LIVE
Tue, 23 September 2014
Six tiger attacks in eight years across India's zoos
Timeline Refresh
23:24 US: Strikes on Islamic militants to continue
The US Defense Department says airstrikes in Syria and Iraq are the beginning of a "credible and sustainable, persistent" campaign to degrade and ultimately destroy the Islamic State militant group.
Lt Gen William Mayville, director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, tells reporters at the Pentagon that future strikes can be expected.
23:23 Bin Laden's son-in-law gets life in jail on terror charges
Slain Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden's son-in-law Sulaiman Abu Ghayth was today sentenced to life in prison for conspiring to kill US nationals and providing material support to terrorists.
Ghayth, 48, a former spokesman for Al-Qaeda at the time of the September 11 terrorist attacks, was arrested overseas in February last year and was found guilty in this year following a three-week jury trial.
22:27 Six tiger attacks in eight years across India's zoos
A 20-year-old man was mauled to death by a white tiger in the Delhi zoo today. The man apparently slipped and fell into the tiger's enclosure.
Five similar incidents have occurred across India in the last eight years resulting in three deaths. Are our zoos safe enough?
22:25 US spacecraft enters Mars orbit, India probe next
NASA's Maven spacecraft entered orbit around Mars for an unprecedented study of the red planet's atmosphere following a 442 million-mile (710 million-kilometer) journey that began nearly a year ago.
The robotic explorer successfully slipped into orbit around the red planet late Sunday night. "I think my heart's about ready to start again," Maven's chief investigator, Bruce Jakosky of the University of Colorado, said early Monday. "All I can say at this point is, 'We're in orbit at Mars, guys!'"
22:23 Colombia implodes high-rise that killed 12 in collapse
Colombian authorities imploded an upmarket apartment block today whose partial collapse last year killed 12 people, felling the rest of the six-tower complex in a giant cloud of white dust.
The Space condominium complex in the upscale El Poblado neighbourhood of Medellin was designed by respected architect Laureano Forero and completed in 2013, its 154 units selling for prices of between 200 million and 500 million pesos USD 105,000 and USD 265,000.
22:22 Turkey says deported 1,000 foreign fighters
Turkey has deported over 1,000 foreign fighters from 75 countries in the fight against terror groups, the Turkish foreign minister said today.
21:06 Would be a pity if Cong-NCP alliance breaks up: Tharoor
As talks with NCP over seat sharing for the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra remain "inconclusive", Congress today said it will "not "compromise" on self-respect but added that it would be a "pity" if their alliance breaks up.
"It is a good thing to have the alliance and I hope they will have a decent compromise solution because obviously this is an alliance which has lasted and has succeeded for election after election," Congress spokesperson Shashi Tharoor said.
He said it would be a pity if the alliance collapses. "At the end of the day our party will not compromise on its self-respect either. So, I am sure that at the end of the day, a solution would be found," Tharoor told PTI on the sidelines of the launch of the 25th anniversary edition of his book, 'The Great Indian Novel'.
The book is a satirical masterpiece in which the story of Mahabarata is retold as an allegorical tale wherein renowned political personalities begin to resemble characters from the Sanskrit epic.
"It is a good thing to have the alliance and I hope they will have a decent compromise solution because obviously this is an alliance which has lasted and has succeeded for election after election," Congress spokesperson Shashi Tharoor said.
He said it would be a pity if the alliance collapses. "At the end of the day our party will not compromise on its self-respect either. So, I am sure that at the end of the day, a solution would be found," Tharoor told PTI on the sidelines of the launch of the 25th anniversary edition of his book, 'The Great Indian Novel'.
The book is a satirical masterpiece in which the story of Mahabarata is retold as an allegorical tale wherein renowned political personalities begin to resemble characters from the Sanskrit epic.
21:03
Ahead of the launch of "Clean India" campaign on October 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he will himself go out using the broom and asked people to give their two hours every week to him in "alms" to make the drive a success.
"I myself am going out to use the broom. People often wonder why I keep harping on these small things. It is because I am a small man. These small people with their small works can take the country to supreme heights. "I am seeking alms from countrymen. In alms, I seek your 100 hours in a year. We will together launch cleanliness drive. You give your two hours in a week... As you clean up your house for a guest, prosperity will enter our country if we remove all dirt," he said.
Addressing BJP workers in his first visit to the state after becoming Prime Minister, he declared 'Jan Dhan Yojna', the financial inclusion scheme, a success.
"I myself am going out to use the broom. People often wonder why I keep harping on these small things. It is because I am a small man. These small people with their small works can take the country to supreme heights. "I am seeking alms from countrymen. In alms, I seek your 100 hours in a year. We will together launch cleanliness drive. You give your two hours in a week... As you clean up your house for a guest, prosperity will enter our country if we remove all dirt," he said.
Addressing BJP workers in his first visit to the state after becoming Prime Minister, he declared 'Jan Dhan Yojna', the financial inclusion scheme, a success.
21:02 J-K floods: Over 29,000 MT waste disposed off from Srinagar
Srinagar Municipal Corporation has launched a massive cleanliness and sanitation drive and has collected and disposed off 29,800 metric tonnes of waste during the last seven days.
"SMC has lifted around 29,800 metric tonnes of waste material since September 15 to 22. Usual amount is 400 metric tonnes per day," a spokeswoman of the civic body said.
She said the SMC has put into service a fleet of 145 heavy duty vehicles for collection of garbage from various parts of the city. "As many as 49 de-watering pumps are functional out of 76 while 22 mobile pumps have also been pressed into service at different places," the spokeswoman said.
"SMC has lifted around 29,800 metric tonnes of waste material since September 15 to 22. Usual amount is 400 metric tonnes per day," a spokeswoman of the civic body said.
She said the SMC has put into service a fleet of 145 heavy duty vehicles for collection of garbage from various parts of the city. "As many as 49 de-watering pumps are functional out of 76 while 22 mobile pumps have also been pressed into service at different places," the spokeswoman said.
20:57 PM to be briefed on incursion in Ladakh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to be briefed about the situation in Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control where Chinese troops have intruded for the last more than 10 days.
The army and the other top security brass are likely to brief the Prime Minister on the situation in Chumar sector of Ladakh before he leaves for his US visit later this week, sources said.
The Prime Minister's Office gets updated on the situation everyday by top security officials, they said. The Directorate General of Military Operations is keeping the PMO and the defence ministry informed about the developments in Chumar on a regular basis, they said.
Chinese troops have pitched their tents in the area and their helicopters have been seen dropping food packets for soldiers.
The army and the other top security brass are likely to brief the Prime Minister on the situation in Chumar sector of Ladakh before he leaves for his US visit later this week, sources said.
The Prime Minister's Office gets updated on the situation everyday by top security officials, they said. The Directorate General of Military Operations is keeping the PMO and the defence ministry informed about the developments in Chumar on a regular basis, they said.
Chinese troops have pitched their tents in the area and their helicopters have been seen dropping food packets for soldiers.
