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Thu, 02 October 2014
Live! Putin says 'foolish' sanctions will not hold back Russia

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21:01   Putin says 'foolish' sanctions will not hold back Russia
 President Vladimir Putin dismissed Western sanctions as "utter foolishness" on Thursday and said they would not stop Russia developing into a stronger economic power.

Attempting to take the higher ground in a speech to foreign and Russian investors, Putin said he was relaxed about the measures imposed on his country over Ukraine even though they had broken the fundamental principles of the global economy.
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20:21   PM congratulates Indian hockey team, women athletes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated the hockey team and women athletes who won gold medals in Incheon Asian Games, saying the winners have made India very proud. 

"Very good day for India at the Asian Games," he tweeted. "Congrats to our Hockey Team & congrats to our women athletes for the Gold in 4x400 metres relay," he added in another tweet.
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20:21   PM congratulates Indian hockey team, women athletes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated the hockey team and women athletes who won gold medals in Incheon Asian Games, saying the winners have made India very proud. 

"Very good day for India at the Asian Games," he tweeted. "Congrats to our Hockey Team & congrats to our women athletes for the Gold in 4x400 metres relay," he added in another tweet.
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20:21   Helicopter crash: Major Vikas cremated with full state
The mortal remains of Major Vikas Varyani, who was killed in a helicopter crash in Uttar Pradesh, were today consigned to flames here. The funeral procession was carried out from his house in Shreejee Nagar in Durgapura to the crematorium at B2 bypass where Varyani's body was cremated with full state honours.
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20:18   Half of tatkal tickets on 80 trains to be costlier
Half of the tatkal tickets on 80 trains have become costlier with the railways deciding to partially implement the dynamic fare system under which charges will depend on demand. 

The decision, clearly aimed at mopping up more revenues by the cash-strapped railways, comes in the midst of festival season when there is a big rush of train travellers. "It has been decided that 50 per cent of the existing tatkal quota ticket shall be sold under dynamic fare scheme," said a senior Railway Ministry official today.
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19:31   Yesudas sparks row by resenting women wearing jeans
Sparking a controversy, music legend K J Yesudas today resented women wearing jeans, saying this went against Indian culture. "Women should not cause trouble to others by wearing jeans....What should be covered should be covered," 

Yesudas said at a function organised by a voluntary organisation in connection with the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations here. The 74-year-old singer said this kind of dress went against Indian culture which valued simplicity and amiability as the greatest qualities of women.
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19:30   William, Kate warn paparazzi against 'harassing' Prince George
Prince William and his wife Kate have warned two paparazzi photographers against pursuing their 14-month-old son Prince George and his nanny, saying their behaviour amounted to "harassment". 

Lawyers for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have sent a legal warning letter to the photographers to "cease harassing" Prince George, third in line to the throne, and his nanny.
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19:29   Shark badly mauls surfer off Australia
A 23-year-old surfer suffered "serious injuries" today in a shark attack off the south coast of Western Australia, authorities said. The man was taken to hospital after the encounter at Wylie Bay, east of the town of Esperance, Western Australia police told AFP. 

He was believed to have lost one arm as well as his second hand and also suffered cuts to his leg, local newspaper The Esperance Express reported.
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18:00   Zero-tolerance against any kind of targeting: Govt to African envoys
Ministry of External Affairs today received a report by African envoys expressing concern over attacks on their nationals, prompting the government to assure them that there was "zero-tolerance" against targeting of any particular nationality and necessary action will taken in the matter. 

"We have received a communication from the African envoys. We have assured them that there is zero-tolerance against any kind of targeting nationals. And police was probing the matter and necessary action will be taken in this regard," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.
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17:58   Swamy demands President's rule in Tamil Nadu
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy today urged the Centre to impose President's rule in Tamil Nadu in the wake of violent incidents in the state after the conviction of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in a corruption case. 

In a statement he condemned the "sordid and shameful" incidents in the state since Sept 27 when Jayalalithaa was convicted.
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17:38   India win women's 4X400m relay gold
India successfully defended their women's 4X400 metres relay title by clinching the gold medal at the Asian Games here Thursday.

Priyanka Panwar, Tintu Luka, Mandeep Kaur and M. Poovamma set a Games record with a timing of three minutes and 28.68 seconds at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium.
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17:38  
Amitabh Bachchan tweets about the win

@SrBachchan  AND .... Indian women win 4x400 relay with new record !!YEEEAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH and YEAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH and YEEAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
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17:28   Modi to hold poll rallies in Maha from Oct 4
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address around 15 rallies in Maharashtra beginning from October 4, ahead of the state assembly polls. 

On October 4, Modi will address rallies at Beed, Aurangabad, and Mumbai and on October 5 at Kolhapur Gondia and Nasik, BJP Vice President Vinay Sahasrabuddhe told reporters here. We have chalked out plans for 15 to 16 poll ralies of PM. We can have more if needed," he said.
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17:19   India win Hockey Gold at Asian Games
India beat Pakistan on penalties to win men's hockey gold. 

