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Tue, 21 June 2016
She died for her views, says husband of Jo Cox
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23:30 She died for her views, says husband of Jo Cox
The husband of slain British lawmaker Jo Cox says he believes she was killed because of her 'strong political views'.
Brendan Cox says his wife was worried about the 'coarsening' of politics. Jo Cox, a Labour lawmaker who had championed the cause of Syrian refugees, was stabbed and shot to death outside a library in her constituency on Thursday.
The suspect gave his name in court as 'death to traitors, freedom for Britain'.
Her death brought a shocked pause in campaigning for Britain's EU referendum.
In a televised interview today, Brendan Cox said his wife 'was very worried that the language was coarsening, that people were being driven to take more extreme positions'.
He said 'she had very strong political views and I believe she was killed because of those views'.
Brendan Cox says his wife was worried about the 'coarsening' of politics. Jo Cox, a Labour lawmaker who had championed the cause of Syrian refugees, was stabbed and shot to death outside a library in her constituency on Thursday.
The suspect gave his name in court as 'death to traitors, freedom for Britain'.
Her death brought a shocked pause in campaigning for Britain's EU referendum.
In a televised interview today, Brendan Cox said his wife 'was very worried that the language was coarsening, that people were being driven to take more extreme positions'.
He said 'she had very strong political views and I believe she was killed because of those views'.
22:35 Firm owned by Vadra gets ED notice under PMLA
The Enforcement Directorate has issued notice to a company owned by Robert Vadra in connection with its money laundering probe in the Bikaner land scam case.
The ED has given the company time till July 24 to reply to the notice that was issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The transaction of Vadras company Skylight Hospitality Ltd with DLF had been under the ED scanner for a long time.
The case pertains to the transfer of ownership of a part of land purchased by Skylight in Rajasthans Bikaner district.
The ED has given the company time till July 24 to reply to the notice that was issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The transaction of Vadras company Skylight Hospitality Ltd with DLF had been under the ED scanner for a long time.
The case pertains to the transfer of ownership of a part of land purchased by Skylight in Rajasthans Bikaner district.
22:14 'Adults with caution' tag for films depicting sex, violence or drugs: Benegal panel
The report, which has been made public by I&B ministry, also says that where the film genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality or safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted but it should be assigned 'Adults with Caution' category.
Nudity, explicit sex, detailed portrayal of violence acts or illegal use of psychotropic substance which harm public health or morals should get
Adults with Caution film certification, the Shyam Benegal panel has suggested.
The panel has submitted its report to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
The report, which has been made public by I&B ministry, also says that where the film genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality or safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted but it should be assigned 'Adults with Caution' category.
22:14 Cameron makes anti-Brexit Downing Street doorstep plea
Prime Minister David Cameron today made a last-ditch direct and personal appeal to British voters to vote in favour of remaining within the EU, pleading them to think of the consequences of their "momentous decision" on the "hopes and dreams" of their children and grandchildren.
Speaking from the doorsteps of his 10 Downing Street office in a hastily organised 10-minute televised statement, Cameron stressed that voting to remain within the 28-nation economic bloc in Thursday's referendum would make the United Kingdom safer and more prosperous.
The 49-year-old described his statement as a "pause" to speak "directly, and personally, about the momentous decision that this country faces in just two days' time."
"Britain does not quit, we get involved, take a lead, make a difference and get things done. It will just be you in that polling booth. Just you, taking a decision that will affect your future, your children's future, your grandchildren's future," he said.
21:26 Thoughtless of Salman to make rape analogy: Anurag Kashyap
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap today criticised superstar Salman Khan for his rape analogy saying it was "thoughtless" and "daft" of him to make such a remark.
He also questioned the journalist, interviewing him, for allegedly laughing over the comment.
It has been reported that the journalists, who were a part of the interview, erupted into laughter at Salman's statement.
Anurag slammed the scribe, answering whose question Salman made the comment, saying he should have questioned the "Kick" star over the statement.
"But does the responsibility lie alone with him? The guy who is interviewing him... When the man gives an analogy like this, he laughs at it. He does not question him. In his mind, he is thinking I have got a headline. How irresponsible it is to make that into a headline."
"I would have taken that out. It does not send a great signal, it empowers misogyny. Suddenly, people have got issue to jump on," Anurag said.
Salman, in a group interview to promote "Sultan", made the remark that he felt like a "raped woman" after one gruelling shoot for the wrestling drama.
20:48 Pak's concerns on Indian role in Afghanistan overestimated: US
Pakistan's concerns on India's role in Afghanistan are "overestimated", a top Obama Administration official said today and warned that the country will not have a "bright future" unless it takes action against terror groups like Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network.
"India has been a supportive partner for Afghanistan. It has provided a limited amount but important military assistance (to Afghanistan)," the Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Olson, told a Washington audience at the Atlantic Council, a top American think-tank.
"I sometime feel that the degree of Indian influence on Afghanistan may be overestimated in Pakistan," Olson said when asked about apprehensions about Indian influence in Afghanistan.
Olson who before taking up this assignment was the US Ambassador to Pakistan referred to the quite often heard Pakistani narrative that there are 24 Indian consulates in Afghanistan.
20:31 Fed's Yellen: US economy faces 'considerable uncertainty'
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said on Tuesday that the US economy faces "considerable uncertainty" from slower domestic activity and from a possible British vote to break with the European Union.
Pointing to recent trends in decreased hiring and a dip in domestic investments, and to the risk that a pro-Brexit vote will send shock waves through global markets, Yellen signaled that the Fed has become less optimistic about US growth over the short term and will proceed with great caution on plans to raise interest rates.
She said in testimony to the Senate Banking Committee that US growth has picked up noticeably in the second quarter from the sluggish pace at the beginning of the year. Nevertheless, she said economic growth has been uneven and clear downside risks remain a threat.
19:56 Kejriwal stands exposed, his 'jhooth ki factory' closed: BJP
With infuriated Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal firing fresh salvos at the Centre and daring Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to scare him, BJP's Delhi unit chief Satish Upadhyay on Tuesday shot back at the Aam Aadmi Party convener and said his 'jhooth ki factory' (factory of lies) now stands exposed.
"For the 11 months, you were sitting on the file of a fact finding committee, which said there were irregularities (in water tanker management), which means you are also involved in it," he said.
Upadhyay said the people of Delhi have now understood that he has continuously been lowering the level of politics.
19:32 Rexit will not have any impact on RBI: SBI Research
Suggesting that Reserve Bank as an institution will not be impacted by Governor Raghuram Rajan's departure, the economic research wing of SBI has termed all other discussion surrounding his decision as "speculative and nonsense".
"We believe any institution is more important than individuals and ultimately what is important is the credibility and the independence of the institution and nothing else. Any other discussion apart from such is purely speculative and nonsense," SBI Research said in a note today.
"Is the event positive or negative for the economy or for the RBI as an institution? Institutions are human creations that decide the rules of the game, they strive to create a Nash Equilibrium, minimising the incentive for unilateral deviations," it added.
The report also described the RBI as an "extremely visionary, pragmatic and fairly independent" organisation throughout its history.
19:02 13 killed as heavy rain lashes parts of UP
Thirteen people, including nine minors, were killed in rain-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh as many parts of the state received heavy rainfall.
Three children were killed in a lightning strike in Siddharth Nagar. They were in a madrassa at the time of the incident, police said, adding that in another similar incident, Hareram Yadav (45) was killed in Jawahin village of Ballia district. Six persons were killed in separate lightning strikes at Jaswant Nagar area in Etawah last night.
Five of the six were identified as Anita, 17, Mulayam, 7, Akash Yadav, 14, Tularam, 55, and Akash, 23, while the identity of one deceased could not be ascertained.
In yet another incident, three children -- Nisha, 12,, Deepak, 10, and Deepchandra, 8, -- were killed as their mud house collapsed this morning in Ambarpur village in Kanpur.
According to the MeT department, isolated parts of the state received heavy rainfall.
18:17 'Rajan did not need to be anybody's yes man'
Academicians are famous for not making politically correct statements. Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan is no exception," economist Abhirup Sarkar, speaks to Indrani Roy/Rediff.com in Kolkata. Read more
18:14 Kali-peelis may go off roads again from July 26 over Ola, Uber fares in Mumbai
At least two Ola cabs and a media vehicle were damaged allegedly by the cabbies and auto drivers who staged a protest against taxi aggregators over their pricing model in South Mumbai today.
Police have detained seven persons on charges of rioting following the incident.
