Malayalam music legend K Raghavan passes away

THALASSERY, KERALA: Eminent music director K Raghavan, who infused Malayalam cinema music with a local flavour through his popular numbers, died in a hospital here on Saturday.

Raghavan (99) was keeping unwell for some time and was admitted to the co-operative hospital here a few days back, family sources said.

Known as Raghavan Master among colleagues and fans, he shot to fame through the 1950s hit " Neelakkuyil", an early realistic movie directed jointly by Ramu Karyat and P Bhaskaran. Raghavan himself sang one of the most popular songs in that film. He had been working in the industry for more than five decades.

Since then he had rendered music for over 400 films, which included milestone Malayalam movies like 'Nirmalyam', 'Utharayanam', 'Nagaramendi', 'Unniyarcha', 'Ramanan' and 'Kallichellamma.'

His partnership with lyricist P Bhaskaran resulted in a large number of hits which helped many movies in the 1960s and 70s become big hits.

A staff artist of All India Radio for long, he had also made significant contributions to Malayalam light music and drama.

He was the recipient of several honours, including Padma Shree and Kerala Government's highest film honour J C Daniel award.

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India-Pak ties likely to figure in Obama-Sharif meeting

WASHINGTON: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to discuss with Barack Obama his recent efforts to improve ties with India when he meets the US President at the White House next week, officials said on Saturday.

Sharif is arriving in Washington on Saturday on the first official visit of a Pakistani leader in the Obama administration.

In his meeting with Obama on Wednesday, which is taking place less than a month after the US president met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 27, among other things Sharif is expected to discuss the state of the India-Pak ties, officials familiar with the preparations said.

In fact, a senior state department official appreciated the recent steps taken by Sharif to improve his relationship with both the neighbors -- Afghanistan and India.

"Looking on the regional stability issues, on the bilateral that Sharif has had with Karzai, and with Singh, after UNGA (United Nations General assembly), in an effort to continue regional stability; the continued counter-terrorism assistance; and a range of things that have been kind of very steady signs of commitment to reform and a commitment to playing a very constructive role to build a peaceful and stable Pakistan within a more peaceful and stable region is really critical," the official said.

The official praised Pakistan's role in the reconciliation process in Afghanistan. "They've been very helpful on Afghan reconciliation issues."

"They're obviously keenly aware of what's happening next door in terms of the troop drawdown and want to have conversation about regional stability there, as well as regional stability with India. And we have obviously long pursued an effort to work together to combat terrorist safe havens, and want to continue working to support an Afghan-led reconciliation process," the official said.

"But there's an integration in many of these issues, and we want to figure out how we have the most comprehensive conversation about all these issues and about the synergies amongst many of these issues," the official said.

Obama would like to hear from Sharif in person his action plan to improve the relationship with India, the official said, adding it is not clear what issues Sharif plans to raise about India in his talks with Obama and other US officials.

Notably, Sharif had expressed his unhappiness after Singh in his meeting with Obama last month had described Pakistan as an epicenter of terrorism.

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Afghanistan assembly to decide next month on future role of US troops

KABUL: The future role of US troops in Afghanistan after 2014, to be set down in a bilateral accord, will be put to an assembly of some 3,000 tribal elders and other prominent people next month, organizers of the meeting said on Saturday.

Organizers of the meeting, known as the Loya Jirga, said it would take place around Nov. 19-21. President Hamid Karzai last week said only the assembly had the authority to decide on the agreement.

Most combat troops are to be withdrawn from the country next year. The draft bilateral accord contains provisions believed to be contentious to Kabul. These include a US demand to retain legal jurisdiction over its troops who stay on in Afghanistan, which would give them immunity from Afghan law.

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Ladakh martyrs who died fighting the Chinese to be honoured

NEW DELHI: The government will observe Police Commemoration Day on Monday at the police memorial, Chanakyapuri in New Delhi. Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde would pay tribute to martyred police personnel along with ministers, cabinet secretary, home secretary and senior police officers.

Police Commemoration Day is observed on October 21 every year to mark the martyrdom of policemen killed in Ladakh in 1959 and to pay tribute to all other police personnel killed on duty during the year.

Indian Police personnel were responsible for manning the 2,500-mile long border of India with Tibet until the autumn of 1959. On October 20, 1959, three reconnaissance parties were launched from Hot Springs in northeastern Ladakh in preparation for further movement of an Indian expedition which was on its way to Lanak La. While members of two parties returned to Hot Springs by the afternoon of that day, the third one comprising of two police constables and a porter did not return. All available personnel were mobilized next morning in search of the missing personnel. A party of about 20 personnel of the Intelligence Bureau and CRPF led by Shri Karam Singh, DCIO proceeded ahead on horseback, while others followed on foot in three sections.

At about mid day, Chinese Army personnel on a hillock opened fire and threw grenades at the party led by Shri Karam Singh. Since there was no cover, most personnel were injured. 10 of them died, seven were taken prisoner by the Chinese and the remaining managed to escape. Bodies of the 10 personnel were returned by the Chinese only on November 28, 1959, full five weeks after the incident. These bodies were cremated with full police honours at Hot Springs.

The Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police of States and Union Territories held in January 1960 decided that October 21 would, henceforth, be observed as Commemoration Day in all Police Lines throughout India to mark the memory of these gallant men who were killed in Ladakh and all other police personnel killed on duty during the year. It was also decided to erect a memorial at Hot Springs. Every year, members of police forces from different parts of the country trek to Hot Springs to pay homage to those gallant martyrs.

Since 1961, 31,895 police personnel have sacrificed their lives for security of the nation and service to the society. During the year (from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013), 579 police personnel throughout the country have laid down their lives on the call of duty.

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Car bomb strikes military compound in Egypt, six soldiers wounded

EL-ARISH: A car bomb exploded Saturday near an Egyptian military intelligence compound in the Suez Canal city of Ismailia, wounding six soldiers, security officials said, as militants appear to be expanding the scope of attacks beyond the restive Sinai Peninsula.

Meanwhile, state media said top security officials testified behind closed doors in Cairo in the retrial of former president Hosni Mubarak, who faces charges related to the killings of some 900 protesters during the 2011 uprising that led to his ouster.

The blast in Ismailia came as some returned to work after the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. Security officials said part of the compound's wall collapsed and a nearby commercial building, belonging to the Suez Canal Authority, was damaged. Soldiers sealed off the area as authorities began an investigation into the blast, they said.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to brief journalists.

Ismailia borders the restive Sinai Peninsula, where the military is on the offensive against insurgents who frequently target Egypt's security forces and facilities. A low-intensity militant insurgency has hit the peninsula, where Islamist radicals have a strong base.

