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Wed, 27 July 2016
Morocco says 52 arrested planning to set up IS branch
Timeline Refresh
23:36 Morocco says 52 arrested planning to set up IS branch
Morocco today announced the arrests of 52 suspects planning to set up a branch of the Islamic State jihadist group and carry out attacks in the North African country.
The suspects have been detained and will go on trial once an investigation has been completed, the interior ministry said.
"The arrested individuals planned to set up a vilayet (province) in Morocco affiliated to Daesh," it said, using an Arabic acronym for IS.
It said the arrests had foiled "terrorist plots at a very advanced stage of preparation on prisons, security establishments, festivals and leisure centres in several cities of Morocco, apart from assassinations of security
officials, soldiers and tourists".
The suspects had been using social media to drum up propaganda for IS and to enrol young recruits to join up and travel to conflict zones, the ministry said.
23:17 Wifes bomb hoax caused security scare at Geneva airport
A woman who wanted to stop her husband boarding a plane at Geneva has admitted making a false bomb threat, prosecutors said on Wednesday (July 27), after hours of tightened security that caused traffic chaos around the airport on the French-Swiss border.
Yesterday in the evening, a woman called Swiss customs at Geneva airport. She said that today a person carrying a bomb would be in the French sector of the airport, the Geneva prosecutors office said in a statement.
The Swiss authorities traced the number to Annecy in France, some 45kms from Geneva, where French police raided an address. They found a woman who admitted to having made the call and explained that she wanted thereby to prevent her husband from leaving, the statement said.
21:45 Trump challenges Russia to find Clinton's missing emails
Donald Trump on Wednesday said he hopes Hillary Clintons deleted emails have fallen into the hands of Russian hackers.
If they hacked, they probably have her 33,000 emails. I hope they do, Trump said at a press conference at his resort in Doral, Florida.
The Republican presidential nominee was referring to the widely held suspicion that Russia is responsible for hacking the Democratic National Committees servers, resulting in the leak of tens of thousands of emails just days before the partys nominating convention in Philadelphia.
Trump said that he hoped the hackers had also accessed Clintons private email servers. They probably have her 33,000 emails that she lost and deleted.
20:54 The world's at war, but not a war of religions: Pope Francis
The world is at war, but it is not a war of religions, Pope Francis said today as he traveled to Poland on his first visit to Central and Eastern Europe in the shadow of the slaying of a priest in France.
The killing of an 85-year-old priest in a Normandy church yesterday added to security fears surrounding Francis' five-day visit for the World Youth Day celebrations, which were already high due to a string of violent attacks in France and Germany.
Polish officials say they have deployed tens of thousands of security officials to cover the event.
Francis spoke to reporters on the papal plane en route from Rome to Poland.
Asked about the slaying of the priest, Francis replied: "It's war, we don't have to be afraid to say this." After greeting reporters on his papal plane he returned to the topic to clarify that when he speaks of war, he is speaking of "a war of interests, for money, resources. ... I am not speaking of a war of religions. Religions don't want war. The others want war."
20:47 Explosion rocks migration office near Nuremberg, say reports
An explosion has reportedly gone off near an office for migration in Germany.
The blast occurred close to the federal building in Zirndorf, near Nuremberg, this afternoon, according to local media.
German broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk said that a suitcase filled with aerosols was detonated, adding that it was unknown who had caused the explosion.
Further details remain unclear at this time.
It comes just days after a Syrian asylum seeker blew himself up in the southern German town of Ansbach.
The bomber was influenced by an unknown person in a chat conversation on his mobile phone, Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said today.
More details awaited.
20:45 Ronald Reagan shooter John Hinckley Jr to be released
A federal judge on Wednesday granted John Hinckley Jr., the man who shot President Ronald Reagan in 1981, "full-time convalescent leave" from St. Elizabeth's Hospital.
The order allows Hinckley, Jr. to live full-time in Williamsburg, Virginia, but still under certain restrictions.
Hinckley and his lawyers appeared in federal court in April 2015 and argued that he had been successfully rehabilitated from his illness and that he deserved a release. But prosecutors worried that his family, struggling to pay the bills to treat his illness, could afford to take care of him.
20:40 Explosion rocks migration office near Nuremberg, say reports
An explosion has reportedly gone off near an office for migration in Germany.
The blast occurred close to the federal building in Zirndorf, near Nuremberg, this afternoon, according to local media.
Further details remain unclear at this time.
It comes just days after a Syrian asylum seeker blew himself up in the southern German town of Ansbach.
The bomber was influenced by an unknown person in a chat conversation on his mobile phone, Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said today.
More details awaited.
20:24 Beef export prohibited, no subsidy offered, says govt
The government on Wednesday clarified that beef export is prohibited and no subsidy is being provided for the same.
"No," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha to a question whether any subsidy is being provided for export of cow meat.
"As per the existing foreign trade policy, export of beef (meat of cows, oxen and calf) is prohibited and not permitted to export," she said.
Replying to a separate query, she said the government has so far recognised 180 applicants who had submitted required documents as per the definition of a start-up.
A start-up is an entity, incorporated or registered in India not prior to five years, with annual turnover not exceeding Rs 25 crore in any preceding financial year, working towards innovation, development, deployment or
commercialisation of new products, processes or services driven by technology or intellectual property.
20:06
The Reserve Bank of India has imposed Rs 27-crore penalty on 13 public and private sector banks for violation of KYC norms.
Eight others including SBI, ICICI, Axis, StanChart asked to put in place measures to ensure strict compliance of KYC and FEMA norms.
19:57 Act against AAP leaders involved in crime instead of blaming PM: BJP to Kejriwal
Hitting back at Arvind Kejriwal over his "shameful" attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP today asked the Delhi Chief Minister to not blame Modi for his failures and instead act against his party leaders
"involved" in various crimes.
"Kejriwal's comments are shameful. We condemn them. He used to harp on morals and spoke against corruption but has been unmasked. He now stands for protecting his corrupt colleagues, many of whom are involved in various crimes, including trying to cause riots to grab power.
"He should know that democracy is governed by the rule of law and if anybody violates them, the the law will act," BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said.
Taking a dig at him, he wondered if Modi was behind the charges, including having forged degrees and domestic violence against wife, against AAP MLAs and said Kejriwal's comments showed paranoia driven by his failures.
Attacking Kejriwal for claiming that Modi was frustrated, BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said, "He is frustrated not the Prime Minister. He is frustrated by his own incompetence in governing Delhi and lack of result on ground. He is frustrated by criminal actions of his own party MLAs.
"Comments made by him do not behove the office he holds and show paranoia on his part. It is time for a pathologically obsessive Kejriwal to go for another detoxification therapy for the body and mind."
Unleashing one of his most severe attacks on the Prime Minister, Kejriwal said Modi may "get me killed" and wondered if the country was in "safe hands".
