ISRO successfully test-fires Mangalyaan engine

BANGALORE: In a crucial manoeuvre ahead of India’s Mars orbiter’s entry into the final destination on September 24, the main liquid engine on the spacecraft was on Monday successfully test-fired and its trajectory corrected.

The 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engine, idling for the last 300 days on the Mars Orbiter Mission, was fired for four seconds, raising the confidence level of ISRO about the success of insertion of the spacecraft into the Martian orbit.

“Main Liquid Engine test-firing on Mars orbiter spacecraft successful: We had perfect burn for 4 seconds as programmed. The trajectory has been corrected. Mars Orbiter Mission will now go ahead with the normal plan for Mars Orbit Insertion,” said ISRO.

“Our navigators’ calculations show that MOM has entered the Gravitational Sphere of Influence of Mars,” ISRO said.

The spacecraft was within 5.4 lakh km radius of the Mars’ Gravitational Sphere of Influence, it said. On a 666 million km journey, the spacecraft escaped the earth gravity pull on December 1, 2013.

In the last lap on September 24, the orbiter has to be slowed down from 22.1 km per second to 4.4 km per second in relation to the red planet to be captured by the Martian orbit. The engine would be fired for 24 minutes on that day to reduce its velocity and insert it into the Martian orbit.

ISRO has already uploaded commands to help the spacecraft automatically enter the orbit. The mission’s success will make India the first country in the world to go to Mars in the maiden attempt. — PTI

NASA's MAVEN enters Mars orbit

WASHINGTON: NASA's MAVEN spacecraft began orbiting Mars on a mission to study how the Red Planet's climate changed over time from warm and wet to cold and dry.

"Based on observed navigation data, congratulations. MAVEN is now in orbit," said Dave Folta of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

The unmanned orbiter has traveled more than 10 months and 711 million kilometers to reach Mars yesterday for a first-of-its kind study of the planet's upper atmosphere.

The data from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft aims to help scientists understand what happened to the water on Mars and the carbon dioxide in its atmosphere several billion years ago.

How Mars lost its atmosphere is one of science's biggest mysteries. The answers could shed light on the planet's potential to support life -- even if that was just microbial life -- long ago.

MAVEN's findings are also expected to help add to knowledge of how humans could survive on a future visit to the Red Planet, perhaps as early as 2030.

"Mars is a cool place, but there is not much atmosphere," said John Clarke, of the MAVEN science team.

"It is very cold, it is well below zero. The atmosphere is about half a percent of what we are breathing," he added.

"But we know that Mars could change and it was probably different in the past. 

There is a lot of evidence of flowing water on the surface from Mars's ancient history." Next, MAVEN will enter a six-week phase for tests.

Then, it begins a one-year mission of studying the gases in Mars's upper atmosphere and how it interacts with the sun and solar wind.

Much of MAVEN's year-long mission will be spent circling the planet 3,730 miles above the surface.

However, it will execute five deep dips to a distance of just 78 miles above the Martian landscape to get readings of the atmosphere at various levels.

NASA has sent several rovers and probes to Mars in recent years.

The US space agency's latest robotic vehicle, Curiosity, is exploring Gale Crater and Mount Sharp, looking for interesting rocks and returning data on whether the Martian environment shows evidence of a past ability to support life.

Later this week, an Indian spacecraft, the Mars Orbiter Mission, will be on course to reach Mars.

The unmanned MOM probe is set to enter Mars's orbit in the next few years after 10 months in space, marking India's first mission to the planet to search for evidence of life. – Agencies 

Ahmedabad: Hours after the Union Home Ministry ordered a probe into reports that employees of an Ahmedabad hotel from the northeast were asked to stay away from duty during Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit, the city police and hotel management have denied issuing any such instruction.

"I am not aware of any such diktat given by police to the hotel authorities about their staff. We were just concerned about the Tibetans," said Joint Commissioner of Police(JCP)-Crime A K Sharma.

JCP of Special Branch Vikas Sahay too said he was not aware of any such order having been issued.

The Management of hotel Hyatt Ahmedabad expressed surprise over the reports and claimed all staffers, including those from the northeast, did duty on September 17 when Xi had a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi there.

"There was no such order given to the hotel staff on that day. All staff, including those from the northeast, was present in the hotel and doing duty when Chinese President arrived. I am surprised as to how such baseless reports are doing the rounds," said Marketing Manager of Hyatt Ahmedabad Ayesha Mishra.

Earlier in the day, the Home Ministry had asked the Intelligence Bureau to ascertain the veracity of reports about the order and, if it was indeed issued, who did it and why.-PTI

INCHEON: Decorated Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra on Monday created a flutter by saying that Tuesday would be his last day in professional shooting.

