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Fri, 01 December 2017
White House infested with cockroaches, documents reveal

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23:39   After poll win, Yogi asks Rahul to remain grounded
Buoyed by the BJP's massive victory in the civic polls in the state, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today advised Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to remain grounded rather than flying high and
criticising the Gujarat model of development.

Without taking Gandhi's name, he said, "It will be better for those criticising the Gujarat model of development that they learn from the defeat in Amethi civic polls and come on the ground to do some work, rather than loosing arrows in the air."

He said this while replying to a question on what was his interpretation of BJP's victory in Amethi, the consistency of Gandhi.

Referring to SP leader and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Gandhi, Yogi said the civic elections prove that both should be given a farewell.

The BJP's victory shows that it will win all 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh in the next Lok Sabha elections in 2019, he said.

While terming the party's victory as acknowledgement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity and the work done by the state government, Yogi also attributed it to political acumen of BJP chief Amit Shah.

-- PTI
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23:17   White House infested with cockroaches, documents reveal
The White House is plagued with cockroaches, mice and ants, building maintenance files have revealed. 

Cockroach infestations were found in at least four parts of Donald Trumps official residence, while a colony of ants were living in Chief of Staff John Kellys office, according to hundreds of work orders.

Mice were also discovered to be living in the Situation Room the US Presidents crisis management centre and the White House Navy mess food area. 

White House officials sent hundreds of requests to the General Services Administration, which helps maintain the White House and other government buildings, documents show.   

Requests included the redecorating of National Security Adviser HR McMasters office and a new toilet seat in a bathroom in the Oval Office. 
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22:43   'Contract for 200 Kamov 226T choppers to be signed by Q1 2018'
The CEO of Russian Helicopters said the India-Russia joint venture contract for production of 200 Kamov 226T helicopters for the Indian
armed forces is expected to be signed in the first quarter of 2018.

"Yes, I had mentioned in interviews (earlier) that we expect the contract to be signed by the end of 2017. Because in our opinion the Russians had waited for all the necessary work that would be needed for the contract," Andrey Boginisky said.

"We had a dialogue with the Indian minister for defence on the requirements and characteristics for the helicopters that are desired to be supplied. In my opinion, we are in the final stage of approving these parameters and I only hope and expect this agreement to be signed by the Q1 of 2018 because we understand it is unrealistic for it to be signed this
year," he said.

On the possibility of exporting the helicopters to other countries in future, Boginisky said, "We don't exclude this possibility".

Under the Indo-Russia joint venture to produce 200 Kamov 226T helicopters, 60 of the choppers will be supplied to India in fly-away condition, while 140 will be manufactured in India under a $1 billion deal inked in 2015.

-- PTI
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22:20   Over 200 terrorists eliminated in Kashmir this year: Rajnath
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the security forces have eliminated over 200 terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir this year.

"What has happened to our neighbouring country Pakistan... Every day they are doing some mischief or the other," Singh said.

"But you would have seen that the morale of our security forces is high, they are ferreting out and eliminating two, four, five, six or seven terrorists every day," he said.

The minister said, "The month of December is yet to pass, but we have already gotten rid of more than 200 terrorists (during 2017)."

He expressed confidence that the BJP will win over 150 seats in Gujarat, while appealing to the people to vote for the party.

The Congress only indulged in corruption when in power and brought a bad name to the country, he said.

Singh also addressed rallies in Chota Udepur, Lunawada and Pavi Jetpur today. 

-- PTI
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21:36   Russia 2018 World Cup draw: Spain, Portugal in same group
After almost three years of qualifying, 868 matches and 2454 goals, the draws for the 2018 FIFA World Cup are being announced.

Reigning European champions Portugal, lead by FIFA player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo are drawn in Group B along with Spain. 

They are joined by Morocco and Iran. 

Meanwhile, Germany, the reigning world champs. have been drawn  into Group F and will be playing against Mexico, Sweden and South Korea. 
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21:26   Navy to allow women on board warships sooner rather than later: Lanba
The Navy is going to allow woman officers on board its warships and suitable facilities are being made available in the newly-constructed ships for them, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said today.

He said the navy is examining rules and regulations for allowing woman officers on board the warships.

"As far as serving on board ships is concerned, we had an issue of availability of facilities on board our ships. All our new ships are being constructed with suitable facilities to embark lady officers on board," he said addressing a press conference.

At present, the navy allows women in eight branches including in legal, logistics, naval architecture and engineering departments.

"Sooner (rather) than later we will also have lady officers serving on ships," the navy chief said.

-- PTI
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20:20   R K Nagar bypoll: Dinakaran declares assets worth Rs 74 lakh
Sidelined AIADMK leader T T V Dinakaran, who is contesting the December 21 R K Nagar assembly bypoll, declared movable and immovable assets worth Rs 74 lakh, a tad higher than that in his earlier
submission in April.

In his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, along with his nomination papers, today, Dinakaran said the value of his movable and immovable assets stood at Rs 74,17,807 -- immovable assets worth Rs 57.44 lakh and movable assets worth were Rs 16.73 lakh.

