TEL AVIV: Indian scientist Shrinivas Kulkarni has won the prestigious Dan David prize for his contribution in the field of astronomy. He is a professor of astrophysics and planetary science at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. He is a pioneer and leading figure in time-domain astrophysics across the electromagnetic spectrum who built and conducted the Palomar Transient Factory, a large-area survey of the night sky in search of variable and transient phenomena. The survey has turned up thousands of stellar explosions, transforming our knowledge of the transient sky. With this honour, Prof Kulkarni joins other prominent Indian laureates of the Dan David prize including author Amitav Ghosh, music conductor Zubin Mehta and renowned chemist CNR Rao.
Indian-origin student found dead in US
NEW YORK: An Indian-origin Cornell University student who went missing was found dead. Aalaap Narasipura, a senior electrical engineering student at Cornell's College of Engineering was reported missing earlier. His body was recovered from Fall Creek, a short distance upstream from Ithaca Falls. Police said the circumstances of Narasipura's death are still under investigation, but no foul play is suspected. Police had searched gorges and adjacent natural areas in Ithaca. He was last seen on Cornell's campus, and was wearing shorts and a flannel shirt and leather sandals.
Indian arrested in Pak for not having travel documents
Islamabad: An Indian national was arrested in Islamabad for allegedly not carrying travel documents, according to a media report. He was arrested from Islamabad by the police for not having complete travel documents. Republic TV identified the man as Mumbai resident Sheikh Nabi. According to reports, a case has been filed against the Indian national under Article 14 of the Pakistan Foreign Act. He has been sent to jail on judicial remand, the report said. An official of the Indian High Commission, however, said that the mission does not have any information about the arrest so far.
Indian cabbie hospitalized after racial attack in Australia
Hobart (Australia): An Indian cab driver suffered injuries in a racist attack in Sandy Bay, Tasmania. The driver whose name has not been revealed said he picked up a couple in the night and was heading to a McDonalds drive-thru. The female passenger reportedly kept opening the door to throw up despite requests from the driver to close the door to avoid a possible collision. After his repeated objections in opening the car door, the couple started hurling profanities and racial slurs at the driver. The couple then de-boarded the taxi and started damaging the vehicle by repeatedly kicking it. The male passenger subsequently punched him from behind, and pushed him to the ground. He was repeatedly kicked and punched on the ground as the male passenger said, "You f****** Indian, you deserve it."
Lanka president reshuffles cabinet
COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena switched the finance and foreign ministers in a cabinet reshuffle in a bid to restore confidence in the administration's handling of the economy. Managala Samaraweera, who has been foreign minister since January 2015, was appointed as finance and media minister. He swaps roles with Ravi Karunanayake, who takes over at external affairs. Karunanayake sought to revive the economy with a $1.5 billion loan from the IMF in June last year. The IMF has long urged Lanka to boost tax revenue through modernisation and simplification of its fiscal system, which the government has been struggling to implement because of political opposition.
Indonesians to get 85 lashes for gay sex
Banda Aceh: An Islamic court in Indonesia has sentenced two men to 85 lashes of the cane for having sex together, judges in the conservative province of Aceh said. The public caning handed down by a panel of judges is the first time laws against homosexuality, introduced in the province in 2014, have been used. The sentence was more severe than the 80 lashes requested by the prosecutor.
IS militants storm TV station in Af city, kill 6
Jalalabad: The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on an Afghan state television station that killed six people, including the attackers, and wounded 17. Suicide bombers stormed the national television station in Jalalabad, triggering gunfights and explosions with journalists trapped inside the building, officials said. The attack, in the eastern province of Nangarhar, is the latest in a series of strikes targeting Afghan journalists in recent years. It comes just over a week after it was confirmed that the leader of IS in Afghanistan had been killed in a US drone strike.
Iran's President Rouhani wins 2nd term by a wide margin
TEHRAN: Iran's President Hassan Rouhani won re-election by a wide margin last week, giving the moderate cleric a second four-year term to see out his agenda pushing for greater freedoms and outreach to the wider world. The 68-year-old incumbent secured a commanding lead of 57 per cent in a race that drew more than seven out of every 10 voters to the polls. His nearest rival in the four-man race, hard-liner Ebrahim Raisi, secured 38 per cent of the vote. In 2013, Rouhani won the presidential election with nearly 51 per cent of the vote. Turnout for that vote was 73 per cent. Iran's president is the second-most powerful figure. He is subordinate to the supreme leader, who is chosen by a clerical panel and has the ultimate say over all matters of state.
Austria bans full facial veils
Canberra: Austria has banned wearing a full facial veil in public places, drawing criticism from rights advocates and from representatives of the Muslim community. Under the new legislation, women who wear clothing that covers their faces, such as burqas or niqabs, in places like universities, public transportation or courthouses will face a fine of $167. The measure will take effect from October. Muna Duzdar, a state secretary, said that the ban was part of a legislation aimed at improving the integration of immigrants.
Mumbai attack trial: Nine judges in eight years
LAHORE: A special Pakistani court looking into the 2008 Mumbai terror attack case has just seen another judge being appointed- its ninth change in eight years. The anti-terrorism court conducting the trial of seven Pakistani suspects charged with involvement in the attack has recently been changed again, a court official said. "ATC Judge Sohail Akram who had been conducting the trial for the last two years or so is transferred to the Punjab judicial services," the official said. The case has now been transferred to the court of Judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi, who was the judge in the case before Akram, the official said.
Bangla court sentences 23 to death
Dhaka: A Bangladesh court sentenced to death 23 persons, including a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader for killing four Awami League activists in 2002. Of the 23 sentenced to death, 19 persons including, BNP leader Abul Bashar Kashu were present in the court. According to the prosecution, Barek, his cousin Badal, Faruk and Kabir were picked up from their houses on March 12 in 2002 by the accused. Later, they were tortured and burned to death by the convicts," Dhaka Tribune quoted Narayanganj District Court additional public prosecutor Jasmin Ahmed as saying while confirming the ruling.
Dutch king was secret pilot for 21 years
The Hague: Some Dutch passengers on KLM flights might have recognised the copilot's voice when he introduced himself on the airline's Cityhopper services. It was not just their co-pilot telling them weather conditions and estimated time of arrival. It was their king. King Willem-Alexander said that he has ended his role as a regular “guest pilot” after 21 years on KLM's fleet of Fokker 70 planes and before that on Dutch carrier Martinair. He will now retrain to fly Boeing 737s as the Fokkers are being phased out of service.
