LIVE! Clinton jokes about e-mail controversy with Snapchat praise

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Sat, 15 August 2015

Clinton jokes about e-mail controversy with Snapchat praise

Timeline Refresh

23:15 Clinton jokes about e-mail controversy with Snapchat praise

Hillary Clinton mocked interest in her use of a private e-mail server, but a joke about Snapchat could invite more Republican ridicule and add greater focus to a controversy that is already dogging her campaign. She told a 2,100-person audience at the Iowa Democratic Wing Ding dinner of her recently-created account on Snapchat, the popular picture and video app where users' messages are automatically erased after they're seen. "I love it," Clinton joked. "Those messages disappear all by themselves."

23:12 Bombs kill at least 20 across Baghdad

A series of blasts across Baghdad killed at least 20 people, police and medical sources said. Eleven of those were killed when a car bomb exploded in the mainly Shiite district of Habibiya near Sadr City, where more than 70 people were killed in a truck bomb blast earlier this week.

The issue of the Islamic State threat is likely to be part of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE leadership which considers the terror group as a major threat. Modi will arrive on Sunday on a two-day visit, the first by an Indian PM in 34 years, and will hold talks with the leadership of world's second largest Arab economy.

When asked whether the issue of Islamic State will figure in the talks, official sources said UAE sees the terror group as a major threat and will take every measure to counter it.

Islamic State group jihadists have beheaded 12 people and hung them on crosses during a battle for the coastal city of Sirte. The fighting for control of Sirte, hometown of slaindictator Moamer Kadhafi, has been raging since Tuesday, with one top Libyan diplomat warning of a "massacre" in the city.

The national news agency said the 12 people beheaded were local gunmen who had been battling IS in the eastern Sirte district known as "neighbourhood three". The agency also reported that IS militants executed 22 other Sirte residents who had taken up arms against the jihadist group as they lay wounded in a city hospital.

21:49

Image: Rashtrapati Bhavan in a decadent glow of Independence. Photograph: @RashtrapatiBhvn/Twitter

21:44 See just how inefficient Parliament was

Partisan bickering in this year's monsoon session of Parliament made it one of the least-productive sittings of the legislature in years, according to PRS Legislative Research, a nonprofit monitoring group.PRS says the just-concluded session saw passage of fewer bills than any since the winter session of 2010, after opposition protests stalled progress in both houses.

Read more HERE

21:24

JUST IN: At least 15 people killed and 45 injured in two explosions in Baghdad.

More details are awaited.

20:43 Indian hackers bring down Pak websites on Independence day

A group of anonymous Indian hackers, called 'Hell Shield Hackers', claimed to have taken down around 100 Pakistani business websites as a "tribute to Indian jawans" on the occasion of Independence Day. The hackers posted a message in all the websites asking Pakistani citizens to "be prepared for a full day of website attacks". While some of the hacked websites have recovered, the others remain defaced.

Al Qaeda has released a message claiming to show Osama bin Laden's son Hamza urging terrorist attacks to be carried out in London and in other countries allied to the US.

Hamza bin Laden, believed to be in his mid-20s and reportedly known as the 'crown prince of terror', has been touted as a future leader of Al Qaeda. In the message, which was shared on Twitter, he calls for lone wolf jihadist attacks on America and its allies and marks out London, Washington, Paris and Tel Aviv as specific targets.

After a turbulent monsoon session in Parliament, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Speaker Sumitra Mahajan share a joke and hug it out at President Pranab Mukherjee's 'At Home' reception on Independence Day.

The bonhomie between the two was surprising, to say the least, after the manner in which Congress disrupted the session, causing adjournments. Sonia's party members often carried placards in the House, and shouted slogans demanding the PM to issue a statement on Lalitgate and the Vyapam scam, leading to Mahajan suspending Congress members.

The suspension was not received well by Sonia, who had later issued a statement saying that the suspension was an attack on democracy.

18:47

On the occasion of Independence Day, Border Security Forces officials participate in the Beating Retreat Ceremony at the Wagah Border.