"While coming out of the protest site at Azad Maidan, the agitators vandalised one or two Ola cabs and a press vehicle," said a senior officer attached to Azad Maidan police station.
The protest was staged at Azad Maidan by newly-formed "Jai Bhagwan Taxi Rickshaw Sanghatana" seeking an inquiry and action against the app-based taxi aggregators such as Uber and Ola over their pricing strategy to attract customers. Scores of cabbies and auto drivers participated in the protest.
Addressing the gathering, Sanghatna president Bala Sanap said, "We are forced to gather here to raise our voice against the cab aggregators Ola and Uber. We want to know how they offer services at just Rs 6 per km when the fixed rate is Rs 8 per km for taxis."
Alleging that the government is in collusion with cab aggregators, he said, "We feel there is a conspiracy to take our taxis and rickshaws off roads. But we will not let this happen whatever it may take."
Sanap threatened to take taxis off roads from July 26 if the government failed to order an inquiry against the cab aggregators.
Police have detained seven persons on charges of rioting following the incident.
"While coming out of the protest site at Azad Maidan, the agitators vandalised one or two Ola cabs and a press vehicle," said a senior officer attached to Azad Maidan police station.
The protest was staged at Azad Maidan by newly-formed "Jai Bhagwan Taxi Rickshaw Sanghatana" seeking an inquiry and action against the app-based taxi aggregators such as Uber and Ola over their pricing strategy to attract customers. Scores of cabbies and auto drivers participated in the protest.
Addressing the gathering, Sanghatna president Bala Sanap said, "We are forced to gather here to raise our voice against the cab aggregators Ola and Uber. We want to know how they offer services at just Rs 6 per km when the fixed rate is Rs 8 per km for taxis."
Alleging that the government is in collusion with cab aggregators, he said, "We feel there is a conspiracy to take our taxis and rickshaws off roads. But we will not let this happen whatever it may take."
Sanap threatened to take taxis off roads from July 26 if the government failed to order an inquiry against the cab aggregators.
17:46 Jews to get minority status in Maharashtra
The Maharashtra government today approved a proposal to grant minority status to Jews in the state. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
"Maharashtra Cabinet approves minority status to Jew community. This decision will benefit students from these communities to avail scholarships from the state government and setting up of educational institutions," Fadnavis said.
The move, which was announced by then Maharashtra Minority Affairs Minister Eknath Khadse, is expected to make life easier for members of the community in the state. After being officially recognised as a minority community, the Jews would enjoy several privileges like other minority communities.
It would become easier for them to register their marriages. They would also be able to set up their own educational institutes and practice and promote their culture.
Jews have been a part of the Indian society for over 2,300 years now. According to 2001 Census, the number of Jews living in India was 4,650 with 2,466 of them residing in Maharashtra. However, Principal Secretary of Minority department, Jayashree Mukherjee said the state government has no official record of the number of people from the community in Maharashtra. She also said that there will not be an additional burden on the state exchequer with their inclusion in minorities.
"The Jews should have been given (minority status) long back, but somehow they weren't given. The government has no official records of the number of people in the community as their population is too less. But, according to them (community members), their population in the state is 2,466," she told PTI. When asked why the community was given the minority status now, she said, "They asked for it now so we gave it." "As far as financial aspects are concerned, their inclusion will not have any effect on the state exchequer and the burden will borne from the existing budget itself," Mukherjee said.
The Jews of Manipur and Mizoram identify themselves as Beni Menashe. There are also some in Andhra Pradesh who call themselves Bene Ephraim Jews. India is one of the few countries in the world where Jews have never faced any harassment or persecution.
Representational image of a Jewish person.
"Maharashtra Cabinet approves minority status to Jew community. This decision will benefit students from these communities to avail scholarships from the state government and setting up of educational institutions," Fadnavis said.
The move, which was announced by then Maharashtra Minority Affairs Minister Eknath Khadse, is expected to make life easier for members of the community in the state. After being officially recognised as a minority community, the Jews would enjoy several privileges like other minority communities.
It would become easier for them to register their marriages. They would also be able to set up their own educational institutes and practice and promote their culture.
Jews have been a part of the Indian society for over 2,300 years now. According to 2001 Census, the number of Jews living in India was 4,650 with 2,466 of them residing in Maharashtra. However, Principal Secretary of Minority department, Jayashree Mukherjee said the state government has no official record of the number of people from the community in Maharashtra. She also said that there will not be an additional burden on the state exchequer with their inclusion in minorities.
"The Jews should have been given (minority status) long back, but somehow they weren't given. The government has no official records of the number of people in the community as their population is too less. But, according to them (community members), their population in the state is 2,466," she told PTI. When asked why the community was given the minority status now, she said, "They asked for it now so we gave it." "As far as financial aspects are concerned, their inclusion will not have any effect on the state exchequer and the burden will borne from the existing budget itself," Mukherjee said.
The Jews of Manipur and Mizoram identify themselves as Beni Menashe. There are also some in Andhra Pradesh who call themselves Bene Ephraim Jews. India is one of the few countries in the world where Jews have never faced any harassment or persecution.
Representational image of a Jewish person.
17:08 Day after clean chit, SoftBank president Nikesh Arora to step down
Under fire from investors, SoftBank Group Corp. President Nikesh Arora is stepping down, marking an abrupt end to the tenure of founder and Chief Executive Masayoshi Son's handpicked successor.
Just yesterday, SoftBank had given a clean chit to Arora after a special committee of independent board members completed its review of the allegations against the former Google executive and found them to be without merit.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Son said he would continue as CEO longer than planned and Arora, a former Google Inc. executive whom he recruited two years ago, will step down to pursue a different path.
"I was thinking of handing over my job as CEO when I turn 60, but thought maybe I'm still a bit too young, and still have energy to continue," the 58-year-old Son said.
Arora said he will remain as an adviser to SoftBank.
"This will allow me to think about my next move," Arora said.
Son said Arora wouldn't be reappointed to his position at Wednesday's shareholder general meeting.
SoftBank was founded as a software distributor in 1981 by Son. It acquired Vodafone Group PLC's Japanese operations in 2006, rebranded it using the SoftBank name and transformed it into Japan's third-largest mobile-phone service provider. The company is attempting another turnaround at Sprint Corp., which it acquired in 2013, but those efforts so far have been difficult.
Also read: Why investors are angry with SoftBank star Nikesh Arora
Just yesterday, SoftBank had given a clean chit to Arora after a special committee of independent board members completed its review of the allegations against the former Google executive and found them to be without merit.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Son said he would continue as CEO longer than planned and Arora, a former Google Inc. executive whom he recruited two years ago, will step down to pursue a different path.
"I was thinking of handing over my job as CEO when I turn 60, but thought maybe I'm still a bit too young, and still have energy to continue," the 58-year-old Son said.
Arora said he will remain as an adviser to SoftBank.
"This will allow me to think about my next move," Arora said.
Son said Arora wouldn't be reappointed to his position at Wednesday's shareholder general meeting.
SoftBank was founded as a software distributor in 1981 by Son. It acquired Vodafone Group PLC's Japanese operations in 2006, rebranded it using the SoftBank name and transformed it into Japan's third-largest mobile-phone service provider. The company is attempting another turnaround at Sprint Corp., which it acquired in 2013, but those efforts so far have been difficult.
Also read: Why investors are angry with SoftBank star Nikesh Arora
16:47 Indo-Pak border goes hi-tech to nix infiltration, says BSF
The BSF today said it has made some very "solid" arrangements to foil infiltration bids from across the Indo-Pak border and deployed smart gadgets and troops to check such attempts.
"It is true that terrorists are assembled across the border and they regularly try to infiltrate and come into our country. I can assure you that we have made very solid arrangements and every such attempt will be foiled," BSF Director General K K Sharma said.
"By using technological solutions and better deployment, we will ensure that infiltration does not happen," he said on the sidelines of an event here. Sharma was asked about measures that the border guarding force has taken to ensure that infiltration and Pathankot-like incidents do not take place from across the Indo-Pak International Border in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. He said the force, part of the overall security deployment along with CRPF, Army and Jammu and Kashmir police, has also made similar "pukhtaa" (solid) arrangements to ensure a smooth Amarnath yatra, beginning July 2.
"I can assure you that this year also, solid arrangements have been made and we will conduct it (yatra) very peacefully," he said. The 48-day yatra will commence from the twin routes of Baltal in Ganderbal district and Chandanwari in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
"It is true that terrorists are assembled across the border and they regularly try to infiltrate and come into our country. I can assure you that we have made very solid arrangements and every such attempt will be foiled," BSF Director General K K Sharma said.
