- India mulling pull out from Afghanistan post attacks
India is looking at various options including paring down of the operations of its missions in Afghanistan in the wake of terror attacks on Indians there. Government is also planning to put all the Indians working in projects like power and road together to ensure their safety.
- Mamata in favour of Women's Bill, defends decision to abstain
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today defended her party's decision to abstain from voting on the Women's Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha but said she was in favour of the Constitutional amendment. 'Why no quota for women in Rajya Sabha?' | See graphics | Listen to podcast 
- PCB imposes life ban on Mohd Yousuf, Younis Khan
The Pakistan Cricket Board has barred former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan from the national team indefinitely for behavior they say contributed to Pakistan's poor performance on its recent tour of Australia.
- Dhillon admits he accidentally knocked Indian toddler down
Indian national Gursewak Dhillon, accused in the death of three-year-old Gurshan Singh Channa, has reportedly told Australian police that he accidentally knocked the toddler down when he opened the house door.
- Man who dumped Indian boy being probed for immigration fraud
Gursewak Dhillon, a part-time taxi driver who dumped three-year-old Gurshan Singh Channa's body nearly 20 km from his home in this Australian city, was being probed for "possible immigration fraud", an official said.
- Mulayam, Lalu back out, not considering no-trust motion
Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad, the two strong opponents of the women's bill, said they were "as of now" not considering the issue of bringing a no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha, saying they did not have the numbers for it.
See graphics | Who said what | Listen to podcast
- Uproar over Women's Bill in Lok Sabha; House adjourned
Women's Reservation Bill rocked the proceedings in the Lok Sabha for the third day today forcing Speaker Meira Kumar to adjourn the House till noon. Meanwhile, the main opponents of the bill are planning their next move. See graphics | Who said what | Listen to podcast
- Bali bombing suspect confirmed dead in police raid
A top-ranked Southeast Asian militant wanted for planning the deadliest terrorist attack in Indonesia's history has been killed in a shootout with police at an Internet cafe, the president confirmed today.
- SP Parliamentary Party meet today to discuss support to government
After four of its Rajya Sabha MPs were suspended and evicted from the House for disrupting the discussion and passage of Women's Reservation Bill, SP Parliamentary Party will meet today to discuss whether to continue support to UPA government.
- I never wanted to back out, we have seen worse: Sonia Gandhi
Congress president Sonia Gandhi was confident of the stability of the Manmohan Singh Govt despite opposition from the RJD, the SP and the BSP to the women’s Bill and their reported threat to withdraw support to the UPA, reports Saroj Nagi.
- Govt took 'huge risk' on Women Reservation Bill: Sonia
Relieved and happy at the passage of Women's Reservation Bill by the Rajya Sabha, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said the Govt had decided to take the "huge risk" as it involved the larger issue of empowering women.
- Kasab's statement cannot be used against accused here: Pak court
In a significant ruling that could affect the trial of seven suspects charged with involvement in the Mumbai attacks in Pakistan, a bench of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday ruled that the confessional statement of Ajmal Amir Kasab could not be used against the accused.
- India, Brazil face emerging threats from Al-Qaeda
The CIA today warned India and Brazil that they face "emerging threats" from Al-Qaeda and Taliban, though the terrorist outfits are "on the run" due to extreme pressure exerted on them in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
- India rubbishes Pak's charge about Lahore blast
India on Tuesday rubbished Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik's accusations about its involvement in Monday's Lahore blast as "absolutely baseless".
- US to take H-1B applications from April 1
The United States will start accepting applications for 65,000 H-1B visas for skilled professionals coveted by Indian techies for fiscal 2011 from April 1.
- Government rescues women’s reservation bill, risks future
The display board in the Rajya Sabha read: Ayes 186, Noes 1. The Constitution (Hundred and eighth) Amendment Bill 2008, commonly known as the women’s reservation bill, was finally on its way, cleared by the House, reports Saroj Nagi. See graphics | Who said what on women's quota | Listen to podcast
- Another student kills self over Telangana
The ongoing Telangana statehood struggle, with its epicentre at the Osmania University campus, claimed another life when an engineering student hanged himself in his hostel room on Tuesday demanding formation of a separate state, reports Ashok Das.
