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Fri, 04 August 2017
Border peace, tranquility valuable to both nations: Chinese envoy

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23:39   Pak Cabinet assures 'moral, diplomatic support' to Kashmiris
The first Cabinet meeting held today under the leadership of Pakistan's new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi assured the country's "moral and diplomatic support" to the Kashmiris in their "fight for self determination".
Prime Minister Abbasi, while outlining his future plans during the meeting, promised to continue the journey of "progress and democracy" initiated by ex-premier Nawaz Sharif, Samaa-TV reported.
Abbasi put forward a 32-point agenda which was approved by the Cabinet in its entirety, the report said.
The prime minister reiterated that all projects, including the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, energy infrastructure to get rid of load shedding, economic revival and the fight against terrorism, would be carried out in "letter and spirit".
Abbasi assured "moral and diplomatic support" of Pakistan to the people of Kashmir in their "fight for self determination".
Abbasi also vowed to complete the developmental plans of 10 years in the next 10 months.
He stated that the Cabinet will work both on short term goals and long-term targets simultaneously.
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23:17   Border peace, tranquility valuable to both nations: Chinese envoy
Even as India and China remain engaged in a standoff at Dokalam, the Chinese Consul-General in Kolkata on Friday said peace and tranquility along the border are valuable to both countries and they should focus on areas of shared interest.
Ma Zhanwu expressed hope that the current "situation will be dealt with in a rational, objective and constructive way so that the issue can be sorted out as soon as possible".
He said China and India have differences and problems, but yet their shared interests are far more important.
"There are always differences, problems (between nations). It's just like brothers and sisters. If you have a brother or a sister you will have differences. You might have differences with your parents as well. But that doesn't mean you cannot get along with them. That doesn't mean you totally stop dealing with your brother on other issues," he said.
He said the two countries should focus on where they can cooperate and work hard to expand their cooperation, their mutual benefits.
"Peace and tranquility along the India-China border are valuable to both China and India," Ma told reporters.
His comments come after his country's defence ministry's warning on Thursday that its 'restraint' has a "bottom line".
The reaction of the Chinese defence ministry had come a day after India's external affairs ministry in a statement said peace and tranquility along the India-China boundary constituted the important prerequisite for a smooth
development of bilateral relationship.
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22:40   Political violence has no place in democracy: Manmohan on attack on Rahul
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tonight strongly condemned the attack on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat and said "political violence has no place in a functioning democracy". 

A cement brick was hurled at Gandhi's car by a man, suspected to be a BJP supporter, smashing a glass-pane at the rear end, during a tour of flood-hit Banaskantha district of Gujarat, police said. 

Gandhi, however, escaped unhurt and proceeded to the next place on his itinerary--Runi village in Thara taluka--where he asserted he would not get cowed down by such protests. Singh strongly condemned the attack, the office of the former prime minister said in a statement.

"Political violence has no place in a functioning democracy," the statement quoted Singh as saying. Superintendent of Police Neeraj Badgujar said the man who threw the brick at the Congress leader's car has been detained.
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22:35   Rape charge can't be quashed even if accused married victim: Delhi HC
The Delhi high court has declined to quash rape charge against a man, who is now married to the alleged victim, observing that it is an "offence against society".
Justice Pratibha Rani passed the order on a man's plea seeking quashing of an FIR lodged against him for repeatedly raping a woman, hurting and criminally intimidating her.
The court said, "In view of settled legal position..., the criminal proceedings emanating from an FIR registered with allegations of rape, which is an offence against society, despite the alleged marriage of the man with the complainant woman, cannot be quashed in exercise of powers vested in this court under CrPC."
The accused, who is out on interim bail since May 20, had urged the high court to quash the case against him on the ground that the physical relationship between him and the woman were consensual since the beginning and that they had tied the knot in May this year.
Contending that the case registered in November 2016 was frivolous and was a result of a misunderstanding, he demanded that it be quashed.
As per the prosecution, the two had been in a relationship since 2005. However, the relation was opposed by their families on caste consideration, after which the man married someone else in July 2012. Later he divorced his wife in 2015 and again came close to the woman.
He established physical relationship on promise to marry her but again backed out, which prompted the woman to file a rape case against him.
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21:47   Working towards merger of AIADMK factions, says Dinakaran
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham leader TTV Dinakaran today said that the party is working towards the merger of factions.

"We are working towards the merger of factions, very soon you will hear a good news. It could be even before October 17," Dinakaran told media in Chennai.

He further said that he will go to the AIADMK office whenever he wants as nobody can stop him from doing so.

"AIADMK party office is my office and nobody can stop me from going there," Dinakaran added.

