230 bodies found in mass grave in Syria

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Damascus: More than 230 bodies of people believed to have been killed by the Sunni radical group Islamic State (IS) were found in a mass grave in Syria's Deir al-Zour province, a media report said Wednesday.

The bodies are believed to be belonging to the members of a tribe that fought the IS, BBC reported citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Last month, the UN said it had received reports of a massacre in the Syrian province in August. Investigators said that the IS executed the Sheitat tribesmen in a struggle for control of oil resources near the town of Mohassan.

In early November, IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi reportedly allowed members of the tribe to return to their homes. They were told to surrender all weapons and inform on all 'apostates' to the group.

All 'traitors' would be killed, Baghdadi warned in a statement.

The Syrian Observatory said that it had been informed by a trusted source that the 230 bodies had been found by returning members of the Sheitat in a mass grave in the desert near the village of Kashkiya, in eastern Deir al-Zou

Pak army retaliates to Peshawar attack, kills 57 militants

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Pak army retaliates to Peshawar attack, kills 57 militants

Pakistan army retaliated to the the deadly Taliban attack at Peshawar school by killing 57 militants in massive airstrikes in the Khyber tribal region where the suicide bombers were reportedly trained.

The army launched 20 airstrikes on Wednesday on several Taliban hideouts in Tirah valley area of Khyber tribal region which is adjacent to Peshawar and killed 57 militants, an army spokesman said.

The strikes were launched after reports that militants involved in the Peshawar army school attack in which 148 people, including 132 school children were killed, were trained in the Bara area of Khyber.

The military said that the ongoing operation Khyber-1 in the district is being reviewed.

Pakistan had on Wednesday pledged to announce a 'national plan' to tackle terrorism within a week with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif saying 'this entire region' should be cleaned of terrorism.

Taliban spokesman claimed that its 6 suicide bombers attacked the army school, saying it was a revenge for the military's operation against militants in the North Waziristan tribal area close to Peshawar.

The security forces have killed hundreds of militants in the region but they are still far from defeated.

The militants hide in the mountainous porous border and frequently cross towards Afghanistan to avoid attacks.

Six killed in Taliban suicide attack on Afghan bank

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KANDAHAR: Taliban militants detonated a suicide bomb and stormed a bank in southern Afghanistan today, killing at least six people as the country endures a rise in violence while US-led NATO troops pull out.   The attackers forced their way inside after the bomb exploded at the entrance of the Kabul Bank branch in Lashkar Gah, the capital of the insurgency-racked province of Helmand.   "The blast at the gate was a suicide attacker blowing himself up to open the way for others to enter the building," Omar Zhwak, provincial spokesman for Helmand, told AFP.   "The fighting is still ongoing. Our latest report show six people, including three police, have been killed and seven wounded.   "One attacker was also killed and two are still resisting. "It was the government employees' payday and they had all come to get their salaries." Farid Ahmad Obaidi, Helmand's police spokesman, confirmed the incident, which comes as Afghanistan police and army take over security duties nationwide.   Officials were unable to confirm if any civilians were trapped inside the branch.   A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack on Kabul Bank, an institution that nearly collapsed in 2010 in a USD 900 million fraud case that underlined endemic corruption in Afghanistan.   On December 31, the NATO combat mission in Afghanistan will end after 13 years of fighting the Taliban.   It will be replaced by a 12,500-strong support mission to advise and assist the Afghan security forces.   Recent deadly attacks have targeted army buses, mine clearance teams and foreign compounds in Kabul.

‘Big B is the king of Twitter’

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Tags: Big B, king, twitter
KOLKATA: Leaving behind all other actors in the film industry, megastar Amitabh Bachchan has been ranked number one on Twitter, in terms of both popularity and activity. In an analytics report of the most popular Bollywood stars on the social networking site, Big B with 12 million followers on Twitter topped the popularity list. Digital services provider ‘TO THE NEW’ rated various Bollywood celebrities on the basis of their popularity and their engagement with fans on Twitter. The rank is based on an algorithm which combines the scores received for each measure i.e. total number of followers, absolute increase in followers and tweets per day.\ 72-year-old megastar is followed by superstar Shah Rukh Khan (10.4 million followers) at number two and Abhishek Bachchan (5.4 million) at the third position. Hrithik Roshan (7.7 million), Aamir Khan (10.1 million) and Salman Khan (9.5 million) have also made it to the list of top 10 most popular Bollywood actors. Actresses in the list include Priyanka Chopra (8 million), Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha. With an average of 20 tweets, re-tweets and replies per day, Bachchan also came out as the most active one among all. His son Abhishek came second with an average of ten tweets. Anupam Kher, SRK and Sonakshi are also among the most active ones.

