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Jhabua blast aftermath: 69 detonators, gelatin sticks seized

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The blast site at Petlwad town in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday

The blast site at Petlwad town in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday

Jhabua: Two days after an explosion claimed 89 lives in Petlawad town in tribal Jhabua district, police today recovered 69 detonators and large number of gelatin sticks from the residence of the brother of the main accused in the incident.

Rajendra Kasawa, the main accused in connection with the incident, is absconding since the explosion occurred on Saturday, a police official said. Police recovered 69 detonators and two batteries from the Mahavir Colony residence of Narendra Kasawa, Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Virendra Singh Bais said.

Gelatin sticks too were recovered from the place, but their exact number is not yet known, he said. Narendra is also absconding along with his family from Petlawad, he said. An intensive search operation was launched following reports of large number of persons storing gelatin sticks in an illegal manner for carrying out mining and blasting rocks for construction work, he said.

A reward of Rs one lakh was earlier announced by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for information leading to the arrest of Rajendra Kasawa, as his administration came under scanner over allowing storage of explosives in a crowded residential area.

Meanwhile, Chouhan, who had visited the blast site yesterday and also gone door-to-door meeting the affected families, reached Petlawad again today to meet the victims. The state government had yesterday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of those killed in the explosion.

At least 89 people were killed and nearly 100 injured after a massive blast caused by mining explosives stored in a building ripped through a crowded area in Petlawad town.

The blast completely destroyed at least two buildings –one in which explosive material for digging wells was stored and an adjacent restaurant, and damaging several houses.

The explosion took place in the building of Kasawa who had a licence to use explosive material for digging wells. He stored the explosive material, including gelatin sticks in huge quantity, in the residential building having two shops in it and situated close to the busy Sethia Restaurant in new bus stand area, a police official said.

(Agencies)

Bihar polls: NDA, Manjhi’s party reach seat-sharing agreement

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Jitan Ram Manjhi

New Delhi: The BJP and Jitan Ram Manjhi have finally reached a seat-sharing agreement for the Bihar assembly elections with the former chief minister party’s being allotted 20 seats.

“All is well and a positive outcome is expected,” PTI quoted a senior BJP leader as saying on Sunday after the talks with Manjhi’s Hindustani Avam Morcha (Secular) party in Delhi.

The seat sharing agreement was said to have been reached at a meeting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s in-charge for Bihar elections and Union minister Ananth Kumar and party general secretary in-charge of the state Bhupendra Yadav had with Manjhi in Bihar Niwas.

After the late night meeting, a HAM(S) leader claimed the party would get to field about 20 candidates, while five others would contest on the BJP’s symbol under the arrangement worked out.

BJP president Amit Shah, party sources said, cancelled his Mysore visit on Sunday to oversee the negotiations. Manjhi met Shah at the latter’s residence twice on Sunday.

Manjhi and his aides also held a series of meetings with BJP leaders including Kumar, Yadav and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan throughout the day.

On Saturday, Manjhi’s associates had threatened to reconsider continuing in the alliance if a “respectable” offer was not made after the BJP agreed to spare 13-15 seats for them.

A final announcement on the seat sharing arrangement between BJP and its three allies – Ram Vilas Paswan’ Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Upendra Kushwaha-led Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) and Manjhi’s HAM(S) – was held up after Manjhi played hardball.

The LJP and RLSP have already agreed to the seat-sharing formula brought forth by the BJP.

Though the BJP has a strong Dalit ally in Paswan, it wants Manjhi on its side in the high-stakes state elections to bring in the Mahadalit votes.

Manjhi was said to be unhappy after he was offered 13-15 seats by the BJP and sought to draw a parity with Paswan’s LJP, which was tipped to get around 40 seats.

Those privy to the talks said the BJP wanted to contest around 160 of the state’s 243 seats, leaving 25 for RLSP.

BJP sources said its Central Election Committee is likely to meet on Tuesday as the party is keen to announce the names of its nominees at least for the seats which go to polls in the first few phases.

The five-phase polling for the 243-member assembly begins from October 12 and concludes on November 5.

(PTI)

Hindu Mahasabha’s Om Ji, and woman astrologer clash on live TV show

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Rakhi Bai Om Ji Hindu Mahasabha

New Delhi: Shocking scenes were witnessed on the national tv today when two guests on a live show used expletives, slapped and grappled with each other, leaving the audience aghast and prompting the channel to condemn the incident.

Om Ji of the Hindu Mahasabha and and woman astrologer Rakhi Bai were seen having sharp exchanges on tv show ‘Aaj Ka Mudda’ on IBN 7.

Om Ji was seen engaged in a heated discussion with Rakhi Bai over some controversy related to self-styled god woman Radhe Ma, who is embroiled in a case of alleged domestic violence.

