LIVE
Wed, 22 October 2014
Fight for boxer Sarita, govt tells IOA

Timeline  Refresh

image
22:50   Pentagon: 1 weapons bundle seized by militants
The Pentagon is confirming that Islamic State group militants were able to seize one of the 28 bundles of weapons and medical supplies dropped to Kurdish forces.

Army Col Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, said that two of the bundles went astray. One was destroyed by the US. The other fell into enemy hands and included small weapons, hand grenades, medical supplies and ammunition. Warren said it appears the wind caused the parachute to go off course. 

He said the weapons in the bundle are not enough to give the enemy any type of advantage. 

Activists said yesterday the weapons were seized by the extremist fighters. A video uploaded by a media group loyal to IS militants showed the extremists with the pallet of weapons and other materials.
image
21:35   Modi's 2nd round of 'Mann ki Baat' radio show on Nov 2
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold his second round of "Mann Ki Baat" radio programme on November 2.

Modi has invited people to share their thoughts, comments  and examples of good governance initiatives that have left an impression on their mind. 

"Looking forward to the 2nd "Mann Ki Baat" Radio Programme on Sunday 2nd November 2014 at 11AM," the Prime Minister tweeted.

Modi had first used the medium of radio on October 3 to reach out to the maximum populace.

He had then given a pep talk on shedding despondency and use of skills for the country's betterment and prosperity. 

He had promised to make the radio broadcast a regular affair and invited ideas from the citizens while noting that he was encouraged by the number of suggestions he had received since it was announced that he would be addressing the nation over radio.
image
21:34   Musharraf: We know Modi's anti-Pakistan credentials
Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that he is anti-Pakistan and anti-Muslim, and that he cannot dictate terms to his country on the peace process.

"Prime Minster Modi is your Prime Minister, not Pakistan's Prime Minister. We don't get any dictations from him. We know his credentials. We know his anti-Pakistan credentials.

"Now, it may be a red line for you that people of Pakistan or the Foreign Secretary must not meet the Hurriyat (leaders). That is not our red line. We do not follow your red line," he told Headlines Today. 

Musharraf, who had conducted dialogue process with Prime Minsters Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, said while he used to meet Hurriyat leaders every time "why is there a change of heart. That itself shows and proves the anti-Pakistan credentials of PM Modi." 

He said the Pakistan government under Nawaz Sharif has been extremely positive on the peace process. "In fact they have been maligned for being overly appeasing towards India. People of Pakistan really understand your ill-intentions towards Pakistan." 

"He (Modi) is taking a confrontationist course with Pakistan. So this red line that he has declared is confrontationist certainly. It is not peaceful. And when you say he had invited PM Nawaz Sharif, Sharif invited him to Pakistan and he didn't come," Musharraf said.
image
20:32   Fight for boxer Sarita, govt tells IOA
Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today said that he has instructed the Indian Olympic Association to take up L Sarita Devi's suspension at the international forum and push for withdrawing the ban imposed on the Indian woman boxer.

"We have already instructed the Indian Olympic Association to take up the matter with the international forum for withdrawal of suspension on Sarita Devi," Sonowal told 'Times Now'.

"We are asking the IOA to take up the matter for a genuine cause of a player. So, it is very important for the country and we will have to stand by our decision," he added. 

Sonowal's reaction came after the international sports body, AIBA, today took strong action and provisionally suspended Sarita Devi for refusing to accept the bronze medal at the Asian Games podium ceremony.

Protesting against a controversial verdict, Sarita in an unprecedented move, had refused to wear the medal around her neck as she broke down on the podium during the ceremony for the 57-60 kg category.
image
20:12   Shots fired at war memorial near Canadian Parliament; shooter at large
Breaking Now: Injuries reported after shooting at Canada's War Memorial, near the country's Parliament.

According to Toronto Sun, the victim appears to be a soldier. Several people were seen performing CPR.

Another body is reported to be on the ground just outside the Library of Parliament. Dozens of shots were heard.

The shooter, who is reportedly still on the loose, was seen running with a rifle towards the Parliament. 
image
19:39   Free bus rides for Delhi women in DTC buses on Bhai Duj
Delhi Transport Corporation has decided to provide free ride for women in its buses on the occassion of Bhai Duj.

