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Allahabad HC directs CBI to probe disappearance of a witness in Asaram rape case

The Allahabad High Court today directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to find Rahul Sachan, who was a prime witness in the rape case against self-styled godman Asaram Bapu.

According to a PTI report, Sachan went missing on 25 November, 2015.

The court said that it expected the CBI to conclude the investigation and file its report not later than six months from 29 August, if possible earlier.

Gunfire heard at Los Angeles airport

Shots were heard at the Los Angeles International Airport late on 28 August. According to the media reports, the airport terminals were evacuated.

One person has been detained in connection with the incident. A search operation is currently underway.

"US Media reports of an active shooter at Los Angeles International Airport," tweeted news agency ANI.

Don't wear skirts, Culture minister Mahesh Sharma tells tourists

Union Minister Mahesh Sharma has sparked a controversy by advising tourists to refrain from wearing skirts.

"When tourists arrive at the airport, they are being given a welcome kit which has a card with dos and don'ts... it has instructions like if they are in small cities, they should not roam around alone at night or wear skirts...they should take a picture of the car they are travelling in and send it to their friend'," he said on 27 August.

Anil Vij says he would've donated more than Rs 50 lakh to Dera Sacha Sauda if he could

Haryana Sports Minister Anil Vij said on 28 August that if he had the power to donate more money to the Dera Sacha Sauda for sports-related activities, then he would have done so.

His statement came after he courted controversy for donating Rs 50 lakh from his discretionary fund to the Dera Sacha Sauda organisation, headed by controversial Sikh leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, for promoting sports in Haryana.

"In the last National Games which were held in Kerala, children of the Dera Sacha Sauda won many medals. To promote them, the organisation is making a games village inside its campus, where they are planning to make number of stadiums as per international standards. For the growth and promotion of games, I can only contribute this much, If I had power to donate more, then I would have done so," Vij told ANI.

Curfew lifted from Kashmir after 51 days

On 29 August, authorities lifted the curfew from Kashmir after 51 days since the ongoing unrest began on 9 July, officials said.

"Curfew has been lifted from the entire Valley. But, it will remain in force in Pulwama town and in areas under the jurisdiction of Nowhatta and MR Gunj police stations in Srinagar," a senior police official said.

The decision to lift curfew was taken at a high level security meeting on Sunday evening, sources said. An all party delegation comprising senior leaders of political parties is slated to visit Kashmir on 3 September.

92% of men in khaki complain of fatigue, reveals study

A study by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) has found that a majority of Indian police officers suffer from severe to mild fatigue.

The study found that most policemen, below the rank of inspector, battle with fatige - which is a direct result of erratic duty hours, extended shift duties, lack of proper sleep, poor food habits, smoking, alcohol intake and un-availability of basic facilities, to name a few.

The study conducted by Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and sponsored by BPRD, said 91.79% police officers felt fatigued.

'Dark twin' of the Milky Way galaxy discovered

Scientists have discovered the existence of the Dragonfly 44 - a dark twin of the Milky Way galaxy - around 300 million light-years away in the Coma constellation.

A large but diffuse and dim galaxy, Dragonfly 44 is a part of a 47-strong set of untradiffuse galaxies discovered in 2014.

The dim galaxy has a mass estimated to be 1 trillion times the mass of the sun. While 0.01% of the galaxy is normal matter, the remaining comprises dark matter.

Colombia Farc rebels announce definitive ceasefire

The main leftist rebel group in Colombia, the Farc, has ordered all its fighters to observe a ceasefire - which marks the end of a 52-year-long-conflict.

The final peace agreement will be signed in the next few weeks. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos signed a decree earlier to halt military operations against the Farc, also from midnight.

Italy earthquake: Authorities investigate negligence

Italian authorities are investigating whether a lack of adherence to building safety codes played a significant role in the high death toll in last week's earthquake.

The death toll has risen to over 300 people, while several people have sustained injuries.

Rescue operations are on to retrieve bodies from the rubble. The quake rocked three towns - with at least 229 deaths in Amatrice, 11 in Accumoli and 50 more in Arquata del Tronto.