19:34 44 killed in Islamic State bomb attacks in Syria
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a twin bombing that targetted a crowd in a predominantly Kurdish town in northern Syria on Wednesday, killing 44 people and wounding dozens more, Syria's state-run news agency and Kurdish media reported.
A truck loaded with large quantities of explosives blew up on the western edge of the town of Qamishli, followed by an explosives-packed motorcycle a few minutes later in the same area, media reports said.
19:32 Freddie Gray case: All charges dropped against remaining officers
Prosecutors are dropping charges against the three remaining officers facing trial in connection with Freddie Gray's death.
Six officers were charged in connection with the April 2015 death of Gray, a 25-year-old who died after sustaining a neck injury while in police custody.
A pretrial hearing for Officer Garrett Miller had been set for Wednesday. Trials for officers Alicia White and William Porter had been scheduled for the fall.
Baltimore Chief Deputy State's Attorney Michael Schatzow made the request to drop charges against them in court Wednesday.
Three officers had already been acquitted in the case
19:28 France priest killer was 'Syria obsessed time-bomb'
One of the assailants who slit the throat of an elderly French priest had dreamed of going to Syria and threatened to attack churches -- but seldom visited his local mosque, neighbours said.
Adel Kermiche, 19, had been known to the French authorities before yesterday's shock church attack in a Normandy town and was described by one acquaintance as a "time bomb".
Kermiche and another unidentified man stormed the centuries-old stone church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, taking priest Jacques Hamel hostage along with three nuns and two worshippers before slitting the elderly cleric's throat.
He lived in his parents' modest home -- less than two kilometres from the church -- where he spent much of the day under curfew, fitted with an electronic tag while awaiting trial for alleged links to terror.
A family member had raised the alarm after Kermiche went missing destined for war-torn Syria in March 2015.
German authorities arrested him shortly afterwards as he attempted to transit the country using his brother's identity.
He was returned to France where he was detained on March 23 last year for "criminal association in connection with terrorism" and preparing a terrorist act. He was released on bail but banned from leaving the Seine-Maritime region of northern France.
Six weeks later he fled the family home once again and was ultimately traced to Turkey where he was detained on May 13 last year.
He was arrested on his return to France and remanded in custody before being released on bail subject to a curfew as he awaited trial for links to terrorism.
19:05 AAP activist suicide case: Accused arrested from Haryana
Ramesh Bhardwaj, the accused in the Aam Aadmi Party woman activist suicide case that had triggered a war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the AAP, has beenarrested from Haryana, Delhi Police today said.
A senior official said Crime Branch of Delhi Policearrested him late last night.
The woman had consumed poisonous substance at her home in north west Delhi's Narela and died during treatment at LNJP Hospital on July 19.
The woman had filed a complaint against Bhardwaj for allegedly touching her inappropriately and a case of molestation was registered in June. The accused was arrested and later released on bail.
On July 20, Delhi Police had registered a case of abetment to suicide and handed over the entire matter to a Special Investigation Team.
The family members of the woman had claimed that she had gone into depression after her alleged molester Bhardwaj, an AAP colleague, was released on bail.
A senior official said Crime Branch of Delhi Policearrested him late last night.
The woman had consumed poisonous substance at her home in north west Delhi's Narela and died during treatment at LNJP Hospital on July 19.
The woman had filed a complaint against Bhardwaj for allegedly touching her inappropriately and a case of molestation was registered in June. The accused was arrested and later released on bail.
On July 20, Delhi Police had registered a case of abetment to suicide and handed over the entire matter to a Special Investigation Team.
The family members of the woman had claimed that she had gone into depression after her alleged molester Bhardwaj, an AAP colleague, was released on bail.
18:55 Kashmiri separatists call for boycott of politicians
Separatists in Kashmir today called for a social boycott and ostracising of mainstream politicians of the state, saying they were 'collaborators and loyalist abettors' of the Centre and equal partners in 'crime' against people of the Valley.
A statement issued by Hurriyat Conference factions led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik said since the mainstream politicians claim to represent people whom they have 'gravely betrayed', it is time that people hold them accountable and answerable and pressurize them to vacate.
'They have simply stopped being human. And when they are out of power, they degrade further, exploiting the sacrifices of freedom seeking people for furthering their political ambition of assuming power,' the separatists said.
A statement issued by Hurriyat Conference factions led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik said since the mainstream politicians claim to represent people whom they have 'gravely betrayed', it is time that people hold them accountable and answerable and pressurize them to vacate.
'They have simply stopped being human. And when they are out of power, they degrade further, exploiting the sacrifices of freedom seeking people for furthering their political ambition of assuming power,' the separatists said.
18:26 Stop exporting terror to J&K, India tells Pakistan
Amid the continuing unrest in Kashmir, India today asked Pakistan to stop cross border terror activities and asserted it will take all necessary steps to safeguard national security and territorial integrity.
The government told Parliament that terrorism emanating from territories under Pakistan's control remained India's "core concern" and that the Pathankot attack and strikes in various places in Kashmir have highlighted the continued threat of cross border terrorism and infiltration.
"In response to Pakistan's recent statements in support of known terrorists killed in India, Government has asked Pakistan to stop all terrorism and anti-India activities in Pakistan or territories under its control," Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh, said replying to a question in Lok Sabha.
Image: File pic of Mohammad Naved, a suspected Lashker-e-Taiba militant from Pakistan who was caught alive after the attack on a BSF convoy in August last year.
The government told Parliament that terrorism emanating from territories under Pakistan's control remained India's "core concern" and that the Pathankot attack and strikes in various places in Kashmir have highlighted the continued threat of cross border terrorism and infiltration.
"In response to Pakistan's recent statements in support of known terrorists killed in India, Government has asked Pakistan to stop all terrorism and anti-India activities in Pakistan or territories under its control," Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh, said replying to a question in Lok Sabha.
Image: File pic of Mohammad Naved, a suspected Lashker-e-Taiba militant from Pakistan who was caught alive after the attack on a BSF convoy in August last year.
18:14 Hero IAS officer eats Dalit widow's food, gets her reinstated as cook
In an exemplary action, the District Magistrate of Bihar's Aurangabad has reinstated a Dalit widow as the midday meal cook at a school and also shared the food prepared by her with the students.
DM Kanwal Tanuj also ordered suspension of school headmaster Govind Kumar Yadav who had sacked the cook after her husband passed away. Moved by the complaint registered by the hapless woman Urmila Kuwar, Tanuj himself paid a visit to Batura middle school under Rafiganj block here yesterday and ate the midday meal prepared by the woman at the school with other students.
"My humanitarian instinct compelled me to do justice with the woman. Besides, I also wanted to give a strong social message against caste and social ills of distancing from widow to the people," the DM told PTI today.