Marines row: Italy threatens to withdraw its ambassador from India

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ROME: Rome threatened to withdraw its ambassador from India on Wednesday as a diplomatic row over two Italian marines accused of killing Indian fishermen during an anti-piracy mission escalated.

The soldiers say they fired on the two fishermen after mistaking them for pirates while guarding an Italian oil tanker off the southern Indian state of Kerala in 2012.

They had been living in the Italian embassy in the Indian capital while they waited to be tried, and were not supposed to leave the country.

But the Indian Supreme Court gave marine Massimiliano Latorre leave to spend four months at home after he suffered a cerebral ischaemia -- a restricted blood supply that can lead to a stroke -- in September.

On Tuesday it rejected Latorre's request to extend his leave to undergo further treatment in January, and refused to allow his co-accused Salvatore Girone to return home to see his family for Christmas.

But Italy's foreign minister Paolo Gentiloni hit back strongly at the court's decision.

"Faced with such an attitude by the Indian authorities, the government reserves the right to take all necessary measures, starting with the recall of the Italian ambassador from New Delhi, although that would not mean breaking off diplomatic relations," he told a parliamentary committee.

Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti said Latorre's health "is the government's priority and nothing will be done to put it in danger", hinting that Rome could break its promise to return him to India.

The marines were granted a home visit to vote in national elections last year, but India was furious when the Italian government initially said it would not send the men back.

A subsequent U-turn, which followed intense Indian diplomatic pressure, triggered the resignation of Italy's then foreign minister.

Italy has been contesting India's right to try the men in the courts since March.

It maintains that the pair should be tried on home soil since the shootings involved an Italian-flagged vessel in what Rome says were international waters. But India insists the shooting took place in its waters.

Pak should hand over Hafiz, Dawood to India: Naidu

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NEW DELHI: India Thursday asked Pakistan to hand over Mumbai terror attack accused Hafiz Saeed and Dawood Ibrahim, who also figures in the country's most wanted list, to it if the neighbouring country is serious about fighting terrorism.

Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should seize the opportunity in the wake of terror attack on Peshawar school and take bold steps to combat terrorism.

"If Pakistan is serious in fighting terrorism, it should arrest Hafiz Saeed and Dawood Ibrahim and hand them over to India... I hope Nawaz Sharif will seize this opportunity to take bold steps against terrorism," he told reporters outside Parliament.

Saeed is the "chief promoter" of terrorism in the world, Naidu said, calling him "an enemy of humanity".

SC extends bail of Jayalalithaa, sets up special bench

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 NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Thursday extended by four months the bail of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in a disproportionate assets case and asked the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court to constitute a special bench to decide her plea expeditiously within three months.

A bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu ordered that the hearing in the high court on the appeal filed by the AIADMK Chief challenging her conviction and sentence in the case, be conducted on a day-to-day basis.

"Keeping in view the facts of the case, we request the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court to constitute a special bench for hearing of appeal on day-to-day basis. The hearing should be completed within three months," the bench, also comprising Justice A K Sikri, said.

"The bail granted by this court on October 17 is extended by another four months, that is, till April 18, 2015," the bench said.

It also asked senior advocate KTS Tulsi, appearing for Jayalalithaa, who was awarded four years jail term along with a fine of Rs 100 crore in the DA case, to provide a copy of documents of the case to BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.

Swamy, during the brief hearing, raised the issue of law and order in Tamil Nadu, saying the posters of the slain LTTE chief Prabhakaran are being pasted across the state.

"We gave you (Swamy) the liberty that if there is anything against you, you just mention that before us. We will take a call," the bench said.

On October 17, the apex court had granted conditional bail to Jayalalithaa, who was sent to jail by a trial court on September 27, saying that hearing on her appeal against conviction in High Court should be completed in five months from now.

The apex court, which had also granted bail to the AIADMK chief's close aide Sasikala and two of her relatives, had refused to dispose of the bail plea while posting the case for hearing today.

The 66-year-old politician, who had moved the Supreme Court for bail on October 9 after she was denied bail by the Karnataka High Court, had submitted that she had been sentenced to only four years jail in the case and she was also suffering from various ailments, as grounds for her immediate relief.

The Special Court had held Jayalalithaa and three others guilty of corruption. The court had also slapped a fine of Rs 100 crore on the AIADMK chief and Rs 10 crore fine on each of the three other convicts.

Son strangles father to death

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a macabre incident, a son strangled his father to death. He later informed the police and surrendered. The dead has been identified as K Raveendran Nair of Jagathy. The crime was committed by Nair’s eldest son Rajesh (33).

Nair’s wife died of dengue fever five years back. He was in a relationship with another woman but that did not last long. He was working as a driver and was staying in a lodge in Karamana. His two children had disowned him for his illegal relationship with women.

