The US dentist who sparked an international outcry after killing a lion in Zimbabwe will not be prosecuted because he had obtained the legal authority to hunt, officials say.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will leave for Moscow on October 19 on a three-day visit to participate in the annual India-Russia Inter- Governmental Commission meeting in which both sides will deliberate on strategic issues besides energy and trade.

Oscar and Grammy winning Indian music composer A R Rahman today confessed that he did not know Pele before he composed music of a biopic on the Brazilian football legend.

In a dramatic incident, a Mumbai- based model allegedly whipped out a gun at a retail outlet in Karol Bagh to thwart two men whom she claimed had tried to molest her, police said.

The Election Commission today ruled that there is no legal bar on campaigning outside constituencies going to polls, a decision which came a day after the grand alliance demanded a ban on live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies as it could influence voters in the first phase of Bihar elections today.

Amid reports of five Pakistani terrorists having entered India, the Centre has asked all states to be extra vigilant to thwart any attempt by terrorists and subversive elements to disrupt peace and create communal tension during the upcoming festival season.

Two days after a man died of tiger attack, another person was today dragged away by the Big Cat at Gosaba in Sunderbans in South 24 Parganas district.

An important road and a roundabout here have been named after India, coinciding with the tour of President Pranab Mukherjee, the first Indian head of state to visit Palestine.

The lawyer of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who was given a five-year sentence in 2002 hit-and-run case, today alleged in the Bombay High Court that there were several discrepencies in the collection of the actor's blood samples and its examination.

Just in: 57 per cent turnout in first phase of Bihar assembly polls: EC.

"Ordinary people, soldiers are being killed. Is there a way out? Yes, where there is a will there is a way," says Kasuri at the book launch.

"Here's my suggestion, dont trust United Nations Military Observer Group. There are people of repute in Pakistan and India. ...human rights activists and judges, cant we ask them to monitor? The people of integrity?"

Ex-Pakistan minister Kasuri says, "We have tried everything, now let us try peace."

"PM Modi made a promise of development, but we have to have peace. I hope PM realises that AB Vajpayee's route was the right one."

Recalling PM Modi's humble origins, Kasuri calls him a "man of destiny."    

Kasuri says the purpose of writing his book was to clear misconceptions. "I have sent the copies of the book to President Pranab Mukherjee, former PM Manmohan Singh, Yashwant Sinha, L K Advani and Natwar Singh. He said that is the only way to build trust."  

"There is no scope for non-state players today. Both countries have murdered history comprehensively and as a result they are in this situation today." 

Speaking at the launch of his book, former Pakistan minister Kasuri thanks Maharashtra CM Fadnavis for providing 'excellent security' since landing at Mumbai Airport.

"Gandhi and Jinnah spent time in Mumbai," said Kasuri. He spoke about Jawaharlal Nehru visiting Lahore. "The Hindus of Pakistan were upset with Panditji over partition."      

Continuing his speech at the book launch of Kasuri, Kulkarni said, "Please don't think every Pakistani is anti-India, I told Uddhav Thackeray. We should not let any organisation mar the values of Mumbai."

"Pakistan mein fiza badal rahi hai, log aman chahate hain," he added. 

Speaking at the book launch of Kasuri's book, Sudheendra Kulkarni said that he met Uddhav Thackeray yesterday to make him understand why they were organising the event.

"Mumbai stands for India-Pak dialogue for peace, this function in the face of threats is vouching for that," he said.

He said that Kasuri's book gives a very positive account of Advani's visit to Pakistan in 2005. 

Sudheendra Kulkarni, who faced was blackened by the Sena, speaks at the book launch. He began thanking all those to reached the event despite the circumstances.

Talking in Marathi, he said, "I am proud of Mumbai. Mumbai loves peace and co-operations. Mumbai is international, not just national. Mumbai is a tolerant, inclusive, liberal and democratic city. In the history of freedom movement and the history of Pakistan, Mumbai has a special place."

"Mumbai is the karmabhumi of Gandhi and Jinnah. It's on record that Jinnah after creation of Pak said he was so attached to Bombay, and he wants to come back. It is our duty to undo the mistakes of the past," he said.   
   

Just in: Actor Naseeruddin Shah is present at the book launch of former Paksitani minister Kasuri.  Sudheendra Kulkarni, the organiser of the event, was also present. His face was blackened by Shiv Sainiks for supporting the launch.

Three layers of security has been deployed to ensure that the event goes on without hiccups.

Just in: Former Pakistan minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri reaches Nehru Centre in Worli for the launch of his book.

It appears like the Sena has toned down his protests. But Sena spokesperson had denied that the protest was called of.   

In wake of protests by the Shiv Sena, the Mumbai police is taking no chance to ensure that the book launch of former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri in Mumbai passes off peacefully, reports Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com.

To prevent any untoward incident in the backdrop of Shiv Sainik's blackening the face of the organiser Sudheendra Kulkarni this morning, the state administration has put into action 300 police, state reserve police force, Mumbai riot control police outside Nehru Centre in Worli, the venue of the event.   

