35 killed in Guatemala bus crash

Guatemala City: As many as 35 people were killed and 50 suffered injuries when an overcrowded bus fell into a ravine off cliff near Guatemala's capital city Monday, authorities said.

The bus was carrying 90 passengers when it fell into the ravine from a highway, about 64 km from Guatemala City, was destroyed, reported Xinhua citing fire department.

'We have counted 35 dead and we have not finished rescue work at the site,' said fire department spokesperson Cecilio Chacaj, adding the bus was meant to carry 60 people.

Though the exact cause of the accident was yet to be ascertained, initial investigation suggested brake failure could have led to the tragedy, authorities said.

35 killed in Guatemala bus crash

Guatemala City: As many as 35 people were killed and 50 suffered injuries when an overcrowded bus fell into a ravine off cliff near Guatemala's capital city Monday, authorities said.

The bus was carrying 90 passengers when it fell into the ravine from a highway, about 64 km from Guatemala City, was destroyed, reported Xinhua citing fire department.

'We have counted 35 dead and we have not finished rescue work at the site,' said fire department spokesperson Cecilio Chacaj, adding the bus was meant to carry 60 people.

Though the exact cause of the accident was yet to be ascertained, initial investigation suggested brake failure could have led to the tragedy, authorities said.

Better research could help contain tropical diseases: Experts

Health experts Monday called for better research and coordination between various agencies to contain 'neglected' tropical diseases like cholera. Participating in a panel discussion in the national capital, the experts among whom were also representatives of the government, explored the need to better understand the economic and social burden posed by these neglected diseases. Cholera, kala azar and leprosy are some of the neglected tropical diseases traditionally found in low-income Asian and African countries.

The experts focused on how to reach the poorest and most marginalised people, and how to increase research and development capacity. 'India recognises the challenges posed by neglected diseases and is committed to fight and eliminate each one of them. All stakeholders must work together to implement strategies and initiatives for success in our fight against them,' Joint Secretary Anshu Prakash of the health ministry said.

Andrew Jenner of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Associations (IFPMA) said: 'Coordination between the government and the network of medicine and vaccine producers lends critical momentum to this process'. The conference 'Partnering for Success - Reducing India's Burden of Neglected Diseases' was convened by Global Health Progress (GHP), Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) and International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA).

In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) established targets for the control and elimination of 10 neglected tropical diseases by 2020. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) predominantly affect the world's poorest people, leading to significant illness and debilitation that hampers childhood development and limits productivity. Globally, more than one billion people are affected by NTDs and more than 500,000 die every year.

Better research could help contain tropical diseases: Experts

Health experts Monday called for better research and coordination between various agencies to contain 'neglected' tropical diseases like cholera. Participating in a panel discussion in the national capital, the experts among whom were also representatives of the government, explored the need to better understand the economic and social burden posed by these neglected diseases. Cholera, kala azar and leprosy are some of the neglected tropical diseases traditionally found in low-income Asian and African countries.

The experts focused on how to reach the poorest and most marginalised people, and how to increase research and development capacity. 'India recognises the challenges posed by neglected diseases and is committed to fight and eliminate each one of them. All stakeholders must work together to implement strategies and initiatives for success in our fight against them,' Joint Secretary Anshu Prakash of the health ministry said.

Andrew Jenner of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Associations (IFPMA) said: 'Coordination between the government and the network of medicine and vaccine producers lends critical momentum to this process'. The conference 'Partnering for Success - Reducing India's Burden of Neglected Diseases' was convened by Global Health Progress (GHP), Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) and International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA).

In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) established targets for the control and elimination of 10 neglected tropical diseases by 2020. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) predominantly affect the world's poorest people, leading to significant illness and debilitation that hampers childhood development and limits productivity. Globally, more than one billion people are affected by NTDs and more than 500,000 die every year.

Need to decriminalise defamation, say experts

New Delhi:While Britain has amended its laws to decriminalise defamation, in India the issue is still being debated with journalists often being harassed on the basis of libel, said experts here Monday. According to journalist Aniruddha Bahal of online magazine cobrapost.com, defamation laws in India were used to harass journalists with cases slapped on them in courts in far off places in the country where they were forced to appear in person. According to the law, a journalist or editor faced with a defamation case had to appear in person in court to give his or her defence.

