LIVE! Modi took demonetisation decision in zeal: Tharoor

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Tue, 29 November 2016

Modi took demonetisation decision in zeal: Tharoor

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23:28 Cong terms passage of tax bill without any discussion as "undemocratic"

The Congress today termed the passage of a bill that seeks to tax money deposited in banks post demonetisation without any discussion in Lok Sabha as "undemocratic and a complete affront" to the authority of

India's parliament and constitution and "travesty of constitutional propriety".

The Congress said that it will discuss the issue with all opposition parties and address the issue collectively and appropriately.

Amid din, the Taxation Laws (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2016 a bill which seeks to tax money deposited in banks post demonetisation was passed in the Lok Sabha within minutes without any debate.

"What happened today was travesty of Constitutional propriety by a Finance minister who claims to have intricate knowledge of law. That is why it becomes doubly culpable.

"The manner in which the Constitution was trampled upon by a government drunk with arrogance of numbers is unprecedented in India's constitutional history. It reflects a complete affront to the authority of India's Parliament and to Constitutional procedures," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

He said this reflects the mindset of the Prime Minister and his Finance Minister, who has in the past disregarded the very House of which he is the leader and by virtue of which he sits in Parliament.

"That he will continue to disregard not one House of which he is the leader but both the Houses with impunity. But both Jaitleyji and Modiji should not forget that howsoever high they may be, the Constitution is above you.

"The Congress Party as also all other political parties will use every platform to decide within the framework of our Constitution to protect and uphold the Constitutional procedure, its propriety and its majesty," he said.

A probe has been launched into allegations by a player that he was asked to fix matches during the latest scandal-hit Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 tournament.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board said it would investigate after Rangpur Riders player Jupiter Ghosh alleged that team manager Sanuar Hossain had told him to fix match results just before the start of the tournament earlier

this month.

He claims that he was dropped from the team when he refused to comply.

"The BCB is investigating complaints lodged by a cricketer of BPL 2016 franchise Rangpur Riders against an official of the same team," the BCB said.

"The BCB recognises that the allegations and counter allegations brought forward by the player and the official concerned, which includes breach of discipline and corrupt practice, are of serious nature."

The Rangpur Riders expelled Ghosh on disciplinary grounds on Monday after he went public with the allegations.

The BCB has also suspended Ghosh and Hossain from the tournament while the investigation is conducted.

The BPL, modelled on the glitzy and lucrative Indian Cricket League, has been blighted by fixing rows ever since it began in 2012.

Former Union minister Shashi Tharoor today said the government should have made "proper arrangements" to avoid the hardship faced by people in the wake of demonetisation.

"The new notes should have been printed in advance. There was no ground work before announcing the decision," he told reporters in Jaipur.

The Congress leader alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the decision in zeal but the real ground work which should have been done was missing.

"There is no cash in ATMs, people are facing hardship in getting the money. The government had never thought of this situation. There was no planning and that has done damage to the common people," he said.

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Elaine Chao, the former labor secretary and wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, to be his choice for transportation secretary, an official briefed on the matter told CNN on Tuesday.

Chao served as secretary of labor under President George W. Bush from 2001 through 2009 -- the longest tenure in the position since World War II -- and has been married to McConnell since 1993. She was the first Asian-American woman to serve in a Cabinet position.

Chao also served as the deputy secretary of transportation under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1991. Following her time in government, Chao has held a position as a distinguished fellow at the Heritage Foundation in addition to conducting media appearances.

Army chief General Dalbir Singh briefs Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Nagrota terror attack.

Two Army officers and five soldiers lost their lives in a major terrorist attack on Tuesday at an army base near Jammu in the town of Nagrota, just 20 kilometres from the border with Pakistan.

Digital payment company Paytm today said it has seen 35 million transactions for mobile and DTH recharges on its platform post the government's move to scrap Rs 500 and 1,000 notes.

Paytm claimed that over 70 per cent of online mobile and DTH recharges done in the country are now being conducted on its platform.

"Paytm has registered a strong surge in online recharges on its platform post the government's move... As millions of new consumers tried online recharges for the first time, Paytm has registered over 35 million online recharges in the last few days," Paytm said in a statement.

"Millions of new consumers across the country have adopted digital, cash free recharges and bill payments for the first time. We also noticed a trend of users recharging over 5-6 mobile numbers online to assist friends and family," Paytm Senior Vice-President Shankar Nath said.

