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Tue, 14 February 2017
No force can separate me from AIADMK: Sasikala

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23:13   No force can separate me from AIADMK: Sasikala
Sasikala on Tuesday night broke down while addressing MLAs before she left the Golden Bay resort in Koovathur. 

Addressing the MLAs, she said:

* "The case (DA) was filed by the DMK, I will handle this; You (MLAs) have to remain resolute and make sure people question DMK's existence."

* "No force can separate me from AIADMK; no matter where I'll be, I'll always think about party."

* "I am sure we will get the invitation as soon as possible as we remained quiet."

* "I feel so satisfied that despite facing troubles, MLAs are supporting me."
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23:00   US Secret Service director Clancy is leaving the agency
The head of the Secret Service, a retired presidential detail leader who was given the assignment of shoring up the agency in a period of crisis, is leaving his post, a little more than two years after arriving in one of Washington's toughest jobs.

Joseph P Clancy, whom President Barack Obama summoned back from the private sector in late 2014 amid a string of security breaches and employee misconduct in the agency, said it's now time to retire for good. He alerted the White House last week of his plans to step down March 4, giving President Trump the chance to select his own security chief.
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22:11   Case against SRK for rioting, damaging railway property
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has been booked for allegedly "rioting" and "damaging" railway property during the promotion of his film 'Raees' at Kota Railway station, a Government Railway Police official said today.
The case was registered against the actor last night by the GRP on the direction of a railway court, which heard a plea of a vendor at Kota railway station. 
In his complaint, Vikram Singh alleged that on January 23, when Khan arrived at Kota railway station during promotion of 'Raees', ruckus was created by his fans, the SHO of GRP police station said.
Singh also alleged that Khan while standing at the gate of the coach of August Kranti Rajdhani Express train threw something at the public and they rushed to grab it, and in the melee, his trolley overturned and items on it were damaged and he also got injured.
On the vendor's complaint, the case was registered against Shah Rukh Khan under sections 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs 50), 120(b) (criminal conspiracy), 147 (rioting), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed) and 160 (committing affray) of IPC.
Under sections 145 (nuisance) and 146 (obstructing railway servant in his duties) of Railway Act, and section 3 (mischief causing damage to public property of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, he said.
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22:09   Sasikala is going to place where she should be: Jaya's niece
Jayalalitha's niece Deepa Jayakumar tonight confirmed her entry into politics.   
"Yes," Deepa said when reporters asked about her entry into politics after meeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam at Jaya's memorial in Chennai.   

Attacking Sasikala, she further said, "Sasikala is going to the place where she should be." 

The Supreme Court today restored Sasikala's conviction in the Rs 66 crore disproportionate assets case and sent her back to jail, making her bid to become chief minister of Tamil Nadu short-lived and sparking a fresh battle for power in the ruling party. 

Image: Panneerselvam and Deepa at Jaya's memorial. 
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21:58   Sasikala leaves Golden Bay resort
In the meantime, VK Sasikala has left from Kuvathur's Golden Bay resort where MLAs supporting her are housed since the past few days. 

According to media reports, Sasikala will leave for Bengaluru tomorrow to surrender in the trial court as per the apex court order.
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21:45  
Just In: Major Dhaiya, who led the operation in which 3 terrorists were killed at Handwara's Hajan, succumbs to injuries
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21:40   OPS, Deepa Jayakumar visit Jaya's memorial
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam tonight visited Jayalalitha's memorial at the Marina beach in Chennai.  

Interestingly, Jaya's niece Deepa Jayakumar also accompanied him at the memorial.

This is the same place where Panneerselvam raised revolt against VK Sasikala who was today convicted in the disproportionate assets case by the Supreme Court.
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21:05   Half-brother of N Korean leader Kim assassinated in Malaysia
The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has been assassinated in Malaysia, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported today.
The agency quoted a Seoul government source as saying Kim Jong-Nam was killed yesterday. The source gave no further details.
Officials in Seoul were not immediately available for comment.
The 45-year-old was poisoned by two unidentified female agents using poisoned needles at an airport in Kuala Lumpur, according to South Korean broadcaster TV Chosun.
The report, citing what it called multiple government sources, said the two women hailed a cab and fled immediately afterwards.
In Malaysia, the police chief in charge of Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Assistant Commissioner Abdul Aziz Ali, told a news agency that a Korean in his forties was found sick at the airport yesterday.
Airport authorities rushed him to the hospital and he died on the way, the police chief said.
"We do not have any other details of this Korean man. We do not know his identity," Abdul said.
Kim Jong-Nam was once considered heir apparent but fell out of favour with his father Kim Jong-Il following a botched attempt in 2001 to enter Japan on a forged passport and visit Disneyland.
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20:44   VHP defends Rijiju over remarks on declining Hindu population
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad today came out in support of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju over his remarks on "declining Hindu population", saying they were in the nation's interest and were made by a responsible leader who himself is a Buddhist.
"Rijiju, a Buddhist, made this statement in the nation's interest," VHP's International General Secretary Surender Jain said in a statement, adding Rijiju is a responsible leader.
Jain further said, those who are criticising Rijiju for his remarks are "indulging in cheap politics and minority appeasement which will not only impact the country but even Muslims also".
He added that today all societies across the globe have accepted concept of family planning but there a section of politicians who do not want Muslims to do so, which is only hurting the community.
A controversy had erupted yesterday over a tweet by Union Minister of State for Home Rijiju that India's Hindu population was decreasing as Hindus do not convert other people.
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20:39   3 terrorists killed, soldier injured in Handwara encounter
Three terrorists were killed and a security personnel was injured in an encounter that broke out in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara district on Tuesday. 

