LIVE
Mon, 15 September 2014
Ahead of Chinese PM's visit, a fresh transgression by China in Ladakh
Timeline Refresh
23:22 UN relocates peacekeepers from Golan Heights
The UN today said it has "relocated" its peacekeepers from several positions on the Golan Heights as the security situation continues to deteriorate, with armed groups posing a direct threat to their safety.
The situation in United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Syrian side and the area of separation has deteriorated severely over the last several days, spokesperson of the UN Secretary General said in a statement.
"Armed groups have made advances in the area of UNDOF positions, posing a direct threat to the safety and security of the UN Peacekeepers along the 'Bravo' line and in Camp Faouar.
"All the UN personnel in these positions have thus been relocated to the 'Alpha' side," it said.
The UN peacekeepers have been relocated to the Israeli side of the border.
The UN said the observer force continues to use all available assets to carry out its mandated tasks in this "exceptionally challenging environment".
Peacekeepers serving with UNDOF, monitor the 1974 disengagement accord between Syria and Israel after their 1973 war.
21:21 Toilets converted to temples due to water scarcity: Gadkari
A huge number of toilets in some rural households have been converted to godowns and temples due to scarcity of water, Rural Development Minister Nitin Gadkari said today.
Gadkari, who also holds the portfolio of Drinking Water and Sanitation, said that mere construction of toilets will not be enough to achieve the government's goal of a clean India by 2019 -- the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
He lamented that out of three lakhs toilets constructed to end the menace of open defecation, only 10,000 are used while the rest have been converted to godowns.
"I was surprised that at some places temples were constructed using the toilet building structure because there is no water. That is why I said that there is no point constructing toilets without water," he told a press conference convened to highlight the achievements of his ministries during the first 100 days of the new government.
21:20 Shooting of Aamir's 'PK' in Nashik temple stalled
Shooting of the Bollywood actor Aamir Khan's upcoming film 'PK' in famous Kala Ram temple in Nashik was briefly affected after some of the trustees of the shrine alleged that the shooting unit has not taken necessary permission.
However, the issue was settled immediately after the trustees were told that the film unit had indeed secured the requisite clearance earlier this month.
Aamir was present on the premises of the temple when the incident happened.
"Some trustees of the temple took objection to the shooting. However, it was brought to their notice that the film unit had applied for permission to shoot in and around the temple, located in Panchvati area, on September 2 and already paid a donation of Rs 25,000 to the temple, for which they were issued a receipt," said advocate Ajay Nikam, one of the trustees of the temple.
The shooting was briefly stalled in the afternoon after it was started, when some trustees raised an objection.
"However, they relented after the head of the unit informed them about having donated Rs 25,000," Nikam said.
21:19 CCI clears Kotak 15 pc stake buy in MCX
Kotak Mahindra Bank's proposed Rs 459 crore deal to acquire 15 per cent stake in commodity bourse MCX today got the approval of fair trade regulator CCI, making the financial sector conglomerate a major player in exchange business.
According to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) the proposed deal "is not likely to have an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India".
On July 20, this year, Jignesh Shah-led Financial Technologies India Ltd (FTIL) had announced that it has signed an agreement to sell 15 per cent stake in MCX to Kotak Mahindra Bank for Rs 459 crore.
As mandatory, Kotak had approached CCI for its approval on August 1, 2014.
The Commission, in its order released today, observed that Kotak has 40 per cent equity interest in Ace Derivatives and Commodity Exchange (Ace) a national multi-commodity exchange.
This stake would have to further brought down to 15 per cent by the year 2019 in accordance with the Forward Market Commission (FMC) revised norms, CCI noted.
Besides, the fair trade watchdog also said "that neither Kotak nor any of its subsidiaries, affiliates or joint venture, either directly or indirectly, has any investment in any other commodity exchanges in India".