Dinakaran, after meeting AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala in Bengaluru jail, on Thursday said that Sasikala had asked him to 'wait and watch' for two months before taking any steps to unite the faction-ridden party.
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21:37   Bureaucratic reshuffle: 22 joint secretaries appointed
As many as 22 joint secretaries have been appointed in different central government departments as part of mid-level bureaucratic reshuffle effected today.
Of the total officers, 11 are from Indian Administrative Service and rest from other central services like Indian Police Service and Indian Revenue Service.
There has been demand by officers of civil services of equal career-related opportunities as enjoyed by those in IAS.
IAS officers Atul Kumar Tiwari and Lok Ranjan have been appointed as joint secretaries in Department of Rural Development and Department of Financial Services respectively, an order issued by department of personnel and training said.
Kishore B and Ram Krishna Khandelwal will be JSs in Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, and Department of Food and Public Distribution respectively, it said.
Anju Bhalla, an officer of Central Secretariat Service, will be Joint Secretary in Department of Science and Technology. Bharati, an Indian Forest Service officer of 1992 batch (Sikkim cadre) has been named Joint Secretary, Ministry of Power.
IAS officer Govind Mohan will be Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs. Kamal Datta and Ritesh Kumar Singh have been appointed as joint secretaries in Department of Food and Public Distribution, and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change respectively, the order said.
Roshan Jaggi has been appointed as Joint Secretary in Ministry of Ayush, Ravinder Goyal (an IRTS officer) as Advisor (JS level), NITI Aayog, Surendra Singh Meena as Joint Secretary in Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, and Sanjai Singh as Joint Secretary in Department of Defence, it said.
IPS officers Satinder Pal Singh and Anil Kumar Agarwal have been appointed as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion respectively.
Amit Kumar Ghosh will be Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and Vinod Kumar Jindal as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
IAS officer Archana Varma will be Additional Secretary in Central Vigilance Commission. Sandip Mukund Pradhan, an IRS (Income Tax cadre), has been named Deputy Director General, Sports Authority of India.
Anil Sant will be Additional Registrar General, Registrar General and Census Commissioner India, Chhavi Jha will be Joint Secretary in Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, and Rakesh Ranjan will be Member Secretary, National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority. 

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21:21   Akshay Kumar appointed brand ambassador for Swachh Bharat Mission in UP
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today announced the appointment of Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar as the brand ambassador of the Swachh Bharat Mission in the state and also made his upcoming film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha tax free.
The movie stresses on the importance of building toilets and ending open defecation in the country.
"The message which has been given through the film is an inspiration for all... The film will give a new sensitivity to the society and help remove the ills," Adityanath said during a programme attended by the film's lead stars Akshay and Bhumi Pednekar in Lucknow.
Besides picking up the broom, the chief minister and the cast of the film also administered the oath of cleanliness to the children and others present at the event.
"Everyone needs to do 'shramdan' for 100 hours in a year and two hours a week," the CM said, adding that the dream of a healthy society can be realised only by adopting cleanliness and it is everyone's social responsibility to promote it.
"The state government is working with complete sincerity on the Swachh Bharat Mission and by October 2, 2018, the state will be made open defecation free," he added.
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20:38   Dilip Kumar's health is not good but he is not on ventilator: Doctor
Veteran actor Dilip Kumar's health is not good but he is not on ventilator, news agency ANI reported quoting a doctor who is treating him at the Lilavati Hospital.

Dilip Kumar's health is not good but he is not on ventilator, said noted pulmonologist Dr Jalil Parkar.

Parkar further added, His (Kumars) haemoglobin is decreasing and potassium is increasing. Creatinine is still rising. He will need a dialysis.

Kumar was admitted to the hospital in suburban Bandra on Wednesday morning after he suffered from dehydration and urinary tract infection.
There have been reports that the 94-year-old actor is suffering from a renal ailment.

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19:36   Kashmir family claims dead terrorist Abu Dujana as 'son'
A family from south Kashmir claimed that Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorist Abu Dujana, killed by security forces this week, was their lost son Muzafar but beat a hasty retreat when asked to give their DNA samples, officials said on Friday.

The family from Kokernag, 64 km from Pulwama where Dujana was gunned down on Tuesday, reached Anantnag yesterday with a few others.

They approached local police saying he was their son who had gone missing in 1999 and wanted to claim his body.

Given that Dujana is believed to be from Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir police had said they would ask the Pakistan High Commission to take his body, this came as a surprise, officials said.

Narrating the incident, officials in the know said the visibly agitated group demanded to know where Dujana had been buried.

They wanted to claim his body and offer fresh 'Namaz-e-Jinaza' (last prayers). They insisted on burying him afresh in their ancestral graveyard, officials said.

The 'family' claimed Dujana was actually Mohammed Muzafar Magrey, son of Ghulam Mohammed Magrey, from Checki Danibat locality of Kokernag.

He had fled in 1999 and never returned. But the family was unable to provide any documentary proof to back their claim, the officials said.

