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Sat, 18 October 2014
Live! Obama says NYC restaurant rejected his credit card
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21:35 Obama says NYC restaurant rejected his credit card
New York has been a tough town for President Barack Obama over the past few months.
First, elite New York golf courses reportedly rejected President Barack Obama's request to tee off during Labor Day Weekend. Now, the President says a New York City restaurant rejected his credit card while he was in town for the United Nations General Assembly last month.
"It turned out I guess I dont use it enough," Obama recalled Friday after he signed an executive order to protect consumers from identity theft, according to a transcript of his remarks. "So they thought there was some fraud going on. Fortunately, Michelle had hers."
"And I was trying to explain to the waitress, no, I really think that Ive been paying my bills," he joked. "Even Im affected by this."
21:05 Mild wintry conditions in north, cold wave intensifies in HP
Several parts of north India experienced mild cold conditions with mercury dropping by a few notches at most places today, as cold wave intensified in tribal areas and other higher hills of Himachal Pradesh.
In Delhi, it was a pleasant morning with the minimum temperature settling at 16.5 degrees Celsius. The maximum was recorded at 31.6 degrees Celsius.
In Himachal Pradesh, cold wave conditions intensified in tribal areas and other higher hills as mercury dipped by a few notches despite prevailing dry weather in the region.
High altitude tribal areas reeled under piercing cold wave conditions as the mercury stayed between minus 3 and minus 6 degrees Celsius, while Kalpa and Manali recorded a low of 2.4 degrees, followed by Keylong 2.8 degrees.
The minimum temperature slided to 7.5 degrees at Solan, 8.0 degrees at Bhuntar, 9.5 at Shimla, 10.1 at Sundernagar, 10.4 at Una and Palampur and 12.6 degrees at Dharamsala.
The sudden drop in mercury has resulted in freezing of lakes, springs and rivulets in high altitude tribal areas, resulting in sharp reduction in discharge of water and fall in hydropower generation.
Manali recorded 5 mm of rains, followed by Kalpa 2 mm and Dalhousie and Chamba 1 mm.
The maximum temperatures also stayed marginally below normal and Una was hottest in the region with a high of 30 degrees Celsius. The maximum in Dharamsala was 23.2 degrees and in Shimla 20.4 degrees Celsius.
20:14 Death toll rises to 50 in cyclone-hit AP; 3 still missing
Death toll in the severe cyclonic storm 'Hudhud' that battered coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh has mounted to 50 as the government today renewed appeal for public donation and voluntary service to speed up the massive rebuilding exercise in affected areas.
Twelve more deaths have been reported since yesterday. Advisor (Communications) to Andhra Pradesh government Parakala Prabhakar told PTI today that 50 people have lost their lives in the cyclone, which struck Visakhapatnam on Sunday last and caused large-scale devastation.
Giving details, he said Visakhapatnam has reported the maximum number of deaths at 36 -- 20 in rural areas and 16 in urban localities -- followed by Vizianagaram (13) and Srikakulam (1).
Three people were still missing, he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu appealed to the people to make generous contribution for rebuilding the affected areas, especially Visakhapatnam, worst-hit by Hudhud.
"Anyone can contribute to rebuild the (Visakhapatnam) city by way of donation or voluntary service. Students will be involved in a big way in the government's efforts to rebuild the city and also in rescue and relief operations," Naidu told a press conference.
20:13 Nepal snowstorm toll climbs to 39
The death toll in one the most devastating snowstorm disasters to hit Nepal's Himalayan mountain range climbed to 39 after two more bodies, including that of an Indian, were found today.
Officials said two more bodies have been found today, bringing the death toll to 39, with fears abound that more could be lying under heavy snowdrifts and ice.
Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) general secretary Sagar Pandey said that the bodies -- a Japanese national and an Indian male tourist identified as Arup Roy Chaudhary, 42 -- were recovered from Thorong La Pass in Mustang district.
Four Indians have been killed in the snowstorm so far. Authorities have rescued 11 Indians. They are identified as: Subhomoy Ghosh, Ranajit Dutta, Partho Banerjee, Ramchandra Mitra, Govinda Mandal, Kunal Bhattacharya, Debashish Biswas, Subrata Dutta, Subrata Das, Sumit Mukherjee and Sowrabha V Besur.
All except Sowraba, who is from Bangalore, are from West Bengal, according to Indian Embassy sources. While three Indians are believed to still missing.
19:02 Al Badr terrorist arrested from Baramulla
Security forces today arrested a militant from Al-Badr outfit from Sopore area of Baramulla district in Kashmir, police said.
"Police with the assistance of 52 RR (army), apprehended a militant of Al-Badr outfit, thus preventing from a major subversion plan of the terrorists," a police spokesman said.
He said the militant has been identified as Irfan Ahmad Bhat alias Irra, a resident of Panzipora-Tarzoo in Sopore.
A pistol and a magazine was recovered from Irfan's possession, he said.
