Latest News: British Woman Alleges Rape In Chandigarh Hotel Spa
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Encounter Between Security Forces & Militants in J&K’s Pulwama
An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama.
A search operation was launched after sources told security forces about the whereabouts of the terrorists in the area. More details awaited.
(Source: ANI)
Low Intensity Blast at Jammu Bus Stand, Say Reports
A low intensity blast took place at a bus stand in Jammu in the wee hours of Saturday, 29 December, CNN-News18 reported. No casualties have been reported.
Fire Breaks Out in Under Construction Building Near Mumbai's Kamala Mills
A fire broke out Saturday in an under construction building near Kamala Mills compound in Mumbai, ANI reported. Five fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
BJP Leader Suraj Nandan Kushwaha Passes Away
BJP Leader and MLC from Bihar Suraj Nandan Kushwaha passed away in Patna on Saturday, 29 December due to a cardiac arrest, ANI reported.
Indian Army Rescues 2,500 Tourists Stranded near Nathu La Pass Due to Snowfall
The Indian Army on Saturday rescued approximately 2,500 tourists who were stuck in Sikkim near Nathu La, close to the India-China border owing to heavy snowfall, ANI reported.
7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Philippines' Midanao
The southern Philippines island of Mindanao on Saturday was struck by an earthquake of 7.2 magnitude, ANI reported quoting Reuters.
Haryana Govt Gives Go Ahead to Investigate Bhupinder Hooda, Robert Vadra in Land Grab Case
The Haryana government on Saturday gave permission to the Gurugram police commissioner to investigate former Haryana CM Bhupinder Hooda and Robert Vadra in relation to an FIR against in the DLF land grab case.
(ANI)
7 Killed, 4 Injured in Accident Due to Heavy Fog in Haryana
Seven people were killed and four injured when a vehicle rammed into two SUVs due to heavy fog on the Ambala-Chandigarh national highway on Saturday, police said.
"Two cars coming from Chandigarh were hit by another vehicle. The accident took place as heavy fog limited visibility. The injured people have been hospitalised," they said.
The deceased belonged to Chandigarh.
Earlier on Monday, eight people were killed when dense fog led to a pile-up on a national highway in Haryana's Jhajjar district.
(PTI)
Restrictions on Foreign E-commerce Companies to Hit FDI in India
Expressing concern over India tightening restrictions on foreign e-commerce companies operating in the country, leading American industry advocacy groups have said that such a move would have a long-term negative impact on the foreign direct investment as well as consumers.
Earlier this week, the government announced changes to the foreign direct investment policy for the e-commerce sector, which would end discounts and cashback offers that online platforms with foreign investment were offering.
Flipkart and US-based Amazon, the two largest players in the burgeoning Indian e-commerce sector, are expected to be hit the hardest once the new norms come into effect from February 2019.
(PTI)
Body of a Woman Found Near Lady Irwin College in Delhi
A body of a woman was found near Lady Irwin college at Mandi House in Delhi late on Friday, 28 December, ANI reported.
Sudan Police Tackles Fresh Protests After Arrest of Opposition Leader in Khartoum
Sudanese police broke up several protests held after Friday (28 December) prayers, as security agents arrested a top opposition leader following calls for more demonstrations against a rise in bread prices.
Angry crowds have taken to the streets in Khartoum and other cities since December 19 after a government decision to hike the cost of bread.
Nineteen people have been killed so far in the protests, the government said, and the UN on Friday called on the authorities in Sudan to investigate the deaths.
(PTI)
Five Killed in Coal Mine Accident in China, One Still Trapped
Five workers were killed while another remained trapped in a coal mine accident in east China's Fujian Province, local authorities said Saturday.
The accident occurred Friday at a coal mine in Yongding District in the city of Longyan, the district's publicity department said, without elaborating on what kind of accident it was.
Nine people were working underground when the accident took place. Five have been confirmed dead, one injured and two others were lifted to safety, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The search operation to rescue the trapped miner is on.
The coal mine owner has been taken into custody. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway, the report said.
(PTI)
Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering Meets Rahul Gandhi in Delhi
Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering met with Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Saturday, ANI reported.
PM Tshering arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a three-day visit to India, his first official trip abroad after assuming office in October, IANS reported.
