AMERICA 'NEEDS AN ADULT' IN WHITE HOUSE: MICHELLE OBAMA

US First Lady Michelle Obama took a dig at Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, saying America "needs an adult in the White House" and not a person who is "erratic and threatening".

"When making life-or-death, war-or-peace decisions, a president just cannot pop off or lash out irrationally. No, we need an adult in the White House, I guarantee you," she said at an election rally in support of Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia as she made a strong pitch for the 68-year-old Democratic presidential candidate.

Michelle, without mentioning Trump, 70, said the US needs someone who is compassionate.

Read more: https://goo.gl/AnG3vB

VIACOM 18 LAUNCHES NEW FREE BOLLYWOOD FILM CHANNEL IN UK

Indian broadcasting major Viacom18 on Thursday (Sept 29) launched a new free-to-air Hindi movie channel for the UK market. 'Rishtey Cineplex' is aimed at showcasing offerings from Viacom18's wide library of films as well as newly acquired movies from across genres, starting with box-office hits like 'Bajirao Mastani' and 'Airlift'.

"Rishtey Cineplex, Viacom18's first premium Hindi movie channel, has curated an impressive repertoire of titles from across cinemas of India. "It is our endeavour, as a future ready organisation, to take Indian cinema, as a holistic entertainment package, to our loyal viewers in Europe and North America; allowing us to further strengthen our presence in the regions," said Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO, Viacom18.

"Indian films now have a universal appeal, as a result of which they taste tremendous success in International markets," Raj Nayak, CEO, Hindi Mass Entertainment, Viacom18, said.

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HIGH ALERT IN GUJARAT AFTER SURGICAL STRIKES ACROSS INDIAN LOC

High alert has been sounded in the west Indian state of Gujarat in the wake of the surgical strikes carried out by the Army on terror bases across the LoC, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said. The state shares land and sea boundary with Pakistan.

"Following surgical strikes, high alert has been sounded in entire Gujarat, specially the border districts police and coastal police stations have been alerted to increase vigil after our armed forces' successful operation," he said.

Three districts of the state -- Kutch, Banaskantha and Patan -- share boundary with the neighbouring country. People in major cities in Gujarat welcomed the surgical strikes by bursting crackers and distributing sweets.

Read more: https://goo.gl/a0DQDf

NEW JERSEY TRAIN CRASH KILLS THREE, INJURES MORE THAN 100

Three people were killed and more than 100 injured, some critically, when a commuter train derailed and plowed through Hoboken station in New Jersey during the morning rush hour on Thursday (Sept 29), US media and atransit official said.

Citing medical officials, U.S. media reports said three people were killed. Well over 100 people were hurt, many of them critically, Jennifer Nelson, a spokeswoman for train operator New Jersey Transit, told reporters at the scene. She did not confirm any fatalities.

Dramatic pictures posted by commuters showed a train carriage that appeared to have smashed right through the station concourse, collapsing a section of the roof, scattering debris and wreckage and causing devastation.

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BRITISH LAWMAKER SAYS PM MAY HAS ‘NO IDEA’ WHAT TO DO ABOUT BREXIT

Prime Minister Theresa May's government has no idea what to do about Brexit and Britain risks sowing serious political and economic uncertainty unless it makes its policy clear soon, a senior British lawmaker said.

The June 23 vote took many investors and chief executives by surprise, triggering the deepest political and financial turmoil in Britain since World War Two and the biggest ever one-day fall in sterling against the dollar.

Britain's allies fear that its exit from the EU could mark a turning point in post-Cold War international affairs that will weaken the West in relation to China and Russia, undermine efforts towards European integration and hurt global free trade.

Read more: https://goo.gl/06B03P

INDIA AND 3 OTHERS PULL OUT OF SUMMIT AS TENSIONS WITH PAKISTAN MOUNT

India sent a strong message of sour relations with neighboring country Pakistan on Tuesday (Sept 27) as it pulled out of a key regional summit to be held in Pakistan citing an increase in cross-border terrorist attacks, as tension between the nuclear-armed neighbors escalates.

Regional superpower India said it has conveyed its decision not to take part in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit to Nepal, the current SAARC Chair.

Apart from India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan have also pulled out of the SAARC Summit to be held at Islamabad in November, indirectly blaming Pakistan for creating an environment which is not right for the successful holding of the meet, resulting in its collapse

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WILL TRY TO TRIM RCOM DEBT BY 75% IN ONE YEAR: ANIL AMBANI

Grappling with mountain of debt, Reliance Communications today said it is planning to pare the Rs 426.50 billion burden by up to 75 per cent over the next one year.