In recent weeks, militants have taken their fight against the security forces beyond northern Sinai, carrying out bombings in the Suez Canal area and even in the Egyptian capital.

An attempt to assassinate the interior minister with a car bomb last month in Cairo has raised fears of an escalating Islamic militant campaign of revenge over the July 3 military coup that ousted Egypt's first democratically elected president Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood-led government.

Also on Saturday, retrial of Morsi's authoritarian predecessor resumed as two security officials, including former intelligence chief Murad Muwafi, took the stand in court, state-owned Nile TV said. The presiding judge previously ordered that testimony of security officials take place under a media blackout for reasons of national security.

Mubarak, Egypt's 85-year-old longtime autocrat was previously convicted of failing to stop the killings of protesters, but that was overturned on appeals earlier this year.

In addition to Mubarak, six top police officials and the former interior minister, who oversaw Egypt's feared police for more than a decade, are on trial.

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Aarushi-Hemraj double murder case: Lawyers' strike impedes start of defence arguments

GHAZIABAD: The defence in the Aarushi- Hemraj double murder case could not initiate arguments on Friday in the special CBI court here as lawyers went on strike demanding a bench of Allahabad high court be set up in western Uttar Pradesh.

Court of additional sessions Judge Shyam Lal has now fixed October 21 for the start of defence arguments.

"Due to lawyers' strike in favour of setting up a bench of Allahabad high court in western Uttar Pradesh, defence could not start its arguments. Now, court has fixed October 21 for the start of defence arguments," Manoj Sisodia, counsel for Rajesh and Nupur Talwar, said.

The Talwars are standing trial for the murder of their daughter Aarushi and domestic help Hemraj, which had taken place on the intervening night of May 15-16 in 2008.

Prosecution yesterday concluded arguments, alleging that a chain of circumstantial evidence proved that it was Rajesh and Nupur Talwar who had killed Aarushi and Hemraj.

"By our arguments, charges of murder with common intention (Section 302/34) and destruction of evidence (Section 201/34) are proved on both accused," special CBI public prosecutor R K Saini had said yesterday during arguments.

"Besides, Section 203 of IPC is also proved on Rajesh Talwar for registering wrong FIR at police station," Saini had said, claiming that the dentist couple had "mislead" investigators during the course of probe on different occasions and were involved in destruction of evidence.

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Aarushi-Hemraj double murder case: Lawyers' strike impedes start of defence arguments

GHAZIABAD: The defence in the Aarushi- Hemraj double murder case could not initiate arguments on Friday in the special CBI court here as lawyers went on strike demanding a bench of Allahabad high court be set up in western Uttar Pradesh.

Court of additional sessions Judge Shyam Lal has now fixed October 21 for the start of defence arguments.

"Due to lawyers' strike in favour of setting up a bench of Allahabad high court in western Uttar Pradesh, defence could not start its arguments. Now, court has fixed October 21 for the start of defence arguments," Manoj Sisodia, counsel for Rajesh and Nupur Talwar, said.

The Talwars are standing trial for the murder of their daughter Aarushi and domestic help Hemraj, which had taken place on the intervening night of May 15-16 in 2008.

Prosecution yesterday concluded arguments, alleging that a chain of circumstantial evidence proved that it was Rajesh and Nupur Talwar who had killed Aarushi and Hemraj.

"By our arguments, charges of murder with common intention (Section 302/34) and destruction of evidence (Section 201/34) are proved on both accused," special CBI public prosecutor R K Saini had said yesterday during arguments.

"Besides, Section 203 of IPC is also proved on Rajesh Talwar for registering wrong FIR at police station," Saini had said, claiming that the dentist couple had "mislead" investigators during the course of probe on different occasions and were involved in destruction of evidence.

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No plans to turn off oil companies’ dollar swap window: RBI

The author has posted comments on this articlePTI | Oct 18, 2013, 04.15PM IST

MUMBAI: After the rupee got impacted following unconfirmed reports that the Reserve Bank is considering withdrawing the special dollar swap window opened for oil companies, the central bank today clarified that it is not considering any such move at present.

"The Reserve Bank clarifies that oil marketing companies' swap window remains operational. Any tapering of the window, as and when it occurs, will be done in a calibrated manner," it said in a statement issued today.

The three state-run oil marketing companies together need nearly $400 million every day or $8-9 billion every month to pay for their crude imports.

The rupee, which opened strong in the morning, lost the ground after a media report said the government is considering closing the oil swap window.

The rupee gained 13 paise from yesterday's close to 61.10 against the US dollar in early trade and slid to a low of 61.70 in the spot market, which apparently made RBI issue the one-line statement.

After the clarification, the rupee recouped the losses and was trading at 61.25 level at 1355 hrs.

The oil swap window was introduced on August 28, after the rupee hit a life-time low of 68.85.

It has, however, gained to stabilise at the 61-62 levels following some very unconventional moves by the RBI and the government, including the swap window for oil marketing companies.

The oil marketing companies are the biggest buyers of dollars to meet their crude oil imports. The RBI had introduced this special swap window which takes away the oil marketeers' demand off the market.

"The Reserve Bank will undertake sell/buy USD-INR forex swaps for fixed tenor with the oil marketing companies through a designated bank. The swap facility gets operationalised with immediate effect and will remain in place until further notice," it had said in an August 28 statement.

According to some experts, the oil swap window could be done away with following signs of stability in the currency.

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High court dismisses writ petition against Modi’s speech at Madras University

CHENNAI: The Madras high court on Friday dismissed a writ petition filed by the Thamizhnadu Makkal Katchi seeking a stay on the Palkhivala memorial lecture scheduled to be delivered by Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi at centenary hall of the Madras University on October 18.

Dismissing the petition filed by party leader Thanga Tamizhvelan, a vacation bench of the high court observed that there was no merit in the writ petition.

Tamizhvelan had submitted that the city police commissioner and the vice-chancellor of the university should be directed to cancel the permission for the event as it would hurt the secular ethos of the university in the light of the 2002 Gujarat carnage during Modi's chief ministership.

"It is shocking that a person associated with the Gujarat carnage in which innocent Muslims were killed is going to attend a meeting organized by a private trust on the university campus where students belonging to all religions are studying," the petitioner had said in his affidavit.

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YSR Congress legislators stage sit-in at CM's office, over a dozen arrested

HYDERABAD: Police on Friday arrested more than a dozen YSR Congress party legislators as they staged a sit-in in front of the chief minister's office at the state secretariat here, demanding convening of an immediate assembly session to pass a resolution opposing the state's proposed bifurcation.