Olympic champion Bindra, who would be competing at the 10m air rifle event in the ongoing Incheon Asian Games on Tuesday, said even though his resume is "complete", he would still give his best to be to in the 2016 Rio Games for one last time.

"Tomorrow will mark the end of my professional shooting life ! I will however still shoot, compete as a hobby shooter training twice a week," the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist wrote on his twitter page.

"And yes I will still try to be at Rio and my bio is now most appropriate ! Great times and am sure there will be a few more!" added Bindra.

Come Tuesday, Bindra would be eyeing to better his silver medal in the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, when he turns up at the Gyeonggido Shooting Range for one last time in the continental event. — PTI

Indian women clinch 25m pistol bronze

INCHEON: Indian shooters kept up their fine performance in the 17th Asian Games with the women's team winning the bronze medal in the 25 metre pistol event at the Ongnyeon International Shooting Range here Monday.

The Indian team comprising Rahi Sarnobat (580), Anisa Sayyed (577) and Heena Sidhu (572) shot a total of 1,729 to claim the bronze medal. Rahi was the only Indian to qualify for the semi-final of the individual event.

The team gold went to the South Korean team of Kim Jangmi (584), Kwak Junghye (583) and Lee Jungeun (581) with an accumulated score of 1,748. China got the silver after the trio of Zhang Jingjing (591), Chen Ying (580) and Zhou Qingyuan (576) shot a total of 1,747.

The bronze was India's fifth medal from the Asian Games and fourth from the shooting range. Jitu Rai won the gold medal in the 50m pistol event and led the 10m air pistol team to a bronze. Shweta Chaudhry also won the bronze medal in the women's 10m air pistol event. -IANS

INCHEON: Indian squash player Dipika Pallikal could not better the colour of her assured bronze as she lost to world number one Nicol David in the women's singles semifinals of the 17th Asian Games here on Monday.

The 23-year-old Indian was outplayed 4-11 4-11 5-11 by David, who took merely 25 minutes to storm into the final.

The top-seeded Malaysian came into the match as the overwhelming favourite, having not lost a singles match since the sport was introduced in the 1998 Bangkok Games.

And David was in top form from the word go today as well and hardly gave a chance to Pallikal, who had played a draining semifinal match against compatriot Joshana Chinappa yesterday.

India had won three medals (all bronze) out of four categories at Guangzhou 2010 and this time they look good for medals in all four categories including the team India has so far won four medals (all bronze) at the Asian Games since 1998. 

Two of them have come courtesy men's singles player Saurav Ghosal and the rest in men's and women's team event. -PTI

Asiad tennis: India men's, women's teams knocked out

INCHEON: The Indian men's and women's tennis teams were knocked out from their respective quarterfinal matches of the 17th Asian Games at the Yeorumul Tennis Courts here Monday.

Kazakhstan proved to be the stumbling block, knocking out both the Indian men (1-2) and women (1-2) with relative ease and similar margins.

In the men's category, Sanam Singh was somewhat unlucky to lose in straight sets 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-3) in the first rubber against Aleksandr Nedovyesov.

The 397th ATP ranked Indian, fought till the very end in both the sets but lost key points during the tie-break when it most mattered to hand the Kazakhs a 1-0 lead.

A lot was expected from Yuki Bhambri, especially in the absence of the top ranked Indian - Somdev Devvarman - but the 22-year-old lost 2-6, 7-6 (8-6), 1-6 to Mikhail Kukushkin in two hours and three minutes.

Bhambri, ranked 187th, fought back valiantly after meekly surrendering the first set in just 28 minutes. The second went right down to the wire but the Indian managed to just about edge his opponent.

Inexplicably, Bhambri again seemed to lose focus and was completely dominated in the final set as Kazakhstan took an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Doubles team of Saketh Myneni and Divij Sharan managed to retain some pride for the Indians, beating Kazakh pair Andrey Golubev and Nedovyesov 7-5, 7-5 to end their participation on a positive note.

Earlier, the Indian women's tennis team also lost 1-2 to second seeds Kazakhstan.
India started poorly as Prarthana Thombare lost the first rubber in straight sets 3-6, 2-6 to Yuliya Putintseva in an hour and 24 minutes.

Ankita Raina put up a much better fight before going down 5-7, 6-7(3-7) to Yaroslava Shvedova, giving Kazakhstan a 2-0 unassailable lead.

