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Wed, 14 September 2016
German embassy, consular offices temporarily close in Turkey
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23:16 German embassy, consular offices temporarily close in Turkey
Germany has temporarily closed its embassy, all other consular offices and a school in Turkey, reportedly due to fears of a possible attack.
Germany's Bild newspaper reported today that the move was taken as a precaution after the Foreign Ministry learned of rumored attacks on consular facilities in Turkey during the Eid al-Adha holiday week.
The foreign ministry declined to comment on the Bild report, but confirmed that its embassy in Ankara and other consular offices were closed to the public during the holiday week of September 12-16.
22:50 Russia calls for 48-hour extension of Syria truce
Russia today called for a 48-hour extension of the Syria truce it brokered with the United States last week.
Moscow "calls for the extension of the cessation of hostilities on all Syrian territory for 48 hours," senior Russian military officer Viktor Poznikhir said in a briefing broadcast on state television.
He added that rebels had violated the ceasefire 60 times since it came into force on Monday.
"We also note that some groups controlled by the United States, such as Ahrar al-Sham, have openly stated their unwillingness to cease fire," Poznikhir said.
"The greatest number of violations is associated with these groups."
In a phone call with US Secretary of State John Kerry today, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Washington to ensure it separates moderate rebels from jihadist groups.
22:40 Snowden: Long prison term for me would erode democracy in US
National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden says it would "chill speech" and "erode the quality of our democracy" if he serves a long prison term in the US
Snowden spoke by video at a New York news conference today.
Advocates, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, are launching a public campaign to persuade President Barack Obama to pardon him.
Speaking from Moscow, where he is in exile, Snowden said he performed a public service by giving thousands of classified documents to journalists in 2013.
He says whistleblowers are "democracy's safeguard of last resort."
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Monday that the president believes Snowden should return to the US to face charges.
He said Obama's position is that Snowden's leaks national security and put Americans at risk.
22:27 US lifting sanctions on Myanmar as Aung San Suu Kyi visits
The White House is lifting economic sanctions and restoring trade benefits to former pariah state Myanmar, officials said Wednesday, as Aung San Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner and now the nations de facto leader, met with President Barack Obama.
Suu Kyis party swept historic elections last November, and the visit by the 71-year-old Nobel peace laureate, deeply respected in Washington, is a crowning occasion in the Obama administrations support for Myanmars shift to democracy, which the administration views as a major foreign policy achievement.
The US has eased broad economic sanctions since political reforms began five years ago but has retained more targeted restrictions on military-owned companies and dozens of officials and associates of the former ruling junta. US companies and banks have remained leery of involvement in one of Asias last untapped markets.
21:53 Akhilesh is like my son, he didn't name me as outsider: Amar Singh
Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh on Wednesday downplayed Akhilesh Yadav's remark about some outsiders meddling in party affairs and said the assertion of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, who is like his son, was not aimed at him.
"Akhilesh Yadav is like a son to me and he did not call me an outsider," said Singh.
"How much ever you provoke me I won't answer this question, as I will not believe that Akhilesh made such statement. As till date he has never spoken bad about me," he added.
Singh, who recently made a comeback in the party fold, said that he shared brotherly relations with Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.
"If Mulayam Singhji says I'm the culprit, I'll accept it," he said.
Akhilesh, after being removed from the post of party state unit chief by his uncle and bete noire Shivpal Yadav, said it is worrisome that outsiders were meddling in party affairs.
21:46 Pak blocks India Today site for insulting army chief?
Pakistan has blocked India Today's websites in the country for publishing a 'humiliating' picture of its Army chief General Raheel Sharif.
"The site you are trying to access contains content that is prohibited for viewership from within Pakistan. This website cannot be reached," reads the page of India Today websites.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, which is authorised to block 'offensive material' on the internet, could not be reached for confirmation on account of Eid holidays.
But it appears that PTA has been directed by the concerned authorities to block the India Today websites in Pakistan after the Lahore high court directed a petitioner to take up this matter with the federal government.
Earlier this month, the court had disposed of the petition seeking an order for the federal government to put a ban on India Today websites for publishing a humiliating picture of General Raheel Sharif.
LHC Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah said: "Decision to block any website is the job of parliament. The citizens should approach the elected government on such matters."
A citizen, Abdul Hameed, had filed the petition contending that Indian journal "India Today" had been publishing anti-Pakistan material and it recently published an insulting picture of the Pakistan army chief on its cover page.
21:28 Official: US goal to take in 110,000 refugees in coming year
The United States will strive to take in 110,000 refugees from around the world in the coming year, a senior Obama administration official said, in what would be a nearly 30 percent increase from the 85,000 allowed in over the previous year.
The increase reflects continuing concern about the refugee crisis stemming from Syria's civil war and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Yet it's still far short of what advocacy groups say is needed to address an unprecedented crisis that saw some 1 million people pour into Europe alone last year.
The official wasn't authorized to discuss the numbers before an official announcement and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Secretary of State John Kerry had previously suggested that the US target would climb to 100,000 in the coming year, but that the figure was a floor, not a ceiling.
21:26 Mecca chief in Iran swipe over Islam divide
The governor of Saudi Arabia's Mecca region on Wednesday urged Muslim religious leaders to fight sectarianism, an indirect criticism of Shiite Iran.
Prince Khaled al-Faisal was speaking at a news conference to discuss the annual hajj pilgrimage, which ends on Thursday and has added to tensions between Riyadh and Tehran.
"I call on Muslim leaders, whether they are political leaders, ulemas (scholars), or intellectuals, to combat sectarianism," Faisal said.
For the first time in nearly three decades, Iran's 64,000 pilgrims are not attending the hajj in Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia after the two regional rivals failed to agree on security and logistics.
"Combat this sectarian divide between Muslims. Islam is one and only one religion," Faisal said in Mina, a pilgrimage site on the edge of Mecca.