Addressing the shareholders, company Chairman Anil Ambani said, "The target is to reduce debt by 75 per cent within a year and once the ongoing merger processes of MTS and Aircel with RCom are complete, it will help reduce debt by Rs 200 billion." 

Describing the three-way merger as the largest ever consolidation in the domestic telecom industry, he said this will create a formidable operator with the second largest holder of spectrum aggregating 448 MHz across the 850, 900, 1,800 and 2,100 MHz bands.

Read more: https://goo.gl/T2N2Mh

COLORS APOLOGISES TO TANNISHTHA OVER JOKES ON SKIN TONE

After actress Tannishtha Chatterjee slammed comedy TV show for making fun of her skin tone, the channel has apologised to her, saying it has taken up the matter with the creative team of the show.

As a part of the promotions for her recently released film "Parched", Tannishtha along with director Leena Yadav and co-star Radhika Apte went to show ‘Comedy Nights Bachao’. The actress, in a lengthy Facebook post, wrote about her frustration with the way her dark skin tone was targeted by the comics on the show.

"To my utmost horror, I soon realised that the only quality they found worth roasting about in me was my skin tone. It began with 'aap ko jamun bahut pasand hoga zaroor! Kitna jamun khaya aapne bachpan se?' And went on in that direction," she wrote.

Read more: https://goo.gl/LKz1E4

INDIA, PAKISTAN REACH OUT TO WORLD BANK ON INDUS WATER TREATY

The World Bank, the international lender which had mediated the Indus Water Treaty, said on Wednesday (Sept 28) it was approached by India and Pakistan and it is "responding in its limited, procedural role as set out in the treaty".

"India and Pakistan have informed the World Bank that each has initiated proceedings pursuant to the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 and the World Bank Group is responding in its limited, procedural role as set out in the Treaty," a World Bank spokesperson said.

"For further details on the proceedings brought under the Indus Waters Treaty 1960, your enquiry is best directed to the member governments," the spokesman said, refusing to comment any further.

Read more: https://goo.gl/XTLjRI

INDIA CARRIES OUT 'SURGICAL STRIKES' ON KASHMIR FRONTIER

India's military has carried out 'surgical strikes' along the de facto border with Pakistan in Kashmir to thwart a series of attacks being planned against major cities, the army said on Thursday (Sept 29).

Pakistan's military however accused India of killing two of its soldiers in "unprovoked firing" along the Line of Control that divides the disputed territory and said its troops had responded. India said its strikes targeted 'terrorists' along the frontier.

"Some terrorist teams had positioned themselves at launchpads along the Line of Control," Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, the director-general of military operations, said.

Read more: https://goo.gl/kKFL8t

NEW YORK LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN AGAINST 'ISLAMOPHOBIA'

A major public campaign to fight Islamophobia, was launched in New York on Monday (Sept 26) to stress the equal rights of the city's hundreds of thousands of Muslims.

The campaign launched in the wake of a Manhattan bomb attack blamed on a radicalized Afghan-American initially will use social media to spread the message under the hashtag #IAmMuslimNYC. 

"Now more than ever, it is important for every New Yorker to stand united as one city and reject hate and violence," said Mayor Bill de Blasio in a statement.

Read more: https://goo.gl/f4jxM0

JIM YONG KIM RE-APPOINTED AS WORLD BANK PRESIDENT

Jim Yong Kim has been re-appointed for a second five-year term as World Bank president, beginning July 1, next year, the bank announced.

"Humbled to have the honour of serving a second term as the head of this great institution. I would focus on building a more inclusive world free of poverty," Kim said in a statement.

He said the starting point for his work when he joined the Bank in 2012 was the setting of two ambitious new goals for the institution: to end extreme poverty by 2030, and to promote shared prosperity by boosting the income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population in every developing country.

Read more: https://goo.gl/P661lf

YASHVARDHAN SINHA APPOINTED INDIA'S HIGH COMMISSIONER TO UK

Senior IFS officer Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha was on Tuesday (Sept 27) appointed as India's High Commissioner to the UK succeeding Navtej Sarna.

Sinha, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 1981 batch, is currently serving as India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. Sarna has been appointed as India's Ambassador to the US.

Earlier this month, the government had appointed 1988- batch IFS officer Taranjit Singh Sandhu as the next High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka to replace Sinha.

Read more: https://goo.gl/PxvOfl

PAKISTAN IS CARRYING OUT WAR CRIMES USING TERROR AS STATE POLICY:INDIA

In its sharpest attack on Pakistan, India on Thursday (Sept 22) called it a ‘terrorist state’ which carries out ‘war crimes’ by using terrorism as an ‘instrument of state policy’, after Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif glorified Hizbul commander Burhan Wani at the United Nations.

