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Mon, 19 September 2016
Sharif meets Kerry; seeks US intervention in Kashmir

Timeline  Refresh

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23:51   Twitter eases 140-character limit on tweets
Twitter announced on Monday that it was easing its 140-character limit on tweets, implementing a policy announced in May to no longer factor certain add-ons including pictures into a message's length.

"Say more about what's happening! Rolling out now," said an official tweet from the social network, which is seeking to broaden its appeal.

The new policy exempts media attachments such as photos, videos and polls from the character limit, as well as tweets that are quoted in a retweet. 

The move comes as Twitter's efforts to increase its user base and engagement have been sputtering, raising questions about its growth trend.

Amid reports that Twitter may be seeking ways to cut costs or even sell itself, the San Francisco-based service has been adding new features including live video.

The latest move eases but does not entirely eliminate the 140-character limit, which was set due to mobile phone text messaging constraints in place when Twitter launched in 2006.

Analysts have said Twitter needs to find new ways to boost its appeal beyond a core of celebrities, politicians and journalists, with its user base stagnant for the past year.

In its last quarterly update, Twitter said the number of monthly active users edged up to 313 million, up three percent from a year ago and only slightly more than the 310 million in the prior quarter.

Twitter has yet to post a profit, even as it has ramped up its efforts in advertising.
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23:07   J&K: Terrorists fire at police post in Handwara
Just In: Police post attacked by terrorists at Langate, Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir. More details awaited. 
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22:35   Postpaid mobile phone services restored in Kashmir
Postpaid mobile phone services were restored tonight in unrest-hit Kashmir, seven days after these service were snapped as a precautionary measure. 

"With the improvement in the situation, it has been decided to restore postpaid mobile telephony from tonight," a police spokesman said.

The mobile telephone service (voice calls and SMS facilities) were restored at 9.30 pm.

These services were suspended on September 12, a day ahead of Eid-ul Azha in view of the separatists' call for march to the local office of UN military observers group. 

Mobile internet services, however, continue to remain suspended for third consecutive month. These services were snapped in July in the aftermath of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces.
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22:32   Syria army declares 'end' of ceasefire
Syria's armed forces on Monday announced an end to the week-long ceasefire brokered by the United States and Russia, blaming rebel groups for its failure.

"Syria's army announces the end of the freeze on fighting that began at 7.00 PM (1600 GMT) on September 12, 2016 in accordance with the US-Russia agreement," the statement carried by state news agency SANA said.

The truce "was supposed to be a real chance to stop the bloodshed, but the armed terrorist groups flouted this agreement," the statement said. 

It accused rebel groups of carrying out more than 300 truce violations across the country and of failing to "commit to a single element" of the deal.
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22:24   Clinton calls for intel surge to thwart terrorist attacks
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on Monday called for an intelligence surge, a partnership with the IT industry and for trust between law enforcement and Muslim Americans to thwart terrorist attacks inside the US. 

"We should launch an intelligence surge to help identify and thwart attacks before they can be carried out. We need to work more closely with Silicon Valley and other partners to counter terrorist propaganda and recruitment efforts online. And it is crucial that we continue to build up trust between law enforcement and Muslim-American communities," Clinton told reporters at a news conference.

In the Middle East, the US needs to smash Islamic State strongholds with an accelerated coalition air campaign, more support for Arab and Kurdish forces on the ground and intense diplomatic efforts in Syria, Iraq and across the region, she asserted. 

"Working closely with our allies and partners to keep us safe must be the top priority for our next commander-in-chief. Later, I'll discuss the threat from terrorism with President el-Sisi of Egypt and other world leaders," she said as the FBI and the NYPD nabbed an Afghan American as a suspect for the New York terror attack over the weekend.

Clinton, who represented New York State in the US Senate before becoming Secretary of State in the first term of the Obama administration urged fellow Americans to be vigilant, but not afraid.
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22:09   Sharif meets Kerry; seeks US intervention in Kashmir
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today raised the Kashmir issue in his meeting with United States Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington, urging Washington to 'play a role' in the resolution of the dispute.

'Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had two very productive meetings at start of General Assembly visit with US Secretary of State John Kerry & PM of New Zealand,' Pakistan's envoy to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi tweeted.

'PM urged the US to play a role in the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute and highlighted human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir,' she said.

During the meeting, regional and international issues came under discussion.

Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Lodhi and US Special Representative for Af-Pak Richard Olson were also present at the meeting.

Sharif will address the UN General Assembly's high-level summit on refugees and migrants today and address the General Debate on September 21.
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21:40   Probe ordered into techie murder accused Ramkumar's suicide
The Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission today ordered a comprehensive probe into the alleged suicide of Ram Kumar, accused in the murder of 24-year-old IT professional Swathi.

Taking suo motu congnisance of a media report on the death of Ram Kumar yesterday at the Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai, SHRC chairperson Justice T Meenakumari directed the ADGP/Director, Investigation Division of the SHRC to 'hold an inquiry by a senior officer and submit a comprehensive report within two weeks'.