Indrani Mukerjea was a "schemer and a lady of dominant nature" who used to interfere in the affairs of a media group through her husband Peter who was the CEO, though not being on payroll, a 'secret witness' in the Sheena Bora murder case has claimed.

Peter was arrested in November last year on the charge of murder conspiracy.

A special court today opened the statement of 'secret witness' Ravina Raj Kohli, former president of Star News, from a sealed cover and handed it over to the defence lawyers.

On November 21, the CBI had told the Bombay High Court that it will give a copy of the secret witness's statement, withheld so far by the agency, to Peter and other accused after deleting a portion of it.

"To my understanding, Indrani is a schemer, manipulator and a lady of dominant nature," Kohli said in a four-page statement recorded on February 10.

Sheena, daughter of Indrani from her previous relationship, was killed in a car on April 24, 2012, and her body was later dumped and set afire in neighbouring Raigad district.

Seven soldiers, including two officers, were killed in a huge terror attack at an army base near Jammu in the town of Nagrota, just 12 miles from the border with Pakistan.

The attack is reminiscent of January's deadly strike on an air force base in Pathankot, and comes just two months after 19 soldiers were killed by Pakistani terrorists at an army camp in Uri.

Heavily-armed suicide attackers entered the army base in Nagrota before daybreak with guns and grenades and forced their way in.

There was hostage-like situation at Nagrota army camp but all the 12 soldiers, two ladies and two children held captive, were successfully rescued, says Army.

A defence statement said the bodies of three militants have been recovered and "operations are in progress to sanitise the complete area".

19:42

Gross NPAs of public sector banks touch Rs 6,30,323 crore at the end of September: Government

18:42 Gold breaks below Rs 29,000 on subdued demand, global cues

Gold prices slipped below the Rs 29,000-mark at the domestic bullion market in Mumbai today following selling by stockists coupled with subdued local buying interest amid bearish global cues.

Silver too dropped below the Rs 42,000-mark owing to lack of industrial buying support.

Standard gold (99.5 purity) fell by Rs 95 to close at Rs 28,905 per 10 grams from Monday's closing level of Rs 29,000. Pure gold (99.9 purity) also moved up by a similar margin to end at Rs 29,055 per 10 grams as against to Rs 29,150 previously.

Silver (.999 fineness) dipped by Rs 600 to finish at Rs 41,430 per kg as against Rs 42,030 yesterday.

Globally, gold prices fell due to expectations of rising US interest rates and a higher dollar and improving sentiment for global economic growth, which means investors are likely to favour risk assets such as equities.

The Supreme Court today agreed to hear on Friday two fresh petitions along with other pending PILs challenging Centre's decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

While 14 cooperative banks of Kerala seek a nod to transact business like banks, a BJP leader, who is also a lawyer, has moved the apex court seeking demonetisation of currency notes higher than Rs 100 denomination.

A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur fixed the two pleas, which were mentioned for urgent listing today, for hearing on December 2 when it will also hear a batch of petitions along with the Centre's transfer plea on the issue.

Charging the Prime Minister with flouting the constitutional rights of people by bringing in demonetisation, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who today took her protest to Uttar Pradesh, dared him to declare his bank account details before seeking information from other BJP leaders.

"Modiji has surpassed (Muhammad bin) Tuglaq and Hitler...he has flouted the constitutional rights of common people," the Trinamool Congress chief said at a rally against demonetisation organised jointly with the ruling Samajwadi Party in Lucknow.

Vowing to fight till demonetisation is rolled back, Banerjee said, "The fight against note ban will continue till this decision is revoked as note culling has shut shops, markets and agricultural operations."

Daring the Prime Minister to first declare his own bank account details and of BJP president Amit Shah, Banerjee said, "Modi has asked BJP MPs and MLAs to give details of their bank accounts, but he needs to start with himself and BJP president Amit Shah.

"Just before demonetisation, large number of properties have been bought in the name of BJP and its president," she alleged referring to media reports claiming that BJP bought several pieces of land, worth crores of rupees, in Bihar weeks ahead of the demonetisation declaration on November 8.

18:18 NGT clears decks for Delhi-Meerut Expressway

The National Green Tribunal has granted permission to NHAI to build a bridge and approach roads over the Yamuna river for Delhi-Meerut Expressway noting the project "will aid environment rather than harming it".

