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Sat, 04 June 2016
Modi shares meal with Indian workers in Doha
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23:22 It will be betrayal if Pak doesn't okay NIA visit: Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today came down heavily on Pakistan saying if the neighbouring country does not allow a National Investigation Agency team to visit there for probe into the attack on the Pathankot airbase, it would be a 'betrayal' to India.
Singh also said that Jammu and Kashmir has never been an issue between India and Pakistan and if there is an issue between the two countries, it is the issue of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Addressing a gathering of prominent persons and intellectuals, the home minister said when the Joint Investigation Team of Pakistan proposed to visit India for investigating the Pathankot terror attack case, it was mutually agreed that after the visit of the Pakistani investigators to India, a team of the NIA would also visit the neighbouring country for probe and interrogate some people.
"But so far Pakistan has not given permission to the NIA to visit there. If the NIA team is not allowed to visit Pakistan, it will be a betrayal to India," he said.
Singh also said that Jammu and Kashmir has never been an issue between India and Pakistan and if there is an issue between the two countries, it is the issue of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Addressing a gathering of prominent persons and intellectuals, the home minister said when the Joint Investigation Team of Pakistan proposed to visit India for investigating the Pathankot terror attack case, it was mutually agreed that after the visit of the Pakistani investigators to India, a team of the NIA would also visit the neighbouring country for probe and interrogate some people.
"But so far Pakistan has not given permission to the NIA to visit there. If the NIA team is not allowed to visit Pakistan, it will be a betrayal to India," he said.
22:28 Modi shares meal with Indian workers in Doha
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted and shared a meal with Indian workers in Doha on Saturday.
"PM Modi is the best PM, he sat with us, asked us about our troubles," said an Indian worker.
"A first in Indian history, other politicians should wonder why this didn't happen sooner," said another.
Modi reached Doha on Saturday in the second leg of his five-nation tour. Photograph: MEAIndia/Twitter
"PM Modi is the best PM, he sat with us, asked us about our troubles," said an Indian worker.
"A first in Indian history, other politicians should wonder why this didn't happen sooner," said another.
Modi reached Doha on Saturday in the second leg of his five-nation tour. Photograph: MEAIndia/Twitter
22:06 Pak turns down India's request for consular access to Jadhav
Pakistan has turned down India's request for consular access to Kulbushan Jadhav, who has been arrested by Pakistani agencies claiming he was a Research and Analysis Wing spy, media reports said today.
"After due consideration, it has been decided not to grant consular access to Jadhav," a top security source was quoted as saying by Dawn News. The source said the decision was taken due to Jadhav's involvement in 'subversive activities' in Pakistan.
The Pakistani security forces had arrested Jadhav from Balochistan in March and alleged that he was 'a serving officer in the Indian Navy and deputed to the Indian intelligence agency RAW'.
Jadhav has been accused by Pakistan of planning 'subversive activities' in the country. India has acknowledged that Jadhav had served with the navy but denied that he has any connection with the government.
"After due consideration, it has been decided not to grant consular access to Jadhav," a top security source was quoted as saying by Dawn News. The source said the decision was taken due to Jadhav's involvement in 'subversive activities' in Pakistan.
The Pakistani security forces had arrested Jadhav from Balochistan in March and alleged that he was 'a serving officer in the Indian Navy and deputed to the Indian intelligence agency RAW'.
Jadhav has been accused by Pakistan of planning 'subversive activities' in the country. India has acknowledged that Jadhav had served with the navy but denied that he has any connection with the government.
21:19 Veteran actor Sulabha Deshpande passes away
Veteran theatre and film actor Sulabha Deshpande, who had acted in numerous Marathi and Hindi films, died at her Mumbai residence today after a prolonged illness, family sources said.
She was 79. Apart from acting in the plays written by acclaimed playwrights such as Vijay Tendulkar, Deshpande featured in several Marathi and Hindi films and TV serials.
In Hindi, the noteworthy films in which she appeared included Bhumika (1977), Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan (1978) and Gaman (1978).
In recent years, she had appeared in Gauri Shinde-directed English-Vinglish.