"We will ensure that there is no law and order issue during the event. We have got appropriate number of cops on duty," Deven Bharti, joint CP Law and Order, Mumbai, told rediff.com.

He, however, did not divulge the number of cops stationed around the venue. A senior cop manning one of the four check points, told rediff. com that more than 300 personnel from the Mumbai police, SRPF and Mumbai Riot Control platoon have been posted around the venue.

Photograph: Representation picture

Just in: Former Pakistan minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri has reached Nehru Centre in central Mumbai's Worli for the launch of his book.  

Security has been beefed up in and around Worli after Shiv Sena has been demanded that the event be called off.

The Shib Sena smeared Sudheendra Kulkarni, a former BJP advisor, with ink this morning for organising the launch.

Just in: The Nobel prize in Economics is won by Britain's Angus Deaton.

Deaton has been honoured for his analysis of consumption, poverty, and welfare. 
His work has helped transformed the fields of microeconomics, macroeconomics and development economics. He has also made a number of contributions to the best ways to compare welfare across time and countries.

Photograph courtesy: princeton.edu

I wrote hardly a week ago that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah were 'tombstoning' '" at the prompting of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) by cogitating behind closed doors with the erstwhile businessman Vellappally Natesan and his family who lead the SNDP...

Read the full blog here

"It wasn't an attack, it was a non-violent protest. This was a very mild, soft and democratic attack," said Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut on party workers throwing ink on Sudheendra Kulkarni

"Jisko condemn karna hai, karne do. This not a political agenda, this is the sentiment of the nation," he said. 

Raut said that there is not change in the position of the Shiv Sena. "Wait and watch." he said when asked if they will protest against Kasuri's event.

Rubbishing reports that a protest against the launch of Former Pakistan minister Kasuri's book has been called off, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut clarified, "The message is going around that Shiv Sena has withdrawn the protest, this is a lie.We hold our stand."

"Welcoming such a person (Kasuri) on a red carpet is disrespecting our nation," he said.

When asked if they would disrupt the launch scheduled for this evening in Mumbai, 'Raut replied, "Did we tell you in advance about this morning's events?"   

He further added, "Can we give status of 'atithi devo bhava' to those who kill our soldiers, seek to break our country?"

Addressing a presser soon after reports that Shiv Sena had called off a protest against former Pakistan minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book launch, party spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, "We haven't stopped protesting against Pakistan. It is completely wrong to say that we have stopped our agitation against Pakistan. The CM should ensure that the Kasuri's book launch should not be held. We have sent to the CM the evidence of Kasuri's acts against India."

"We have written a letter to the Maharashtra CM asking him to take a call on the event. Kasuri is not an artist but a Pakistan politician. Kasuri has been supporting the Hurriyat Conference, which has supported separatist elements in Kashmir," said Raut calling Sudheendra Kulkarni an agent of Pakistan.

Aaditya Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray's son, wrote an open letter to Rajdeep Sardesai over his remarks on Sudheendra Kulkarni being ink attacked on Monday. Hours after Kulkarni was attacked, Rajdeep n a blog said that if Maharashtra's asmita has to be defended, maybe Sainiks should go to Marathwada and help farm widows in distress.

The Shiv Sena has decided to withdraw its protest against the book launch of former Pakistan minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri in Mumbai. The climbdown comes Uddhav Thackeray spoke to the Maharashtra CM and decided that protest against Sudheendra Kulkarni will be called offafter the intervention by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. 

President Pranab Mukherjee arrived today in Palestine for an overnight visit, the first by an Indian Head of State, which comes amidst heightened tension between Israel and Palestinians in recent weeks which has led to heavy casualties. Mukherjee flew in from Amman to Israel's Ben-Gurion airport in Tel Aviv and drove down to the Palestinian Authority territory where he has a packed programme before returning to Israel tomorrow for a three-day visit.

After blackening the face Sudheendra Kulkarni for wanting to host the book launch of former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri in Mumbai, the Pune unit of the Shiv Sena has now targeted young entrepreneur and Congress supporter Tehseen Poonawalla on his Facebook page- threatening him if he organises a Pakistan Food Festival in Pune. The threat is made on Poonawalla's Facebook page from the account of Amar Bhosale, brother of the Shiv Sena working president in Pune Ajay Bhosale. 

Aarushi Talwar's grandfather Group Captain BG Chitnis (Retired) VSM has broken his silence for the first time since his granddaughter was found murdered in 2008 in her Noida home.  In his letter, Nupur Talwar's father calls for his daughter and son-in-law's right for a free and fair trial. 

Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian has been convicted in a case that included espionage and propaganda charges, according to Iranian reports. A verdict against the American-Iranian journalist had been reached over the weekend, but was not confirmed until Monday when a state TV program spoke with Chief Justice of Iran officials. 