The school headmaster who had sacked the widow has been expelled and a new headmaster took charge of the school today, he said. Departmental inquiry has been initiated against the headmaster on instruction from the DM to the district education officer Yaduvansh Ram. The woman, whose husband died recently was solely dependent on a paltry Rs 1,000 she used to get from cooking the meal at the school. She was fired on Monday, the DM said quoting from her complaint.
Image: DM Kanwal Tanuj (extreme left) eats the meal cooked by the Dalit widow. Picture courtesy: Jagran.
DM Kanwal Tanuj also ordered suspension of school headmaster Govind Kumar Yadav who had sacked the cook after her husband passed away. Moved by the complaint registered by the hapless woman Urmila Kuwar, Tanuj himself paid a visit to Batura middle school under Rafiganj block here yesterday and ate the midday meal prepared by the woman at the school with other students.
"My humanitarian instinct compelled me to do justice with the woman. Besides, I also wanted to give a strong social message against caste and social ills of distancing from widow to the people," the DM told PTI today.
The school headmaster who had sacked the widow has been expelled and a new headmaster took charge of the school today, he said. Departmental inquiry has been initiated against the headmaster on instruction from the DM to the district education officer Yaduvansh Ram. The woman, whose husband died recently was solely dependent on a paltry Rs 1,000 she used to get from cooking the meal at the school. She was fired on Monday, the DM said quoting from her complaint.
Image: DM Kanwal Tanuj (extreme left) eats the meal cooked by the Dalit widow. Picture courtesy: Jagran.
17:58
Just in: India to appeal against the Hague tribunal's verdict inAntrix-Devas deal case: ISRO Chairman A S Kirankumar.
17:32 PM so frustrated he can get me killed, says Kejriwal in video message
Just in: "PM Modi is so frustrated he can get me killed," Arvind Kejriwal says in a video message, accusing the centre of going after AAP MLAs.
The recent arrests of two more members of legislative assembly from the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party have taken the total number of Delhi MLAs arrested in various cases up to 11. The AAP has called the series of arrests an undeclared emergency.
The recent arrests of two more members of legislative assembly from the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party have taken the total number of Delhi MLAs arrested in various cases up to 11. The AAP has called the series of arrests an undeclared emergency.
17:02 Another AAP MLA in the soup after IT raids
The Income Tax department today conducted searches on the premises of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Kartar Singh Tanwar on charges of alleged tax evasion, drawing angry reaction from the party which accused the Modi government of targeting its MLAs out of political vendetta.
IT officials said the searches are being carried out on at least three premises of the Chhatarpur MLA in the national capital by teams having 40 income tax and police officials.
The officials said the department had received 'actionable inputs' with regard to the MLA's transactions and hence the operation was launched.
The party termed the development as 'political vendetta' by the Centre against AAP MLAs. Reacting to the development, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisoida said, 'Modi ji you deploy, the CBI (Central Bureau of investigation), Delhi Police, IB (the Intelligence Bureau), ED (the Enforcement Directorate) and Income Tax, but we will keep on with our work.'
Senior AAP leader Ashutosh said Singh's residence was gheraoed as if Singh was a terrorist. He also accused the Delhi Police of 'misbehaving' with arrested AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan's wife.
Eleven AAP MLAs have been arrested in different cases since the party came to power in Delhi for a second time in February last year.
IT officials said the searches are being carried out on at least three premises of the Chhatarpur MLA in the national capital by teams having 40 income tax and police officials.
The officials said the department had received 'actionable inputs' with regard to the MLA's transactions and hence the operation was launched.
The party termed the development as 'political vendetta' by the Centre against AAP MLAs. Reacting to the development, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisoida said, 'Modi ji you deploy, the CBI (Central Bureau of investigation), Delhi Police, IB (the Intelligence Bureau), ED (the Enforcement Directorate) and Income Tax, but we will keep on with our work.'
Senior AAP leader Ashutosh said Singh's residence was gheraoed as if Singh was a terrorist. He also accused the Delhi Police of 'misbehaving' with arrested AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan's wife.
Eleven AAP MLAs have been arrested in different cases since the party came to power in Delhi for a second time in February last year.
16:45 Haryana police registers FIR on Narsingh's complaint
Haryana police has filed a first information report based on wrestler Narsingh Yadavs complaint. Sonipat Deputy Inspector General of Police H S Doon said that the matter will be probed and strict action will be taken against culprits.
The FIR has been registered Under Sections 328 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code.
The 26-year-old wrestler has been accused of taking an anabolic steroid, but claims that he has been framed in the scandal by rivals.
The FIR has been registered Under Sections 328 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code.
The 26-year-old wrestler has been accused of taking an anabolic steroid, but claims that he has been framed in the scandal by rivals.
16:27 2 CRPF jawans injured in IED blast in Chhattisgarh
Two Central Reserve Police Force jawans were today injured in a pressure bomb blast triggered by Naxals on an under-construction road in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Dantewada district, police said.
The incident took place when a team of the CRPF personnel was patrolling to ensure security of the under-construction Aranpur (Dantewada)-Jagargunda (Sukma) road which passes through the restive dense forests, under Aranpur police station limits, a CRPF official said.
When the security men were cordoning-off a patch near Kondapara village, two personnel inadvertently stepped over a pressure IED, triggering the blast.
Constables Umashankar and Aman, belonging to CRPF's 231st battalion, were injured in the blast, he said. Reinforcement was rushed to the spot and the injured were being taken to Dantewada from where they will be airlifted to Raipur for further treatment, the official said.
The incident took place when a team of the CRPF personnel was patrolling to ensure security of the under-construction Aranpur (Dantewada)-Jagargunda (Sukma) road which passes through the restive dense forests, under Aranpur police station limits, a CRPF official said.
When the security men were cordoning-off a patch near Kondapara village, two personnel inadvertently stepped over a pressure IED, triggering the blast.
Constables Umashankar and Aman, belonging to CRPF's 231st battalion, were injured in the blast, he said. Reinforcement was rushed to the spot and the injured were being taken to Dantewada from where they will be airlifted to Raipur for further treatment, the official said.
16:19 Narsingh Yadav arrives for NADA hearing
Narsingh Yadav, the wrestler under a dope cloud, arrives for the NADA hearing. His supporters chant his name and demand a CBI enquiry. The National Anti Doping Agency disciplinary panel hearing will determine if Narsingh can compete in the Olympic Games starting in Rio on August 5. The 26-year-old wrestler has been accused of taking an anabolic steroid, metadienone, and is under provisional suspension.
Yadav's hopes of competing in the Rio Olympics appeared bleak after he failed a second dope test, which was conducted on his samples on July 5.
Yadav's hopes of competing in the Rio Olympics appeared bleak after he failed a second dope test, which was conducted on his samples on July 5.