Further, the gross total value of movable assets of his spouse and a dependent was around Rs 6.87 crore and Rs 1.17 crore, respectively, the 53-year-old former MP declared in the affidavit.

In April, when Dinakaran filed his nomination as the AIADMK (Amma) candidate backed by Chief Minister K Palaniswami, he had declared assets valued at Rs 68 lakh.

The Election Commission subsequently rescinded the poll notification in view of extensive use of money to influence voters.

Dinakaran's challenger and AIADMK nominee E Madhusudhanan declared movable and immovable assets valued at over Rs 1.49 crore.

-- PTI
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19:53   Ex-Trump aide Flynn charged for lying about Russia links
Michael Flynn, who was fired as US President Donald Trumps national security adviser after revelations that he lied about his communications with Russias ambassador, has been charged with lying to FBI agents as part of the broad US investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 US election.

The charge against Flynn, 58, adds another prominent defendant to Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation. He had already secured indictments against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his deputy, as well as a guilty plea from a junior foreign policy adviser.
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19:25   Cyclone Ockhi: 165 families relocated in Kerala
As Cyclone Ockhi intensified into a severe cyclonic storm around 165 families have been shifted from the coastal areas of Kerala by the local administration.

Around 130 families from Chellanam, 17 from Kumbalangi and 18 from Edavanakad town of Ernakulam district have been shifted, said the district administration.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard Ship C-427 has rescued two fishing boats off Vizhinjam, which were reported missing due to cyclone.

Arokia Mary and Hermen Mary from Kanyakumari, were missing since November 30.

Earlier, Cyclone Ockhi which created massive destruction in Tamil Nadu and Kerala is now moving towards Lakshwadeep Islands.

The India Meteorological Department has already issued an alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall in both the states.

The depression in Southwest Bay of Bengal had snowballed into the cyclonic storm- Ockhi.

The cyclone has so far claimed four lives in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The deadly storm has killed seven people in neighbouring Sri Lanka and affected the lives of nearly 20,000 people.

-- ANI
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19:11   Terrorism can't, shouldn't be linked with any religion: Swaraj
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion as she urged the international community to enhance cooperation to combat the scourge which is a "crime against the entire humanity".

Swaraj, who is in Sochi to attend the summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation -- a China-dominated security grouping which is increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO -- said that India strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

India is attending the SCO summit as a permanent member for the first time. In June, India and Pakistan had become full-fledged members of the SCO.

"My congratulations to Pakistan for becoming the full member of SCO," Swaraj said.

"This meeting has a special significance for India because it is the first meeting of the Council, after India became the full member of the SCO. Furthermore, it is being hosted by our old and trusted friend Russia.

"I bring warm greetings and best wishes from our Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the success of this meeting," the minister said.

-- PTI
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18:34   Air India's domestic, global ops to be sold together: Sinha
Union minister Jayant Sinha today said the domestic and international operations of Air India would be sold together.

The government has initiated the process for strategic disinvestment of debt-laden Air India as part of efforts to revive the national carrier.

"What we will be offering through the bidding process is the integrated airline (Air India), which means both domestic and international operations (together)," Sinha, the minister of state for civil aviation, said. 

On the disinvestment process, he said the government is still in the process of identifying which subsidiaries of Air India should be offered separately.

"Even if they are offered separately, if you want to bid for each one of them and re-integrate them, we are providing flexibility," the minister said.   
Air India has a debt burden of more than Rs 50,000 crore.

-- PTI
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18:12  
JUST IN: Air India's domestic and international operations will besold together, says Minister of State Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha.
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18:05   Her first royal engagement!
Meghan Markle made her first official engagement look easy today as she and Prince Harry met huge crowds during a walkabout lasting almost 30 minutes.

The royal couple shared countless handshakes, high-fives, hugs and took countless presents including bags of Haribo sweets from crowds five-deep chanting their names in Nottingham today.

Meghan was relaxed chatting about their wedding at Windsor Castle next year and quitting the hit show Suits while thanking people for 'braving the cold to see us' and 'making us feel so welcome'.

Photograph: @Kensington Palace/Twitter
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17:53   Wrong 'Theresa May' tweeted by Trump demands apology
A British woman wrongly tweeted by US President Donald Trump for UK Prime Minister Theresa May has sought an apology from the White House, asserting that she has been unable to leave her home.

Theresa May Scrivener used her middle name when she set up her Twitter handle @TheresaMay in 2009.

Trump tagged that handle instead of the British Prime Minister's handle before deleting the message to send it to the correct handle: "@Theresa_May don't focus on me, focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom. We are doing just fine!".

His tweet was a reaction to the British PM's rebuke that the US President was "wrong" to re-tweet controversial anti-Muslim videos posted by British far-right group Britain First.

"It's amazing to think that the world's most powerful man managed to press the wrong button. I'm just waiting for a call from the White House with an apology," said Scrivener, who has been bombarded by messages from contrite Americans apologising for their President.

