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Mon, 05 September 2016
Live! Missing comet lander Philae spotted at last: ESA
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20:28 Missing comet lander Philae spotted at last: ESA
Europe's Rosetta spacecraft has finally spotted the tiny lander Philae stuck in a dark crack on the surface of its comet home -- the first glimpse since
the robot lab crashlanded in 2014, ground controllers said today.
The European Space Agency released a photograph of the washing machine-sized robot lab on the comet's rough surface, one leg thrust into the air.
The image, captured with the Rosetta orbiter's OSIRIS narrow-angle camera on Friday last week, were downloaded two days later -- just weeks before the official end of the ground-breaking science mission to unravel the mysteries of life on Earth.
"With only a month left of the Rosetta mission, we are so happy to have finally imaged Philae and to see it in such amazing detail," Cecilia Tubiana of the OSIRIS camera team, the first person to see the images, said in a statement.
The 1.3-billion-euro mission, saw Rosetta launched into space in March 2004, with Philae riding piggyback.
20:26 Kejriwal to undergo throat surgery
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be away from the national capital for nearly a fortnight for a throat surgery and to take stock of AAP's preparations in poll-bound Punjab.
He will undergo the surgery on September 13 to cure his chronic cough problem.
He will take a 10-day rest there.
"Before leaving for Bengaluru, the CM will embark on a 4-day visit to Punjab starting from September 8. He will meet party leaders and address public gathering in Punjab.
"Thereafter, he will leave for Bengaluru on September 12 and undergo surgery next day. He is expected to come back on September 22," said a senior government official.
In his absence, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will look after the chief ministerial works.
20:26 Bihar flood toll rises to 204
With six more deaths, the toll in Bihar floods today went up to 204, even as the water level of the swollen Ganga continued to recede at many places except at Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district where the river is flowing
above the danger mark.
The six fresh deaths were reported from two districts of Bhagalpur and Khagaria, which reported three deaths each, a Disaster Management Department statement said.
The flood has affected 40 lakh people at 2,189 villages in 12 districts, it said.
Seven lakh people have been evacuated so far from the 12 flood-affected districts of Buxar, Bhojpur, Patna, Vaishali, Saran, Begusarai, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Munger, Bhagalpur and Katihar, the statement said.
20:21 Dengue cases rise to 771, toll mounts to 9
A 25-year-old woman has died of dengue in Delhi taking to nine the count of fatalities due to the vector-borne disease, even as the number of people testing positive for it crossed 770.
Out of the total number of cases this season, August alone had accounted for 652.
According to a municipal report released today, at least 771 cases were reported till September 3, marking a rise of nearly 60 per cent from the count last week.
Civic authorities which had till yesterday maintained the death tally at two, today updated the figure to four.
25-year-old Iram Khan, a native of Meerut, who lived in Jamia Nagar in south Delhi, succumbed to dengue on August 31 at the Apollo Hospital.
South Delhi Municipal Corporation which complies the report on vector-borne diseases on behalf of all civic bodies here, also acknowledged the death from dengue of Nazish Khan, who had died on August 12.
20:19 Bihar topper scam: Chargeheet filed against 32 people
Under the ongoing investigation in Bihar topper scam, Patna police on Monday filed chargesheets against a total 32 people.
Last month, the Special Investigation Team arrested science topper from Muzaffarpur, Rahul Kumar, in relation to the scam. He was arrested from Vaishali.
A day before Rahul's arrest, former exam controller of B.R Ambedkar Bihar University (BRABU), Muzaffarpur, Pankaj Srivastav arrested by SIT.
Ruby Rai, a former intermediate arts topper, who was arrested in connection with the scam on June 25, was granted bail last month.
The scam came to light after a video of Ruby Rai went viral in which she described political science as "prodigal science" and stated that political science, a subject she virtually aced, teaches cooking.
19:53 'Mother Teresa remains an enigma' says 1996 reviews of The Missionary Position
In his 1996 review of the late Christopher Hitchens' The Missionary Position in the London Review of Books, author Amit Chaudhuri had said, "One of the things that has struck me ever since about the publicity concerning Mother Teresa is that it has less to do with the poor than with Mother Teresa."
The review, entitled Why Calcutta?, looked at the socio-economic and political milieu in which the recently canonised Mother Teresa worked and Hitchen's critique of the same.
The review can be read in its entirety HERE.
19:19 Ain't nothing but a 'porn dog'
He's the department's newest crime-fighting tool with a nose that could help put away some of the country's most predatory and dangerous criminals.
The rambunctious, dumpster-diving, desk-climbing, leash-chewing black Labrador, twice rescued from the pound, is Det. Cameron Harmon's new secret weapon and partner. Harmon got him at the end of May and named him URL, pronounced "Earl." It's a fitting name for what he's trained to do.
URL sniffs out electronic storage media. Still just a pup, the 18-month-old K-9 is one of fewer than two dozen such dogs in the United States that hunt the unique chemical compounds emitted from flash drives, memory cards, cell phones, iPads and other similar devices
18:59 Rescuers: 2 dead in Tel Aviv building collapse
A multilevel underground parking garage collapsed at a Tel Aviv construction site today, killing at least two people and injuring some 17 others, according to police and rescue workers.
