18:08
In the Lok Sabha, the government today introduced a bill that provides for recognising it as a crime and lays down norms for prosecution of pirates apprehended by Indian authorities with punishment up to life term.The Piracy Bill, 2012, has been brought as India does not have a separate domestic...
18:07
In the Rajya Sabha today, a bill was passed to widen the beneficiary net for disabled children in Right to Education and provide those with severe disabilitythe option of receiving education at home. Moving the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2010,...
18:06
What most frightens Iran's mullahs, and no it is not an Israeli air strike, it's the insidious Western message of sexual emancipation. You'll want to read the whole lurid piece on the Daily Beast
17:42
Newsweek Pakistan @NewsweekPak Prime Minister Gilani does not want President Zardari to pardon him if he is convicted.
17:33
BJP on the alleged Congress reshuffle, says: This window dressing, the real problem is governance.
17:31
A leaked video purportedly showing senior Congress politician Abhishek Manu Singhvi having sex with a woman in his office raises questions about how to balance the right to privacy with public interest.Read the Firstpost.com story
17:25
Welcoming the Supreme Court judgement allowing telecom firms whose licences it had earlier cancelled, to continue operations till September 7, telecomoperators today said it will provide a huge relief to customers. The apex court today extended the deadline for conducting auctions of the...
17:22
Yuvraj Singh @YUVSTRONG12 Dada I'm coming on 26th to pune with some hair gel and a scissor ! So you have one day to decide :) good luck boys !!
17:02
The Congress reshuffle is expected after the Budget session ends. Vayalar Ravi denies that he wrote a letter to Sonia Gandhi that he wants to be relived from his portfolio.
16:58
The Congress is likely to bring back several ministers if these four ministers quit their portfolio. This comes after the Congress formed a panel headed by Defence Minister AK Antony to go into the causes of the party's defeat in the Punjab and Goa polls and its lackadaisical...
16:52
EC announces bypolls for 27 seats in nine states to be held on June 12.
16:51
Robert Fisk on the Independent: Memories of sectarian war, kidnapping and child killing are fading. It is safer. But nine years since Saddam's fall many feel they have lost their homeland. Read
16:44
Just in: Several Congress ministers say they want to be relieved of their ministerial berths. These include Rural Development minister Jairam Ramesh, Law minister Salman Khurshid, Overseas Affairs minister Vayalar Ravi and Health and Family Welfare minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. Ministers write to...
16:38
The CPI today appealed to Maoists to unconditionally release abducted Sukuma District Collector Alex Paul Menon and asked Chattisgarh government to do everything possible to achieve a breakthrough. Targeting civilian officers, people's representatives and their security guards who are on...
16:37
Another one from the Foreign Policy. The very public disgrace of Bo Xilai, the deposed Communist Party chief of China's heartland megacity Chongqing, is a chronicle of a fall foretold. Meet the victims of Bo Xilai's reign. Read
16:26
Former Peace Corps volunteer Peter DiCampo captures Life Without Lights.Stunning slideshow on Foreign Policy. See
16:23
Must read: In the Islamic Republic of Iran, all politics may not be sexual, but all sex is political. Read AMS would concur.
16:16
A security guard has described the trauma of seeing last July's car bomb blast set off by Anders Behring Breivik at Norway's government headquarters. Tor Inge Kristoffersen told the Oslo court he watched on CCTV as a car parked and a man wearing what looked like a guard's uniform got...
16:14
Taking a swipe at the Congress led UPA government at the Centre, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today charged it with neglecting the state,indicating that it was against her. The Central government seems to think that Tamil Nadu should not be allowed to flourish as Jayalalithaa will...
15:51
Asha Alex, Sukma District Collector's wife, in an exclusive first person account to Rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt, reveals fascinating glimpses of her husband's softer side, and requests the Maoists to release him. Read
15:46
Just in: South Sudan's President Salva Kiir says Sudan has declared war on his country. Fighting has broken out on the border between Sudan and South Sudan, shortly after the South pulled out of a disputed border town. South Sudanese military officials say they repulsed ground and air...
15:41
Derek O'Brien @quizderek Speaking in Rajya Sabha in a few mins.Just to make one point on Right of Children to Free & Compulory Education. The TMC MP, recently seen on a TV channel, said when asked if he would sit next to Left MPs in Parliament: NO, I will not. Remember,...