The Indian doubles pair of Marie Anne Natasha Palha and Rishika Sunkara won the inconsequential third rubber after the Kazakh pair of Yuliya and Kamila Kerimbayeva retired at the score of 2-3 in the first set. –IANS

Shah calls Uddhav, says BJP-Sena alliance should not break

NEW DELHI: BJP president Amit Shah on Monday called Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and urged him to reconsider his stand on seat sharing in the upcoming Maharashtra polls.

The two parties, which have been alliance partners for nearly 25 years, hit a rough patch over seat sharing for October 15 Maharashtra Assembly polls.

Sources within the BJP said that Shah called Thackeray Monday morning, and said that the ties between the two parties should not break.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants at least 135 seats to contest, the Shiv Sena is not ready to offer anything more than 119 seats in the 288-seat Assembly.

The last date for filing nominations is September 27.

BJP sources said on Monday they may soon decide on candidates.

Asked about the chances of the alliance breaking up, BJP spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said: "The decision will be announced soon." — IANS

Amid seat-sharing tussle, Sena backs Modi for praising Muslims

MUMBAI: Even as its alliance with BJP appeared teetering on the brink, Shiv Sena on Monday endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's praise for Indian Muslims, saying he has "initiated a new chapter by giving a guarantee of the community's love for its motherland".

"Modi has lauded Indian Muslims for their patriotism. He has initiated a new chapter by giving a guarantee of the community's love for its motherland. Now, Muslims must not let him down," an editorial in Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana" said.

The party, an ally of BJP for 25 years, however, said Modi's praise of patriotism of Indian Muslims should not be seen as a dilution of his commitment to Hindutva.

"There is no reason to believe that Hindutva in Modi's mind has been diluted just because he called Muslims patriotic," the editorial said.

Asking Muslims not to let Modi down after he had shown immense faith in them, the Sena said, "As a Prime Minister, Modi represents people from all communities and there is no reason why he should be against a particular community. But, he has been always painted as 'anti-Muslim' by pseudo-secularists of the country."

If some people are involved in terrorism, it doesn't mean that every Muslim should be painted as a terrorist, the Sena mouthpiece said.

In an interview to a TV channel, Modi had said Indian Muslims will live and die for India and not dance to the tune of terrorist organisations like al Qaeda.

Shiv Sena's approval of Modi's remarks on Muslims, despite its hardline Hindutva ideology, could be seen as an attempt to keep the Prime Minister in good humour amid the continuing stand-off over seat-sharing for the Maharashtra Assembly polls next month.

Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had yesterday made a "final offer" to its long-standing ally, saying while Shiv Sena would contest 151 seats, BJP 119 and the rest 18 would go to smaller allies in the 288-member Assembly. BJP had promptly rejected the offer. -PTI

Maharashtra polls: Cong-NCP deadlock over seat sharing continues

NEW DELHI: Toughening its stand on seat sharing in Maharashtra, the Congress today held discussions on the prospect of contesting all the 288 Assembly segments in the state alone but made it clear that it will take a decision only after the NCP makes its stand known on a tie-up.

"We have held discussion on all seats," said Madhusudan Mistry, AICC General Secretary in charge of the Central Election Committee after a meeting of the top election body chaired by party President Sonia Gandhi discussed the issue in detail here.

Mistry, however, parried questions on an alliance with the NCP, which has so far not budged from its demand of 144 of the 288 seats in Maharashtra Assembly on a 50:50 formulae.

"Chief Minister, PCC president, the General Secretary in charge and the high command will sit together and decide what has to be done with the alliance. I have no idea," he said when pressed on whether the Congress-NCP alliance will continue or not.

Keeping the suspense over the tie up, he said, "Ask me about seats and not alliance".

To a question on how many names have been finalised and when can the first list be issued, he merely said, "We will tell you." Sources in the party, however, said no list is likely to be announced and the party would wait for the core committee meeting of the NCP in Maharashtra.

While NCP vice-president Praful Patel had yesterday said his party stood by its original demand for 144 Assembly seats and its core committee in Mumbai will take a final call, Maharashtra Congress President Manikrao Thakre had maintained that the Congress was willing to give its ally a few seats but if it remains "inclined" towards a particular number then things "will not work out".

However, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi today expressed confidence that the two parties will have an alliance.

"I certainly do not think that it will be a four- cornered contest. At the best it will be three-cornered because we are going to have an alliance," he said replying to questions.

State Congress leaders yesterday held a meeting at the residence of AICC's Screening Committee Chairman for Maharashtra Mallikarjun Kharge here.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, meanwhile, said while the party is finalising the deliberations on pending seats, "discussions with NCP are going on at a different level".