The legislators were arrested as they sat in front of chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy's office holding placards and raising slogans in support of their demand.

Police shifted the arrested legislators to Saifabad police station. They were later released.

Before staging the sit-in, the legislators, led by Shoba Nagi Reddy, met the chief minister and submitted a memorandum demanding that the assembly be convened immediately to pass a resolution urging the Centre to keep the state united.

YSR Congress leaders said the chief minister summarily turned down their demand and told them that it was not possible to hold the assembly session.

Party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy had Thursday called on Governor E S L Narasimhan to reiterate his demand. He had also met the governor with the same demand on Sep 30.

Jaganmohan Reddy said the assembly should pass a resolution urging the Centre not to divide the state. He argued that only such a move could keep the state united as passing any resolution after the Centre drafts the Telangana bill would be of no use.

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Achuthanandan blames state leadership for LDF's defeat in 2011 assembly polls in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a virtual indictment of the CPM state set-up controlled by his bete noire Pinarayi Vijayan, party stalwart V S Achuthanandan on Thursday said lapses including "irrational" selection of candidates led to the narrow defeat of the LDF in 2011 assembly polls in Kerala.

In an interview to Mathrubhumi News, the octogenarian leader also said some particular section in the party appeared to have wished against the LDF led by him returning to power. "Certainly...otherwise there was no reason why the LDF should not have come back," was his reply to the question. Achuthanandan, who has for long been at loggerheads with state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, said "irrational selection of candidates" was the prime reason for the defeat of the LDF by the Congress-led UDF, which wrested power by a slender majority of 72 seats in the 140-member assembly.

He said at least in the case of three segments, two of them in Thrissur and one in the state capital, the LDF would have won if winnable candidates were fielded.

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Jayalalithaa wants India to stay away from Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalaltihaa on Thursday reiterated that India should not participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and the Leaders' Retreat scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka in November.

Her reaction came amid reports that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would consider the sentiments of Tamils before deciding on his personal participation at the CHOGM.

"I wish to reiterate Tamil Nadu's view that India should not participate ... at any level whether titular, ministerial or official," she said in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday.

Jayalalithaa reminded Manmohan of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision to boycott the CHOGM. According to her, only such an action would convey India's unequivocal stand that it would not tolerate the violation of human rights of the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka. "I hope you will respect the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu and unanimous view across party lines and convey India's decision to stay away from the forthcoming the CHOGM," she said, and recalled her letter to him in March, pleading for the same.

The present Sri Lankan regime has been accused of committing genocide, war crimes and human rights abuses against the Tamil minority. It allegedly continues to deny them equality and democratic freedom and thereby clearly violates the central credo of the Commonwealth. Against this background, the participation of India at the event would amount to an endorsement of these excesses, the chief minister said.

Jayalalithaa feared that such participation would not only embolden the Sri Lankan regime but would also incense public opinion and sentiment in Tamil Nadu. "It will also have adverse implications on the internal security situation in Tamil Nadu," she said, adding, "It will also be an expression of India's empathy and solidarity with Tamils, not only in Tamil Nadu but elsewhere."

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Jayalalithaa offers financial aid to Kanyakumari fishermen who survived Cyclone Phailin

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday extended a financial aid of Rs one lakh each to the 18 fishermen from Kanyakumari who survived Cyclone Phailin off Odisha coast last week.

"I was very upset when I came to know of your plight on the high seas," she told the fishermen, who called on her at the state secretariat on Thursday.

Jayalalithaa had directed the fisheries department to seek assistance from the Coast Guard and the Odisha government to rescue the fishermen. The fishermen had registered two boats with the Odisha government and had been fishing for the last two years. On the fateful day, the rough sea battered their boats and they had to swim for nearly 12 hours, battling the high tides, and reach the mangrove forests of Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha.

Jayalalithaa said the state was ready to extend any kind of assistance in the future. "You have to start a fresh life by going to your native towns and lead a peaceful life," she said.

The Tamil Nadu fisheries department made elaborate arrangements to bring the fishermen in a flight from Bhubaneshwar and accommodate them in Tamil Nadu Veterinary Sciences University in Vepery. The fishermen will reach their native towns on Friday.

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Police threw me into the river, Datia stampede victim told Rahul Gandhi

BHOPAL: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi was stunned on Thursday after a victim of the October 13 Ratangarh temple stampede in Datia, narrated her ordeal and alleged how police threw her into the river during the tragedy.

Some of the victims claimed that the doctors and officers of district administration were trying to discharge them forcefully. A visibly agitated Gandhi expressed his unhappiness over the complaints and asked the doctors to take steps for better arrangement.

He reached Datia district hospital and met five victims and their relatives who were injured in the stampede.

During his nearly 10-minute visit to district hospital, Rahul Gandhi, Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and other Congress leaders, inquired about the condition of those undergoing treatment in the general and emergency wards from their families and doctors. He promised the victims and their families all possible help.

A few victims told him that they haven't received the promised treatment yet. Gandhi was originally scheduled to reach here at 9.30am. It was re-scheduled to 2.45pm, but due to a last minute change in his plans, he reached Datia district hospital at around 5.30am from Gwalior.

After spending around a few minutes in the general ward there, he went to the emergency room where he spoke to patients and their relatives.

"I was pushed into the river by the police, and I suffered injuries in my back and shoulders," Sirku Bai, 60 resident of Datia told Rahul. Gandhi asked doctors to refer her to Gwalior for further treatment.

Another survivor, Bhagwan Singh, complained of inadequate medical facilities at the hospital. Gandhi directed doctors to ensure that none of the victims faced any problems during medical treatment.

"Thoda dhyan se dekheye, ye Rahul Gandhi hain (Please look carefully he is Rahul Gandhi)," Scindia was quoted as saying by an official accompanying him during Gandhi's visit to the hospital.

46 of those injured in the tragedy have been admitted in the hospital at Datia while others are undergoing treatment in Gwalior. There were also a few who got themselves re-admitted a few hours before Gandhi's scheduled visit. Rahul also met medicos and inquired about the facilities besides status of the victims.

The MP government on Tuesday constituted a judicial commission to probe the stampede at Ratangarh in Datia district, which claimed the lives of 120 people from the state and neighbouring UP.

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Social worker Sarojini Varadappan dies aged 92

CHENNAI: Social worker Sarojini Varadappan died in Chennai following a brief illness. She was 92.

