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Fri, 23 September 2016
No extension in deadline for black money disclosure scheme
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23:33 No extension in deadline for black money disclosure scheme
The government on Friday ruled out any extension to the September 30 deadline for filing income disclosure under the black money compliance window.
In a series of tweets, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said that expectations are raised that looking to the enthusiasm of people for making IDS declaration, the date for income disclosure scheme would be extended.
"We want to make it very clear that the last date for Income Declaration Scheme will not be extended," Adhia tweeted.
Under the IDS, people can disclose their undeclared income and escape prosecution. The scheme, which was launched on June 1 to uncover black money, closes on September 30.
"We, therefore, appeal to people to file their declarations in time before 30th September," Adhia said.
Those disclosing assets under the IDS will have to pay 45 per cent tax plus penalty. Also the payments can be made in three installments till November 2017.
22:57 Marriott overtakes Taj to become India's largest hotel chain
In a move that changes the top order of India's biggest hotel companies, global hotel chain Marriott has overtaken Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces to officially become India's largest hotel company with 79 operating hotels and 18,000 rooms post the successful global acquisition of Starwood.
On Friday, Marriott International announced that it has completed the acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, creating the world's largest hotel company, and bringing together 30 hotel brands. The new company will now operate or franchise more than 5,700 properties and 1.1 million rooms, with Marriott's distribution more than doubling in Asia and the middle East. The new merged entity will open 80 new hotels in the next three to four years in India with 100 in the pipeline, said Rajeev Menon ..
"We operate 14 brands in India now with the 15th one W opening very soon in Goa. As a company we have always been bullish on India. It is our second most important market after China," he added.
Menon ruled out drastic rightsizing of the staff in India as a result of the merger. "We are not going to see too much of transitioning or letting go of associates. With 80 hotels coming up in the next 3-4 years and a pipeline of 100, we need associates. There are not many markets in the world where you see this kind of a growth story," he said.
22:19 Maharashtra EC de-recognises 5 political parties
The Maharashtra State Election Commission today de-recognised five political parties for failing to submit their income and funding details.
State Election Commissioner J S Saharia said Janata Dal-Secular, All India Forward Block, Rashtriya Janata Dal, All India United Democratic Front and Indian Union Muslim League were given final notices to submit necessary documents on August 26.
But as there was still no compliance, their registration with the SEC was cancelled today, he said.
21:21 Sanders' brother to fight on David Cameron's Parliament seat
Larry Sanders, the 81-year-old brother of former US presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, has been selected by the UK's Green Party to contest from former prime minister David Cameron's old parliamentary seat.
Larry grew up in New York and has lived in Oxford since 1969, making him eligible to contest the election on October 20 from Cameron's Witney constituency in the university town.
Cameron, has quit as an MP on September 12, nearly three months after he resigned as Prime Minister in the wake of Britain's vote to leave the EU in a referendum.
After his selection yesterday, Larry said: "We need to show that we don't want Britain to be the most unequal country in Europe. We don't want unmet health needs to increase when we already have too few doctors, nurses, and hospital beds."
20:33 France says it stands with India in fight against terror
Days after the Uri attack, France today said it stands with India in the fight against terrorism and expressed resolve to strengthen counter-terror cooperation with it.
The French position was conveyed by its Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he called on him here.
During the meeting, Le Drian expressed condolences for the victims of the cross-border terrorist attack in Uri on September 18, a PMO statement said.
He expressed resolve to strengthen bilateral counter- terrorism cooperation with India and said France stands with it in the fight against terrorism, the statement added.
Le Drian briefed the Prime Minister on the current status of bilateral defence cooperation.
20:12 At least 133 bodies recovered from Egypt migrant shipwreck
The death toll from a migrant boat disaster off Egypt's coast climbed to 133 today as rescuers recovered more bodies from the Mediterranean.
Survivors have said up to 450 migrants were on board the overcrowded fishing vessel that was heading to Italy from Egypt when it keeled over off the port city of Rosetta on Wednesday.
"The death toll from the illegal migrant boat that capsized off the coast of Rosetta... has reached 133," the health ministry said in a statement.
The military said it had rescued 163 survivors. Recovery attempts were continuing.
Rescuers had said search operations would focus on the boat's hold where witnesses said around 100 people had been when the vessel flipped over.
Authorities have arrested four suspected people traffickers over the tragedy, the latest in what the UN refugee agency expects to be the deadliest year on record for the Mediterranean.
20:02 UN trims nuclear power growth forecasts
The UN atomic agency predicted today continued growth in nuclear power in the coming 15 years but trimmed its projections because of low fossil fuel prices and competition from renewables.
"Nuclear energy, in the long run, will continue to play an important role in the world's energy mix," the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a new report.
The low end of its forecast sees worldwide nuclear power generating capacity expanding 1.9 per cent by 2030 to 390.2 gigawatts -- a gigawatt is one billion watts of electrical power -- from 2015.
The upper end foresees an expansion of 56 percent to 598.2 GW. Previously the IAEA's projections were higher, estimating growth of between 2.4 percent and 68 percent.
19:36 Uran terror alert: Search operations over
The Indian Navy have concluded the search operations in Navi Mumbai's Uran following the alleged sighting of terrorists.
"As far as Indian Navy is concerned, search ops based on yesterday's sightings of suspected terrorists is over," the Defence PRO said.
"Sanitisation of naval areas has been undertaken. Navy is maintaining close liaison with local police/other agencies for updates," the PRO added.
19:21 Coming soon! Hangover-free alcohol
A new version of alcohol that does not come with hangover will be commonplace by 2050, a British professor has claimed.
The new type of synthetic alcohol, known as "alcosynth", is designed to mimic the positive effects of alcohol but does not cause a dry mouth, nausea and throbbing head, according to creator professor David Nutt.
The Imperial College professor said he had patented around 90 different alcosynth compounds and two of them are now being rigorously tested for widespread use so that by 2050, alcosynth is served at bars.
"It will be there alongside the scotch and the gin, they'll dispense the alcosynth into your cocktail and then you'll have the pleasure without damaging your liver and your heart," Nutt told The Independent.
18:57 Pakistan capable of countering any threat: Raheel
Pakistan Army chief General Raheel Sharif today said the country's armed forces were capable of countering any threat to the country's security at any cost, amid an intensifying war of words with India over the Kashmir issue.
"The army chief while speaking to officers and men said that let there be no doubt that our valiant armed forces have the capability to counter complete threat spectrum and Inshaallah with the backing of entire nation we will defend each and every inch of our beloved country, no matter what the cost," the army said.
He claimed that Pakistan has been victim of terrorism for over a decade and sacrificed a lot but "we have turned the tide against terrorism primarily due to resilience displayed by the whole nation and professionalism of our security forces".
Diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan have been rising since the September 18 attack on an army base in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 18 Indian soldiers.
Pakistan has rejected allegations of its involvement in the assault even as their prime minister raked up the Kashmir issue in his speech at the UN General Assembly session.
18:50
JUST IN: Karnataka assembly adopts resolution to use Cauvery water only for drinking needs, not spare it for any other purpose.