The midday collapse sent a large plume of dust floating over the area. TV images showed a large, crater-like hole in the ground, and twisted support beams as rescue teams, accompanied by search dogs, dug through the rubble for survivors.
The cause of the collapse was under investigation. A construction worker from the site said he was underground in the garage when he began to feel vibrations.
"All of a sudden everything collapsed," the man, identified only as Micha, told Channel 10 TV. "It was scary. You feel like everything is going to collapse, and you are going with it." Speaking to reporters at a hospital, he said he was blown backward by the blast and lightly injured.
Israel's national rescue service said two people, including a 35-year-old man, were confirmed dead, and 22 people injured. Israeli media said four people were still missing.
18:19 WHO declares Sri Lanka malaria free
Sri Lanka was today declared malaria-free by the World Health Organisation which called it a "remarkable public health achievement".
WHO certified the tropical island nation of having eliminated malaria -- a life-threatening disease caused by mosquito bites.
"Sri Lanka's achievement is truly remarkable. In the mid 20th century it was among the most malaria affected countries," WHO Regional Director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said.
Sri Lanka is the second country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to eliminate malaria after Maldives.
The Regional Committee has eleven member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor Leste. It meets annually to discuss its programmes and budget which is hosted by a member country.
18:02 Obama: 'Gaps of trust' hamper Syria deal with Russia
US President Obama says an agreement with Russia on ending the violence in Syria is being hampered by "gaps of trust" between the two governments.
Asked by CNN's Michelle Kosinski about his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the President described it as "candid" and "blunt" focusing mainly on Syria and Ukraine.
Obama called the discussion on Syria "productive" about what a real cessation of hostilities would actually look like.
"We have had some productive conversations about what a real cessation of hostilities would look like that would allow us both... to focus our attention on common enemies."
18:01 ISIS planned for more operatives, targets during Paris attacks
The sophisticated ISIS network that plots foreign strikes had planned for the carnage in the November 2015 Paris attacks to be far worse, to occur in other European countries as well and, investigators believe, had planned to follow them up with strikes in several locations, CNN has learned.
CNN has obtained thousands of pages of documents and photos from internal European investigations and gathered information from sources close to the Paris investigation that together provide new details about the highly organized terror group intent on attacking overseas targets.
These documents reveal new information about two captured operatives who investigators believe intended to attack France.
They also point, chillingly, to the existence of another suspected terrorist -- never before named publicly -- who authorities claim is linked to the Paris terror cell and was on the loose in Europe for months after that attack.
That man, identified by authorities as Abid Tabaouni, was only arrested in July.
Read more HERE.
17:09 Suicide attacks near Defence Ministry in Kabul
Two back to back suicide attacks rocked the Afghan Capital on Monday. According to local media reports the explosions took place near the Defence Ministry.
Citing military sources, Reuters reported multiple casualties are feared.
An Afghan news website quoted a source as saying that two suicide attacks took place in Kabul.
There was no immediate confirmation of the cause of the blasts, less than two weeks after 13 people were killed in a suicide attack on the American University in Kabul.
16:58 Daniel Craig offered USD 150 million to return as James Bond
Actor Daniel Craig has reportedly been offered USD 150 million to return to the popular series of spy films "James Bond".
Sony has offered the actor a massive sum to play Bond in two more feature films, which would be shot back-to-back., According to Radar Online.
"(He) has played a genius hand. Everyone knows how much executives adore him, and the idea of losing him at such a crucial time in the franchise isn't an option as far as all the studio honchos are concerned," a source said.
Whereas, producer Barbara Broccoli has already gone on record to say that she does not want to lose her leading man any time soon.
16:57 Modi, Xi's warm goodbyes
Goodbye in Hangzhou. See you in Goa. PM @narendramodi bids adieu to President Xi: Vikas Swarup tweeted just ahead of PM Modi departure from Hangzhou.
16:42 Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplanes for Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplaned for New Delhi today after the conclusion of the final session of G20 Summit which was for making common cause to address other issues affecting the world economy.
PM during the final session said that, "Many global issues may not seem economic but, carry significant economic cost".
The 11th summit of the Group of 20 major economies concluded in Hangzhou on Monday, reaching extensive consensus on a wide range of important topics.
15:48 Sacked Delhi Minister's PA detained
Delhi Police today detained sacked Delhi minister Sandeep Kumar's personal assistant after the AAP leader alleged that he was "blackmailing" him and "threatening to destroy his public image".
Praveen Kumar, who is Kumar's PA, was detained from Delhi Secretariat this morning, police said.
"As of now, we have detained him for questioning from Delhi Secretariat," said DCP(Outer) Vikramjeet Singh.
During questioning by police, Sandeep had claimed innocence alleging that Praveen had "tried to blackmail" him and "threatened to harm his public image".
Yesterday, police had conducted searches at the residence of the minister and his acquaintances.
15:33 NASA images unveil origins of solar wind
NASA scientists have for the first time imaged the edge of the Sun, enabling them to describe the mysterious origins of solar wind.
Ever since the 1950s discovery of the solar wind - the constant flow of charged particles from the Sun - there has been a disconnect between this outpouring and the Sun itself.
As it approaches Earth, the solar wind is gusty and turbulent. But near the Sun where it originates, this wind is structured in distinct rays, much like a child's simple drawing of the Sun.