She was associated with Rangayan, a pioneering Marathi experimental theatre group, along with Tendulkar, Vijaya Mehta, and Satyadev Dubey.
In 1971 she co-founded the theatre group Awishkar with her husband Arvind Deshpande (who died in 1987).
She was 79. Apart from acting in the plays written by acclaimed playwrights such as Vijay Tendulkar, Deshpande featured in several Marathi and Hindi films and TV serials.
In Hindi, the noteworthy films in which she appeared included Bhumika (1977), Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan (1978) and Gaman (1978).
In recent years, she had appeared in Gauri Shinde-directed English-Vinglish.
She was associated with Rangayan, a pioneering Marathi experimental theatre group, along with Tendulkar, Vijaya Mehta, and Satyadev Dubey.
In 1971 she co-founded the theatre group Awishkar with her husband Arvind Deshpande (who died in 1987).
19:57 Mathura kingpin died in violence: UP DGP
The main accused of Mathura violence Rambriksh Yadav has been confirmed dead in the riots as his body was identified on Saturday by his associates.
"Rambriksh Yadav's body has been identified by his associates. His family has been intimated for final confirmation," Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Javeed Ahmad said.
Rambriksh Yadav was the main suspect behind the violence which took place during an anti-encroachment drive by Police in Mathura. Other leaders of the sect -- Chandan Gaur and Rakesh Gupta -- are also among main suspects.
"Rambriksh Yadav's body has been identified by his associates. His family has been intimated for final confirmation," Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Javeed Ahmad said.
Rambriksh Yadav was the main suspect behind the violence which took place during an anti-encroachment drive by Police in Mathura. Other leaders of the sect -- Chandan Gaur and Rakesh Gupta -- are also among main suspects.
19:25 PM Modi lands in Qatar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Doha, Qatar, in the second leg of his five-day-five-nation tour.
'Namaste Qatar! Its wheels down in Doha as PM arrives for the second leg of his journey,' MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
Modi was received by Qatar's PM Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Thani at the airport.
Earlier in the day, Modi visited Afghanistan.
'Namaste Qatar! Its wheels down in Doha as PM arrives for the second leg of his journey,' MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
Modi was received by Qatar's PM Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Thani at the airport.
Earlier in the day, Modi visited Afghanistan.
19:00 NIA files chargesheet against suspected IS operative
The National Investigation Agency today filed a charge sheet against suspected Islamic State operative Mohammad Sirajuddin who was arrested by Anti-Terrorist Squad of Rajasthan police last year.
The chargesheet was filed in a special court by the NIA, the public prosecutor said. Sirajuddin, who worked as a marketing manager in Indian Oil Corporation, was not produced in court due to security reasons.
Arrested in December last year, he was accused of being involved in brainwashing Muslim youths through WhatsApp and Facebook and spreading the ideology of the international terrorist organisation IS.
The chargesheet was filed in a special court by the NIA, the public prosecutor said. Sirajuddin, who worked as a marketing manager in Indian Oil Corporation, was not produced in court due to security reasons.
Arrested in December last year, he was accused of being involved in brainwashing Muslim youths through WhatsApp and Facebook and spreading the ideology of the international terrorist organisation IS.
18:15
JUST IN: The Uttar Pradesh government raises compensation to kin of two slain police officers in Mathura from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
18:10 Bihar scribe killing: Cops take Shahabuddin aide on remand
The Bihar Police has taken Laddan Mian, the main conspirator in the killing of senior journalist Rajdeo Ranjan, on three-day remand to question him,officials said.
Laddan is said to be a close aide of jailed former Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Mohammad Shahabuddin.
A day after the Chief Judicial Magistrate court in Siwan district allowed the police to take Laddan on remand, the cops have taken him on three-day remand for interrogation, Siwan superintendent of police Saurabh Kumar said.
"A team of police officials has begun the interrogation of Laddan to know who directed him to kill Ranjan or was there any other motive behind it," police officials said.
Laddan surrendered at the local court in Siwan after absconding for over two weeks. M I Khan from Patna
Laddan is said to be a close aide of jailed former Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Mohammad Shahabuddin.