18:42 Egypt recovers more than 100 bodies from migrant boat
The number dead in a migrant boat disaster off Egypt's coast climbed above 100 on Friday as rescuers recovered more bodies from the Mediterranean.
Survivors have said up to 450 migrants were on board the fishing vessel that was heading to Italy from Egypt when it keeled over off the port of Rosetta on Wednesday. The military said it had rescued 163 survivors.
A health ministry official, Adel Khalifa, said 53 more bodies had been retrieved on Friday, raising the number of dead to at least 108.
More than 300,000 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean so far this year from various points of departure, the UN said this week. In the first nine months of 2015, that figure was 520,000.
18:32 3-year-old 'Mowgli' boy survives three days in Siberian forest
A 3-year-old boy is being dubbed as 'Mowgli' after miraculously surviving three days in a remote forest in Russia's Siberia, braving near-freezing temperatures and a woodland teaming with wolves and bears.
Tserin Dopchut survived by eating his own supply of chocolate and on his good sense finding a dry makeshift bed under a larch tree.
His rescue was personally announced by the head of Tuva Republic, Sholban Kara-Ool, who blogged: "Hurray! Little Tserin has been found alive!"
"They discovered him earlier this morning after a search in the taiga some 3 kilometres from the village of Khut," he was quoted as saying by the Siberian Times.
A huge search had been launched for the boy who disappeared after playing with dogs near his family home in the forests of Piy-Khemsky district.
He may have followed a young puppy into the woodland despite the watchful eye of his great grandmother -- who was in charge of him when he was lost.
He was eventually found on Wednesday after 72 hours in the wilderness.
18:29 Another youth killed in Kashmir unrest; toll up to 88
One more youth has been killed in Nadihal Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir after security forces opened fire on protesters.
Sources said that Waseem Ahmad Lone, son of Nazir Ahmad Lone, 22, was hit by a bullet and he was immediately rushed to nearby hospital. However, he died on way.
With the killing of Waseem, the death toll in forces actions during ongoing unrest has gone up to 88.
Curfew has been imposed in kashmir for the 77th straight day due to restrictions and separatist sponsored strike.
The unrest in the Valley broke out a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in South Kashmir on July 8.
18:09
JUST IN: Siwan journalist murder case: Accused Sonu Kumar Soni surrenders before CJM court. Sent to 14 days judicial custody
18:07 'Here, justice sides with criminals': Scarlett Keeling's mother
Fiona MacKeown, who travelled to Goa, India, for the long awaited verdict into her daughter's death, said she was "disappointed" with the outcome and would take the case to a higher court.
"I am disappointed with the verdict and I will definitely move to the higher court," she said.
"It's bad enough to lose a child to murder without it being dragged out so long," she added.
"They hoped I'd get tired and get fed up of waiting or wouldn't come back. They were wrong."
Fiona said she was reeling from the verdict, saying, "India's whole judicial system has totally let me down. Somebody murdered my daughter in this country and somebody must be held accountable," she added.
Scarlett's bruised and half-naked body was found on the popular Anjuna beach in the north of Goa in February 2008.
She had been at a Valentine's Day beach party while the rest of her family had gone travelling.
Her death was originally treated as an accident but eventually police charged two local men, Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho, with causing her death.
17:29 Tamil Nadu to launch 50 'Amma Free Wi-Fi' zones
In yet another people-friendly initiative, the ruling AIADMK government today issued orders to set up 'Amma Free Wi-Fi' zones in 50 places across the state.
Cashing in on the 'Amma' brand, the state government had earlier introduced several people-friendly schemes like Amma Water, Amma Cement, Amma Medicine besides launching Amma Canteen offering food at subsidised rates.
17:13 Centre all set to oppose triple talaq
Just in: The Centre is all set to oppose the age-old Islamic practice of triple talaq, in the Supreme Court.
The Centre, which discussed the issue at length last week during an inter-ministerial meeting, made it clear that womens rights are inalienable.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi met last week to deliberate on the governments possible stand to be taken in the Supreme Court on the issue of Muslim practices of polygamy, triple talaq (talaq-e-bidat) and nikah halala (a practice where divorced women, in case they want to go back to their husbands, have to consummate a second marriage).
17:04 DGCA summons Samsung after phone catches fire mid-air
The DGCA will send an advisory to airlines to advise passengers to carry Samsung Note in switched off mode or avoid carrying them. The DGCA has also summoned Samsung officials on Monday.
This comes after a Samsung Note 2 handset caught fire in an aircraft landing at the Chennai airport this morning, senior Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials said.
While landing at the Chennai airport at 7.45 a.m., cabin crew detected smoke in a Samsung Note 2 handset kept in the overhead bin.
The phone was on a Indigo Singapore-Chennai flight.
This comes after a Samsung Note 2 handset caught fire in an aircraft landing at the Chennai airport this morning, senior Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials said.
While landing at the Chennai airport at 7.45 a.m., cabin crew detected smoke in a Samsung Note 2 handset kept in the overhead bin.
The phone was on a Indigo Singapore-Chennai flight.
16:30 No immediate jail for Subrata Roy, SC allows a week to surrender
Sahara chief Subrata Roy gets a week's time to surrender. Hours after it ordered sending him back to jail, the Supreme Court
has agreed to consider Roys mercy plea,
asking the court not to punish him over his lawyers misdemeanour.
Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who rushed to the court despite keeping unwell after it cancelled Roys parole, tendered unconditional apology and said such incidents will never be repeated.
Roy now gets a week to surrender.
Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who rushed to the court despite keeping unwell after it cancelled Roys parole, tendered unconditional apology and said such incidents will never be repeated.
Roy now gets a week to surrender.
16:04 Uri terror attack was planned for August 15: Reports
Top Army sources have confirmed to India Today that the attack on the Army Brigade headquarters was planned earlier this year on 15th of August, when PM Modi was addressing the nation from the Red Fort, That terror attack was foiled by the Army after killing all four members of the Fidayeen squad of Jaish-e-Mohammed near Uri in Mayan area of LoC.
Another Fidayeen squad of the same terror outfit was launched during the night of 16th September to carry a terror attack in the Uri Army Brigade. The group succeeded in infiltrating and carried out the attack on 18th morning at about 4 am.
Militants may have taken advantage of the dense forest cover and standing high maize crop to reach near the Army camp, an Army officer said.
Images: Coffins of the 18 soldiers killed in the Uri attack.
Another Fidayeen squad of the same terror outfit was launched during the night of 16th September to carry a terror attack in the Uri Army Brigade. The group succeeded in infiltrating and carried out the attack on 18th morning at about 4 am.
Militants may have taken advantage of the dense forest cover and standing high maize crop to reach near the Army camp, an Army officer said.
Images: Coffins of the 18 soldiers killed in the Uri attack.
15:51 Bullseye?
An US solider checks his his marksmanship skills at the joint indoor reflex shooting training during the Yudh Abhyas exercise in India. While the US conducts joint military exercises with India, Russian ground forces today stepped on to Pakistani soil for joint military exercises.
15:46
The missing daughters of Pakistan. Read the report here.