India also strongly rejected Sharif's call for ‘a serious and sustained’ bilateral dialogue ‘without any conditions’, saying that Pakistan, which ‘seems to be run by a war machine rather than a government’, wants talks with a ‘gun in its hand’.

Strongly reacting to Sharif's remarks at the UN General Assembly session, Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar described them as full of ‘threat, bluster and complete disregard of facts’ as he said glorification of Wani by him at the world forum is an act of ‘self-incrimination’ by Pakistan.

Read more: https://goo.gl/8KuvBR

'VISARANAI' IS INDIA'S OFFICIAL ENTRY TO OSCARS 2017

National Award-winning Tamil film ‘Visaranai’ is India's official entry in the Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars next year. 'Visaranai' was selected out of the 29 films that were in the race," Film Federation of India secretary general Supran Sen said.

The crime-thriller, produced by actor-filmmaker Dhanush, is written and directed by Vetrimaaran. It is based on the novel ‘Lock Up’ by M Chandrakumar. Featuring Dinesh Ravi, Anandhi and Aadukalam Murugadoss in the lead roles, the film deals with police brutality, corruption, and loss of innocence in the face of injustice. 

"Visaaranai #Anbum #amaithiyum malarathum ('Let love and peace bloom')," Dinesh tweeted in Tamil. The movie won three honours-- best feature film in Tamil, best supporting actor for Samuthirakani and best editing for Kishore Te-- at the 63rd National Film Awards, held earlier this 

year.

Read more: https://goo.gl/NrzuFW

RECORD 31 INDIAN VARSITIES IN TOP WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS

India has improved its position in the global higher education, with a record 31 educational institutions making it to a new list of the world's top varsities topped by the University of Oxford. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore is India's top institution in the 'Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2016-17' list released on Wednesday (Sept 21), up nearly 50 places from its last year's rank.

Only two Indian universities have made it to the top 400 universities' list. IISc (201-250 group), up from last year's 251-300 group, is accompanied by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay (351-400 cohort) in the top 400 table.

There is no Indian university in the coveted top 200 list. This year's list, which includes 14 new entrants, is topped by University of Oxford, the first UK university to top in the 12-year history of the table. Five-time topper California Institute of Technology came second while Stanford University was ranked third.

Read more: https://goo.gl/lJA8QC

INDIAN MINISTERS APPROVE RAFALE FIGHTER JET DEAL

A committee of the Indian cabinet gave its approval on Wednesday (Sept 21) to a long-delayed deal to buy 36 fighter jets from France's Dassault, as the country looks to bolster its military in the face of China's growing clout.

The highly versatile Rafale is currently being used for bombing missions over Syria and Iraq as part of international campaign against the self-styled Islamic State jihadist group. It has also been deployed in the past for air strikes in Libya and Afghanistan.

The deal, if confirmed, is a major vote of confidence in the Rafale which had long struggled to find buyers in overseas, despite heavy lobbying efforts by the Hollande administration. It is the biggest order for the Rafale after Egypt agreed to buy 24 of the jets in 2015 and Qatar purchased the same amount later that year.

Read more: https://goo.gl/A5PKIQ

INDIA’S FORMER TEST CAPTAINS FELICITATED BEFORE START OF 500TH TEST

Former captains including Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev were on Thursday (Sept 22) felicitated by the BCCI before the start of India's 500th Test in Kanpur .

On the occasion, Uttar Pradesh governor presented mementos and shawl to former captains before the start of the first Test between India and New Zealand.

Besides Tendulkar, Gavaskar, Dhoni and Kapil, the other former India Test captains who were honoured were Ajit Wadekar, Ravi Shastri, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, K Srikkanth and Mohammad Azharuddin. Current captain Virat Kohli too was honoured.

Read more: https://goo.gl/LCejRP

STATE OF EMERGENCY CALLED AFTER SECOND NIGHT OF UNREST IN CHARLOTTE, N.CAROLINA

One person was shot and gravely wounded on Wednesday (Sept 22) in a second night of unrest in Charlotte, North Carolina, officials said, as riot police dispersed unruly protesters after the fatal police shooting of a black man under disputed circumstances.

North Carolina's governor later declared a state of emergency amid the disturbances and said the National Guard and state Highway Patrol troopers would be sent in to help police in Charlotte restore and maintain order.

Charlotte Police Chief Kerr Putney initially reported that a person shot during the protest had died, but city officials later posted a Twitter message saying the individual had been hospitalized in critical condition on life support.

Read more: https://goo.gl/6QloCv

BANGKOK BEATS LONDON TO BE NAMED WORLD'S TOP TRAVEL DESTINATION BY MASTERCARD

Thailand’s capital of Bangkok has beaten London to be crowned the world's most popular travel destination this year, according to an annual ranking by global payments and technology company Mastercard released on Thursday (Sept 22).