- Mamata angry, Trinamool to abstain from voting
In the first signs of strains within the UPA, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday claimed that her party was kept in the dark over the way the Women's Reservation Bill was being passed in Rajya Sabha. Reports say that the Trinamool Congress has decided to abstain from vote.
- Women's Reservation Bill put to vote in Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari has put Women's Reservation Bill to vote without debate amid uproar by MPs. The MPs who were suspended today, held up Parliament and raised slogans refusing to leave the House. Finally, marshals were called in. Trinamool to abstain from vote | Marshals evict suspended RS MPs
- India most optimistic nation on hiring in Q2: Manpower
India continued to be the most optimistic nation in terms of hiring plans for the next three months, driven by strong job opportunities across all sectors including finance and realty sectors, global staffing services firm Manpower said.
- Maha Home Minister R R Patil attends 26/11 case proceedings
In a rare gesture, Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil today attended the proceedings in the 26/11 terror attack case along with Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe in a special court in Mumbai.
- Indians divided over Husain's Qatari citizenship
Should Maqbool Fida Husain, who put the Indian contemporary art on the world map, have given up Indian citizenship? The artistic community is sharply divided.
- Whip cracked; 7 disruptive RS members suspended
Cracking the whip on disruptive MPs, Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari suspended seven members for the remaining part of the Budget session for their unruly behaviour in the House yesterday over the Women's Reservation Bill.
Still no consensus over Women's Reservation Bill
- One-fifth of Australia's private colleges visa factories: Report
Nearly a fifth of Australian private colleges are "permanent residency factories", a new report in the education sector has revealed. Former MP Bruce Baird said the education industry had been "distorted" by unscrupulous people cashing in on foreigners' desire to live in Australia.
- R K Anand tenders unconditional apology to Supreme Court
Noted criminal lawyer R K Anand, who was held guilty of attempting to influence the course of justice in the infamous BMW hit-and-run case, has tendered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court.
- Final arguments in trial of 26/11 accused Kasab begins today
The final arguments in the trial of 26/11 terror attack case accused Ajmal Kasab will begin today in a special court in Mumbai with the prosecution expected to focus on countering the stand taken by him that he is not a terrorist and was being framed by police.
- Yadavs ask PM to defer bill, call for all-party meet
Lalu Prasad, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Sharad Yadav have today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to defer Women's Reservation Bill and call an all-party meeting to evolve consensus over the contentious bill.
- Indian taxi driver remanded over Gurshan's death in Australia
An Indian taxi driver was remanded in custody on Tuesday over the killing of Indian toddler Gurshan Singh, as the boy's mother voiced her anguish at losing her "beautiful boy".
Indian boy's death: Woman gave lift to taxi driver
- Kolkata once more turning Maoist hotbed: jailed leader
The Maoists have infiltrated Kolkata and its suburbs once again, entrenching themselves in some of the very areas that were their strongholds during the first phase of their movement, 40 years ago. Surbek Biswas reports.
- Govt to take a call on women's bill after PM meets Yadav trio
Government is likely to take a call on whether to go ahead with the Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets the Yadav trio, the opponents of the bill, tomorrow morning. BJP says govt intention on women's bill suspect
- India break losing streak, manage draw against SA
The controversial umpire referral system denied India a goal and a well-deserved victory on Monday. Both India and South Africa finished with four points each from five matches but the former finished fourth in the pool on better goal difference (-3 for India to -15 for SA). B. Shrikant reports.
- President Patil urges political parties to pass women's quota bill
Unfazed by today's developments in Rajya Sabha, President Pratibha Patil said that it will be "graceful" if the Women's Reservation Bill is passed after consultation "as far as possible".