This comes shortly after one terrorist and three army personnel were killed in another encounter in north Kashmir's Bandipora district earlier today. 

According to reports, gunshots were heard in Khan mohalla area in Handwara. 

Meanwhile, a cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from Bandipora's Hajin area. 

Six other security personnel and a civilian also suffered injuries in the gunbattle that began in the wee hours today, a police official said.
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19:58   After Sasikala loyalist Palaniswami, team OPS meets governor
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam's delegation met Governor Vidyasagar Rao today evening after newly elected AIAMDK Legislature Party Leader E Palaniswami taked claim to form the government.

In his brief meeting with the Governor, Palaniswami presented a list of MLAs supporting his claim.

Panneerselvam has 11 of the party's 134 legislators on his side and if he can get 11 more to join him, the Sasikala camp will struggle to reach the 117 needed for a majority in the state assembly.

The governor could ask both factions to take a trust vote to prove majority on the floor of the assembly. If neither side manages a majority President's Rule could be imposed in the state.
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19:25   Encounter breaks out between terrorists and security forces in Handwara
An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Handwara area of Kashmir.

More details are awaited.    

Earlier, three soldiers and a terrorist were killed in an encounter in Hajin area of Bandipora district of Kashmir.
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18:58   Palaniswami stakes claim to form government
Newly elected AIADMK Legislature Party Leader Edappadi K Palaniswami met governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and staked claim to form the government.
 
In his brief meeting with the Governor, Palaniswami presented a list of MLAs supporting his claim.
     
Some senior leaders and ministers also accompanied Palaniswami, according to sources.
   
He was elected AIADMK Legislature Party leader replacing V K Sasikala shortly after the Supreme Court convicted her in the disproportionate assets case.
   
It was not known how many MLAs attended the legislature party meeting chaired by Sasikala earlier in the day.
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18:50   SRK is not part of 'Baahubali: The Conclusion', says Rana Dagubatti
Rubbishing reports of Shah Rukh Khan having a cameo appearance in "Baahubali:The Conclusion", actor Rana Dagubatti has said the superstar is not part of the movie.

"He is not part of the film. There is no cameo appearance. The world of Baahubali is different and it doesn't have it (cameo appearances)," Rana told PTI

Gossip mills are abuzz that SRK has been roped in for a special appearance in Baahubali:The Conclusion where he would be essaying the character of a mediator between protagonist Prabhas and villain Rana. 

Reportedly, the makers had even approached South actors like Suriya and Mohanlal for a cameo in the Telugu film.

SRK's close friend Karan Johar is a presenter of the second part as well. 

Director SS Rajamouli's Baahubali:The Conclusion is the sequel to his 2015 epic historical war-drama, which is set for April 28 release.
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18:10  
JUST IN: Gunshots heard in Khan mohalla in Handwara, Jammu-Kashmir. Security forces have sealed the area.
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18:02   Palaniswami leaves Raj Bhavan after 10-minute meeting with governor
Newly elected AIAMDK Legislature Party Leader E Palaniswami met Governor Vidyasagar Rao on Tuesday evening, in a meeting that lasted 10 minutes. He has been picked by party MLAs as the AIADMK Legislature Party Leader following VK Sasikala's conviction by the Supreme Court in a corruption case.

Meanwhile, S Semmalai, AIADMK MLA and supporter of OPS said of Palaniswami, "Edapadi K Palanisamy is not a fit person to hold the post; he's fit for nothing."
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17:31   Rohith Vemula not a Dalit, says collector; Andhra govt to cancel SC certificate
Its now official. The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to declare Rohith Vemula, the research scholar of University of Hyderabad whose suicide in January 2016 triggered a nationwide uproar, as belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and that he was not a Dalit.

The government has also decided to cancel the Scheduled Caste certificate fraudulently obtained by Rohith and his mother Radhika Vemula.