15:30 Delhi HC okays WhatsApp privacy policy
In other news, the Delhi High Court has reportedly okayed WhatsApp's new privacy policy under which the company will share some user data, including phone number of a user, with its parent company Facebook.
According to PTI, the court has asked WhatsApp to not share any user data, which was generated before September 25, with Facebook. It has also told WhatsApp that data of any user who deletes his or her WhatsApp account before September 25 will have to be deleted from WhatsApp servers.
According to PTI, the court has asked WhatsApp to not share any user data, which was generated before September 25, with Facebook. It has also told WhatsApp that data of any user who deletes his or her WhatsApp account before September 25 will have to be deleted from WhatsApp servers.
15:06 Scarlett Keeling murder verdict: Both accused acquitted of all charges
Scarlett Keeling murder verdict: Two Indian men charged with raping and causing the death of British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling on a Goa beach in 2008 have been acquitted of all charges.
Fifteen-year-old Scarlett Keeling was found bruised and half-dressed in the waters of popular Anjuna beach in February 2008. Police initially declared her death an accidental drowning, but her mother, Fiona MacKeown, pushed for a second autopsy, which proved she had been drugged and raped. The autopsy also showed that Keeling had suffered more than 50 injuries to her body.
Fiona Mackeown says she is devastated and shocked by the verdict.
Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho, the two accused had been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, using force with intent to outrage a woman's modesty and of administering drugs with intent to harm. All the charges against them have been dropped.
Fifteen-year-old Scarlett Keeling was found bruised and half-dressed in the waters of popular Anjuna beach in February 2008. Police initially declared her death an accidental drowning, but her mother, Fiona MacKeown, pushed for a second autopsy, which proved she had been drugged and raped. The autopsy also showed that Keeling had suffered more than 50 injuries to her body.
Fiona Mackeown says she is devastated and shocked by the verdict.
Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho, the two accused had been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, using force with intent to outrage a woman's modesty and of administering drugs with intent to harm. All the charges against them have been dropped.
14:34 Modi diplomacy faces moment of truth
The report on the arrival of a Russian army contingent to participate to participate in the first-ever military exercises with Pakistan since 1947 will come as a bitter moment of truth for the Narendra Modi government's disastrous one-dimensional foreign policy course. (Express Tribune).
Of course, this is a huge topic of long-term significance and it deserves a full spectrum analysis separately. Meanwhile, what matters in real time today is that the ballyhoo that Modi boosted India's influence like at no time in independent history, et al, stands rubbished as empty bluster in front of the national (and regional and international) audience. Read more
Of course, this is a huge topic of long-term significance and it deserves a full spectrum analysis separately. Meanwhile, what matters in real time today is that the ballyhoo that Modi boosted India's influence like at no time in independent history, et al, stands rubbished as empty bluster in front of the national (and regional and international) audience. Read more
14:12 36 Rafales flying this way
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar signing the Rafale Contract Agreement with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in South Block. India today signed a deal to buy 36 high-tech Rafale fighters from France in the country's first major acquisition of fighter aircraft in over two decades.
14:03 Advanced civilization could attempt to colonize Earth: Hawking
Many earthlings look forward to the day radio signals come in from another planet, but one physicist warns we should be very wary about answering back.Stephen Hawking starred in an online film where he traveled to a planet 16 light years away, Gliese 832c, which he says could be home to intelligent life. Read more
13:58 Prez, PM release Hamid Ansari's book
President Pranab Mukherjee and PM Narendra modi at the release of the book 'Citizen and Society' authored by Vice President Hamid Ansari.
13:48 Hindu Munnani functionary hacked to death, bandh called in Coimbatore
A 40-year-old Hindu Munnani functionary was hacked to death by a four-member gang in Coimbatore, leading to tension in the district and neighbouring Tirupur with the outfit calling for a bandh today.
Hindu Munnani is a religious and cultural organization based in Tamil Nadu.
Sasikumar, district spokesperson of the organisation, was returning home in Subramaniampalayam, in the outskirts, on a two-wheeler when the unidentified assailants chased him on motorcycles and attacked him with sickles late last night. He was immediately taken to a private hospital, where he died, police said. Hindu Munnani has called for a state-wide bandh today to protest against the killing of Sasikumar.
Hindu Munnani is a religious and cultural organization based in Tamil Nadu.
Sasikumar, district spokesperson of the organisation, was returning home in Subramaniampalayam, in the outskirts, on a two-wheeler when the unidentified assailants chased him on motorcycles and attacked him with sickles late last night. He was immediately taken to a private hospital, where he died, police said. Hindu Munnani has called for a state-wide bandh today to protest against the killing of Sasikumar.
13:44 Rains lash Mumbai for 6th day in row; heavy downpour likely
Mumbaikars this morning woke up to heavy showers as intermittent rains continued to lash the city and its outskirts for sixth day today even as the weatherman predicted more heavy downpour in the metropolis. According to disaster management control room of the civic body, no injury or casualty has been reported so far.
"Our officers are keeping a close watch on the rain and preparedness. Few routes of BEST buses have been diverted and local suburban services were running late by 5 to 10 minutes," a disaster management cell official said.
He said they have received several complaints of potholes on roads across the city which have been causing inconvenience to the motorists. "We take every complaint very sincerely, and each complaint is forward to the concerned authorities with a deadline to address it," the official said.
According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), its weather stations recorded 32.5 mm rainfall in the island city, 25.14 mm in western suburbs and 23.77 mm in the eastern suburbs in last 24 hours till 8 AM today. "Heavy to very heavy rains are likely to occur at one or two places in the next 24 hours," IMD, Mumbai Director V K Rajiv told PTI. He said an alert was issued yesterday to fishermen not to venture into the deep sea, and they were reviewing it today too.
"Our officers are keeping a close watch on the rain and preparedness. Few routes of BEST buses have been diverted and local suburban services were running late by 5 to 10 minutes," a disaster management cell official said.
He said they have received several complaints of potholes on roads across the city which have been causing inconvenience to the motorists. "We take every complaint very sincerely, and each complaint is forward to the concerned authorities with a deadline to address it," the official said.
According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), its weather stations recorded 32.5 mm rainfall in the island city, 25.14 mm in western suburbs and 23.77 mm in the eastern suburbs in last 24 hours till 8 AM today. "Heavy to very heavy rains are likely to occur at one or two places in the next 24 hours," IMD, Mumbai Director V K Rajiv told PTI. He said an alert was issued yesterday to fishermen not to venture into the deep sea, and they were reviewing it today too.
13:38 India is wise to speak softly, but it could do with a bigger stick
To many Indians, their country's strategic position looks alarming. Its two biggest neighbours are China and Pakistan. It has fought wars with both, and border issues still fester. Both are nuclear-armed, and are allies with one another to boot. China, a rising superpower with five times India's GDP, is quietly encroaching on India's traditional sphere of influence, tying a "string of pearls' of alliances around the subcontinent. Relatively weak but safe behind its nuclear shield, Pakistan harbours Islamist guerrillas who have repeatedly struck Indian targets; regional security wonks have long feared that another such incident might spark a conflagration. Read more
13:27 SC notice to Lalu's son, Shahabuddin in journo murder
The Supreme Court today directed CBI to proceed with the investigation in slain journalist Rajdev Ranjan's murder case and directed the Bihar police to provide protection to his family.
