Major fire destroys ancient Tibetan town in Chinese resort

BEIJING: A Tibetan town in southwest China's Shangri-la resort, famous for its ancient wooden structures and cultural relics, was today destroyed in a massive fire that gutted over 240 houses and forced the evacuation of 2,600 people.

The fire broke out in the early hours at Dukezong - meaning " town of the moon" in Tibetan - built 1,300 years ago on the South Silk Road.

More than 2,600 residents were evacuated after over 240 houses burned down, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The blaze lasted about ten hours.

Over 1,000 people were mobilised to put out the fire but their task became difficult as most of the houses were made of wood, a local government spokesman said.

No casualties were reported and the cause of the fire is being investigated. Authorities ruled out the possibility of arson.

Apart from the houses, shops and infrastructure facilities, some cultural relics, precious Tibetan thangka and other art pieces were gutted, the report said.

Weather forecast departments said snow is expected between this evening and tomorrow, and warned the evacuated people to stay warm.

Dukezong is one of the most renowned resorts in Shangri-la, known for its well-preserved ancient Tibetan dwellings.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

CBI unearths major recruitment scam in IMA, books 3 Lieutenant Colonels

DEHRADUN: Unearthing a major recruitment scam in the Indian Military Academy, the CBI has booked three serving Lieutenant Colonels in connection with the case.

Lieutenant Colonels Akhilesh Mishra, Jagdish Bishnoi and Ambarish Tiwari have been accused of issuing fake experience certificates to candidates in recruitments to group C and D cadres of the prestigious institute in 2011-2012, CBI sources said here today.

A regular case was filed by the apex investigating agency against the trio earlier this week, they said.

The accused, charged with forgery, conspiracy and issuing fake certificates to candidates, are likely to be interrogated soon, they said, adding some arrests in connection with the case may also be made.

The accused officers had allegedly issued forged documents to pave the way for recruitment of 34 candidates and helped in replacing the original answer sheets of 16 others to help them clear the written test, they said.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

More planning required for orderly 'janata darbar': Delhi Police

NEW DELHI: A stampede-like situation at the Delhi government's 'janata darbar' arose as more than expected number of people reached the spot, Delhi Police on Saturday said as it maintained that better planning by administration was as much required as stepping up of security.

"More than expected number of people had thronged the venue which led to the chaos. Better planning is needed not just on part of the police but also of the administration. Like people could be called subject wise, area wise or ministry wise. There needs to be a filter of some sort," said a senior Delhi Police official on condition of anonymity.

The official said that a large number of police personnel can be deployed and strict crowd control measure could be implemented from next time onwards but this would defeat the very idea of a public hearing.

"There were around 500 police personnel at the Delhi Secretariat for the public meeting other than around 400-500 personnel of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). We can deploy more security but then the real purpose of a 'janata darbar' will be lost as the common man will not be able to reach the chief minister or minister he or she wants to meet," he said.

One thing which hugely caused the situation to go out of hand is that various unions and organized groups reached for the meet. Such an event is for individuals whose grievances are not heard elsewhere or for people like senior citizens or disabled people, he said.

"Such organizations should be given a separate opportunity so that they don't start protesting at a janata darbar," the official said.

AAP government's much-talked-about first 'janata darbar' outside the Delhi Secretariat on Saturday witnessed chaos and mismanagement, forcing chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to leave the venue midway as hundreds jostled with each other to register their grievances.

Kejriwal later admitted that if he had not left the meeting midway, there could have been a stampede. He also promised to "streamline" the system so that similar situation does not recur.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Suchitra Sen's condition better, says Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

KOLKATA: Suchitra Sen's condition deteriorated and improved on Saturday as doctors took all kinds of measures to keep her stable. "The condition of the Mahanayika (super star) is better now," her physician Subrata Maitra, told reporters at Belle Vue Clinic around 7pm as he saw chief minister Mamata Banerjee to the door. He said the level of oxygen in Sen's blood has improved and her pulse and blood pressure readings are fairly normal. Maitra said her respiratory condition of the actress is also better as the congestion in her lungs have been cleared a little. "She is breathing better and is on nebuliser," the doctor said.

As reporters turned to her, the chief minister said that Sen's condition was more or less stable. Briefing reporters after seeing Suchitra Sen, she initially said, "Why are you asking me? Am I a doctor?" She then added, "Really, I am not in a position to say anything about her condition. I found her asleep. We are not here to mislead people about her condition. I think she is doing fine. I wish her a speedy recovery."

Sen's daughter Moon Moon and grand-daughters Raima and Riya have not left Sen's side. Earlier in the afternoon, the recluse actress developed acute breathing difficulties. The actress, ailing for the last three weeks, has been showing signs of improvement off and on. The chief minister, who has been constantly enquiring after Sen's health and has even spoken to the legendary actress during her stay in the hospital, rushed from Nabanna in the evening to be on Sen's side. The chief minister, visiting her late in the evening, for the third time since the legendary actress has been in the hospital, came out to say that the actress was asleep and her condition was slightly better.

