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Fri, 28 October 2016
Trump praises FBI over re-opening probe into Clinton's email
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23:56 Trump praises FBI over re-opening probe into Clinton's email
Taking the stage just minutes after news broke that the FBI is is reopening the investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server, Donald Trump praised the Bureau and said he hoped the news would shake up the presidential race.
"Her criminal and illegal conduct... threatens the security of the United States of America," Trump said to open his Manchester, New Hampshire, rally Friday afternoon. "Hillary Clinton's corruption is on a scale we have never seen before. We must not let her take her criminal scheme into the Oval Office."
Since July, when the FBI recommended no criminal charges against Clinton for her handling of classified information, Trump has repeatedly criticized the agency. But he changed his tune on Friday.
"I have great respect for the fact that the FBI and the Department of Justice are now willing to have the courage to right the horrible mistake that they made," Trump said. "This was a grave miscarriage of justice that the American people fully understood. And it is everybody's hope that it is to be corrected."
23:09 11 days before US polls, FBI reopens probe into Clinton's emails
The FBI is reopening the investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server, the bureau's director said in a letter to lawmakers on Friday, a surprise twist in a turbulent campaign just 11 days before election day.
In a note to congressional committee chairs, FBI director James Comey said that the FBI had discovered additional emails relevant to the investigation into Clinton's and that agents were examining the emails to determine whether they contain classified information.
There was no additional information about what the emails contain or how long the investigation could take.
"In connection with an unrelated case, the FBI has learned of the existence of emails that appear to be pertinent to the investigation," said Comey.
"I am writing to inform you that the investigative team briefed me on this yesterday, and I agreed that the FBI should take appropriate investigative steps designed to allow investigators to review these emails to determine whether they contain classified information, as well as to assess their importance to our investigation."
22:36 Tata Sons and Ratan Tata knew about all deals: Mistry
Stepping up his attack on the Tata Group in general and Ratan Tata in particular, ousted chairman Cyrus Mistry today denied groups claim that the board was not properly consulted on Tata Power's purchase of Welpsun Power in June.
"It is surprising that Ratan Tata has sought to justify Monday's conduct by making vague public statements that are contrary to his knowledge and contrary to the records of the Tata Group. Tata sources said the trustees of Tata Trusts were not kept informed about the transaction with Welspun Power," Mistry said in a late night statement.
He said that all the board notes were shared with Tata in his capacity as the chairman emeritus of the group.
Presenting his side of the facts, Mistry said in the early part of 2016, Tata Power had made a presentation to Tata Sons that a significant focus area would be the renewables sector. And this was appreciated by the Tata Sons board.
"On May 31, 2016, a note was circulated to the board of Tata Sons and to Tata providing information about the proposed Welspun transaction, and asking them if they needed any further information.
"The only board member to reply was Vijay Singh, a nominee director of Tata Trusts on the Tata Sons board, who appreciated the plan. And with no other view having been expressed, Tata Power executed the agreement on June 12, 2016," Mistry said.
22:30 Soldier killed, body mutilated by terrorist fleeing into PoK
Just In: A soldier has lost his life in an encounter with terrorists in Machil sector of Kupwara district.
According to media reports, one of the terrorists mutilated the soldier's body before fleeing into PoK supported by cover fire from Pakistan Army posts.
A terrorist was also gunned down in an encounter in the Machil sector.
22:23 Constroversy-hit 'ADHM' gets a smooth release
Karan Johar's film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which had got embroiled in a controversy after MNS' threat to stall its screenings for featuring a Pakistani actor, hit the screens today as per schedule without any hiccups, barring a protest outside a theatre in Kalyan in neighbouring Thane district.
Although the Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association Of India (COEAI) had earlier decided not to release the film in single screens, ADHM was played in the single-screen theatres as well, besides the multiplexes.
The movie had generated a lot of heat in run-up to its release after the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena had threatened to block its release for featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. The MNS threat had come in the wake of the Uri attack.
However, decks had been cleared for the film after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mediated a dialogue between the filmmakers and Raj Thackeray last week.
Before the truce was clinched, the producers had to give some assurances such as that they would not work with Pakistani artistes and technicians in their future projects, given the people's sentiments in the wake of terror strikes.
22:20 Yemen rebel missile shot down near Mecca: coalition
Yemeni rebels launched one of their longest-range strikes against Saudi Arabia, firing a ballistic missile that was shot down near the holy city of Mecca, the Saudi-led coalition fighting them said today.
But the rebels insisted that the missile had targeted Jeddah, the Red Sea city in the sprawling Mecca region, and not the holy Muslim city.
The coalition has been carrying out a bombing campaign against the rebels since March last year and there have been rebel strikes towards the bases from which the coalition mounts air raids.
Saudi Arabia has deployed Patriot missiles to intercept the rebel fire.
Huthi rebels launched the missile "toward the Mecca area" yesterday evening from their Saada province stronghold just across the border, a coalition statement said.
"The air defence was able to intercept and destroyed it about 65 kilometres from Mecca without any damage."
The rebels' sabanews website said their ballistic missile targeted the international airport in Jeddah. Islam's holiest sites are located in Mecca and Medina.
The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the attack which it described as "clear evidence" that the rebels are not willing to accept a political solution to Yemen's 19-month-old conflict.
22:06 Why Indian and Pakistani spies face hard times
The act of expelling diplomats by any country invariably carries political symbolism.
The political message that can be derived from the expulsion of a Pakistani mission staffer in New Delhi on Thursday is that the Indian government has slammed the door shut on any sort of normalization process between the countries in a conceivable future'.
Read more HERE
21:13
Terrorists barge into house, shoot dead woman in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district
21:09 Gold, jewellery sales spurt up to 30 pc on Dhanteras
Gold and jewellery sales were up 30 per cent this Dhanteras, with jewellers across the country recording brisk business on the auspicious day on the back of favourable price and a good monsoon.
Dhanteras is considered to be an auspicious day for buying gold, silver and other valuables and is largely celebrated in North and West India.
P N Gadgil Jewellers Managing Director Saurabh Gadgil said that good monsoon, pent up demand of the first half of this year which was affected by jewellers' strike, stable gold prices and long weekend were mainly responsible for the positive consumer demand.
World Gold Council MD Somasundaram PR said, "The physical demand is good with good footfalls, which is 30-50 per cent more than last year during this Dhanteras.
"Consumers are back in the market and retailers are all geared up to meet this demand. The level of activity only shows that things have come back to normal in trade as well as at the consumer level," he said.
P C Jewellers MD Balram Garg said, "We are seeing 20 per cent jump in volume and 30 per cent in value terms. The growth is higher in value terms as prices have gone up in the last one year."
21:02 Launch of three astronauts to ISS postponed
The launch next month of a Soyuz spacecraft carrying three astronauts to the International Space Station has been postponed by 48 hours, Russia's space agency said today, reportedly to ensure better docking conditions.