Two Killed, 40 Injured in Major Accident on NH 34 in West Bengal
Two persons were killed and 40 others injured after one vehicle rammed into an electric pole and another hit it from behind on National Highway 34 in Malda district of West Bengal, police said Saturday.
The incident happened on Friday night near Adina under the jurisdiction of Gazole police station, when three pick-up vans, each of them carrying 30 persons, were returning to Govindpur village, under the jurisdiction of Chanchal police station, from a crematorium near here.
The first vehicle lost control and hit an electric pole following which the second vehicle rammed into it, the police officer said.
(PTI)
German News Weekly Suspends Two Editors After Fake News Scandal
Influential German news weekly Der Spiegel, shaken by a scandal over a reporter who admitted faking stories for years, said it has suspended two senior editors.
The contracts of Ullrich Fichtner, an editor in chief, and Matthias Geyer, a chief editor, have been "suspended until the (magazine's) internal commission has completed its investigation into the affair," the editor in chief Steffen Klusmann said in an internal letter, of which AFP obtained a copy on Friday.
(PTI)
Egypt Police Kill 40 Terrorists After Giza Bomb Attack
Egypt police on Saturday killed 40 'terrorists' after a roadside bomb hit a tourist bus on Friday near the Giza Pyramids, killing three Vietnamese and their Egyptian guide, AFP reported.
Four Killed in Philippines After Storm Triggers Landslides
Four people were killed in landslides and thousands of others evacuated from their homes after a storm swept through the central Philippine islands on Saturday, PTI reported quoting local officials.
(PTI)
Election Commissioner Lavasa Reviews LS preparations During Goa Visit
Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa said he has reviewed preparedness of authorities in Goa to conduct Lok Sabha elections, which are due next year.
He held a series of meetings with Election Commission of India (ECI) officials in Goa on Friday.
"My visit was to see the state of preparedness for Lok Sabha elections, especially because work of voters' registration is going on," he told reporters.
He said the ECI has taken stock of the situation.
(PTI)
Essential Phone's Journey Comes To An End
Android co-creator Andy Rubin's Essential Phone has become unavailable and the company has said it won't replenish the stocks, thus, effectively discontinuing the smartphone.
(IANS)
Charred Bodies Of 30-Year-Old Woman, Seven-Year-Old Found In UP
Charred bodies of a 30-year-old woman and a seven-year-old girl were recovered from Mailani forests near Lakhimpur Kheri, the police said.
The bodies, which were recovered on Friday, were burnt beyond recognition.
A mobile handset, a tiffin, a saucer, glasses and burnt tyres were also recovered from the spot.
(NDTV)
WW-II Bomb Found During Dredging Operations in Kolkata
A 1000-pound aerial bomb dating back to the World War-II era has been unearthed at a dock here during routine dredging operations.
The area was cordoned off following the discovery of the bomb Friday and the police, Navy and the Army duly informed, Kolkata Port Trust Chairman Vinit Kumar said.
"The 4.5-metre-long aerial bomb was located around 2 pm yesterday during dredging operations at Netaji Subhas Dock berth II. Initially, we thought it was a torpedo, but the Navy has confirmed that it is a bomb," he said.
(PTI)
One Dead and 10 Injured After Two Cranes Collapse At Kakinada Deep Seaport
One dead and ten injured after two cranes collapsed at Kakinada Deep Seaport in Andhra Pradesh. Many workers trapped under the cranes. More details awaited.
(ANI)
Three Of Family Die In Cylinder Explosion in Tamil Nadu
Three members of a family, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed when an LPG cylinder exploded in their house in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, early Saturday, 29 december, Police said.
The explosion occurred when girl's mother entered the kitchen and tried to light the gas stove for preparing coffee, they said.
The gas from the cylinder had leaked overnight and triggered a fire leading to the explosion, they added.
(PTI)
Norman Gimbel, Award-Winning Lyricist, Dies Aged 91
The songwriter passed away on December 19 at his home in Montecito, California, his son Tony Gimbel told The Hollywood Reporter.
Three AAP Workers Arrested For Allegedly Circulating 'Fake News' About Haryana CM
Three Aam Aadmi Party leaders were arrested Saturday for allegedly circulating "fake news" on social media attributed to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar even as the AAP accused the BJP of "jungle rule".