“How can you criticise Radhe Ma, you correct yourself first,” Om Ji was heard saying. When Rakhi Bai protested, he said he was talking about another participant on the show Deepa Sharma whom the channel described as ‘Dharma Guru’ (religious teacher).

He referred to some alleged controversies about the family life of Sharma and criminal cases against her. Sharma, who had looked calm by then, stood up and approached Om Ji from behind and interrupted his harangue by patting on his back.

“Tameez se baat kariye (behave yourself),” she was seen warning the self-styled god man and then slapped him. Om Ji also hurled a slap at her and was seen tightly holding both her hands. “Tu kya maregi?” he said as the two were shown grappling on screen.

Meanwhile, the channel has “condemned” the incident. “We invite responsible people to our shows and expect our guests to behave responsibly. We don’t expect such behaviour from them and condemn it,” it said. N K Singh, general secretary of Broadcast Editors Association also disapproved of the incident.

“The purpose of such shows is to give information from both sides and let viewers make a decision. This is shameful,” he said.

2006 Mumbai train bombings: lone acquitted man comes out of jail after 9 years

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2006-mumbai-train-blasts

Mumbai: Abdul Wahid Shaikh, the only accused to be acquitted in the July 11, 2006 train bombings case, was today freed here from high-security Arthur Road jail where he had been lodged for nine years since his arrest.

“Accused no. 8 (Abdul Wahid) is found not guilty of having committed any offences with which he is charged”, special MCOCA court judge Yatin D Shinde had observed while acquitted him yesterday.

In its verdict, the court had held 12 other accused guilty of various charges.

Arguments for the quantum of sentence are likely to begin on Monday.

Shaikh came out of the jail at around 2 PM with moist eyes and was welcomed by his family members.

He had been arrested in September 2006 for allegedly harbouring some of the accused in his house.

Seven RDX bombs had ripped through the first class compartments of as many local trains on western line on July 11, 2006, killing 188 people and injuring 829.

The blasts had occurred within a span of 10 minutes between suburban Khar Road-Santacruz, Bandra-Khar Road, Jogeshwari-Mahim junction, Mira Road- Bhayander, Matunga- Mahim junction and Borivali railway stations.

(PTI)

Charlie Hebdo mocks the drowned Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi

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Charlie Hebdo Aylan Kurdi

by Emre Basaran, Daily Sabah

Eight months after the terror attack, which claimed the lives of 12 people including its cartoonists, French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo’s latest issue features the Syrian toddler washed ashore on a Turkish beach.

The magazine featured cartoons depicting the three-year-old Aylan Kurdi, who was washed ashore in southwestern Turkish city of Bodrum two weeks ago. Mocking the death of the toddler, the the drawing’s title was “Si près du but…” which translates to “So close to his goal.” The drawing featured the dead body of the toddler washed ashore in front of a publicity board with a McDonald’s ad, saying “Two children combos for the price of one.”

In another controversial cartoon, the magazine also features a cartoon entitled “The proof that Europe is Christian,” which featured a man -supposedly Jesus Christ- standing on water and saying “Christians walk on the water” and a toddler sinking into the sea, saying “Muslim children sink”.

The magazine received harsh public reaction by Twitter users after the pages started circulating on social media.

Following the magazine’s controversial cartoons featuring Prophet Muhammad, on January 7, 2015, a group of extremists forced their way into the Paris headquarters of Charlie Hebdo and opened fire, killing twelve persons including five staff cartoonists, an economist, two editors Elsa Cayat and Mustapha Ourrad, guest Michel Renaud, a maintenance worker, two police officers and wounding eleven, four of whom were in critical condition.

Saudi claims it has taken in 2.5 million Syrians since uprising

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Saudi Arabia has recently been heavily criticized for its response to the Syrian refugee crisis. (Al Bawaba/File)

Saudi Arabia has recently been heavily criticized for its response to the Syrian refugee crisis. (Al Bawaba/File)

by Arab News

Saudi Arabia has hosted around 2.5 million Syrians since the beginning of the crisis in that country in 2011, the Foreign Ministry has said.

In a statement issued to SPA, the ministry said the Syrians have been leading a decent and normal life in the Kingdom like other expatriates. “The Kingdom does not deal with Syrian expats like refugees. They are living in a normal environment not in special camps.”

According to the ministry, the Syrians have been granted legal residence permits and full freedom to travel inside the country.

“Moreover, they are allowed to study in Saudi schools as per the royal order issued in 2012.

A total of 100,000 Syrians are registered in public schools,” the ministry clarified, reacting to reports about the Kingdom’s role in tackling the Syrian refugees crisis. “All Syrians in the Kingdom receive free medical treatment. They are allowed to work in the private sector like other expatriates,” the ministry added.

Saudi Arabia has spent $700 million to help Syrian refugees, according to figures made available during the Third Intentional Conference of Donors in Kuwait in March this year, the ministry said.