Rajesh had a fight with his father for his misbehaviour towards the former’s wife. When the situation went out of control, he took a towel and strangled his father to death. He immediately informed the police and they in turn took him into custody.

Nurse dies in accident

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KOCHI: A 28-year-old nurse, Reeba P Elias, a native of Poykattussery, died in an accident near Angamaly on Tuesday. The accident took place when a truck hit the scooter she was riding from behind. The scooter was caught under the lorry and dragged for a few metres. She was run over by the truck. In the impact, the victim sustained critical injuries on her head and died on the spot. She was working as a staff nurse at the Little Flower Hospital, Angamaly. A hunt is on to trace the vehicle involved in the accident and its driver.

Chandy, VS to meet Modi over rubber price

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A high-level delegation including Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan will visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi to appraise him of the crisis faced by rubber farmers due to its fall in price.

Ahead of this a meeting of rubber farmers would be convened here on December 18, the chief minister told the state assembly. The decision was taken on the basis of discussion held with a recommendation team that included former ministers. It has also been decided to increase the production of rubberized bitumen from 8000 tons to 50,000 tonnes aimed for construction of rubberized roads in the state.

The need of rubberized tarring in the entire country would be brought to the notice of the Central Government. It is a matter of protest that the Central Government has not taken into consideration the persistent request of the State to include rubber as a farming commodity.

More pressure will be exerted to consider this. It has also been decided to formulate a new package for rubber re plantation. The need to increase the subsidy for the same from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 was also raised in the meeting.

It has also been stressed in the meeting that the import duty of rubber should be increased from 20% to 25%. The team would also raise the need of an independent market for the rubber wood. The need to call a confederation of rubber producing countries by India will be stressed. The rubber price has fallen from RS 240 to RS 109. As this is causing huge loss rubber growers have stopped collecting milk from rubber trees. If this situation prolongs then rubber farming would be in peril which would affect industries. Rubber import should be banned temporarily, he added.

Govt to recruit nurses for Kuwait

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nurses in Kerala might be able to go to Kuwait without paying the hefty fees that private agencies charge as the state government plans to entrust state agencies with the task of recruiting nurses. These agencies include the Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants (ODEPC) and Roots-Norka (the agency that looks after the welfare of the Kerala diaspora). The idea was mooted by the Indian embassy in Kuwait after numerous complaints of Kerala nurses recruited through private agencies getting a raw deal in terms of salaries and service conditions. State Minister for Diaspora K.C. Joseph told IANS: "The Centre has to chip in for this and we are preparing a detailed road map to see that our own agencies also enter into this and Kuwait is one target area." The nurses who seek jobs in Kuwait have to shell out huge amounts as recruitment fees, touching more than Rs 1 million. Speaking to IANS a nurse currently employed in Kuwait said that it's the Indian nurses that are given a raw deal. "Nurses from Philippines come to work in Kuwait without paying any recruitment fees at all. Since we (Kerala nurses) come here after paying very high recruitment fees, despite all hardships we cling on here, as our first priority is to recover the recruitment fees, whereas Philippine nationals resign and return the moment they feel unhappy with the working conditions," said the Kerala nurse who did not wish to be identified.

Chandy to be cross-examined in solar case

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KOCHI: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the staff members of his office will be cross-examined as witnesses in the sensational solar case. The judicial investigation commission probing the case had earlier prepared the witnesses list to be cross-examined. The chief minister was included in the list. The list of 48 persons to be cross-examined was made after codifying it. The chief minister will be cross-examined lastly. The panel will take statement from the main accused Saritha S Nair, Biju Radhakrishnan and the MLAs and MPs, who contacted the two on the phone. It was earlier found that the accused in the solar case had contacted the chief minister’s office many times. Apart from the chief minister, statements will be taken from the then Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Tenny Joppan, who was one among the personal staff of the chief minister, Jikkumon and former gunman Salim Raj. The list also includes superintendents of Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram jails where the accused were lodged and officials of the special team who investigated the case.

Oppn walks out over changes in liquor policy

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The opposition LDF walked out of the assembly in protest against the denial of permission on the notice for adjournment motion seeking discussion on the practical changes in the liquor policy. The notice was moved by A Pradeep Kumar. He alleged that the government is a puppet in the hands of bar owners. Seeking permission for the motion, he said many noted personalities will be behind bars if the statement of Biju Ramesh is exposed.

Replying, Excise Minister K Babu said there is no practical change in the basic policy of the liquor prohibition. Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, who spoke after that, sought the removal of the advocate general. The AG had held talks with the officials’ investigating the bar scam, he said.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said there will be no change in the basic policy of the liquor ban. A decision was taken to bring in practical changes for implementing a faultless policy. Ten bar employees committed suicide after the announcement of the policy and taking that into consideration it was decided to make changes. The government has faith in the advocate general. Following chief minister’s reply, deputy speaker denied permission for the motion and immediately the opposition staged a walkout.