Faced with what could be a tricky situation, the group was asked to sit down and ready for a DNA test.

Faced with the ultimatum, the group quietened down and started leaving one by one. They were not seen after that, officials said, adding that the DNA sample of Dujana, buried in north Kashmir, has been preserved.

Dujana was identified by the family where he was staying with in Pulwama.

They had told police that Abu Dujana had claimed his family lived in Karachi. Dujana, whose actual identity was not known, was killed in an encounter with a joint team of police, army and para- military forces on August 2.  -- Sumir Kaul/PTI
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19:21   UP ATS probing into 'mole' leaking Indian Army's top secret data
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad on Friday received a notification that secret information related to Indian Army from the SDM Sadar office in Jhansi, is being given out to detective agents.

Personnel in the office are being interrogated in connection with the case.

A few records have been taken in possession along with computers and pendrives.

The required action will be taken on the basis of evidence.No arrest has been made yet.

A team led by ATS sub-inspector K M Rai is investigating the matter. -- ANI
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18:28   People are angry, tired of Rahul's politics: BJP on attack
The Bharatiya Janata Party today termed Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's visit to flood-hit Gujarat as an example of his 'photo opportunity' politics and played down protests targeting him, saying the opposition party should 'respect' people's emotions.

After the Congress alleged that 'BJP goons' were behind the stone attack on Gandhi's car, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the opposition party should not 'abuse' people who are 'angry' over the floods and 'tired' of Rahul Gandhi's politics.

"For God's sake, don't call people goons. Don't call public of this country as rowdy elements, people who are suffering from floods, people who are tired of this kind of politics that Rahul Gandhi and his party are doing. Let's respect people's emotions," he told reporters.

While BJP MLAs in Gujarat are doing their best to help people, Congress MLAs are enjoying themselves in a resort in Bengaluru, he said.

People are looking for their representatives but the Congress lawmakers are having fun in Karnataka, he said.

The Congress has transported its Gujarat MLAs to the southern state ruled by it in a bid to keep its flock together ahead of crucial Rajya Sabha polls in the state.

Hitting out at Gandhi, Patra said everybody knows that he practises politics of opportunism and believes in 'fly by politics'.  -- PTI

IMAGE: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi visiting the flood-hit areas in Rajasthan. Photograph: @INCIndia/Twitter
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17:51   Won't back down due to few black flags, says Rahul in Gujarat
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi visited flood affected areas in Gujarat, on Friday, where he was also shown black flags by a group of protesters.

Addressing the villagers and the media, Rahul Gandhi said that he was in Assam the other day, Rajasthan on Friday and now in Gujarat.

Amidst his speech, few people waved black flags to which he asked the guards to let them in, and saying, "I don't care."

"It's a difficult and grievous time for all of you and so I wanted to come amongst you all," he said addressing the crowd.

He added that many people lost their loved ones and homes due to floods and so he wanted to meet them to tell them that the Congress Party is standing with the people of Gujarat.

"It is not our government in Delhi or Gujarat, but we are standing here with you, I am standing here with you and we won't back down due to a few black flags," he said.

The Congress vice-president also visited Rajasthan flood affected areas on Friday morning and said that Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje-led Rajasthan Government is not taking adequate steps to provide relief to people of the state who have been affected by floods.

Gandhi, who was Jalore to take stock of the situation, said he received poor response from people of the state as no rehabilitation work is being done, while adding that his party is trying to facilitate masses to the maximum extent it can.

Thousands of people are still living in shelters in flooded areas. Since July 22, nearly 17 people have lost their lives in the state.

Most of the roads of Rajasthan's Sirohi, Pali and Jalore districts have been blocked and the traffic movement is badly affected due to the massive floods in the state.

Earlier on Thursday Rahul Gandhi visited flood affected areas at Lakhimpur in Assam and said that Congress Party will pick up the issue and discuss about the flood situation in the Parliament.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) says that 11,93,458 people have in 1,795 villages of 24 districts have been affected by the floods.

As many as 79 people have lost their lives in the devastating floods, eight of them from Guwahati.

Assam has been dealing with heavy floods since mid-July.

Image: @INCIndia tweeted this picture of Rahul in Gujarat, saying, "When actions speak louder than words. #PeoplesRahul."

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17:45   Penguin celebrates 30th anniversary with free books on Delhi metro
Penguin Random House India is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and to promote reading, the publisher has provided books on the Delhi Metro with its anniversary special editions, Penguin 30 that will be placed across different metro stations between August 7-11. The anniversary special editions would be colour coordinated according to the station lines on the Delhi Metro where people can pick the book, read and return for others to enjoy.
 