"DTC will provide free ride for women passengers in its all non-AC buses plying in Delhi and NCR on the occasion of Bhai Duj on October 25," DTC spokesperson R S Minhas said. 

Minhas said that the women passengers would be allowed to take free rides on DTC's non AC buses between 8 am to 5 pm on that day.

"However, free-ride service for women passengers will not be available on AC and Inter-state buses which are destined to the towns beyond NCR. 

According to DTC, to cater the extra rush of the passengers on Bhai Duj, maximum number of buses will be put on road for the convenience of the passengers. Regional Managers and Depot Managers have been instructed to remain mobile in their operational area to ensure availability of adequate number of buses at heavy loading points.

"Traffic supervisory staff will also be deputed for the convenience of the passengers, he added.
image
19:20   Kobane defenders hold out as Iraq Kurds vote on reinforcements
Kurdish fighters defending Syria's border town of Kobane held out against the Islamic State group today, anxious for relief as Iraq's Kurdish parliament was set to vote on sending reinforcements. 

Backed by air strikes from a US-led coalition, the Kurds have been defending the town on the Turkish border against a fierce IS offensive for more than a month.
image
18:59   Incursion by China during Prez Xi's visit 'uncommon': ITBP
The ITBP, which guards the Sino- Indian border, said that the incursion by China in Ladakh during the recent visit of its President Xi Jinping to India was "uncommon" as it had gone on for a fortnight, unlike past episodes which had lasted no longer than 10-15 minutes.
image
18:14   Tired, confused Pistorius spends 1st night in a single cell in jail
South African prison officials say Oscar Pistorius spent his first night in a single cell in the hospital wing of a prison in the capital, Pretoria.

Prison commissioner Zebilon Monama told the South African Press Association that Pistorius seemed confused and tired when he entered the Kgosi Mampuru facility and was visited by the jail's psychologist and chaplain last evening.

He said Pistorius shares the hospital ward with eight other prisoners with disabilities.

The athlete had a medical examination before being locked in his cell.

The hospital wing has routine 24-hour observation with two nurses on duty. South Africa's department of correctional services says the country's prisons house an average of 128 disabled prisoners each year, less than 1 percent of the country's total 157,000 prison population.
image
17:47   Countering the counterfeiters: The art of making money
Legend has it that when the surrealist painter Salvador Dali had to pay for an expensive restaurant meal he would twizzle his famous mustache and arch his eyebrows before beguiling his host into letting him dine for free.

The crafty Catalan, it is said, would write out a check for the required amount and sign on the dotted line. Just before handing the payment over, however, he would pull the piece of paper back and pen an elaborate doodle on the opposite side.

Read
image
17:38   Time for Centre to have a re-look at AFSPA: Omar
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said regardless of the situation in Afghanistan or Pakistan, time was "opportune" to make headway on revocation of AFSPA and maintained that he was not compromising on national security by raising the matter.

"My point of view, and I will continue to maintain that point of view, is that every year we have a steady decline in militancy regardless of what happens with Afghanistan or Pakistan or anywhere else, I will continue to maintain that this is an opportune time (for the revocation of AFSPA from some parts of the state)," he said.
image
16:04   Ho hum. Chetan Bhagat puts foot in mouth again and again
Chetan Bhagat's ignorance of the anti-defection law, his 'Half Girlfriend' book and his limited vocabulary make the writer everyone's favourite target of the day. Read
image
15:54  
Ravindra Waikar, Shiv Sena on the alliance with the BJP: Whatever our leader Uddhavji will decide we will accept that.
image
15:52  
Dr.Jitendra Singh, MoS PMO on relief & rehabilitation for J&K flood victims: Government is doing its best, it is doing better than any other government. 
image
15:50  
Indira Gandhi with her sons Sanjay and Rajeev in London in 1953. 
image
15:46   Maken terms boxer Sarita Devi's suspension unfortunate
Former Sports Minister Ajay Maken today termed AIBA's decision to suspend Indian woman boxer L Sarita Devi for refusing to accept bronze medal at the Asian Games podium ceremony as "unfortunate" and asked the Centre to take up the matter at the highest international level.

"It is very unfortunate. The IBF, sports ministry and all concerned authorities should have the guts to take it up at the highest level, including with the International Olympic Committee," Maken said.

