India

Chennai, Jan 23 (PTI) A 16-hour countdown began Wednesday for the launch of Kalamsat, a student payload, and imaging satellite Microsat-R, onboard India's Polar rocket PSLV C-44 from the spaceport of Sriharikota Thursday.

"The countdown for the launch of PSLV-C44 mission started today at 19:37 hrs (IST) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The launch is scheduled at 23:37 Hrs IST on 24th January 2019," a mission update by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said.

Guwahati, Jan 23 (PTI) The North East Congress Coordination Committee (NECCC) comprising representatives of all the state units of the party in the region on Wednesday resolved to talk to Rajya Sabha members to prevent passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the Upper House of Parliament.

The NECCC at a meeting held here took the resolution that it would take help of all Rajya Sabha members opposed to the Bill to prevent it from becoming an Act during the next session, according to a release issued by the Committee.

New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI) Union Minister Arun Jaitley has undergone surgery at a hospital in New York on Tuesday, sources said.

He has been advised at least two weeks rest by the doctors, they added.

Jaitley, who had unexpectedly left for the US on January 13, has undergone tests for soft tissue cancer, sources said. Even during this time, he has been active on social media writing Facebook posts and tweeting about current issues.

Indore, Jan 23 (PTI) A court Wednesday awarded a man a life sentence till death for raping two minor sisters here in 2016.

Special Judge Varsha Sharma handed down the punishment to Ramesh Bheel (50) under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act and the IPC.

Besides, the judge imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the convict which he has to pay to the victims.

Mumbai, Jan 23 (PTI) The Maharashtra government has decided to distribute 'desi' (native) cows to farmers as part of a scheme, officials said on Wednesday.

An official from the Animal Husbandary department said the state distributes milch animals under the Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) to farmers from the general category, Scheduled Caste (SC) and tribal community.

As part of this scheme, it was decided to allocate six, four or two milch cows and buffaloes from 2015.

Ghaziabad, Jan 23 (PTI) A man has been arrested for allegedly raping and killing a six-year-old girl in Loni area here, police said Wednesday.

"The girl had gone for tuition along with her brother on Monday evening. After returning, she again went outside and didn't return thereafter. Her parents and neighbours searched for her till late night but in vain," they said.

On Tuesday morning, when the girl's father was going to offer prayers he discovered his child's body lying in a deserted plot near a mosque, said DIG Upendra Agarwal.

Varanasi, Jan 23 (PTI) Banaras Hindu University cardiologist Om Shankar's indefinite hunger strike, demanding a separate AIIMS for Varanasi, entered its fourth day on Wednesday.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and President Ram Nath Kovind visited the city for Pravasi Bharatiya Divas but my demand for health has gone unheard," the senior cardiologist said from the entrance gate of BHU, which is the venue for the protest.

KANPUR: One scooty-borne middle-aged man died in an accident in Bazaria area here on Wednesday. A dumper of Municipal Corporation hit the rider from the rear.  The rider identified as Fazal Ahmed was badly injured in the accident.

New Delhi, Jan 22 (PTI) A Delhi court Tuesday reserved for January 29 its order on whether to summon journalist Priya Ramani as an accused in a defamation case filed by former Union minister M J Akbar after she levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal reserved the order after listening to arguments from Akbar's lawyer, who said a prima facie case was made out against Ramani.

Muzaffarnagar, Jan 23 (PTI) Prohibitory orders were imposed in Shamli district to maintain law and order and in view of the UP board examination, officials said Tuesday.

Additional District Magistrate K B Singh said orders were imposed Tuesday under Section 144 of the CrPC, preventing assembly of more than four people. People were also from carrying firearms and using loudspeakers with immediate effect.

The Uttar Pradesh Board examination will begin on February 7 and will be held over 16 working days.