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Tue, 14 June 2016
Obama goes on tirade against Trump over 'dangerous' Muslim ban
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23:45 Obama goes on tirade against Trump over 'dangerous' Muslim ban, 'radical Islam'
President Barack Obama on Tuesday unleashed a blistering verbal assault on Donald Trump and his "dangerous" proposal for a ban on Muslims entering the country, saying the suggestion violates the principles of American democracy and generates rage among would-be extremists.
Dismissing the "yapping" from "politicians who tweet," Obama described Trump's suggestions as harmful to the country's national security.
"We are now seeing how dangerous this kind of mindset and this kind of thinking can be," he said. "We're starting to see where this kind of rhetoric and loose talk and sloppiness about who exactly we're fighting, where this can lead us."
Obama, sounding infuriated at critiques of his foreign policy, pushed back against criticism for not using the term "radical Islamic terrorism." And he accused Republicans of fostering resentment among Muslims that could generate further attacks.
23:22 Hostage situation ends, shooter killed at Walmart in Amarillo, Texas
An active shooter situation has ended at a Walmart in Amarillo, Texas after a SWAT team shot the gunman, local police say.
The shooter had hostages.
The suspect has been shot by Amarillo police SWAT Team and "is apparently dead," police said.
The hostages are safe, police added.
There have not been any confirmed gunshot victims inside the store, Amarillo PD said.
23:19 6 police wounded in explosion in eastern Turkey
Turkey's state-run news agency says a bomb explosion in eastern Turkey has wounded six police officers.
The Anadolu Agency says the improvised explosive device went off today as an armored police vehicle was traveling on a road near the town of Gevas, in Van province.
The agency said the attack is believed to have been carried out by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which has led a three-decade-long insurgency in the mainly Kurdish southeast region.
The region was again plunged into violence last summer after more than two-year peace efforts between the state and the PKK collapsed.
23:03 No confirmed gunshot victims inside store: Amarillo PD
The Amarillo Police Department has evacuated the west side of the store, according to media reports.
There have not been any confirmed gunshot victims inside the store, Amarillo PD said.
22:53 Walmart shooter may be former employee of retail outlet
According to reports, the police were looking for a Somali man wearing khaki pants.
Reports also indicate that the suspect may be a former employee of Walmart.
Witnesses told the media that an employee took another employee hostage.
22:49 Active shooter, possible hostages at Amarillo, Texas Walmart
Police responded to an active shooter situation where a suspect may have taken hostages inside a Walmart in Amarillo, Texas, on Tuesday afternoon.
The Amarillo Police Department tweeted officers were 'on scene with armed subject at the Walmart at Georgia and Canyon Drive' at around 12.30pm.
Officials believed there was only one shooter. There had been shots fired but it was unclear how many, police told Daily Mail Online.
No injuries were immediately reported.
Apart from Amarillo police officers, sheriff's deputies from Randall and Potter Counties, as well as Texas highway patrolmen were on the scene, officials said.
The public is asked to stay away from the area.
22:19 Obama speaks after meeting NSA: Our goal is to destroy IS
United States President Obama delivers a statement after meeting his National Security Council over terrorism and groups like Islamic State and Al-Qaeda in the aftermath of Orlando shootings. Here are the excerpts of his statement:
- Our mission is to destroy ISIL (Islamic State). This continues to be a difficult fight but we are making significant progress.
-Our message is clear, if you target America and its allies, you will not be safe. You will never be safe.
-Weve taken out more than 120 top ISIL leaders and commanders.
-We have to make it harder for people who want to kill Americans to get their hands on weapons that let them kill dozens: US President Obama
- Be tough on terrorism. Stop making it easy as possible for terrorists to buy assault weapons.
- Groups like ISIL and Al-Qaeda want to make this war, a war between Islam and America or a war between Islam and the West. They want to claim that they are the true leaders of over a billion Muslims around the World who reject their crazy notions.
- Our mission is to destroy ISIL (Islamic State). This continues to be a difficult fight but we are making significant progress.
-Our message is clear, if you target America and its allies, you will not be safe. You will never be safe.
-Weve taken out more than 120 top ISIL leaders and commanders.
-We have to make it harder for people who want to kill Americans to get their hands on weapons that let them kill dozens: US President Obama
- Be tough on terrorism. Stop making it easy as possible for terrorists to buy assault weapons.
- Groups like ISIL and Al-Qaeda want to make this war, a war between Islam and America or a war between Islam and the West. They want to claim that they are the true leaders of over a billion Muslims around the World who reject their crazy notions.
21:41 Pandits gather in Kashmir for 'Maha Kumbh' held after 75 years
Darshar Maha Kumbh was organised in Kashmir after a gap of 75 years on Tuesday.
The festival was held on the confluence of sacred Sindhu and Vitasta rivers in Ganderbal district of Kashmir. Taking a dip at the junction of rivers at Shadipora is considered to be auspicious as per the Hindu mythology.
Over 20,000 Kashmir Pandits thronged to the spot at Shadipora Sangam to take holy dip.
This fair has come after a gap of 75 years and our ancestors, my grandfather use to say, that it last happened during their time. Today, I got to experience this. I am feeling blessed that I celebrated this festival with my son and my family, a Kashmiri Pandit, Rajkumar, said.
The place holds same significance for Kashmiri Hindus as Haridwar, considered to be one of the holiest cities of religious importance to the community.
At Shadipora Sangam lies an ancient Chinar tree (Platanus orientalis) that is considered mystical and sacred by Kashmiri Pandits.
I am happy that I am one among the fortunate ones, who are participating in this Kumbh mela. People have come here to attend the programme. It is a very big deal for Kashmiri Pandits as they are bathing in Maha Kumbh, said All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee, spokesperson, King Bharti.
The festival was held on the confluence of sacred Sindhu and Vitasta rivers in Ganderbal district of Kashmir. Taking a dip at the junction of rivers at Shadipora is considered to be auspicious as per the Hindu mythology.
Over 20,000 Kashmir Pandits thronged to the spot at Shadipora Sangam to take holy dip.
This fair has come after a gap of 75 years and our ancestors, my grandfather use to say, that it last happened during their time. Today, I got to experience this. I am feeling blessed that I celebrated this festival with my son and my family, a Kashmiri Pandit, Rajkumar, said.
The place holds same significance for Kashmiri Hindus as Haridwar, considered to be one of the holiest cities of religious importance to the community.
At Shadipora Sangam lies an ancient Chinar tree (Platanus orientalis) that is considered mystical and sacred by Kashmiri Pandits.
I am happy that I am one among the fortunate ones, who are participating in this Kumbh mela. People have come here to attend the programme. It is a very big deal for Kashmiri Pandits as they are bathing in Maha Kumbh, said All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee, spokesperson, King Bharti.
21:23 Pak religious body declares honour-killing 'un-Islamic'
An Islamic religious body in Pakistan today declared that killing of women in the name of honour is un-Islamic, days after 40 influential clerics issued a fatwa against honour-killing.
There are laws in the country to deal with the obscenity and other moral crimes so one cannot kill other in the name of honour, Conservative Council of Islamic Ideology said in a statement.
The CIIs statement came after several cases of killing of women by close relatives for marrying against the wishes of their family.
The Islamic body enjoys constitutional status in Pakistan and gives non-binding proposals to Parliament to make laws according to Islam.
It said, Provocation after witnessing a moral sin by a close relative is an element of human nature but there is no room to kill someone after being provoked, as punishments for the same exist in the Pakistan Penal Code and the Sharia.
Every accused should be brought before the court, it said.
The Islamic body further said that only courts can punish a person or excuse an accused in a case of honour killing, and asked the government to implement the laws.
There are laws in the country to deal with the obscenity and other moral crimes so one cannot kill other in the name of honour, Conservative Council of Islamic Ideology said in a statement.
The CIIs statement came after several cases of killing of women by close relatives for marrying against the wishes of their family.
The Islamic body enjoys constitutional status in Pakistan and gives non-binding proposals to Parliament to make laws according to Islam.
It said, Provocation after witnessing a moral sin by a close relative is an element of human nature but there is no room to kill someone after being provoked, as punishments for the same exist in the Pakistan Penal Code and the Sharia.
Every accused should be brought before the court, it said.
The Islamic body further said that only courts can punish a person or excuse an accused in a case of honour killing, and asked the government to implement the laws.
20:46 Docs treating Orlando victims perform 54 surgeries
Doctors treating Orlando victims performed 28 surgeries on Sunday, eight operations on Monday, and eight more on Tuesday.
Orlando's Orange Regional Medical centre treated 44 patients, six of whom are considered critically ill.
'Many patients had multiple high-velocity gunshot wounds, and were transported to ORs immediately to stop the bleeding,' Orlando health, a not-for-profit network of community hospitals, tweeted.
The 49 victims who succumbed to their injuries were all identified by Monday evening.
Orlando's Orange Regional Medical centre treated 44 patients, six of whom are considered critically ill.
'Many patients had multiple high-velocity gunshot wounds, and were transported to ORs immediately to stop the bleeding,' Orlando health, a not-for-profit network of community hospitals, tweeted.