On Saturday evening, the legendary actress was administered endotracheal incubation. Doctors said efforts were on to avoid putting the actress on complete ventilation since that would have been more painful for the 82-year-old.

The medical board at the Minto Park hospital met during Saturday afternoon and informed that efforts were on to help her breathe normally, but hours later, the condition of the actress turned critical once again. Doctors said on Saturday that the veteran actress, who is suffering from a respiratory tract infection, is not out of danger as her breathing difficulty remains.

Her low food intake has made her weak, they said. A medical bulletin issued by Belle Vue Clinic on Saturday evening, where she is admitted since December 23 said, "Her oxygen saturation has stabilised to some extent with wide variation. She tolerated non-invasive ventilation better than before." Sen is put on oral prescribed diet supplemented with peripheral parenteral nutrition and has been seen by Pawan Agarwal and Dhiman Ganguli besides a medical-team led by critical care specialist Subrata Maitra which is monitoring her condition 24x7. Sen, who has kept herself away from the public eye for the last three decades, starred in memorable Hindi and Bengali films such as 'Devdas', 'Aandhi', 'Saat Paake Bandha', 'Agnipariksha', 'Saptopadi' and 'Deep Jele Jai'

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

BJP govt does an AAP in Madhya Pradesh; launches complaints helpline

BHOPAL: Apparently taking a cue from AAP administration in Delhi, the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has set up a helpline to lodge complaints about bribe demand and pending works in offices.

Aggrieved citizens can dial 9009133322 for lodging complaints about bribe demand by government servants and delay in getting their work done, official sources said here on Saturday.

The helpline has been set up on directive of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, they said.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sri Lanka court extends remand of 40 fishermen to January 24

RAMESWARAM (TN): A court in Sri Lanka on Friday extended to January 24, the remand of 40 fishermen arrested by naval personnel of the island nation on December 28 and 29 last year.

U Arulanandam, president of Pamban Innocent Fishermen's Organisation said the fishermen were produced in court at Oorkavalthurai, which extended their remand.

One group of 22 fishermen were arrested off Neduntheevu on December 28, while 18 others were held the following day off Katchathivu islet, he said.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Upset over Telugu actor Uday Kiran's suicide, fan ends life

VIZIANAGARAM, AP: A young fan of late Telugu film actor Uday Kiran allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree at Komatapalli junction in Bobbili sub-division here, police said on Friday.

N Satish (19), a mechanic, resorted to the extreme step yesterday after learning about the death of Kiran, they said.

Some locals noticed his hanging body and informed the police.

A suicide note purportedly written by Satish (in Telugu) found in his shirt pocket stated that he was "ending his life because his favourite hero Uday Kiran had committed suicide", a senior police officer said.

Gajapathinagaram Police registered a case of death under relevant sections of CrPC and took up further investigation.

Uday Kiran (33), allegedly committed suicide at his flat in Hyderabad on January 5, apparently after film offers dried up of late, pushing him into mental depression and financial crisis.

Hyderabad Police has booked a case of suspicious death and were probing different angles.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

My daughter has been vindicated, Devyani's father says

NEW DELHI: The father of an Indian diplomat whose arrest and strip search in New York caused an international furor says his daughter has been vindicated.

Devyani Khobragade was heading home to India on Friday after being indicted by a federal grand jury in Manhattan and then ordered to leave the country. She was accused of underpaying her housekeeper in New York and then lying about it on a visa form.

Khobragade was allowed to leave after the US agreed to India's request to give her broader diplomatic immunity.

Her arrest last month sparked outrage in India after revelations that she was strip-searched. Her father said in a televised news conference Friday that his daughter was leaving the U.S. with full immunity and had been vindicated.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Srinagar-Jammu highway opens; intermittent snowfall continues

SRINAGAR: The 294-km Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only all weather road connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, was opened for traffic after remaining closed for two days even as intermittent snowfall continued for the third day today.

"The Srinagar-Jammu highway has been opened for traffic today. Vehicles are plying from Jammu to Srinagar," an official of the traffic department told .

The department is closely monitoring the situation as the areas around Jawahar Tunnel are experiencing intermittent snowfall, he added.

"The drivers have been asked to drive cautiously," the official said.

The arterial road was closed on Wednesday due to snowfall across the Valley which continued intermittently till this afternoon, leading to an increase in minimum temperatures in most parts.

Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.7 degree Celsius, over one degree up as compared to the previous night's low of minus 1.9 degrees C, a MET Department official said.

The city received 0.5 mm of snowfall since last evening, the official said.

Leh, in the frontier region of Ladakh, was the coldest recorded place in the state with a low of minus 17.2 degrees C compared to the previous night's minus 11.0 degrees C.

Qazigund - the gateway town to Kashmir valley ? recorded a low of minus 3.8 degrees C and received snowfall of 3.4 mm till 8.30 AM, the official said.

