LIVE! Amtrak Crash: FBI probes possibility of object hitting train's windshield

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Sat, 16 May 2015

Amtrak Crash: FBI probes possibility of object hitting train's windshield

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23:27 IS seizes northern part of Syria's Palmyra: monitor

Jihadists from the Islamic State group seized control today of the northern part of Syria's ancient desert city of Palmyra after fierce clashes with government forces, a monitoring group said.

"IS advanced and took control of most of northern Palmyra, and there are fierce clashes happening now," said Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The FBI has been called in to investigate the possibility that the windshield of an Amtrak train was hit with an object shortly before the train derailed this week in a crash that killed eight people and injured about 200 more.

The revelation came at a National Transportation Safety Board briefing on Friday evening, raising new questions about the accident. NTSB board member Robert Sumwalt declined to speculate about the exact significance of a projectile, but the idea raised the possibility that the engineer might have been distracted, panicked or even wounded in the moments before the train left the rails.

A teenage suicide bomber blew herself up and killed seven other people today outside a bustling bus station in the northeast Nigerian town of Damaturu, the state medical director said of the latest in a string of attacks this week by Nigeria's home-grown Boko Haram extremists.

Thirty-three people were seriously injured and are being treated at the hospital, said Yobe state's medical director Garba Musa Fika.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Mongolian capital Ulan Bator on Saturday on the second leg of his three-nation tour."A 60 years wait ends.

PM @narendramodi arrives in Ulaanbaatar. This is the first ever Prime Ministerial visit from India to Mongolia," tweeted MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

The Prime Minister's first stop in Mongolia will be the Gandantegchinlen Monastery, where he would gift the Bodhi tree sapling to the chief abbot.

Turkish warplanes today shot down a Syrian aircraft that violated Turkey's airspace, media quoted Turkish military sources as saying, but Syrian state television said it was an unmanned drone.

Turkish jets, after taking off from the south of the country, shot down the Syrian craft that had crossed the border into the Hatay region, a Turkish general staff source told the DHA news agency.

21:49 Delhi LG briefs MHA about row with CM Kejriwal

Amid a row over appointment of Delhi's Acting Chief Secretary, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung has briefed the Home Ministry, which is directly responsible for the capital's administration, even as Union Home Secretary L C Goyal said his ministry has nothing to do with the issue.

Official sources said the LG has informally briefed the Home Ministry about the situation arising out of Gamlin's appointment. The Ministry, sources said, advised Jung to act as per the Constitution.

20:50 Modi's China visit an 'utter failure': Cong

Congress today termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's China visit a "complete and utter failure" even as it attacked him over his "obsession" to target opposition parties and leaders repeatedly on foreign soil.

This is "deplorable and unacceptable," AICC said in a strongly-worded statement, adding that Modi "would be well- advised to take off the adversarial 'RSS Pracharak Hat'".

Sharat Pradhan report from Lucknow:

Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Minister Azam Khan will lead a protest demonstration from Delhi's Jantar Mantar to Rajghat on May 23 to demand action against those responsible for the killing of 42 Muslim residents of Hashimpura locality in Meerut in 1987.

In a recent verdict, 16 accused policemen were discharged by Delhi's Tis Hazari court after the matter was specially referred by the country's apex court about 14 years ago.

"Azam sahib has decided to stage this protest in his personal capacity,' said a source close to him. It is said that even though Khan had raised the issue before SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, no action was forthcoming.

A train hit a truck today on a road crossing in western Germany, killing two people and injuring at least 20 others, police said, adding that three of the injured were in severe condition.

Police spokesman Jochen Laschke said a regional train coming from the city of Osnabrueck and heading to the small town of Ibbenbueren collided with a farm truck with a tank full of manure. Laschke said the accident happened in a rural area near Ibbenbueren, 440 kilometres west of Berlin.

20:27 French team in India to negotiate Rafale deal

French team constituted to negotiate the Rafale deal has arrived in India and talks can start anytime now, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said today as he described the agreement as "one of the bold initiatives" of the Modi government.

Parrikar said India has constituted a committee headed by Air Marshal SBP Sinha to hold negotiations with the French team.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said he will seek an appointment with President Pranab Mukherjee to apprise him of the existing situation in Delhi, following the appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Delhi Chief Secretary.