20:10
A death row convict from Chhattisgarh today became the first person to get the benefit of the Supreme Court's recent ruling that condemned prisoners must be given an open court hearing on the petition seeking review of the capital punishment.
Sonu Sardar, whose mercy petition was rejected by the President, was given an open hearing in accordance with the September 2 verdict of the five-judge Constitution Bench which had held that a limited oral hearing even at the review stage is mandated by Article 21 in all death sentence cases.
A three-judge bench headed by Justice A R Dave said "the review petition will be considered only to the extent of the sentence part".
"We are not in appeal. How do we sit on appeal. It has to be confined to sentence," the bench, also comprising Justices J Chelameswar and U U Lalit said while disagreeing with Sardar's counsel and senior advocate Raju Ramachandran, who was urging for re-examination of the findings on conviction.
The bench issued notice while seeking response from the Chhattisgarh government and posted the matter for hearing on November 12.
Sonu Sardar, whose mercy petition was rejected by the President, was given an open hearing in accordance with the September 2 verdict of the five-judge Constitution Bench which had held that a limited oral hearing even at the review stage is mandated by Article 21 in all death sentence cases.
A three-judge bench headed by Justice A R Dave said "the review petition will be considered only to the extent of the sentence part".
"We are not in appeal. How do we sit on appeal. It has to be confined to sentence," the bench, also comprising Justices J Chelameswar and U U Lalit said while disagreeing with Sardar's counsel and senior advocate Raju Ramachandran, who was urging for re-examination of the findings on conviction.
The bench issued notice while seeking response from the Chhattisgarh government and posted the matter for hearing on November 12.
19:40 18th Indian jailed for rioting in Singapore's Little India
A 24-year-old Indian was today sentenced to 31 months in jail and three strokes of cane for rioting and abetting others during the Little India riots, becoming the 18th Indian to be jailed for his involvement in the country's worst street violence in 40 years.
Prabakaran Chinnappa, a construction worker here, was sentenced to 31 months in jail and three strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to rioting, and abetting others to set fire to an ambulance, The Straits Times reported. Chinnappa was convicted for hitting an empty police car repeatedly with a stick and helping flip the vehicle onto its side, the report said.
He also threw pieces of paper into the car after it had been set on fire to feed the flames, and later threw a glass bottle at police, it reported. He was also charged for repeatedly hitting an empty ambulance with a stick and threw a beer carton into it.
Prabakaran Chinnappa, a construction worker here, was sentenced to 31 months in jail and three strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to rioting, and abetting others to set fire to an ambulance, The Straits Times reported. Chinnappa was convicted for hitting an empty police car repeatedly with a stick and helping flip the vehicle onto its side, the report said.
He also threw pieces of paper into the car after it had been set on fire to feed the flames, and later threw a glass bottle at police, it reported. He was also charged for repeatedly hitting an empty ambulance with a stick and threw a beer carton into it.
19:39
India will not join Japan's efforts to build a strategic counterweight against China along with the US as it follows an independent foreign policy, state media said today, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden visit to the US.
Some commentators in Japan suggested that the leaders of Japan and India were aiming to build a strategic counterweight to China while referring to Modi's recent visit to Japan.
The suggestions are groundless, an article in the online edition of the 'People's Daily', the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party, said. "India, the 'giant elephant' of South Asia, operates an independent foreign policy. No major powers including Japan and the US will succeed in imposing their will on India. India's prudent foreign policy is decided by India's practical interests," it said.
China's President Xi Jinping was the first leader of any major power to visit India after the establishment of the new Indian government, it said referring to Xi's just concluded visit to New Delhi.
Some commentators in Japan suggested that the leaders of Japan and India were aiming to build a strategic counterweight to China while referring to Modi's recent visit to Japan.
The suggestions are groundless, an article in the online edition of the 'People's Daily', the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party, said. "India, the 'giant elephant' of South Asia, operates an independent foreign policy. No major powers including Japan and the US will succeed in imposing their will on India. India's prudent foreign policy is decided by India's practical interests," it said.
China's President Xi Jinping was the first leader of any major power to visit India after the establishment of the new Indian government, it said referring to Xi's just concluded visit to New Delhi.
19:13 No reward to encounter killer cop till gallantry is proved: SC
Police officials involved in encounter killings shall not be rewarded till their gallantry is established beyond doubt, the Supreme Court held today while framing a slew of guidelines including mandatory magisterial inquiry into such incidents.
Expressing concern that no guidelines are in place in the country, the apex court said certain procedure needs to followed in such cases to "bring to justice the perpetrators of the crime who take law in their own hands" and "to restore faith of the people in police force".
A bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha said cases of death in police encounters continue to occur in spite of Constitutional provisions for safeguarding the personal liberty and life of a citizen and directed that a magisterial inquiry must invariably be held in all cases of death in police encounter and a report thereof must be sent to judicial magistrate.
Expressing concern that no guidelines are in place in the country, the apex court said certain procedure needs to followed in such cases to "bring to justice the perpetrators of the crime who take law in their own hands" and "to restore faith of the people in police force".
A bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha said cases of death in police encounters continue to occur in spite of Constitutional provisions for safeguarding the personal liberty and life of a citizen and directed that a magisterial inquiry must invariably be held in all cases of death in police encounter and a report thereof must be sent to judicial magistrate.
19:10
In the midst of a border face-off, the Chinese army has asked for a flag meeting even as the Indian army has been asked to be on the alert along the Line of Actual Control where Chinese troops have intruded forthe last more than 10 days.
The Chinese side has asked for the meeting and their request is under consideration, army sources said.
The army is keeping an eye on the movement of Chinese troops in the area and the units in the adjoining areas have also been asked to remain on alert, they said.
The two flag meetings in the last ten days had made no progress in resolving the crisis.
The Chinese side has asked for the meeting and their request is under consideration, army sources said.
The army is keeping an eye on the movement of Chinese troops in the area and the units in the adjoining areas have also been asked to remain on alert, they said.
The two flag meetings in the last ten days had made no progress in resolving the crisis.
18:43 Simultaneous launch of Modi's Make in India in state capitals
Leading industrialists, including Reliance chief Mukesh Ambani, Essar Group Chairman Shashi Ruia and many other global and domestic CEOs will participate in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious 'Make in India' campaign launch in New Delhi on Thursday.
Other high-profile CEOs likely to be present at the launch include the chairman of Tata Group Cyrus Mistry; Mahindra Group CMD Anand Mahindra; Biocon CMD Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw; and ITC Chairman Y C Deveshvar; among others.
The campaign is aimed at making India a global manufacturing hub and creating huge employment opportunities in the country, besides boosting trade and economic growth.
The Make in India campaign is one of the key missions of the government and companies from India and outside are being welcomed to expand and set up facilities for manufacturing in India -- for servicing the domestic and global markets. CEOs of important manufacturing companies in India both domestic and MNCs will be present in the function,' the official invite sent by the government said.
To make it more successful, the campaign would be simultaneously launched in different state capitals, including Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.
The campaign will also be launched in countries having similar time zone as that of India.