"I haven't been able to leave my house. I've been bombarded and been contacted by press from around the world... I'm just glad he was not contacting me to say he was going to war with North Korea," the 41-year-old said.

Trump's re-tweet of three videos first posted by Jayda Fransen, the deputy leader of Britain First, has created a major uproar in the UK.

-- PTI
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17:44   Govt's draft law on triple talaq provides 3 years' jail for men
The government is ready with a draft law to outlaw the practice of triple talaq. Apart from a fine, a compensation for women, it also mandates a three-year jail term for men who violate the law. The draft law will make instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat a criminal offence.

On August 22, the Supreme Court, in a landmark 3-2 verdict, 'set aside' the centuries-old practice of instant triple talaq in which Muslim men divorce their wives by uttering talaq three times in quick succession.
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17:28   Sensex shrugs off GDP rebound, sinks 316 pts
Markets nursed losses for the fourth straight session today as upbeat second quarter GDP numbers failed to dispel concerns over a widening fiscal deficit. The BSE benchmark Sensex dived 316 points to close below the 33,000-mark, while the broader Nifty declined 104.75 points to 10,121.80. - PTI
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17:23   Kolkata: 4-year-old allegedly molested by teacher
Kolkata's GD Birla Centre for Education school recently came under the ire of its students' parents, after a four-year-old girl was allegedly molested by the school's physical education teacher.


The Deputy Commissioner of South Suburban Division, Rupesh Kumar informed that the accused is yet to be arrested as an interrogation is underway.

The school's Principal, Sharmila Nath told that the school was also conducting an internal investigation into the matter. - ANI
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17:17   Parents given dead twins by hospital, one is alive
A newborn, who was declared dead along with his still-born twin by Delhi's Max hospital, was about to be buried when his family found him alive. The babies were handed over to the parents in plastic bags.

After this, both the mother and newborn were admitted to another hospital.

Delhi Police Spokesperson Deependra Pathak told ANI that the police were taking into account all details of the situation, and were also consulting legal experts.

"It is a very shocking incident, and shows height of negligence. We have started immediate inquiry and investigation in this case. We are also consulting legal experts," Pathak said.

The Delhi Police will take further action if a case of negligence surfaces.

"Under the court's direction, we will also consult Delhi Medical Council or Indian Medical council, and convey to them details of all circumstances. Then, we'll take legal action if a case of negligence surfaces," Pathak said, adding that the police will also look if there are more cases of criminal negligence in the hospital.

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister JP Nadda has spoken to Health Secretary in this connection.

Representational image.
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16:58  
@OmarAbdullah Im too old to be there so I wouldnt know

@smitaprakash Listening to Obama at Town Hall is like listening to Al Gore. Thoda Bore
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16:52   JKNPP stages protest against withdrawal of stone-pelting cases
The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) today staged a protest against the PDP-BJP government's decision to withdraw cases of stone pelting against 4,327 youths.
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16:48   Plea on Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act:SC seeks Centre's reply
A plea questioning the validity of certain provisions of the pre-independence era Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act today led the Supreme Court to seek a response from the government. A bench headed by Justice Kurian Joseph asked the Centre to file a reply on the petition challenging the provisions of the 1936 Act claiming that it was akin to a 'jury system' in divorce matters.


The petitioner has challenged the provisions on the ground that they were violative of Articles 14 (equality before law) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution. - PTI
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16:32   Development has triumphed once again: PM on UP win
In the wake of the BJP's decisive victory in the UP civic polls, PM Modi says development had triumphed.

"Development has triumphed once again in the country. Thank people of the state for this grand victory. Many congratulations to CM Yogi Adityanath & all party workers. This win motivates us to work even harder for people's betterment," tweets Modi.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also said that the results of Uttar Pradesh civic polls reaffirmed people's support for the GST which has made doing business "easier" for traders.

At a media briefing, he also recalled his party's unprecedented win in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand assembly polls following the demonetisation decision and noted that it had swept "trading hubs" in UP to underline popular support to note ban.
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15:59   It was a pleasure to meet once again, says PM
From one leader to another. PM Narendra Modi shares a picture with former US President Barack Obama, who is in India for the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

"It was a pleasure to meet, once again, former President @BarackObama, and learn about the new initiatives being taken forward under his leadership at the @ObamaFoundation and his perspectives on further strengthening India-US strategic partnership," the PM tweeted.

Obama said he had emphasised the need for religious tolerance and the right to practise one's own faith during closed door talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his last trip to India in 2015.
 
The 44th US president, who held office between 2009 and 2017, had made similar comments during a public interaction on the last day of his visit, which had come against the backdrop of controversy over religious conversions.

"There's a counter narrative taking place, at all times, but it's particularly pronounced now... in Europe, the US and sometimes in India where those old tribal impulses reassert themselves under leaders who try to push back and under leaders who try to exploit them," Obama said.

Responding to an India-specific question, Obama referred to India's "enormous Muslim population", which is successful, integrated and thinks of itself as Indian.

That is unfortunately not always the case in some other countries, Obama added.