It is learned that the wrestler, already under provisional suspension for failing a June 25 dope test, also flunked the second test done on his 'A' and 'B' samples that were taken on July 5.
"It's the same substance that was found in the first test. It was unlikely that it would go out of the system," a Wrestling Federation of Indian source said, referring to the banned anabolic steroid, methandienone.
Narsingh is claiming that he has been framed in the scandal by rivals, who, he alleged, spiked his food supplements and meals.
16:11 HC stays six defamation cases against Swamy
Madras High Court today stayed proceedings in all six defamation cases filed against BJP leader Subramanian Swamy by Tamil Nadu government for his alleged derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. Justice P N Prakash passed the interim order when Criminal Original Petitions filed by Swamy seeking quashing of defamation cases pending in a trial court came up before him today. Swamy was present in the court.
The judge also dispensed with Swamy's personal appearance in the trial court with regard to the six cases. City Public Prosecutor M L Jegan had on behalf of Jayalalithaa filed the cases against Swamy over his statements and tweets which, he contended were defamatory.
The judge also dispensed with Swamy's personal appearance in the trial court with regard to the six cases. City Public Prosecutor M L Jegan had on behalf of Jayalalithaa filed the cases against Swamy over his statements and tweets which, he contended were defamatory.
15:57 Chinese incursion in U'khand
Chinese troops recently violated the border in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand area and were seen camping along with arms despite the two nations having agreed to keep it a demilitarised area.
The incident took place on July 19 when a team led by Chamoli District Magistrate and others including officials from ITBP went for a survey of Barahoti ground, official sources said.
The sources said that the civilian team was sent back by Chinese People's Liberation Army troops, who claimed it to be their land. The 80 square kilometre ground has been agreed by the two countries to be a disputed part since 1957 and was to be sorted out at the negotiating table by the two sides.
Over the past few years, Chinese troops have been spotted in the area and even air violations have taken place in this area, the sources said.
Chinese side had sent in a delegation on April 19, 1958 for negotiations with their Indian counterparts and both sides had agreed not to send troops into the area but had avoided a discussion on final settlement of the Barahoti ground.
The incident took place on July 19 when a team led by Chamoli District Magistrate and others including officials from ITBP went for a survey of Barahoti ground, official sources said.
The sources said that the civilian team was sent back by Chinese People's Liberation Army troops, who claimed it to be their land. The 80 square kilometre ground has been agreed by the two countries to be a disputed part since 1957 and was to be sorted out at the negotiating table by the two sides.
Over the past few years, Chinese troops have been spotted in the area and even air violations have taken place in this area, the sources said.
Chinese side had sent in a delegation on April 19, 1958 for negotiations with their Indian counterparts and both sides had agreed not to send troops into the area but had avoided a discussion on final settlement of the Barahoti ground.
15:49
RJD to support GST: Will support GST if cap kept low and if there is consensu.
15:48 The latest buzz in Parliament? Mosquitoes!
The mosquito menace in the Central Hall of Parliament especially during the Monsoon session is so acute that the entire hall is sprayed with pesticides and mosquito repellents.
But apparently it's not enough and to keep the pests at bay, the Parliament today tried another tack today.
The Secretariat deployed six men at different points in the Central Hall armed with electronic mosquito repellent bats.
Few MPs excused themselves from the proceedings when the oppressing odour of repellents started to get to them, drying out lips.
But apparently it's not enough and to keep the pests at bay, the Parliament today tried another tack today.
The Secretariat deployed six men at different points in the Central Hall armed with electronic mosquito repellent bats.
Few MPs excused themselves from the proceedings when the oppressing odour of repellents started to get to them, drying out lips.
15:32 Gujarat's history Of oppressing Dalits is now up against social media
For the men who thrashed four young Dalits in Gujarat for skinning a dead cow, uploading the video of the assault a few weeks ago was a self-awarded trophy. But it was social media that rounded them up, provoking national outrage and politicians who headed in quick succession to Una to express their solidarity with the victims.
The horror of the visuals may have earned Una frenetic attention and headlines, but it is just one of many attacks on Dalits this year in Saurashtra in Western Gujarat. Read more
The horror of the visuals may have earned Una frenetic attention and headlines, but it is just one of many attacks on Dalits this year in Saurashtra in Western Gujarat. Read more
15:30 The great diplomat Arundhati Ghose
Eminent diplomat Arundhati Ghose, who was India's ambassador to the UN and played a decisive role in India's negotiations on Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), passed away late on Tuesday night at the age of 76. She was suffering from cancer and breathed her last at around 12:30 am at her residence in Palam Vihar in West Delhi, a family member said.
In this piece for the Indian Foreign Affairs Journal, she writes about the negotiations that took place during the CTDT. Read
In this piece for the Indian Foreign Affairs Journal, she writes about the negotiations that took place during the CTDT. Read
15:22 Wrestler Narsingh Yadav fails 2nd dope test
Reports coming in now say that Narsingh Yadav has failed a second dope test (B Sample), which was taken on July 5th. NADA has ruled out tampering of the wrestler's food supplements. So, if the food supplements were not tampered with does the conspiracy theory that his food was spiked hold good? Yadav has claimed that it was a case of sabotage after it emerged that his A-sample had tested positive for doping in a test conducted in June.
Narsingh Yadav's coach Jagmal Singh arrives at the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) in Delhi for hearing in the case.
Yadav has filed a complaint at the Rai police station in Sonepat, accusing a 17-year-old wrestler of allegedly mixing a banned drug in his food that led to him failing a dope test.
On Wednesday, a NADA disciplinary panel hearing will determine if Narsingh can compete in the Olympic Games starting in Rio on August 5. The 26-year-old wrestler has been accused of taking an anabolic steroid, metadienone, and is under provisional suspension.
The teenaged wrestler named in Narsingh's complaint, filed late on Tuesday, is a trainee at the Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi and has represented the country in junior international tournaments, said sources.
Yadav was India's representative in the Olympics' 74 kg freestyle wrestling category.
Narsingh Yadav's coach Jagmal Singh arrives at the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) in Delhi for hearing in the case.
Yadav has filed a complaint at the Rai police station in Sonepat, accusing a 17-year-old wrestler of allegedly mixing a banned drug in his food that led to him failing a dope test.
On Wednesday, a NADA disciplinary panel hearing will determine if Narsingh can compete in the Olympic Games starting in Rio on August 5. The 26-year-old wrestler has been accused of taking an anabolic steroid, metadienone, and is under provisional suspension.
The teenaged wrestler named in Narsingh's complaint, filed late on Tuesday, is a trainee at the Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi and has represented the country in junior international tournaments, said sources.
Yadav was India's representative in the Olympics' 74 kg freestyle wrestling category.
14:45 Why all eyes will be on Rahul Gandhi in Parliament tomorrow
Government and Opposition reach an agreement to end impasse in Rajya Sabha on the Andhra Pradesh Bill (Special Status), but no consensus on GST today. The Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) Bill.will be discussed tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will initiate the price rise debate in Parliament tomorrow.