Before doing so, the government on Monday served a show cause notice on Radhika as to why she cannot be declared as belonging to the Vaddera community, which falls under the OBC category.

If she still claims she is a Dalit, she should prove her claim with valid documents to that effect within two weeks.
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17:16   Governor meets Sasikala's MLAs
Governor Vidyasagar Rao meets 12-MLAs from Sasikala's team at Raj Bhavan. The delegation is headed by AIADMK Legislature party leader Edapadi K Palanisamy.


Image: AIADMK Legislature party leader Edapadi K Palanisamy reaches Raj Bhavan to meet Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao.
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17:05   The Queen invites Astad Deboo to Buckingham Palace
India's best known contemporary dancer and choreographer Astad Deboo is off to London to meet the Queen. He's picked out a bandhgala and a Kantha stole that he will wear to Buckingham Palace.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will host a UK-India Year of Culture launch at Buckingham Palace on February 27 to strengthen the special cultural partnership between the two countries. The reception is expected to attract hundreds of guests from across various fields in the UK and India, including a Arun Jaitley.


Image: The invite to meet the Queen on February 27.
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17:00   Sasikala unlikely to surrender today
Hours after the Supreme Court upheld the trial court verdict that sentenced VK Sasikala to a four-year jail term, she may not surrender today. Reports say her lawyers are trying to buy time saying they haven't received a copy of the court order yet, which says she has to surrender immediately.


Earlier in the day, the AIADMK general secretary expelled 20 other leaders including caretaker Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam from the party.


A group of MLAs from her team are now on their way to meet Governor Vidyasagar Rao at 5:30 pm. The governor asked a 12-member delegation to meet him today.
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16:49   Govenor meeting Team Sasikala at 5:30 pm
Just in: Twelve MLAs including Edapadi Palanisamy have been given an appointment to meet TN Governor Vidyasagar Rao at 5.30 pm. After she was found guilty by the Supreme Court for corruption, the first thing VK Sasikala, did was to pick a new leader, minister Edappadi K.Palanisamy, who is trusted by her.  The MLAs' huddle at the Golden Bay resort presided over by Sasikala also expelled O Panneerselvam and all the MLAs who went over to his side, from the party.

The BJP urges the governor to take a decision on the basis of numbers as well as credibility.


Reports also say that Sasikala is unlikely to surrender today. Her lawyers are buying time saying they haven't received a copy of the court order yet.

File pic: AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala meeting Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhawan last week.
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16:28   Sasikala going to jail is very good for people of Tamil nadu: Jaya's niece
Deepa Jayakumar, niece of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court verdict, setting aside AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala's acquittal by the Karnataka High Court in the Jayalalithaa disproportionate assets case.


When asked whether she thought that former Chief Minister Jayalalalitaa was also guilty, Jayakumar said it went against the family that was trying to control the entire State.

Terming it as right verdict, Ms. Jayakumar, indirectly referring to Ms. Sasikala, said that those who are behind corruption have been taken to task.

On choosing Edapaddi K. Palaniswam as AIADMKs new Legislature Party leader, Deepa said that Jayalalithaa had never endorsed Palaniswami for the top post. His election only shows that the Sasikala family will go to any extent to install a person of their choice to the leadership position.

Sasikala going to jail, is very good for the cadres and people of Tamil Nadu, Jayakumar said adding that she would be revealing his future plans on her aunts birth anniversary on February 24.


Also read: Meeting Deepa Jayakumar, Jaya's niece

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15:48   Team OPS turns back, prohibitory orders imposed near MLAs' resort
Police stops O Paneerselvam's supporters while they were on the way to Golden Bay resort in Kuvathur where party MLAs are staying. They were barred from entering the resort to avoid any clash. Section 144 (prohibitory orders) in place to prevent trouble.

An unfazed O Panneerselvam camp today rejected the appointment of Sasikala loyalist Edappady K Palaniswami as AIADMK Legislature Party leader. "Nobody has the authority to elect anybody," was the terse response from School Education Minister K Pandiarajan, a supporter of Panneerselvam.

He was responding to reporters' queries to Palaniswami being elected the Legislature Party leader, hours after the Supreme Court upheld a trial court verdict against AIADMK General Secretary Sasikala in a disproportionate assets case.

Palaniswami was elected at a meeting of party MLAs chaired by Sasikala held at a resort, where the legislators have been staying for last few days following the revolt by Panneerselvam.
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15:45   BSF detects tunnel at international border in J-K's Samba
In a major success to curb attempts of infiltration from across the international border with Pakistan, the BSF authorities today detected yet another tunnel on the border in Ramgarh sector of Samba in Jammu region. "With the timely detection of tunnel having an opening on our side, a major infiltration bid has also been foiled," a statement by the BSF said.

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14:57  
Pun expect, but as always Amul is utterly bang on. 
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14:47  
Sasikala expels 20 members from the AIADMK.