"The local boy was motivated and recruited into the Al-Badr outfit by Al-Badr District Commander Muzaffar Ahmad Naikoo alias Muz Molvi with a view to build a network of Al-Badr operatives for the execution of various terrorist actions in and around Sopore," the spokesman said.
After being indoctrinated with "Jihadi ideology" and positioned into the militant outfit, Irfan was assigned with various tasks of couriering the weapons and money, identifying the targets vis-a-vis security installations and carry out the grenade attacks on VIP rallies, police and security forces on the directions of Molvi, the spokesman said.
18:15 J&K poll dates: We have not yet made up our mind, says EC
EC to hold further consultations to decide poll timing in J-K
Srinagar, Oct 18 (PTI)
After holding day-long discussions with stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission today said it will hold further consultations in Delhi on timing of assembly polls in the flood-ravaged state.
It, however, made it clear that relief and rehabilitation work will not be affected in case the polls are held on time.
"Even in the event of our deciding to hold the elections, in all our instructions, they will never interfere with relief work," Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath told reporters in Srinagar.
Sampath, who was accompanied by Election Commissioners Harikrishna Brahma and Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi, said they met the stakeholders, including all recognised political parties in the state.
The ruling National Conference told the EC team, which arrived here this morning, that the present juncture was not conducive for holding the polls in view of the largescale destruction caused by the floods last month.
But ruling coalition partner Congress and opposition parties, including PDP, backed the conduct of the polls before the end of the year, as per the schedule.
"We have had day-long consultations with all concerned. We have noted their views vis-a-vis conduct of elections. Quite a of few of them maintained that elections should be held on schedule and that there should not be any delay, while some others were also mentioning that holding of elections will interfere with relief and rehabilitation," he said.
"We will be getting back to Delhi. We have to hold some more consultations before we come to a final conclusion about the scheduling of the elections. We will be announcing it as soon as we make up our mind," he said.
16:58 Modi should keep his promise on black money issue: Digvijaya
Congress General Secretary Digvijaya Singh here demanded from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pay Rs three lakh each to citizens of the country as promised by him on the issue of black money stashed in foreign countries during Lok Sabha polls campaigning.
Singh, who was in city today to attend a programme in Dewas district demanded that Modi and yoga guru Baba Ramdev should keep their promises on the issue.
"I demand from prime minister and Baba Ramdev to pay Rs 3 lakh each people of the country or at least to those who are not income tax payee as promised by them," Singh told reporters when asked about government's stand in the Supreme Court on the black money issue.
Responding to a query on whether it is legally possible to bring back black money, he said, "We have been saying that for the purpose, the government has to sign a treaty if the law of that country permits it to do so. We are not against bringing black money back.. it should be."
Singh, who was in city today to attend a programme in Dewas district demanded that Modi and yoga guru Baba Ramdev should keep their promises on the issue.
"I demand from prime minister and Baba Ramdev to pay Rs 3 lakh each people of the country or at least to those who are not income tax payee as promised by them," Singh told reporters when asked about government's stand in the Supreme Court on the black money issue.
Responding to a query on whether it is legally possible to bring back black money, he said, "We have been saying that for the purpose, the government has to sign a treaty if the law of that country permits it to do so. We are not against bringing black money back.. it should be."
16:45
"The full Election Commission will hold further consultations in Delhi before deciding on the timing for J-K Assembly polls," he said.
16:44
The full Election Commission will hold further consultations in Delhi before deciding on the timing for J-K Assembly polls, Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath said at a media briefing today.
16:31 Modi calls up Karzai, hails his contribution
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and hailed his effort to strengthen bilateral relations besides successfully steering his country on the path of peace, prosperity and stability which will "never be forgotten".
Modi told Karzai that he will always remain a "special friend" for India which was like a second home to him and invited him to undertake an early visit. Karzai said he looks forward to visiting India soon.
During the telephone call more than a month after Karzai demitted office which he held for nearly 13 years, Modi congratulated him for his leadership in ensuring a historic and peaceful political transition and formation of a National Unity Government in Afghanistan, a PMO statement said.
This, the prime minister said, would not have been possible without the wisdom, courage and foresight of Karzai.
Modi told Karzai that he will always remain a "special friend" for India which was like a second home to him and invited him to undertake an early visit. Karzai said he looks forward to visiting India soon.
During the telephone call more than a month after Karzai demitted office which he held for nearly 13 years, Modi congratulated him for his leadership in ensuring a historic and peaceful political transition and formation of a National Unity Government in Afghanistan, a PMO statement said.
This, the prime minister said, would not have been possible without the wisdom, courage and foresight of Karzai.
16:26 5 charged with IS plot to kill Scotland Yard officers
Five men have been charged here in connection with an alleged Islamic State plot to carry out a drive-by gun attack against Scotland Yard officers. Four of the group are said to have sworn allegiance to IS and to have planned to use a moped to carry out the shooting on the streets of London.