18:34 UP tips off Uttarakhand about SIMI presence
The Uttar Pradesh police has alerted their counterparts in Uttarakhand about the possible presence of suspected terrorists associated with the banned outfit SIMI in that state.
"The Uttarakhand police has been alerted about the possibility of SIMI terrorists in their territory," IG (law and order) Amrendra Sengar told reporters.
Three SIMI terrorists, allegedly involved in a blast on September 12 in Mohalla Jatan of Bijnor, had managed to escape after the incident. The trio were staying near a room where the blast had taken place, and their partners as tenants in a house.
18:23 Harbhajan, Mohanlal to promote Kochi half marathon
Cricketer Harbhajan Singh and Malayalam actor Mohanlal will be the brand ambassadors of the second edition of Kochi Half Marathon, to be held on December 7.
Speaking at the function to announce their names, Harbhajan said he was happy to be part of the event. "I will be running with Kochi-ites. Let's make Kochi healthy."
Mohanlal, who continues to be the brand ambassador this year also, said the 2014 edition would see around 30,000 athletes participating and the half marathon would catapult Kochi to the international marathon map.
Online and physical registration for the half marathon will open on October 1.
18:19 Home ministry tells VIPs to alert cops about foreign travel
The home ministry has asked all VIPs with personal security officers to inform police forces concerned when they travel abroad for better coordination with foreign agencies.
In a communication, the home ministry told all state police forces to ensure that whenever any VIP travels abroad, he or she must inform the agency which gives police protection as that would enable smooth coordination with security agencies abroad and ensure proper protection.
The first order in this regard was sent last year after the conviction of three Sikh extremists, including a woman, in the United Kingdom for carrying out an attack on Lt Gen (retd) Kuldip Singh Brar on September 30, 2012, a home ministry official said.
Following a recent home ministry directive, the Delhi police on September 12 sent identical letters to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra, former prime minister Manmohan Singh's two sons-in-law, Vijay Tankha and Ashok Patnaik, and former prime minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee's son-in-law Ranjan Bhattacharya asking them to inform the Delhi police whenever they travel abroad.
18:02 PDP calls for immediate disbursement of relief
Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti today said that delay in rehabilitation work in flood-hit areas of the state could prove 'fatal' and called for immediate disbursement of relief to allow the victims to reconstruct their houses before the onset of winters. "There is an urgent need for disbursement of relief for the reconstruction of houses so that the people could have at least something to live in before the onset of winter," Mehbooba said after visiting several flood affected areas of Anantnag and Bijbehara.
She claimed that the state government has provided tented accommodation only to limited number of affected families while others have been left "at the mercy of God". "The government should have, more than a fortnight after the floods, provided at least tented accommodation with basic facilities of electricity, drinking water and sanitation. However, the situation was still grim on the ground as hardly any effective measure was visible," she said.
17:44 Boy jumped into tiger enclosure, says Delhi zoo PRO
Rizwan A Khan, Zoo PRO on youth killed by white tiger: "Guard moved him away from the enclosure two to three times, but when the guard got busy, the youth jumped the fence to go inside.
Eyewitness reports however state that the boy lost his balance and fell inside the tiger's enclosure.
Eyewitness reports however state that the boy lost his balance and fell inside the tiger's enclosure.
17:34 MEA: No incorrect depiction of border with China in our maps
MEA on China incursions says that there is no incorrect depiction of cartography of our maps at any event where our PM was present, there was no map in the MoU that was signed.
Earlier in the day, Kiren Rijiju, MoS Home affairs, said that the problem is that the Line of Actual Control has not been demarcated. But that India will not compromise on its territory, and is keeping a watch on the situation.
Earlier in the day, Kiren Rijiju, MoS Home affairs, said that the problem is that the Line of Actual Control has not been demarcated. But that India will not compromise on its territory, and is keeping a watch on the situation.
17:28 Omar: Appreciate support from GOI
Omar Abdullah tweets: "Returning to Srinagar after meeting @PMOIndia Briefed him about the
situation & the efforts currently under way to return to normality. Appreciate all the support of GOI & look towards that continuing as we try to rebuild shattered lives & livelihoods."
17:26
Sushma Swaraj tweets: Leaving for New York to attend United Nations General Assembly.
17:25 PM's dietary preferences told to American hosts
Syed Akbaruddin, MEA lists the PM's schedule for the upcoming US visit and says the PM's dietary preferences have been indicated to American hosts in Washington.
Some of the themes of PM's upcoming visit to US will be trade & investment, science & technology, defence & maritime security.
PM will be accompanied by EAM Sushma Swaraj who will be leaving tonight, she will join PM's delegation once PM reaches there.
Some of the themes of PM's upcoming visit to US will be trade & investment, science & technology, defence & maritime security.
PM will be accompanied by EAM Sushma Swaraj who will be leaving tonight, she will join PM's delegation once PM reaches there.
17:23 Modi means business on US visit
We have never before seen an Indian prime minister's visit to the United States so heavily business-oriented and so packed with meetings with the US business community.' Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com reports from Washington, DC. Read
17:19 Sushma Swaraj to accompany Modi to US
Syed Akbaruddin, MEA, says, "I can confirm there are no plans for a possible meeting of PM Modi with Pak PM."
17:09
PM will also meet top officials of Google, Carylye group, Cargill, Citigroup, Mastercard, Pepisco, Hospera group among few others: MEA.
16:47 PM Modi to have 30 engagements in New York, Washington: MEA
PM Modi will have 30 engagements during the 5-day trip to New York and Washington. Meetings with US administration, heads of state, businessmen, NRI community. And all that while on a fast.
16:42 'Bihar CM's visit to London for investment useless'
Describing Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's visit to London to attract investment from entrepreneurs as "useless", senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi today said the visit would not bring any investment to the state.
"Manjhi's visit to London is of no use. It will not bring any investment into the state. He should have gone to Mumbai and Bangalore instead to attract investors to Bihar," Modi said. Manjhi is on a four-day visit to London on the invitation of International Growth Centre.
"Manjhi's visit to London is of no use. It will not bring any investment into the state. He should have gone to Mumbai and Bangalore instead to attract investors to Bihar," Modi said. Manjhi is on a four-day visit to London on the invitation of International Growth Centre.
16:26 Home ministry boost for CRPF jawans
Hero on a Honda: Home Minister Rajnath Singh was at Saranda in Jharkhand today where he visited the CRPF camp to boost the morale of the forces.The home minister rode a motorbike to reach the CRPF camp located deep inside the jungles of Saranda.
16:18 Large Indian media contingent to cover Modi's US visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US has generated a huge media interest with a large delegation of nearly 85 journalists from India expected to cover the event.
The Prime Minister has made a practice only to travel with the national broadcaster and few private news agencies during his foreign visits but about 78 media people will be there to do the reportage of the high-profile visit from September 26.
Most of the TV channels have already started broadcasting special programmes from the US regarding his engagements during his five-day stay.
Even the print media is dedicating a lot of space to the stories related to Modi's visit.
All the prominent media house are sending big teams to cover the Prime Minister's maiden trip to the US and some of the press parties are also being sponsored by the organisers and others of the various events related to the visit.