The famous ski resort of Gulmarg, which recorded a low of minus 7.0 degrees C the previous night, registered a low of minus 10.8 degrees C on Thursday night, the official said.

Pahalgam hill resort in south Kashmir, which serves as the base camp during the annual Amarnath Yatra, recorded a low of minus 6.8 degrees C against the previous nights low of minus 5.8 degrees C. The tourist resort recorded 2.2 mm of snowfall till morning.

Kargil, also in Ladakh, registered a minimum of minus 8.6 degrees Celsius against minus 9.2 degrees Celsius the previous night, the official said.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

How many posts have you filled in police force? HC asks Maharashtra govt

MUMBAI: Bombay high court has directed the Maharashtra government to file a report indicating the vacancies it has filled in the police force as on December 31, 2013. The court has also directed directed the government to state what steps it has taken to segregate police doing investigation from those maintaining law and order.

A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M S Sanklecha heard a suo motu public interest litigation on the shortage of police and delay in investigations. The PIL was converted from petition filed by Ashwini Rane, widow of a slain Pune builder. Nikhil Rane was fired at on November 23, 2009 and died a week later. The widow moved HC which eventually directed CBI to probe the case. CBI could not crack the case.

Rane's advocates Anil Anturkar and Sugandh Deshukyar argued that from 2011 there is deficiency in filling vacancies in the force. ``Same police is being used for bandobast, traffic and law and order.,'' said Anturkar. He said the Supreme Court in 2006 in Prakash Singh case had directed segregation of investigative wing from that of law and order. He said vacancies were filled only of top brass while chunk of vacancies at the level of investigating officers remain empty and in some cases comprised upto 42 per cent.

"It is the end of the road for me. What happened to me should not happen to someone else,'' Anturkar argued for the widow. He also pointed out that Pune based rationalist Narendra Dabholkar's killer have not been nabbed even five months later. Prosecutor Prajakta Sawant said recruitment process is on and sought time to give status of vacancies filled to the court. The judges have posted the next hearing on February 13, 2014.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fog affects running of 43 trains, forces Railways to reschedule departures

NEW DELHI: Foggy conditions continued to disrupt railway operations on Thursday with 43 trains running late by several hours causing inconveniences to passengers.

The services of premier trains like Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi were also affected because of the dense fog forcing Railways to reschedule their departures.

Purshottam Express was running late by 13 hours while Vaishali Express and Kaifiyat Express were behind schedule by 14 hours and 10 hours respectively, according to Northern Railway data.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Buy an apartment and get a a Lamborghini, BMW or a Mini Cooper free

DUBAI: In an enticing offer, a real estate developer here is handing out a Lamborghini, BMW or a Mini Cooper on select luxury property units sold during the Dubai Shopping Festival.

Damac Properties have announced that every customer will receive a new car on select luxury property units.

Customers buying a Damac Properties penthouse during the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) will be given a Lamborghini Aventador roadster with their purchase.

Buyers in other select Damac Properties units will receive either a BMW or a Mini Cooper, depending on the size of the unit, the Khaleej Times reported.

"Damac Properties' DSF promotion is always highly anticipated and we see some of the best results of the year during this time," Niall McLoughlin, senior vice-president, Damac Properties, was quoted as saying bun the daily.

"Guaranteeing a brand new 2014 Lamborghini, BMW or Mini Cooper with purchases in select units is an exciting incentive which many international visitors to Dubai during this period really appreciate," he said.

In 2013, penthouse buyers were offered a 2014 Audi R8, buyers of three-bed units will given an Audi A8, two bedroom were given an Audi A6 and one bed got an Audi A4.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Buy an apartment and get a Lamborghini, BMW or Mini Cooper free

DUBAI: In an enticing offer, a real estate developer here is handing out a Lamborghini, BMW or a Mini Cooper on select luxury property units sold during the Dubai Shopping Festival.

Damac Properties have announced that every customer will receive a new car on select luxury property units.

Customers buying a Damac Properties penthouse during the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) will be given a Lamborghini Aventador roadster with their purchase.

Buyers in other select Damac Properties units will receive either a BMW or a Mini Cooper, depending on the size of the unit, the Khaleej Times reported.

"Damac Properties' DSF promotion is always highly anticipated and we see some of the best results of the year during this time," Niall McLoughlin, senior vice-president, Damac Properties, was quoted as saying bun the daily.

"Guaranteeing a brand new 2014 Lamborghini, BMW or Mini Cooper with purchases in select units is an exciting incentive which many international visitors to Dubai during this period really appreciate," he said.

In 2013, penthouse buyers were offered a 2014 Audi R8, buyers of three-bed units will given an Audi A8, two bedroom were given an Audi A6 and one bed got an Audi A4.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

French court says show in anti-Semitic row can go-ahead

PARIS: A French court threw out efforts by authorities to ban a show on Thursday by a comedian whom the government accuses of insulting the memory of the Holocaust victims, his lawyer said.

Local authorities in Nantes had barred the opening date of a national tour by comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, following other cities who also banned his shows on the grounds of risk to public order.