The 49 victims who succumbed to their injuries were all identified by Monday evening.
19:56
Officers of the anti-corruption branch of police in Assam hold a tiger skin recovered from the house of forestry officer Mahat Chandra Talukdar in Guwahati on Tuesday. The anti-corruption branch of police in Assam recovered around Rs 60 lakh in cash from the forestry officer's house in a raid and also recovered a tiger skin, a deer skin and ivory.
19:42 Centre seeks report from UP government on Kairana 'migration'
The Centre has sought a detailed report from Uttar Pradesh government on the alleged migration of Hindus from Kairana village in the state.
In a communication, the Home Ministry asked the state government to verify the allegations and send a detailed report to it as early as possible.
Official sources said the communication has been sent three days ago but no reply has been received.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had yesterday said it was unfortunate if people were being forced to leave their homes in their own country.
If people have to leave their homes in their own country, then the state government should take the responsibility. If the state government seeks any help, we will definitely give them, he had said.
There have been allegations that Hindus from Kairana village in Shamli district in western Uttar Pradesh were forced to leave their homes by people from another community.
However, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had accused Bharatiya Janata Party leaders of being dishonest and lying on the issue.
Yadav claimed that most of the people had left the village about 10 to 15 years back while others left in search of jobs about seven or eight years ago.
In a communication, the Home Ministry asked the state government to verify the allegations and send a detailed report to it as early as possible.
Official sources said the communication has been sent three days ago but no reply has been received.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had yesterday said it was unfortunate if people were being forced to leave their homes in their own country.
If people have to leave their homes in their own country, then the state government should take the responsibility. If the state government seeks any help, we will definitely give them, he had said.
There have been allegations that Hindus from Kairana village in Shamli district in western Uttar Pradesh were forced to leave their homes by people from another community.
However, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had accused Bharatiya Janata Party leaders of being dishonest and lying on the issue.
Yadav claimed that most of the people had left the village about 10 to 15 years back while others left in search of jobs about seven or eight years ago.
19:26 Pak seeks Austria, Turkey support for NSG membership
Pakistan today stepped up its efforts to drum up support for its bid to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, with its top diplomat dialling foreign ministers of Austria and Turkey. Foreign Office said that Pakistan was continuing with diplomatic efforts to muster support for its candidacy of the 48-member elite grouping.
The Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz today made telephone calls to Foreign Minister of Austria Sebastian Kurz and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
'The adviser underscored Pakistan's credentials for the NSG membership and emphasized the importance of non-discriminatory approach on NSG expansion to non-NPT states,' it said.
Pakistan increased efforts to garner diplomatic support after United States President Barack Obama endorsed Indian bid for the NSG membership. Aziz has already said Pakistan was sure to get membership on merit if the gates of the NSG were opened for India.
He recently spoke with Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentilioni, New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Foreign Minister of Republic of Korea Yun Byung-se to seek their support. Aziz had earlier spoke over telephone with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the issue.
The Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz today made telephone calls to Foreign Minister of Austria Sebastian Kurz and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
'The adviser underscored Pakistan's credentials for the NSG membership and emphasized the importance of non-discriminatory approach on NSG expansion to non-NPT states,' it said.
Pakistan increased efforts to garner diplomatic support after United States President Barack Obama endorsed Indian bid for the NSG membership. Aziz has already said Pakistan was sure to get membership on merit if the gates of the NSG were opened for India.
He recently spoke with Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentilioni, New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Foreign Minister of Republic of Korea Yun Byung-se to seek their support. Aziz had earlier spoke over telephone with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the issue.
19:09 Delhi govt writes scathing letter to Anil Ambani over BSES power cuts
Delhi Power Minister Satyendra Jain today wrote a scathing letter to Anil Ambani on frequent power cuts by BSES and asked him to present a road map on the same, according to TV reports.
Warning that the government might consider "strong action", the letter read, "You might have had a cosy relationship with previous Governments in Delhi at the expense of public interest, kindly note that the new Government is fully committed to protecting the interests of the public".
Accusing BSES engineers of incompetence or negligence, the letter further said, "There are also allegations of corruption and financial irregularities including siphoning off funds by your companies".
Last month, the minister said there is no shortage of power in the national capital and whatever problems residents were facing were due to local faults.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal recently called a meeting of discoms where compensation for consumers who face power cuts longer than two hours was a major issue.
The Delhi government has been maintaining that there is no shortage of power in the city and that there is a provision for more power if the need arises, but the discoms were not performing routine maintenance and getting their act together.
Warning that the government might consider "strong action", the letter read, "You might have had a cosy relationship with previous Governments in Delhi at the expense of public interest, kindly note that the new Government is fully committed to protecting the interests of the public".
Accusing BSES engineers of incompetence or negligence, the letter further said, "There are also allegations of corruption and financial irregularities including siphoning off funds by your companies".
Last month, the minister said there is no shortage of power in the national capital and whatever problems residents were facing were due to local faults.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal recently called a meeting of discoms where compensation for consumers who face power cuts longer than two hours was a major issue.
The Delhi government has been maintaining that there is no shortage of power in the city and that there is a provision for more power if the need arises, but the discoms were not performing routine maintenance and getting their act together.
18:54 Sensex ends flat as Fed, Brexit risks loom
Equities fell for a fourth straight session as they ended marginally lower today as wholesale inflation hardened in May while the US Federal Reserve meet and Brexit referendum kept investors on sidelines. Bucking the trend, shares of PSU banks gained up to 8 per cent after Reserve Bank came out with a scheme for resolution of bad loans of large projects wherein a portion of the debt will be converted into equity or other instruments.
18:51 Italy's Berlusconi comes through open-heart surgery
Italy's controversial former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi underwent cardiac surgery today after a heart attack his doctor said could have killed the 79-year-old tycoon.
First indications were that the four-hour open-heart operation to replace his aortic vale at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan had been successful.
"The operation was finished a little after midday and there were no complications in the operating theatre," a hospital statement said, adding that Berlusconi had been transferred to an intensive care unit.
"Everything is okay guys, now I can speak more calmly," Gianni Letta, a close political ally of the billionaire leader of Forza Italia, told the AGI news agency.
First indications were that the four-hour open-heart operation to replace his aortic vale at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan had been successful.
"The operation was finished a little after midday and there were no complications in the operating theatre," a hospital statement said, adding that Berlusconi had been transferred to an intensive care unit.
"Everything is okay guys, now I can speak more calmly," Gianni Letta, a close political ally of the billionaire leader of Forza Italia, told the AGI news agency.
18:39 Australia may ban a British Islamic scholar who preached in Orlando
Australia is urgently reviewing the visa of a British Islamic scholar who toured Orlando in March and had preached that "death is the sentence' for homosexual acts.Farrokh Sekaleshfar, a senior Shi'ite Muslim scholar, is currently giving a series of lectures at an Islamic centre in Sydney on the topic of spirituality throughout the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
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18:26
Six Congress MLAs who cross voted in Rajya Sabha elections in UP expelled from party.
18:25 Bangladesh orders 18 stand trial over factory disaster
A Bangladesh court today ordered 18 people stand trial for the collapse of a garment factory three years ago that killed more than 1,100 people, a prosecutor said.
A senior magistrate issued the order against the 18 charged with breaching building laws in the lead up to the Rana Plaza compound's implosion in 2013, one of the world's worst industrial disasters. No one has yet been convicted over the tragedy which highlighted appalling safety in Bangladesh's USD 27 billion garment export industry, the world's second largest after China.
Thirteen of the accused, including owners of the building and those of factories housed inside, appeared in court to seek their release from jail, saying they were not guilty.
"The judge rejected their discharge pleas and ordered their trial. The hearings will now begin on August 23," prosecutor Anwarul Kabir told AFP, adding that five others still on the run also face trial on the same date.
All 18 face seven years in jail if convicted of the charges. The court has heard how the Rana Plaza owners allegedly violated building codes and illegally extended the nine-storey complex which was initially approved as a six-storey shopping mall.
A senior magistrate issued the order against the 18 charged with breaching building laws in the lead up to the Rana Plaza compound's implosion in 2013, one of the world's worst industrial disasters. No one has yet been convicted over the tragedy which highlighted appalling safety in Bangladesh's USD 27 billion garment export industry, the world's second largest after China.
Thirteen of the accused, including owners of the building and those of factories housed inside, appeared in court to seek their release from jail, saying they were not guilty.
"The judge rejected their discharge pleas and ordered their trial. The hearings will now begin on August 23," prosecutor Anwarul Kabir told AFP, adding that five others still on the run also face trial on the same date.
All 18 face seven years in jail if convicted of the charges. The court has heard how the Rana Plaza owners allegedly violated building codes and illegally extended the nine-storey complex which was initially approved as a six-storey shopping mall.
18:01 Bomb scare at Andheri station
Reports of a possible bomb scare at Andheri railway station in suburban Mumbai, reports Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com. The police has cordoned off platform number 7at Andheri station after an unattended bag was found at the station. Details awaited.