The delay came after the previous manned launch to the ISS set for September was postponed for almost a month due to technical issues.
The Soyuz space capsule carrying astronauts from Russia, France and the United States is set to blast off for the orbiting space lab from the Baikonur cosmodrome at 20.20 GMT on November 17, the Roscosmos agency said in a statement.
It had initially been scheduled for 21.05 GMT on November 15.
"The reason for the postponement has been given as better ballistic conditions for the spacecraft to draw close to the ISS and dock," a source at Baikonur told the Interfax news agency.
20:58 Missing student case: JNUSU stages protest outside police HQ
Students of JNU today staged a protest outside police headquarters alleging inaction to trace a student of the university who has been missing from the campus for two weeks, leading to a massive traffic jam at the ITO crossing.
Najeeb Ahmed (27), a student of School of Biotechnology and a native of Badaun in Uttar Pradesh, went missing on October 15 following an on-campus brawl allegedly with the members of ABVP, BJP's students' wing, the night before.
The agitated members of the Jawaharlal Nehru Students' Union (JNUSU), accompanied by fellow students, staged a demonstration outside PHQ and later, a delegation met Joint Commissioner, South-East Range, RP Upadhyay and submitted a memorandum of demands to him.
"They wanted to know about the status of the investigation and what were we doing for the immediate recovery of Najeeb. We told them it was a high-priority case for us and almost 100 personnel, split into various teams, were working on it.
"The students offered to help us in conducting a search of the jungle which we told them we had already done with the JNU administration officials," Upadhyay said.
19:54 8 killed after fire in crackers shop in Vadodara
Eight people have been killed and several others are injured after a fire broke out in a crackers shop in Gujarat's Vadodara, news agency ANI reported.
Police have reached the spot and the injured are being shifted out.
More details are awaited.
19:29 Pak summons India's Deputy HC over 'ceasefire violations'
For the third time this week, Pakistan on Friday summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner and lodged a strong protest over alleged "unprovoked firing" by Indian forces along the working boundary and Line of Control.
"(Pakistan) strongly condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations on October 27 by the Indian Forces at the working boundary in Shakargarh sector and on the LoC in Nikial sector" resulting in the death of six civilians, including two women, and injuries to 22 civilians, Pakistan Foreign Office said.
Director General (South Asia and SAARC) Dr Mohammad Faisal summoned India's Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh, the Foreign Office said.
The Director General urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 ceasefire understanding between the two countries.
Pakistan also asked India to investigate the continued incidents of "ceasefire violations", instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit, stop "targeting" the villages and civilians and maintain peace on
the working boundary and the LoC, it said.
This was the third time this week that India's deputy high commissioner was summoned to the Foreign Office for "ceasefire violations".
19:10 Army chief reviews op preparedness on Indo-China border
Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag today reviewed the operational preparedness along the Indo-China border in Puh and Sumdo areas of Himachal Pradesh.
He interacted with troops on ground and expressed satisfaction at the high operational standards achieved.
He was accompanied by GOC-in-C Western Command Lt Gen Surinder Singh during this visit.
19:09 War no option, Pak should take initiative for peace: Mehbooba
War is not an option to resolve differences and Pakistan should take the initiative to make peace with India as the onus lies on it, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in Udhampur today.
While pitching for better ties between India and Pakistan, she called for immediate peace on the borders.
"I feel that war is not solution to anything and ultimately we have to reconcile with each other and become friends and for which I feel that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi went there but unfortunately Pathankot followed that, the state of Jammu and Kashmir has to bear the brunt of the hostilities between the two sides," she said.
"The situation should improve at an earliest and both the nations should sit together in a civilized manner and for that I feel that Pakistan has to take the initiative,"
Referring to the cross-border shelling and firing, she said, "We are not seeing this for the first time as we have witnessed several wars between our country and Pakistan. Right from 1947, we have seen the Kargil war in 1999 and wars, ceasefire violations are not going to last for long. Ultimately we have to learn to live with each other."
She said the ongoing cross-border firing has to stop.
18:16 Swamy joins Tata-Mistry war, wants PM Modi to form SIT to probe Ratan Tata
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy has demanded constitution of a multi-agency SIT to probe allegations of "certain fraudulent transactions" in Air Asia leveled by Cyrus Mistry following his removal as chairman of the Tata Group.
Swamy, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has said the SIT should comprise officials from CBI, Enforcement Directorate and SEBI as the charges involved a gamut of offences.
The Rajya Sabha MP recalled that he had in an earlier letter to Modi questioned Ratan Tata's role as Indian partner in Air Asia and Vistara Airlines "in complete violation" of the laws of the country.
Hot on the heels of Mistry's ouster alleging fraudulent transactions at AirAsia India, the Aviation Ministry had said all issues would be looked into and "law of the land will have to be followed" in case of any violation.
18:12 After 3 days of free fall, Tata group stocks recover lost ground
Tata group stocks today bounced back after three days of continuous decline, closing the day with up to 6 per cent gains on buying at lower levels.
Shares of Tata Motors rose by 2.68 per cent and Tata Steel went up by 1.85 per cent on BSE. Tata Metaliks soared 5.86 per cent, Tata Elxsi surged 4.20 per cent, Tata Teleservices (3.93 pc), Tata Coffee (2.02 pc), Tata Communications (1.35 pc), Tata Investment Corporation (1.32 pc), Tata Global Beverages (1.20 pc) and Tata Chemicals (0.87 pc).
Tata Power Company and TCS however ended in the red down 1.38 per cent and 0.58 per cent respectively.
The group stocks saw total market value erosion to over Rs 26,000 crore in the past three days amid concerns over sudden ouster of Cyrus Mistry as chairman of Tata Sons, the main holding firm for the group companies.
These stocks had also lost ground on worries about the purported disclosure made by Mistry about huge write-down risks at some firms.
17:28 Road rage accused Rocky Yadav absconding after SC cancels bail
Rocky Yadav, the road-rage son of Janata Dal-United MLC Manorama Devi, is absconding after the Supreme Court today cancelled his bail today. Yadav is accused of killing Aditya Sachdeva, a class 12 student, for overtaking the his SUV in Gaya town.
Rocky's mother Manorama Devi told a police team who visited her house that he will surrender in the court soon. Rocky was released on bail from Gaya central jail where he was lodged since May. Earlier, the Bihar government has decided to move the Supreme Court to contest the bail granted to Rocky Yadav.
MI Khan/Rediff.com in Patna
Rocky's mother Manorama Devi told a police team who visited her house that he will surrender in the court soon. Rocky was released on bail from Gaya central jail where he was lodged since May. Earlier, the Bihar government has decided to move the Supreme Court to contest the bail granted to Rocky Yadav.