A day after the Chief Judicial Magistrate court in Siwan district allowed the police to take Laddan on remand, the cops have taken him on three-day remand for interrogation, Siwan superintendent of police Saurabh Kumar said.
"A team of police officials has begun the interrogation of Laddan to know who directed him to kill Ranjan or was there any other motive behind it," police officials said.
Laddan surrendered at the local court in Siwan after absconding for over two weeks. M I Khan from Patna
17:01 PM mourns Muhammad Ali's death, describes him as exemplary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today joined the sporting world in mourning the death of boxing great Muhammad Ali, who passed away in the United States after a long battle with the Parkinson's disease.
'RIP Muhammad Ali. You were an exemplary sportsperson & source of inspiration who demonstrated the power of human spirit & determination,' Modi, who is in Afghanistan, wrote on his twitter page.
Ali was widely revered for his active role in fighting for civil rights. Ali had been hospitalised multiple times in recent years. He spent time in hospital in 2014 after suffering a mild case of pneumonia and again in 2015 for a urinary tract infection.
'RIP Muhammad Ali. You were an exemplary sportsperson & source of inspiration who demonstrated the power of human spirit & determination,' Modi, who is in Afghanistan, wrote on his twitter page.
Ali was widely revered for his active role in fighting for civil rights. Ali had been hospitalised multiple times in recent years. He spent time in hospital in 2014 after suffering a mild case of pneumonia and again in 2015 for a urinary tract infection.
16:51 Maha CM accepts Khadse's resignation, orders probe
Maharahstra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has accepted the resignation of revenue minister Eknath Khadse and said that a retired high court judge will probe the allegation against him.
'Received the resignation from Eknath Khadse ji. I've accepted it and sent it to Hon'ble Governor.' Fadnavis's tweeted.
'Khadse ji has demanded an inquiry into allegations against him. A retired HC Judge will be appointed to conduct inquiry,' he said in another tweet.
Khadse, who resigned as Maharashtra's revenue minister following allegations of impropriety with regard to a land deal and alleged calls from underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, on Saturday alleged that a trial by media was being conducted against him sans evidence.
'Received the resignation from Eknath Khadse ji. I've accepted it and sent it to Hon'ble Governor.' Fadnavis's tweeted.
'Khadse ji has demanded an inquiry into allegations against him. A retired HC Judge will be appointed to conduct inquiry,' he said in another tweet.
Khadse, who resigned as Maharashtra's revenue minister following allegations of impropriety with regard to a land deal and alleged calls from underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, on Saturday alleged that a trial by media was being conducted against him sans evidence.
16:13 Mercedes hit-and-run: Minor accused will be tried as an adult
The Juvenile Justice Board has allowed the Delhi Police's plea of trying the minor accused of running over 32-year-old Siddharth Sharma as an adult in a trial court.
The Delhi Police had on May 26 chargesheeted the juvenile in the JJB for the offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder entails a maximum of 10 years jail.
The accused allegedly ran over Sharma with his Mercedes in north Delhi's Civil Lines area on April 4.
16:06 Jaya urges Modi to get fishermen released from Sri Lanka
Two days after four more fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention for their release besides 90 boats seized.
In a letter to Modi, Jayalalithaa apprised him of the latest arrest of four Indian Indian fishermen by the Lankan Navy in the early hours of June 2, who were then taken to Kankesanthurai. She said the fishermen had ventured into the sea from Kottaipattinam in Pudukottai District on June 1.
"I am constrained to point out that despite my repeated requests, the seized boats and gear belonging to the fishermen of Tamil Nadu have not been released by the Sri Lankan authorities so far."
Earlier, on May 31, seven fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested the Lankan Navy. She requested Modi to take urgent action to secure the release of the 11 fishermen and a total of 90 fishing boats without any delay. "May I request your immediate intervention in this matter,?" she said in the letter, a copy of which was released to the media.
15:36 Bill Clinton: "Blend of beauty, grace, speed and strength that may never be matched again"
Here's former US President Bill Clinton's touching tribute to boxing legend Ali.
"Hillary and I are saddened by the passing of Muhammad Ali.