So, if youre traveling by the Delhi Metro and happen to come across a lovely book with a blue cover on the blue line or a yellow book on the yellow line, dont forget to grab your copy and read. Because, it couldnt get any better than to just, keep reading!
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17:06   Rear glass windows of car damaged: Cop
A block of cement used to damage the car Rahul Gandhi was travelling in, in Dhanera town in Gujarat. While the Congress VP was not injured, a SPG commando suffered injuries. A Banaskantha SP confirmed that Rahul's car was pelted with stones in Dhanera town and the rear glass panes of the vehicle were damaged.
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17:00   Rahul's car attacked in Gujarat, SPG commando injured
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's car was pelted with stones while he was travelling during his tour to the flood-affected Banaskantha district of Gujarat on Friday.

An SPG protectee, Rahul was travelling with SPG commandos some of whom were reportedly injured in the attack.

Sources said black flags were also waved at him at the agricultural produce market committee where he had stopped to meet flood victims.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the incident was disgusting and disgraceful. The Congress also said that Cement bricks were thrown at the car. "We strongly condemn the incident. Are we reaching a space in our democracy where political opponents are not going to be allowed to practice democratic politics!" Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Congress leader, said.


Image: Glass pieces from shattered windows lie inside the car Rahul Gandhi was travelling in while touring flood-hit Gujarat. The picture was tweeted by @INCIndia
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16:43   Aadhaar mandatory for death certificate from Oct 1
The government has made Aadhaar number mandatory for the registration of death from October 1, to prevent identity fraud. The home ministry said today that it would be applicable for the residents of all states except Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and Meghalaya, for which a date would be notified separately.

"Aadhaar number will be required for the purpose of establishing the identity of the deceased for the purpose of death registration with effect from October 1," according to a notification issued by the home ministry.

The office of the Registrar General, which functions under the home ministry, said the use of Aadhaar will result in ensuring accuracy of the details provided by the relatives or dependents or acquaintances of the deceased.

"It will provide an effective method to prevent identity fraud. It will also help in recording the identity of the deceased person. Further, it will obviate the need for producing multiple documents to prove the identity of the deceased person," it said.
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16:03   A morning with the first Indian in space
Thirty-three years after he spent eight days in space, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, 69, draws similar adulation from generations of Indians who have memories of watching him inside that Russian shuttle on their television sets in April 1984. But the reticent test pilot does not make a fuss about the space journey.

"I have difficulty reconciling to an event which in my opinion was rather routine. Any other person from the air force or the services could have done it. I believe the response is not commensurate with the event," he says with humility, his forehead furrowing into a frown, then making way for a hesitant smile.


Archana Masih/Rediff.com speaks to Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, in this must-read interview. Take a look.
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15:58   EVM malfunctioning: Centre seeks time from SC to file reply
The Central Government on Friday sought two weeks from the Supreme Court to file reply in connection with the affidavit filed by the Election Commission over electronic voting machines malfunctioning.

The apex court fixed the matter for further hearing after two weeks.A bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar and also comprising Justice DY Chandrachud was hearing pleas from lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma and from a political party. The apex court today heard the plea filed by the Bahujan Samaj Party and lawyer Manohar Lal Sharma, seeking a thorough investigation into the tampering of the EVMs by US-based scientists.

In his petition, Sharma claimed that in the April Assembly elections of five states, the EVMs were allegedly tampered.Earlier, the apex court had issued a notice to the Union Government seeking a reply into Sharma's plea.

A bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar and comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and DY Chandrachud, issued the notice over the petition filed by lawyer Sharma. The top court, however, at this stage refused to pass any order for a CBI inquiry.
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15:18   Jet Airways pilot risked air passengers' lives: Report
A Government Committee report has found pilots of a Jet Airways flight guilty of risking lives of passengers. In April this year, Jet Airways and Vistara flights were involved in a near miss at Delhi airport.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau report, a copy of which is with ANI, says, "The incident was reported on April 21, when Jet Airways flight 9W 597 sought to land at Delhi IGI Airport. As a result of the landing being aborted, the distance between it and Vistara flight UK 811, which had been authorised for takeoff, fell to less than 400 feet, triggering a warning in both cockpits to maintain a safe distance.

"There were 148 passengers aboard the Vistara Airbus A320 plane bound for Bengaluru, while the Jet Airways Boeing 737 was arriving from Muscat with 174 passengers.

"The report said also that Jet Airways Pilots ignored concerns raised by the ATC over the high speed. The ATC asked them thrice whether they would be able to land at that speed. The pilot of the aircraft replied in the affirmative thrice but opted for a go-around after the co-pilot warned the pilot that they would not be able to land because the flaps couldn't be opened. The AAIB has suggested corrective training for the pilots of Jet Airways flight flight 9W 597 and air traffic controllers.
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14:38   CBI issues lookout notice against Karti Chidambaram
The CBI issues a lookout notice against Karti Chidambaram, son of former union minister P Chidambaram.