MI Khan/Rediff.com in Patna
17:22 Pakistani spy Shoaib sent to police custody till November 8
Pakistani spy Shoaib, who was detained by Rajasthan Police a day earlier, on Friday has been sent to police custody till November 8 by Delhi's Saket Court.
Shoaib, a Jodhpur-based man, was detained by the Rajasthan Police for his involvement the espionage case on Thursday and was subsequently brought to Delhi.
According to officials, Shoaib had come in contact with Maulana Ramzan, one of those arrested on Thursday, around one-and-a-half year back, who lured the latter to join him in collecting vital information about the installations of army and paramilitary forces in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Shoaib, a Jodhpur-based man, was detained by the Rajasthan Police for his involvement the espionage case on Thursday and was subsequently brought to Delhi.
According to officials, Shoaib had come in contact with Maulana Ramzan, one of those arrested on Thursday, around one-and-a-half year back, who lured the latter to join him in collecting vital information about the installations of army and paramilitary forces in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
16:51 Indian-origin former student pleads guilty to webcam spying
A 24-year-old Indian-origin former Rutgers University student today pleaded guilty to attempted invasion of privacy by using a web cam to spy on his roommate who later committed suicide, bringing an end to a case that drew global attention and cast a spotlight on cyber bullying.
Dharun Ravi admitted to attempting to activate a web camera to capture Tyler Clementi's sexual encounter with another man with the intent of letting other people view it, but not publishing it over the internet.
By pleading guilty to the third-degree felony, Ravi accepted a deal with state prosecutors to drop all other charges after an appellate court threw out his conviction, New York Times reported.
Dharun Ravi admitted to attempting to activate a web camera to capture Tyler Clementi's sexual encounter with another man with the intent of letting other people view it, but not publishing it over the internet.
By pleading guilty to the third-degree felony, Ravi accepted a deal with state prosecutors to drop all other charges after an appellate court threw out his conviction, New York Times reported.
16:16 Australian couple imprisoned for raping, torturing daughter for 14 years
A father who raped, mutilated and tortured his young daughter over a 14-year period has been sentenced by a Sydney court to at least 36 years in jail, while the mother has been sentenced to a minimum of 11 years for her role in the couple's physical and psychological abuse of their daughter.
The man, now 59, began abusing his youngest daughter in 1997, when she was just five years old, reports the Guardian.Much of the abuse was carried out in a dilapidated shed on the family property in rural New South Wales, where she would be held for up to three days, her wrists bound by rope.
Her father, an elite athlete who had once qualified for the Olympics, served as her sporting coach and would threaten her with the "shed" if she did not perform well in competitions.
The mother began teaching her daughter how to sexually arouse her father from the age of 8.
This continued until 2011 when the young women, aged 19, made a full statement to the police.
Her mother later told her to drop the complaints against her father, when there was an apprehended violence order against him, telling her it was "family business only". The man was taken into custody in October 2013.
He was convicted of 73 charges by a jury in a harrowing 12-week trial earlier this year.
Judge Sarah Huggett sentenced him to a total prison term of 48 years at Sydney's district court on Friday, with a minimum non-parole period of 36 years - a sentence she acknowledged may exceed the remainder of his natural life.
His wife, now 51, was convicted of a further 13 counts, including indecent assault. Two involved another daughter. She was sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of 11 year
The man, now 59, began abusing his youngest daughter in 1997, when she was just five years old, reports the Guardian.Much of the abuse was carried out in a dilapidated shed on the family property in rural New South Wales, where she would be held for up to three days, her wrists bound by rope.
Her father, an elite athlete who had once qualified for the Olympics, served as her sporting coach and would threaten her with the "shed" if she did not perform well in competitions.
The mother began teaching her daughter how to sexually arouse her father from the age of 8.
This continued until 2011 when the young women, aged 19, made a full statement to the police.
Her mother later told her to drop the complaints against her father, when there was an apprehended violence order against him, telling her it was "family business only". The man was taken into custody in October 2013.
He was convicted of 73 charges by a jury in a harrowing 12-week trial earlier this year.
Judge Sarah Huggett sentenced him to a total prison term of 48 years at Sydney's district court on Friday, with a minimum non-parole period of 36 years - a sentence she acknowledged may exceed the remainder of his natural life.
His wife, now 51, was convicted of a further 13 counts, including indecent assault. Two involved another daughter. She was sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of 11 year
16:09 The Road Trip That Changed Hillary Clintons Life
Even if you think Mr Trump should be the next president of the US of A, this is a story on Mrs Clinton, you really must read. From the New Yorker...
"Hillary Rodham gazed out the window of the beat-up '68 Buick rolling down Interstate 81, and saw spruce trees, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the life she'd left behind.
Ms. Rodham, then a 26-year-old lawyer, had just finished working on the Watergate committee and wanted to be with her boyfriend, Bill Clinton, who was teaching law in Arkansas.
Her landlord, Sara Ehrman, who worried her bright young tenant was throwing away her future, offered to drive her down from Washington, and over the course of two days and 1,193 miles in August 1974, Mrs. Ehrman tried to talk Ms. Rodham out of her plan.
"We'd drive along and I'd say, 'Hillary, for God's sake,' ' Mrs. Ehrman, now 97, recalled. "He'll just be a country lawyer down there." Do read
"Hillary Rodham gazed out the window of the beat-up '68 Buick rolling down Interstate 81, and saw spruce trees, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the life she'd left behind.
Ms. Rodham, then a 26-year-old lawyer, had just finished working on the Watergate committee and wanted to be with her boyfriend, Bill Clinton, who was teaching law in Arkansas.
Her landlord, Sara Ehrman, who worried her bright young tenant was throwing away her future, offered to drive her down from Washington, and over the course of two days and 1,193 miles in August 1974, Mrs. Ehrman tried to talk Ms. Rodham out of her plan.
"We'd drive along and I'd say, 'Hillary, for God's sake,' ' Mrs. Ehrman, now 97, recalled. "He'll just be a country lawyer down there." Do read
15:30 Goa's 1st woman CM passes away
Goa's first woman chief minister Shashikala Kakodar passed away on Friday morning, after a brief illness. She was 81. A prominent leader of the Maharashtrwadi Gomantak Party, Kakodkar was the daughter of Goa's first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar.
15:25 If India is celebrating Diwali, credit goes to jawans: Rajnath
With Pakistan continuing with repeated ceasefire violations, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said India is confronting it firmly, adding that the nation is proud of its jawans.
"We are confronting them firmly; we are proud of our jawans. I wish 'Happy Diwali' to the army personnel, paramilitary forces and all other security forces. And, I want to tell them that if the country is celebrating Diwali with fervour, the credit goes to our jawans," Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Noida.
Heavy exchange of fire between India and Pakistan was reported from Pallanwala, Sunderbani, Nowshera and Balakote sectors along the Line of Control since today morning.