The British capital topped the 2015 ranking of global destinations, but Mastercard did not say why some of its shine had rubbed off for travellers this year. The two cities have topped the ranking for most of its history.

Tourism has been one of the rare bright spots for this country considered as Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, which has grappled with weak consumer confidence and exports after a 2014 coup the militaryl said was aimed at ending months of political unrest.

Read more: https://goo.gl/4WCNRm

PENSION OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS HIKED BY 20 PER CENT

The monthly pension of freedom fighters, including those who were incarcerated in Cellular jail in Andaman Islands or suffered outside British India, was on Wednesday (Sept 21) hiked by around Rs 5,000 each.

The decision to give 20 per cent enhanced pension to all categories of freedom fighters, their spouses and dependents was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The revised scale of pension has taken effect from August 15, 2016 and the revised total amount of pension will be taken as basic pension for the respective categories of freedom fighter pensioners for calculating Dearness Relief, an official statement said.

Read more: https://goo.gl/9JlwqC

PENSION OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS HIKED BY 20 PER CENT

The monthly pension of freedom fighters, including those who were incarcerated in Cellular jail in Andaman Islands or suffered outside British India, was on Wednesday (Sept 21) hiked by around Rs 5,000 each.

The decision to give 20 per cent enhanced pension to all categories of freedom fighters, their spouses and dependents was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The revised scale of pension has taken effect from August 15, 2016 and the revised total amount of pension will be taken as basic pension for the respective categories of freedom fighter pensioners for calculating Dearness Relief, an official statement said.

Read more: https://goo.gl/9JlwqC

NESTLE SEEKS SC NOD TO DESTROY 550 TONNES OF MAGGI NOODLES

Nestle India on Wednesday (Sept 21) moved India’s apex court, the Supreme Court of India seeking its nod to destroy about 550 tonnes of recalled stock of Maggie Noodles which have passed shelf life, saying its storage may lead to health hazard at the 39 locations where it is stored across the country.

A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and C Nagappan agreed to hear the plea tomorrow after it was mentioned by senior advocate Harish Salve saying the food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was not opposed to the company's petition. Salve said that FSSAI and the company have both agreed to destroy the stock which has crossed its shelf life.

The company said that pursuant to withdrawal announcement and ban order on June 5, 2015, Nestle India Ltd had recalled stocks of Maggie Noodles and till September 1, 2015 destroyed around 38,000 tonnes of Maggie Noodles.

Read more: https://goo.gl/OQsZwI

INDIA TO TAKE STEPS TO BOOST CRUISE TOURISM

India will soon unveil steps to tap cruise tourism in a big way along its 7,500 km-long coastline and is trying to address the issues of cleanliness, connectivity and security to improve the country's image in global tourism market, a senior minister in India has said.

"Tourism ministry along with Surface and Waterways ministry are taking cruise tourism in a big way," Culture and Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma, who was in Melbourne to officially launch the 10-week festival ‘Confluence: Festival of India’ for Australian cities, said.

"At present, we are sharing a very less share of cruise tourism of one per cent. We have 7,500 kms of coastal belt with us and both the ministries have a joint group headed by secretary tourism. Very soon we are going to define the path of how to take cruise tourism in a big way," Sharma said, adding that this sector will also include cruise tourism to Australia.

Read more: https://goo.gl/zlmdk8

PITT EXPRESSES SADNESS OVER JOLIE FILING FOR DIVORCE AS HOLLYWOOD POWER COUPLE SPLITS

Actress Angelina Jolie has filed for a divorce from actor Brad Pitt, her husband of two years and romantic partner since 2005, her attorney said on Tuesday (Sept 20), signaling the end of one of Hollywood's most glamorous and powerful couples.

 "This decision was made for the health of the family. Shewill not be commenting, and asks that the family be given its privacy at this time," attorney Robert Offer said in a statement.

The Oscar-winning actress filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, citing irreconcilable differences, court documents showed. Jolie sought full physical custody of their six children ages 8 to 15 with visitation rights for Pitt but did not seek spousal support. Jolie cited their separation date as September  15.

 "I am very saddened by this but what matters most now is the well-being of our kids," Pitt told People magazine. "I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time."    

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INDIAN ARMY INTENSIFIES COMBING OPERATIONS IN URI, NOWGAM SECTORS

Despite inclement weather, army was on Wednesday (Sept 21) carrying out intense combing-cum-search operations in Uri and Naugam sectors along the Line of Control in Kashmir where alert troops foiled two infiltration bids but have so far drawn a blank in retrieving bodies of the slain militants.