Ram Kumar allegedly committed suicide by biting an electric wire in the dispensary of the jail yesterday and a hospital later declared him brought dead.

The SHRC directive comes amid allegations of conspiracy and foul play by Ram Kumar's kin, who raised doubts over the probability of a prisoner committing suicide in a high security central jail.

Also, the matter has gone to the Madras high court.
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21:17   Burn bodies of terrorists on heap of garbage: Togadia
Demanding concrete and decisive action following the Uri terror attack, Vishwa Hindu Parishad chief Pravin Togadia today said the bodies of terrorists should not be buried but burnt on a heap of garbage in public view.

He also sought that dialogue with Pakistan at all levels should be called off while trade agreements, including water treaty should be cancelled.

'They (Jihadis) should not be buried after their death but should be burnt on the heap of garbage in proper security and in public view, so that there is no hope for them to reach paradise as they are being preached,' Vishwa Hindu Parishad President said in a statement.

Saluting the brave soldiers who have been sacrificing their lives for India, Togdia said Pakistan is behind all such Jihadi attacks, whether on the security forces or on civilians.

Therefore, the government must stop dialogue with Pakistan at all levels, cancel all trade agreements and suspend water treaty by stopping the water, he said.

Togadia added that the VHP is confident that the Union government is serious about punishing Pakistan and all those perpetrators, supporters of Jihadi terror.
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21:12   NY bombing suspect Rahami held after shootout with cops
Ahmad Khan Rahami, the man wanted for questioning in connection with the attacks in New York and New Jersey, is in custody, CNN reported.

He was caught in Linden, New Jersey, after a shootout that injured a policeman, authorities say.

The dramatic arrest of Rahami came after the police issued a cellphone alert to millions of residents in the area telling them to be on the lookout for the suspect, who was described as 'armed and dangerous', the New York Times reported.

Rahami, 28, was identified on surveillance video near the locations of both the bomb that exploded in Chelsea and another device that did not detonate a few blocks away.

He was described as a naturalised citizen of Afghan descent who had been living with his family in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

IMAGE: Ahmad Khan Rahami, Photograph: Reuters
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20:50   Sri Lanka condemns terror attack in Uri
Sri Lanka on Monday condemned the terror attack on an Indian military base in Kashmir and reaffirmed the 'urgent need for sustained' regional and global cooperation to eliminate terrorism.

'In the hour of grief, the Government of Sri Lanka offers its condolences to the families of the victims of the attack,' a foreign ministry statement said.

'Sri Lanka, as a country, that has undergone the scourge of terrorism for almost three decades resents all forms and manifestation of terrorism,' it said.

Sri Lanka reiterates the urgent need for sustained regional and global cooperation to eliminate the menace of terrorism, the statement added.
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20:35  
The spot where a bus plunged into a pond near Benipatti in Madhubani district of Bihar on Monday.
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20:23   Japan condemns Uri attack, offers support to India
The government of Japan has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Indian base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, and extended its sincere condolences to those who lost their lives and their bereaved families.

In a statement, the Japanese government 'expressed its heartfelt sympathy to those who were injured' in the attack.

'Japan condemns terrorism in all forms regardless of its purposes, strongly reiterates that no act of terrorism can be justified,' it said.

'Japan expresses its solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism,' the statement said.
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19:55   Uri fallout? Russia cancels joint military drills with Pak
Russia has called off joint military drills with Pakistan which were to be held from September 24 to October 7 this year.

The Russian move came after the country's foreign affairs ministry condemned the attack on brigade headquarters in Uri.

'We strongly condemn the terrorist attack against an army base in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri in the early hours of September 18, which killed 17 and injured 30 service personnel. We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a rapid recovery to all those injured,' Russian MFA said in a statement.

'Regarding the Pathankot Indian air base attack in January 2016, we are very concerned about the terrorist attacks near the Line of Control. We are also concerned about the fact that, according to New Delhi, the army base near Uri was attacked from Pakistani territory,' the statement read.

'We believe that this criminal act will be investigated properly, and that its organisers and perpetrators will be held accountable. We confirm our continued support for the Indian government's counterterrorism efforts,' the Russian MFA said.
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19:24   PM meets President to brief him on Uri developments
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi to brief him on the developments related to the Uri terror attack, hours after he discussed the issue with senior ministers and top officials.

Modi went to the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday evening and apprised the President of the details related to the attack on the Army camp that took place yesterday, official sources said.

The prime minister's meeting with the President came hours after he chaired a meeting on the Uri attack with senior ministerial colleagues top officials.

The meeting was attended by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh, and senior officials of the ministries of Home and Defence.
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19:07  
Bharatiya Janata Party member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari holds protest near Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi over Uri Attack. Photograph: ANI
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19:00   China skirts reference to Pakistan, JeM in Uri attack
Skirting direct reference to Pakistan and the Jaish-e-Mohammed, China today voiced concern over "escalation" of tensions and "rising temperatures" in Kashmir after the Uri terror attack and called on India and Pakistan to resolve their differences through dialogue.