'The court notices are issued from distant places and the journalist has to be present everywhere,' he said at a panel talk on 'Decriminalising Defamation: Global Perspectives on Punishments for Speech' held at the Press Club of India here. Bahal said framing of charges can take from five to six years. 'All this is used as a means to harass people,' said Bahal, who was involved in a sting exposing bribe-taking politicians. Peter Noorlander, CEO of Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI), London, said Britain had decriminalised libel two years ago.

Earlier, London was known as the libel capital as it was very easy to slap libel cases. Powerful business houses from other countries would bring libel cases on websites, which were allowed to proceed in British courts. Even scientists and artists were getting sued, he said. 'The ability of companies to sue on libel was unlimited...and the damages were huge,' he said.

With the change in libel laws, things have changed. Now you can't launch proceedings against any anybody - there has to be a British connection, he said.
The damages have also been limited, so people don't have to face bankruptcy, he said. He said there was a need to pull libel out of the criminal sphere and put it in an appropriate civil law environment. Nani Jansen, an attorney with MLDI, related cases around the world of journalists being punished for libel for criticising the government despite the respective country having freedom of expression as part of its constitution. 

This, she said, 'underlines the need for reforming of legislation...there should be more room for criticism of public individuals, or libel can be used as an instrument of political oppression', she said. Chinmayi Arun, a research director with Centre for Communication Governance and assistant professor at the National Law University, related the case of actress Khusboo who was slapped with several cases over her comments on pre-marital sex. 

She said there was a conflict between the freedom of expression and the right to reputation. While Khusboo had resources and could fight her case, a person with less resources would appear in a weak position, she added. Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, president of the Foundation for Media Professionals, an independent journalist and an educator, said stories that need to be reported were not being reported due to fear of the libel law. The discussion was organised by the Centre for Communication Governance at National Law University, Delhi, and Foundation for Media Professionals.

Need to decriminalise defamation, say experts

New Delhi:While Britain has amended its laws to decriminalise defamation, in India the issue is still being debated with journalists often being harassed on the basis of libel, said experts here Monday. According to journalist Aniruddha Bahal of online magazine cobrapost.com, defamation laws in India were used to harass journalists with cases slapped on them in courts in far off places in the country where they were forced to appear in person. According to the law, a journalist or editor faced with a defamation case had to appear in person in court to give his or her defence.

'The court notices are issued from distant places and the journalist has to be present everywhere,' he said at a panel talk on 'Decriminalising Defamation: Global Perspectives on Punishments for Speech' held at the Press Club of India here. Bahal said framing of charges can take from five to six years. 'All this is used as a means to harass people,' said Bahal, who was involved in a sting exposing bribe-taking politicians. Peter Noorlander, CEO of Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI), London, said Britain had decriminalised libel two years ago.

Earlier, London was known as the libel capital as it was very easy to slap libel cases. Powerful business houses from other countries would bring libel cases on websites, which were allowed to proceed in British courts. Even scientists and artists were getting sued, he said. 'The ability of companies to sue on libel was unlimited...and the damages were huge,' he said.

With the change in libel laws, things have changed. Now you can't launch proceedings against any anybody - there has to be a British connection, he said.
The damages have also been limited, so people don't have to face bankruptcy, he said. He said there was a need to pull libel out of the criminal sphere and put it in an appropriate civil law environment. Nani Jansen, an attorney with MLDI, related cases around the world of journalists being punished for libel for criticising the government despite the respective country having freedom of expression as part of its constitution. 

This, she said, 'underlines the need for reforming of legislation...there should be more room for criticism of public individuals, or libel can be used as an instrument of political oppression', she said. Chinmayi Arun, a research director with Centre for Communication Governance and assistant professor at the National Law University, related the case of actress Khusboo who was slapped with several cases over her comments on pre-marital sex. 

She said there was a conflict between the freedom of expression and the right to reputation. While Khusboo had resources and could fight her case, a person with less resources would appear in a weak position, she added. Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, president of the Foundation for Media Professionals, an independent journalist and an educator, said stories that need to be reported were not being reported due to fear of the libel law. The discussion was organised by the Centre for Communication Governance at National Law University, Delhi, and Foundation for Media Professionals.