“AAP social media in charge Harpal Kranti and Sanjeev Jakhar were among the three persons arrested for circulating the "fake news" attributed to the Haryana chief minister,” Haryana Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Mohammad Akil said.
(PTI)
Jaleshwar Mahato, President of JDU Jharkhand Joins Congress
Jaleshwar Mahato, President of Janata Dal (United) Jharkhand and former Cabinet Minister in Jharkhand, joins Congress.
(ANI)
Former Nigerian President Shehu Shagari Dies at 93
Shehu Shagari, Nigeria's second president, whose civilian tenure was sandwiched between two military rulers in an era rocked by coups, has died. He was 93.
Nigeria’s current President Muhammadu Buhari, who unseated Shagari 35 years ago, said on Saturday he mourns "the departure of a patriot, who served Nigeria with humility, integrity and diligence."
Shagari had an ambivalent relationship with the military, which initially favoured his ascension to power but held him in solitary confinement for three years after toppling his government.
(PTI)
Man Kills Self After Altercation With Wife In Muzaffarnagar
A 26-year-old man shot himself dead allegedly after an altercation with his wife at their home in Budhana town in Muzaffarnagar, UP.
His family members rushed to his home after hearing the gunshots and reported the matter to police.
The body was sent for post-mortem and investigation is on.
(PTI)
Maharashtra Govt Allows Bars & Pubs To Stay Open Till Late On 31 December
Maharashtra Government issues orders that bars, hotels and pubs can remain open on the night of 31 December in Mumbai.
(ANI)
Fire In Sadhana House Declared As Level-3
Fire broke out in the stock of medicines and chemicals on the ground floor at Sadhana Industrial Estate in Worli at around 4:46 pm. Total 12 fire staff were injured, stable now. Firefighting operations continue.
(ANI)
Russia, Turkey Agree To Coordinate On Syria After US Pullout: Sergei Lavrov
Russia, Turkey agree to coordinate on Syria after US pullout: Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov
(AFP)
Yemen Rebels Begin Withdrawal From Hodeida Port
Yemeni rebels have begun to withdraw from the port of Hodeida, the country's key aid lifeline, under an agreement reached in Sweden earlier this month, a UN official said.
The official, who requested anonymity, said that the Huthi rebels began to pull back from the Red Sea port at midnight.
(PTI)
PM Launches Comprehensive Pension Management Software SAMPANN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday launched a comprehensive pension management software SAMPANN to facilitate pensioners of the telecom department.
SAMPANN, an acronym for System for Accounting and Management of Pension, will help in timely disbursement of pensions, he said at a public meeting in Varanasi.
The prime minister said the Union government is using technology to improve ease of living and greater ease of access to citizen-centric services.
(PTI)
84-Year-Old Found Dead in Chenab River In Jammu
An 84-year-old man was found dead, floating in the Chenab river at Akhnoor, in Jammu on Saturday, 29 December, police said.
Body of Om Prakash Rambal, a resident of Tallab Tillo, was found floating in the river in the evening, a police official said.
He said a police party later fished out the body and identified the man based on the identity card found on him.
Police started inquest proceedings to ascertain the cause of the octogenarian's death.
Congress Demands Legalising Coal Mining In Meghalaya
The Opposition Congress in Meghalaya has urged the state government to take steps for legalising coal mining, alleging "rampant" unlawful mining activities in the region.
The demand comes following the coal mine disaster in Meghalaya in which 15 people are still trapped in a flooded illegal rat-hole mine at Lumthari village in East Jaintia Hills district since 13 December.
(PTI)
Illegal Call Routing Racket Busted In Hyderabad
A racket involved in routing of overseas calls using internet technology has been busted in Hyderabad with the arrest of a 32-year old man, police said.
The man had allegedly been operating the racket for the past seven months with the help of Chinese-made equipment and SIM cards, they said.
Telephone calls originating in foreign countries were illegally diverted to the local numbers using the equipment, thereby causing loss to the government.
(PTI)
18-Month-Old Baby From Maharashtra Abducted at Tirumala
An 18-month-old baby from Maharashtra was abducted by a man in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, a police official said.