India win Hockey Gold for first time in 16 years, qualify for Rio Olympics
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15:51   NCP will continue to support secular parties: Pawar
Amid accusations that his party could go with the BJP after the Maharashtra Assembly polls, NCP chief Sharad Pawar today asserted his support for secular parties. "NCP has always stood by the secular parties and will do the same in future," Pawar told mediapersons.

Taking a jibe at the recent remarks of a political leader that NCP would grab Muslim votes and later go with the saffron parties, Pawar said his party does not need to ask anybody (what to do).
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15:14   Suspected militant killed in blast, 2 others injured
A suspected militant was killed and two others were injured in an explosion at a house in this headquarter town of Burdwan district today. 

Superintendent of Police SMH Mirza said the explosion occurred at Khagragarh locality of the town in which one person identified as Shakil Ahmed was killed.
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14:59   I would've been happy if Sena-BJP alliance continued: Advani
Breaking his silence over the Shiv Sena-BJP split in Maharashtra, veteran BJP leader L K Advani today said he would have been happy if the alliance had continued. 

"I would have been happier, if this (alliance) would not have been broken. But, this is also right that people from our party were saying that the seat-sharing formula was not proper and we (BJP) should get more seats," Advani told reporters here.
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14:51   HMS Erebus lost 170 years ago found at bottom of Arctic
A ship that was lost at sea nearly 170 years ago has been found - at the bottom of the Arctic.

The shipwreck found at the bottom of the Arctic a month ago has been confirmed as HMS Erebus, which went missing during a daring expedition.

Earlier this month experts discovered the ship 36 metres below sea level but were unsure if it was Sir John Franklin's flagship or HMS Terror.
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14:47   Secret Service Director Julia Pierson resigns
Secret Service Director Julia Pierson resigned Wednesday, a day after her congressional testimony about lapses in President Obama's security drew calls for her dismissal.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, who accepted Pierson's resignation, also announced that a panel of "independent experts" would review the overall performance of the Secret Service, which has been accused of failures that have put Obama's life at risk.
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14:39   Blast kills 7 in Pakistan
At least seven people were killed today when a blast hit a passenger van in Pakistan's troubled northwestern region, police said. 

The explosion struck the van at Bayzid Khel bus stop on Kohat Road near Peshawar. A police official from Peshawar said that the exact nature of the bombing is not known.
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13:54   Canada PM says Arctic shipwreck is HMS Erebus
The remains of one of two British exploration ships lost in the Arctic in 1846 have been identified by Canada's prime minister as the ill-fated HMS Erebus. 

"I am delighted to confirm that we have identified which ship from the Franklin expedition has been found. It is in fact the HMS Erebus," Prime Minister Stephen Harper told parliament yesterday.
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13:53   NSA Doval to meet Kerry
National Security Advisor Ajit K Doval will meet US Secretary of State John Kerry today. Doval who had arrived in the US along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, last week has extended his stay in the country by two days, to meet top leaders of the Obama Administration.
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13:53   China backs HK leader as pressure to quit grows
Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters demanded the city's embattled leader heed their ultimatum to resign today, but China backed him "firmly and unshakably" and pledged support for the police. Demonstrators, who have shut down central areas of the southern Chinese city with a mass sit-in, have given Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying until midnight to step down, or face escalated action.
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13:50   20th Indian national jailed for 2013 Singapore riot
An Indian national was today jailed for 25 months and ordered to be given three strokes of the cane, becoming the 20th man to be charged for rioting during last year's worst street violence in 40 years in Singapore. 

Construction worker Chinnapa Govindarasu, 31, admitted to being part of an unlawful assembly with at least four others, whose aim was to overawe by show of criminal force along Race Course Road on the night of December 8.
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13:49   Cong downplays Modi nominating Tharoor in Swachh campaign
Congress today downplayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's move to nominate party spokesperson Shashi Tharoor among nine eminent persons invited to come to public places to spread awareness about the Swachh Bharat campaign. 

Former Minister and Congress leader Rajiv Shukla said that any conclusion like "Tharoor inching towards the BJP" should not be drawn on the pretext of somebody being invited for a function by the government.
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13:45   Army pledges support to Modi's Swachch Bharat Abhiyan
Army establishments and formations today joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call a Swachch Bharat.   

All officers, JCOs, Other Ranks of the Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army), gathered at the lawns of the Sena Bhawan for an oath taking ceremony. 

Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh expressed complete confidence that all personnel of the Army & civilians working with the Army would work earnestly towards achieving the Mahatma's dream of building a clean India. 

 He expressed confidence that the cleanliness drive would ensure a healthy and clean India by October 2019, fulfilling the dream of Mahatma Gandhi.
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12:54   Doval discusses security cooperation with US Defence Secy
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has met US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel and discussed a range of issues, including the strategic Indo-US partnership and future areas of bilateral security cooperation. 