Referring to India, he said, "And that is something that needs to be cherished and nurtured, cultivated. It's important to continue reinforcing it."
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15:26   India's GDP to double to $5 trillion in next 7 years: Mukesh Ambani
Mukesh Ambani, Asia's second- richest man, today said India's GDP will double to USD 5 trillion in the next seven years and hit USD 10 trillion by 2030 as it will elbow out China by the middle of 21st century.


Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit, Ambani, Chairman and MD of Reliance Industries Ltd, recalled that he in 2004 had predicted that India -- then a USD 500-billion economy -- will get to the mark of USD 5 trillion in 20 years.


"Today, that prediction seems certain. Indeed, it will be achieved well before 2024," he said, adding that the Indian economy will triple to USD 7 trillion in the next 10 years to become the third-largest economy in the world.


He went on to say that by 2030, it can cross the USD 10 trillion milestone, and India can "most certainly" become the most prosperous nation in the world overtaking the US and China within this century.


"By the middle of the 21st century, India's rise will be higher than China's rise. And more attractive to the world," Ambani asserted. "India will provide a superior and different development model (which) creates equitable and inclusive growth based on technology, democracy, good governance and a society-wide culture of empathy."


Delivering a talk on the theme 'India will become a global economic leader', Ambani said the first Industrial Revolution used coal and steam power to mechanise physical activity, the second used electricity and oil for mass production and distribution and the third used electronics and IT to increase productivity and automation. -- PTI
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14:51   Review: Tera Intezaar: What an awful film!
If Sunny Leone didn't star in this film, no one would probably notice Tera Intezaar. This so-called thriller does not have a single moment to shake you up. Prasanna D Zore comes away unimpressed. Read the review on Rediff.com.
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14:47   Burqa-clad terrorists storm into Peshawar college killing nine
Update on the terror attack in Pakistan.

Five burqa-clad Taliban militants today stormed an agriculture training institute in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar and opened fire, killing at least nine persons, including students, before being shot dead by security forces.


The militants, who arrived in an auto rickshaw, attacked the students' hostel of the Directorate of Agriculture Extension on the University Road in the city, the capital of the restive Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. The institute was closed for the Eid-e-Milad holiday, but about 100 students were present in the hostel.


The militants stormed the building by firing automatic weapons, creating panic, officials said. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.  -- PTI
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14:35   BJP ahead in UP civic poll trends; BSP follows
Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma when asked to comment on trends said the people of the state have shown full faith in the BJP and its ideology and discarded the SP, the BSP and the Congress.


"The SP, the BSP and the Congress contested the polls as each other's relatives. (SP chief) Akhilesh Yadav and (Congress vice president) Rahul Gandhi, who were together during assembly polls as 'UP ke ladke' have become like the tyre and tube of a cycle and it has got punctured," Sharma said. Cycle is the election symbol of the Samajwadi Party.


On opposition's charges of EVM tampering, Sharma said, "There was no shortcoming in EVMs, but it's in their minds and party. They worked for a particular caste and people have discarded them. We are working for all, irrespective of caste, creed and religion and that has been accepted by the people." "I am going to Gujarat today with a positive message from UP," the deputy CM said. - PTI
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14:29   Rahul loses Amethi to BJP
The Bharatiya Janta Party wins the Nagar Panchayat polls in Amethi. Amethi is Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's constituency.  Lalganj in Rae Bareli, Sonia Gandhi's constituency, goes to the Aam Aadmi Party.

Union minister Smriti Irani who was the BJP's candidate in Amethi, says Rahul in unacceptable even in his own constituency.

The BJP today forged ahead of its rivals, leading on 14 of the 16 mayoral seats in Uttar Pradesh where the civic bodies polls were held in three
phases. In the remaining two places, the BSP was leading, according to trends from these seats in the first four hours of counting of votes for all the 652 urban local bodies that began at 8am.

Counting of ballots polled in three phases on November 22, 26 and 29 was on under tight security cover and CCTV surveillance at 334 centres at district and tehsil headquarters, the state election commission said.

Polling was held for 16 nagar nigams, 198 nagar palika parishads and 438 nagar panchayats with an average turnout of all the three phases estimated at 52.5 per cent of the 3.32 crore voters. The Yogi Adityanath government, soon after assuming office in March, had constituted two municipal  corporations of Ayodhya and Vrindavan-Mathura.
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13:55   Can Sasikala faction use 'hat' symbol to file nomination: HC asks ECI
The Delhi High Court today asked the Election Commission of India whether the Sasikala-TTV Dinakaran faction of AIADMK can use the 'hat' symbol to file nominations for the upcoming by-poll to the R K Nagar assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu.

Justice S P Garg asked the poll panel's lawyer to take instructions and inform the court on this aspect at 2.30 pm today. The hat symbol was given to the Sasikala-TTV Dinakaran group by the ECI in March this year after it had frozen the use of the 'two-leaves' symbol, to which a group led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister EK Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam had also laid claim.