"By using technological solutions and better deployment, we will ensure that infiltration does not happen," he said on the sidelines of an event here. Sharma was asked about measures that the border guarding force has taken to ensure that infiltration and Pathankot-like incidents do not take place from across the Indo-Pak International Border in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. He said the force, part of the overall security deployment along with CRPF, Army and Jammu and Kashmir police, has also made similar "pukhtaa" (solid) arrangements to ensure a smooth Amarnath yatra, beginning July 2.
"I can assure you that this year also, solid arrangements have been made and we will conduct it (yatra) very peacefully," he said. The 48-day yatra will commence from the twin routes of Baltal in Ganderbal district and Chandanwari in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
16:41 Won't mess up like I did while recommending Chappell: Ganguly
Entrusted with the responsibility of picking India's next chief coach, former captain Sourav Ganguly said that he will not "mess up" as he did once when he recommended Australian Greg Chappell's name in 2005. Ganguly and Chappell shared a frosty relationship during two turbulent years in country's cricket, a time when one of India's celebrated captain was removed from the top job.
"I once had an opportunity to select the coach. I thought I messed it up in 2005 (during Chappell's recruitment). I have been given that opportunity again. I had taken an interview (Chappell) once and it did not go off well," Ganguly said during the launch of his book 'A Century Is Not Enough'. Ganguly hoped that the Cricket Advisory Committee will do it correctly.
"Hopefully, we will do it correctly this time, whoever it is... Luckily, I've got support in Sachin, VVS, the BCCI secretary (Ajay Shirke) and the president (Anurag Thakur). Together, we will pick the right person," said Ganguly. Ganguly accepted that being the coach of the Indian team did cross his mind a couple of years back.
"To be honest, two-and-half-years ago, I was thinking myself whether I would want this job. Now today, I'm selecting one. That's how life is. I have not given interview, hopefully I will give (the interview) one day..."
"In life nothing is guaranteed, nobody knows what will happen one or two years later. Nobody thought I would be president of CAB and hosting a World Twenty20 final. That's how life is, and you have to deal it." The former skipper said that he spent a sleepless night yesterday on the eve of coach's interview, somewhat similar to the feeling before his Test debut against England at the Lord's in 1996.
"Yesterday night, I was not getting sleep when everyone was sleeping. I saw it (his hundred at the Lord's) on YouTube -- a 12-minute video -- and I fell asleep after that. I felt happy."
"I am a normal human being, who wanted to do well in a profession, which I loved the most. That afternoon (at the Lord's) made me believe if I work hard, I've got it in me to play for next 10 years."
"I once had an opportunity to select the coach. I thought I messed it up in 2005 (during Chappell's recruitment). I have been given that opportunity again. I had taken an interview (Chappell) once and it did not go off well," Ganguly said during the launch of his book 'A Century Is Not Enough'. Ganguly hoped that the Cricket Advisory Committee will do it correctly.
"Hopefully, we will do it correctly this time, whoever it is... Luckily, I've got support in Sachin, VVS, the BCCI secretary (Ajay Shirke) and the president (Anurag Thakur). Together, we will pick the right person," said Ganguly. Ganguly accepted that being the coach of the Indian team did cross his mind a couple of years back.
"To be honest, two-and-half-years ago, I was thinking myself whether I would want this job. Now today, I'm selecting one. That's how life is. I have not given interview, hopefully I will give (the interview) one day..."
"In life nothing is guaranteed, nobody knows what will happen one or two years later. Nobody thought I would be president of CAB and hosting a World Twenty20 final. That's how life is, and you have to deal it." The former skipper said that he spent a sleepless night yesterday on the eve of coach's interview, somewhat similar to the feeling before his Test debut against England at the Lord's in 1996.
"Yesterday night, I was not getting sleep when everyone was sleeping. I saw it (his hundred at the Lord's) on YouTube -- a 12-minute video -- and I fell asleep after that. I felt happy."
"I am a normal human being, who wanted to do well in a profession, which I loved the most. That afternoon (at the Lord's) made me believe if I work hard, I've got it in me to play for next 10 years."
16:35 Yoga is India's gift to the world: Sadhguru
Yoga, even though it originated in India, does not belong to the country anymore and became India's gift to the world when the UN proclaimed the International Day of Yoga, renowned spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has said.
"We must understand that yoga is not an Indian (thing). If you want to call yoga Indian, then you must call gravity European," Sadhguru said at a panel discussion organised here yesterday by India's Permanent Mission to the UN on the eve of the second International Yoga Day.
Sadhguru said even though the idea of commemorating the International Yoga Day was mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was "almost like the world was waiting for it" when 177 nations supported the UN resolution proclaiming June 21 as International Day of Yoga.
"Yoga is "not about you versus me. This is why I said yoga is not Indian because a science cannot be Indian. Yes, yoga originated from India and as Indians we are proud of it but it does not belong to India," he said during the panel discussion 'Conversation with Yoga Masters' that also featured Tao Porchon-Lynch, 97-year-old Yoga Master and activist.
"We must understand that yoga is not an Indian (thing). If you want to call yoga Indian, then you must call gravity European," Sadhguru said at a panel discussion organised here yesterday by India's Permanent Mission to the UN on the eve of the second International Yoga Day.
Sadhguru said even though the idea of commemorating the International Yoga Day was mooted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was "almost like the world was waiting for it" when 177 nations supported the UN resolution proclaiming June 21 as International Day of Yoga.
"Yoga is "not about you versus me. This is why I said yoga is not Indian because a science cannot be Indian. Yes, yoga originated from India and as Indians we are proud of it but it does not belong to India," he said during the panel discussion 'Conversation with Yoga Masters' that also featured Tao Porchon-Lynch, 97-year-old Yoga Master and activist.
16:21 Bihar topper scam: BSEB ex-chief, wife sent to 14-day judicial custody
A civil court in Patna on Tuesday sent former Bihar School Examination Board chairman Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh and wife Usha Sinha, a former JD-U MLA, to 14 days judicial custody in connection with the intermediate toppers' scam case in the state.
The court had earlier today rejected the interim bail plea of Singh and his wife.
The couple was arrested by the Special Investigation Team yesterday.
An arrest warrant was issued by a Patna civil court against Singh, who is a key accused in the case and had gone underground after resigning from the board and was untraceable since then.
According to reports, the couple left Bihar and reached Varanasi soon after their alleged involvement in the scam was exposed.
16:17 Pakistan High Commission invites separatists for Iftar
Separatist leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, have been invited by the Pakistan High Commission for the annual Iftar party in New Delhi on June 25.
Most of the top and middle-rung separatist leaders from both factions of Hurriyat Conference as well as the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front have been invited to the event.
"Yes, we have received an invitation from Pakistan High Commission for an Iftar party on June 25," Ayaz Akbar, spokesperson for the hardline Hurriyat faction led by Geelani said.
Akbar said around 30 members belonging to various constituents of the Geelani's faction have been invited by the Pakistan High Commission.
They include Geelani, Ashraf Sehrai, Shabir Shah and Nayeem Khan, Akbar said.
Though it was not yet decided whether Geelani would attend, the Hurriyat will be represented at the Iftar party, he said.
15:39 Ragged nursing student critical, forced to drink toilet cleaner
A female nursing student from Kerala who was subjected to cruel ragging in a nursing college at Gulberga in Karnataka has been hospitalised in a serious condition. The student was forced to drink cleaning fluid.
She has been admitted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. Doctors said the food pipe of the girl has been burnt.The girl's parents said that the Gulbarga police have refused to file a complaint in the case.
Details awaited.
Representational image
She has been admitted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. Doctors said the food pipe of the girl has been burnt.The girl's parents said that the Gulbarga police have refused to file a complaint in the case.
Details awaited.
Representational image
15:28 'India should be ready with contingency plan on Brexit'
The government must put in place a contingency plan to fight off the volatility arising out of the referendum on 'Brexit' slated for Thursday as it is bound to unnerve the global financial markets, an industry body said today.
"In the medium to long term, the funds shuffled in an uncertain Britain and European markets could find way into the Indian markets, but in the immediate term, anything can happen and as a credible economy, we have to be ready and be on top of the situation," Assocham said, adding it has full confidence in RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan to deal with the fast unfolding global events.
Anticipating a close call between the 'leave' and 'remain' votes in the referendum, the chamber observed that there could be an upheaval in the financial markets out of sheer panic, at least in the short term.