Daughter of former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Bhakthavatsalam, Sarojini was born in Chennai on September 21, 1921 and was involved in various social service activities at an early age along with her mother Gnanasundarambal. She was the president of the Women India Association, an NGO working on women-related issues, and the Mylapore Academy. She was the aunt of Union environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan.

Though she was forced to discontinue education at an early age, Sarojini continued her education after marriage. And at a ripe age of 80, she got a PhD in 'Social Service and Swami Narayan Movement.'

She had been president of the Indian Red Cross Society for nearly 35 years during which the society was involved in rescue and relief work of people affected by natural calamities in Odisha and Gujarat, apart from Tamil Nadu. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1973 and Padma Bhushan in 2009.

In a condolence message, chief minister Jayalalithaa recalled the contributions of Sarojini for the upliftment of women. "Till her death, Sarojini Varadappan was involved in social service and I express my heartfelt condolence to the family members," said the chief minister.

DMK chief M Karunanidhi recalled her contributions to the welfare of women. "She used to call on me during my stint as chief minister and discuss freely various issues concerning women and arrive at a solution to the problems. Her death is a great loss to women," said Karunanidhi.

"Sarojini Varadappan was responsible for educating many women and she was also the administrator of many educational institutions like the Poonamallee Girls Higher Secondary School," said Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief BS Gnanadesikan.

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Asaram's son Narayan Sai dodging police using multiple phone connections

BHOPAL: The Gujarat police have sought help from their Madhya Pradesh counterparts to arrest jailed godman Asaram Bapu's son Narayan Sai, by asking for inputs on his potential hideouts in Chambal region. Last location of a mobile phone linked to Narayan Sai has been traced to state's Sheopur district, said sources.

Sai, whose whereabouts are not known ever since complaints of sexual assault were filed against the father-son duo by two sisters in Gujarat, has been dodging the investigators using multiple pre-paid mobile connections activated in the name of his followers, it is learnt.

"Gujarat police have shared some inputs on his location. I have asked Chambal police to look for him," DGP Nandan Dubey told TOI.

Sai has changed 17 SIM sand handsets to communicate with confidantes and lawyers according to the Gujarat police.

He is trying the same trick as his father Asaram to fox investigators.

Asaram Bapu, tricked the police, leaving his active cellphone at Bhopal before escaping to Indore in a bid to evade arrest. On August 31, the "location" of Asaram's cellphone showed that it was in use in Bhopal.

They say the self-styled godman was aware that the Rajasthan police officers were tracking his movements on 'real time' basis using the 'common place' mobile surveillance strategy on a hand-held device.

When the 35-member team of Rajasthan police led by ACP Satish Jahangir reached Bhopal and the tracking signal of Asaram's cell zeroed in at his Gandhi Nagar area ashram, Asaram managed to sneak into his ashram at Indore. He flummoxed the police for several hours before being arrested from Indore on September 1.

Last 'locations' of two mobile phones linked to Narayan Sai were tracked near Chhindwara district on October 7, said sources. Reportedly, he has acquired nearly a dozen new SIM cards and even handsets from Chhindwara before moving out from there to an undisclosed location on October 8.

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Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto trains' fares go up from tomorrow

NEW DELHI: Passengers will have to shell out more for travelling in Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains from October 17, as railways has increased catering charges in these premier trains by about two to four per cent.

The revision in food tariff, which is included in the total fare in premier trains, also comes with a revised menu.

This is the second hike for premier service passengers in the last 10 days as railways had hiked passenger fares by two per cent for all trains, effective from October 7, by linking the fare structure with the fuel adjustment component.

Those who have purchased tickets earlier will have to pay the difference in the fare to TTEs in trains from October 17, a senior railway ministry official said.

The second class AC fare from here to Thiruvananthapuram will now cost Rs 4,289 instead of Rs 3,980 while in the Madras Rajdhani, the existing fare of Rs 3,285 for Chennai has been increased to Rs 3,385.

The catering charge in premier trains has been increased after 14 years, as it was last revised in 1999.

According to the revised fare, a passenger will have to pay Rs 2,510 instead of Rs 2,435 for AC-II ticket in Mumbai Rajdhani. In Howrah Rajdhani, the AC II fare has been increased from Rs 2,490 to Rs 2,554.

The tariff has been hiked by Rs 14 only, from here to Bhubaneswar in Bhubaneswar Rajdhani but in the return journey, a passenger will have to pay Rs 87 more than previous fare.

The revision in food tariff also comes with a revised menu like the introduction of fish fry in AC-I and executive class and stuffed 'paratha', 'channa kulcha' and packaged flavoured milk for breakfast in all classes of premier trains.

The menu also includes stuffed 'kathi roll' for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian passengers.

However, chocolates, toffees and fruit juice have been done away with, in the new menu.

The rate of morning and evening tea has been reduced by nearly 30 to 40 per cent, but the rate of breakfast, lunch and dinner has been increased by 50-60 per cent.

A new concept of combo meal is being introduced as an alternate meal on Rajdhani and Duronto trains, which are priced at half the cost of the regular lunch or dinner rate.

Railways serves about 3.3 crore meals a year in these trains. AC-II, AC-III and chair car passengers comprise around 90 per cent of total passengers in premier trains.

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7.1-magnitude quake strikes Papua New Guinea: US Geological Survey says

SYDNEY: A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off Papua New Guinea on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said, but there was no widespread tsunami warning issued.

The quake hit at a depth of 58 kilometres (36 miles) at 8.31pm (1031 GMT), 65 kilometres west of Panguna town on Papua New Guinea's Bougainville Island, and 642 kilometres west of Honiara in the Solomon Islands.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was "no destructive widespread tsunami threat" based on historical data, but seismologists warned there could be localised wave activity and damage.

"The whole island (of Bougainville) would have been shaking quite strongly," Geoscience Australia seismologist David Jepsen told AFP.

"They have earthquakes of this magnitude (in that region) every several years, so it's very common for them."

"There's a possibility for some damage but they experience these quite often so it's likely their structures have been built to withstand them," he added.

"I think (any damage) wouldn't be too significant." Because the quake occurred along a plate boundary and was relatively shallow he said there was always the chance of a localized tsunami, but a full picture was unlikely to emerge until the morning due to the area's remoteness and communications delays.

The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System said a maximum 0.2-metre wave height was expected around midnight local time at the coastal village of Koiaris on Bougainville island, predicting a "low humanitarian impact" due to the magnitude and sparse population of the area.

Large earthquakes are common in poverty-stricken PNG, which sits on the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", a hotspot for seismic activity due to friction between tectonic plates.