His lawyer Jacques Verdier said that the court had suspended the ban, describing the ruling as a "total and complete victory" for his client, who has argued his right to freedom of expression was being breached.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Delhi govt surrenders duplex houses to Delhi Development Authority

NEW DELHI: Amid ongoing blame game between Aam Admi Party (AAP) and Union urban development ministry over allotment of houses for Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, the city government surrendered two duplex houses to Delhi Development Authority (DDA) that were earlier allotted for "CM's use".

A senior UD ministry official said that the communication from Delhi government came on Thursday after a reminder went from Nirman Bhawan seeking a status report. "Now there are several options for locating a house and this can be done by UD ministry, Delhi government or even by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC)," said a senior government official.

He added that usually Delhi government has the responsibility of finding an accommodation for its chief minister, other ministers and officials.

Meanwhile, there are also reports that now Kejriwal wants only one flat in the place of his earlier request for two flats - one above the other. UD ministry officials were maintaining that getting such two flats was tough for them.

Moreover, they were of the view that until the two DDA duplex houses were surrendered officially by Delhi government and without a fresh request specifying the type of flat, the process to identify a house could not begin.

After TOI had first reported the allotment of two duplex houses having 5 bedrooms each, AAP supporters and sympathizers had opposed the idea of Aam Aadmi chief minister moving to such big houses. Bowing to the pressure from his supporters Kejriwal had declined to move to the new house.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Laws are enacted in Parliament not on Ramlila Maidan: Digvijaya Singh

BHOPAL: In an apparent dig on Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's brand of citizen activism, Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh on Wednesday said emergence of AAP on the national scene was testimony to the fact that issues cannot be resolved on streets but only through democratic ways.

"It is much better if someone instead of shouting on the streets takes to politics, forms a party and enters assembly or Parliament," Digvijay told reporters.

"Everyone should realize that bills are passed and laws enacted only in Parliament and not on Ramlila Maidan," he said without elaborating further. He, however, said that both Kejriwal and BJP Prime Ministerial nominee Narendra Modi were "big megalomaniacs with a strong dictatorial streak." "I am saying this as I know that both of them like to listen to only to their voices and do not pay heed to anyone else," Digvijaya said.

"It was because of this streak that Kejriwal drove away many people including Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar," he added. Asked if Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi would be named as the party's Prime Ministerial nominee on January 17, he said, "Personally, I am strongly opposed to naming Prime Ministers or chief ministers before the polls." About Priyanka attending a Congress meeting in New Delhi yesterday, Digvijaya said that she was looking after the party's media work for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. She also takes a keen interest in party affairs in Raebareli and Amethi, he said.

On Congress' defeat in November 25 assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, he conceded that the macro-management of the BJP was much better than that of his party in the state.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

India changing fast, stay engaged, PM tells diaspora

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said India is changing in a significant way and asked over 22 million expatriate community, the world's second largest, to stay engaged in the future of the country with confidence and optimism.

"India is changing in a way that is significant but not always evident to those who do not see the big picture," he said, addressing the Indian diaspora at the Bharatiya Pravasi Day congregation here.

The country, he added, is "prepared to assume the international role and responsibilities that the world at large expects from a rising India."

Seeking to dispel a sense of pessimism in view of falling growth, Manmohan Singh said the economy would grow at 5 per cent in 2013-14 and it was heading towards better days.

"There is a perception in some quarters outside India that the country is losing its momentum of the past decade. This is also amplified by the political contestation here in India, which are inevitably louder in the election season that is now on the horizon."

"I wish to assure you that there is no reason to despair about our present or worry about our future," the Prime Minister told the audience.

"Our economic fundamentals remain strong. Our savings and investment rates are still over 30 per cent of our GDP and the entrepreneurial spirit in India is very much alive and kicking," he said.

He, however, agreed that more could have been done.

"With greater political support, we could have legislated deeper reform measures - for example, in the financial and insurance sector."

"However, our decisions are already beginning to make an impact and India is re-emerging as an attractive investment destination. I am confident you will see the evidence clearly in the next few months."

The Prime Minister also assured the non-resident Indians of continuous support and assistance in promoting their links with the mother country in every possible way.

"We have also recently launched the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana to provide social security to Indian workers abroad. The Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in Delhi will be completed this year. We also intend to start a scheme to assist state governments in establishing Pravasi Bharatiya Bhawans," he said.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Key Chhattisgarh Maoist leader surrenders

HYDERABAD: In a major breakthrough for Andhra Pradesh police, a key Naxal leader and spokesperson of the Maoist party in Chhattisgarh's Dandakaranya on Wednesday surrendered along with his wife.

Gudsa Usendi alias G V K Prasad, a high ranking member and spokesperson of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), carrying a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh on his head, on Wednesday surrendered, a senior police official said.

Usendi was involved in Naxal activities for the past 25 years, sources said.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hindu temple vandalized in Bangladesh

DHAKA: A Hindu temple was vandalized and set afire in central Bangladesh on Wednesday, as post poll attacks on the minority community continue unabated.