15:34
Parliament today also voiced concern over the abduction of Collector Alex Paul Menon by Maoists in Chhattisgarh with CPI, AIADMK, DMK and Congress members seeking meaningful steps for his release. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, D Raja (CPI) said the incident has haunted...
15:29
Had the Congress Telangana MPs not disrupted the proceedings in the Lok Sabha today this issue would have occupied more time. BJP leaderJaswant Singh today sought a comprehensive discussion in the Lok Sabha on the sensitive issue of India's defence preparedness. Singh, a former...
15:20
With a Maoist 'peoples court' likely to try Odisha BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka tomorrow at Narayanpatna in Koraput district, the ultras were taking advantage of the halt in security force operations by digging up roads in the area since Friday to make it inacessible. As anti-Maoist operations...
15:17
In Parliament, the suspended members staged a dharna in the House, forcing its adjournment for the day as some opposition leaders expressed themselves against use of marshals for evicting them. The Telangana MPs said they had not resorted to any indiscipline as what they were demanding was...
15:10
Update on the Sukma collector's abduction. Maoists now say Alex Paul Menon's condition has worsened and he needs to be hospitalised urgently. Late this morning, mediator Manish Kunjam of the All India Adivasi Mahasabha had left for Bastar to deliver the asthma medicines for the collector, all the...
15:04
David Davidar recalls the advice once given to him by the writer R.K. Narayan about publishing books in India. Don't worry, you'll be gone in a few years,' Mr Narayan warned. There aren't enough writers here. Imagine that: An India lacking in writers. Read the piece on the New York Times.
14:53
The Italian government today signed a Rs 1 crore deal with the families of the two Indian fishermen killed by Italian marines on February 15. In return, the fishermen's families have withdrawn their pleas against the crew of the Enrica Lexie. The Italian government representatives and victims'...
14:47
Sidin Vadukut @sidin I wish my job was like that. Lok Sabha adjourned till Wednesday.
14:44
This means existing 2G licences will be operational till September 7, 2012.
14:42
Just in: The SC extends from June 2 to August 31 time for conducting fresh auction of 2G spectrum. Apex court says existing licences for 2G spectrum to continue in operation till September 7, 2012.
14:35
Details on the Gilani contempt case: A seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court in Pakistan reserved its verdict in the contempt of court case against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, DawnNews reported. The verdict would be announced on Thursday and the prime minister has also been...
14:31
Right now in the Rajya Sabha, the Right to Education Bill is being debated.
14:30
In the morning session of Parliament, Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley, BSP supremo Mayawati, Union ministers Vilasrao Deshmukh and Rajeev Shukla, and Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi and actor Jaya Bachchan were among the 50 new members who took oath in the Rajya Sabha today. Jaitley, who...
14:27
The eight suspended MPs include Ponnam Prabhakar, Madhu Yaskhi Goud, M Jagannath, K R G Reddy, G Viveknanda, Balram Naik, SukenderReddy Gutha and S Rajaiah
14:25
Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, the suspended MPs are in the well of the house and refuse to leave. Marshals may have to be called in to remove them..
14:23
Just in: The Pakistan SC reserves its verdict in the contempt case against PM Yousaf Raza Gilani. Details in a bit.
14:18
Supreme Court lawyer Ram Jethmalani differs from the BJP line and says the Abhishek Manu Singhvi CD is a private and family matter.
14:16
APJ Abdul Kalam @official_kalam Happy birthday Sachin...
14:14
Following the announcement of the suspension, there was yet another uproar in Parliament. Adjourned till 2.30 pm.
14:08
And here it is: Congress suspends nine Telangana MPs from the House for four days, starting today. The MPs were protesting the Telangana statehood issue disrupting proceedings in the morning. Following this, Parliament had to be adjourned till 2 pm.
14:03
Lok Sabha resumes with uproar over Telangana yet again. Congress may act against MPs if din continues, and proceedings threaten to get disrupted.
14:02
If you're nodding off, here's something to wake you up. Traces of ancient viruses which infected our ancestors millions of years ago are more widespread in us than previously thought. A study shows how extensively viruses from as far back as the dinosaur era still thrive in our genetic...
