LIVE
Sun, 25 December 2016
Thousands stranded at Japan airport after heavy snow

Timeline  Refresh

image
21:26   Thousands stranded at Japan airport after heavy snow
Heavy snow in northern Japan caused transport chaos over the holiday weekend, with flights and train services cancelled and thousands of passengers forced to camp out at a regional airport for three straight nights.

Sapporo on Hokkaido island had up to 96 centimetres (38 inches) of snow as of Friday night, the city's heaviest snowfall in half a century, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The snow blanketed New Chitose Airport, the main gateway to the northern island region, and caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled. 

The passengers' plight was compounded by the fact that most flights had been fully booked due to the holiday, national broadcaster NHK said. 
image
20:44   Sonia rallying Opposition parties for another round of attack on Modi
After stitching together a unified Opposition in Parliaments winter session, the Congress is trying to rope in other parties for a show of strength on Tuesday.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi plans a joint press conference to launch another round of attack against the government. She has sent invitations to almost all opposition parties barring the BJD, AIADMK and AIMIM.

We have invited parties like JD(U), RJD, JD(S), NCP, Trinamool, DMK, BSP, SP and the Left. We are expecting a packed house, Congress strategist Jairam Ramesh was quoted by the Hindustan Times as saying. 

The meeting of the party leaders, followed by a press conference, assumes significance as this will be the first such event after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi hurled corruption charges at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 
image
20:23  
JUST IN: Chile struck by 7.7 magnitude quake
image
20:19   At least 20 Sabarimala pilgrims injured in stampede
At least 20 Sabarimala pilgrims were injured in a "minor stampede" at the famous hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa this evening, which witnessed a heavy rush of devotees. 

The injured have been admitted to Sannidhanam hospital, Pathnamthitta Collector R Girija said. She said there was a "small stampede" between Sannidhanam and Malikapuram and about 20 persons were injured.

There was a heavy rush of pilgrims today, the penultimate day before culmination of the 41-day mandala pooja. The stampede occurred just as the holy 'Thanga Angi' procession carrying ornaments worn by Lord Ayyappa on Mandala pooja tomorrow had reached the temple this evening. 

The procession starts from Aranmula Sree Parthasarthy temple four days before the Mandala pooja. 

Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said there was a heavy rush of pilgrims at the shrine when the thanga angi was brought. He was at the temple shortly before the stampede and had left the shrine after 'deeparadhana' (evening prayers) with Thanga Angi. 

The minister said he was on his way to the hospital. Police are restricting movement of pilgrims from downhill Pamba to sannidhanam because of the heavy rush.
image
20:16   Farmers hit as vegetable prices come crashing down after demonetisation
The governments decision to scrap high-value currency has sent wholesale vegetable prices crashing to rock-bottom levels, bringing misery to millions of farmers hoping for good returns for their produce after two successive drought years.

Onions sold for just Re 1 per kilogram in wholesale markets at Madhya Pradeshs Neemuch and Mandsaur this week while tomatoes cost less than Rs 2 per kg in Andhra Pradesh and Chandigarh.

A kilogram of cauliflower fetched farmers just Rs 3 in Bihar and potatoes cost Rs 3-5 per kilogram in wholesale markets in Uttar Pradesh.

I am ruined, said Prem Patidar, a Neemuch farmer who sold his produce at one-fifth the production cost.

The steep fall has forced farmers to discard their produce in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh as they could not recover even transportation costs.
image
19:50   India set to test launch Agni 5 missile tomorrow
India is set to test its indigenously developed intercontinental surface-to-surface nuclear capable ballistic missile 'Agni-5' from the Wheeler Island off Odisha coast tomorrow. 

Range co-ordination has reached its final stage for the fourth test of Agni-5 missile, Defence Research and Development Organisation sources said. If everything goes according to plan, the missile may be test launched tomorrow, they said.

The three stage, solid propellant missile is to be test-fired from a mobile launcher from the launch complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range, the sources said.
image
19:26   Pope Francis' Christmas message wishes peace for troubled world
Pope Francis has wished Christmas peace for people scarred by wars and those who lost loved ones to terrorism that he says is sowing fear and death in many cities and countries.