A portion of the Kali Temple in Netrakona district was gutted when unidentified persons set fire to it early this morning, a top police official said.

Locals managed to douse the fire after 45 minutes, The Daily Star newspaper reported quoting Delwar Hossain, the district's additional superintendent of police.

The incident came a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promised to arrest all those involved in the recent attacks on the minority community.

Attacks were launched on houses and businesses of Hindus in several districts including Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Lalmonirhat and Jessore since Bangladesh went to polls on January 5.

Meanwhile, police arrested a Jamaat-e-Islami leader from northern Bogra district for his alleged involvement with sabotage in different areas.

Superintendent of police Mojammel Haque said they also arrested 11 Jamaat activists from the district on charges of anti-national activities.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Prime ministerial aspirants should uphold genuine aspirations of Hindus: Pravin Togadia

MANGALORE: International working president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Pravin Togadia on Wednesday said Hindus across India will support that person as Prime Minister who vows to uphold genuine socio-economic-religious and educational issues of Hindu community. While X or Y may becoming the prime minister is no doubt important, 100 crore Hindus will demand the same respect, honour and security that the prime minister gets, he said.

Evading direct answer on VHPs support to BJPs prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Togadia addressing reporters here said till date no Prime Minister has announced any sops for Hindu children for their education or financial support to Hindu youths for jobs. "Any one who promises to meet these demands of our will receive the support of Hindus," Togadia said quoting figures of official aid given to Muslim youths for their education and jobs.

The prime ministerial aspirant must also ensure that Hindus in India get the same kind of security that other communities get, he said, adding such a person must also pave the way for construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya by passing a law for this purpose. "VHP has never supported or opposed any individual or political party in the 50-odd years of its existence," he said challenging anyone to produce any document or evidence to the contrary.

On the reworked version of prevention of Communal Violence Bill that the Union Cabinet cleared in December, Togadia said, "This is a repeat of the Shah Banu case." The government under pressure from Muslim community had brought in Constitutional amendment to dilute the SC verdict in the case, he said, adding now the government again under pressure from the Muslim community is bringing this bill to target the Hindus, which VHP opposes.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Won't let AAP hold rallies in Amethi, UP Nav Nirman Sena says

MEERUT: Irked over comments by AAP leader Kumar Vishwas against a certain community, a radical outfit in Uttar Pradesh threatened to block his rallies in the state.

Vishwas is likely to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi against Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, and address a few rallies here, even as his party plans to contest all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

"We will not let Kumar Vishwas hold any rally in Amethi... not just Amethi, but the whole of Uttar Pradesh," UP Nav Nirman Sena (UPNNS) president Amit Jani said on Tuesday.

Talking to over phone, Jani recalled how the outfit beheaded Mayawati's statues and caused agitation in the state few years back, and warned against taking the threat lightly.

Vishwas had apologized for the comments, which created a political furore, including JD(U) MLA Shoaib Iqbal threatening to withdraw support to the AAP government in Delhi.

While Shoaib forgave the leader and reconciled, UPNNS and the people of the state wouldn't forgive, Jani said.

Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Amethi on January 10.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Isro completes second orbit raising manoeuvre of GSAT-14

BANGALORE: The second orbit raising operation of an advanced Indian communications satellite launched by a rocket using an indigenous powerful booster technology from the space port of Sriharikota was on Tuesday successfully completed by Isro scientists.

The Indian Space Research Organisation said the Apogee Motor of GSAT-14 was fired for 2,629 seconds with a realised orbit of 32,160 km Perigee, nearest point to earth, by 35,745 km Apogee, farthest point to earth.

The third orbit raising operation is planned on January 9 to place the two-tonne satellite in geostationary orbit, Isro said in a statement here.

The successful flight test of the indigenous cryogenic upper stage on the satellite has propelled India into the exclusive club of the US, Russia, France, Japan and China, which have mastered the complex cryogenic engine technology.

The satellite was put into orbit by GSLV-D5 after a textbook launch on Sunday from the spaceport in Andhra Pradesh.

India has for years been trying to develop its own cryogenic rocket engines that are designed to put heavier satellites into high geostationary orbits, about 36,000 km from Earth.

The powerful booster technology uses super-cooled liquid fuel--a mix of oxygen and hydrogen in liquid form and kept at a very low temperature.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Setback to AAP plans as Swabhimaani Sanghatana joins Sena-BJP led combine

MUMBAI: The plans of the Shiv Sena-BJP-led opposition alliance to rope in smaller political groups to take on the ruling Congress-NCP combine in the forthcoming polls got a boost on Tuesday with the Swabhimaani Shetkari Sanghatana, led by Lok Sabha member Raju Shetty, joining the fold.

The development is also considered a setback for the plans of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had been reportedly toying with using the Shetty-led organisation's clout in rural areas of the state, specially in western Maharashtra.