13:54
Expressing satisfaction over settlement of the custody row involving two NRI children, Norway today said the resolution of the issue illustrated the good relations between the two countries. The NRI kids Abhigyan and Aishwarya, who were kept in foster care by authorities in...
13:52
Sreesanth @sreesanth36 @sachin_rt Happy birthday respected paaji..,God bless u nd family with lots more happiness..keep going strong, And this is the picture that Yuvraj posted a while ago.
13:47
Against the backdrop of BJP seeking a clarification from Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi on the CD controversy, Law Minister Salman Khurshid on Tuesday sought to draw a line between public and private life, saying a sensible balance needed to be maintained. Has it something to do with...
13:39
On February 2002, Ahsan Jafri, a former member of parliament, was killed in the riots that besieged Gujarat. This is the interview with his son, Zuber, the youngest of three children, who lives in the United States. Read the interview on the NYT.
13:34
Bangladesh is probably one of the last places in Asia people would expect to see a thriving beachside resort with luxury hotels,' Bettina Wassener writes in The New York Times. And yet, Cox's Bazar is exactly that -- a place where affluent Bangladeshis go for a weekend of seaside fun.'...
13:19
Yuvraj Singh @YUVSTRONG12 Sachin_rt dear sachin mny hapy retrns of the day Wishing u nd your family great health and happines.
13:15
Amitabh Bachchan @SrBachchan Jaya sworn in as Rajya Sabha member this morning .. saw proceedings on Tv .. felt proud and good !!
13:12
Facebook has filed updated documentation with the Securities and Exchange Commission in advance of its initial public offering, revealing that the world's largest social network now has a mind-boggling 901 million monthly active users compared to 680 million a year ago. The updated...
13:07
Facebook reported yesterday that its quarterly profit slipped to USD 205 million despite a surge in revenue as it bumped up research and promotion expenses ahead of its stock market debut. Facebook said its net income in the quarter ended March 31 dipped from the USD 233 million logged in...
12:57
Right now, Pranab Mukherjee is meeting Sushma Swaraj to suspend Telangana Congress members of the Lok Sabha for causing disruptions. Remember, the Lok Sabha is adjourned till 2 pm over the Telangana statehood issue.
12:54
Prominent lawyer and a human rights activist Asma Jehangir writes on the Dawn: Pakistan remains in the dog house of the international community mainly because its rulers refuse to accept that violence and conflict within the country are escalating and have serious ramifications for the entire...
12:42
In other news, mobile talkathoners would do well to take lessons in communicating with an economy of words because using the cell-phone may soon become an economically draining prospect for them. Read more on the Daily Mail.
12:39
The Chhattisgarh government has named former chief secretaries of MPand Chhattisgarh -- Nirmala Buch and S K Mishra -- as mediators forthe release of abducted Sukma Collector Alex Paul Menon's release. Earlier, the Maoists had named former National SC/ST Commission chairperson B D Sharma,...
12:33
Congress leader Renuka Chaudhary today criticised Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan for refusing to mediate for the release of Sukma District Collector Alex Paul Menon. He (Bhushan) is such a hopeless and useless man. This is a man who doesn''t speak with a sense of responsibility. He...
12:27
Meanwhile, BJP leader Rajnath Singh on the Presidential candidate said, We do not want to comment on any individual. But our view is that there should be a consenus among all political parties on the candidature of the President. Janata Dal (U) leader Sharad Yadav also refused to...
12:26
Here's what former President APJ Abdul Kalam is busy with, even as his name is being floated for a second term at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. See
12:18
The Maoists who have abducted the Sukma district collector continue to say that Alex Paul Menon's condition is very critical and if medicines do not reach him soon, the government and not they are responsible for the consequences.
12:14
And another column by the Hindu's Chhattisgarh correspondent, Aman Sethi. An all-party meeting held in Raipur on Monday to discuss proposals to secure the release of kidnapped Sukma District Collector, Alex P. Menon, concluded with the Chhattisgarh government calling off military operations in...
12:12
On April 20 this year, Rajat Kumar, Collector of Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, was travelling through his district when an improvised explosive device, planted by cadres of Communist Party of India (Maoist), exploded under his convoy. While Kumar's vehicle avoided the explosion, three people including a...
12:05
Mediator Manish Kunjam is on his way to handover abducted district collector Alex Paul Menon's asthma medicines.
