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Thu, 24 September 2015
Is something brewing? Facebook goes down, sets social media buzzing
Timeline Refresh
23:01 Wall Street CEOs keen on startups; PM says personal sector
Top Wall Street CEOs today expressed interest in investing in start-ups in India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling it 'personal sector' on the lines of private and public sectors.
The prime minister today chaired a roundtable meeting with top American CEOs from the financial sector.
"Many CEOs expressed keen interest in the Indian start-up sector, and showed willingness to invest in entrepreneurial ventures and innovative start-ups," the PMO said in a release.
Making a strong pitch for increased investment in various sectors in India, the Prime Minister outlined his vision for "Start-Up India, Stand-Up India".
He said that along with public sector and private sector, he was laying emphasis to individual start-ups and entrepreneurs whom he referred to as the "personal sector", the release said.
Modi said start-ups and innovation had been at the heart of the IT revolution.
The CEOs expressed appreciation for the steps taken by the Prime Minister to improve ease of doing business, and his various initiatives including his push for infrastructure development and Digital India, it said.
The CEOs mentioned taxation issues and residual bureaucratic bottlenecks as some of the concerns that still existed with regard to investment in India.
22:22 Is something brewing? Facebook goes down, sets social media buzzing
Facebook, the world's second most popular site, is unusable to everyone across the world and on every platform. The social network, which prides itself on never going down, seems to be broken without explanation. Facebook's error page said that the site was "working on it" and would "get it fixed as soon as we can", though that message appears to be automated.
The site going down set Twitter abuzz with many questioning why the site has gone down. Let's hope no one suffers from Facebook withdrawal in the mean time.
22:21
JUST IN: Unknown persons opened fire at former TMC MLA Dulal Bour who is now hospitalised and in a critical state.
21:51 Pope Francis urges divided US Congress to share the wealth
Pope Francis urged the United States not to turn its back on undocumented immigrants, to reject the victimization of religious and ethnic minorities, to overcome income inequality and to save the planet from climate change, citing Scripture and the nation's founding ideals in a historic address to Congress Thursday.
21:47
JUST IN: 6.9-magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia's Papua: USGS
21:27 Porsche chief Mueller to take the wheel at Volkswagen
The head of German luxury sports car maker Porsche, Matthias Mueller, has been picked to succeed Martin Winterkorn as the chief executive of scandal-battered auto giant Volkswagen, the business daily Handelsblatt reported today.
In an article to be published in its Friday edition, the newspaper said 62-year-old Mueller has been chosen to take the driving seat vacated by Winterkorn yesterday as a consequence of the global pollution cheating scandal that has rocked the automobile sector over the past week.
21:19 Modi meets Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in New York
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina during his trip to New York. Prime Minister Modi is also likely to call on the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Modi is expected to push for investments under the `Make in India` programme during these meetings. In his second visit to the United States, he is also scheduled to hold a number of bilateral meetings with world leaders, including US President Barack Obama, on the sidelines of the UNGA.
20:30 Here's what happened at Modi's roundtable with American CEOS
Vikas Swarup, the spokesperson for the ministry of external affairs, addressing a presser after Modi's roundtable with American CEOs said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke very candidly and outline his vision for India. Swarup added that the PM also asked CEOs to give a detailed note of the concerns they have about India and the climate to conduct business in the country.
20:26 Ingredients for Modi's dinner date with CEOs flown in from Delhi
Top global leaders who will dine with PM Narendra Modi today in New York, will be treated to an elaborate spread showcasing a host of festive Indian delicacies. However, several ingredients that will go into the making of the 11-course menu, presented by Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna, have been handpicked by the chef from Delhi's Jama Masjid market.
"He bought seviyan, dry fruits, spices and other ingredients from Jama Masjid. He also took some special utensils from Chandni Chowk with him," Khanna's official representative said. While the dinner, hosted at the renowned Waldorf Astoria hotel, will showcase India's cultural and religious heritage, Khanna's idea is to present an avant garde version of festive Indian dishes.
20:05 Internet services banned in J-K
The Jammu and Kashmir government today decided to suspend internet services across the valley from 5 am on Friday.
The order, according to a police statement will remain in force till late Saturday.
In a communication to various telecom companies operating in Kashmir, the Kashmir zone police chief, SJM Gillani said, In view of the apprehension of misuse of data services by anti-national elements,which is likely to cause deterioration in law and order situation, you are requested to complete snap down the data services through GPRS/20/30 and broadband in Kashmir valley starting from September, 25 from 0500 hours to 2200 hours on September 26.
-- Mukhtar Ahmad/Rediff.com
19:54 Five districts in Assam marked sensitive for Jihadi upsurge
Three districts of Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District Council and two neighbouring districts in Assam have been marked sensitive in respect of jihadi activities after Assam police busted a training group to have been set up by a jihadi outfit in a village in Chirang district in western Assam last week and recovered eight crude hand-made AK-47 rifles that were concealed in a pit.
-- K Anurag from Guwahati reports
19:39
JUST IN: Pope Francis welcomed with loud applause as first pontiff to address Congress.
19:37 LIVE! PM Modi at roundtable on financial sector in New York
Ahead of his dinner with 47 top American CEOs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding an interactive session on the financial sector. The roundtable will be moderated by Fortune Editor Alan Murray.
19:05 Sourav Ganguly to be next President of CAB
Just in: Sourav Ganguly has been named as the next President of Cricket Association of Bengal.