20:04 Apple receives record 4 million first day pre-orders
The new iPhones are already selling at twice the pace the iPhone 5 did back in September 2012. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus appear to have broken all prior iPhone preorder sales records, moving a whopping four million units in just 24 hours. The new iPhones went on sale Friday, September 12. Apple says demand has been so high that it's outstripped supply
19:30 Ahead of Chinese PM's visit, a fresh transgression by China in Ladakh
Ahead of Chinese Premier Xi Jinping's visit on September 17, a fresh transgression by the Chinese Peoples Army has been reported in Ladakh. Local officials say China is objecting to the construction of an irrigation canal in the disputed area of Demchok, which lies 600 metres from the Line of Actual Control - the de facto border between the two countries. Read more
18:24
"I ceased to be National Spokesperson of the INC in Oct 2012.When I intervene in the public discourse I do as an ordinary Cong worker," says Manish Tewari.
17:59 Direct India-Vietnam air service to begin from November 5
For the first time, India and Vietnam will have direct daily flights from November 5 with domestic carrier Jet Airways connecting Delhi and Mumbai to the historic Ho Chi Minh City. A Memorandum of Understanding for connecting the two countries by air was inked today in the presence of President Pranab Mukherjee and his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang.
17:50 India, Vietnam ink seven agreements
Signalling
their intent to move closer in various spheres, India and Vietnam on
Monday signed seven agreements, including one for direct flights between
their capitals, for scouting for oil, and an extended line of credit
for purchase of defence equipment.
The seven agreements were signed in the presence of visiting Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang.
Agreements were also signed in the field of defence, energy, finance and aviation.
President Pranab Mukherjee gifted a sapling of the holy Bodhi tree from Bodh Gaya to the Vietnamese President.
India has also given a 100 million dollar line of credit to Vietnam for procurement of defence equipment from India.
The seven agreements were signed in the presence of visiting Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang.
Agreements were also signed in the field of defence, energy, finance and aviation.
President Pranab Mukherjee gifted a sapling of the holy Bodhi tree from Bodh Gaya to the Vietnamese President.
India has also given a 100 million dollar line of credit to Vietnam for procurement of defence equipment from India.
17:29
Hafiz Saeed might be a national of Pakn but he is a criminal for India that's why he needs to be handed to us: MA Naqvi
17:18 KCR plans white paper on T-survey
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao proposes to bring out a white paper on the results of a survey he undertook in his state about the age, sex, educational qualifications, ownership of properties, religion and caste of residents. This laborious exercise is nearing completion.
KCR is likely to hand over a copy of the findings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in early October.
17:17 A governor exits without any fuss
Away from all the hullabaloo a governor has put in his papers quietly in order to avoid a media controversy, it is reliably learnt.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi a hint was dropped that the governor may please meet a senior cabinet minister before he left for his Raj Bhavan in a north-eastern state.
Reliable sources say before the governor could exit 7 Race Course Road the concerned minister phoned him to ask him to rush to South Block. Where he was told that the government was unhappy with him -- since some crucial documents had surfaced about his son's business dealings with a kin of an Opposition leader. Leaving him with no option but to step down.
17:15 New posting for Presidents aide?
Buzz in the department of personnel is that Dr Thomas Mathew, currently additional secretary to President Pranab Mukherjee, is being tipped for the post of director general, acquisition, in the defence ministry.
Dr Mathew is due for promotion as secretary, and the new posting will obviously pave the way for his elevation as defence secretary.
17:03
Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam sends a legal notice to former CAG Vinod Rai.
17:00 Javadekar rides the metro to work
Union Minister for Environment Prakash Javadekar had a bad experience on Monday when he was stuck in a huge traffic jam for more than an hour. So, he took the smarter option. The minister alighted from his official car and took the Delhi Metro to reach his office in Paryavaran Bhawan.
16:59 Fit Jaitley is back to work at defence ministry
Arun Jaitley went to his office in the defence ministry in South Block for the first time today after his recent bariatric surgery for diabetes, and was welcomed warmly by senior officials.
