LIVE! Ecuador quake toll rises to 233 dead: president

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Sun, 17 April 2016

Ecuador quake toll rises to 233 dead: president

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21:32 Ecuador quake toll rises to 233 dead: president

At least 233 people have been killed in the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Ecuador's Pacific coast, President Rafael Correa has said.

"The official figure of the number killed has risen to 233," Correa said on his Twitter account. Officials had previously put the toll of yesterday's quake at 77 dead and nearly 600 injured.

Defending champions Mumbai Indians have opted for Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Stadium as their home ground in the 9th edition of Indian Premier League cricket tournament after BCCI decided to shift all matches of the

cash-rich league from the drought-hit Maharashtra.

The other Maharashtra franchise Pune Supergiants have opted for Visakhapatnam as their home ground.

IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said that they will appeal to the Bombay high court so that the May 1 match between MI and Pune is allowed to be staged as it will be right after Pune's match on April 29 against Gujarat Lions.

20:29 Militants target civilians in J&K

Militants on Sunday shot at and wounded a shopkeeper in south Kashmir Shopian district.

A senior police officer said militants fired at Khursheed Ahmad Lone near his shop at Heff Zainpora in Shopian district. .

"Khursheed was evacuated to hospital for treatment, " the officer said.

Police has rushed to the spot.

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar/Rediff.com

Cricketer Ravindra Jadeja on Sunday tied the nuptial knot with Riva Solanki in Rajkot in a ceremony where a reveller opened celebratory firing in the air, prompting the police to launch an inquiry.

As the marriage procession was moving, apparently one of Jadeja's relatives, who was within a few feet of the horse-mounted cricketer, was seen firing in the air from his revolver.

No one was injured, but cops arriving at the scene said it's illegal to use even licensed firearms except in cases of self-defence.

"We have initiated inquiry to find if the revolver used was licenced or not. We will decide on taking action after investigation," said Rajkot (Rural) Superintendent of Police Antrip Sood.

Ahead of US President Barack Obama's visit to Saudi Arabia, there is a renewed push to declassify one of the country's most sensitive documents -- known as the '28 pages', redacted from a top-secret 9/11 investigative report.

A 838-page congressional report would shed light on possible Saudi support for some of the 9/11 hijackers.

For 13 years, the 28 pages have been locked away in a secret vault. Only a small group of people have ever seen them. CBS News spoke to some of them and urged the Obama administration to declassify redacted pages of the report that holds 9/11 secrets.

Watch the report HERE

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has warned of economic fallout if the Congress passes 9/11 bill that would allow the Saudi government to be held responsible in American courts for any role in the September 11, 2001, attacks.

Read the story HERE.

19:44 Army chief in J&K, reviews security situation

With tension still simmering in parts of the valley, Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh arrived on a day's official visit to Headquarters Northern Command at Udhampur on Sunday.

"The General was received by Lt. Gen. D. S. Hooda, who later briefed him on the overall security situation in the Command theatre," a defence spokesman said in a statement.

"The Army Chief interacted with the Corps Commanders and took a first-hand assessment of the prevailing internal security situation specifically in view of the recent incidents at Handwara and Nutnusa," the statement added.

Kupwara has been on boil following the incident of alleged molestation bid of a school girl in Handwara town since last Tuesday.

The violent protests against the incident have claimed five lives and injured scores of others including police and paramilitary forces.

Curfew-like-restrictions are in force in Kupwara and Handwara.

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar/Rediff.com

18:43 Improved HIV antiviral therapies in the offing

Scientists, including one of Indian-origin, have identified a human protein that weakens the immune response to HIV and other viruses, an advance that may help improve antiviral therapies, create viral vaccines and lead to new cancer treatments.

"Our study provides critical insight on a paramount issue in HIV research: Why is the body unable to mount an efficient immune response to HIV to prevent transmission?" said Sumit Chanda, from Sanford-Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) in US.

"This research shows that the host protein NLRX1 is responsible - it's required for HIV infection and works by repressing the innate immune response," said Chanda.

The innate immune response works by producing a cascade of signalling chemicals (interferons and cytokines) that trigger cytotoxic T cells to kill pathogens.