Saudi Arabia is home to Islam's holiest sites, which pilgrims visit during the hajj, and is the seat of Sunni Islam which predominates in the Muslim world.
The kingdom is founded on the teachings of 18th century Sunni preacher Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Wahhab, whose ideas have themselves been decried by critics as a driving force behind sectarianism and an inspiration to violent jihadists.
20:52 Dissatisfied with Delhi University poll panel, NSUI to approach court
Dissatisfied with proceedings of Delhi University's poll panel, the Congress student wing, National Students Union of India has decided to approach court over its complaints of rigging in the recently concluded student union polls.
The Delhi University Student Union polls were held on last Friday and the results declared on Saturday.
The NSUI has alleged that the election result was rigged. The outfit had also alleged that during voting in some colleges there was problem with the electronic voting machines.
After the outfit members went on hunger strike, the election commission's grievance committee had agreed to show recordings of the counting process with NSUI and also provide machine wise votes secured by each candidate.
"We were shown the video recording today but the camera was focused only on just 2 machines and didn't show all the 12 tables wherein 140 machines were being counted. We are dissatisfied with the video recording as no transparency could be established by looking at just 2 cameras," an NSUI statement said.
"There were also discrepancies found in the machine wise data provided to us as some papers showed the date of counting as September 9 instead of 10 which was the actual day of counting, the date was missing from some papers, and some papers were signed by just one official instead of the requisite number of two officials," it added.
20:05 India raises human rights violation issue in PoK at UN
India on Wednesday raised the issue of human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir during the 33rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
"I made it very clear that entire Jammu and Kashmir is integral part of India. What remains is vacation of illegal territory occupied by Pakistan," said Ajit Kumar, Ambassador and Permanent representative of India to UN.
Kumar said that the use of phrase 'Indian administered Kashmir' is an artificial one used by Pakistan.
This comes a day after the ministry of external affairs rejected the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights plea to allow a team of UN officials to visit Kashmir and take stock of the ground situation.
The high commissioner also requested Pakistan to grant access to PoK. Pakistan eventually agreed to the commissioners request on the condition that India does the same.
19:44 Assange to be questioned over rape case next month
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, holed up in the Ecuadorean embassy in London, will be interrogated at the mission on October 17 by an Ecuadorean official on behalf of Swedish prosecutors over rape allegations against
him.
Assange will be questioned by an Ecuadorean prosecutor and Sweden's chief prosecutor and a police investigator will be allowed to pose their questions through him, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
"After the report, the Swedish prosecutor will take a view on the continuing of the investigation," Swedish prosecutors said in a statement.
Ecuadorean prosecutor Wilson Toainga will take the statement and would also be responsible for "the possible taking of samples of body fluids" from Assange in an attempt to end a four-year impasse since the Wikileaks founder sought refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden on rape and sexual assault charges.
The 45-year-old is wanted in Sweden in relation to a 2010 rape claim, which the Australian national denies.
He has fought against being extradited to Sweden, saying he fears he would then be transferred to the US to face charges on Wikileaks' activities.
19:18 Reliance Communications, Aircel to combine mobile business
In the biggest consolidation deal in India's telecom sector, Reliance Communications and Aircel on Wednesday announced the merger of their wireless operations to create a combined entity with assets worth Rs 65,000 crore.
RCom and Maxis Communications Berhad hold 50 per cent each in the merged entity with equal representation on the board and committees.
The transaction will reduce RCom's debt by Rs 20,000 crore, while Aircel's debt would go down by Rs 4,000 crore on closing in 2017, the two companies said.
The merger will create India's fourth largest telecom operator by customer base and revenues. The merged entity will have the second-largest spectrum holding among all operators, aggregating 448 MHz across 850, 900, 1800 and 2100 MHz bands.
19:08 Rahul taunts SP over feud, says 'cycle' should have been repaired earlier
Opposition parties today poked fun at the ruling Samajwadi Party in view of the fued in Mulayam Singh Yadav family, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav should have repaired the "cycle" (SP's election symbol) four-and-a-half years back as his actions now mean nothing.
Rahul, in the course of his 'kisan yatra', said, "Akhilesh should have removed the defects from the cycle four-and-a-half years back. Now with elections hardly six
months away, what does all this mean?"
He was apparently referring to Akhilesh's action of sacking two ministers on graft charges and shunting out the chief secretary, known for his closeness to senior cabinet minister and uncle Shivpal Yadav.
18:49 'Burnt' debris can suggest MH370 plane suffered fire damage
Newly found debris, suspected to be that of Malaysian Airlines MH370 has burn marks, suggesting that a fire broke out on the plane before it vanished mysteriously over the Indian Ocean in 2014, according to media reports.
The five peices of the debris discovered by American independent investigator Blaine Gibson were handed over to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau in Canberra on Monday, over two-and-a-half years after the plane carrying 239 people, including five Indians, disappeared.
The ATSB has previously analysed several pieces of debris and concluded that four of them were "almost certainly" from the missing plane.
Gibson, has previously found other pieces of the debris of the Boeing 777 that were confirmed to be from MH370, the Guardian reported.
"If they are confirmed as MH370 and if the fire was before the crash, this is significant evidence of what caused the plane's demise," Gibson said.
18:44
JUST IN: Reliance Communications, Aircel announce merger in largest-ever consolidation deal in Indian telecom sector.
18:38 AirAsia offers free flights for India medallists at Rio Olympics, Paralympics
Low-cost carrier AirAsia on Wednesday announced free flights for all Indian sport spersons who won medals at the Rio Olympics and Paralympics.
The gold medallists have been offered free flights for life while the silver and bronze medallists at the two sports events will be eligible for five and three years of free flights, respectively.
18:07 CBI to take over journalist Rajdeo's murder probe
The Central Bureau of Investigation will take over the probe in the murder of journalist Rajdev Ranjan in Siwan.