The Kingdom played a vital role in helping Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon through humanitarian aid including food, medical treatment, medicines and clothes,” the ministry added.

An online publication quoted a source as saying that the Labor Ministry has excluded Syrians from labor inspections being carried out to correct expat status. “This will be a great help to my fellow Syrian visitors,” said a Riyadh-based Syrian expat. “We have lived here for many years and benefited not only financially from this country but also from free education for our children,” he observed.

The visitors residing with their families here feel that the gesture would help them put their skills to good use and benefit from their stay, he said, adding that it will be a win-win situation for them and the host country.

The directive by King Salman aims at letting the departments that face skills’ shortage to benefit from Syrian visitors, many of whom are experienced and highly qualified to make a qualitative change to the local market.

Western countries have realized the advantage of absorbing refugees with a wealth of talent and skills, which is a cost effective solution for them amid the global economic slump.

Similarly, these Arab refugees could be a blessing in disguise for the Kingdom in the face of declining oil prices. Their professional skills, along with knowledge of Arabic, will give them an edge over non-Arabic speaking expats.

This year, the king also ordered rectification of the residential status of Yemeni illegals to let them work in various sectors.

Veteran leftist MP Corbyn voted leader of UK opposition

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Jeremy Corbyn, critic of austerity and military intervention, elected to lead Labour Party with 59.5 percent of ballot.

Corbyn has been an outspoke critic of the British government's austerity policies [Reuters]

Corbyn has been an outspoke critic of the British government’s austerity policies [Reuters]

by Al Jazeera

The UK’s opposition Labour Party has elected veteran left-wing MP Jeremy Corbyn to be its new leader, in one of the most controversial leadership votes in recent British political history.

The announcement of Corbyn’s success brings to close a bitterly fought contest, which could herald the start of renewed divisions within the party between those in support of his anti-austerity platform, and those advocating a further shift away from the left.

Corbyn won the vote in the first round, picking up 251,417 or 59.5 percent of votes cast.

In a speech delivered after the announcement of his victory, Corbyn said his first act as leader of the party would be to attend a protest demanding better treatment of refugees.

“They are the generational victims of war, who end up in desperation, end up in terrible places, end up trying to get a place of safety … they are human beings just like you, just like me,” Corbyn said.

“Let’s deal with the refugee crisis with humanity, with support, with help, with compassion … we cannot go on like this with grotesque levels of global inequality.”

Corbyn said he would take the ruling Conservative Party to task for its cuts to welfare payments and public services, which he blamed for rising poverty in the UK.

“The Tories (Conservatives) have used the economic crisis of 2008 to impose a terrible burden on the poorest people in this country … it’s not right, it’s not necessary and it’s got to change,” Corbyn said.

The MP for the London constituency of Islington North, also thanked a number of trade unions for their backing during his leadership campaign.

Corbyn’s support base derived largely from left-leaning members, and from new members who joined the party after its crushing election defeat in May.

Labour’s new leader also slammed coverage of his campaign by the British press, many sections of which have cast him as economically dangerous.

Andy Burnham, Corbyn’s nearest competitor, received 19 percent of the ballots cast. MP Tom Watson was elected Corbyn’s deputy.

Leander Paes clinches 17th Grand Slam with US Open mixed doubles title

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Paes now has nine mixed doubles titles, one more than Mahesh Bhupati

Martina Hingis and Leander Paes kiss the trophy after winning the mixed doubles title at the 2015 US Open. Photo Courtesy: US Open website

Martina Hingis and Leander Paes kiss the trophy after winning the mixed doubles title at the 2015 US Open. Photo Courtesy: US Open website

New York: Indian tennis ace Leander Paes clinched his 17th Grand Slam crown by winning the US Open mixed doubles title with Swiss partner Martina Hingis here.

The fourth seeded Indo-Swiss pair defeated unseeded Americans Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sam Querrey 6-4, 3-6, 10-7 in a tricky final, which lasted for one hour and seventeen minutes on Friday.

Paes and Hingis broke their opponent at love to take a 2-1 lead in the opening set as the Swiss hit a forehand passing shot to secure the break. That bit of momentum was all they needed as Paes easily closed the set out at 5-4 when Hingis hit a volley winner.

A lone break of serve also decided the second set, as Mattek-Sands hit two straight winners to break Hingis’ serve as the Americans led 3-1. Hingis saved three set points on her serve at 2-5, but Querrey easily held in the next game to send the contest into a deciding super tiebreak.

The unseeded Americans were cruising as they created a 4-1 cushion when they won both points on Hingis’ serve to grab the first mini-break. But the Indo-Swiss pair took the mini-break back on Mattek-Sands’ serve at the next opportunity.

The crucial point of the match came at 7-7, when Paes blocked Querrey’s serve for a clean passing-shot winner. He then won both points on his serve to close out the match, hitting an overhead winner on their first championship point.

