Month: January 2015

Woman forced to breast-feed lover for eloping

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A married woman was allegedly forced to breast-feed a youth, with whom she had eloped, by a tribal panchayat in Alirajpur district, which wanted to teach her a lesson, police said.

Four persons were today arrested in this regard.

“They were arrested for allegedly torturing a 25-year-old married woman and her 21-year-old boyfriend on December 31, on the directives of a community panchayat. The duo belong to the Bhil tribe,” Alirajpur District Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Jha told PTI.

The incident took place in Bayda village of the district, he said.

19 foreigners join IS in Syria in December

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At least 19 men, mostly Russians, joined the Sunni radical group Islamic State (IS) in Syria through Turkey last December, a monitoring group reported Friday.

At least 19 men arrived in batches at the Turkish territories earlier last month on pretext of taking part in the New Year’s celebrations, Xinhua quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based watchdog group that relies on a network of activists on ground, as saying.

Over 20,000 people contracted Ebola in 2014: WHO

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The number of people infected with the deadly Ebola virus reached 20,381 people by the end of 2014, and 7,989 of them died of the disease, according to figures released Friday by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The data includes confirmed, suspected and probable cases recorded in Guinea Conakry and Sierra Leone until Dec 31 and in Liberia until Dec 28.

The country most severely affected by the epidemic is Sierra Leone, where 9,633 infections and 2,827 deaths have been reported, followed by Liberia with 8,018 infections and 3,423 deaths.

John Mayer treats himself to luxury mobile home

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Singer John Mayer has bought a luxurious EarthRoamer XV-LTS, a vehicle owned by some of the wealthiest outdoor enthusiasts in US.

The 37-year-old showed off his new vehicle, which he bought for nearly $500,000, on social media Monday, reports dailymail.co.uk.

Alongside a photo of his new purchase, he wrote, “I am a proud owner of this most formidable go-anywhere, live-anywhere vehicle.

“One year and many meetings in the making, she’s all mine. Completely hand built in Colorado by extremely talented and innovative men and women. Who knows where I’ll end up next,” he added.

Protests sweep Bahrain for release of opposition leader

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Protests swept Friday many parts of Bahrain for the release of opposition leader and general secretary of Al Wefaq National Islamic Society Ali Salman.

Salman was summoned by the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) Sunday and the public prosecution remanded him Tuesday for seven day in detention pending investigation.

Racial slurs against northeast people to land one in jail

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Racial slurs against the people of India’s northeast will soon be a criminal offence as the central government plans to insert new sections in the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Announcing that the government has accepted the recommendations of the Bezbaruah Committee, union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in the capital that new sections, 153C and 509A, will be added to the IPC.

“The Indian Penal Code will be amended for insertion of new sections of 153C and 509A as recommended by the committee,” the home minister said Friday, adding that the law ministry has agreed to it.

Left Front stir against ‘anti-farmer’ land act

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The CPI-M led Left Front in West Bengal Friday announced a state wide agitation Jan 5 against the proposed amendments in the Land Acquisition Act, calling them “undemocratic” and “anti-farmer”.

Front chairman Biman Bose said the ordinance approved by the Narendra Modi cabinet to amend the law doesn’t caters to the interest of the farmers.

Dont slam ‘PK’ without even seeing it: Agnivesh

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Aamir Khan-starrer “PK” should not be opposed on “flimsy” grounds by people who haven’t even seen the film, Arya Samaj leader Swami Agnivesh said Friday.

“I think it is high time that a film like ‘PK’ must be welcomed by one and all. It should not be opposed on flimsy grounds by people who haven’t even seen the film,” Agnivesh told reporters here.

“PK”, which released Dec 19, shows Aamir Khan as an alien who is fascinated by India. The film also stars Anushka Sharma, Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani and Sushant Singh Rajput.

Federation Cup: Mumbai FC hold East Bengal, Bengaluru pip Lajong

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Riding on substitute striker Robin Singh’s goal, Bengaluru FC edged past Shillong Lajong 1-0 while East Bengal finished goalless with Mumbai FC in Federation Cup group encounters Friday.

Introduced by English coach Ashley Westwood after the breather, Singh found the mark in the 50th minute by slotting home an inch-perfect pass from Sunil Chhetri at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco.

With the win, Bengaluru go atop group B with five points from three games. After playing the same number of matches, Lajong bring up the rear without any point in their kitty.

Cheryl not in former boyfriend’s autobiography

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Singer Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has reportedly not been included in former boyfriend Derek Hough’s autobiography because he’s still “devastated” about their split.

The 31-year-old was in relationship with the professional dancer following her split from first husband Ashley Cole.

According to a source, Hough is still so “devastated” about their break up that he’s chosen not to include her in his memoir, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Parrikar lauds Coast Guard for intercepting Pakistani boat

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Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar Friday complimented the Indian Coast Guard for intercepting a suspicious Pakistani fishing boat apparently loaded with explosives and said India needs to be vigilant.

On his official Facebook page, Parrikar wrote: “I congratulate Coast Guards for timely action of intercepting a boat carrying suspected terror groups with surgical precision, thereby eliminating danger.”

“Need to be vigilant,” the minister added.

Mayweather shows off his vast shoe, sunglasses collection on Instagram

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American professional boxer Floyd Mayweather took to social networking site Instagram Friday to showcase his wealth and ask his followers what pair of shoes and sunglasses he should wear from his extensive collection.

The 37-year-old posted a picture of his shoe closet, absolutely full, saying: “I’m having a hard time choosing which #ChristianLouboutin shoes I want to wear.”

“I could only fit 80 pairs of #redbottoms in this photo. Can someone please help me choose which ones I should put on?”