Given the hype, the media is expected to cover each and every engagement of the Prime Minister extensively -be it official or business.
In New York, Modi will be addressing the United Nations General Assembly and a public meeting in Madison Square among other events. Modi will then travel to Washington where he will hold a bilateral meeting with the President Barack Obama, who is also hosting a private dinner for the visiting dignitary.
The Prime Minister has made a practice only to travel with the national broadcaster and few private news agencies during his foreign visits but about 78 media people will be there to do the reportage of the high-profile visit from September 26.
Most of the TV channels have already started broadcasting special programmes from the US regarding his engagements during his five-day stay.
Even the print media is dedicating a lot of space to the stories related to Modi's visit.
All the prominent media house are sending big teams to cover the Prime Minister's maiden trip to the US and some of the press parties are also being sponsored by the organisers and others of the various events related to the visit.
Given the hype, the media is expected to cover each and every engagement of the Prime Minister extensively -be it official or business.
In New York, Modi will be addressing the United Nations General Assembly and a public meeting in Madison Square among other events. Modi will then travel to Washington where he will hold a bilateral meeting with the President Barack Obama, who is also hosting a private dinner for the visiting dignitary.
16:01
Read: Hema Malini 'not ashamed' of Vrindavan widow comments.
16:00 Vrindavan widows angry with Hema Malini, to talk to Mamata
Worried about their future in the holy town of Vrindavan after local MP Hema Malini's "outsider" remarks, a group of widows today left for their home state West Bengal where they want to discuss the matter with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
"What Hema Malini has said is scary. Does she want to remove us from here? Where will we go?" 65-old-year Aarti Nath said.
She had left her Howrah home four years ago after her son started misbehaving following her husband's death.
Vrindavan, where thousands of widows live and worship Lord Krishna, was her only refuge.
Along with 50 others, she left for Kolkata today from Vrindavan to celebrate Durga Puja.
They have sought an appointment with the CM and Governor K N Tripathi to discuss the matter with them during their stay.
"We will talk to her on this if the government can help us. Not all of us go and beg in temples. We have been given a bad name," another widow who stays in an ashram sponsored by NGO Sulabh said.
The former screen goddess and now a BJP MP Hema Malini had recently stoked controversy with her remarks that widows from West Bengal and Bihar should not crowd Vrindavan.
"What Hema Malini has said is scary. Does she want to remove us from here? Where will we go?" 65-old-year Aarti Nath said.
She had left her Howrah home four years ago after her son started misbehaving following her husband's death.
Vrindavan, where thousands of widows live and worship Lord Krishna, was her only refuge.
Along with 50 others, she left for Kolkata today from Vrindavan to celebrate Durga Puja.
They have sought an appointment with the CM and Governor K N Tripathi to discuss the matter with them during their stay.
"We will talk to her on this if the government can help us. Not all of us go and beg in temples. We have been given a bad name," another widow who stays in an ashram sponsored by NGO Sulabh said.
The former screen goddess and now a BJP MP Hema Malini had recently stoked controversy with her remarks that widows from West Bengal and Bihar should not crowd Vrindavan.
15:53 Student had climbed on wall to take a picture when he fell
More details emerging: The student who was mauled by a tiger at the Delhi zoo had climbed up the wall to take a picture, when he slipped and fell.
15:45
Eyewitness says that the tiger did not attack the boy for the first few minutes but someone threw a stone at the animal which provoked it.
15:43
Better sense prevails and news channel chucks #KillerTiger for #ZooShocker.
15:41 Meet the world's most radical president
Uruguay's Jos Mujica lives in a tiny house rather than the presidential palace, and gives away 90% of his salary. He's legalised marijuana and gay marriage. But his greatest legacy is governing without giving up his revolutionary ideal. Read
15:21 SC asks for list PoWs in Pak jails
The Supreme Court asks the Centre to provide within six weeks the current status of list of Prisoners of War and efforts made for their release from Pakistani jails.
15:18
Shashi Tharoor tweets: In the interest of India that our PM has a successful visit to Washington, wish him a successful visit.
15:16
Eyewitnesses say that the tiger attacked the student after people threw stones at it. The boy succumbed to his injuries before help could arrive.
15:04
That's the picture doing the rounds of social media, of the student in the tiger's enclosure.
15:04 Cong-NCP meeting this evening
Update on the Congress-NCP alliance: Praful Patel, NCP, says the party will hold a meeting again to discuss issues relating to the upcoming Maharashtra polls. "Our demand for number of seats is public and we stand by it," he said.
The BJP, Sena will also announce their decision on seat sharing this evening.
The BJP, Sena will also announce their decision on seat sharing this evening.
14:56 Student mauled to death after he slips and falls inside tiger enclosure
Update on the tragic incident in the Delhi zoo.
Eyewitnesses say that the Std XII student accidentally fell into the tiger's enclosure while trying to take a closer look at the white tiger. The tiger, said eyewitnesses, mauled and dragged the boy into the enclosure.
Even though the police were quick to arrive, eyewitnesses say there were no security guards around the enclosure and nobody came to help the victim after the attack.
The tiger grabbed the boy by the scruff of his neck and dragged him into the enclosure, say eyewitnesses. Authorities are still not very sure about the boy's identity.
Pic: The student's body inside the tiger enclosure
Eyewitnesses say that the Std XII student accidentally fell into the tiger's enclosure while trying to take a closer look at the white tiger. The tiger, said eyewitnesses, mauled and dragged the boy into the enclosure.
Even though the police were quick to arrive, eyewitnesses say there were no security guards around the enclosure and nobody came to help the victim after the attack.
The tiger grabbed the boy by the scruff of his neck and dragged him into the enclosure, say eyewitnesses. Authorities are still not very sure about the boy's identity.
Pic: The student's body inside the tiger enclosure
14:30 When two men tried to garland a tiger
In January 1996, two drunk men straight from a New Year's-eve bash had entered a tiger called Shiva's enclosure in the Kolkata zoo and tried to garland him. The terrified tiger had killed one of the men instantly and seriously injured the other.
14:26 White tiger kills Std XII student in Delhi zoo
Just in: A white tiger kills a Class XII student in a Delhi zoo. Eyewitnesses said that the barricade was low. The incident happened at around 1:30 pm today. No details yet on how the student crossed the barrier and entered the cage. The area has been cordoned off.
Details awaited.
Representational picture
Details awaited.
Representational picture
14:18 Rs 500 cr bet on whether Sena-BJP alliance will break: Saamna
From the editorial in the Shiv Sena mouthpiece, Saamna, today:
"The situation in Maharashtra is good. The horses of the Sena-BJP are running fast and are unstoppable. There is no value of Congress-NCP mules.
"What news is there if the alliance remains? But there is certainly news if it snaps. That is why, some in media are waiting for the alliance to snap.
"It is said that there is a betting of Rs 100-500 crore on whether 'Mahayuti' alliance will remain or break. Media is now part of this betting. A section is waiting for the alliance to break so that it can be sensational news.