As the first of the five-phase elections in Bihar started, BJP's star campaigner, Shanawaz Hussain, announced that the party's veteran lawmaker from Gaya, Dr Prem Kumar, will be the chief minister if the NDA comes to power in the state. The statement was a departure from tradition for the party, which rarely announces its chief ministerial candidate in advance. 

Noted Kashmiri writer and poet Ghulam Nabi Khayal has joined the bandwagon of authors returning their Sahitya Akademi awards, saying the minorities in the country today feel "unsafe and threatened". "I have decided to return the award. The minorities in the country are feeling unsafe and threatened. They feel their future is bleak," Khayal said. 

A day after Mohammad Iqlakh was lynched over beef rumours, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had visited the family to condole the loss. However, the vice-president did not announce a cash compensation for the victim's family. Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party announced a compensation of Rs 45 lakh and the Bahujan Samaj Party provided Rs 11 lakh.  Which begs the question why didn't the Congress VP announce compensation? 

Mukhtar Ahmad reports: A powerful improvised explosive device exploded near the district office complex in south Kashmir Shopian's this morning.

In returning their awards, Nayantara Sahgal and Ashok Vajpeyi have reminded Modi of two duties he has neglected -- that of upholding a citizen's right to life and of protecting an artist's right to creativity. Their angst is also directed at the silence of fellow writers and literary institutions. A writer not only seeks to reform a particular injustice in society. She is a tuning fork, a warning signal about the spirit of a civilisation, a trustee of the times.

Four people have been injured after it was reported that workers from the BJP and the Grand Alliance clashed near booth number 156 in Jamui. At 10 am, the voter turnout recorded in Bihar was 20 per cent. Bihar went to polls today in the first of its five-phase elections. Forty-nine assembly constituencies are going to the polls in the first phase with a total of a total number of 1.35 crore electors. 

For 21 years, Alexander Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron fist, jailing opponents, crushing opposition marches, and, many believe, sanctioning the murder of rivals. Now, he appears to be laying plans to turn his authoritarian regime into a North Korean-style dynasty, with his 11-year old son Nikolai as his chosen heir. 

Former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri in a joint press conference with Sudheendra Kulkarni said that the ink attack on the ORF chief ahead of the book launch concerned him, but as a political worker he was used to such protests. 

Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut defended the ink attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni, the organiser of the book launch event of former Pakistan minister  Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri. Raut said that the ink attack was a mild reaction and that the ink reflected the blood of our soldiers who have lost their lives fighting Pakistani forces at the border. 

After the organiser of his book launch event was attacked and ink was flung in his face, former Pakistan minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri said that he would not cow down and would attend the programme held to launch his book Neither a Hawk nor a Dove: An Insider's Account of Pakistan's Foreign Policy. "Have not come so far to sit in a hotel," said Kasuri when asked if he would attend the event in light of the ink attack on Sudheendra Kulkarni, the organiser of the event. 

After the ink attack on the organiser of former Pakistan minister's book launch in Mumbai, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has assured security for the event. "It's our government's responsibility to provide security to all foreigners, diplomats or dignitaries who are allowed on proper visa. Kasuri and the program will be provided total security."

Over 10 per cent of voters have already cast their ballot as polling for the first phase of assembly elections is underway in Bihar. Amid unprecedented security arrangements, polling began at 7 am in 49 constituencies spread over 10 districts in this phase. Voting will continue upto 5 pm. In four constituencies of naxal infested Jamui district voting will conclude at 3 pm.

Sudheendra Kulkarni, Chairman of Observer and Research Foundation, a foreign policy think tank, which has organised an event for the book launch of former Pakistan minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, was attacked by Sena workers this morning. Kulkarni alleged that the workers threw black ink on him. 

Bihar Cabinet minister Awadhesh Prasad Kushwaha, who resigned on Sunday after a video purportedly showed him accepting bribe, said that the entire incident was serious but it was a conspiracy. "Conspiracy by my political opponents;will try to bring out the truth before people." He added that he had resigned and asked the CM to accept his resignation. Meanwhile, the Election Commission on Monday asked the District Magistrate ordered a probe into the sting.

A key organiser of today's Mumbai launch of a book written by former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri has said the event will continue as scheduled amid threats from Shiv Sena. 

A confident Giriraj Singh, after casting his vote in the Barahiya area in the first phase of elections said that the Grand Alliance comprising of the Janata Dal-United, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress would fail. "The Grand Alliance will fall flat on its face," said BJP's union minister. Polling has begun for 49 seats. 

As polling in Bihar begins, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the star campaigner of the BJP, took to his Twitter page, urging people to cast their vote and decide the future of their state. "Urging all those voting today in Bihar to vote in large numbers. I particularly urge my young friends to cast their vote."

Voting for the first of the five-phase assembly elections in Bihar has begun - polling is being held on 49 seats. The BJP has fielded 27 candidates - the rest of the seats will be contested by its allies, including 13 seats for Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party. In the opposite camp, the Janata Dal -United has fielded 24 candidates, Rashtriya Janata Dal 17 and Congress 8.