The details of the transition from defined rays in the corona, the Sun's upper atmosphere, to the solar wind have been, until now, a mystery.
15:20 NASA shortlists US teen's idea for Mars rover landing site
NASA has shortlisted a suggestion by a high school student in the US, along with seven others, for choosing the landing site next Mars rover mission, scheduled to launch in 2020.
Alex Longo proposed to land in the same site where NASA's rover Spirit had landed in 2004 - a site called Gusev Crater.
Spirit found some intriguing potential signs that there might have once been life on Mars, and Gusev was worth a second look, according to Longo.
The teenager, who is yet to finish high school, came across an announcement by NASA in 2014 seeking abstracts from scientists to suggest landing sites for the rover mission to Mars, and sent his ideas.
NASA replied with an email inviting him to attend the first landing site planning conference. Longo was scheduled to speak in the last session of the meeting.
14:51 Senior BJP leader Arif Baig passes away
Former union minister and senior BJP leader Arif Baig died here today after suffering a heart attack, his family said.
He was 81 and is survived by two sons and five daughters.
Baig, who was suffering from blood sugar, died at his home due to sudden heart failure around 9 AM, his younger son Noorul Hasan Baig told PTI.
The two-term Lok Sabha MP from Madhya Pradesh, Baig was first elected to the lower house from Bhopal on Bhartiya Lok Dal ticket in 1977 by defeating Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, who later became President.
Thereafter, he was made the Union Minister, Hasan said.
He was again elected to Lok Sabha on BJP ticket by defeating Aslam Sher Khan of Congress from Betul in 1989, his son said.
14:36 Low pressure likely to trigger heavy rain in Odisha
A low pressure over the Bay of Bengal is likely to trigger very heavy rainfall coupled with strong gusty surface wind in some parts of Odisha, besides making sea condition very rough.
Yesterday's Low Pressure area now lies over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of Gangetic West Bengal and Southwest Bangladesh, the meteorological centre here said.
Under its impact, rain or thundershower is likely to occur in most places in Odisha during the next 24 hours.
The system is also likely to trigger heavy rainfall in a few places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places over north Odisha and heavy rainfall at one or two places over south Odisha in the next 24 hours, it said.
14:25 French ex-prez Sarkozy could be tried in campaign graft case
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who is making a fresh bid for election next year, could face trial over alleged illegal funding of his failed 2012 campaign, a source in the investigation said today.
"Prosecutors are calling for all of those charged to be tried," the source told AFP. An investigating magistrate must now decide whether to follow the prosecution's recommendations.
Sarkozy faces allegations of false accounting that allowed him to greatly exceed spending limits in 2012.
The case hinges on the activity of public relations firm Bygmalion, which organised some of Sarkozy's campaign appearances and is accused of using a vast system of false accounting.
14:01 SC directs K'taka to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to TN
SC directs Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu for next 10 days to ameliorate plight of farmers.
SC asks Tamil Nadu to approach supervisory committee for release of Cauvery water as per a tribunal's order.
SC directs supervisory committee to decide Tamil Nadu's plea in ten days from today.
13:18 Obama warns China of 'consequences' for its behaviour in SCS
Warning China of "consequences" due to its aggressive behaviour, US President Barack Obama has asked the Communist nation to restrain itself from worrying its neighbours in the disputed South China Sea region.
"Part of what I've talked to communicate to President Xi (Jinping) is that the United States arrives at its power, in part, by restraining itself," Obama said.
"You know, when we bind ourselves to a bunch of international norms and rules, it's not because we have to, it's because we recognise that, over the long-term, building a strong international order is in our interests. And, I think, over the long-term, it will be in China's interests, as well," he told CNN in an interview recorded before he left for China to attend the G20 Summit.
"So where we see them violating international rules and norms, as we have seen in some cases in the South China Sea or in some of their behaviour when it comes to economic policy, we've been very firm. And we've indicated to them that there will be consequences," Obama said.
13:10 String of blasts kill 18 across Syria: state media
At least 18 people were killed and dozens wounded in a series of bombings across mostly government-controlled areas of Syria today, state media reported.
The blasts hit government-held Tartus and Homs, as well as Hasakeh, which is mostly controlled by Kurdish forces but where the regime maintains a presence.
State media said at least 11 people had been killed and 45 injured in a double bomb attack just outside the city of Tartus, in the coastal province of the same name, which is a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad's government.
"Two terrorist blasts on Arzuna bridge, the first a car bomb and the second a suicide bomber who detonated his explosive belt when people gathered to help the wounded," state television said.
State media also reported five people killed in Hasakeh, in the northeast of the country.
12:42 Trump no longer wants mass deportations: Rudy Giuliani
One of Donald Trump's top supporters insisted Sunday that the Republican nominee is backing away from one of his most controversial immigration proposals: mass deportations.
In an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union," former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Trump doesn't want to break up immigrant families in America.
Giuliani told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" that Trump "would find it very, very difficult to throw out a family that has been here for 15 years and they have three children, two of whom are citizens. That is not the kind of America he wants."
Giuliani's comments follow a hardline immigration speech Trump delivered last week in Arizona.
