Following their summit meeting, Prime Miniter Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama paid homage to Martin Luther King, the leader of African-American Civil Rights Movement.

India and US have decided to renew the framework agreement for defence cooperation for a further 10 years. The US will cooperate as knowledge partner for India's planned National Defence University, the External Affairs Ministry said.

"I want to welcome US defence companies to invest in India," PM Modi said after his meet with Barack Obama.    

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited President Barack Obama and his family to visit the US. 

"We had an open discussion on WTO issue. We support trade facilitation but a solution that takes care of our food security must be found." said PM Modi after a meeting with US President Barack Obama.

"We have agreed to consult and cooperate on climate change," he said.

On the issue of Afghanistan, the PM said, "We both are committed to helping Afghanistan and improving our coordination in this area."

"There was great convergence in international matters," Modi said after talks with Obama.

"Both sides are deeply concerned about the Ebola crisis in Africa, India has made a financial commitment of $10 million."

"America is an integral part of our Look East, Link West policy. I want to welcome US defence companies," he said.  

Addressing the media Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I am thankful to President Obama for his warm welcome. I am glad to have been able to meet the President in the early part of my tenure."

"After the Indo-US meet in Mars, we are now meeting here," said a smiling Modi.

"India and US are natural partners. President Obama and I talked about economic issues. Our economic relations will improve even further. India-US ties will also grow rapidly," he added.

"We are committed to the resolution of civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries," Modi said.  

"We have decided to deepen our existing ties with India," said Obama.

Addressing the media after the meet with PM Modi, US President Barack Obama, said, "We discussed international situation, security issues and Middle East violence and extremism."

PM Modi and President Barack Obama are discussing global issues, tweets MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin. They also discussed energy, defence, security and infrastructure.

The External Affairs Ministry tweets this picture for PM Narendra Modi and Barack Obama at the Oval Office.

India-US Summit discussions underway in restricted format, says the MEA.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Obama at the Oval Office for over 90 minutes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Barack Obama are having an extended meeting at the Oval office.

India and US have agreed to extend the defence pact by 10 years, Pentagon sources tell CNN-IBN. 

The two leaders were scheduled to address a joint press conference at the White House around 9 40 am IST. After the presser, Obama with accompany Modi to the Martin Luther King Jr memorial.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama are discussing a range of issues of mutual interest in order to expand and deepen the US-India strategic partnership during their ongoing meet at the White House.

They are expected to discuss ways to accelerate economic growth, bolster security cooperation, and collaborate in activities that bring long-term benefits to both countries and the world. The focus is also on regional issues, including current developments in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, where India and the United States can work together with partners toward a positive outcome.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama will address a joint press conference at the White House shortly.

The two held talks on "substantive" bilateral, regional and international issues including defence, security, trade and situation in West Asia in view of threat by Islamic State militants.

There is a complete chaos in Mumbai following unexpected rains and thunderstorm this evening. Trains on the Western, Central and Harbour lines are running late.

#Mumbai is trending on Twitter above Washington DC where PM Modi is holding crucial talks with US President Barack Obama.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves before entering the White House to hold crucial talks with Obma. Photograph: Paresh Gandhi/Rediff.com 

PM Narendra Modi and US President Obama are expected to discuss a wide range of issues including economic and strategic partnerships. Modi will be greeted with a formal arrival ceremony outside the West Wing.

After their meeting, the two leaders will address a joint conference at their talks. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at the White House to hold bilateral talks with US President Barack Obama.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama are expected to meet shortly. The two leaders will discuss issues ranging from manufacturing to sanitation as they aim to deepen ties. 

Around 9.45 pm IST, Modi and Obama are expected to address a joint press conference. 

The White House is all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Indian tricolour was seen fluttering at the White House, hours ahead of the PM's crucial meet with United States President Barack Obama at the Oval Office.

Image: Paresh Gandhi/Rediff.com 

After facing 37 degree Celsius this morning, Mumbai is now experiencing heavy rainfall and thunderstorm.