The Pakistani Army resorted to firing and shelling in these areas this morning.One civilian was killed in the shelling in Pallanwala sector of Jammu along the LoC.Meanwhile, Pakistani forces again resorted to shelling in R.S. Pura sector of Jammu district along the International Border leaving at least one civilian injured.Pakistani Rangers started unprovoked shelling in the area around 11 am today.
The BSF has retaliated the shelling, while the exchange of fire is still continuing.
"We are confronting them firmly; we are proud of our jawans. I wish 'Happy Diwali' to the army personnel, paramilitary forces and all other security forces. And, I want to tell them that if the country is celebrating Diwali with fervour, the credit goes to our jawans," Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Noida.
Heavy exchange of fire between India and Pakistan was reported from Pallanwala, Sunderbani, Nowshera and Balakote sectors along the Line of Control since today morning.
The Pakistani Army resorted to firing and shelling in these areas this morning.One civilian was killed in the shelling in Pallanwala sector of Jammu along the LoC.Meanwhile, Pakistani forces again resorted to shelling in R.S. Pura sector of Jammu district along the International Border leaving at least one civilian injured.Pakistani Rangers started unprovoked shelling in the area around 11 am today.
The BSF has retaliated the shelling, while the exchange of fire is still continuing.
15:00
JUST IN: Subramanian Swamy writes a letter PM, asks him to set up a SIT against Ratan Tata.
14:56 Priyanka-Rahul-Sonia Gandhi, next family feud could be in Congress
Like dynasties, family feuds are also an inextricable part of Indian politics. The face-off between Mulayam Singh Yadav's brother Shivpal Yadav and his son and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav that threatens to rend the Samajwadi Party ahead of the crucial Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh is but one example of the ominous family battle in which key players are prepared to risk political disaster for the party. Read more
13:49 15 Pak soldiers killed in retaliatory firing in a week, says BSF
Just in: Fifteen Pakistan Rangers killed over a week in retaliatory firing by Indian forces along the international border, says the BSF, even as one civilian was killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the Pallanwala sector today.
Pakistani troops continued the ceasefire violations on Friday with firing and mortar shelling on Indian posts and civilian areas along the Line of Control and the International Border in Jammu, Kathua and Rajouri districts, leaving a girl injured.
Border Security Forces and the army have responded "appropriately and befittingly" a defence spokesman said.
"There was unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army in Sunderbani, Pallanwala and Nowshera sectors of Rajouri and Jammu districts today," the spokesman said.
Firing and shelling continued overnight along the international border. "At 1720 hour yesterday, Pakistan Rangers started unprovoked heavy firing and shelling in Katgus Sector of Jammu which further spread to Hiranagar and Samba.
"It continued till 0500 hours till today in area of 24 BSF posts," a senior BSF officer said, adding the BSF responded strongly after which the firing stopped. "Some Pakistani posts and villages have suffered heavy damage, he said.
Image: An Indian villager points to the damage on this building by incessant firing from Pakistan.
Pakistani troops continued the ceasefire violations on Friday with firing and mortar shelling on Indian posts and civilian areas along the Line of Control and the International Border in Jammu, Kathua and Rajouri districts, leaving a girl injured.
Border Security Forces and the army have responded "appropriately and befittingly" a defence spokesman said.
"There was unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army in Sunderbani, Pallanwala and Nowshera sectors of Rajouri and Jammu districts today," the spokesman said.
Firing and shelling continued overnight along the international border. "At 1720 hour yesterday, Pakistan Rangers started unprovoked heavy firing and shelling in Katgus Sector of Jammu which further spread to Hiranagar and Samba.
"It continued till 0500 hours till today in area of 24 BSF posts," a senior BSF officer said, adding the BSF responded strongly after which the firing stopped. "Some Pakistani posts and villages have suffered heavy damage, he said.
Image: An Indian villager points to the damage on this building by incessant firing from Pakistan.
13:20 No justification! Govt slams Pak for expelling Indian diplomat
India condemns expulsion of its High Commission staffer in Islamabad, says Pakistan has given no justification for its action.
The MEA said the government notes with regret the Pakistan government's decision to declare Surjeet Singh persona non grata and expel him and his family members.
The MEA said no justification has been provided by the Pakistan govt except for completely baseless and unsubstantiated allegation. It is obvious that the step is an afterthought following yesterday's apprehension of Pakistan HC staffer Mehmood Akhtar in Delhi.
Yesterday, a Pakistan high commission staffer was detained by police for accessing sensitive defence documents while running a spy ring for Inter Service Intelligence, and was immediately declared persona non grata on Thursday.
The MEA said the government notes with regret the Pakistan government's decision to declare Surjeet Singh persona non grata and expel him and his family members.
The MEA said no justification has been provided by the Pakistan govt except for completely baseless and unsubstantiated allegation. It is obvious that the step is an afterthought following yesterday's apprehension of Pakistan HC staffer Mehmood Akhtar in Delhi.
Yesterday, a Pakistan high commission staffer was detained by police for accessing sensitive defence documents while running a spy ring for Inter Service Intelligence, and was immediately declared persona non grata on Thursday.
The staffer Mehmood Akhtar, who worked in the visa section of the high commission and has diplomatic immunity, was procuring critical details including about deployment of the Border Securty Force personnel along the Indo-Pak border from two other accomplices who have been arrested in New Delhi, police said.
Described as the kingpin of the spy ring, 35-year-old Akhtar belongs to the Baloch regiment of Pakistani Army and was on deputation to spy agency ISI since 2013, investigators said, adding they also probing possible involvement of more people from the Pakistani mission.
Sources in Delhi Police also did not rule out possible involvement of some BSF personnel in the racket as they believe the staffer Mehmood Akhtar and his accomplices could not have got hold of deployment details unless somebody in BSF was leaking them.
Akhtar and two others -- identified as Subhash Jangir and Maulana Ramzan-- were picked up from Delhi Zoo on Wednesday at around 10 am. Akhtar was released after around three hours of interrogation as he enjoys diplomatic immunity.
12:39 Spotted! Shivpal Yadav with Cong strategist Prashant Kishor
In a major political development, Samajwadi Party president Shivpal Yadav met Congress poll strategist Prashant Kishor at senior Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi's residence in Delhi on Wednesday.
The meeting has triggered strong speculation about a possible grand alliance of Samajwadi Party with Congress ahead of the crucial Uttar Pradesh elections in 2017.
Speaking to the CNN-News 18, Tyagi rubbished speculation that the meeting held to discuss poll strategies in UP.
He said, "Kishor ji is a good friend of mine and he often come to my residence. It is coincidental that Shivpal ji also came when Kishor ji was present. The meeting was confined to 25th silver jubilee celebration of the Samajwadi Party on November 5 and he came with an invitation."
"We did not discuss any poll strategy. We are a small party and you are free to make any conclusion," he stressed.
The meeting has triggered strong speculation about a possible grand alliance of Samajwadi Party with Congress ahead of the crucial Uttar Pradesh elections in 2017.
