighted once again
For the illumination of the East
India and South Korea on Monday signed seven bilateral agreements and agreed to upgrade ties to "special strategic partnership".
"Our relationship started with a strong economic emphasis. But, it has also now become strategic in content," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.
"The decision to upgrade bilateral ties reflect how seriously we take the new framework of our relationship. Republic of Korea is the second country with which India will have a diplomatic and security dialogue in 2+2 format," PM Modi said while addressing a joint press conference with South Korean President Park Geun-hye in Seoul.
PM Modi said that "we consider South Korea a crucial partner in India's economic modernization".
17:38 Rahul can't count beyond zero: Govt tears into 0/10 remark
Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal tears into Rahul's rating for the Modi government: "Jis insaan ko zero ke aage ginana hi nahi aata, woh ab aage kya hi ginenge? Because he (Rahul Gandhi) was a 'zero' so he viewed everyone as zero."
Earlier in the day, when Rahul was in Amethi, this is what told reporters on rating the NDA government's performance during the first year in office: "If we talk of farmers and labourers, I will give zero out of 10 (to Modi government). (But) if some industrialists and corporate houses are concerned, I will give 10 out of 10."
On a visit to his Lok Sabha constituency Amethi, Gandhi accused the Modi government of engaging in "politics of revenge" by cancelling a mega food park in Amethi and vowed to fight to get it back.
Earlier in the day, when Rahul was in Amethi, this is what told reporters on rating the NDA government's performance during the first year in office: "If we talk of farmers and labourers, I will give zero out of 10 (to Modi government). (But) if some industrialists and corporate houses are concerned, I will give 10 out of 10."
On a visit to his Lok Sabha constituency Amethi, Gandhi accused the Modi government of engaging in "politics of revenge" by cancelling a mega food park in Amethi and vowed to fight to get it back.
17:25 India 'fightback' sisters: Has the fight gone out of them?
Six months after two Indian sisters made headlines when a video showing them fight three alleged molesters on a bus went viral, there is still no clarity on what happened that afternoon and there remain many unanswered questions. BBC travels to the northern town of Rohtak to investigate. Read
17:00 Heads up, Mumbai
Devendra Fadnavis @Dev_Fadnavis tweets: Shandong Hi-Speed Group (SDHS) agrees to come to Maharashtra and partner with MSRDC & MMRDA for infrastructure development.
16:50 Gamlin meets Union Home Secretary
Meanwhile, acting Delhi Chief Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin, whose appointment has fuelled a face-off between the Arvind Kejriwal government and Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, today met Union Home Secretary LC Goyal.
The senior bureaucrat, who has been accused by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of trying to favour power companies, had a 30-minute meeting with Goyal during which Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi and Joint Secretary (Union Territory) in the Home Ministry, Rakesh Singh, too, were present.
Sources said the meeting was held to discuss "routine" administrative matters. Despite repeated queries, Gamlin kept mum about the meeting as well as the controversy surrounding her appointment as the acting Delhi Chief Secretary.
The senior bureaucrat, who has been accused by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of trying to favour power companies, had a 30-minute meeting with Goyal during which Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi and Joint Secretary (Union Territory) in the Home Ministry, Rakesh Singh, too, were present.
Sources said the meeting was held to discuss "routine" administrative matters. Despite repeated queries, Gamlin kept mum about the meeting as well as the controversy surrounding her appointment as the acting Delhi Chief Secretary.
16:37 'It took Rahul 10 months to realise Food Park was cancelled!'
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Cabinet Minister for Food Processing, lashes out at Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the Narendra Modi government over the cancelled food park in Amethi, saying, "Rahul Gandhi was never serious about the food park. It took Rahul Gandhi 10 months to realize that the Food Park project has been cancelled! He doesnt even know the exact place where this Food Park was to be setup in Amethi. The mega food park was a mega lie," she said.
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today said he was visiting foreign countries but not the homes of farmers back home and that he would give "zero out of 10" to the NDA government for dealing with farming community.
On a visit to his Lok Sabha constituency Amethi, Gandhi accused the Modi government of engaging in "politics of revenge" by cancelling a mega food park in Amethi and vowed to fight to get it back.
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today said he was visiting foreign countries but not the homes of farmers back home and that he would give "zero out of 10" to the NDA government for dealing with farming community.
On a visit to his Lok Sabha constituency Amethi, Gandhi accused the Modi government of engaging in "politics of revenge" by cancelling a mega food park in Amethi and vowed to fight to get it back.