Team OPS stopped by the police on the way to the Golden Bay resort.
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14:45   OPS and team head to resort where Sasikala's MLAs are holed up
Tamil Nadu CM O Pannerselvam leaves for the Golden Bay resort at Koovathur where AIADMK MLAs corralled by Sasikala over the eight days have been staying. In fact, Sasikala has also been staying at the resort since last night and held a meeting immediately with her MLAs after the SC verdict. She expelled O Panneerselvam from the party and has had Edappadi Palanisamy, a minister loyal to her, elected as the ruling party's new leader in the assembly. Palanisamy, who is the state's PWD minister, will stake claim to be the next chief minister, challenging interim chief minister Panneerselvam.


At least 119 MLAs are believed to be at the resort, with one MLA escaping in 'disguise' wearing a T-shirt and bermudas, according to a NDTV report. 

AIADMK MP Thambidurai says O Panneerselvam is a betrayer. "He betrayed our party, there is only one party, Edappadi will lead us. We will file a review petition, a new legislative party leader has been elected."


File pic
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13:40   Order not subject to appeal, Sasikala can't be CM: Legal eagles
After the Supreme Court on Tuesday convicted All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (AIADMK) VK Sasikala in connection with the disproportionate assets case, legal experts opined that the former now cannot aspire to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.


Senior advocate Ashwani Kumar said, "I don't think Sasikala can aspire to become the chief minister after the conviction order pronounced by the highest court of the country. This order is not subject to appeal as it is the final order. Sasikala cannot be a sworn in as chief minister."


Kumar further said the impact of this verdict will be seen on the AIADMK politics.


"The primary need is to make the government in Tamil Nadu. Majority floor test is the only way to see who will be the chief minister," he added.

BV Acharya, special public prosecutor in the case against Sasikala, has expressed his happiness after the apex court upheld the trial court's judgment convicting her in the 19-year-old disproportionate assets case.


"I can only say that justice has been done in this case and it shows that in our country judiciary is independent and powerful. Therefore, even an accused who is very powerful both in terms of money and power cannot escape the clutches of law. Sasikala cannot hold an elective post for next 10 years because four years in imprisonment and thereafter the disqualification continues for another six years," he said.

Constitutional expert P.P. Rao said, "Sasikala cannot contest for six years after her four-year sentence. So for 10 years, her political career is obliterated."
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13:35   What the judgment that finds Sasikala & co guilty
Here is the text of the full judgment convicting Sasikala and others in the disproportionate assets case. Read
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13:34  
On AIADMK, Arun Jaitley says that it is purely internal matter of the party, Centre has nothing to do with it.
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13:22   India name unchanged squad for first two Tests vs Aus
As expected the Indian selectors decided to stick with the same 16-member squad, which beat Bangladesh in the one-off Test, for the first two matches of the forthcoming four-match Test series against Australia, starting in Pune, on February 23.

India squad for Australia series:
1. Virat Kohli (captain)
2. Ajinkya Rahane
3. Murali Vijay
4. Cheteshwar Pujara
5. KL Rahul
6. Karun Nair
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Ravichandran Ashwin
9. Jayant Yadav
10. Ishant Sharma
11. Umesh Yadav
12. Wriddhiman Saha (w/k)
13. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
14. Hardik Pandya
15. Kuldeep Yadav
16. Abhinav Mukund

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13:10   Amma's rule will continue, make the right choice: OPS' letter to AIADMK
Just in: O Panneerselvam urges party members and MLAs to sink differences and "work together to keep the party united and continue Amma's rule", in an open letter. He says that without any other party's support the AIADMK govt will continue. Panneerselvam also appealed for peace in the state and urged MLAs to make the right choice. "MLAs should forget temporary problems and we should unite," he writes.

A delegation of representatives from the OPS camp will drive down to the Golden Bay resort where Sasikala's MLAs are holed up and urge them to join up. OPS will also go the secretariat in a bit, in a message being sent, that it is business as usual.
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12:54  
Mettur MLA S Semmalai: Other MLAs like me are on their way to join O Pannerselvam, who will continue Jayalalithaa's legacy.

The Mettupalayam MLA is also going over to the OPS camp.
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12:51   Sasikala expels OPS from party, Palaniswamy is new AIADMK leader
Sasikala loyalist, Minister Edappady K Palaniswamy elected AIADMK Legislature Party Leader: JAYA TV. AIADMK expels O Panneerselvam from the party. The decision was taken at the Golden Bay resort in Kovathur where the 120 MLAs loyal to Sasikala were holed up.
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12:44   Trump-led US can be an opportunity for us: Jaishankar
Here's an upshot of what Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said at 'The Gateway of India Geoeconomic Dialogue' co-hosted by the think tank Gateway House and the ministry of external affairs in Mumbai on Tuesday.


