Letters by Lawrence of Arabia discovered

London, Sept 19 (ANI): Fascinating letters written by Lawrence of Arabia have been found years after they were thought to have been burned on a fire.

In the letters, the hero of the Arab revolt in the First World War talks about his love of motorcycles, which led to his death in a road accident in 1935, reports The Telegraph.

Speaking about one of his machines, he wrote: “It’s a heavenly bike, goes like smoke and is as smooth as milk to ride.”

The correspondence – found when an envelope fell out of an old book – will be auctioned on October 1 in Dorchester, Dorset, and could fetch more than 10,000 pounds.

Dorset historian Rodney Legg, who has written numerous books on Lawrence, said: “It’s mysterious how Lawrence managed to balance his finances. He sometimes spent lavishly and at other times wrote letters to friends proclaiming poverty.

“So anything that throws light on the relationship with his banker is quite revealing.” (ANI)

Veraval riots: Nanavati Commission not to issue notice against Modi

Ahmedabad, Sep.19 (ANI): In a major reprieve for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Justice Girish Thakorlal Nanavati Commission on Saturday confirmed that it would not be issuing any notice to him in connection with the communal riots in Veraval.

However, the commission has asked the State Government to give it transcripts of the conversations that took place prior to the riots, during the riots and in its aftermath.

The commission has so far given a clean chit to Modi in the post-Godhra events. The Nanavati Commission said there was no evidence to show there was lapse in Modi’s or his ministers’ role in providing protection, relief and rehabilitation to the victims of communal riots or in the matter of not complying with the recommendations and direction given by the National Human Rights Commission.

Communal attacks on Muslims took place in Gujarat between February and May 2002.

The riots occurred after the burning of the Sabarmati Express. According to official figures tabled in the parliament, more than a thousand people were killed (790 Muslims and 254 Hindus) in the violence after the train incident. More than two hundred and fifty thousand people were displaced (about 200,000 Muslims and 40,000 Hindus).

Organizations such as Human Rights Watch criticized the Indian government for failure to address the resulting humanitarian condition of people, “overwhelming majority of them Muslim,” who fled their homes for relief camps in the aftermath of the events.

Many of the investigations and prosecution of those accused of violence during the riots have been opened for reinvestigation and prosecution. According to an official estimate, 1044 people were killed in the violence, including those killed in the Godhra train fire. Another 223 people were reported missing, 2,548 injured, 919 women widowed and 606 children orphaned. About 100,000 Muslims and 40,000 Hindus were in relief camps. (ANI)

Now, ‘Australian Fritzl’ who raped daughter, fathered four kids emerges

Melbourne, September 17 (ANI): Lisa Neville, Australian Community Services Minister, has come under fire after huge number of bungling in the child protection services emerged, including a sex horror case of a man accused of fathering four children with his daughter.

Neville is expected to be faced with calls to resign after revelations of failed attempts by Victoria’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to conduct proper background checks on a known sexual predator before letting a child into his care.

The accused is said to have caged his daughter as a virtual prisoner, raping her almost daily from when she was 11 years old, reports the Herald Sun.

All the four kids bore by the woman, who is now under the care of authorities in a safe house, had health problems when delivered in major hospitals in Melbourne. One of the kids died soon after birth.

Their birth certificates do not hold the name of their fathers, prompting alarms as to why questions were not asked at the time.

The man denied the allegations, but was charged after DNA tests allegedly proved he was the father of her children. He is due to appear in court in November.

Comparisons have been drawn between the case and that of Josef Fritzl, the Austrian man who held his daughter as a sex slave for 24 years and fathered seven children with her.

Minister Lisa Neville told ABC Radio: “I was extremely appalled to see the allegations.”

“They are only allegations and are before the courts at the moment and we need to be very careful about how much detail we go into,” Neville said.

“I became aware of this from the media today and I don’t know what, or if, (there has been) any involvement of the police, the department or other agencies … over the past 30 years.

“This will be a priority to look into,” she added. (ANI)

Major fire at CGO complex building

New Delhi, Sept 17 (ANI): A major fire broke out in the Electronic Niketan building in the CGO complex on Lodhi road on Thursday morning.

However, no report of any casualties was reported.

The blaze broke out in the first floor at around 3:45 a.m.

According to fire brigade officials, fire tenders extinguished the flames after battling it for about four hours.

It seems that the fire was caused by a short circuit. (ANI)

Tripura police arrest a juvenile with three American made pistols

Agartala, Sep, 16 (ANI): A 16- year- old juvenile, who fled from custody with five other Bangladesh nationals, was arrested by Agartala Police on Wednesday.