Rajdeo Ranjan, 42, was shot dead by criminals near a fruit market in Siwan on May 13. Two bullets were fired at the Siwan bureau chief of a Hindi daily that hit on his head and neck. He was rushed to a hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead.
18:01
JUST IN: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal successfully undergoes a throat surgery in Bengaluru.
17:53 The case for revising India's counter-insurgency strategy in Kashmir
The Kashmir Valley has been the scene of a Pakistan-backed insurgency since the 1990s. The Indian Army and its associated security forces have been engaged in fighting this insurgency and assisting the civil administration in maintaining law and order.
On July 8, the Pakistani terrorist group Hizb-ul-Mujahideens commander in Kashmir, Burhan Wani, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kashmirs Anantnag district. Wanis death plunged the state into deep turmoil, pitting Indian security forces against a large number of disenfranchised Kashmiri youth sympathetic to Wanis anti-India resistance movement and calls for jihad.
Read full HERE
17:21 US Marine drill instructor orders Muslim recruit in clothes dryer
A Muslim Marine said he was called a terrorist and ordered into an industrial clothes dryer multiple times by a drill instructor who then turned it on, burning him, according to investigative documents that provide new details about the alleged abuse of recruits at the services training center at Parris Island.
Youre going to kill us all the first chance you get arent you, terrorist? the drill instructor thundered at the recruit, the new Marine later alleged, according to the documents that have not been released publicly but were reviewed by The Washington Post. What are your plans? Arent you a terrorist?
The issue of hazing and abuse at Parris Island surfaced March 18, when a 20-year-old recruit with Pakistani roots --Raheel Siddiqui of Taylor, Michigan. -- died after leaping from a stairwell landing that was nearly 40 feet high while running away from the same drill instructor who used the dryer. The instructor had just slapped Siddiqui before he jumped. Siddiquis death drew public scrutiny to a culture of harsh punishments at Parris Island -- one that Marine officials were already examining, the documents show.
Read full story HERE
16:58 When rivers of blood ran through Dhaka
Pouring rain coupled with animal sacrifices all over Dhaka created a strange and disturbing scene.
As forecast by the meteorological office, Eid morning on Tuesday began with shower that continued intermittently into the evening. Despite the pouring, Dhaka's citizens went to say their Eid prayers in the morning and sacrificed their animals.
As rainwater built up on the roads of Dhaka and flooded many areas of the capital it got mixed with the blood to create an unusual and gory scene; it appeared as though there were red rivers running across the city.
Read more HERE
16:40 Air Chief meets defence minister, armed forces to accept 7th Pay Commission salaries
Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar following Parrikar asking the defence service chiefs to implement the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations despite their genuine objections.
Armed forces have agreed to accept the Seventh Pay Commission salaries while the government will still be working towards addressing anomalies.
In a statement, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha Chairman said, "The 7th Pay Commission anomalies in respect of the Armed Forces were discussed with the Honble Raksha Mantri in detail by the service chiefs and the members of the Armed Forces Pay Commission Cell. The Honble Raksha Mantri is seized of all the issues and has assured to resolve them at the earliest. The Services are satisfied with the response."
16:33 Centre submits report on status of judges' appointment
Centre has submitted its report on status of judges appointment in the Supreme Court, with the Attorney General saying 'there is no logjam'.
"We have been working on judges appointments. There is no blame game, no logjam in the system of appointing judges for higher judiciary. Progress has been made," Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told SC.
"Vacancies pending in the high courts since 2007; it is alarming in the oldest HC in Allahabad," the AG told the apex court, giving two sets of sealed envelopes with facts on judges' appointment.
He said it's a race, if you start in time you reach in time.
"We have been working on judges appointments. There is no blame game, no logjam in the system of appointing judges for higher judiciary. Progress has been made," Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told SC.
"Vacancies pending in the high courts since 2007; it is alarming in the oldest HC in Allahabad," the AG told the apex court, giving two sets of sealed envelopes with facts on judges' appointment.
He said it's a race, if you start in time you reach in time.
16:21 Bihar government to approach SC for cancellation of Shahabuddin's bail
Facing flak over controversial Rashtirya Janata Dal strongman Mohammad Shahabuddins release from jail, the Bihar government is preparing to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the bail granted to him by the Patna high court.
"This has been an established process followed by Nitish Kumar government in the past 11 years that if the state is not satisfied with the bail of somebody, it goes in appeal in higher court," Janata Dal-United spokesperson Ajay Alok said.
"It has been done in the past and would be followed in the present case of Shahabuddin too," he said.
In such cases the concerned district administration makes a proposal if any condition of the bail has been violated and an appeal is moved for cancellation of bail, the spokesperson said.
With the Bharatiya Janata Party questioning the delay in appeal for cancellation of bail of the former RJD MP, the JD-U spokesperson said courts were closed on account of festival.
Meanwhile, Siwan Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Sah said the district police was scrutinising if any condition of the bail has been violated in the case of Shahabuddin.
"This has been an established process followed by Nitish Kumar government in the past 11 years that if the state is not satisfied with the bail of somebody, it goes in appeal in higher court," Janata Dal-United spokesperson Ajay Alok said.
"It has been done in the past and would be followed in the present case of Shahabuddin too," he said.
In such cases the concerned district administration makes a proposal if any condition of the bail has been violated and an appeal is moved for cancellation of bail, the spokesperson said.
With the Bharatiya Janata Party questioning the delay in appeal for cancellation of bail of the former RJD MP, the JD-U spokesperson said courts were closed on account of festival.
Meanwhile, Siwan Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Sah said the district police was scrutinising if any condition of the bail has been violated in the case of Shahabuddin.
16:16
Sitaram Yechury tweets, 'Wholesale inflation for August up 3.74%. Food dearer by 8.23%, pulses: 34.55%, potato:66.72%, sugar:35.36%. #AchheDin.'
16:03
JUST IN: Sensex gains 18.69 points to end at 28,372.23; Nifty up 11 points at 8,726.60.