This comes as Karti, this morning, moved the Madras High Court asking if any lookout notice had been issued against him.

Assistance Solicitor General sought time to get information on the matter.

Earlier on July 21, Karti moved the Madras High Court seeking quashing of a CBI case against him for which he was summoned by the investigative agency for questioning.

On July 19, the CBI sent a second notice to Karti summoning him to the CBI headquarters on July 21 for questioning regarding the INX Media Case.

Earlier, the CBI had summoned Karti between June 27-29 , but Karti, through his lawyers, informed the investigating team that he needed more time, before he could appear for questioning.

According to the CBI, INX Media stated in its records that an amount of Rs. 10 lakh was given to Advantage Strategic Consulting (P) Limited, a firm the CBI said was "indirectly" owned by Karti, for management consultancy charges towards the Foreign Investment Promotion Board notification and clarification.

The FIPB is a body under the Finance Ministry that clears investment proposals.

Karti has accused the CBI of hatching a conspiracy against him and has alleged that the CBI was nailing him because of its frustation arising out of its inability to prove anything against him and his father in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case.


Image: Karti Chidambaram (right) with his father and former union minister P Chidambaram.

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14:34  
Veteran actor Dilip Kumar's kidney functions not proper, says Lilavati Hospital.
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13:54   Kashmiri separatist leaders produced before Patiala House Court
The NIA on Friday produced separatist leaders arrested from Jammu and Kashmir before the Patiala House Court.

The NIA has arrested seven Separatists - Altaf Shah, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Mehraj Kalwal, Shahid-ul-Islam, Naeem Khan and Bitta Karate for funding terror in the Kashmir Valley.

The accused have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The NIA visited Srinagar in May to probe the alleged funding by Pakistan for illegal activities in Kashmir, and questioned several separatist leaders on the issue of raising, collecting and transferring funds via the Hawala route and other channels to fund terror activities in Kashmir.

The NIA sleuths specifically questioned separatist leaders Farooq Ahmed Dar alias Bitta Karate and Gazi Javed Baba at that time.The NIA is said to be probing all aspects of funding to separatist leaders and how they reportedly used these funds to fuel unrest in the Kashmir Valley.
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13:35   What brings Imran Knan to a remote town in Pakistan?
At a time when Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf faced the media onslaught after 'startling revelations' by its MNA Ms Ayesha Gulalai on Tuesday evening, the party chairman who skipped the all-important National Assembly session the same day, travelled all the way to Pakpattan in the dark of night.Mr Khan has been a regular visitor to the ancient town for the last two years. The visits, however, are kept private. Read more
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13:20   Martyred Major's father wants 'full-fledged war' against Pakistan
The father of Major Kamlesh Pandey, who was killed in an encounter with terrorists in south Kashmir's Shopian district on Thursday, exhorted India to wage a full-fledged war against Pakistan.

Pandey's father, Mohan Chandra Pandey, who is himself a retired army officer, said that Pakistan is responsible for the death of his son and demanded that a war against Pakistan is needed to put an end to all the violence.

Speaking to the media before the last rites of his son, Mohan Chandra said, "Only a full-fledged war against Pakistan will put an end to this. There is no other option other than war. Only a war can ensure 15-20 years of peace."

Meanwhile, the last rites of Major Kamlesh Pandey were performed on Friday at his native place in Haldwani, Uttarakhand with full military honours.

Earlier in the morning, the mortal remains of Major Kamlesh Pandey were brought to his native place.

Pandey, who was among the three armymen injured in a gunfight with terrorists, succumbed to his injuries after he was airlifted 92 military base hospital in Srinagar. The other two soldiers were identified as Tenzin and Kripal Singh.

As the mortal remains of the martyred Major reached his village in Uttarakhand for the last rites, slogans of 'Pakistan murdabad' were raised by the locals.

Meanwhile, Hizbul Mujahideen has claimed the responsibility of the attack. Pandey, 26, is survived by his wife, daughter and parents.
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13:07   SP, BSP oppose renaming of Mughalsarai rly station
Rajya Sabha proceedings were today briefly adjourned after opposition Samajwadi Party and BSP created a furore over the renaming of the historic Mughalsarai railway station in Uttar Pradesh after Deen Dayal Upadhayay.


SP members trooped into the well of the House shouting slogans and disrupted taking up of listed business, forcing Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to adjourn the proceedings for 10 minutes.


The issue was raised by Naresh Agarwal (SP), who had given notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business to take up discussion on the issue.


But Kurien disallowed it saying the subject can be raised in some other form like a zero hour notice. However, the parties from Uttar Pradesh continued to protest.


The railway station came into being in 1862 when the East India Company linked Howrah to Delhi by rail. While Agarwal said the government was trying to change character of the country, his other party colleagues said the names of persons "who have made no contribution to the freedom struggle" are being given. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi objected to it, saying the opposition parties have no objection to Mughal names but cannot see the name of a great thinker.