'Sir, you look bright,' 'Your body shows the loss of weight,' 'You look cheerful sir,' etc were some of the comments that he was greeted with.
Naturally, Jaitley was pleased to hear all this.
For the first time since his surgery the minister also resumed his customary walk in Lodhi Gardens today, as usual surrounded by his friends from the legal fraternity.
Jaitley is still under medical observation, with a senior doctor from a private hospital checking on him twice a day. He also has to do physiotherapy every three hours.
'Sir, you look bright,' 'Your body shows the loss of weight,' 'You look cheerful sir,' etc were some of the comments that he was greeted with.
Naturally, Jaitley was pleased to hear all this.
For the first time since his surgery the minister also resumed his customary walk in Lodhi Gardens today, as usual surrounded by his friends from the legal fraternity.
Jaitley is still under medical observation, with a senior doctor from a private hospital checking on him twice a day. He also has to do physiotherapy every three hours.
16:54 Boundary issues will be discussed with Chinese president: MEA
PM Narendra Modi to host a private dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping, apart from the banquet President Pranab Mukherjee will be hosting for him on September 18. The MEA says the government sees Xi's visit as valuable for the progress of issues of interest to India and China.
Referring to Xi's visit to Ahmedabad, the MEA says agreements signed in Ahmedabad relate to that region.
On Chinese incursions, the MEA that sentinels on border will address issues on border. "We are confident that our borders are in safe hands. There are unresolved issues like the boundary issue, and that will be addressed."
Referring to Xi's visit to Ahmedabad, the MEA says agreements signed in Ahmedabad relate to that region.
On Chinese incursions, the MEA that sentinels on border will address issues on border. "We are confident that our borders are in safe hands. There are unresolved issues like the boundary issue, and that will be addressed."
16:40 Chinese prez to visit Ahmedabad on Sept 17
Chinese president Xi Jinping to visit Ahmedabad on September 17. President Xi is scheduled to visit India from September 17, as China is planning to scale up investment in India.
During his visit Prime Minister Modi will be discussing commerce and trade related issues with him.
Earlier this month, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had also visited China for three days to prepare the groundwork for President Xi's visit to India.
During his visit Prime Minister Modi will be discussing commerce and trade related issues with him.
Earlier this month, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had also visited China for three days to prepare the groundwork for President Xi's visit to India.
16:23 No proposal for Modi-Sharif meeting in New York: Pak envoy
Pakistan today said it was not aware of any proposal for a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly this month.
"As of this moment, I am not aware of any proposal on this (Modi-Sharif meeting)," Pakistan High Commissioner toIndia Abdul Basit said at a function in New Delhi.
"As of this moment, I am not aware of any proposal on this (Modi-Sharif meeting)," Pakistan High Commissioner toIndia Abdul Basit said at a function in New Delhi.
16:07 No case against Hafiz Saeed: Pakistan
On Monday, Pakistan made it clear that there was no case against designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, and he is free to roam in the country.
"Hafiz Saeed is a Pakistani national so he is free to roam around. So what is the problem'he is a free citizen so there is no issue as far as Pakistan is concerned," Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit said when asked why Saeed was working alongside Pakistan army very close to Line of Control.
Courts have already exonerated him. There is no case pending against him,' he told reporters after an event in New Delhi.
India has maintained that Saeed is the mastermind behind Mumbai terror attack in 2008, conspiracy for which was hatched, planned and executed out of Pakistan. 166 people were killed in the terror strike. New Delhi has also protested the delay in the on-going trial of the case in Pakistan.
"Hafiz Saeed is a Pakistani national so he is free to roam around. So what is the problem'he is a free citizen so there is no issue as far as Pakistan is concerned," Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit said when asked why Saeed was working alongside Pakistan army very close to Line of Control.
Courts have already exonerated him. There is no case pending against him,' he told reporters after an event in New Delhi.