16:00 Scribe 'gets threatening calls' after AAP minister Kapil Mishra tweets number
Police has registered a case in connection with alleged threatening calls received by mediaperson Dipak Chaurasia after his phone number was tweeted by Aam Aadmi Party minister Kapil Mishra.
'A criminal case under Sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 507 (criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 354D (stalking), 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at Safdarjung Enclave on the complaint of Anusuiya Roy, wife of Deepak Chaurasia Editor in Chief, India News,' said a senior police officer.
Roy alleged that on the intervening night of September 13-14 between 11 pm and 4 am, Chaurasia received threatening calls and messages from unknown numbers.
The complaint also mentioned that the calls and messages started after Mishra tweeted Chaurasia's phone number.
The incident happened after the numbers of the chief minister and Delhi government ministers were flashed in a programme on Chikungunya hosted by Chaurasia on his channel.
Afterwards, Kapil Mishra retaliated by tweeting Chaurasia's number on his own twitter handle.
'Dear Dipak Chaurasia you just showed my personal number on your channel. I think this should not be one sided affair so I will share both your numbers. Enjoy,' Mishra tweeted before giving the number on his handle asking followers to re-tweet the numbers.
Later, however, he deleted his tweet containing Chaurasia's numbers.
'A criminal case under Sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 507 (criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 354D (stalking), 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at Safdarjung Enclave on the complaint of Anusuiya Roy, wife of Deepak Chaurasia Editor in Chief, India News,' said a senior police officer.
Roy alleged that on the intervening night of September 13-14 between 11 pm and 4 am, Chaurasia received threatening calls and messages from unknown numbers.
The complaint also mentioned that the calls and messages started after Mishra tweeted Chaurasia's phone number.
The incident happened after the numbers of the chief minister and Delhi government ministers were flashed in a programme on Chikungunya hosted by Chaurasia on his channel.
Afterwards, Kapil Mishra retaliated by tweeting Chaurasia's number on his own twitter handle.
'Dear Dipak Chaurasia you just showed my personal number on your channel. I think this should not be one sided affair so I will share both your numbers. Enjoy,' Mishra tweeted before giving the number on his handle asking followers to re-tweet the numbers.
Later, however, he deleted his tweet containing Chaurasia's numbers.
15:24 AIADMK likely to stake claim for Vice President's post
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is likely to push the National Democratic Alliance government to make party leader M Thambidurai, who is currently deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Vice President of India.
Senior party leaders have written to AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa with the suggestion to nominate Thambidurai for the post.
Thambidurai is a fifth-time Lok Sabha MP and has been deputy speaker of the House twice. He is, therefore, sound in conducting the proceedings of the House.
The AIADMK has 37 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 11 in the Rajya Sabha. This is another reason why Jayalalithaa may also be keen to stake a claim.
Vice President Hamid Ansari is retiring in August 2017.
Though almost a year is left for his retirement, the AIADMK has started lobbying for the post in New Delhi.
The issue might come up for a discussion in the next meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jayalaltiha.
Senior party leaders have written to AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa with the suggestion to nominate Thambidurai for the post.
Thambidurai is a fifth-time Lok Sabha MP and has been deputy speaker of the House twice. He is, therefore, sound in conducting the proceedings of the House.
The AIADMK has 37 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 11 in the Rajya Sabha. This is another reason why Jayalalithaa may also be keen to stake a claim.
Vice President Hamid Ansari is retiring in August 2017.
Though almost a year is left for his retirement, the AIADMK has started lobbying for the post in New Delhi.
The issue might come up for a discussion in the next meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jayalaltiha.
15:00 Billy Joel reschedules gig to undergo sinus surgery
Noted pianist Billy Joel is rescheduling an upcoming New York City gig to undergo sinus surgery.
The 67-year-old star has cancelled a performance at Madison Square Garden on September 30 to fix a nagging health issue, reported New York Daily News.
'Due to endoscopic sinus surgery, Billy Joel will reschedule his upcoming September 30th concert at Madison Square Garden to November 21, 2016,' a statement from a representative read. 'The procedure will require him to rest his voice and avoid any strenuous activity. With several weeks of rest, Billy is expected to make a full recovery.'
Joel will return to the stage on October 28.
14:35 Chikungunya toll rises to six in Delhi
An 80-year-old man from Ghaziabad has died of chikungunya complications at a private hospital in Delhi, as the toll from the vector-borne disease mounted to six in the national capital.
Mahendra Singh, the second person from Ghaziabad to have succumbed to chikungunya complications, died at Apollo Hospital in south Delhi.
"He was diagnosed positive for chikungunya through RT-PCR test. He died of multi-organ failure triggered by complications from the disease," hospital authorities said.
Chikungunya is taking its toll in the national capital where the number of cases have climbed to over 1,000 this season.
Meanwhile, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Wednesday appealed people not to panic and said the government will probe as to why in one hospital there have been so many deaths due to chikungunya.
"There is no death regarding chikungunya, if there is a person suffering from chikungunya he will show positive for about 6 months. How come in Delhi so many people died out of chikungunya it is a matter of concern. We will probe as to why in one hospital there have been chikungunya deaths," he said.
Asking people not to panic, Jain said arrangements in all Delhi Government hospitals are good and sufficient beds available till today.
"I again appeal to people to not panic, they must get admitted in hospitals only when doctors ask them to, not on their own," he added.
Also read
Mahendra Singh, the second person from Ghaziabad to have succumbed to chikungunya complications, died at Apollo Hospital in south Delhi.
"He was diagnosed positive for chikungunya through RT-PCR test. He died of multi-organ failure triggered by complications from the disease," hospital authorities said.
Chikungunya is taking its toll in the national capital where the number of cases have climbed to over 1,000 this season.
Meanwhile, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Wednesday appealed people not to panic and said the government will probe as to why in one hospital there have been so many deaths due to chikungunya.