The former mayor cited an Associated Press report characterizing Trump's comments as "a sharp retreat" from his pledge during the primary season to remove all 11 million undocumented immigrants from the United States.
12:15 SC quashes proceedings against Dhoni over 'Vishnu' avatar on magazine
JUST IN: The Supreme Court has quashed criminal proceedings against M S Dhoni for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by portraying as the Hindu god Vishnu on a magazine cover.
12:11 No deal on Syria as Obama and Putin meet
US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin were meeting Monday as talks between their governments on ending violence in Syria ended without an agreement.
The two leaders were conversing on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit here, according to a US National Security Council spokesman.
More details about their discussion were expected later Monday, but US officials said before the summit that Syria and Ukraine would likely be on the agenda of an Obama-Putin huddle.
The exchange came after a US official said talks had ended between US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, who had been working to negotiate a plan that would have boosted military cooperation between the two nations in an effort to better target terrorists and prevent civilian deaths.
But negotiators failed to work though differences, and the talks have ended for now.
12:04 Union Minister Nitin Gadkari celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari took time out of his busy schedule to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at his residence in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
12:03 'Objectionable' posters of AAP minister come up in Goa
The AAP in Goa today threatened to file a police complaint after ""objectionable" posters showing sacked Delhi minister Sandeep Kumar came up across the state with the party election symbol on it.
Sandeep, an MLA from Sultanpur Majra in Delhi was arrested last week on rape and other charges following a complaint by a woman who purportedly figured in an "objectionable" CD with him. He was also suspended from AAP after the scandal came to light.
His posters were put up in Panaji, Margao, Ponda, Vasco and Mapusa markets besides other prominent places in Goa with "AAP for Women Empowerment" written on it.
The picture of broom, which is AAP's symbol, has also been displayed on the posters.
"I suspect BJP behind such acts. BJP rules and governs the state (Goa). They should see to it that proper inquiry is conducted into such acts," AAP Goa Convener Walmiki Naik told reporters here.
11:45 Kashmir delegation: Rajnath Singh holds press conference
Home Minister Rajnath Singh speaking at a press conference in Srinagar, said, "Everyone is very concerned, we all are of the view that things in Kashmir need to improve."
"No two ways about fact that J&K is a part of India, was a part of India & will be a part of India," Singh said.
"If someone goes to talk and they (separatists) dont talk, then they clearly dont believe in 'insaniyat, Kashmiriyat, jamuriyat'," he added.
"Yesterday, some of the members of the delegation (all party delegation) met Hurriyat leaders," Singh stated.
11:21 Triple talaq: SC gives Centre 4 weeks time to file their response
The Supreme Court has granted four weeks' time to Centre to respond on a batch of petitions on triple talaq and the plight of Muslim women.
Additional Solicitor General mentioned the matter before CJI bench and sought more time to file their response after which the court granted four weeks' time.
It had issued notice to the Central Government in July 29 on plea of a Muslim woman challenging the Constitutional validity of 'triple talaq' to end a marriage.
It had favoured a wider debate on the petitions challenging the validity of triple talaq.
The All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board president Shaista Ambar has demanded abolishing of the triple talaq system.
The apex court has tagged this plea with pending matter in court.
11:14 Aadhar card matter: SC to hear contempt petition against Centre next week
The Supreme Court will be hearing a petition against Aadhar card next week.
In the petition, the claimant has alleged that the government is "giving the impression that Aadhar is mandatory" despite SC judgement to the contrary.
10:55 President's advice to academicians on Teachers' Day
Calling the teachers to imbibe technology in imparting education, President Pranab Mukherjee today said they should instill in children civilisational values of sacrifice, tolerance, pluralism, understanding and compassion.
Greeting the teachers on the occasion of Teachers' Day, Mukherjee, who started his career as a teacher, said this is an occasion when "we recognise the dedicated services of the teachers of our nation".
In a series of messages on twitter, Mukherjee said a sound education system is the bedrock of an enlightened society.
"Inspired teachers are the building blocks of a good education system. An inspired teacher links the individual goals of the students to the societal and national goals," he said in the message.
He said teachers need to imbibe technology and new methodologies to create modern and effective approaches to teaching and learning and extended good wishes to entire teaching community for their dedication and commitment to the great cause of educating country's youth.
Teachers' Day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of second President of the country Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a revered educationist, philosopher and recipient of highest civilian honour of the country Bharat Ratna.
Greeting the teachers on the occasion of Teachers' Day, Mukherjee, who started his career as a teacher, said this is an occasion when "we recognise the dedicated services of the teachers of our nation".
In a series of messages on twitter, Mukherjee said a sound education system is the bedrock of an enlightened society.
"Inspired teachers are the building blocks of a good education system. An inspired teacher links the individual goals of the students to the societal and national goals," he said in the message.
He said teachers need to imbibe technology and new methodologies to create modern and effective approaches to teaching and learning and extended good wishes to entire teaching community for their dedication and commitment to the great cause of educating country's youth.
Teachers' Day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of second President of the country Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a revered educationist, philosopher and recipient of highest civilian honour of the country Bharat Ratna.
10:50 Our leaders 'exploiting' women: AAP MLA says in letter to Kejriwal
Even before the party could deflect the negative publicity it attracted over the Sandeep Kumar CD case, the AAP finds itself in the midst of yet another controversy after a party MLA raised concerns of "debauchery" in the party.