A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra also issued notices and sought response from RJD leader Shahabuddin, Bihar health minister Tej Pratap Yadav, the son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Bihar government on the plea of Ranjan's wife seeking transfer of the case from Siwan in Bihar to Delhi.
The apex court directed the CBI to file a status report of its investigation before it on October 17, the next date of hearing.
The bench directed the Superintendent of Police, Siwan to provide police protection to the Ranjan's wife Asha Ranjan and their family. Asha had moved Supreme Court seeking transfer of probe and trial in the case to Delhi alleging that media reports had shown two absconding killers of her husband in the company of recently-released RJD leader Shahabuddin and Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav.
She had sought reliefs including a direction to CBI to take up the investigation forthwith in view of the fact that the proclaimed offenders, Mohd Kaif and Mohd Javed, have been spotted with Shahabuddin and the state Health Minister, where several cops were also present.
Kaif surrendered in a Siwan district court of Siwan on Septmeber 21.
The scribe, working with a vernacular daily, was shot dead on the evening of May 13 in Siwan town by some sharp- shooters allegedly at the instance of then jailed RJD leader, the plea alleged, adding that despite being named by the family of the journalist, Siwan police did not name Shahabuddin in the FIR as a key conspirator.
A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra also issued notices and sought response from RJD leader Shahabuddin, Bihar health minister Tej Pratap Yadav, the son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Bihar government on the plea of Ranjan's wife seeking transfer of the case from Siwan in Bihar to Delhi.
The apex court directed the CBI to file a status report of its investigation before it on October 17, the next date of hearing.
The bench directed the Superintendent of Police, Siwan to provide police protection to the Ranjan's wife Asha Ranjan and their family. Asha had moved Supreme Court seeking transfer of probe and trial in the case to Delhi alleging that media reports had shown two absconding killers of her husband in the company of recently-released RJD leader Shahabuddin and Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav.
She had sought reliefs including a direction to CBI to take up the investigation forthwith in view of the fact that the proclaimed offenders, Mohd Kaif and Mohd Javed, have been spotted with Shahabuddin and the state Health Minister, where several cops were also present.
Kaif surrendered in a Siwan district court of Siwan on Septmeber 21.
The scribe, working with a vernacular daily, was shot dead on the evening of May 13 in Siwan town by some sharp- shooters allegedly at the instance of then jailed RJD leader, the plea alleged, adding that despite being named by the family of the journalist, Siwan police did not name Shahabuddin in the FIR as a key conspirator.
12:56 India, France sign deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets
India and France have signed the Euro 7.8 billion (Rs 58,363 crore) deal for 36 Rafale jets which will come equipped with latest missiles and weapon system, giving the IAF a cutting edge over arch rival Pakistan.
The deal for the aircraft, the first fighter jet deal in 20 years, was signed in the presence of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his French counterpart Jean Yves Le Drian.
Also present will be the chief executive officers of top French companies, including Dassault Aviation, the makers of Rafale.
The deal comes with a saving of nearly 750 million Euros (Rs 5,611 crore) than the one struck during the previous UPA government, which was scrapped by the Narendra Modi government, besides a 50 per cent offset clause.
These combat aircraft, delivery of which will start in 36 months and will be completed in 66 months from the date the contract is inked, come equipped with state-of-the-art missiles like 'Meteor' and 'Scalp' that will give IAF a capability that had been sorely missing in its arsenal.
Also Read: How India got the Rafale at a lower price
12:36
CBI teams launch operation to look for Mohammed Javed, suspect in the murder case of journalist Rajdev Ranjan in Siwan.
12:33 Sept 7 mystery boat not linked to terror: Maharashtra
Just in: The Maharashtra Home Department rules out a terror angle after a mysterious boat was found abandoned near Raigad on September 7.
Maharashtra had been probing whether an unidentified boat intercepted by Customs near Mora in Raigad on September 7 was linked in any manner to the sighting of "suspicious men' by two schoolchildren in Uran yesterday, that triggered an alert along the state coastline.
Coast's clear it seems.
Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary K P Bakshi on Uran alert: Verified from Customs that there is no terrorist angle.
It was a case of 3 local boys running away with diesel theft.
Maharashtra had been probing whether an unidentified boat intercepted by Customs near Mora in Raigad on September 7 was linked in any manner to the sighting of "suspicious men' by two schoolchildren in Uran yesterday, that triggered an alert along the state coastline.
Coast's clear it seems.
12:21 SC notice to Shahabuddin, Tej Pratap in scribe murder case
Just In: The Supreme Court has issued notices to RJD leader Mohammed Shahabuddin and Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav on the plea by the wife of slain scribe Rajdev Ranjan to transfer the case to Delhi.
The apex court has also directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to proceed with the investigation in the Rajdev Ranjan murder case and file a status report on October 17.
12:17 Sulking BJP ally in Kerala says promises not kept
As top BJP leaders meet in Kozhikode, a key ally in Kerala today accused the saffron party of not keeping promises made to it before the Assembly elections, indicating trouble for BJP in the state where it is keen to expand its presence.
Raising the issue just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Kozhikode visit to attend BJP's National Council meet, SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellapally Natesan said workers of the BDJS (Bharatiya Dharma Jana Sena), headed by his son Thushar Vellapally, feel that "nothing" has been given to the party by BJP except promises.
"The Prime Minister had promised to us during Assembly election campaign that the Central University in Kasargod would be named after Sreenarayana Guru. It has not been fulfilled so far," Natesan told reporters.
Natesan, who tried to take Kerala's numerically strong Eazhava community to the NDA, said the BJP had made several promises to the BDJS during the time of elections in May this year, "but when it comes to making us a partner in power, we are being treated as untouchables".
Hitting out at the BJP, Natesan said, "The BJP used us to increase their vote percentage in Kerala. Now we have ended up as loser".
11:56
India Today reports: NSG and Navi Mumbai police question the girl who saw the suspected gunmen, for over 2 hours.
11:38 Is a teachers job an office of profit, asks former PM Manmohan Singh
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh will soon return to his alma mater, Panjab University, to teach economics.
The Hindustan Times reports that a parliamentary panel yesterday had responded to a query from Singh who had sought to know if his taking up the job will invite disqualification as an MP under a law that prohibits lawmakers from holding positions with monetary benefits.
"We have cleared it. Manmohan Singh's job as a teacher will not attract the provisions of office of profit,' said BJP MP Satya Pal Singh, the panel's chief.
The Hindustan Times reports that a parliamentary panel yesterday had responded to a query from Singh who had sought to know if his taking up the job will invite disqualification as an MP under a law that prohibits lawmakers from holding positions with monetary benefits.
"We have cleared it. Manmohan Singh's job as a teacher will not attract the provisions of office of profit,' said BJP MP Satya Pal Singh, the panel's chief.
11:36 Russia snubs India, holds joint military exercise with Pakistan
So, news reports that Russia had called off its joint military exercise with Pakistan, are seemingly untrue.