"There is no death regarding chikungunya, if there is a person suffering from chikungunya he will show positive for about 6 months. How come in Delhi so many people died out of chikungunya it is a matter of concern. We will probe as to why in one hospital there have been chikungunya deaths," he said.
Asking people not to panic, Jain said arrangements in all Delhi Government hospitals are good and sufficient beds available till today.
"I again appeal to people to not panic, they must get admitted in hospitals only when doctors ask them to, not on their own," he added.
Also read
13:59 Despite request, villagers take away 'promised' cots from Rahul's rally
And, once again! Locals took away cots after Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's 'khaat Sabha' ended in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh today.
They were unfazed by the announcement which said 'khaat chodke chale jao (leave cots and go)'.
This has happened the third time since the Congress vice president started 'khaat sabhas' in UP on Spetember 6.
Looks like people come to Rahuls rally for cots, as an elderly attendee of the rally in Mirzapur today expressed 'disappointment for not getting a khaat to take home after Rahul's rally'. He said some local party 'adhyaksh' has told them that whoever attends Rahul's rally will get a cot and a shirt.
'But I got neither,' he said in dismay.
They were unfazed by the announcement which said 'khaat chodke chale jao (leave cots and go)'.
This has happened the third time since the Congress vice president started 'khaat sabhas' in UP on Spetember 6.
Looks like people come to Rahuls rally for cots, as an elderly attendee of the rally in Mirzapur today expressed 'disappointment for not getting a khaat to take home after Rahul's rally'. He said some local party 'adhyaksh' has told them that whoever attends Rahul's rally will get a cot and a shirt.
'But I got neither,' he said in dismay.
13:42 SC rejects petition against state funding to separatists
The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition against the alleged Central government funding to Kashmiri separatists, saying the judiciary have to protect constitutionally permissible values only.
"In such type of a matters, it's the exclusive domain of the government and the court must refrain to interfere in it," the court said, rejecting the petition.
Advocate M L Sharma had filed the plea which sought to stop state funding to separatists for foreign travel and other expenses, saying the government spends more than 100 crore on them.
Also read
"In such type of a matters, it's the exclusive domain of the government and the court must refrain to interfere in it," the court said, rejecting the petition.
Advocate M L Sharma had filed the plea which sought to stop state funding to separatists for foreign travel and other expenses, saying the government spends more than 100 crore on them.
Also read
13:03
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Afghan President Ashraf Ghani who is on a tow-day visit to India. Photograph: @MEAIndia/twitter
12:59 It's a fight in government, not rift in family: Akhilesh
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday denied that there's a personal rift between him and his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav, saying 'this is fight in the government'.
"Where have you found a family fight? This is a fight in government, not a family fight," Akhilesh said.
Hinting that the decision to remove Shivpal from key ministries were taken by him on his own, he said, "Some decisions were taken with consultation with netaji (party chief Mulayam Singh) and some I took on my own."
He also said that everyone in the family abides to what Mulayam says.
Earlier, he cancelled all meetings scheduled for Wednesday and reached his Kalidas Marg residence in Lucknow.
Shivpal, meanwhile, have flown to Delhi to meet Mulayam Singh.
"Where have you found a family fight? This is a fight in government, not a family fight," Akhilesh said.
Hinting that the decision to remove Shivpal from key ministries were taken by him on his own, he said, "Some decisions were taken with consultation with netaji (party chief Mulayam Singh) and some I took on my own."
He also said that everyone in the family abides to what Mulayam says.
Earlier, he cancelled all meetings scheduled for Wednesday and reached his Kalidas Marg residence in Lucknow.
Shivpal, meanwhile, have flown to Delhi to meet Mulayam Singh.
12:38 Aadhaar fallout: Leprosy patients denied monthly ration in Ranchi
The Aadhaar-enabled public distribution system launched in Ranchi on pilot basis threw up a tragic loophole on Tuesday when around 50 leprosy patients turned up at their ward councillor's office, saying they had not received ration for the past three months as they lacked thumbs and fingers to verify their biometric identity, the Telegraph reported.
The 50-odd leprosy patients, including women, told ward 43 councillor Chanda Devi their very survival was at stake. Every month, a ration-cum-Aadhaar cardholder is supposed to get 1kg salt, 2 litres of kerosene, 2kg of sugar, 3kg of rice and 2kg of wheat, all at heavily subsidised rates.
Among the 450-odd leprosy patients who live in Indiranagar, many have fingers and thumbs. But, those who lost them due to the debilitating disease are now blocked from getting PDS items despite having all valid documents.
Read more
The 50-odd leprosy patients, including women, told ward 43 councillor Chanda Devi their very survival was at stake. Every month, a ration-cum-Aadhaar cardholder is supposed to get 1kg salt, 2 litres of kerosene, 2kg of sugar, 3kg of rice and 2kg of wheat, all at heavily subsidised rates.
Among the 450-odd leprosy patients who live in Indiranagar, many have fingers and thumbs. But, those who lost them due to the debilitating disease are now blocked from getting PDS items despite having all valid documents.
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12:31 Sidhu, wife resign from BJP membership
Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu have formally resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party membership.
Former BJP MP Sidhu has already floated a new non-political front Awaaz-E-Punjab.
His wife Navjot Kaur, a BJP MLA and former minister in the Punjab government also quit her membership saying she was not allowed to work in her constituency.
"I am an individual; I have only picked up issues of my zone which I was not being allowed to do. This isn't democracy, this is dictatorship. If I raise social issues, how is it anti-party activity?" Navjot Kaur Sidhu said after quitting the party.
Former BJP MP Sidhu has already floated a new non-political front Awaaz-E-Punjab.
His wife Navjot Kaur, a BJP MLA and former minister in the Punjab government also quit her membership saying she was not allowed to work in her constituency.
"I am an individual; I have only picked up issues of my zone which I was not being allowed to do. This isn't democracy, this is dictatorship. If I raise social issues, how is it anti-party activity?" Navjot Kaur Sidhu said after quitting the party.
