29 terrorists killed in air strikes in Pakistan

 Wed, 20 February 2013
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23:39

29 terrorists killed in air strikes in Pakistan

Air strikes by combat jets today killed 29 terrorists and destroyed several hideouts in Pakistan's lawless tribal belt, security officials said.The air strikes targeted terrorist positions in Orakzai and Khyber tribal regions. In Orakzai Agency, raids were carried out at...
23:12

Pak gets new law to spy on phones, emails

President Asif Ali Zardari today signed into law a controversial bill that will give Pakistan's intelligence agencies sweeping powers to conduct surveillance and collect electronic data by tapping phones and eavesdropping on emails.The 'Investigation For Fair Trial Bill 2013' was signed by...
23:05

UP govt orders inquiry into Noida violence

The Uttar Pradesh government today set up a two-member inquiry committee to probe the Noida violence, which broke out during the nationwide strike by trade unions, and submit its report in three days time.Principal Secretry (Home) R M Srivastava said that Home Secretary Rakesh and ADG Law and...
21:06

War over air fares intensifies, AI jumps into fray

The war over air fares intensified today with all Indian airlines competing with each other to offer low ticket prices, as Air India also jumped into the fray.A day after Jet Airways offered 20 lakh seats at Rs 2,250 for travel till the year-end and all no-frill carriers -- IndiGo, SpiceJet and...
21:00

I am sorry for 'Hindu terror' remark: HM Shinde

Under attack from the Bharatiya Janata Party, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Wednesday issued a statement on the eve of Budget session of Parliament, expressing regret over his Hindu terror remark and saying his comments had been misunderstood.Shinde, who is also Leader of the Lok Sabha and...
20:28

Kurien writes to RS members on rape charges

Ahead of the Budget session of Parliament, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien has written to members of the House, saying three police inquiries and two judicial processes have cleared him in the 17-year-old Suryanelli rape case.Kurien, who is under attack since the victim demanded recently...
18:51

HC cancels bail of serial killer for misusing liberty

Vijay Palande, who is cooling his heels in jail in a series of murder cases, today received a setback as the Bombay High court cancelled bail granted to him in 2007, in a murder case of a city businessman.Hearing Maharashtra government's petition seeking cancellation of Palande's bail in the case...
18:41

India should vote against Sri Lanka in UNHRC: CPI

Terming the alleged cold-blooded killing of Velupillai Prabhakaran's teenaged son as clinching evidence of human rights violations by Sri Lanka, CPI today wanted India to vote against Colombo in the forthcoming UNHRC session as well as convince other countries to do so.
18:12

2G: CBI questions DB Realty boss Shahid Balwa

The CBI today questioned 2G scam accused Shahid Balwa in connection with audio recordings of purported conversation between its prosecutor A K Singh and another accused Unitech Managing Director Sanjay Chandra on the case. Balwa arrived at the CBI headquarters and was immediately taken before the...
18:09

Dark 2G clouds look for Raja, Kanimozhi

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The Enforcement Directorate is set to tighten its noose in the 2G spectrum allocations case as the agency will soon file its charge sheet against two of the main accused - former Telecom Minister A Raja and DMK leader Kanimozhi. Both Raja and Kanimozhi have been questioned by the ED quite a...
18:02

Building collapse in Delhi injures 6 workers

An under-construction building collapses in east Delhi; at least six workers have been injured. 
17:52

Chopper deal shows Antony's marginal influence in MoD

For a man revered for his probity, Defence Minister A K Antony was caught napping when bribes were paid over the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal. With the UPA government staring at another scam, nothing it seems will change, writes Sheela Bhatt for Rediff.com. Read
17:48
Pistorius' attorney says that when the investigating officer Botha was in Pistorius's house he was walking around without protective shoes on. Botha says that's right, but it was not deliberate. -- Guardian.
17:40

Pistorius hearing: Gunshots, screams, more gunshots

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The Oscar Pistorius trial: A witness heard gunshots, screaming, and then more shots fired at the home of athlete Oscar Pistorius on the night Reeva Steenkamp was killed, a police officer has said.Day two of his bail hearing in Pretoria also heard police suggest Mr Pistorius could be a flight...
17:07
The full text of the PM's remarks to the media after the all-party meeting was convened by the Speaker. Read
17:05

I have no right to be Leader of Opposition: Sushma

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Taking an aggressive stance at the all-party meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Sushma Swaraj said that if BJP was training terrorists, as alleged by home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, then she should cease to be the Leader of the Opposition and BJP members should not be allowed...
16:58