There have been reports of flooding and traffic snarls from across the city. Trains too have been delayed, according to Twitter updates of commuters.

Here are a few tweets:

RT @VaidehiTandel: Announcements on western rly that a tree has fallen on tracks bet mumcentral and CHG.

@rajeshashar: strong cold winds blowing#crazy#dry tree branches falling all across#few trees uprooted borivali.

@YojPhadnis: Its pouring and how in #lowerparel. Heavy traffic!!

@karancspeaks: Road towards Inox Nariman Point blocked! Due to a fallen tree!!

In a meeting with Maryland Governor Michael O'Malley, the PM discussed innovative uses of technology in governance. 

Ahead of his meeting with United States President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel. The two discussed the Ebola threat and terror, the Ministry of External Affairs tweeted.

Photograph: @MEAIndia/Twitter   

Apple's latest iPhone models, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will be sold in China from October 17, with pre-orders starting on October 10, the company said as China formally granted the license for their sale after a tantalising delay leading to large-scale smuggling. 

Prime Narendra Modi will be at the White House for the official bilateral meeting with President Barack Obama. 

Businessman Gautam Khaitan, arrested in connection with the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal case, was today remanded in five-day Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody after the probe agency alleged that Rs 360 crore was paid as kickbacks in the entire deal.

Diesel price is likely to be cut by about Re 1 per litre, the first reduction in rates in over five years, while petrol price may be slashed by around 55 paise after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from the US. 

Adani group chairman Gautam Adani has clarified that he was not speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he had a conversation with journalist Rajdeep Sardesai about his fracas with alleged BJP supporters at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Adani told the Economic Times from Washington DC that he had "bumped into Sardesai at a restaurant in DC where I asked him about the incident and said no leader would support such behaviour. And Modi is no exception.

"I met Rajdeep at an Indian restaurant in DC last evening where we chatted for a few minutes. The topic of his manhandling came up where I told him that no leader will approve such kind of incident and Modi is no exception.

"Rajdeep told me about this incident in detail and said he regretted what had happened. He said the crowd had abused his son which had upset him greatly, " said Adani.

Adani was emphatic that the PM had had no conversation with him on the issue and neither was he asked to convey anything to Sardesai. "Why would the PM discuss such a small issue," said Adani.

Read: Modi upset over attack on Rajdeep Sardesai

The joint editorial written by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama has appeared in the Washington Post newspaper. "We have partnered over decades to deliver progress to our people," Modi and Obama write in the joint editorial.  Here's what the joint editorial said. Read

Ahead of former TN CM Jayalalithaa's bail hearing, the Centre has asked the state government to ensure that black cat commadoes of the NSG are posted outside the Karnataka High Court.

It may be recalled that PV Narasimha Rao was given special status and the special court was established in Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi fearing he would be attacked. 

On the last day of his five-day visit to the US, the Prime Minister will meet US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel and separately the Governor of Maryland state.

Today is also being observed as US-India Partnership Day. Thereafter Modi will go to the White House for the official bilateral meeting with President Barack Obama.

The two are expected to issue a joint statement at the end of the meeting. Modi is also scheduled to address a reception hosted by the US India Business Council.

The prime minister is also likely to visit the Martin Luther King Memorial here. Martin Luther King, was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement.

King is an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the US and around the world, using non-violent resistance inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.

After the PM, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj paid tribute at the Gandhi Memorial. 

The Congress yesterday today took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accidentally calling Mahatma Gandhi "Mohanlal Karamchand Gandhi", saying that one cannot be expected to follow the ideals of the Father of the Nation if the person mispronounces his name.

"It wld (sic) be foolish to expect one to follow Gandhiji's ideals when that person forgets or mispronounces the Father of Nation's name in public!" Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said in a tweet.

The PM had said Mohanlal, instead of Mohandas Gandhi, during his speech at the Madison Square Garden on Sunday. 

