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  • Pakistan Ranger's Death sparks off Border firing, 25 Indian Outposts Targeted

    In one of the worst incidents of ceasefire violations on the International Border (IB), firing continued for the fourth successive day Monday, with as many as 25 border outposts on the Indian side being targeted.

    Stating that this was the first time in over three years that the region has seen such heavy firing, Border Security Force (BSF) officials alleged that it could be cover for a large scale infiltration attempt. They said there have been as many as 36 ceasefire violations in the region this month.

    According to available reports, seven persons, including two security personnel, have been injured on the Indian side, while at least two Pakistanis have been killed and two injured.

    The recent confrontation between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers was reportedly triggered by the death of a Pakistan Ranger, Israr Ahmed, in the Chaprar sector on October 17.

    BSF sources said Ahmed was killed after the Indian posts responded to heavy firing by the Pakistani forces. The same day, five persons, including three children, were injured in Najwal, on the Indian side.

    On October 18, a BSF personnel and a police constable were injured in continued firing. A civilian, allegedly an infiltrator, was reportedly killed and two others injured on the Pakistan side. Pakistan, however, refused to accept the body.

    PTI quoted BSF officers as saying that the Pakistani forces fired at the outposts in the forward areas of Jammu and Samba districts throughout Sunday night. The Pakistan Rangers also shelled civilian hamlets along the border, triggering panic. "They are firing round-the-clock on our posts and patrolling persons to inflict casualties," a BSF personnel was quoted as saying.

    Sachin Tendulkar Never before, never again

    Introducing Sachin in our dna, a series leading up to Tendulkar's 200th Test at Wankhede.

    Four weeks remain before Sachin Tendulkar’s illustrious career comes to an end at his home ground, Wankhede Stadium, against the West Indies. I have known Sachin for a long time and have spent a lot of time with him on the tours of New Zealand (1990), England (1990) and Australia (1991-92). He is extremely passionate about the game and simply cannot live without cricket.

    For him, cricket is everything. I am sure his decision to retire must have been the toughest decision for him simply because he has been playing the game non-stop for 30 years. Right from his school days to now, he has been going to the gym, training hard and spending quality time in the nets. Even today, he is as motivated and as committed as he was when he started playing the game. That’s his level of passion. That he won’t be playing the game at the competitive level after the Mumbai Test (against the West Indies) would surely hurt him big time.

    Sachin has achieved what nobody in the history of cricket has achieved. I cannot think of anyone even coming close to achieving what Sachin has. It’s tough for a great player to hang up his boots simply because he has spent all his life, or say the best years of his life, doing what he knows best besides, of course, working hard to keep up the standards he has set for himself. Suddenly, he won’t have to wake up and go to the ground or play in a match. It will be tough, but I guess as time goes by, he will get used to it.

    There is so much media hype surrounding his retirement, but Sachin has seen it all many a time in his career. He is no rookie when it comes to big occasions and I feel he will handle it the way he has been handling tough, emotional situations all his life. Surely, this one will be different; people will expect him to score a century in his last Test match.

    There are always big expectations whenever Sachin goes in to bat. Such expectations come not just from within India but also from all over the world. I guess those who have watched Sir Don Bradman or Sir Garfield Sobers must have had the same feeling or expectations whenever and wherever they played.

    For all that Sachin has achieved, to me personally, he is a wonderful human being. He is one who always respects his elders and is ever so humble. He is loved by all. Even after achieving so much, be it fame or fortune, his feet are rooted firmly to the ground. He hasn’t changed much since I saw him first in 1988. He is always helpful to newcomers and tries his best to make them feel at home.

    When he first arrived on the international stage, he was extremely mature for his age. He was ready for big cricket. He had the head of a 24-year-old on his 16-year-old frame. Skill-wise, there is not much of a difference among most 15 or 16-year-olds, but those who are mentally tougher, play the game at the highest level earlier than those who are late bloomers.

    Sachin looked exceptional for a schoolboy cricketer. When I took him to the nets to face Kapil Dev and other India bowlers, he was not at all overawed by the presence of some of the great players of that era. Besides, he had a lot of time while playing the pacers.

