Top stories on 11 April in a capsule
Unnao Rape Case: UP Govt orders FIR against BJP MLA; Case handed over to CBI
The UP govt ordered an FIR against BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in connection with the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman in Unnao district. It also ordered to hand over the twin cases of rape and the custodial death of the victim's father to the CBI. Sengar on Wednesday night created headlines as he made his way to the Lucknow SSP’s office, amidst rumors of a possible surrender. However, minutes later he made his way out of the office saying he only went there to tell authority that he is not a rapist. Senger’s drama came following the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitting its first report in the alleged ‘killing’ of the Unnao gang-rape survivor’s father, Surrender Singh, under police custody. The SIT in its report suggested that Singh could have been beaten to death, to save Senger and his brother Atul, another accused in the case.
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Protests erupted across the state of Jammu and Kashmir and sparked outrage across the country after the charge sheet filed in Kathua gang rape case revealed tragic details about the rape and murder of 8-year-old victim, media reports mentioned on Wednesday. The victim was abducted in January 10 and raped thrice by a total of eight men, with three of them being from the police force and another, a minor came all the way from Meerut ‘to satisfy his lust. The Jammu and Kashmir Police filed an FIR against state’s lawyers who tried to prevent Crime Branch officers from filing a charge sheet in a court on Monday.
Chargesheet in Kathua gangrape case reveals 'gruesome' details
Protests erupted across the state of Jammu and Kashmir and sparked outrage across the country after the charge sheet filed in Kathua gang rape case revealed tragic details about the rape and murder of 8-year-old victim, media reports mentioned on Wednesday. The victim was abducted in January 10 and raped thrice by a total of eight men, with three of them being from the police force and another, a minor came all the way from Meerut ‘to satisfy his lust. The Jammu and Kashmir Police filed an FIR against state’s lawyers who tried to prevent Crime Branch officers from filing a charge sheet in a court on Monday.
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Tainted ‘data-mining’ firm Cambridge Analytica’s acting CEO Alexendar Tayler stepped down from his post on Wednesday at a time when Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has put allegations on the company for haring his personal details, among the 87 million who were affected as well. Tayler who was appointed after the firm had suspended its former CEO Alexander Nix in March 20, after allegations were charged on Cambridge Analytica for ‘stealing’ the information of various Facebook users for political campaigns. Officially announcement of his resignation said “Tayler will resume his former position as Chief Data Officer in order to focus on the various technical investigations and inquiries.”
Cambridge Analytica’s acting CEO steps down
Tainted ‘data-mining’ firm Cambridge Analytica’s acting CEO Alexendar Tayler stepped down from his post on Wednesday at a time when Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has put allegations on the company for haring his personal details, among the 87 million who were affected as well. Tayler who was appointed after the firm had suspended its former CEO Alexander Nix in March 20, after allegations were charged on Cambridge Analytica for ‘stealing’ the information of various Facebook users for political campaigns. Officially announcement of his resignation said “Tayler will resume his former position as Chief Data Officer in order to focus on the various technical investigations and inquiries.”
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All matches of the Indian Premier League, scheduled to be held in the city of Chennai were on Wednesday declared changed to Pune as venue, as mounting pressure from protesting groups for the Cauvery threatened security. Commenting on the situation IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said ,´” "The matches had to be shifted out of Chennai as police had said that they were unable to provide security in the prevailing situation.” Several outfits, prior to the tournament had warned IPL of holding match in the city, at a time when the state is leading protests against the Central government over not a setting up a Cauvery management board.
IPL Chennai matches shifted to Pune amidst Cauvery protests
All matches of the Indian Premier League, scheduled to be held in the city of Chennai were on Wednesday declared changed to Pune as venue, as mounting pressure from protesting groups for the Cauvery threatened security. Commenting on the situation IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said ,´” "The matches had to be shifted out of Chennai as police had said that they were unable to provide security in the prevailing situation.” Several outfits, prior to the tournament had warned IPL of holding match in the city, at a time when the state is leading protests against the Central government over not a setting up a Cauvery management board.
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Indian had a thrilling day on Day 7 of the Commonwealth Games as it continued to maintain the spot for the third in the list of countries with most medals. On Wednesday, shooter Shreyasi Singh bought in gold in the women’s double trap finals, while Ankur Mittal got bronze in the men’s category. Another fellow shooter Om Mitharval clinched a bronze in men’s 50m air pistol event. Meanwhile, the men’s hockey team went on to successfully beat England in a nail-biting 4-3 score, to reach the semi-finals. They will now face New Zealand in the next round.
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The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday removed Kumar Vishwas as its Rajasthan unit in-charge and replaced him with Deepak Bajpai. AAP leader Ashutosh said Bajpai will remain in Rajasthan to strengthen the party’s organization, strategize for the imminent Assembly elections, create a list of candidates and other responsibilities. The party said Kumar Vishwaas was not able to "devote his time" to the state. The 47-year-old poet-turned-politician has been a rebel for over a year but did not quit the party despite his growing isolation and distance from colleagues, with whom he had founded the party. The sources say Kumar Vishwas, once a constant by the AAP chief's side and very close to him, is not in his trusted circle anymore.