"We have noted relevant reports. We are shocked by this attack," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang told media briefing  when asked about Beijing's reaction to yesterday's Uri attack and India's charge that Pakistan-based militant group JeM is behind it. 

JeM has special significance as Beijing has put a technical hold over India's efforts to bring about a UN ban on the outfit's leader Masood Azhar for his involvement in Pathankot attack.

Referring to the Uri attack in which 18 soldiers were killed and several injured, Lu said, "We want to express our deep sympathies and condolences to the affected families and the injured". "China opposes and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism. We are concerned about this escalation and rising temperatures surrounding Kashmir situation," he said.
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18:58  
JUST IN: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets President Pranab Mukherjee over Uri terror attack.
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18:44   Into his third year as PM, Modi enjoys high approval ratings
Prime Minister Narendra Modi may be in the third year of his term, but his approval ratings among Indians have remained high. Eight in ten Indians have a favourable view of the 66-year-old leader, a Pew Research Center report has found.

The report is based on the findings of Pew's Global Attitudes Spring 2016 survey. The agency conducted 2,464 face-to-face interviews in 167 urban and rural settlements in nine large Indian cities over the course of April and May this year.

Read more HERE
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18:22   India reserves right to retaliate at time and place of its choosing: Army on Uri attack
The combing operations at the Uri base camp have been called off this evening, and the complete area has been cleared, the Indian Army has said. 

Speaking about the operation, DGMO Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said, "Infiltration bids have increased this year in comparison to the last three to four years. 

He said, "The Army says India reserves right to retaliate at time and place of its choosing."

A little earlier, the National Investigation Agency team arrived at the site of the attack to conduct a probe into the strike which left at least 18 soldiers dead on Sunday. 
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17:50   Uri attack: Punjab traders talk of severing trade ties with Pakistan
Punjab traders dealing in import and export of goods with Pakistan today sought a fitting reply in the aftermath of Uri attack, threatening to end Rs 3,000 crore worth of trade with the neighbouring country for the "heinous act". 

"Time has come for India to take strict and swift action against Pakistan which is responsible for the Uri terror attack that left our several soldiers dead," Amritsar-based trader and President of Federation of Dry Fruit and Haryana Commercial Association, Anil Mehra said. 

"The Modi government should suspend all sorts of ties with Pakistan in response to the terror attack unleashed on Indian soil," Mehra suggested. 

Noting that there is a great amount of anger against this terror attack, which left 18 soldiers dead, Mehra said traders in Punjab are ready to end trade ties with Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah land route.
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17:44  
JUST IN: Cauvery Supervisory Committee orders Karnataka to release 3000 cusec of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu daily between September 21 and 30. 
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17:09   Afghan identified as suspect in New York bombing
Just in: Suspect identified in New York bombing is US naturalised Afghani Ahmad Khan Rahami, 28, says New York mayor.

A powerful explosion struck a bustling upscale neighbourhood in New York injuring 29 people in what the mayor on Sunday described as an "intentional act" as police found a second explosive device nearby, a pressure cooker with wires, hours before world leaders descend in New York for the 71st United Nations General Assembly session.

The explosion -- which happened shortly after a pipe bomb went off in a garbage can in New Jersey -- occurred in Manhattan's Chelsea neighbourhood, a busy residential and commercial area frequented by tourists and city residents.

The impact damaged windows of nearby buildings and cars and sent crowds running from the scene. The blast seemed to shake the entire block, sending debris into the street. There were no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast that occurred at 8:30 pm local time on Saturday, a busy time of the weekend for over 8 million New Yorkers, who just marked the 15th anniversary of the September 2001 attacks.
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16:39   Mallya flew away just like Kingfisher bird: HC
The Bombay High Court today observed that businessman Vijay Mallya aptly named his company 'Kingfisher', as like the bird of the same name he too flew away without bothering about boundaries. The remark was made by a division bench of justices S C Dharmadhikari and B P Colabawala while hearing an appeal filed by the Service Tax department and also another petition filed by the department seeking to recall the auction sale of Mallya's private aircraft.

"Does anyone know why he (Mallya) came up with the name 'Kingfisher' for his entity? In history no one could have come up with a more apt name for this entity. Because Kingfisher is a bird that can fly away...it knows no boundaries...no boundaries can stop it. Just like how no one could stop him (Mallya)," Justice Dharmadhikari said.

The court admitted the appeal filed by the Service Tax department which challenged an order passed by the Debt Recovery Tribunal in 2014, and posted it for hearing at a later stage.
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16:25  
Former WBPCC president Manas Bhunia joins Trinamool Congress.
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16:22   Parrikar gets PM mouthful
The Uri attack might keep Manohar Parrikar away from his pet retreat - Panaji - with a government source saying Narendra Modi had conveyed to his defence minister he would have to be more involved with developments on the border.