Asking the boxing fraternity and related sports organisations to "stand firmly" behind their coaches and players, Maken said that it was not the first time that India suffered on this account.
image
15:30   Omar prophesies low turnout for J-K polls: Will I go vote if my house has collapsed?
J-K chief minister Omar Abdullah on the state elections: "It is for the Election Commission to decide whether there should be polls or not. Will I go out and vote if my house has collapsed? I will be more concerned about rebuilding my house. There's no doubt that voter turnout will be low in flood affected areas."

The state witnessed the worst floods in the past 100 years, affecting more than 1.5 million people. Nearly 300 people were killed in the floods with widespread damage to public and private properties. Modi had also visited the state soon after the floods to survey the damage. The Diwali visit will be his fourth since he took over as PM in May.

The state witnessed the worst floods in the past 100 years, affecting more than 1.5 million people. Nearly 300 people were killed in the floods with widespread damage to public and private properties.

Narendra Modi had also visited the state soon after the floods to survey the damage. The Diwali visit will be his fourth since he took over as PM in May.
image
14:55   Pak violates ceasefire again along IB in Samba, targets BoP
After a brief lull of three days, Pakistan today again resorted to firing from across the International Border (IB) in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir in yet another act of ceasefire violation.

"Pakistan Rangers resorted to small arms firing at Narainpur BoP along IB in Ramgarh sector of Samba district at around 10:30 am, Ramgarh Station House Officer (SHO), Satesh Kumar said.

Confirming the ceasefire violation, a BSF spokesman said that Indian troops had retaliated to the Pakistani firing in brief exchanges. "There was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the firing," the spokesman added.
image
14:47   Omar: Hope PM will OK Rs 44000 cr package for flood victims on Diwali visit
J-K CM Omar Abdullah on the PM's visit on Diwali to the state to spend time with flood victims. Omar says, that he has submitted a Rs 44,000 cr package and hoped his visit meant that the package was accepted. 
image
14:39   Can you eat 16 scoops of ice-cream with 11 toppings?
It has 16 scoops of ice cream, 11 toppings, a $100 price tag and enough calories to keep Weight Watchers in business until the end of time.
And it was staring me right in the face. Read and see the ice-cream.
image
14:25   Delhi metro extends time to 10 pm on Diwali day
Anticipating large footfall on Diwali, Delhi Metro has decided to revise timings of the last train service tomorrow to 10 pm from the earlier time of 8 pm..
image
14:21  
The plot thickens. Krishna Khopre, BJP MLA says he will vacate his seat of Nagpur (East) if Nitin Gadkari agrees to become CM of Maharashtra.
image
14:14   Hafeez Saeed says India, US planning to carry out strikes
What's he smoking? 26/11 mastermind and JuD chief Hafeez Saeed says India with the connivance of the US is planning to carry out surgical strikes against Islamists in Pakistan.
image
14:02   MS Gill: Behaviour unacceptable, but ministry must save Sarita Devi's career
Former sports minister MS Gill says the incident where Sarita Devi had rejected the bronze medal was unfortunate, that behaviour was unacceptable.  International body will suspend her as certain rules have to be followed, but ministry/officials must save her career. 
image
13:13   Modi rocket, chakri, phuljhari doing brisk business in Bihar
There's plenty to choose from -- Modi rocket, Modi chakri, Modi bomb, Modi phuljhari. All these firecrackers being sold in Patna ahead of Diwali are named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- all like him are popular and hot-sellers.

However, the Lalu and Nitish firecrackers --  named after state's two former CMs - Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar - are not doing as well.

Shopkeepers say Modi's name is not only dominating politics, it has become the top-selling brand for firecrackers. But the reason for the brisk sales could possibly be this -- BJP leaders, workers and Modi supporters are buying these in large numbers.
image
12:53   Postscriipt: Benjamin C. Bradlee (1921-2014)
Benjamin Crowninshield Bradlee, the most charismatic and consequential newspaper editor of postwar America, died at the age of ninety-three on Tuesday. Among his many bequests to the Republic was a catalogue of swaggering anecdotes rich enough to float a week of testimonial dinners. Bradlee stories almost always relate to his glittering surface qualities, which combined the Brahmin and the profane. Here's the pick by the New Yorker. Read
image
12:43   "Embarrassed" West Indies cricket seeks meeting with BCCI
In its bid to repair the damage caused by its team's sudden pullout of the India series, an "embarrassed" West Indies Cricket Board has sought a meeting with its Indian counterpart and expressed sorrow for the unfortunate turn of events.