16:22
PM Modi meets with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Seoul.
16:03 RIP Aruna Shanbaug, KEM nurses say final goodbyes
Nurses at the King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital at Parel, Mumbai, say their final goodbyes to Aruna Shanbaug, a former nurse, they looked after for the last 42 years. Her last rites are being held at KEM Hospital.
Shanbaug, who lived in a vegetative state for the past 42 years after being brutally sexually assaulted at the KEM Hospital in Mumbai and became the face of the debate on euthanasia in India, died on Monday.
Sixty-six-year-old Aruna, who was one of the comatose patients for the longest duration of time, was put on ventilator support in the ICU of the hospital at Parel after she suffered from a serious bout of pneumonia last week.
Aruna was working as a staff nurse at the KEM Hospital when on November 27, 1973, she was raped by ward boy Sohanlal Bhartha Walmiki. He had strangled her with a dog chain. The asphyxiation cut off oxygen supply to her brain, leaving her in a vegetative state since then.
Sohanlal was caught and convicted, and served two concurrent seven-year sentences for assault and robbery, but neither for rape or sexual molestation, nor for the alleged "unnatural sexual offence."
After her brutal assault, Shanbaug had been the special occupant of a room attached to ward No 4 on the ground floor of KEM Hospital. She was attended to by nurses all these years, who took care of her food and other necessities.Nearly 38 years after she suffered the brutal assault, the Supreme Court had on January 24, 2011 responded to the plea for euthanasia filed by journalists Pinki Virani, by setting up a medical panel to examine her.
Virani had moved the Supreme Court seeking euthanasia for Aruna. The court turned down the mercy killing petition on March 7, 2011.
However, it allowed "passive euthanasia" of withdrawing life support to patients in permanently vegetative state but rejected outright active euthanasia of ending life through administration of lethal substances.
Picture courtesy: @InfoMumbai
Shanbaug, who lived in a vegetative state for the past 42 years after being brutally sexually assaulted at the KEM Hospital in Mumbai and became the face of the debate on euthanasia in India, died on Monday.
Sixty-six-year-old Aruna, who was one of the comatose patients for the longest duration of time, was put on ventilator support in the ICU of the hospital at Parel after she suffered from a serious bout of pneumonia last week.
Aruna was working as a staff nurse at the KEM Hospital when on November 27, 1973, she was raped by ward boy Sohanlal Bhartha Walmiki. He had strangled her with a dog chain. The asphyxiation cut off oxygen supply to her brain, leaving her in a vegetative state since then.
Sohanlal was caught and convicted, and served two concurrent seven-year sentences for assault and robbery, but neither for rape or sexual molestation, nor for the alleged "unnatural sexual offence."
After her brutal assault, Shanbaug had been the special occupant of a room attached to ward No 4 on the ground floor of KEM Hospital. She was attended to by nurses all these years, who took care of her food and other necessities.Nearly 38 years after she suffered the brutal assault, the Supreme Court had on January 24, 2011 responded to the plea for euthanasia filed by journalists Pinki Virani, by setting up a medical panel to examine her.
Virani had moved the Supreme Court seeking euthanasia for Aruna. The court turned down the mercy killing petition on March 7, 2011.
However, it allowed "passive euthanasia" of withdrawing life support to patients in permanently vegetative state but rejected outright active euthanasia of ending life through administration of lethal substances.
Picture courtesy: @InfoMumbai
15:05 Meri Jung 2.0: New principal secy's appointment void, Delhi LG tells Kejri
And the battle between Kejriwal and Jung.
Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung writes to CM Arvind Kejriwal saying the appointment of Rajinder Kumar as Principal Secretary is void. The Delhi Govt had appointed Rajendra Kumar as Principal Secretary to replace Anindo Majumdar. It had issued a statement this morning saying the
voiding of Majumdar's removal was not the LG's Jurisdiction. It said that the Delhi government has not received any communication from the LG officially. It said that Majumdar's powers have been transferred to Delhi Principal Secretary Rajinder Kumar.
Principal Secretary (Services) Anindo Majumdar, who was transferred by the Delhi government has been locked out of his office at the Delhi secretariat. Majumdar had issued the order of posting of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary on the direction of Lt Governor Najeeb Jung.
However, the LG, who is at loggerheads with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over Gamlin's appointment as Chief Secretary, overturned the decision in the evening saying that Majumdar's removal does not have his approval and declared it as void.