Police have recovered three American pistols and ammunition from him.

West Tripura District Superintendent of Police K V Sreejesh said: “Based on the information last night we arrested one person from the Battala area and recovered two loaded pistols from his position.”

“During the interrogation, he informed about another pistol hidden in a temple near the Agartala railway station which also we have found along with eight live cartridges and six magazines,” Sreejesh added.

The juvenile arms carrier has been identified as Shiva Das and is suspected to have received the pistols from Bangladesh.

Police suspect an arms racket is on ahead of Durga Puja in Tripura.

A case has been registered under the Arms Possession and Using of Fire Arms Act. By Pinaki Das (ANI)

Adopt new, transparent selection process for police forces: Chidambaram

New Delhi, Sep 14 (ANI): Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday asked the State Governments to adopt new, time bound and transparent selection process for the state police forces on the lines of the Central Police Force selection procedure.

Addressing the three-day long conference of the Directors Generals and Inspectors Generals of state police forces organized by Intelligence Bureau, Chidambaram said: “Revamp the recruitment procedures and make them quick, time bound and transparent. We have introduced a new recruitment procedure in the CPMFs that is based on technology, objective assessment and transparency. I would take this opportunity to urge State Governments to immediately adopt the new procedure.”

Chidambaram expressed concern over the way police officers are treated and asked states to constitute the police establishment boards as the earliest.

“Constitute a Police Establishment Board that would decide on transfers and postings. It is a matter of deep regret that many police officers have been reduced to a football, to be kicked here and there, from one post to another, without regard to the damage done to the job as well as the officer,” he said.

Expressing concern over the non providing of funds to the police forces by some of the states, Chidambaram said: “I am also concerned about the attitude of some State Governments to providing funds for the police. Let me remind you that Police and Public Order are State subjects. States are right in zealously guarding their turf. The Central Government has no desire to encroach upon the jurisdiction of the State Governments. Given the Constitutional responsibility, State Governments must provide adequate funds for the State Police. “

The Home Minister appealed to the state governments to change the practice of allotting the residue – after providing funds for other Plan and Non-Plan Schemes to the head of Police.

The Central Government increased over Rs.13, 000 crore in the budget of the current fiscal to strengthening the CPFs, and for Modernization of Police Force, CCTNS, Strengthening of Fire and Emergency Services, Scheme of ICP, etc.

Chidambaram called on the conference to mark the beginning of a process of reinventing the security system in the country.

“We must learn from our past mistakes. We must also learn from the experience of other countries. It is the neglect of tried and tested methods that has led us to a situation where we seemed unequal to the challenges that face the internal security of the country,” he said.It is not enough to walk with firm steps on the path that is known. We must also lay out a path forward that will draw heavily upon technology and innovation,” Chidambaram added.

He said once the ambitious projects of CCTN and NATGRID are fully rolled out and implemented, it would mark a quantum jump in our ability to counter the challenges that we face.

Chidambaram also stressed on the creation of a first rate National Counter Terrorism Centre.

“It is also my desire that once the Police Mission submits its report, we should implement the recommendations in a time-bound manner. There is the need to enact a “Model Police Act”. Mega-city policing is a new requirement, and there is much to learn from the experiences of other mega-cities,” Chidambaram said.

Chidambaram also asked the state police chiefs to sharply upgrade our Forensic Science Laboratories and make them among the best in the world. (ANI)

Militants killed three BSF jawans in Manipur

Imphal, Sep 12 (ANI): Armed militants near Oksu village in Imphal district of Manipur killed three jawans of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday.

According to sources, heavily armed militants belonging to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) opened indiscriminate fire on the BSF near Oksu village, 20 km east of Imphal.

According to Manipur police, the militants who were positioned on top of a hillock are reportedly fled with the weapons of the dead jawans. (ANI)

Pak denies rocket fire near Wagah border

Lahore, Sep.12 (ANI): Pakistan has rejected India’s allegations of breaking the ceasefire between the two countries by denying reports of rockets being fired from its side towards India at the Wagah border.

The allegations from India and Pakistan’s denial came during the emergency meeting between the Pakistan Rangers and Border Security Forces (BSF),following reports of three rockets being fired from the other side of the border into Indian territory.

The Border Security Force (BSF) retaliated with machine gun fire following the rocket fire on Friday night.

Last night between 10 and 11 p.m., the BSF said that at least two rockets were fired into the Indian side of the Wagah border.