18:34 100 kids ill after consuming sweets on I-Day in Bihar

Nearly 100 children have fallen after consuming sweets distributed by a village head in Bihar's Darbhanga district to celebrate Independence Day, police said. The incident took place in Ranipur village in Darbhanga, about 200 km from Patna. "The village mukhiya distributed sweets to mark Independence Day. But soon after consuming it, many children fell ill," a district police official said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a sense apologised afrer photographs shared on social media on Saturday showed his name being displayed by a formation of children at Independence Day celebrations in Delhi, provoking a strong reaction. He wrote on Twitter that he was unaware that such an act would be done and vowed to stop the practice.

Kejriwal's name was formed by children using placards and handkerchiefs, as a "misuse" of Independence Day celebrations.

Even as India celebrated its 69th Independence Day and saluted the sacrifices made by freedom fighters, came a news that two days ago an army jawan was lynched in Meerut for trying to save a teenager from a group of eve teasers.

On Thursday night, 31-year-old Lance Nayak Ved Mitra Chaudhary managed to overpower a group of men who were eve teasing a girl, and forced them to flee. But minutes later, the eve teasers returned with some accomplices and attacked Chaudhary with rods and bricks. He later succumbed to his injuries.

16:49

JUST IN: At the Badminton World Championship, Saina Nehwal has just taken the first set of the semi-final match against Lindaweni Fanetri 21-17.

16:40 Pistorius is about to be released from prison 10 months into his five-year sentence

Oscar Pistorius will be released from jail next week after serving 10 months of his five year sentence for killing his girlfriend, the model Reeva Steenkamp.

While the former athlete did not apply for early release himself, the parole board at Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria where he is being held has recommended he be released into the community at the first opportunity.

Pistorius will leave prison on Friday 21 August, exactly 10 months on from his sentence hearing.Whether he will remain free, however, is another matter. His case remains subject to a Supreme Court appeal hearing in November, when prosecutors will argue that his conviction should be scaled up to murder -- and a minimum 15-year jail term.

Four civilians have been injured in firing by Pakistan in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir; this is the third ceasefire violation today. There have been 32 violations of the 2003 ceasefire in August and this is the seventh consecutive day that Pakistani troops have shelled Indian posts along the LoC in Jammu region.

There was also firing by Pakistani troops on Indian positions along the LoC in Balakote sector from 11.30 am and it is going on, a police officer said. Two civilians have been injured in the shelling, the officer said.

15:52

JUST IN: 2 children were killed and 6 injured in a grenade blast in an army practice area near Babina Field Fire Range, Jhansi. The grenade was picked up by children waste pickers. The injured children were taken to hospital.

15:50 In Amritsar, Punjab minister unfurls flag upside down; 2 cops suspended

Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia was left red-faced when he unfurled the national flag upside down at an Independence Day function in Amritsar.

Two policemen, including an inspector, were suspended for negligence and a senior officer was asked for an explanation. Majithia did not notice the faux pas immediately. He went on to address the gathering and it was only after he returned to his seat on the stage that mediapersons pointed out about the flag being upside down. He immediately asked local officials to rectify the mistake and probe the matter.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her deputy Rahul Gandhi refrained from commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech, with the party vice president saying it is not a day of politics. "Today is not a day of politics. We will talk tomorrow," he merely said, when asked by reporters on his reaction to the PM's address on Independence Day.

15:02 Taj Mahal gets a Twitter handle!

One of the seven wonders of the world, Taj Mahal, now has an official Twitter handle.

The official Twitter account of the Taj Mahal was launched by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday.

The account has over 2020 followers already.

Taj Mahal would be the first historic monument in the world to have its own Twitter account.

The opening tweet on the account read: 'There are two kinds of people in the world -- those who have visited me and follow me here and those who haven't seen me and yet follow me here.'

Sudhakar Dixit, a professor of Indian philosophy, has been awarded the Presidents award for the year 2015 along with 14 others.