They are accused of using Google Street View to conduct "hostile reconnaissance" of Shepherds Bush police station and White City Territorial Army barracks, both in west London, 'The Times' reported.
It is also alleged that the group shared Instagram photographs of two Metropolitan Police officers and two police community support officers.
Mark Dawson, for the prosecution, told Westminster magistrates' court that the alleged plot was "to shoot, to kill, police officers or soldiers on the streets of London".
Police across the country were warned last week to increase their personal vigilance because of the heightened threat of terrorism.
They are accused of using Google Street View to conduct "hostile reconnaissance" of Shepherds Bush police station and White City Territorial Army barracks, both in west London, 'The Times' reported.
It is also alleged that the group shared Instagram photographs of two Metropolitan Police officers and two police community support officers.
Mark Dawson, for the prosecution, told Westminster magistrates' court that the alleged plot was "to shoot, to kill, police officers or soldiers on the streets of London".
Police across the country were warned last week to increase their personal vigilance because of the heightened threat of terrorism.
16:23 Manjhi retracts from 'chopping of hand' comment on doctors
Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today retracted from his "chopping hands of doctors" comment saying he had used a Hindi proverb to convey his feeling on doctors not sincerely serving poor.
"I had used a Hindi proverb to express my feeling against doctors not serving poor sincerely," Manjhi told reporters when asked about his comments in East Champaran district yesterday.
"Proverbs such as 'kad choota kar denge' (cutting to size) or'haath kat denge' (chopping hands) are used in Hindi...but this does not mean actually chopping hands of somebody," he said on the sidelines of a function at A N Sinha Institute here.
With his remarks on doctors at Pakri Dayal in East Champaran district used by opposition to attack him and JD(U),Manjhi said he respect doctors.
"Ninty per cent doctors are good and honest in delivery of services but 10 per cent are not sincere in serving poor...my displeasure is at those 10 per cent," he added.
"I had used a Hindi proverb to express my feeling against doctors not serving poor sincerely," Manjhi told reporters when asked about his comments in East Champaran district yesterday.
"Proverbs such as 'kad choota kar denge' (cutting to size) or'haath kat denge' (chopping hands) are used in Hindi...but this does not mean actually chopping hands of somebody," he said on the sidelines of a function at A N Sinha Institute here.
With his remarks on doctors at Pakri Dayal in East Champaran district used by opposition to attack him and JD(U),Manjhi said he respect doctors.
"Ninty per cent doctors are good and honest in delivery of services but 10 per cent are not sincere in serving poor...my displeasure is at those 10 per cent," he added.
16:12
Allaying fears about spread of Ebola in the US, President Barack Obama today asserted that the country was not facing an outbreak of the deadly virus andit was fully prepared to confront the challenge posed by the disease.
Obama, in his weekly radio and web address to the nation,said he and his entire administration will continue to do everything possible to prevent further transmission of the disease domestically and to contain and end the Ebola epidemic at its source in West Africa.
"This is a serious disease, but we can't give in to hysteria or fear because that only makes it harder to get people the accurate information they need. We have to be guided by the science," Obama said.
"What we're seeing now is not an 'outbreak' or an'epidemic' of Ebola in America. We're a nation of more than300 million people," he said, pointing out that till date three cases of Ebola have been diagnosed in the country.
He went on to detail the three cases which are of a man who contracted the disease in Liberia who came to the USand sadly died and that of two courageous nurses who were infected while they were treating the man.
Obama, in his weekly radio and web address to the nation,said he and his entire administration will continue to do everything possible to prevent further transmission of the disease domestically and to contain and end the Ebola epidemic at its source in West Africa.
"This is a serious disease, but we can't give in to hysteria or fear because that only makes it harder to get people the accurate information they need. We have to be guided by the science," Obama said.
"What we're seeing now is not an 'outbreak' or an'epidemic' of Ebola in America. We're a nation of more than300 million people," he said, pointing out that till date three cases of Ebola have been diagnosed in the country.
He went on to detail the three cases which are of a man who contracted the disease in Liberia who came to the USand sadly died and that of two courageous nurses who were infected while they were treating the man.
15:40
Tight security was thrown around the prison complex with entry point blocked at more than a km away. Police personnel have been deployed on the route to the HAL airport also.
15:33
Prohibitory orders have been clamped in one km radius of the prison complex, Bangalore Police Commissioner M N Reddi told mediapersons. "Taking into account sensitivity of the situation, we have made elaborate security arrangements," he said.
15:31
Here is a picture of her massive convoy.
15:26
The special court had sentenced them to four years in jail in the Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate assets case on September 27. In a major relief, the Supreme Court had on Friday granted bail to Jayalalithaa and three others, who had earlier tried in vain to secure it in the Karnataka high court.
15:25
Just in: All India Anna Dravida Munetra Kazhagam supremo J Jayalalithaa has been released from the Bangalore central jail. The release came after the special court's release order is furnished to the jail officials where Jayalalithaa and three others were lodged.