Ganguly was named for the spot after receiving the backing of the West Bengal Government, according to a report on India Today.
The post was made vacant by Jagmohan Dalmiya's death on Sunday. India today also reported that Dalmiya's son Avishek Dalmiya will also be inducted into CAB and an official
19:01 Man from Kerala among those killed in Haj stampede: govt
A man from Kerala was among the pilgrims killed in the stampede during the Haj at Mina, near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, according to information received by the state government here.
"The government has received information that one Keralite Mohammed from Kodungaloor in Thrissur district was among those killed in the stampede," Rural Development and Non Resident Keralite Affairs Minister K C Joseph told PTI.
The deceased had gone for the Haj through a privately- sponsored group, he said.
A woman from the state was among those injured, he added.
Picture for representation only.
18:53 PM Modi to meet, hold bilateral talks withBangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is now in New York to attend the 70th United Nations General Assembly, will hold a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday morning.
Narendra Modi is also visiting the USA to attend the 70th UNGA at the UN Headquarters in New York City.
"The meeting will be held on Thursday morning at Hotel Waldorf Astoria, where the two leaders are staying," official sources said in the US north-eastern city last night without further details.
Sheikh Hasina arrived in New York from London last night on an 8-day US visit to attend the 70th UNGA.
Read more HERE.
18:35 Merkel on three-day visit from Oct 4
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be arriving here on October 4 on a three-day visit during which she will hold comprehensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on key bilateral and international issues including trade and security situation in the region.
Apart from expanding bilateral trade cooperation, the two leaders, who are scheduled to hold talks on October 5, are also expected to discuss the stalled India-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations and ways to take it forward, sources said.
Merkel will be arriving on October 4, they said, adding a number of pacts are expected to be inked during her stay in the country.
Both countries are keen to enhance their bilateral commercial ties with a focus on 'Make in India' programme.
Germany is India's largest trading partner in Europe, with bilateral trade in 2014 valued at 15.96 billion euros.
Merkel last visited India in 2011 and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Germany in April this year.
The German Chancellor is also likely to travel to Bangalore during her stay in India.
18:32 'Swamy to JNU' showed Indian Twitter and the media at their worst
Academic appointments in India are rarely the subject of press or public attention. SK Sopory, the distinguished botanist about to retire as Vice-Chancellor as of Jawaharlal Nehru University is, like most of his predecessors, not well-known outside academia.
The news of his retirement, and the fact that the post of VC had been advertised on August 15, was not reported by any website or publication. Yet for much of Wednesday JNU VC featured prominently on the list of topics trending on Twitter in India.
This was down to a PTI report that claimed that Subramanian Swamy -- conomist, maverick politician, cult hero on the right -- had been sounded out for the job. The only newspaper that carried the report was DNA. The DNA story was picked up on Twitter, and quickly went viral. The PTI report was a travesty, either wholly false or at best a ludicrous misrepresentation of the facts.
The fact that it has gone viral reflects poorly both on Indian Twitter and on our press corps.
Read more HERE.
18:26 Hajj stampede due to African pilgrims, says Saudi Prince
Just in: According to reports from the Saudi-owned al-Arabiya Channel, the head of Central Hajj Committee Prince Khaled al-Faisal has blamed the stampede on "some pilgrims from African nationalities."
18:17 Cop investigating Vyapam scam found unconscious on Jhansi station
CBI Additional Superintendent of Police Bindu Shekhar Jha was found unconscious at platform number 4 of Jhansi station.
Jha was investigating the Vyapam Scam and, according to reports, was on his way to Gwalior aboard Malwa Express.
The Vyapam scam came into light in 2013, with reports that bribes were being paid by those seeking admission to medical colleges. In exchange for kickbacks, those in the government were allowing imposters to take the admission exam.
18:14 Court allows Pachauri to travel to USA and Bolivia
TERI chief R K Pachauri, facing sexual harrassment charges from a woman employee, was today allowed by a Delhi court to travel to the USA and Bolivia to attend a conference on environmental issues.
Metropolitan Magistrate Shivani Chauhan allowed Pachauri to travel from September 25 to October 2 to USA, where he is scheduled to meet various dignitaries and from October 10 to October 15 to Bolivia.
The magistrate also asked him to intimate about his arrival back to India to the Investigating Officer of the case and the court.
"There is nothing on record which shows that the accused has not cooperated in the investigation...The accused was granted permission to travel abroad by this Court on earlier occasions also and the accused has duly complied with all the conditions imposed upon him," the court said.
"In these circumstances, the accused is permitted to travel to USA between September 25 till October 2 and thereafter to Bolivia from October 9-15," it said while asking him to furnishing of one local surety of Rs four lakh along with an undertaking that he will make himself available to the
investigating officer when needed.
18:11 717 dead, 805 hurt in hajj stampede: new Saudi civil defense toll
Saudi Arabias civil defense says that at least 717 pilgrims have died on Thursday when a stampede broke out in the city of Mina, reported Al Arabiya News.
At least 805 others were injured in the crush at a crossroads on Street 204 at the camp city at Mina, a few kilometres east of Makkah, the Saudi civil defence said.
Al Arabiya News Channels correspondent Abdulrahman Al-Osaimi reporting from Mina emergency hospital said the stampede happened at the entrance of the Jamarat bridge near Street 204, and not inside of the Jamarat area where the stoning pillars are situated.