Following an eight-hour emergency meeting here on Tuesday, the WICB issued a statement saying it was "deeply embarrassed" and a taskforce of "critical stakeholders" would be established to review the premature end of the Indian tour.

"In light of the longstanding good relationship between WICB and BCCI, which goes back decades and has produced numerous mutual benefits, the WICB looks forward to meeting with the BCCI to discuss these decisions which can have serious implications for West Indies cricket," said WICB in a statement.
image
12:41   Ebola cure by January 2015? Keep your fingers crossed
Serum made from the blood of recovered Ebola patients could be available within weeks in Liberia, one of the countries worst hit by the virus, says the World Health Organization.Speaking in Geneva, Dr Marie Paule Kieny said work was also advancing quickly to get drugs and a vaccine ready for January 2015.

The Ebola outbreak has already killed more than 4,500 people.Most of the deaths have been in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Read more
image
12:24   Mild tremors felt in Jabalpur
Mild tremors were felt today in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district and nearby areas creating panic among local residents.

"Mild tremors for a few seconds at around 11.45 AM today were reported from Jabalpur and surrounding areas," District Collector Shiv Narayan Rupla said.

No damage to life and property has been reported so far, he said. The intensity of the earthquake is yet to be ascertained, he said. People came out of their houses in panic after they felt the tremors.
image
12:23  
Jiji Thomson, DG SAI, on Sarita Devi's suspension: It's very sad, we will have to find out as to how we can revoke the suspension."
image
12:17   Boxer Sarita Devi, who had refused to accept Asian bronze, suspended
Just in: AIBA provisionally suspends Indian Boxer Sarita Devi,her coaches as well as Adille J Sumariwalla, Chef de Mission -- India until further notice.

The International Boxing Association Executive Committee Bureau decided to provisionally suspend Sarita Devi, her coaches Gurbakhsh Singh Sandhu, Blas Iglesias Fernandez and Sagar Mal Dhayal as well as Indian chef-de-mission in the Incheon Asian Games, Adille J. Sumariwalla and not to allow any of them to participate at all levels of AIBA competitions, events and meetings until further notice.

This case has been sent for review by the AIBA Disciplinary Commission, and it means that Sarita Devi, the above mentioned coaches as well as Sumariwalla, will not be allowed to participate in the AIBA women's world boxing championships in Jeju Islands (Korea), 2014, said an AIBA release on Tuesday.

Sarita Devi, who had dominated her 60kg semifinals bout against Korean boxer Ji-Na Park, had reacted strongly after she was declared the loser. She had refused to accept the bronze medal, but later apologised to the Olympic Council of Asia, which had given her a stern warning.
image
12:02   Sincere efforts are being made: Terry Walsh
Terry Walsh's statement: Sincere efforts are being made and if it can happen, it's very conceivable that a new contract can be in place and we can move forward. Discussions have been clear and concise, we are trying to come up with a better solution."
image
11:59   Concerns raised by Walsh addressed: SAI chief
Jiji Thomson, DG SAI Concerns says concerns raised by Terry Walsh have been discussed and amicably settled. "We will be revising his contract," said Thomson. 
image
11:54   Indian hockey coach Terry Walsh withdraws resignation
Indian hockey coach Terry Walsh has withdrawn his resignation. The man who was in great measure responsible for India's gold medal win at the Incheon Asian Games, had resigned citing 'sporting bureaucracy' for his decision to quit.


The 60-year-old, who represented Australia in two Olympics, was appointed India's chief coach last year, and under his guidance the team beat Pakistan in the Asian Games gold medal match and qualified for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

India last won a hockey gold at the Asian Games at Bangkok in 1998. Sports Authority of India sprang into action and its Director General, Jiji Thomson, assured that the matter will "resolved".
image
11:47  
Tremors felt in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh; more details awaited.
image
11:26   Devendra Fadnavis still remains BJP's front-runner for CM, Gadkari poor second
Union Transport minister Nitin Gadkari may have thrown his hat into the ring as the next chief minister of Maharashtra, but the party's 44-year-old state chief Devendra Fadnavis still remains the top bet.