The Palaniswami-Panneerselvam faction had at the same time been granted the 'electric pole' symbol. -- PTI
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13:53   SC to hear plea seeking ban on use of firecrackers across country
The Supreme Court today decided to hear a plea seeking ban on the use and manufacture of firecrackers across the country.

The Apex Court issued a notice to the Centre and asked it to file its detailed response within four weeks.

Earlier on October 9, the apex court imposed a blanket ban on sale of firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR in the run-up of Diwali to check the alarming pollution level.

A three-judge bench of the apex court had restored its November 2016 order, banning sale of crackers in NCR and suspended its September 2017 order - which allowed limited sale but banned imports from other states.
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13:32   India needs to cherish and nurture its Muslims: Obama
India needs to cherish and nurture its Muslim population that is integrated and considers itself Indian, former US president Barack Obama said in New Delhi today. It is an idea that needs to be reinforced, the former president said at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.


Obama said he had emphasised the need for religious tolerance and the right to practice one's own faith during closed door talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his last trip to India in 2015.


The 44th US president, who held office between 2009 and 2017, had made similar comments during a public interaction on the last day of his visit, which had come against the backdrop of controversy over religious conversions.


"There's a counter narrative taking place, at all times, but it's particularly pronounced now... in Europe, US and sometimes in India where those old tribal impulses reassert themselves under leaders who try to push back and under leaders who try to exploit them," Obama said.


Responding to an India-specific question, Obama referred to India's "enormous Muslim population", which is successful, integrated and thinks of itself as Indian. That is unfortunately not always the case in some other countries, Obama added.


Referring to India, he said, "And that is something that needs to be cherished and nurtured, cultivated. It's important to continue reinforcing it." Answering a question on terrorism emanating from Pakistan, Obama said, "We had no evidence that Pakistan was aware of Osama bin Laden's presence there but that is something obviously we looked at." -- PTI


File pic of the Obamas' visit to India in 2010 where he paid homage at the memorial to victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack at Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai.
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13:27   All possible steps initiated to rescue stranded fishermen: Kerala CM
In Kerala, 59 people stranded due to heavy rains, were rescued by the Navy and coastal guards in Trivandrum.  The Kerala government has initiated all possible steps to rescue fishermen stranded in rough sea off the state coast due to cyclone 'Ockhi', Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today said.    


After a meeting where he reviewed the situation, he said though the exact number of stranded fishermen was yet to be known, the government initiative was to bring all of them to the shore without any delay.
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12:48   'Amit Shah calls himself a Hindu, but he is a Jain'
A day after Rahul Gandhi broke his silence on the Somnath Temple controversy and termed his family as a devotee of Lord Shiva, the Congress party launched an attack on the BJP chief and said that Amit Shah calls himself Hindu, but he is a Jain.


"As far as Rahul Gandhi is concerned, Shiv Bhakti is being practiced in his home since a long time. Indira Gandhi used to wear rudraksha,which was only worn by those who worship Shiva," Congress leader Raj Babbar told ANI on Friday.


A political slugfest erupted ahead of Gujarat Assembly elections, after Rahul Gandhi yesterday said his family is devotee of Lord Shiva, but does not believe in using it for political gain.


Rahul, while addressing a gathering of his party leader in an amateur video, said religion is a personal affair and should be kept personal."My grandmother (Indira Gandhi) used to worship Lord Shiva and my entire family does the same. But, we keep such things private; we normally don't talk about it. We believe that our religion is a personal thing and don't want to trade on Lord Shiva's name. We don't want to make political use of it," he said.


This comes a day after a row erupted over Gandhi's visit to the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, wherein his name was allegedly listed as a non-Hindu visitor in the visitor-book. The controversy started when party's media coordinator Manoj Tyagi allegedly entered names of Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Ahmed Patel in the special register for non-Hindus visiting the temple. -- PTI


Image: Rahul Gandhi at the Somnath temple.
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12:23   Ochki intensifies into 'severe cyclonic storm', 30 missing
Cyclone Ockhi intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and moved to the Arabian Sea today even as the Navy rescued eight fishermen caught in choppy waters and intensified search for 30 others missing. Rains, which left eight persons dead including four each in Tamil Nadu and Kerala yesterday, continued to lash parts of the two states.


A Defence spokesperson today said 13 boats with 38 crew from Kerala and one boat from Tamil Nadu with four persons on board were missing. A Navy aircraft rescued eight of them.


"The fishermen were found floating in water by Advance Light Helicopter," the spokesperson said. The weather department said Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts in Tamil Nadu received rains for the third day today though the cyclone threat mitigated as the system, lying 70 kms south of Kanyakumari yesterday, moved to the Arabian sea.


Gale winds speed reaching 110-120 kmph gusting to 130 kmph were very likely over and around Lakshadweep during next 24 hours. Squally wind conditions would prevail along and off Kerala and Karnataka coast. -- PTI


Image: 250 stranded families being rescued near Suchindram in Kanyakumari. Pic courtesy: @tnsdma
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12:07   11 injured as terrorists storm govt building in Pakistan
Militants today stormed a government building in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar and opened fire, sparking a gun battle with security forces in which at least 11 people were injured. The militants attacked the student hostel of the Directorate of Agriculture Extension on the University Road.