"If it is an internal terror strike, then, of course, the home minister will be fully in charge. But Uri concerns the border and a possible build-up by the infiltrators. That's within the defence minister's purview," the source said.


Read more
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16:12   Baloch leader files asylum papers for India
Just in: Baloch leader Brahamdagh Bugti has decided to file asylum papers to India. The Baloch Republican Party decides to file criminal cases against Pakistani army generals at International criminal courts.

"Our people in Balochistan and Afghanistan are in a very difficult situation. Very few of them are able to come to Europe, rest are living there only. So, we want that the Indian Government should open there doors for them and provide them access, including myself. Right now, I'm here (Switzerland), but I face problem regarding my travel. So, if I get an option to be in India, I will definitely go there," Bugti told ANI last week.

He said that the request would be made formally after discussing the issue within the party on September 19.

Bugti said he would call the Indian embassy today or tomorrow to take an appointment.

Bugti is currently living in exile in Switzerland. He also said his Baloch Republican Party has decided to approach the International Criminal Court against Pakistani army generals.

Bugti said Baloch Republican Party has also decided to file case against China at the International Court of Justice and to do it, the party will approach India, Afghanistan and Bangladesh for help.

Last month, Bugti had thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for raising the issue of the situation in Balochistan in his Independence Day speech.

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15:49   J'khand CM announces Rs 10 lakh for martyred soldiers
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today announced a financial aid of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of two soldiers from the state killed in the terror attack in Uri in Kashmir and assured them all help from his government.
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15:17   India to diplomatically isolate Pakistan
Uri terror attack updates:

-- PM Narendra Modi's Uri meet: India to diplomatically isolate Pakistan, to place actionable evidence at international forums.

-- Maharashtra Govt announces financial assistance of 15 lakh each for the families of soldiers from the state, who died in the Uri attack.
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15:15   Critically injured jawan dies, Uri terror toll goes up to 18
Just in: One jawan succumbs to injuries; toll rises to 18 in Uri attack, says Army.

In the worst attack on the army in many years, heavily armed terrorists from Pakistan-based  Jaish-e-Mohammed stormed an army base in Uri in Kashmir killing 17 jawans yesterday, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to assert that those responsible "will not go "unpunished.

Twenty more army personnel were injured, some critically, and were airlifted to the army base hospital in Srinagar. One of the 20 men succumbed to his injuries, bringing the toll up to 18.
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14:45   50 feared dead after bus falls into pond in Bihar
Nearly 50 people are feared drowned after a bus owned by a private company fell into a deep pond in Bihar's Madhubani district on Monday, officials said.

The incident took place near Basakha chowk in Benapatti. "An overcrowded bus was on its way from Madhubani to Sitamarhi district when the accident happened. There is little chance of survival of any passenger in the bus," a district police official said.

The district administration has started rescue operations, but the bus is fully submerged in the deep pond. An eyewitness said that the driver lost control of the bus and it fell into the pond.

-- MI Khan in Patna/Rediff.com


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13:57   17 martyrs deserve biopic, not cricketer, Gambhir takes a dig at Dhoni film
After stoking a controversy on Sunday, asserting that films shouldn't be made on cricketers, cricketer Gautam Gambhir tweeted today in the aftermath of the Uri attack saying, "These 17 martyrs deserve a biopic rather than any cricketer. No better inspiration than a young man sacrificing his life 4 his country. And these Jawans sacrifice their lives for paltry salaries and not disproportionate money & adulation reserved for us cricketers. Wake up."

Gambhir's comments are seen as controversial considering they have been made barely days before the release of an eagerly-awaited biopic on the life of India's limited-overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

In the film, titled "MS Dhoni: The Untold Story", Dhoni's character is being portrayed onscreen by Bollywood star Sushant Singh Rajput. The film, releasing on September 30, is believed to unfold the rags to riches story of Dhoni and has been shot extensively in Dhoni's hometown of Ranchi.

"I don't believe in biopics on cricketers. I think those people who have contributed more to the country than the cricketers deserve a biopic," Gambhir wrote on Twitter.

"There are lots of people in the country who have done so many noble deeds for the nation. Therefore, biopics should be made on their lives," the Delhi batsman added.Gambhir reasoned against the practice of making films on cricketers as many other deserving people as there in different spheres of life on whom movies should be made to highlight their achievements.
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13:47   SC seeks RJD leaders reply, next hearing on Monday
The Supreme Court Monday sought a reply from RJD leader Mohammed Shahabuddin on petitions seeking cancellation of his bail in a murder case. A bench led by Justice P C Ghose also issued a notice to Shahabuddin on a plea asking to stay the order of bail granted by the Patna High Court. 
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13:44   PM very upset over Uri attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is believed to be extremely upset with the Uri attack, a senior Union Minister tells our sources in Delhi. The minister, who attended this morning's meeting with the PM said that Modi was in a retaliatory and aggressive mood. The minister said that he had never seen the PM in such a mood in the last two years.