The Union HRD ministry announced the names of the awardees today on the occasion of the 69th Independence Day.

The award will be given by President Pranab Mukherjee later in a programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

All the awardees will be given a cash award of Rupees five lakhs and a citation.

Prof Dixit has been a professor of philosophy at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi and earlier at Poona University, Pune.

He is presently residing at Ranchi and engaged in the spread of the philosophy of the Vedanta, the Gita and the Bhagawat.

The professor, a renowned authority of Indian Philosophy, specialises in Navya Nyay, Indian Logic.

A renowned Professor of Poona University and Sampoornanand Sanskrit University, Prof Dixit has been giving sermons on Bhagwat Gita and Vedanta at Theosophical Society, Varanasi and Malviya Mission, Banaras Hindu University.

BJP patriarch L K Advani today said that the self confidence the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government has on the country's future, emanates from the trust of the large population in the party workers.

"Today he (Modi) laid emphasis on the fact that his and his government's self confidence emanates from the trust and self confidence of such a large population of the country in BJP workers. I also feel so," he said after unfurling the national flag at his residence.

He also expressed concern over the disruptions caused in Parliament and hoped that work in the coming sessions will carry on normally as the improvement witnessed towards the end of this session.

Advani said today was the second year of the political change that took place last year and people have kindled a lot of hopes for the future years, even as the self confidence of the country has improved.

"Today, the second year has completed and whatever the Prime Minister said earlier, he has reiterated them. There was also more firmness in the pledge.

"I believe that as people see changes in the country, in accordance with that, the hopes they have kindled towards the future of the nation will also be further strengthened. I am sure everyone will join in accomplishing those commitments," he said.

In his short message, the BJP veteran said, "People have lot of hopes. The self confidence in the country has increased a lot and all are awaiting the coming years.

He also expressed concern over the disruptions caused in Parliament and hoped that work in the coming sessions will carry on normally as the improvement witnessed towards the end of this session.

"Today, the second year has completed and whatever the Prime Minister said earlier, he has reiterated them. There was also more firmness in the pledge.

In his short message, the BJP veteran said, "People have lot of hopes. The self confidence in the country has increased a lot and all are awaiting the coming years.

The government on Saturday extended the deadline for submission of public comments on the proposed policy framework for 'net neutrality' till August 20.

There has been a sudden surge in public comments on the proposed framework and the submission of views was earlier scheduled to close today.

"Last date for submission of suggestions and comments on report of committee on Net Neutrality through discussion forum under MyGov.in has been extended till August 20, 2015," the Department of Telecom said in a notice on its website.

The total number of public comments on the net neutrality recommendations by a panel set up by Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has risen to over 33,600, from just around 700 on August 14. The surge was seen following campaigns by online groups like Save The Internet and AIB.

TRAI in April had received over 1 million comments on its paper over net neutrality with majority demanding implementation of ideal net neutrality.

Net neutrality calls for equal treatment to all Internet traffic without any priority treatment to an entity or company on the basis of payment for content or service providers such as telecom companies, which is seen as discriminatory.

The Congress Party on Saturday said it was disappointed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reference to the issue of One Rank One Pension.

"I am totally disappointed to hear the PM speech about OROP. He says that our government is accepting OROP in principle," said former Defence Minister A K Antony.

Taking a jibe at the government for failing to implement OROP, Antony accused the government of betraying the armed forces veterans.

"PM is telling that (accepting OROP) for last 15 months, there is no need of accepting it, it has already been accepted by the previous government in the 2014 budget," Antony told media here.

"At least, he (PM) would have told today that we are accepting the OROP and we delayed it. He should have given a date on which the ex-servicemen would get the OROP," said the former defence minister.

The Congress Party on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address, saying the latter had not spoken a single word on country's foreign policy.

"I have been going to the Red Fort for 35 years, this is the first time that a Prime Minister has not said a word on foreign policy," Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told ANI.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said, "All his talks are hollow...last one year has been very disappointing for the nation. His 90 minute speech today did not give any assurance to nation that they (NDA Government) would fulfill their promises. They had sold dreams to the nation, and they are never going to fulfill it," he said.