America: "Don't demonise Trump; analyse him". He represents a thought process, not just caprice.

Jaishankar' doesn't feel that the arrival of a Trump America means less opportunities for India. Maybe India has more opportunities, given that a Trump-led America might be un-shy and bring new possibilities/a relationship that a more "timid America" would not have created. Might be an opportunity for us.

Our issue is outsourcing. We have to put it to America that it is different. If we distinguish ourselves from the "basic problem that Trump is attacking", we can be successful. "India needs to separate that outsourcing helps the US be competent, from offshoring which damages a country's tax base.

"In general: Approaching moment of "multi-polarity" in the world. Having a scenario in international politics where everyone is playing everyone is a good opportunity for all. Including India.

Russia: "An improved US-Russia relationship is good for us". We have always had relationships with each of them of different kinds over the years. And if they have a better relationship with each other there will be no conflict.

China: "One relationship we need to work on most is the China account.
"Invest more in our China relationship. "I aspire something bigger for our relationship with China". It is natural that as we both grow there will be issues of all kinds. That comes with the turf. Not worrisome. We should "not duck" the issues. Instead we need to put them on the table and discuss them.

Trump and Asia: "Trump is not withdrawing from Asia. He is strengthening. But on new terms."Doesn't seem like that after Shinzo Abe's visit to the US and Jim Mattis's visit to South Korea. Trump does not seem to be in retreat mode. But just moving ahead on different terms. Doesn't mean lack of opportunity for us.

Japan: The Japan relationship is key. "A bigger Indian economy is in Japan's interest. Strategic geo-economics will work better with Japan than geopolitics."

Saarc: Not given up on Saarc but fundamental cooperation is important. Move where there is opportunity rather than get stuck on Saarc. If there are fundamental obstacles with creating regional cooperation, we should not worry.

"Can't get into a bus", then get another vehicle like bimstec. It is important to find the outcome rather than finding a mechanism for it.Pakistan: Till now our relationship with Pakistan is a "security centric" bilateral, with them turning the "terrorism tap off and on", then how will it go ahead?

"It will change to an economic one only if Pakistan" makes a break from their past practices". Internationally there is now plenty of concern that so many terrorism incidents get traced back to Pakistan. Trump's administration is so "focused on security".

And their first moves have been about security. So maybe they will acknowledge the source of this terrorism and that will help us.

In general: We should practise multilateralism not because you want to be a good guy. You might be a good guy too. But that's not the reason to be there. Multilateralism is not idealism alone. In a changed world scenario where "majors are pulling back" and hunkering', down there might be a new opportunity. We have to "look at it as a market". There is a new space and we can get in there.

EU: Strong interest in us concluding an agreement with the EU. But we need a better balance of priorities between us. Getting that right is what is all about.

Iran: Iran? "I can put an exclamation mark  would say Iran!' "Significant player". Things have changed a lot in the world. Working a lot with Iran. Middle East: Need to remember that the "remittances from Middle East are roughly equal to our IT exports to the US".

-- Vaihayasi Pande Daniel
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12:37   Sasikala ruled out of fray till 2026 TN polls
Following the Supreme Court upholding the trial court's conviction of VK Sasikala in the disproportionate assets case, how long will she be out of electoral politics?


The trial court had on September 27, 2014, sentenced Jayalalithaa, Sasikala, Ilavarasi and Sudhakaran to four years imprisonment, of which they had served eight months when the Karnataka high court overturned their conviction.


Following the Supreme Court restoring the trial court's order today, the three of them (the case against Jayalalitha having become infructuous owing to her death) will have to spend the remaining part of the sentence in jail - that is, three years and four months which, assuming no further judicial intervention, expires in June 2020.


The Election Commission rules bar convicted persons from contesting polls for six years after their sentence is over. Which means Sasikala cannot fight elections till June 2026.


Tamil Nadu voted in May 2016; in the ordinary course, the next election is due in May 2021, and the next one in May 2026.


As things stand, Sasikala, who will be 71 years old then, will have missed it by one month.

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12:24  
Sasikala to be taken into custody at any moment from the Golden Bay resort. She was asked to surrender immediately. 
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12:23   SC clears the air on national anthem in theatres and you must read this
Just in: The Supreme Court says that people are not obliged to stand up when the national anthem is played as part of a film or a documentary.

On November 30, the apex court had made it mandatory for patrons in a theatre to stand up when the anthem is played. Differently-abled persons have exemption from standing while the national anthem is played in theatres.

The court had also asked the cinema halls to display an image of the tricolour on the screen when the anthem is played.

The apex court further clarified that the doors of the theatre should be closed while the anthem plays, but need not be bolted.