"Majumdar has been transfered from his post. However, he has been kept awaiting new posting order," said a senior government official.
Sources said that Kejriwal was not happy with the way Gamlin was appointed as acting Chief Secretary by the Lt Governor and Majumdar "instantly" issued her posting orders.
Sources said that Gamlin has been asked to explain her postings held in the last three years. In his letter to Kejriwal on May 9, Power Minister Satyendra Jain had accused Gamlin of of lobbying within the government to promote the "interest of Reliance-owned power companies" and uged him to relieve her of the charge of Principal Secretary (Power).
In a diatribe against Jung, Arvind Kejriwal today asked him to review his "questionable" decision to appoint Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary of Delhi and work within the "confines" of the Constitution.
Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung writes to CM Arvind Kejriwal saying the appointment of Rajinder Kumar as Principal Secretary is void. The Delhi Govt had appointed Rajendra Kumar as Principal Secretary to replace Anindo Majumdar. It had issued a statement this morning saying the
voiding of Majumdar's removal was not the LG's Jurisdiction. It said that the Delhi government has not received any communication from the LG officially. It said that Majumdar's powers have been transferred to Delhi Principal Secretary Rajinder Kumar.
Principal Secretary (Services) Anindo Majumdar, who was transferred by the Delhi government has been locked out of his office at the Delhi secretariat. Majumdar had issued the order of posting of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary on the direction of Lt Governor Najeeb Jung.
However, the LG, who is at loggerheads with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over Gamlin's appointment as Chief Secretary, overturned the decision in the evening saying that Majumdar's removal does not have his approval and declared it as void.
"Majumdar has been transfered from his post. However, he has been kept awaiting new posting order," said a senior government official.
Sources said that Kejriwal was not happy with the way Gamlin was appointed as acting Chief Secretary by the Lt Governor and Majumdar "instantly" issued her posting orders.
Sources said that Gamlin has been asked to explain her postings held in the last three years. In his letter to Kejriwal on May 9, Power Minister Satyendra Jain had accused Gamlin of of lobbying within the government to promote the "interest of Reliance-owned power companies" and uged him to relieve her of the charge of Principal Secretary (Power).
In a diatribe against Jung, Arvind Kejriwal today asked him to review his "questionable" decision to appoint Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary of Delhi and work within the "confines" of the Constitution.
14:44 India, South Korea sign 7 bilateral agreements from taxation to transport
PM Modi's address at the Indian Community Reception in South Korea. Seven Bilateral Agreements were signed in areas ranging from taxation to transport. Key points...
"I thank President Park for this warm welcome. I'm pleased to visit South Korea in my first year as PM.
"We consider Korea a crucial partner in India's economic modernisation. Our relationship started with a strong economic emphasis. But, it has also now become strategic in content.
"We consider Korea a crucial partner in India's modernization. I am here at time of renewed momentum in India's economy. I am pleased that we have agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to Special Strategic Partnership'.
"I had excellent discussions with President Park today. Her own visit to India in January 2014 had a big impact in our relations. Korea's rapid progress has made the vision of an Asian century stronger.
"President Park and I see vast opportunities for Korean companies to participate in our Make in India Mission. We will also establish a channel Korea Plus to facilitate their investment and operations in India.
"Pleased that we have agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to Special Strategic Partnership'. Decisions today reflect how seriously we take the new framework of our relationship. We also had productive discussions on international issues. Korean companies have the aid to succeed in India."
"I thank President Park for this warm welcome. I'm pleased to visit South Korea in my first year as PM.
"We consider Korea a crucial partner in India's economic modernisation. Our relationship started with a strong economic emphasis. But, it has also now become strategic in content.
"We consider Korea a crucial partner in India's modernization. I am here at time of renewed momentum in India's economy. I am pleased that we have agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to Special Strategic Partnership'.
"I had excellent discussions with President Park today. Her own visit to India in January 2014 had a big impact in our relations. Korea's rapid progress has made the vision of an Asian century stronger.
"President Park and I see vast opportunities for Korean companies to participate in our Make in India Mission. We will also establish a channel Korea Plus to facilitate their investment and operations in India.
"Pleased that we have agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to Special Strategic Partnership'. Decisions today reflect how seriously we take the new framework of our relationship. We also had productive discussions on international issues. Korean companies have the aid to succeed in India."