Devinder Sehrawat, party MLA from Bijwasan, has written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying he had heard that senior partymen in Delhi and Punjab are exploiting women.
Importantly, he admitted he had no proof to substantiate these reports.
"I saw disturbing reports about women being exploited in Punjab in return for, or on promise of, a ticket. Am meeting people in Chandigarh... Delhi MLAs are unaware about what is being done by (senior party members) in Punjab," the Times of India quotes Sehrawat as saying in the letter.
Treading cautiously, the AAP has chosen not to react to Sehrawat's comments. However, party leader Dilip Pandey said that the party will respond to such baseless allegations.
Devinder Sehrawat, party MLA from Bijwasan, has written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying he had heard that senior partymen in Delhi and Punjab are exploiting women.
Importantly, he admitted he had no proof to substantiate these reports.
"I saw disturbing reports about women being exploited in Punjab in return for, or on promise of, a ticket. Am meeting people in Chandigarh... Delhi MLAs are unaware about what is being done by (senior party members) in Punjab," the Times of India quotes Sehrawat as saying in the letter.
Treading cautiously, the AAP has chosen not to react to Sehrawat's comments. However, party leader Dilip Pandey said that the party will respond to such baseless allegations.
10:45
Supreme Court to hear on Friday six appeals of AAP government against the high court verdict holding that Lt Governor is the administrative head of Delhi.
10:40
India's services growth rises to 54.7 in August (vs 51.9 in July); highest since January 2013: Reuters
10:38 President, Vice-President greet nation on Ganesh Chaturthi
President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari have greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi which is being celebrated with great fervour all across the nation today.
In his message, President Mukherjee hoped that Lord Ganesha remove all obstacles on the path of progress and prosperity of the nation.
He asked the people to dedicate the day for building a strong and vibrant nation.
Vice President Ansari said that Lord Ganesh is revered as an embodiment of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune in the country.
He added invoking Lord Ganesh, before start of any good work and project, is a common practice.
He hoped that this festival will bring peace, harmony and prosperity in the country.
The ten-day-long Ganesh Utsav begins today and Mumbai has decked up to welcome its favourite Lord Ganesha.
This year, Mumbai will have about 6,300 sarvajanik Ganesh pandals, more than 1.2 lakh home Ganesh idols and about 9,000 Gauri idols.
In his message, President Mukherjee hoped that Lord Ganesha remove all obstacles on the path of progress and prosperity of the nation.
He asked the people to dedicate the day for building a strong and vibrant nation.
Vice President Ansari said that Lord Ganesh is revered as an embodiment of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune in the country.
He added invoking Lord Ganesh, before start of any good work and project, is a common practice.
He hoped that this festival will bring peace, harmony and prosperity in the country.
The ten-day-long Ganesh Utsav begins today and Mumbai has decked up to welcome its favourite Lord Ganesha.
This year, Mumbai will have about 6,300 sarvajanik Ganesh pandals, more than 1.2 lakh home Ganesh idols and about 9,000 Gauri idols.
10:08 Trade is the biggest weakness in India-US ties: Ashley J Tellis
"If you don't have a strong economic foundation to back up the strategic partnership, it becomes like a one-legged ladder. And that is not good for either country. We need to get to the point where both nations feel that their prosperity is dependent on their ties with the other.
The economic dimension thus becomes the second leg -- it complements the strategic leg -- for building the ladder that takes us into the future.
The big decisions here really have to be made on the Indian side because the difficulties on trade arise largely from the fact that India has not made up its mind about the role of trade in its own growth strategy.
Despite improvements after the reforms, India is still not comfortable with the idea of an externally fully open economy. If India makes the right decisions towards that end, many of the problems in the India-US trade relationship will work themselves out. India obviously is still uncomfortable with the idea of external openness because it is afraid that it will not be competitive enough. But if India is to be able to sustain high economic growth, then it must move towards greater trade liberalization."
Ashley J Tellis, senior associate at the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank spoke to LiveMint about the trajectory of India-US ties in the past decade.
Read it HERE
The economic dimension thus becomes the second leg -- it complements the strategic leg -- for building the ladder that takes us into the future.
The big decisions here really have to be made on the Indian side because the difficulties on trade arise largely from the fact that India has not made up its mind about the role of trade in its own growth strategy.
Despite improvements after the reforms, India is still not comfortable with the idea of an externally fully open economy. If India makes the right decisions towards that end, many of the problems in the India-US trade relationship will work themselves out. India obviously is still uncomfortable with the idea of external openness because it is afraid that it will not be competitive enough. But if India is to be able to sustain high economic growth, then it must move towards greater trade liberalization."
Ashley J Tellis, senior associate at the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank spoke to LiveMint about the trajectory of India-US ties in the past decade.
Read it HERE
09:59 North Korea fires three ballistic missiles into sea
Reuters reports: North Korea fired three ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Monday, South Korea's Office of Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.
The missiles were fired from a western region south of the capital Pyongyang, said the statement just after noon local time (8:30 am IST). No other details were immediately available.