She is heading straight to the HAL airport, from where a chartered plane will take her to Chennai.
She is heading straight to the HAL airport, from where a chartered plane will take her to Chennai.
15:14
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley rejected the charge of U-turn in the black money case. "The government will not be pushed into adventurism that may jeopardise cooperation from other countries on getting names of black money holders," he said.
14:51 Saddam Hussein planned to kidnap Israeli PM in 1981
Former Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein had planned to kidnap the then Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin in retaliation to the Jewish state's attack on Iraq's nuclear reactor in 1981, a media report said.
The sensational revelation has been made in a soon to be published memoir by Saddam's attorney, Badie Aref, Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper reported.
Badie, who heard of the plan from one of the Iraqi intelligence chiefs, claims that Palestinian operatives were entrusted with the job of kidnapping Begin and bringing him to Baghdad, Ynetnews quoted the report as saying.
The plan was eventually called off after an unnamed Western leader urged the former Iraqi dictator to give up on the plan, the report said.
The sensational revelation has been made in a soon to be published memoir by Saddam's attorney, Badie Aref, Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper reported.
Badie, who heard of the plan from one of the Iraqi intelligence chiefs, claims that Palestinian operatives were entrusted with the job of kidnapping Begin and bringing him to Baghdad, Ynetnews quoted the report as saying.
The plan was eventually called off after an unnamed Western leader urged the former Iraqi dictator to give up on the plan, the report said.
14:38
A Chhattisgarh Armed Force jawan was killed by Naxals in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Sukma district today.
Constable Shivkumar Sidar was unwell for the last few days and was going for treatment to Dornpal from Temelwada in a bus where he was abducted by a group of Maoists and was killed, Inspector General, Bastar Range SRP Kalluri, said.
Sidar was travelling alone in a passenger bus, unarmed in civilian clothes when a group of armed Maoists stopped the bus between Temelwada and Kusawada and asked him to alight from the vehicle, Kalluri said.
The ultras then killed him and abandoned his body on the road, the IG said. Soon after being informed, security forces rushed to the spot, he said, adding that a combing operation has been launched in the region to nab the assailants. A native of Raigarh district, Sidar belonged to the D company of CAF's 9th battalion.
Constable Shivkumar Sidar was unwell for the last few days and was going for treatment to Dornpal from Temelwada in a bus where he was abducted by a group of Maoists and was killed, Inspector General, Bastar Range SRP Kalluri, said.
Sidar was travelling alone in a passenger bus, unarmed in civilian clothes when a group of armed Maoists stopped the bus between Temelwada and Kusawada and asked him to alight from the vehicle, Kalluri said.
The ultras then killed him and abandoned his body on the road, the IG said. Soon after being informed, security forces rushed to the spot, he said, adding that a combing operation has been launched in the region to nab the assailants. A native of Raigarh district, Sidar belonged to the D company of CAF's 9th battalion.
14:12 UK announces first-ever Dadabhai Naoroji Awards
The UK government announced the inaugural Dadabhai Naoroji Awards to honour individuals who have worked to strengthen the UK-India relationship over the years.
The three winners included UK India Business Council chair Patricia Hewitt in the commerce category, Dame Asha Khemka for services in the field of education and actor Madhav Sharma for culture. Khemka, who became the first India-born woman to be made a Dame in the New Year's Honours List earlier this year, described the award as a "recognition for the entire Indian community in the UK".
The awards were judged by ministers following nominations from the public and were presented at a Foreign and Commonwealth Office reception here last evening as part of the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
The three winners included UK India Business Council chair Patricia Hewitt in the commerce category, Dame Asha Khemka for services in the field of education and actor Madhav Sharma for culture. Khemka, who became the first India-born woman to be made a Dame in the New Year's Honours List earlier this year, described the award as a "recognition for the entire Indian community in the UK".
The awards were judged by ministers following nominations from the public and were presented at a Foreign and Commonwealth Office reception here last evening as part of the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
13:50 Maharashtra, Haryana polls: Counting of votes tomorrow
Counting of votes for the Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana, seen as the first major test of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity after the Lok Sabha polls, will be held tomorrow.
The vote counting for the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly and 90-member Haryana Assembly will start at 8 AM in the two states which went to polls on October 15. Haryana recorded its highest-ever turnout of 76.54 per cent while Maharashtra recorded 63.13 per cent polling. Exit polls have projected that the BJP will emerge as the largest party in both Maharashtra and Haryana stopping short of majority.
Counting will be held across 288 counting centres at 269 locations in Maharashtra. Trends are expected to be available around noon and final results will begin pouring in around 3 PM.
Altogether, 63.13 per cent voters cast their vote in the Assembly polls. Polling was also held for the Beed Lok Sabha bypoll on October 15. Counting for it will also be taken up tomorrow.