Listen to podcast
- Centre issues terror alert for Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore
Based on the interrogation of suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorist Salman Ahmed, the Home Ministry asked governments of Maharashtra, West Bengal and Karnataka to take all possible steps to foil any bid by terrorists to strike the cities.
- SC moves against transparency ruling
The Supreme Court on Monday challenged before itself the Delhi High Court judgment bringing the Chief Justice of India’s (CJI) office under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, thereby binding it to furnish information on the personal assets of the top court’s judges. HT reports.
- Ravi Shankar flays Husain for nude painting
Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar today expressed surprise over the "hue and cry" over painter MF Husain's move to give up Indian citizenship and chided him for painting Indian gods in the nude.
- Voting on women's reservation bill deferred after uproar
A constitutional amendment Bill moved by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Govt on Monday to reserve one third of all seats in Parliament and state legislatures for women has run into trouble and is unlikely to be put to vote anytime soon. Varghese K George and Saroj Nagi report.
Listen to podcast | See graphics
- Terrorists may attack airports during peak hours: CISF
The Central Industrial Security Force today said that terrorists may attack airports during peak hours to cause maximum damage.
- PM meets Cong leaders as SP, RJD pull out support
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today held consultations with senior Congress leaders including Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the backdrop of SP and the RJD deciding to withdraw support to his government over the Women's Reservation Bill.
Ministers, leaders apologise to Vice President |
SP, RJD withdraw support from UPA govt |
Women's bill moved, torn to shreds | Listen to podcast |
Women's bill moved in RS amid unprecedented pandemonium
- Gurshan's parents thank Australian police, people for support
Parents of three-year-old Indian toddler who died in mysterious circumstances in Australia have thanked the Victorian police and the people who supported them during the ordeal.
- LS adjourns thrice after uproar over Women's Bill
Lok Sabha was adjourned for the third time this afternoon when SP, RJD and JD(U) members trooped into the well protesting the Women's Reservation Bill in its present form.
SP, RJD withdraw support from UPA govt |
Women's quota bill moved, torn to shreds | Listen to podcast|
Women's Bill moved in RS amid unprecedented pandemonium |
PM meets Cong leaders as SP, RJD withdraw support to govt
- Women's Bill: SP, RJD withdraw support from UPA govt
Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal members today withdrew support from the UPA government, after strongly opposing the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha. However, the government is determined to get the bill passed in Parliament. Listen to podcast
- Over 500 killed in Nigeria sectarian clashes: official
At least 500 people were killed in communal clashes near Nigeria's central city of Jos, a state governor's advisor told AFP on Monday, revising a previous toll of around 100 dead.
- Women's quota bill: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 noon
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned today with Samajwadi Party members demanding that question hour be suspended to discuss, ahead of the women's reservation bill, a report that has recommended quota for Dalit Muslims and Christians.
- Earthquake in eastern Turkey kills at least 57
A strong earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6, hit eastern Turkey on Monday, killing 57 people and knocking down houses in at least six small villages, an official said.
- Turkish quake death toll rises to 38: Mayor
The death toll in a powerful earthquake which shook eastern Turkey early on Monday has risen to 38 people, Kovancilar Mayor Bekir Yanilmaz was quoted as saying by television channels.
- M F Husain surrenders his Indian passport in Doha
Legendary painter M F Husain, who was recently granted Qatari citizenship, has surrendered his Indian passport to the country's mission in Doha, a media report said on Monday.
- Hurt Locker brings Oscar glory to woman filmmaker
Iraq war movie The Hurt Locker won the Oscar for best picture at the 82nd Academy Awards, scooping a total of six golden statuettes at the glittering ceremony. Its victory also brought a second statuette for Kathryn Bigelow.