The launches came hours after the leaders of South Korea and China, the North's main diplomatic ally, met on the sidelines of a world leaders' meeting in Hangzhou, China.
The missiles were fired from a western region south of the capital Pyongyang, said the statement just after noon local time (8:30 am IST). No other details were immediately available.
The launches came hours after the leaders of South Korea and China, the North's main diplomatic ally, met on the sidelines of a world leaders' meeting in Hangzhou, China.
09:56 'Teachers career, status and self-esteem badly mauled in this country
"A teacher is someone who gains from the experience of working with young people. How can one expect commitment from someone who is hired for a short while and is facing chronic uncertainty?"
"Teaching used to be a career, until the late 80s and 90s, but now our brightest young people want to avoid this profession a they know how vulnerable it is," Krishna Kumar, professor of Education, Delhi University and former director National Council of Educational Research and Training, speaks to Hindustan Times.
Read more HERE
"Teaching used to be a career, until the late 80s and 90s, but now our brightest young people want to avoid this profession a they know how vulnerable it is," Krishna Kumar, professor of Education, Delhi University and former director National Council of Educational Research and Training, speaks to Hindustan Times.
Read more HERE
09:49 The difficulty of dissent
"Get out of my country, you bloody b***h! Those were the words a complete stranger shouted at me just before exiting the metro. A few minutes earlier, he had said I would be torn to a thousand bits had this been Pakistan.
It had all started innocuously enough, on what appeared to be a regular Saturday afternoon, as I made my way back home from college. The man approached me asking if he could see the badges pinned on my bag. Theres one with a quote from Rohith Vemulas suicide note, another from when I saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and a third about azadi with the words JNU ke saath.
That was what had got his attention. I had seen him looking at me earlier, but had chalked it up to him trying to get a look at the metro route, blinking above me. He appeared to be in his twenties, dressed in a kurta-pajama, basically, your regular metro commuter.
Read more HERE
It had all started innocuously enough, on what appeared to be a regular Saturday afternoon, as I made my way back home from college. The man approached me asking if he could see the badges pinned on my bag. Theres one with a quote from Rohith Vemulas suicide note, another from when I saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and a third about azadi with the words JNU ke saath.
That was what had got his attention. I had seen him looking at me earlier, but had chalked it up to him trying to get a look at the metro route, blinking above me. He appeared to be in his twenties, dressed in a kurta-pajama, basically, your regular metro commuter.
Read more HERE
09:40 Amid Brexit apprehensionsm pm modi meets UK PM May
PM Narendra Modi meets UK Prime Minister Theresa May in Hangzhou, China.
The meeting comes even as Theresa May has been under pressure at the G20 summit over Britain's trade links with the US and other countries after it leaves the European Union.
President Obama said the US would prioritise trade negotiations with the EU and Pacific nations over a UK deal.
Japan has warned of "drastic changes" after Brexit and said the potentially "harmful effects" must be minimised.
But May has insisted that the UK can prosper outside the EU and become a "global leader in free trade".
The meeting comes even as Theresa May has been under pressure at the G20 summit over Britain's trade links with the US and other countries after it leaves the European Union.
President Obama said the US would prioritise trade negotiations with the EU and Pacific nations over a UK deal.
Japan has warned of "drastic changes" after Brexit and said the potentially "harmful effects" must be minimised.
But May has insisted that the UK can prosper outside the EU and become a "global leader in free trade".
09:32 Have zero tolerance for corruption, black money: PM @ G20
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending a session on Effective and Efficient Global Economic and Financial Governance in Hangzhou, China.
Here are highlights of his remarks at the session:
* G20's efforts should be for zero tolerance for corruption and black money; zero administration, policy & treaty loopholes; zero barriers and commitment to action.
* Modi calls for breaking down the web of complex international regulations and excessive banking secrecy.
* Need energy to support development needs. Balanced mix of nuclear, renewable energy & fossil fuels are at the core of our policy.
* PM professes India's support for BEPS recommendations and calls on countries to commit to the timeline of 2017-2018 in Hangzhou, China.
* Fighting corruption, black money & tax evasion central to effective financial governance.
* We need a regular dialogue between the IMF, regional financial arrangements and bilateral swap arrangements.
* Long delayed 15th general review of quotas must be completed by 2017 annual meet.
Here are highlights of his remarks at the session:
* G20's efforts should be for zero tolerance for corruption and black money; zero administration, policy & treaty loopholes; zero barriers and commitment to action.
* Modi calls for breaking down the web of complex international regulations and excessive banking secrecy.
* Need energy to support development needs. Balanced mix of nuclear, renewable energy & fossil fuels are at the core of our policy.
* PM professes India's support for BEPS recommendations and calls on countries to commit to the timeline of 2017-2018 in Hangzhou, China.
* Fighting corruption, black money & tax evasion central to effective financial governance.
* We need a regular dialogue between the IMF, regional financial arrangements and bilateral swap arrangements.
* Long delayed 15th general review of quotas must be completed by 2017 annual meet.
09:10 Spy agency tweet adds to US-China protocol spat
A United States spy agency on Sunday apologised for a sarcastic tweet aimed at China over its treatment of American reporters who had travelled with President Barack Obama to cover the G20 meeting.