A third incident of shelling was reported from Ratankalan village two km. from Wagah border, the BSF confirmed.

According to reports, the three rockets, which were fired by Pakistan, fell in the border villages of Dhanoae Kachye and Modahe.

However, no causality was been reported.

Talking to ANI over the phone DIG BSF Jagir Singh confirmed that so far three rockets were fired from Pakistan side. (ANI)

Out of form Bopara wants to be England’s main man

London, Sep 11 (ANI): Ravi Bopara, who has been struggling with his batting form, remains convinced that he will become an international star despite a desperate struggle against Australia.

He has already been dropped from England’s Test team and is now in danger of relinquishing his place in the one-day team.

The Essex batsman was speaking up for England’s under pressure one-day side after three miserable performances in the past week that have handed Australia a 3-0 lead in the NatWest Series.

According to The Sun, Bopara knows he has no alternative other than to fight and discover some form from somewhere, or to lose the series by a humiliating margin, perhaps even a dreaded 7-0 whitewash.

“I don’t doubt my ability. It is just a case of getting my game in order. There is a lot to come from me yet. A big score can turn it round. I’ve made a few 40s and 50s but I want to go out and win games for England,” Bopara said.

“I don’t want to get scores that just do enough to give England a chance, I want to seal the win. I’m desperate to do that but not over-desperate because that’s when things can go wrong.

“I want to be the main man for England. I would love to go out at Lord’s on Saturday and smack the Aussies around. I still think we can pull this series out of the fire – England normally respond well when we are down,” he added.

Since scoring three tons in three Test innings against West Indies earlier this year, Bopara has been struggling with the bat. (ANI)

US Navy ship sunk in World War II battle located

Washington, September 11 (ANI): A research mission has located and identified the final resting place of the YP-389, a US Navy patrol boat sunk approximately 20 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, by a German submarine during World War II.

Six sailors died in the attack on June 19, 1942. There were 18 survivors.

The wreck is located in about 300 feet of water in a region off North Carolina known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” home to US and British naval vessels, merchant ships, and German U-boats sunk during the Battle of the Atlantic.

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and its expedition partners mapped and shot video of the wreck using high-resolution camera equipment, multibeam sonar and an advanced remotely operated vehicle deployed from the NOAA ship Nancy Foster.

Researchers were able to locate and positively identify the YP-389 by reexamining data from the Duke Marine Laboratory expedition that discovered the USS Monitor in 1973.

Today, the relatively intact remains of the YP-389 rest upright on the ship’s keel.

The wreck site is home to a variety of marine life. Much of the outer-hull plating has fallen away, leaving only the intact frames exposed.

“She rests now like a literal skeleton, a reminder of a time long ago when the nation was at war,” said Joseph Hoyt, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary archaeologist and principal investigator for the project.

Built originally as a fishing trawler, the YP-389 was converted into a coastal patrol craft and pressed into service after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The ship was equipped with one 3-inch deck gun to protect the ship from enemy aircraft and surfaced submarines and two .30-caliber machine guns.

However, on the day of the attack by the German submarine U-701, the ship’s deck gun was inoperative, and the YP-389 could return fire only with its machine guns.

Weeks after the attack on the YP-389, the U-701 was sunk by Army aircraft in the same vicinity as the YP-389.

According to Rear Admiral Jay A. DeLoach, USN (Ret), director, Naval History and Heritage Command, “The US Navy considers the YP-389 discovery a grave site and, by law, it is to be left undisturbed.” (ANI)

Seven terrorists killed by Pak security forces in Malakand

Rawalpindi, Sep 9 (ANI): The Pakistani security forces continued on Wednesday the search and clearance operations in Swat and Malakand during in which seven terrorists were killed.

According to a press release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the security forces conducted search operation in Charai near Malam Jabba and during exchange of fire with terrorists a soldier died and two others were injured. Also, seven terrorists were killed.

At least 11 terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces in Sarsanai, shadhand Banda and Bar Shaur, The News reported.

Local Jirga handed over a terrorist to security forces in Bar Kabulgram near Martung.

In Bajaur Agency, the security forces conducted search operation in Nawaga Bazaar and apprehended local terrorists commander along with five accomplices.

A wanted terrorist Kalam Khan voluntarily surrendered in Khar.