Image: The black object in the centre of the picture, next to the pillar, is the unattended bag. Pic courtesy: Aslam Hunani
Image: The black object in the centre of the picture, next to the pillar, is the unattended bag. Pic courtesy: Aslam Hunani
17:57 GST impacts fiscal autonomy of states like Tamil Nadu: Jaya to PM
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa who arrived in New Delhi today on her first visit after her election victory met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Jaya expressed her concerns about the GST, which aims to bring the country under a unified tax regime.
"GST impacts the fiscal autonomy of states like Tamil Nadu... Expect big revenue loss for manufacturing state like Tamil Nadu," Jayalalithaa said in a memorandum which was submitted to PM Modi with 29 demands.
"A number of concerns of Tamil Nadu need to be addressed by the Centre on GST... petroleum products must be kept out of GST," the memorandum said.
Earlier, she was given a guard of honour by the Tamil Nadu Special Police contingent at the Tamil Nadu house. She is also likely to meet union ministers Nirmala Sitaraman and Pon Radhakrishnan and discuss central schemes with them.
Jaya expressed her concerns about the GST, which aims to bring the country under a unified tax regime.
"GST impacts the fiscal autonomy of states like Tamil Nadu... Expect big revenue loss for manufacturing state like Tamil Nadu," Jayalalithaa said in a memorandum which was submitted to PM Modi with 29 demands.
"A number of concerns of Tamil Nadu need to be addressed by the Centre on GST... petroleum products must be kept out of GST," the memorandum said.
Earlier, she was given a guard of honour by the Tamil Nadu Special Police contingent at the Tamil Nadu house. She is also likely to meet union ministers Nirmala Sitaraman and Pon Radhakrishnan and discuss central schemes with them.
17:33 Tomato prices surge up to Rs 80/kg on sluggish supply
Tomato prices in most retail markets across the country have doubled to up to Rs 80 per kg in last 15 days due to sluggish supply owing to crop damage.
Earlier this month, prices of tomato - a key kitchen vegetable - were ruling in the range of Rs 20-40 per kg, as per data maintained by the Consumer Affairs Ministry.
Among metros, Chennai recorded the highest price at Rs 80 per kg today compared with Rs 44 per kg on June 1. Similarly in Kolkata, the price is ruling at Rs 60 per kg today as against Rs 30 per kg earlier this month. In Mumbai, rates have risen to Rs 58 per kg from 38 per kg while in Delhi, prices have surged to Rs 51 per kg from Rs 25 per kg in the said period, the ministry data showed.
Earlier this month, prices of tomato - a key kitchen vegetable - were ruling in the range of Rs 20-40 per kg, as per data maintained by the Consumer Affairs Ministry.
Among metros, Chennai recorded the highest price at Rs 80 per kg today compared with Rs 44 per kg on June 1. Similarly in Kolkata, the price is ruling at Rs 60 per kg today as against Rs 30 per kg earlier this month. In Mumbai, rates have risen to Rs 58 per kg from 38 per kg while in Delhi, prices have surged to Rs 51 per kg from Rs 25 per kg in the said period, the ministry data showed.
17:12 Vijay Mallya declared 'proclaimed offender' by Mumbai court
Just in: Kingfisher boss Vijay Mallya declared proclaimed offender based on the Enforcement Directorate's plea.
This comes after the special court for Prevention of Money Laundering Act heard the plea of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking proclamation against businessman Vijay Mallya facing probe in a money-laundering case.
The court on Monday sought to know the steps taken by the ED, after it had issued a warrant against him.
On April 18, the court issued a non-bailable warrant against Mallya to secure his presence in India.
The central agency initiated an investigation against Mallya for alleged money-laundering of a Rs900-crore loan taken from IDBI bank for Kingfisher airlines. The ED had on Saturday attached Mallyas Rs1,411-crore property.
This comes after the special court for Prevention of Money Laundering Act heard the plea of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking proclamation against businessman Vijay Mallya facing probe in a money-laundering case.
The court on Monday sought to know the steps taken by the ED, after it had issued a warrant against him.
On April 18, the court issued a non-bailable warrant against Mallya to secure his presence in India.
The central agency initiated an investigation against Mallya for alleged money-laundering of a Rs900-crore loan taken from IDBI bank for Kingfisher airlines. The ED had on Saturday attached Mallyas Rs1,411-crore property.
16:40
J-K CM Mehbooba Mufti meets Army chief General Dalbir Singh.
16:31 Russia given 'suspended disqualification' from Euro 2016
JUST IN: Russia given 'suspended disqualification' from Euro 2016 over crowd trouble.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has begun disciplinary proceedings against Russia -- but not England -- after "totally unacceptable" scenes at Saturday's England-Russia game.
Charges against Russia are: 'crowd disturbances, racist behaviour, and setting off fireworks', UEFA head confirmed.
There were issues with segregation of fans, the body admitted, promising security would be "strengthened".
It is the second time in as many European Championship tournaments that the Russian federation has faced sanctions because of its fans.
Russia was fined and given a suspended six-point deduction for its Euro 2016 qualifying campaign after fans assaulted stadium security staff and displayed illicit banners at the 2012 tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
16:21 Soldier injured in ongoing encounter in Kupwara
Mukhtar Ahmad reports: An army trooper has been wounded in an ongoing encounter in the Machil sector of north Kashmir's Kupwara district.
A senior police officer said the gunfight started on Tuesday morning.
"The encounter is on. An army trooper, who was injured in the initial firing exchange, was shifted to hospital for treatment," the officer said details awaited.
16:16 CBFC needs overhaul, Nihalani's ouster not enough: Kashyap
Welcoming the high court's verdict in favour of their film, "Udta Punjab" co-producer Anurag Kashyap today sought censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani's removal and overhaul in CBFC.
"We have a humongous problem with Mr Nihalani but if he goes who will come in? What's the guarantee that if someone omes in, he will not interpret the Cinematograph Act and the law the same way, or may be worse or better. The system needs overhaul. It is not just Nihalani, who needs to be replaced, which we want," he told reporters.
Kashyap was at the forefront of the fight against the board, which had asked for multiple cuts in the drug-themed drama, directed by Abhishek Chaubey.
The producers had moved the Bombay High Court against the the Central Board of Film Certification's decision. The court cleared the film for release with just one cut.
Kashyap said they were careful in not letting the film get dragged into politics while they were fighting the censorship.
16:14
Order under Section 82 must be passed to declare Vijay Mallya a 'proclaimed offender': ED lawyers tell Mumbai court
16:12 Govt bans 240 websites offering escort services
The government has banned 240 websites offering escort services on the recommendation of an expert committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
"The order to block 240 escorts websites was issued to internet service providers on Monday on recommendations made by an expert committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs," an IT Ministry official said.
He said that as per the process, complaints or representations are made by aggrieved persons or party before the expert committee, which then takes a call on it.
However, industry sources criticised the move, calling it directionless.
"Content of all the websites cannot be blocked. The order has been issued without going into technical nitty gritty around it. If a website changes the name or link slightly, it will again start working," said an executive of an internet service provider (ISP).
He said there are mobile numbers on the websites which should be tracked and culprits nabbed to control such activities.
16:07 Jaya in Delhi to meet Modi
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has arrived in New Delhi on her first visit after her election victory, during which she is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
She was given a guard of honour by the Tamil Nadu Special Police contingent at the Tamil Nadu House.
At the meeting with Modi, she is likely to pitch for central assistance to development projects in the state. She is also likely to meet Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Pon Radhakrishnan and discuss central schemes with them.
15:47 Malaysia varsity's module depicts Hindus in India as unclean
A teaching module publiched by a leading Malaysian university which depicted Hindus in India as unclean and dirty has generated a controversy and outraged the minority community in the Muslim-majority country.
Slides from the module of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) caused uproar after they were posted online.
The slides claimed that Hindus consider the dirt on the body as part of their religious practice to achieve nirvana.
After the issue was raised by Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan, the university said it would review the module.
"I have just spoken to the Vice Chancellor of UTM and he has acknowledged the mistake," Kamalanathan, an ethnic Indian, said in a Facebook post.
The necessary changes to the module will be carried out expeditiously. The official had "totally agreed" to his suggestion to ensure that such errors are not repeated, Malay Mail online said today.
15:22
Meanwhile, the Hindu Sena celebrates Donald Trump's birthday.
15:22 Almost all states on board for GST Bill, says Jaitley
The Goods and Services Tax or GST, which aims to bring the country under
a unified tax regime and has been stalled by a stalemate for years, has
finally earned the support of virtually all states except Tamil Nadu,
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely said today.
The union minister met finance ministers of 22 states and representatives from seven others in Kolkata in the hope of fostering a consensus on the contentious Bill.
"All states have virtually supported GST. Only Tamil Nadu has expressed some reservations," Jaitley said.
The Finance Minister also shot down the Congress' demand to write a cap for the GST into the constitution and said the states agreed to the move.
West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra, who is chairing the two-day meeting of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers, said the the discussion today saw a "record attendance".