In February the remote town of Lata in the Solomons was hit by a devastating tsunami after an 8.0-magnitude earthquake. The tsunami left at least 10 people dead, destroyed hundreds of homes and left thousands of people homeless.

In 2007 a tsunami following an 8.0-magnitude earthquake killed at least 52 people in the Solomons and left thousands homeless.

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Andhra Pradesh high court allows YSR Congress's October 19 rally in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh high court on Wednesday granted permission to YSR Congress to hold a public meeting in support of the united Andhra Pradesh at LB Stadium here on October 19.

The high court allowed the petition filed by YSR Congress challenging police's decision but said no provocative speeches should be made and organizers must abide by the conditions imposed by the police.

The rally would be held between 2pm to 5pm, said the high court.

Hyderabad police had refused permission for the meeting and YSR Congress general secretary K Siva Kumar had challenged the decision before the high court.

The police had cited possible law and order problems (in view of the ongoing agitation in Seemandhra districts) as the reason for denying permission.

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Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi and other leaders condole Ramachandra Adithan’s demise

CHENNAI: P Ramachandra Adithan, administrative editor of Tamil evening daily 'Maalai Murasu,' died at his Adyar residence on Wednesday due to prolonged illness.

Adithan was 79 and is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter. He was the elder son of former Tamil Nadu minister CP Adithanar. His elder brother Sivanthi Adithan, who was the former editor of 'Dina Thanathi,' died a few months ago.

Political leaders, including chief minister J Jayalalithaa, DMK chief M Karunanidhi, PMK founder S Ramadoss and MDMK general secretary Vaiko, condoled his death.

Senior state ministers O Panneerselvam, Natham R Viswanathan, KP Munusamy and R Vaithilingam paid homage on behalf of Jayalalithaa.

Union shipping minister GK Vasan, VCK leader and MP Thol Thirumavalavan, Karunanidhi's wife Rajathi Ammal were among others who paid homage to him.

Adithan had been managing 'Maalai Murasu' for more than 50 years. He started magazines like 'Kanmani' and 'Devi.'

He had also played a vital role in retaining the management of the Tamil Nadu Mercantile Bank in which a majority of stake is being held by his community members — nadars.

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Princes Charles and duchess to undertake their most extensive trip to India

LONDON: Britain's Princes Charles, who is also the heir to the throne in 16 countries, is all set to embark on his most extensive India trip.

In what is being seen as his growing clout, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla will undertake a nine day visit to India next month before moving on to Sri Lanka to the controversial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The India trip — from November 6 to 14, has tremendous political significance.

The prince representing Queen Elizabeth at the CHOGM is being seen as the biggest endorsement till date that he is inching towards the British throne, especially with the growing concern over the Queen's frail health.

This will be the first time in 40 years — since 1973, that the 87-year-old monarch Queen Elizabeth will miss the meeting of the voluntary association of 54 countries. Charles, the Prince of Wales and heir apparent was therefore asked to represent her at the gathering raising speculation that his mother's restricted movement may speed up his promotion to the throne.

Unlike Queen Beatrix of Holland, Elizabeth however has publicly said she had made a promise to serve her people and thus will not abdicate her throne. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the queen, who still carries out in excess of 400 engagements annually, will not travel to Sri Lanka.

The queen is the head of the Commonwealth which meets every two years to discuss global issues. The last meeting was held in Perth, Australia, in 2011.

This will be Charles and the duchess's third official visit to India together.

In their most extensive visit to India to date, The prince and the duchess will travel to Dehradun, New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Kochi where they will meet India's top political, business and cultural leaders. Specific events will include The Prince making an off-road trip into an "elephant corridor" in Kerala, The Duchess visiting the prestigious Doon School, and both visiting the Indian Military Academy and attending a gala dinner in Mumbai with a Bollywood flavour.

They will also mark Remembrance Sunday while in India. The Prince of Wales has made seven official visits to India. They will then travel to Sri Lanka for the CHOGM besides visiting a mental health initiative, a hospital and a tea estate.

The prince last visited in 2005 in the aftermath of the Boxing Day tsunami. The prince of Wales last visited Sir Lanka in 2005 and previously in 1998. This will be The duchess of Cornwall's first official visit to Sri Lanka. Prince Charles however is expected to face a barrage of criticism for agreeing to attend the meeting.

Activists across the world has been asking for the meeting venue to be changed keeping in mind Sri Lanka's patchy human rights record.

Director Callum Macrae whose film "No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka" exposed the Sri Lankan military's war crimes and showed pictures of LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran's son eating a snack just before he was shot dead has joined activists.

He said, "The idea that CHOGM should be hosted by a regime accused of such serious war crimes is abhorrent to most people who believe and hope the Commonwealth should be a force for good — a community of nations working towards human rights and justice."

Macrae clicked the photograph of Balachandran, the youngest son of the slain Tamil Tiger leader, eating a snack while sitting in a green sandbag bunker guarded by a soldier. The second image showed his bullet-riddled bare-chested body.

Macrae added "That the Sri Lankan government would then become the chair of the Commonwealth for the next two years is even more disturbing. A regime embroiled in an increasingly desperate and dishonest campaign to delay and deny the serious evidence of war crimes — and the growing international determination to call them to account — is in no position to defend the core values of the Commonwealth."

"If the Commonwealth drifts blindly into allowing itself to be headed by a regime accused of such appalling war crimes and crimes against humanity it would be catastrophic," he added.

Sharma however backed Sri Lanka and has refused to shift the venue of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) in November from Colombo.

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Indian consumers show both impulsive and compulsive buying behaviour: Ipsos

The author has posted comments on this articleNamrata Singh, TNN | Oct 15, 2013, 03.24PM IST

MUMBAI: Indian consumers are showing both impulsive and compulsive buying behaviour, with a majority (79%) of Indians saying they would rather 'spend time looking for a good deal', according to a new poll of 18,503 online respondents conducted by market research firm Ipsos.

The findings reflect that only 21% would rather 'pay more to make a quick/efficient purchase.'

According to the study, those with a lower household income (82%) are most likely to spend time looking for a good deal. Even those with middle (80%) and high (74%) levels of income, however, would take the time to find a better price. Similarly, those with a low level of education (100%) are more likely than those with a medium (80%) or high (79%) level. Women (80%), on the other hand, are more likely than men (78%) to go hunting for a sale.

In addition to showing impulsive and compulsive buying behaviour, consumers are "dealaholics and hardcore value for money seekers", said Biswarup Banerjee, head of marketing communication, Ipsos in India.

"No wonder why sale/discount offer periods record the highest revenue both for online and offline retailers," said Banerjee.