The security forces continued the relief activities, as at least 10 trucks of mix rations have been distributed amongst the IDPs of Bajaur. Also, as many as 294,841 cash cards have been distributed amongst the IDPs of Malakand. (ANI)

New ‘Taliban killer’ sights for British troopers on Afghanistan frontier

London, Sep 9(ANI): After reports of British soldiers facing weapons’ shortage in the Afghanistan frontier, a range of new thermal weapons’ sights has been launched to enable soldiers to dominate the battlefield in Afghanistan.

According to reports, the British Ministry of Defence will buy almost 11,000 new sights for 150 million pounds, allowing the Army to equip 95 infantry companies of more than 100 men.

As part of the Ministry of Defence’s Future Integrated Soldier Technology (Fist) programme troops have been issued with a small glass prism-like sight, which project a red laser dot. It would help a soldier to quickly align the red dot on an enemy who is very close and hit him with guaranteed accuracy.

“This means the infantryman can pick up the enemy coming in. At night the enemy’s field craft has to be pretty adept because he has to remain in dead ground all the way up to your position and that is hard yards. This will allow us to dominate the night,” The Telegraph quoted Col Bill Pointing, a former battalion commander in charge of the project, as saying.

“This will allow the infantry to operate quicker, better, at longer range, at night and in difficult weather conditions,” he added.

It will provide improved protection, day and night surveillance and target acquisition, and assistance with navigation, command and control and battle preparation.

The new thermal weapons’ sights would also allow soldiers to conduct surveillance and engage targets in all weather and light levels, including zero light where normal night sights would be rendered ineffective.

“There is a considerable improvement in terms of us infantry engaging the Taliban at very close quarters in the villages of Afghanistan, especially at night time. It will help us to put very effective fire into them,” said Cpl Ciaran Hanna of the Irish Guards. (ANI)

One killed in farmers-police clash in Punjab

Chandigarh, Sep 8 (ANI): One person was killed and several others were injured as large number of farmers staging a protest in Chandigarh clashed with the police on Tuesday.

The farmers from across Punjab state were protesting against the recent hike in power tariffs by the state’s electricity regulatory authority and sought better prices for their produce.

The agitating farmers set on fire several vehicles including police vehicles. Police fired tear gas to disperse the violent mob.

“The farmers were protesting outside Sector 16 stadium and started setting the police vehicles on fire and when I started clicking their pictures they attacked me and asked me to leave. They broke my camera and burnt many police vehicles,” said an unidentified reporter.

“I had come here and parked my bike when a crowd set many vehicles on fire including mine,” said Madhur, a youth whose two-wheeler was burnt by the agitating mob.

Farming is the main occupation of the fertile plains of Punjab, the state known as India’s granary.

Farming is subsidized across the country, especially in Punjab, in a number of ways including cheaper seeds, power, fertilizers and pesticides, easy loans and prices guaranteed by the state for farmers’ produce. (ANI)

Uttarakhand women earn a living out of forest produce

Chamoli (Uttrakhand), Sep 8 (ANI): Women of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand are rolling out herbal incense sticks and coal under the guidance of the district’s forest department.

They have formed various self-help groups to reap profits out of herbal environment friendly incense sticks and coal from leaves.

Aranyam, an eco and herbal centre in the district has appointed a few self-help groups to roll out these items.

The incense sticks are being prepared from lemongrass whereas the fallen leaves of Cheer Trees, which spreads fire in the forest are being utilised to making coal. Such attempt also helps in avoiding such fire related incidents in the forest area.

” Till this date, people were dependent only on agriculture but to improve our economic and living conditions, we have started such self help programs. Here we make coal and incense sticks,” said Bina Rawat, woman belonging to a self-help group.

On a regular basis, these women prepare around 1000 packets of incense sticks. They claim to generate enough income.

“We have been benefited a lot as we earn enough money after selling the incense sticks and the coal,” said Sunita Devi, another women.

Every woman earns almost 70 to100 rupees in a day.

The forest department official of the district said that such centre has been established to provide employment opportunities to people by utilising the forest produces.

“This centre has been established while keeping in mind to provide employment opportunities to people through the forest produce,” said Sanatan, District Forest Officer, Alaknanda forest department, Chamoli.

In a way, these herbal items benefit both the ecology and the people but it still awaits recognition by the government. (ANI)

Pilots of AI flight 829 de-rostered

Mumbai, Sep 5(ANI): The pilots of the Riyadh bound Air India flight (AI-829) whose engine caught fire in the Mumbai International Airport have been de-rostered on Saturday.

According to reports, Director General of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Nazeem Zaldi, has confirmed that the pilots have been de-rostered.