It said the Brexit event is coinciding with the concerns over a possible outflow of USD 20 billion due to redemption of the FCNR deposits, though the current account situation at this point of time is quite comfortable, thanks to lower bill of imported crude oil for the last over 18 months.
"With London being a nerve centre for the global firms, a fear factor has gripped the entire financial world. As a key emerging market and the one which is being preferred by the global fund managers, India could witness wild fluctuations or large outflows in sync with an overall trend. That is something to watch out for," the industry body said.
The RBI, it said, is expected to be ready with a contingency plan for effective intervention if there is a pressure on the dollar supply because of outflows of funds from the emerging markets.
"In the medium to long term, the funds shuffled in an uncertain Britain and European markets could find way into the Indian markets, but in the immediate term, anything can happen and as a credible economy, we have to be ready and be on top of the situation," Assocham said, adding it has full confidence in RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan to deal with the fast unfolding global events.
Anticipating a close call between the 'leave' and 'remain' votes in the referendum, the chamber observed that there could be an upheaval in the financial markets out of sheer panic, at least in the short term.
It said the Brexit event is coinciding with the concerns over a possible outflow of USD 20 billion due to redemption of the FCNR deposits, though the current account situation at this point of time is quite comfortable, thanks to lower bill of imported crude oil for the last over 18 months.
"With London being a nerve centre for the global firms, a fear factor has gripped the entire financial world. As a key emerging market and the one which is being preferred by the global fund managers, India could witness wild fluctuations or large outflows in sync with an overall trend. That is something to watch out for," the industry body said.
The RBI, it said, is expected to be ready with a contingency plan for effective intervention if there is a pressure on the dollar supply because of outflows of funds from the emerging markets.
15:21 JD (U) corners PM Modi, says 'masters of event management' branding yoga
The Janata Dal (United) on Tuesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is indulging in unwarranted politics in the name of yoga and dubbed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders to be 'masters of event management'.
JD (U) leader Sanjay Singh, who was commenting on the International Yoga Day celebrations across the world, accused the ruling dispensation of wasting a lot of money from the public exchequer on the occasion.
"The world has been celebrating yoga from a long time, but the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are branding it. They (BJP) are masters of event management. Crores of money is being spent on this," Singh told ANI.
"The people took the initiative of cleanliness after the launch of 'Swachhta Abhiyan', but it stopped after some time. Likewise, money is being wasted on this occasion," he said. Escalating his attack on the Centre, the JD (U) leader said even his party members' practice yoga, but they don't show-off.
"The BJP has made it a den of politics... Our Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has strictly said that he would participate in the International Yoga Day celebrations if the Prime Minister implements complete ban on alcohol in the nation. Definitely, politics is being played in the name of yoga and it will not continue for long," he added. Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Modi, the Bihar Chief Minister had earlier on Sunday said if the former is so serious about yoga then he should ban liquor at least in all the BJP-ruled states.
JD (U) leader Sanjay Singh, who was commenting on the International Yoga Day celebrations across the world, accused the ruling dispensation of wasting a lot of money from the public exchequer on the occasion.
"The world has been celebrating yoga from a long time, but the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are branding it. They (BJP) are masters of event management. Crores of money is being spent on this," Singh told ANI.
"The people took the initiative of cleanliness after the launch of 'Swachhta Abhiyan', but it stopped after some time. Likewise, money is being wasted on this occasion," he said. Escalating his attack on the Centre, the JD (U) leader said even his party members' practice yoga, but they don't show-off.
"The BJP has made it a den of politics... Our Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has strictly said that he would participate in the International Yoga Day celebrations if the Prime Minister implements complete ban on alcohol in the nation. Definitely, politics is being played in the name of yoga and it will not continue for long," he added. Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Modi, the Bihar Chief Minister had earlier on Sunday said if the former is so serious about yoga then he should ban liquor at least in all the BJP-ruled states.
15:17 Indian women seeking permanent contraceptive solutions
Three days after she gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Susheela is in the operating theatre. Her procedure will take only 10 minutes. A small scar below her bellybutton, hardly visible, is the only mark the doctors will leave behind. At 27, the mother of two is getting permanently sterilised.
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15:02 CBI questions Himachal CM's son Vikramaditya Singh
Vikramaditya Singh, son of Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh questioned by CBI in alleged disproportionate assets case at Delhi HQ.
14:59 China again plays Pakistan card to deny India NSG entry
In an unusual move, China's state media on Tuesday defended Pakistan's nuclear record, saying it was A Q Khan who was responsible for atomic proliferation which was not backed by the government and argued that any exemption to India for Nuclear Suppliers Group entry should also be given to Pakistan. Read more
14:55 Why was Sakshi TV banned in Andhra Pradesh?
Sakshi TV, a Telugu news channel, has been off TV screens in Andhra Pradesh since June 10, owing to a cable ban placed on it for its coverage of the Kapu quota stir. However, the channel getting banned is only one part of the story and the challenges Sakshi TV is facing are indicative of a larger, wider 'invisible' media censorship that is growing roots in both Andhra Pradesh and Telengana. Read more
14:30 Sangh discovers Rajan's (news) value
The RSS English weekly, Organiser, has tapped Raghuram Rajan for an interview but the outgoing RBI governor has yet to get back.
Prafulla Ketkar, the editor, has confirmed putting in a request with Rajan. If the interview materialises, it is likely to feature in the next issue of the Organiser, due on Sunday.
"He's the most discussed person, so naturally a news weekly like ours would want to seek out his views. Rajan has delivered on the fiscal front and his vision should be made known to our readers," said Ketkar. "I believe even if an individual is anti-RSS, we should speak to him. If Rajan agrees to an interview, I will follow it up with one Dr (Subramanian) Swamy to have a point-counterpoint presentation." Read more
Prafulla Ketkar, the editor, has confirmed putting in a request with Rajan. If the interview materialises, it is likely to feature in the next issue of the Organiser, due on Sunday.
"He's the most discussed person, so naturally a news weekly like ours would want to seek out his views. Rajan has delivered on the fiscal front and his vision should be made known to our readers," said Ketkar. "I believe even if an individual is anti-RSS, we should speak to him. If Rajan agrees to an interview, I will follow it up with one Dr (Subramanian) Swamy to have a point-counterpoint presentation." Read more
14:16 University degree linked to increased risk of brain tumour diagnosis
Health alert: Graduates are more likely to be diagnosed with brain tumours, a study has shown. Men with a university level education lasting at least three years are 19 per cent more likely to discover a glioma -- a type of cancerous tumour arising the cells around neurons -- than those who left school at 16. For women the chance of being diagnosed with a tumour was even higher, a 23 per cent increased risk for the most educated. Read more
14:10 What Salman said is wrong, intention is not: Dad Salim Khan
Salman Khans father Salim Khan apologises for the actors rape remark, says what he said was wrong, but his intention was not. "Undoubtedly what Salman said is wrong, the simili, example and the context. The intention was not wrong," Salim Khan tweeted. "I apologise on behalf of his family, his friends and his fans," his father said.
The 50-year-old actor was quoted by the site SpotboyE as saying during a media interaction on the weekend: "When I used to walk out of the ring, after the shoot, I used to feel like a raped woman. I couldn't walk straight."
In the audio of the interaction on Saturday, he appeared to retract seconds later, saying: "I don't think I should have..."
The 50-year-old actor was quoted by the site SpotboyE as saying during a media interaction on the weekend: "When I used to walk out of the ring, after the shoot, I used to feel like a raped woman. I couldn't walk straight."
In the audio of the interaction on Saturday, he appeared to retract seconds later, saying: "I don't think I should have..."
14:02
Army Chief Dalbir Singh does yoga in Delhi on International Yoga Day.
14:00 Lakhs stretch for International Yoga Day, PM leads event
Lakhs of people across India and abroad stretched themselves in various postures to mark the second International Yoga Day today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the main event in Chandigarh, performing asanas, maintaining that yoga is not a religious activity.
Dressed in a white T-shirt and trousers with a scarf around his neck, Modi joined over 30,000 people including defense forces personnel and school children for the event and asked people to embrace yoga like they have taken to mobile phones, saying "it gives us health assurance at zero budget".
He also pitched for treating diabetes through Yoga and announced two awards including international Yoga awards for excellent work in the field. President Pranab Mukherjee kicked off the celebrations at Rashtrapati Bhavan with around 1,000 persons participating in a mass yoga event.
The day had its share of controversies with Kerala Health Minister and senior CPI(M) leader K K Shailaja expressing reservations over rendering of a Sanskrit 'shloka'.