Turkish police detain 14 for link with banned outfit

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The police in Turkey have detained 14 men for their alleged link with a banned outfit operating in the country’s east, the media reported Friday.

The men are members of the Patriotic Revolutionist Youth Movement (YDG-H), believed to be an affiliate of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Xinhua reported citing Today’s Zaman.

The police detained the men after simultaneous operations in various towns of Erzincan province early Friday.

Seven lakh migratory birds arrive in Chilika Lake

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At least seven lakh migratory birds have arrived at Odisha’s Chilika Lake, India’s largest brackish water lagoon, since October for their winter sojourn, an official said Friday.

Highest concentration of birds were seen at Nalabana island and Mangalajodi, a wet land inside the lake, Divisional Forest Officer, Chilka, B.R Das told IANS.

The 1,000 sq km lake, about 100 km from here, is spread over Puri, Khordha and Ganjam districts along the eastern coast and is home to some of the largest congregations of migratory birds in the country.

Modi calls for creating ‘Swachhta Entrepreneurs’

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APrime Minister Narendra Modi Friday called upon banks to create one lakh “Swachhta Entrepreneurs” within a year, to make the “Swachh Bharat” vision a sustainable reality.

“Can we create Swachhata entrepreneurs. There is immense scope in solid waste management and waste water treatment,” Modi said in his address on the occasion of the dedication of ICICI’s Digital Village to the nation.

The function also marked 60 years of the ICICI group.

China’s Three Gorges breaks world record for hydropower generation

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China’s Three Gorges Power Plant generated 98.8 billion kilowatt-hours (kwh) of electricity in 2014, beating the world record for hydropower generation set by Brazil’s Itaipu hydroelectric plant, Xinhua reported.

Though with a much smaller installed capacity, Brazil’s Itaipu hydroelectric plant has long been the champion of world hydropower generation. It generated 98.6 billion kwh of electricity in 2013.

UN renews mandate of Special Tribunal for Lebanon

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UN Secretary General Ban Ki- moon has extended the mandate of the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) for another three years, the inter-governmental organisation said Friday.

STL, based in The Hague, the Netherlands, is an independent tribunal set up at the request of the Lebanese government to hold trials for suspects in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri.

Ban extended the mandate from March 1 in accordance with the terms of the Annex to Security Council Resolution 1757, adopted in 2007, said a release.

States asked to act to save girl child

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Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi Friday urged state governments to take “urgent action” to save girl child.

During a video conferencing with officials for state-wise consultation process on ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme, she directed them to take urgent action and submit a district action plan to her.

According to an official statement, the minister emphasised on a comprehensive strategy to focus on strict implementation and monitoring of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act.

Aruna Roy files PIL against Rajasthan panchayat ordinance

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The Supreme Court will Jan 5 hear a PIL against a Rajasthan ordinance on minimum education for candidates contesting panchayat and zila parishad elections, social activist Aruna Roy said Friday.

“The people of Rajasthan are determined to oppose this arbitrary requirement that abrogates their constitutional right to contest elections,” Roy, who moved the PIL, said in a statement.

Minor fire in luxury cruise liner in Howrah

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A member of the crew suffered slight injury after a fire broke out in a luxury cruise liner here Friday, a day before it was slated to embark on its maiden voyage.

Two fire tenders managed to douse the fire within a short time, fire brigade sources said.

A short circuit is suspected to have caused the fire in the ship anchored at a jetty on the Ganga in the neighbouring Howrah district.

“One member of the crew was slightly injured. Some furniture damaged. It was a minor fire,” said a fire brigade official.

11 killed in Cameroon bus attack

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Eleven people were killed in Cameroon after suspected Boko Haram militants attacked a bus in Far-North Region bordering Nigeria, an army source said Friday.

All the victims of the Thursday’s attack were male and the attacked bus was taken away by the militants. “There were women in the bus but they were spared the ill fate,” the source told Xinhua over phone.

More than one dozen truck drivers were killed in Mora in Far-North Region of Cameroon by suspected Boko Haram militants Tuesday.

IS Twitter account handler was in touch ISIS combatant in Iraq: police

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Alleged pro-Islamic State (IS) Twitter account handler Mehdi Masroor Biswas was in touch with ISIS combatant stationed in Iraq, a top police official said.

“During our interrogation of Biswas, we have found that the IS account holder was in touch with the ISIS combatant and he was an aide,” Bengaluru Police Commissioner M N Reddi told reporters here.

Biswas was produced before a city court today and sent to judicial custody till January 16.

Saudi King on temporary ventilation support

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Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was Friday put on temporary ventilator for respiratory infection, media quoted the Saudi royal court as saying.

Saudi Arabia announced that the 90-year-old King was Wednesday admitted to the King Abdulaziz Medical City of National Guard in Riyadh to undergo some medical checkups, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The royal court in a statement said that he was put on ventilation support this (Friday) evening and is in a stable condition and wished his good health.

Two women arrested for stealing newborn boy from hospital in Delhi

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A few days after a newly-born baby went missing from a hospital here, police on Friday claimed to have arrested the two women kidnappers in connection with the case.

The duo, identified as Sarita and Sonia, were apprehended by police after the investigators received a tip-off that one of the accused who had no child from her wedlock for last 15 years, incidentally claimed she has been blessed with a baby boy.

A senior police officer said that they verified the information and reached the house of the accused.

Katrina is my favourite co-star: Anushka Sharma

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Actress Anushka Sharma, who has worked with various actresses in the past, says Katrina Kaif is her favourite co-star and she doesn’t believe in the concept of cat-fights in Bollywood.

“As an actress, we need to kill those cat-fight things. I called Kangana (Ranaut) when I watched ‘Queen’, I called Deepika (Padukone) after ‘Cocktail’. I was like more than excited about it.