"Seeking an appointment with the President to apprise him of Delhi's situation," Kejriwal said on Twitter.

The Red Cross today more than doubled its emergency assistance to USD 93 million for the quake-hit Nepal to help the victims rebuild their lives as quickly as possible.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) increased the assistance to help nearly 700,000 earthquake survivors for the next two years, said Elhdj As Sy, secretary general of IFRC.

US special operations forces have conducted a military operation in eastern Syria, targeting a senior Islamic State commander and his wife, the US Defense Secretary has announced.

The terrorist leader was killed in the raid.Abu Sayyaf, a senior Islamic State leader, was killed by US forces, the Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Saturday, adding that the terrorist was involved in the group's military operations, as well as helping it to direct its "illicit oil, gas, and financial operations."

CM Kejriwal in his letter to Lt Governor Jung on Gamlin's appointment has said:

"This is a thinly disguised attempt to render the democratically elected govt ineffective."

"Strongly requests" him to work within the "confines" of the Constitution.

Russia today lost a Mexican satellite on launch just hours after a glitch with a manoeuvre involving the International Space Station, the latest in a string of embarrassing failures for its troubled space programme.

Russia's Roscosmos space agency said in a brief statement that a Proton-M rocket carrying a Mexican satellite had suffered a problem on launch early today.

Pakistan Rangers violated ceasefire by resorting to firing on a Border out Post (BoP) along the International Border (IB) in the RS Pura sector of Jammu district.

"The Pakistan rangers resorted to firing on the Tent Guard outpost in the RS Pura sector last night," a Police officer said today.

17:06 Dr Syed Ahmad sworn in as Governor of Manipur

Dr Syed Ahmad was sworn in as the Governor of Manipur at the Raj Bhavan. Chief Justice of Manipur high court Laxmi Kanta Mohapatra administered the oath of office and secrecy to Dr Syed Ahmad. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Deputy Speaker M K Preshow and other ministers were present on the occasion.

16:25 Delhi cop who threw brick at woman gets bail

A court here granted bail to a sacked Delhi police head constable, who was caught oncamera hitting a woman with a brick after allegedly demandinga bribe, saying there were counter versions of the incident and no evidence to substantiate the woman's bribe charge. "There being two counter versions of the incident and there being no clear demand of bribe. I am of the opinion that the accused is entitled to bail. Hence, the bail is granted," Special Judge Narottam Kaushal said.

Earlier, on May 12, the court had remanded sacked head constable Satish Chand to 14 days in judicial custody. He was initially suspended on May 11 after the incident but later dismissed from service with immediate effect as the incident triggered widespread outrage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finished his 3-day trip to China and is now heads to Mongolia, a first by an Indian PM.

READ: Modi's Mongolia visit is important too

A Cairo court sentenced ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi to death on Saturday on charges of spying for Iranian security services and breaking out of prison during the uprising four years ago.

The judge said he was referring the sentences to Egypt's mufti, a religious official who must approve capital punishment in the country.

The verdict was aired on state television. Morsi appeared in the courtroom with 27 other defendants. The ousted leader is already serving a 20-year sentence following his conviction on April 21 on charges linked to the killing of protesters outside a Cairo presidential palace in December 2012.

Concluding his speech, Modi asked the Indians in China to spread the word about their home country, in an attempt to boost tourism and also said that it was imperative that people to people contact between the two countries increase. He said, "Just like 2015 was the year of India visiting China, 2016 will be the year China visits India.

The PM addressing the Indians in Shanghai said that China's Xi Jinping's welcoming him outside Beijing, a first for China, wasn't an honour for him, but for the 125 crore Indians.

Stressing once again the need for China and India to come together, Modi said, "India and China represent one third of humanity. Together we can be a force of good for the entire world.

14:01 We hold the strength to find terrorism: PM

Modi raises the issue of terrorism at the Indian diaspora event. He says, "There is no part of the world not affected by terrorism. We who follow 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' hold the strength to fight terrorism. "The world is our family, we're all brothers. Languages may be different, the eyes, the nose and the complexion too may be different, but we are one."

Addressing nearly 5,000 Indians who have gathered at the ICBS Expo Centre, in Shanghai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanks the voters for giving him the mandate a year ago.

