1400 HRS.

30th October, 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• At least 42 passengers of a private bus burnt to death after it caught fire in Mahboobnagar District of Andhra Pradesh.

• Third suspect arrested from Bihar’s East Champaran district in connection with Patna serial blasts.

• Election Commission reviews security and poll arrangements in five poll bound states.

• First ever Diwali festival celebrated at US Congress in Washington.

• Trimming initial gains, Sensex 68 points up at 20,997;Rupee drops 20 paise to 61.51 against dollar in late morning trade.

• Australia were 30 for one in 6.4 overs against India in the sixth ODI at Nagpur when reports last came in

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In Andhra Pradesh, 42 persons were killed when a private bus from Bangalore to Hyderabad caught fire at Palem village near Kothakota in Mahaboob Nagar district after it hit a culvert on the national highway during early hours this morning. The Volvo bus left Bengalore at 10 pm last evening. Seven persons including the driver and cleaner of the bus managed to escape with injuries while the injured passengers have been shifted to Hyderabad for treatment. Quoting an eye witness, our Correspondent said that flames erupted after the multi-axle bus hit a culvert and the blaze engulfed the entire bus within no time.

Most of the passengers of the ill-fated bus are coming to their home towns for Dipawali festivities. Unfortunately, many of them were not even know what happened. It was heart rending that some of the passengers charred to death in their seats and probably during sleep while several bodies were collected from the rear side of the bus. The police inferred from the evidence collected from the spot that the passengers after realizing the trouble, might have tried to open the emergency window but could not do so due to pungent fumes from the burning air conditioners and exhaustion due to lack of oxygen. The condition of the family members who gathered at Kothakota about 130 kilometers from Hyderabad to know about their near and dear ones is inconsolable. The authorities are making arrangements for DNA tests for recognizing the bodies. Meanwhile, the police are questioning the private traveler as the multi axle bus did not have all the necessary certificates. -with Sekhar Reddy in Mahabubnagar Lakshmi, AIR NEWS, Hyderabad

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A third suspect Tabish alias Arshad has been arrested from Bihar’s East Champaran district in connection with the Patna serial blasts in which 6 people were killed and 83 others were injured on the 27th of this month.  East Champaran Superintendent of Police Vinay Kumar told AIR that Tabish was arrested from his native village Allola of Kalyanpur police station on Tuesday late night. He said that based on the inputs received from the investigating agencies, the district police traced and detained him.  After the primary interrogation, he has been handed over to the Patna police. 

Earlier, the two suspects arrested in connection with the Patna serial blasts, have been identified as Imtiyaz Ansari and Tausim. Six people were accused in FIRs that have been lodged regarding the blasts.            

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Two persons have died and another five got injured in a powerful bomb blast this morning at Imphal.        Police sources said, the incident took place at the waiting shed near Hicham Yaicham Pat at Moirangkhom in Imphal West. Two persons died on the spot and another five got injured in the blast. The condition of one of the injured is reported to be critical. Police conducted search operations, however, there is no report of any arrest in connection with the incident.           

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Defence Minister A K Antony has said, Pakistan is indulging in prolonged ceasefire violations. He said this year, the violations are more on the International Border than along the Line of Control. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi this morning, Mr Antony said, there are also increased attempts at infiltration across the border and the infiltrators are more prepared than earlier. He said, the infiltration attempts cannot be possible without the tacit support of the Pakistani armed force. He said, the Indian armed forces, which are capable of meeting any challenge, are handling the situation efficiently.

Both sides, borders are guarded by armed forces. Pakistan border is completely guarded by Pakistani armed forces. So, how can terrorists try to infiltrate into Indian border without the support and knowledge of armed forces of Pakistan. Our armed forces are fully prepared. They will handle the situation. They will meet any challenges.

Referring to China, the Defence Minister said, sincere attempts are being made by New Delhi and Beijing to improve the border situation. He added that more military contacts at all levels are happening between the countries aimed at developing mutual trust.

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Jharkhand High Court today reserved its order on the bail petition moved by RJD supremo and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. Yadav is serving a five-year sentence after being convicted in a fodder scam case. After conclusion of the hearing by the CBI counsel against Lalu's bail plea, the bench of Justice R R Prasad reserved the order for tomorrow. The court had on October 25 granted provisional bail to another former Bihar Chief Minister, Jagannath Mishra.

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The Election Commission today held a meeting to review the security and other poll arrangements in the five poll bound states. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretaries, Directors-General of Police and Chief Electoral Officers of the poll-bound states and their neighboring states. Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Mizoram and Delhi are going to polls between November 11 and December 4 this year.

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In Tamil Nadu, the power generation in Kudankulam nuclear power plant will be restarted soon according to its site Director R S Sundar.  He said that power generation has been stopped temporarily for checking the parameters.  More from our Correspondent:

The generation of power in the Kudankulam nuclear power plant will start again after clearance from Atomic Energy Regulatory Board experts. The first unit nuclear reactor of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant was synchronised with southern power grid last week. The power generation was increased slowly from 160 Mega watts to 300 Mega watts. Power generation has been stopped now as the turbine generator has been taken out of service according to site director R S Sundar. The power generation will slowly be increased to 500 MW, 750 MW, 900 MW and then finally 1000 MW by year end. K Devi Padmanabhan, AIR NEWS.Tiruchirapalli.

