663 deaths due to Swine flu
The number of people in the country affected with the swine flu virus has risen to 10,000, while 663 people have died due to it. Figures released by the Central Government showed that the virus had claimed 39 lives between February 16-17, and that the virus had spread across the country, including in states such as Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir. Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have been declared the worst-affected states, with 183, 155, and 90 deaths being reported from them respectively. Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that there was no dearth of medicines and hospitals were equipped to deal with swine flu. While the health ministry has set up a new testing facility at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, teams of medical experts have also been sent to states such as Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to extend technical support.
Boat from Pak: now govt to probe Coast Guard DIG
A video released by The Indian Express on Wednesday showed Coast Guard Deputy Inspector General BK Loshali saying that the naval force had "blown off" a Pakistani boat allegedly carrying terrorists on December 31 last year. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, however, rejected Loshali's claims, saying that it was a "case of indiscipline" on the DIG's part, and that the Central Government stood by its statement on the incident. “Has The Indian Express released the video of the incident or (of) the DIG making the statement? So I will make inquiry against that… I will take the video copy,” he said. The defence ministry had earlier said that the crew of the boat had gone below deck and set the vessel on fire after being chased by Coast Guard interceptors. Loshali's claims, however, have led to questions regarding the operation, including what intelligence had led the Coast Guard to believe that the boat had been carrying terrorists in the first place. Loshali, meanwhile, said that his remarks had been misconstrued, and that the "boat had set herself on fire".
US Governor apologises for police attack on Indian
Robert Bentley, Governor for the state of Alabama in the United States, on Wednesday apologised to the Indian Government for an attack by Madison County police on an Indian citizen in the state. In a letter to Indian Consul General Ajit Kumar, Bentley apologised for the "unfortunate use of excessive force" by police which left Sureshbhai Patel, 57, with injuries to his spinal column and nose. Assuring that "justice will be done", Bentley expressed hope that Patel's condition would improve. The assaulting officer in the case, Eric Parker, had earlier pleaded not guilty to charges of third-degree assault, and was released from jail after posting a bail of $1000. Meanwhile, an online fundraising campaign for Patel's medical expenses raised over $190,000.
HSBC's Geneva offices raided by Swiss prosecutors
Prosecutors in Switzerland on Wednesday raided the offices of HSBC's Geneva branch, as part of an inquiry into alleged money-laundering by the bank. The raid has come more than a week after leaked documents of the bank showed that it may have helped wealthy clients evade tax. While HSBC published a full-page-advertisement containing an apology over the claims, it also admitted that it was "accountable" for its actions, but had now "fundamentally changed". Chief Executive of the bank Franco Morra said that the Swiss branch had last week shut down accounts from clients that did not meet its standards. Meanwhile, prosecutors have said that the investigation could be extended to people suspected of participating in the money-laundering.
Congress leader Manish Tewari questioned in Sunanda Pushkar case
Former Union Minister of State and Congress MP Manish Tewari was questioned on Wednesday by the Special Investigation Team probing the alleged murder of Sunanda Pushkar. The Times of India reported that Tewari had been questioned over an argument, to which he had been a witness, between Pushkar and her husband, former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor. Tewari is the latest to be questioned by the SIT, which has also questioned over 15 people, including Tharoor himself, and Pushkar's son, Shiv Menon. Pushkar was found dead in a suite of a luxury hotel in the national capital on January 17 last year.
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The number of people in the country affected with the swine flu virus has risen to 10,000, while 663 people have died due to it. Figures released by the Central Government showed that the virus had claimed 39 lives between February 16-17, and that the virus had spread across the country, including in states such as Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir. Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have been declared the worst-affected states, with 183, 155, and 90 deaths being reported from them respectively. Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that there was no dearth of medicines and hospitals were equipped to deal with swine flu. While the health ministry has set up a new testing facility at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, teams of medical experts have also been sent to states such as Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to extend technical support.
Boat from Pak: now govt to probe Coast Guard DIG
A video released by The Indian Express on Wednesday showed Coast Guard Deputy Inspector General BK Loshali saying that the naval force had "blown off" a Pakistani boat allegedly carrying terrorists on December 31 last year. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, however, rejected Loshali's claims, saying that it was a "case of indiscipline" on the DIG's part, and that the Central Government stood by its statement on the incident. “Has The Indian Express released the video of the incident or (of) the DIG making the statement? So I will make inquiry against that… I will take the video copy,” he said. The defence ministry had earlier said that the crew of the boat had gone below deck and set the vessel on fire after being chased by Coast Guard interceptors. Loshali's claims, however, have led to questions regarding the operation, including what intelligence had led the Coast Guard to believe that the boat had been carrying terrorists in the first place. Loshali, meanwhile, said that his remarks had been misconstrued, and that the "boat had set herself on fire".
US Governor apologises for police attack on Indian
Robert Bentley, Governor for the state of Alabama in the United States, on Wednesday apologised to the Indian Government for an attack by Madison County police on an Indian citizen in the state. In a letter to Indian Consul General Ajit Kumar, Bentley apologised for the "unfortunate use of excessive force" by police which left Sureshbhai Patel, 57, with injuries to his spinal column and nose. Assuring that "justice will be done", Bentley expressed hope that Patel's condition would improve. The assaulting officer in the case, Eric Parker, had earlier pleaded not guilty to charges of third-degree assault, and was released from jail after posting a bail of $1000. Meanwhile, an online fundraising campaign for Patel's medical expenses raised over $190,000.
HSBC's Geneva offices raided by Swiss prosecutors
Prosecutors in Switzerland on Wednesday raided the offices of HSBC's Geneva branch, as part of an inquiry into alleged money-laundering by the bank. The raid has come more than a week after leaked documents of the bank showed that it may have helped wealthy clients evade tax. While HSBC published a full-page-advertisement containing an apology over the claims, it also admitted that it was "accountable" for its actions, but had now "fundamentally changed". Chief Executive of the bank Franco Morra said that the Swiss branch had last week shut down accounts from clients that did not meet its standards. Meanwhile, prosecutors have said that the investigation could be extended to people suspected of participating in the money-laundering.
Congress leader Manish Tewari questioned in Sunanda Pushkar case
Former Union Minister of State and Congress MP Manish Tewari was questioned on Wednesday by the Special Investigation Team probing the alleged murder of Sunanda Pushkar. The Times of India reported that Tewari had been questioned over an argument, to which he had been a witness, between Pushkar and her husband, former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor. Tewari is the latest to be questioned by the SIT, which has also questioned over 15 people, including Tharoor himself, and Pushkar's son, Shiv Menon. Pushkar was found dead in a suite of a luxury hotel in the national capital on January 17 last year.