The vote counting for the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly and 90-member Haryana Assembly will start at 8 AM in the two states which went to polls on October 15. Haryana recorded its highest-ever turnout of 76.54 per cent while Maharashtra recorded 63.13 per cent polling. Exit polls have projected that the BJP will emerge as the largest party in both Maharashtra and Haryana stopping short of majority.
Counting will be held across 288 counting centres at 269 locations in Maharashtra. Trends are expected to be available around noon and final results will begin pouring in around 3 PM.
Altogether, 63.13 per cent voters cast their vote in the Assembly polls. Polling was also held for the Beed Lok Sabha bypoll on October 15. Counting for it will also be taken up tomorrow.
12:57
Pakistan's powerful army chief Gen Raheel Sharif today said that the resolution of Kashmir issue was imperative for establishment of sustainable peace in the region.
Addressing a passing-out parade at Military Academy in Kakul, Gen Sharif said that the people of Kashmir should be allowed to decide their fate in the light of UN resolutions.
He said Pakistan desires regional stability and relationship based on equality and mutual respect. "We persistently seek peace in the region and beyond. This quest for peace is our nation's greatest strength. We desire regional stability and relationship based on equality and mutual respect," he said.
Addressing a passing-out parade at Military Academy in Kakul, Gen Sharif said that the people of Kashmir should be allowed to decide their fate in the light of UN resolutions.
He said Pakistan desires regional stability and relationship based on equality and mutual respect. "We persistently seek peace in the region and beyond. This quest for peace is our nation's greatest strength. We desire regional stability and relationship based on equality and mutual respect," he said.
12:40 New chief priest for Sabarimala temple selected
E N Krishnadas Namboodiri was today selected as the new 'Melsanthi' (Chief Priest) of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. S Kesavan Namboodiri was selected as the 'Melsanthi' for the adjoining Malikappuram Devi temple.
The selections were made by draw of lots from two panels of shortlisted candidates, temple officials said. Krishnadas Namboodiri, presently the priest at Pavakkulam temple in Ernakulam, is a native of Panjal in Thrissur district.
The chief priests for the temples are selected for a year ahead of the pilgrimage season beginning next month.
The selections were made by draw of lots from two panels of shortlisted candidates, temple officials said. Krishnadas Namboodiri, presently the priest at Pavakkulam temple in Ernakulam, is a native of Panjal in Thrissur district.
The chief priests for the temples are selected for a year ahead of the pilgrimage season beginning next month.
12:33 Woman delivers baby on the floor of govt health centre in Muzaffarnagar
A woman gave birth to a child on the floor of a primary health centre after the staff allegedly refused to admit her without a bribe in Shamli district.
The incident occurred yesterday when the woman, Zubeda, was taken to a government primary health centre in Kandhla town after she complained of labour pain.
The woman's family alleged she delivered the baby in the compound of the health centre after the doctors on duty refused to admit her, demanding a bribe as the price of admission.
Later, following protests by family members, she was admitted to the health centre with her child. The family is now demanding strict action against those responsible.
The incident occurred yesterday when the woman, Zubeda, was taken to a government primary health centre in Kandhla town after she complained of labour pain.
The woman's family alleged she delivered the baby in the compound of the health centre after the doctors on duty refused to admit her, demanding a bribe as the price of admission.
Later, following protests by family members, she was admitted to the health centre with her child. The family is now demanding strict action against those responsible.
12:31 Nigerian Military: Boko Haram has agreed to release schoolgirls
From the GlobeandMail: Nigeria said on Friday it had agreed to a ceasefire with Islamist militants Boko Haram and reached a deal for the release of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the group six months ago.
Read the full story here
Read the full story here
12:23 Special court issues order for release of Jayalalithaa
The Special Court here today issued the order for release of AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa from jail here in accordance with the Supreme Court order granting her bail in the disproportionate assets case.
The release order by Special Judge John Michael D'Cunha came after a bond for Rs two crore was furnished and surety of assets offered. Copy of the Supreme Court order was also produced before the court by Jayalalithaa's lawyers.
Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala and her relatives Sudhakaran and Elavarasi also fufilled similar conditions. The former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the three others will be released in the afternoon after the Special Court's release order is furnished to officials of Parappana Agrahara Central Prison where Jayalalithaa and three others are lodged.
The special court had sentenced them to four years in jail in the Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate assets case on September 27. In a major relief, the Supreme Court had yesterday granted bail to Jayalalithaa and three others, who had earlier tried in vain to secure it in the Karnataka high court.
The release order by Special Judge John Michael D'Cunha came after a bond for Rs two crore was furnished and surety of assets offered. Copy of the Supreme Court order was also produced before the court by Jayalalithaa's lawyers.
Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala and her relatives Sudhakaran and Elavarasi also fufilled similar conditions. The former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the three others will be released in the afternoon after the Special Court's release order is furnished to officials of Parappana Agrahara Central Prison where Jayalalithaa and three others are lodged.