Yesterday, demands for Gadkari to be Maharashtra CM came as soon as he landed in Nagpur.  Sudhir Mungantiwar, a Gadkari loyalist, said the state unit wanted Gadkari to be CM. "We all want Nitin (Gadkari)ji should think about Maharashtra. He should considering coming here. When party asked Nitin-ji if he wants to come to Maharashtra he refused. We are very surprised about that. We will request him to come," said Mungantiwar.

Gadkari, said media reports, is not comfortable at the prospect of Devendra Fadnavis becoming Chief Minister. And unless Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands firmly by Fadnavis, he has little chance.

Mungantiwar said he was surprised to hear Gadkari say that he was happy in Delhi. Gadkari had said that he does not aspire to be CM and was happy in Delhi but changed his stance last evening saying he would be happy to do what the party asks him to, just short of saying he was open to be CM.

Like Gadkari, Fadnavis is from Nagpur and has the backing of the RSS. But it was at the RSS' urging that Fadnavis was chosen last year as the BJP's president in the state.

The decision, will be taken, after Diwali.
image
11:12   Saradha chargesheet today
Central Bureau of Investigation will file the first chargesheet in the Saradha scam at a Kolkata court today. 
image
11:12   Can industrialists in Bengal say NO to Mamata -- twice?
This can only happen in West Bengal thanks to it's chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

Just when some Calcutta industrialists thought they had escaped a delicate boat ride with the chief minister by booking themselves on flights out of town, the tide has turned.

They have now been presented with the option of not one but two boat trips with Mamata Banerjee.

One on October 30-31 till Gangasagar and the other on December 8-9 till Jharkhali, an island on the southeast fringes of the Sunderbans.

It is one thing to express regrets once -- that too when the invitation is to attend an event with a chief minister -- but few are expected to marshal the courage to do so twice. Read more
image
11:00   NCP: PM should have visited Kashmir flood victims during Eid
NCP's Majid Memon on PM Modi's decision to spend Diwali with the flood-hit in Kashmir: "Must appreciate this gesture by the PM, would have been better had the PM visited flood victims during Eid and Dussehra.'
image
10:56   India grounds entire Sukhoi 30 fleet
India has grounded its entire Sukhoi-30 fleet after a recent crash because it doesn't want to put its pilots in harm's way, reports the Hindustan Times.

The fighters have not flown for a week after a Su-30 MKI of the Indian Air Force crashed near Pune, raising questions about the safety record of the fighter.

With the IAF operating close to 200 twin-engine Su-30s, the grounded planes represent almost a third of the country's fighter fleet.

India is due to get 72 more of these planes, each worth over Rs. 200 crore. The IAF is down to 34 combat squadrons, as against an authorised strength of 44. Each squadron has up to 18 fighter planes.
image
10:52   Sensex extends gains, up 212 pts in early trade
The benchmark BSE Sensex today rose over 212 points in early trade on the last trading session of the Samvat Year 2070, extending gains for the fourth straight day on increased capital inflows amid the government announcing a slew of economic reforms.

Further, a firming trend in global markets also buoyed trading sentiments. The 30-share index surged by 212.76 points, or 0.80 per cent, to 26,788.41 with auto, capital goods, healthcare, power and metal sector stocks leading the rally.

The Sensex had gained 576.31 points in the last three sessions.
image
10:45   Father of IS hostage John Cantlie dies
Paul Cantlie, 81, whose son was kidnapped in Syria two years ago, has died from pneumonia-related complications. Read
image
10:14   Delhi school principal's daughter found dead on premises
The body of a girl has been found in the premises of a Delhi school. Investigations reveal that the girl was the daughter of the principal of the school. Authorities said that the body was found last night on the premises. Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide. 

Further details are awaited. 
image
09:31   Nobel laureate Malala honoured in US with Liberty Medal
Malala Yousafzai, the child rights activist and youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, received the United States Liberty Medal on Tuesday and pledged her award to education in her homeland Pakistan. Malala won the annual prize from the National Constitution Centre for her "courage and resilience in the face of adversity and for serving as a powerful voice for those who have been denied their basic human rights and liberties. Speaking after receiving the award, Malala said, "Education is the best weapon through which we can fight poverty, ignorance and terrorism. So I ask all countries all around the world, let us say no to wars."