14:32 Behaviour towards civil servants has to be dignified: MoS PMO
Amid the controversy over appointment of Delhi's acting Chief Secretary, Union Minister Jitendra Singh today stressed on the need of maintaining dignified behaviour towards civil service officers. Singh said there may be less controversial ways of handling the issue.
"Without getting into any kind of politics, on behalf of Department of Personnel and Training, I can only say that behaviour towards civil services officers should be in a way that befits their dignity and posts hold by them," he said.
Singh said if any controversies crop up, there may be some other ways of solving them which are less controversial and more dignified.
"Without getting into any kind of politics, on behalf of Department of Personnel and Training, I can only say that behaviour towards civil services officers should be in a way that befits their dignity and posts hold by them," he said.
Singh said if any controversies crop up, there may be some other ways of solving them which are less controversial and more dignified.
14:01 Pak clerics declare suicide attacks 'un-Islamic'
At least 200 religious scholars in Pakistan have issued a fatwa terming suicide attacks as "un-Islamic" and said the Islamic governments are bound to crush rebel groups like the Taliban, ISIS and al-Qaeda.
"Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Boko Haram, Al-Shabab and other such so-called Jihadi outfit's philosophy is misleading. Their functioning is un-Islamic and thinking based on poor knowledge of Islam," said the fatwa issued by clerics belonging to different Islamic sects after a conference held yesterday.
"The Jihad methodology of these outfits (are) against Islamic conditions for Jihad and that the elements involved in sectarian killings are guilty of 'fasad' (violence) as Islam does not allow any killing in the name of sect and the Islamic governments are bound to crush such rebels," it said.
The fatwa also declared those opposing anti-polio drive and killing the women health workers as the "worst criminals". The Taliban are opposed to anti-polio drive and have killed scores of polio workers, including women.
"Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Boko Haram, Al-Shabab and other such so-called Jihadi outfit's philosophy is misleading. Their functioning is un-Islamic and thinking based on poor knowledge of Islam," said the fatwa issued by clerics belonging to different Islamic sects after a conference held yesterday.
"The Jihad methodology of these outfits (are) against Islamic conditions for Jihad and that the elements involved in sectarian killings are guilty of 'fasad' (violence) as Islam does not allow any killing in the name of sect and the Islamic governments are bound to crush such rebels," it said.
The fatwa also declared those opposing anti-polio drive and killing the women health workers as the "worst criminals". The Taliban are opposed to anti-polio drive and have killed scores of polio workers, including women.
13:53 Filmmakers are fools to shoot in Switzerland, try Kashmir: Salman
Terming Kashmir as the most beautiful place on the earth, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan said filmmakers were fools to shoot in Switzerland when they can get everything in the Valley.
"Kashmir is a beautiful place. I am in love with this place. We are fools that we go to Switzerland for shooting our films when we have everything here. There are so many places to explore here on films," Salman told reporters last evening.
The actor, 49, who is currently shooting Kabir Khan's "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" here, said more people should come to Kashmir be it for films shoot or for vacations.
"Be it for films, family vacations or honeymoon, people should visit this place. It is the most beautiful place on planet earth. The people are very gentle, well mannered, beautiful and simple. I enjoyed my stay here and Insha Allah (God willing) will again visit very soon.
"I request all that the way I came here, they should visit too. If you have not seen Kashmir, then you have not seen anything," he said.
The actor said he wanted the tourism to grow in the Valley and that was the prime reason for shooting the film in Kashmir. "I wanted to come here for 'Dabangg' also, but it did not materialize. Our prime reason for shooting here was to promote tourism in the Valley. We are here to invite the whole country, foreign countries"
"Kashmir is a beautiful place. I am in love with this place. We are fools that we go to Switzerland for shooting our films when we have everything here. There are so many places to explore here on films," Salman told reporters last evening.
The actor, 49, who is currently shooting Kabir Khan's "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" here, said more people should come to Kashmir be it for films shoot or for vacations.
"Be it for films, family vacations or honeymoon, people should visit this place. It is the most beautiful place on planet earth. The people are very gentle, well mannered, beautiful and simple. I enjoyed my stay here and Insha Allah (God willing) will again visit very soon.
"I request all that the way I came here, they should visit too. If you have not seen Kashmir, then you have not seen anything," he said.