The countries with the highest proportions of those indicating they would rather spend time looking for good deals are from: Hungary (94%), Spain (94%), Great Britain (93%), Argentina (92%), Belgium (91%), France (91%) and Germany (91%). This group of deal-chasers is followed by: Australia (90%), Italy (90%), Mexico (90%), Japan (88%), South Africa (87%), Canada (86%), Poland (86%), the United States (85%), China (81%), Russia (81%) and South Korea (81%). The lower group includes: India (79%), Brazil (76%), Saudi Arabia (76%), Norway (75%), Sweden (75%), Turkey (74%) and Indonesia (58%).

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Sexual assault case: Asaram remanded in police custody till Oct 19 by Gujarat court

GANDHINAGAR: Self-styled godman Asaram was on Tuesday remanded in police custody till October 19 by a local court in an alleged sexual assault case filed by two Surat-based sisters against him and his son Narayan Sai.

Magistrate V A Budh granted the police Asaram's remand till October 19 against their plea for 14 days custody after he was produced in the court this morning amid tight security.

No one except the litigants were allowed to go inside the court premises where the hearing took place.

72-year-old Asaram was brought to the city last night on a transfer warrant from Jodhpur, where he was in judicial custody on charges of raping a minor at his ashram.

The police, in their remand application, had sought 14 days' custody of Asaram citing various reasons, including interrogation of the accused regarding the alleged crime, his medical check up and seizure of things related to the crime.

They also mentioned in the remand application that they want to investigate whether other girls in the ashram were also subjected to the same exploitation or not.

Asaram's advocate B M Gupta, however, severely opposed the remand plea, saying that the case was filed against Asaram due to political pressure and that it was 12 years old.

Gupta told the court that his client was innocent and being framed in a false case by fabricating evidence. He said that there was no need of police remand as they have already completed primary investigations.

Surat Police had recently registered complaints filed by two sisters - one against Asaram and another against his son Narayan Sai - of rape, sexual assault, illegal confinement and other charges.

The complaint against Asaram was transferred to Chandkheda police station in Ahmedabad as the alleged incident took place in his ashram here. The case is going on in Gandhinagar court as Chandkheda area falls in Gandhinagar district.

The elder of the two sisters, in her complaint, had accused Asaram of sexual assault between 1997 and 2006 during the time she had been living in his ashram on the outskirts of Ahmedabad city.

The younger sister had filed a complaint against Sai, accusing him of repeated sexual assault between 2002 and 2005 when she was living in their Surat ashram. The whereabouts of Sai are not known.

Both Asaram and Sai had filed petitions in the Gujarat high court seeking quashing of sexual assault complaints against them. Sai has already filed for anticipatory bail in a court in Surat.

Earlier, Asaram was arrested by Jodhpur police in a sexual assault case filed against him by a school girl studying in his ashram.

The two sisters from Surat had come forward to register case against Asaram and Sai after the family of the school girl registered a case against the senior.

His son Sai is absconding after a sexual assault case was filed against him by the younger sister.

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Anticipatory bail plea hearing of Narayan Sai adjourned

SURAT: The hearing on anticipatory bail plea of self-styled godman Asaram's son Narayan Sai in a sexual assault case by two sisters against the father-son duo, was adjourned after prosecution sought time to file a detailed reply on it.

Additional sessions judge P P Shah has given time of two days to the prosecution and kept the next hearing on October 17 to hear the plea.

As the hearing began, public prosecutor Nayan Sukhadwala requested for time to file a detailed reply against the anticipatory bail plea of Sai.

Sai, against whom the case of rape is registered, is absconding.

Surat Police had recently registered complaints filed by two sisters - one against Asaram and another against his son Narayan Sai - of rape, sexual assault, illegal confinement and other charges.

The complaint against Asaram was transferred to Chandkheda police station in Ahmedabad as the alleged incident took place in Asaram's ashram here.

The elder of the two sisters, in her complaint, had accused Asaram of sexual assault between 1997 and 2006 during the time she had been living in his ashram on the outskirts of Ahmedabad city.

The younger sister had filed a complaint against Sai, accusing him of repeated sexual assault between 2002 and 2005 when she was living in their Surat ashram. The whereabouts of Sai are not known.

Both Asaram and Sai had filed petitions in Gujarat HC seeking quashing of sexual assault complaints against them.

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Dalai Lama 'manufactured' Tibetan orphans: China

BEIJING: China on Tuesday accused the Dalai Lama of tearing apart hundreds of families by orchestrating a campaign in Switzerland to adopt Tibetan orphans in the 1960s.

The condemnation came after a Swiss newspaper, 'Neue Zuercher Zeitung', published a series of stories in September, questioning a privately-run campaign masterminded by a Swiss entrepreneur and the Dalai Lama.

Out of the 200 children placed with Swiss families and the Pestalozzi children's village in Trogen, only 19 of them are true orphans. The other kids either had both father and mother or at least one of them, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted the Swiss reports as saying.

"The stories in the Swiss media have highlighted how the Dalai Lama and his clique fabricated so-called orphans and sent them to Switzerland," Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

"The Dalai Lama manufactured the orphan incident out of his Tibetan independence initiative, which caused hundreds of families to be torn apart," Hua said.

The Dalai Lama allegedly planned the children to be turned into an elite group to run the Tibetan government-in-exile, the reports said.

"The Dalai Lama's deeds have trampled on the children's individual rights and publicly violated common ethics and morality. All humane, justice-loving people should condemn such acts," Hua said.

China accuses the 78-year-old Dalai Lama of trying to split the country by pursuing Tibetan independence, a charge denied by him.

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Anti-terror operation: Jayalalithaa extends cash reward to over 250 cops

CHENNAI: Amid complaints of several police personnel who participated in an anti-terror operation being overlooked by the state, Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday extended cash reward to more than 250 police personnel who helped nab three Al Umma terrorists from their hideouts in Chennai and Puttur in the neighboring Andhra Pradesh.

Jayalalithaa had earlier honoured the brave act of special division team that nabbed the fugitives - Sikkander 'Police' Fakrudeen, Panna Ismail and Bilal Malik - with a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh each to 21 personnel in the ranks of superintendent of police and constable. Inspector S Lakshmanan, attached to special division, who sustained stab injuries in the operation at Puttur, was given cash reward of Rs 15 lakh.

In an official statement, Jayalalithaa said the coordination efforts of the personnel played a pivotal role in nabbing the culprits in such an operation. "Thus, I have ordered cash reward to all those who executed their duties perfectly by offering intelligence inputs in these cases and related ones," she said while announcing Rs 5 lakh cash reward each to Perimet inspector Veerakumar and Madurai special division head constables M Vijayaperumal and K Mariappan.