"The situation in Maharashtra is good. The horses of the Sena-BJP are running fast and are unstoppable. There is no value of Congress-NCP mules.
"What news is there if the alliance remains? But there is certainly news if it snaps. That is why, some in media are waiting for the alliance to snap.
"It is said that there is a betting of Rs 100-500 crore on whether 'Mahayuti' alliance will remain or break. Media is now part of this betting. A section is waiting for the alliance to break so that it can be sensational news.
14:03 Assam floods: 11 NDRF teams deployed for relief operations
Eleven NDRF teams comprising over 550 personnel have been deployed for carrying out relief and rescue operations in the flood-affected areas of Assam. "We have deployed eleven teams in the state while two each are being airlifted from Patna and Odisha today. That makes a total of 15 of our teams for relief and rescue duties in Assam," National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) chief O P Singh said.
He said that the teams are carrying boats and other equipment. Each NDRF team has a strength of over 50 personnel.
Following demands of the state authorities, 11 rescue and relief teams of NDRF are deployed at Boko, Goalpara, Guwahati, Sonitpur, North Lakhimpur, Tinsukia and Dhemaji in Assam while two teams have been sent to Tura and West Garo Hills in Meghalaya, he said.
"So far, NDRF teams have evacuated more than 910 marooned people to safer place," an official statement said.
He said that the teams are carrying boats and other equipment. Each NDRF team has a strength of over 50 personnel.
Following demands of the state authorities, 11 rescue and relief teams of NDRF are deployed at Boko, Goalpara, Guwahati, Sonitpur, North Lakhimpur, Tinsukia and Dhemaji in Assam while two teams have been sent to Tura and West Garo Hills in Meghalaya, he said.
"So far, NDRF teams have evacuated more than 910 marooned people to safer place," an official statement said.
13:47
Modiplomacy Has Hues of Nehruvian Model Abroad and of Indira Gandhi at Home. Read
13:46 Dear Times of India...
An open letter to the Times of India from The Hindu.
"There are times when one should keep quiet. If most of the online world is lambasting you, even if you think you're right it wouldn't hurt to introspect a little and wonder why people are reacting the way they are.
"Your response to Deepika Padukone's fuming tweet and post on Facebook against your article on her, or more specifically on her breasts, is both shocking and unexpected. You could have chosen to apologise. Or you could have chosen to keep quiet. But by doing neither and by misunderstanding the issue entirely, you've only dug yourself deeper into a hole."
Read
"There are times when one should keep quiet. If most of the online world is lambasting you, even if you think you're right it wouldn't hurt to introspect a little and wonder why people are reacting the way they are.
"Your response to Deepika Padukone's fuming tweet and post on Facebook against your article on her, or more specifically on her breasts, is both shocking and unexpected. You could have chosen to apologise. Or you could have chosen to keep quiet. But by doing neither and by misunderstanding the issue entirely, you've only dug yourself deeper into a hole."
Read
13:36 Cong, NCP seat-sharing talks inconclusive as well
And on the other side, the Congress and NCP leaders met this morning to decide on seat sharing for Maharashtra Assembly elections but the talks were "inconclusive".Senior Congress leader Narayan Rane said that the two sides have decided to meet again at 8.30 pm as "no solution could be arrived at.
The meeting was held at Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's official residence, Varsha.Congress has been refusing to yield to NCP's demand for equal seats, while the latter has rejected offer of 124 of the state's 288 Assembly seats.
The meeting was held at Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's official residence, Varsha.Congress has been refusing to yield to NCP's demand for equal seats, while the latter has rejected offer of 124 of the state's 288 Assembly seats.
13:33 Maha battle: Will allies get just 8 seats?
A meeting will be held along with our allies and a new proposal will be discussed, says Tawde. Which means that both Sena and BJP may actually get the number of seats they want by extracting the difference from the allies. So, allies will be down to just 8 seats. Final decision this evening.
13:21 Sena, BJP think alliance should continue: BJP
Stalemate continues. Shiv Sena sticks to its demand of contesting 151 seats, BJP sticks to its demand of 130 seats. BJP leader Vinod Tawde says the party will discuss new proposals with the Sena in the evening.
13:18
Vinod Tawde on BJP-SS meeting: Both parties feel alliance should remain intact, diff proposals have been worked out.
13:12 Second video of UK hostage John Cantlie released
A second video has been released showing British journalist John Cantlie, who is being held hostage by Islamic State (IS) militants.
The BBC reports that the clip is the second showing the journalist to be circulated by the militants in less than a week.
Cantlie disappeared in Syria in 2012.
Dressed in orange, Cantlie says he has been abandoned by the UK.
He criticises the US-led attacks on Islamic State.
The BBC reports that the clip is the second showing the journalist to be circulated by the militants in less than a week.
Cantlie disappeared in Syria in 2012.
Dressed in orange, Cantlie says he has been abandoned by the UK.
He criticises the US-led attacks on Islamic State.
The IS, which now controls roughly a third of Syria and Iraq, has beheaded two US journalists and a British aid worker and has threatened to kill another British captive named Alan Henning.
No IS militants are seen in the video, which is titled "Lend Me Your Ears" and is addressed to the Western public.
"After two disastrous and hugely unpopular wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, why is it that our governments appear so keen to get involved in yet another unwinnable conflict?" he says.
The photojournalist also makes clear that he is under duress -- and that he does not know whether he will succeed in his attempt to avoid being murdered.
"Now I know what you are thinking, you are thinking: 'He's only doing this because he's a prisoner. He's got a gun at his head and he's being forced to do this,' right?" he says.
"Well it's true I am a prisoner. That I cannot deny. But seeing as I
have been abandoned by my government and my fate now lies in the hands
of Islamic State I have nothing to lose. Maybe I will live and maybe I
will die, but I want to take this opportunity to convey some facts that
you can verify. Facts that if you contemplate might help preserving
lives."
12:38 No bail, Asaram stays in jail
Just in: The Supreme Court has rejected the bail plea of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who has been accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl and is lodged in jail. The SC says there is "no urgency to grant bail to Asaram on medical grounds.
12:26
Letting the likes of Yogi Adityanath go berserk can ruin the BJP's dreams of reviving a hollow organisation and sustaining the magic of Modi on the stump. Read
12:25 Protests await Modi during US visit
Several anti-Modi groups in the US will hold a series of protest rallies against Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he travels to New York and Washington this month.
The recently formed Alliance for Justice and Accountability yesterday announced that it will show black flags to Modi when he heads to the Madison Square Garden in mid-town Manhattan in New York on September 28.
The Sikhs For Justice announced to convene a "Citizens' Court" to "indict" Modi at a park in front of the White House on September 30, when the Prime Minister would be meeting US President Barack Obama at his Oval Office.
"The 'indictment' proceedings will be conducted in a replica court room set up in the President's Park right in the front of the White House.
The 'chargesheet' issued by SFJ lists actions of Modi" during the 2002 Gujarat riots, a statement from the Sikh group said.