11:54 Modi to visit Singapore in November

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Singapore in November on an official visit during which the ties between the two countries will be elevated to a strategic partnership, Singapore Premier Lee Hsien Loong said today.

Modi's "official visit to Singapore in November this year will be an ideal occasion for us to elevate the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership," Lee said in a congratulatory letter to him on India's 69th Independence Day.

"I am confident that this partnership will pave the way for even greater cooperation in areas of mutual interest. I look forward to welcoming you to Singapore," he added.

"My best wishes to our Excellency and the people of India. India has come a long way since its independence in 1947. Through hard work, determination and visionary leadership, the Indian people have wrought a transformative change in the country," he said.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Singapore.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her deputy Rahul Gandhi today refrained from commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech, with the party vice president saying it is not a day of politics.

"Today is not a day of politics. We will talk tomorrow," he merely said, when asked by reporters on his reaction to the Prime Minister address on Independence Day.

Sonia Gandhi too steered clear of any questions and merely greeted reporters on Independence Day.

They were interacting with the media after the Congress President unfurled the national flag at the AICC headquarters.

In his address to the nation, the Prime Minister, while underlining India's unity and diversity, said the poison of casteism and communal frenzy have no place and asserted that steps taken by his government in the last 15 months to deal with the "termite" of corruption had started yielding results.

"There is a lot of talk in our country about corruption. It is like a sick person giving suggestions to others on how to remain healthy, there are people who are themselves corrupt, who give suggestions on how to deal with corruption," he said.

11:19 On I-Day, Google doodle remembers Dandi March

On this 69th Independence Day of the country, Google celebrates by creating a doodle of the historic Dandi March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha on its homepage.

The doodle features 'Father of the Nation' Mahatma Gandhi leading the Dandi March along with a group of followers. It also shows Gandhi wearing khadi white clothes while followers can be seen wearing saree and white topi with a kurta respectively.

The historic march began on March 12, 1930, and is one of the important moments in the Indian independence movement. It was a non-violent protest against the British government's decision to suppress tax regime and to impose tax on salt.

Mahatma Gandhi began the march from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to the coastal village of Dandi.

Thousands of supporters joined the march which led way for the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday greeted his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the nation's 69th Independence Day.

In a statement, he said: 'On behalf of the people and government of Pakistan, I convey my heartfelt felicitations to you, your government, and the people of India, on the auspicious occasion of the Independence Day of India.'

'I would like to reiterate that promoting friendly, cooperative and good neighbourly relations between our two countries is in our mutual interest and also necessary for peace and prosperity in South Asia. We in Pakistan sincerely hope to settle all our bilateral issues through a sustained and comprehensive dialogue and usher in a new era of mutual trust and cooperation.'

'I wish to convey my best wishes for your good health and the wellbeing of the people of India.'

With no announcement on One Rank One Pension coming from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his nearly 90-minute speech at the Red Fort on the 69th Independence Day, ex-servicemen who have been protesting at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi say they have been betrayed by the BJP-led government.

Major (retd) Rajendra Singh said, "Aaj humare dil toot gaye hain (our hearts have been broken today). We were expecting announcement about OROP but PM said nothing except lies."

Another ex-servicemen, Major General (retd) Satbir Singh, said: "The prime minister said we accepted the OROP demand, but that happened 17 months back. This is very unfair."

'PM says Team India, Team India. Are we not Team India,' asked an angry army veteran while talking to a media channel and referring to the phrase that the prime minister generously used in his speech.

Prime Minister Modi, during his Red Fort speech, acknowledged that he is yet to reach a resolution on the One Rank One Pension demand of ex-servicemen, but promised that his government had "accepted OROP in principle."

An announcement on the implementation of One Rank One Pension was expected to be the centrepiece of the PM's Independence Day address. But talks between ex-servicemen and the government got stuck at the last minute on what the PM today called 'nitty gritty details'.