The special court had sentenced them to four years in jail in the Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate assets case on September 27. In a major relief, the Supreme Court had yesterday granted bail to Jayalalithaa and three others, who had earlier tried in vain to secure it in the Karnataka high court.
12:22 Modi monitors attendance registers of government employees
Within a fortnight of launching Modi's ambitious portal attendance.gov.in on September 30, the move went for a toss. The centre backtracked and said no information about individual employees could be provided.
For now, the portal covers 50,000-odd employees across 149 offices in Delhi and was to be gradually extended to the rest of the capital's offices and eventually the whole country.
Until yesterday morning, the portal was showing all the attendance details of every registered official. But the portal now displays an edited version, revealing the collective attendance figures in all these offices.
For now, the portal covers 50,000-odd employees across 149 offices in Delhi and was to be gradually extended to the rest of the capital's offices and eventually the whole country.
Until yesterday morning, the portal was showing all the attendance details of every registered official. But the portal now displays an edited version, revealing the collective attendance figures in all these offices.
12:19 Obama reviews strategy against ISIL
US President Barack Obama has reviewed his strategy in Iraq and Syria and discussed the assessed impact of coalition air strikes against the Islamic State in both countries, the White House said.
During his meeting with the national security team, Obama received an update on the political and security situation in Iraq and Syria, the White House said.
The meeting among others was attended by Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry, National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
"He reviewed coalition plans to help train, advise, and equip Iraqi ground forces as they take the fight to ISIL in the near term and over time, including the need to fill critical gaps and to integrate fully the unique capabilities of key coalition partners," the White House said.
During his meeting with the national security team, Obama received an update on the political and security situation in Iraq and Syria, the White House said.
The meeting among others was attended by Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry, National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.
"He reviewed coalition plans to help train, advise, and equip Iraqi ground forces as they take the fight to ISIL in the near term and over time, including the need to fill critical gaps and to integrate fully the unique capabilities of key coalition partners," the White House said.
12:04 West Indies board apologises after India tour abandoned
The West Indies Cricket Board said it had been left with no choice but to abandon tour of India after players 'withdrew their services' amid an internal dispute.
11:59
Prime Minister Narendra Modi eliminated three top contenders from the race of cabinet secretary in one go.
With Alok Rawat shunted out to the department of administrative reforms, Arvind Mayaram as tourism secretary and induction of Rajiv Mehrshi as finance secretary, no one knows who will be the cabinet secretary when Ajit Seth retires next month.
Modi gave Seth six months' extension after assuming office in May and there is speculation that the UP cadre officer may get another extension. It is learnt that Home Secretary Anil Goswami who was heading the race has somehow lost out.
With Alok Rawat shunted out to the department of administrative reforms, Arvind Mayaram as tourism secretary and induction of Rajiv Mehrshi as finance secretary, no one knows who will be the cabinet secretary when Ajit Seth retires next month.
Modi gave Seth six months' extension after assuming office in May and there is speculation that the UP cadre officer may get another extension. It is learnt that Home Secretary Anil Goswami who was heading the race has somehow lost out.
11:57 Rajnath meets Modi to reconstitute National disaster management authority
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh met Prime
Minister Narendra Modi with a suggestion to reconstitute the National
disaster management authority and handed over 18 names from which Modi will
select for appointment as members.
11:51 Why Sun's corona is hotter than its surface decoded
Scientists have finally decoded why the Sun's million-degree corona or outermost atmosphere is so much hotter than its surface, which has baffled astronomers for decades.
A team led by Paola Testa of the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics has found new clues to the mystery of coronal heating using observations from the recently launched Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph.
The team found that miniature solar flares called "nanoflares" -- and the speedy electrons they produce -- might partly be the source of that heat, at least in some of the hottest parts of the Sun's corona.
A solar flare occurs when a patch of the Sun brightens dramatically at all wavelengths of light. During flares, solar plasma is heated to tens of millions of degrees in a matter of seconds or minutes.
A team led by Paola Testa of the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics has found new clues to the mystery of coronal heating using observations from the recently launched Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph.
The team found that miniature solar flares called "nanoflares" -- and the speedy electrons they produce -- might partly be the source of that heat, at least in some of the hottest parts of the Sun's corona.
A solar flare occurs when a patch of the Sun brightens dramatically at all wavelengths of light. During flares, solar plasma is heated to tens of millions of degrees in a matter of seconds or minutes.
11:50 Rijiju meets members of Northeast groups; promises to book all culprits of hate crime
IBNlive reports: Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju met representatives from Northeast groups on Saturday. There has been a huge outcry from the community for being targeted.
Three people were arrested on Friday in connection with the attack on two young men from Nagaland in Gurgaon.
Read the full report here
The police have called it a case of ethnic discrimination and hooliganism. Earlier this week another student from Mizoram was targeted in Bangalore for not speaking Kannada.