The recently formed Alliance for Justice and Accountability yesterday announced that it will show black flags to Modi when he heads to the Madison Square Garden in mid-town Manhattan in New York on September 28.
The Sikhs For Justice announced to convene a "Citizens' Court" to "indict" Modi at a park in front of the White House on September 30, when the Prime Minister would be meeting US President Barack Obama at his Oval Office.
"The 'indictment' proceedings will be conducted in a replica court room set up in the President's Park right in the front of the White House.
The 'chargesheet' issued by SFJ lists actions of Modi" during the 2002 Gujarat riots, a statement from the Sikh group said.
12:15 Sena-BJP to meet on seat sharing at 8:30 pm today
Times Now reports that the Shiv Sena agrees to BJP's demand for 130 seats.
Congress and NCP leaders met this morning to decide on seat sharing for Maharashtra Assembly elections but the talks were "inconclusive."
Senior Congress leader Narayan Rane told reporters that the two sides have decided to meet again at 8.30 pm as "no solution could be arrived at."
The meeting was held at Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's official residence - Varsha.
Congress has been refusing to yield to NCP's demand for equal seats, while the latter has rejected offer of 124 of the state's 288 Assembly seats.
NCP leader Praful Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, state party chief Sunil Tatkare and other leaders attended the meeting, to resolve the seat-sharing deadlock and salvage the 15-year-old alliance.
State Congress chief Manikrao Thakre, who was present at the meeting, also said the "talks were inconclusive."
NCP's core committee chaired by party chief Sharad Pawar had gone into a huddle in Mumbai yesterday where it reaffirmed that the alliance should continue but insisted on getting a larger share of the state's 288 Assembly seats than 124 offered by Congress.
Congress and NCP leaders met this morning to decide on seat sharing for Maharashtra Assembly elections but the talks were "inconclusive."
Senior Congress leader Narayan Rane told reporters that the two sides have decided to meet again at 8.30 pm as "no solution could be arrived at."
The meeting was held at Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's official residence - Varsha.
Congress has been refusing to yield to NCP's demand for equal seats, while the latter has rejected offer of 124 of the state's 288 Assembly seats.
NCP leader Praful Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, state party chief Sunil Tatkare and other leaders attended the meeting, to resolve the seat-sharing deadlock and salvage the 15-year-old alliance.
State Congress chief Manikrao Thakre, who was present at the meeting, also said the "talks were inconclusive."
NCP's core committee chaired by party chief Sharad Pawar had gone into a huddle in Mumbai yesterday where it reaffirmed that the alliance should continue but insisted on getting a larger share of the state's 288 Assembly seats than 124 offered by Congress.
12:00 Swaraj may meet Aziz on sidelines of UNGA
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan's National Security and Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz are expected to meet at two multilateral fora on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this week. Swaraj, who will arrive in New York tomorrow, will participate in the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers meeting and the SAARC Foreign Ministers meeting on September 25.
11:58 Chinese incursions: Indian Army forced to make tactical retreat at one place in Chumar
Just in: Even as Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag called off his four-day visit to Bhutan which was scheduled to start Monday in view of Chinese incursions in Ladakh, the Indian Army had to make a tactical retreat of about two kilometres inside Indian territory at one of the eight points in Chumar, as per reports.
Pic: Narendra Modi at Universal Studios in 1993
Pic: Narendra Modi at Universal Studios in 1993
11:48 Brinkmanship in Maharashtra
Common sense would dictate that the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena have more to lose than gain by breaking their alliance when so close to an expected victory in the Maharashtra Assembly polls. Read
11:46
A break in the Cong-NCP meeting. Congress leader Narayan Rane says discussion could not be concluded, will be resumed in the evening.
11:30 SC lays down six landmark rules to stem fake encounters
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has laid down new guidelines for police encounters. Some of the guidelines include...
1. Magisterial inquiry under section 176 of the CRPC will be set up immediately after the encounter.
2. Policemen to surrender arms and ammunition immediately after the encounter.
3. Independent probe by state CID or a separate police station.
4. No award for officer immediately after the encounter.
5. Policemen to record tipoffs that led to the encounter.
6. The guidelines on fake encounters will be treated as law under section 144.
Government figures in 2013 show that in the last four years, 555 fake encounter cases were registered across India, with majority being reported in Uttar Pradesh (138), followed by Manipur (62), Assam (52), West Bengal (35), Jharkhand (30), Chhattisgarh (29), Odisha (27), Jammu and Kashmir (26), Tamil Nadu (23) and Madhya Pradesh (20).
Only 144 cases, out of 555, have been solved so far.Significantly, the data shows that of the top 10 States, five are Naxal-affected States. Barring 2012-13, where there has been a slight drop in such cases pan-India, in the previous three years there has been a steady increase.
The total number of fake encounter cases in 2009-10 were 103, which went up to 129 in 2010-11 and then to 197 in 2011-12.
Pic: Former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma who arrested, but later acquitted in the Lakhan Bhaiya case.
1. Magisterial inquiry under section 176 of the CRPC will be set up immediately after the encounter.
2. Policemen to surrender arms and ammunition immediately after the encounter.
3. Independent probe by state CID or a separate police station.
4. No award for officer immediately after the encounter.
5. Policemen to record tipoffs that led to the encounter.
6. The guidelines on fake encounters will be treated as law under section 144.
Government figures in 2013 show that in the last four years, 555 fake encounter cases were registered across India, with majority being reported in Uttar Pradesh (138), followed by Manipur (62), Assam (52), West Bengal (35), Jharkhand (30), Chhattisgarh (29), Odisha (27), Jammu and Kashmir (26), Tamil Nadu (23) and Madhya Pradesh (20).
Only 144 cases, out of 555, have been solved so far.Significantly, the data shows that of the top 10 States, five are Naxal-affected States. Barring 2012-13, where there has been a slight drop in such cases pan-India, in the previous three years there has been a steady increase.
The total number of fake encounter cases in 2009-10 were 103, which went up to 129 in 2010-11 and then to 197 in 2011-12.
Pic: Former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma who arrested, but later acquitted in the Lakhan Bhaiya case.
11:09
No decision has been taken yet: Manikrao Thakre, Congress on NCP-Cong meeting.
11:03 Cong, NCP meet for 'respectful' seat sharing
In Mumbai, senior Congress and NCP leaders meet. The Congress team is led by Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, while the NCP is led by Praful Patel. The meeting will discuss a 'respectful' seat-sharing formula for the assembly election next month.
The Congress has offered 124 seats, while the NCP wants 144. Reports say the Congress is ready to raise its offer to 130 in a bid to save the 15-year alliance.
The Congress has offered 124 seats, while the NCP wants 144. Reports say the Congress is ready to raise its offer to 130 in a bid to save the 15-year alliance.
10:58
Delhi: 2G scam accused Kanimozhi and A Raja arrive at Patiala House Court.