Pakistan Taliban say targeted school in revenge for military attacks

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PESHAWAR: The Taliban attacked a military-run school on Tuesday, killing 84 students, because they wanted revenge for the Pakistani military targeting their own families, a spokesman said.

 

"We selected the army's school for the attack because the government is targeting our families and females," said Taliban spokesman Muhammad Umar Khorasani. "We want them to feel the pain."

 

Victims killed in Sydney hostage drama identified

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Tags: Victims, Sydney Hostage Drama
SYDNEY: Two hostages who have been killed in the 17-hour-long hostage drama at a cafeteria in Sydney were identified as the manager of the Lindt Chocolate cafe and a lawyer.   The 38-year-old lawyer, Katrina Dawson, was a mother of three young children who became the victim of the siege.   She was a barrister at Selbourne Chambers and was married to Paul Smith, a partner at Mallesons.   Dawson studied law at Sydney University, where she lived at the women's college as a student. She did her clerkship at Mallesons where she met her husband.   Lindt Chocolate cafe's 34-year-old manager, Tori Johnson, was also killed in the siege operations yesterday.   He had worked at the cafe since October 2012 and at a string of other restaurants and hospitality companies around Sydney.     "Yesterday, Premier Baird showed great steadfastness and Sydneysiders can be proud of their calm during what was a very difficult and testing day," he added thanking New South Wales (NSW) Police and all the other agencies involved for their professionalism and courage.   "Australians should be reassured by the way our law enforcement and security agencies responded to this brush with terrorism," he said.   Prime Minister Tony Abbott added that there is nothing more Australian than dropping in at the local cafe for a morning coffee and it's tragic beyond words that people going about their everyday business should have been caught up in such a horrific incident.   "Our hearts go out to all of those caught up in this appalling incident and their loved ones. On behalf of all Australians, I extend my sympathy to the families of the two hostages who died overnight," Mr Abbott said.   He warned that the country was vulnerable to politically motivated violence.   These events do demonstrate that even a country as free, as open, as generous and as safe as ours is vulnerable to acts of politically motivated violence.   "But they also remind us that Australia and Australians are resilient and we are ready to respond," he said. New South Wales (NSW) Polie commissioner Andrew Scipione said: "It's incredibly sad, I've got to say I don't think I could be sadder."   "Having said that, I'm completely proud of our police and what they have done to keep us safe, I've got nothing but praise for them," he said adding he wanted to see the flowers people had left as a tribute to the siege victims.   "I've come to have a look at what Sydney's done," he said. Meanwhile, flags on all Commonwealth and NSW Government buildings will be flown at half-mast today in honour of the victims of Sydney siege.   According to NSW premier Mike Baird, flags will fly at half-mast today on NSW Government buildings to honour those who tragically lost their lives in the siege at Lindt cafe.   Westpac also confirmed today that four of its employees were among the 17 hostages being held at Martin Place in Sydney.   All four were reportedly safe with one undergoing medical treatment for what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.   The killed gunman was identified as 50 year old an Man Haron Monis, who arrived in Australia as a refugee from Iran in 1996.   Police fired stun grenades and shots as they stormed the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Sydney's commercial district after 2:30 AM local time Tuesday (9 PM IST Monday) and later declared that the siege was over.   Two Indian nationals -- Vishwakant Ankit Reddy and Pushpendu Ghosh -- were among the hostages involved when Monis began his siege. However, Reddy, an Infosys employee in his mid-30s, and Ghosh, whose details were not known, escaped safely.

India strongly condemns Peshawar school attack

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NEW DELHI: India today strongly condemned the barbaric attack on a school in Peshawar in which at least 160 children were killed, saying there is never a justification for terrorism.

 

"No words will capture the feeling of deep revulsion and horror we feel about this terror attack against innocent children of the Army Public School in Peshawar -  It was not just innocent children who have been massacred today, but the very conception of humanity," 

Official Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry Syed Akbaruddin said here.

 

Terming the attack as "crime against humanity", he said prayers are with the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives or were injured in this barbaric incident.

 

"We hope the almighty gives them the courage and fortitude to bear their irreparable loss. There never has been, nor will there ever be, a justification for terrorism. Our hearts go out to the grief-stricken families of the innocent children killed and injured in this barbaric attack in Peshawar," he added.

 

At least 124 students were among 160 people killed earlier in the day when heavily-armed Arabic speaking Taliban suicide attackers stormed an army-run school, shooting from classroom-to-classroom and taking several hostages using them as human shield in Pakistan's volatile Peshawar city.