Official sources said around three attackers entered the directorate and opened fire. Security officials said that militants clad in burqa used an auto rickshaw to reach the building. They stormed the building by firing automatic weapons, creating panic, officials said.


"So far at least 11 injured people have been shifted to hospitals, including three security personnel," a security official said. The media reported that two explosion were also heard from inside of the building.


Salahuddin Mehsud, Inspector General of Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa, said that at least three terrorists were involved in the attack. He said one militant was killed by security forces. Mehsud said there were students inside the building of the institute but most of them have been evacuated.
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11:49   Musharrafs balderdash
"If there is a singular justification for why modern Pakistan needs democracy not dictatorship, Mr Musharraf is it. Unable to deal with his ouster after a revolt by Pakistani society, Mr Musharraf has tried to establish himself as a legitimate political alternative to no avail. Now, he has chosen self-exile rather than facing a treason trial. But even by the standards of a frustrated former strongman, Mr Musharraf appears to have little regard for the damage his comments can cause to the country."

Read the editorial on the Dawn.
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11:39   Respect Tharoor's right to silence, HC tells Republic TV
The Delhi High Court refuses to restrain journalist Arnab Goswami and his Republic TV from airing news about Sunanda Pushkar's death case. The HC, however, holds that Arnab and his channel should respect Shashi Tharoor's right to silence in connection with his wife Sunanda's death. The HC also asks Arnab and Republic TV to send an advance notice to Tharoor for his views before airing any news on the Sunanda Pushkar death case.


Tharoor has alleged that the journalist and his channel continued to indulge in misreporting and had broadcast an eight-hour long programme on September 4 relating to his wife's death. Tharoor moved a fresh application in the pending Rs 2 crore civil defamation suit against Goswami and the Republic TV for allegedly making defamatory remarks against him while airing news on the death of Pushkar.


Pushkar was found dead in a suite of a five-star hotel in South Delhi on the night of January 17, 2014. The matter is still under investigation.


In their affidavit filed before the high court recently, the journalist and the news channel had said they have neither "condemned' Tharoor, nor suggested that he was involved in the death of his wife. They had also denied that Tharoor was called "the killer' of his wife by him or the channel, as alleged by the MP.


The politician has alleged that despite assurances given in the court on May 29 by the counsel for Goswami and Republic TV, they were engaged in "defaming and maligning' him.


The Congress leader has sought a direction to them that they should not mention the expression "murder of Sunanda Pushkar' anywhere, since it is yet to be established by a competent court whether her death was "murder'.
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11:12  
The Supreme Court dismisses another plea filed by an NGO in the judges bribery case. The court imposes a fine of Rs 25 lakh on the petitioner NGO.
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11:11   Japanese emperor Akihito to abdicate in 2019
Japanese Emperor Akihito will abdicate on April 30, 2019, ending his three-decade reign and passing the throne to his son, a government council on imperial-family matters decided Friday
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11:03   Ryan School murder: SC to hear plea challenging Pinto family's anticipatory bail
The Supreme Court on Friday will hear a petition filed by Pradhyumn Thakur's family, who was killed on September 8 inside Ryan International School in Gurugram, challenging the anticipatory bail granted to the Pintos' - founders of the Ryan Group of Institutions, by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.


The High Court had, on November 21, granted an anticipatory bail to the Pinto family, in connection with the case. Justice Surender Gupta, however, barred them from leaving the country without permission and directed the family to extend their help in the investigation.


Pradhyumn was found in a pool of blood with his throat slit inside the school, sparking a public outcry following which the Gurugram Police arrested bus conductor Ashok, accusing him of killing the seven-year-old student.


But the CBI, which is now probing the matter, gave him a clean chit and held a class 11 student responsible for the murder. ANI
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10:59   Cyclone Ockhi: Schools to remain closed in Tamil Nadu today
The India Meteorological Department on Friday said the cyclonic storm Ockhi has intensified into severe cyclone and lies at about 110 kilometer northeast of island Minicoy and likely to cross Lakshadweep during next 24 hours.

The cyclone has created widespread havoc, bringing normal life to a halt. Hence, schools in Chennai, Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Madurai, Theni, Thanjavur and Thiruvarur will remain closed today.

At least five Navy ships have been deployed from Kochi, two ships on standby in Lakshadweep, and two ICG ships each deployed from Kochi and Tuticorin, for search and rescue operation.

A P8I aircraft, the Navy Dornier and the Coast Guard Dornier have also been deployed for the same. Helicopters are kept ready on standby.

Earlier, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also confirmed that several naval ships were deployed for rescue operations as Tamil Nadu and Kerala brace for the cyclonic storm Ockhi.

Cyclone Ockhi that has created massive destruction in Tamil Nadu and Kerala is now moving towards Lakshwadeep Islands.In a series of tweets, Sitharaman further informed that six warships and two coast guard ships have been deployed along with additional air effort.