Pakistani Lt General Asim Bajwa, who is director general ISPR, tweeted saying, "A contingent of Russian ground forces arrived Pak for 1st ever Pak- Russian joint exercise (2 weeks) from 24 Sep to 10 Oct 2016."
ISPR or Inter-Services Public Relations is in principle, an administrative military media arm of the Pakistan Army to broadcast and coordinate military news.
India had beaten its chest at the Russia's snub to Pakistan and saying Russia's move was a big diplomatic gain for India as it had decided to isolate Pakistan at international level.
India had urged Russia to reconsider its decision to hold joint military drills with Pakistan.
Pakistan and Russia were scheduled to conduct the 'Druzhba-2016' tactical exercises from September 24-October 7 in Rattu and Cherat.
The Indian External Affairs Ministry had sent a letter to Kremlin soon after the Islamabad confirmed about excercise.
In its letter, India said that Moscow should keep New Delhi's sensitivity in mind while conducting joint military drills with Pakistan.
Image: The contingent of Russian ground forces which arrived in Pakistan for the joint military exercises. The picture was among four images tweeted by Lt General Asim Bajwa
Pakistani Lt General Asim Bajwa, who is director general ISPR, tweeted saying, "A contingent of Russian ground forces arrived Pak for 1st ever Pak- Russian joint exercise (2 weeks) from 24 Sep to 10 Oct 2016."
ISPR or Inter-Services Public Relations is in principle, an administrative military media arm of the Pakistan Army to broadcast and coordinate military news.
India had beaten its chest at the Russia's snub to Pakistan and saying Russia's move was a big diplomatic gain for India as it had decided to isolate Pakistan at international level.
India had urged Russia to reconsider its decision to hold joint military drills with Pakistan.
Pakistan and Russia were scheduled to conduct the 'Druzhba-2016' tactical exercises from September 24-October 7 in Rattu and Cherat.
The Indian External Affairs Ministry had sent a letter to Kremlin soon after the Islamabad confirmed about excercise.
In its letter, India said that Moscow should keep New Delhi's sensitivity in mind while conducting joint military drills with Pakistan.
Image: The contingent of Russian ground forces which arrived in Pakistan for the joint military exercises. The picture was among four images tweeted by Lt General Asim Bajwa
11:19 After 3 months of freedom, SC orders Subrata Roy back in jail
The Supreme Court today ordered Sahara chief Subrata Roy to go back to jail. After spending two years in jail, Roy was out on interim bail in June.
Sahara chief's lawyer today sought an extension of the parole granted to Roy.
The top court however said, "You (Mr Roy) are going back to jail." The Sahara chief has been sent to jail till October 3.
Roy had spent nearly two year in Delhi's Tihar Jail on the orders of the Supreme Court in a long-running dispute with market regulator Sebi.
The Supreme Court last month extended the Sahara Group chief's interim bail to September 16, and asked him to deposit Rs 300 crore more to the market regulator if he wanted to remain outside jail.
A bench, comprising Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justices Anil R Dave and AK Sikri, also sought to know from Roy by when his company would pay the rest of the Rs 24,700-odd crore that the court had ordered it to pay the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Sahara chief's lawyer today sought an extension of the parole granted to Roy.
The top court however said, "You (Mr Roy) are going back to jail." The Sahara chief has been sent to jail till October 3.
Roy had spent nearly two year in Delhi's Tihar Jail on the orders of the Supreme Court in a long-running dispute with market regulator Sebi.
The Supreme Court last month extended the Sahara Group chief's interim bail to September 16, and asked him to deposit Rs 300 crore more to the market regulator if he wanted to remain outside jail.
A bench, comprising Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justices Anil R Dave and AK Sikri, also sought to know from Roy by when his company would pay the rest of the Rs 24,700-odd crore that the court had ordered it to pay the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
11:18
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar arrives at the Home Ministry to meet HM Rajnath Singh.
11:10 Molestor cop Rathore will not have to go back to jail
Former Haryana police chief SPS Rathore, held guilty of molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra who committed suicide in 1993, will not have to go back to jail, the Supreme Court said today.
The court confirmed his conviction but said he will not have to spend any more jail time. Rathore has spent six months in jail.
Girhotra, a minor girl, allegedly committed suicide after molestation by former Haryana director general of police (DGP) SPS Rathore.
In June 2012, the CBI filed a closure report in the case, which her family has not contested. Speaking to the media then, her family said it had given up its fight for justice in the court of law after 22 years.
The court confirmed his conviction but said he will not have to spend any more jail time. Rathore has spent six months in jail.
Girhotra, a minor girl, allegedly committed suicide after molestation by former Haryana director general of police (DGP) SPS Rathore.
In June 2012, the CBI filed a closure report in the case, which her family has not contested. Speaking to the media then, her family said it had given up its fight for justice in the court of law after 22 years.
10:52 Breaking now
-- SC directs that Sahara chief Subrata Roy be taken into custody, refuses to extend his parole.
-- SC confirms conviction of former Haryana DGP S P S Rathore in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case.
Details in a bit.
-- SC confirms conviction of former Haryana DGP S P S Rathore in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case.
Details in a bit.
10:50 Centre may evict Congress from Akbar Road HQ
The Narendra Modi government is considering a proposal to evict Congress from its headquarters on 24 Akbar Road and three other bungalows in Lutyens' Delhi, besides demanding market rent on these properties since June 2013, reports the Economic Times.
The development comes nearly two years after the BJP-led government served a notice to Congress to vacate the bungalows since the lease had run out. 24 Akbar Road has housed the principal opposition party since 1976.
The development comes nearly two years after the BJP-led government served a notice to Congress to vacate the bungalows since the lease had run out. 24 Akbar Road has housed the principal opposition party since 1976.
10:47 MNS warns Pak actors: Leave India in 48 hours or get thrown out
So, the Raj Thackeray-headed Maharashtra Nivnirman Sena (MNS) has taken the lead in asking Pakistani actors to get out India.
Taking a cue from his cousin's Shiv Sena, which had vowed not to allow Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan to promote their upcoming films in Maharashtra, the MNS Marathi Chitrapat Sena - has threatened Pakistani actors to leave India.
While the threat has not named any actor, Fawad Khan, who made his Bollywood debut with the 2014 film "Khoobsurat", has Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, coming up for release.
Pakistani actress Mahira Khan is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Rahul Dholakia's Raees, in which she stars alongside Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
The MNS has given a 48-hour deadline to Pakistani actors and artists to leave India or the "MNS will push them out."
In the worst attack on the army in many years, heavily armed terrorists suspected to be from Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed stormed an army base in Uri in Kashmir killing 18 jawans on Sunday morning, worsening relations between the two countries.
Taking a cue from his cousin's Shiv Sena, which had vowed not to allow Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan to promote their upcoming films in Maharashtra, the MNS Marathi Chitrapat Sena - has threatened Pakistani actors to leave India.
While the threat has not named any actor, Fawad Khan, who made his Bollywood debut with the 2014 film "Khoobsurat", has Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, coming up for release.