"I am really touched by the professionalism of the honourable ministers. We will try to fix the next meeting in second week of July," he said.
The proposed tax reform, India's biggest revenue shake-up since independence in 1947, seeks to replace a slew of federal and state levies, transforming the nation into a customs union.
The Congress party, the original author of the tax reform, has said it would back the GST bill if the government agreed to cap the tax rate at 18 percent and create an independent mechanism to resolve disputes on revenue sharing between states.
The government now hopes to have the Bill, which has already been passed by the Lok Sabha, cleared by the upper house or Rajya Sabha in the monsoon session of the Parliament.
The union minister met finance ministers of 22 states and representatives from seven others in Kolkata in the hope of fostering a consensus on the contentious Bill.
"All states have virtually supported GST. Only Tamil Nadu has expressed some reservations," Jaitley said.
The Finance Minister also shot down the Congress' demand to write a cap for the GST into the constitution and said the states agreed to the move.
West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra, who is chairing the two-day meeting of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers, said the the discussion today saw a "record attendance".
"I am really touched by the professionalism of the honourable ministers. We will try to fix the next meeting in second week of July," he said.
The proposed tax reform, India's biggest revenue shake-up since independence in 1947, seeks to replace a slew of federal and state levies, transforming the nation into a customs union.
The Congress party, the original author of the tax reform, has said it would back the GST bill if the government agreed to cap the tax rate at 18 percent and create an independent mechanism to resolve disputes on revenue sharing between states.
The government now hopes to have the Bill, which has already been passed by the Lok Sabha, cleared by the upper house or Rajya Sabha in the monsoon session of the Parliament.
15:11 Wrote 'Hindu exodus' by mistake, says BJP MP on Kairana
Changing the offensive over the alleged migration of Hindus from Kairana in
western Uttar Pradesh, local BJP MP Hukum Singh today claimed that he wrote the words 'Hindu exodus' by mistake.
Singh said, "I wrote Hindu exodus by mistake. I will ask my workers to verify the list again. If Muslims come and tell me they are victims I will include their names in the list. The people left for economic reasons, so calling it Hindu exodus was a mistake."
Singh had last week released a list of 346 people and said they were Hindus who had fled their homes in Kairana, a Muslim-majority town in western Uttar Pradesh, because of "threats and extortion by criminal elements belonging to a particular community".
He had also said that the number of families that had to flee can go up to 400-500 even as Shamli District Magistrate Sujeet Kumar said some people left the town not because of "communal activity" but for "economic reasons".
"The list (of those who had to flee) will go on further, I believe. It can go up to 400-500. There is not one accused (who forced people to migrate), they are here in dozens," Singh said, adding that from the names of accused, "one can grasp who are these people".
Kairana is in Shamli district which witnessed communal riots in 2013. Shamli District Magistrate Sujeet Kumar, however, ruled out any communal and law and order issues behind some people leaving the area.
"Till now we have investigated the list of 119 families. Around 10-15 families, mentioned in the list, still live in Kairana and around 68 families have migrated from the area 10-15 years ago. They moved out because of economic reasons. Till now, we have not found any case where there has been a law and order problem.
"There is no communal activity, the Karaina town has always been peaceful... During Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, the area remained peaceful, and even during Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013, people here sent a strong message of brotherhood," Kumar said.
Top BJP leaders, who were in Allahabad for the two-day national executive meeting, raked up the issue of alleged migration of Hindus from Kairana to attack the Samajwadi Party government in the state ahead of the Assembly election to be held early next year.
BJP president Amit Shah, in his address to the National Executive on Sunday, had said, "The migration happening in Kairana due to violence is a matter of serious concern. There is an atmosphere of violence. The lack of development and the lack of governance in the largest state of India, that is Uttar Pradesh, is becoming a matter of serious concern."
Singh said, "I wrote Hindu exodus by mistake. I will ask my workers to verify the list again. If Muslims come and tell me they are victims I will include their names in the list. The people left for economic reasons, so calling it Hindu exodus was a mistake."
Singh had last week released a list of 346 people and said they were Hindus who had fled their homes in Kairana, a Muslim-majority town in western Uttar Pradesh, because of "threats and extortion by criminal elements belonging to a particular community".
He had also said that the number of families that had to flee can go up to 400-500 even as Shamli District Magistrate Sujeet Kumar said some people left the town not because of "communal activity" but for "economic reasons".
"The list (of those who had to flee) will go on further, I believe. It can go up to 400-500. There is not one accused (who forced people to migrate), they are here in dozens," Singh said, adding that from the names of accused, "one can grasp who are these people".
Kairana is in Shamli district which witnessed communal riots in 2013. Shamli District Magistrate Sujeet Kumar, however, ruled out any communal and law and order issues behind some people leaving the area.
"Till now we have investigated the list of 119 families. Around 10-15 families, mentioned in the list, still live in Kairana and around 68 families have migrated from the area 10-15 years ago. They moved out because of economic reasons. Till now, we have not found any case where there has been a law and order problem.
"There is no communal activity, the Karaina town has always been peaceful... During Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, the area remained peaceful, and even during Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013, people here sent a strong message of brotherhood," Kumar said.
Top BJP leaders, who were in Allahabad for the two-day national executive meeting, raked up the issue of alleged migration of Hindus from Kairana to attack the Samajwadi Party government in the state ahead of the Assembly election to be held early next year.
BJP president Amit Shah, in his address to the National Executive on Sunday, had said, "The migration happening in Kairana due to violence is a matter of serious concern. There is an atmosphere of violence. The lack of development and the lack of governance in the largest state of India, that is Uttar Pradesh, is becoming a matter of serious concern."
14:50 It is Rasgotras folly, not Pandit Nehrus
These are of course extraordinary times in our country and the former Foreign Secretary M. K. Rasgotra might have for some incomprehensible reason felt the urge to be in sync with the zeitgeist, when he needlessly indulged in some Nehru-bashing at a function in New Delhi on Monday as part of drumming up media publicity for his memoirs that has been published recently. Read MK Bhadrakumar's blog.
14:21
Is Omar Mateen's Father a Radical, or Just Confused? Read more
14:18 Facebook 'declares war' in Philippine flag gaffe
Facebook has apologised for accidentally declaring the Philippines was in a state of war, in what was meant to be an innocuous flag tribute for Independence Day. The social media giant greeted Filipinos a "Happy Independence Day" on Sunday with a post showing a Philippine flag, but it was upside-down with red rather than blue at the top.
In the Philippines this officially means the nation is at war.
Facebook, which routinely comes out with greetings to mark holidays around the world, apologised for the blunder. "This was unintentional, and we're sorry. We care deeply about the community in the Philippines and in an attempt to connect people on Independence Day, we made a mistake," Facebook said in a statement sent to AFP on Tuesday. The blunder was greeted with a mix of anger and humour in the social media-obsessed country.
In the Philippines this officially means the nation is at war.
Facebook, which routinely comes out with greetings to mark holidays around the world, apologised for the blunder. "This was unintentional, and we're sorry. We care deeply about the community in the Philippines and in an attempt to connect people on Independence Day, we made a mistake," Facebook said in a statement sent to AFP on Tuesday. The blunder was greeted with a mix of anger and humour in the social media-obsessed country.
14:17 Smriti Irani unhappy over being addressed as 'Dear' by Bihar minister on Twitter
Union HRD minister Smriti Irani got into a war of words ith Bihar Education Minister Ashok Choudhary on Twitter over using the salutation 'Dear' for the BJP leader.
All Choudhary did was ask the minister, "Dear @smritiirani ji, when will we get New Education policy..? When will year 2015 end in your calendar..?
An irate Irani replied, "@AshokChoudhaary mahilaon ko 'dear' keh ke kab se sambodhit karne lage Ashokji ?
To which Ashok Choudhary responded with a firm, yet civil tweet:
@AshokChoudhaary Not to disrespect but educate... Professional emails start with "dear". @smritiirani Ji Kabhi mudde pe jawab dijiye, don't circle around it.
Irani responded with a flurry of tweets: @AshokChoudhaary mudda education policy ka tha jo aapne uthaya ab ye batayein ki policy par state view kab bhejenge.
"All my communications to you or any other person start with 'adarniya' but since you are now communicating allow me.
"Bihar is possibly the only state which has not done grass root consultations for the education policy
"Have not received state views on education policy neither did you in your 1 on 1 meeting with me give any suggestions.
"Sir I hope you do find time in your busy schedule to contribute to the education policy. Await state feedback."
Not to be outdone, Ashok Choudhary responded, "@smritiirani ji has learnt a lot from Modiji...Fake promises and shifting blames to others for non-delivery is lesson1 in Sangh's book.
"Seems @smritiirani ji isn't aware her ministry's website mentions consultation with eastern zone including Bihar."
Twitterati got into the act, trolling Irani for her rant.
@PatelSaral007 tweeted, "Madam, Had you went to college/University you would know that its a common practice to address ppl as "Dear". @AshokChoudhaary
Irani responded, with a rap on the knuckles: Grammar theek karo beta.
@bigotry_watch tweeted: Please note, @smritiirani prefers being called Aunty than be address as dear.