A barefoot PM pays his respects before the Gandhi statue at DC. He has now entered the Indian embassy, just across the road from the memorial. Next on his agenda are visits the Lincoln Memorial and the memorial to Martin Luther King Jr.

That's the bronze statue of the Mahatma where the PM will be placing a wreath. Across the statue is the Embassy of India. 

External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj is at the memorial ahead of the PM. With her is foreign secretary Sujatha Singh. The PM will place a floral tribute at the memorial. Modi invoked Gandhi repeatedly during his Madison Square Garden speech on Sunday.

PM Modi has arrived at the Gandhi Memorial at the Dupont Circle in DC. Modi engages with the people near the memorial, who have been chanting Modi Modi.

It's 7:00 am in Washington DC. EAM Sushma Swaraj is at Mahatma Gandhi's statue, PM to pay floral tribute shortly. The Gandhi memorial centre is at Massachusetts Avenue. The road is lined with Modi fans, some holding posters at Dupont circle, that says DC loves Modi.  

@MEAIndia Good morning DC. Flowers at Blair House reflect colours of India's flag in honour of its guest PM

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who arrived in Jammu with Vice President Rahul Gandhi, lashed out at the NCP for blaming Rahul Gandhi for the parting of ways between the two allies.

Sonia said the split did not happen because of her, or Rahul or the Congress. "Naa meri wajah se, naa Congress party ki wajah se, naa Rahul ki wajah se," she said.

Going around Jammu, the Congress president said the question of rehabilitation of J&K floods victims remained. Government allowances to build new houses was necessary and the the Central and state governments had to work together.

Pic: Sonia, Rahul with Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Breaking news: Former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa's bail hearing has been brought forward from Monday, to tomorrow. The Karnataka HC will hear her bail plea tomorrow.
Jaya's lawyers have filed a memorandum before the Karnataka HC for a speedy hearing of the case.
This morning, the court had ruled that Jaya would have to spend at least six days more in jail as the Karnataka high court adjourned to October 6 her pleas seeking immediate bail and challenging her conviction in the disproportionate assets case against her.

"We live in a society where PMO tweets Ambani speech and Adani conveys regret on behalf of PM,"tweets @ashu3page  

Why work with India's new leader? It's the economy, stupid?  Read

Senior journalist Sagarika Ghose tweets: Last thot for today: Whatever happened in MSG, I know #Rajdeep always stands up for what is right with raw courage,for us family he's a hero.

Ghose is married to Rajdeep Sardesai.

No clue on what that is all about? Read this: Modi upset over attack on Sardesai. 

AIADMK's Puducherry unit today welcomed senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P Kannan's extension of 'moral support to jailed party leader Jayalalithaa in an illegal assets case. 

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray today said the decision to withdraw from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government will be taken after a discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he returns from his US trip.

"Joining NDA and then pulling out is not that easy. All MPs who have been elected and those who could not win have bagged votes of both Shiv Sena and BJP. It is the people's mandate. A decision will be taken after discussions with Prime Minister Modi and considering what our supporters feel," Uddhav said after RPI(A) leader Arjun Dangle visited him to offer support in the next month's Assembly elections.

Yesterday, Uddhav had announced that his party's minister in the Modi government, Anant Geete, will quit the ministry, four days after the BJP snapped ties with the alliance partner of 25 years.

Uddhav's announcement came after estranged cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray criticised the Sena at a poll rally on Sunday for "sticking to" the Union ministerial berth despite end of the alliance with BJP.

Bangalore Police Commissioner MN Reddi on the security arrangements in the city in the wake of J Jayalalithaa's incarceration. Reddi says an overall practice whenever there is Z or Z+ category security is that the police writes to two to three government hospitals to keep wards ready with all equipment.

At least 16 persons committed suicide either by setting themselves ablaze or by hanging since Saturday when AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa was sentenced to a four-year jail term in the disproportionate assets case by a special court in Bangalore.