When SP members said no railway station in the country has been named after any personality, Naqvi said the Victoria Terminus in Mumbai was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.


Kurien pleaded with members to return to their places and allow the Zero Hour to function. But the slogan shouting continued. To break the impasse, he called Chhaya Verma (Cong) to speak. Kurien had earlier not allowed her to raise the issue of the agriculture forest land scam in Chhattisgarh saying she could give a Zero Hour notice to raise the issue.
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13:00   Jab Harry Met Sejal: SRK rocks in soulless film
Jab Harry Met Sejal has the stars, the songs, the scenery and everything you'd imagine in a love story, says Sukanya Verma. But in the absence of soul, none of it really matters. 

JHMS is so superficial in complexities and aspirations that you end up judging instead of rooting for its leads.

What's commendable is how SRK makes falling in love with a woman about to marry someone else look like it's happening to him for the first time. 

If Anushka Sharma's brief was 'annoying Gujju' she gets it bang on.

The full review will be up soon. 
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12:59   Salman leaves Jodhpur court
Rajasthan: Salman Khan leaves after appearing in Jodhpur Sessions Court in connection with illegal arms act case; further hearing on 5 October.

In October 1998, Khan was charged with possessing an unlicensed .22 rifle and a .32 revolver and using them to poach two black bucks at Jodhpurs Kankani village. The 51-year-old actor was required to present himself before the district and session judge to present a bail bond of Rs 20,000 as per an April 21 order, defence counsel Hastimal Saraswat said.

The Rajasthan high court had acquitted Khan last year in a case pertaining to the poaching of two chinkaras. The black buck trial is now nearing completion.

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12:09   Pakistan constructing 6 dams in PoK with China's assistance
Pakistan is constructing six dams on the Indus river in Pakistan occupied Kashmir with China's assistance, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The government has issued demarches to both Islamabad and Beijing over the constructions stating that it is in violation of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Rajya Sabha was informed.

"India has a clear and consistent position that these territories are illegally occupied by Pakistan and that any collaborative activity there is in violation of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity," VK Singh said.

"Accordingly, we have made demarches to both Pakistan and China conveying the position. The government will continue to maintain this position," Singh added.
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11:53   Bhopal school asks students to make shivlings, Muslims protest
Around hundred Muslim students of a government girls school in Bhopal boycotted a workshop, organised by the authorities, that required the participants to make Shivlings from clay. The principal of the school reportedly told students to participate in the workshop if they want good marks in exams. Read more
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11:49   Arnab has to respect Tharoor's right to silence, says HC
The Delhi High Court seeks Arnab Goswami's Republic TV's reply on Shashi Tharoor's plea to stop them from 'misreporting' his wife Sunanda Pushkar's case. The court says Goswami and the channel have to respect Tharoor's right to silence on the issue.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday filed an application before the Delhi High Court seeking to restrain Republic TV from making defamatory publications against him with regard to the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar.

Tharoor has already filed a defamation suit against journalist Arnab Goswami and his news channel Republic TV and claimed Rs 2 crore damages from them for defamatory remarks against him.

On May 29, the High Court had said the TV news channel can air stories by stating the facts related to the investigation into the death of Pushkar, but cannot call the Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram a "criminal".

The court said that they (Goswami and his channel) cannot use such language and had sought response from the journalist and channel on the defamation suit by August 16.

In a fresh application through advocate Gaurav Gupta, Tharoor said: "Despite the assurance given by the counsel of the defendants (Republic TV) on the last date of hearing, the defendants are still engaging in defaming the plaintiff (Tharoor) and maligning his image."

The application stated: "Numerous shows, debates, interviews etc. are being broadcast repeatedly on the New Channel of the defendants, wherein innuendos are being used to portray that the plaintiff was complicit in the unfortunate death of the deceased."

"There have also been instances when the plaintiff has been categorically called to be the killer of the deceased," it added. The Congress leader pleaded that the expression "murder of Sunanda Pushkar" should not be used as it is yet to be established by a competent court of law that the death of his wife was a 'murder'.

The High Court will hear Tharoor's application on Friday. Republic TV had recently aired what it called an expose in the death of Pushkar, playing tapes of a purported conversation between a reporter and Tharoor's assistant Narayan on the night of Pushkar's death.

Pushkar was found dead in a five-star hotel in south Delhi on the night of January 17, 2014. Tharoor, in his defamation suit, said he has suffered humiliation and severe loss of reputation in the eyes of the public.

He has baselessly been declared by them as the alleged murderer of his wife, said the defamation suit, seeking a permanent injunction against the channel from reporting or broadcasting any news regarding Pushkar's death until investigations are complete.
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11:22   VP polls tomorrow. Everything you wanted to know
The voting to elect India's 15th Vice President will be held on August 5 and the results will be announced the same day.