Army personnel continued their search operations in the higher reaches of Uri and Naugam sectors of Baramulla and Tangdhar districts respectively but have not managed to reach the spot where the bodies were supposed to be lying. The bodies lay very close to the LoC and there was a possibility of the jawans coming under fire from across the border, official sources said.

Read more: https://goo.gl/dXh3dp

US LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE BILL TO DESIGNATE PAK A TERRORIST STATE

Two powerful American lawmakers have introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives to designate Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism, in a setback to Islamabad at a time when Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is trying to drum up support over the Kashmir issue.

As Sharif held talks with world leaders on the sidelines of the 71st session of UN General Assembly to internationalise the dispute with India, the two lawmakers said it was time that the US stopped paying the country for its ‘betrayal’. The 'Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act (HR 6069) has been moved by Republican Ted Poe and Democrat Dana Rohrabacher, who is a ranking member of the influential Congressional Committee on Terrorism.

"It is time we stopped paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is: a state sponsor of terrorism," said Poe, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism. "Not only is Pakistan an untrustworthy ally, Islamabad has also aided and abetted enemies of the US for years," Poe said.

Read more: https://goo.gl/LRqMV4

INDIAN AND PAKISTANI TROOPS EXCHANGE FIRE IN KASHMIR

School girls hold candles during a vigil for the soldiers who were killed in Sunday’s attack at an Indian army base in Kashmir's Uri, in Ahmedabad.

Amid growing tensions among the two countries, Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire across their disputed border in Kashmir on Tuesday (Sept 20), two days after a deadly raid on an army base that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

Eighteen soldiers died in Sunday's attack, which was the worst of its kind to hit the divided Himalayan region in more than a decade and has increased hostility between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Indian army spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia, said there had been a "ceasefire violation" near Uri, where Sunday's attack took place, but gave no further details. Uri is near the Line of Control (LoC) which divides the disputed territory.

Read more: https://goo.gl/m9UWtY

SUNNY LEONE: I DON'T WANT MY DOCUMENTARY TO RELEASE IN INDIA

Bollywood actress Sunny Leone is against the release of the upcoming documentary on her life, ‘Mostly Sunny’ in India, as she feels it does not do justice to her story.‘Mostly Sunny’ charts the life of Leone, born Karenjit Kaur Vohra in Sarnia, Ontario, from her childhood in a conservative Sikh 

family to her shift to Los Angeles, her emergence as one of the biggest adult movie stars in the world and her subsequent mainstream movie career breakthrough in Bollywood.

Leone said she doesn't want the documentary to release in India as it is less of a film on her life and more of "somebody else's opinion". "I hope it doesn't come to India. Because that's not the story that is mine. This is somebody else's opinion, somebody else's vision. No one has a right to tell your life story except for you," Leone told PTI in an exclusive interview.

Read more: https://goo.gl/OKdVOY

SWARAJ TAKES UP BABY LILY'S CASE WITH BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION

India's foreign ministry is pursuing with the British High Commission the issue of a UK passport for a baby born to British couple using an Indian surrogate in the country. 

Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said on Twitter, “We have taken this up with British High Commission. We hope to resolve this soon”, referring to Baby Lily, who faces being left in an Indian orphanage if her British passport is not issued imminently.

Britons Chris and Michele Newman arrived in India on a medical visa which expired on September 7, following which they gained a month's extension.

Read more: https://goo.gl/DTeVZH

GLAXOSMITHKLINE NAMES INSIDER EMMA WALMSLEY AS NEW CEO

Emma Walmsley is chosen as new chief executive of Glaxo Smith Kline according to a statement by the global pharmaceutical company on Tuesday (Sept 20). Walmsley was the head of consumer healthcare and was finalized for the top position after several months reviewing internal and external candidates.

She will become the first woman to head a top global pharmaceutical company and will bring the number of female chief executives in Britain's FTSE 100 index to seven. Walmsley, 47, joined Britain's biggest drug maker in 2010 from L’Oreal and will replace Andrew Witty, who had  previously announced his decision to retire on March 31, 2017. She will join the board from January.

The decision will disappoint investors such as Neil Wood ford, a top shareholder and a critic of the drug maker's current structure, who wanted to see an outsider appointed to overhaul the company.

Read more: https://goo.gl/vN2hAk

INDIA SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRES TWO MISSILES

In a major achievement aimed at galvanising its air defence capability, India on Tuesday (Sept 20) successfully test-fired two long range surface-to-air missiles (LRSAM) jointly developed with Israel from a base off Odisha coast.

The sophisticated missile, a product of joint venture between India and Israel, was first test launched from a mobile launcher in the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur at around 10.13 hrs, while the second LRSAM was test-fired at about 14.25 hrs, defence officials said.