Modi asked sharp questions about the recourse to the Uri attack and the minister tells us that he is quite sure that something is brewing in his mind on the lines of his comment in the immediate aftermath of the attack -- that those responsible will not go unpunished.
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13:24   India diverting attention from Kashmir: Pak on Uri attack
Pakistan today accused India of misleading the world opinion to cover up its "reign of terror" in Kashmir by a spate of "vitriolic" and "unsubstantiated" statements following the terror attack in Uri that killed 17 soldiers."

Pakistan has noted with serious concern the recent spate of vitriolic and unsubstantiated statements emanating from Indian civil and military leadership in the aftermath of yesterday's attack" in Uri, Sartaj Aziz, the advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, said.

He said Pakistan categorically rejects the baseless and irresponsible accusations being levelled by senior officials in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Government.

"It is a blatant attempt on India's part to deflect attention from the fast deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation" in Kashmir since the death of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani. He said that the situation in Kashmir is not of Pakistan's making but a direct consequence of "illegal Indian occupation and a long history of atrocities that has resulted in over a 100 thousand deaths".

"Nobody has been spared the brute state force including the elderly, wounded patients in hospitals as women and children. This should awaken international conscience," Aziz said.

Reacting to Home Minister Rajnath Singh's statement Pakistan is a "terrorist state" and should be isolated, Aziz said that it was deplorable that the Indian Minister chose to blame Pakistan for the incident even prior to conducting proper investigation.
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12:57   Ink attack on Delhi Deputy CM Sisodia
A person has been detained for throwing ink thrown at Delhi's Deputy CM Manish Sisodia outside LG Najeeb Jung's office.

Sisodia was addressing a press meet outside the LG's office when the person threw ink, a possible reflection of the anger in Delhi after the dengue and chikungunya outbreak.

A calm Sisodia reacted saying while the Delhi government was doing its best, people with political affiliations were busy throwing ink.

Delhi ministers on Saturday questioned lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung for being on leave, a day after the L-G reportedly asked deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia to return from his official visit to Finland in light of the recent dengue and chikungunya outbreak.
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12:41   One tooth, complete jaw policy for Uri?
The Home Minister, who had yesterday called an emergency meeting in Delhi, had pointed a finger directly at Pakistan, saying it is a "terrorist state" and should be isolated while BJP leader Ram Madhav said days of strategic restraint are over and suggested that "for one tooth, the complete jaw" should be the policy after the attack.
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12:39   Action plan Uri: PM's security meet wth Rajnath, Army chief underway
A high-level meeting headed by PM Modi and home minister Rajnath Singh is underway at 7RCR. At the meeting are also Finance minister Arun Jaitley, NSA chief Ajit Doval and Army Chief Dalbir Singh and defence minister Manohar Parrikar. External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj not present at the meeting.

The meeting comes after Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a high-level meet to discuss a possible response to the audacious attack on an Indian military base camp in Uri in the early hours of Sunday that killed 17 jawans. 

National Security Advisor Doval and top officials of the ministries of Home and Defence, Army, paramilitary forces and chiefs of intelligence agencies briefed Singh on the latest ground report in the Kashmir Valley as well as along the Line of Control.

Possible strategies to deal with the fresh challenges arising out of the terror attack at the Army Brigade Headquarters, located along the LoC, was also discussed in the meeting, sources said.

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, who postponed his visit to Srinagar, also attended the meeting.

The Home Minister, Defence Minister and the top officials also reviewed the security situation across the country, particular along the western border   from Punjab to Gujarat, the sources said.

Meanwhile, a team of National Investigation Agency is expected to visit Uri to gather leads and other evidence from the terror attack site.

Heavily armed militants suspected to be from Pakistan-based JeM had on Sunday stormed an army base in Uri in Kashmir, killing 17 jawans.

India had reacted strongly to the deadliest attack on the Army in Jammu and Kashmir in a quarter-century-old insurgency that sparked an outrage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemning it.
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12:39  
Manish Sisodia, Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister, attacked with ink outside Lieutenant Governor's house.
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12:16  
PM meets Rajnath Singh, top ministers at 7 RCR. 
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12:16  
Google, Yahoo, Microsoft to block info on sex determination.
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12:09   2 killed in police firing during Kaziranga eviction
Two persons were killed and five others injured today when police opened fire to disperse protestors demanding compensation before they move out from areas near the Kaziranga National Park, police said.

In view of a Guwahati High Court order last year, Assam government had decided to carry out eviction in Banderdubi and Deochurchang areas under Kaliabor sub-division of Nagaon district after the residents refused to move out until they were paid adequate compensation.