He was replying to a question as to whether the fact that Congress has held discussions on all seats in Maharashtra is any indication that the alliance between the two parties is no longer workable.

"We are finalising our candidates and that exercise has been going on with the the Central Election Committee. We are again meeting the leadership. We are going to meet the Congress President and the General Secretary in charge to finalise the seats which are pending," he said.

To a questions about Congress-NCP ties, he said, "Discussions with the NCP are going on on a separate platform".

"We are completing our seat selection while talks with NCP are going on at a different level. We are not waiting for the (meeting of) NCP. Discussions with NCP are going on," Chavan added.

He was speaking to reporters after the CEC meeting and before the second round of consultations of state leaders with party President Sonia Gandhi and AICC general secretary in charge for the state, Mohan Prakash, over the Maharashtra issue.

Sources said that Congress needs to discuss finer points related to some 20-odd seats now. — PTI

Islamabad: Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar, a close confidante of Pakistan's powerful Army Chief, was today named as the new head of the controversial spy agency ISI, enhancing the military's clout over the embattled government facing protests.

Lt Gen Akhtar was promoted as a three-star general and appointed Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as part of a major reshuffle in the military, a development that would help Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif in consolidating his powers amid political instability in the country.

"Maj Gens Rizwan Akhtar, Hilal Hussain, Ghayur Mahmood, Nazir Butt, Navid Mukhtar, Hidayat Ur Rehman" were promoted to next ranks, Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major Asim Bajwa tweeted.

Akhtar was appointed as DGISI, Hidayat was posted to Peshawar Corps, Mukhtar to Karachi Corps, Hussain to Mangla Corps, Mahmood to Gujranwala Coprs and Butt was made chief of communication and Information Technology at the Headquarters.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave his approval to these postings on the recommendations of General Sharif.

Lt Gen Akhtar will take over from October 1 when the current ISI chief Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam retires along with four other Lieutenant Generals.

Those retiring are Mangla corps commander Lt Gen Tariq Khan, Gujranwala corps commander Lt Gen Saleem Nawaz, Peshawar corps commander Lt Gen Khalid Rabbani and Karachi corps commander Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani.

Technically and legally the ISI chief is appointed by the Prime Minister on the advice of the Army Chief but the former can seldom have his will. Usually the Army Chief sends a name as a formality to the Prime Minister, who has to approve it.

Earlier, it was reported that Maj Gen Naveed Mukhtar was also in the running for the top spy job.

Akhtar is a graduate of the Command and Staff College in Quetta, National Defense University and the Army War College, USA, Dawn News reported.

He is from the Frontier Force Regiment and commanded the infantry brigade and infantry division in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Previously as Sindh DG Rangers, Maj Gen Akhtar had been assigned with the task to lead the Karachi operation.

As head of the paramilitary Rangers force in Karachi he launched a major operation against criminal gangs and Taliban militants.

But the military had later replaced him as DG Rangers Sindh with another senior military officer. - PTI 

Lahore: Most of the cabin crew of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight were detained by customs authorities at the airport here for allegedly smuggling 24 iPhones worth about Rs 2.5 million and also foreign currency.

The incident yesterday caused panic at the airport, besides delaying a Manchester-bound PIA flight for a couple of hours, after the crew staged a sit-in against the detention of their colleagues.

The customs authorities had information that 11 of the 14 crew members of PK-758 flight, including the captain and a purser, brought over 20 iPhones-5S (worth over Rs 105,000 each) from London on Friday during its launch, Dawn reported.

"The accused are office-bearers of the PIA staff union (CBA) and they did it under a plan. They first managed to get their duties changed by requesting the actual crew members for the flight in connivance with the relevant admin staff," Dawn quoted a senior PIA official as saying.

He said the accused left for London to purchase iPhones at cheap rates to sell them in Pakistan at higher prices.

He said some of their rivals in the union informed the customs officials about the plan before their return.

"As soon as the crew members reported in the lounge after landing of the plane, the authorities searched them. But they did not find iPhones. Later, they learnt that the accused had handed over the phones to a passenger," the official said.

The phones were later recovered from the passenger. The authorities also reportedly recovered 5,000 British pounds from the captain and some other crew.

The official said then the accused called their fellow crew members who were about to depart for Manchester.

The crew members, along with some other union staff, staged a sit-in and chanted slogans against the authorities for harassing them.

The protests ended after the detained crew members were released. A PIA spokesman said an inquiry had been launched. "Since it is a serious matter, an inquiry is under way. We will be able to tell who is responsible for the incident after the inquiry," the spokesman said.- PTI