Wave of attacks kill 57 in Iraq

Baghdad: A series of bombing and shooting incidents Wednesday, mainly in the national capital Baghdad, left at least 57 people dead and 207 wounded in Iraq, Xinhua reported. Three people were killed and 18 wounded when a roadside bomb went off near Al Shawwaf mosque in Yarmouk in western Baghdad Wednesday evening, while two people were killed and 11 injured when a car bomb exploded near a cafe in Adhamiya in northern Baghdad, police said. A former Iraqi army pilot was shot dead by unidentified gunmen when he was shopping in a market in Mosul, some 400 km north of Baghdad. A wave of coordinated attacks occurred in the morning when 12 car bombs went off in mostly Shiite districts in Baghdad. In one of the attacks, a suicide bomber blew up his explosive-laden car at a police checkpoint in city's Hurriyah district killing at least three people and wounding eight.

A car bomb ripped through Baghdad's Sadr City neighbourhood, killing three people and wounding 17, while another went off at al-Doulai district in the northwestern part of the capital, killing four people and wounding 20 others. Another car bombing in New Baghdad district left five people dead and 15 others injured. In Saidiyah district in southern Baghdad, a car bomb explosion killed two and wounded 14, whereas seven people were killed and 21 injured in another car bombing in Baghdad southeastern district of Jesr Diyala. In Baiyaa district in the southern part of the capital, one person was killed and 12 were wounded in car bombing, while in Shula district of the city, another car bomb attack killed two people and wounded 11. Two more car bombs struck a crowded intersection in Baghdad's northeastern district of Shaab, killing three people and wounding 15. Another car bomb exploded at a wholesale market in Jamiela area in eastern Baghdad, killing at least one and wounding 10. In addition, a booby-trapped car detonated in al-Amil district in southern Baghdad killing two people and wounding 12 others. A suicide bomber set off his explosive vest at a restaurant in Mahmoudiyah town, some 30 km south of Baghdad, killing five people and wounding 15. In a separate incident, gunmen broke into a house at a village near Latifiyah town, some 40 km south of the capital, killing seven family members.

 

Wave of attacks kill 57 in Iraq

Baghdad: A series of bombing and shooting incidents Wednesday, mainly in the national capital Baghdad, left at least 57 people dead and 207 wounded in Iraq, Xinhua reported. Three people were killed and 18 wounded when a roadside bomb went off near Al Shawwaf mosque in Yarmouk in western Baghdad Wednesday evening, while two people were killed and 11 injured when a car bomb exploded near a cafe in Adhamiya in northern Baghdad, police said. A former Iraqi army pilot was shot dead by unidentified gunmen when he was shopping in a market in Mosul, some 400 km north of Baghdad. A wave of coordinated attacks occurred in the morning when 12 car bombs went off in mostly Shiite districts in Baghdad. In one of the attacks, a suicide bomber blew up his explosive-laden car at a police checkpoint in city's Hurriyah district killing at least three people and wounding eight.

A car bomb ripped through Baghdad's Sadr City neighbourhood, killing three people and wounding 17, while another went off at al-Doulai district in the northwestern part of the capital, killing four people and wounding 20 others. Another car bombing in New Baghdad district left five people dead and 15 others injured. In Saidiyah district in southern Baghdad, a car bomb explosion killed two and wounded 14, whereas seven people were killed and 21 injured in another car bombing in Baghdad southeastern district of Jesr Diyala. In Baiyaa district in the southern part of the capital, one person was killed and 12 were wounded in car bombing, while in Shula district of the city, another car bomb attack killed two people and wounded 11. Two more car bombs struck a crowded intersection in Baghdad's northeastern district of Shaab, killing three people and wounding 15. Another car bomb exploded at a wholesale market in Jamiela area in eastern Baghdad, killing at least one and wounding 10. In addition, a booby-trapped car detonated in al-Amil district in southern Baghdad killing two people and wounding 12 others. A suicide bomber set off his explosive vest at a restaurant in Mahmoudiyah town, some 30 km south of Baghdad, killing five people and wounding 15. In a separate incident, gunmen broke into a house at a village near Latifiyah town, some 40 km south of the capital, killing seven family members.

 

Land Acquisition Bill in Lok Sabha today

New Delhi: After passing the Food Bill, Lok Sabha will take up Thursday another landmark legislation of the UPA - the Land Acquisition Bill - that seeks to provide "just and fair" compensation to families whose land has been acquired for industrial purposes.The much-talked about bill proposes payment of compensation that is up to four times the market value in rural areas and two times the market value in urban areas.Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh will move the Bill, which aims at making affected persons partners in development, leading to an improvement in their post- acquisition social and economic status.Ramesh said the Bill, renamed as "The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2012" conveys government's determination to address "widespread and historical injustices".This has been done by establishing strong legal prerequisites that need to be discharged first while acquiring land.