The injured have been distributed to four other hospitals in the Mina area. Some of the injured have been evacuated by helicopters to hospitals in Makkah city, our reporter said.
Read more HERE.
17:44 Sonia expresses shock over stampede deaths in Mecca
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today expressed deep shock and distress over the deaths and injuries in a stampede in Mecca.
Gandhi prayed for the well being of the Haj pilgrims and hoped that Indian citizens in Mina were safe.
Over two million pilgrims, including more than 1.5 lakh Indians, are performing the Haj this year.
17:42 Boko Haram kingpin arrested, 241 freed
The Nigerian military rescued 241 women and children in a raid on two camps controlled by the Boko Haram terrorist group, the country's military said Wednesday.
The Tuesday operation unfolded in the villages of Jangurori and Bulatori, the statement said.
The operations also netted the arrests of 43 militants belonging to the Islamist group, including a local leader, Bulama Modu, who the Nigerian military says was acting as the "emir" of the village of Bulakuri.
The raids destroyed both camps, army spokesman Col. Sani Usman told Punch, a Nigerian newspaper. The military also confiscated weapons, some of which were buried by militants who appeared to be abandoning their posts during the raid, he told the paper.
Read more HERE.
Picture for representation only
17:38 Sena releases first list of candidates for Bihar polls
Shiv Sena releases first list of 38 candidates contesting the upcoming Bihar assembly polls.
NDA constituent Shiv Sena, which has no significant presence in Bihar, had on Sunday announced it was jumping in the poll fray in the state on its own, and claimed its anti-migrant image was due to canard spread by rivals.
The partys national spokesperson Sanjay Raut told reporters that Sena, which is ruling Maharashtra in alliance with BJP, will contest 150 seats in Bihar, where BJP-led alliance is locked in a stiff contest with the Nitish Kumar-led coalition of JD-U-RJD-Congress.
17:33 All hands go up as Patel say 'nay' to caste quotas
All hands went up at a Patel neighbourhood sweet shop in Jersey when those present were asked whether caste quotas should go.
Barkha Dutt who was present at the moment tweeted a picture.
Barkha Dutt who was present at the moment tweeted a picture.
17:06 Police say AAP MLA Somnath Bharti hiding in Agra
Aam Aadmi Party MLA Somnath Bharti is currently hiding near Arga in Uttar Pradesh, say Delhi Police officials. Police are trying to ascertain if an arrest right now can effect Bharti's plea in Supreme Court seeking protection from arrest in a domestic violence case.
After the Delhi high court rejected his anticipatory bail plea, the Malviya Nagar MLA moved the Supreme Court to seeking an order to restrain Delhi Police from arresting him till his petition challenging the high court order is decided.
Read more HERE.
17:00 2 Indians injured in Mecca stampede
Indian Consul General in Jeddah confirms 2 Indians injured in the Mecca stampede that witnessed the death of 310 pilgrims and saw more than 450 are injured.
There are over one lakh Indian pilgrims visiting Mecca currently where a stampede killed over 300 people today.
"It is a very tragic incident. We are monitoring the situation closely," ukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of State for Minority Affairs said about the tragedy.
16:58 Pope Francis poised to deliver historic speech to Congress
Pope Francis will make history on Thursday by becoming the first pontiff to address a joint meeting of Congress in a speech that's expected to challenge lawmakers on some of the most divisive issues in American politics.
Then, in another gesture designed to make politicians uncomfortable, Francis won't enjoy a lavish meal with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Instead, he'll go directly to a lunch with homeless people helped by Catholic charities.
On the third day of his visit to the United States, Francis, the first Jesuit pope, is expected to lean even deeper into politics than his blunt address on the White House lawn on Tuesday, in which he tackled climate change, immigration, the need to respect religious liberty and President Barack Obama's opening to Cuba.
Many of his views are likely to openly clash with the entrenched positions on Capitol Hill, where Republicans control both the House and the Senate. But he could put Democrats on the spot as well if he weighs in on the abortion debate and if he calls for traditional marriage to be protected.
The Argentine-born Pope introduced himself Wednesday at the White House as the "son of an immigrant family," making clear his deep personal connection to an issue that has opened up bitter fault lines in the 2016 presidential race and within the Republican Party.
16:56 Stampede at Hajj on Eid, death toll mounts to 453
Death toll at Saudi Hajj stampede has risen to 453, tweeted the Saudi civil defence.
The number of injured has gone up to 719.
16:53 PM condoles lives lost in Mecca stampede
Prime Minister Modi has condoled the passing of the people who lost their lives in the stampede in Mecca.
'Distressing news from Mecca. Pained at loss of lives due to stampede. Condolences to families of the deceased & prayers with the injured,' the prime minister tweeted.
There are over one lakh Indian pilgrims visiting Mecca currently where a stampede killed over 300 people today.
16:26 President extend greetings on the eve of Eid-ul Zuha
President Pranab Mukherjee today extended greetings on the eve of Eid-ul-Zuha and hoped that the festival is celebrated by all communities and regions of India together as a "composite civilisation".
Extending his greetings to all Muslim brothers and sisters in India and abroad, the President said in his message that this festival should be an occasion to share our happiness and resources with those lesser privileged, suffering and in need.
"May Eid-ul-Zuha bring all the communities and regions of India together in a celebration of our composite civilization", he said in his message.