Taking part in the state-level Yoga event in Thiruvananthapuram, the Minister asked the officials whether the 'shloka' was necessary to be included in the programme schedule and suggested a commonly accepted prayer could have been included at the event.
No official programme was organised by the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar where Union minister Ravishankar Prasad, led thousands of people in observing the fitness regime.
Dressed in a white T-shirt and trousers with a scarf around his neck, Modi joined over 30,000 people including defense forces personnel and school children for the event and asked people to embrace yoga like they have taken to mobile phones, saying "it gives us health assurance at zero budget".
He also pitched for treating diabetes through Yoga and announced two awards including international Yoga awards for excellent work in the field. President Pranab Mukherjee kicked off the celebrations at Rashtrapati Bhavan with around 1,000 persons participating in a mass yoga event.
The day had its share of controversies with Kerala Health Minister and senior CPI(M) leader K K Shailaja expressing reservations over rendering of a Sanskrit 'shloka'.
Taking part in the state-level Yoga event in Thiruvananthapuram, the Minister asked the officials whether the 'shloka' was necessary to be included in the programme schedule and suggested a commonly accepted prayer could have been included at the event.
No official programme was organised by the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar where Union minister Ravishankar Prasad, led thousands of people in observing the fitness regime.
13:57 Defamation lawsuits that drag on and on
Anything between 18 to 25 years -- that is how long the courts take to settle defamation cases which are becoming increasingly routine and frivolous. Read
13:37 David Beckham backs Remain vote in EU referendum
David Beckham has come out in support of Britain remaining in the European Union, days ahead of the referendum. The footballer shared a photo of himself and Eric Cantona during their time at Manchester United in an Instagram post which has been liked over 50,000 times in 15 minutes.
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13:35 I'm not a chappal to be worn and thrown, says sacked K'taka Cong MLA
Smarting over his removal as a minister, Kannada mega-star MH Ambareesh offered this message to his party, the Congress, today: "I am not a chappal (Slipper) that can be worn and then thrown away," he told NDTV.
Ambareesh, 63, was dropped along with 13 other ministers in a reshuffle by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday.
He had reportedly been assessed as a poor performer in his three years in his role as Housing Minister.
"I have my own popularity," the actor-turned-politician asserted. He said his biggest complaint is that his boss, the Chief Minister, did not warn him about his removal. "I would have given up (the post) for a younger leader," he claimed.
Ambareesh says he has quit as state legislator, but rules need him to deliver a resignation letter in person to the Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly.
A major film industry association has stopped production of movies in a show of support for the actor. The revamp of the cabinet has caused major angst within the Congress, which is dealing with mutiny in most of the six/seven states it governs.
Ambareesh, 63, was dropped along with 13 other ministers in a reshuffle by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday.
He had reportedly been assessed as a poor performer in his three years in his role as Housing Minister.
"I have my own popularity," the actor-turned-politician asserted. He said his biggest complaint is that his boss, the Chief Minister, did not warn him about his removal. "I would have given up (the post) for a younger leader," he claimed.
Ambareesh says he has quit as state legislator, but rules need him to deliver a resignation letter in person to the Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly.
A major film industry association has stopped production of movies in a show of support for the actor. The revamp of the cabinet has caused major angst within the Congress, which is dealing with mutiny in most of the six/seven states it governs.
13:26 Breathe in, breathe out
HM Rajnath Singh does breathing exercises on a rain-drenched morning in Lucknow today. International Yoga Day was practiced across India today.
12:59 NCW gives Salman 7 days to apologise for rape comment
Lalitha Kumaramangalam, National Commission for Women chief, told news agency ANI that the commission has Salman Khan a letter asking why he made the remark. This is very sad. Just because he is Salman Khan doesn't mean he can make such a statement," she said, adding that the commission has given him seven days to apologise. "It is quite shameful that such a public figure can talk so irresponsibly."
Activist Kavita Krishnan said, "Salman Khan's comment trivialises rape, but it's not just Salman, rape analogies are common in society and films."
Designer-BJP spokesperson Shaina NC asked Salman to apologise for his comments. "Rape is an exercise of power to destruct a woman's self esteem, from what I know of @BeingSalmanKhan he respects #women so he must apologise."
One Twitter user wrote, "Wow..@BeingSalmanKhan compared his shooting schedule for #Sultan to him feeling like a raped woman...is he for real?? #ridiculous #epicfail."
Another added, "I know Salman Khan has fans. But if his female fans are ok with his 'I felt like a raped woman' then I've just lost faith in the world." "Salman Khan. Just another man who doesn't realize the power of words?" posted a Twiiter user.
A girl wrote, "How does Salman Khan have fans? I'm very curious to know. And if he continues to have female fans after this then I fear for this world!"
He was quoted by the site SpotboyE as saying during a media interaction on the weekend: "When I used to walk out of the ring, after the shoot, I used to feel like a raped woman. I couldn't walk straight."
In the audio of the interaction on Saturday, he appeared to retract seconds later, saying: "I don't think I should have..."
The 50-year-old was speaking about filming the wrestling scenes in Sultan and describing what he felt was a grueling shoot, involving "lifting the same 120-kilo guy 10 times for 10 different angles".
After the rape comment, the actor was heard clarifying to journalists: "It feels like the most difficult...I couldn't take steps. I couldn't take steps."
Activist Kavita Krishnan said, "Salman Khan's comment trivialises rape, but it's not just Salman, rape analogies are common in society and films."
Designer-BJP spokesperson Shaina NC asked Salman to apologise for his comments. "Rape is an exercise of power to destruct a woman's self esteem, from what I know of @BeingSalmanKhan he respects #women so he must apologise."
One Twitter user wrote, "Wow..@BeingSalmanKhan compared his shooting schedule for #Sultan to him feeling like a raped woman...is he for real?? #ridiculous #epicfail."
Another added, "I know Salman Khan has fans. But if his female fans are ok with his 'I felt like a raped woman' then I've just lost faith in the world." "Salman Khan. Just another man who doesn't realize the power of words?" posted a Twiiter user.
A girl wrote, "How does Salman Khan have fans? I'm very curious to know. And if he continues to have female fans after this then I fear for this world!"
He was quoted by the site SpotboyE as saying during a media interaction on the weekend: "When I used to walk out of the ring, after the shoot, I used to feel like a raped woman. I couldn't walk straight."
In the audio of the interaction on Saturday, he appeared to retract seconds later, saying: "I don't think I should have..."
The 50-year-old was speaking about filming the wrestling scenes in Sultan and describing what he felt was a grueling shoot, involving "lifting the same 120-kilo guy 10 times for 10 different angles".
After the rape comment, the actor was heard clarifying to journalists: "It feels like the most difficult...I couldn't take steps. I couldn't take steps."
12:40
MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweets: @MEAIndia Yoga at Capitol Hill! Enthusiasts come together in Washington D.C. for #YogaDay celebrations.
12:38 Yoga day more important than crowd control, say RPF as trains breakdown again
Overnight rains in Mumbai and its surrounding areas have played havoc with Central Railway train services in Mumbai, affecting thousands of commuters who depend on the railway network to ferry them to work and back.
Ambika Hanchate, a reader, narrates her experience at Thane railway station today:
"At around 9.15 am, when I reached the railway foot over-bridge at Thane station, it was crowded. Some trains were cancelled, while others were running late. Taking advantage of the crowd, some men were groping the women, and a few pregnant women were feeling suffocated in the crush but they couldn't even move. Around 10.10 am, when I managed to reach platform number 10, I saw two RPF personnel seated there busy reading the newspaper. I walked up to them and asked them why there wasn't a single railway personnel to manage the crowds.
One of them told me the RPF were busy with yoga day celebrations. When I asked him if yoga day was more important than the security of common people, he replied that yoga day was more important.
"I thought of approaching the station master. While crossing the bridge I saw three more RPF men strolling there and I asked them what they were doing there when the force was required on the other bridge. They replied that they had been given a duty on this bridge -- and let me tell you, there were no crowds on that bridge at all.
"There were many commuters around who were clicking photographs and recording the whole scene but only two of them joined me in lodging a complaint.
"When I explained the incident to the station master, he told me to go to the RPF in-charge. When I went there I found that the officers were busy chatting with each other. One of them was the person whom I had encountered before.
"When I tried to explain the situation to the RPF incharge, he officer didnt even listen to the whole thing but started barking at me, saying that only five RPF men were available and how was he expected to handle such things. I have got lots of other work to do, he said.
"Finally, he told a woman officer to help get me out of the office.