"It has been stuck for 20 years... OROP was considered by all governments, but there is no resolution yet. Even I haven't been able to solve it," the PM said at the end of nearly 90-minute address to the nation from the Red Fort.

We have to strive for a capable India, a prosperous India and a Swachch India.

There should be momentum created for achievement of goals by 2022.

When we celebrate the 75th anniversary of freedom, we should achieve these targets.

PM Modi @ Red Fort: The issue of 'One Rank One Pension' came up in front on every government. Some even made small promises. Issue could not be solved.

I assure the servicemen and I am saying it under the Tricolour from the Red Fort- we have accepted OROP. Some talks are still on.

The way the talks are going on; I am expecting something positive.

This government agrees, in principle, with OROP we are moving forward with negotiations

PM Modi @ Red Fort: We need to increase agricultural productivity and we are working in that direction.

India cannot develop till the eastern part of India develops.

We affirm our commitment to provide electricity to all those villages that do not have electricity

We are looking at systems for enabling start-ups. We must be Number 1 in start-ups. 'Start-up India' & 'Stand up India'

Why does somebody have to seek 'Sifaarish' when a job is sought. It is not proper

PM Modi @ Red Fort: On the issue of black money, we took a lot of steps within such a short time; we formed a SIT under SC's guidance the day we took over.

Some people are troubled by our anti-corruption law. But sometimes when the illness is dangerous, an injection is given. There could be side effects, but this is the cure. The black money law and its stringent provisions will not be diluted despite pressures.

Rs 6,500 crore was disclosed under the compliance window of black money & foreign assets law.

I will suffer, but keep fighting corruption

Today, I proudly say that the 'Give It Up' campaign for gas subsidy has been successful; 20 lakh people have given up subsidy.

If I talk about coal, pundits will assess it politically. Still see the resolve of Team India -- the coal auctions were carried out in time-bound manner and generated nearly Rs 3 lakh crore.

This 1.25 crore team India wants transparency. Corruption has to be removed fully from the system.

It has been 15 months now since we formed the government. Yet there has not been a single accusation of corruption of even a Rupee

PM Modi @ Red Fort: It was a fashion in this country to keep framing laws. This wasn't a good sign of governance.

In this country, even an unhealthy person will give advice on good health. That's what happens in the case of corruption as well.

Some people like to remain in 'Nirasha' (sadness). And they are not satisfied till they have spoken about it to other people.

PM Modi @ Red Fort: If the pyramid of development is strong and stands on financial stability then it will empower the poor.

We introduced the 'pradhanmantri beema yojna' and 'atal pension yojna'; we did what we promised.

Last time from the Red Fort I spoke about toilets and cleanliness. People wondered what kind of PM is he, talking about these issues.

If there is something that has touched every person, it is the movement towards cleanliness. People from all walks of life, spiritual leaders, media friends, celebrities... everyone has worked to create awareness.

Who has given maximum strength to Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan? It is the children of India!

We have to dedicate a 'Swachch Bharat' to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150 death anniversary.

We have been very successful in our campaign to make toilets, especially for girls in schools across India.

We rolled out the Shramev Jayate Yojna, which is an attempt to change the way we look at our workers. Dignity of labour has to be our national duty, it has to be a part of our nature

PM Modi @ Red Fort: 'Last year I was new here, what I hoped & dreamt of India, I put it forward. But now I want to tell you that the Team India has a new confidence.'

'I assure you that in one year, Team India, with its renewed confidence, has committed itself to fulfil all dreams.'

'The poor want to move away from poverty and that is why all our programmes must be for the poor.'

'Bank accounts are essential for integrating poor into the financial system, 17 crore people opened accounts under Jan Dhan Yojna.'

'The poor have deposited Rs 20,000 crore in bank accounts. The poor's riches will propel Team India.'

PM Modi @ Red Fort: 'Our unity, simplicity and brotherhood are our assets. These should never be blemished. We have to end the curse of casteism, communalism with the sweetness of development.'