12:23 Cauvery row: Curfew lifted in all parts of Bengaluru
Curfew lifted in all 16 police station limits of Bengaluru City from 9am on Tuesday.
Protests, however, were held in other parts of the state, including Channapatna where protestors blocked the Bangalore-Mysore highway.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a plea seeking direction to the Centre, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to maintain law and order in these two states witnessing violent protests in the wake of a row over distribution of Cauvery water.
The SC will hear the plea on Thursday.
Senior advocate Adish Aggarwala, appearing for P Shivakumar, sought urgent hearing of the PIL saying that on Thursday there is a state-wide bandh in Karnataka and, a day after, Tamil Nadu will have same kind of protest across that state.
He said the states be directed to take prompt action against the protesters to maintain law and order and provide security to private and public properties and the citizens of both the states.
Shivakumar, who claims to be a social activist, has also sought a direction that the leaders of the protest be held accountable for the damage caused to the properties and be asked to pay up for them.
Protests, however, were held in other parts of the state, including Channapatna where protestors blocked the Bangalore-Mysore highway.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a plea seeking direction to the Centre, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to maintain law and order in these two states witnessing violent protests in the wake of a row over distribution of Cauvery water.
The SC will hear the plea on Thursday.
Senior advocate Adish Aggarwala, appearing for P Shivakumar, sought urgent hearing of the PIL saying that on Thursday there is a state-wide bandh in Karnataka and, a day after, Tamil Nadu will have same kind of protest across that state.
He said the states be directed to take prompt action against the protesters to maintain law and order and provide security to private and public properties and the citizens of both the states.
Shivakumar, who claims to be a social activist, has also sought a direction that the leaders of the protest be held accountable for the damage caused to the properties and be asked to pay up for them.
12:15 Congress MLA hurls shoe at Punjab minister Majithia in assembly
Congress MLA Tarlochan Sund hurled shoe at Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia during assembly session on Wednesday.
Sund, along with other Congress members, assembled around the Speaker's chair, demanding a debate on their no-confidence motion against the state government.
They shouted slogans against the government and tried to disrupt the day's business.
In the commotion, Sund took off his shoe and flung it at Majithia, the revenue minister.
Sund, along with other Congress members, assembled around the Speaker's chair, demanding a debate on their no-confidence motion against the state government.
They shouted slogans against the government and tried to disrupt the day's business.
In the commotion, Sund took off his shoe and flung it at Majithia, the revenue minister.
11:29
JUST IN: Navjot Singh Sidhu resigns from Bharatiya Janata Party membership.
11:26
From Sakaal Times.
11:24 Afghan Prez Ashraf Ghani arrives in New Delhi on a two-day visit
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has arrived in New Delhi on a two-day visit to hold 'close consultations' on key issues with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which India is likely to accede to Kabul's demand for increased military assistance.
The External Affairs Ministry said the discussions between Ghani and Modi will cover a wide range of matters of mutual interest.
'The visit will provide an opportunity to continue the close and frequent consultations between the two friendly neighbours, including at the highest level.
'Such interaction is the hallmark of their strategic partnership and has guided the strengthening of all-round cooperation between the two countries,' the ministry said in a statement.
Afghanistan has been demanding increased defence supplies, including lethal weapons from India, which for the first time gave four Mi-25 attack helicopters to the war-torn country last year. According to sources, India may accede to demand and announce such assistance.
Apart from holding discussions with Modi, who will also host a lunch in his honour, Ghani during his working visit will also interact with business community and deliver an address at a prominent think tank in New Delhi.
The External Affairs Ministry said the discussions between Ghani and Modi will cover a wide range of matters of mutual interest.
'The visit will provide an opportunity to continue the close and frequent consultations between the two friendly neighbours, including at the highest level.
'Such interaction is the hallmark of their strategic partnership and has guided the strengthening of all-round cooperation between the two countries,' the ministry said in a statement.
Afghanistan has been demanding increased defence supplies, including lethal weapons from India, which for the first time gave four Mi-25 attack helicopters to the war-torn country last year. According to sources, India may accede to demand and announce such assistance.
Apart from holding discussions with Modi, who will also host a lunch in his honour, Ghani during his working visit will also interact with business community and deliver an address at a prominent think tank in New Delhi.
11:08 Defence ministry asks CBI to probe 'graft' in Embraer Deal
The Defence Ministry has written to the Central Bureau of Investigation, seeking a probe into the allegations of kickbacks in the 2008 Embraer aircraft deal.
The deal was signed between Embraer and the Defence Research and Development Organisation for three aircraft equipped with indigenous radars for airborne early warning and control systems.
The $208-million (Rs 1,390 crore) jet deal with the Brazilian aircraft maker during the United Progressive Alliance regime kicked up dust with United States authorities going into alleged payment of kickbacks.
The DRDO recently wrote to Embraer, seeking information from the company within 15 days.
The deal was signed between Embraer and the Defence Research and Development Organisation for three aircraft equipped with indigenous radars for airborne early warning and control systems.
The $208-million (Rs 1,390 crore) jet deal with the Brazilian aircraft maker during the United Progressive Alliance regime kicked up dust with United States authorities going into alleged payment of kickbacks.
The DRDO recently wrote to Embraer, seeking information from the company within 15 days.
10:20 Cauvery row: Bengaluru limps back to normalcy
After violent protests against release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, Bengaluru is limping back to normalcy.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a meeting on law and order situation on Wednesday.
The government has decided to deploy additional central forces in the city and continue prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure till further orders.
Siddaramaiah has sought appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek his intervention to bail out the state from the present crisis as the storage position in reservoirs is poor.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Road Transport buses have started operating to all places except Tamil Nadu.
Metro rail has also resumed its service in the city since Tuesday night.
IMAGE: A police man charges a miscreant riding motorcycle during prohibitory order at Sunkadakatte in Bengaluru. Photograph: PTI Photo
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a meeting on law and order situation on Wednesday.