 

A group of 8-10 suicide attackers wearing paramilitary Frontier Corps uniforms entered Army Public School on Warsak Road around 10.30 (local time) and started indiscriminate firing, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak said there.

Clash between BJP and CPM: Hartal in Karavaram and Kallambalam

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KALLAMBALAM: A clash broke out last night between the activists of BJP and CPM in connection with the destruction of festoons. A hartal is being observed in Karavaram panchayat and Kallambalam in protest against the incident. The issue started at the conclusion of the Kilimanoor area meeting convened at the Karavaram panchayat yesterday.

Some BJP activists gathered there after CPM leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan made a statement against the prime minister while inaugurating the meet. Some messy scenes were witnessed and when Suresh, Karavaram panchayat member, tried to intervene and calm the situation, a stone was hurled at him. The situation turned worse and the police later intervened.

Suresh has been admitted in the medical college hospital and a case has been registered against five.

Carnage in Pakistan school as Taliban attack kills 160

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In the bloodiest terror attack in Pakistan in years, at least 160 people, mostly children, were today killed by heavily-armed Taliban suicide bombers who stormed an army-run school here and took several hostages, a throwback to the 2004 Beslan school siege by Chechen rebels.   A group of 8 Arabic-speaking attackers, wearing para- military Frontier Corps uniforms, entered the Army Public School on Warsak Road around 10.30 AM (local time) and started the massacre of innocents, spraying bullets indiscriminately, going from classroom-to-classroom.   They also took several hostages using them as human shield. The death toll in the attack has reached 160 with a majority of them being students, official sources told PTI. At least 122 others have been injured.   They said that so far six militants have died -- four of them blew themselves up while two were shot dead by security forces. Two militants are still alive.   20 teachers, including the principal, and 34 students are hostages and the operation is continuing, an official of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak's office said. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the attack, one of the worst in recent years.   The Taliban spokesman claimed that its 6 suicide bombers attacked army school, saying it was a revenge for the army's operation against militants in the North Waziristan tribal area close to Peshawar.   "We want them to feel our pain," the spokesman said.   World leaders united in condemning the attack as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif termed it a "national tragedy" and chaired a security meeting in Peshawar where he was briefed about the attack and operation.   Sharif reiterated that military operation 'Zarb-e-azab' to flush out terrorists from the country's tribal belt will continue.   "It's a sheer act of cowardice...the country should unite to combat terrorism," he added. Army Chief General Raheel Sharif also reached Peshawar to monitor the situation.   In one of the most gruesome attacks in recent years against children anywhere in the world, the militants went from classroom-to-classroom shooting indiscriminately at the shocked students, eyewitnesses told local media.   One rescued student told reporters that the attackers had long beards and they were wearing 'shalwar kamiz'.   He said they were speaking Arabic and looked like foreigners.   In the incident in Beslan in North Ossetia, Russia, at least 32 armed individuals stormed a school and took more than 1,000 hostages, majority of them children. Over 330 people, mostly children, were killed in the assault.

India bowled out for 444 in first innings, Australia 32/0 in second innings - See more at:

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Adelaide: Australia reached 32 without loss in their second innings to take a 105-run lead against India till lunch on the fourth day of the first of the four-match Test series at the Adelaide Oval here Friday.

India managed to add only 75 runs to their overnight score of 369 for five and were bowled out for 444, conceding a 73-run run first innings lead.

Australian openers David Warner (batting 19) and Chris Rogers (13) were at the crease till the first session of play.

Earlier, Nathon Lyon removed the overnight batsmen Rohit Sharma (43) and Wriddhiman Saha (25) before taking the wicket of Ishant Sharma to complete his sixth five-wicket haul.

Indian batsmen Rohit and Wriddhiman made a sedate start as the hosts utilised the early morning conditions perfectly and tested the Indians with a probing line and length, mixing it up with the occasional bouncers.

They scored only eight runs in first seven overs Friday before Saha picked up two boundaries off left-arm pacer Johnson. The Australians did not give any width for the batsmen to go for big shots and the Indians werebusy picking ones and twos instead.

Australian skipper Michael Clarke brought in Lyon and the latter dismissed Rohit in his second over of the day. Rohit had charged down the track to hit him over his head for a four before the Indian repeated his act in the next ball but only managed to nudge it straight back into the bowlers hand when the team's total was 399.

Up next, debutant Karn Sharma (4) had his stumps dismantled by pace bowler Peter Siddle.

Lyon got good purchase from the fourth day pitch, which offered variable pace and bounce, making it difficult for the batsmen.