'This country is moving forward due to Team India -- this team is made up of 125 crore Indians. Whatever we (government) are doing, its powered by this Team India.'

''Jan Bhagidari' is the biggest asset of our democracy. This Team India has one mandate -- That our plans and policies should be for the benefit of the poor.'

07:39

PM Modi @ Red Fort: 'This is no ordinary morning. This is morning of 125 crore Indians' resolve. This is the morning of the world's largest democracy's Independence.'

07:35

PM begins his 69th independence day speech: 'Mere pyaare deshwaasiyon...'

07:33 PM Modi unfurls tricolour at Red Fort

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurls tricolour at Red Fort. The national anthem is played thereafter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will shortly unfurl the national flag and address the nation on the occasion of 69th Independence Day celebrations from the historic ramparts of the Red Fort in New Delhi.

Earlier in the morning, the prime minister tweeted: 'Independence Day greetings to all my fellow Indians. Jai Hind.'

A multi-layered security ring has been thrown at and around the 17th century historic monument.

A bullet-proof glass enclosure has been erected for the prime minister at the Red Fort but it is not clear whether he will be speaking from behind the glass or in open like last year.

Sky over Red Fort and surrounding areas has been declared a 'no-fly zone' during the event while thousands of personnel from Delhi Police and central paramilitary forces have been be deployed on the ground to prevent any mischief to disturb the celebrations of the 69th Independence Day, official sources said.

07:23

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Red Fort

07:17 8 Myanmar raid personnel among 67 to get gallantry medals

Eight personnel of the 21 Para Regiment, which had undertaken a daring operation just inside Myanmar territory following the Manipur ambush, were among 67 for whom President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday approved Gallantry awards.

Commandant Chandra Shekhar Joshi, commander of Coast Guard ship Rajratan, which was involved in an operation that led to sinking of a Pakistani boat earlier this year, was also among those who won a gallantry award.

Apart from Commandant Joshi, Commander Mohan Milind Mokashi, Commanding Officer, INS Sumitra, and Captain Rajesh Dhankhar, Commanding Officer, INS Mumbai, which spearheaded the rescue operation of stranded Indians in Yemen this year, would also get gallantry awards.

Besides two Kirti Chakras, there were 10 Shaurya Chakras, one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 49 Sena Medals (Gallantry), two Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and three Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

Shaurya Chakra awardee Lt Col Nectar Sanjenbam of the 21 Parachute Regiment, who led a group of Indian soldiers for the raid in the aftermath of the Manipur ambush in June got the Kirti Chakra along with Naib Subedhar Rajesh Kumar (posthumous), killed in an operation against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir in October last year.

10 soldiers, including Havildar Tanka Kumar Limbu of the 21 Para, got the Shaurya Chakra. Other awardees include Col M N Rai, Havaldar Man Bahadur Chhetri, Head Constable of Jand K police Mohammad Shafi Sheikh, constable Reyaz Ahmad Lone and CRPF Second-in-Command Hira Kumar (all posthumous).

Squadron Leader S Selvakumar, Flight Lieutenant Gandikota Jagan Mohan and Sergent Mukesh Kumar Tiwari got the Vayu Sena Medal for Gallantry.

The President has also awarded 20 Mention-in-Despatches to Army and Para Military personnel for their significant contributions in different military operations which include three for 'Operation Meghdoot', 12 for 'Operation Rakshak', one for 'Operation Orchid', one for 'Operation Hifazat' and three for 'Operation Rhino'.

06:48

Rajnath Singh unfurls the national flag at his residence in Delhi on Independence Day

06:45 PM's speech today may have crowd-sourced suggestions

NDTV reports: Prime Minister Narendra Modi who broke with tradition for his first Independence Day speech, will do so again for his second, said sources.

The PM's address from the historic red fort will reportedly include goals that have been crowd-sourced. Suggestions delivered through MyGov.in. A receptacle for public comments has included a mission to make India free of plastic bags and a comprehensive health insurance scheme for the poor.

