Lokpal Bill tabled in Rajya Sabha; debate begins

New Delhi, Dec 29: A bill to provide for establishment of Lokpal and Lokayuktas in states to go into corruption cases in government organisations was introduced in the Rajya Sabha today.

Anna Hazare leaves for Ralegan Siddhi

MUMBAI: Anna Hazare left for his home Ralegan Siddhi Thursday, a day after he broke his fast to press for a strong Lokpal. 

Australia knock out India in Boxing Day Test, lead series 1-0

Melbourne: Australia's fast men obliterated India with bowling of sustained hostility and direction to deliver a handsome 122-run victory to the hosts, on day four of the first Test at the MCG.

Kim Jong Il son declared ‘supreme leader’ of North Korea’s people, party and military

PYONGYANG, North Korea — North Korea declared Kim Jong Il’s son and successor “supreme leader” of the ruling party, military and the people during a memorial Thursday for his father in the government’s first public endorsement of his leadership.

Cyclone 'Thane' likely to intensify in the next 12 hours

Chennai:  If you don't have any pressing engagement for the day, you'd best stay at home. For, the weatherman has predicted that severe cyclonic storm Thane is heading right at us. Thane is likely to bring with it strong winds, very heavy rainfall and a high surge of waves.

Team Anna puts up a brave face as Mumbaikars stay away from fast venue

MUMBAI: With Anna Hazare ailing and Mumbaikars largely staying away, the anti-graft campaigner's fast appears to have fizzled out on the second day today.

North Korean heir, Kim Jong Eun, leads funeral procession for father

SEOUL — In a city of gray buildings, with snow covering the wide streets and wailing mourners lining the sidewalks, North Korea on Wednesday staged an extravagant farewell to dictator Kim Jong Il, his casket covered in a red revolutionary flag.

4.5 sub-quota for OBCs among minorities: Salman Khurshid

NEW DELHI: Only backward sections of the minorities will be entitled to 4.5 per cent reservation within 27 per cent quota for OBCs, the government clarified today in the backdrop of protests by some parties. 

Syria frees 755 prisoners as Arab League observers visit

The mission, which on Wednesday returned to Homs, the scene of bitter fighting between regime troops and the opposition, was initially barred from the flashpoint district of Baba Amr because it was accompanied by a regime lieutenant colonel.

Coastal Andhra braces for cyclone 'Thane'

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an 'orange' alert, one step below the red alert put out for a really severe cyclone. According to the IMD, 'Thane' remained practically stationary and later intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. It lay centred about 500 km east-southeast of Chennai.