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Japanese journalist missing in Syria appears in video

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Junpei Yasuda is reportedly being held by al-Nusra Front after he entered Syria from Turkey last summer.

Yasuda, a freelance journalist, was seen in the video reading a message to his family and country [Reuters]

Yasuda, a freelance journalist, was seen in the video reading a message to his family and country [Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

A video has surfaced online showing a missing Japanese journalist, reportedly held by an al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, reading a message to his family and country.

Dressed in a dark sweater with a scarf, Jumpei Yasuda mostly seemed calm as he spoke in English in the one-minute video, which was posted on Thursday.

Yasuda, sitting at a table in front of a white wall, said he missed his family but could not be with them.

“Hello, I am Jumpei Yasuda. Today is my birthday, 16 March,” he said.

Japanese media said Yasuda was captured by al-Nusra Front after entering Syria from Turkey in June.

Public broadcaster NHK said it had spoken by phone with the man who posted the video, who said he had received it from someone seeking Yasuda’s release.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the man in the video appeared to be Yasuda but he would not confirm the authenticity of the footage.

“The safety of Japanese citizens is one of our most important duties and we are gathering information and making all possible efforts to respond,” Suga told a news conference, declining to give details.

He added that the government was not aware that any ransom request had been made.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group beheaded two Japanese nationals – a self-styled security consultant and a veteran war reporter – early last year.

The gruesome executions captured the attention of Japan but the government said at the time it would not negotiate with the fighters for their release.

 

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came under fire for his handling of hostage cases, something he would like to avoid with an election looming this summer. Critics say his more robust security stance risks getting Japan involved in more international conflicts.

The journalist in the video did not give any information about who was holding him or any demands they had. He said “they” allowed him to say what he wanted.

After saying he wished he could hug his wife, father, mother and brother, he said: “I have to say to something to my country: When you’re sitting there, wherever you are, in a dark room, suffering with the pain, there’s still no one. No one answering. No one responding. You’re invisible.”

Yasuda, a freelance journalist since 2003, was held in Baghdad in 2004 and drew criticism for drawing the Japanese government into negotiations for his release.

RCB intimates BCCI about Mallya resignation, Adams new boss

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Vijay Mallya

New Delhi: IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore has written to the Indian cricket board (BCCI), intimating them about Vijay Mallya’s resignation from the post of Director of Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL).

According to reliable sources, the top BCCI officials in the IPL governing council received an e-mail on March 7 from franchise official Russell Adams, informing the board about the current ownership status in the franchise. It was five days after the troubled business tycoon left India for United Kingdom.

“Yes, we received an e-mail communication from Russell Adams, who will now be the man in-charge of the RCB team. The e-mail stated that Dr Vijay Mallya has resigned from his post as Director of RCSPL and will only be an Honorary Chief Mentor till his son Siddhartha is in the Board of Directors,” a senior BCCI official, in the know of things told PTI today.

The letter stated that Siddhartha Mallya will be present in the Board of Directors “in a limited role should the members wish to consult him”.

Adams, who is a Vice-President (Commercial Operations and Cricket Academy at RCB), also made it clear that there will be “no change in ownership pattern” due to Mallya’s resignation.

The BCCI official said that clarity on ownership was required after Mallya’s resignation.

“BCCI has some strict rules and regulations in place regarding franchise ownership changing hands. The owners need to intimate BCCI beforehand whether there is partial or complete transfer of stake. As of now they have made it clear there is no change in ownership pattern in RCSPL which is a subsidiary of United Spirits, which is controlled by Diageo,” the official said.

Mallya, who has defaulted in loans in excess of Rs 9000 crore, is facing probe by various investigative agencies.

The 60-year-old bought RCB in 2008 but the popular franchise has not been able to win a single Indian Premier League title in eight attempts.

(PTI)

German Bakery blast: Baig’s death sentence commuted to life term

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Mirza Himayat Baig

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday commuted, to a life term, the death sentence to Mirza Himayat Baig after his conviction for the February 13, 2010 Pune German Bakery blast which killed 17 people, including foreigners, his lawyer said.

“Baig has been totally absolved of all charges including conspiracy, murder, attempt to murder and other serious charges pertaining to the German Bakery blast,” said his lawyer Abdul Rehman.