Pistorius faces new possession of unlicensed ammunition charge

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Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius is set to face a fresh charge of possessing unlicensed ammunition after firearm was recovered from his home by the police during the investigation into the death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, the Pretoria Magistrate's Court heard. The charge has been...
16:35

Pope Benedict 'nearly blind in one eye'

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Pope Benedict XVI is nearly blind in one eye and was advised by his doctor to limit air travel because of his high blood pressure, the website Vatican Insider reported today. The report also said the 85-year-old pontiff often has problems sleeping and has fallen out of bed several times in recent...
16:32

Man who never falls ill as he's always inhaling turmeric dust

It's the first and, perhaps only, time I hope for a power-cut; because, when M.A.Akbar's marundhu (medicine) mill runs, I doubt I can hear anything he says. So, I fix to meet him during the load-shedding (12-2 p.m.). Outside his shop at Bazaar Road, Mylapore, sacks of rose-petals, vilvam and...
16:27

Man goes on shooting rampage in California, 3 killed

The early morning commute was just getting under way on suburban Orange County's network of freeways when Melvin Lee Edwards pulled up to a stop sign near a busy off-ramp. It was just after 5 am and Edwards, 69, was on his way to work when, police say, a fleeing murder suspect forced him out of...
16:13

Ginger ale, ham, orange juice in Britney's shopping list

Britney Spears' grocery list has become the latest trending topic on the internet after a photographer clicked the pop diva last weekend while she was on her way to the store -- with a list in her hands. The 31-year-old singer's list included ginger ale, tomatoes, Lunchables, ham, orange...
16:10

How the Delhi gang-rape has changed Indian women forever

After the brutal rape and murder of a young female medical student in Delhi last year, Anita Anand travels to India, and discovers a generation of women suddenly demanding that their voices be heard. Read
16:02

Air Asia awaits nod for budget airlines with Tatas

Malaysia-based budget airlines seeks nod from the government to launch a budget airlines with Tatas. AirAsia proposes to operate from Chennai to domestic destinations and will focus on tier-2 and tier-3 cities. 
15:36

Maldives court cancels today's Nasheed hearing

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Just in: Maldivian Court cancels today's hearing after police informed it about its inability to produce former President Mohamed Nasheed at 4 pm. Nasheed has been in the Indian Mission since February 13 to evade arrest after he failed to appear in court on charges of detaining Chief Criminal...
15:29

'Pistorius had legs on when he shot Reeva'

At the Pistorius trial, the prosecution debating that the accused was in fact wearing his prosthetic legs when he shot Reeva through the bathroom door. The angle of the bullets was downwards from a normal stance - indicating that Pistorius was standing at a normal height. He says the bullets went...
15:14

MEA team lands in Male; Nasheed unlikely to appear in court

A high-level team of officials from Ministry of External Affairs arrived in Male today to assist Indian High Commission to resolve the situation arising out of former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed taking refuge in the Indian Mission for the eight day in a row. The team, which is headed by...
15:10
Union ministers Kamal Nath and Sushil Kumar Shinde hold consultations with leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj to resolve tjhe stalemate over the Hindu terror remarks. BJP is unlikely to concede.
15:00
In pictures: 'We must never forget what happened here': Cameron's 'shame' over 1919 Amritsar massacre as he makes historic visit to shrine where 379 were shot down. See
14:56

PM appeals for 'productive Parl session' tommorow

PM Dr Manmohan Singh's appeal as the all-party meet ends ahead of the Budget session of Parliament tomorrow. It is obligation of all political parties to ensure Parliament functions smoothly. We hope for a productive session, Parliament is forum for dialogue, says the PM.
14:53

100 pc attendance at govt offices in WB on bandh day

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is against the bandh and had warned government employees from remaining absent, said attendance at the state secretariat, Writers' Buildings, was 100 per cent. Finance Minister Amit Mitra said that his department also registered 100 per cent attendance. Many...
14:43
Pistorius sobs in court as the prosecution details the injuries Reeva Steenkamp received and where she was hiding in the toilet when Pistorius shot her from outside the door.  
14:38

Cong top brass meets ahead of Budget Session

Ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament, Congress top brass, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party president Sonia Gandhi, today held a meeting to decide on the strategy ahead. Meeting of the Congress core group was held on the eve of the three month-long Budget Session, expected...
14:25

I Just want Afzal's body back'