The green panel cleared the decks for the project after taking into account the recommendation of Principal Committee, constituted by the NGT for Yamuna Revitalisation, which said that "project may be allowed" subject to fulfilling of certain conditions including increasing the cost of monitoring during construction phase of bridge by nearly Rs 2.5 crore.

"This plan was also considered by the Principle Committee and the Principle Committee recommended the said project mainly on the ground that the project will aid the environment rather than harming it subject to prescribed conditions recommended being complied with. We, therefore do not see any impediment in granting permission as solicited.

"We, therefore, permit applicant and there concessionaire/contractors and other officers, agents and representatives from carrying out necessary construction for expansion of existing Nizamuddin bridge, Ring road in terms of the proposed project. Subject to strict compliance of the conditions recommended by the Principle Committee," a bench headed by Justice U D Salvi said.

The terror attack at Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday is a "message" sent by Pakistans newly appointed army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to India, former Home Secretary R K Singh said.

"We need to take note of the fact that this is the (Pakistan) new Army chief sending a message. His policy will be same as followed by the predecessorWe (also) need to send across a message to him," he said.

"India will hit back harder every time it is targeted," he said.

The BJP MP's remarks came after terrorists in police uniform attacked an Army artillery unit in Nagrota, killing three Army personnel, including an officer, and leaving several others injured.

17:33

At the stock markets today: Auto, telecom, consumer durables, energy, industrials and capital goods stocks firmed up on good buying, while IT, FMCG, banking and metal counters slipped on profit-booking.

17:32 Sensex closes at two-week high

Benchmark Sensex surrendered much of its early gains today on widespread caution ahead of release of GDP data as it ended at over two-week high of 26,394 on sustained buying amid mixed global cues.

Auto, telecom, consumer durables, energy, industrials and capital goods stocks firmed up on good buying, while IT, FMCG, banking and metal counters slipped on profit-booking.

This was the third straight session of gains for the 30-share index, which rose 43.84 points or 0.17 per cent to close at 26,394.01, its highest closing since November 11, when it had ended at 26,818.82.

Intra-day, it shuttled between 26,587.07 and 26,354.66. The gauge has risen by 533.84 points or 2.06 per cent in three days.

The NSE Nifty, after touching a high of 8,197.35, slipped to 8,128.70 before closing 15.25 points, or 0.19 per cent, higher at 8,142.15.

17:29

Parliament security breach video: Bhagwant Mann found guilty by the Lok Sabha Committee. Committee to submit report to Lok Sabha Speaker on Wednesday.

17:28 283 cadets pass out from NDA

A total of 283 cadets passed out from the National Defence Academy in Pune after a glittering Passing Out Parade at the Khetrapal Parade Ground inside the campus.

The "graduated" cadets included 179 cadets from the Army, 35 from the Navy and 56 from the Air Force. There were 13 foreign cadets from friendly countries -- Bhutan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan -- who also passed out from the academy.

Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, who was the Reviewing Officer, was received by NDA Commandant Air Marshal Jasjit Singh Kler at the Parade Ground.

Bhamre, while addressing the Passing-out-Course cadets, complemented them for "their good turnout and exceptional drill movements".

He congratulated the cadets, especially the award winner, and urged them to rise and answer the clarion call of the nation to serve it selflessly and sacrificially.

17:10

US President-elect Donald Trump tweets: I thought that CNN would get better after they failed so badly in their support of Hillary Clinton however, since election, they are worse!

16:43

ANI reports: With effect from December 1, 2016 till date of Budget presentation in Parliament, the media will not be allowed entry in North Block.

16:38 Russia dismisses report of 'secret talks' with Pak on CPEC

Russia today dismissed as not "corresponding to the realities" the reports in Pakistani media about it holding "secret talks" with Pakistan on the creation of China-Pakistan economic corridor.

The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement also said that the possibility of Russia joining this (CPEC) initiative is not being discussed with Islamabad.

"Reports appearing in Pakistan's media about some 'secret talks' between Russia and Pakistan on the creation of CPEC do not correspond to the realities. The possibility of Russia joining this initiative is not being discussed with Islamabad.