Veerakumar rushed to the spot, immediately after getting a timely alert from Perimet constable Radhika about special division inspectors Lakshmanan and Ravindran struggling hard to nab Fakrudeen near Choolai in Chennai. Veerakumar overpowered the terrorist, which led the Tamil Nadu team zero in the other two terrorists at Puttur hideout. Jayalalithaa rewarded Rs 2 lakh each to constable Radhika and special division cell inspector S Ramamurthy (Madurai) and B Bandarinathan (Tirunelveli).

That apart, the chief minister announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh each to 245 personnel, including five constables from Perimet police station, another six personnel who helped defuse the explosives seized from the hideout and others attached to special division, special investigation division, special intelligence cell and special investigation team.

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Aftermath of cyclone Phailin: Southern Railway cancels four trains

CHENNAI: (PTI) Southern Railway on Monday announced cancellation and rescheduling of some trains to Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in the aftermath of cyclone Phailin that crossed the east coast.

The Howrah Mail scheduled to leave from here on Monday at 11.40pm has been cancelled. Similarly, the Coromandel Express to Howrah slated for Tuesday has also been cancelled, a Southern Railway press release said.

Puducherry-Howrah Weekly Express scheduled to leave Puducherry on October 16 and Kochuveli-Santragachi Weekly Special scheduled to leave on October 15 have been cancelled.

Tiruchirapalli-Howrah Bi-Weekly Express scheduled to leave on October 15 has been "rescheduled" to leave on October 16 at 4pm.

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Lanka court grants bail to 12 in Tamil students killing case

COLOMBO: Twelve Sri Lankan policemen from an elite task force, accused of killing five Tamil students in 2006, were on Monday granted bail in a case that evoked international concern.

Judge Amal Ranarajah in the Trincomalee high court in the east allowed the release of suspects on bail.

The killing of some five Tamil students in early 2006 by the police's elite special task force caused international concerns as rights group urged the Sri Lankan government to bring perpetrators to justice.

The parents of the students accused the government troops of gunning down five students.

Bowing to pressure, the government initiated the legal process which resulted in the arrest of the 12 personnel in August.

The massacre of the Trincomalee students figured in the UN Human Rights Council discussions on Sri Lanka's rights accountability.

The suspects were released based on cash bail terms, the court announced, adding that they must report to police in the capital Colombo every week.

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Stampede: Congress, BJP in war of words

NEW DELHI: War of words erupted today over the stampede in Madhya Pradesh, with Congress demanding chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's resignation and BJP hitting back by accusing it of playing politics over dead bodies.

Congress alleged that the tragedy at Ratangarh temple in Datia yesterday was "man-made" and a result of "misgovernance" as adequate precautionary measures had not been taken.

"A stampede had happened over five years ago at a similar place which left many people injured. The MP government learnt no lessons from it. Its misgovernance and rampant corruption lies at the roots of the tragedy. It should take moral responsibility and the CM should resign," AICC Communication Department head Ajay Maken told reporters. He claimed that cops present to maintain order in the place were collecting bribe of Rs 200 from every tractor driver to drive into a no-entry-zone for vehicles. Tractors were used to ferry thousands of pilgrims.

"It cramped the entire area and it became a reason for the disaster... The MP government and the CM could not escape responsibility for such a big man-made tragedy," he said.

Party general secretary and former state Chief Minister Digvijay Singh levelled similar allegations.

Union Minister Kamal Nath, another senior leader from the state, also demanded the Chouhan's resignation.

"They (government) have failed. I hold them squarely responsible certainly for this incident," Nath said.

Chouhan termed the politics over the tragedy "unwanted" and said, "The focus should be on attending to the injured and taking steps to avoid any such incidents in the future".

Terming the Ratangarh stampede as unfortunate, BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said Congress is playing "politics over dead bodies" and demanded that government must plan out full-proof mechanisms for avoiding such incidents in future.

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BJP leader Subramanian Swamy attacks UP govt on IAS officer's suspension issue

NEW DELHI: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Monday hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government for suspending a senior IAS official over a controversial letter convening a meeting to discuss "reconstruction" of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Following the controversy, the UP government had first transfered IAS officer Sarvesh Chandra Mishra on Saturday and then suspended him yesterday.

"I condemn the UP government for suspending a senior official for carrying out his duty as per commitment given by the Union Government to the Supreme Court in 1994," Swamy said.

Mishra, a 1997-batch IAS officer, was the Home Secretary of Uttar Pradesh before he was shunted out on Saturday.

"The reason given for suspending the senior official is his circular to the state officials to convene a meeting to draw up a plan to build a Ram temple... The circular is consistent with the commitment of the central government made to the Supreme Court in 1994," Swamy said in a statement.

The UP government had said yesterday that Mishra mentioned a "wrong and extremely misleading subject on a disputed issue in the letter regarding a meeting to be chaired by the Principal Secretary (Home) on October 14, and signed it".

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Police solve 'Baby Hope' case, arrest cousin for 1991 killing of 4-year-old girl

NEW YORK: Police announced on Saturday that, after an investigation that lasted more than two decades, they had arrested the killer of a child who was nicknamed Baby Hope by detectives after her body was discovered inside a picnic cooler beside a Manhattan highway in 1991.

During an interrogation early on Saturday, the 4-year-old girl's cousin, Conrado Juarez, had admitted sexually assaulting and smothering her, police commissioner Raymond Kelly said.

The child's name and the circumstances of her death had been a mystery for two decades. But earlier this week, police announced that a new tip and a DNA test had allowed them to finally identify the baby's mother, a dramatic turnaround in one of the city's more notorious cold cases.

Now they are also revealing the slain girl's name: Anjelica Castillo.

It wasn't clear whether Juarez, 52, had a lawyer. Police said he lived in the Bronx, but that the family had been living in Queens at the time of the killing. They also said Juarez claimed that a relative helped him dispose of the child's body.

Anjelica's naked, malnourished corpse was discovered on July 23, 1991, beside the Henry Hudson Parkway. Detectives thought she might have been suffocated but had few other clues as to what happened.

The case became an obsession for some investigators. Hundreds of people attended a funeral for the unknown girl in 1993. Her body was exhumed for DNA testing in 2007, and then again in 2011.

In July, detectives tried another round of publicity on the 22nd anniversary of the discovery. They canvassed the neighborhood where her body was found, hung fliers, circulated sketches of the girl and a photograph of the cooler and announced a $12,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Former detective Jerry Giorgio, who had the case from 1991 until his retirement over the summer, said he remained confident the case could be solved.