India has maintained that Saeed is the mastermind behind Mumbai terror attack in 2008, conspiracy for which was hatched, planned and executed out of Pakistan. 166 people were killed in the terror strike. New Delhi has also protested the delay in the on-going trial of the case in Pakistan.
15:45 Pak envoy: Hafiz Saeed is a free citizen of Pakistan, what's the problem?
Abdul Basit, Pakistan High Commissioner to India, on 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed. "Hafiz Saeed is a Pakistani national. He is free to roam around. Whats the problem?"
On resumption of talks: "Let us hope that the talks between India and Pakistan resume sooner than later."
On resumption of talks: "Let us hope that the talks between India and Pakistan resume sooner than later."
15:36
Sanjay Singh on the violence outside his residence yesterday, "Family feuds arise, after that love can arise too."
15:16 Feud within Sanjay Singh's family over Amethi Palace turns violent
Tensions escalated in Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday as the feud within Congress MP and royal Sanjay Singh's family turned violent. A police constable was injured during the clash and he later succumbed to his injuries.
The incident took place after Singh and his second wife Ameeta were not allowed to enter the ancestral property Bhupati Bhawan.
The supporters of his first wife Garima Singh's son allegedly prevented the couple from entering the palace.The mob turned violent and police resorted to lathicharge to contain the situation. Read more
The incident took place after Singh and his second wife Ameeta were not allowed to enter the ancestral property Bhupati Bhawan.
The supporters of his first wife Garima Singh's son allegedly prevented the couple from entering the palace.The mob turned violent and police resorted to lathicharge to contain the situation. Read more
15:02 Free diesel prices at the earliest: Rajan
The government must take advantage of the lowest oil prices in a year to deregulate diesel, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said today.
Brent crude, a benchmark for Asian and Indian buyers, has fallen 14 per cent since June to USD 96.38 per barrel.
This together with monthly price increases of up to 50 paisa a litre has trimmed losses on the nation's most consumed fuel to just 8 paisa per litre.
Brent crude, a benchmark for Asian and Indian buyers, has fallen 14 per cent since June to USD 96.38 per barrel.
This together with monthly price increases of up to 50 paisa a litre has trimmed losses on the nation's most consumed fuel to just 8 paisa per litre.
14:09 Queen tells Scots to vote 'very carefully'
Queen Elizabeth II has waded into the debate over Scotland's future as part of the United Kingdom, asking Scots to "think very carefully about the future" before voting in a historic referendum this week.
In a much hoped for intervention by politicians in Westminster, the Queen told well-wishers outside church in Aberdeenshire in Scotland yesterday: "Well, I hope people will think very carefully about the future".
It is the first time she has spoken directly on the historic referendum and follows calls from Unionists for her to speak out in favour of a 'no' vote.
Last week, Buckingham Palace had warned politicians not to drag her into the battle, after both Labour and Conservative backbenchers urged her to intervene.
In a much hoped for intervention by politicians in Westminster, the Queen told well-wishers outside church in Aberdeenshire in Scotland yesterday: "Well, I hope people will think very carefully about the future".
It is the first time she has spoken directly on the historic referendum and follows calls from Unionists for her to speak out in favour of a 'no' vote.
Last week, Buckingham Palace had warned politicians not to drag her into the battle, after both Labour and Conservative backbenchers urged her to intervene.
13:38 Does Cameron know the identity of the British ISIS executioner?
He has beheaded again. The tall, masked British man with the London accent, working with ISIS.
His first two victims were American journalists. His third was a fellow citizen, British aid worker David Haines.
British Prime Minister David Cameron hastily assembled a meeting of his top national security advisers in the early hours of Sunday morning to discuss what can be done. Read
His first two victims were American journalists. His third was a fellow citizen, British aid worker David Haines.
British Prime Minister David Cameron hastily assembled a meeting of his top national security advisers in the early hours of Sunday morning to discuss what can be done. Read
13:24 Amy Winehouse statue unveiled in London
Lifesize bronze statue in Camden portrays Winehouse in high heels and with her trademark beehive hairdo. Read
13:22
If PM speaks in Hindi, advantage is that there will be fluency and people here will be able to listen and understand him, says Shashi Tharoor.