A number of safety experts had raised questions over the earlier ruling that mandated closing of doors during the national anthem.
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12:15   Cops with buses enter resort to ferry Sasikala's MLAs back to Chennai
Four state transport buses have entered the Golden Bay resort in Kovathur where the 120 MLAs loyal to Sasikala were holed up. Two IGP rank officers are at the helm of the clean-up ops here. A Swift Action Force and Armed Police personnel took immediate control of Golden Bay resorts following the Supreme Court's verdict in the DA case which upheld VK Sasikala's conviction.

Police sources said that their first preference will be to ensure the exit of MLAs from the resort by themselves.

"We will then look at the surrender of Sasikala. We do not want any convoy procession of MLAs while Sasikala is whisked away," a police source said.
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11:49  
Sify cartoonist Satish Acharya says it well... 
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11:47  
A break from Tamil Nadu politics for this tweet from Sachin Tendulkar: @sachin_rt  With little Hinaya Heer! She's a bundle of joy @harbhajan_singh..

That's Harbhajan Singh's daughter (the doting dad clearly can't stop grinning).
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11:38   Kamal Haasan reacts to Sasikala's conviction
Minutes after the Supreme Court convicted Sasikala Natarajan in the 21-year-old disproportionate assets case, actor Kamal Haasan took to Twitter to say "justice will prevail".

"It's a old song, but still; the wrong person may win at times. However, time changes and justice will prevail," the actor said.

Earlier, the actor, awaiting the judgment in the assets case, posted a tweet saying "the Marina spirit awaits judgment calmly".
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11:34   Sasikala in a huddle with MLAs to decide new leader
Meeting taking place at the Golden Bay resort near Mahabalipuram on the action plan ahead. Sasikala will surrender in Bengaluru, but ahead of that she will choose a new legislative leader. So far 125 MLAs are supporting her.
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11:30   11 more MLAs in touch with OPS, Sasikala breaks down after verdict
So, VK Sasikala heads to jail for four years. She cannot become Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after the Supreme Court decided today to convict her and two others in a corruption case. She received the news at a heavily-guarded luxury resort near Chennai, where she had stayed the night along with lawmakers camped there for five days. 

Reports say that Sasikala broke down after the verdict, but addressed the MLAs at the resort where she is holed up with them since last night. 


The AIADMK's official Twitter handle posts: In the past whenever Amma was in crisis, I also suffered this time also I will take it upon me. 'Dharma' will win.


The Hindu reports that the media has been moved out of the Golden Bay resort, where the MLAs in the Sasikala camp had been staying.


While over 15,000 policemen have been deployed across Chennai, only 20 cops are at the resort  


Reports now say that 11 more MLAs are in touch with the OPS camp. He already has eight MLAs who pledged their allegiance to him.


File pic
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11:02  
The Hindu reports that the media has been moved out of the Golden Bay resort, where the MLAs in the Sasikala camp had been staying. While over 15,000 policement have been deployed across Chennai, only 20 cops are at the resort 
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10:55  
Immediately after the vedict, O Pannerselvam@CMOTamilNadu tweets: Justice prevails. #TNSaved.

While the Sasikala camp tweeted: AIADMK ‏@AIADMKOfficial 
Traitors have besmirched Amma's sanctity.


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10:49   Sasikala convicted in DA case, gets 4-year-jail
AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala has been convicted by the Supreme Court in the disproportionate assets case. The court orders her and her two relatives to surrender immediately and will be sent to jail for four years. She will have to pay a fine, which has been reduced from Rs 100 crore to Rs 10 crore.

This means she will be unable to stand for elections for six years and hold public office.

The disproportionate assets case dates back to 1996. J Jayalalithaa, Sasikala and her two relatives, Ilavarasi and Sudhagaran, had been convicted in the case that alleged that the former chief minister owned assets far exceeding her known sources of income. After they were acquitted in 2015, an appeal was filed in the Supreme Court. J Jayalalithaa has been abated in the case since she is more.

Remains to be seen whether the MLAs who were with her will now move to the OPS camp.

Sasikala's journey ends in jail, for now.
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10:33   'If court convicts Sasikala, she will lose everything'
Ahead of the Supreme Court's verdict on All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham general secretary VK Sasikala in the disproportionate assets case, GS Mani, the lawyer for Satta Panchayat Iyakkam, on Tuesday said if the court convicts Sasikala, she'll lose everything.

"If the court convicts Sasikala even for a minimum period of one year, she will legally lose the Chief Minister post because she will suffer the disqualification as per the provision under the Constitution and per the law laid by the Supreme Court. As she is not the member of the legislative assembly, she does not fulfill the qualification. There is no doubt if the court convicts her she will lose everything," Mani said.

"We expect that the Supreme Court will give good judgement because people's money has been looted by those in power. So, they should be punished and they should be sent to jail. We are expecting that," he added.
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10:31   Expect Sasikala to be convicted: Swamy on DA case
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Tuesday expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would convict All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (AIADMK) general secretary V.K. Sasikala in disproportionate assets case.