Muhammad Afzal Guru's widow, Tabassum, sat huddled in the dark on the floor of a large room Tuesday evening, closely surrounded by grieving female relatives in the home of her husband's family.I just want his body back. That's all,' she said, blinking back tears as a relative held a candle to her...
14:19

LS Speaker holds all-party meet ahead of Budget Session

Ahead of the Budget Session beginning tomorrow, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar today held an all-party meeting to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament where opposition is set to target government on issues like corruption in defence deals. Besides Kumar, the meeting was attended by Deputy...
14:14
Back to the Oscar Pistorius trial: The Daily Mail story: Inside the bathroom where Reeva was shot. Read
14:13
The Supreme Court had set the February 20 deadline for notifying the award during its last hearing on February 5.
14:05

Cauvery Tribunal Award notified: Who gets how much

Meanwhile, the Central government today notified the Cauvery Tribunal award after six years. This is now meant to settle once and for all the on-going tussle between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the waters of the river Cauvery. According to the award notified today, Karnataka is to release...
13:59

Pistorius trial: Woman heard non-stop fighting

This is what the prosecution plans to do:Prove that that the shots were fired deliberatel.Will submit a witness statement that a woman heard non-stop fighting between 2am and 3am on the morning of Reeva Steenkamp's death.
13:51
The Oscar Pistorius trial: Gerrie Nel, the prosecuting lawyer, says he will now respond to an application from the defence for more information from the prosecution. Nel says, while the state is not obliged to provide more information, it will give details on of defence lawyer Barry Roux's...
13:44

British PM launches charm offensive, Aamir surprise weapon

As we wait for proceedings to begin... Update on the Aamir Khan-David Cameron meeting yesterday. Politics may be no competition to Bollywood when it comes to fan following, but British PM David Cameron managed to generate as much applause as Aamir Khan at a meeting with students from Janki Devi...
13:37

Day 2 of Oscar Pistorius' bail hearing begins

Oscar Pistorius returned to court today to find out if he can be freed on bail after he was charged with premeditated murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The prosecutor is Gerrie Nel, the defense lawyer is Barry Roux, while the Judge is Desmond Nair.
13:35

Day 2 of Oscar Pistorius' bail hearing begins

Day 2 of the the bail hearing of paralympian Oscar Pistorius begins. Sky News reports that the start of the hearing was delayed because the media could not be accommodated in court. 
13:20

Bandh supporters in Noida set vehicles on fire

Just in: Bandh supporters turn violent and go on a rampage in Noida, UP, setting fire to a fire engine. Ironical touch, whoever thought of it. The riot police are also on standby. Othere vehicles have also been set on fire.
12:59

What my son taught me about Oscar Pistorius

The first time I saw Oscar Pistorius run, I was captivated. Witnessing him caused me to jump up and down. My 10-year-old son, an amputee since the first week of his life, calmly commented, Mom, he's just a man! Read
12:54

Two-day Bharat bandh: Trade union leader crushed to death

A trade union leader, who was squatting along with a group of workers near the local bus depot as part of the two-day nationwide strike call, on Wednesday died when he was hit by a bus in his bid to stop it from plying, a senior Roadways official said. Read
12:49

Oscar Pistorius bail hearing prosecutors to make case

South African prosecutors are set to detail their murder case against athlete Oscar Pistorius, on the second day of his bail hearing in Pretoria.They are expected to highlight reports that neighbours had heard loud arguments in his home before he shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. On Tuesday...
12:45
Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs tweets: India's Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai heads to Washington for Foreign Office Consultations with US Under Secy of State Wendy Sherman.
12:42

No pharmacist, no medicines, say Mumbai chemists

More than 2,000 chemist shops in the city, including those licensed to operate 24 hours, are downing their shutters as early as 6 pm because of a standoff with the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). The bone of contention is the recent FDA rule that says all chemist shops must have a...
12:31

Jaya: Execution of Prabhakaran's son a war crime

Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa holds forth on the alleged photographic evidence of the execution of Balachandran Prabhakaran, son of Villupillai Prabhakaran, who was head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Jaya said the proof reveals the...
12:19

In conversation with journalist, author Rahul Pandita

Rahul Pandita, an associate editor with the Open magazine in Delhi, is a journalist and author who belongs to the Kashmiri Pandit community, Hindus who had to flee the Kashmir Valley in the early 1990s during a separatist insurgency by the Muslim majority.In his memoir, Our Moon has Blood Clots,'...
12:16
In rural Tamil Nadu, schools, buses, co-operative banks (state) are functioning while post offices and nationalised banks (central) are on strike.
12:14
Ram Gopal Varma: Hey Karan I nevr evr invited u to see any of my films..but 26/11is one film I would really like u to see..pls let me knw whn freeAnd the reply...Karan Johar: ramu!! 26/11 is a film i am truly dying to see...let me know whenever you have a screening and i will be there!!
12:10
Ramesh Srivats: Actually I'm not too hassled with Kohinoor being in Britain. Else, by now, Kalmadi may have been wearing it as a tie-pin or something.
12:05