The India Meteorological Department has already issued an alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall in both the states.

The depression in southwest Bay of Bengal had snowballed into the cyclonic storm- Ockhi. The cyclone has so far claimed the lives of four people in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu.The deadly storm has killed seven people in neighbouring Sri Lanka and affected the lives of nearly 20,000 people. -- ANI
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10:33   Rahul Gandhi's secret weapon
The vigour Divya Spandana has added to Rahul Gandhi's social media persona has brought him back in the reckoning, discovers Archis Mohan. Read more.
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10:17  
UP polls update: BSP mayor candidate now leading in Meerut and Congress leading in Mathura.
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10:09   UP civic polls: BJP leads in 12 out of 16 seats
The ruling BJP today established early gains in the Uttar Pradesh civic polls as counting of votes was in progress for all the 652 urban local bodies. For the mayoral elections, the saffron party forged ahead on almost all the 16 seats from where trends were available after an hour of counting. The BJP was leading in 12 out of 16 seats.


BJP's mayor candidates were leading in Meerut, Saharanpur, Lucknow, Ghaziabad and Gorakhpur as per initial trends.


Counting of ballots polled in three phases on November 22, 26 and 29 was on under tight security cover and CCTV surveillance at 334 centres at district and tehsil headquarters, the state election commission said.


Central paramilitary forces have been deployed around the counting centres. Arrangements have also been made for web casting of the counting process. The final results are expected by this evening.


Polling was held for 16 nagar nigams, 198 nagar palika parishads and 438 nagar panchayats with an average turnout of all the three phases estimated at 52.5 per cent of the 3.32 crore voters.


The elections have generated a lot of political heat with the ruling BJP leaving nothing to chance. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criss-crossed the state to woo voters in the name of development.


Aware that the BJP's performance in the polls was being watched closely after its massive sweep of the state in the Assembly polls this year, Adityanath undertook a whirlwind campaign, unprecedented for a chief minister, during civic polls. Opposition SP, BSP and Congress campaigns were on comparatively low key. Both SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati did not campaign for their candidates. -- PTI


Representational image.
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10:00   The Independent takes up for May
When a British newspaper takes umbrage to US President Donald Trump asked UK PM Theresa May to mind her own business. The Independent headlined a story the security threats to the US with statistics to boot, saying, "President of nation where toddlers kill more people than terrorists tells Britain how to act."

Do read
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09:53   BJP's mayor candidates lead in UP civic polls
UP local body poll trends: BJP mayor candidates leading in Meerut, Saharanpur, Lucknow, Ghaziabad and Gorakhpur. Sanyukta Bhatia, BJP Lucknow mayor candidate says, "I don't consider anyone my competitor. I will be number one, no matter who is second or third." 
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09:48   Trump donates third-quarter salary for combating opioid epidemic
In a noble gesture, US President Donald Trump today donated his third-quarter salary to the Department of Health and Human Services to help fight the opioid epidemic.


Trump's annual salary is USD 400,000. So, effectively his donation amount would be about USD 100,000.


"His decision to donate his salary is a tribute to his compassion, to his patriotism his and sense of duty to the American people. But it's his compassion above all that drives his interest in the issue to which HHS is going to devote his donation, America's devastating opioid crisis," HHS Acting Secretary Eric Hargan, told reporters at the White House. -- PTI
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09:32   Trump to deliver State of the Union address on Jan 30
United States President Donald Trump will deliver his first State of the Union Address in a joint session of the Congress on January 30 next year, the White House said today.
"We're pleased to announce that the President has accepted the Speaker's invitation to deliver the State of the Union Address on January 30th," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference.
House Speaker Paul Ryan said this will be a good opportunity for the country to hear directly from the President on the progress "we have made and on the work that remains to be done on our shared agenda".
The State of the Union address is a presidential obligation that allows the US leader to explain to the American people and their elected representatives his priorities for the coming year.
The long-standing tradition first began on January, 8, 1790 when George Washington gave his address.
"Today we are in the midst of a historic effort to provide relief to hardworking taxpayers, grow our economy, and rebuild our military for the 21st century. Looking ahead, the new year will bring an opportunity to take account of the progress we have made but also lay out the work that still remains to be done on behalf of the American people," Ryan said in his invitation letter to Trump.
Trump addressed a joint session of the Congress early this year, a month after he was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. However, this was not an official State of the Union Address. -- PTI 
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09:24   UP civic polls: Counting underway
The counting of the three-phase municipal elections or 652 urban local body polls in Uttar Pradesh is underway.

The result of this election will be seen as a referendum on Yogi Adityanath governments performance in the last seven months.

The elections was conducted in three phases on November 22, 26 and 29 and the voter turnout was around 52.4 per cent. 

Over 3.36 crore voters exercised their rights at 36,269 polling booths in the state to decide the fate of 79,113 candidates.

In the last municipal elections in 2012, the BJP had won by a landslide, bagging 10 out of 12 mayoral positions. 