Speaking to the CNN-News 18, Tyagi rubbished speculation that the meeting held to discuss poll strategies in UP.
He said, "Kishor ji is a good friend of mine and he often come to my residence. It is coincidental that Shivpal ji also came when Kishor ji was present. The meeting was confined to 25th silver jubilee celebration of the Samajwadi Party on November 5 and he came with an invitation."
"We did not discuss any poll strategy. We are a small party and you are free to make any conclusion," he stressed.
12:28 Don't make it about ego, SC warns Centre over selecting judges
In an ongoing dispute, the Supreme Court today accused the government of holding up essential appointments of judges, warning "Don't make it an issue of ego".
The government and the top court have been unable to decide on a new process to select judges, with both sides accusing each other to trying to exercise unfair control over the procedure.
"You can't bring the institution to a grinding halt. We are working very patiently. We don't want to have situation where the institution is decimated and courts are locked," said Chief Justice of India TS Thakur.
"You can't sit over on our recommendations. Don't make it an issue of ego," he said to Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi. The case will next be heard on November 11.
The government and the top court have been unable to decide on a new process to select judges, with both sides accusing each other to trying to exercise unfair control over the procedure.
"You can't bring the institution to a grinding halt. We are working very patiently. We don't want to have situation where the institution is decimated and courts are locked," said Chief Justice of India TS Thakur.
"You can't sit over on our recommendations. Don't make it an issue of ego," he said to Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi. The case will next be heard on November 11.
12:23 Be serious Pakistan or India won't hesitate to take fresh surgical strike, warns Sena
Shiv sena leader Manisha Kayande on Friday warned Pakistan about not forcing India to take more stern action in the wake of the former's repeated ceasefire violations.
"Pakistan is not taking all this seriously even after the surgical strikes by India. There have been almost 30 ceasefire violations and these are happening every day. Our jawans are dying even though there is so much international pressure on Pakistan. I think India needs to take some more stern action," Kayande told ANI.
"I think we need to contemplate whether we should conduct another surgical strike. I think the terrorists and the Pakistani Army jointly conduct attacks on India," she added.
Meanwhile, heavy shelling by the Pakistani Rangers was reported in Nowshera, Sundarbani and Pallanwala sectors of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday morning.
However, no injury has been reported so far.This is the sixth ceasefire violation in the last 12 hours by the Pakistani Rangers.Ceasefire violations were reported at six places along the Line of Control and the International Border on Thursday.An injured head constable died yesterday in the Abdullian area of R.S. Pura sector.
On Friday, local reports confirmed mortar shelling by the Pakistani Rangers in Rajouri district, which has forced people to spend their nights in bunkers. Several families have been shifted as a precautionary measure. and some locals are even migrating to shelter camps.
"Pakistan is not taking all this seriously even after the surgical strikes by India. There have been almost 30 ceasefire violations and these are happening every day. Our jawans are dying even though there is so much international pressure on Pakistan. I think India needs to take some more stern action," Kayande told ANI.
"I think we need to contemplate whether we should conduct another surgical strike. I think the terrorists and the Pakistani Army jointly conduct attacks on India," she added.
Meanwhile, heavy shelling by the Pakistani Rangers was reported in Nowshera, Sundarbani and Pallanwala sectors of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday morning.
However, no injury has been reported so far.This is the sixth ceasefire violation in the last 12 hours by the Pakistani Rangers.Ceasefire violations were reported at six places along the Line of Control and the International Border on Thursday.An injured head constable died yesterday in the Abdullian area of R.S. Pura sector.
On Friday, local reports confirmed mortar shelling by the Pakistani Rangers in Rajouri district, which has forced people to spend their nights in bunkers. Several families have been shifted as a precautionary measure. and some locals are even migrating to shelter camps.
12:18 Tata Group stocks bounce back after 3 days of fall
Tata group stocks on Friday bounced back after three days of continuous decline, rising up to 5.6 per cent, on value-buying at a lower level.
Tata Motors jumped 2.89 per cent, Tata Steel rose 1.81 per cent and Tata Power gained 1.75 per cent on BSE.Besides, Tata Metaliks soared 5.57 per cent, Tata Elxsi 4.95 per cent, Tata Teleservices 4.51 per cent, Tata Communications 3.87 per cent, Tata Global Beverages 2.42 per cent, Tata Coffee 2.25 per cent, Tata Chemicals 1.78 per cent and Indian Hotels (0.86 per cent).
But TCS was still trading in the red during the early trade.
The group stocks had lost value over the last three days, taking the total market value erosion to over Rs 26,000 crore, amid concerns over sudden ouster of Cyrus Mistry as chairman of Tata Sons, the main holding firm for the group companies.
These stocks had also lost ground amid worries about purported disclosure made by ousted group chairman Mistry about huge write-down risks at some firms.
Tata Motors jumped 2.89 per cent, Tata Steel rose 1.81 per cent and Tata Power gained 1.75 per cent on BSE.Besides, Tata Metaliks soared 5.57 per cent, Tata Elxsi 4.95 per cent, Tata Teleservices 4.51 per cent, Tata Communications 3.87 per cent, Tata Global Beverages 2.42 per cent, Tata Coffee 2.25 per cent, Tata Chemicals 1.78 per cent and Indian Hotels (0.86 per cent).
But TCS was still trading in the red during the early trade.
The group stocks had lost value over the last three days, taking the total market value erosion to over Rs 26,000 crore, amid concerns over sudden ouster of Cyrus Mistry as chairman of Tata Sons, the main holding firm for the group companies.
These stocks had also lost ground amid worries about purported disclosure made by ousted group chairman Mistry about huge write-down risks at some firms.
12:01 Bail for Rocky Yadav, accused of road rage, cancelled by SC
Rocky Yadav, accused of shooting a college student in Bihar in road rage, will return to jail. The Supreme Court has cancelled the bail that was granted to him by the Patna high court last week and challenged by the state government in the top court.
Yadav, 21, has powerful parents: his father is a businessman in Gaya in Bihar, his mother is a local politician who was suspended from the ruling Janata Dal-United after a high school student, Aditya Sachdeva, was killed in May.
Sachdeva, 19, was driving home with his friends in a Maruti Swift. Yadav, who was driving a Land Rover, was enraged at being overtaken by the smaller car, witnesses have testified. He fired a warning shot in the air, forcing Mr Sachdeva and his friends to a stop.
Then, he shot again, and the bullet pierced the rear windshield and hit Sachdeva, a court has been told.
11:38 Surat diamond merchant's gift of 400 flats, 1,000 cars comes with EMIs for staff
Surat diamond magnate Savji Dholakia, known for his generous Diwali gifts, is set to shower goodies once again on his employees. Over a thousand cars and 400 apartments have been handed out, but these come with EMIs.