The Bill will replace over a century-old Land Acquisition Act, 1894, which suffers from various shortcomings, including silence on the issue of resettlement and rehabilitation of those displaced by the acquisition of land. Besides, it had the much criticised 'Urgency Clause' which never truly defines what constitutes an urgent need and leaves it to the discretion of the acquiring authority. Apart from this, it provided low rates of compensation. The Bill is being brought for consideration and passage after two all-party meetings, which made the government accept five key amendments suggested by BJP leader Sushma Swaraj and Left parties. The Union Cabinet had approved the amendments amid the government's efforts to create broad-based political consensus on the key legislation.

Among the amendments approved by Cabinet was the one suggested by Swaraj that instead of acquisition, land could be leased to developers so that its ownership remain with farmers and provide them regular annual income. Swaraj had also suggested provision for payment of 50 per cent compensation to original owners whose land was purchased after introduction of the Bill in Lok Sabha in September 2011. Moving out of its way to create political consensus on the Bill, the Cabinet also agreed to this suggestion. The Bill ensures that farmers get a fair deal and that there is no forcible acquisition of their land. In cases where PPP projects are involved or acquisition is taking place for private companies, the Bill requires consent of no less than 70 per cent and 80 per cent respectively (in both cases) of those whose land is sought to be acquired. "This ensures that no forcible acquisition can take place," Ramesh said. According to Rural Development Ministry officials, this will be the very first law that links land acquisition with accompanying obligations for resettlement and rehabilitation. "Over five chapters and two entire Schedules have been dedicated to outlining elaborate processes (and entitlements) for resettlement and rehabilitation," an official said.

Land Acquisition Bill in Lok Sabha today

New Delhi: After passing the Food Bill, Lok Sabha will take up Thursday another landmark legislation of the UPA - the Land Acquisition Bill - that seeks to provide "just and fair" compensation to families whose land has been acquired for industrial purposes.The much-talked about bill proposes payment of compensation that is up to four times the market value in rural areas and two times the market value in urban areas.Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh will move the Bill, which aims at making affected persons partners in development, leading to an improvement in their post- acquisition social and economic status.Ramesh said the Bill, renamed as "The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2012" conveys government's determination to address "widespread and historical injustices".This has been done by establishing strong legal prerequisites that need to be discharged first while acquiring land.

The Bill will replace over a century-old Land Acquisition Act, 1894, which suffers from various shortcomings, including silence on the issue of resettlement and rehabilitation of those displaced by the acquisition of land. Besides, it had the much criticised 'Urgency Clause' which never truly defines what constitutes an urgent need and leaves it to the discretion of the acquiring authority. Apart from this, it provided low rates of compensation. The Bill is being brought for consideration and passage after two all-party meetings, which made the government accept five key amendments suggested by BJP leader Sushma Swaraj and Left parties. The Union Cabinet had approved the amendments amid the government's efforts to create broad-based political consensus on the key legislation.

Among the amendments approved by Cabinet was the one suggested by Swaraj that instead of acquisition, land could be leased to developers so that its ownership remain with farmers and provide them regular annual income. Swaraj had also suggested provision for payment of 50 per cent compensation to original owners whose land was purchased after introduction of the Bill in Lok Sabha in September 2011. Moving out of its way to create political consensus on the Bill, the Cabinet also agreed to this suggestion. The Bill ensures that farmers get a fair deal and that there is no forcible acquisition of their land. In cases where PPP projects are involved or acquisition is taking place for private companies, the Bill requires consent of no less than 70 per cent and 80 per cent respectively (in both cases) of those whose land is sought to be acquired. "This ensures that no forcible acquisition can take place," Ramesh said. According to Rural Development Ministry officials, this will be the very first law that links land acquisition with accompanying obligations for resettlement and rehabilitation. "Over five chapters and two entire Schedules have been dedicated to outlining elaborate processes (and entitlements) for resettlement and rehabilitation," an official said.

Yasin Bhatkal arrested from Indo-Nepal border

New Delhi :In a major breakthrough, Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, key accused in Hyderabad and Mumbai blasts, was today arrested from the Indo-Nepal border after being on the run for over five years.30-year-old Yasin, one of India's most wanted terrorists, was picked up by security agencies along with another IM leader Akhtar, official sources said. Yasin is being brought to Delhi.Yasin, also known as Mohammed Ahmed Siddhibappa, along with three aides Tahaseen Akhtar Wasim Aktar Shaikh (23), Asadulla Akhtar Javed Akhtar (26) and Waqas alias Ahmed (26) were allegedly behind three coordinated bomb explosions at Opera House, Zaveri Zazaar and Dadar West in Mumbai on July 13, 2011, leaving 27 dead and 130 injured. 