Jayalalithaa will have to spend at least six days more in jail as the Karnataka high court on Tuesday adjourned to October 6 her pleas seeking immediate bail and challenging her conviction.

Pic: Protestors outside the Bangalore jail where Jaya will spend at least five more days.

"We rarely praise bureaucrats but here's one who deserves applause. @MEAIndia (Syed Akbaruddin) you've made MEA tweeting cool. Take a bow!" tweets Hindol Sengupta.

Couldn't agree more.  

What lies ahead for PM Narendra Modi today...

-- Site seeing visit to Memorial of Martin Luther King Jr, Lincoln Memorial and Mahatama Gandhi Statue
-- U.S-India Business Council reception
-- Lunch with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry
-- Meeting with Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner and the House Leadership
-- Meeting with Governor of Maryland Martin O'Malley
-- Bilateral meeting with President Obama

A Goan-origin politician has emerged as a frontrunner to become Portugal's next prime minister after the country's main opposition Socialist Party chose him as its candidate for the 2015 elections.

Antonio Costa, known as the 'Gandhi of Lisbon' for his frugal lifestyle, has his roots in the former Portuguese colony in India where his grandfather was born and his father spent most of his life.

A popular mayor of Lisbon, the 52-year-old socialist was chosen as Portugal's prime ministerial candidate by the main Opposition Socialist Party for next year's polls.

Suspended IPS officer Pradeep Sharma, who had been at loggerheads with the erstwhile Gujarat government headed by Narendra Modi, was today arrested by the state Anti-Corruption Bureau in Ahmedabad in a corruption case.

"Sharma has been arrested by us today morning under the Prevention of Corruption Act. As per the complaint registered by us yesterday, Sharma allegedly received Rs 29 lakhs from private firm Welspun. The amount was first deposited in the account of Sharma's wife, and then transferred to his account," ACB Director (in-charge) Ashish Bhatia said.

"This is a case of allegedly taking bribe for extending benefits to a company when he was Collector of Kutch," Bhatia said. Pradeep Sharma and his brother and IPS officer Kuldeep Sharma (now retired) were at loggerheads with the erstwhile state government headed by Modi.

An outraged Indian boxing contingent today lodged a protest and demanded a review of L Sarita Devi's semifinal bout in the Asian Games after the veteran was adjudged to have lost despite a dominating performance against home favourite Jina Park.

The Indian boxing contingent lodged a protest after paying a USD 500 fee, which would not be refunded if the review upholds the original decision.

"A protest has been lodged against the decision," a member of the contingent said.

The 32-year-old Indian was left in tears after losing a bout in which she matched Park blow for blow in the opening round and was markedly more aggressive and precise thereafter.

Sarita (60kg), a former Asian champion, fell behind after a rather bizarre turn of events in which Park ended up being the judges' choice despite barely managing to stay in the fight. Such was the Indian's ferocity that Park resorted to holding to slow down the pace of the bout after being left with a bloodied nose.

But Sarita's precision and her brilliant ring craft failed to find favour with the judges in the third and fourth rounds which went to the home favourite, who was struggling to stand up to the onslaught of punches from the Manipuri.

Meanwhile, Sarita found support from India's long-time Cuban coach B I Fernandes and fellow boxer M C Mary Kom, who advanced to the final.

'The BJP believes it has little to lose from a loss of alliance with the Shiv Sena. Fighting alone gives the BJP the chance to test its troops today, and then rework its tactics if necessary, before the big test in 2019, says T V R Shenoy.  Read

The PM's renewables ambitions are big, like the Gujarat Solar Park, Asia's biggest, but coal use is still increasing. Read

Pankaj Mishra's piece on why Narendra Modi is a dangerous cliche. Read

@gauravsabnis This Sardesai episode is turning into Rashomon.

Enforcement Directorate freezes bank account of East Bengal Football Club in connection with Saradha chit fund investigations. 