42-year-old Paes now has nine mixed doubles title, surpassing compatriot and former doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi, who has eight. Paes has eight men’s doubles titles.

It was the third mixed doubles crown of the year for Paes and Hingis, who defeated Daniel Nestor and Kristina Mladenovic in the Australian Open final and beat Alexander Peya and Timea Babos in the Wimbledon title match.

They are the first team since 1969 and second in the Open Era to capture three of four Majors in a calendar year.

“Hingis said something that was quite interesting. She said you have to have the guts to go after something, and I don’t believe that I personally have the technique or the caliber of talent that Hingis has,” Paes told the US Open official website after the match.

“One thing I do have is the guts. I will go for it. My whole life is about perseverance, just trying to find a way to succeed. I know if I can keep Hingis happy, if I can keep her relaxed, the tennis I don’t even have to worry about. This young girl is phenomenal on the tennis court and off of it. We actually have our best times when we are on the practice court. I learn a lot from her,” the 1996 Olympic bronze medallist added.

Hingis, 34, too heaped praise on her partner Paes.

“I mean, it’s awesome. Once we started the year and, you know, to walk away with three Grand Slam titles this season. So it’s incredible. I mean, I’m so lucky and fortunate to have Leander as a partner on my side. I know he has my back all day long,” Hingis said.

“I have never had a partner as thoughtful of me, backing me up, as Paes. It’s amazing the understanding we have for the game, like for each other, how we cover the court at the net, baseline, whatever works. Even one thing doesn’t work we come with plan B or C like it was today,” the Swiss veteran added.

Hingis also has a chance to add another in the women’s doubles final with India’s Sania Mirza on Sunday.

(IANS)

AIMIM to contest Bihar elections from Seemanchal: Owaisi

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Asaduddin Owaisi

Hyderabad: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) today said it will contest the upcoming Bihar State Assembly elections from Seemanchal region.

MIM chief Assaduddin Owaisi said his party will contest the election but will limit itself to Seemanchal region, which comprise mainly four districts – Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, Katihar.

“We are limited to Seemanchal area of Bihar. We are realistic about our chances of winning. We know our strengths and weaknesses. It is in the interest and justice of Seemanchal region we are contesting elections there,” Owaisi said without disclosing the number of seats his party will contest.

He replied in the negative when asked about the pre-poll alliance with other parties.

“Bihar’s development parameters are bad. But when it comes to Seemacnhal it is worse. That’s why we want the government to set up a regional developmental council under Article 371,” he said.

Owaisi held Congress, BJP, Nitish Kumar and other parties as responsible for the underdevelopment of the region.

When asked about the division of votes when the party contests without any alliance, the MIM leader said the NDA won with great majority even when his party was not in the poll fray in Jammu and Kashmir and local body elections of Rajasthan.

“Did I contest in Delhi elections? Did I contest in J&K elections. Did I contest in Municipal elections of Rajasthan? This is a wrong allegation which has no relevance. So-called secular parties have lost their credibility,” he said.

MIM, which has two seats in the Maharashtra assembly, has appointed Akhtar Imam as president of AIMIM’s Bihar unit.

(Agencies)

Policy of regression: Haryana bans meat on Jain festival day

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chicken kabab

Chandigarh: It appears that all the BJP ruled states are joining the meat ban wagon. Haryana is the fifth in line to do so. In its order, the state’s urban local bodies department ordered all slaughter houses to be closed from September 11 to September 19 in view of the Jain festival of fasting, Paryushan. The minister heading the department interestingly, belongs to the Jain community.

On Friday, Chattisgarh banned the slaughter and sale of meat till September 17. A meat ban has also been enforced in Rajasthan and Gujarat, both ruled by the BJP.The Rajasthan government has prohibited the sale of meat and fish on September 17, 18 and 27 on account of various festivals, including that of the Jains. The ban has been enforced since 2008 in the state, both by the Ashok Gehlot and Vasundhara Raje governments, but this year, it has been extended by one day, which has angered some groups. In Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, Police Commissioner Shivanand Jha has ordered a ban on the slaughter of cattle like cows and goats for a week during the Jain fasting period. The state enforces the ban every year.

The Haryana announcement came on a day when a similar ban in Mumbai was challenged by mutton traders and opposed by many political parties including the ruling BJP’s ally Shiv Sena. Mumbai’s civic body has, in the wake of the protest, cut short the ban from four to two days.

The Bombay High Court said the ban was “regressive”. “We understand the sentiment part but purchase is an independent choice,” said the judges.

“It is alright to have a two-day ban, but anything beyond that is unacceptable. It affects people’s livelihood… if the ban is beyond two days, people should be compensated for loss of livelihood,” said Salim Engineer, a member of the Forum of Democracy and Communal Harmony.

(Agencies)

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