Peer-edge for Modis ambitions

Narendra Modi's Delhi dreams just got a lordly' push.Bhikhu Parekh, a Labour peer with Gujarati roots, said the BJP leader deserves national projection' and shouldn't be singled out for black mark' because of the Godhra riots. Read
12:02

Apple is No. 2 in India, Or Perhaps No. 6

Apple Inc. is clearly gaining traction in India as iPhone sales ramp up here. But just how well is it doing compared to the competition? It depends how you look at it. Read
12:00

Reviving Lahores Literary Legacy

In other stories: Pakistan is a country that in recent memory has been better known globally for bombs than for books.But organizers of the country's first Lahore Literary Festival, which kicks off this weekend, are hoping to help change that perception. Read
11:51

PSU banks on 2-day strike, 'enough money in ATMs'

Normal banking operations were hit today as employees of public sector banks went on a two-day strike in response to a call given by central trade unions to press for wage hike in the backdrop of rising inflation. Apprehending disruption in their normal banking operations, many banks had already...
11:49

'Can't vouch for authencity of Prabhakaran's son's pictures'

Union External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said he had seen the pictures and the report on the alleged coldblooded killing of LTTE chief V. Prabakaran's minor son by the Sri Lankan Army but could not vouch for their authenticity. Read
11:45

Nikki Haley presented with leadership award

Meanwhile, Indian-American South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has been presented with the leadership award for giving boost to employment in the automobile sector. The inaugural State Leadership Award of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) was presented to Haley - whose...
11:37
Bench headed by Chief Justice of India says it will wait for the judgement of the other bench which also heard a plea for commutation of death sentence. The bench also says that it will wait till judgment in the Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar case is given. Bhullar, a convict on death row, was found...
11:31

SC stays execution of Veerappan aides for 6 weeks

Just in: The Supreme Court has stayed the executions of the three associates of sandalwood brigand Veerappan till further notice. The case has been adjourned for six weeks.  The four -- Gnana Prakasam, Simon, Meesakaara Madiah and Bilavendran -- have been on death row for nine years and...
11:27
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre (also known as the Amritsar massacre), took place in the Jallianwala Bagh public garden in Amritsar on 13 April 1919. The shooting that took place was ordered by Brigadier-General Reginald E.H. Dyer on unarmed Indians. Dyer kept the firing for about ten minutes,...
11:24

UK PM: Jallianwala massacre deeply shameful

British PM David Cameron says the Jallianwala Bagh massacre is a deeply shameful incident in British history. Cameron became the first UK PM to visit in 94 years. Cameron also offered prayers at the Golden Temple. 
11:18

An unreasonable restriction

It is disingenuous for the government to claim its IT law is modelled on British statute when the House of Lords has already read down the U.K.'s worst provisions. Read
11:16

Chopper deal: PM gets aggressive with Cameron

Call it a domestic sidewinder from the international high table. His attention focused on meeting the political storm over kickback allegations in the AgustaWestland chopper deal in the eye, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh minted an aggressive tone on alleged corruption with his British counterpart...
11:14
Defence Minister A K Antony asks armed forces to reduce dependence on imports in view of ongoing controversy over chopper deal.
11:08

Cameron is 1st UK PM to visit Jallianwala in 94 yrs

British PM David Cameron lays a wreath at Jallianwala Bagh, the first prime ministerial visit in 94 years. 
11:05

Nitish Kumar beats Narendra Modi's growth figures

Despite global economic slowdown and sagging domestic demand, Bihar has managed to record 11.95% annual growth rate, the highest among all the states, during the 11th Plan period. According to the Economic Survey 2012-13 tabled by deputy CM and finance minister...
10:57

How Sri Lanka squandered its opportunities

Almost four years ago, the Sri Lankan government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa won a decisive victory in a 26-year-long civil war with rebels from the island's minority Tamil community.The cost was horrific: A United Nations investigation subsequently found that up to 40,000 civilians...
10:54