    Unnao gold hunt leads to digging for precious metal elsewhere

    The Unnao gold hunt has led to illegal digging at forts and temples rumoured to have hidden treasures in Uttar Pradesh.

    Shobhan Sarkar, the seer who had "dreamt" about 1,000 tonne gold buried under Unnao's Daundia Khera fort, had said the precious metal was hidden in Fatehpur's Adampur area as well.

    As the news spread, some people dug up the platform of an ancient Shiva temple near the Ganga's main ghat in Fatehpur.

    Reports said about two dozen places in ruins have been dug up. It was also rumoured that the diggers had fled with some gold.

    Residents claimed Mahant Mohandas, who lives near the temple, was held at gunpoint during digging forcing authorities to cordon off the temple.

    Fatehpur district magistrate Abhay Kumar said security personnel have been deployed to prevent a repeat of such activity.

    Sarkar's disciple, Om Ji, had claimed "no less than 2,500 tonne of gold is hidden in the ruins in Adampur village". He said Adampur is located on the Ganga banks and was associated with 1857 revolt like Daundiya Khera. Om Ji asked the district administration to commission digging since the treasure in Adampur was easier to retrieve.

    In Bahraich, some unidentified people left behind a huge pit after they probably got tired of the physical labour at the Charda Fort "No seer has ever dreamt about Charda. The only possible connection between Daundiya Kheda and Charda forts is that they have a mound and are associated with the 1857 revolt," said a local professor.

    Jagjot Singh had ruled the place and reportedly sheltered Nana Sahab and Begum Hazrat Mahal besides helping them escape to Nepal in 1858. The fort was ruined when the British attacked it.

    In 2004, Dinesh Pratap Singh from the local royal family got the ruins, spread across 11.5 acre, excavated after permission and found gold coins and jewellery besides some rare weapons.

    Bahraich DM Kinjal Singh said police had been deployed at the fort and ordered arrest of those involved in the illegal excavation.

    Another ancient Shiva temple in Banda's Piparhari area too has been targeted in the quest for gold. Residents said the place has no connection with Sarkar's dream, but it has been prosperous.

    "The temple is located in Maharajpur Kher near Pailani forest range. It is believed that gold and silver kalash (pots) are buried here," a resident said.

    British woman alleges she was molested outside a mall in Mumbai

    A British national has filed a complaint with the Mumbai police that she was molested by a man outside a mall. The incident happened on Monday evening.

    In her complaint, the 27-year-old has said that when she got off an auto rickshaw at the Mega Mall in Lokhandwala, a man suddenly appeared and touched her inappropriately. The woman said that two of her friends, who was in the same auto, managed to raise an alarm which alerted policemen nearby. The accused was caught with the help of the policemen from a nearby chowkie as he was trying to run away.

    The accused, Gaurav Gupta (36), a resident of Mira Road area, was brought to Oshiwara police station and arrested.

    A case under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) has been registered at the Oshiwara police station. Senior Police Inspector of Oshiwara Police station Nasir Pathan said, "The British lady cried out for help and constables who were on duty nearby heard her cries for help and managed to catch the accused. In the beginning we thought he was a thief but later on we found out that he had molested the woman."

    The police is questioning the accused and statements of the girl and her friends have also been recorded. According to the police, the victim has been staying in the city for the past one year, on a tourist visa and works as an extra dancer in films.
    For NDTV Updates,    

    Pakistan slams Salman Khurshid's remarks on Kashmir full Statement

    Pakistan has reacted strongly to Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid's statement on Kashmir, asking New Delhi to avoid negative propaganda. In an exclusive interview to NDTV, Mr Khurshid had on Sunday reiterated India's stand of Kashmir being its integral part. He said that no external intervention will be tolerated on the issue, and it is a "waste of time on the part of anybody to try to question it."

    Following is the full statement issued by Pakistan's foreign office:

    Expressing disappointment at the comments by the Indian External Affairs Minister on the status of Jammu & Kashmir, appearing in a section of the Indian media, the Spokesperson stated that the Kashmir dispute is the core issue that remains unresolved between the two countries.

    It is unfortunate that Indian leadership continues to refer to the state of Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India, when the reality is clearly otherwise.

    As a member of the United Nations, India should not overlook or undermine the numerous UN Security Council resolutions on this issue. While bilateral agreements may exist, the sanctity of the UN resolutions cannot be understated.