- Jeff Bridges wins Best Actor Oscar
Veteran Hollywood actor Jeff Bridges won his first Academy Award for his portrayal of alcoholic country singer Bad Blake in The Crazy Heart. Oscars begin with wins for Precious |
Hurt Locker, Inglorious register early wins at Oscars |
The Secret in Their Eyes wins best foreign film Oscar |
The Cove bags best documentary, features Oscar|
Avatar bags best visual effects Oscar
- One killed, 11 injured in stampede
One person was killed and at least 11 injured today morning in a stampede that broke out during a police recruitment drive at Kalina in north west Mumbai, police said. Over 10,000 candidates had gathered there.
- Parliament to vote on Women's quota bill on Women's Day
After 14 years and three failed attempts, the Rajya Sabha will vote today to begin the legislative process for enacting a law reserving a third of seats in the Lok Sabha and states legislators for women.
- Avatar bags Oscar for best art direction
Rick Carter, Robert Stromberg, Kim Sinclair bagged the best art direction Oscar for Avatar, one of the most expensive films ever made, at the 82nd Academy Awards. Oscars begin with wins for Precious | Hurt Locker, Inglorious register early wins at Oscars
- Women’s Bill may go through this time
After 14 years and three failed attempts, the Rajya Sabha will vote on Monday to begin the legislative process for enacting a law reserving a third of seats in the Lok Sabha and states legislators for women. Nagendar Sharma reports.
- Hired goons carry out Maoist strikes: Top leader
The Bengal police have claimed that Maoist leader Venkateswara Rao alias Deepak, arrested in Kolkata recently, has accused leaders of his own organisation of hiring goons to carry out attacks on security forces and of misusing ‘levies’ to fund their “lavish lifestyle”. Surbek Biswas reports.
- Pargat differs with coach Brasa on Indian hockey team's performance
Former captain Pargat Singh today refused to agree with coach Jose Brasa's viewpoint that Indian hockey team has improved with every match in the ongoing World Cup. Brasa had said that irrespective of the results, the hosts have showed significant improvement in their game.
- Male mindset hurdle to women's political empowerment: Sushma Swaraj
Citing the patriarchal society, the leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj blamed the male mindset which according to her acts as a hurdle to secure political empowerment of women, reports Ejaz Kaiser.
- Rao meets Rajapaksa, pushes for political solution
India today assured Sri Lanka of its support to the process of resettlement and rehabilitation of Tamil civilians displaced due to the war and pushed for a political solution to the decades-old ethnic question.
- Let victim wed rapist if she so desires: Chief Justice of India
Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan on Sunday suggested the society and the state must respect the decision of a rape victim if she chooses to marry the rapist. Satya Prakash reports.
- Rathore sets condition for narco test
Former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore has offered to undergo narco analysis test to clear what he claimed were "lies" being spread against him by Ruchika's family of the girl and her friend Aradhana.
- India rejects Pak claim Saeed was not discussed
India on Sunday expressed "surprise" over Pakistan's claim that the issue of the arrest of Hafiz Saeed, LeT founder and one of the 26/11 masterminds, was not taken up during the recent foreign secretary-level talks.
- Indian held for boy’s killing in Oz
A 23-year-old Indian has been arrested and charged with manslaughter for the killing of three-year-old Gurshan Singh Channa, reports David McMahon.
- Brumby vows to prevent attacks on Indians, says Australian not racist
Vowing not to tolerate any racial attacks against Indians, Premier John Brumby of the Australian state of Victoria, which has witnessed most of these assaults, said there is "a small and ignorant minority" of people who engage in such "repugnant" actions.
- 'Chinese intrusions due to varying border perceptions'
Admitting that Chinese intrusions have been noticed in the past two years in bordering states, Minister of State for Home Affairs Mullappally Ramachandran said the incidents may be due to a "difference in perception" of the border.
- Women's Bill a conspiracy: Mulayam
Calling the Women's Reservation Bill a conspiracy, especially, against the Muslims, the Samajwadi Party president, 'feared' that the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party would pass the bill in the Parliament tomorrow.