He removed Saha with another loopy delivery, which beat the batsman's inside edge and kissed his thigh before landing in the safe hands of Shane Watson at slip. Two deliveries later, Ishant failed to defend a ball, which bounced sharply after hitting the rough areas of the pitch and kissed his gloves and went straight into the hands of Smith at short leg.

Mohammed Shami entertained the crowd with a quickfire 34 of 24 before he guided a Siddle delivery to Watson at gully as India fell short of 73 runs to Australia's first innings score of 517/7.

- 

Free travel for school students on KSRTC buses

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Thiruvananthapuram: The State government has announced free travel for all students till the higher secondary level on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses.

While announcing this in the Assembly on Thursday, Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan the facility would be offered to 1,30,000 students availing concession for travel in KSRTC buses now.

Answering a submission from V.T. Balaram, the Minister said the government was taking the decision because the KSRTC was now saving Rs.16.50 lakh daily on fuel expenses due to the recent fall in diesel price.

- See more at: http://www.madhyamam.com/en/kerala/2014/dec/12/free-travel-school-students-ksrtc-buses#sthash.8miJYgem.dpuf

British-Indian businessman accused of killing wife walks free

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Cape Town: An Indian-origin businessman from Britain, accused of arranging the murder of his wife while on honeymoon trip in South Africa, was discharged Monday.

Shrien Dewani, 33, is accused of ordering the murder of his wife, 28-year-old Anni Dewani, who was shot on the outskirts of Cape Town in November 2010 during th course of their honeymoon, the Independent Online reported.

Deputy Judge President Jeanette Traverso of the Western Cape High Court granted an application for a discharge in the Western Cape High Court.

'I make the following order: The application is granted. The accused is found not guilty on this charge.'

She said the only reason not to grant the application would be out of hope that the accused would implicate himself if he took the witness stand.

Dewani was extradited to South Africa from Britain in April to stand trial for the murder of his bride.

He faced five counts, including kidnapping, murder, and defeating the ends of justice, and has pleaded not guilty to all of them. 

He has maintained that he and his wife were the victims of a hijacking Nov 13, 2010.

Dewani was thrown out of the car later that night and Anni's body was found the next day with a single gun shot wound on her neck.

Tongo, the driver of the taxi, is serving an 18-year jail sentence and Mzamadoda Qwabe is serving 25 years. Xolile Mngeni died in prison of a brain tumour earlier this year.

It was the state's case that Dewani approached taxi driver Tongo to organise a hitman and that Tongo had then turned to hotel receptionist Monde Mbolombo.

Mbolombo contacted Qwabe, who brought Mngeni on board. 

Mngeni was convicted of firing the fatal shot.

Qwabe and Tongo struggled under cross-examination, their testimonies and statements revealing numerous contradictions.

According to the defence, the poor quality of their testimonies was not enough to convict Dewani, or even enough to produce a case strong enough for Dewani to answer.

IANS

Weight-loss surgery may improve urinary problems

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London: A new research has shown that bariatric surgery, or the weight loss surgery may lessen the frequency and severity of lower urinary tract symptoms among obese people.

Lower urinary tract symptoms related to urinary frequency and urgency, bladder leakage, the need to urinate at night, and incomplete bladder emptying are associated with obesity in both men and women. 

To see if these symptoms might also be linked with metabolic syndrome, Francois Desgrandchamps from Saint-Louis Hospital in France analysed 4,666 male patients, aged 55 to 100.

Metabolic syndrome was reported in 51.5 percent of the patients and 47 percent were treated for lower urinary tract symptoms.

There was a significant link between metabolic syndrome and treated lower urinary tract symptoms.

The risk to be treated for lower urinary tract symptoms also increased with increasing number of metabolic syndrome components.

'The prevention of such modifiable factors by the promotion of dietary changes and regular physical activity practice may be of great interest for public health,' the authors said. 

In another study, researchers in New Zealand checked if bariatric surgery in obese individuals might lessen lower urinary tract symptoms.

The investigators studied 72 patients who underwent the surgery and were followed for one year.

There was a significant weight loss and a reduction of body mass index after surgery. At six weeks, a significant reduction in overall symptoms was noted, and this improvement was sustained for a year.

Also, insulin sensitivity improved, indicating a lessening of individuals' risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

'In our study, improvements in lower urinary tract symptoms were generally seen soon after surgery and they did not seem to be related to the time course or degree of weight loss,' added co-author Richard Stubbs from the Wakefield Hospital.

There is also an indication that the improvement in the urinary symptoms is linked to improvements in insulin resistance which are now known to occur almost immediately following bariatric surgery, he emphasised.

The two studies were published in the journal BJU International.

IANS

J.K. Rowling to release 12 new Harry Potter surprises

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Los Angeles: Acclaimed author J.K. Rowling will release 12 new Harry Potter surprises during Christmas holidays.