In 2014 during the monsoon session of Parliament, Rahul was caught cat napping in the House while his party discussed rising prices. In fact, BJP MP Shahnawaz Hussain tweeted: "Rahul Gandhi was seen sleeping in Parliament during a debate on price rise. That's what the Congress was doing during their 10 yr rule."
NCP leader and Congress ally Praful Patel had then remarked, "Just because people close their eyes in Parliament doesnt mean they are sleeping."
No doubt all eyes will be on Mr Gandhi tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will initiate the price rise debate in Parliament tomorrow.
In 2014 during the monsoon session of Parliament, Rahul was caught cat napping in the House while his party discussed rising prices. In fact, BJP MP Shahnawaz Hussain tweeted: "Rahul Gandhi was seen sleeping in Parliament during a debate on price rise. That's what the Congress was doing during their 10 yr rule."
NCP leader and Congress ally Praful Patel had then remarked, "Just because people close their eyes in Parliament doesnt mean they are sleeping."
No doubt all eyes will be on Mr Gandhi tomorrow.
14:18 Barkha: I hope I will always be someone who's journalism you loathe, Mr Goswami
In the wake of Times Now's Arnab Goswami calling for a media gag on Jammu and Kashmir during News Hour yesterday, NDTV's Barkha Dutt posts this reposte and in doing so speaks for legions of journalists everywhere in the world. This is what she wrote:
"Times Now calls for gagging of media & for journalists to be tried &punished. This man is journalist?I am ashamed to be from same industry as him. What's striking is his brazen and cowardly hypocrisy. So he drones on and on about Pro Pakistan Doves without one word on the JK alliance agreement that commits the BJP and PDP to talks with Pakistan and Hurriyat and is silent on Modi's own Pakistan outreach- neither of which I object to- but since Arnab Goswami measures patriotism by such views why is he so silent on the government? Chamchagiri? Imagine, a journalist actually exhorts the government to shut down sections of the media, misrepresents them as isi agents and terror sympathisers, calls for them to be tried and acted against. And our fraternity remains locked into politically correct and timid silence.
"Well Im not a shrinking violet Mr. Goswami and no matter how many times you take my name directly or indirectly on your show, I really dont give a toss for your opinion. I hope I will always be someone whose journalism you loathe, because trust me, the feeling is so utterly mutual that it would kill me to be on the same side of any issue as you."
"Times Now calls for gagging of media & for journalists to be tried &punished. This man is journalist?I am ashamed to be from same industry as him. What's striking is his brazen and cowardly hypocrisy. So he drones on and on about Pro Pakistan Doves without one word on the JK alliance agreement that commits the BJP and PDP to talks with Pakistan and Hurriyat and is silent on Modi's own Pakistan outreach- neither of which I object to- but since Arnab Goswami measures patriotism by such views why is he so silent on the government? Chamchagiri? Imagine, a journalist actually exhorts the government to shut down sections of the media, misrepresents them as isi agents and terror sympathisers, calls for them to be tried and acted against. And our fraternity remains locked into politically correct and timid silence.
"Well Im not a shrinking violet Mr. Goswami and no matter how many times you take my name directly or indirectly on your show, I really dont give a toss for your opinion. I hope I will always be someone whose journalism you loathe, because trust me, the feeling is so utterly mutual that it would kill me to be on the same side of any issue as you."
14:05 Anurag Thakur becomes 1st BJP MP to join Territorial Army
Anurag Thakur, BJP MP and BCCI President, is set for a new innings as an officer of the Territorial Army.
Thakur (41) will be commissioned into the Territorial Army (TA) as a regular officer on Friday to become the first serving BJP Member of Parliament to join the military force.
Thakur made it to the TA after clearing an exam and a personal interview conducted in Chandigarh and training held in Bhopal.
As a regular officer, the Lok Sabha member from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh will have to undergo a mandatory training.
The Territorial Army, the second line of defence after the regular army, is composed of volunteers who receive military training for about a month in a year so that in case of an emergency they can be mobilised for the defence of the country.
The Territorial Army is not a profession, occupation or a source of employment. It is only meant for people who are already in mainstay civilian professions. In fact, gainful employment or self-employment in a civil profession is a pre-requisite for joining the Territorial Army.
"I am very excited. It is a dream come true for me. I always wanted to wear the (military) uniform and contribute to the country's security but could not," he said.
I am keenly looking forward to my training and serving the country," he added.
Thakur, whose grand father was in the army, said he initially wanted to join the armed forces but could not do so as his career got diverted to cricket and politics.
"I have always had the passion of joining the army. I have seen many youngsters sacrifice their lives for the nation," said the MP from Himachal Pradesh, where there is a general culture of sending youths to the army.
On what he looked forward to do in the TA, Thakur said there are several issues concerning the forces which he had seen and dealt with from outside but "now I will be able to see the conditions from inside and will be in a better position to raise issues as an MP."
Thakur (41) will be commissioned into the Territorial Army (TA) as a regular officer on Friday to become the first serving BJP Member of Parliament to join the military force.
Thakur made it to the TA after clearing an exam and a personal interview conducted in Chandigarh and training held in Bhopal.
As a regular officer, the Lok Sabha member from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh will have to undergo a mandatory training.
The Territorial Army, the second line of defence after the regular army, is composed of volunteers who receive military training for about a month in a year so that in case of an emergency they can be mobilised for the defence of the country.
The Territorial Army is not a profession, occupation or a source of employment. It is only meant for people who are already in mainstay civilian professions. In fact, gainful employment or self-employment in a civil profession is a pre-requisite for joining the Territorial Army.
"I am very excited. It is a dream come true for me. I always wanted to wear the (military) uniform and contribute to the country's security but could not," he said.
I am keenly looking forward to my training and serving the country," he added.
Thakur, whose grand father was in the army, said he initially wanted to join the armed forces but could not do so as his career got diverted to cricket and politics.
"I have always had the passion of joining the army. I have seen many youngsters sacrifice their lives for the nation," said the MP from Himachal Pradesh, where there is a general culture of sending youths to the army.
On what he looked forward to do in the TA, Thakur said there are several issues concerning the forces which he had seen and dealt with from outside but "now I will be able to see the conditions from inside and will be in a better position to raise issues as an MP."
13:51 TN govt files a review in SC over Rajiv Gandhi's assassins remission case
The Tamil Nadu government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against the Constitution bench order in the Rajiv Gandhi assassins' remission case.
The Madras High Court on July 20 had declined to entertain a plea by Nalini Sriharan, a life convict in Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. Her plea stated that a life convict is required to stay in jail for 20 years, while she had completed 25 years and requested a pre-mature release on the same.