The government has decided to deploy additional central forces in the city and continue prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure till further orders.
Siddaramaiah has sought appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek his intervention to bail out the state from the present crisis as the storage position in reservoirs is poor.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Road Transport buses have started operating to all places except Tamil Nadu.
Metro rail has also resumed its service in the city since Tuesday night.
IMAGE: A police man charges a miscreant riding motorcycle during prohibitory order at Sunkadakatte in Bengaluru. Photograph: PTI Photo
10:00 US bombs IS chemical weapons plant in Iraq
A top United States Air Force commander said that they have bombarded an Islamic State chemical weapons plant that was housed in a converted Iraqi pharmaceutical factory.
Air Force Lt Gen Jeffrey Harrigian said that 12 aircraft in all were used to hit the facility, which also served as IS headquarters, at 50 different points, reports the CNN.
He said, 'We don't know for sure at this point, what chemicals were involved' adding that the attack on the IS chemical facility took place on Monday in the vicinity of Mosul and the aircraft involved included F-15s, A-10s, F-18s, F-16s and a B-52.
The strike follows a United Nations-backed report issued last month that found that both the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the IS have used chemical weapons in the five-year-long war.
At the time, National Security Council spokesman Ned Price had said the US-led anti-IS coalition had placed 'a high priority on targeting IS chemical weapons capabilities'.
Air Force Lt Gen Jeffrey Harrigian said that 12 aircraft in all were used to hit the facility, which also served as IS headquarters, at 50 different points, reports the CNN.
He said, 'We don't know for sure at this point, what chemicals were involved' adding that the attack on the IS chemical facility took place on Monday in the vicinity of Mosul and the aircraft involved included F-15s, A-10s, F-18s, F-16s and a B-52.
The strike follows a United Nations-backed report issued last month that found that both the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the IS have used chemical weapons in the five-year-long war.
At the time, National Security Council spokesman Ned Price had said the US-led anti-IS coalition had placed 'a high priority on targeting IS chemical weapons capabilities'.
09:35 Will decide on quitting only after talking to Mulayam, says Shivpal
Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav, who was stripped of key ministerial portfolios by his nephew and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav yesterday, has put the ball in party chief and his brother Mulayam Singh Yadav's court over decision on his role in the party.
"I will abide by any decision taken by netaji (Mulayam). The people of UP are with Samajwadi Party and netaji and I will take a call only after talking to him," Shivpal said today in Saifai, when asked if he will resign as state minister.
He, however, avoided making any statement about Akhilesh and only said that the CM has a right to assign and revoke portfolios.
Akhilesh had stripped his uncle of key ministerial portfolios hours after his removal as the partys state unit chief and appointment of the latter in his place.
Sharp differences in the Yadav family came out into the open as Akhilesh shunted Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal, considered close to Shivpal, barely two months after his appointment, a development that prompted Mulayam Singh ousting his son as state party chief and replacing him with Shivpal.
Also read
"I will abide by any decision taken by netaji (Mulayam). The people of UP are with Samajwadi Party and netaji and I will take a call only after talking to him," Shivpal said today in Saifai, when asked if he will resign as state minister.
He, however, avoided making any statement about Akhilesh and only said that the CM has a right to assign and revoke portfolios.
Akhilesh had stripped his uncle of key ministerial portfolios hours after his removal as the partys state unit chief and appointment of the latter in his place.
Sharp differences in the Yadav family came out into the open as Akhilesh shunted Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal, considered close to Shivpal, barely two months after his appointment, a development that prompted Mulayam Singh ousting his son as state party chief and replacing him with Shivpal.
Also read
09:09 105-year-old who sold goats to build toilet made Swachh Bharat mascot
105-year-old Kunwar Bai, who was felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for building toilet by selling off her goats, has been chosen as the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' mascot.
The PM will felicitate Kunwar Bai at a function in the national capital to mark 'Swachhta Diwas' on September 17.
PM Modi had in February touched her feet during a rally in Rajnandgaon.
The PM, who was in Chhattisgarh to launch the ambitious Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban (rural-urban) Mission, felicitated Kunwar Bai from Kotabharri village of Dhamtari and then touched her feet to seek blessings.
Kunwar Bai had sold-off her 8-10 goats to build two toilets at her home.
Subsequently, she started showing other villagers the toilets at her home while informing them about its importance.
The PM will felicitate Kunwar Bai at a function in the national capital to mark 'Swachhta Diwas' on September 17.
PM Modi had in February touched her feet during a rally in Rajnandgaon.
The PM, who was in Chhattisgarh to launch the ambitious Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban (rural-urban) Mission, felicitated Kunwar Bai from Kotabharri village of Dhamtari and then touched her feet to seek blessings.
Kunwar Bai had sold-off her 8-10 goats to build two toilets at her home.
Subsequently, she started showing other villagers the toilets at her home while informing them about its importance.
08:49 Were not 'racist', the person was unclean, says Kolkata's Mocambo
Kolkata's iconic 60-year-old Mocambo restaurant has denied discriminating against anyone on 'racial basis', a day after a woman alleged that the restaurant did not let her driver inside for dinner.
"We never discriminate against anyone ever but the person (driver) was shabbily dressed and dirty. Mocambo is not racist but if a person is unclean then we have to draw the line somewhere," Ashish Malik, manager of Mocambo said.
On Tuesday, Dilashi Hemnani, who was on a work trip to Kolkata, alleged that the restaurant discriminated against her driver.
In a Facebook post that has since gone viral, collecting over 60,000 comments, she describes the incident and saying, 'How shallow and inhuman have we become'.
"We never discriminate against anyone ever but the person (driver) was shabbily dressed and dirty. Mocambo is not racist but if a person is unclean then we have to draw the line somewhere," Ashish Malik, manager of Mocambo said.
On Tuesday, Dilashi Hemnani, who was on a work trip to Kolkata, alleged that the restaurant discriminated against her driver.