13:21 Swedish cinemas introduce 'feminism rating' for films
Cinemas in Sweden have begun to issue ratings for films depending on how they portray women: whether there are named female characters, who speak together, and whether they discuss something other than a man. Read
13:13 Trying our best for alliance with BJP: Uddhav
BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy is expected to meet Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray today amid a massive row over seat-sharing in election-bound Maharashtra that, according to top Sena sources, is a "possible make or break moment" for the long-time allies. Read
13:08 Money from slaughter trade goes into killing us: Maneka
Alleging that the profits made "through trade of slaughtered animals go into terrorism', Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi on Sunday called for a nationwide ban on animal slaughter. Citing a Uttar Pradesh police report to back her statement, she claimed the "issue is no longer political or religious but an economic one". Read
13:05 The impact of institutional decay
If the new government at the Centre wishes to improve the state of education, institutional recovery will have to be its topmost priority. Other reforms can wait. Universities and undergraduate colleges determine the quality of teachers at all levels from kindergarten upwards. Read
13:04 Will quit politics if TMC's link with Saradha is proved: Mukul
Trinamool Congress General Secretary Mukul Roy today said he would quit politics if the party's link with Saradha ponzi scheme scam is proved.
"We (TMC) are neither thieves nor frauds. If our party's involvement is proved under any circumstances, I will quit politics," Roy said.
"Is Saradha Mamata Banerjee's crime? No. If Mamata Banerjee had not tried to curb Sudipta Sen then would he have been arrested?" he asked.
Roy alleged that since Independence, CBI has always been used for political gains by the Centre.
"Here too CBI has been used to tarnish TMC's image. To protest against the canards being spread against us, our party workers will hit the streets from September 19 to September 22 in every village, block and town."
"We (TMC) are neither thieves nor frauds. If our party's involvement is proved under any circumstances, I will quit politics," Roy said.
"Is Saradha Mamata Banerjee's crime? No. If Mamata Banerjee had not tried to curb Sudipta Sen then would he have been arrested?" he asked.
Roy alleged that since Independence, CBI has always been used for political gains by the Centre.
"Here too CBI has been used to tarnish TMC's image. To protest against the canards being spread against us, our party workers will hit the streets from September 19 to September 22 in every village, block and town."
12:36 All that you wanted to known about the Scottish referendum
On September 18, the Scots will vote on whether the nation should become an independent country. The vote assumes significance as it could end Scotland's 307-year union with England and Wales as Great Britain -- and see it launch into the world as an independent nation of some 5.3 million people. Here's what you need to know about the landmark referendum. Read
12:34 Park Street rape surivivor stopped from entering restaurant
The survivor of the gang-rape in Park Street area in a moving car in 2011 alleged she was denied entry into a restaurant-cum-pub late on Saturday night.
"The bouncer at the restaurant initially denied entry and called for the manager. The manager then told me that I would not be allowed inside as I was the Park Street rape victim. I was humiliated not only in front of my friend but also in front of others who were in a queue to get inside. Why was I shamed for being a rape survivor?" the woman said over telephone on Sunday.
Ever since the incident in 2011, the West Bengal government had issued directions to restaurants, pubs, hotels and discos to down shutters by midnight.
However, when the incident occurred on Saturday, it was close to midnight. Read more
"The bouncer at the restaurant initially denied entry and called for the manager. The manager then told me that I would not be allowed inside as I was the Park Street rape victim. I was humiliated not only in front of my friend but also in front of others who were in a queue to get inside. Why was I shamed for being a rape survivor?" the woman said over telephone on Sunday.
Ever since the incident in 2011, the West Bengal government had issued directions to restaurants, pubs, hotels and discos to down shutters by midnight.