"I tried telling him that one of his men was busy reading a newspaper and told me that yoga day was important, to which the other officer said, 'Did you really if see he was from the RPF? They said I must be confused, and that he must be from the Mumbai police or the Government Railway Police.
"When I went back to the station master he asked me to go to the RPF headquarters in Mumbai and register a complaint with the commissioner."
Image: Crowds spill over on to the tracks at Diva station to protest the recurrent breakdown in suburban train services.
Ambika Hanchate, a reader, narrates her experience at Thane railway station today:
"At around 9.15 am, when I reached the railway foot over-bridge at Thane station, it was crowded. Some trains were cancelled, while others were running late. Taking advantage of the crowd, some men were groping the women, and a few pregnant women were feeling suffocated in the crush but they couldn't even move. Around 10.10 am, when I managed to reach platform number 10, I saw two RPF personnel seated there busy reading the newspaper. I walked up to them and asked them why there wasn't a single railway personnel to manage the crowds.
One of them told me the RPF were busy with yoga day celebrations. When I asked him if yoga day was more important than the security of common people, he replied that yoga day was more important.
"I thought of approaching the station master. While crossing the bridge I saw three more RPF men strolling there and I asked them what they were doing there when the force was required on the other bridge. They replied that they had been given a duty on this bridge -- and let me tell you, there were no crowds on that bridge at all.
"There were many commuters around who were clicking photographs and recording the whole scene but only two of them joined me in lodging a complaint.
"When I explained the incident to the station master, he told me to go to the RPF in-charge. When I went there I found that the officers were busy chatting with each other. One of them was the person whom I had encountered before.
"When I tried to explain the situation to the RPF incharge, he officer didnt even listen to the whole thing but started barking at me, saying that only five RPF men were available and how was he expected to handle such things. I have got lots of other work to do, he said.
"Finally, he told a woman officer to help get me out of the office.
"I tried telling him that one of his men was busy reading a newspaper and told me that yoga day was important, to which the other officer said, 'Did you really if see he was from the RPF? They said I must be confused, and that he must be from the Mumbai police or the Government Railway Police.
"When I went back to the station master he asked me to go to the RPF headquarters in Mumbai and register a complaint with the commissioner."
Image: Crowds spill over on to the tracks at Diva station to protest the recurrent breakdown in suburban train services.
12:27 Man wearing explosive-laden vest arrested at Brussels shopping mall
Just in: A suspect wearing an explosive belt has been arrested following a bomb alert in a shopping mall in the center of Brussels, local media reported. Prime Minister Charles Michel told website RTL that the situation is "very suspicious' and called for a meeting of the National Security Council.
The incident took place in the City2 Shopping Mall in the heart of the Belgian capital, local media said, adding that it was a bomb alert.
The area was cordoned off and emergency services arrived at the scene.The police were notified at 5.30am "of a suspicious situation," said Ilse Van de Keere, spokeswoman for the Brussels-Ixelles police. "A security perimeter was established and the SEDEE unit [Belgian armed forces] is at the site. The operations are still ongoing."
Image: The mall in Brussels has been cordoned off. Pic courtesy: Sophia
@sophia11lukas
The incident took place in the City2 Shopping Mall in the heart of the Belgian capital, local media said, adding that it was a bomb alert.
The area was cordoned off and emergency services arrived at the scene.The police were notified at 5.30am "of a suspicious situation," said Ilse Van de Keere, spokeswoman for the Brussels-Ixelles police. "A security perimeter was established and the SEDEE unit [Belgian armed forces] is at the site. The operations are still ongoing."
Image: The mall in Brussels has been cordoned off. Pic courtesy: Sophia
@sophia11lukas
12:19 When Dr Rajan's father led by example
RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has, as this column noted yesterday, a distinguished dad, R Govindarajan, who served the Research and Analysis Wing, India's external intelligence agency, for many distinguished years.
Mr Govindarajan -- who if we recall rightly was the 'topper in his Indian Police Service batch, which also included the legendary Julio Ribeiro -- was the acting R&AW chief when Swedish Radio broke the Bofors story in 1986.
Mr Govindarajan had returned from an overseas trip late that night and was apparently unaware of the Bofors break when then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi telephoned him for more information early morning.
Angered that the top spy was unware of the Bofors expose, Rajiv Gandhi moved Mr Govindarajan out of RA&W. He was later appointed Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee.
The well informed Pranab Dhal Samanta has an interesting piece on Dr Rajan and his dad in the Economic Times on Monday (read it here).
In a conversation with The Hindu Businessline days after his son became the RBI governor, Mr Govindrajan said, "Im proud of Raghus achievements, but it is a difficult situation and we hope he will be able to come out of it. Its an ordeal by fire for him, but he never fights shy of challenges."
You can read more from that feature here.
Mr Govindarajan -- who if we recall rightly was the 'topper in his Indian Police Service batch, which also included the legendary Julio Ribeiro -- was the acting R&AW chief when Swedish Radio broke the Bofors story in 1986.
Mr Govindarajan had returned from an overseas trip late that night and was apparently unaware of the Bofors break when then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi telephoned him for more information early morning.
Angered that the top spy was unware of the Bofors expose, Rajiv Gandhi moved Mr Govindarajan out of RA&W. He was later appointed Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee.
The well informed Pranab Dhal Samanta has an interesting piece on Dr Rajan and his dad in the Economic Times on Monday (read it here).
In a conversation with The Hindu Businessline days after his son became the RBI governor, Mr Govindrajan said, "Im proud of Raghus achievements, but it is a difficult situation and we hope he will be able to come out of it. Its an ordeal by fire for him, but he never fights shy of challenges."
You can read more from that feature here.
12:07 In Delhi, differently-abled students dazzle with Yoga skills
Dispelling the notion that being physically sound is a prerequisite for performing yoga, a group of differently-abled students sent a strong message on International Yoga Day today and impressed everyone by performing asanas and yogic exercises. In an event marking the Yoga Day, the students who were on wheelchairs and crutches, performed various asanas with proficiency.
With the globe observing International Yoga Day and India leading from the front, various states across the country have organised events, with people turning up in large numbers to participate. President Pranab Mukherjee addressed a mass yoga demonstration, involving over a 1000 persons, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
With the globe observing International Yoga Day and India leading from the front, various states across the country have organised events, with people turning up in large numbers to participate. President Pranab Mukherjee addressed a mass yoga demonstration, involving over a 1000 persons, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
11:47 Rahul in Istanbul
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi flew to Istanbul on Monday by Turkish Airlines, according to SPG sources.
In a letter to the SPG chief he explained that the visit is personal and that he does not need SPG security in Istanbul.
In all probability, Rahul is expected to return to India in early July.
11:43 Top LeT commander Abu Ukasha arrested in Kupwara
Security forces have claimed to have arrested a top Lashkar-e-Tayiba commander from Sogam market in Lolab area of Kashmir's Kupwara district.
As per reports, Abu Ukasha was arrested by a joint police team from Sogam market around 7 am on Tuesday.
After initial interrogation, the apprehended person was identified as the top terrorist commander of Lashkar-e-Tayiba.
Sources later confirmed that arrested person is LeT commander Abu Ukasha alias Hanzullah of Pakistan.
Ukasha was apprehended with around Rs 38,000 cash and one grenade. The security forces are hopeful of getting crucial information about the terrorist outfits operations, from him.
11:09 Controversy's posterboy Salman now compares himself with a 'raped woman'
Salman Khan has drawn the ire of a number of people for making a bizarre remark about his experience while shooting for the wrestling scenes in 'Sultan'. The Bollywood superstar put his foot in the mouth thereby inviting trouble and brickbats.
According to a report in dnaindia.com, originally attributed to SpotboyE.com, Salman said, "While shooting, during those six hours, there'd be so much of lifting and thrusting on the ground involved. That was tough for me because if I was lifting, I'd have to lift the same 120-kilo guy 10 times for 10 different angles. And likewise, get thrown that many times on the ground. This act is not repeated that many times in the real fights in the ring. When I used to walk out of the ring, after the shoot, I used to feel like a raped woman. I couldn't walk straight. I would eat and then, head right back to training. That couldn't stop."
However, according to a report in Bollywoodlife.com, Salman quickly realised his mistake and reportedly said, "I don't think I should have said that..."
10:59 Delhi: Rape victim kills self
A 21-year-old woman, who was allegedly raped by a friend on the pretext of marriage, allegedly committed suicide at her residence in east Delhi's Harsh Vihar area, police said today.