The IM leader is wanted in a string of terror attacks in Ahmedabad, Surat, Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad. In February this year, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh each to anyone giving information on Yasin and the three aides. Except Tahaseen, who planted a bomb in the Dadar blast, the rest three were also involved in the four co-ordinated low-intensity explosions, which struck the busy arterial road in the heart of Pune city on August 1, 2012. Eight accused had been arrested in this connection. In December 2011, Delhi police had also announced a reward of Rs 15 lakh for any information leading to the arrest of Yasin in several terror cases, including three in Delhi.
While Yasin hails from Bhatkal in Karnataka, Tahaseen is from Samastipur in Bihar while Asadullah is from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. Yasin, who co-founded IM in 2008 along with brother Riaz Bhatkal, is also wanted in the German Bakery bomb blast in Pune on February 13, 2010, that left 17 dead. The IM was designated a terrorist group by the Government
under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in June, 2010. the banned outfit was declared by the US as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation in 2011. PTI

Yasin Bhatkal arrested from Indo-Nepal border

New Delhi :In a major breakthrough, Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, key accused in Hyderabad and Mumbai blasts, was today arrested from the Indo-Nepal border after being on the run for over five years.30-year-old Yasin, one of India's most wanted terrorists, was picked up by security agencies along with another IM leader Akhtar, official sources said. Yasin is being brought to Delhi.Yasin, also known as Mohammed Ahmed Siddhibappa, along with three aides Tahaseen Akhtar Wasim Aktar Shaikh (23), Asadulla Akhtar Javed Akhtar (26) and Waqas alias Ahmed (26) were allegedly behind three coordinated bomb explosions at Opera House, Zaveri Zazaar and Dadar West in Mumbai on July 13, 2011, leaving 27 dead and 130 injured. 

The IM leader is wanted in a string of terror attacks in Ahmedabad, Surat, Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad. In February this year, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh each to anyone giving information on Yasin and the three aides. Except Tahaseen, who planted a bomb in the Dadar blast, the rest three were also involved in the four co-ordinated low-intensity explosions, which struck the busy arterial road in the heart of Pune city on August 1, 2012. Eight accused had been arrested in this connection. In December 2011, Delhi police had also announced a reward of Rs 15 lakh for any information leading to the arrest of Yasin in several terror cases, including three in Delhi.
While Yasin hails from Bhatkal in Karnataka, Tahaseen is from Samastipur in Bihar while Asadullah is from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. Yasin, who co-founded IM in 2008 along with brother Riaz Bhatkal, is also wanted in the German Bakery bomb blast in Pune on February 13, 2010, that left 17 dead. The IM was designated a terrorist group by the Government
under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in June, 2010. the banned outfit was declared by the US as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation in 2011. PTI

US launches rocket carrying spy satellite

Washington: A rocket carrying a spy satellite lifted off from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in the US state of California Wednesday, sources said.The United Launch Alliance, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing, announced through its Facebook and Twitter webcast that the satellite was launched on a Delta IV Heavy rocket, the largest of the kind, at 11:03 a.m. local time, Xinhua reported  However, it did not say when the satellite would enter the orbit. 

The launch was named as the NROL-65 mission as it was done for the National Reconnaissance Office, which is in charge of US intelligence-gathering satellites, according to the sources in United Launch Alliance, which also developed the rocket together with the US Air Force. Details about the satellite is not available. But a report in the Los Angeles Times said the payload in Wednesday's launch is said to be 'a $1-billion high-powered spy satellite capable of snapping pictures detailed enough to distinguish the make and model of an automobile hundreds of miles below.'

US launches rocket carrying spy satellite

Washington: A rocket carrying a spy satellite lifted off from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in the US state of California Wednesday, sources said.The United Launch Alliance, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing, announced through its Facebook and Twitter webcast that the satellite was launched on a Delta IV Heavy rocket, the largest of the kind, at 11:03 a.m. local time, Xinhua reported  However, it did not say when the satellite would enter the orbit. 

The launch was named as the NROL-65 mission as it was done for the National Reconnaissance Office, which is in charge of US intelligence-gathering satellites, according to the sources in United Launch Alliance, which also developed the rocket together with the US Air Force. Details about the satellite is not available. But a report in the Los Angeles Times said the payload in Wednesday's launch is said to be 'a $1-billion high-powered spy satellite capable of snapping pictures detailed enough to distinguish the make and model of an automobile hundreds of miles below.'

Ashtami Rohini' celebrated with traditional gaiety

Guruvayur: 'Ashtami Rohini', the birthday of Lord Krishna, was celebrated with traditional gaiety and religious fervour on Wednesday in Guruvayur.Large number of devotees thronged the temple right from morning to have darshan of Lord Krishna and to witness various programmes and rituals arranged by the Devaswom and other organisations. There was a long queue of devotees not only for having darsan but also for partaking in the birthday feast of Lord Krishna arranged by the Devaswom. Hundreds of children dressed up as little Krishna and his 'Gopis' perked up the celebration at the temple town.

Ashtami Rohini' celebrated with traditional gaiety

Guruvayur: 'Ashtami Rohini', the birthday of Lord Krishna, was celebrated with traditional gaiety and religious fervour on Wednesday in Guruvayur.Large number of devotees thronged the temple right from morning to have darshan of Lord Krishna and to witness various programmes and rituals arranged by the Devaswom and other organisations. There was a long queue of devotees not only for having darsan but also for partaking in the birthday feast of Lord Krishna arranged by the Devaswom. Hundreds of children dressed up as little Krishna and his 'Gopis' perked up the celebration at the temple town.