However, when the incident occurred on Saturday, it was close to midnight. Read more
12:08 Arnie in Chennai for I audio launch
The audio launch is expected to take place on Monday evening, when the star of the "Terminator" film series will share the dais with Tamil movie superstar Rajinikanth. Read
11:57 SC to Prashant Bhushan: Reveal source of info against CBI director
The Supreme Court has directed advocate Prashant Bhushan to reveal the source of his information that CBI director Ranjit Sinha met 2G and Colagate scam accused at his residence. The SC says that just because someone has made a statement does not mean that an inquiry can be ordered. The next date of hearing is September 22.
In effect, the SC has asked Prashant Bhushan to submit whistleblower's name in the controversial visitors-logbook issue in a sealed envelope.
The CBI director on Friday hit back at Bhushan and dared him to reveal the source of his information.
Dismissing the allegations as malicious, Sinha filed an affidavit in a sealed cover before the apex court delving into the merits of the charges leveled against him by Bhushan.
In a separate reply, the CBI chief demanded that the lawyer make public the source of his information.
The CBI has already filed perjury proceedings against Bhushan and his NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation.
In effect, the SC has asked Prashant Bhushan to submit whistleblower's name in the controversial visitors-logbook issue in a sealed envelope.
The CBI director on Friday hit back at Bhushan and dared him to reveal the source of his information.
Dismissing the allegations as malicious, Sinha filed an affidavit in a sealed cover before the apex court delving into the merits of the charges leveled against him by Bhushan.
In a separate reply, the CBI chief demanded that the lawyer make public the source of his information.
The CBI has already filed perjury proceedings against Bhushan and his NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation.
11:38 ISRO: India will be the 1st South Asian country to go to Mars
K Koteshwar Rao, Scientific Secretary, ISRO holds a presser on the upcoming Mars mission. Rao says India will be the 1st Asian country to go to Mars. "If successful, on the 24th, we will be the 1st country to be successful in our maiden attempt," he says.
As the country's Mars orbiter mission nears its destination, scientists at ISRO are gearing to undertake a "challenging task" on September 24 when they would restart the onboard liquid engine, which has been in sleep mode for nearly ten months, for a critical manoeuvre of the spacecraft.
As the country's Mars orbiter mission nears its destination, scientists at ISRO are gearing to undertake a "challenging task" on September 24 when they would restart the onboard liquid engine, which has been in sleep mode for nearly ten months, for a critical manoeuvre of the spacecraft.
11:18 Jan Dhan is a good scheme, target should not be speed: Raghuram Rajan
RBI governor Raghuram Rajan's state of the nation presser. Rajan says it is time the govt de-regulated diesel prices in the wake of falling global crude oil prices. Falling inflation is consistent with the RBI forecast and Rajan says a dip in IIP shows recovery is still uneven.
The RBI governor on the PM's recently launched Jan Dhan scheme: "Jan Dhan is a good scheme; its target should be universal reach and not speed and numbers, said Rajan.
Recent scandals call for better internal evaluation of lending process; banking must become more engaged and informed. He also reiterated the call for more operational freedom to state-run banks.
The RBI governor on the PM's recently launched Jan Dhan scheme: "Jan Dhan is a good scheme; its target should be universal reach and not speed and numbers, said Rajan.
Recent scandals call for better internal evaluation of lending process; banking must become more engaged and informed. He also reiterated the call for more operational freedom to state-run banks.
11:08 Probe confirms Saradha was running 14 ponzi schemes
The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) completes its probe into the Saradha scam and says 14 firms were running ponzi schemes and violated the Companies Act and the Sebi Act, among others.
The Saradha scam came to fore after the collapse of a Ponzi scheme run by the Saradha group, a consortium of over 200 companies running a wide variety of collective investment schemes mainly in West Bengal, Assam and Odisha.
The group collapsed in April 2013, causing an estimated loss of about Rs. 10,000 crore to over 1.7 million depositors.
The Saradha scam came to fore after the collapse of a Ponzi scheme run by the Saradha group, a consortium of over 200 companies running a wide variety of collective investment schemes mainly in West Bengal, Assam and Odisha.