Reacting to Shetty's decision, AAP leader Mayank Gandhi said, "Shetty was apparently pressurising the Sena-BJP-RPI alliance by indicating that he was in parleys with us. We do not subscribe to such tactics."

The Sanghatana's decision came after a meeting between the MP, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, BJP leader Gopinath Munde and RPI leader Ramdas Athawale, at Uddhav's residence in suburban Bandra on Tuesday.

Reacting to the development, Shetkari Sanghatana leader Raghunath Patil said, "Shetty is not a farmers' leader. He became Lok Sabha member by coincidence."

It is not clear how many seats Shetty's organisation would be allocated in the "Mahayuti" (grand alliance) comprising Sena, BJP and RPI (A). In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, Sena had contested 26 seats and BJP 22 of total 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

However, this time around, RPI and Shetty's outfit will also be in the fray from some seats, as part of the grand opposition alliance.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tank operator poisons drinking water 'to get reward from Tamil Nadu CM'

DHARMAPURI: A 37-year-old tank operator was arrested on Tuesday after he poisoned drinking water in a village in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, police said.

Recently, Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa honoured a youth in the district who saved several lives by cutting water supply to some villages when he found that the water had been poisoned. S Vijay of Pikkili village saved 15,000 people from drinking toxic water, Jayalalithaa honoured him with a cash award of Rs 1 lakh on December 10 last year.

On Monday, T Anbazhagan of Payarnatham village, who is tank operator, mixed four kilogram of insecticide in drinking water to get similar reward from the chief minister, Dharmapuri district superintendent of police Asra Garg told TOI.

After mixing poison in the water, he alerted the villagers and the villagers thanked him. The tank operator told the police that he saw an unidentified person escaping from near the tank when he went there to release water at 3am on Monday.

"Initially, we didn't suspect the tank operator as he is a partially differently abled person. But when we checked with a fertilizer shops at Bommidi, one of the shop owners informed us that a partially differently abled man had purchased four kilos of insecticide called Thimete," Garg said, adding that they had obtained duplicate receipts from the shop.

"Having that receipt as evidence, we conducted a detailed inquiry with the tank operator. Initially he refused to admit to the crime. But finally he confessed to his crime after a detailed interrogation," he added.

In his confessional statement, the accused said he mixed the insecticide in the water to get a reward from the chief minister.

Anbazhagan was produced before a judicial magistrate at Harur that remanded him in judicial custody.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Militants, Army troopers exchange fire in Pulwama, none hurt

SRINAGAR: Militants fired at an Army patrol on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in south Kashmir on Tuesday evening, drawing retaliation from the soldiers.

No one was injured in the brief exchange of fire between ultras and Rashtirya Rifles personnel at Awantipora, some 32 kms from here, in Pulwama district, police sources said.

Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a hunt to nab the militants, they said.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pro-Telangana students clash with police at Osmania University campus

HYDERABAD: A group of pro-Telangana students on Monday clashed with police in the Osmania University campus here after they were prevented from taking out a rally towards the Andhra Pradesh Assembly.

The protesting students indulged in heavy stone pelting on the security forces who responded by firing tear gas shells to disperse them when police refused permission to them to proceed towards Assembly, police said

"The pro-Telangana students hurled stones at police afterthey were stopped near the NCC Gate on the OU campus," Osmania University inspector P Ashok said. The situation is now under control and is peaceful, he said.

The students demanded that the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill or Telangana Bill should be taken up for discussion in the ongoing session of the Assembly and also expressed their ire over divesting of Legislative Affairs portfolio held by state civil supplies minister D Sridhar Babu.

The protesters wanted to lay siege to the Assembly as part of 'Chalo Assembly' programme. However, the police foiled their attempts.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wildlife conservationist Kaoosi Sethna passes away

BANGALORE: Well known wildlife conservationist and former member of the Indian Board for Wildlife, Kaoosi Sethna passed away due to age related illness on January 5 at a private hospital in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka.

Wildlife First was actively associated with Kaoosi Sethna in many conservation campaigns since the mid 90s including forest encroachments in Chikmagalur and mining in Kudremukh. His petition in the Supreme Court led to a landmark order on removal of massive forest encroachments by powerful people in Thatkola Reserved Forest.

A fearless campaigner, he served as the Honorary Wildlife Warden of Chikmagalur District for several years. He was involved in conservation of the Bhadra Tiger Reserve with other local conservation groups. An avid birder, he was a close associate of the legendary conservationist Salim Ali.

The conservation community lost a great fighter who battled many vested interests to protect forests and wildlife in Karnataka.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nataraja temple to be managed by priest not by Tamil Nadu govt

NEW DELHI: The famous Nataraja temple in the town of Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu will be managed by priests and not by the state government, the Supreme Court on Monday ordered.

A bench of justices B S Chauhan and S Bobde set aside the order of the Madras high court which had in 2009 transferred the administration of the 1000-year-old Lord Shiva temple to the government.

The apex court passed the order on appeals filed by the temple's priests and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.