16:21 Palmyra citadel damaged by Syria regime bombing: expert
Heavy regime bombardment has damaged parts of the ancient citadel in Syria's world heritage site of Palmyra, an archeological expert and an activist said today.
At least 13 barrel bombs have exploded on the citadel and its surroundings since Monday, according to Cheikhmous Ali of the Association for the Protection of Syrian Archeology, which monitors damage to the country's heritage sites.
"We have not been able to assess the extent of the damage, but it is confirmed that parts of the citadel have been damaged by this bombing," Ali told AFP.
Syria's army is fighting to retake the city and its UNESCO-listed ruins from the Islamic State group, which overran the historic metropolis in May.
The regime, bolstered by Russian deliveries of new arms including warplanes, has intensified its air strikes on Palmyra over the past week, with dozens reported dead.
16:17
Helpline numbers in #Mecca: 00966125458000, 00966125496000, 8002477786.
Over 310 been were killed in a stampede during the pilgrimage and more than 450 are injured.
Over 310 been were killed in a stampede during the pilgrimage and more than 450 are injured.
15:52 No Indian casualties yet at Hajj, says govt
There are over one lakh Indian pilgrims visiting Mecca currently where a stampede killed over 300 people today.
There are no reports of Indian causalities yet. Doctors deployed in all govt hospitals in Mina, Mecca, the ministry of external affairs said.
"It is a very tragic incident. We are monitoring the situation closely," said Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of State for Minority Affairs.
There are no reports of Indian causalities yet. Doctors deployed in all govt hospitals in Mina, Mecca, the ministry of external affairs said.
"It is a very tragic incident. We are monitoring the situation closely," said Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of State for Minority Affairs.
15:37
The toll in the Hajj stampede has mounted to 310, the Saudi civil defence has said.
15:14 It's Kailash Kher 'live' at PM's Silicon Valley reception
Popular Indian singer Kailash Kher is all set to enthrall thousands at jam-packed SAP Center in California, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend community reception hosted in his honour.
"Hi Bay Area-Silicon Valley... This is Kailash Kher, once again, among you. And I'm coming with my band for the Community Reception!" said the popular Indian pop-rock singer with a music style influenced by Indian folk music, in a video message ahead of his live performance on September 27 in San Jose.
The sufi singer, 42, was one of the brand ambassadors nominated by PM for his Clean India campaign. Having sung over 5,000 songs for Bollywood, the Teri Dewani hit maker and has his band Kailasa have performed in more than 1000 concerts globally over the past ten years.
"Hi Bay Area-Silicon Valley... This is Kailash Kher, once again, among you. And I'm coming with my band for the Community Reception!" said the popular Indian pop-rock singer with a music style influenced by Indian folk music, in a video message ahead of his live performance on September 27 in San Jose.
The sufi singer, 42, was one of the brand ambassadors nominated by PM for his Clean India campaign. Having sung over 5,000 songs for Bollywood, the Teri Dewani hit maker and has his band Kailasa have performed in more than 1000 concerts globally over the past ten years.
15:02 Hajj pilgrimage continues after deadly stampede
Just in: As the toll mounts in the Hajj stampede, 4000 personnel have been deployed on the spot.
14:33 Hajj pilgrimage to continue after stampede
The stampede at Hajj which killed over 220 pilgrims occurred during the 'stoning of the devil' ritual.
Those injured have been rushed to mobile hospitals and an emergency has been declared in all hospitals. There are over 2 million pilgrims currently at Hajj.
Despite the stampede the pilgrimage will continue. The stampede occurred on the first day of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice.
Eid is being celebrated in Saudi Arabia today.
Those injured have been rushed to mobile hospitals and an emergency has been declared in all hospitals. There are over 2 million pilgrims currently at Hajj.
Despite the stampede the pilgrimage will continue. The stampede occurred on the first day of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice.
Eid is being celebrated in Saudi Arabia today.
14:31 Stampede at Hajj on Eid, death toll mounts to 220
Death toll in the Hajj stampede mounts to 220, said the Saudi civil defence on Twitter.
14:06 Second tragedy at Mecca in a month, 150 killed in stampede
The toll in the stampede at the ongoing Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca is mounting.
Saudi Arabia's civil defence directorate says at least 150 people were dead and more than 400 have been injured.
Rescue operations were under way, the service said on Twitter, after the stampede in Mina near Mecca on Eid al-Adha.
Saudi Arabia's civil defence directorate says at least 150 people were dead and more than 400 have been injured.
Rescue operations were under way, the service said on Twitter, after the stampede in Mina near Mecca on Eid al-Adha.
13:57
Today's stampede is the second to hit Mecca in two weeks. Earlier, 107 people were killed after a construction crane collapsed into the Grand Mosque.
In 2001, 35 people died in a stampede during the devil stoning ritual, while in 1998, some 180 died. In the worst Hajj-related disaster, 1,426 people died in 1990 during a stampede in a tunnel leading to Mecca's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest shrine.
In 2001, 35 people died in a stampede during the devil stoning ritual, while in 1998, some 180 died. In the worst Hajj-related disaster, 1,426 people died in 1990 during a stampede in a tunnel leading to Mecca's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest shrine.
13:54 100 killed, 390 injured in Hajj stampede: Report
Just in: 100 people have been killed and over 390 injured in a stampede during Hajj outside Mecca, reports Saudi-owned state television.
Today is the second day of the holy pilgrimage.