Justice M Sathyanarayana in response to Sriharan's plea said that seeking a direction to the Tamil Nadu government to consider her plea under Article 161 of the Constitution cannot be granted until the litigation before apex court reached finality.
Image: Nalini Sriharan has been given a life term for her involvement in Rajiv Gandhi's assassination.
The Madras High Court on July 20 had declined to entertain a plea by Nalini Sriharan, a life convict in Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. Her plea stated that a life convict is required to stay in jail for 20 years, while she had completed 25 years and requested a pre-mature release on the same.
Justice M Sathyanarayana in response to Sriharan's plea said that seeking a direction to the Tamil Nadu government to consider her plea under Article 161 of the Constitution cannot be granted until the litigation before apex court reached finality.
Image: Nalini Sriharan has been given a life term for her involvement in Rajiv Gandhi's assassination.
13:35 Lok Sabha unites demanding probe over Narsingh's spiked food
Lok Sabha members today joined the row over wrestler Narsingh Yadav failing a drug test, with one of them seeking a CBI probe, prompting Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs S S Ahluwalia to assure the House that he would ask the government to make a statement on the issue. Ranjeet Ranjan (Cong) raised the issue in the Zero Hour and sought a CBI inquiry into the matter while referring to the allegations that brother of another international player had a role in spiking Yadav's food and drink intake.
"Whether he (Yadav) has been fixed or not we do not know. There should be a CBI inquiry and the guilty must be given most stringent punishment. It is a heinous crime," she said.
As many other members joined her and sought the government's response, Ahluwalia said he will convey their sentiments to the government and seek an official response. He noted that the matter was raised in the Question Hour too.
"Whether he (Yadav) has been fixed or not we do not know. There should be a CBI inquiry and the guilty must be given most stringent punishment. It is a heinous crime," she said.
As many other members joined her and sought the government's response, Ahluwalia said he will convey their sentiments to the government and seek an official response. He noted that the matter was raised in the Question Hour too.
13:17
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat confirms Chinese incursion in Chamoli district.
13:04 Dune tribute
Famed sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik's tribute to Dr APJ Kalam on his first death anniversary.
12:47 Mayawati asks Naqvi, "Why were Muslim women beaten in name of Gau Raksha?"
Beef row in Parliament today. Two Muslim women were slapped, kicked and abused by a mob in Madhya Pradesh allegedly over the possession of beef.
BSP chief Mayawati asks Parliamentary Affairs minister and the BJP's only prominent Muslim face, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, to explain the incident.
"Why were women of your community beaten in the name of Gau Raksha? What do yopu have to say to these women?" Mayawati asked Naqvi in the House.
In a mobile video, which is now being circulated on social media, the police at Mandsaur railway station are seen making half-hearted attempts to control the mob.
According to reports, the police at Mandsaur railway station had first received a tip-off that the two women were carrying beef. The two women had allegedly brought the beef from Jaora with the objective of selling it in Mandsaur.
In the video, a crowd is seen surrounding the women and slapping them as they plead to let them go. Although the police tell the crowd to keep their distance, the mob thrashes the women continuously.
The chanting and beating continues for half-an-hour after which the police manage to take the women away from the crowd.
A doctor, who later examined the meat, said that the 30 kilogram the women were carrying was buffalo meat and not beef.
Image: A video grab of one of the women being assaulted by the mob
BSP chief Mayawati asks Parliamentary Affairs minister and the BJP's only prominent Muslim face, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, to explain the incident.
"Why were women of your community beaten in the name of Gau Raksha? What do yopu have to say to these women?" Mayawati asked Naqvi in the House.
In a mobile video, which is now being circulated on social media, the police at Mandsaur railway station are seen making half-hearted attempts to control the mob.
According to reports, the police at Mandsaur railway station had first received a tip-off that the two women were carrying beef. The two women had allegedly brought the beef from Jaora with the objective of selling it in Mandsaur.
In the video, a crowd is seen surrounding the women and slapping them as they plead to let them go. Although the police tell the crowd to keep their distance, the mob thrashes the women continuously.
The chanting and beating continues for half-an-hour after which the police manage to take the women away from the crowd.
A doctor, who later examined the meat, said that the 30 kilogram the women were carrying was buffalo meat and not beef.
Image: A video grab of one of the women being assaulted by the mob
12:18 Income Tax raid at AAP legislator Kartar Singh Tanwar's residence
The officials of the Income Tax department on Wednesday morning conducted a raid at AAP legislator Kartar Singh Tanwar's residence in south Delhi, a party leader said.
"Just in: Income Tax raid on Chhatarpur MLA Kartar Singh Tanwar. Modiji had unleashed Central Bureau of Investigation, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Delhi Police earlier, now IT too, Aam Aadmi Party won't bow down, won't bend," Dilip Pandey said in a tweet.
"Disheartened by past performance, Modiji seems to be improving his strike rate now. Almost an AAP MLA everyday, to keep democratic principles away," the leader said in another tweet.
Referring to the raid, another party leader Sanjay Singh said AAP legislators were being targeted by the Modi government everyday.
"AAP MLA Tanwar's number came today (Wednesday) morning, let's see who is targeted till evening," a sarcastic Singh tweeted.
"Just in: Income Tax raid on Chhatarpur MLA Kartar Singh Tanwar. Modiji had unleashed Central Bureau of Investigation, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Delhi Police earlier, now IT too, Aam Aadmi Party won't bow down, won't bend," Dilip Pandey said in a tweet.
"Disheartened by past performance, Modiji seems to be improving his strike rate now. Almost an AAP MLA everyday, to keep democratic principles away," the leader said in another tweet.
Referring to the raid, another party leader Sanjay Singh said AAP legislators were being targeted by the Modi government everyday.
"AAP MLA Tanwar's number came today (Wednesday) morning, let's see who is targeted till evening," a sarcastic Singh tweeted.
12:05 Mumbai registers 1st Pokemon Go accident
A Bandra-based youth on Monday faced a nightmare for playing Pokemon Go for the first time ever.
Jabbir Ali, 26, a car dealer, while on his way to his house at Carter Road from Bandstand, met with an accident, landing his Mercedes in the garage. Jabbir now plans to create awareness and educate people to be careful while playing the game.
After causing a series of road accidents in the US and Japan, Mumbai registered its first Pokemon Go accident on Monday when Ali's car got hit by an autorickshaw.
Ironically, Jabbir claimed that it was the first time he played the game which has taken the world by a storm. Read more
Jabbir Ali, 26, a car dealer, while on his way to his house at Carter Road from Bandstand, met with an accident, landing his Mercedes in the garage. Jabbir now plans to create awareness and educate people to be careful while playing the game.
After causing a series of road accidents in the US and Japan, Mumbai registered its first Pokemon Go accident on Monday when Ali's car got hit by an autorickshaw.