But Ashok Choudhary had the best response to this tweet:
@TruthOfGujarat *Drumrolls* India's education minister thinks that only men can be addressed as 'dear' and not women.
The minister retweeted it saying, @AshokChoudhaary I guess they don't teach that at Yale....
Dear HRD minister, there is a difference between 'Dear Smriti Irani' and 'Smriti Irani dear'. Look it up.
All Choudhary did was ask the minister, "Dear @smritiirani ji, when will we get New Education policy..? When will year 2015 end in your calendar..?
An irate Irani replied, "@AshokChoudhaary mahilaon ko 'dear' keh ke kab se sambodhit karne lage Ashokji ?
To which Ashok Choudhary responded with a firm, yet civil tweet:
@AshokChoudhaary Not to disrespect but educate... Professional emails start with "dear". @smritiirani Ji Kabhi mudde pe jawab dijiye, don't circle around it.
Irani responded with a flurry of tweets: @AshokChoudhaary mudda education policy ka tha jo aapne uthaya ab ye batayein ki policy par state view kab bhejenge.
"All my communications to you or any other person start with 'adarniya' but since you are now communicating allow me.
"Bihar is possibly the only state which has not done grass root consultations for the education policy
"Have not received state views on education policy neither did you in your 1 on 1 meeting with me give any suggestions.
"Sir I hope you do find time in your busy schedule to contribute to the education policy. Await state feedback."
Not to be outdone, Ashok Choudhary responded, "@smritiirani ji has learnt a lot from Modiji...Fake promises and shifting blames to others for non-delivery is lesson1 in Sangh's book.
"Seems @smritiirani ji isn't aware her ministry's website mentions consultation with eastern zone including Bihar."
Twitterati got into the act, trolling Irani for her rant.
@PatelSaral007 tweeted, "Madam, Had you went to college/University you would know that its a common practice to address ppl as "Dear". @AshokChoudhaary
Irani responded, with a rap on the knuckles: Grammar theek karo beta.
@bigotry_watch tweeted: Please note, @smritiirani prefers being called Aunty than be address as dear.
But Ashok Choudhary had the best response to this tweet:
@TruthOfGujarat *Drumrolls* India's education minister thinks that only men can be addressed as 'dear' and not women.
The minister retweeted it saying, @AshokChoudhaary I guess they don't teach that at Yale....
Dear HRD minister, there is a difference between 'Dear Smriti Irani' and 'Smriti Irani dear'. Look it up.
13:39
Sanjoy Majumder @BBCSanjoyM tweets this picture: India #coffee giant on Vienna high street.
13:27 Why Did Washington Wait So Long To Take Its Drone War to Baluchistan?
The Hellfire missile that incinerated Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mansour on May 21 set a major new precedent: It marked the first time we know of that a U.S. drone strike was used in the Pakistani province of Baluchistan.
The United States has executed more than 400 drone strikes in Pakistan, according to New America Foundation data. The vast majority of them have occurred in a limited part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, or FATA.
The others have hit nearby Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Baluchistan is an unforgiving place. It is bone-dry, water-starved, deeply impoverished, and home to a festering ethno-separatist insurgency that prompts brutal Pakistani military crackdowns. Read more
The United States has executed more than 400 drone strikes in Pakistan, according to New America Foundation data. The vast majority of them have occurred in a limited part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, or FATA.
The others have hit nearby Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Baluchistan is an unforgiving place. It is bone-dry, water-starved, deeply impoverished, and home to a festering ethno-separatist insurgency that prompts brutal Pakistani military crackdowns. Read more
13:23 Time is ripe for peace pipeline from Iran to China via India
The Chinese communist party tabloid Global Times has featured a commentary expressing satisfaction that the projects within the ambit of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are making satisfactory progress.
Read more
Read more
13:22
When Norman Casiano he heard the first two gunshots inside the club, he threw himself to the ground and 'military style crawled' to the bathroom.
Casiano packed into a bathroom staff with other terrified party-goers, where they huddled together as the gunshots got closer. "I started crying and at that point a gentleman stumbles into the bathroom, collapses in front of the stall door and he's bleeding everywhere and he's begging to come inside the stall,' he was quoted as saying to Local 10 News.
Read more
Casiano packed into a bathroom staff with other terrified party-goers, where they huddled together as the gunshots got closer. "I started crying and at that point a gentleman stumbles into the bathroom, collapses in front of the stall door and he's bleeding everywhere and he's begging to come inside the stall,' he was quoted as saying to Local 10 News.
Read more
13:03 Delhi transport minister resigns
Just in: Delhi transport minister Gopal Rai resigns due to health issues.
13:01 French policeman's murder a 'terror attack'
French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve says the killing of a French police officer and his partner Monday was "an abject terrorist act." The attacker was then killed by a SWAT team in a town northwest of Paris, an official for the French Interior Ministry told reporters.
13:00 Sushma Swaraj's witty response to man who wanted fridge fixed
Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj clearly has a sense of humour. The minister who is extremely active on social media has always reached out to the Indian diaspora in distress, especially those stuck in war-ravaged Yemen. Distress tweets to her handle almost always get a reply and the minister gets her office to act on them and rescue Indians stuck in distant shores.
But even she must have rubbed her eyes in disbelief at the tweet she received yesterday from a man called Venkat.
He tweeted: @M_VenkatM @irvpaswan @SushmaSwaraj Samsung REFRIGERATOR (RT28K3922RZ/HL), bearing serial # (03E04PAH201870M). @Samsung_IN is forcing me go for repair.
wanted his defective refrigerator replaced.
The man also tagged the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan in the tweet.
The external affairs minister promptly responded to the tweete: "Brother I cannot help you in matters of a Refrigerator. I am very busy with human beings in distress."
Full marks to Ms Swaraj!
But even she must have rubbed her eyes in disbelief at the tweet she received yesterday from a man called Venkat.
He tweeted: @M_VenkatM @irvpaswan @SushmaSwaraj Samsung REFRIGERATOR (RT28K3922RZ/HL), bearing serial # (03E04PAH201870M). @Samsung_IN is forcing me go for repair.
wanted his defective refrigerator replaced.
The man also tagged the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan in the tweet.
The external affairs minister promptly responded to the tweete: "Brother I cannot help you in matters of a Refrigerator. I am very busy with human beings in distress."
Full marks to Ms Swaraj!
12:44 MeT advises 'go slow' on sowing in Maha as monsoon gets delayed
Even as farmers in the drought-hit Maharashtra have geared up for sowing operations, the weather department has issued a 'go slow' advisory as the much-awaited monsoon seems to have delayed its arrival in the state.
While asking farmers to go ahead with the tilling operations, the Agrimet section of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said actual sowing activity should be undertaken only after the onset of monsoon over Maharashtra to ensure that the seeds are not wasted for want of rains.
"Do not undertake sowing operations till the onset of monsoon which has not yet arrived in the state. It is necessary to have good monsoon rainfall consistently for a few days for the seeds to grow into a good crop," N Chattopadhyay, Deputy Director General Agrimet, IMD, told reporters.
The farmers in the state are advised not to start sowing operations till the IMD officially announces the arrival of monsoon in Maharashtra, he said. The Agrimet advisory has been issued to avoid waste of expensive seeds, particularly of soyabean, cotton and pulses, in parched areas of Marathwada, Vidarbha and Madhya Maharashtra, some of which have, however, received pre-monsoon showers in the last few days.
After its delayed arrival in Kerala, the monsoon is now expected to hit Maharashtra only after June 16.
While asking farmers to go ahead with the tilling operations, the Agrimet section of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said actual sowing activity should be undertaken only after the onset of monsoon over Maharashtra to ensure that the seeds are not wasted for want of rains.
"Do not undertake sowing operations till the onset of monsoon which has not yet arrived in the state. It is necessary to have good monsoon rainfall consistently for a few days for the seeds to grow into a good crop," N Chattopadhyay, Deputy Director General Agrimet, IMD, told reporters.
The farmers in the state are advised not to start sowing operations till the IMD officially announces the arrival of monsoon in Maharashtra, he said. The Agrimet advisory has been issued to avoid waste of expensive seeds, particularly of soyabean, cotton and pulses, in parched areas of Marathwada, Vidarbha and Madhya Maharashtra, some of which have, however, received pre-monsoon showers in the last few days.
After its delayed arrival in Kerala, the monsoon is now expected to hit Maharashtra only after June 16.
12:32 Islam, Arab countries, Islamic State: How each of them view homosexuality
While the Quran's blanket ban on homosexuality is being debated by Islamic scholars, homosexuality is viewed as a crime throughout the Muslim world.The gunman who attacked a gay nightclub in Orlando is said to have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in a 911 call, and a day after the massacre, the extremist group described the shooter as "one of the soldiers of the caliphate in America."
Here's a look at what the Islamic State group, Islamic scholars and others in the region say about homosexuality. Read
Here's a look at what the Islamic State group, Islamic scholars and others in the region say about homosexuality. Read
12:25
Wholesale inflation rises to 0.79 per cent in May compared with 0.34 per cent in April.