The current Deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Dinesh Sharma was elected as the Lucknow mayor. However this time, the city will get a woman mayor as the Lucknow mayoral seat has been reserved for women.
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08:57   IMF to update India growth rate forecast in January
The International Monetary Fund today said it will update its growth rate forecast for India in January next year.
Recently, the United States-based Moody's upgraded India's sovereign rating after a gap of 13 years to Baa2, with 'stable' outlook, from Baa3 earlier, citing improved growth prospects driven by economic and institutional reforms.
This was followed by S&P Global Rating, which kept India's sovereign rating unchanged at BBB- with stable outlook saying vulnerabilities stemming from low per capita income and high government debt balances strong GDP growth. 
"We will be updating the forecast for India, including the growth rate, and that will be coming January with the update of our World Economic Outlook," IMF spokesman Gerry Rice told reporters at a news conference held at its headquarters in Washington.
The IMF statement came as the latest figures revealed that India grew at 6.3 per cent in the September quarter compared to 5.7 per cent in the June quarter, reflecting an improvement in the Indian economy.
In its news dispatch from New Delhi, The wall Street Journal said India's economic expansion accelerated in the latest quarter, ending a five-quarter slowdown and sparking optimism that the negative effects of recent economic policies may now be behind Asia's third-largest economy.
CNN reported that India's economy has bounced back from a year-long slowdown, but it was not enough to regain the global growth crown from China. -- PTI 
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08:55   Obama to address town hall in Delhi today
Former United States President Barack Obama will address a town hall in New Delhi today, the Obama Foundation has said.
Obama, who arrived in India yesterday, will also address the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.
He is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
At the town hall, the former US president, in his first visit to India after demitting office in January, will interact with nearly 300 young leaders drawn from various parts of the country.
"The town hall will expand the conversation about what it means to be an active citizen and make an impact and how the Obama Foundation can support emerging leaders in this effort," the foundation said in an update. -- PTI
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08:41   Cyclone Ockhi: Navy deploys ships for rescue operations
Several naval ships have been deployed for rescue operations as Tamil Nadu and Kerala brace for the cyclonic storm Ockhi.

Cyclone Ockhi that has created massive destruction in Tamil Nadu and Kerala is now moving towards Lakshwadeep Islands.

"CGS Samarth sailed from Kochi for rescue. All the seven units are directed to work for rescue along and off Kerala coast. In addition, the Eastern Naval Command will launch P8I Maritime Patrol aircraft," said Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

In a series of tweets, Sitharaman further informed that six warships and two coast guard ships have been deployed along with additional air effort.

"INS Sagardhwani sailed to join for Search & Rescue. Total warships deployed SIX (06). Additional air effort (Dorniers sorties) being planned with first light tomorrow," she said.

"For Search & Rescue (SAR) off Kanyakumari India Coast Guard deploying 2 OPVs in the area, and 1 OPV is being deployed ex Toothukudi. Additional Dornier sorties will be taken up from dawn," the defence minister further added. 

"Search and rescue of missing fishing boats with crew & Marine Engg vessel at sea due to Cyclone Ockhi off Kerala coast. Total 6 warships & 2 coast guard ships have been deployed along with additional air effort tomorrow."

The India Meteorological Department has already issued an alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall in both the states.

The depression in Southwest Bay of Bengal had snowballed into the cyclonic storm.

The cyclone has so far claimed eight lives in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The deadly storm has killed seven people in neighbouring Sri Lanka and affected the lives of nearly 20,000 people. -- ANI
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00:00   China hints at maintaining sizable troop presence near Doklam in winter
K J M Varma reports from Beijing:

The Chinese military on Thursday hinted at maintaining sizable presence of its troops near the area of Doklam standoff during winter, asserting that the region is in Chinese territory.

India and China resolved the 73-day tense standoff on August 28 at Doklam area after the People's Liberation Army stopped building a strategic road close to India's narrow Chicken Neck area connecting to North-Eastern states.

"Donglong (Doklam) is Chinese territory," Col Wu Qian, spokesman of the Chinese Ministry of Defence said on Thursday when asked about reports that PLA continues to maintain sizable number of troops close to the standoff area and doing away with the practice of vacating the place during winter.

"Based on this principle we will decide on the deployment of troops on our own," he said without elaborating.

The continued presence of Chinese troops near Yatung close to Doklam reportedly prompted India too to maintain its troops presence there.

While it is not clear whether the issue figured in the10th round of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs talks between India and China in Bejing on November 17, officials said the meeting reviewed the situation in all sectors of the border and exchanged views on enhancing Confidence Building Measures and military contacts.

It was the first meeting after the Doklam standoff.

Asked whether the two sides made progress to establish hotlines between the two militaries to avert crisis like Doklam, Wu said both sides are in touch on this issue.

He, however, clarified that the hotline can't be between the two military headquarters as China no longer has a military central office after the recent reforms.

At the WMCC meeting, the two sides discussed maintaining peace and stability and border exchanges, Wu said, adding that both sides will keep in contact with each other.  -- PTI

Representative image. Photograph: Reuters

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