Pakistani actress Mahira Khan is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Rahul Dholakia's Raees, in which she stars alongside Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
The MNS has given a 48-hour deadline to Pakistani actors and artists to leave India or the "MNS will push them out."
In the worst attack on the army in many years, heavily armed terrorists suspected to be from Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed stormed an army base in Uri in Kashmir killing 18 jawans on Sunday morning, worsening relations between the two countries.
10:12 News snippets at this hour
-- Home Minister Rajnath Singh to hold internal security review meet at 10:30 am today.
-- Terminal B of New York's LaGuardia Airport evacuated, unattended vehicle being investigated.
-- Six KPLT militants killed and one army man injured in encounter in Karbi Anglong district of Assam today.
-- Terminal B of New York's LaGuardia Airport evacuated, unattended vehicle being investigated.
-- Six KPLT militants killed and one army man injured in encounter in Karbi Anglong district of Assam today.
10:09 MNS threat to Pak actors
MNS Chitrapat Sena issues warning: "We give a 48-hour deadline to Pakistani actors and artists to leave India or MNS will push them out."
09:58 India bowled out for 318 in first innings
Ravindra Jadeja stroked a quickfire 42 not out before Umesh Yadav (9) was the last wicket to fall as India were bowled out for 318 in their first innings on Day 2 of the first Test vs New Zealand.
09:52 Eight dead in flood-hit Guntur, AP; schools shut
Just in: Eight dead in flood-hit Guntur in Andhra Pradesh after heavy rain. Schools have been closed in Hyderabad. Four people are also missing. Rainwater inundated the railway tracks which led to stoppage of trains at Palanadu, Falaknuma and other railway stations.
The heavy rain threw normal life out of gear in Guntur. The Guntur-Hyderabad highway was cut off due to flooding. The Hyderabad-bound Palnadu Express and Macherla Passenger were held up at Reddy Gudem and passengers were evacuated from both trains.
South Central Railways PRO Uma Shankar said all evacuated passengers were transported to Hyderabad in buses.
Heavy rains also battered Hyderabad leading to flooding in low-lying areas and massive traffic jams across the city.
Narasaraopeta, Sattenapalli and adjacent areas were marooned due to breaching of local streams. Two buses of a private travels company were stuck in the floodwater near Narasaraopeta and locals rescued the bus commuters.
Transportation was cut to Guntur from Chilakaluripeta, Narasaraopeta, Macharla and other areas due to overflowing of floodwaters on to the roads.
Image: A man clings on to a coconut tree after flash floods inundated roads in Guntur.
The heavy rain threw normal life out of gear in Guntur. The Guntur-Hyderabad highway was cut off due to flooding. The Hyderabad-bound Palnadu Express and Macherla Passenger were held up at Reddy Gudem and passengers were evacuated from both trains.
South Central Railways PRO Uma Shankar said all evacuated passengers were transported to Hyderabad in buses.
Heavy rains also battered Hyderabad leading to flooding in low-lying areas and massive traffic jams across the city.
Narasaraopeta, Sattenapalli and adjacent areas were marooned due to breaching of local streams. Two buses of a private travels company were stuck in the floodwater near Narasaraopeta and locals rescued the bus commuters.
Transportation was cut to Guntur from Chilakaluripeta, Narasaraopeta, Macharla and other areas due to overflowing of floodwaters on to the roads.
Image: A man clings on to a coconut tree after flash floods inundated roads in Guntur.
09:41 Jaya stable
Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa's condition is now stable, she was admitted to hospital yesterday after suffering from fever and dehydration.
09:38
Combing operations in Uran continue, Maharashtra Home Dept confirms that its probing seizure of an abandoned boat on 7th Sept near Uran.
09:28 Dhaka: Holey Artisan Bakery attackers buried 'unclaimed'
The five militants and another suspected attacker killed in a raid on a cafe in Dhaka have been buried over two months after the terror attack on the eatery.
The charitable organisation Anjuman Mufidul Islam took charge of the bodies from the Combined Military Hospital and buried them at Jurain Graveyard on Thursday, officials said, bdnews24.com reported.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia confirmed the bodies were handed over to the charitable organisation as 'unclaimed' ones.
"No one from among their relatives had contacted us to claim the bodies,' he told bdnews24.com.Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) Director Rashidul Hasan said the coffins carrying the bodies were handed over to the police at CMH mortuary around 12 pm on Thursday.
The militants killed 20 hostages, including 17 foreigners, in the attack on Holey Artisan Bakery and O Kitchen at Dhakas diplomatic district Gulshan on July 1. Two police officers also died in the attack.
Security forces stormed the eatery early the next day, killing six suspected attackers and freeing 13 hostages. Five of the attackers were identified as militants of the banned outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh.
The charitable organisation Anjuman Mufidul Islam took charge of the bodies from the Combined Military Hospital and buried them at Jurain Graveyard on Thursday, officials said, bdnews24.com reported.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia confirmed the bodies were handed over to the charitable organisation as 'unclaimed' ones.
"No one from among their relatives had contacted us to claim the bodies,' he told bdnews24.com.Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) Director Rashidul Hasan said the coffins carrying the bodies were handed over to the police at CMH mortuary around 12 pm on Thursday.
The militants killed 20 hostages, including 17 foreigners, in the attack on Holey Artisan Bakery and O Kitchen at Dhakas diplomatic district Gulshan on July 1. Two police officers also died in the attack.
Security forces stormed the eatery early the next day, killing six suspected attackers and freeing 13 hostages. Five of the attackers were identified as militants of the banned outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh.
09:20 A pirouette on Pakistan
Through every attack from across the border the government has flipped and flopped. Until India builds a coherence in its own strategy, it will continue to face such challenges from Pakistan. Suhasini Haidar on the Uri faceoff. Read her column here.
08:59
Just In: Border Security Force notices suspicious activity at Keran sector on Line of Control, opens fire. Search ops underway
08:36
Taranjit Singh Sandhu appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka
08:30 All Systems Go: India to ink Rafale deal with France today
India and France will today sign the Euro 7.8 billion (Rs 58,363 crore) deal for 36 Rafale jets which will come equipped with latest missiles and weapon system, giving the IAF a cutting edge over arch rival Pakistan.
The deal for the aircraft, the first fighter jet deal in 20 years, will be signed in the presence of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his French counterpart Jean Yves Le Drian.
Also present will be the chief executive officers of top French companies, including Dassault Aviation, the makers of Rafale.
The deal comes with a saving of nearly 750 million Euros (Rs 5,611 crore) than the one struck during the previous UPA government, which was scrapped by the Narendra Modi government, besides a 50 per cent offset clause.
These combat aircraft, delivery of which will start in 36 months and will be completed in 66 months from the date the contract is inked, come equipped with state-of-the-art missiles like 'Meteor' and 'Scalp' that will give IAF a capability that had been sorely missing in its arsenal.
Also Read: How India got the Rafale at a lower price
08:22 Cauvery row: Karnataka assembly to hold special session today
In a move that may set the state on a collision course with the judiciary, a special session of both Houses of Karnataka legislature will be held today to take a call on the Supreme Court's direction to the state to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu.