Sensex closes 727 points up, its biggest one-day gain in 4 years

MUMBAI: The sensex on Tuesday zoomed by 727 points, its biggest single-day gain in over 4 years, to end just a shade below 20,000-mark on heavy FII buying in bluechips on the back of positive factors like strong rupee, solid trade data and receding concerns about US military attack on Syria.

Upbeat Chinese economic data and lower oil prices also boosted global markets, helping Indian stocks extend gains.

The sensex, which had gained 1,030 points in past three sessions, zoomed by 727.04 points, or 3.77 per cent to 19,997.10, after touching 20,000 level. The 30-share index recorded its biggest single-day gain since May 2009 led by auto, capital goods and telecom sector shares. The NSE index nifty jumped up 216.35 points, or 3.81 per cent to 5,896.75, after touching 5,904.85. Also, MCX-SX's SX40 index ended at 11,849.66, up 458.1 points or 4.02 per cent. The rupee on Tuesday touched over two-week high level of 64.09 and was last trading at 64.29 versus dollar. Brokers said markets were buoyant after data showed India's exports rose by 12.97 per cent to USD 26.14 billion in August and trade deficit declined to USD 10.91 billion. "Heavy dose of short-covering on back of receding risk of military intervention in Syria at the same time, positive vibes created by new RBI Governor drove stocks upward," said Anindya Banerjee, currency analyst, Kotak Securities. In the sensex, Reliance Industries rose by 2.43 per cent to Rs 888.65, ITC by 6.07 per cent to Rs 335.40 and Infosys by 4.76 per cent to Rs 3,164.50. The three are the most influential and hold 30 per cent weight in the bluechip index.

Foreign investors pumped in fresh funds in Indian stocks and bonds worth Rs 20 billion in previous 3 days on buying in fundamentally strong stocks, brokers said. In telecom space, Bharti Airtel shot up 8.15 per cent after telecom regulator TRAI recommended a sharp 60 per cent cut in the floor price of spectrum. Tata Motors jumped by 9.88 per cent after industry data showed domestic passenger car sales grew by 15.37 per cent to 1,33,486 units in August. Overall, 27 stocks in sensex gained led by Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, Maruti Suzuki, HUL, ICICI Bank, M&M, L&T, Sesa Goa, Jindal Steel, Tata Steel, Tata Power, Wipro and ONGC.

Sensex closes 727 points up, its biggest one-day gain in 4 years

MUMBAI: The sensex on Tuesday zoomed by 727 points, its biggest single-day gain in over 4 years, to end just a shade below 20,000-mark on heavy FII buying in bluechips on the back of positive factors like strong rupee, solid trade data and receding concerns about US military attack on Syria.

Upbeat Chinese economic data and lower oil prices also boosted global markets, helping Indian stocks extend gains.

The sensex, which had gained 1,030 points in past three sessions, zoomed by 727.04 points, or 3.77 per cent to 19,997.10, after touching 20,000 level. The 30-share index recorded its biggest single-day gain since May 2009 led by auto, capital goods and telecom sector shares. The NSE index nifty jumped up 216.35 points, or 3.81 per cent to 5,896.75, after touching 5,904.85. Also, MCX-SX's SX40 index ended at 11,849.66, up 458.1 points or 4.02 per cent. The rupee on Tuesday touched over two-week high level of 64.09 and was last trading at 64.29 versus dollar. Brokers said markets were buoyant after data showed India's exports rose by 12.97 per cent to USD 26.14 billion in August and trade deficit declined to USD 10.91 billion. "Heavy dose of short-covering on back of receding risk of military intervention in Syria at the same time, positive vibes created by new RBI Governor drove stocks upward," said Anindya Banerjee, currency analyst, Kotak Securities. In the sensex, Reliance Industries rose by 2.43 per cent to Rs 888.65, ITC by 6.07 per cent to Rs 335.40 and Infosys by 4.76 per cent to Rs 3,164.50. The three are the most influential and hold 30 per cent weight in the bluechip index.