Speaking from the central balcony of St Peters Basilica Sunday, Pope Francis cited those suffering through the Syrian war, especially during the most awful battles in Aleppo. He pressed the international community for a negotiated solution. 

Today this message goes out to the ends of the earth to reach all peoples, especially those scarred by war and harsh conflicts that seem stronger than the yearning for peace, he said.

In his annual Christmas Day address, known as Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world in Latin), the pope touched on troubled places around the globe and the especially tragic impact these conflict have on innocent children.

He urged Israelis and Palestinians to set aside hate and revenge and write a new page of history.
image
19:19   Ola Cabs' Twitter account hacked, funny tweets flow
The official Twitter account of the popular taxi service Ola Cabs was apparently hacked today. A series of funny tweets were sent out to food delivery site Zomato, online delivery site Flipkart, satirical group All India Bakchod and many more.
image
18:21   Anger in Afghanistan at female pilot's US asylum bid
There was an angry reaction in Afghanistan to news that the first female fixed-wing pilot in the country's air force was requesting asylum in the United States after completing an 18-month training course.

The Afghan defence ministry confirmed on Sunday that Captain Niloofar Rahmani, 25, had sought asylum after the Wall Street Journal quoted her as saying that she feared her life would be in danger if she returned home.

A recipient of the US State Department's "Women of Courage" award in 2015, Captain Rahmani had been a symbol of efforts to improve the situation of women in her country, more than a decade after the fall of the Taliban regime.

Mohammad Radmanish, a defence ministry spokesman, said the government hoped that her request would be denied by US authorities who have spent billions trying to build up Afghan security forces.

"When an officer complains of insecurity and is afraid of security threats, then what should ordinary people do?" he said. "She has made an excuse for herself, but we have hundreds of educated women and female civil right activists who work and it is safe for them."
image
18:09   Islamic State suspect planned to attack Mother House in Kolkata
Islamic State suspect Mohammad Masiuddin alias Musa had planned to attack Mother House in Kolkata to target US nationals according to the chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency. 

The chargesheet filed by NIA mentions that ISIS suspect had planned to attack Mother House as a lot of US nationals would frequent this place to pay homage to Sister Teresa of Kolkata.

The 25-year-old Musa was arrested from the Burdwan railway station by CID on July 4 on charges of radicalising youths to join IS.

Later, the probe was taken over by National Investigation Agency and the agency is currently probing his links to Jamaat-Ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh and also the Dhaka attacks.

Sources in the NIA reveal, Musa had agreed to take on the assignment from a JMB leader Abu Suleiman to target foreigners and US nationals in India and behead them.
image
17:38   Fog delays 80 trains in Delhi
The national capital remained enveloped in layer of shallow fog until afternoon, causing delay in services of 80 trains and rescheduling of 20 others.

Flight operations though remained normal, officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport said.

Railway officials said 80 Delhi-bound trains were running behind schedule by several hours, while 20 others required to be rescheduled owing to poor visibility. However, there was no fresh cancellation of services announced.
image
17:29   Karnataka CM stirs controversy over getting shoelaces tied
Karnataka Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah on Sunday stirred up a controversy when he was caught on camera getting his shoelaces tied by a man.

The incident took place when Siddaramaiah was in Mysuru to attend veteran actor Chetan Ram Rao's funeral.

Later, his media adviser clarified that the person who tied the CM's shoe laces was not his staff but a relative. 

Earlier in August, an image of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan went viral when he was being carried by police personnel while he went to inspect the flood-hit areas.
image
16:51   Pakistan releases 220 Indian fishermen as 'goodwill gesture'
Pakistan today released 220 Indian fishermen, a goodwill gesture which comes amid strain in ties after the recent cross border terror incidents. 

The 220 fishermen released from Malir jail were arrested for allegedly entering Pakistan's territorial waters illegally and fishing, jail superintendent Hassan Sehto said.

The fishermen boarded a train to Lahore, from where they will be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border. "The interior ministry ordered the release of the 220 fishermen while 219 are still in our custody," Sehto said.