The woman was allegedly being pressurised to agree to an out of court settlement in the rape case in connection with which a 24-year-old man was arrested, a police official said.
The incident took place yesterday morning when the woman's relatives found her hanging in her room and raised an alarm.
Her body was later sent for postmortem examination and an inquest has been initiated into the matter, the official added.
10:11 'They made my life hell': Indian maid recounts Saudi job horror
Reuters reports: The return of an Indian housemaid working in Saudi Arabia, who broke her back trying to escape abusive employers, has raised fresh concerns over the working conditions of domestic workers in Gulf countries.
Dhatchayani Uma Shankar, 29, jumped from the first floor balcony of her employer's residence in Dammam a month after she started working there in March, said officials in her home state of Tamil Nadu.
After spending a month in a Saudi hospital she was flown back home to Chennai on June 16, with a steel plate in her back and shattered dreams.
"I have a loan of 300,000 rupees ($4,500) to pay off, two children to raise and parents to take care of," she said, lying on her hospital bed in Chennai where she is undergoing further treatment.
"I just wanted to earn an honest living but they made my life hell."
Read more HERE
09:28 US asks NSG members to support India's membership
The US has asked the members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group to consider and support India's application to join the grouping during their plenary meeting in Seoul beginning on Wednesday.
"We believe, and this has been US policy for some time, that India is ready for membership and the United States calls on participating governments to support India's application at the plenary session of NSG later this week," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters at his daily news conference.
"At same time, participating governments will need to reach a consensus decision in order to admit any applicant into the group, and the United States will certainly be advocating for India's membership," Earnest said on the eve of the 48-member grouping's plenary meeting in Seoul.
09:22 Rains derail Mumbai local trains; rumours of taxi strike add to passengers' woes
Overnight rains have left Mumbai's suburban train network limping on Tuesday morning, causing hardship to lakhs of commuters.
In a post on Twitter, Central Railway said: "Due to heavy rains water logging at Mankhurd, Vidyavihar, Thane, Vikroli and Bhandup, Central Railway main & harbour line train services affected."
Local trains on the central line are running 20 to 30 minutes late, Western line 15 to 20 minutes late; a few trains have been cancelled as well.
A similar scenario has been reported at the Harbour line trains.
This even as the rumours of taximen affiliated to few unions in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane going off the road today and agitating at Azad Maidan.
Taxi union leader K K Tiwari said that the Swabhiman taxi union (of Nitesh Rane) members were supporting the cause of drivers in Navi Mumbai and Thane, whose business was badly hit due to private cab aggregators like Ola and Uber.
"It will be a show of strength against the aggregators, and since drivers will join the stir, there could be shortage of taxis outside stations and at the stands," he stated.
08:49 US: Gun control measures fail to clear Senate hurdle
A series of dueling gun control measures in the Senate were defeated Monday evening in the first proposed legislation in the wake of the Orlando terror attack.
The four amendments all failed on procedural votes.
The first vote was on the amendment by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, to enhance funding for an existing gun background check system which needed 60 votes to pass. The final vote tally was 53 to 47.
The second vote was on a measure by Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., to expand gun background checks and close the so-called gun show loophole where firearm purchases are not tracked. The final vote tally was 44 to 56.
Read more HERE
08:33 Embrace Yoga as part of daily life: PM Modi
Earlir in the morning, calling on the world to embrace Yoga as a discipline in everyday life, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the ancient Indian art was the most selfless of its kind, as it did not discriminate, did not ask for much, but simply functioned for the betterment of mankind and brought every society together.
Speaking on the occasion in Chandigarh with a mass gathering of almost 30,000 people, the prime minister said that he had proposed June 21st as the ideal day for Yoga Day celebrations because in many parts of the world, this day is quite long and is closer to the earth.
Stating that Yoga Day has garnered massive support from across the world, Prime Minister Modi said that there is no other event which matches the global popularity of this day.
"The United Nations observes several occasions but no other movement has become a global movement like Yoga Day. No other event is able to match the popularity of Yoga Day. This proves the power of the legacy by our ancestors," he said.
"Let's focus on one thing in the coming days and that is how to mitigate diabetes through Yoga. Diabetes can surely be controlled through Yoga. Let us make Yoga more popular world over. Let India produce good Yoga teachers," the Prime Minister said.
08:23 Kumble, Shastri, Patil set to be interviewed today
In other news, eyeing the Indian cricket team coach's job, big names such as Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri and Sandeep Patil along with other aspirants are set to be interviewed for the coveted post at a hotel in Kolkata today.
The BCCI's cricket advisory committee comprising Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar will take the interview of the shortlisted 21 candidates. Tendulkar will join in from London via video conference.
Confirming the development, a top Cricket Association of Bengal official today said all the "prominent" names who are in contention would attend the interview.
"Obviously the two-three prominent ones would be here. The meeting will start at 1.30 pm. The meeting will be convened by Sanjay Jagdale," he said.
Besides Shastri, Kumble and Patil, the other Indian names in contention include Vikram Rathour, Praveen Amre, Balwinder Sandhu and Venkatesh Prasad among others. The recommendation of the advisory committee will be forwarded to the BCCI president Anurag Thakur for ratification at the working committee meeting in Dharamsala on June 24.
07:46 Modi leads Yoga Day celebrations in Chandigarh
Nearly 30,000 yoga enthusiasts on Tuesday joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi to celebrate the second International Day of Yoga at Capitol Complex in Chandigarh amid tight security.
Modi led the celebrations at Capitol Complex, designed by French architect Le Corbusier.
The emphasis this year is on participation of Divyangs, the nomenclature coined by Modi for differently-abled, youths and people from economically weaker sections.
The event is also being attended by defence forces, ITBP personnel, Panjab University students, yoga foundations, school children and a select few from yoga orientation training camps.
04:11 MH370 hunter finds possible baggage
The waters off Madagascar in the Indian Ocean have delivered what debris hunter Blaine Gibson says could be the first personal items belonging to passengers aboard missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
Gibson told CNN he also found two possible pieces of debris on a beach near the same place he discovered other pieces of debris that Australian authorities have said "almost certainly" belong to the airliner.
The Malaysian Airlines flight went missing with 239 people on board in March 2014, and despite a two-year search investigation, mystery still surrounds its final resting place.
Read more
03:20 Islamic State launches counterattacks on US-backed forces
The Islamic State group launched a counter attack against fighters trying to capture the Syrian city of Manbij on Monday, inflicting heavy casualties on the United States-backed forces, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the militants said.
The monitor said the ultra-hard line militants won back three villages south of the besieged city in a surprise assault against fighters from the US-backed Syria Democratic Forces, in which at least 28 Syrian Democratic Forces fighters were killed.
Two years after IS proclaimed its caliphate to rule over all Muslims from swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, its many foes are advancing on a number of fronts in both countries, with the aim of closing in on its two capitals, Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq.
The SDF were poised to enter Manbij nearly three weeks after the launch of a major assault to regain the city backed by U.S. air power and American special forces, to seal off the last stretch of the Syrian-Turkish frontier
The alliance, formed last year by recruiting Arabs to join forces with a powerful Kurdish militia, fought their way to nearly 2 km from the city center from the western side on Saturday before retreating.
US-led coalition jets hit militants taking cover near the large wheat silo complex on the southern edge of the city that has been encircled by SDF forces.
An SDF spokesman said they succeeded in repulsing the militant attack and remained positioned on the outskirts of the city, most of whose residents remain trapped inside and where the militants have planted mines and dug in to defend it.
"The situation is under control. They have many bodies on the ground," Sharfan Darwish, spokesman for the Syria Democratic Forces-allied Manbij Military Council, told Reuters.
"We are at the four gates to the city. The whole city is booby-trapped. After 20 days of the campaign, we have yet to storm the city," he added, adding that some 2,000 people had succeeded in fleeing the city.
03:12 Arrested man 'wanted to shoot Trump'
A man arrested over the weekend trying to wrestle a gun from a police officer at a rally by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in Las Vegas later told an investigator he wanted to shoot the candidate to death, court papers showed on Monday.
03:09 Gunman shot dead after wounding two at Venezuela central bank
A gunman opened fire inside Venezuela's central bank on Monday, wounding two guards before he was shot dead by security officers, according to two sources, in the latest violent episode to shake the country.
The unidentified assailant barged into the bank's headquarters in central Caracas shooting and shouting, "Where are the board members?," the institution's president, Nelson Merentes, said.
"He wounded two guards, fortunately they are stable and are currently in a clinic," Merentes told journalists, adding that the shooter's motives were unclear and an investigation was underway.