The actor said he wanted the tourism to grow in the Valley and that was the prime reason for shooting the film in Kashmir. "I wanted to come here for 'Dabangg' also, but it did not materialize. Our prime reason for shooting here was to promote tourism in the Valley. We are here to invite the whole country, foreign countries"
13:46 500 killed, 8,000 fled as Ramadi fell to ISIS: Iraq official
A spokesman for the governor of Iraq's Anbar province said today that about 500 people, both civilians and Iraqi soldiers, are estimated to have been killed over the past few days as the city of Ramadi fell to the Islamic State group.
The estimates follow a shocking defeat as Islamic State seized control of the Anbar provincial capital yesterday, sending Iraqi forces fleeing in a major loss despite the support of US-led airstrikes targeting the extremists. Bodies, some burned, littered the streets as local officials reported the militants carried out mass killings of Iraqi security forces and civilians. Online video showed Humvees, trucks and other equipment speeding out of Ramadi, with soldiers gripping onto their sides.
"We do not have an accurate count yet," said the spokesman, Muhannad Haimour. "We estimate that 500 people have been killed, both civilians and military, and approximately 8,000 have fled the city." The estimates are for the past three days, since Friday, when the battle for the city reached its final stages.
The 8,000 figure is in addition to the enormous exodus in April, Haimour said, when the UN said as many as 114,000 residents fled from Ramadi and surrounding villages at the height of the violence.
The estimates follow a shocking defeat as Islamic State seized control of the Anbar provincial capital yesterday, sending Iraqi forces fleeing in a major loss despite the support of US-led airstrikes targeting the extremists. Bodies, some burned, littered the streets as local officials reported the militants carried out mass killings of Iraqi security forces and civilians. Online video showed Humvees, trucks and other equipment speeding out of Ramadi, with soldiers gripping onto their sides.
"We do not have an accurate count yet," said the spokesman, Muhannad Haimour. "We estimate that 500 people have been killed, both civilians and military, and approximately 8,000 have fled the city." The estimates are for the past three days, since Friday, when the battle for the city reached its final stages.
The 8,000 figure is in addition to the enormous exodus in April, Haimour said, when the UN said as many as 114,000 residents fled from Ramadi and surrounding villages at the height of the violence.
13:37 Yet another fire at New Market, Kolkata
Fire breaks out in Kolkata's New Market, 12 fire tenders have rushed to the spot. The fire is at the fish market in New Market. Shop owners say fire tenders arrived late. Eyewitnesses say there wasn't enough water to douse the fire.
The New Market area which consist of over a century old SS Hogg Market, Shreeram Arcade, the New Empire cinema hall and a variety of standalone shops and restaurants, is one of the premier shopping centers of the city.
Fires have broken out at the New Market area almost every year. The fire started almost an hour ago and the flames have yet to be doused. The fish market is in a very crowded area and road access for the fire tinders are difficult.
The New Market area which consist of over a century old SS Hogg Market, Shreeram Arcade, the New Empire cinema hall and a variety of standalone shops and restaurants, is one of the premier shopping centers of the city.
Fires have broken out at the New Market area almost every year. The fire started almost an hour ago and the flames have yet to be doused. The fish market is in a very crowded area and road access for the fire tinders are difficult.
13:19 Shiv Sena takes dim view of Modi's China visit
Resfusing to share in the euphoria of ally BJP over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's China visit, Shiv Sena today accused the neighbouring country of pursuing a policy of "hugging from the front and stabbing from behind".
"Our experience has shown that China believes in hugging from the front and stabbing from behind. On one hand they gave a grand welcome to Prime Minister Modi during his visit to China, and on the other, wiped off Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh from India's map," said an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece, 'Saamana'.
Reporting on the Indian Prime Minister's visit, China's state-owned television, CCTV, showed an India map without Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory.
Sena said India needs to realise that this act shows China will not mend its ways as far as the issue of its using India maps excluding Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir was concerned.
"Our experience has shown that China believes in hugging from the front and stabbing from behind. On one hand they gave a grand welcome to Prime Minister Modi during his visit to China, and on the other, wiped off Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh from India's map," said an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece, 'Saamana'.
Reporting on the Indian Prime Minister's visit, China's state-owned television, CCTV, showed an India map without Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory.
Sena said India needs to realise that this act shows China will not mend its ways as far as the issue of its using India maps excluding Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir was concerned.
13:17 PM travelling the world, has no time for farmers: Rahul in Amethi
Rahul Gandhi on Amethi Food Park: "BJP is trying to take revenge, I will not accept it, I will keep fighting. PM hasn't visited the family of a single farmer. The PM is travelling the world, not visiting farmers. He has no time for farmers."