Dholakia, who owns the Hare Krishna Exports, has distributed the flats and cars as Diwali bonuses to his best employees. The company will contribute Rs. 5,000 to loan instalments for five years; a major part will go from the employees' salary .
"We have selected 1,716 employees as the best performers this year. We are arranging houses for those who already have cars, while those who don't have a four-wheeler will get one," Mr Dholakia told IANS. He said the 400 flats of 1,100 square feet would be allotted in the company's own housing scheme.
"The flats would come dirt cheap at Rs. 15 lakh and the monthly instalment, which the employee will start paying after five years will be Rs. 11,000," he said.
The Diwali bonus, announced at an informal meeting of employees, is an annual ritual in the company.
Last year, the company similarly gave 491 cars and 200 flats to its employees. The year before that, it spent Rs. 50 crore on performance incentives, Dholakia said.
The billionaire, who grew up in Amreli in the Saurashtra region, set up his business with a loan from his uncle.
Recently, he made headlines worldwide after sending his son to Kerala with just three sets of clothes and little else, to earn a living on odd jobs.
Dholakia, who owns the Hare Krishna Exports, has distributed the flats and cars as Diwali bonuses to his best employees. The company will contribute Rs. 5,000 to loan instalments for five years; a major part will go from the employees' salary .
"We have selected 1,716 employees as the best performers this year. We are arranging houses for those who already have cars, while those who don't have a four-wheeler will get one," Mr Dholakia told IANS. He said the 400 flats of 1,100 square feet would be allotted in the company's own housing scheme.
"The flats would come dirt cheap at Rs. 15 lakh and the monthly instalment, which the employee will start paying after five years will be Rs. 11,000," he said.
The Diwali bonus, announced at an informal meeting of employees, is an annual ritual in the company.
Last year, the company similarly gave 491 cars and 200 flats to its employees. The year before that, it spent Rs. 50 crore on performance incentives, Dholakia said.
The billionaire, who grew up in Amreli in the Saurashtra region, set up his business with a loan from his uncle.
Recently, he made headlines worldwide after sending his son to Kerala with just three sets of clothes and little else, to earn a living on odd jobs.
11:18
PM Narendra Modi to pay official visit to Japan on November 11-12, says MEA.
11:15
SC junks plea seeking action against the Defence Minister for allegedly claiming credit for PoK surgical strikes.
11:05 Ratan Tata wants buyer for Cyrus Mistry's stake in Tata Sons
Ratan Tata, who returned this week to the helm of India's largest conglomerate, is seeking a partner that could buy out the Tata Sons Ltd. stake held by the family of ousted Chairman Cyrus Mistry, people with knowledge of the matter said.
NDTV quoting a Bloomberg report says the Tata family trusts have reached out to sovereign wealth funds and other long-term investors to gauge their interest in purchasing the Mistry family's stake if it became available, according to the people.
The trusts held preliminary talks with potential buyers of the about 18 percent Tata Sons stake as they prepare for a number of possible scenarios, the people said.
Mistry's family doesn't currently plan to sell its holdings, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. The family trusts wants to ensure that if Mistry's family later decides to sell its stake in the Tata Group holding company, the new investor will be a friendly party that shares their long-term vision, according to the people.
Tata Sons owns more than $65 billion worth of listed company shares, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
NDTV quoting a Bloomberg report says the Tata family trusts have reached out to sovereign wealth funds and other long-term investors to gauge their interest in purchasing the Mistry family's stake if it became available, according to the people.
The trusts held preliminary talks with potential buyers of the about 18 percent Tata Sons stake as they prepare for a number of possible scenarios, the people said.
Mistry's family doesn't currently plan to sell its holdings, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. The family trusts wants to ensure that if Mistry's family later decides to sell its stake in the Tata Group holding company, the new investor will be a friendly party that shares their long-term vision, according to the people.
Tata Sons owns more than $65 billion worth of listed company shares, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
10:57 Sensex stumbles 106 pts even as November series takes off
The Sensex fell almost 106 points to 27,810 at the start of the last trading session of the Samvat year 2072 today, hit by muted quarterly earnings by some blue-chips amid capital outflows. The trend remained mixed in the global market. The day marked the beginning of the November series of derivatives contracts, but it appeared that investors chose to play safe. The 30-share index dropped 105.90 points, or 0.37 per cent, to 27,810, with banking, IT, technology and FMCG stocks pulling the index lower. It had gained 79 points in the previous session.
10:27 Hurriyat chairman has bandh calendar for every school except his grandchild's
Amid a shutdown spearheaded by the Hurriyat across Kashmir, following the killing of militant Burhan Wani in July, 573 students of Delhi Public School in Srinagar appeared for their internal exams this month at an indoor stadium inside a high-security zone in the city with assistance from the J&K government.
Among those who attended the exams for DPS students of classes 9 and 10 in the Civil Lines area from October 1-5 was the granddaughter of separatist leader and Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The daughter of Geelani's eldest son Dr Nayeem Zafar Geelani, she is a class 10 student in the school. Read the report here.
Among those who attended the exams for DPS students of classes 9 and 10 in the Civil Lines area from October 1-5 was the granddaughter of separatist leader and Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The daughter of Geelani's eldest son Dr Nayeem Zafar Geelani, she is a class 10 student in the school. Read the report here.
10:25 Pak spy ring: 3rd suspect arrested
A third arrest has been made in the Pakistan spy-ring case, a man named Shoaib has been held.
A Pakistan High Commission staffer was expelled yesterday by India for espionage and has been ordered to leave within 48 hours.
Mahmood Akhtar, 35, was caught by the police on Wednesday at the Delhi zoo, while he was receiving sensitive intel and documents from two men from Rajasthan.
The men were arrested but Akhtar was let off because of diplomatic immunity. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned Pakistan's High Commissioner Abdul Basit on Thursday and said Akhtar is persona non grata and he and his family must leave by Saturday.
To Pakistan's allegation that Akhtar was "detained and manhandled in violation of the Vienna convention," foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swaroop said: "Akhtar was treated with "most respect."
Image: The two Indian suspects arrested yesterday in the Pakistan spy-ring case
A Pakistan High Commission staffer was expelled yesterday by India for espionage and has been ordered to leave within 48 hours.
Mahmood Akhtar, 35, was caught by the police on Wednesday at the Delhi zoo, while he was receiving sensitive intel and documents from two men from Rajasthan.
The men were arrested but Akhtar was let off because of diplomatic immunity. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned Pakistan's High Commissioner Abdul Basit on Thursday and said Akhtar is persona non grata and he and his family must leave by Saturday.
To Pakistan's allegation that Akhtar was "detained and manhandled in violation of the Vienna convention," foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swaroop said: "Akhtar was treated with "most respect."