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In far off Latin America, Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kathak, Chhau, Manipuri and Odisi came alive in Cuban capital Havana as Vice President Hamid Ansari inaugurated the cultural extravaganza, Festival of India-2013.  Over five thousand Cubans thronged to witness the classical fusion performance “Nrityarupa” that skillfully blended ancient Indian classical dances.  Our Correspondent covering the Vice President's visit, reports that the Festival of India-2013 opened in Mella Theatre, reflects the growing ambitions of Indians and Cubans alike for closer ties in a world of eroding relevance of political ideologies.  Pressing for immediate restructuring of the United nations, Vice President Hamid Ansari had said,  the UN in its present disposition is inadequate to deal with emerging political and conflict situations in the world.  Cuba is among the countries that survived in spite of severe economic sanctions from the United States. Earlier, Vice President Hamid Ansari was received at the Jose Marti International Airport by the Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Rogelio Sierra Diaz. 

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The United Nations  General Assembly, for the 22nd year in a row,  has voted  overwhelmingly to condemn the US economic embargo against Cuba.   One hundred and eighty-eight countries voted for the non-binding resolution yesterday. Only the United States and Israel voted against.  Three countries abstained. The US imposed the embargo on Cuba in 1960, shortly after Fidel Castro took power and seized US-owned assets on the island.     

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The first ever Diwali festival was celebrated at the US Congress today amidst chanting of Vedic mantras by a Hindu priest. Over two dozen influential lawmakers along with eminent Indian-Americans, gathered at the Capitol Hill to lit the traditional "diyas".  The event, first of its kind, at the Capitol Hill to light Washington, was organised by the two Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, Congressmen Joe Crowley and Peter Roskam in recognition of increasing presence of the Indian-American community.  The occasion was also used to highlight significance of India-US relationship.                 

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19 Indian fishermen were released by a Sri Lankan court today on completion of their judicial remand period. According to the Consulate General of India in Jaffna, Mr V. Mahalingam, these fishermen were arrested on 18^th of last month for trespassing into Sri Lankan territorial waters. The fishermen have been handed over to the Indian Consulate General’s office and they will be sent home later this week, he added. The fishing boats that were confiscated by the Sri Lankan Navy have however not been released by the court. Earlier this month 69 Indian fishermen were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on two separate occasions. These fishermen are undergoing judicial remand and their cases will also be taken up for review soon.  

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Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al Moallem has confirmed that his country will participate at the Geneva-II peace conference aimed at finding a comprehensive political solution to the crisis in Syria. The Syrian State Television reported that Walid Al Moallem told the UN Special envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi that Syria would take part in the talks on the basis of the Syrian people's exclusive right to decide upon their political future and choosing their leadership, rejecting any form of foreign interference.

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In Pakistan, two security personnel were killed in a landmine blast in Zatrai village of South Waziristan today.  Officials said four others were injured in the blast.  The incident happened when security forces personnel were passing through the village.                                              

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Paring some of its initial gains, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange stood 68 points, or 0.3 percent in positive territory, at 20,997 in afternoon trade, a short while ago. Earlier, in morning deals, the Sensex had climbed 100 points, or 0.5 percent, to trade above the 21,000-level, at 21,029 on continued buying by funds, amid firm Asian bourses. Stock markets in Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan had gained between 0.3 percent and 1 percent, today. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average had added 0.7 per cent, to close at a fresh all-time high in yesterday's trade.                                     

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The rupee dropped by 20 paise to 61 rupees 51 paise against the dollar in late morning trade today on month-end demand for the US currency from importers amid steady greenback in overseas market.  The domestic currency resumed lower at 61rupees 40 paise as against the last closing level of 61 rupees 31 paise per dollar.  It moved down further to 61 rupees 51 paise per dollar a short while ago. 

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Visitors Australia were 38 for 1 in 9.1 overs against host India in the sixth one dayer of the 7-match cricket series when reports last came in. The match is being played at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur today. Earlier India won the toss and elected to bowl. Visitors Australia are sitting pretty with a 2-1 lead in the series. The last two games at Cuttack and Ranchi were abandoned due to rain. Handicapped by the poor form of some of their key bowlers, India will be under intense pressure when they meet the upbeat Aussies, this time in a do-or-die situation                                               

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Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's farewell game in domestic cricket ended in a manner today befitting his iconic stature . The retiring legend singlehandedly guided Mumbai to a four-wicket win over Haryana in the Ranji Trophy match at Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium at Lahli in Haryana.  Requiring 39 more runs to win with four wickets in hand on the fourth and final day, Tendulkar went on to make a calculated 175-ball unbeaten 79. The stay in the middle also ensured Tendulkar warmed up for next month's Test series against the West Indies. The series will culminate with the second and his landmark 200th Test in Mumbai, where he will bring the curtain down on his glorious 24-year tryst with international cricket. Starting the day at 201 for six, Tendulkar, overnight on 55, guided Dhawal Kulkarni (16 not out) to the last run that came when the young pacer hit Mohit Sharma for a boundary.  The hordes of home spectators who had trooped into the Stadium, didn't mind either as it was Tendulkar who was at the forefront of this successful chase.