Speaking to his supporters, amid chants of 'Modi, Modi, the PM says, "Who is Modi? What is he going to do in the global world? Who knows him outside Gujarat? Criticizing me was fine, doubting me was not."

He added that since coming to power he has not taken a single day off and worked hard for the progress of the country and is still working to complete all the promises he had made. "Once again on May 16, I want to say- I will leave no stone unturned in my efforts to fulfilling aspirations of the people."

13:25 'Modi, Modi' chants ring out in Shanghai

Chants of Modi, Modi are echoing through Shanghai as the PM's fans wait for his arrival as he is scheduled to meet the Indian disapora before leaving China and making his way to Mongolia.

Around 5,000 people have gathered for the reception, a reminiscent of Modi's Madison event in the US last year.

Elaborating further, Modi said that Gandhi was born in India but he was a man of the world. He said, "The world is fighting against 2 evils -- terrorism and climate change. And Gandhian philosophy can help us in our fight against these 2 evils.

He added, "The 21st Century is Asia's century. India and China should work together to encourage people to lIve life dedicated to human welfare."

Prime Minister Modi addressing students at the Fudan University in Shanghai after the launch of the Centre for Gandhian and Indian studies, says, "This is a historic moment for me. I have joined a 'pavitra' moment. Opening doors for business is easy, it is also easy to call tourists but to open the doors of knowledge, one needs great inner strength."

Speaking about opening of the Centre, he said, "Today yet again China has opened a doorway into philosophies of Gandhi, which I consider a landmark event."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches the Centre for Gandhian & Indian Studies at the Fudan University. At the launch, Chinese students recited verses from the Bhagwad Gita.

12:19

Here's a detailed list of the 22 MoUs that were signed between India and China earlier this morning at the India-China business forum in Shanghai.

Click HERE for the full list of agreements

12:07 Pachauri seeks court permission to rejoin TERI

Seeking to end his "indefinite leave", Rajendra K Pachauri wants to rejoin The Energy and Resources Institute. The 74-year-old scientist, director of the think tank, has moved a local court seeking modification of its order which prohibits him from entering Teri's premises or contacting any of the Teri officials. The court will take up the plea for consideration on Saturday.

After his meetings with top CEO leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Shanghai Party Secretary Han Zheng. The latter has also hosted a banquet for the Indian PM and serving up some delicious (and of course), vegetarian delights at the event.

Here's what PM Modi will be served up at the banquet. Bon apetit, PM Modi!

Two chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis of Maharashtra and Anandiben Patel of Gujarat are accompanying Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his China visit that is currently underway. Fair enough.

When we take a closer look, we find that both the CMs are from BJP-ruled states, both the states are relatively developed and both are from the western part of the country. As we all know, Modi was in fact the CM of Gujarat till almost a year ago before ascending to the PM's post on May 26, 2014.

One could ask why did the PM choose only these two CMs to accompany him on this crucial visit? Is he being partial to the BJP-ruled states, to the relatively developed states, to the states on the western coast of India or to his home states? Home states because Gujarat was a part of Maharashtra until some years ago.

Read more HERE

The Delhi government, headed by Arvind Kejriwal, has landed in fresh controversy by taking on Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung. In a press release, the government accused Jung of bypassing it and unconstitutionally appointing senior bureaucrat Shakuntala Gamlin as the acting Chief Secretary of the Delhi government.

The LG has defended his decision. Chief Secretary KK Sharma in currently on leave and Jung made the appointment today after Gamlin wrote a scathing letter to Jung claiming that she was pressurised by a senior bureaucrat in CM's office not to be in race for the post due to her alleged proximity to BSES discoms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met CEOs of top 20 Chinese companies in Shanghai. 21 business agreements worth about $22 billion were signed at the India China Business Forum.

Addressing the top CEOs in Shanghai, Modi said, "You are the factory of the world, we are the back office. Together we can bring about peace and prosperity for both our people."

Modi spoke how his government was working hard to ensure the ease of business in India and also spoke about the hurdles they have removed to ensure easy business.