"Both the trials were successful as the missiles hit the target directly," said a scientist associated with the project. In both the tests, the state-of-the-art missiles destroyed the aerial target, he said.

Apart from the missile, the system includes a Multi Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF-STAR) for detection, tracking and guidance of the missile, officials said, adding the missile along with MF-STAR would provide the users the capability to neutralize any aerial threats.

Read more: https://goo.gl/TTpfKK

GANDHI’S FOOD BOWL AND WOODEN SPOONS UP FOR AUCTION

Nearly 70 years after his death, property belonging to Mahatma Gandhi continues to be in demand at auctions, especially in the UK. A metal food bowl, wooden fork and two wooden spoons, which probably did not even cost a rupee, are being auctioned with the starting bid set at £22,900 – enough to set up the Mahatma in fine bone China from Harrods.

They are being sold in an online auction run by Paul Fraser Collectibles, which describes itself as ‘a high-end memorabilia dealer based in Bristol’. It says it has the world’s largest private stock holding of collectibles. The auction runs until September 29.

Daniel Wade, a spokesman for the auction house, explained why there is still magic attached to the Mahatma. “The name ‘Gandhi’ has taken on an almost mythical quality throughout the world, not just in India,” he said.

Read more: https://goo.gl/OMqaOs

BRITISH BARON'S DAUGHTER DIES IN PHILIPPINE DRUG WAR

A daughter of the late British baron Lord Moynihan has been killed in the Philippines where the government is waging a deadly war on drugs, police said Monday (Spet 19).

Maria Aurora Moynihan, 45, was shot by unknown attackers who left her by the side of a Manila street on September 10, authorities said.Her killers left a cardboard sign accusing Moynihan of being a ‘drug pusher for celebrities’, Chief Inspector Tito Jay Cuden said.

The victim was on bail while facing charges of possession of illegal drugs following a February 2013 suburban Manila police raid."Witnesses told us they heard a series of gunshots, then saw a vehicle leaving the area. They did not see its licence plates," Cuden said. 

CCTV footage aired on local television network ABS-CBN showed a vehicle stop and open its door on the deserted part of the street where the body was later found. 

Read more: https://goo.gl/7hDhfS

BRITISH BARON'S DAUGHTER DIES IN PHILIPPINE DRUG WAR

A daughter of the late British baron Lord Moynihan has been killed in the Philippines where the government is waging a deadly war on drugs, police said Monday (Spet 19).

Maria Aurora Moynihan, 45, was shot by unknown attackers who left her by the side of a Manila street on September 10, authorities said.Her killers left a cardboard sign accusing Moynihan of being a ‘drug pusher for celebrities’, Chief Inspector Tito Jay Cuden said.

The victim was on bail while facing charges of possession of illegal drugs following a February 2013 suburban Manila police raid."Witnesses told us they heard a series of gunshots, then saw a vehicle leaving the area. They did not see its licence plates," Cuden said. 

CCTV footage aired on local television network ABS-CBN showed a vehicle stop and open its door on the deserted part of the street where the body was later found. 

Read more: https://goo.gl/7hDhfS

MODI’S BIRTHDAY EVENTS SET THREE GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS: GEHLOT

Three world records were set at two events held to celebrate the 66th birthday of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Navsari in south Gujarat, Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said on Saturday (Sept 17) .

While one record of most persons (989) lighting earthen lamps within 30 seconds- was set last evening, another two feats were achieved on Saturday in the presence of Modi, he said. All the three events were held at the same venue in Navsari.

"We have broken three world records here. The records were made in the presence of representatives of the Guinness World Records," Gehlot, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, said while addressing people at Navsari in the presence of Modi.

Read more: https://goo.gl/tuO0c1

INDIA LOSES WTO APPEAL IN US SOLAR DISPUTE

India lost its appeal at the World Trade Organization in a dispute over solar power on Friday (Sept 16), failing to overturn a US complaint that New Delhi had discriminated against importers in the Indian solar power sector.

The WTO's appeals judges upheld an earlier ruling that found India had broken WTO rules by requiring solar power developers to use Indian-made cells and modules. The appeal ruling is final and India will be expected to bring its laws into compliance with the WTO rules.

"This report is a clear victory for American solar manufacturers and workers, and another step forward in the fight against climate change," U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said in a statement.

Read more: https://goo.gl/GlmD38

INDIAN PM MODI CONDEMNS KASHMIR ATTACK, 17 SOLDIERS DEAD

Militants attacked an Indian army brigade headquarters near the de factor border with Pakistan on Sunday (Sept 18), killing 17 soldiers in one of the most deadly attacks in the northern region of Kashmir in a quarter-century-old insurgency.