“He has only been convicted under the Explosives Act and given a life sentence. This is the first step only – we plan to appeal this and we are confident he will come clear from this too,” he added.

Around 7 p.m. on the day, a powerful blast ripped through the popular eatery near the Osho Ashram in the fashionable Koregaon Park area and much frequented by the young crowd.

Among the 17 killed were an Italian woman, an Iranian and two Sudanese students.

Another 60 patrons were injured in the blast, including 12 foreigners while the eatery subsequently reopened briefly and shut down.

A Pune sessions court had in April 18, 2013 awarded the death penalty to the sole accused, Indian Mujahiddeen operative Baig, against which he had appealed before the Bombay High Court.

(IANS)

Woman kills two daughters after suspecting abuse by husband

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rape

Hyderabad: A 41-year-old woman allegedly murdered her two minor daughters by slitting their throats with broken glass after suspecting that her husband was “sexually harassing” the elder one, police said today.

The woman, a housewife, identified as Rajani, broke a glass bottle and slit throats of her two daughters aged eight and three, last night at her residence in Teacher’s Colony here and left the house, Tukaramgate Police Station Inspector T Laxmi Narayana, told PTI.

Both girls died on the spot, he said.

Her husband, Vinay, a businessman, who returned to the house at around 9.30 PM, did not find his wife but noticed the bodies of his daughters lying in a pool of blood in the bedroom and informed the police, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Gopalpuram Division) K Shiva Kumar said.

“After the incident the woman went to Tank Bund and washed her hands and legs and walked back to their house and surrendered before the police. After questioning she confessed of killing her daughters and subsequently she was placed under arrest,” the ACP said.

She suspected that her husband had allegedly been sexually harassing their elder daughter, an LKG student, for the past six months, the Inspector said, adding, the woman had also confronted her husband over the matter, but he had denied the charge.

“The woman became suspicious after seeing that her elder daughter used to get scared on seeing her father. She had a feeling that her husband sexually harassed their elder daughter,” he said.

The woman, after washing her hands and legs after the incident had felt relieved from the “stress” that her husband would no longer sexually harass her daughters, the ACP said.

“Based on preliminary investigation and after questioning Vinay, we did not find any concrete evidence as of now to prove the allegations levelled against him (Vinay),” he said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North Zone) N Prakash Reddy said the body of the girl was sent for medical examination to ascertain if she was sexually assaulted and the report is awaited.

“He (Vinay) has been let off after his examination. If any evidence is available we will take further action accordingly,” he said.

The woman, in the meanwhile, is being produced before a local court seeking her judicial remand. A case was booked under section 302 (murder) of IPC and probe is on.

(PTI)

Petrol prices hiked by Rs 3.07/litre, diesel gets dearer by Rs 1.90 a litre

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petrol-price

Mumbai: Petrol price was on Wednesday raised by Rs 3.07 per litre, while diesel price was hiked by Rs 1.90 per litre in Delhi. The revised prices will be effective midnight.

After today’s revision, a litre of petrol in Delhi will cost Rs 59.68, while diesel will retail at Rs 48.33/litre, said Indian Oil Corporation, the country’s largest retailer. Petrol in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai will cost Rs 63.76, Rs 65.79 and Rs 59.13 a litre respectively.

In the previous revision on February 29, petrol prices were cut, though diesel was made more expensive. (Read more)

Petrol and diesel prices are deregulated in India, which means they are linked to market rates.

Oil prices in India are influenced by global rates as well as the exchange rate. Global crude prices have been on the rise ahead of a key meeting of oil producers next month that will discuss a proposal to freeze output.

The rupee, which had pulled back below 67 per dollar, has also lost ground. However, it closed higher at 67.22 per dollar today.

State-owned fuel retailers IOC, Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) revise rates of the fuels on the 1st and 16th of every month based on average oil price and foreign exchange rate in the preceding fortnight.

(Agencies)

Nigeria mosque bombers kill 22

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Two suspected female attackers blow themselves up inside and outside a busy mosque in northeastern Maiduguri city.