11:55
In a relief to Tibetan religious leader Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to drop his name from the charge sheet in the foreign and Indian currency recovery case. Karmapa (26) was charged under section 120-B for conspiracy along with nine others who...
11:52
And another one from the WSJ on the UID: When India embarked on its unique ID project in the fall of 2010, pledging to distribute unique 12-digit numbers to 1.2 billion people, the hope was that hundreds of millions of Indians who don't have a passport, driver's license or other credible identity...
11:48
And an eye-opening report on the Wall Street Journal that says: Rural India, according to a Credit Suisse report, is no longer an agrarian economy whose fortunes are dependent upon an erratic monsoon. Rather, they are now increasingly tied to the national economic cycle, something they had...
11:45
While on the displaced, read Aakar Patel's column in Outlook yesterday. On how author, columnist, Arundhati Roy got it all wrong and the facts speak out against her romantic notions of the tribals' fight. Read
11:39
President of the All India Adivasi Mahasabha Manish Kunjam, one of the three mediators Maoists named last night, has offered to handover the medicines for the critically ill district collector. Kunjam, however says he is not willing to negotiate with the Maoists. Last night, the Maoists had...
11:30
Yesterday, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, who had caused a flutter by pitching for a non-political person as the candidate for the Presidential polls, said he had only talked about an agreed candidate. I have not said this. I have spoken about an agreed candidate, Pawar told...
11:25
In other news, an update on the Bo Xilai scandal. The dramatic fall from grace of a man so close to the top of China's hierarchy is very positive for the country's political development, one prominent China expert has argued. The sudden sacking of Chongqing chief Bo Xilai in mid-March has handed...
11:19
If you haven't, please go to Google rightaway. A zipper runs down the centre of the page marking the 132nd birth anniversary of Gideon Sundback, the Swedish-American inventor of the ubiquitouszipper. If you drag your mouse down to unzip the zipper, it will split the screen, including...
11:16
In less than 15 minutes after it convened, Lok Sabha is adjourned till noon over the Telangana issue. Continuous adjournments have resulted in as many as 39 bills waiting to be passed. As both houses reconvene today, Lok Sabha has 39 pending bills and the Rajya Sabha has 47. These include the...
11:06
The government's priority is to get the finance bill cleared. Right now, new members are taking oath as session begins.
11:03
Meanwhile, the Budget session of Parliament resumed today. Last evening, Abhishek Manu Singhvi resigned as the Congress spokesperson over the sex CD scandal. Up ahead, 39 bills, including Lokpal are pending approval.
11:00
Bhushan said the demands for ending operation 'green hunt' and release of innocent tribals are justified. Government should also address issues facing them like handing over large tracts of land to big corporations, he said. In a statement, the Maoists also termed Menon's health as...
10:57
Team Anna member and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan today refused to mediate on behalf of the Maoists but appealed to them to unconditionally release Sukma District Collector Alex Paul Menon. He also stated that the demands of the Maoists were justified and government should address...
10:53
The kidnap of a District Collector in Chhattisgarh even as the Odisha hostage crisis remains unresolved suggests the Maoists are looking at soft ways of escalating their ongoing war against the Indian state. Read the editorial on the Hindu today
10:48
Back to the NRI kids: The children's father Anurup said, It is a big relief. I can't say how relieved I am after one year of trauma and tension. This is the day I have been waiting for. He said he has been told not to go back to India with the children and hence will stay back in Norway for...
10:44
In other news, the US supercarrier that took Osama Bin Laden's body out to sea has reached the Western Australian port of Fremantle with 4,700 American sailors on board. The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and the guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, deployed since November, have been...
10:41
The MEA says the kids will go to Kolkata tomorrow.
10:39
Good morning. NRI kids Abhigyan (3) and Aishwarya (1) Bhattacharya returned to their family in India this morning after a Norwegian court ruled that their custody should be handed over to their uncle. The flight carrying the NRI kids landed at the New Delhi airport earlier today. This brings to...
10:36
Maoists say collector Menon critical, demand medicines (Hindustan Times)Maoists today issued a statement saying that the health of the abducted Sukuma district collector Alex Menon is critical and have demanded medicines for him. Read Maoists name Prashant Bhushan, 2 others as...
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