- IPL puts off choosing 2 new teams, restarts process
All those anxiously waiting to know who the two new owners of Indian Premier League (IPL) teams will be will have to wait another two weeks, reports Amol Karhadkar.
- Hunt on for car seen near Indian kid's body
The police are looking for a green coloured car that was last seen near the spot where Indian toddler Gurshan Singh Channa's body was found in this Australian city, a media report said today.
- India's ‘massive militarisation’ a threat for the region: Pakistan
Pakistan has rejected India’s concerns regarding the sophisticated armaments being provided to it by the United States, saying the country’s military doctrine is purely defensive in nature. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit instead blamed India of ‘massive militarisation’ describing it as a threat for the region.
- Raj Thackeray faces 73 rioting cases
MNS president Raj Thackeray is facing as many as 73 criminal cases in various courts all over Maharashtra for allegedly inciting riots which broke out after his arrest in connection with anti-North Indian tirade launched by his party in 2008, police said.
- Govt to create centralised database to check terror funding
Sources in the Union Home Ministry said the proposed database would act as a "ready reckoner" for different security and law and order enforcement agencies to check illegal routing of money through various financial channels meant to further organised crime and support anti-national activities.
- 'Maoists will overthrow Govt before 2050'
A day after Union Home Secretary GK Pillai said Maoists had plans to overthrow the Indian state by 2050, top Naxal leader Koteswar Rao alias Kishenji claimed late Saturday night that it would be achieved much before that date.
- More power to the women
The Women’s Reservation Bill is slated to come up for consideration in Rajya Sabha on Monday. It is likely to pass into law, with support from the Congress, BJP and Left parties, HT Correspondent reports.
- It’s okay to be a jholawala these days
I don’t know if you have realised this but the terms of debate in Indian politics have changed quite dramatically over the last decade, writes Vir Sanghvi.
- Manipur Advocate General shot at, serious
Manipur Advocate General Nongmeikappam Koteshwar was seriously injured when suspected militants pumped two bullets in his chest in an ambush near Imphal this evening.
- India fail English test
A plethora of missed chances and the usual defensive errors ended India's theoretical chances of making it to the World Cup semifinal. B Shrikant reports. Full coverage
- ‘India has not demanded Saeed’s arrest’
India has not demanded the arrest of Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and the issue did not even figure in the foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan last month, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said today.
- Govt vows passage of landmark women's parliament quota bill
The government said today it was determined to pass a landmark bill guaranteeing women one-third of seats in parliament to boost female participation in India, the world's largest democracy.
- Little Gurshan may not be victim of random attack: Report
Australian investigators probing the death of a three-year-old Indian child in Melbourne are leaning away from the theory that he was the victim of a random attack, a media report said today.
- 3 top Taliban commanders among 30 dead in Pakistan
Pakistani military dealt a crippling blow to Tehreek-e-Taliban by killing its three top commanders, including group's deputy chief Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, in Mohmand tribal region in the country's northwest, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said today.
- 'No Indian embassy staffer in Kabul wants to return'
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said no Indian embassy employee in Kabul wanted to come back fearing terror attacks but government would consider transfer requests made on family grounds.
- India voices concern over US equipping Pakistan army
Government expressed serious concern over the US equipping Pakistan army with modern weapons and asked Washington to ensure that they were not used against India.
- JD-U divided on Women's Bill as Nitish backs the motion
Sharp divisions emerged among the opponents of the women's reservation bill with Bihar Chief Nitish Kumar supporting the measure pitting himself against his party President Sharad Yadav who is opposed to it.
- Oz police calls for calm over toddler's death
Melbourne police on Saturday urged the Indian community not to jump to conclusions over the death of a three-year-old Indian boy whose body was found in a Melbourne street six hours after he went missing from his home.
- PM backs women quota bill; confident of its smooth passage
Affirming his commitment to women's empowerment, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday that the Government is moving towards providing one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures.