The Economist's, 'I give you Narendra Modi' column that raised hackles for the sentence 'pain in the ass', even though it did not refer to Modi. Read

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama's joint statement after they met for dinner. The PM may have sipped his hot water and Obama may have bit into his crisped Halibut, but it was the first time that the two met. Thereafter, the White House issued a vision statement for the US-India Strategic Partnership, calling it Chalein Saath Saath: Forward Together We Go.

The full text of the statement:

"As leaders of two great democratic nations with diverse traditions and faiths, we share a vision for a partnership in which the United States and India work together, not just for the benefit of both our nations, but for the benefit of the world.

We have vastly different histories, but both our founders sought to guarantee freedoms that allow our citizens to determine their own destiny and pursue their personal aspirations.

Our strategic partnership rests on our shared mission to provide equal opportunity for our people through democracy and freedom.

The currents of kinship and commerce, scholarship and science tie our countries together. They allow us to rise above differences by maintaining the long-term perspective. Every day, in myriad ways, our cooperation fortifies a relationship that matches the innumerable ties between our peoples, who have produced works of art and music, invented cutting-edge technology, and responded to crises across the globe.

Our strategic partnership is a joint endeavour for prosperity and peace. Through intense consultations, joint exercises, and shared technology, our security cooperation will make the region and the world safe and secure.

Together, we will combat terrorist threats and keep our homelands and citizens safe from attacks, while we respond expeditiously to humanitarian disasters and crises. We will prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and remain committed to reducing the salience of nuclear weapons, while promoting universal, verifiable, and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament.

We will support an open and inclusive rules-based global order, in which India assumes greater multilateral responsibility, including in a reformed United Nations Security Council. At the United Nations and beyond, our close coordination will lead to a more secure and just world.Climate change threatens both our countries, and we will join together to mitigate its impact and adapt to our changing environment.

We will address the consequences of unchecked pollution through cooperation by our governments, science and academic communities. We will partner to ensure that both countries have affordable, clean, reliable, and diverse sources of energy, including through our efforts to bring American-origin nuclear power technologies to India.We will ensure that economic growth in both countries brings better livelihoods and welfare for all of our people.

Our citizens value education as a means to a better life, and our exchange of skills and knowledge will propel our countries forward. Even the poorest will share in the opportunities in both our countries.

Joint research and collaboration in every aspecta"ranging from particles of creation to outer space - will produce boundless innovation and high technology collaboration that changes our lives. Open markets, fair and transparent practices will allow trade in goods and services to flourish.

Our people will be healthier as we jointly counter infectious diseases, eliminate maternal and child deaths, and work to eradicate poverty for all. And they will be safer as we ensure the fullest empowerment of women in a secure environment.

The United States and India commit to expand and deepen our strategic partnership in order to harness the inherent potential of our two democracies and the burgeoning ties between our people, economies, and businesses.

Together we seek a reliable and enduring friendship that bolsters security and stability, contributes to the global economy, and advances peace and prosperity for our citizens and throughout the world.We have a vision that the United States and India will have a transformative relationship as trusted partners in the 21st century. Our partnership will be a model for the rest of the world."

The new prime minister is the perfect candidate for success in America. Read

Arjumand Azhar Hussain -- the man who filmed the video of politicians allegedly responsible for the delay of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight on September 16 -- was fired from his job at Gerry's Group, reports Dawn.

Speculation was rife on Tuesday that Hussain's sacking was linked to the video clip he filmed that showed irate airline passengers barring Senator Rehman Malik and Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) Member of National Assembly Dr Ramesh Kumar Wakwani from boarding the PIA aircraft after facing what they said was a delay of two and a half hours.

Gerry's Group, which was Hussain's former employer took to their Facebook page to respond to rumours that the sacking was due to political influence, saying their decision was "purely based on merit'.

A Delhi court has fixed February 28, 2015 for hearing a criminal defamation complaint filed by Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam against Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani.

Irani, a Rajya Sabha member, had claimed in her complaint that Nirupam had allegedly questioned her credentials to analyse poll results given her background as a TV actress.

Pic: Smriti Irani met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadela today.