The goodwill gesture comes amid strain in ties between the two countries after Pakistan-based terrorists attacked an Indian army base in Uri in September.
image
16:49  
JUST IN: Putin declares Monday national mourning day after plane crash
image
16:18   Eight foreign firms listed for supply of note paper
The remonetisation drive -- and the frantic printing of banknotes -- has brought some Christmas cheer for some of the worlds largest currency paper suppliers. 

Principals of eight foreign firms were in Bengaluru to finalise bids for contracts of 27,500 metric tonnes of paper for lower denomination currency notes to be supplied to India from April-December 2017.

The contracts have been finalised for printing currency notes mostly of Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50 and Rs 100 denominations, giving a clear signal that the Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes would be printed on banknote paper manufactured in India.

Some of the largest companies trading in banknote paper from Germany, Switzerland and Italy figure in the list of successful bidders, but the British banknote giant, De La Rue, was conspicuous by its absence. De La Rue had been supplying huge quantities of currency paper to India for decades, but in 2010-11 lost its security clearance after failing to meet some security parameters. 
image
15:54   Queen to miss Christmas Day church service 'due to cold'
The Queen will not attend church on Christmas Day because she is still suffering from a heavy cold, Buckingham Palace has said.

Crowds have already gathered in Sandringham, her Norfolk estate, in expectation of members of the royal family attending the service. The Queen and Prince Philip began their Christmas break a day late, postponing their trip because of their colds.

Other members of the royal family are still expected to attend the service. However, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge are celebrating Christmas with the Middleton family in Bucklebury, Berkshire.
image
15:28   Sarabjit Singh's sister Dalbir Kaur joins BJP
Dalbir Kaur, sister of Sarabjit Singh, the Indian who was sentenced to death by Pakistan court, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. 

Sarabjit Singh, a farmer was sentenced to death by a Pakistan court on charges of spying and terrorism. He died while in jail after being attacked by his inmates in Lahore, Pakistan.

His sister campaigned fiercely for his release. While his death sentence was postponed, he was not released from jail.

A film on him titled Sarabjit was released earlier this year with Aishwarya Rai essaying the role of Dalbir Singh and Randeep Hooda playing Sarabjit.
image
14:56   Now, pay to choose seats in domestic airlines, even for middle seat
Shell out a little more even if you want a middle seat in flights with airlines charging extra for preferred seats as they look to increase their ancillary revenues amid stiff competition.

With regulations permitting unbundling of various services offered by domestic carriers, choosing a particular seat, especially the window ones and those with more leg space, comes at extra cost.

Charging extra for choice of seats in flights, including the middle ones, is a commonly accepted international practice and is not something new. It also helps in adding to the ancillary revenues, aviation industry officials said. Passengers give more preference for window and aisle seats as well as those having extra leg room, they added.
image
14:30   Over Rs 51 lakh in 2,000 denomination notes seized in Kerala
Unaccounted cash to the tune of Rs 51.86 lakh, almost all of them in Rs 2,000 denomination, was today seized by Kerala Excise officials from two passengers of a bus coming from Bengaluru at nearby Irrity, in the second major haul of currency in the last three days in the state.

They found Rs 51.80 lakh in Rs 2,000 notes and Rs 100 notes for Rs 6,300 in the bags of Ranjith Salangi, 24, and Rahul Adhik alias Rahul Ghatoo, 22.

The duo, in their early 20s and hailing from Maharashtra, were found carrying the cash without any supporting documents after which they were detained. The haul came just two days after police seized Rs 39.98 lakh in Rs 2,000 denomination at Tirur area in Malapuram district.
image
13:52   Restrictions on cash withdrawals may continue beyond Dec 30
Restrictions on withdrawal of cashfrom banks and ATMs are likely to continue beyond December 30 as currency printing presses and RBI have not been able to keep pace with the demand of new currency notes.