13:04 Will Lieutenant Governor Jung survive AAP onslaught?
How Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung handles the fight with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the issue of appointment of a chief secretary will be an interesting insight into his personality, says Aditi Phadnis. Read
13:01 How Indira lit up & sniffed out a friend
Few people now remember that when India fought a difficult diplomatic battle with its back to the wall for the creation of Bangladesh four decades ago, it had one unwavering ally: Mongolia.In 1972, when Indira Gandhi instructed India's permanent mission in New York to move a resolution in the UN General Assembly for recognising the new nation that had seceded from Pakistan and drum up support, it could persuade no more than two countries to co-sponsor that resolution. One of those two co-sponsors was Mongolia; the other was Bhutan. Read more
12:59 Modi takes another jibe at UPA; says it's time to 'Act East'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today took another jibe at previous governments which practiced 'Look East' policy, saying India has had enough of it and it's time to 'Act East'.
"Earlier, it was 'Look East Policy'. We have had enough of looking east. We now have 'Act East Policy' -- a key component of my government's foreign policy," Modi told Indian diaspora during a community reception at the Kyung Hee University in the South Korean capital.
'Look East' policy was first coined by the Narasimha Rao government in the 1990s and has been followed by the successive governments. Modi also referred to economic experts saying that in the five-member BRICS grouping India was struggling but since last year (after his government came to power) things have changed.
"Since the last one year, the world is now saying that I (India) is an important segment of BRICS and the grouping can not be imagined without I (India)," said Modi, who arrived here from Mongolia today on the last leg of his three-nation tour which also took him to China.
"Earlier, it was 'Look East Policy'. We have had enough of looking east. We now have 'Act East Policy' -- a key component of my government's foreign policy," Modi told Indian diaspora during a community reception at the Kyung Hee University in the South Korean capital.
'Look East' policy was first coined by the Narasimha Rao government in the 1990s and has been followed by the successive governments. Modi also referred to economic experts saying that in the five-member BRICS grouping India was struggling but since last year (after his government came to power) things have changed.
"Since the last one year, the world is now saying that I (India) is an important segment of BRICS and the grouping can not be imagined without I (India)," said Modi, who arrived here from Mongolia today on the last leg of his three-nation tour which also took him to China.
12:35 Delhi govt: Majumdar reinstatement not in LG's jurisdiction
The Delhi Govt on Anindo Majumdar: The voiding of Majumdar's removal was not the LG's Jurisdiction. Delhi government has not received any communication from the LG officially. Majumdar's powers have been transferred to Delhi Principal Secretary Rajendra Kumar.
12:25 IAS officer at loggerheads with Kejriwal locked out of office by Delhi govt
The Principal Secretary (Services) Anindo Majumdar, who was transferred by the Delhi government has been locked out of his office at the Delhi secretariat. Majumdar had issued the order of posting of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary on the direction of Lt Governor Najeeb Jung.
However, the LG, who is at loggerheads with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over Gamlin's appointment as Chief Secretary, overturned the decision in the evening saying that Majumdar's removal does not have his approval and declared it as void.
"Majumdar has been transfered from his post. However, he has been kept awaiting new posting order," said a senior government official.
Sources said that Kejriwal was not happy with the way Gamlin was appointed as acting Chief Secretary by the Lt Governor and Majumdar "instantly" issued her posting orders.
Sources said that Gamlin has been asked to explain her postings held in the last three years. In his letter to Kejriwal on May 9, Power Minister Satyendra Jain had accused Gamlin of of lobbying within the government to promote the "interest of Reliance-owned power companies" and uged him to relieve her of the charge of Principal Secretary (Power).
In a diatribe against Jung, Arvind Kejriwal today asked him to review his "questionable" decision to appoint Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary of Delhi and work within the "confines" of the Constitution.
However, the LG, who is at loggerheads with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over Gamlin's appointment as Chief Secretary, overturned the decision in the evening saying that Majumdar's removal does not have his approval and declared it as void.
"Majumdar has been transfered from his post. However, he has been kept awaiting new posting order," said a senior government official.
Sources said that Kejriwal was not happy with the way Gamlin was appointed as acting Chief Secretary by the Lt Governor and Majumdar "instantly" issued her posting orders.
Sources said that Gamlin has been asked to explain her postings held in the last three years. In his letter to Kejriwal on May 9, Power Minister Satyendra Jain had accused Gamlin of of lobbying within the government to promote the "interest of Reliance-owned power companies" and uged him to relieve her of the charge of Principal Secretary (Power).