Ahead of the session, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti in Delhi on Thursday, a day after the cabinet decided to defer the release of water and convene the legislature session amid escalating row between the two neighbouring states.
Apprising the Union Minister of the ground realities on its inability in implementing the Apex Court order, the chief minister requested the Union Government to file an objection against the court's direction to constitute Cauvery Water Management Board.
"It is difficult for us to release water, already as per the Supreme Court order we have released 12,000 cusecs for 14 days.There is no water in our reservoirs. What is remaining in four reservoirs is only 26 TMC water,whereas we need 27 TMC to supply drinking water to Mandya, Mysuru, Bengaluru and nearby areas," he told reporters in Delhi after meeting Bharti.
The Cauvery Supervisory Committee had on September 19 asked Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs per day from September 21 to 30, but the Apex Court had on September 20 doubled the quantum to 6,000 cusecs from September 21 to 27 after Tamil Nadu pressed for water to save its samba paddy crop.
It had also directed the Centre to constitute within four weeks the Cauvery Water Management Board as directed by Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal in its award.
08:17 Mumbai-Goa National Highway closed for traffic
The Mumbai-Goa National Highway was on Thursday night closed for traffic due to heavy rainfall in Konkan region.
The traffic has been diverted via Kolhapur towards Mumbai from 8.30 pm, police said.
National Highway police control confirmed that the road from Mumbai towards Chiplun is working, while vehicles can not advance further due to heavy flooding on Jagbudi river. The vehicles are diverted from Chiplun towards NH 4 to reach Kolhapur.
The vehicular movement came at a halt at 8.30 pm tonight after the downpour intensified. It lead to traffic congestion at some points where small bridges were submerged.
On the night of August 2, a British era bridge constructed over Savitri river on the Mumbai-Goa highway collapsed following which two State Transport buses and some other private vehicles fell into the river.
04:40 New York bomb suspect's wife returns to US for questioning
The wife of the Afghan-born US citizen charged in last weekend's bombings in New York City and New Jersey has returned to the United States, a law enforcement official said on Thursday, as a defense lawyer pressed to get access to the accused man.
Ahmad Khan Rahami, 28, has been held in a Newark, New Jersey, hospital since being arrested on Monday with wounds after a shootout with police. Rahami faces federal charges in both states stemming from a Saturday night bombing in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood that injured 31 people and explosives found in two New Jersey locations. No one was killed in the blasts.
Rahami's wife, Asia Bibi Rahami, flew back to the United States overnight, a law enforcement official said. She had voluntarily met with U.S. law enforcement authorities while in the United Arab Emirates this week and gave a statement.
04:20 Mia Farrow's son, adopted from Kolkata, found dead
Actress Mia Farrow's 27-year-old son, Thaddeus Wilk Farrow, has died after being found seriously injured in his vehicle in Connecticut.
State police said Thaddeus Farrow was found on Wednesday afternoon in Roxbury with a life-threatening injury and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Officials say there appeared to be no criminal aspect to his death and did not release additional details. An autopsy to determine the cause of death is planned.
Representatives for the actress did not immediately return messages.
The actress adopted Thaddeus Farrow, who contracted polio in an orphanage in Kolkata, and was paralyzed from the waist down.
04:17 US: Tulsa officer charged for fatal shooting of black man
A police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black motorist in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been charged with manslaughter, a prosecutor has said.
District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler has filed first-degree manslaughter charges against officer Betty Shelby.
Shelby shot and killed Terence Crutcher, 40, last week while he was standing next to his broken-down car.
She claimed Crutcher did not follow her commands and she opened fire when he began to reach into his car window.
Crutcher was also struck with a stun gun by another officer, Tyler Turnbough, police said.
03:44 Syria army announces offensive on rebel-held Aleppo
Syria's army announced the launch of an offensive to retake the rebel-held east of the battleground city of Aleppo, warning residents to keep away from posts held by anti-regime fighters.
"The military operations command announces the start of operations in eastern districts of the city and calls on residents to stay away from the positions of terrorist groups," it said in a statement on Wednesday carried by state news agency SANA, using the regime's term for the opposition.
The announcement came just minutes after the United States and Russia convened a last-ditch meeting in New York to save their Syria ceasefire plan and followed several hours of intensive bombardment that left Aleppo in flames.
The army also said it would take "all measures to facilitate the reception" of civilians and that those who arrive at its checkpoints would not be arrested.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was "a large scale land offensive supported by Russian air strikes aimed at taking bit by bit the eastern sector of Aleppo and emptying it of its residents".
The initial targets were the Amiriyah, Sukari and Sheikh Said sectors, to the south, said the monitoring group's head, Rami Abdel Rahman.
The Britain-based Observatory said earlier that bombardment and air strikes since Wednesday night targeting the rebel-held neighbourhoods of Bustan al-Qasr and Al-Kalasseh had triggered "massive fires".
The estimated 250,000 residents of east Aleppo, which rebels have held since 2012, have been living under government siege since early September.
03:40 Iran slams US on nuclear deal
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani accused the United States Thursday of "a lack of compliance" with the nuclear deal agreed between Tehran and world powers last July.
Speaking to global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Rouhani then attacked the US for what he described as "illegal actions," referring to the US Supreme Court decision in April to allow US victims of terror to claim nearly $2 billion in compensation from Iran's central bank.
The decision allows impounded Iranian assets to be distributed to more than 1,000 US survivors of terror attacks for which the US deems Iranian groups responsible.
Rouhani blamed the ruling on the influence of "Zionist pressure groups" in Washington.
03:35 Putin appoints new foreign spy boss
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thuersday appointed the country's hawkish former parliament speaker as the new head of his foreign intelligence agency.
Putin nominated former Duma boss Sergei Naryshkin -- widely reported to have served with him in the Soviet-era KGB -- to take over as head of the SVR from Mikhail Fradkov, days after a thumping win for the ruling United Russia party at legislative elections that will now see a new speaker take over.
The change comes with Russia locked in its worst standoff with the west since the Cold War over the crisis in Ukraine and Moscow's backing for Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
The spike in tensions has reportedly pushed the levels of spying from both sides back up to that seen before the fall of the Iron Curtain.
"You are well aware, as we all are, what situation we are in now and how important success for this service is for the stable, secure development of our country," Putin told Naryshkin in televised comments.
"It is important to head off threats that arise in relation to Russia promptly, not to let them grow but on the contrary to act in such a way so that they don't arise -- to neutralise these threats at an early stage."
Naryshkin is a long-standing Putin ally from the president's hometown Saint Petersburg who Russia media claims served as a KGB spy in the West.
02:29 Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa hospitalised with fever, dehydration
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has been hospitalised with fever and dehydration, doctors treating her at a hospital in Chennai said.
The 68-year-old is stable and under observation, doctors at the Apollo Hospitals said in a statement.
02:27 Michelle Obama passport scan appears online in apparent hack
The White House says it's looking into a cyber hack that led to what appears to be a scan of first lady Michelle Obama's passport being posted online.
The United States Secret Service is expressing concern. White House spokesman Josh Earnest says he can't confirm whether the passport scan and internal White House communications disclosed are authentic.