As the 50-day deadline for completion of demonetisation process draws near, there is a growing consensus among bankers that the restrictions on withdrawal would have to continue even in the New Year so as to maintain orderly working at the banks. Banks at many places are not in a position to disburse even the current limit of Rs 24,000 per week due to cash crunch and are rationing the valid currency depending on cash availability.

If this limit is withdrawn for individual and businesses from January 2, it is unlikely that banks would be able to disburse the higher demand for valid currencies given the current cash position.
image
13:43   Fake news leads Pak minister to issue Nuke threat to Israel
Pakistan's defence minister threatened Israel that his country could use nuclear weapons after a fake news report that his Israeli counterpart had
threatened "nuclear retaliation" for Islamabad's role in Syria against Islamic State, highlighting the serious problem proliferation of fake news poses.

A report in the New York Times said a fake news story prompted Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif to threaten to go nuclear.

In a post on Twitter, Asif lashed at Israel after a false report -- which the minister apparently believed -- that Israel had threatened Pakistan with nuclear weapons.

"Israeli def min threatens nuclear retaliation presuming pak role in Syria against Daesh," the minister wrote on his official Twitter account, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. "Israel forgets Pakistan is a Nuclear state too."

The NYT report said Asif appeared to be reacting to the fake news article published on awdnews.com, which was titled 'Israeli Defense Minister: If Pakistan send ground troops to Syria on any pretext, we will destroy this country with a nuclear attack'.

The article had appeared on the website on December 20, alongside articles with headlines like 'Clinton is staging a military coup against Trump'.

The fake story about Israel even misidentified the country's defence minister, attributing quotations to a former minister, Moshe Yaalon. Israel's current minister of defence is Avigdor Lieberman.

The Israeli Defence Ministry responded on Twitter to say the report was fictitious.
image
13:08   SRK to be conferred honorary doctorate by Hyd-based varsity
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is slated to be conferred with honorary doctorate by thecity-based Maulana Azad National Urdu University tomorrow.

President Pranab Mukherjee would be the chief guest at the sixth convocation of the university where nearly 48,000 students will be awarded degrees.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan would be the guest of honour at the event to be presided over by the varsity's Chancellor, Zafar Younus Sareshwala.

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali will be the other guest of honour. Along with Shah Rukh Khan, Urdu aficionado and founder of Rekhta Foundation Rajiv Saraf would be given 'honorius causa' for their contribution in the promotion of Urdu language and culture, a release from the varsity said.
image
13:01   RTOs set to go cashless from January 2017
Regional Transport Offices in the national capital are set to go cashless from January when fees for all services including driving licence, auto permit and fitness certificate can be paid electronically.

The Transport Department has started installing Point of Sale machines at its zonal offices and the trial run of the cashless transaction system is being carried out at some places.

"From January, people coming to RTO offices can pay fee of various services -- permits, driving licence, fitness certificates - using their debit, credit cards. Applicants won't be required to make payments in cash," a senior government official said.
image
12:37   Demonetisation is immoral, theft of peoples property: Steve Forbes
Calling Indias demonetisation drive as immoral, Steve Forbes, Editor-in-Chief of Forbes magazine, said it also amounted to theft of peoples property.

The November 8 move to spike the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes had damaged the Indian economy, future investment and was also an assault on the privacy of common man life by inflicting more state control.

Indias government perpetrated an unprecedented act that is not only damaging its economy and threatening destitution to countless millions of its already poor citizens but also breathtaking in its immorality, the respected magazine said.

What India has done is commit a massive theft of peoples property without even the pretence of due process -- a shocking move for a democratically elected government.

Not surprisingly, the government is downplaying the fact that this move will give India a onetime windfall of perhaps tens of billions of dollars.

Forbes compared the demonetisation with the forced-sterilization drive undertaken by the then Indira Gandhi government during her Emergency regime of 1975-77.
image
12:23   Town freed from Islamic State celebrates first Christmas in 2 years
In the ancient Iraqi Christian town of Bartella -- recently liberated from Islamic State -- Christmas was celebrated for the first time in more than two years. 

It was an emotional return for members of Bartella's displaced Christian community, who had been forced to flee when their hometown was overrun by the Islamist terror group. It was taken back from IS in late October.