Aruna Shanbaug, former KEM Hospital nurse and rape survivor, who has been in a vegetative state for the past 42 years, has been put on ventilator after her condition became critical after she contracted pneumonia. Dr Avinash Sure, dean of BMC-run KEM hospital said, "She was diagnosed with pneumonia three days ago. We have put her on ventilator support. But she is stable now." The 67-year-old former nurse is now recuperating in the medical intensive care unit at the hospital.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi interacted with 22 top business leaders in of Shanghai and pitched for his pet project Make in India. Following his meeting, Lin Bin, the president of Xiaomi said, "We have some big plans for India; we fully support Make in India."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his last leg of his 3-day visit in China is in Shanghai today and is addressing business leaders at the India-China business forum.

Listing out the financial successes of India, he said, "China and India are two great and old civilizations of the world. Together, today we represent more than one third of the world population. The century belongs to Asia."

He also said that Indian ideas had a role to play in Chinese innovations and "thus we have a lot in common and can do a lot together". The PM added, "As we helped each other growing spiritually, we have to help each other growing economically."

Just as it is indisputable that even in later decades, after decolonization, India's contributions to knowledge were easily dismissed, forgotten, and appropriated by the West.

Yet these grievances cannot be taken in isolation, since the same has happened and is happening to many other cultures and societies.

And as far as India goes, the Hindu right, rather than functioning as a brave resistance, has been a willing collaborator in this process, attacking historians, banning books, and destroying ancient manuscripts (as happened when the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute was ransacked in 2004), disemboweling the past of all its complexity.

In the place of that richness, it has been working hard to create myths it can be proud of, even if that means an ancient book created in modern times, filled with Vedic aircraft that cannot fly.

Read more HERE

01:12 Tsarnaev sentencing: 'A fitting punishment'

Attorney General Loretta Lynch says of the sentencing of Tsarnaev: "The ultimate penalty is a fitting punishment for this horrific crime."

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been sentenced to death by lethal injection for 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

Tsarnaev, 21, was found guilty last month of 30 terrorism and other charges. Of those charges, 17 were eligible for the death penalty.

Jurors were required to fill out a lengthy, complicated verdict form that asked them to make findings on 12 aggravating factors prosecutors said support a death sentence and 21 mitigating factors his lawyers said support a decision to instead sentence him to life in prison.

The jurors then had to weigh any mitigating factors they found against any aggravating factors to determine Tsarnaev's sentence.

During the penalty phase of the judicial proceedings, prosecutors brushed off defense arguments that Tsarnaev was under the strong influence of his older, radicalized brother, Tamerlan, who was killed in a police shootout.

They said even though he was only 19 at the time of the marathon bombing, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was old enough to know right from wrong, and he wanted to avenge US wars in Iran and Afghanistan.

Pakistan army chief General Raheel Sharif has asked the country's intelligence community, including the ISI, to play a more proactive role in countering "hostile agencies" trying to destabilise the nation.

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif visited the ISI headquarters in Islamabad where Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar, DG ISI, briefed him about internal and external security situation of the country and counter terrorism operations.

"COAS emphasised the need for more proactive and coordinated role of intelligence agencies for an effective counter terrorism campaign and to counter hostile agencies moves to destabilise Pakistan," it said.

The "hostile agencies" were not identified by the army.

Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry on Thursday alleged that Indian external intelligence agency RAW was involved in different acts of terrorism in Pakistan.

Last week, Pakistan's army chief had also expressed concern over RAW's activities.

A jury has reached a verdict in the penalty phase of the trial of Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

The verdict -- either death or life in prison for Tsarnaev -- is expected to be read when court reconvenes shortly.

Tsarnaev was convicted by the same jury of seven women and five men last month of all 30 counts related to the deadly April 15, 2013 bombing.

Three people were killed, including an 8-year-old boy, and another 260 were injured when twin blasts ripped through crowds near the finish line of the marathon.

Tsarnaev's older brother and co-conspirator, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed in a shootout with police four days after the explosions, hours before Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was captured in a dry-docket boat.

The body of Mathew George, who was among the four Indians killed in a Taliban attack at a guesthouse in Kabul, was brought in Kochi late Friday night.

Relatives said 69-year-old George, who was working for an American auditing firm in Afghanistan, had been visiting that country since the past four years.

The funeral is to be held on Monday.

Four Indians and an American were among 14 killed when Taliban gunmen attacked a guesthouse in the Afghan capital on Wednesday night.

00:30

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