Bus services in the night cancelled

Hyderabad, September 23 (Siasat News): APSRTC had announced 24 hours bus services which had brought delight to thousands of commuter. However bus services in the night have been cancelled after running for few days.

The services had proved beneficial to the commuters who work in night shifts in private and public institutions, software companies, hospitals etc and return home late night. Those persons face lot of difficulties in hiring private vehicles.

Ayodhya verdict: District administration imposes sec 144 in Rajo

Jammu, September 23: In the wake of tomorrow’s Ayodhya verdict, the district administration has imposed section 144 in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources here today said.

‘’Though the atmosphere is peaceful in the town but section 144 CrPC has been imposed only as a preventive measure,’’ sources told UNI.

They said ahead of Ayodhya verdict, the District Magistrate Rajouri has announced the imposition of section 144 as a preventive measure.

Dr Aafiya Siddiqi awaits sentencing tomorrow

Kabul, September 23: Dr Aafiyah Siddiqi was imprisoned in Pakistan and separated from her children. She was in custody in Afghanistan and other unspecified places.

Her family was only made aware of her plight and her location in recent times and have been campaigning for her release.

She awaits sentencing in New York tomorrow. Media spoke to her sister Dr. Fawzia Siddiqi.
–Agencies

Manmohan Singh gets World Statesman Award

New York, September 23: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been honoured with the 2010 World Statesman Award by the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an interfaith coalition which promotes mutual understanding, tolerance and peace.

India’s Ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, accepted the award on behalf of the prime minister an a glittering ceremony here Tuesday from the Foundation espousing fundamental values of freedom, democracy and human rights for peace, security and shared prosperity.

Ayodhya, Faizabad turn fortresses ahead of verdict

Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), September 23: The twin towns of Ayodhya and Faizabad have been turned into virtual fortresses with around 20,000 security personnel standing guard to ensure there is no trouble ahead of a court verdict, due Friday, on the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi dispute, officials said.

“Security personnel of paramilitary forces, the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and other agencies are keeping round-the-clock vigil,” district police chief R.S. Rathore told IANS.

Schools, colleges closed ahead of Ayodhya verdict

Lucknow, September 23: Various schools and colleges have decided to close their institutions for some days in view of the verdict on the Ayodhya title suits by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court tomorrow.

Teachers will not take classes in the Lucknow University for three days from September 24 and the classes will resume only on September 27, officials said here today.

Guru Govind Singh Sports College has announced closure for six days and will reopen on September 29.

Integral University will remain close tomorrow and would reopen on September 27.

‘Bush team wanted Iraq war from start’

Washington, September 23: Official document released on Wednesday show that a few hours after the 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York, the then Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld spoke of attacking Iraq.

Papers posted by the Washington-based National Security Archive shows Rumsfeld discussing war plans for Iraq just two months after the 2001 US invasion of Afghanistan.

In memos dated November 27, he had listed justifications for the war on Iraq.

Flag March at Nagpur

Nagpur, September 23: Police today staged a flag march in various parts of the city ahead of the Allahabad High Court verdict on Ayodhya title suits tomorrow.

Equipped with anti-riot handling vehicles with water canons, all police officers, barring the Commissioner of Police, Ankush Dhanvijay, participated in the flag march.

The first flag march was carried out in Mominpura and was followed by another march which started from Kasturchand Park ground area.

Security has been beefed up in the city and district authorities have appealed for peace on the eve of verdict.
–PTI

APUWJ demands Arogyasri Cards for journalists

Hyderabad, September 23 (Siasat News): Andhra Pradesh Working journalist Federation Hyderabad demanded the state government to issue Arogyasri Cards to all working journalists of the state specially those belonging to Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

The federation asked the Minister for Information and Public Relations to take effective measures in this regard.

Kalam to be honoured by Canadian university

Toronto, September 23: A top Canadian university will confer an honorary doctorate degree on former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam next week.

The University of Waterloo, in the city of BlackBerry, will host the renowned space scientist and honour him with an honorary degree in the humanities. The world famous university had also hosted the former Indian president during his visit here in April 2008 to deliver a public lecture on the subject of ‘Canada and India-Partnership in Global Development.’

Train derails; Naxal involvement suspected

New Delhi, September 23: The engine and a bogie of the Kirandul-Vishakhapatnam passenger train derailed near Bhansi railway station in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district early Thursday .

Police is suspecting the involvement of Naxals behind the incident . The train derailed at around 0600 hours, 45 minutes after it left Kirandul railway station and was approaching Bhansi railway station, police officials told .

Over 50,000 criminals convicted in Nitish-era Bihar

Patna, September 23: Justice delayed is justice denied, but once crime-prone Bihar is setting an example by conducting speedy trials. Over 50,000 criminals, including politicians, have been convicted in the last four-and-a-half years.

A total of 52,343 people have been convicted in the state between January 2006 and August 2010 – higher than in any comparable period in decades, Bihar police chief Neelmani told IANS.

According to police records, all were convicted by fast track courts across the state. Of those convicted, 129 were sentenced to death while 9,098 got life terms.

Visitors shy away from fortress Ayodhya

London, September 23: Pakistan cricket was embroiled in another controversy after pacer Shoaib Akhtar was caught on camera tampering with the ball during England’s Rose Bowl win on Wednesday.

The Daily Mail has pictures which it says show Akhtar running his left thumb along the ball’s seam before dropping the ball on the ground and standing on it with his spiked right boot.

The pictures were taken in the 41st over of England’s innings in Southampton as Shoaib prepared to bowl to Paul Collingwood.