Image: Malala with her award. Photograph: Getty Images
image
09:22   Maharashtra govt formation: Sena offers support to BJP
Days after saying 'let's talk', Sena and BJP leaders met last night and discussed government formation in Maharashtra. According to sources, Sena's Anil Desai and Subhash Desai, who flew back to Mumbai this morning, after meeting with BJP's leaders extended their party's support to the BJP in forming the government in Maharashtra.
image
08:54   Australian jihadist issues warning to Obama, Abbott
A 17-year-old Australian boy has appeared in an Isis propaganda video, where he warns the UK, US and Australia that militants will keep fighting until "the black flag' is flying over the White House and Buckingham Palace. The video is believed to show Abdullah Elmir, who went missing from his home in Sydney at the end of June. In the footage the teenager can be seen directly addressing the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and US President Barack Obama. He says: "To the leaders, to Obama, to Tony Abbott I say this; these weapons that we have, these soldiers, we will not stop fighting, we will not put down our weapons until we reach your lands, until we take the head of every tyrant and until the black flag is flying high in every single land. Until we put the black flag on top of Buckingham Palace, until we put the black flag on top of the White House, we will not stop, and we will keep on fighting."
image
08:35   Sena worker's murder evokes protests in Mumbai
Mumbai's streets witnessed high drama last evening after a Shiv Sena worker was murdered in the area. Angry Sena workers wreaked havoc in Malad and Dindoshi area demanding the arrest of those who murdered the Sena worker. The supporters gathered at a police station and even vandalised a police vehicle in protest. Sena worker Ramesh Jadhav was killed after he requested two groups not to fight. Three people have been arrested in connection with the crime and two others are believed to be absconding.
image
08:10   Blow for Raj as EC may derail MNSs engine
Close on the heels of their humiliating rout in the state assembly elections, Raj Thackeray and his party could be in for further embarrassment with the Election Commission likely to 'derail' the MNS engine. As a result of their poor showing in the elections, Raj's party now faces the threat of losing their status as a 'recognised' party at state level, and with it their party symbol. 

Read full story HERE
image
07:58   Washington Post former editor Ben Bradlee dies at 93
Ben Bradlee, the editor of the Washington Post during the Watergate scandal that toppled US President Richard Nixon, died aged 93. The newspaper reports he died at his Washington home of natural causes. As executive editor from 1968-1991, Bradlee was credited for transforming the Post into one the most respected newspapers in America. In 2013, he was given the country's highest civilian honour -- the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Honouring him, US President Barack Obama in a statement said, "For Benjamin Bradlee, journalism was more than a profession -- it was a public good vital to our democracy. A true newspaperman, he transformed the Washington Post into one of the country's finest newspapers, and with him at the helm, a growing army of reporters published the Pentagon Papers, exposed Watergate, and told stories that needed to be told -- stories that helped us understand our world and one another a little bit better."
image
01:50   Sweden steps up hunt for undersea intruder
Sweden's military is working on two new observations that could be evidence of suspected "foreign underwater activity" near the country's capital, a senior naval officer said on Tuesday.

Swedish forces have been scouring the sea off Stockholm since Friday, after what the military called three credible reports of activity by foreign submarines or divers using an underwater vehicle.

The vessels were unidentified, but during the 1980s the Swedish navy from time to time hunted suspected Soviet submarines in its waters.

"Today, I can also report that there have been two further observations which were made by members of the public that are interesting enough to require further follow-up work," Admiral Anders Grenstad told reporters.

He would not give further details about what kind of new sightings had been made, but said they were being assessed and were not yet considered as credible as the three made earlier.

Grenstad said the operation was aimed at gathering intelligence, not military action, and could continue for some time.

"I want to stress again that this is not a U-boat hunting operation which has the aim of bringing down an opponent with military might," he said.
image
01:47   NATO intercepts Russian jets over Baltic Sea
NATO scrambled fighter jets twice in two days to intercept Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea, it said today amid reports that Russian military activity in the region is increasing. 

Lt Col Robert Gericke said the Russian aircraft were flying in international airspace and had not violated the territory of alliance members. 