Four ‘fidayeen’ - or commando-style gunmen willing to fight to the death - were confirmed killed after penetrating the basein Uri near the Line of Control with Pakistan, an Indian army spokesman said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned what he called the ‘cowardly terror attack’. "I assure the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished," Modi said in a series of Twitter posts.

Read more: https://goo.gl/Hv2aaF

PATANJALI PRODUCTS AT FAIR PRICE SHOPS IN INDIA’S NORTHERN STATE

The government in India’s northern state of Madhya Pradesh will put for sale yoga and spiritual guru Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali products at fair price shops across the state, Minister of State for Cooperatives Vishwas Sarang said.

“On the suggestion of MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the products of Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali will be put for sale at the fair price shops in the state,” Sarang said after the conclusion of two-day deliberations on cooperative sector.

Read more: https://goo.gl/nOqAME

29 INJURED AS EXPLOSION ROCKS BUSY NEW YORK NEIGHBOURHOOD

New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers stand near the site of an explosion in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York

As many as 29 people were on Sunday (Spet 18)  injured in an explosion that rocked New York's busy and upscale neighbourhood also frequented by tourists, authorities said about the 'intentional act', hours before world leaders arrive here for the high-level UN General Assembly session. The explosion - which came hours after a pipe bomb went off in a garbage can in New Jersey - occurred in the Chelsea neighborhood at 23rd St. and 6th Avenue around 8:30 pm (local time) on Saturday. 

The spot of the explosion is a busy residential and commercial area frequented by tourists and city residents. President Barack Obama has been appraised of the explosion, a White House official said.

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INDIA'S CRICKETING ASSOCIATION BCCI TO INVITE ALL FORMER INDIA CAPTAINS FOR '500TH TEST'

The BCCI has decided to invite all the former India captains to celebrate the occasion of country's '500th Test match' that will be played against New Zealand in Kanpur from September 22.

A specially minted silver coin with 500th Test embossed on it is being prepared for the toss. Senior BCCI official and UPCA supremo Rajeev Shukla said that a host of events are being organised by the BCCI to make the event memorable.

"The BCCI wants to felicitate all the former captains during the Test match. Green Park is one of the first four Test venues in India along with Chepauk, Wankhede and Eden Gardens. It will be a fitting tribute to all those former captains, who could be present on the occasion. The BCCI is making all arrangements," Shukla said on Thursday (Sept 15).

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BOLLYWOOD STAR PRIYANKA CHOPRA AMONG WORLD'S HIGHEST PAID TV ACTRESSES

Priyanka Chopra has become the first Indian star to enter the Forbes list of highest paid television actresses in the world, after starring on American series ‘Quantico’. Priyanka ranks eighth in the coveted list, which has retained American actress Sofia Vergara at the first position fifth year in a row.

The 44-year-old Colombian-American actress brought home a whooping $43 million before management fees and taxes, but not all came from her hit TV show ‘Modern Family’. Vergara has  an impressive array of endorsement deals as well as her line of products.

Priyanka has earned $11 million. She made her international acting debut last year with ABC's ‘Quantico’ and now is gearing up for its second season. Back home, the 34-year-old actress has starred in two Bollywood films in the past one year – ‘Bajirao Mastani’ and ‘Jai Gangaajal’-- and will make her Hollywood film debut with ‘Baywatch’ alongside Bollywood heavy-hitters including Dwayne Johnson, the world's highest-paid actor.

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CAUVERY ROW: TOP COURT WARNS STATES OVER VIOLENCE, ORDERS FOR PEACE

India’s top court, the Supreme Court on Thursday (Sept 15) took 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.

Asserting that the people cannot take law into their hands, the apex court directed the two states to ensure there is no violence, agitation, destruction and damage to properties following its order on Cauvery water sharing and asked them to maintain peace, calm and dignity for law.

"We are compelled to state that it is the duty of both the states (Tamil Nadu and Karnataka) to see that no violence, agitation or destruction of properties takes place," a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit said, adding "we sincerely hope that wisdom shall prevail on competent authorities of both the states and that peace will prevail."

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CBI TO TAKE OVER SCRIBE MURDER CASE, SHAHBUDDIN UNDER SCANNER

Four months after the murder of bureau chief of a Hindi daily Rajdev Ranjan in Siwan, India’s central investigating agencey, CBI will be taking over the investigation in the case. CBI sources said a team will soon leave for Siwan after a case is registered by it in the murder of Ranjan, the Siwan bureau chief of 'Hindustan'.

Alleged gangster and RJD leader Shahbuddin, who was recently released on bail, was under the scanner of investigation agencies in the case, they said. Bihar had transferred the case to CBI. The agency is now all set to register an FIR under the charges of criminal conspiracy and murder, the sources said.