The term of incumbent Hamid Ansari, who has held the post for two consecutive terms, comes to an end on August 10.

Here is everything you need to know about Vice-president Election in India:

-- The election for the Vice President is conducted through a secret ballot where the members of Electoral College consisting of Members of the both Houses of Parliament including, the nominated members of Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha vote.

-- Members of Parliament will use special pens for marking their choice.  Votes marked with any other pen are liable to be rejected.

-- The ballot paper shall contain the names of the contesting candidates, but does not contain any election symbol.

a) Rajya Sabha: Elected = 233 Nominated = 12
b) Lok Sabha: Elected = 543 Nominated = 2
TOTAL = 790

A candidate needs 20 electors as proposers and at least another 20 electors as seconders for his nomination. The candidate also has to make a security deposit of Rs. 15,000.

A person shall be eligible for election as Vice-President if he:a) is a citizen of India; b) has completed the age of 35 years; c) is qualified for election as a member of the Council of States (Article 66).

A person shall not be eligible for election as Vice-President if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State or under any Local or other Authority subject to the control of any of said Governments.

However, a person shall not be deemed to hold any office of profit by reason only that he is the President or Vice-President of the Union or the Governor of any State or is a Minister either for the Union or for any State.The Vice President is the second highest constitutional post in India.

The Vice President is the 'ex-officio' Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.In case of the demise or impeachment or resignation of the President, the vice-president becomes the acting President as the office of the head of the nation cannot be kept vacant and stays on the post for a maximum period of six months and performs all the functions of the President.

The Vice President is elected for a period of five years. There is no fixed retirement age to the Vice President and he or she can be re-elected as the Vice President for any number of times.

The Vice President is entitled to receiving the salary of the Chairman of the Council of States, which presently amounts to Rs 1,25,000 per month.The Vice President can be terminated before the completion of fixed five-year term, either by resignation or by removal by the President.

There is no formal process of impeachment for the removal of the Vice President, and a removal proceeding can be initiated when members of the Rajya Sabha vote against the Vice President in an effective majority and members of Lok Sabha agree to this decision in a simple majority.

A total of 14 days advance notice must be given prior to the initiation of the removal proceedings of the Vice President. In such cases, when a temporary vacancy in the office of the Vice President is created, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha takes over the role of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Unlike the President, the Vice President is not allotted any special residential privileges while in office. While the President of India stays in the Rastrapati Bhavan, the Vice President is not subjected to any such benefits during his or her tenure as the Vice President.
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11:04   Lalu in court
RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav appears at the CBI Court in Ranchi for a hearing in the fodder scam case.
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10:47   Im a feminist. Giving women a day off for their period is a stupid idea.
A campaign in India has urged providing women a day off for the first day of their periods. I didn't take this idea seriously when I first heard it. It seemed like the self-indulgent mumbo-jumbo of so-called post-feminists. To my shock, the issue has become a major point of discussion. One media outlet has even adopted this harebrained policy for its female employees.

Barkha Dutt on period leave. Read the column here.
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10:43   Hope he recovers soon: Saira Banu on Dilip Kumar's health
Legendary actor Dilip Kumar's wife Saira Banu is mum on reports of him suffering from a kidney ailment and says she is hopeful that he will recover soon with the prayers of his well-wishers and fans.


"We have to pray he recovers soon. He should be well Inshallah! God willing. The doctors are treating him," Banu told PTI this morning, when asked about reports that Kumar is suffering from a renal ailment.


The 94-year-old acting legend is currently in the ICU at Lilavati hospital in suburban Bandra. He was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday morning after he suffered from dehydration and urinary tract infection. According to some reports, Kumar's kidney functions have not improved.


Dr Jalil Parkar, who is treating the actor at the hospital, was unavailable for a confirmation on this.


File pic.
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10:21   Sensex extends losses, Nifty goes below 10k
Banking, healthcare and FMCG stocks weighed heavy on markets today as the Sensex faltered and the Nifty dropped below the key 10,000-mark in early session.

Asian shares were a mixed bag.

The 30-share Sensex fell 76.20 points -- or 0.23 per cent -- to 32,161.68. The gauge had lost 337 points in the previous two sessions. Healthcare, FMCG, banking, power and auto indices were all in the loss zone, down by up to 1.67 per cent.

The Nifty, which stayed above the 10,000 mark for seven straight sessions, slipped below the psychological level, down 22.55 points, or 0.22 per cent, at 9,991.10.

The indices were pulled lower mostly by Sun Pharma, Lupin, Dr Reddy's, Cipla, ONGC and Reliance Industries. In contrast, Coal India, Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp, were up on selective buying support, chiefly on strong fundamentals.
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10:08   Ayesha Gulalai shows journalist messages allegedly sent by Imran Khan
Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ayesha Gulalai has said that she would provide proof of her allegations if summoned by a court of law or a parliamentary committee.