"Classy as always China," the Defense Intelligence Agency tweeted on Saturday from its @DefenseIntel account.
"Earlier today, a tweet regarding a news article was mistakenly posted from this account & does not represent the views of DIA. We apologise," the Pentagon-housed spy agency tweeted on Sunday.
The initial tweet, which has since been deleted, included a link to a New York Times report about a dust-up over security protocols at the tarmac when Obama landed in China, and later, shouting matches between Chinese officials and Secret Service agents at the West Lake State House, where Obama met Chinese President Xi Jinping, CNN added.
Read more HERE
"Classy as always China," the Defense Intelligence Agency tweeted on Saturday from its @DefenseIntel account.
"Earlier today, a tweet regarding a news article was mistakenly posted from this account & does not represent the views of DIA. We apologise," the Pentagon-housed spy agency tweeted on Sunday.
The initial tweet, which has since been deleted, included a link to a New York Times report about a dust-up over security protocols at the tarmac when Obama landed in China, and later, shouting matches between Chinese officials and Secret Service agents at the West Lake State House, where Obama met Chinese President Xi Jinping, CNN added.
Read more HERE
09:06 Rajnath likely to brief media on Kashmir talks at 11am
Home Minister Rajnath Singh to hold a press conference in Srinagar at 11 am today: ANI
An all-party delegation of lawmakers led by Rajnath reached Srinagar on Sunday on a peace-finding mission but immediately came up against a hurdle: key separatist leaders refused to meet it, saying the team's mandate was unclear.
On the first day of its two-day visit, the lawmakers met around 200 stakeholders, including members of the civil society, academics, teachers and fruit and saffron growers. But separatist groups weren't among the 30 delegations that met the 26 lawmakers.
"One fails to understand what hope to attach with a delegation which has not spelled out its mandate for any engagement on a clear agenda," separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik said in a joint statement.
"These methods of crisis management through parliamentary delegations and track-II cant take the place of a genuine transparent agenda-based dialogue to address the core issue... That has been our consistent stand and has been spelled out recently as well in our letters to various international and global fora, the statement said.
An all-party delegation of lawmakers led by Rajnath reached Srinagar on Sunday on a peace-finding mission but immediately came up against a hurdle: key separatist leaders refused to meet it, saying the team's mandate was unclear.
On the first day of its two-day visit, the lawmakers met around 200 stakeholders, including members of the civil society, academics, teachers and fruit and saffron growers. But separatist groups weren't among the 30 delegations that met the 26 lawmakers.
"One fails to understand what hope to attach with a delegation which has not spelled out its mandate for any engagement on a clear agenda," separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik said in a joint statement.
"These methods of crisis management through parliamentary delegations and track-II cant take the place of a genuine transparent agenda-based dialogue to address the core issue... That has been our consistent stand and has been spelled out recently as well in our letters to various international and global fora, the statement said.
09:02
Slight earthquake of magnitude 4.5 in Nepal at around 7:30 am today, reports National Center for Seismology, New Delhi
09:00 Ashutosh booked for 'comparing' Nehru, Gandhi with minister in rape row
A complaint was filed at Sakinaka police station in Mumbai on Sunday against Aam Aadmi Party leader Ashutosh for "insulting" people of the country by referring to icons like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru while defending tainted party minister Sandeep Kumar who has been booked for rape.
The complainant Akhilesh Tiwari stated that Ashutosh has insulted entire citizens of country by comparing Kumar with Nehru and Gandhi, and demanded registration of FIR against the AAP leader.
A senior police officer, attached to Versova police station said, "We have received a complaint, but no case has been registered yet. The matter is being looked into."
In his blog written for a TV channel, Ashutosh had referred to the alleged affairs of Nehru and Gandhi while seeking to defend Kumar.
Kumar was sacked as minister after an "objectionable" CD, in which he was purportedly shown in a compromising position with a woman, surfaced.
The complainant Akhilesh Tiwari stated that Ashutosh has insulted entire citizens of country by comparing Kumar with Nehru and Gandhi, and demanded registration of FIR against the AAP leader.
A senior police officer, attached to Versova police station said, "We have received a complaint, but no case has been registered yet. The matter is being looked into."
In his blog written for a TV channel, Ashutosh had referred to the alleged affairs of Nehru and Gandhi while seeking to defend Kumar.
Kumar was sacked as minister after an "objectionable" CD, in which he was purportedly shown in a compromising position with a woman, surfaced.
08:40 Ganpati Bappa Morya: The Lord has returned
The annual 11-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations kicked off on Monday.
There is a festive atmosphere in the streets of Mumbai. Over the past night and through the day, many enthusiastic Mumbaikars -- as the citizens of the megapolis are called -- have spilled out into the city's streets. They are bringing home their favourite God, Lord Ganesh.
Cymbals and drums set up a foot-tapping beat that urges you to dance; there seems to be no other appropriate way to express your joy.
Accompanied by the bursting of crackers and the singing of favourite bhajans -- yes, it's also blasted it on loudspeakers (everything is forgiven these 10 days :)) -- the elephant-headed deity begins his journey on two wheelers, four wheelers, carts... many even carry Him home, balanced on their head or cradled lovingly in their arms.