Foreign investors pumped in fresh funds in Indian stocks and bonds worth Rs 20 billion in previous 3 days on buying in fundamentally strong stocks, brokers said. In telecom space, Bharti Airtel shot up 8.15 per cent after telecom regulator TRAI recommended a sharp 60 per cent cut in the floor price of spectrum. Tata Motors jumped by 9.88 per cent after industry data showed domestic passenger car sales grew by 15.37 per cent to 1,33,486 units in August. Overall, 27 stocks in sensex gained led by Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, Maruti Suzuki, HUL, ICICI Bank, M&M, L&T, Sesa Goa, Jindal Steel, Tata Steel, Tata Power, Wipro and ONGC.

December 16 gangrape case: Four accused found guilty

 NEW DELHI: Four men were today found guilty by a Delhi court of gangraping and murdering a 23-year-old paramedical student in a moving bus here in December last year, a case that evoked nationwide outrage and led the government to bring in stringent anti-rape laws. The court would hear arguments on the quantum of sentence tomorrow.

Besides gangrape and murder, the court held Mukesh (26), Vinay Sharma (20), Pawan Gupta (19) and Akshay Singh Thakur (28) guilty of attempt to murder, unnatural offences, dacoity, destruction of evidence, conspiracy, kidnapping or abducting in order to murder, while acquitting them of the charge of murder in dacoity. Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna, presiding the special fast track court, also convicted them for kidnapping or abducting with intent to secretly and wrongfully confining a person, abducting to subject a person to grievous hurt and slavery, abducting woman to cause her defilement, voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery and dishonestly receiving property stolen in the commission of a dacoity of the IPC.

As soon as the verdict was delivered, Pawan broke down while Vinay was in a state of shock.

Mukesh was heard saying "that they would have to face the consequences for what they have done". The fourth convict Akshay seemed unaffected. "All the accused have been convicted for various offences including attempt to kill the complainant (victim's male friend), for gangrape with the victim and also for unnatural sex with her and killing the victim...

"The accused have also tried to destroy the evidence after the incident, so they are convicted under section 201 of the IPC. They had abducted the victim to have illicit intercourse with her, so they are convicted under section 366 of the IPC," the judge said while pronouncing the judgement.

The murder charge, for which the four men have been convicted, entails a maximum of death penalty and life term as the minimum punishment. While pronouncing the verdict, the judge said, even though the proceedings against accused Ram Singh (34), who was found dead in his prison cell after he committed suicide on March 11, were abated, "he is also convicted under same sections (gangrape, murder and other offences)".

  

December 16 gangrape case: Four accused found guilty

 NEW DELHI: Four men were today found guilty by a Delhi court of gangraping and murdering a 23-year-old paramedical student in a moving bus here in December last year, a case that evoked nationwide outrage and led the government to bring in stringent anti-rape laws. The court would hear arguments on the quantum of sentence tomorrow.

Besides gangrape and murder, the court held Mukesh (26), Vinay Sharma (20), Pawan Gupta (19) and Akshay Singh Thakur (28) guilty of attempt to murder, unnatural offences, dacoity, destruction of evidence, conspiracy, kidnapping or abducting in order to murder, while acquitting them of the charge of murder in dacoity. Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna, presiding the special fast track court, also convicted them for kidnapping or abducting with intent to secretly and wrongfully confining a person, abducting to subject a person to grievous hurt and slavery, abducting woman to cause her defilement, voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery and dishonestly receiving property stolen in the commission of a dacoity of the IPC.

As soon as the verdict was delivered, Pawan broke down while Vinay was in a state of shock.

Mukesh was heard saying "that they would have to face the consequences for what they have done". The fourth convict Akshay seemed unaffected. "All the accused have been convicted for various offences including attempt to kill the complainant (victim's male friend), for gangrape with the victim and also for unnatural sex with her and killing the victim...

"The accused have also tried to destroy the evidence after the incident, so they are convicted under section 201 of the IPC. They had abducted the victim to have illicit intercourse with her, so they are convicted under section 366 of the IPC," the judge said while pronouncing the judgement.

The murder charge, for which the four men have been convicted, entails a maximum of death penalty and life term as the minimum punishment. While pronouncing the verdict, the judge said, even though the proceedings against accused Ram Singh (34), who was found dead in his prison cell after he committed suicide on March 11, were abated, "he is also convicted under same sections (gangrape, murder and other offences)".