A US Air Force reconnaissance plane was barrel-rolled by a Russian SU-27 fighter jet in an "unsafe and unprofessional" manner during a routine flight in international airspace, American officials said on Sunday, exacerbating tensions between the rival powers.

The incident on Thursday occurred when a Russian jet "performed erratic and aggressive maneuvers" as it flew within 50 feet of the US aircraft's wing tip over the Baltic Sea, Danny Hernandez, a spokesman for European Command, said.

The Russian SU-27 began the barrel roll from the left side of the US RC-135 and went over the top of it to end on the right side of the aircraft, European Command said.

The US aircraft was "intercepted by a Russian SU-27 in an unsafe and unprofessional manner," Hernandez was quoted as saying by CNN.

He said that the US plane never entered Russian territory.

Representative image

Curfew has been imposed in Gujarat's Mehsana town after at least two dozen people including policemen were injured in clashes between police and protesters on Sunday.

The violence broke out after police denied permission to protesters for a rally demanding the release of their leader Hardik Patel from jail. Prominent Patel community leader Lalji Patel was among those injured.

"Section 144 has been imposed and internet services have also suspended in Mehsana," said Lochan Sehra, Mehsana collector.

Hardik Patel, the 23-year-old firebrand leader of the Patel quota movement, was arrested on charges of sedition in October last year.

Attacking West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Mamata is not fighting elections with other political parties but with the Election Commission.

Following Election Commission's show cause notice to her for violating the model code of conduct., the Trinamool Congress Chief took on the EC and dared the commission to take steps against her and said that people of the state would showcause them on May 19, the day of the election result.

Modi in his speech at Krishnanagar in Nadia district said," Our Election Commission is respected all over the world. Every sportsman respects an umpire. It's our duty to respect the EC."

Modi also took on the Left and Congress combine and said, "In Kerala, Left leaders say that the Congress has ruined the nation. In West Bengal, the same Left leaders say that they will work with Congress."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met the ailing Swami Atmasthananda Maharaj, president of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission Order, whom he considers his 'guru'.

This was his second visit after May 9, last year to the Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratisthan in the city, where the 98-year-old monk is recovering from age-related illness.

"The PM spent about 15 minutes in the hospital. He went to the Maharaj's room, touched his feet and was blessed by the senior monk," the RKM Seva Pratisthan Secretary Swami Satyadevananda Maharaj told PTI.

The two spoke in Gujarati and asked about each other's well-being during the short exchange, as the senior monk was not in a condition to talk much.

Modi used to get spiritual guidance from Swami Atmasthanand when both of them were in Rajkot.

Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Rangana Herath has announced his retirement from limited-overs cricket in order to focus on the remainder of his Test career.

Herath informed Sri Lanka Cricket of his decision to step away from the shorter formats in the past week, and the board has since accepted his decision.

Herath, the slow left-armer took 74 wickets in 71 one-day internationals and 18 in 17 Twenty20s, including a format-best five for three against New Zealand en route to helping Sri Lanka lift the World Twenty20 title two years ago.

15:51 Three-course restaurant brunch for dogs in UK

Dog lovers, take note! A restaurant in the UK is launching a fancy pop-up three-course brunch for puppies.

Pedigree dog parlour Pet Pavilion has teamed up with Chelsea-based restaurant Bluebird to create the Bites and Bones Brunch.

In the first course, dogs will be served a dish of venison sausage and beefy brown rice. The second course consists of a chicken and lamb 'barkenberg' loaf.

For the third course - dessert - the puppies will be treated to a sweet potato and peanut butter macaroon with a dog-friendly gelato filling, 'Metro' reported.

The brunch will run from April 27 to May 1. On the first day, the pop-up will launch with a special 'doggy disco' with pooch hooch, which is 'beer' for dogs.

Puppies will enjoy the posh brunch in the courtyard, so their owners are free to go to the people section to eat their own meal.