Swamy contended that an attempt was made after Independence to bring the temple administration under State control in August 1951 but the Supreme Court had held that the Podu Dikshitars had a right to administer the temple as a religious denomination.

Referring to the provisions of Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, Swamy had submitted, "Section 107 specifically bars the application of the Act to institutions coming under the purview of or enjoying the protection of Article 26 of the Constitution."

He contended that if there were allegations of misappropriation of temple's property then it should be dealt with under the provisions of Indian Penal Code and not by taking over the temple administration.

The state government in 1987 had appointed an official to manage the endowments and considerable assets and property owned by the temple.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Karnataka Congress chief Parameshwara seeks deputy chief minister's post

BANGALORE: Karnataka Congress president G Parameshwara on Monday asked the Congress high command to consider his request for deputy chief minister's post.

"We (dalits) are taken into account only for voting purpose. Vote is ours, power is for someone else. We should also be considered for minister's, deputy chief minister's and chief minister's post. Only token representation like two ministers for left wing, two for right wing and one for centre wing dalits will not do," a frustrated Parameshwara said while addressing the party workers' meet organized by the Scheduled Caste (SC) wing of the state Congress.

Such was the aggressiveness that Parameshwara, differed from Union railway minister Mallikarjun M Kharge, a fellow dalit leader, when later stressed for reservations according to the population. While Kharge said state government should make efforts to pave way for reservations according to the dalit population in the state, Parameshwara said reservation will not do good, but the political representation at important positions should be given to dalits.

It's no secret that Parameshwara, one of the chief ministerial aspirant, after losing assembly elections in May 2013 is lobbying hard for deputy CM post under chief minister Siddaramaiah. The Congress high command recently gave nod for inclusion of senior MLAs D K Shiva Kumar and R Roshan Baig in the cabinet, but ignored Parameshwara's claim.

During an hour-long rhetoric, state Congress chief maintained that it was dalits who faced the bullets of the British during freedom struggle, while higher caste people stood behind and escaped from the scene.

Parameshwara was all praise for Siddaramaiah saying that the state has a chief minister, who is committed to the cause of dalits, backward classes, minorities and poor people from all sections. "Within half-an-hour of coming to power, the CM waived loans taken by poor sections of the society," he said. AICC general secretary and Congress in-charge in Karnataka Digvijaya Singh also told the same and asked other Congress ruled CMs to follow Karnataka model.

Parameshwara also demanded that government bring in legislations making reservations in private sectors mandatory.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cabinet has done whatever it could do: Ghulam Nabi Azad on Justice Ganguly

KOLKATA: Expressing his ignorance about allegations that Justice (retd) A K Ganguly was framed for his 2G verdict, health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday said Union Cabinet has done whatever could be done in this matter.

"The Union Cabinet has unanimously passed the matter. We have done whatever could be done in the matter," Azad said.

The Cabinet has already approved the proposal for sending a presidential reference to the Supreme Court on the issue, which was seen as a step towards his removal as the West Bengal Human Rights Commission (WBHRC) chairman.

"I am not aware of any such thing," Azad said when asked about allegations that Ganguly was framed in the case.

Justice (retd) Ganguly, who faces charges of sexually harassing a law intern, on Monday said he was yet to take a decision on resigning from his post in the WBHRC.

He also declined to comment on his telephonic conversation with former attorney general Soli Sorabjee.

07.20 | 0 komentar | Read More

John Kerry insists Mideast peace plan to be 'fair, balanced'

AMMAN: US secretary of state John Kerry said on Sunday that any Middle East peace plan would be "fair and balanced," as he sought to push Israeli and Palestinian leaders towards final status negotiations.

Kerry made the remarks before flying to Amman from Jerusalem, after three days of intense shuttle diplomacy between Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.

The US chief diplomat, on his 10th visit to the region since taking office less than a year ago, kicked-started nine months of direct negotiations in July after a three-year hiatus.

He has since stepped up his efforts to bring about a peace deal as an agreed late-April deadline looms and the two sides refuse to budge on their mostly irreconcilable demands.

"I can guarantee all parties that President (Barack) Obama and I are committed to putting forward ideas that are fair, that are balanced, and that improve the security of all the people of this region," Kerry told reporters in Jerusalem before departing for the Jordanian capital.

Kerry urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to make "tough choices" to bring about a lasting peace after decades of conflict, saying there was still "tension".

"We're at the table today because of the determination to try to resolve this issue, and both of them (Netanyahu and Abbas) have made tough choices to stay at that table. We are now at a point where the choices narrow down, and the choices are obviously real and difficult.

"There's always tension as to when you put your card on the table, as to which piece you're willing to do, when and how. So it has to move with its particular pace."

Kerry has pledged to work even more intensively in the coming months, seeking first to agree a framework to guide the talks.

A peace treaty would deal with all the core issues dividing the two sides, including the contours of a future Palestinian state, refugees, the fate of Jerusalem claimed by both as a capital, security and mutual recognition.