    The Kashmir dispute remains a fundamental component of the bilateral dialogue process and resolution of this dispute is vital for maintaining peace and security in the region. India's continued intransigence over this issue is counterproductive and is unhelpful in the efforts to resolve this dispute.

    Pakistan remains committed to a purposeful, constructive and result-oriented dialogue with India and believes that serious efforts need to be made in maintaining a positive atmosphere and avoid negative propaganda.
    For NDTV Updates,

    Adrian Grenier Responds To Mark Wahlberg's 'Entourage' Comments

    Jerry Ferrara wasn't the only cast member to respond to Mark Wahlberg's claims that "greedy" people were holding up the feature adaptation of "Entourage." On Friday, star Adrian Grenier used his Instagram account to comment on the film's development process. The status of the "Entourage" movie has been the source of much contention since the New York Post's Page Six column reported in September that Grenier and Ferrara were among the cast members who had not signed on for the planned film.

    Grenier has long been excited about "Entourage." During an interview in April with HuffPost Live to discuss the documentary "How To Make Money Selling Drugs," he sounded hopeful that the film would come together. "Making movies is hard. It's going to take some time," he said, before addressing the fans: "I know you're anxious. I am too."

    UPDATE: Speaking to TMZ on Sunday, "Entourage" star Kevin Connolly said the film was going to happen, and while nothing was official just yet, it looked likely to star production in January. Connolly had similar enthusiasm for the film back in April of this year. "Everything is such hard work, but that'll be like a vacation," Connolly said to HuffPost Entertainment about returning to "Entourage." "It can't happen fast enough for me."

    6 'Prism' Lyrics That Are Probably About John Mayer

    On first (second, third and umpteen) listen of Katy Perry's "Prism," three themes begin to emerge: (1) Katy Perry has some lingering feelings about Russell Brand, (2) Katy Perry likes singing songs that would bring the house down at bar mitzvah receptions circa 1992, and (3) Katy Perry really loves being in love with John Mayer. Perry wants to sing about their relationship from the mountaintop, guys, an enthusiasm that comes through on songs like "Legendary Lovers," "This Moment," "Walking On Air," "Unconditionally," "Double Rainbow" (there's a song called "Double Rainbow" on this album, btw) and, well, plenty more. Here are the six lyrics that Perry and her stable of songwriters, including Mayer himself (on "Spiritual"), thought might sound like they could be about John Mayer.

    1. From "Legendary Lovers": "I feel my lotus bloom, come closer / I want your energy, I want your aura / You are my destiny, my mantra"

    2. From "Birthday": "So let me get you in your birthday suit / It's time to bring out the big balloons"
    katy perry john mayer

    3. From "Walking On Air": "You're giving me sweet, sweet ecstasy / Yeah you take me to utopia / You reading me like erotica / Boy you make me feel exotic yeah / Just when I think I can't take anymore / We go deeper and harder / Than ever before / We go higher and higher / I feel like I'm already there"
    katy perry john mayer

    4. From "Unconditionally": "Come just as you are to me / Don't need apologies / Know that you are unworthy / I'll take your bad days with your good / Walk through this storm I would / I'd do it all because I love you, I love you"
    katy perry john mayer

    5. From "Double Rainbow": "Was a phenomenon when you came along / Yeah, our chemistry was more than science / It was deafening, loud like lightning, it was striking / You couldn't deny it"

    READ FULL STORY

    Sexual assault case Asaram undergoes potency test again

    Controversial godman Asaram Bapu was on Wednesday subjected to a potency test in connection with a sexual assault case lodged against him and his son Narayan Sai by two Surat-based sisters.

    "Asaram was taken to civil hospital for potency test in connection with the sexual assault case lodged against him," a senior police official said.

    Asaram, 72, was brought to Ahmedabad on Monday evening on a transit remand from a court in Jodhpur where he was lodged in a jail since August in another sexual assault case involving minor daughter of one of his devotees.

    A magisterial court in Gandhinagar had remanded him in four-day police custody on Tuesday.

    Surat police recently registered two complaints - one against Asaram and another against his son Narayan Sai - of rape, sexual assault, illegal confinement and other charges as alleged by the two sisters.