Hundreds of Christians made the pilgrimage in buses on a gray, rainy Christmas Eve. They came mostly from camps for the displaced that have been set up in the city of Irbil.

Bartella is just 20 kilometre east of the IS stronghold of Mosul -- where coalition forces still are battling thousands of militants.
image
11:51   Government mulls law for harsher punishment in cheque bounce cases
In view of demonetisationand the move towards cashless transactions , the Centre is mulling changes in law to make for harsher punishment for 'cheque bounce' cases, sources said. 

The suggestion came when the finance ministry mandarins met delegations of traders' associations as part of the pre-budget exercise. The associations had urged the government to consider this as part of its steps to normalize business post demonetisation.

Traders are wary of accepting cheques from customers for fear for them bouncing. They want deterrent punishment for those issuing such cheques. Traditionally considered as BJP's vote bank, traders have been severely hit by the currency ban announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
image
11:32  
JUST IN: Reuters has reported that the Russian plane Tu-154 carrying 91 people on board has crashed. 
image
11:27   PM addresses nation in 2016's last Mann ki Baat address
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing the nation through his radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'. 

Here are the highlights:

>> Wish everyone a Merry Christmas

>> Jesus not just served the poor but has also appreciated the service done by poor, this is real empowerment

>> Today is also Madan Mohan Malviya's anniversary, he gave modern teaching a whole new direction

>> Today, is also the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji; country will never forget his contribution to the nation

>> Today there is curiosity among people as to how can one go cashless. People want to learn from each other

>> The government has launched two schemes today, for consumer the scheme is called 'Lucky Grahak Yojana' & for small traders 'Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana

>> Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana is mainly for businessmen, they must encourage cashless transactions

>> You will be surprised to know that 30 crore people in India have RuPay cards, of those 20 crore belong to poor families

>> Cashless transactions have increased by 200-300 per cent in recent times

>> Awareness towards online payments and using technology for economic transactions is increasing

>> Lot of questions are being raised on frequent change of rules but I want to say that I have decided to take those indulging in corruption

>> Black money hoarders are being nabbed across the country. Secret is that information by common people enables us to do it

>> I assure you that this is not the end, this is just the beginning in our fight against corruption
image
10:55   On Vajpayee's birthday, PM Modi tweets video showing his 'simplicity'
PM Narendra Modi tweeted effusive birthday greetings today to BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee and even posted an old video of the former Prime Minister that showcases his "warmth" and "simplicity."

Modi even visited Vajpayee's home on the BJP veteran's 92nd birthday. 

Modi also tweeted about the former PM's service to the nation. "Atal ji's exemplary service & leadership has had a very positive impact on India's growth trajectory. His great personality is endearing."
image
10:47  
JUST IN: Russian news agencies quote defence ministry as saying military plane with 91 aboard has disappeared from radar. 
image
10:11   EC to announce poll schedule in five states by Jan 3
Rajeev Sharma tells us: The Election Commission is now likely to announce the schedule of the assembly elections in five states -- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur -- by January 3.

Earlier, knowledgeable sources had indicated that the EC would issue the notification for the five assembly polls by December 24, but this has been deferred in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mega rally in Lucknow on January 2.

Now the EC is expected to announce the poll schedule for the five states soon after Modi's Lucknow rally.

It remains to be seen whether the Modi government presents its Union Budget (which will include the Rail Budget as well) on the proposed date of February 1 or defers it as it may not be feasible to conduct multi-phase polling in a big and politically sensitive state like UP in less than a month.

The Congress party has already petitioned the EC to ensure that the Modi government is not able to influence voters by presenting a populist budget in the midst of the assembly polls.

The EC has not issued any directive to the Modi government on the Congress plea so far and the EC's decision will be keenly watched in this context.
image
09:44   Couldn't sleep the night surgical strikes took place: Parrikar
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturdya said he was on tenterhooks and could not sleep a wink the night the army carried out surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir on September 29.
    