England won the match by 121 runs to take the series.

Meet on Commonwealth Games security

New Delhi, September 23: The Home Minister P Chidambaram has called a meet to discuss the security of forthcoming Commonwealth Games (CWG).

The meeting is being attended by Chief Secretary (Home), Delhi Police Commissioner and officials of intelligence agencies.

The meeting has been called in the wake of firing at Jama Masjid and specified inputs of terror attacks during the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi from October 3-14. The meeting was also aimed to discuss the situation after the Ayodhy/Babri masjid verdict on September 24.

CWG village opens with guests arrival

New Delhi, September 23: The Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit visited the Commonwealth Games (CWG) village on Thursday morning.

The CWG village was on Thursday handed over to Delhi Government. The CWG village was also opened for the athletes.

With opening of CWG village, the arrival of players from participating countries has started now.

On Thursday morning, several foreign players and guests arrived in Indiara Gandhi International airport and they were escorted to CWG village amidst tight security cover.

Europe on high alert

Europe, September 23: European airports and other transport hubs are on “high alert” amid fears of terror attacks.Israeli intelligence website Debka has revealed of having evidence that there are fears of a spate of attacks by Algerian female suicide bombers

Security has been stepped up at London’s Heathrow, Amsterdam’s Schiphol and airports in Berlin and Rome, as well as at major European railway and underground stations, Debka said.

SC likely to hear Ayodhya verdict plea

New Delhi, September 23: The Supreme Court is likely to hear the plea, seeking deferment of Ayodhya verdict on Thursday.

On Wednesday, a bench of Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice A.K. Patnaik declined to hear the plea, filed by a retired bureaucrat Ramesh Chandra Tripathi.

The apex court had asked the counsel to list the matter before appropriate bench.

Uncertainty on deferring Ayodhya verdict continues as the Supreme Court on Wednesday delayed the hearing.

The apex court has asked the petitioner to list the matter at appropriate bench.

Iranian journalist receives six-year jail term for interview

Tehran, September 23: The Iranian judiciary sentenced journalist and human rights activist Emadeddin Baqi to a six-year jail term for conducting an interview with an ayatollah, opposition websites reported.

According to the websites, Baqi was convicted Tuesday by a revolutionary court in Tehran on charges of spreading propaganda against the establishment and a national security breach.

Algerian women suicide bombers poised to strike Europe

Rome, September 23: European airports and other transport hubs are on ‘high alert’ amid fears of a spate of attacks by Algerian female suicide bombers, Israeli intelligence website Debka said Wednesday, citing counter terrorism sources.

Security has been stepped up at London’s Heathrow, Amsterdam’s Schiphol and airports in Berlin and Rome, as well as at major European railway and underground stations, Debka said.

A long wait for BABRI Verdict: Hashim Ansari

Lucknow, September 23: At 90, Hashim Ansari seems to be the voice of wisdom. “Masjid se pehley hamey Mulk dekhna hai (we have to look at the nation before the Mosque), he says. Many would call it ironic. Others may even term it pretence.

Considering Mohammad Hashim Ansari is the lone surviving petitioner in the Ayodhya title suit case — filing a case in the court in 1961 for the restoration of the Babri Mosque. But for Ansari, it is neither. Ansari is unfazed. Even irritated, with the constant probing from the stream of journalists, visiting him the past few weeks.

UP floods: 14 dead, toll now 270

Shahjahanpur, September 23: At least 14 people died in the last 24 hours in the 12 flood-hit districts of western UP, taking the toll in rain-related incidents in the state to 270.

Nearly 5 lakh people across 1,032 villages have been affected, 47 villages have been marooned. On Wednesday, the Army was called out in Shahjahanpur district.

Relief Commissioner KK Sinha said: “Ramganga and Garrah are in spate in Shahjahanpur and the Army has been requisitioned to evacuate people from the marooned villages.”

Pakistan does it again! Akhtar caught ball-tampering

London, September 23: The controversy-ravaged Pakistan team is yet again in news for all the wrong reasons as fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been accused of ball tampering by a British daily during the last ODI against England.

The pictures were taken in the 41st over of England’s innings in Southampton as Shoaib prepared to bowl to Paul Collingwood. They showed Akhtar running his left thumb along the ball’s seam before dropping the ball on the ground and standing on it with his spiked boot.

Babri Masjid verdict: State on high alert

Hyderabad, September 23 (siasat News): Collectors and Police Superintendents in Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Medak and Adilabad districts have ordered the concerened officials to take neccesary actions.

District Collector Sridhar called a meeting of district peace committee with representatives of various groups at District collectorate conference hall. The participants in their speech appealed to maintain peace and communal harmony on Friday.

Saddam delighted in terror attacks on US

Washington, September 23: Former Iraqi foreign minister, Tariq Aziz, a prominent member of Saddam Hussein’s inner circle, told the FBI that the dictator “delighted” in the 1998 terrorist bombings of two US embassies in East Africa but had no interest in partnering with Osama bin Laden, declassified documents show.

“Saddam did not trust Islamists,” Aziz said, according to handwritten notes of a June 27, 2004 interrogation, although he viewed al Qaeda as an “effective” organisation.

Don’t be swayed, keep peace: Modi

Ahmedabad, September 23: Ahead of the Ayodhya title suits verdict, Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to the people of Gujarat to “strengthen the climate of peace” in the state.

“My humble appeal to all the citizens is that though you would be eagerly expecting the judgment, please do not get swayed by excitement as it will not benefit anyone. Kindly remember that Gujarat has laid to rest for the past several years the ghosts of violence and curfew,” Modi said in a message.