"Our trade and economic cooperation with Pakistan has its own value. We aim for its further strengthening. The implementation by Russian companies of business projects in IRP, including the construction of North-South gas pipeline from Karachi to Lahore, are implemented on bilateral basis," as per the statement, which was circulated by the Russian Embassy in New Delhi

The government today said sufficient cash is available with the Reserve Bank of India and banks, and it is not considering extending the deadline of December 30 for deposit of de-legalised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

"There is sufficient cash available with the Reserve Bank of India and banks. Circulation of notes in respect of Rs 100 has already been increased," Minister of State for Finance Arun Ram Meghwal said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

On whether the December 30 deadline will be extended, he said, "No such proposal for extension of deadline beyond December 30, 2016, is presently under consideration of the government."

To cater to the requirements of rural areas, banks have been advised to supply notes of smaller denominations (Rs 100 and less), Meghwal added.

As on November 8, the day demonetisation was announced, there were 1,716.50 crore pieces of Rs 500 and 685.80 crore Rs 1,000 notes in circulation.

Bill to amend Income Tax Act to impose tax on deposits made post-demonetisation passed by Lok Sabha without debate.

The Bill passed in Lok Sabha amid sloganeering by Opposition members who wanted an adjournment motion and was seeking the PM's presence in House to discuss the demonetisation issue.

Amid shouts of 'Modi teri tana shahi, nahi chalegi, nahi chalegi', and 'Modi sarkar shame shame', Speaker Sumitra Mahajan put the Bill and the amendments for voting.

As the Opposition members kept on shouting, the Bill was declared passed by the speaker.

The Lok Sabha was then adjourned fro the day.

14:52 Sonia Gandhi to be in hospital for 2 days

Congress President Sonia Gandhi will be in hospital for two days, says party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

She has been admitted to hospital on account of viral fever.-- ANI

14:35

JUST IN: Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day amid shouts of 'Pradhan Mantri sadan me aao (prime minister come to Parliament) by opposition members.

14:30 Sonia Gandhi admitted to hospital

Congress President Sonia Gandhi admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (Delhi). She is suffering from viral fever, ANI reported.

In August, Gandhi was hospitalised for 11 days after she had fractured her left shoulder during a roadshow.

More details awaited.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked people for voting for the Bharatiya Janata Party in recently conducted municipal polls and assembly and Lok Sabha bypolls.

'Over the last few days, we have seen the results of various polls, Parliamentary, assembly and local polls across India.

'Be it Northeast, WB (West Bengal), Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat. (The) BJP has performed very well. I thank the people,

'These results across India illustrate that people want all-round progress of the nation and will not tolerate corruption and misgovernance,' the PM said in a series of tweets.

Authorities today sounded an alert and stepped up security in and around Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishnodevi cave shrine in Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.

"We have sounded an alert. Security has been beefed up at Katra and other areas of the shrine after the terror attack at army camp in Nagrota," a police officer from Reasi district said. Police and security men have been asked to remain vigilant, he added.

Katra town, which is nearly 30 km from Nagrota, is thronged by over one crore pilgrims annually. "Security along the shrine track and around it has been stepped up," he said, adding that "checking and frisking have been increased and the people should cooperate with us."

14:00 24 ISI agents arrested in 2016: Centre

As many as 24 Inter-Services Intelligence agents have been arrested for spying for the Pakistani intelligence agency so far this year, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

"In addition to these 24 agents, one Pakistani spy agent detected in October 2016 was Pakistan high commission, New Delhi based intelligence officer Mehmood Akhtar," Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said replying a written question.

Of those, who were arrested so far this year, nine were detected in Rajasthan, six in Punjab, two in Gujarat, two in Jammu and Kashmir, one in Uttar Pradesh and four in Delhi.

Ahir said some of the staff posted in Pakistan high commission in New Delhi is suspected to be involved in running espionage network.

The official who was apprehended by the Delhi Police for spying was consequently declared persona non grata by the Indian authorities.

The United States and Cuba expanded air links, kicking off direct flights to Havana for the first time in more than 50 years.

The departure of an American Airlines flight from Miami at 7.30 am came just days after the death of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro at age 90.

In New York, the first JetBlue Airways flight bound for Havana departed an hour-and-a-half later.

Air travel between the United States and Cuba had been restricted to charter flights from 1979 until earlier this year.

Direct commercial flights began on August 31, linking several US airports with nine Cuban cities, many of them in or near tourism hotspots.