Both at the media centre in New York and now at the media centre in Washington, DC at the Willard Intercontinental, the hors d'oevres and the meals being served were strictly veg.

As India gears up for the gigantic task of cleaning up the Ganges river, the Netherlands, which has vast experience in river rejuvenation, has suggested that finding alternate ways for waste disposal is key to stop pollution in the holy river.

In a recent interaction with visiting journalists to the Netherlands, Minister of Infrastructure and Environment Melanie Henriette Schultz van Haegen-Maas Geesteranus said that educating people about the problem was also important.

"Ganges is of course very interesting because everybody throws everything into the Ganges... It is not only about cleaning up water, but you have to start where does the problem start. Why do people throw out things into the water. That's where you start. Are you able give them an alternative to leave their rubbish instead of in the water," she said.

The Netherlands is evincing keen interest in cleaning up the river in the light of the NDA Government prioritising cleansing of the Ganges and planning it to make a model to rejuvenate other populated rivers in rest of India.

"We have a lot of experience with cleaning up water... We are asked in a lot of countries to come and help and assist," Geesteranus stated.

Ambassador Jaishankar's dinner Sunday attended also by several US lawmakers, was strictly vegetarian and absolutely no alcohol was served. It was only watermelon juice and lime water!

Indian boxer Pooja Rani (75kg) settles for bronze medal after losing in the semifinal of the Asian Games.

Contrary to rumors and some reports that the White House would acquiesce to the sensitivities of PM Narendra Modi (menu would be strictly vegetarian, no alcohol would be served) the White House did nothing of the sort. In fact, the entree was crisped halibut, washed down with red wine -- Shafer Chardonnay 'Red Shoulder' 2010, which is hardly vintage.

Modi, at the outset, put everyone at ease by saying that he didn't want to embarrass anybody by the fact that he was fasting and that they continue with their normal practice of having dinner while he sipped on his warm water. 

Protocol dictates, however, that there was a plate kept in front of him at the table.

MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, "The conversation was extremely convivial and the discussions were largely a sort of 'getting to know each other' approach."

Read the full report on Rediff.com shortly.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that all terrorism in India is "exported" and are not "home-grown", asserting it has "no borders. Modi said this even as he rejected any distinction between good and bad terrorism and called for a collective fight to effectively tackle the global challenge.

The Prime Minister dwelt at length on the challenges posed by terrorism while addressing the Council for Foreign Relations here yesterday on the fourth day of his five-day visit to the US.

Asked by a questioner about the rise of Islamic State (IS) militants in West Asia and whether there was any danger that such unrest might spread to India, the Prime Minister ruled that out and said that all terrorism activities in our country "are exported and are not home-grown."

The Prime Minister also told told the audience about his response that "Muslims of India will fail al-Qaeda" to a question by CNN about the al-Qaeda threat in India. "People of all communities in India are driven by a core philosophy. That is symbolised by Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi. Non-violence is at the core of our philosophy...," he said.

"Terrorism has no borders..There is no good terrorist or bad terrorist. Terrorism is terrorism," the Prime Minister said. "There is a need to take the challenge of terrorism seriously. It's sad that many countries could not earlier understand the ugly face of terrorism which is enemy of humanity," he said. The Prime Minister said it cannot be measured on the scale of political plus and minus. "The world will have to speak in one voice against terrorism," he stressed.

Pic: The Obama-Modi Kem Chho moment.

Justice Ratnakala of the Karnataka High Court while admitting the matter posted the hearing on her bail plea for Monday. Represented by senior counsel Ram Jethmalani, Jayalalithaa has sought a stay on her sentence. The government prosecutor however said that he would require time to file objections. The court admitted her petition seeking bail while adjourning the matter to Monday.

Actors, directors and others from the film industry in Tamil Nadu are on a hunger strike in Chennai to protest against Jayalalithaa's arrest. The film fraternity said they were demonstrating "support and solidarity" for Jayalalithaa. Cinema halls in Chennai will remain shut today till 6 pm today.