In yet another mishap to hit the ongoing Hajj, the door of a special metro train rolled out to carry pilgrims from Mecca to Arafat malfunctioned yesterday, trapping over 200 pilgrims who suffocated and fainted.
Details awaited.
Today is the second day of the holy pilgrimage.
In yet another mishap to hit the ongoing Hajj, the door of a special metro train rolled out to carry pilgrims from Mecca to Arafat malfunctioned yesterday, trapping over 200 pilgrims who suffocated and fainted.
Details awaited.
13:50 Sourav Ganguly to head Bengal cricket association: Report
Sourav Ganguly, former India skipper, will succeed Jagmohan Dalmiya as the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, confirms India Today.
Dalmiya's death has triggered a power struggle for the top post in Kolkata cricket board.
Yesterday, Ganguly, who is also the CAB joint-secretary, and Dalmiyas son Abhishek met West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in an hour-long meeting. Sources said Mamata will support Souravs candidature.
A formal announcement is expected in a week, reports India Today.
Dalmiya's death has triggered a power struggle for the top post in Kolkata cricket board.
Yesterday, Ganguly, who is also the CAB joint-secretary, and Dalmiyas son Abhishek met West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in an hour-long meeting. Sources said Mamata will support Souravs candidature.
A formal announcement is expected in a week, reports India Today.
13:35 N Srinivasan, Pawar meet dicuss strategy for electing new BCCI chief
ICC President and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association chief N Srinivasan met former BCCI chief Sharad Pawar in Nagpur last night to discuss presidency of the cricket board.
They discuss the strategy for electing the new BCCI chief, sources from Vidharbha Cricket Association said.
Pawar arrived in Nagpur on September 21 after attending funeral of BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya in Kolkata and will be in the city till September 25.
They discuss the strategy for electing the new BCCI chief, sources from Vidharbha Cricket Association said.
Pawar arrived in Nagpur on September 21 after attending funeral of BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya in Kolkata and will be in the city till September 25.
12:50 AAP's Somnath Bharti moves SC seeking protection from arrest
Aam Aadmi Party MLA Somnath Bharti, who is involved in a domestic violence case, has moved the Supreme Court seeking protection from the arrest after the Delhi high court had rejected his anticipatory bail plea.
According to reports, Bharti has sought a direction that the Delhi police be restrained from arresting him till his petition challenging the high court order is decided.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had earlier said that the former law minister Bharti, who has been booked in a domestic violence case, is becoming an embarrassment for AAP and his family, and therefore, should surrender. The AAP held a meeting today to decide on Bharti's future in the party.
According to reports, Bharti has sought a direction that the Delhi police be restrained from arresting him till his petition challenging the high court order is decided.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had earlier said that the former law minister Bharti, who has been booked in a domestic violence case, is becoming an embarrassment for AAP and his family, and therefore, should surrender. The AAP held a meeting today to decide on Bharti's future in the party.
12:45 Sri Lankan navy arrests 6 Indian fishermen
The Sri Lanka navy today said it has arrested six Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in Lankan waters. The navy said it assisted the Sri Lankan coastal guards in the seas off Kovilan Point to nab the fishermen last night.
"When the arrest was made the Indian fishermen had been fishing 3.5 nautical miles and 5.2 nautical miles off northwest of Kovilan Point," the navy said.
The arrested fishermen and their two trawlers have been taken to Karainagar to be handed over to the fisheries authorities, it said. The arrests came days after the Lankan northern fishing organisations rejected a request from their Tamil Nadu counterparts to discuss the recurring issue of poaching by Indian fishermen in the Sri Lankan waters.
"When the arrest was made the Indian fishermen had been fishing 3.5 nautical miles and 5.2 nautical miles off northwest of Kovilan Point," the navy said.
The arrested fishermen and their two trawlers have been taken to Karainagar to be handed over to the fisheries authorities, it said. The arrests came days after the Lankan northern fishing organisations rejected a request from their Tamil Nadu counterparts to discuss the recurring issue of poaching by Indian fishermen in the Sri Lankan waters.
12:39 A video welcome for tech-savvy PM from Google's Sundar Pichai
The tech-savvy Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a welcome by India-born Google CEO Sundar Pichai through a Youtube
video.
Pichai talked about the bond between India and the Silicon Valley and added that there was excitement among Googlers. "We're looking forward to your remarks at the SAP Centre in San Jose, and also when you come to Google," Pichai said.
"The bond between India and the Silicon Valley is strong. India has long been an exporter of talent to tech companies. The products built by Indian graduates from IIT and other institutions have helped revolutionise the world. But it is India that's now undergoing its own revolution," he added.
In the next few years, about 50 million women and 20 million small businesses are expected to get online for the first time, said Pichai.
"Prime Minister Modi's Digital India vision is central to this revolution. It focuses on connecting the 1.2 billion people in India. It has received tremendous support in India and in Silicon Valley," he said.
The PM arrived in New York today and will head for the West Coast on September 26. He will meet Pichai, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Apple's Tim Cook.
Photograph: TV grab Youtube
Pichai talked about the bond between India and the Silicon Valley and added that there was excitement among Googlers. "We're looking forward to your remarks at the SAP Centre in San Jose, and also when you come to Google," Pichai said.
"The bond between India and the Silicon Valley is strong. India has long been an exporter of talent to tech companies. The products built by Indian graduates from IIT and other institutions have helped revolutionise the world. But it is India that's now undergoing its own revolution," he added.