SC to hear petitions of Veerappans aides

Up ahead today, the Supreme Court will take up the plea of four associates of sandalwood bandit Veerappan who are on death row at the Belgaum Central Jail in Karnataka.  On Monday, a bench headed by the Chief Justice of India Justice Altamas Kabir had stayed their execution till Wednesday....
10:50

Lanka: Death pics of Prabhakaran's son morphed

The Sri Lankan high commissioner to India Prasad Kariyawasam said the pictures of Prabhakaran's son were morphed and were being circulated ahead of the UNHRC meeting to embarrass his government.These allegations are not new. We deny allegations based on morphed photos from London. The Sri Lankan...
10:38
British Prime Minister David Cameron pays obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. 
10:25

Earthquake hits China; 8 injured

Eight people were injured in an earthquake near the border area of China's southwestern Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, local authorities said today. The 4.9-magnitude quake, which occurred at 10:46 a.m. yesterday with an epicenter 6 km deep, toppled 72 houses and damaged 949 others in...
10:24

Two-day Bharat Bandh begins

Impact of the 48-hour Bharat Bandh called by trade unions in different parts of the country.  Delhi: Transport has been the first casualty of the strike in Delhi. Passengers arriving at New Delhi railway station were stranded as taxis and auto-rickshaws either refused them or...
10:03

Rupee up 8 paise Vs dollar in early trade

The rupee today appreciated by eight paise to 54.10 against the US dollar on the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market in early trade on increased foreign fund flows amid firm local equities. Forex dealers said euro's gains against the American currency in the overseas market also...
09:46

Blast in poll-bound Nagaland; 1 dead

A bomb blast close to Dimapur railway station in poll-bound Nagaland killed one person this morning, police said. Pradeep Thapa was travelling on his bike near the station when the bomb planted on the roadside suddenly went off killing him on the spot.
09:45

Strike has little impact in West Bengal

There was little impact of the two-day strike called by central trade unions on the first day today in West Bengal with situation being normal and peaceful across the state. Shops and markets were mostly open in the metropolis. Private buses and taxis were less, though state buses were...
09:37

Govt had nothing positive to offer, say striking trade unions

The country prepared to face a two-day agony starting Wednesday after trade union leaders failed to reach a consensus in talks with the government. The strike, called by 11 registered trade unions across the political spectrum, started from Tuesday midnight to protest against policies of the...
09:23

Bharat Bandh: How the strike will affect you

The two-day Bharat Bandh called by employee unions on 20 and 21 February seems set to go ahead with talks between the government and unions failing.The trade unions says that the strike has been called against the anti-people and anti-workers policies of the government. The unions have also...
08:49

Three sisters allegedly raped and killed in Maharashtra

It's perhaps one of the most horrific stories of sexual abuse. Three sisters aged 11, nine and five years were brutally raped and killed and then their bodies were thrown in a well near Lakhni village in Bhandara district of Maharashtra.On February 14, the day when the whole world celebrated the...
08:41

Bharat bandh has little effect in Mumbai

At Linking Road and Turner Road in Bandra west, north-west Mumbai, there was visibly no bandh.Autorickshaws, taxis and BEST buses were plying as usual, shops were beginning to open for the day, and office-goers could be seen rushing about on the roads. 
08:28

Three-day bandh in Kashmir

Tension returned to Kashmir Valley after a three-day bandh was called to urge the government to return hanged Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's body back to his family. Human rights groups and Kashmiri politicians are up in arms after the government said it is unlikely to return Guru's...
08:16

Two-day Trade union strike begins; 1 killed

A trade union leader was killed in Ambala in the wee hours as the two-day nationwide strike called by the 11 trade unions began on Wednesday.  Narender Singh, the treasurer of a AITUC union was stabbed to death near the Ambala bus stand by some miscreants who wanted to take...
08:15

Mumbai may stay normal during Bharat bandh

Mumbaikars who were fearing that the city would be crippled during the Bharat bandh on Wednesday and Thursday can rest easy. Union leader Sharad Rao, normally known for holding Mumbai to ransom with his strikes, has called off the bandh in the city and the rest of...
01:43

US General Allen to retire, declining top Nato job

General John Allen, who till recently was the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, has decided to retire instead of accepting NATO's top job citing health issues within the family, President Barack Obama announced today.Obama himself made this announcement after he met Gen Allen at the...
01:34

Top headlines of the last 24 hours

Antony, Khurshid divided over cancelling chopper deal?Mumbai: Autos, taxis won't join Bharat BandhBJP to strongly raise chopper deal issue in ParliamentVVIP lessons: Build arms, don't buy themTwo more held for trying to access Jaitley's phone records