While 190 families are being evicted from Banderdubi, 160 families are being evicted from Deochurchang. Heavy security arrangements were made since yesterday in the two areas but as eviction began this morning, the situation turned tense with protestors squatting and resorting to stone pelting.
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12:06   Sound of Music's 'Sweet 16' girl dies
Charmian Carr, who is known for her role as the eldest Von Trapp daughter, Liesl, in "The Sound of Music", has died. She was 73.

Carr had been suffering from a rare form of dementia and she breathed her last in Woodland Hills, California, reported Variety.

Born Charmian Farnon in Chicago, she also starred opposite Anthony Perkins in the TV movie "Evening Primrose." She left acting after her two films and started a design business, where her clients included Michael Jackson. Carr wrote two books, "Forever Liesl" and "Letters to Liesl," and also participated in the "Sound of Music Family Scrapbook." She started hosting "Sound of Music" singalongs in 2000, and attended almost all of the shows at the Hollywood Bowl until 2012.
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11:57   No prizes for the guessing who this is
Ramachandra Guha @Ram_Guha  The Republic of India's only fearless TV anchor: fearlessly speaking truth to power.  
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11:55   PM's meet on Uri begins
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Army Chief Dalbir Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, NSA chief Ajit Doval reach 7RCR to meet PM Modi. 
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11:49   Mehbooba pays homage to Uri martyrs
J-K CM Mehbooba Mufti pays tribute to the Uri bravehearts. Wreaths were laid on the coffins of the 17 soldiers killed in the attack. The bodies will be flown to their hometowns today.

Mufti has condemned the dawn terror attack at the army base in Uri, saying it appeared to have been aimed at "triggering fresh violence and creating a war-like situation in the region".   Jammu and Kashmir, she said, has always been the "worst victim of Indo-Pak hostility" and its people have been "paying a colossal price for same for over six decades".
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11:45  
PM Modi meets top ministers in the aftermath of the Uri attack. 
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11:16   After high-level security meet Rajnath to brief PM at 11:45 am
Home Minister Rajnath Singh to brief PM Modi on the Uri attack at 11:45 am after the high-level security meet with the Defence Minister, NSA, RAW and IB Chiefs.

The bodies of the 17 soldiers killed in the terror attack at an army base in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri on Sunday are being flown back to their homes today.

In the worst attack on the army in many years, heavily armed terrorists suspected to be from Pakistan-based  Jaish-e-Mohammed stormed an army base in Uri in Kashmir killing 17 jawans early today, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to assert that those responsible "will not go "unpunished.
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11:10   Time to hit and hurt the Pakistan army!
"For every act of terrorism on Indian territory for which there is credible evidence pointing to the Pakistan army and the ISI's involvement, carefully calibrated military strikes must be launched against the Pakistan army," says Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd). Read more
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10:30   Parrikar meets PM, Rajnath holds high-level security meet with army chief
Delhi: High-level review meeting chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh begins. IB Chief, Army Chief, DGMO arrive for the meet. The Home Minister has called a security review meeting of top officials.

Earlier in the day, defence minister Manohar Parrikar met PM Modi and briefed him on the Uri attack.

A team of the NIA will today reach Uri in Jammu and Kashmir today, where 17 soldiers were killed in a major terror attack at an army base on Sunday.    

In the deadliest attack on the army in 14 years, four terrorists sneaked into the base early on Sunday morning firing and throwing grenades, killing soldiers sleeping in tents that caught fire. Twenty soldiers were injured, seven of them critically.
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10:24   Is an eye-for-an-eye an option for India?
So, does India have a military option to the Uri attack? Bruce Riedel, who served the Central Intelligence Agency for 29 years, and is one of America's leading experts on terrorism in South Asia has this to say...

"It has been clear for several months that the Pakistani army believes the situation in Kashmir is ripe for a reintensification of the conflict and that India has few credible options to respond.

"First and most importantly, the situation in Kashmir is deteriorating with alarming casualties.

"Second the rhetoric on both sides is heating up. This is getting dangerous. India has no good military options to stop Pakistani supported cross border violence in Kashmir.

"Any military response in Pakistan risks escalation and will be condemned by the international community including Washington.

"A better approach would be to seek diplomatic support for labeling Pakistan a patron State sponsor of terrorism."

Riedel has consistently warned policy makers and law makers in Washington, DC about the dangers of Pakistan-inspired terrorism in the region.


Image: Defence minister Manohar Parrikar and Army chief Dalbir Singh visit the wounded in the Uri terror attack
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10:09   Family mourns Uri braveheart
In Gaya, Bihar, family members mourn the death of Naik SK Vidyarthi who lost his life in the Uri terror attack, yesterday. His daughter says that a "befitting reply must be given to those who attack security forces." Vidyarthi, is one the 17 soldiers who died in the attack.
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10:02   Pak on Uri attack: Reject all statements made by India
Pakistan on Uri attack: "Reject all accusations made by India. Vitriolic, unsubstantiated statements made by India. India chose to blame Pakistan even before a probe."