    The elder of the sisters, in her complaint, had accused Asaram of repeated sexual assault between 1997 and 2006 when she had been living in his ashram on the outskirts of Ahmedabad city. The case against Asaram was transferred to Chandkheda police station as the incident took place in Ahmedabad.

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

    Narayan Sai and Asaram had also filed petitions in the Gujarat High Court, seeking quashing of the complaints on the grounds of delay in filing them and that they are based on flimsy grounds.

    Narendra Modi, L K Advani to share stage in Ahmedabad

    Ahmedabad, Oct 16: The BJP's prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat's Chief Minister Narendra Modi will share dais with the party's patriarch L K Advani in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

     Advani will be hosted by Modi in Ahmedabad today to jointly inaugurate the gardens built by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) along the Sabarmati river under the Riverfront Development Project.

    The AMC invitation cards mentioned that Advani would dedicate the gardens to the people in the presence of Modi. The event assumes significance, as Advani, the MP from Gandhinagar constituency, would be seen at a major public function in Gujarat after 2011. Modi and Advani will also attend a meeting of the Somnath Temple Trust.

    Another report said that Modi and Advani will also attend a close-door meeting of the Somnath Temple Trust along with the former CM of Gujarat Keshubhai Patel.

    In Mexico, Extortion Soars Amid Crackdown On Drugs

    When the threatening phone calls demanding $20,000 in protection money began in December, Dr. Roman Gomez Gaviria shrugged them off, believing his clinic on the outskirts of Mexico City couldn't possibly be of interest to criminal gangs. A few months later, his sense of security was shattered when three armed men barged into his office screaming "Dr. Ramon, you bastard, where are you?"

    "They tried to tackle me, to take me out of the clinic, when I saw that each one had a pistol tucked into his belt," said Gaviria, recounting the ordeal. "They thought that, because I'm a doctor, I wasn't going to resist."

    Such shakedown rackets have long targeted businesses in the most violent corners of Mexico. Now the practice is spreading. One anti-crime group estimates that kidnapping across the country has jumped by one-third so far this year compared to 2012. And as the extortion industry expands, it has drawn both experienced criminals and imitators.

    Experts say the increase is a byproduct of Mexico's crackdown on the nation's drug gangs. As authorities nab cartel bosses and break up chains of command, hundreds of lower-level gunmen and traffickers are desperate for income and looking for income in new places.

    Targets include everything from multinational businesses to corner pharmacies and unsuspecting holidaymakers. The gangs are less organized, but more ubiquitous than the drug cartels, affecting broad swaths of the country.

    "It affects all economic activity. It discourages investment," said security expert Jorge Chabat.

    In the first eight months of 2013, there were 5,335 reported extortion attempts nationwide, equal to the number for all of the previous year. If the current pace continues, the total could surpass 8,000 this year, almost twice as many as in 2007.

    The tourism industry, Mexico's third-largest source of foreign revenue, has been one of the hardest hit. Largely untouched when the U.S.-backed drug war began in late 2006, the state of Oaxaca had quietly become the turf of the Zetas cartel. In recent months, guests of at least a dozen hotels in scenic, colonial Oaxaca city have started receiving calls from strangers saying they would be kidnapped if they didn't pay between $380 and $1,500, hotel industry and security officials said.

    "The way they operate is to call the hotel, ask to speak to a particular room and then start threatening" the guest, said Joaquin Carrillo Ruiz, an assistant state prosecutor in Oaxaca. Many of the tourists, all from Mexico, reported the crime instead of paying up, but that hasn't calmed worries in Oaxaca, where tourism is a vital source of outside income.

    "We have to stop this in its tracks," said Juan Carlos Rivera, the head of the Oaxaca Hotel Association. "If we don't, it could escalate."

    As if to prove his point, a group of Spanish musicians were hit by a telephone extortion scheme in Mexico City this month, though none was kidnapped or harmed.

    But even authorities acknowledge that the vast majority of extortions go unreported — as many as 92 percent according to a survey of crime victims by the National Statistics Institute. The same survey from April indicated that extortion is now the second most common crime after street robberies, with 7.6 percent of those surveyed in 2012 saying they were extortion victims, up about two percentage points from the year before.

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