Image: The two Indian suspects arrested yesterday in the Pakistan spy-ring case
10:10 Son missing, a mom's piercing wail
The mother of JNU student Najeeb Ahmed, missing since October 15 after a clash with ABVP members, broke down at a news conference here today and begged for her son to be "set free".
"What have the police done; what has the university done to the boys who beat up my son? He is with them, please act against them," Fatima Nafees said between sobs.
"Every day, when I wake up, I wonder if I would see him today. Those holding him captive, please set him free." There is no proof yet that Najeeb has been kidnapped.
"What have the police done; what has the university done to the boys who beat up my son? He is with them, please act against them," Fatima Nafees said between sobs.
"Every day, when I wake up, I wonder if I would see him today. Those holding him captive, please set him free." There is no proof yet that Najeeb has been kidnapped.
10:03 Heavy shelling by Pak in Nowshera, Sundarbani, Pallanwala sectors in J-K
Heavy shelling by the Pakistani Rangers reported in Nowshera, Sundarbani and Pallanwala sectors of Jammu and Kashmir since the morning on Friday. However, no injury was reported thus far.
This is the sixth ceasefire violation in the last 12 hours by the Pakistani Rangers.Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the chief of Border Security Force on Thursday, asking them to give a "fitting response".
Ceasefire violations were reported at six places along the Line of Control and the International Border today.An injured head constable died yesterday in the Abdullian area of RS Pura sector.
Representational image
This is the sixth ceasefire violation in the last 12 hours by the Pakistani Rangers.Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the chief of Border Security Force on Thursday, asking them to give a "fitting response".
Ceasefire violations were reported at six places along the Line of Control and the International Border today.An injured head constable died yesterday in the Abdullian area of RS Pura sector.
Representational image
09:57 Jaish Chief Masood Azhar is a terrorist, says Musharraf
Former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has described Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a "terrorist", saying he has been involved in bomb blasts even in his country.
He, however, he did not give a clear reply as to why Pakistan has not been asking China to get Azhar declared as an international terrorist by the United Nations.
"Why should China be involved when it has nothing to do with him (Azhar)," Mr Musharraf told a Pakistani TV channel.A proposal is pending before the UN Security Council for declaring Azhar as an international terrorist but China has been blocking it, claiming that there is not enough evidence to prove that he is a terrorist.
He, however, he did not give a clear reply as to why Pakistan has not been asking China to get Azhar declared as an international terrorist by the United Nations.
"Why should China be involved when it has nothing to do with him (Azhar)," Mr Musharraf told a Pakistani TV channel.A proposal is pending before the UN Security Council for declaring Azhar as an international terrorist but China has been blocking it, claiming that there is not enough evidence to prove that he is a terrorist.
09:51 Clinton 'absolutely ready' to be commander-in-chief: Michelle
Hillary Clinton is "absolutely ready" to be the US' commander-in-chief on day one as the Democratic presidential nominee and former secretary of state has more experience and exposure than any candidate "in our lifetime", First Lady Michelle Obama has said.
During a rare joint appearance with Clinton at a North Carolina election rally yesterday, Michelle contrasted Clinton's vision of a "powerful, vibrant and strong" nation with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's vision of "hopelessness and despair".
"I am out here first and foremost because we have never had a more qualified and prepared candidate for president than our friend Hillary Clinton. Never before in our lifetime. I say this everywhere I go," she said. "I admire and respect Hillary. She has been a lawyer, a law professor, First Lady of Arkansas, First Lady of the US, a US Senator, secretary of state. She has more experience and exposure to the presidency than any candidate in our lifetime. Yes, more than Barack (Obama). More than Bill (Clinton). So she is absolutely ready to be commander-in-chief on day one. And yes, she happens to be a woman," Michelle said yesterday.
During a rare joint appearance with Clinton at a North Carolina election rally yesterday, Michelle contrasted Clinton's vision of a "powerful, vibrant and strong" nation with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's vision of "hopelessness and despair".
"I am out here first and foremost because we have never had a more qualified and prepared candidate for president than our friend Hillary Clinton. Never before in our lifetime. I say this everywhere I go," she said. "I admire and respect Hillary. She has been a lawyer, a law professor, First Lady of Arkansas, First Lady of the US, a US Senator, secretary of state. She has more experience and exposure to the presidency than any candidate in our lifetime. Yes, more than Barack (Obama). More than Bill (Clinton). So she is absolutely ready to be commander-in-chief on day one. And yes, she happens to be a woman," Michelle said yesterday.
09:42 US vice presidential candidate Mike Pence's plane slides off runway
Mike Pence, the Republican vice-presidential nominee, has emerged unscathed after his plane skidded off the runway while landing at LaGuardia airport in New York in heavy rain.
The plane carrying Donald Trump's running mate ended up on the grass next to the runway, witnesses said.
None of the estimated 30 people on board were injured. Pence pledged to hit the campaign trail again on Friday although he canceled his appearance at a fundraiser scheduled for Thursday night at Trump Tower in Manhattan.
"So thankful everyone on our plane is safe," the Indiana governor said on Twitter after the incident. "Grateful for our first responders & the concern & prayers of so many."
09:26 His Excellency PM McCullum: Culture minister goofs up
Doesnt the minister of culture know who the Prime Minister of New Zealand is? Especially when the Kiwi leader is on a trip to this country and was present at a meeting to talk about the tourism potential between the two countries.
Mahesh Sharma addressed John Key as His Excellency Prime Minister McCullum, betraying his inability to distinguish between him and the other guest, former New Zealand cricket skipper Brendon McCullum.
The Union minister of state for culture and tourism repeated the name at least twice during his address, attracting gasps from the audience.
New Zealands prime minister, of course, ignored the ministers gaffe saying that a direct flight between India and his country would be the next step to lift the number of tourists both ways.
09:17 Wanted to hit LeT camps in Pakistan after 26/11 strike: Ex NSA
When Mumbai was attacked on 26/11, Shivshankar Menon, the then Foreign Secretary who went on to become National Security Advisor to the UPA government, pressed for immediate military retaliation either against the LeT in Muridke, in Pakistans Punjab province, or their camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, or against the ISI, which was clearly complicit because it would have been emotionally satisfying.
At that point in 2008, Menon believed that a military retaliation would have gone a long way in erasing the shame of the incompetence that Indias police and security agencies displayed in the glare of the worlds television lights for full three days, reports The Indian Express.
On sober reflection and in hindsight the decision not to retaliate militarily and to concentrate on diplomatic, covert, and other means was the right one for that time and place, Menon writes in the chapter titled Restraint or Riposte: The Mumbai Attack and Cross-Border Terrorism from Pakistan in his book Choices: Inside the making of Indias Foreign Policy, released in the United States and United Kingdom.
The simple answer to why India did not immediately attack Pakistan is that after examining the options at the highest levels of government, the decision-makers concluded that more was to be gained from not attacking Pakistan than from attacking it, he writes.