From the day he claimed the Olympic gold medal in 1960, boxing fans across the world knew they were seeing a blend of beauty and grace, speed and strength that may never be matched again.
We watched him grow from the brash self-confidence of youth and success into a manhood full of religious and political convictions that led him to make tough choices and live with the consequences.
Along the way we saw him courageous in the ring, inspiring to the young, compassionate to those in need, and strong and good-humoured in bearing the burden of his own health challenges.
I was honored to award him the Presidential Citizens Medal at the White House, to watch him light the Olympic flame, and to forge a friendship with a man who, through triumph and trials, became even greater than his legend. Our hearts go out to Lonnie, his children, and his entire family."
15:03 Window of opportunities with pakistan closing: Parrikar
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi had opened a window of goodwill and dialogue with Pakistan, it was now closing as doubts remained about its sincerity in tackling terrorism.
"Prime Minister Modi opened a window of opportunities when he visited (the) Pakistan prime minister. I think that window is slowly closing. Before it closes, Pakistan needs to develop that trust with India on its sincerity on the approach," he said.
"Pakistan separates terrorists between good ones and bad ones. They are after bad ones but the good ones are promoted to operate in Afghanistan and India. I think that needs to be tackled at a diplomatic level," Parrikar said.
His comments at Shangri-La Dialogue, an inter-governmental security forum in Singapore, that referred to PM Modi's surprise visit to Lahore in December last year, was backed by a tweet from BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav.
14:46 Mayawati hit outs at Modi government, Akhilesh Yadav
BSP chief Mayawati today lashed out at the Modi government at the Centre, saying it was just tom-tomming its "hollow" programmes to mislead the people and said "bad days" are on the anvil for the BJP dispensation.
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also targeted her guns at the SP government for the Mathura violence and demanded a CBI or court-monitored probe into the deadly incident.
The BSP chief slammed Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for not taking the Mathura violence seriously. "Rather than touring Bundelkhand, he should have been visiting Mathura today," she said, and demanded a judicial or Supreme Court-monitored or CBI probe into the incident.
Slamming the programmes to celebrate two years of Modi government, she said the BJP-led dispensation had nothing to take credit for and was just tomtomming its "hollow" programmes to mislead the people. "Forget about achche din, now the bure din of government are coming (forget the promise of good days, now bad days are on the cards for the government)," she said.
14:30 Hema Malini stopped from visiting scene of violence in Mathura
BJP MP Hema Malini was today stopped from entering the violence-hit Jawahar Bagh area of Mathura district by police, citing security reasons and the ongoing combing operation. Police said combing operations are underway in the area due to which entry of civilians is prohibited.
"This is not a big issue and there was no ulterior motive to bar the MP from entering the area. Combing operations are underway and the area is being examined by police teams and experts.
"The place has still not been declared safe. It would be difficult for us to answer if any further casualty takes place," police said.
In town to meet the victims of the violence, the Mathura MP, who had faced flak for uploading pictures of her film shoot as violence erupted in her constituency, met the injured policemen at the hospital. She also condoled the death of Mukul Dwivedi, Superintendent of Police and Santosh Yadav, Station House officer, Farah.
14:16
JUST IN: PM Modi has been awarded the Amir Amanullah Khan Award, Afghanistan's highest civilian honour
14:06 This is a cheap publicity stunt against me: Khadse after quitting
Following his resignation as Maharashtra's revenue minister, Eknath Khadse held a press conference along with the state BJP chief.
Here are the highlights from the presser:
-- Have fought political battles for last 40 years. Facing media trial for first time in my life
-- Whatever allegations you make, prove it with valid papers. No documents given by Opposition to date
-- I have worked for expansion of BJP for the last 40 years. If anyone can produce concrete proof against me, will quit politics
-- In a bid to frame me, documents have been. This is a cheap publicity stunt against me
13:23 Modi, Afghan Prez Ghani jointly inaugurate Afghan-India Friendship Dam
After touching down in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani made their way to Gazi Amanullah Khan hall where they will be jointly inaugurating the Afghan-India Friendship Dam.
The Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier known as Salma dam, in western Herat district is built at a cost of over Rs 1,700 crore under India's development partnership with Afghanistan. The dam on the river Chist-e-Sharif will irrigate 75,000 hectares of land and generate 42 MW of power.
13:04 Mike Tyson's touching tribute for Ali
Heartfelt tributes were pouring in within minutes after family confirmed that legendary boxer Muhammad Ali died, aged 74. Ali, known simply as The Greatest, was admired and loved by the world, from politicians to sportsmen and fellow boxer Mike Tyson was one of the first to express his sadness. Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson said simply: 'God came for his champion. So long great one.'
12:42
PM Modi arrives in Herat to launch the Afghan India Friendship Dam
12:27 Second attack in 24 hours: 2 cops killed by militants in Kashmir
Two cops, including an officer were killed in a terrorist strike in south Kashmir Anantnag town this morning.
This is the second militant attack in the district in less than 24 hours.
Militants yesterday ambushed a paramilitary Border Security Force convoy on the Jammu Srinagar national highway at Bejbehara, killing three BSF troopers and wounding six others.
A senior police officer told Rediff.com, militants fired at a police party near the main bus stand in Anantnag town, critically wounding a police sub-inspector, Bashir Ahmad and constable, Riyaz Ahmad.
The injured cops were evacuated to hospital for treatment where they succumbed, the officer said.
Senior police officers rushed to the spot and the area has been surrounded for searches. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Saturdays attack on the police is the third in last two weeks. In the earlier two strikes, militants had gunned down three cops including an officer in summer capital Srinagar.
-- Mukhtar Ahmad/Rediff.com
11:53 Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse resigns
Maharashtra's Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse has resigned from his post for his alleged involvement in the MIDC land scam and the Rs 30 crore bribe demand made by his aide for allotment of land near Kalyan. The news comes in after the minister met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier this morning.
11:40
This tribute via @buzzfeed... so perfect.
RIP Muhammad Ali!
11:33
JUST IN: Terrorists open fire at police party in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Yesterday, 3 BSF men died after militants opened fire at a bus carrying the paramilitary force in Bijbehara, in Anantnag.
11:12 After photo row, Hema Malini meets injured Mathura cops
BJP MP Hema Malini, who has been drawing flak over posting pictures of her movie shoot at a time when her Parliamentary constituency Mathura was hit by violence, visited the injured policemen and also demanded for a CBI probe.
Nearly 3000 people with weapons were there, wasnt the administration aware of it? They were aware, but was unable to handle the situation, Malini said.
The state government should have taken proper action to eradicate encroachment. Only after the High Court order, they tried to remove the protestors. The BJP demands a CBI enquiry into the whole incident, she added.
The actress, who came under criticism for tweeting pictures of her upcoming movie when Mathura was hit by one of the worst violence, had yesterday defended herself saying that she was unaware of the happenings as she was busy in her shooting.
10:29 When Muhammad Ali's twinkle shone brightest
At the end, the mischief was still in his eyes. Even the pall of Parkinson's disease never took that away, but for too many years before his death,Muhammad Ali was not the Muhammad Ali you wanted to remember.
Instead of shouting, "I am the greatest,' he whispered. Instead of whirling in his white boxing shoes with red tassels, he shuffled. And instead of that wonderful face lighting up when he spoke, he wore a cheerless mask.
Read more HERE
10:22 'Greatest has fought his final round': Tributes pour in after Ali's demise
Minutes after reports broke the sad demise of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who was suffering a respiratory disease, tributes poured in from all over the world.
"Really really sad news about the passing away of Muhammad Ali, Absolute legend."
-- Rohan Bopanna, Tennis player
No sportsman has made as great an impact as Ali. You will always float like a butterfly , sting like a bee! RIP
-- Rajdeep Sardesai, journalist
The greatest has fought his final round. Muhammad Ali was the most magnificent athlete who transcended his sport. #RIP.
-- Gary Lineker, retired English football player
10:01 Boxing legend Muhammad Ali passes away at 74
Three-time heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali, who charmed millions with his wit and confidence in the ring and inspired many more with his commitment to humanitarian causes has died, according to the family spokesman.
