Fire engulfs Dubai hotel ahead of New Year celebrations

A huge fire has engulfed a 63-storey hotel in central Dubai ahead of a New Year’s Eve firework display.
Despite the blaze at the Address hotel, the display at the nearby Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, started as planned at midnight.
Officials say the fire has been…

Two sentenced to death for killing blogger in Bangladesh

A Bangladesh court on Thursday sentenced two students to death and awarded various jail terms to six persons including outlawed Ansarullah Bangla Team chief for killing activist Ahmed Rajib Haider, the first of a string of brutal murders of secular bloggers.
“They (the two convicts) shall be h…

Alleging ‘victimisation’, Dalit IAS officer applies for VRS, converts to Islam

RSRTC Chairperson Umrao Salodiya at press confrence where announced his decision to convert to Islam and apply for VRS from service, in Jaipur on Thursday. Photo: Rohit Jain Paras
After being denied the promotion that would make him the State’s Chief Secretary, senior IAS officer Umrao Salodia, …

Delhi IAS officers are full-fledged B-teams of BJP, says Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi: Almost all senior bureaucrats of Delhi Government went on mass leave on Thursday protesting suspension of two officials, an action declared void by the Centre, setting the stage for yet another tussle between the two sides as AAP dispensation called the strike part of a…

Sanjay Nirupam apologises for criticism of Nehru, Sonia in ‘Congress Darshan’

AICC Secretary Sanjay Nirupam (Photo Courtesy: Sanjay Nirupam facebook profile)
Mumbai: Congress Mumbai chief Sanjay Nirupam on Monday apologised for criticism of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and party president Sonia Gandhi in party mouthpiece ‘Congress Darshan’, and said…

Iraqi forces retake Islamic State Ramadi stronghold

Iraqi forces have retaken a former government compound in Ramadi from where Islamic State (IS) group militants have been resisting an army offensive, the military has said.
The complex was “under complete control” and there was no sign of IS fighters, a spokesman said.
He said this…

How 24-year-old Bhuvith Shetty Bajrang Dal activist to murder and prison

Bhuvith Shetty, the 24-year-old Bajrang Dal activist
Despite their obvious attempts to activate communal fault lines on various social media platforms, hardcore Hindutva right-wingers are not known to back up their verbal attacks with physical assault. In that sense, Bajrang Dal activist Bhuvith…

Narendra Modi arranged surprise visit at last minute over phone: Pakistan official

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviews guard of honour with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore. (Photo: AP)
 Islamabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arranged his surprise visit to Pakistan — the first by an Indian leader in a decade, at the last minute on Friday, a Pakistani official …

Christmas Day blaze guts Australia homes

Christmas Day bushfires have destroyed more than 100 homes in Australia’s Victoria state, officials say.
Officials said 98 homes had been razed in Wye River and 18 at Separation Creek. No injuries are reported.
Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the blazes along the famous Great…

CSIR’s proposal to combat Delhi’s pollution

The research lab claims their idea will be more effective that Delhi’s proposed odd-even licence-plate policing.

A mid-week work-from-home, rather than licence-plate policing, may be the solution to Delhi’s pollution crisis, suggests the policy arm of the Council for Scientific and I…