12:23 Omar Mateen visited Orlando's Pulse night club a dozen times, say regulars
Omar Mateen, the disturbed 29-year-old who laid siege to a gay nightclub and killed 49 people, may have visited the venue up to a dozen times, reports the Independent. He may have also been spotted at the nearby Walt Disney World park, triggering concerns he was possibly planning an attack on the holiday park.
As officials began to release the names of some of those who killed on Sunday and police said they were broadening their net in the hunt for clues, a report said that four regulars at the Pulse nightclub said they had seen the killer.
"Sometimes he would go over in the corner and sit and drink by himself, and other times he would get so drunk he was loud and belligerent,' Ty Smith, who also uses the name Aries, told the Orlando Sentinel.
Smith said he did not sepak that much with the divorced security guard.
We didn't really talk to him a lot, but I remember him saying things about his dad at times, he added. He told us he had a wife and child.
It was also reported that Mateen, who lived in Fort Pierce, a two-hour drive from Orlando, had also seen at the Walt Disney World in April.
FBI Director James Comey said his agency was trying to nail down the veracity or otherwise of that report and the possibility that Mateen was scouting the amusement park as a potential target, the Associated Press said. We're still working through that, he said.
As officials began to release the names of some of those who killed on Sunday and police said they were broadening their net in the hunt for clues, a report said that four regulars at the Pulse nightclub said they had seen the killer.
"Sometimes he would go over in the corner and sit and drink by himself, and other times he would get so drunk he was loud and belligerent,' Ty Smith, who also uses the name Aries, told the Orlando Sentinel.
Smith said he did not sepak that much with the divorced security guard.
We didn't really talk to him a lot, but I remember him saying things about his dad at times, he added. He told us he had a wife and child.
It was also reported that Mateen, who lived in Fort Pierce, a two-hour drive from Orlando, had also seen at the Walt Disney World in April.
FBI Director James Comey said his agency was trying to nail down the veracity or otherwise of that report and the possibility that Mateen was scouting the amusement park as a potential target, the Associated Press said. We're still working through that, he said.
12:16 India's NSG membership will touch 'raw nerve' with Pak: China
China's official media today went public over India's NSG bid for the first time, saying New Delhi's membership of the elite club will not only touch a "raw nerve" in Pakistan and increase a nuclear arms race in the region but also "jeopardise" China's national interests.
An op-ed commentary in state-run Global Times, the first write-up on the issue since China's opposition to India's bid, said New Delhi's NSG membership will set off a nuclear confrontation in the region.
"India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers in the region, keep alert to each other's nuclear capabilities. India's application for NSG membership and its potential consequences will inevitably touch a raw nerve in Pakistan, its traditional rival in the region.
"As Pakistan is not willing to see an enlarging gap in nuclear power with India, a nuclear race is a likely outcome. This will not only paralyse regional security, but also jeopardise China's national interests," said the commentary titled "India mustn't let nuclear ambitions blind itself".
"Last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a diplomatic journey, travelling halfway across the world with his top goal to garner support for his country's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)" ahead of the plenary meeting of the group expected to be held in Seoul on June 24.
"The US and some NSG members have given a push to India's membership bid, but the reported opposition from most countries, especially China, seems to have irritated India," it said.
An op-ed commentary in state-run Global Times, the first write-up on the issue since China's opposition to India's bid, said New Delhi's NSG membership will set off a nuclear confrontation in the region.
"India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers in the region, keep alert to each other's nuclear capabilities. India's application for NSG membership and its potential consequences will inevitably touch a raw nerve in Pakistan, its traditional rival in the region.
"As Pakistan is not willing to see an enlarging gap in nuclear power with India, a nuclear race is a likely outcome. This will not only paralyse regional security, but also jeopardise China's national interests," said the commentary titled "India mustn't let nuclear ambitions blind itself".
"Last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a diplomatic journey, travelling halfway across the world with his top goal to garner support for his country's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)" ahead of the plenary meeting of the group expected to be held in Seoul on June 24.
"The US and some NSG members have given a push to India's membership bid, but the reported opposition from most countries, especially China, seems to have irritated India," it said.
12:14 Philippines confirms second Canadian hostage beheaded
Philippine authorities today confirmed that Muslim extremist guerrillas had beheaded a second Canadian hostage, as they defended their inability to save him despite months of pursuit.
"We strongly condemn the brutal and senseless murder of Mr Robert Hall, a Canadian national, after being held captive by the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu for the past nine months," presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma said in a statement.
A military statement also confirmed that a severed head, believed to be Hall's, was found near the Jolo island cathedral last night.
"The discovery confirmed the brutal beheading by the evil, criminal ASG (Abu Sayyaf group) of a kidnap victim," the statement added.
"We strongly condemn the brutal and senseless murder of Mr Robert Hall, a Canadian national, after being held captive by the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu for the past nine months," presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma said in a statement.
A military statement also confirmed that a severed head, believed to be Hall's, was found near the Jolo island cathedral last night.
"The discovery confirmed the brutal beheading by the evil, criminal ASG (Abu Sayyaf group) of a kidnap victim," the statement added.
12:07 Hizbul-Mujahideen hideout busted in J-K
A militant hideout has been busted and a large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered by the security forces in Tral area of Jammu and Kashmir, media reported on Tuesday. The Hizbul Mujahidden hideout was busted by the security forces at Gulshanpora forest area in Burhan in of Tral.
Image: The cache of arms and ammunition recovered from the militants
Image: The cache of arms and ammunition recovered from the militants
12:02 Pakistan's vanishing Hindus
Since the educational reforms a decade ago, everyone hears about the
first president of the Constituent Assembly and the first law and labour
minister of Pakistan, Jogendra Nath Mandal. Mandals existence is
always taken as the critical proof that Pakistan was conceived as a
pluralistic state and his patronage by the Quaid-e-Azam himself lends
his figure credibility. Read more
11:57 Obama to visit Orlando to pay respects to victims
US President Barack Obama will travel to Orlando on Thursday to pay his respects to the victims of America's deadliest mass shooting, in which at least 49 people were killed, and stand in solidarity with the community, the White House has said.
"On Thursday, the President will travel to Orlando, Florida to pay his respects to victims' families, and to stand in solidarity with the community as they embark on their recovery," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.
In the aftermath of the mass shooting at a gay club in Orlando in which 49 people were killed and more than 50 others injured, Obama cancelled his pre-scheduled trip to Wisconsin where he was to join presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in a joint election campaign.
Over the coming weekend, Obama is scheduled to travel to New Mexico and California, but there is no word from the White House. This has been a difficult 36 hours for the country which has been mourning the killing of 49 people by a self- radicalised Afghan-origin youth at a gay club in Orlando in Florida, Earnest said at his press conference yesterday.
"On Thursday, the President will travel to Orlando, Florida to pay his respects to victims' families, and to stand in solidarity with the community as they embark on their recovery," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.
In the aftermath of the mass shooting at a gay club in Orlando in which 49 people were killed and more than 50 others injured, Obama cancelled his pre-scheduled trip to Wisconsin where he was to join presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in a joint election campaign.
Over the coming weekend, Obama is scheduled to travel to New Mexico and California, but there is no word from the White House. This has been a difficult 36 hours for the country which has been mourning the killing of 49 people by a self- radicalised Afghan-origin youth at a gay club in Orlando in Florida, Earnest said at his press conference yesterday.
11:55 IS leader Al-Baghdadi may have been killed in US-led coalition air strike
The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group's alleged leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed in an air raid in Syria by the US-led coalition, reports said on Monday.
Baghdadi died in an air strike on IS's stronghold of Raqqa in northern Syria, Iranian state media and pro-government Turkish daily Yenis Safak said, citing IS-affiliated Arabic news agency al-Amaq.
The statement published by Amaq said IS's 'Caliph' Baghdadi had been killed on Sunday, according to the media reports.
"Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed by coalition airstrikes on Raqqa on the fifth day of Ramadan," said the statement.
The coalition did not immediately comment on the report.
Earlier on Monday, Iraqi TV channel 'Al-Sumaria' said that Baghadi had been wounded on Sunday in a coalition air strike on a location 65 kilometres west of the IS-held city of Mosul.
US TV network CNN on Monday cited US defence officials as saying they received credible intelligence that Baghdadi, who has a $25 million bounty on his head, has moved around within the past six months and had travelled to Mosul.
Baghdadi died in an air strike on IS's stronghold of Raqqa in northern Syria, Iranian state media and pro-government Turkish daily Yenis Safak said, citing IS-affiliated Arabic news agency al-Amaq.
The statement published by Amaq said IS's 'Caliph' Baghdadi had been killed on Sunday, according to the media reports.
"Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed by coalition airstrikes on Raqqa on the fifth day of Ramadan," said the statement.
The coalition did not immediately comment on the report.
Earlier on Monday, Iraqi TV channel 'Al-Sumaria' said that Baghadi had been wounded on Sunday in a coalition air strike on a location 65 kilometres west of the IS-held city of Mosul.