Two Canadian F-18 Hornet jets were scrambled from the Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania yesterday to intercept a Russian Ilyushin-20 surveillance aircraft, which they shadowed for some 15 minutes, NATO said.

"Once identification was successful, the intercept mission was completed and the two Hornets returned to their base," a NATO statement said. 

Earlier, the Latvian military tweeted that NATO F-16 jets were dispatched today to intercept a Russian Ilyushin-20 surveillance aircraft over the Baltic Sea. 

Gericke confirmed that NATO jets had also intercepted a Russian aircraft that day, but could not immediately provide more details. 

NATO, which has 16 fighter jets in the region monitoring Baltic airspace, said it regularly launches jets to identify "unknown or potentially hostile aircraft" in the proximity of national airspace.

There were two similar incidents in the region on Oct. 7 and Sept 11, but on neither occasion did the Russian aircraft constitute a threat to NATO forces, the alliance said. 
image
01:46   Beware! Hackers are targeting Android phones for bank info
Hackers are increasingly targeting mobile phones to get into bank accounts of victims and steal money, security researchers said today. 

A report by Kaspersky Labs with Interpol found that 60 percent of the malicious programs targeting Android devices between August 2013 and July 2014 were designed to steal money or banking credentials. 

The report focused on Android, which accounts for roughly 85 percent of the mobile device market and 98 percent of mobile malware. 

Just like other online operations, hackers are moving into mobile because more users access the Internet from these devices.

The survey of users registered with Kaspersky found more than 588,000 Android users worldwide faced financial malware attacks, six times higher than the prior 12 months. 

"It is easy to understand why cybercriminals create so many malicious programs targeting Android devices: these days, smartphones are increasingly often used as a tool to pay online for merchandise and services," the report said.

"Apps can be installed through Google Play as well as third parties such as Amazon App store. Third party apps pose a security threat to users who enable the installation of apps from unverified sources. These unverified packages may carry malware that would be installed on a device without the user's permission or knowledge."

Kaspersky found the largest number of victims were Android users in Russia. Other countries affected included Ukraine, Spain, Britain, Vietnam, Malaysia, Germany, India and France.
image
01:45   IS fighters seize weapons cache meant for Kurds
Islamic State group fighters seized at least one cache of weapons airdropped by US-led coalition forces that were meant to supply Kurdish militiamen battling the extremist group in a border town, activists said today. 

The cache of weapons included hand grenades, ammunition and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, according to a video uploaded by a media group loyal to the Islamic State group. 

The video appeared authentic and corresponded to The Associated Press' reporting of the event. 

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which bases its information on a network of activists on the ground, said the militants had seized at least one cache. 

The caches were airdropped early yesterday to Kurds in the embattled Syrian town of Kobani that lies near the Turkish border.

The militant group has been trying to seize the town for over a month now, causing the exodus of some 200,000 people from the area into Turkey. While Kurds are battling on the ground, a US-led coalition is also targeting the militants from the air.

Today, IS loyalists on social media posted sarcastic thank you notes to the United States, including one image that said "Team USA." 

But the lost weapons drop was more an embarrassment than a great strategic loss.
image
01:45   Russia blames 'negligent' airport bosses for Total CEO's crash
Russian investigators today accused senior airport officials of criminal negligence over a plane crash at a Moscow airport that killed the head of French oil giant Total, Christophe de Margerie, whose private jet hit a snowplough on takeoff.

Several executives would be suspended, the investigators said of the accident which also killed three crew members. They added that the driver of the snow-clearing machine was drunk on the job -- a claim disputed by his lawyer.

At Total, one of the world's biggest oil companies, staff at its Paris headquarters observed a minute's silence for their charismatic 63-year-old boss, who had been known by the affectionate nickname "Big Moustache". 

"The group is set up to ensure the proper continuity of its governance and its activities, to deal with this tragic event," Total's secretary general Jean-Jacques Guilbaud said, as top executives were due to hold an emergency meeting.

One of France's best-known business leaders, De Margerie was an outspoken critic of Western sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis, and just hours before his death had met Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at his country residence outside Moscow to discuss investment, local media reported.

Even as relations between the West and Russia deteriorated to the worst since the Cold War, the French oil boss had criticised the sanctions, calling them "a dead-end" and urging "constructive dialogue" instead.

TOP STORIES