Hundreds of Ganesha idols -- from tiny little home made ones to those who tower several stories tall -- are ceremonially welcomed into homes and pandals. The 11-day Ganesha festival has begun, and the zeal and fervour with which it is celebrated needs to seen to be experienced.
Roads and bylanes glitter with lights and decorations, and the city is resounds to the chant of Ganpati Bappa Morya.
There is a festive atmosphere in the streets of Mumbai. Over the past night and through the day, many enthusiastic Mumbaikars -- as the citizens of the megapolis are called -- have spilled out into the city's streets. They are bringing home their favourite God, Lord Ganesh.
Cymbals and drums set up a foot-tapping beat that urges you to dance; there seems to be no other appropriate way to express your joy.
Accompanied by the bursting of crackers and the singing of favourite bhajans -- yes, it's also blasted it on loudspeakers (everything is forgiven these 10 days :)) -- the elephant-headed deity begins his journey on two wheelers, four wheelers, carts... many even carry Him home, balanced on their head or cradled lovingly in their arms.
Hundreds of Ganesha idols -- from tiny little home made ones to those who tower several stories tall -- are ceremonially welcomed into homes and pandals. The 11-day Ganesha festival has begun, and the zeal and fervour with which it is celebrated needs to seen to be experienced.
Roads and bylanes glitter with lights and decorations, and the city is resounds to the chant of Ganpati Bappa Morya.
08:31 RJio's full-fledged 4G services available from today
Consumers across the country can avail Reliance Jio's services from today, as the company opens its doors to all potential users having any 4G-enabled handset in an aggressive quest to garner 100 million subscribers.
According to sources, the Jio SIM -- which so far was available only at Reliance Digital stores -- will now also be offered through multi-brand outlets and mobile phone shops.
"The SIMs will be available at nearly two lakh stores across the country, including locations where SIMs from other vendors are also sold," sources said.
A major beneficiary of the offer would be users of devices like iPhone, Xiaomi, Motorola and Lenovo who were not a part of the preview offer so far. RJio, which had already roped in 1.5 million users in the test phase, is gunning for 100 million users at the shortest possible time.
Nearly 20 brands including Sony, Sansui, Videocon, LG, Samsung, Micromax, Panasonic, Asus, TCL, Alcatel, HTC, Intex, Vivo, Gionee, Karbonn and Lava were part of the preview offer which provided free 90-day unlimited calls and high-speed mobile broadband trials to 4G smartphone users of these brands.
The offer is now being rebranded as a 'welcome offer', which from September 5 will provide unlimited services till up to December 31, after which users have been promised voice calls -- both local and STD -- as well as roaming free of cost, for life.
According to sources, the Jio SIM -- which so far was available only at Reliance Digital stores -- will now also be offered through multi-brand outlets and mobile phone shops.
"The SIMs will be available at nearly two lakh stores across the country, including locations where SIMs from other vendors are also sold," sources said.
A major beneficiary of the offer would be users of devices like iPhone, Xiaomi, Motorola and Lenovo who were not a part of the preview offer so far. RJio, which had already roped in 1.5 million users in the test phase, is gunning for 100 million users at the shortest possible time.
Nearly 20 brands including Sony, Sansui, Videocon, LG, Samsung, Micromax, Panasonic, Asus, TCL, Alcatel, HTC, Intex, Vivo, Gionee, Karbonn and Lava were part of the preview offer which provided free 90-day unlimited calls and high-speed mobile broadband trials to 4G smartphone users of these brands.
The offer is now being rebranded as a 'welcome offer', which from September 5 will provide unlimited services till up to December 31, after which users have been promised voice calls -- both local and STD -- as well as roaming free of cost, for life.
08:26 Karnataka Cabinet expansion today
An expansion of the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka will take place today, nearly three months after a major rejig which had triggered discontent over dropping of some ministers.
"State cabinet expansion on September 5 at 4.30 pm at Glass House of Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru," Department of Information and Public Relations said in a release in Bengaluru.
Sources in the state Congress said that M Krishnappa, a Vokkaliga leader representing Vijaynagar Assembly constituency in Bengaluru, is likely to be inducted into the cabinet.
This is seen by political observers as a move by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, heading the three-year old Congress government, to assuage the ruffled sentiments of Vokkaliga community who have been expressing their ire for dropping their leaders -- M H Ambareesh and Kimmane Ratnakar in June this year.
The chief minister, in a major revamp, had sacked 14 ministers and inducted 13 members into his Council of Ministry on June 20, which led to discontent with actor-turned politician Ambareesh resigning as MLA.
"State cabinet expansion on September 5 at 4.30 pm at Glass House of Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru," Department of Information and Public Relations said in a release in Bengaluru.
Sources in the state Congress said that M Krishnappa, a Vokkaliga leader representing Vijaynagar Assembly constituency in Bengaluru, is likely to be inducted into the cabinet.
This is seen by political observers as a move by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, heading the three-year old Congress government, to assuage the ruffled sentiments of Vokkaliga community who have been expressing their ire for dropping their leaders -- M H Ambareesh and Kimmane Ratnakar in June this year.
The chief minister, in a major revamp, had sacked 14 ministers and inducted 13 members into his Council of Ministry on June 20, which led to discontent with actor-turned politician Ambareesh resigning as MLA.
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