"I am not here speaking without evidence. I will not pursue it personally, however, if they go to some forum, I will cooperate," clarified Gulalai, Geo News reports.

Gulalai showed the alleged messages briefly to senior journalist Hamid Mir.

"The messages showed to me add weightage to Ayesha Gulalai's claims, but they should be investigated," said Mir.

Gulalai also said PTI spokesperson Naeem-ul-Haque had also sent her a text message.

"Naeem-ul-Haque also sent a text after sometime stating, 'I am alone and want to marry'," claimed Gulalai.

Gulalai also claimed that she was called and asked by PTI's Awn Chaudry to not address the press conference and a delegation would have visited her to discuss the matter.

The former PTI leader further said that her grievances were not only personal, but they were also related to public issues and corruption in the province.

Gulalai has alleged that Imran Khan sent her inappropriate text messages, but has not revealed any other details to support her allegations.

Following this, the PTI served a legal notice to Gulalai demanding that she replies to the letter within 10 days or pay compensation to the tune of Rs. 30 million. -- PTI
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09:58   Discovery of Nehru, staged by Sushma
Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj today claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy had brought India respect while Jawaharlal Nehru's had only earned him respect.

The foreign minister then got sucked into a controversy over a key pillar of the diplomatic legacy of the leader she was standing in judgement upon - a legacy she herself paid tribute to in 2015 without naming Nehru.

Sushma was responding in the Rajya Sabha to comments from Congress members on the first Prime Minister and to accusations that the Modi government was trying to erase his legacy.  Read more
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09:10   Salman Khan to appear in Jodhpur court today in Arms Act case
Actor Salman Khan will appear in Jodhpur Court on Friday in connection with the 1998 Arms Act case.

During the previous hearing on July 6, Salman Khan had not appeared in person.

On July 6, the court hearing the matter had exempted him from appearing in person. However, he is required to be present in the District and Sessions Court on Friday.

Khan had earlier been acquitted in the Arms Act case by Jodhpur's CJM Court. However, the state government had gone to appeal at the District and Sessions Court.

Khan was accused of keeping firearms illegally, that is, beyond their expiry date.

Earlier in the day, there was uncertainty over whether Salman Khan will actually make an appearance in Jodhpur Court on Friday or not due to the strike. However, the strike got called off later.

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09:05  
Elderly women from Allahabad send a huge rakhi to the army as a tribute to the soldiers.
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08:39   14 properties of Geelani, kin worth Rs 150 crore under NIA lens
The National Investigation Agency, probing seven top Hurriyat separatists over accusations of terror financing in Jammu & Kashmir, has shortlisted as many as 14 properties allegedly owned by the head of the hardline faction Syed Ali Shah Geelani and his family members. 

The shortlisted properties are estimated to be between Rs 100 crore and Rs 150 crore, officials have said.

The properties under scanner includes educational institutions, residences and agricultural lands in Kashmir and flats in Delhi allegedly owned by Geelani, his two sons, Naseem and Nayeem, and daughters Anisha, Farhat, Zamshida, and Chamshida. Anisha and Farhat are Geelani's daughters from his second marriage.
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07:54   Opposition to move 2 privilege motions against Swaraj in RS today
The Opposition will most likely move two privilege motions against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Rajya Sabha on Friday.

The motions will be moved against her over two issues - misinformation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lahore visit and the Bandung Conference.

Congress leader Anand Sharma questioned Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy and asked the Centre its roadmap on dealing with Pakistan.

Flagging its concern over the deteriorating ties between both the nations, Sharma asked why Prime Minister Modi made that "dramatic" visit to Pakistan and why, till date, nobody knows the minutae of the meeting.

"You were going to Afghanistan and got down at Lahore mid-way; till date the PM hasn't told the nation what talks took place. On one hand, you get miffed and cancel talks after Pakistan invites separatists on a tea party, and on the other hand, you make a dramatic visit breaching all protocols," he said.

In December 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had 'unexpectedly' landed in Lahore to meet his counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his way back home after a day-long trip today to Afghanistan where he went after concluding a two-day visit to Russia.

The Congress also warned Sushma over keeping two different and distinct views on the China issue and said that when it comes to Beijing, India should speak in one voice, there will be no two opinions on that.

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01:10   1 terrorist killed in encounter in J&K's Anantnag
A terrorist is believed to have been killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district tonight, the police said.
Security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the Bijbehara area of the district following information about the presence of terrorists there, a police official said.
The search operation turned into an encounter when terrorists opened fire on the security personnel, he said.
"One terrorist is believed to have been killed in the gunfight. The killing could be confirmed only after the ultra's body is recovered," he said.

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