Rowling gifted her rabid fans with 12 new Harry Potter items for the 12 days of Christmas.

Starting Dec 12, every day at 1 p.m. London time, new writing by J.K. Rowling will pop up on the Pottermore website, reports eonline.com.

Some of the new assortments will focus on Draco Malfoy, Harry's platinum-haired, Slytherin-residing school rival, and then other surprises will unfold.

SpiceJet Cancels Over 1,800 Flights in Domestic Sector

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Cash-strapped SpiceJet has cancelled over 1,800 flights across the country for the current month, in signs of mounting troubles for the budget airline.

The air carrier, which is part of Kalanithi Maran-led Sun Group, has cancelled a total of 1,861 flights, a few to Kathmandu in Nepal and all others connecting domestic cities, till December 31, SpiceJet said in an update on its website.

These included 81 flights scheduled for Monday.

The large-scale flight cancellations came at a time when the aviation regulator DGCA was considering issuing a show-cause notice to the airline for defying its directives regarding advance bookings.

DGCA has asked the airline to stop taking bookings by tomorrow of more than one month in advance.

Besides, Airports Authority of India (AAI) is said to be considering putting SpiceJet on cash-and-carry mode soon if it does not furnish a bank guarantee against its dues to the airport operator, which stand at around Rs. 200 crore.

While the regulatory actions might not immediately impact the airline's licence, it could force 'a series of actions'.

Concerned over the deteriorating condition of SpiceJet and large-scale flight cancellations, DGCA had on Friday also withdrawn 186 of its slots and asked it to clear salary dues of all its employees within the coming 10 days.

Shares of SpiceJet, which tumbled 13 per cent in early trade today amid a flurry of negative news including fund drought and large-scale flight cancellations, closed with a loss of 4.39 per cent at Rs. 15.25 apiece.

Union Civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju also last week raised serious concern over the financial health of the domestic airline.

'We are running through a lot of turbulent weather...not only the public sector, private sector is also crashing. (With) Kingfisher crashing and, right now, SpiceJet seems to be giving us heart attacks as far as airlines are concerned,' Raju had said.

Experts said that SpiceJet needs to act fast to avoid problems like Kingfisher, which had to be grounded amid growing financial burden.

SpiceJet reported fifth straight quarter of net losses for the July-September period at Rs. 310 crore.

Cabbie had been jailed earlier in a rape case

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New Delhi : The 32-year-old cabbie, who allegedly raped an executive on Friday night, would not have been behind the wheel of the Uber taxi had the US-based company run a background check and got police verification done as he had earlier been jailed too in a rape case.

Shiv Kumar Yadav, who was arrested on Sunday in his home town Mathura, is a repeat offender, it was revealed during his initial interrogation by the police.

He has allegedly told the police that he had spent seven months in jail in a rape case which was filed against him in south Delhi's Mehrauli area in 2011.

'He claims that he was later acquitted in the case. We are verifying these claims,' said a police official.

Yadav will be produced before a local court today and his police custody will be sought for further investigation and questioning.

He was brought to Delhi last night after being arrested from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, about 160 km from the national capital.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers and NSUI members staged protests outside the residence of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the issue on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the incident was a blot on the society and that stern steps will be taken
to check such crimes.

'I believe that there cannot be more unfortunate or shameful incident. We are saddened by incidents like these. Stern steps need to be taken,' he told reporters.

The Minister said that existing laws needed to be implemented more effectively and efforts should be made to bring about a perceptional change in the society.

The Delhi Police is under Union Home Ministry, which has come under attack over the shocking incident that took place days ahead of the second anniversary of the December 16 gangrape.

AAP activists reached Rajnath Singh's residence at Ashoka Road this morning with placards criticising the Centre over the failure to check such incidents.

The protesters were stopped and detained by police and taken to Parliament Street Police Station.

The party vowed to raise the issue in Parliament and asked as to what steps the Government had taken to ensure security of women.

'AAP will raise the Uber rape issue in Parliament also,' tweeted AAP leader Ashutosh.

Later, NSUI workers also staged a demonstration outside the Home Minister's residence demanding strict punishment for the tax driver.

'The government which kept on talking about its concern on women issues during poll campaigning is sitting silent over the case. We demand stringent punishment against the rapist,' Amrish Ranjan Pandey, National spokesperson, NSUI said.

'It has been two years since the Nirbhaya incident and this case has again proved how unsafe Delhi is for women,' he added.

Yadav, who was driving the uber cab, allegedly raped the woman at around 9:30 PM on Friday when the victim, who works for a finance company in Gurgaon, was heading back home in north Delhi's Inderlok area.