In the next few years, about 50 million women and 20 million small businesses are expected to get online for the first time, said Pichai.
"Prime Minister Modi's Digital India vision is central to this revolution. It focuses on connecting the 1.2 billion people in India. It has received tremendous support in India and in Silicon Valley," he said.
The PM arrived in New York today and will head for the West Coast on September 26. He will meet Pichai, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Apple's Tim Cook.
Photograph: TV grab Youtube
12:01 'Happy Birthday to you' song is free from copyright
An Indian-origin musician in the United States was among many celebrating victory after a California court ruled as invalid a copyright claim by a giant corporation on 'Happy Birthday To You', dubbed the world's most popular song.
Rupa Marya, the lead voice, composer and music director of the band Rupa and The April Fishes, had joined filmmaker Robert Siegel in challenging the copyright on 'Happy Birthday' claimed by Warner Music, which had been charging licence fees for commercial use of the song, The Telegraph reports.
US district judge George H King of a Los Angeles federal court examined the history of the song and its lyrics -- traced back to the 1890s -- and ruled that Warner could not own the copyright it had claimed.
"I'm elated today, and excited to see that ordinary citizens can challenge the stupid greed of corporations and take back what belongs in the commons," Marya told The Telegraph on email from the US.
Rupa Marya, the lead voice, composer and music director of the band Rupa and The April Fishes, had joined filmmaker Robert Siegel in challenging the copyright on 'Happy Birthday' claimed by Warner Music, which had been charging licence fees for commercial use of the song, The Telegraph reports.
US district judge George H King of a Los Angeles federal court examined the history of the song and its lyrics -- traced back to the 1890s -- and ruled that Warner could not own the copyright it had claimed.
"I'm elated today, and excited to see that ordinary citizens can challenge the stupid greed of corporations and take back what belongs in the commons," Marya told The Telegraph on email from the US.
11:48 Dengue scare: Actors Juhi Chawla, Anil Kapoor, Jitendra get BMC notice
The dengue scare has everyone from Delhi to Mumbai on edge.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has sent notices to at least three Bollywood actors and a singer after mosquito breeding sites were found during a routine inspection in their houses and gardens.
Actors Juhi Chawla residing in Malabar Hills, Jitendra living in Juhu, and Anil Kapoor residing in Juhu, were issued notices under Section 381 B of Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, for not taking measures to prevent mosquito breeding. Singer Amit Kishor Ganguly, also residing in Juhu, was issued a similar notice.
Mumbai is witnessing a rise in dengue with 2,496 undergoing symptomatic treatment for dengue since September 1.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has sent notices to at least three Bollywood actors and a singer after mosquito breeding sites were found during a routine inspection in their houses and gardens.
Actors Juhi Chawla residing in Malabar Hills, Jitendra living in Juhu, and Anil Kapoor residing in Juhu, were issued notices under Section 381 B of Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, for not taking measures to prevent mosquito breeding. Singer Amit Kishor Ganguly, also residing in Juhu, was issued a similar notice.
Mumbai is witnessing a rise in dengue with 2,496 undergoing symptomatic treatment for dengue since September 1.
11:27 Will AAP show the door to missing Somnath Bharti?
Top Aam Aadmi Party leaders are meeting at Arvind Kejriwal's house to take a call on Somnath Bharti, wanted by police over an attempt to murder case filed by his wife.
Police yesterday questioned his close aides as the AAP MLA went missing after the Delhi high court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.
Delhi CM and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal made his stand clear with his tweets asking Bharti to surrender. He also said that Bharti was becoming "an embarrassment" to the party and his family.
Police yesterday questioned his close aides as the AAP MLA went missing after the Delhi high court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.
Delhi CM and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal made his stand clear with his tweets asking Bharti to surrender. He also said that Bharti was becoming "an embarrassment" to the party and his family.
11:19 Dalai Lama wants a 'very, very attractive' female successor
Spiritual leader Dalai Lama believes that if his successor is going to be a female, she better be good looking.
In an interview with a news channel, when asked if his successor could be a woman, the 80-year-old spiritual leader said that a female has more potential to show affection, adding that her face must be "very very attractive," TMZ reports.
The interviewer even asked him if he was joking. But the Lama said that it was true.
The Dalai Lama has very often referred to himself as a feminist, reports ANI.
In an interview with a news channel, when asked if his successor could be a woman, the 80-year-old spiritual leader said that a female has more potential to show affection, adding that her face must be "very very attractive," TMZ reports.
The interviewer even asked him if he was joking. But the Lama said that it was true.
The Dalai Lama has very often referred to himself as a feminist, reports ANI.
10:40 Maharashtra guv rejects plea to cancel Sanjay Dutt's jail term
Just in: A pardon plea for actor Sanjay Dutt, convicted in a case related to 1993 Mumbai blasts, was rejected by Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao.
Two and a half years ago, former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju had written letters to the President, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the then Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde after a discussion with noted criminal lawyer Majid Memon and others in March 2013. Their decision came after Sanjay Dutt broke down in front of the media and declared that he was not going to seek pardon and would go by the Supreme Court decision, reports The Times of India.
Dutt was convicted in the 1993 blasts case under the Arms Act for possessing weapons. He was jailed in 1996 and spent 18 months behind bars before walking out on bail. In 2013, the Supreme Court sentenced him to five years in prison for the crime.