People walk in front of a mosque after a bomb attack in Maiduguri in 2012 [File: Olatunji Omirin/Reuters]

People walk in front of a mosque after a bomb attack in Maiduguri in 2012 [File: Olatunji Omirin/Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

Two female bombers killed at least 22 worshippers in an attack on a mosque on Wednesday, Nigerian rescue officials say.

The attack took place on the outskirts of the northeastern city of Maiduguri – the birthplace of the Boko Haram armed group.

Abdul Mohammed of the State Emergency Management Agency told The Associated Press news agency that another 17 people were wounded in the explosions early Wednesday.

Coordinator Abba Aji of the civilian self-defence Vigilante Group said one bomber blew up inside the mosque and the second outside as survivors tried to flee.

Aji said the mosque is in Umarari on the outskirts of the city that is now the command centre of the Nigerian military’s war against Boko Haram.

While there was no immediate claim of responsibility, blame will likely fall on the insurgents.

Boko Haram has increasingly used suicide and bomb attacks as Nigeria’s military pushes the group out of territories they once controlled. Several bombers have exploded themselves in recent months at roadblocks into the city manned by the military and vigilantes.

The US military calls Boko Haram the most violent armed group in the world.

Some 20,000 people have been killed and about 2.3 million displaced since it started its violent campaign in 2009.

Children have been particularly targeted by Boko Haram and have often been the victims of sexual abuse, forced marriage, and abductions.

Siddaramaiah Government sets up anti-corruption bureau

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siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Siddaramaiah-led Congress government on Monday set up an Anti-Corruption Bureau to provide a transparent and efficient administration.

Though Karnataka was the first state to set up an anti-corruption watchdog – the Lokayukta (ombudsman) in 1984 under the Karnataka Lokayukta Act (KLA), there is also the Prevention of Corruption Act empowers police to investigate graft charge against officials.

“The KLA and PC Act are different legislations, as the former empowers the quasi-judicial Lokayukta to only inquire into complaints against public servants but does not allow criminal investigation against them and others accused of seeking or taking bribe,” an official statement said here.

Though the state government entrusted the investigation powers into corruption charges to the police wing of the state Lokayukta, the Supreme Court in the C. Rangaswamaiah versus Karnataka Lokayukta case in 1988 held that police officers probing cases under the PC Act were autonomous.

The Karnataka High Court had also held that the Lokayukta did not have the jurisdiction to supervise criminal investigation under the PC Act through its police wing on the basis of the top court’s Rangaswamaiah judgement.

The state government has therefore decided to separate the two roles by forming the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on the lines of the central government.

“The ACB will be a statutory authority to investigate graft offences, while the ombudsman’s police wing will assist Lokayukta and Upa Lokayuktas in carrying their duties under the KLA,” the statement said.

The state government has also decided to set up vigilance wings in its departments, boards and corporations with vigilance officers, as directed by the high court on February 2.

Provocative slogans were shouted by outsiders: JNU probe panel

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jnu-protest

New Delhi: Provocative slogans at the controversial February 9 event on JNU campus were raised by a group of outsiders, a high-level inquiry committee of the varsity has said, noting it was “unfortunate” that the students allowed that to happen.

It said holding of the event despite cancellation of permission was an act which amounts to “willful defiance”.

The panel has also pointed out lapses on part of the university’s security unit, saying it did not make any efforts to stop outsiders from shouting provocative slogans and stop them from leaving the campus.

“The organisers disobeyed the instructions from the administration about not holding the event. This amounts to willful defiance. It is most unfortunate that the organisers allowed the event to be taken over by a group of outsiders who created a charged atmosphere by raising provocative slogans.

“This act by outsiders has brought disrepute to the entire JNU community,” the report of the five-member panel said.

“The committee also notes that none of the JNUSU office-bearers acted with due responsibility. The office-bearers had to behave with even more restraint and caution befitting the position they hold.

“They need to rise above the politics and other differences as they represent the student community. It is unbecoming of student representatives that they should be found engaging in disorderly conduct or condoning it,” it added.

The report has two sections — findings and recommendations.

The section of findings has been shared by the university with 21 students who have been issued a show-cause notice in this connection, the recommendations have been kept out of public domain.

Highly-placed sources in the university had said that the panel, which submitted its report on March 11, has recommended rustication of five students including JNU Students’ Union president Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya who are facing sedition charge.