US TV network CNN on Monday cited US defence officials as saying they received credible intelligence that Baghdadi, who has a $25 million bounty on his head, has moved around within the past six months and had travelled to Mosul.
11:51 In loo-less Delhi slum, kids go missing from forest toilet
About 66 children from a slum cluster in the Capital didn't return from a nearby forest where they had gone to answer the call of nature because their shanties lacked lavatories.
They were among 171 children who went missing in the forest near Shahbad Dairy, a slum in outer Delhi, between December 2013 and March 2015.
More horrifying is the fact that five children -- four of them below 10 -- were killed; 28 girls have been raped and another 17 sexually abused.Saksham, an NGO, arrived at the disturbing figures by analysing RTI replies for missing children of the slum during the 15-month period.
Read more
They were among 171 children who went missing in the forest near Shahbad Dairy, a slum in outer Delhi, between December 2013 and March 2015.
More horrifying is the fact that five children -- four of them below 10 -- were killed; 28 girls have been raped and another 17 sexually abused.Saksham, an NGO, arrived at the disturbing figures by analysing RTI replies for missing children of the slum during the 15-month period.
Read more
11:47 Orlando fallout
Donald Trump seizes on Orlando tragedy to remake his case for curbing US immigration. while US officials try to determine whether shooter acted entirely alone or had outside help. Read more
11:42 Hope to see change in CBFC's attitude after Udta judgement: Benegal
Welcoming the verdict by the Bombay High Court to clear the controversial film Udta Punjab, veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal said the judgement was a very mature and intelligent one, adding that he hoped it brought a change in the attitude of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Speaking to ANI, Benegal said that the High Court through its verdict, brought to everybody to realise the true purpose of what the CBFC should be doing, which is to act as a certification body and not a censoring body.
"The most important thing very few people realise is that the people who applied for the censor certificate, which are the filmmakers themselves, had asked for an adult certificate anyway. They had not asked for a Universal certificate or a UA certificate," he said.
"There was no reason for the CBFC to go through that exercise. Eventually the High Court took cognizance of the fact that this is an adult film, it deals with a very important problem and took the right judgement," Benegal added.
Following the verdict, a visibly relieved Abhishek Chaubey, who is the director of this film, lauded the courage and hard work by the lawyers and producers and said that his team would now fight for the release on its scheduled date on June 17.
Speaking to ANI, Benegal said that the High Court through its verdict, brought to everybody to realise the true purpose of what the CBFC should be doing, which is to act as a certification body and not a censoring body.
"The most important thing very few people realise is that the people who applied for the censor certificate, which are the filmmakers themselves, had asked for an adult certificate anyway. They had not asked for a Universal certificate or a UA certificate," he said.
"There was no reason for the CBFC to go through that exercise. Eventually the High Court took cognizance of the fact that this is an adult film, it deals with a very important problem and took the right judgement," Benegal added.
Following the verdict, a visibly relieved Abhishek Chaubey, who is the director of this film, lauded the courage and hard work by the lawyers and producers and said that his team would now fight for the release on its scheduled date on June 17.
11:31 US embassy in India expresses solidarity with Orlando
Nisha Biswal @NishaBiswal tweets: An expression of love, pride and solidarity from our US Embassy in Delhi, @USANDINDIA. #StandWithOrlando.
Biswal is the US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs.
Biswal is the US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs.
11:22 Murli Manohar Joshi joins race to be next President of India
Veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi has launched his bid to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, lobbying the RSS and the BJP leadership vigorously for the party's presidential nomination, insiders told India Today.
Elections for the presidency are due next year, when incumbent Pranab Mukherjee's term expires.
Joshi recently met PM Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and several other senior BJP and Sangh leaders, party sources said. On May 22, Modi and Joshi met at 7, RCR over dinner. They discussed various matters, including the presidential candidacy, sources said.
The Sangh's advice will play a key role when the prime minister and BJP chief Amit Shah decide BJP's nominee for the head of state.
Elections for the presidency are due next year, when incumbent Pranab Mukherjee's term expires.
Joshi recently met PM Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and several other senior BJP and Sangh leaders, party sources said. On May 22, Modi and Joshi met at 7, RCR over dinner. They discussed various matters, including the presidential candidacy, sources said.
The Sangh's advice will play a key role when the prime minister and BJP chief Amit Shah decide BJP's nominee for the head of state.
11:18 How India is aligning biz with strategic goals
Dr. S. Jaishankar, India's Foreign Secretary India, delivered the keynote address at India's first Gateway of India Dialogue conference in Mumbai, organised in association with the Ministry of External Affairs. Jaishankar's speech took the attendees around the world as he detailed how India is aligning business and strategic goals. Read more
11:09 Dual diplomacy for Mission NSG
In its pursuit of NSG membership, India needs to focus on countries having reservations about the impact of an 'India exception' on the non-proliferation regime, as well as on China to resist a Pakistan hyphenation. Read more
10:31 Office of Profit row: Enraged Kejriwal targets PM
A day after President Pranab Mukherjee refused to give his nod to a bill amending the law on "Office of Profit," raising questions on the fate of 21 Aam Aadmi Party legislators who had been appointed as Parliamentary secretaries last year, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that the latter follows the agenda of 'not working, neither allowing anyone to work.
"Modi is targeting Delhi MLAs because he can't digest AAP's mandate. Why is Modi only behind disqualifying Delhi's Parliament Secretaries when Haryana, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat and others have them as well, Kejriwal told ANI on Tuesday.
Holding an office of profit is a violation of the Constitution by an elected member.
The President's letter has been sent to the Law Department of Delhi government, which may now seek legal recourse, said sources in the government.
Home Ministry sources said once the President has refused, the legislators will automatically stand disqualified, making an election in Delhi necessary. AAP has 67 seats in the 70-member assembly.
The contentious bill - meant to exclude the post of parliamentary secretaries from the list of "office of profit" - was passed by the Delhi Assembly last year to validate the post of legislators, who got their appointment on March 13, 2015. The government wanted the bill to give them retrospective exemption. The bill only needed the President's nod.
10:18 Himachal Road Transport Corporation employees go on 48-hour strike
The Himachal Road and Transport Corporation went on a two-day strike starting Tuesday morning over several demands, including regularisation of contract staff and protection of pension benefits.
Even as the Himachal Pradesh High Court called the strike as "illegal" and directed the employees to refrain from participating in the demonstration, nearly 8,000 employees went on the strike that would keep over 2,800 HRTC buses off road.
As many as 11 HRTC unions have formed a joint action committee, demanding roadways statues and many other demands.
10:17 Congress rules out Rahul as UP CM
With growing speculations over the chief ministerial candidate in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress Party has ruled out vice president Rahul Gandhi's name, saying he is a national leader.
Newly-appointed party general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad told ANI that the party would strengthen itself in Uttar Pradesh before declaring a chief ministerial candidate in the key assembly polls early next year.
"Uttar Pradesh chief minister will be announced at the appropriate time. Rahul Gandhi is our national leader and there is no question of him being made a chief minister," said Azad.
"We will project a Congress face before the polls, but only after getting the party strengthened in the state," he said when asked about whether Priyanka Gandhi would be leading the charge.
10:13 Varanasi: Devotees take holy dip on 'Ganga Dussehra'
People in Varanasi took a holy dip in river Ganges on Tuesday to celebrate the festival 'Ganga Dussehra', which marks the descent of river Ganges on the earth.
The priests performed rituals on the banks of the river and chanted hymns as the devotees offered prayers and sought blessings.
"Today is Ganga Dussehra and everyone comes to take a dip in the holy river. We pray for the well-being of the family," said a devotee Savitri Singh.
"On this day Maa Ganga came down to earth from heaven and gave salvation to the 60,000 ancestors of Raja Bhagirath. The divine occasion washes away sins of many lives," said a priest.
10:04
Rupee depreciates 4 paise to 67.18 against the US dollar; Sensex recovers by 88 points to 26,485 in early trade
10:02 7th Pay Commission: Secy panel to give final nod to salary hike today
Lakhs of central government employees who were spending restless nights thinking about the final implementation of the 7th Pay Commission recommendation will heave a sigh of relief on Tuesday.
After missing the June 11 date to finalize the payout, the Empowered Committee of Secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha will meet on Tuesday.
This meeting's outcome will have bearing on the remuneration of 47 lakh central government employees and 52 lakh pensioners.
The Empowered Committee of Secretaries is functioning as a Screening Committee to process the recommendations with regard to all relevant factors of the Commission in an expeditious detailed and holistic fashion.
Government had earlier decided to set up a high-powered panel headed by Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha in January this year to process the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.
09:54
ANI reports: Security forces bust a hideout of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant Burhan in Gulshanpora forest area of Tral,J&K, arms, ammunition recovered.
09:26
Tomato prices rise sharply, retail prices reach 70-80 in Delhi and Bhopal
09:26 Islamic State claims responsibility for Paris police murder
Islamic State was responsible for the stabbing death of a police commander in front of his home in a Paris suburb Monday night, the militant group's Amaq news agency said.