Former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa to stay in jail. Her bail hearing has been adjourned to Monday. Which means she stays in jail all through Navratri.

Jayalalithaa was on Saturday convicted and sentenced to four years jail in an 18-year-old corruption case in a judgment that will unseat her from the post, disqualified her immediately as an MLA and can impact the Assembly elections due in 18 months.

Since she has been sentenced to a term of more than 3 years, the chief minister has been taken to jail and she can apply for bail only from Karnataka High Court.

The 66-year-old AIADMK supremo has also been slapped with a fine of Rs 100 crore, highest imposed on any politician, by a special judge John Michael D'Cunha who heard the case of Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate assets acquired during her first term as chief minister between 1991 and 1996.

Also read: SHOCKER: 16 persons commit suicide after Jaya verdict

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept silent over rowdy elements within his Bharatiya Janata Party, and among his fans. But Sunday's incident at the Madison Square Garden in New York when journalist Rajdeep Sardesai was abused and manhandled, forced the prime minister to react. Modi's friend, billionaire Gautam Adani, called Sardesai and delivered a personal message from the prime minister, stating that Modi was upset over the incident.  Read more

Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj shares a laugh with US president Barack Obama and US secretary of state John Kerry on their way to dinner at the White House yesterday. Swaraj is known for her wit and quick repartees.

Kerry and Sushma Swaraj had met in the run up to the US trip, which was the first political level engagement between the Obama administration and the Modi government.

The campaign is over and Narendra Modi has won over New York. Work begins tonight when the Prime Minister meets President Barack Obama in Washington and hard work will continue through most of Tuesday. 
Read more

India's gifts to President Obama are well thought through, whoever did it. It's an old All India Radio clip of Martin Luther King in India, archival video of King at Rajghat and a copy of the Gita interpreted by MK Gandhi. That's Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. 

Jayalalithaa supporters across the state are bracing for the verdict of Karnataka High Court to be delivered today. In anticipation of the verdict, her supporters have staged a slient protest, hoping to receive some good news. Jayalalithaa filed a bail application citing that full arguments were not heard and the fine imposed was too heavy. Senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani has drafted the bail application citing Jayalalithaa's medical condition and that the fine imposed was not conforming to the PCA 1988 Act. Efforts are on to see that should the bail plea be rejected, police has been given the task that capital city should not witness any violence

Hong Kong protesters refused to budge until Beijing agrees to free elections after tens of thousands turned the city's downtown into a carnival, with the US leading calls for authorities to show restraint after crowds were pelted with tear gas. As morning broke over China's financial hub, tired but defiant demonstrators celebrated getting through the night without fresh confrontations with riot police. They showed no signs of backing down, digging in for a third day of occupying major thoroughfares.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and other key US officials at the White House for a private dinner, ahead of his formal talks in the Oval Office. Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin addressed the press after the dinner. He revealed that Obama greeted Modi with a 'kem cho, Mr PM.' The spokesperson added that the two had a 90-minute meeting It was a 90-minute meeting in which the PM laid out his hopes and aspirations, his development vision. They agreed to take up more substantive issues later. 

The ministry of external affairs spokesperson revealed that during dinner, Modi asked Obama to go ahead as per normal. "The dinner was served. Obama had food. In diplomatic practice, it is normal to inform about dietary preferences. They were prepared for it," said Syed Syed Akbaruddin. 

US First Lady Michelle Obama did not attend the dinner and that the two heads of state had a very businesslike dinner where topics such as fighting the Ebola virus and Afghanistan were discussed. 

Syed Akbaruddin, the spokesperson for the ministry of external affairs, revealed that Modi gifted Obama a copy of the Bhagwad Gita and a copy of Martin Luther King's speech in 1959 when he visited India. The spokesperson added that the two heads of state also exchanged anecdotes of how they saw their first few months in office, that is also a way of understanding each other. Further, he revealed that the two will be writing a joined editorial for a leading publication, a first. 

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