After Mumbai Central, RailTel, the telecom arm of the Indian Railways on Sunday launched high-speed public free WiFi service at Bhubaneswar railway station in partnership with Google.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu accompanied by Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha, launched the WiFi service which will benefit 1.4 lakh visitors at Bhubaneswar station daily. .

The Minister also announced that similar service will be made available at Puri Railway Station ahead of Lord Jagannth's annual Rath Yatra in July this year.

The project will eventually be rolled out to cover 400 railway stations across India.

A surge in activity at North Korea's atomic test site suggests preparations for a fifth nuclear test are in their final stages, possibly before a key political event in early May, South Korean media reported on Sunday.

The frequency of vehicle, workforce and equipment movements at the Punggye-ri site have "increased two to threefold," since last month, Yonhap news agency said, citing multiple government sources.

Officials believe the trucks seen moving in and out of the complex are likely carrying nuclear technicians.

"If they are signs of nuclear test preparations, it seems the preparations are in the final stages," Yonhap quoted one government source as saying.

Veteran actor Dilip Kumar, who is suffering from respiratory problems, is recovering well but doctors said he will have to stay in the hospital for another four days.

Kumar, 93, was admitted to Lilavati hospital in suburban Bandra on Saturday.

"He is much better than at the time of admission. He is recovering well," said Dr Jalil Parkar, who is attending to him along with other doctors.

When asked how long he will be in the hospital, Parkar said, "May be another four-five days."

Kumar's wife, actress Saira Banu had earlier said that the actor was hospitalised as he was suffering from high fever, chest infection and respiratory problems.

"Saira ji informs me that he (Dilip Kumar) is doing fine, by the grace of the Almighty... Prayers for a speedy recovery...," Amitabh Bachchan posted on Twitter.

The legendary actor, whose real name is Mohammad Yusuf Khan, acted in many superhit films during his six-decade long career such as "Madhumati", "Devdas", "Mughal-e-Azam", "Ganga Jamuna", "Ram Aur Shyam" and "Karma".

He was last seen on-screen in the film "Qila" in 1998. He was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.

13:28 Nico Rosberg wins F1 Chinese Grand Prix

Mercedes's Nico Rosberg wins Chinese Formula One Grand Prix, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel finsihes second while Red Bull's Daniel Kvyat third.

13:20

Earthquake of magnitude 6.1 strikes southeast of pacific island nation Tonga - The US Geological Survey

12:57

JUST IN: Ecuador vice president says earthquake death toll rises to 77, over 570 wounded

12:51 Days after fire tragedy, Kollam temple opened for darshan

A week after the fire tragedy at the 100-year-old Puttingal Devi temple at Paravoor left 108 dead, the temple opened for darshan on Sunday. The Tantri (Chief priest) Unnikrishnan Namboothiri opened the sanctum sanctorum at 4.00 am.

A large number of people from the area were present at the time.

As per custom, the practice is to reopen the temple only on the seventh day after the festival ends with a fireworks diplay on the final day of the 'Meena bharani' festival. However, there were differences of opinion on whether or not to open the temple on the seventh day.

But after consultations with all concerned, it was decided to open as per custom, temple sources said.

The tragedy was struck last Sunday during a display of fireworks at the temple complex, where thousands of people had gathered to witness it.

12:42 3 injured in explosion at gurudwara in Germany

At least three persons, including a priest, have been injured in a "violent" explosion at a gurudwara in Germany's western city of Essen.

Eyewitnesses have spoken of "a kind of bomb" that exploded at the entrance of the gurudwara around 7 pm local time on Saturdya where a wedding was taking place.

External Affairs Minitry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that the Indian mission is following it up with the authorities.

"Distressed to hear of an explosion in a Gurudwara in Essen in Germany. Our Mission is following up with local authorities on ground situation," he tweeted.

A 60-year-old suffered serious injuries and had to be hospitalised while two 47- and 56-year-old men had minor injuries, the Bild newspaper reported but did not specify if all of them were Sikhs.

More than 21 per cent votes were cast in the first two hours of polling for 56 seats in the second phase of West Bengal assembly polls amidst tight security.

Overall, 21.64 per cent voters exercised their franchise till 9 am in six districts of north Bengal and in Birbhum in south Bengal.