"Islamic State fighter kills deputy chief of the police station in the city of Les Mureaux and his wife," Amaq said on its news website.
09:20 Pakistan does NOT need US F-16s; will fly Jordanian F-16s instead
Pakistan has closed the chapter of acquiring eight F-16s from the US and will now opt for Jordan-owned F-16 fighter jets, foreign secretary Aizaz Chaudhry said today amid strains in bilateral ties over the scuttling of the deal and a US drone strike on its soil.
Chaudhry, briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Foreign Policy, said "the US seemed to be satisfied with Pakistan's decision."
"The chapter of receiving F-16 fighter jets from the US has been closed. Pakistan will now opt for Jordan-owned F-16 fighter jets," he said.
Choudhry said one of the reasons for "strained relations with the US was Pakistan's close ties with China."
"Pakistan cannot cooperate with the US on some issues. One of these issues is its sovereignty," he said.
09:14 Trump revokes press credentials of The Washington Post
Republican presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump has revoked press credentials of The Washington Post, a leading American daily, accusing it of writing falsely about him.
Winner of several Pulitzer prizes and considered to be the flag bearer of journalism standards and ethics, The Washington Post is one of the most influential global newspapers.
"Based on the incredibly inaccurate coverage and reporting of the record setting Trump campaign, we are hereby revoking the press credentials of the phony and dishonest Washington Post," Trump wrote on his Facebook page.
"I am no fan of President (Barack) Obama, but to show you how dishonest the phony Washington Post is, they wrote, 'Donald Trump suggests President Obama was involved with Orlando shooting' as their headline. Sad!" he wrote in another post.
However, The Post, as the leading daily is popularly known as, said in a statement that it would continue to cover Trump as usual.
09:10
Local train services on Mumbai's western and harbour lines delayed due to technical problem at Bandra station.
08:52 Philippine militant group kill Canadian hostage
Philippine officials confirmed on Tuesday that Abu Sayyaf militants beheaded a Canadian man, the second Canadian hostage to be killed in two months after their demands for a large ransom were not met.
The hostage, Robert Hall, was abducted from a marina last September along with another Canadian, a Norwegian and a Filipino.
The other Canadian, former mining executive John Ridsdel, was beheaded in April.
Presidential spokesman Herminio Coloma condemned "the brutal and senseless murder" of Hall. He had been held by the Abu Sayyaf in the jungles of southern Sulu province for nine months.
08:45 Apple finally makes Siri available to outside developers
Apple Inc opened up its popular Siri digital assistant to outside developers on Monday, a move which means iPhone users soon could be able to hail rides with Uber, publish photos on Shutterfly or make a call on Skype with voice commands.
The move is the latest by the world's best-known technology company as it looks to spruce up the iPhone experience as sales of its best-selling product level off.
The announcement was greeted enthusiastically by thousands of developers at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco.
Apple also gave a demonstration of Siri on the Mac computer, which for the first time will be able to search for photos, documents, music and other files via voice commands. Siri will also work similarly with Apple TV.
Read more HERE
08:27 Jaya to fly in to Delhi to meet Modi today; to flag TN issues
The stage is set for a meeting between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in Delhi wherein she will take up with him a host of state-related issues.
She is expected to leave for Delhi today morning by a chartered flight and will be back in Chennai the same day.
Formation of Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee for the implementation of the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and Mullaperiyar issue will be among the water resources related issues that she is expected to take up with Modi.
Continuing arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan navy vis-a-vis protection of their traditional fishing rights, retrieval of Katchatheevu which was ceded to the island nation decades ago by India are also likely to come up for discussion.
The meeting is also expected to see discussions related to support of AIADMK in the Rajya Sabha for key legislative business where it has 13 members.
04:56 Migrant smugglers use tour buses in Mexico
Migrants smugglers are now using luxury tour buses to move Central and South American migrants from Mexico's southern border to the United States, authorities said.
Two buses carrying 102 migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Ecuador were intercepted yesterday in the north-central state of Zacatecas, the National Migration Institute said in a statement.
The migrants had paid between USD 7,000 and USD 10,000 to be taken from the state of Chiapas, which borders Guatemala, to the northern border city of Reynosa, the statement said.
The traffickers did not provide food or water for more than two days "to avoid stops and arrive faster and without delay to the northern border," it said.
The institute said the use of "luxury" buses from the companies Turismos Crucero and Tours Tomaren marked a "new mode of operation" for traffickers.
04:04 French cop killer shot; hostage child is safe
According to reports, the French cop killer has been shot. The woman's has been body found and the hostage child is safe.
A French police officer has been killed in a knife attack and members of his family possibly taken hostage in the Yvelines suburb outside Paris.
The officer, aged 42, was returning home, out of uniform, when he was stabbed nine times in the abdomen, reported Le Figaro newspaper.
03:55 French police officer killed and family 'taken hostage' in attack in Paris
A French police officer has been killed in a knife attack and members of his family possibly taken hostage in the Yvelines suburb outside Paris.
The officer, aged 42, was returning home, out of uniform, when he was stabbed nine times in the abdomen, reported Le Figaro newspaper.
He has been named in local media as Jean-Baptiste Salvaing, deputy chief of judicial police at Les Mureaux police station.
It is not yet known how many people are being taken hostage or exactly who they are, though there is speculation the victim's wife and child may be being held.
Elite police commandos from the RAID unit are on the scene and are in negotiations with the attacker. The authorities have also sealed off the street and reportedly cut off power and gas to the neighbourhood.
"This is a crisis and we can expect it will last," a spokesman of Interior Minister said at around 11pm, Le Parisien reported.
He added: "We know neither the identity nor the real motives of this individual."
He did not confirm reports of a hostage situation but the behaviour of the authorities suggests it is a possibility,
02:39 French policeman stabbed to death outside home: source
A French police officer has been stabbed to death in front of his home in the Paris suburbs by a man who then holed up in the house, a police source said.
Elite police have surrounded the residence in Magnanville, which is northwest of the French capital, the source said yesterday.
It was not immediately clear if the suspect was holding any hostages.
01:54 Scientists discover giant new planet orbiting two suns
Astronomers have discovered the largest planet outside our solar system orbiting two stars, at a distance that would make it potentially habitable for
people, scientists announced today.
A team of NASA astronomers that made the discovery using the Kepler space telescope revealed the findings at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society in San Diego, California.
The gaseous planet -- dubbed Kepler-1647 b -- is the size of Jupiter and has a wide orbit, revolving around its two stars in 1,107 days, or around three years.
The discovery is the eleventh of its kind since 2005.
Planets that orbit two stars -- known as circumbinary planets -- are sometimes called "Tatooines," after the similar fictional planet in the movie Star Wars where Luke Skywalker was raised.
01:49 White House demands Congress curb 'weapons of war'
The White House today demanded the Republican-controlled Congress pass legislation blocking extremists from obtaining assault weapons like the one used in the deadly shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando.
"There are certain common sense things that Congress could do that would make it harder for any individual to get their hands on a weapon of war," said spokesman Josh Earnest following the Orlando shooting.
"The president has been quite frustrated, and in some cases even angry, about congressional inaction," he said.
The White House singled out the AR-15, an assault weapon that was used by Omar Mateen in a rampage that killed 49 revelers at the Pulse nightclub.
Earnest said the weapon was designed for the battlefield, not for Florida's streets.
01:11 Transgender shot multiple times in Pakistan
A transgender was shot multiple times in Pakistan for allegedly resisting sexual advances by a group of armed men who barged in her house,
The transgender was at her home when three armed persons barged in and started making sexual advances towards her which she resisted, police said.
Following which they shot her multiple times. The attackers managed to escape from the scene. The victim has been shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. She is said to be in a critical condition, police was quoted as saying the Express Tribune.
01:02 'Will suspend immigration from nations with terror history'
"We cannot continue to allow thousands upon thousands of people to pour into our country, many of whom have the same thought process as this savage killer."
White House hopeful Donald Trump vowed today to "suspend immigration" from nations with a "proven history" of terrorism against the US or other allies, one day after the deadly attack on a Florida nightclub.
"When I'm elected, I will suspend immigration from areas of the world where there is a proven history of terrorism against the United States, Europe or our allies, until we fully understand how to end these threats," Trump said in New Hampshire.
"We cannot continue to allow thousands upon thousands of people to pour into our country, many of whom have the same thought process as this savage killer."
00:17 Would have handed him over to FBI: father of Orlando shooter
The Afghan father of Orlando gay nightclub shooter Omar Mateen today said that he would have had himself handed over his son to the police and the FBI if he had even one per cent inkling of what his son was planning
to do.
"I am sorry again. It is very sad news today for all Americans. I am very, very mad. If I did know one per cent that he is committing such a crime, my son, I would address it myself. I would have called the FBI. I would have called local law enforcement," Seddique Mir Mateen told reporters.
Seddique's son Omar, who carried an assault rifle and a pistol into the gay club in Orlando in the wee hours yesterday and killed 50 people while injuring 53 others, was later shot dead by the police.
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