The state government had issued a notification requesting the CBI to take over the investigation of the murder case, a demand made by the kin of the journalist who was killed on May 13.

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INDIAN GOVT PENSIONERS CAN TRACK STATUS VIA SMS, ONLINE

Over 11.61 lakh government pensioners can now track the status of their pension and grievance redressal through SMS as well as monitor receipts online -- steps that aim to ‘lessen harassment’ for senior citizens.

The web portal launched by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday (Sept 14) will enable central civil pensioners, family pensioners and freedom fighter pensioners to view their complete pension profile digitally by logging into www.cpao.nic.in.

They will also be provided with SMS facility for tracking status of pension process and their grievance registration as well as disposal. The website, which will serve as a one-stop destination for providing information and speedy redressal of grievances, can also be accessed through mobile devices and it would also provide an option to pensioners to give their feedback.

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PILGRIMS VISITING GUJARAT'S AMBAJI TEMPLE GET INSURANCE COVER

The world famous Ambaji Temple in North Gujarat's Banaskantha district has insured the pilgrims visiting the shrine against any natural calamity, including storm, cyclone and earthquake, for a period of 21 days this year.

Ashish Raval, Media Convener of the Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust (SAAMDT), which looks after the shrine's affairs, on Tuesday (Sept 13) said the trust has paid a premium to the New India Assurance Company for cover ranging from Rs 30 to 50 million, depending upon the circumstances and nature of calamity and extent of damage thus caused.

"The insurance cover is effective from September 1 to 21 and in the 20 km radius from the temple," he said.

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INDIA'S ZEE TO WOO HISPANIC VIEWERS WITH BOLLYWOOD MOVIES IN SPANISH

An Indian media group has launched a Spanish language Bollywood channel in the United States, in a bid to woo Hispanic audiences with the drama, and elaborate song and dance sequences of the Indian silver screen.

 Zee Entertainment Enterprises' Zee Mundo channel the first such venture by an Indian company in the United States, will showcase Indian content that Hispanic communities can empathise with, the company said late on Tuesday (Sept 13).

 "We are confident that Zee Mundo's programming will cross frontiers with storylines and themes that are relatable to the Hispanic audiences," Amit Goenka, head of Zee's international broadcast unit, said in a statement. 

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MODI, GHANI MEET, SEND STERN MESSAGE TO PAK ON TERROR

In a stern message to Pakistan, India and Afghanistan on Wednesday (Sept 14) called for an end to all support, sponsorship and safe havens to terrorists and decided to strengthen security and defence cooperation.

During their talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani also expressed grave concern at continued use of terrorism for achieving political objectives in the region as the two leaders had extensive discussions on the regional and bilateral issues.

Reiterating India's abiding support for a unified, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan, Modi conveyed the country's readiness to consider further requirements for capacity and capability building in spheres such as education, health, agriculture, skill development, empowerment of women, energy, infrastructure and strengthening of democratic institutions.

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BELGIUM BREWERY APOLOGIZES TO HINDUS FOR USING LORD GANESHA AS BEER ICON

Belgium brewery, The Musketeers, has apologized for using Lord Ganesha as icon representing its Jack's Precious IPA beer. Google translation of brewery’s statement in Dutch, responding to criticism by Hindu community, published on their website, said. “The brewery wants to apologize when they unwittingly hurts a community”; and added that the beer label “in no way intended to hurt an”.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who initiated and led the protest against the Lord Ganesha’s image on Jack's Precious IPA beer label, in a statement in Nevada welcomed the brewery’s apology, calling it a step in the positive direction. 

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that in the same spirit, the brewery should immediately withdraw image of Lord Ganesha from the beer label, which was highly inappropriate.

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GOA TO HOST VINTAGE BIKE AND CAR FESTIVAL-2016

Goans will witness a motley of classic vehicles plying on city roads with vintage car and bikes enthusiasts set to take part in the first-of-its-kind Vintage Bike and Car Festival-2016 on October 1, organised by the Tourism department.

"Come October 1, more than 50 Vintage vehicles (bikes and cars) are slated to drive down town in the capital city and will be a treat to the eyes at the INOX Courtyard," tourism department spokesperson said in a release on Tuesday (Sept 13).

"Vintage two-wheelers and four wheelers dated from 1921 to 1970 will be on display. Cars that one would get a glimpse of at the festival include the Citroen, Austin, Morris, Cadillac, Ford, Chevrolet, Mercedes, Volkswagen and bikes like Norton, BSA and BMW," the official said.

"We are planning the one-day event which is going to be very exciting as vintage cars and bikes from vintage car museums, those in use and those maintained for exhibitions will all be participating in it," Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said.

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