Last year, the PM went off-script and refused to deliver his speech from behind a bullet-proof screen, as his predecessor had done.

Sources say that last year, it was input from ministers that was parsed for some parts of the PM's address. This year, he wanted the public to have its say.

The US is investigating what it believes are "credible" reports that ISIS fighters used mustard agent in an attack against Kurdish Peshmerga this week, causing several of them to fall ill, U.S. officials working in at least three separate parts of the Obama administration said Thursday.

All of them strongly emphasized more intelligence is being gathered on exactly what may have happened near the town of Makhmour in northern Iraq. While there have been accounts posted in social media about the incident, the officials said they have independent information that strongly led them to assess there was a use of chemical weapons. The officials would not tell CNN what evidence led them to this belief.

02:42 MH370 search on Reunion island to end Monday

Active air and sea searches for fragments of doomed Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 off Reunion island will stop on Monday after just over a week, the local authorities said. Local official Dominique Sorain said that if no objects were found by next Monday "we will move to a phase of heightened surveillance".

"No object has been found in the sea that could belong to an airplane," Sorain told reporters Friday, adding however that "a certain amount of debris" had been found on land. This has been handed over to investigators but there is nothing the size of the Boeing 777 wing part found on Reunion last month that Malaysian authorities have said comes from MH370.

China said Japan missed a chance to offer a "sincere apology" for its World War II aggression today, hours after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterated Tokyo's past expressions of "deep remorse" over the conflict.

"Japan should have made an explicit statement on the nature of the war of militarism and aggression and its responsibility on the wars, made sincere apology to the people of victim countries," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement.

Turkish bomb disposal experts were taken aback on Friday when the controlled explosion of a car bomb in the Kurdish-dominated southeast caused a massive blast that scattered debris and caused panic amongst bystanders.

After sealing off the area in the southeastern region of Batman, experts transported the abandoned car to an open space and set off a controlled detonation, the private Dogan news agency reported. But the blast unleashed a huge ball of fire and smoke, with video footage by Dogan showing bystanders running in panic.

UN human rights experts are calling on Iran to immediately release a Washington Post reporter who has been detained for more than a year on charges including espionage.

A verdict on Jason Rezaian's case could come as early as next week. Friday's statement says the detention and closed-door trial violate Rezaian's rights and serve to intimidate journalists in Iran. It says his solitary confinement and full-day interrogation sessions "caused significant physical and psychological strain."

A passenger ship has docked at the Greek island of Kos to be used as a registration centre and accommodation for migrants and refugees.

The vessel could provide temporary shelter for up to 2,500 people.Greek authorities hope it will help them cope with the influx of migrants - many of them Syrian refugees - who have arrived on the island.

Al-Qaeda has released an audio message that it claims has come from Hamza Bin Laden, a son of Osama Bin Laden.

The message is believed to be the first time Al-Qaeda propaganda has presented Hamza Bin Laden as an official member of the militant group.In the message, shared by Al-Qaeda supporters on Twitter, Hamza Bin Laden urges attacks on the US and its allies.Osama Bin Laden was killed by US special forces in 2011 in a raid on his compound in Abbotabad, Pakistan.

The US has reopened its embassy in Cuba more than 54 years after it was closed, in a symbolic step signalling the warming of ties between both countries.

John Kerry, the first US Secretary of State to visit Cuba in 70 years, presided over the ceremony in Havana.The US flag was presented by the same US marines who brought it down in 1961.

Petrol price was today cut by Rs 1.27 per litre and diesel by Rs 1.17 a litre, the second reduction in rates this month following global cues. The new rates will be effective midnight tonight, said nation's largest oil firm Indian Oil Corp (IOC) in a statement.

Petrol in Delhi will cost Rs 63.20 per litre from tomorrow as against Rs 64.47 a litre currently. A litre of diesel will cost Rs 44.95 as compared to Rs 46.12 currently.

00:31 Top headlines in that last 24 hours

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