"When surgical strikes were conducted, I could not sleep at night thinking what will happen if anything goes wrong. But the army displayed amazing courage and the mission was successful. The army did not give any chance to the enemy," he said at the inaugural ceremony of 62nd national convention of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in Indore.
   
Parrikar said people "applaud" surgical strikes but they "applaud more" when India register a victory against Pakistan in cricket.
   
"People would dance and shower praise on players after a win over Pakistan though no cricket is being played between the two countries these days.
   
"It also caused worry as people would think what would happen to the players if India got defeated," he said.
image
09:42   Obamas send their final Christmas message
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have sent their final Christmas salutations from the White House, highlighting common values uniting Americans of all faiths.
    
"The idea that we are our brother's keeper and our sister's keeper. That we should treat others as we would want to be treated," Michelle Obama said.
   
"Those are values that help guide not just my family's Christian faith, but that of Jewish Americans, and Muslim Americans; nonbelievers and Americans of all backgrounds," the president added.
   
The Obamas' seasonal greeting comes at a time when America is deeply divided after a brutal presidential campaign that pitched populist Donald Trump and his frequently incendiary rhetoric against Hillary Clinton.
   
The Obamas appeared jovial in their greeting, showing a flashback to the filming of their first Christmas message in 2009, when the president couldn't stop giggling.
   
Barack Obama also used the address to re-cap his time in office, saying the country was much stronger than it had been than when he succeeded George W Bush.
   
"Together, we fought our way back from the worst recession in 80 years, and got unemployment to a nine-year low," he said.
   
"We made America more respected around the world, took on the mantle of leadership in the fight to protect this planet for our kids, and much, much more."
   
As is custom, the couple also thanked US troops and their families.
 
image
09:17   PM Modi to address final 'Mann Ki Baat' of the year today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation in years final radio broadcast Mann ki Baat on Sunday at 11 am.

The PM is expected to make an announcement regarding demonetisation as the period of restrictions imposed on bank transactions and currency exchange has entered its last week.

On Saturday, speaking at the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony for the Shivaji Memorial in Mumbais Bandra Kurla Complex, PM Modi said the time for ruin of the dishonest is coming.

He also warned the black money hoarders and those involved in illegal exchange of cash that they will not be spared.
image
08:53   Trump to shut his charitable foundation to avoid 'appearance of conflict'
United States President-elect Donald Trump has said he intends to dissolve his controversial philanthropic foundation to avoid any conflicts of interest with his presidency.
    
Trump's sprawling portfolio of US and overseas business interests and holdings, as well as his Donald J Trump Foundation, have come under increased scrutiny in the weeks since his election.
   
"The foundation has done enormous good works over the years in contributing millions of dollars to countless worthy groups, including supporting veterans, law enforcement officers and children," Trump said yesterday in a statement announcing the move.
   
"However, to avoid even the appearance of any conflict with my role as president I have decided to continue to pursue my strong interest in philanthropy in other ways."
   
Trump's transition team said he had directed his counsel to take the necessary steps to close the foundation.
   
Trump's private foundation has been at the centres of several controversies, including how much money he has actually given it, and is under investigation by the New York attorney general's office.
   
Critics say it is impossible for Trump to serve as president without running into conflicts unless he fully divests himself of all his business and charitable interests.
   
Trump savaged his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton during the campaign over her and her husband Bill Clinton's foundation, calling it a "criminal enterprise."
image
08:51   Dense fog engulfs Delhi; trains cancelled, flights delayed
The national capital continued to cover in a dense fog following which several trains and flight services have been affected on Sunday morning.

Several trains were delayed while some got cancelled due to poor visibility.

Flight services at the Indira Gandhi International Airport were also affected, resulting in the delay of some international and domestic flights.
image
08:28   Amid border tension, PM Modi wishes Sharif on his birthday
Amid simmering tension between India Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today greeted Nawaz Sharif on his birthday.

"Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life," Modi said on Twitter.

Last year, on Sharif's 66th birthday, Modi made a surprise visit to Pakistan. However, right after his meeting Pakistan-based terrorist attacked Indian Air Force base in Punjab's Pathankot.

TOP STORIES