Read the full story HERE
08:52 China becomes first country to display nuclear submarine to public
In an interesting move, China is displaying a nuclear powered attack submarine to the public to boosts the people's confidence in the country's growing naval power.
This is part of efforts by the Chinese authorities to enhance the image of president Xi Jinping ahead of the upcoming Plenum of the Communist Party, which will take crucial decisions which including giving Xi a second term as president.
No navy in the world has ever put a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine on display in a museum, he added. Government experts said that displaying advanced ships, submarines and weapons at domestic maritime exhibitions would establish a closer connection with the public.
The announcement will also add to the rising nationalism, which is an important plank in Xi's efforts to reinforce his influence over different sections of the party, the government and the military.
08:01 Heavy shelling rains on at the border: 6 violations in 12 hours
Ahead of Diwali, the Line of Control and the International Border is witnessing heavy shelling and firing as Pakistan continues to violate the ceasefire. They started unprovoked heavy firing in Kathua of Jammu which further spread to Hiranagar and Samba. The firing which began at 5.20 on Thursday evening continued till 5 am this morning.
The Border Security Force troops gave a strong & befitting reply. Some Pak posts and villages received heavy damages. Except minor injury to a girl, no injury reported to BSF person or civilian on our side.
The Pakistani Rangers also resorted to shelling in Nowshera Sector. Similarly, gun firing was also taking place in the Sunderbani Sector and Pallanwala Sector near LoC.
00:25 Apple launches lighter, faster MacBook Pro
After four long years, Apple unveiled on Thursday a new MacBook Pro.
At an event held at its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company showed off two new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro notebooks. Both include a new display called the Touch Bar at the top of the keyboard.
The display, positioned where the function keys used to exist, allows you to control Mac apps with your fingertips. It will adjust in real time based on what software you're using.
The devices are feature a trackpad double the size of its previous models. But the 13-inch MacBook Pro is 23% smaller in volume and considerably thinner than the previous version. The smaller version weighs just three pounds -- the 15-inch MacBook Pro clocks in at one pound more.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro comes with Intel core i5/i7 dual core processor. It will come with same SSD support. So gaming is 103% faster and 76% faster in tems of video editing.
Both the Macs will come with four Thunderbolt 3 ports and any of them can be plugged in as Power, Thunderbolt, USB, HDMI and much more.
Read more HERE
00:24 Twitter is shutting down Vine
Twitter has announced it is to close its video sharing service Vine about four years after it launched.
Vine lets people share six-second-long video clips that played on a loop.
Twitter did not give a reason for the closure, but earlier on Thursday it announced it was cutting 9% of its workforce following slow growth of the social network.
"In the coming months we'll be discontinuing the [Vine] mobile app," the company said in a blog post.
According to the post, nothing is changing immediately -- the website and apps will remain online for the time being, and users will be given a chance to download their Vine videos ahead of its official closure.
The announcement was devoid of any explanations about what led to the decision, only stating that Twitter would share more news on its blog and via its official Twitter account in the future regarding what comes next.
While the plan is to wind down Vine's operations, Twitter also says the website will remain online because the company thinks "it is important to still be able to watch all the incredible Vines that have been made."
However, it is unclear at this time how long the site will live on, given Twitter's plans.
00:24 Ivanka Trump faces boycott calls over dad's campaign
Ivanka Trump has long been one of her father's most poised and popular surrogates, but her support for the Republican nominee is sparking calls for a boycott of her fashion label.
A twitter campaign, dubbed Grab Your Wallet, is gaining traction with fashion giant Nordstrom among retail giants under fire for stocking her clothes, shoes and handbags.
A woman who tweets under the handle @SheWhoVotes and identifies herself as a lifelong Nordstrom customer wrote an open letter to the Seattle-based retailer calling on the company to dump Ivanka Trump's "toxic brand."
"Ms Trump is openly supporting a man accused of groping or raping at least a dozen women," said the letter, dated Tuesday, tweeted yesterday and since shared on the social media platform more than 1,400 times.
The woman accused Donald Trump's campaign of peddling unacceptable hate speech against African Americans, Latinos, Jews, Muslims, LGBT people and women.
"She is not responsible for her father's conduct, but she is responsible for her own defense of him," the letter said of the candidate's eldest daughter. "Some brands are so toxic, they will hurt your business by alienating your customers, and this is surely one of them," it added.
00:23 Suspect arrested in destruction of Trump's Hollywood star
Los Angeles police arrested a man suspected of using a sledgehammer to destroy Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, officials said.
Jamie Otis was taken into custody early today on suspicion of felony vandalism, Officer Andrew Chambers said. It wasn't immediately known if he has an attorney.
Otis told several media outlets after yesterday's pre-dawn attack that he originally intended to remove the star. He said he wanted to auction it off to raise funds for the 11 women accusing the presidential candidate of groping them. Trump has denied the groping allegations.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which bestows the stars and maintains the popular tourist attraction, said it would take several days to repair Trump's spot.
Det Meghan Aguilar said investigators were called to the scene following reports that the presidential candidate's star was struck by blows from a hammer. A sledgehammer, construction hat and vest, and a pick were recovered nearby, police said.
Trump's star was dedicated in 2007 in recognition of his work on NBC's reality TV show "The Apprentice." Trump's star is near the Dolby Theatre, where the Academy Awards are held each year.
00:22 Russia unveils 'Satan 2' missile, could wipe out France or Texas
A Russian missile design company has unveiled the first image of a new weapon in Russia's arsenal: the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, nicknamed "Satan 2."
The RS-28 Sarmat rocket "is capable of wiping out parts of the earth the size of Texas or France," Russian state news outlet Sputnik reported in May.
The image was published by the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau on its website. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borsiov said the Sarmat warhead was capable of destroying targets flying across both North and South Poles, Russian state news agency TASS reported Tuesday.
The missile will have a range exceeding 11,000 kilometers (6,835 miles), TASS said. The warhead will weigh 100 tons and is designed as a successor to the R-36M Voyevoda.
According to a statement posted on the maker's website, "the Sarmat is designed to provide strategic Russian forces with a guaranteed and effective fulfillment of nuclear deterrence tasks" and is being co-developed with the Russian military.
00:21 JeM chief Masood Azhar is a 'terrorist': Musharraf
Former Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf has described Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a "terrorist", saying he has been involved in bomb blasts even in his country.
He, however, he did not give a clear reply as to why Pakistan has not been asking China to get Azhar declared as an international terrorist by the United Nations.
"Why should China be involved when it has nothing to do with him (Azhar)," Musharraf told News Nation, according to a release issued by the TV channel.
A proposal is pending before the UN Security Council for declaring Azhar as an international terrorist but China has been blocking it, claiming that there is not enough evidence to prove that he is a terrorist.
When asked about terror camps in PoK, he feigned ignorance saying "I don't know". However, with a smile, he said, "I will let you know only once I get the count of these camps which you are talking about".
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