As a massive search operation involving 12 Delhi police teams was on in Mathura and other parts of Uttar Pradesh to nab the accused, Delhi Police had also announced a cash reward of Rs one lakh for his arrest. 

PTI

Voting begins in Kashmir, Jharkhand Assembly polls

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Srinagar: Balloting began Tuesday in 16 assembly constituencies in the third round of the five-phase elections in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. Balloting also began in the 17 of the 81 assembly constituencies in the third round of the five-phase elections in Jharkhand.

In Kashmir, over 13 lakh voters will get to decide the political fate of 138 candidates in the districts of Baramulla, Budgam and Pulwama at 1,781 polling stations.

Polling started at 8 a.m. and will end at 4 p.m.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chowdhary Taj Mohiuddin, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Abdul Rahim Rather and Javaid Ahmad Dar are among the prominent candidates.

No constituency in Jammu region goes to the polls Tuesday.

Over 500 companies of Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force have been deployed following the terror attacks of Dec 5 that left 21 people dead.

Meanwhile, over 50 lakh voters, including 23.5 lakh women, will decide the political fate of 289 candidates in the fray. Polling will take place in 5,865 polling booths.

Voting started at 7 a.m. and will end at 3 p.m. in 15 seats while balloting will continue till 5 p.m. in two constituencies.

Former chief minister Babulal Marandi, former assembly speaker C.P. Singh, Annapurna Devi of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Rajendra Prasad Singh of the Congress and Jai Prakash Bhai Patel of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha are among the prominent candidates in this phase.

African migrant boat capsizes off Yemen, 70 dead

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SANAA, YEMEN: Yemeni security officials said a boat carrying African migrants has capsized off the country's western coast, killing 70.

They say most of the migrants were from Ethiopia, and the small boat sank Sunday due to high winds and waves in the Red Sea. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters.

Tens of thousands of migrants make the treacherous journey between the Horn of African and Yemen every year, refugee organizations say. The United Nations has documented more than 200 deaths at sea so far in 2014 which they say exceeds the combined totals of 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Body of missing engineering student found

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NAWADA: The body of a missing engineering student, who was reportedly in love with a girl of another community, was today recovered from Datraul village in the district.

Ragib Abdullah (22), a native of Pakribarama Bazar who was studying engineering at a college in Hyderabad, was missing since October 28 after he was invited by the girl's family during Chhath festival, Pakribarama Deputy Superintendent of Police Ram Pukar Singh said.

On a complaint from Abdullah's family, four persons were arrested, police said, adding, based on their information the highly decomposed body was recovered.

Police said the girl has also been missing since the disappearance of Abdullah and a search is underway for her too.

9-year-old girl gangraped, accused arrested

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BALLARI (KTK): A 9-year-old girl was allegedly gangraped by four minors at an open space in Hospet, following which the accused were arrested, a top police official said today.

"We have arrested four minors in the age group of ten to thirteen years for gangraping the nine-year-old student in an open space at NC Colony in Hospet, about 60 km from here, yesterday," Ballari Superintendent of Police Chetan Singh Rathore told reporters here.

The minors, studying in different schools, have been arrested under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. They were produced before the juvenile justice board and remanded to an observation centre, Rathore said.

The minors, also neighbours of the victim, lured her by offering chocolates, took her to an open space and gangraped her yesterday, the SP said.

Police swung into action after the mother of the victim lodged a complaint, he said.

Dilip Kumar stable, recovering in hospital

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Mumbai: Veteran actor Dilip Kumar, who was hospitalised on Saturday for treatment of pneumonia after he complained of cough and cold, is stable.

"Dilip saab is fine. He is stable and recovering. He is in a normal room and not in ICU," a family source said on Sunday.

The 91-year-old actor was admitted to Lilavati Hospital here. He has been under observation for routine check-ups, sources said.

When contacted, hospital spokesman said the veteran actor was admitted with chest infection yesterday, and is stable and recovering.

Earlier, the actor was hospitalised in September last year after he suffered a silent heart attack.

Kumar, known as the 'King of Tragedy', essayed iconic roles in classics like 'Devdas', 'Madhumati', 'Mughal-e-Azam' and 'Ganga Jamuna'.

Born Muhammad Yusuf Khan on December 11, 1922, in Peshawar (now in Pakistan), his acting career spanned six decades and over 60 films.

He was the first to receive Filmfare Best Actor honour when the awards were started in 1954 and, with eight wins, he shares with Shah Rukh Khan the record for the most number of Filmfare awards won in that category.

Kumar was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

He was also nominated to Rajya Sabha for a term from 2000 to 2006.

In 1998, he was awarded Nishan-e-Imtiaz, the highest civilian award conferred by the Pakistan government.