Anti-Corruption Lokpal Bill to be introduced in Parliament today

The government will be introducing the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill in the Lok Sabha in a short while from now. The 70-page Bill has two major parts: the first asks for a constitutional amendment, the second asks for the creation of a Lokpal or ombudsman at the Centre, with parallel anti-graft agencies in states.

Two-third majority is needed, because the first part asks for a constitutional amendment. That means the support of opposition parties will be critical. The second part of the Bill can be passed with a simple majority, which is doable for the UPA in the Lok Sabha.

The entry of the Lokpal Bill in Parliament has been impelled largely by activist Anna Hazare, who has held three hunger strikes this year for the legislation, and has announced a fourth on December 27.

Doctors advise force-feeding Baba Ramdev

A three-member team of senior doctors led by Haridwar Chief Medical Officer Dr Yogesh Kumar Sharma that examined Baba Ramdev described his condition as "thoroughly unsatisfactory" and recommended that Ramdev be given fluids to check further deterioration in his health.

The team examined Ramdev and his trusted aide Acharya Balkrishan as their fast-unto-death against corruption and black money entered the sixth day at Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust. Official sources said that the team examined their blood pressure, weight and overall condition of other vital parts of their bodies at 10.30am on Thursday.

Ageing Jayasuriya recalled to international cricket

Jayasuriya, who turns 42 this month, will return to play for Sri Lanka in the upcoming limited-overs and Twenty20 matches against England.

He was included in a 16-member squad announced on Thursday, a day after Sri Lanka Cricket announced the official notification by International Cricket Council that Tharanga has tested positive for a banned substance after the World Cup semifinal win over New Zealand and that a disciplinary action has been initiated.

Traffic plan in place for Anna Hazare's Rajghat fast

After the Delhi Police gave permission for civil rights activist Anna Hazare to hold a one-day fast on Thursday against the violent way the Ramlila Maidan was evacuated on Saturday night, traffic arrangements have been made to ensure that trafiic is not disrupted.

The protest is supposed to take place on Powerhouse Road, which connects Rajghat and the Delhi Secretariat. Traffic restrictions will be in place on that road as around 5,000-odd protesters are expected to congregate in the area, said the police.

Kanimozhi, Raja, DMK TV chief got Rs 200 crore bribe from DB: CBI

On Monday, the CBI charged Kanimozhi, DMK chief M Karunanidhi's daughter, of conspiring with former communications minister A Raja to receive a bribe of Rs 200 crore which was allegedly routed to DMK's Kalaignar TV

Kanimozhi along with Kalaignar TV CEO Sharad Kumar, Cineyug Films' Karim Morani and Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables' Asif Balwa and Rajiv B Agarwal have been named in CBI's second chargesheet for conspiracy and under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Blast at quake-hit Japan nuke plant causes radiation leak

An explosion blew the roof off an unstable reactor north of Tokyo, Japan media said, raising fears of a disastrous meltdown at a nuclear plant.

Radiation leaked from a damaged Japanese nuclear reactor north of Tokyo on Saturday, the government said, after an explosion blew the roof off the facility in the wake of a massive earthquake.

The developments raised fears of a meltdown at the plant as officials scrambled to contain what could be the worst nuclear disaster since the Chernobyl explosion in 1986 that shocked the world

Libya uprising: Anti-Gaddafi forces control Zawiya

The forces fighting to oust the Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi have seized the city of Zawiya, 50km (30 miles) from the capital, Tripoli.

Eastern Libya has fallen to the uprising, but Tripoli remains in the control of Col Gaddafi, who is facing the biggest challenge to his 41-year rule. However, the UN Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to impose sanctions on Col Gaddafi's regime.