While the panel has identified a few students guilty of procuring permission from the university on false pretext, it has also noted that the Dean of Students (DoS) should have withdrawn the permission in writing and not by sending text message to the Chief Security Officer.

“It has to be noted that since the event had taken place in 2015 as well, the Dean’s office was not vigilant enough to anticipate and prevent this event. Security did not make any efforts to stop outsiders from shouting provocative slogans and prevent them from leaving the campus,” the report said.

The report also said that the group of outsiders had their heads and faces covered.

A meeting of the university’s top brass, chaired by the Vice Chancellor, today discussed the report following which the varsity issued show-cause notice to 21 students including Kanhaiya and Umar, who were found guilty of having violated university rules and discipline norms.

The committee was formed on February 10 to probe the event organised to protest hanging of Afzal Guru, the Parliament attack convict.

Kanhaiya, Umar and Anirban were arrested on charges of sedition in connection with the programme.

Kanhaiya was released on bail from Tihar on March 3 while Umar and Anirban are still in judicial custody.

The university had on March 11 revoked the academic suspension of eight students including Kanhaiya after completion of the probe by the five-member panel. It was decided to keep them under suspension from academic activities till the inquiry was over. However, they were allowed to stay in the hostels.

The panel, which was granted three extensions before it finally submitted its report, also faced difficulties in the probe as students refused to depose before it demanding that the inquiry be constituted afresh.

The varsity, however, turned down the demand and maintained that the students will be given three chances to appear before the disciplinary committee and, if they fail to do so, the panel will finalise its recommendations on the basis of evidence available.

The university authorities maintained that a final decision regarding the “quantum of punishment” will be taken on basis of the reply sent by students to show-cause notices by tomorrow evening.

(PTI)

Sting op: Speaker asks Ethics Committee to probe charges against TMC MPs

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Lok Sabha

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker today referred the issue of some TMC members allegedly accepting bribe, as shown in a purported sting operation, to the Ethics Committee, asking the L K Advani-headed panel to examine and investigate the charges.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan made the announcement immediately after the Question Hour, a day after BJP, Congress and CPI-M came together in Parliament to attack the accused TMC members and demanding a probe into the matter.

An ethics committee in 2005 had terminated the membership of 11 MPs, 10 from the Lok Sabha and one from the Rajya Sabha, after finding them guilty after a sting operation allegedly showing them accepting bribes to help fictitious private firms.

Saugata Roy (TMC) strongly protested the Speaker’s decision, saying it was a “unilateral decision” and if it becomes a practice, then anybody will do a sting against members and inquiry would be ordered on such “unverified” contents.

However, he also said he had full respect for Advani and added that the veteran BJP member will be fair.

The Speaker, however, brushed aside his objections, saying such a reference to the 15-member Ethics Committee had been made earlier too.

(PTI)

Beef rumour: Police fulfil miscreants’ demand; arrest attacked students

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(AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

(AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

Jaipur: Four Kashmiri students were arrested following rumours that they had cooked beef in their hostel room in a private university in Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh district.

In fact the four students were attacked by a group of goons including outsiders after the rumours spread but prima facie the meat was not found to be beef.

The incident occurred on Monday night when the rumour spread that the Kashmiri students were cooking beef in the hostel room.

Soon after some students as well as locals assembled in front of the Mewar University and demanded action against them.

Police rushed to the site and arrested four students under section 151 of CrPC (Arrest to prevent commission of cognizable offences) yesterday.

“They were questioned about their role in bringing the meat to the hostel and cooking it,” SHO Gangrar Police Station Labhu Ram said.

Those arrested are Shakib Ashraf, Hilal Farukh, Mohammad Makbool and Shaukat Ali, aged between 21 to 27 years.

“We also collected the sample of the meat which prima facie does not appear to be beef. However, the samples have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for testing and the report is awaited,” he said.

Public Relations Officer of the university said meat is not allowed in the campus. “Cooking meat is against our policy.Police is investigating the case and during the initial probe, it was clear that the substance was not beef,” Harish Gurnani, PRO of the autonomous university said. He said the hostellers involved in the matter were undergraduates.

(Agencies)

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