Kerry insisted yesterday there had been "progress" in the talks, despite bitter recriminations by both sides and mostly irreconcilable demands for any future peace deal.

"We're not there yet, but we are making progress," he said, adding everyone was "working with great intensity" to try to reach a deal.

"I'm confident that the talks we've had in the past two days have already fleshed out and even resolved certain kinds of issues and presented new opportunities for others," said the US secretary of state.

07.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

29 injured as Saudi jet makes emergency landing

JEDDAH: A Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 767 jet made an emergency landing in the kingdom's Muslim holy city Medina on Sunday, injuring 29 people, the airline and aviation authority said.

The Saudia aircraft was travelling from Iran's second city of Mashhad with 315 people on board, General Authority of Civil Aviation spokesman Khalid al-Khaybari said.

Of the 29 people injured, 12 were taken to hospital, "three of whom are in unstable conditions," Saudia said in a statement.

The rest were treated at the airport, which has been closed for 24 hours for work on the runway.

The leased Boeing 767 was being used for flights for pilgrims, the airline said, adding that it was carrying 299 passengers and 16 crew.

Khaybari said in a statement that the rear right-side landing gear failed to drop, forcing the captain to make the emergency landing.

Footage posted online showed the plane leaving a trail of flame along the runway as it screeched to a halt.

07.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accuses Palestinians of 'inciting hatred'

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday accused Palestinian leaders of "inciting hatred," as US secretary of state John Kerry visited the region to push peace talks forward.

"The Palestinians are continuing their campaign of inciting hatred, as we have seen in the last few days with their refusal to recognise Israel as a state for the Jewish people," Netanyahu told a weekly cabinet meeting.

"This is the main issue that we're discussing with (Kerry). Among other key topics are Israel's security, which must remain in its hands," he added, in comments broadcast by public radio.

Netanyahu's remarks came as Kerry left Israel for neighbouring Jordan after three days of intense shuttle diplomacy between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

Kerry was on his tenth visit to the region since taking office, having kick-started direct negotiations in July after a three-year hiatus.

Kerry has pledged to work even more intensively in the coming months, in a bid to thrash out a framework agreement for final status talks with an April deadline looming.

Palestinian leaders have refused to recognise Israel as a Jewish state, arguing that to do so might compromise the rights of Israeli Arabs and the "right of return" for Palestinian refugees.

"We know that we have to reach an agreement, but this agreement cannot put into doubt the right of the Jewish people to a state," Netanyahu said.

07.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hawaii vacation over, Barack Obama flies to Washington

HONOLULU: US President Barack Obama on late Saturday ended his vacation in sunny Hawaii and boarded Air Force One for a flight back home to chilly Washington.

Obama arrived in his native Hawaii on December 21 along with his wife Michelle and daughters Sasha, 12, and Malia, 15.

Obama left Honolulu's Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam just before 9pm (0700 GMT Sunday) with his daughters, who likely have school on Monday, but not Michelle.

"As part of her birthday gift from the president, the First Lady will remain in Hawaii to spend time with friends ahead of her upcoming 50th birthday," a brief White House statement said. Michelle Obama's birthday is on January 17.

The president and his family stayed at a rented house near a US Marine Corps base on the northeastern coast of the island of Oahu, located about a dozen miles (20 kilometres) from the state capital Honolulu, where Obama was born.

The president played several rounds of golf at the Marine base with friends and colleagues including White House chef Sam Kass.

On Thursday, he also played golf with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, a rare vacation encounter with a foreign dignitary.

07.21 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rebel TMC MP Somen Mitra to quit seat on January 15

BAIDYABATI: Rebel Trinamool Congress leader Somen Mitra on Sunday said he will quit as party MP on January 15, severing all links with TMC.

"After stepping down on January 15 as Diamondharbour MP, I will publicly let everyone know in details the reasons and circumstances behind the decision. But I am severing all contacts with TMC," he said at a function here in Hooghly district.

Mitra, who recalled having joined Trinamool during the height of Singur movement, said lack of unfulfilled promises and several incidents in the state prompted him to take the move.

Union minister of state for railways and Baharampur Congress MP Adhir Chowdhury, who was also present at the event held on the occasion of a football tournament, said if someone like Mitra joined Congress, "that will lead to new optimism for Bengal."

Expressing gratitude for Mishra, Chowdhury recalled how in 1996, Mishra, the then WBPCC chief, gave him ticket for Nabagram Lok Sabha seat when the erstwhile CPM government "prevented him from entering Baharampur by initiating a murder case against him."

"Even without my physical presence in Nabagram, I could win with cassettes played during campaigns. Later on, I went on winning thrice from Baharampur," the Congress strongman recalled.

Asked if he had once said Mitra could join Congress only after stepping down from his MP's post, Chowdhury denied having ever said so.

He said with various factions of TMC at loggerhead, Bengal was witnessing unrest on law and order front.

The football tournament was organised by senior state Congress leader Abdul Mannan.

07.21 | 0 komentar | Read More