#1 President Barack Obama orders US airstrikes in Syria against Islamic State
President Barack Obama told Americans on Wednesday he had authorised US airstrikes for the first time in Syria and more attacks in Iraq in a broad escalation of a campaign against the Islamic State militant group. Obama's decision to launch attacks inside Syria, which is embroiled in a three-year civil war, showed the seriousness of the threat American officials see from Islamic State. A year ago, the president shied away from airstrikes against Syria's government for its use of chemical weapons against Syrians. Read more
#2 Does the US stand united with Barack Obama in fight against Islamic State?
US lawmakers say they are on the verge of taking a "war vote" as they consider whether to back President Barack Obama's campaign to destroy Islamic State, and despite broad support for action many fear being drawn into a quagmire. The White House wants Congress to approve $500 million to train and arm moderate Syrian rebels to battle Islamic State militants, a show of confidence for administration officials as they try to form an international coalition. Read more
#3 Jammu and Kashmir Floods: Death toll crosses 215; Narendra Modi asks officials to ramp up relief operations
The situation in Jammu and Kashmir has worsened as more areas have become submerged in flood waters, leaving a trail of death and destruction. The death toll in the floods, the worst to have hit the state in the last 60 years, has reached 215. Thousands of families are stranded and awaiting help in their homes across the valley. The districts in South Kashmir districts are the worst hit by the catastrophe, with many areas still cut off. Over 30% of the capital city Srinagar is under flood waters. More than 10 lakh people are affected in Jammu division. Read more
#4 Al Qaeda-backed group releases video of kidnapped UN peacekeepers in Fiji
An al Qaeda-backed militant group that seized 45 UN peacekeepers two weeks ago on the Golan Heights has posted a video in which the hostages, from the South Pacific nation of Fiji, say they expect to be released soon. The video, which was posted on the Nusra Front's Twitter and YouTube accounts on Wednesday but was apparently recorded a day earlier, appears to show the troops in a good condition, at points smiling and waving at the camera. Read more
#5 Love jihad aimed at eradicating Hindu culture: Shiv Sena
The Shiv Sena jumped onto the bandwagon of political parties voicing their scathing opinions on 'love jihad' on Wednesday with an editorial in their mouthpiece Saamna, which said the phenomenon was part of "an international conspiracy to eradicate Hindu culture." The editorial charged that the alleged trend of Muslim youths luring Hindu girls and converting them to Islam was part of a design by global Islamist organisations to "completely Islamise Hindustan". It also extended its support to Yogi Adityanath, the BJP MP from Gorakhpur who is spearheading the saffron party's campaign for the crucial by-polls in Uttar Pradesh and has been making incendiary comments on the 'love jihad'. Read more
#6 Apple watches may not be a game changer; US retailers seen unlikely to warm up to Apple Pay
Apple Inc's launch of its own tap-to-pay system using near-field communication (NFC) in its new iPhones and smartwatches may not be a game changer after all. The success of Apple Pay, unveiled at a gala launch on Tuesday, hinges on the willingness of retailers to use NFC-based payment systems, industry experts said. So far the technology, which uses wireless technology to transfer data over short distances, has failed to catch on due to the high costs involved. Read more
#7 Wheelchair tennis player Madhu Bagri made to go from pillar to post
In a case of utter apathy and lack of co-ordination shown by various bodies that control the sport, Ahmedabad-based wheelchair Tennis player Madhu Bagri has been made to run from pillar to post to get the permission to participate in the upcoming Asian Para Games in Incheon, South Korea. Bagri, who was afflicted by Polio when she was 18-months-old, claimed she was given verbal assurance after she won the 'trials' conducted to select players for the Asian Para Games. Read more
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