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CWG Day 7: India’s total tally reaches to 24, beats England in hockey
Indian had a thrilling day on Day 7 of the Commonwealth Games as it continued to maintain the spot for the third in the list of countries with most medals. On Wednesday, shooter Shreyasi Singh bought in gold in the women’s double trap finals, while Ankur Mittal got bronze in the men’s category. Another fellow shooter Om Mitharval clinched a bronze in men’s 50m air pistol event. Meanwhile, the men’s hockey team went on to successfully beat England in a nail-biting 4-3 score, to reach the semi-finals. They will now face New Zealand in the next round.
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Death toll in Algeria plane crash rises to 257
The death toll of the Algerian military plane crash that took place on Wednesday afternoon has risen to 257 according to media reports. The ILyushin II-76 strategic airlifter crashed minutes after takeoff in a field near the Boufarik military base in northern Algeria. The plane was heading to Tindouf, an area on Algeria’s border with Western Sahara, but crashed on the airport’s perimeter, Algeria’s defense ministry said. Algeria’s defense ministry issued a statement expressing condolences to families of the victims. The reason behind the crash is yet to be ascertained. As per a Defence Ministry statement, an investigation has already been ordered into the matter. The crash at Boufarik would be the worst in Algeria since 2003 when an Air Algerie jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Tamanrasset, killing 102 people.
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Consent for marriage is ingrained in Hindu Marriage Act: SC
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the consent for marriage is a part of the Hindu Marriage Act and it will not be issuing a separate declaration to state the same. The apex body gave the order while hearing a plea of a 26-year-old woman from Karnataka, who had walked out of her marriage on grounds that she had not agreed to it. She also sought protection and direction for making prior consent of a boy and girl mandatory before marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act from the SC. The court observed that as per Section 12 C of the Act, a marriage can be annulled if is forced and not with consent. The court, however, has directed the state and Centre to provide police protection to the woman, who is reportedly the daughter of a Karnataka politician.
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Sushma Swaraj to act over Georgia denying Indian students entry
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday took up with her Georgian counterpart Mikheil Janelidze the issue of Indian students being denied entry into that country despite having valid visas. The students who traveled to the country to pursue a study program were denied entry in the country a few days ago. Several citizens on Twitter had earlier reported that they have been denied entry in Georgia, in spite of having valid visas. But it was a tweet by one Prashant Kamlakar that prompted a response from the minister. Kamlakar had said that students are being deported without a reason, and their families wish to meet Swaraj regarding the same. Swaraj, in her response, said she has shared the issue with Georgia Foreign Minister and urged him to look into it personally.
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Five Cameroon athletes missing from Commonwealth Games venue
Five Cameroon athletes have been reported missing from the Games Villages in Australia’s Gold Coast, since Thursday. According to the Cameroon team officials, five boxing players and three weightlifters have been missing since the last three days, with two of them failing to appear for their respective event. According to media reports, Cameroon team manager Victor Agbor Nso has filed a complaint with the Australian police. “We are worried about safety and welfare of the athletes and we are taking this very seriously and monitoring the situation with team Cameroon,” media reports quoted Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive David Grevemberg.______________________
Kumar Vishwas removed as AAP’s Rajasthan Chief
The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday removed Kumar Vishwas as its Rajasthan unit in-charge and replaced him with Deepak Bajpai. AAP leader Ashutosh said Bajpai will remain in Rajasthan to strengthen the party’s organization, strategize for the imminent Assembly elections, create a list of candidates and other responsibilities. The party said Kumar Vishwaas was not able to "devote his time" to the state. The 47-year-old poet-turned-politician has been a rebel for over a year but did not quit the party despite his growing isolation and distance from colleagues, with whom he had founded the party. The sources say Kumar Vishwas, once a constant by the AAP chief's side and very close to him, is not in his trusted circle anymore.
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Haryana schools ask students if parents have ‘unclean’ occupations
School students in Haryana have been asked to fill lengthy admission forms giving details whether they are suffering from genetic disorders or their parents are engaged in any ‘unclean occupation’. The students have also been asked whether they are income tax payees, their religion and caste details, besides students' bank details. Congress said the BJP-led state government was indulging in "racial and religious profiling". The form has triggered a controversy with many parents unhappy about sharing such sensitive personal details. However, Haryana BJP spokesperson Raman Malik said, “Such details are asked to ascertain whether a student requires medical check-up or special attention’’.
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Walmart is winning over Amazon to buy Flipkart
Flipkart Online Services Pvt, the country’s leading e-commerce company, is leaning toward selling a controlling stake to Walmart, rather than Amazon, because of the greater certainty in such a deal, media reports said. Both U.S. companies are bidding for a controlling stake in Flipkart at a valuation of about $20 billion. Flipkart’s board recently met to discuss the competing proposals and thinks Walmart could close a deal more quickly and smoothly, the report added. Walmart faces fewer regulatory hurdles because it has no online retail presence in the country now, while Amazon is the second-largest e-commerce player and Flipkart’s primary rival. Flipkart founders Sachin and Binny Bansal also favor Walmart because they would continue to help lead the business and the U.S. Company’s executives have emphasized their commitment to the market.
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