"You know that expression `I'm on cloud nine'?'' Giorgia said Saturday. "Well I'm on cloud nine.''

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New York Police solve 'Baby Hope' case, arrest cousin for 1991 killing of 4-year-old girl

NEW YORK: Police announced on Saturday that, after an investigation that lasted more than two decades, they had arrested the killer of a child who was nicknamed Baby Hope by detectives after her body was discovered inside a picnic cooler beside a Manhattan highway in 1991.

During an interrogation early on Saturday, the 4-year-old girl's cousin, Conrado Juarez, had admitted sexually assaulting and smothering her, police commissioner Raymond Kelly said.

The child's name and the circumstances of her death had been a mystery for two decades. But earlier this week, police announced that a new tip and a DNA test had allowed them to finally identify the baby's mother, a dramatic turnaround in one of the city's more notorious cold cases.

Now they are also revealing the slain girl's name: Anjelica Castillo.

It wasn't clear whether Juarez, 52, had a lawyer. Police said he lived in the Bronx, but that the family had been living in Queens at the time of the killing. They also said Juarez claimed that a relative helped him dispose of the child's body.

Anjelica's naked, malnourished corpse was discovered on July 23, 1991, beside the Henry Hudson Parkway. Detectives thought she might have been suffocated but had few other clues as to what happened.

The case became an obsession for some investigators. Hundreds of people attended a funeral for the unknown girl in 1993. Her body was exhumed for DNA testing in 2007, and then again in 2011.

In July, detectives tried another round of publicity on the 22nd anniversary of the discovery. They canvassed the neighborhood where her body was found, hung fliers, circulated sketches of the girl and a photograph of the cooler and announced a $12,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Former detective Jerry Giorgio, who had the case from 1991 until his retirement over the summer, said he remained confident the case could be solved.

"You know that expression `I'm on cloud nine'?'' Giorgia said Saturday. "Well I'm on cloud nine.''

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Nobody untouchable in politics, Sharad Pawar says

NAGPUR: Attending a function where former BJP president Nitin Gadkari rolled out business plan of his Purti Group, NCP president and Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said "there are no untouchables in politics".

"There should be no untouchables in politics as well as social work," Pawar said in his address at Gadkari's function held here on Saturday night.

It is recalled that Purti Group came under the scanner last year over reports of investment by shell companies, which eventually led to Gadkari stepping down as BJP president.

On the occasion, Gadkari declared a tie-up with Essar Group for launching 100 petrol pumps across the country which would sell ethanol blended fuel at a price lesser by Rs 2 than being sold by PSU oil companies.

Purti makes ethanol through baggase and other biowaste.

Gadkari said Purti had sponsored a research by a group of IITians for making biofuel mixed aviation turbine fuel.

He also announced Purti Group's foray into commercial LPG marketing as well as battery-operated rickshaws which is aimed at doing away with conventional rickshaws which require physical labour.

"A part of the cost to buy these rickshaws would be borne by the Purti Group and the Deendayal Trust run by it," Gadkari said.

In his address, Pawar praised Gadkari for promoting smaller check dam-like projects as against fund-guzzling huge dams.

"...Take example of Gosikhurd project. It has taken almost 25 years for its benefits to reach the people. Smaller dams on the other hand start giving results in a year's time...Years have gone by but Vidarbha's irrigation woes remain unresolved," said Pawar.

Interestingly, the project, which commenced in 1983 in Bhandara district, has been mired in allegations of corruption and misappropriation of funds which led to massive escalation of costs.

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Israel finds tunnel dug under its Gaza border, blames Hamas

ISRAEL-GAZA BORDER: Israel displayed on Sunday what it called a Palestinian "terror tunnel" running into its territory from the Gaza Strip and said it was subsequently freezing the transfer of building material to the enclave.

"The discovery of the tunnel ... prevented attempts to harm Israeli civilians who live close to the border and military forces in the area," Israeli defence minister Moshe Yaalon said in a statement, accusing Gaza's ruling Hamas Islamist movement of being behind construction of the 2.5-km (1.5 mile)-long tunnel.

There was no claim of responsibility in Gaza but a spokesman for Hamas's armed wing wrote on Twitter that "the determination deep in the hearts and minds of resistance fighters is more important than tunnels dug in the mud".

Hamas, along with other militant groups, tunnelled into Israel in 2006 and seized an Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, who was held for five years before being exchanged for 1,400 Palestinians in Israeli jails.

The Israeli military said it found the tunnel along its fortified Gaza border last week near a kibbutz, or communal farm. It invited journalists to view it on Sunday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who launched an eight-day war against militants in the Gaza Strip last November with the declared aim of curbing rocket attacks against Israel, publicly congratulated the army "for uncovering the terror tunnel".

The military said the tunnel, dug in sandy soil, had been reinforced with concrete supports, and Yaalon announced that he was immediately halting the transfer of building material to the Gaza Strip.

For years, Israel had refused to allow these goods into the territory because it said militants would use them to build fortifications and weapons.

In 2010, as part of its easing of its internationally-criticised Gaza blockade, Israel gave foreign aid organisations the green light to import construction material for public projects. Last month, Israel resumed the transfer of cement and steel to Gaza's private sector.

Hamas seized the Gaza Strip in 2007, a year after winning a Palestinian election, from forces loyal to Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas. The movement is shunned by the West over its refusal to renounce violence and recognise Israel.

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Evil goes up in smoke, gusto marks Dussehra festivities

NEW DELHI: Giant effigies of ten-headed demon king Ravana, his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran went up in flames marking the triumph of good over evil as fervour marked Dussehra festivities across the country today.

Crowds burst into cheers as the fire crackers-stuffed effigies, dotting grounds and open spaces, crackled in fiery splendour at sundown.

With police keeping a hawk-eye vigil, the festivities passed off peacefully in different parts of the country.

Celebrations, however, were low-key in the country's east coast where a cyclone, the country's worst in 14 years, wreaked havoc leaving a trail of destruction.

In Delhi, President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi were among a large number of dignitaries who saw the evil going up in smoke at Parade and Ramlila grounds.

Dussehra, which also marks the end of scorching summer and heralding of winter, is preceded by nine auspicious days of Navaratri during which devotees pray, fast and feast.

Ramlilas, vivid enactments from the life of Lord Rama, were staged in large parts of the country during the nine days preceding the festival.

A number of fairs were also held on the occasion of Dussehra which also symbolises the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over buffalo demon Mahishasura.

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