In North Dinajpur, 24 per cent votes were cast while in South Dinajpur it was 25.33 per cent. In Darjeeling it was 19 per cent, Jalpaiguri 20.45 per cent, Malda 18.32 per cent, Alipurduar 20.66 per cent and Birbhum 23.69 per cent.

Over 1.2 crore electorate will decide the political fates of 383 candidates, including 33 women, in six north Bengal districts of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda and Birbhum in south Bengal.

Meanwhile, TMC candidate from Siliguri assembly constituency Baichung Bhutia has complained of bogus votes being cast at Sriguru Vidayapith booth. The TMC has registered the complaint with the Election Commission.

Bhutia, former Indian football captain, is pitted against Siliguri Mayor and former CPI(M) minister Ashok Bhattacharya.

11:42 Drones to inspect progress of rail projects

Indian Railway has used drones for the first time for inspecting a mega rail project to assess the progress on the ground and the flying machine would now be used to monitor other under-construction schemes.

An unmanned aerial vehicle, also called drone, was used to inspect the ongoing work on the Dedicated Freight Corridor project and, as per the plan, all ongoing projects will be monitored through aerial survey.

Besides, the public sector behemoth has also decided to use drones to assess the ground situation in the aftermath of train accidents.

A drone is essentially a flying robot which can be remotely handled through software-controlled flight plans embedded in its systems working in conjunction with GPS.

"We used a drone to ascertain the progress on the 42 km long track between Baghega to Srimadhopur in Rajasthan in the Western DFC and also the 56 km long line between Durgawati and Sasaram in Bihar," DFC Managing Director Adesh Sharma said.

The drone was used for three days on a trial basis to cover the total 98 km on the DFC. The status report was prepared after the analysis of video recordings.

At least 41 people were killed when a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Ecuador, destroying buildings and sending terrified residents dashing from their homes, authorities said.

President Rafael Correa declared a national emergency and urged the Andean nation's 16 million people to stay calm.

"Our infinite love to the families of the dead," he said on Twitter, while cutting short a trip to Italy to return home.

Vice President Jorge Glas said that the death toll will likely rise further in what he called the "worst seismic movement we have faced in decades."

"Sadly the information we currently have is that 41 citizens have lost their lives in this emergency... This death toll will unfortunately rise in the coming hours," Glas said in televised comments.

Ecuador's Geophysical Office reported "considerable" structural damage "in the area near the epicenter as well as points as far away as Guayaquil."

The US Geological Survey said that the shallow quake struck off the northwest shore of Ecuador with a magnitude of 7.8. Glas gave a slightly lower measurement of magnitude 7.6.

Ecuador lies near a shifting boundary between tectonic plates and has suffered seven earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher in the region of Tuesday's quake since 1900, the USGS said. One in March 1987 killed about 1,000 people, it said.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a warning for the nearby Pacific coastline but later said that the threat had largely passed.

Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon said that a "significant" part of the Muslim population celebrated attacks, blaming the country's policies for failing to integrate migrants into society. He did not explicitly refer to last month's jihadist attacks on Brussels' airport and metro system that killed 32 people.

"A significant section of the Muslim community danced when attacks took place," Jambon said in an interview with the Flemish-language De Standaard newspaper.

The Belgian minister also accused Muslim residents of Brussels' largely immigrant Molenbeek neighbourhood of attacking police during an operation last month to arrest a suspect in connection with the deadly attacks in Paris last November.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared frugal earnings worth some $134,000 (Rs 89.3 lakh) last year after the leaked Panama Papers revealed the vast offshore holdings of his close circle.

Putin in his annual declaration for 2015 declared earnings that were up $18,600 (Rs 12 lakh) on last year at the current exchange rate.

He said he still owns the same meagre property as last year: a 77-square-metre flat, a garage, three Soviet-era cars and a trailer.

The Russian leader's latest declaration came after the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists found his close friend cellist Sergei Roldugin headed an offshore empire that had apparently controlled around $2 billion.

Putin has denied any corruption, saying that Roldugin used the money to buy musical instruments including a Stradivari cello.

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