In a diatribe against Jung, Arvind Kejriwal today asked him to review his "questionable" decision to appoint Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary of Delhi and work within the "confines" of the Constitution.
11:59
The ceremonial welcome for the PM in Seoul.
11:56 Let's do business: PM Modi meets S Korea President Park Geun-hye
PM Narendra Modi and South Korea President Park Geun-hye meet in Seoul. Ahead of the meeting Modi was given a welcoming ceremony amid much fanfare.
Addressing a gathering of Indians in South Korea, Prime Minister Modi today said that in his one year in power, the world's perception of India had changed and people had become excited about returning to their country.
"Earlier citizens of India used to regret being born here. They all wanted to leave the country for better opportunities. Now they are ready to return even if they earn less in India than abroad," PM Modi said at a reception organized by the Indian community in Seoul.
Modi said he was offering one miracle antidote for India's problems. "That booti (medicinal herb) is development," he said, adding, "Development is not just about constructing big buildings or good roads. I want to improve the quality of life."
Addressing a gathering of Indians in South Korea, Prime Minister Modi today said that in his one year in power, the world's perception of India had changed and people had become excited about returning to their country.
"Earlier citizens of India used to regret being born here. They all wanted to leave the country for better opportunities. Now they are ready to return even if they earn less in India than abroad," PM Modi said at a reception organized by the Indian community in Seoul.
Modi said he was offering one miracle antidote for India's problems. "That booti (medicinal herb) is development," he said, adding, "Development is not just about constructing big buildings or good roads. I want to improve the quality of life."
11:49
Rahul Gandhi is in Barabanki: Speaking to the media he said the Food park would have changed the face of these districts and Amethi. Farmers would have benefited.
11:43
Rahul Gandhi arrives in Haidergarh (Barabanki district, UP), en route to Amethi.
11:25 Aruna Shanbaug to cremated at 12:30 pm
Dr Ahmad Pazare, head of the medicine department, at KEM Hospital said, "She was recovering and all her other medical parameters were fine. Today she suffered a sudden attack and could not be saved."
Aruna Shanbaug's final rites will be conducted at the hospital at 12.30 pm. The 67-year-old was slowly recovering, doctors treating her at civic-run KEM hospital- her home for last 42 years said on Sunday.
Aruna Shanbaug's final rites will be conducted at the hospital at 12.30 pm. The 67-year-old was slowly recovering, doctors treating her at civic-run KEM hospital- her home for last 42 years said on Sunday.
11:12
BJP's MA Naqvi on Rahul's impending Amethi visit: "Rahul-ji should think about the fact that every time he goes to his constituency it becomes news because he goes so rarely."
11:09 Rahul to begin 3-day visit in Amethi, his first since sabbatical
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi begins a three-day visit to Amethi in Uttar Pradesh today, amid accusations from the BJP that he has neglected the constituency, which he has represented for over a decade.
Gandhi, who was away on a two-month sabbatical abroad since February, last visited Amethi in December 2014. The BJP's Smriti Irani, also the education minister at the Centre, pre-empted Gandhi's visit by landing in Amethi last week and attacking the Congress vice-president.
Smriti Irani last week attacked Rahul Gandhi on his home turf on the food park issue, charging that he was more interested in protecting the interests of a business house and was ignoring the plight of farmers.
Gandhi, who was away on a two-month sabbatical abroad since February, last visited Amethi in December 2014. The BJP's Smriti Irani, also the education minister at the Centre, pre-empted Gandhi's visit by landing in Amethi last week and attacking the Congress vice-president.
Smriti Irani last week attacked Rahul Gandhi on his home turf on the food park issue, charging that he was more interested in protecting the interests of a business house and was ignoring the plight of farmers.
On a visit to Amethi to meet farmers affected by unseasonal rains and hailstorm, the BJP leader said, "When Rahul Gandhi spoke for the first time in Amethi, he was talking for a business house. He did not speak for the farmers of Amethi.
"If you look at the documents of district officials, you will understand that from 2010 to 2014, the land was not provided by Congress. Whatever help had to be given for gas was not given for long, she said to a question on the food park."
10:53
PM Modi has an eye on India while in Seol. @PMOIndia tweets: Want to thank all political parties for the passing of India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement: PM @narendramodi
10:51
Will the debate on euthanasia be rekindled after Arun Shanbaug's death? Read the 2009 BBC column on the whether India allow euthanasia.