Three people were arrested on Friday in connection with the attack on two young men from Nagaland in Gurgaon.
Read the full report here
The police have called it a case of ethnic discrimination and hooliganism. Earlier this week another student from Mizoram was targeted in Bangalore for not speaking Kannada.
10:50
According to media reports, the radars at the Kolkata airport are not working because of a telecommunication breakdown.
More details are awaited
More details are awaited
10:40
"Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire and resorted to small arms and automatic weapons firing on Indian posts along the LoC in Hamirpur sector of Poonch district around 8:55 pm last night, a senior Army officer said today.
Troops gave a befitting reply to the Pakistani firing, resulting in exchanges which continued till 9:20 pm.
There was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the firing. Pakistani rangers resorted to firing on BoPs in Makwal and Allah Mahi Da Kothay areas in Jammu district last evening, a BSF officer said, adding, "it was a minor firing".
Troops gave a befitting reply to the Pakistani firing, resulting in exchanges which continued till 9:20 pm.
There was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the firing. Pakistani rangers resorted to firing on BoPs in Makwal and Allah Mahi Da Kothay areas in Jammu district last evening, a BSF officer said, adding, "it was a minor firing".
10:34
The Pakistan army has resorted to unprovoked overnight firing at Indian positions on the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, defence sources said.
Read the full story here
Read the full story here
10:09 Kerry holds talks with Chinese diplomat in Boston
US Secretary of State John Kerry held talks with visiting top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi at his private residence in Boston, kicking of their two days of talks aimed at easing tensions between the two countries.
"Secretary Kerry hosted Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi to a small dinner at his private residence in Boston for discussions about the bilateral relationship and important regional and global issues," a senior State Department official said yesterday.
Kerry and Yang used the dinner for informal and in-depth discussions and to speak frankly about ways to strengthen the bilateral ties, improve cooperation on global and regional issues, and better manage differences, the official said.
The two leaders will meet again today to continue their discussions, the official said. At the Pentagon, the Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work met Lt Gen Wang Guanzhong, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
"Secretary Kerry hosted Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi to a small dinner at his private residence in Boston for discussions about the bilateral relationship and important regional and global issues," a senior State Department official said yesterday.
Kerry and Yang used the dinner for informal and in-depth discussions and to speak frankly about ways to strengthen the bilateral ties, improve cooperation on global and regional issues, and better manage differences, the official said.
The two leaders will meet again today to continue their discussions, the official said. At the Pentagon, the Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work met Lt Gen Wang Guanzhong, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
10:08 Jayalalithaa likely to walk out of jail today
From ZeeNews: A day after getting bail from Supreme Court in disproportionate assets case, AIADMK supremo and former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa is expected to step out of the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison on Saturday.
Read the full story here
Read the full story here
08:47 Violence returns to Hong Kong protest zone
From the LATimes: Police clashed with thousands of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong's Mong Kok neighborhood early Saturday, leading to at least 26 arrests. Police said 15 officers were hurt in the fracas.
Read the full story here
Read the full story here
08:42 Now, listen to music on Twitter
The Hindu reports:
The micro-blogging site Twitter has added a new feature to allow its users to listen music directly from the twitter stream on mobile devices.Developed with the Berlin-based audio-streaming service SoundCloud, the Twitter "audio card' lets users discover and listen to audio directly on both iOS and Android devices.
Twitter hopes it will attract more musicians to the service.
Read the full story here
The micro-blogging site Twitter has added a new feature to allow its users to listen music directly from the twitter stream on mobile devices.Developed with the Berlin-based audio-streaming service SoundCloud, the Twitter "audio card' lets users discover and listen to audio directly on both iOS and Android devices.
Twitter hopes it will attract more musicians to the service.
Read the full story here
03:55 British police charge four with IS-linked terror plot
Four men have appeared in a British court, charged with an alleged terror plot to shoot to kill police officers or soldiers on the streets of London, and with allegedly pledging allegiance to the Islamic State organisation.
The men, who are all from the capital and were arrested earlier this month, are accused of scoping out a police station and army barracks and obtaining a handgun and ammunition.
03:16 Nigeria said to declare cease-fire with Boko Haram militants
Nigeria's top military official has declared a cease-fire with Boko Haram, the militant Islamist group that kidnapped more than 200 girls from a rural school months ago, three leading Nigerian news organizations reported on Friday.
Nigeria's chief of defense staff, Alex Badeh, was cited as issuing an order to comply with the cease-fire "in all theaters of operations' against Boko Haram, which has battled the government for years, overrunning villages in the country's northeast. The reports said the cease-fire came amid negotiations over the schoolgirls and their possible release.
02:22 Hong Kong police arrest 26 amid street clashes
Hong Kong riot police battled with thousands of pro-democracy protesters for control of the city's streets, using pepper spray and batons to hold back defiant activists who returned to a protest zone that officers had partially cleared.