"This case got initiated after I submitted the documents to the Supreme Court. We have argued about the case in detail as we have fought at every level. I expect we would emerge victorious. We have to see on which basis she will get conviction. I know the case very well and expect that she will be convicted," Swamy, who is the complainant in the case against Sasikala, said.

The pending disproportionate assets case dates back to 1996. J. Jayalalithaa, Sasikala and her two relatives, Ilavarasi and Sudhagaran, had been convicted in the case that alleged that the former chief minister owned assets far exceeding her known sources of income. After they were acquitted in 2015, an appeal was filed in the Supreme Court.

If convicted, Sasikala will not be able to stand for elections for six years and hold public office
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10:21   15,000 policemen across Chennai, SC to deliver Sasikala verdict any moment
Big day for VK Sasikala and the political future of Tamil Nadu. As security deployment outside Poes Garden is upped as a precautionary measure ahead of the Supreme Court's s verdict in the DA case against Sasikala will be delivered at 10:30 am today. If she is convicted in corruption case that dates back to the early 90s, she cannot be chief minister.  Sasikala, in fact, is at the Golden Bay resort with her MLAs who have been camping there for over a week to prevent crossovers to the O Panneerselvam camp.


The police is patrolling different landmarks including the Governor's office-cum-residence, Raj Bhavan, the headquarters of main political parties, and Jayalaithaa's Poes Road home. Sasikala was her aide and the Poes Garden bungalow remains her base.

Over 15,000 police personnel have been posted across Chennai and nearly 4,000 people have been arrested over the last few days as a precaution.
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09:49   Major setback for Donald Trump as NSA quits
In a major setback to US President Donald Trump, his national security advisor Michael Flynn, who has been in the job for less than a month, has resigned amid a swirl of controversy.   

His resignation comes in the wake of incessant reports that he had spoken to Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak about US sanctions against Moscow, before the presidential inauguration, in December 2016.   

While Flynn had maintained that that he had any such conversation with the Russian envoy, it has now come to light that he had misled the Trump administration, notably vice president Mike Pence who had backed his claim, about the conversation, say reports.

The New York Times points out that 'even the mere discussion of policy -- and the apparent attempt to assuage the concerns of an American adversary before Mr. Trump took office -- represents a remarkable breach of protocol'.   

You can read the NYT report here.
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09:38   Donald Trump's NSA Michael Flynn resigns: CNN
Just In: CNN reports that Michael Flynn, US President Donald Trump national security adviser, has resigned.Details soon.
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09:25   SC verdict in DA case against Sasikala today; heavy security in TN
Security has been stepped up across Tamil Nadu as a precautionary measure ahead of the verdict in the disproportionate assets case likely to be announced at 10.30 am today.

Additional police has been deployed at the chief ministers Greenways Road residence and Raj Bhavan besides Koovathur resort where All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MLAs supporting party chief V K Sasikala are staying, police said.

Senior AIADMK leader M Thambidurai has reached the Golden Bay Resort to meet Sasikala, who is already present inside.

The fate of Sasikala, fighting a bitter power battle with interim Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam after the demise of J Jayalithaa, is likely to be decided today as the Supreme Court may deliver the much-awaited verdict in the disproportionate assets case involving her as an accused.

Besides Jayalalithaa, against whom the proceedings would be abated due to her demise on December 5 last year, Sasikala, and the latter's relatives, V N Sudhakaran and Elavarasi, were also acquitted in the assets case by the Karnataka high court. -- Agencies
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08:54   China thanks India for returning Chinese soldier after 54 years
Beijing has appreciated the facilitation provided by the Indian government in sending back Wang Qi, the Chinese soldier who crossed over to India post the 1962 war.

"On February 11, through the joint efforts of China and India, Mr Wang Qi returned to China and got back to his family. China appreciates the facilitation provided by relevant authorities of the Indian government in this process," said China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang.

Wang, now 77, was caught for entering into the Indian Territory shortly after the Sino-India War of 1962.

He was later released from jail and shifted to Tirodi village in Madhya Pradesh, where he married a local woman and settled there ever since.

He flew to China on Saturday with his wife Sushila, their son Vishnu and two other children. From there, the family would travel to his native place in Shaanxi Province to meet Wang's relatives. -- ANI
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08:46   Encounter breaks out in Bandipora, 2 army men injured
An encounter between terrorists and security forces broke out in north Kashmir's Bandipora district today, police said in Srinagar.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Parray Mohalla in Hajin area of the district on Tuesday morning following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area, the official said.

He said while the forces were conducting the search operation, the hiding terrorists fired upon them, triggering an encounter.

Two army personnel have reportedly been injured in the encounter.