The baby was taken away from his parents while they were sleeping in an open area before offering prayers on the hill shrine on Friday morning, superintendent of police KKN Anburajan told mediapersons.
Based on a complaint from the baby's parents, police registered a case and examined the footage of CCTVs which showed the boy being carried away by a man wearing a monkey cap.
Police teams have been sent toAndhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka to nab the abductor and rescue the baby.
(PTI)
Army Rescues Over 2,500 Stranded Tourists In Sikkim
The Indian Army has rescued more than 2,500 tourists stranded near East Sikkim's 17th Mile area, close to the India-China border, due to heavy snowfall, officials said.
The tourists were returning from Nathu La pass and Tsomgo (Changu) Lake on Friday evening when snowfall in the region blocked roads, leaving over 300 to 400 civil vehicles stranded at various points on Jawahar Lal Nehru Road, East Sikkim District Magistrate Kapil Meena said.
Madhya Pradesh To Get 'Spiritual Department'
The Congress-led Madhya Pradesh Government said that it is going to create an Adhyatmik Vibhag (spiritual department) by merging several existing departments.
The Congress had promised to form such a department before the last month's Assembly elections.
The `Anand Vibhag' (Department of Happiness) set up by the previous BJP government, a first in the country, would be incorporated into the new department.
(PTI)
BJP National Council Meet To Be Held At Delhi's Ramlila Maidan On 11-12 Jan
The BJP national council will meet at the Ramlila grounds in Delhi on 11-12 January to discuss a host of issues, including the 2019 Lok Sabha election, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah.
The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) discussed the preparations of the national council meet at a meeting on Saturday. The meeting was attended by Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari.
Besides Modi and Shah, several Union ministers and senior office-bearers of the saffron party are likely to participate in the national council meet.
(PTI)
British Woman Alleges Rape In Chandigarh Hotel Spa
The Chandigarh Police registered a case after a woman of British nationality alleged that she had been raped by a staff member of the spa of a leading hotel where she was staying.
The victim, who arrived in Chandigarh on 19 December and was staying in the hotel with a companion, alleged that she was raped by the spa staff member when she went for a foot spa service. The victim is reported to be around 50 years old.
(IANS)
Seven Nabbed In Assam For Possessing Tiger Skin, Bones
Sleuths of the Kaziranga national park in Assam have arrested seven poachers for their alleged involvement in killing a Royal Bengal tiger, forest officials said on Saturday.
Kaziranga Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rohini Saikia said the guards arrested seven persons after they were found in possession of tiger skin and bones from Kahara range of the park.
"The tiger was killed in Korjutpahar area in Karbi Anglong. We believe that they killed the tiger about 25 days back and were trying to smuggle it out," Saikia said, adding they were produced in the court and taken in remand of the department for questioning.
(IANS)
Woman From Bengaluru Steals Cash From ATM in Pondicherry, Arrested
A 28-year-old woman was arrested in Pondicherry for allegedly stealing Rs 4 lakh from an ATM of a private bank, superintendent of police C Maran said.
The theft took place on Friday night.
The woman, identified as Chitra belonging to Bengaluru, has been staying in a village near here, the police official said.
Based on a complaint from a cash replenishment agency, the police used the CCTV footage, traced the woman to the neighbourhood of the ATM kiosk and recovered the money from her.
(PTI)
Russia Slaps Ban On Dozens Of Ukrainian Products
Russia announced a ban on dozens of imported products from Ukraine in its latest economic sanctions targeting Kiev.
The products to be banned included chocolate, wheat and beer as well as sunflower oil, bread, jam, children's nappies and wine, the government said in a statement.
The ban would come into force immediately, it said, adding that it had been imposed due to "unfriendly acts by Ukraine".
(PTI)
Assam Man Lynched By NGO Members In Meghalaya
A 45-year-old man from Assam was allegedly lynched by four members of a non-governmental organisation in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills district on the pretext of checking his trade licence, police said .
The incident occurred at Rongsai in Williamnagar police station area – about 230 km west of Shillong – on Thursday, 27 December. The man was assaulted on the pretext of examining his trade licence and succumbed to injuries in a hospital, district Superintendent of Police (SP) Ringrang T G Momin said.
Three members of the NGO were arrested immediately after the incident.