He was 74. Ali had been hospitalised for a respiratory issue June 2. At the time, a rep said he was in fair condition.
One of the greatest fighters in the history of boxing, Ali retired in 1981 after losing to Trevor Berbick in his 61st career bout.
09:40 Modi leaves for Afghanistan on first leg of his 5-nation tour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departs for Afghanistan on the first leg of his five nation tour. The PM will hold talks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and inaugurate the Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier known as Salma Dam, in Herat province.
09:21 Air India to fly decorated soldiers business class
It is the Maharaja's way of saying Jai Jawan. Air India has decided to upgrade gallantry award winners to business class on its domestic flights.
"We have taken this decision with immediate effect for Param Vir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra winners. We are proud of our soldiers and Air India chief Ashwini Lohani felt this is the least we can do to honour them," a senior official said.
To avail of the upgrade, the decorated soldiers will need to submit a copy of their identity card at the check-in counter. This facility will be only for the soldiers and not the family members accompanying them.
09:11 Leaking anti-tank mines were stored at Pulgaon ammunition depot
Defective anti-tank mines leaking TNT, a powerful explosive material, and stored for the last nine years in a shed at the Central Ammunition Depot in Pulgaon may have triggered the explosion during a fire last Tuesday that killed 19 people, including two Army officers, highly placed sources said.
The faulty mines were stored at the depot despite the Comptroller and Auditor General warning in a report last year that 102,805 anti-tank mines, worth Rs 47.29 crore and rejected due to manufacturing defects, were stored in the 16 ammunition depots across the country.
On the day of the fire in Pulgaon, the defective ammunition that triggered the blast was earmarked as "segregated" and kept separately in Shed 192 that stored a total of 22,000 ND Mark-1 anti-tank mines weighing 330 metric tonnes, said sources. The cause of the fire, which is believed to have started at this shed, is being probed by the army.
04:33 Syrian rebels close in on strategic IS group-held city
Syrian rebels advancing on Islamic State group fighters in the strategic northern city of Manbij have seized more than 100 square kilometers this week, the United States military has said.
US Central Command spokesman Colonel Patrick Ryder said on Friday that more than 55 air strikes have been conducted since the offensive began on Monday, and that the rebel forces had secured areas on the western bank of the Euphrates River.
"They are facing some heavy resistance from Islamic State, which was expected" but "are continuing to move forward," he added.
Manbij is located along a route connecting Raqa -- the IS group's de facto capital -- to the Turkish border, a vital conduit for supplies.
A rebel victory would inflict one of the largest strategic defeats on the IS group since it proclaimed its rule over territory in Iraq and Syria two years ago.
Retaking Manbij would "cut this key route to prevent Islamic State from using it to move fighters, weapons, finances, supplies into and out of Syria and Iraq," Ryder said.
Some 3,000 local Arab fighters are taking part in the offensive, backed by around 500 Kurdish militia members.
"They are from this area, they are liberating their hometown," Ryder said.
03:26 Olympic Games: World Health Organization to conduct Zika probe
The World Health Organization is to conduct an inquiry into the risks of holding the Olympic Games in Brazil because of the Zika virus.
US Senator Jeanne Shaheen has asked WHO to examine whether the Rio Games could accelerate the mosquito-borne virus.
"The Olympics draw people from all over the globe. It's important we understand the health implications," said Shaheen.
On Wednesday, Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy said his concerns about exposure to the virus had eased.
However, former Masters and US PGA champion Vijay Singh and Australia's Marc Leishman are golfers who have already announced their withdrawal from the Olympics because of worries relating to the virus, which is linked to brain defects in newborn babies.
Shaheen has been a leading voice in the Senate calling for action to address the Zika virus.
03:04 FIFA: Blatter, deputies paid themselves $80M
FIFA is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons after its own lawyers revealed that former president Sepp Blatter and two of his colleagues awarded themselves pay raises and bonuses totaling $80 million over their final five years in office.
Lawyers for world football's governing body allege that Blatter, along with former secretary general Jerome Valcke and former deputy secretary general Markus Kattner, made "a coordinated effort" to "enrich themselves" between 2011 and 2015.