10:54 Xi Jinping tells PLA: Get ready to win regional war
Chinese president Xi Jinping has promoted three People's Liberation Army (PLA) generals known to be close to him and also asked his troops to "improve their combat readiness and sharpen their ability to win a regional war in the age of information technology". While this is not the first time Xi has made such a statement, it has raised eyebrows as Indian and Chinese troops are engaged in a high-altitude military face-off at Chumar in eastern Ladakh. Read
10:52 Rockefeller dynasty dumps oil
In 1862, a young John Rockefeller invested in the promising new industry of oil refining, thus beginning an enterprise that made him the richest man who had ever lived. Now his heirs are abandoning fossil fuels. Read
10:41 Don't stretch bow so much that it breaks, poster tells Uddhav
Neither side has called off the oldest political alliance in the country, but if a Shiv Sena poster, published by the Economic Times today, is any indication, then the Bharatiya Janata Party has been condemned to eternal damnation.
The poster says 'among those buried in Maharashtra's soil by Chhatrapati Shivaji's troops are Mughals, Adil Shah (ruler of Bijapur who sent Afzal Khan to capture Chhatrapati Shivaji, in vain), and Kutb Shah. So who is this new Shah?' -- a reference to the BJP president who, the Sena believes, is behind its alliance partner driving a hard bargain in Maharashtra.
Further, the poster exhorts Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray not to stretch the bow (its election symbol) so much that it breaks.
The question remains whether the Shiv Sena will have reason to make this poster official (we should know by end of day today), and how Amit Shah will react to the taunt.
Watch this space!
10:28 India to seek re-election to UNHRC next month
India will seek re-election to the United Nation's main human rights body for a second consecutive term in a vote to be held next month.
India is currently a member of the 47-nation UN Human Rights Council and its term ends on December 31, 2014. It is seeking re-election to the UN body for the period of 2015-17 and the elections will be held in October during the ongoing 69th session of the UN General Assembly, according to the Indian mission to the UN.
India will compete in the Asia group in which four seats will be up for election. The other countries in the Asia group that will be candidates in the election are Bangladesh, Qatar, Thailand and Indonesia.
"The support of member states for India's candidature in the Human Rights Council elections would be greatly appreciated," a note from the Indian mission said.
India is currently a member of the 47-nation UN Human Rights Council and its term ends on December 31, 2014. It is seeking re-election to the UN body for the period of 2015-17 and the elections will be held in October during the ongoing 69th session of the UN General Assembly, according to the Indian mission to the UN.
India will compete in the Asia group in which four seats will be up for election. The other countries in the Asia group that will be candidates in the election are Bangladesh, Qatar, Thailand and Indonesia.
"The support of member states for India's candidature in the Human Rights Council elections would be greatly appreciated," a note from the Indian mission said.
10:13 Bahrain, Saudi Arabia involved in strikes in Syria
The United States and "partner nation forces" from Arab countries are targeting Islamic State positions in the group's Syrian strongholds, a Pentagon spokesman says.
US media are reporting that Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the Arab countries involved in the strikes in Syria citing anonymous US officials, according to BBC.
US media are reporting that Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the Arab countries involved in the strikes in Syria citing anonymous US officials, according to BBC.
09:51 Army chief cancels visit to Bhutan amid border row with China
Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag has cancelled his four-day official visit to Bhutan in the wake of the stand-off with the Chinese troops at the border.
The army has deployed about 2,000 soldiers at Chumur in South Eastern Ladakh where they are locked in a face-off with around 1,000 soldiers from the Chinese People's Liberation Army .
As the face-off at Demchok and Chumur entered the 12th day, Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday demanded "absolute loyalty" from PLA's top brass. "Headquarters of all People's Liberation Army forces should improve their combat readiness and sharpen their ability to win a regional war in the age of information technology," Xi, who returned from India last week after a three-day visit, was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.
The army has deployed about 2,000 soldiers at Chumur in South Eastern Ladakh where they are locked in a face-off with around 1,000 soldiers from the Chinese People's Liberation Army .
As the face-off at Demchok and Chumur entered the 12th day, Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday demanded "absolute loyalty" from PLA's top brass. "Headquarters of all People's Liberation Army forces should improve their combat readiness and sharpen their ability to win a regional war in the age of information technology," Xi, who returned from India last week after a three-day visit, was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.
09:03 Seat-sharing row: Congress, NCP to meet in Mumbai today
Much like the continuing BJP-Sena deadlock, the Congress and ally
Nationalist Congress Party are yet to find a 'seat-sharing formula' in Maharashtra.
After a day of hectic consultations in Delhi yesterday, it was decided that the state's ruling alliance will meet in Mumbai today to sort out the issue.
The NCP has demanded 50 per cent of the state's 288 assembly seats.
After a day of hectic consultations in Delhi yesterday, it was decided that the state's ruling alliance will meet in Mumbai today to sort out the issue.
The NCP has demanded 50 per cent of the state's 288 assembly seats.
08:48 US airstrikes target Islamic State militants in Syria
The United States and its allies have expanded their war against the Islamic State by launching aggressive airstrikes against an array of targets of the militant group in Syria, the Pentagon has said.
"I can confirm that US military and partner nation forces are undertaking military action against ISIL terrorists in Syria using a mix of fighter, bomber and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles," Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said yesterday.
However, he did not give details of the airstrikes arguing that operations are still ongoing. "The decision to conduct theses strikes was made earlier today (Monday) by the US Central Command commander under authorisation granted him by the commander in chief," Kirby said.
"I can confirm that US military and partner nation forces are undertaking military action against ISIL terrorists in Syria using a mix of fighter, bomber and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles," Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said yesterday.
However, he did not give details of the airstrikes arguing that operations are still ongoing. "The decision to conduct theses strikes was made earlier today (Monday) by the US Central Command commander under authorisation granted him by the commander in chief," Kirby said.
08:43 Modi to leave for US a day ahead
Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday advanced his trip to the United States by a day.
He will now leave for Washington on September 25.
Sources said that the visit was rescheduled to avoid the night curfew in Germany. Night flights -- those between 11 pm and 5 am -- have been banned in Frankfurt, Europe's third busiest airport, since 2011 following complaints by local residents about the noise, reports NTDV.
The PM's plane -- the Air India One -- will halt in Germany's Frankfurt before beginning the trans-Atlantic leg of the journey. He will now arrive five hours ahead of schedule.
Modi was earlier scheduled to leave for the US on September 26 for a six-day visit.
He will now leave for Washington on September 25.
Sources said that the visit was rescheduled to avoid the night curfew in Germany. Night flights -- those between 11 pm and 5 am -- have been banned in Frankfurt, Europe's third busiest airport, since 2011 following complaints by local residents about the noise, reports NTDV.
The PM's plane -- the Air India One -- will halt in Germany's Frankfurt before beginning the trans-Atlantic leg of the journey. He will now arrive five hours ahead of schedule.
Modi was earlier scheduled to leave for the US on September 26 for a six-day visit.
03:22 Ebola kills 2,811,outbreak 'contained' in Senegal, Nigeria WHO
The deadliest Ebola epidemic ever has now killed 2,811 in west Africa, the World Health Organisation has said, adding though that in Senegal and Nigeria the outbreak had been basically contained.