The group collapsed in April 2013, causing an estimated loss of about Rs. 10,000 crore to over 1.7 million depositors.
11:03
BJP General and Maharashtra in-charge Rajiv Pratap Rudy to meet Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray today.
11:01 ISIS has become a byword for evil
ISIL, the 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant', has posted three decapitation videos. The first two victims were American journalists, Jim Foley and Steven Sotloff. The latest video filmed the murder of a British aid-worker, David Haines.
A year ago most casual newspaper readers wouldn't have heard of ISIL; now, thanks to these filmed executions, ISIL is a byword, a synonym for evil. In a world inured to violence, notoriety on this scale is a kind of achievement. Read
A year ago most casual newspaper readers wouldn't have heard of ISIL; now, thanks to these filmed executions, ISIL is a byword, a synonym for evil. In a world inured to violence, notoriety on this scale is a kind of achievement. Read
10:57 UN to taste a fare Chennai finds foul
Narendra Modi will deliver his speech in Hindi at the UN General Assembly in New York this month, becoming the second Prime Minister to do so after Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2001. Read
10:52 Scotland: the division bell tolls
How a contrived history created a separatist groundswell in Scotland. Read
10:50 Sena edit: Did Chavan have the guts to ask 'loser' Rahul about PM experience
Maharashtra Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan's criticism of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray has not gone down well with the saffron party which today blasted the Congress leader.
After the two leaders participated in an event organised by a TV channel here on Saturday, Chavan had said that Uddhav lacked the experience to run government as he wasn't part of the Sena-BJP government which came to power in 1995.
"Chavan says Uddhav didn't have any experience. What experience did he have when he became chief minister ? Because he is finding it tough to get a safe constituency to contest the poll, his mental condition has become unstable like that of a patient in ICU," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana said.
Also, did Chavan have the guts to ask a 'loser' like Rahul Gandhi what experience did he have to aspire for PM's post, the edit said.
After the two leaders participated in an event organised by a TV channel here on Saturday, Chavan had said that Uddhav lacked the experience to run government as he wasn't part of the Sena-BJP government which came to power in 1995.
"Chavan says Uddhav didn't have any experience. What experience did he have when he became chief minister ? Because he is finding it tough to get a safe constituency to contest the poll, his mental condition has become unstable like that of a patient in ICU," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana said.
Also, did Chavan have the guts to ask a 'loser' like Rahul Gandhi what experience did he have to aspire for PM's post, the edit said.
10:15 Several Arab countries offer to join air campaign on Islamic State: US
Several Arab countries have offered to join the United States in air strikes against Islamic State targets, U.S. officials said on Sunday, indicating a possible widening of the air campaign against militants who have seized parts of Iraq and Syria.
The officials declined to identify which countries made the offers. But they said they were under consideration as the United States begins to identify country roles in its emerging coalition against jihadists who have declared a caliphate or Islamic state ruled under Sharia law in the heart of the Middle East.
10:11 Sensex slips below 27k level, plunges 185 pts in early trade
The benchmark BSE Sensex tumbled over 185 points to dip below the 27,000-mark in early trade today on selling by funds and retail investors after industrial production growth slowed to 0.5 per cent in July amid a weak trend in the Asian region.
The 30-share barometer slipped below the 27,000-mark by falling 185.55 points, or 0.69 per cent, to 26,875.49 with metal, FMCG, power, capital goods and IT stocks leading the fall.
09:51 Relocation of ammunition dumps, bunkers ordered in Jammu
The Indian Army Monday ordered the relocation of its ammunition dumps, bunkers and border outposts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region due to extensive damage caused by floods.
Over 10 km of border fencing has been washed away by the floods along the LoC, which has resulted in serious damage to army posts and bunkers in the region, a defence spokesperson said.