There are now 110 daily flights from the United States to Cuba, 20 of them to Havana.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has asked former UIDAI chairman and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to advise the NDA government on digital payments, especially on linking governmental banking services directly to its employees, including the Army, judiciary and paramilitary forces.

Nilekani, who contested the 2014 Lok Sabha unsuccessfully on a Congress ticket from Bangalore South, is likely to accept the challenge and join NITI Aayog as principal advisor to the Modi government, it is learnt.

He will be designated as "digital advisor" to the central government.

Incidentally, in an interview to Barkha Dutt on NDTV, Nilekani had come out in support of the government's demonetisation move.

"Short term pain is inevitable but this is a big step for financial inclusion' The slowdown is only for a short term.. Economic growth will bounce back.. This shock is good for India... Digitisation will compensate for the short-term slowdown and adoption of technology will lead to long-term benefits," the IT czar had said in the interview.

Asserting that he has repeatedly offered his cooperation to Central agencies in their investigations, Islamic Research Foundation chief Zakir Naik has justified his decision to steer clear of India saying that he was an NRI and that his work kept him away mostly.

Speaking to ANI about the current controversy over his NGO which has been banned by the Indian government, Naik said, "I've repeatedly offered my cooperation to governmental agencies in their investigations. Till a few days ago, no agency bothered to contact me, ask me questions, send me any notice or even lodge an FIR against me. Till date there's been no contact and the only FIR lodged against me was done after the ban."

Rubbishing reports of him being granted Malaysian citizenship, the Islamic preacher said he has neither been banned in Malaysia nor does he have its citizenship.

"The Indian media has repeated hundreds of times in the last four months that I was banned in Malaysia. Now it takes a somersault and says that I have been given the citizenship of Malaysia. How can a person, who is banned in a country, be given a passport of that country? Both these reports are absolutely false without any proof. I'm neither banned in Malaysia nor do I have its citizenship," he said.

Naik also dubbed the ban on his NGO as 'unfortunate' and alleged that this move of the 'anti-Muslim' BJP-led NDA Government is politically motivated.

'Standard Chartered (StanChart) India, the largest foreign lender in terms of branches, has decided to reduce 10% of its workforce from the corporate and institutional banking (CIB) division. In India, 40-50 people could be asked to leave as a part of this restructuring exercise,' reports Nupur Anand in the Business Standard.

'It is also likely that most people who'll be asked to leave will be in the senior to mid-senior level. This restructuring exercise is being carried out across the globe and layoffs are likely to happen in other markets, too,' she adds.

Read the full report here.

11:59 Gen Bajwa takes charge as Pak Army chief

General Qamar Bajwa takes charge as the next Army Chief of Pakistan from General Raheel Sharif at a ceremony on Tuesday at the Army Hockey Stadium in Rawalpindi. Photograph: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked all Bharatiya Janata Party members of Parliament and legislative assemblies to submit details of their bank account transactions between November 8 and December 31 to party president Amit Shah.

The PM conveyed this to them at the BJP Parliamentary Party meet today.

He also said that the Income Tax Amendment Bill is not to turn black money into white but to use money looted from poor for welfare.

Shah asked party MPs to motivate traders falling in their constituencies to move to cashless transactions. -- PTI

11:29 Sensex off to a flying start in morning trade

The benchmark Sensex extended its rally by 195 points in late morning trade following sustained buying in auto, realty, consumer durables, telecom, finance and capital goods, but healthcare stocks were trading in red.

The BSE mid-cap and small-cap indices were up 0.82 per cent and 1.19 per cent, respectively -- outperforming the Sensex.

The 30-share Sensex opened higher at 26,408.62 and hovered in a range of 26,577.45 and 26,357.56 before quoting 26,545.32 at 1100 hours, showing a rise of 195.15 points, or 0.74 per cent, from its last close. The NSE 50-share Nifty was also trading up by 57.05 points, or 0.70 per cent, to 8,183.95 at 1100 hours.

11:27 Indian hockey gets a high performance director

Former exercise physiologist of the senior national men's team David John of Australia was today officially appointed as the High Performance Director of Indian hockey.

John, whose appointment was officially confirmed by Hockey India today, will take over the charge of High Performance Director from Roelant Oltmans, who has been relieved from the post after being named as the chief coach of the Indian men's hockey team till 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

John has previously worked with the senior national men's team as an exercise physiologist and scientific advisor prior to 2012 London Olympics.