In a Facebook post that has since gone viral, collecting over 60,000 comments, she describes the incident and saying, 'How shallow and inhuman have we become'.
08:20 Javelin thrower Jhajharia bags 2nd gold for India at Paralympics
Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia became the first Indian to clinch two gold medals at the Paralympics after he broke his own world record to clinch the top honours at the Rio Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Devendra, who won his previous gold in the 2004 Athens Games, bettered his own world record to finish on top in the men's F46 event.
Devendra, whose previous best was 62.15 metres (achieved in the 2004 Games), improved the mark with an attempt of 63.97 metres at the Olympic Stadium (Engenhao).
India now have two gold, one silver and one bronze in the ongoing edition of the Games.
Thangavelu Mariyappan had earlier struck gold in the men's high jump, while Varun Bhati had secured a bronze in the same event.
Later, Deepa Malik won a silver in the women's shot put event to add to the tally.
Devendra, who won his previous gold in the 2004 Athens Games, bettered his own world record to finish on top in the men's F46 event.
Devendra, whose previous best was 62.15 metres (achieved in the 2004 Games), improved the mark with an attempt of 63.97 metres at the Olympic Stadium (Engenhao).
India now have two gold, one silver and one bronze in the ongoing edition of the Games.
Thangavelu Mariyappan had earlier struck gold in the men's high jump, while Varun Bhati had secured a bronze in the same event.
Later, Deepa Malik won a silver in the women's shot put event to add to the tally.
04:16 Israel to get USD 38 billion in US military aid over 10 years
The United States will provide Israel's military with USD 38 billion during the next 10 years, officials said today, the largest batch of military assistance the US has ever pledged to another country.
Following months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the State Department said the two countries had reached a 10-year agreement, with a signing ceremony planned tomorrow.
The US and Israel haven't disclosed the exact sum, but officials familiar with the deal said it totals USD 3.8 billion a year, up from the USD 3.1 billion the US gave Israel annually under the previous 10-year deal.
Obama's national security adviser, Susan Rice, planned to attend the ceremony at the State Department, a senior Obama administration official said.
Israel's acting national security adviser, Jacob Nagel, arrived in Washington ahead of the announcement and was also expected to attend.
01:09 Ukrainian rebel leader announces unilateral cease-fire
Separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine today announced a unilateral cease-fire starting at midnight tomorrow, which could be a major step in solving the conflict that has raged for more than two years.
The conflict between Russian-backed separatist rebels and Ukrainian government troops has killed more than 9,500 people since it began in April 2014.
Representatives of Ukraine, the separatists and Russia signed a February 2015 Minsk peace deal brokered by France and Germany, but frequent clashes have continued to claim lives and political provisions of the agreement have never been implemented.
Alexander Zakharchenko, rebel leader in Donetsk, made the cease-fire announcement in a recorded statement aired on Russian television today, berating Kiev for a "lack of willingness to solve the problem in a peaceful manner."
00:55 Obama hits at 'unfair' criticism of Clinton
President Barack Obama made his 2016 solo campaign debut today, hitting out at "unfair" criticism of Hillary Clinton and touting his own record.
"It is good to be back on the campaign trail" Obama told a crowd in Philadelphia, as he made the case for Clinton and at least four more years of Democrat-led government.
"Even though I have run my last campaign, I am going to work as hard as I can this fall to elect Hillary Clinton," he said.
"This not just me going through the motions, I really, really, really want to elect Hillary Clinton."
Obama was appearing in a city that will be pivotal in deciding the presidential race in Pennsylvania, a virtual must-win state for Donald Trump.
00:50 43 million Americans lived below poverty line in 2015: Census
More than 43 million Americans lived below poverty line in 2015, a US Census report said today, indicating that the world's largest economy experienced one of the sharpest decline in poverty rates in 16 years.
The US Census Bureau in its report said 13.5 per cent of Americans lived in poverty in 2015, a reduction of 1.2 per cent from 2014.
The last time poverty rates declined this much from year to year was from 1998 to 1999 making this the largest decline in poverty rates over the past 16 years, the Census Bureau said.
Since the financial crisis of 2008, the number of people living in poverty in the US has increased by more than 3.3 million.
00:34 Fire in central Delhi's Gaffar market
A fire broke out in the Gaffar Market in Karol Bagh area of central Delhi tonight.
The fire at the market, popular for electronic goods, was reported at about 11 pm following which eight fire tenders were rushed to the spot, a Delhi Fire Service officer said.
The fire was brought under control after an effort of over an hour, the officer said, adding the cause of fire and extent of damage was not known.
00:21 Ecuador sets October date for Assange questioning
The Australian has been holed up in the embassy since June 2012, when he took refuge there to escape extradition to Sweden to face a police investigation into the rape claims.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has agreed to answer questions from Swedish investigators probing rape allegations against him from October 17 in Ecuador's embassy in London, Ecuadoran justice officials said today.
The Australian has been holed up in the embassy since June 2012, when he took refuge there to escape extradition to Sweden to face a police investigation into the rape claims.
Ecuadoran prosecutor Wilson Toainga has been tasked with taking Assange's statement in response to questions submitted beforehand by Swedish officials, who will be present during the process.
00:16 Witnesses refuse to testify in hearing on Clinton's email
Three witnesses ordered to testify today before a House committee investigating Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server asserted their constitutional rights against self-incrimination and did not appear or
refused to answer questions.
Bryan Pagliano, the former State Department computer specialist tasked with setting up Clinton's server, did not attend the Republican-led hearing.
His attorneys said in a letter to the chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee that Pagliano will continue to assert his constitutional right not to testify.
Pagliano spoke previously to the FBI under immunity, telling the bureau there were no successful security breaches of the server.
But he said he was aware of many failed login attempts that he described as "brute force attacks."
Pagliano also refused to answer questions last year before a House panel investigating the deadly 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya.
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