The UN health agency, which also published the results of the latest meeting of its Ebola emergency committee, yesterday said a total of 5,864 people had been infected in five west African countries as of September 18.
The disease has claimed 181 lives since the last death toll of 2,630 was issued on September 14.
Guinea, where the outbreak began at the start of the year, and neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone by far account for most of the cases and continue to see ballooning numbers.
Liberia has been especially hard-hit, with 1,578 deaths from 3,022 cases.
At the same time "the outbreaks in Senegal and Nigeria are pretty much contained," the WHO said in a statement.
Senegal has not reported any new cases of the deadly virus since it registered its first and only case on August 29 -- a Guinean student who has since recovered.
And Nigeria, where 20 people have been infected, eight of whom have died, has not reported any new cases since September 8, the WHO pointed out.
The incubation period for Ebola is 21 days, and double that time must pass without any new cases arising before a country can be deemed transmission-free.
01:21 White House intruder had 800 rounds of ammunition in car
A decorated Iraq war veteran who scaled a fence on Friday night and got into the White House had over 800 rounds of ammunition in his car and was arrested in July with a sniper rifle and a map marking the executive mansion, a federal prosecutor said on Monday.
Omar Gonzalez, 42, was also stopped, but not arrested in August walking by the White House with a hatchet in his waistband, federal prosecutor David Mudd told a federal judge.
The previous interactions that Gonzalez had with the U.S. Secret Service is part of a sweeping internal review underway of how the agency failed to stop him from getting inside the White House, and whether more security is needed, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters.
The incident with Gonzalez follows a number of security lapses involving the president's security detail, including a prostitution scandal in 2012.
Read more HERE
01:19 Why Google has been closed off in China
As part of a broad campaign to tighten internal security, the Chinese government has draped a darker shroud over Internet communications in recent weeks, a situation that has made it more difficult for Google and its customers to do business.
Chinese exporters have struggled to place Google ads that appeal to overseas buyers. Biotechnology researchers in Beijing had trouble recalibrating a costly microscope this summer because they could not locate the online instructions to do so.
And international companies have had difficulty exchanging Gmail messages among far-flung offices and setting up meetings on applications like Google Calendar.
"It's a frustrating and annoying drain on productivity," said Jeffrey Phillips, a US energy executive who has lived in China for 14 years.
"You've got people spending their time figuring out how to send a file instead of getting their work done."
Read more HERE
Read more HERE
01:18 Iran digs in on underground nuke facility
In a setback to Iran nuclear talks, Tehran is again rejecting US demands it repurpose an underground uranium enrichment site after what it says are Israeli threats from the air to another enrichment plant, diplomats told The Associated Press today.
The US wants the site near the city of Fordo, southwest of Tehran, shut down or converted to a purpose other than uranium enrichment because the plant is dug deep into a mountain.
Because of that, Washington, and Iran's arch-foe Israel, fears the fortified plant is impervious to an air attack. Centrifuges enriching uranium can churn out material ranging from low-level reactor fuel to the fissile core of a
nuclear weapon.
What to do with the Fordo plant has been a central point of months of negotiations between Iran, the US and five other world powers aimed at reducing Iran's ability to make an atomic weapon in exchange for an end to crippling economic sanctions.
Iran denies it wants nuclear arms and was reportedly engaging on US proposals on reconfiguring the site at previous negotiating rounds.
But that has changed at the most recent session, which began Friday, said two diplomats, who demanded anonymity because their information is confidential.
01:17 Bear kills Indian-origin hiker in US
A 22-year-old Indian-origin youth, who was hiking with friends in a New Jersey nature preserve, died after he was attacked by a black bear.
Darsh Patel was part of a group of five friends from Edison hiking through the Apshawa Preserve, a wooded area of West Milford, Police Chief Timothy C Storbeck said.
They ran in different directions when a black bear began to follow them.
The group noticed Patel was missing once they got to safety and immediately called police.
The West Milford Search and Rescue unit found Patel's body two hours later, Huffington Post reported.
"Evidence at the scene indicated that the victim had been attacked by a bear," Storbeck said.
A bear was found nearby and euthanized, Storbeck said. The New Jersey State Medical Examiner, the Fish and Wildlife Division of the state Department of Environmental Protection and West Milford Police Department are investigating Patel's death.
Bears in New Jersey are most active in the fall, according to Bob Considine, a spokesman with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
"Bear sightings are not unusual by any stretch in New Jersey," Considine said.
01:17 FBI widens probe of naked celebrity photos
The FBI vowed today to widen a probe into the massive hacking of naked celebrity photos if necessary, after new reported leaks including nude shots of Kim Kardashian.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation earlier this month after a first batch of pictures, including of "Hunger Games" megastar Jennifer Lawrence, was published.
On Saturday US media reported that more nude celebrity photos, including reality star Kardashian and actress Vanessa Hudgens, had been circulating on social media.
The pictures, also including US soccer star Hope Solo, appeared briefly on 4chan and Reddit, before being removed, celebrity gossip site TMZ reported.
BuzzFeed said that personal videos and photos belonging to actresses Aubrey Plaza, Mary-Kate Olsen, Hayden Panettiere and Leelee Sobieski were posted, in addition to previously unseen pictures of Lawrence.
"The FBI's investigation into alleged computer intrusion/theft is continuing," FBI Los Angeles spokeswoman Laura Eimiller told AFP today.
"I'm unable to comment on specifics with regard to alleged victims, but any individual who believes they are a victim of these violations is encouraged to report it, if not already engaged with law enforcement," she added.
01:17 Islamic State militants kill 40 Iraqi troops
A wave of suicide bombings by Islamic State militants in western Iraq has killed 40 soldiers amid waning efforts by security forces to retake territory from the Sunni extremist group, a senior Iraqi commander said today.
The attacks, which occurred yesterday in the town of Sijir, 70 kilometers (43 miles) west of Baghdad, dealt a heavy blow to government efforts to rein in the militants whose rampage has seized much of the country's north and west this summer even as Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga fighters are starting to get training by Iraq's Western allies in the battle against the Islamic State group.
In addition to the 40 troops killed in the suicide bombings, 68 Iraqi soldiers were apparently captured by the Islamic State group in Sijir and have likely been taken to the nearby city of Fallujah, said Gen. Rasheed Fleih. There has been no communication with any of the soldiers since their capture yesterday, Fleih said.
01:13 Top headlines at this hour:
One step closer to Mars: ISRO successfully test-fires liquid engine on Mangalyaan
BJP scales down its demand for seats in Maharashtra
CLT20: Raina's blast powers Chennai to huge win over Dolphins
India at Asian Games: Women shooters, Pallikal win bronze; Ghosal makes final
Federer to replace Nadal in Indian franchise of IPTL
Apple sells record 10 million new iPhones in first three days
BJP scales down its demand for seats in Maharashtra
CLT20: Raina's blast powers Chennai to huge win over Dolphins
India at Asian Games: Women shooters, Pallikal win bronze; Ghosal makes final
Federer to replace Nadal in Indian franchise of IPTL
Apple sells record 10 million new iPhones in first three days
TOP STORIES
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