Firing was going on when last reports came in, the official said, adding that further details were awaited.

Representative image.
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00:18   Mass evacuation as rains strain tallest US dam
Almost 200,000 people were under evacuation orders in northern California today after a threat of catastrophic failure at the United States' tallest dam. 

Officials said the threat had subsided for the moment as water levels at the Oroville Dam, 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of San Francisco, have eased. But people were still being told to stay out of the area. 

Several weeks of heavy rains had filled the 770-foot (235-meter) high dam to capacity. 

The threat comes not from the dam itself, which the California Department of Water Resources said was not in danger of collapse, but from an emergency spillway that
channels off excess water. 

A giant hole opened up in the dam's main spillway last week, forcing authorities to activate the emergency spillway on Saturday for the first time ever.

But it began eroding, threatening a rupture that would have sent water surging towards cities in the valley below, US media reported.

Authorities then released 100,000 cubic feet (2,830 cubic meters) of water per second from the main spillway, bringing down the level of reservoir Sunday, the Sacramento Bee newspaper said, citing Department of Water Resources spokesman Doug Carlson.

Although the most pressing threat had passed, the evacuation order remained in place as authorities evaluated the state of the two spillways.

IMAGE: A damaged spillway with eroded hillside is seen in an aerial photo taken over the Oroville Dam in Oroville, California, US
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00:16   Pakistan says Indian LoC fire killed three soldiers
Pakistan Army has said that its three soldiers were killed in "unprovoked" firing by Indian troops along the Line of Control, making it the deadliest border clash since General Qamar Javed Bajwa took over the command of country's powerful military.

The incident occurred when India troops resorted to "unprovoked firing on LoC in Thoob sector near Bhimber," army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said.

He said three soldiers who were "critically injured" in the LoC firing have died.

Ghafoor said that Pakistan Army responded effectively to the Indian firing and there were reports of "Indian casualties as well in exchange of fire".
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00:15   'Report on exit poll inadvertently published on English site'
Dainik Jagran newspaper, against which EC ordered filing of FIR for alleged poll code violation, has said that news about exit polls of Uttar Pradesh was published inadvertently on its English website and it was immediately removed after being detected by senior officials of the group.

In a statement, the newspaper said, "It may be clarified that except for the digital English platform no news item attributing to exit poll was published in Dainik Jagran newspaper." 

 "On the English website a news was inadvertently published mentioning about an exit poll. However, the mistake was self corrected and the news report was immediately removed when the report was noticed by senior officials of the group. 

"We clarify that we fully comply with the directions which has been issued by Election Commission of India and are in the process of filing a detailed fact-based response with the ECI clarifying the position," it said. 

Earlier on Monday, the Election Commission had ordered lodging of FIRs against Dainik Jagran and an agency in 15 districts in Uttar Pradesh in connection with publication of "exit polls" in violation of its directions. 
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00:14   Ex-AIADMK MLA booked for threatening CM OPS
News Minute reports: An FIR has been filed against former AIADMK MLA VP Kalairajan at the Teynampet police station for allegedly threatening to "chop off" caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam's hands.

Though Teynampet police inspector Giri confirmed that the FIR was lodged two days ago, he refused to divulge any other details.

Kalairajan reportedly made the comment while speaking to the media at Poes Garden last week.

According to ANI, Kalairajan had on Friday said, "If you (Panneerselvam) provoke/hit me, I'll do the same; Amma taught us to do namaskar with hands, but they can be used in other way". (sic)

"Haven't threatened #OPanneerselvam, but if he touches us, will reply; AIADMK HQ & Poes Garden come under my distt area, so have rights," (sic) he added.
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00:14   5.27 lakh assessees respond to I-T query on cash deposits
The I-T department has said that 5.27 lakh assessees, out of 18 lakh who were sent SMS/emails for making suspicious deposits post demonetisation, have submitted their response and warned others of 'enforcement action' if they fail to respond by February 15. 

It further said that 99.5 per cent of the 5.27 lakh assessees have confirmed the amount which they have deposited as cash during the 50-day demonetisation period ending December 30. These deposits were made in 7.41 lakh bank accounts.

"The operation has seen an overwhelming response and till February 12, 2017, more than 5.27 lakh taxpayers have already submitted their response," a CBDT statement said. 

Responding to the SMS/email queries under 'Operation Clean Money', the assessees have disclosed additional 25,000 bank accounts in which cash was deposited.

"The department is encouraged to note that taxpayers have increased the cash deposit amount in nearly 90,000 accounts and provided details of additional 25,000 bank accounts in which cash was deposited. 

"The explanation of cash deposit submitted by the taxpayer is being analysed in the context of nature of business and business profile in the earlier returns of the taxpayer," said CBDT, the apex policy making body of the I-T department. 

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