Two and a half years ago, former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju had written letters to the President, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the then Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde after a discussion with noted criminal lawyer Majid Memon and others in March 2013. Their decision came after Sanjay Dutt broke down in front of the media and declared that he was not going to seek pardon and would go by the Supreme Court decision, reports The Times of India.
Dutt was convicted in the 1993 blasts case under the Arms Act for possessing weapons. He was jailed in 1996 and spent 18 months behind bars before walking out on bail. In 2013, the Supreme Court sentenced him to five years in prison for the crime.
10:19 In iconic NY hotel, PM staying in suite with foyer, living room, JFK's rocking chair
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is staying the iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York.
He is staying in one of the 26 presidential suites, which has hosted many American presidents.
Reports say the living room of Modi's suite, which is on the 35th floor, has items used by earlier US presidents, like the rocking chair of John F Kennedy, and also their portraits. He is reportedly staying in suite 35 A, which has a foyer, a living room, a dining room and a kitchen, reports NDTV.
Modi's team considered other hotels like The Pierre for his stay, but reportedly chose The Waldorf Astoria because of its banquet facilities.
Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif is also staying there. However, US President Barack Obama has picked the New York Palace Hotel, where PM Modi stayed during his earlier visit.
Obama is believed to be wary of spying in the Waldorf, which was bought by a Chinese insurance company last year.
Photograph: fivestaralliance.com
He is staying in one of the 26 presidential suites, which has hosted many American presidents.
Reports say the living room of Modi's suite, which is on the 35th floor, has items used by earlier US presidents, like the rocking chair of John F Kennedy, and also their portraits. He is reportedly staying in suite 35 A, which has a foyer, a living room, a dining room and a kitchen, reports NDTV.
Modi's team considered other hotels like The Pierre for his stay, but reportedly chose The Waldorf Astoria because of its banquet facilities.
Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif is also staying there. However, US President Barack Obama has picked the New York Palace Hotel, where PM Modi stayed during his earlier visit.
Obama is believed to be wary of spying in the Waldorf, which was bought by a Chinese insurance company last year.
Photograph: fivestaralliance.com
09:09 No meeting planned between Modi and Pak PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif will be staying at the same hotel - New York's iconic Waldorf Astoria. But there is no meeting planned between the two.
There is no meeting scheduled between PM Modi and Nawaz Sharif, said the external affairs ministry.
But what if they bump into each other? "Well, if they bump into each other at the hotel, there will of course be Salaam-Dua," a Pakistani government official told NDTV.
Modi is on a five-day visit to the United States and has a packed scheduled ahead of him.
There is no meeting scheduled between PM Modi and Nawaz Sharif, said the external affairs ministry.
But what if they bump into each other? "Well, if they bump into each other at the hotel, there will of course be Salaam-Dua," a Pakistani government official told NDTV.
Modi is on a five-day visit to the United States and has a packed scheduled ahead of him.
08:29 PM Modi in New York to attend UN General Assembly
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New York today for a five-day visit to the United States where he will attend the United Nations General Assembly session.
Modi will also meet President Barack Obama during the trip, his second in two years.
The Patel community which had planned protests against the PM outside New York's Waldorf Astoria hotel -- where he is staying -- in a show of support for Hardik Patel decided to call off the demonstration. They have now decided to welcome him.
Photograph: PIB
Modi will also meet President Barack Obama during the trip, his second in two years.
The Patel community which had planned protests against the PM outside New York's Waldorf Astoria hotel -- where he is staying -- in a show of support for Hardik Patel decided to call off the demonstration. They have now decided to welcome him.
Photograph: PIB
04:34 Dhokla gets a Michelin makeover for PM Modi's dinner with CEOs in US
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts a meal, it's unlikely dhokla will not be on the menu.
And the meal he's hosting for CEOs of Fortune 500 companies at the Waldorf Astoria in New York on September 24 is no different.
Except this time, the Gujarati snack will take the form of corn dhokla molten cake served with a berry compote, which has been rustled up by Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna.
Khanna, who owns the award-winning restaurant, Junoon, in New York, has been labouring over a seven-course meal for a month, and will be presenting a range of dishes themed on the festivals of India.
Among the dishes on the menu are sevaiyan cakes and rolls inspired by the Jama Masjid, coconut chutney mousse, pongal and bisi bele bath served as rice porridge and Parsi patrani fish.
Read more HERE
01:59 Indira aide dismisses ex-IB chief's claim on RSS backing Emergency
Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's close aide R K Dhawan has dismissed claims by former Intelligence Bureau chief T V Rajeswar that the RSS had supported Emergency.
"How could RSS say that they could support Indira Gandhi for the Emergency or support her during the post-Emergency elections leaving behind the Jan Sangh party. There was no such mention of RSS supporting Gandhi," Dhawan said.
He stated this in an interview in India Today when asked about Rajeswar's claim in his newly-released book 'The Crucial Years', dismissing it as a mere "self-glorification" and for creating sensation.
In the book Rajeswar claimed that the RSS had supported several measures taken during the Emergency and the then chief of the organisation Balasaheb Deoras had tried to contact then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
To a pointed question on whether Deoras wanted to meet Gandhi, Dhawan wondered why Rajeswar was making such claims "which did not happen at all".
"He (Deoras) did make a direct contact with Mrs Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi or the PM's house," Dhawan said.