- Now, Thackeray targets M'rashtra Guv
After batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and industrialist Mukesh Ambani, Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan is the latest to face the Shiv Sena ire for saying that Mumbai belongs to all.
- Operations of Indian medical mission in Kabul suspended
As a fallout of last week's attack, operations of the Indian medical mission in Kabul have been suspended as many of its staff members have either been injured or killed in the terror strike.
- No funds to compensate stampede victims: Maya
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Friday said that her state was facing an "acute financial crisis" and was not in a position to give any monetary compensation to the families of those killed or injured in Thursday's tragedy and urged the central government to do so instead.
- India has significant role to play in all major challenges: Blake
India has a significant role to play in all major global challenges, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake has said. In his remarks Blake noted that India and the US have followed different path at the United Nations in the past; but now the two countries are having a convergence of interest.
- We failed on sugar, says Prime Minister
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday admitted to the government’s failure in controlling sugar prices and said ways of ensuring such a crisis never occurs again need to be found. HT Correspondents report.
- Indian toddler goes missing in Melbourne, found dead
Melbourne is in mourning for Gurshan Singh, a little boy who went missing on Thursday and was found dead six hours later. There was no reason to believe Gurshan’s death had any racial overtones, reports David McMahon.
- Bt cotton flunks pest resistance test in Gujarat
Crop biotech firm Monsanto has for the first time disclosed that a variety of its genetically modified cotton — single-protein Bollgard — failed to resist a common pest in four districts of Gujarat. Zia Haq reports. Setback
- Mystery surrounds toddler's death, Aus PM vows action
Australian authorities were clueless about the unnatural death of an Indian toddler, who was on a holiday here with his family, as a concerned Prime Minister Kevin Rudd pledged to get to the bottom of the "horrible" incident.
- Maoists want to overthrow Indian state by 2050: Pillai
Maoists have plans to overthrow the Indian democracy through their armed struggle and want to control the government by 2050, Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai said. Enemy within: Full coverage
- Attack on Indians in Kabul will not bend our will: PM
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today declared that the recent "cowardly" act of terrorists to target Indians on goodwill mission in Kabul would not "bend the will" of India to help people of Afghanistan.
- NASA radar on Chandrayaan-1 finds deepest crater on moon
Scientists have discovered moon's biggest and deepest crater--some 2,400 kms long and 9 km deep -- using data from a NASA instrument that flew aboard India's maiden unmanned lunar mission Chandrayaan-I.
- BJP issues whip to support Women's Reservation Bill
Supporting "fully" the Women's Reservation Bill, the Bharatiya Janata Party today issued a whip to party members to be present in the Rajya Sabha on Monday when the house takes it up for discussion and passage.
- Ready to talk to any group that abjures violence: Manmohan
Describing as "satisfactory" the overall internal security situation last year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday told the Lok Sabha that the government is ready to talk to any separatist group that abjures violence unconditionally and agrees to abide by the constitutional process.
- Manavjit wins gold in Mexico WC
Manavjit Singh Sandhu lived upto his top billing and clinched the trap gold in the ISSF World Cup at Acapulco, Mexico. "I did not realise that I was going to win until the last shots. It has been a very close competition. I just won by a single target. I shot aggressively up until the end and eventually made it to the top," Manavjit said.
- Will take all steps to check soaring food prices: Manmohan
Noting that the government has been concerned over high food prices over the last one year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said all practical measures would be taken to provide relief to people.
- Menon in Kabul to discuss security concerns of Indians
Carrying certain proposals for ensuring security of about 4,000 Indians in Afghanistan, NSA Shivshankar Menon arrived in Kabul today to discuss the issue with the Afghan leadership.
- Sachin is already a 'Bharat Ratna', says Bal Thackeray
After brickbats, it is now bouquets for cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar from Shiv Sena. Sachin's double-hundred against South Africa in Gwalior has not only silenced his critics, but clean bowled the Shiv Sena, which had taken on the iconic batsman over his "Mumbai for all" remark.