Ironically, Jabbir claimed that it was the first time he played the game which has taken the world by a storm. Read more
11:33 Curfew reimposed in parts of Kashmir
Curfew was today reimposed in parts of Kashmir including five police station areas of the city to thwart a separatist march to Kulgam district even as mobile services were partially restored in the Valley which has been rocked by violence since July 8.
Authorities had lifted curfew from Kashmir except Anantnag town yesterday following which it was rocked by fresh protests. A 61-year-old man had died in a road accident during clashes in the city yesterday and 14 others were injured in action by security forces across Kashmir, where 47 people have been killed in violence since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.
Authorities had lifted curfew from Kashmir except Anantnag town yesterday following which it was rocked by fresh protests. A 61-year-old man had died in a road accident during clashes in the city yesterday and 14 others were injured in action by security forces across Kashmir, where 47 people have been killed in violence since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.
11:32 Kalam remembered in Rameswaram, but Amma shares the limelight
A statue of former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was unveiled today at Rameswaram on his first death anniversary. Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu and Manohar Parrikar were present at the unveiling.
Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar who was present at the occasion writes
that ahead of the unveiling there were a plethora of speakers who wasted a lot of time taking the names of every person on stage.
In fact, a local MLA and two Tamil Nadu ministers spent the better part of their speech thanking Amma for making Kalam the President of India!
(Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Congress president Sonia Gandhi would beg to differ).
For added benefit the netas said that Amma would have made Kalam president for a second term, but a politician from Tamil Nadu threw a spanner in the works.
Other speakers thankfully spoke only about Kalam.
Union minister for Urban Development Venkiah Naidu, wearing a cricket cap began his speech in Tamil by greeting Dr Kalam s brother who is present. He said Jayalalithaa has promised more land for the memorial and thanked her. Naidu said that the greatest tribute to Kalam is to follow his teachings. The memorial is a symbol of India's gratitude to him and is a temple for future generations, Naidu said.
Image: The statue of Dr Kalam at Rameswaram. Photo: A Ganesh Nadar
Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar who was present at the occasion writes
that ahead of the unveiling there were a plethora of speakers who wasted a lot of time taking the names of every person on stage.
In fact, a local MLA and two Tamil Nadu ministers spent the better part of their speech thanking Amma for making Kalam the President of India!
(Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Congress president Sonia Gandhi would beg to differ).
For added benefit the netas said that Amma would have made Kalam president for a second term, but a politician from Tamil Nadu threw a spanner in the works.
Other speakers thankfully spoke only about Kalam.
Union minister for Urban Development Venkiah Naidu, wearing a cricket cap began his speech in Tamil by greeting Dr Kalam s brother who is present. He said Jayalalithaa has promised more land for the memorial and thanked her. Naidu said that the greatest tribute to Kalam is to follow his teachings. The memorial is a symbol of India's gratitude to him and is a temple for future generations, Naidu said.
Image: The statue of Dr Kalam at Rameswaram. Photo: A Ganesh Nadar
10:39 French church attacker was under house arrest on terror charges
One of two attackers who stormed a small-town church in France and killed a priest was under house arrest and awaiting trial on terror charges, officials said on Wednesday, as the nation struggled to come to terms with the third major attack in 18 months.
Adel Kermiche, 19, was one of two attackers who stormed a Catholic church in the northern town of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray during morning mass, slitting the throat of an 86-year-old priest, Jacques Hamel, and leaving a worshipper with serious injuries, said Paris prosecutor Francois Molins.
The attack, claimed by the Islamic State group, comes with France still in mourning less than two weeks after Tunisian Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel ploughed a truck into a crowd in the Riviera city of Nice, killing 84 people and injuring over 300.
10:25 Activist Bezwada Wilson and musician TM Krishna win Magsaysay Award
Social activist Bezwada Wilson and musician TM Krishna have won the 2016 Ramon Magsaysay Award. Wilson, the national convenor of the Safai Karmachari Andolan, has been named as an awardee for "asserting the inalienable right to a life of human dignity."
"Bezwada Wilson has spent 32 years on his crusade, leading not only with a sense of moral outrage but also with remarkable skills in mass organizing, and working within India's complex legal system. SKA has grown into a network of 7,000 members in 500 districts across the country. Of the estimated 600,000 scavengers in India, SKA has liberated around 300,000. While Bezwada has placed at the core of his work the dalits' self-emancipation, he stresses that manual scavenging is not a sectarian problem," states Wilson's citation.
Carnatic singer TM Krishna receives the award for "social inclusiveness in culture."
His citation read, "He saw that his was a caste-dominated art that fostered an unjust, hierarchic order by effectively excluding the lower classes from sharing in a vital part of India's cultural legacy. He questioned the politics of art; widened his knowledge about the arts of the dalits ("untouchables") and non-Brahmin communities; and declared he would no longer sing in ticketed events at a famous, annual music festival in Chennai to protest the lack of inclusiveness."
Also read Bezwada Wilson's interview with Rediff.com: 'Why do human beings have to clean shit?'
09:47 Kalam will live forever in our hearts: Naidu pays tribute to India's Missile Man
"Dr APJ Abdul Kalam will live in our minds forever," said Union minister Venkaiah Naidu while paying homage to the former president on his first death anniversary. On this occasion, Naidu and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar travelled to Rameswaram to unveil the memorial to the former president, also known as India's Missile Man.
Naidu said, "We have gathered here for one of the greatest sons of our soil, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
"It is difficult to believe that it is already one year since the great man left all of us for heavenly abode. Our greatest tribute to him is to follow his teachings. Dr Kalam will live forever in our minds and hearts."
09:21 Kejriwal to attend Mother Teresa's sainthood ceremony in Vatican
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be travelling to Vatican City in Rome to witness the sainthood ceremony of Mother Teresa. The Roman Catholic nun is to be declared a saint on September 4 by Pope Francis.
Sources in the Delhi chief minister's office confirmed that Kejriwal received and accepted an invitation for the ceremony from the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, the organisation founded by Mother Teresa in 1950.
Kejriwal will be joined by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee who had earlier accepted the invitation to attend the sainthood ceremony.
08:43 Lion killed cow, not Dalit men flogged by gau rakshaks: Gujarat CID
The Gujarat Crime Investigation Department probing the July 11 flogging of a Dalit family by gau rakshaks for skinning a dead cow, has established that the cow was killed by a lion, contrary to what the gau rakshaks claimed was a case of cow slaughter.
Investigators are still not clear who informed the gau rakshaks about the cow being skinned outside Mota Samadhiyala village in Una taluka.
08:13 She's the best damn change-maker I've ever met: Bill Clinton pitches for Hillary
Former US President Bill Clinton pitches for his wife Hillary Clinton's White House bid at the Democrat Convention in Philadelphia.