Police and activists engaged in running clashes in Mong Kok's dense grid of streets, scuffling for hours. Several protesters were seen knocked to the ground, and dozens were carried or taken away by police.
01:43 Sweden hunts suspected foreign submarine off Stockholm coast
The Swedish armed forces announced a large military operation around islands off Stockholm today following reports of suspicious "foreign underwater activity".
"We have begun an intelligence operation... involving ships, helicopters and several ground units," Commander Jonas Wikstroem told reporters.
01:43 Canada to double UN contribution to fight Ebola
Canada has promised to double its financial contribution to the United Nations' fight against Ebola in West Africa, the country's health minister announced Friday. Ottawa will increase its aid to USD53 million, up from 30 million Canadian Dollars it had pledged last month, said Health Minister Rona Ambrose.
00:59 Gay marriage becomes legal in Arizona
Gay marriage has become legal in Arizona after the state's conservative attorney general said today that he wouldn't challenge a federal court decision that cleared the way for same-sex unions in the state.
The announcement prompted gay couples in Phoenix to immediately begin lining up at the downtown courthouse to apply for marriage licenses, and there is no waiting period in Arizona that would delay weddings.
00:58 Protesters stage 'Occupy' protest by British parliament
Some 200 anti-government campaigners rallied in front of the British parliament today, saying that they were planning to set up an "Occupy Democracy" camp without official permission.
The protesters, some wearing Anonymous masks and holding up a large banner reading "Real Democracy Now", gathered on the eve of a trade union march expected to draw tens of thousands.
00:55 Top-secret space plane lands on California coast
A top-secret space plane landed today at an Air Force base on the Southern California coast. The plane spent nearly two years circling Earth on a classified mission. Known as the X-37B, it resembles a mini space shuttle. It safely touched down at 9:24 am Friday, officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base said.
00:45 China angry over Japan lawmakers' shrine visits
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent an offering to a controversial war shrine today as 100 lawmakers paid their respects there, in a move Beijing said ratcheted up regional tensions.
A cross-party group of parliamentarians said 110 members paid homage at Yasukuni Shrine in downtown Tokyo, a spot condemned by China and Korea as a symbol of Japan's militarist past.
00:44 Ebola death toll soars to 4,555 out of 9,216: WHO
More than 4,500 people have died in the deadly Ebola outbreak that began in west Africa at the beginning of the year, fresh World Health Organization figures showed today.
The UN health agency said that 4,555 people had died from Ebola out of a total of 9,216 cases registered in seven countries, as of October 14. A toll dated just two days earlier had put the death toll at 4,493 out of 8,997 cases.
00:25 White House says it expects Ebola 'czar' to be in job for 5 to 6 months
The U.S. Ebola "czar" named by President Barack Obama on Friday to coordinate the U.S. response to the disease is expected to hold the position for five or six months, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.
00:23 Boko Haram may release schoolgirls as part of deal
More than 200 missing schoolgirls kidnapped by the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram may be released as part of an immediate cease-fire agreement announced Friday with the Nigerian government, according to multiple media reports.
Nigerian presidential aide Hassan Tukur told BBC Focus on Africa that the cease-fire agreement came after months of negotiations mediated by Chad.
The girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram '" the group's nickname means "education is sinful" '" on April 15 while in school in the northeastern town of Chibok.
00:22 No deal reached on girls' release: Nigeria security spokesman
Nigeria's chief security spokesman today said that there was no deal in place with Boko Haram for the release of more than 200 hostage schoolgirls after the presidency said an accord had been reached.
Asked if a deal for the release of the girls had been finalised, the head of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri, said: "No. That part has not been agreed but we are inching closer and closer."
00:22 Cameron must act to free Briton on Pak's death row: Family
The daughter of a British man sentenced to death in Pakistan for blasphemy delivered Prime Minister David Cameron a petition today demanding help in securing his release.
Mentally ill Mohammad Asghar, 70, was convicted in January for claiming to be a prophet of Islam, an act considered sacrilegious in Pakistan, which is 97 per cent Muslim. The verdict prompted Cameron to say he was "deeply concerned" about Asghar's fate.
00:21 Top headlines in that last 24 hours
Mizoram girl found murdered in Delhi home, partner detained
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After exit polls, Shiv Sena goes soft on BJP
It's an early Diwali for Jaya's supporters
India successfully test-fires cruise missile Nirbhay
SC grants Jayalalithaa bail in assets case
VOTE: Who will be Maharashtra's next chief minister?
Pakistan violates ceasefire twice in 12 hours
Must-know facts about Nirbhay missile
Why ISRO is betting big on GPS
After exit polls, Shiv Sena goes soft on BJP
It's an early Diwali for Jaya's supporters
India successfully test-fires cruise missile Nirbhay
SC grants Jayalalithaa bail in assets case
VOTE: Who will be Maharashtra's next chief minister?
Pakistan violates ceasefire twice in 12 hours
Must-know facts about Nirbhay missile
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