He's declining to say who may be responsible for the breach.
Secret Service spokeswoman Cathy Milhoan says her agency is aware of what she calls the "alleged email hacking."
She says the Secret Service is concerned whenever unauthorized information is released about someone the Secret Service protects.
The information was posted on the same site where former Secretary of State Colin Powell's private emails were recently disclosed.
01:51 Brad Pitt accused of child abuse, FBI to investigate
Brad Pitt is being investigated after being accused of verbal and physical abuse against his children, according to multiple reports early Thursday.
Department of Children and Family Services spokesman Armand Montiel told USA Today by law the agency cannot confirm or deny investigations.
But TMZ reports the actor, whose wife Angelina Jolie filed for divorce Monday, is under investigation by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services following an incident on a private jet.
TMZ says the case was referred over to the FBI on Thursday due to the fact that the alleged incident happened in the air while the family was on a plane from France last Wednesday.
In divorce documents, Jolie listed the couple's date of separation as the following day, September 15.
01:40 Ahead of its release, PIL seeks ban on film 'Parched'
A day before the release of Bollywood film 'Parched', a PIL was on Thursday filed in the Gujarat high court seeking a ban on it, claiming that it had projected the Rabari/Maldhari (cattle-breeders) community in "bad
light".
Admitting the petition, a bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice VM Pancholi issued notices to Central Board of Film Certification, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the film's director, seeking their replies by September 27 when the case will be heard next.
The film, featuring actress Radhika Apte in the lead role, is set to hit the theatres on Friday.
The petitioner, Masarubhai Rabari, has sought a ban on the film as well as on its telecast.
He submitted that the official trailer of the movie was available online and pleaded that the trailer itself contained some "objectionable" scenes and dialogues which "adversely affected the honour and reputation" of his community.
Taking a strong objection to the portrayal of the community, especially the women, Rabari claimed that the film could create a "wrong impression" among the masses about the Maldhari community as it contained "semi-nude" scenes.
He also alleged that the filmmaker had portrayed the community in a "vulgar, offensive and crude manner", which had hurt the sentiments of all of its members.
He argued that public exhibition of the film could create a misunderstanding regarding his community among the masses.
01:38 Israel destroying two-state solution hopes: Abbas to UN
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday that Israel's settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank was destroying any hope of a two-state solution.
Abbas, who has been Palestinian president for 11 years, urged countries at the gathering to recognize Palestine as a state and once again offered the hand of peace, albeit slamming Israel's intentions.
"What the Israeli government is doing in pursuit of its expansionist settlement plans will destroy whatever possibility is left for the two-state solution along the 1967 borders," Abbas said.
The Palestinian leader said his officials would "exert all efforts" to get the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution on settlements and the "terror of the settlers."
"The settlements are illegal in every aspect," Abbas said.
"We are undertaking at the moment extensive consultations with Arab countries and other friendly countries on this matter," he said.
Washington said on August 31 that it was "deeply concerned" following an announcement that Israel had approved the construction of 463 homes for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank.
The approvals mostly involved new housing units, but a retroactive green light was also granted to 179 existing homes in the Ofarim settlement, said the Peace Now organization.
Nickolay Mladenov, the UN coordinator for the Middle East peace process, told the Security Council in August that Israeli settlement expansion had surged in the past two months.
The recent report by the diplomatic Quartet -- the European Union, Russia, the UN and the United States -- said construction of settlements on land earmarked to be part of a future Palestinian state is eroding the possibility of a two-state solution.
01:06 19 dead in clashes with IS in Libya's Sirte
Ten jihadists and nine pro-government fighters died in clashes on Thursday around the last positions of the Islamic State group in the Libyan coastal city of Sirte, medical and military sources said.
"Our forces are advancing on the last holdouts of Daesh" in the only district of Sirte still held by IS, said the media office of the pro-government fighters, using an Arabic acronym for the jihadist group.
Three car bombs driven by jihadists were destroyed before reaching their targets, it said.
Sirte was an IS stronghold before forces loyal to the country's Government of National Accord launched an offensive against the jihadists in May.
The hospital in Misrata, a town half-way between Sirte and Tripoli, to which casualties are ferried, said on Facebook that nine pro-GNA fighters were killed and 40 wounded.
Loyalist military sources said at least 10 IS militants also died in the latest bout of the four-month-old battle.
00:40 Yahoo confirms huge data breach affecting 500 million accounts
Yahoo said Thursday a massive attack on its network in 2014 accessed data from at least 500 million users and may have been "state sponsored."
"Based on the ongoing investigation, Yahoo believes that information associated with at least 500 million user accounts was stolen," a statement from the US Internet giant.
"Yahoo is working closely with law enforcement on this matter."
The comments were the first confirmation from Yahoo on the huge data breach, and come after a report earlier this year quoting a security researcher saying some 200 million accounts may have been accessed.
00:37
Mumbai-Goa highway closed following heavy rains in coastal Konkan region, traffic will be diverted: Police
00:35 Mumbai terror alert: Police releases sketch of suspected terrorist
Police has released the sketch of one of the suspected terrorists who was spotted by the school children in Uran.
A high alert was sounded along the Mumbai coast and adjoining areas on Thursday after a group of men were spotted moving suspiciously near a naval base at Uran in Raigad district, leading to massive search operations by multiple agencies.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed to citizens not to panic and said all precautions are being taken after a high alert was sounded along the Mumbai coast and adjoining areas.
Fadnavis who is enroute to Mumbai from United States, spoke to the state Director General of Police Satish Mathur, Mumbai Police Commissioner Dattatray Padsalgikar and Intelligence Commissioner.
00:24 UK plans to trigger formal EU exit process in early 2017
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Thursday that Britain was aiming to trigger Article 50, the formal process for leaving the European Union, early next year.
"We are talking to our European friends and partners in the expectation that by the early part of next year you will see an Article 50 letter. We will invoke that," he told Britain's Sky News television in New York.
00:10 US: Shell that hit Iraqi base contained sulfur-mustard agent
The top United States general says a rocket that landed on a military base in northern Iraq contained chemical agents that cause human skin to blister.
Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford was asked at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday about the disclosure a day earlier that the Islamic State may have attacked the base with chemical weapons.
US officials said that an oily substance found on a fragment of the rocket initially tested positive for mustard agent, but that a second test was negative.
They said further laboratory testing was scheduled.
Dunford said unequivocally that the weapon contained a "sulfur-mustard blister agent" and that no one was injured. He said the Islamic State has a rudimentary capability to deliver chemical weapons.
Nonetheless, he called the attack a "concerning development."
00:03 F-16 fighter jets seen flying over Islamabad: Reports
Amid mounting tensions between India and Pakistan, a journalist in Pakistan has tweeted about the presence of a group of fighter jets flying over Islamabad.
"F-16 planes flying at 10:20 pm over Islamabad", tweets senior Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir.
The tweet came after Pakistan cleared its highways and border air space in anticipation of India's retaliation after Sunday's terror attack in Uri.
Earlier it was also reported that all of the air traffic and flights from Islamabad to Northern areas were cancelled.
Representative image
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