"In their discussion they emphasised US-India common security interests, their commitment to the strategic partnership and future areas of security cooperation," Pentagon Press Secretary, Rear Admiral John Kirby, said after the meeting yesterday.
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11:26   PM Narendra Modi's pledge for a clean India
This is the pledge that the PM leads today, 30 lakh government employees will take this pledge:

Gandhi had dreamed of an India which was not only political free but free from garbage and dirt.

Gandhi had freed our nation now it is our duty to free India from dirt.

I pledge to do my bit towards cleanliness and take out time for this.

Every year to spend 100 hours or two hours every week towards this.

I will not litter or allow anyone to litter.Starting with me, with my family , my locality , village and workplace I will work towards this.

I believe that all those countries which are clean are so because their citizens don't litter and don't allow this to happen.

With this in mind I will take this message from village to village and street to street.

I will also get 100 more people to take the pledge that I am taking . They too should spend 100 hours to do this and I will endeavor to make this happen.

I believe that my first step will help make my country clean.
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11:21   16 air hostesses, crew of Pak airline disappear in Canada
At least 16 air hostesses and cabin crew members of Pakistan's national carrier have disappeared in the last five months in Canada after going there on international flights. 

Four air hostesses of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) last month failed to show up for their return flights after disappearing from the hotel in which the flight crew members were staying, Ary News channel reported. 
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11:08   India contributes USD 1 million to UN women's body
Underscoring its commitment to the UN's body on gender equality and women empowerment, India has contributed USD 1 million to the organisation for the current financial year. 

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj handed over the cheque as India's contribution to the core voluntary budget of UN Women (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) to Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka here yesterday for the 2014-2015 financial year. 
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04:15   US Secret Service chief resigns over security breaches
The director of the US Secret Service resigned today following a string of lapses by the elite presidential protection branch, including one in which an intruder ran through the front door of the White House. 

"Today, Julia Pierson, the Director of the United States Secret Service, offered her resignation, and I accepted it," Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a statement. 

Johnson appointed Joseph Clancy to serve as interim acting director until a permanent replacement for Pierson, who only took up her post 18 months ago after a prostitution scandal erupted within the agency.

An independent panel would be named to probe the September 19 incident, which saw homeless US army veteran Omar Gonzalez allegedly jump the White House fence and run into the residence, Johnson said.

Gonzalez pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to three counts including unlawfully entering a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon. 

Outraged US lawmakers grilled Pierson on Tuesday over a series of security breaches, including an incident last month in which an armed security contractor with a criminal record was allowed into an elevator with President Barack Obama when he visited Atlanta, Georgia.
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04:06   Curious case of Pakistan's 16 missing air hostesses
At least 16 air hostesses and cabin crew members of Pakistan's national carrier have disappeared in the last five months in Canada after going there on international flights. 

Four air hostesses of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) last month failed to show up for their return flights after disappearing from the hotel in which the flight crew members were staying, Ary News channel reported. 

The channel said that a spokesman of the PIA had onfirmed that in the last five months air hostesses and women cabin crew members had slipped away after flying to Canada on PIA flights.

"Disciplinary departmental action against those who have slipped away has been initiated by PIA while these staffers will also have to face action under international aviation laws," the channel quoted the spokesman as saying. 

The cash-strapped airline has some 17,000 employees but just 36 aircraft, and 10 of them are grounded due to a lack of spare parts. 

Two Boeing 737-800 (180-seater) aircraft yesterday reached Karachi which have been acquired by the national airlines from Turkish airlines on a wet lease programme. 

Sources in the airlines said the slipping away of the PIA airhostesses highlighted the lack of discipline in the airlines and proper training. 

Last month, customs officials detained cabin crew members of the national airlines after they returned from a international flight and tried to smuggle new Iphone 6 models in their personnel baggage.
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04:05   US hospital bungled report of Africa travel in Ebola case
The first person diagnosed with Ebola in the United States initially told a nurse he had traveled in Africa but was sent home anyway, raising concerns about US preparedness for the spread of the deadly virus. 

The man, whose identity and nationality have not been released by health authorities, flew from Liberia, the hardest hit nation in West Africa's deadly Ebola outbreak, to Texas to visit family.

An apparent miscommunication among hospital staff left the man in the open community and contagious for four days, and he even came in contact with schoolchildren before he was finally isolated in a hospital, officials said Wednesday.

"I know that parents are being extremely concerned about that development," said Texas Governor Rick Perry. 

"These children have been identified and they are being monitored and the disease cannot be transmitted before having any symptoms." 

He arrived in Texas on September 20 and did not exhibit symptoms until September 24, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief Tom Frieden said Tuesday. 

He sought medical care on the 26th, but was sent home because the medical team "felt clinically it was a low-grade common viral disease," said Mark Lester, executive vice president of Texas Health Resources.

"He volunteered that he had traveled from Africa in response to the nurse operating the checklist and asking that question," Lester added. 

"Regretfully, that information was not fully communicated throughout the full team."

He was returned via ambulance to the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas on September 28, and was placed in strict isolation. 

The patient is currently in serious but stable condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.Z

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