09:08 India gears up to put Mars mission in orbit
Sleepless Indian space scientists on Sunday began the process of 'waking up' the engine of the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) spacecraft for a four-second test on September 21.
Three days later, it will be put to its ultimate test '" firing for 24 minutes to slow down the MOM and inject it into the Martial orbit. Should they pull it off, India will be the first country to do so on debut.
The US, Russia and the European Space Agency had got it right after repeated attempts.
08:51 I am a 14-year-old Yazidi girl given as a gift to an ISIS commander. Here's how I escaped.
This is the story told to me by a 14-year-old Yazidi girl I'll call "Narin,' currently staying in northern Iraqi Kurdistan. I am a Kurdish reporter with a journalism degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia who covers northern Iraq as a freelancer for several international news outlets.
I heard about Narin's tale through a Yazidi friend who knows her. Aside from translating from Kurdish and excerpting her ordeal for clarity and chronology, the only things I've changed are all the names, at Narin's request, to protect her and other victims from reprisal; many of her relatives are still in captivity.
08:13 'All bases covered' in coalition bid to crush IS
"All bases are covered" in a US-led multinational coalition against the Islamic State, John Kerry said, as Washington rallies diplomatic and public support to smash the jihadists.
The US Secretary of State told CBS's Face the Nation that there were allies willing to join the United States in air strikes on IS, which has overrun large swaths of northern Iraq and Syria in a brutal and lightning campaign that has seen beheadings and forced religious conversions.
08:13 White House still seeking coalition in Mideast war
The White House today said it will find countries willing to send combat troops to fight Islamic extremists in Syria and Iraq, but it's too early to identify them.
White House chief of staff Denis McDonough signaled that the State Department in coming days will name allies that will pledge ground troops to fight the Islamic State group, something the United States does not plan to do.
08:12 Major hurricane threatens Mexico Pacific resorts
Hurricane Odile has swirled menacingly toward Mexico's Los Cabos resorts, leading authorities to evacuate high-risk areas and open shelters as the powerful storm threatened to thrash the Pacific coast.
Odile weakened slightly yesterday to category three strength in the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale as it crept toward the Baja California peninsula, packing 125 mile (205 kilometre) per hour winds, according to the US National Hurricane Centre.
08:12 UNSC blasts 'heinous' murder of British aid worker
The UN Security Council has condemned the "heinous and cowardly murder" of British aid worker David Haines by an Islamic State militant.
"This crime is a tragic reminder of the increasing dangers humanitarian personnel face every day in Syria," the council emphasised in a statement yesterday, adopted unanimously by its 15 members.
08:11 Australia contributing planes for anti-IS campaign
Terrorists will use Australia's deployment of troops and war planes to the Middle East as an excuse to target Australians, Prime Minister Tony Abbott warned today.
Australia is preparing to contribute 600 troops and up to 10 military aircraft to the increasingly aggressive campaign against the Islamic State extremists in Syria and Iraq, the government announced yesterday.
08:10 Small earthquake rattles Northern California
A small earthquake rattled parts of Northern California. The US Geological Survey reported a magnitude 3.5 quake struck yesterday at 1:17 pm (local time) about six miles (10 kilometres) south of Covelo in Mendocino County. The epicenter was about 120 miles (193 kilometres) from west of Sacramento. No damage was reported.
08:10 Small earthquake rattles Northern California
A small earthquake rattled parts of Northern California. The US Geological Survey reported a magnitude 3.5 quake struck yesterday at 1:17 pm (local time) about six miles (10 kilometres) south of Covelo in Mendocino County. The epicenter was about 120 miles (193 kilometres) from west of Sacramento. No damage was reported.
08:10 Small earthquake rattles Northern California
A small earthquake rattled parts of Northern California. The US Geological Survey reported a magnitude 3.5 quake struck yesterday at 1:17 pm (local time) about six miles (10 kilometres) south of Covelo in Mendocino County. The epicenter was about 120 miles (193 kilometres) from west of Sacramento. No damage was reported.
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