Read more
01:19 We don't build walls to keep people out: Michelle Obama takes swipe at Trump
First Lady Michelle Obama took a veiled swipe at Donald Trump while delivering a passionate defense of immigration and diversity, in the final commencement address of her husband's presidency on Friday, AFP reported.
"Infusions of new cultures and new ideas, generation after generation, created the matchless alchemy of our melting pot and helped us build the strongest, most vibrant, most prosperous nation on the planet," Obama told the 2016 graduating class of City College of New York.
"Some folks out there today seem to have a very different perspective," she said, appearing to allude to the presumptive Republican nominee for president, without using his name.
"They seem to view our diversity as a threat to be contained rather than as a resource to be tapped, they tell us to be afraid of those who are different," said the first lady, wife of Democratic president Barack Obama in remarks that appeared more pointedly political than usual.
"They act as if name calling is an acceptable substitute for thoughtful debate, as if anger and intolerance should be our default state."
Donald Trump has vowed to build a wall along America's southern border to keep out illegal immigrants, and has run a controversial campaign insulting women, Mexicans, Muslims, the disabled and journalists whom he dislikes, among others.
"In America we don't give in to our fears, we don't build up walls to keep people out, because we know that our greatness has always depended on contributions from people born elsewhere but sought this country," Obama said.
00:37 Party to decide on Rahul's elevation: Soni
After being re-elected to the Rajya Sabha, Senior Congress leader Ambika Soni on Friday said that the party will decide when the time was right to pass on the baton to Rahul Gandhi.
"The fact that Rahul Gandhi has to be the president of the Congress party was a decision which the party entirely with its consent and concurrence took in January 2013 when it had unanimously elected him as the vice-president.
You become the vice-president, so that one day in future you will take over as the president. Which day that will be, the party, its leadership, Rahul ji and Sonia ji themselves will take a call," Soni said.
The veteran Congress leader was replying to the recent remarks of Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh suggesting Rahul Gandhi to take over as Congress President.
She, however, described the current Congress president as a "catalytic force" who united various factions within the party and said the leadership baton will be passed on when the "time was right".
"Sonia Gandhi has really been a catalytic force in Congress party, she has united different factions and successfully gave them a direction. Without her, we would have never been able to form UPA-I, UPA-II and governments in so many states. So, whether we acknowledge that publicly or as every Congress worker always pays a silent tribute to her work, that is universal," said Soni.
When asked if senior leaders would want Sonia to continue as the party's President, Soni, who is also chairperson of Congress' Campaign Committee for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections in 2017, said, "look, it's not a question of anyone coming in because we don't want her to continue. Congressmen would like to have all of them (the Gandhi family) in the party in one position or the other."
00:33 North Korea 'will be punished' says France
French President Francois Hollande promised on Friday to enforce tough sanctions on North Korea, which faced United Nations condemnation this week for its latest attempted missile launch, AFP has reported.
"We will ensure that in the Security Council, of which France is a permanent member, North Korea will be punished because we will not accept even the slightest threat to the safety and peace of the region," Hollande said in Paris after talks with South Korean President Park Geun-Hye.
Hollande called the North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile programmes a "threat".
On Thursday, the Security Council unanimously backed a US-drafted statement that demanded North Korea "refrain from further actions, including nuclear tests," which are in violation of UN resolutions.
Council members "strongly condemned" a series of failed missile launches on Tuesday and on April 27 and 28, which are in "grave violation" of North Korea's international obligations, said the text.
Park said she has asked for France's support in a continued tough stance on North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes.
"North Korea must understand that there are no other alternatives than renouncing its nuclear programme," she said.
The Council has adopted the toughest sanctions to date on North Korea after it carried out its fourth nuclear test in January and a rocket launch that was widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test.
Among the sweeping measures is a new requirement that all countries must inspect cargo destined for and coming from North Korea, in all airports and sea ports.
The resolution bans or restricts exports of coal, iron, iron ore and other minerals from North Korea, and prohibits the supply of aviation fuel including rocket fuel.
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