Meanwhile, it has also been reported that preliminary reports of the four-member in-house committee, which has been set up to probe the incident, suggest that there have been lapses on part of the pilots.

Nearly 200 passengers were onboard the flight, when the aircraft’s left engine caught fire while taking off.

Many passengers who had suffered bruises and cuts while sliding down from the chutes, who were immediately taken to the Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL) casualty centre and given first aid. (ANI)

Four-member team set up to probe Air India fire incident

Mumbai, Sep 5 (ANI): A four-member in-house committee has been set up to probe the Air India fire incident that took place at Mumbai International Airport on Friday.

Nearly 200 passengers were onboard on Riyadh bound Air India flight (AI-829) while the aircraft’s left engine caught fire while taking off.

Many passengers suffered bruises and cuts while sliding down from the chutes but were taken to the Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL) casualty centre and given first aid.

Ruling out the possibility of a technical snag leading to the grounding of the aircraft at Mumbai Airport, aviation experts said the fuel leaked onto the heated engines of the aircraft and that had caused the fire.

They said that timely information provided by a passenger led the crew to stop the flight from taxing off the runway for Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh.

Flight 829 was immediately grounded when sparks were detected flying out of one of the engines.

The 213 passengers onboard were evacuated by slides to safety. Four fire engines were rushed to the spot, as also other equipment and personnel. (ANI)

DGCA recommends derostering of Air India maintenance engineer for fuel leak

Mumbai, Sep.4 (ANI): The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered the derostering of the maintenance engineer who was working on Air India flight 829 after it developed a fuel leak.

The DGCA has ordered a detailed probe into the fuel leak from the wings of an Air India flight that caused one of the engines to catch fire.

Ruling out the possibility of a technical snag leading to the grounding of the aircraft at Mumbai Airport on Friday morning, aviation experts said the fuel leaked onto the heated engines of the aircraft and that had caused the fire.

Had it not been detected, they said it could have led to a major catastrophe in the air.

They said that timely information provided by a passenger led the crew to stop the flight from taxing off the runway for Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh.

Flight 829 was immediately grounded when sparks were detected flying out of one of the engines.

The 213 passengers onboard were evacuated by slides to safety.

Four fire engines were rushed to the spot, as also other equipment and personnel. (ANI)

Fuel leak behind Air India flight fire: Experts

Mumbai, Sep.4 (ANI): Aviation experts on Friday said that a fuel leak from the wings of an Air India flight caused one of the engines to catch fire.

Ruling out the possibility of a technical snag leading to the grounding of the aircraft at Mumbai Airport on Friday morning, the experts said the fuel leaked onto the heated engines of the aircraft and that had caused the fire.

Had it not been detected, they said it could have led to a major catastrophe in the air.

They said that timely information provided by a passenger led the crew to stop the flight from taxing off the runway for Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh.

Flight 829 was immediately grounded when sparks were detected flying out of one of the engines.

The 213 passengers onboard were evacuated by slides to safety. Four fire engines were rushed to the spot, as also other equipment and personnel. (ANI)

Air India flight grounded in Mumbai as engine catches fire

Mumbai, Sep.4 (ANI): A major tragedy was avoided at Mumbai Airport on Friday morning when an emergency was declared after one of the engines of an Air India flight caught fire while getting ready to taxi off the runway.

Reports said the flight, which was bound for Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, was immediately grounded when a passenger detected sparks flying out of one of the engines.

The 213 passengers onboard were evacuated by slides to safety. Four fire engines were rushed to the spot, as also other equipment and personnel.

Officials of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation are investigating the causes for what would have been a huge tragedy.(ANI)

Poland observes 70th anniversary of beginning of WWII

Warsaw (Poland), Sep.1 (ANI): Commemorations have begun in Poland to mark the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War.

The first ceremony took place at dawn on Westerplatte peninsula near Gdansk, where a German battleship fired the first shots on a Polish fort in 1939.

Poland’s president and prime minister led a sombre ceremony at the fort.

President Kaczynski and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk joined war veterans beside a monument to the heroes of Westerplatte at 4:45 a.m. local time.

The ceremony marked the exact time on September 1, 1939 when the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein opened fire at point-blank range on the fort, reports the BBC.

At the same time, the German Wehrmacht invaded Poland from east, west and south. The attacks triggered Britain and France’s declaration of war against Germany two days later.

Foreign leaders from 20 countries including Germany and Russia are expected in Gdansk later in the day as ceremonies continue.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will speak later. (ANI)