A security source and a central bank source who asked not to be identified said the attacker was killed.
The assailant set off a metal detector in the main entrance of the bank, at which point he took out his weapon and began firing, said a bank employee.
Merentes said the man briefly took a woman hostage in the reception area, ran up the stairs, and was confronted by security forces between the fourth and fifth floors.
Bank employees said they were holed up in their offices, in downtown Caracas, while the episode was underway.
One source inside the bank said the attacker was a young man who claimed to have a bomb in his briefcase, although the bag was ultimately found to be empty.
03:05 US Senate set to reject gun control bids
The United States Senate's strongest push in years to tighten gun control was likely to fall short on Monday while lawmakers tried to forge a compromise by later this week that might keep firearms away from people on terrorism watch lists.
The deadliest mass shooting in modern US history last week has spurred quick action in the Congress, but none of the four bills getting votes later on Monday was expected to achieve the 60 votes needed for passage in the 100-seat chamber, as Republicans and Democrats have not been able to reach consensus.
Republicans and Democrats have offered two proposals each to expand background checks on gun buyers and curb gun sales for individuals on terrorism watch lists after the massacre in an Orlando nightclub.
But Republicans and their allies in the National Rifle Association gun lobby say the Democratic bills are too restrictive and trample on the constitutional right to bear arms. Democrats attacked the Republicans plans as too weak, and all of the measures were expected to lose in near party-line votes.
Read more about it HERE
02:42 Bengaluru man's magazine-style resume gets him London job
Most working professionals looking for new jobs spend hours perfecting their resumes - from the language to the font used, showcasing one's credentials needs work. Here's a story that demonstrates the power of a truly impressive CV - meet Sumukh Mehta, a 21-year-old from Bengaluru who just got hired by GQ magazine's London headquarters without an interview, solely on the basis of his resume.
For his special 'hire me' request, Mr Mehta put his money where his mouth is by not merely stating he was creative, but actually proving it. The management student made a GQ-style "20-page magazine resume" for the marketing team, making his attempt an unique and unforgettable one.
Read HERE
02:38 UN releases $15 million to help Iraqis fleeing Fallujah
The United Nations humanitarian chief has released $15 million in emergency aid to provide life-saving assistance to more than 85,000 people forced to flee recent fighting and military operations in the Iraqi city
of Fallujah, AP reported.
Stephen O'Brien said on Monday that "people escaping Fallujah are in desperate need of assistance" and need urgent help "before this situation becomes a humanitarian catastrophe."
He said $15 million is a small portion of the $65 million needed to respond to Fallujah's needs, and he called on donors to urgently provide additional funds.
A UN appeal for $861 million for Iraq this year is only 36 per cent funded.
Fallujah was the first Iraqi city to fall to Islamic State extremists in January 2014. Many IS militants have been routed but Iraqi forces were still battling remnants.
02:34 Euro 2016: Wales thump Russia to make last 16, England join them
Wales outplayed Russia 3-0, scoring twice in the opening 20 minutes, as they moved into the round of 16 at Euro 2016 by winning Group B.
Wales topped the group with six points, two ahead of England, who finished second after a 0-0 draw with Slovakia.
02:16 Trump adviser resigns after sending mocking tweet about fired campaign manager
A top adviser to Donald Trump resigned Monday after sending a mocking tweet about just-fired campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, a campaign source tells CNN.
Michael Caputo, a Trump adviser and head of the communications for Trump's caucus operations team, tweeted "Ding Dong the witch is dead" following the news that Lewandowski had been fired.
"I regret sending out a tweet today alluding to the firing of Corey Lewandowski. In hindsight, that was too exuberant a reaction to this personnel move. I know this is a distraction from the kind of campaign you want to run, so I'm resigning my position as director of communications for caucus operations at the 2016 Republican Convention. Let's make this immediate," Caputo wrote in a letter to campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, according to a copy obtained by CNN.
Caputo also said he deeply respects Trump as well as Manafort and Gates.
"I wish you success in the months ahead. I continue to believe Donald Trump must be elected President in November. With you at the helm, I know he can. Call if I can help," he said.
01:34 US saw uptick in backlash targeting Muslims: US official
There has been an uptick in discriminatory backlash targeting Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Arabs in the United States following the recent terrorist attacks, a top Obama Administration official said on Monday and asked people to speak out against such discrimination.
"Following recent heinous acts of terrorism over the past year, we see an uptick in discriminatory backlash targeting Muslim communities. We also see this backlash targeting communities perceived to be Muslim: Arabs, Sikhs and South Asians, including people of the Hindu faith," said Vanita Gupta, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.
"This discriminatory backlash doesn't just harm one community. It violates the defining values of our country. As a nation -- and as a people -- we cannot, and we will not, stay silent when individuals choose to attack or discriminate against any faith or any community. Together, we must speak out. And together, we must respond," Indian-American Gupta said in her key note address to the inaugural policy conference of the Hindu American Foundation.
Gupta said US President Barack Obama and Attorney General Loretta E Lynch have made this point several times in recent months.
"To anyone who feels afraid, targeted or discriminated against because of which religion you practice or where you worship, I want to say this -- we see you. We will protect you. And we will do everything in our power to defend your rights to live free from violence, harassment and discrimination -- rights that our Constitution guarantees and rights that form the bedrock of a free, open and inclusive society," she said.
Gupta said to advance this mission, the Justice Department continues to vigorously prosecute religion-based hate crimes.
In 2015, the FBI updated its hate crime data collection guidelines and training manual, and it now uses separate categories to track hate crimes targeting Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Arabs.
"This greatly enhances our ability to understand the problem of hate violence and effectively allocate resources," she observed.
00:39 What the Islamic State has won and lost
Maps often depict the Islamic State as a sprawling territory across Iraq and Syria. But the groups control has been shaped by about 126 places --cities, towns, infrastructure and bases -- where it has had military dominance.
The group has been forced out of about 55 places where it once had control, including four major cities, since it made rapid advances across the two countries in 2014. And it could soon lose Falluja, the first city it controlled.
In June 2014, the Islamic State stunned the world when it seized Mosul, by far the largest city it controls, from Iraqi soldiers who dropped their weapons and fled.
But the groups momentum has shifted. The caliphate has been crumbling at the edges, said Columb Strack, a senior analyst at IHS Conflict Monitor, an organization that has been tracking which cities and towns make up the militant groups territory.
Read full article HERE
00:14 Judicial committee to probe Khadse's Pune land deal: Fadnavis
A judicial committee of a retired Bombay high court judge will probe the purchase of the MIDC land near Pune by former Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said today.
Khadse, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader, had to resign earlier this month over the controversial deal wherein he had purchased three-acre plot at Bhosri, believed to be owned by the state Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) in name of his kin for Rs 3.75 crore as against the market price of Rs 40 crore.
A retired judge of the Bombay High Court will be appointed to probe the purchase of MIDC land at Bhosari by Khadse. The probe against him will be that of a judicial committee and it will be completed within three months, the CM told reporters.
He said the police have already cleared Khadses name amidst allegations that he had received calls on his mobile number from wife of Karachi-based fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
Khadse, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader, had to resign earlier this month over the controversial deal wherein he had purchased three-acre plot at Bhosri, believed to be owned by the state Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) in name of his kin for Rs 3.75 crore as against the market price of Rs 40 crore.
A retired judge of the Bombay High Court will be appointed to probe the purchase of MIDC land at Bhosari by Khadse. The probe against him will be that of a judicial committee and it will be completed within three months, the CM told reporters.
He said the police have already cleared Khadses name amidst allegations that he had received calls on his mobile number from wife of Karachi-based fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
00:10 Top headlines at this hour
Two Indians killed in Kabul blast
Kejriwal can't go for debate with 'murder accused' Giri: Sisodia
Euro: Croatia gets suspended ticket ban, fine for crowd trouble
ISRO begins countdown for launch of 20 satellites
Trump fires controversial campaign manager Corey Lewandowski
Gujarat HC notice to CIC, Kejriwal on Modi's degree
Brexit can be quite damaging if it happens: Rajan
Read yesterday's commentary HERE
Kejriwal can't go for debate with 'murder accused' Giri: Sisodia
Euro: Croatia gets suspended ticket ban, fine for crowd trouble
ISRO begins countdown for launch of 20 satellites
Trump fires controversial campaign manager Corey Lewandowski
Gujarat HC notice to CIC, Kejriwal on Modi's degree
Brexit can be quite damaging if it happens: Rajan
Read yesterday's commentary HERE
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