10:43 BRICS is not possible without 'I' in IT: Modi in Seoul
I decided to meet all of you at the very beginning of my Korea trip, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Indian community reception in South Korea. The reception is is being attended by around 1,500 members.
In the beginning of 21st century, the world economists said the economic activities of BRICS nation will be a part of the world. But in the last 10-15 years, they said that 'I' in BRICS is dwindling, says Modi.
'Act East' policy is an important part of my foreign policy. Earlier it used to be 'Look East' policy, says Modi.
10:27 Mumbai nurse Aruna Shanbaug, who was in coma for 42 years, passes away
Aruna Shanbaug, the Mumbai nurse, who was raped by a hospital staff member in 1973 and has been in coma ever since, passed away this morning.
Doctors at Mumbai's state-run KEM Hospital, where she worked and was raped, said Shanbaug was suffering from pneumonia and was on ventilator support, but added that her condition is improving.
Image: A file photograph of Arun Shanbag in KEM Hospital, Mumbai. Photograph by Mukesh Parpiani
10:15 ISIS seizes control of key Iraqi city Ramadi, government forces pull back
The key Iraqi city of Ramadi fell to ISIS on Sunday after government security forces pulled out of a military base on the west side of the city, officials said.
The ISIS advances came after militants detonated a series of morning car bomb blasts, Mayor Dalaf al-Kubaisy and a high-ranking Iraqi security official said.
The explosions forced Iraqi security forces and tribal fighters to retreat to the city's east, they said.
10:12 Task force to study growing habitat of Asiatic lions in Guj
Gujarat government has decided to form a high-level task force to study the growing habitat of Asiatic lions, after the latest census revealed that their population has increased outside the protected area of Gir National Park and Sanctuary.
The forest department will form the task force to analyse the census data in the wake of growing lion population outside Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, the sole home of the Asiatic lions, officials said.
09:51 Bob Dylan set to appear on David Letterman show
American singer Bob Dylan is set to make a rare television appearance during David Letterman's last week as host of "The Late Show with David Letterman". Dylan will appear alongside Bill Murray as two of the veteran talkshow host's final guests, Billboard reported.
The appearance will be Dylan's first on the show since 1993, shortly after the series moved from NBC to CBS, and Murray's 44th appearance in total.
09:46 Aus agencies to confirm reports of teenager killed in Iraq
Australian security agencies are trying to confirm reports of another teenager been killed in Iraq while fighting alongside dreaded IS group.
A latest report has emerged about a 19 year old teenager Irfaan Hussein from Melbourne who according to his family died while fighting with members of Islamic State (IS) in middle east, according to ABC news.
08:38 Rahul Gandhi to begin 3-day visit to Amethi today
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will be on a three-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Amethi starting today.
He will address a public meeting in Kasara village on Tuesday.
Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Rajiv Singh said that Gandhi will "inaugurate a number of projects completed from his MP fund including marriage houses, solar water pumps and some roads."
08:15 9 dead, several others injured in Texas shooting
At least nine people were killed and several others injured after a shootout erupted between rival biker gangs at a restaurant in the US state of Texas, police said today.
Eight people died at the scene of the shooting at Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco about noon and another person died later at a hospital, local media reported.
08:14 Queen Elizabeth II to visit Nazi camp where Anne Frank died
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is to visit the site of Nazi concentration camp Bergen-Belsen during her state visit to Germany next month, Buckingham Palace has said.
The 89-year-old queen and her husband Prince Philip will visit what remains of the camp and see a memorial to Anne Frank, the teenage Jewish diarist who died of typhus there in 1945.
08:13 Indian-American policeman wins prestigious police award
An 44-year-old Indian-American policeman has been awarded the prestigious "Top Civilian Supervisor of the Year" award for his efficient services to the Houston Police department in the US state of Texas.
Harkeert Singh Saini received the award from Police Chief Charles A McClelland And Houston Mayor Anise Parker during a function held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel earlier this week.
08:12 PM Modi arrives in South Korea on final leg of 3-nation tour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Seoul today on the last leg of his three-nation visit during which he will hold talks with the South Korean leadership aiming to give a fillip to economic and trade cooperation.
A slew of agreements are expected to be signed during the visit including one on Double Taxation Avoidance Convention, cooperation in shipping and logistics, audiovisual co-production, transport, highways and electric power development in new energy industries.
08:10 Top headlines in that last 24 hours
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