Here are the highlights:
>> In the spring of 1971, I met a girl..We shared a class. She exuded a sense of strength that I found magnetic. She came over and said if you're gonna keep staring at me, we'd better know at each other.
>> She never made fun of people with disabilities. She tried to empower them based on their abilities.
>> She got so involved with children's issues that she actually took an extra year in law school ... working to determine what more could be done for children.
>> Hillary opened my eyes to a whole new world of public service by private citizens.
>> She's the best damn change-maker I've ever met in my entire life.
>> She always wants to move the ball forwardthat is just who she is.
05:17 Larry Sanders gives tearful tribute to brother Bernie and their parents at the DNC
As Democrats took their roll call vote of the states at their convention on Tuesday, one delegate from Democrats Abroad got to make his own moving speech. Bernie Sanders's 82-year-old brother Larry, who lives in the UK, shared a tribute to his parents and his little brother "Bernard."
"I want to bring before this convention the names of our parents: Eli Sanders, Dorothy Glassberg Sanders," Larry said, through tears. "They did not have easy lives, and they died young. They would be immensely proud of their son and his accomplishments. They loved him."
Larry continued: "They loved the New Deal of Franklin Roosevelt and would be especially proud that Bernard is renewing that vision. It is with enormous pride that I cast my vote for Bernie Sanders."
04:18 Hillary creates history as 1st woman White House nominee
Taking her place in history, Hillary Clinton became the first woman in history to be nominated by a major party for president after Democratic Party delegates cast their votes in her favour on Tuesday.
Delegates chanted Hillary, Hillary, as US Senator Barbara Mikulski put Clintons name forward for a state-by-state roll call at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia.
After a long battle with US Senator Bernie Sanders, Clinton has more than enough delegates needed to win the vote and be the standard bearer for the party against Republican nominee Donald Trump at the Nov. 8 election.
Sanders has endorsed Clinton, a former secretary of state and first lady, but some of his supporters have protested in Philadelphia against her and the party establishment for seeming to back her during the bitter Democratic primary fight.
The nominating process on Tuesday was expected to take around two hours. Sanders name was also put forward for nomination but he does not have the delegates to win.
Supporters of Clinton, who was also a US senator and first lady to President Bill Clinton, say her Washington credentials show she has the experience needed for the White House during troubled times as the United States tries to speed up its economic recovery and faces security challenges abroad.
03:08 Democratic National Convention: Roll call begins for presidential nominee
Hillary Clinton is set to become the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party on a night that her campaign is hoping will reintroduce her to voters still deeply skeptical of her candidacy.
Shortly before 5 pm Eastern Time, the party began its nominating process, with the name of Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) put forward by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii).
She affectionately called Sanders a somewhat frumpy, and maybe even sometimes grumpy, 74-year-old guy who created a progressive movement.
Sanders sat in the convention hall next to his wife, with a broad smile on his face, as a pair of seconding speeches followed. He stood up and waved to the crowd afterward amid an extended ovation.
Clinton was nominated by Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), the dean of women senators, who said she was putting forward the former secretary of states name on behalf of all the women who have broken down barriers.
Read full story HERE.
02:23 One French church attacker identified as Adel Kermiche
French Prosecutor Francois Molins said today that one of two jihadists who attacked a church in a Normandy town, and slit a priest's throat, was 19-year-old Adel Kermiche.
Kermiche was known to security services, having twice been arrested on his way to Syria, and was under house arrest and wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet at the time of the attack.
Molins said Kermiche and an unknown accomplice, armed with knives, had stormed the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, taking hostage the 86-year-old priest, three nuns and two worshippers.
01:36 French 'priest killer' on probation
One of the attackers suspected of killing a priest at a church in north France was on probation and wearing a surveillance tag, officials say.
Prosecutor Francois Molins identified the suspect as Adel Kermiche, 19, who was twice arrested last year trying to reach Syria.
Kermiche and a fellow attacker stormed the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, a suburb of Rouen, during morning Mass.
They slit the throat of the elderly priest before being killed by police.
01:14 Hollande rejects opposition calls to harden terror laws
French President Francois Hollande today rejected opposition calls to further harden anti-terrorism legislation after the country's second jihadist
attack in two weeks.
"Restricting our freedoms will not make the fight against terrorism more effective," he said, adding that changes made to legislation already gave authorities sufficient "capacity to act".
He was speaking after two jihadists attacked a church in a Normandy town, killing an elderly Catholic priest by slitting his throat, and severely injuring another person.
Hollande's predecessor and opposition chief Nicolas Sarkozy earlier called for the government to "thoroughly change ... the strategy of our counterattack."
"Our enemy has no taboos, no limits, no morals, no borders," he said, asking the government to adopt proposals made by his right-wing Republicans party.
01:05
Author and historian Patrick French posted a tweet on his handle on the microblogging platform criticising the New York Times publication of an open letter by the controversial Ghulam Nabi Fai.
The piece titled 'Kashmir Has Its Own Identity' states that 'No settlement of their (Kashmir's) status will hold unless it is explicitly based on the principles of self-determination and gives the people the choice whether to join India or Pakistan or remain independent.'
The piece can be read in its entirety HERE.
00:47 Migration is 'poison' for Europe, says Hungary PM
Hungary's right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban today described the arrival of asylum seekers in Europe as "a poison", saying his country did not want or need "a single migrant".
"Hungary does not need a single migrant for the economy to work, or the population to sustain itself, or for the country to have a future," he told a joint press conference in Budapest with Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern.
"This is why there is no need for a common European migration policy: whoever needs migrants can take them, but don't force them on us, we don't need them," Orban said.
The populist strongman added that "every single migrant poses a public security and terror risk".
"For us migration is not a solution but a problem... not medicine but a poison, we don't need it and won't swallow it," he said.
Orban is a fierce opponent of the European Union's troubled plan to share migrants across the 28-nation bloc under a mandatory quota system.
00:26 Medium intensity quake hits Assam
A medium intensity earthquake, measuring 4 on Richter Scale, today hit Assam.
According to the National Centre for Seismology, a unit of the Ministry of Earth Science, the epicenter of the quake was Marigaon in Assam.
It struck at 11:36 am at the depth of 10 kms.
00:24 Sanders may nominate Clinton, says source
Bernie Sanders may propose Hillary Clinton's nomination Tuesday evening, as part of a last-minute deal being hammered out by the two camps as they seek party unity amid a chaotic convention in Philadelphia, reports CNN.
The Sanders campaign is asking the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign to allow Vermont to formally call for her nomination -- a symbolic gesture that would allow the majority of Sanders' delegates to be tallied in the convention while also showing that Sanders is behind Clinton.
Sanders spokesman Michael Briggs said Tuesday that all sides have agreed to let Vermont offer up Clinton's nomination by unanimous consent but he would not say whether Sanders would be the superdelegate to propose her nomination.
Read full story HERE.
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