He also dismissed several other charges made in the book against Indira Gandhi, including allegations that she had told IB to snoop on Congressmen or that she was aware of the excesses committed during Emergency.
01:03 Thousands of iOS apps infected by XcodeGhost
The impact of iOS app developers unknowingly using a rogue version of the Xcode development tool is turning out to be greater than initially thought: early reports listed just 39 apps that had been trojanized with the tool, but security researchers have since identified thousands more.
On Friday, security research firm Palo Alto Networks reported that 39 apps found in the App Store had been compromised after their developers -- most of them located in China -- used a rogue version of Xcode that had been distributed on forums. Xcode is a development tool for iOS and OS X apps provided by Apple.
The malicious Xcode version, which has been dubbed XcodeGhost by security researchers, added hidden functionality to any application compiled with it. Those apps were then uploaded by unknowing developers to the official App Store, bypassing one of the main malware defenses of the iOS ecosystem.
On Tuesday, mobile security firm Appthority reported that it had found 476 apps infected by XcodeGhost among those used by its enterprise customers.
Read more HERE
00:58 In Silicon Valley, some Indian Americans shun Clinton after election row
Hillary Clinton, who has long cultivated the Indian-American community for both funds and votes, is tapping into the excitement around the Silicon Valley visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this weekend.
Next Monday she is holding a presidential campaign fundraiser expected to attract many prominent Californians with ties to India.
But some Indian-American Democrats from the region have told Reuters they wont be attending the event, in part because they are upset about the way a candidate was treated in a 2014 race for a Silicon Valley congressional seat.
Their frustration extends to other Democratic candidates and causes besides Clinton, who wasn't involved in the race, but ignoring her campaign is a high-profile way to vent.
Supporters of the candidate, Ro Khanna, an intellectual-property lawyer of South Indian heritage, accuse his opponent, fellow Democrat Mike Honda, of using race-baiting to undermine Khanna. Honda narrowly beat out Khanna, a former trade official in President Barack Obama's administration, in the election for a seat in the House of Representatives.
Read more HERE
Image: Ro Khanna, a Democratic candidate for a congressional seat in California
00:49 Mukesh Ambani India's richest; Flipkart founders new billionaires
Industrialist Mukesh Ambani has been named India's richest for ninth year in a row with a net worth of $18.9 billion even as his wealth dipped by $4.7 billion in a year, while ecommerce giant Flipkart's founders made their debut on the country's top 100 rich list.
As per Forbes magazine's latest India rich list released on Wednesday night, Ambani was followed by Sun Pharma's Dilip Shanghvi as second richest with a net worth of USD 18 billion, while Wipro's Azim Premji retained his third place with USD 15.9 billion.
Flipkart's co-founders Sachin and Binni Bansal made their debut at 86th position with a net worth of $1.3 billion each.
The combined wealth of India's 100 richest persons remained largely unchanged at USD 345 billion, as compared to $346 billion in 2014, Forbes said.
The magazine said the Indian economy was estimated to grow at 7 per cent this year, but the wealth of many of India's 100 richest have gone down due to decline in the stock markets and depreciation in rupee value over the past one year.
As many as 10 of them saw their net worth dip by over $1 billion each in one year, including Lakshmi Mittal, whose net worth dipped to USD 4.6 billion (ranked 8th with $11.2 billion). His rank also slipped three places.
00:49 Mukesh Ambani India's richest; Flipkart founders new billionaires
Industrialist Mukesh Ambani has been named India's richest for ninth year in a row with a net worth of $18.9 billion even as his wealth dipped by $4.7 billion in a year, while ecommerce giant Flipkart's founders made their debut on the country's top 100 rich list.
As per Forbes magazine's latest India rich list released on Wednesday night, Ambani was followed by Sun Pharma's Dilip Shanghvi as second richest with a net worth of USD 18 billion, while Wipro's Azim Premji retained his third place with USD 15.9 billion.
Flipkart's co-founders Sachin and Binni Bansal made their debut at 86th position with a net worth of $1.3 billion each.
The combined wealth of India's 100 richest persons remained largely unchanged at USD 345 billion, as compared to $346 billion in 2014, Forbes said.
The magazine said the Indian economy was estimated to grow at 7 per cent this year, but the wealth of many of India's 100 richest have gone down due to decline in the stock markets and depreciation in rupee value over the past one year.
As many as 10 of them saw their net worth dip by over $1 billion each in one year, including Lakshmi Mittal, whose net worth dipped to USD 4.6 billion (ranked 8th with $11.2 billion). His rank also slipped three places.
00:46 Russia says will respond if US places new nukes in Germany
The Kremlin says Russia will take countermeasures if the US places new nuclear weapons at a base in Germany.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov's comments, reported Wednesday by Russian news agencies, came in response to a report by Germany's ZDF television. The report said that preparation is underway by the US to station B61-12 nuclear bombs at Buechel Air Base in Germany.
ZDF said its information was based on examination of US federal budget reports. The claim couldn't immediately be confirmed.
The B61-12 is an upgraded version of weapons that have been in the US arsenal for decades, developed under what is called the Life Extension Program.
The National Nuclear Safety Administration said in July that the upgrade included a new tail-kit assembly and would improve the bomb's reliability and security.
Peskov said "unfortunately, if this step is implemented ... it may disrupt the strategic balance in Europe and therefore will clearly make Russia take corresponding countermeasures to re-establish the balance."
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