The Indian Army has confirmed that the Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed was behind the Uri attack that left 17 army men dead. The government has announced that the NIA will takeover the probe.

Rejecting New Delhi's claims of Islamabad's involvement in Uri terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has said that pointing fingers on them has become a traditional tendency of India after each terrorist attack.

"Pointing fingers at Pakistan has become a traditional tendency of India after each terrorist attack," the Dawn quoted Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria as saying.

"In the past many Indians were involved in the terrorist acts for which India had blamed Pakistan," he asserted.

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09:55   France condemns Uri attack
France most firmly condemns the terrible terrorist attack perpetrated on 18 September against an Indian army camp in the region of Kashmir. It conveys its condolences to the families of the 17 Indian soldiers killed in this attack.

France remains at Indias side in the combat against terrorism. It calls on every State to fight effectively against terrorist groups operating on their territory or from their territory against other countries.

France also recalls the importance it attaches to bringing calm and the peaceful settlement of disputes in the region of Kashmir.
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09:53   UN condemns Uri terror attack
Condemning the militant attack on an army camp in North Kashmir's Uri town that killed 17 soldiers, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hoped the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice and all involved will work for the re-establishment of stability and prevent further loss of life.

"The United Nations is following developments closely and shares the concerns of people living in the region for peace," a statement issued by Ban's spokesperson here said. Ban expressed hope that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and all stakeholders will meet their responsibilities to maintain peace and stability.

"The Secretary-General hopes that the perpetrators of this crime will be identified and brought to justice," it said. He "hopes that all involved will prioritise the re-establishment of stability and prevent any further loss of life. The Secretary-General encourages all stakeholders to meet their respective responsibilities to maintain peace and stability," the statement said.

Condemning the "militant attack", Ban expressed his "deepest sympathy and condolences" to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and to the government of India and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack.
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09:35   India must impose measured costs on terror exporters
From Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Lahore Declaration to Manmohan Singh's peace-at-any-price doctrine and Narendra Modi's Lahore visit statement, India's readiness to trust Pakistan's anti-terrorism assurances draws attention to the adage: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. India has been fooled repeatedly.

Brahma Chellaney on the the Uri terror attack. Read
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09:25   Unrest in Valley robs Army of eyes and ears on ground
Even as Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists stormed an Army camp in Uri killing 17 personnel, a senior Home Ministry official said the security establishment was grappling with intelligence gathering in the Valley.

The three-month unrest has left a huge vacuum on the intelligence front as several areas were put under curfew, affecting the movement of informers, the official said.

"The prolonged curfew has ensured that the informers cannot reach out to their handlers. There is a breakdown in communication channels and it is difficult to get any specific information these days; the informers avoid venturing out for the fear of being identified and killed," said the official.

The official said the terrorists' plan to target the Army's administrative block in Uri was in consonance with JeM's previous attacks on security establishments including the Pathankot airbase on January 2.

"The terrorists are careful in not using phones and the only reliable information we used to get on their movement was from local informers. The human intelligence network has suffered a lot," said the official.

Read more HERE
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09:21   Blaming us is India's traditional tendency: Pak
Rejecting New Delhi's claims of Islamabad's involvement in Uri terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has said that pointing fingers on them has become a traditional tendency of India after each terrorist attack.

"Pointing fingers at Pakistan has become a traditional tendency of India after each terrorist attack," the Dawn quoted Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria as saying.

"In the past many Indians were involved in the terrorist acts for which India had blamed Pakistan," he asserted.

Commenting on Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh's statement wherein he declared Pakistan as a terrorist state, Zakaria said that India was trying to divert world's attention from what he termed as "human rights violations" being committed in Kashmir.

The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson also informed that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is going to strongly highlight the Kashmir issue in the UN General Assembly.

Branding Pakistan as a 'terrorist state' and stating that it should be identified and isolated as such, Singh had earlier said that there are definite and conclusive indications that the perpetrators of Uri attack were highly trained, heavily armed and specially equipped.

"I am deeply disappointed with Pakistan's continued and direct support to terrorism and terrorist groups," he said in a series of tweets.
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09:16   New Jersey: Train services suspended after suspicious package is found
Just In: Train services suspended temporarily in New Jersey/New York city to investigate a suspicious package, according to US media.

The suspicious item was found in the area of North Broad and Westfield Avenue.

Area businesses have reportedly been ordered to shut down and evacuate as bomb technicians have a robot checking the suspicious device.

A hazmat team has also been requested to the scene.

Police are evacuating and securing the area around the train line.

Service has been temporarily suspended between Newark Airport and Elizabeth stations in both directions.
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09:13  
ANI reports: 3 Pakistani army personnel killed in a gun attack in Peshawar on Sunday, ISIS claims responsibility for the attack
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08:52   SC to hear pleas challenging Shahabuddin's bail today
The Supreme Court will today hear the petitions of the Bihar government and Siwan native Chandrakeshwar Prasad against the bail granted to gangster-turned politician Mohammad Shahabuddin by the Patna High Court.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government last week filed an appeal in the Apex court, challenging the high court's order granting bail to Shahabuddin.

Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan has also challenged the latest high court order on behalf of victim's family who was unhappy to see Shahabuddin walking out of the Bhagalpur jail.

Shahabuddin, who had been in jail for more than 10 years in connection with multiple cases, was granted bail on September 7 in connection with the murder of a man who witnessed the killing of two brothers in Siwan. 

Shahabuddin's release from jail evoked widespread criticism of the grand alliance in the state with the opposition accusing the government of paving way for his release by not opposing the bail strongly in the court.
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08:48   Uri Attack: Rajnath to chair high-level review meet at 10 am
Home Minister Rajnath Singh calls for a high-level review meet on Uri Attack at 10 am.  

The meeting will be attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the chiefs of the Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing, India's domestic and external intelligence agencies, Defence Secretary G Mohan Kumar, top brass of the Army and paramilitary forces and senior Home and Defence ministry officials.
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08:40   2016 Emmy: And the award goes to...
FX's popular The People v OJ Simpson: American Crime Story had a triumphant showing at the 68th Primetime Emmys on Sunday night, capturing several acting awards and winning the honour for best limited series.

The Emmys can be a numbingly predictable show, but the success of the OJ series set the tone for a ceremony that was infused with a new energy, with Sarah Paulson, Courtney B Vance and Sterling K Brown all scoring their first Emmy victories.

The full list of winners can be seen HERE

Image: Courtney B Vance accepts the award for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie for 'The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story' at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California
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08:15   Security beefed up in Karnataka ahead of Cauvery meet in Delhi
Even as the Cauvery Supervisory Committee is scheduled to meet in New Delhi today to decide on the quantum of river water to be released to Tamil Nadu and other states, anxiety prevails in Karnataka over its outcome.

Security has been beefed up in Mandya, Chamrajnagar, Mysuru, Bengaluru and other parts of the state ahead of the meeting, police said. 

"The police, ahead of crucial Cauvery Supervisory Committee meeting tomorrow, have taken necessary security steps to check any untoward incident," IGP (Central Range) Seemanth Kumar told media persons in Bengaluru. 

Supreme Court on September 15 had taken Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments to task for failing to check violence following its order on the Cauvery dispute, asserting that its verdict "has to be complied with" and violent agitation would serve no purpose as those aggrieved were free to take legal recourse.

The apex court also had directed both states to ensure that there is no violence, agitation, destruction and damage to property following its order and asked them to maintain peace, calm and dignity for law. 

Property worth several crore has been damaged in violence in the two states after the Supreme Court order. 
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07:58   Uri attack: Home Secy Rajiv Mehrishi heads to Kashmir
Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi is on his way to Srinagar today to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the terror attack in Uri.

Following a directive of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Mehrishi will visit Srinagar and attend a series of meetings with officials of the state government, army, police and paramilitary force and take stock of the situation in the state, official sources said. 

The Union Home Secretary is also expected to meet Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and discuss with them the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir. 

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07:56   UN, US strongly condemn terror attack in Uri
The United Nations and the United States have strongly condemned the dastardly terror attack in Uri in which 17 soldiers were killed even as the US State Department asserted it was "committed to our strong partnership" with India to combat terrorism.

"We strongly condemn the terror attack in Uri, J&K. Our thoughts are with the families of the brave soldiers who lost their lives #UriAttack," US Ambassador to India Richard Verma tweeted.

Separately, the US State Department issued a statement in Washington strongly condemning the attack. 

"The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack on an Indian army base in Kashmir during the early morning of September 18. We extend our condolences to the victims and their families. The United States is committed to our strong partnership with the Indian government to combat terrorism," John Kirby, Assistant Secretary and State Department spokesperson said in the statement released by the US embassy in New Delhi.
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07:54   Army releases names of jawans martyred in Uri attack
Army releases names of jawans martyred in Sunday's Uri terror attack:

1 Subedar Karnail Singh (J&K) 
2 Havildar Ravi Paul (J&K) 
3 Sepoy Rakesh Singh (Bihar)
4 Sepoy Javra Munda (Jharkhand)
5 Sepoy Naiman Kujur (Jharkhand)
6 Sepoy Uike Janrao (Maharashtra)
7 Havildar NS Rawat (Rajasthan)
8 Sepoy Ganesh Shankar (UP)
9 Naik SK Vidarthi (Bihar)
10 Sepoy Biswajit Ghorai (West Bengal)
11 Lance Naik G Shankar (Maharashtra)
12 Sep G Dalai (West Bengal)
13 Lance Naik RK Yadav (UP)
14 Sepoy Harinder Yadav (UP)
15 Sepoy TS Somnath (Maharashtra)
16 Havildar Ashok Kumar Singh (Bihar)
17 Sepoy Rajesh kr Singh (UP)

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