Just In: A plane that left Bolivia with 72 passengers plus flight crew, among them Brazilian pro football players, has crashed on its path to Medellin international airport, Colombia, reports dw.com. Details soon.

Both Houses have been adjourned in face of the Opposition uproar on demonetisation.

Lok Sabha was adjourned till 11.30 am while Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 12 noon.

As soon as the proceedings begin in Rajya Sabha, the opposition members started shouting slogans.

They demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modis presence in the House to resume the discussion on note ban.

They also sought an apology from PM over his remarks against the Opposition and raised slogans like 'Pradhan Mantri maffi mango (Prime Minister apologise).'

In view of the uproar, the House was adjourned.

Opposition leaders meet in Parliament to discuss their strategy for the ongoing tussle with the government on demonetisation.

The Opposition has decided to reiterate demand for an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks, and for discussion under rule 56 in the Lok Sabha, ANI quoted sources as saying.

Ahead of the session, the Bharatiya Janata Party also held a Parliamentary party meeting in Parliament.

United States President-elect Donald Trump has met a top Indian-American real estate executive amid reports of him joining the new administration.

Sandeep Mathrani, 54, the chief executive officer of General Growth Properties, met the President-elect at the Trump Towers in New York.

The presidential transition team, except for announcing the scheduled meeting, did not issue a readout of the meeting Trump had with Mathrani, real estate executive from Chicago, the hometown of outgoing President Barack Obama.

Local media reports speculated that Mathrani could join Trump administration. -- PTI

Dominic, ATM cash van driver who fled with Rs 1 crore 37 lakhs on November 23 has been arrested from KR Puram in Bengaluru.

His wife was arrested yesterday with Rs 79 lakh in cash. -- ANI

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh left for Cuban capital Havana on Tuesday morning to pay last respects to the countrys former president and revolutionary leader Fidel Castro who passed away on Friday.

'Leaving New Delhi for Havana. Shall attend the funeral of towering Cuban leader Fidel Castro with the Indian delegation &pay tributes to him,' the Union home minister tweeted.

Singh is among the various world leaders who will attend the mass commemorative event at Revolution Square in the city. An Indian delegation is accompanying the Home Minister.

The week-long commemoration began yesterday at the Square where thousands of people are paying their respects to the departed leader.

The mourning period will end after his ashes are laid to rest on Sunday.

The communist leader, who led a revolution in 1959 and ruled the Caribbean island for half a century died a decade after stepping down because of poor health and relinquishing power to his brother Raul Castro. He was cremated on Saturday.

The Border Security Force says an encounter broke out between infiltrating group of terrorists and BSF troops along the International Border in Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

'In general area of border outpost in Chamliyal, Samba sector, suspicious movement was noticed. Immediately, the area was cordoned off. When challenged, the BSF patrol was fired upon by terrorists holed-up in a tube well pumphouse. Firing been retaliated,' ANI quoted BSF officials as saying.

PTI reports said a BSF jawan has been injured in the gunbattle with infiltrating terrorists along the IB in Samba.

Representative image.

Terrorists attacked an army unit in Nagrota, Jammu and Kashmir at 5.30 am on Tuesday. Heavy exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces is underway.

Two jawans have been injured in the attack.

2-3 terrorists are believed to be holed up in the area.

The administration has ordered shutting down of schools in Nagrota.

More details awaited.-- ANI

The White House on Monday dismissed President-elect Donald Trump's unsubstantiated claim of widespread voter fraud in the 2016 presidential election.

"There has been no evidence produced to substantiate a claim like that," White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.

Earnest refused to comment further on Trump's allegations.

"I would defer to the president-elects team for commentary on his tweets," he said.

Trump on Sunday claimed, without citing evidence, that millions of people voted illegally for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and that he would have won the popular vote if their ballots were not counted.

Pakistan's men's junior team will not be able to take part in this year's Junior Hockey World Cup in Uttar Pradesh as it had applied for visas for players after the official deadline, International Hockey Federation said on Monday.

Malaysia's junior men's team will replace Pakistan in the event to be held in Lucknow from December 8 to 18, FIH said in a statement.

The late invitation came after FIH had to officially withdraw Pakistan's invitation to the event. "

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