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Fri, 24 February 2017
Only against 'fake news', not press freedom: Trump
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23:46 Only against 'fake news', not press freedom: Trump
United States President Donald Trump today asserted that he is only against fake news media and not press freedom.
"I'm not against the media, Im not against the press. I dont mind bad stories if I deserve them. And I tell ya, I love good stories, but...I dont get too many of them. But I am only against the fake news, media or press. Fake, fake. They have to leave that word," Trump said in his address to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, DC.
"I'm against the people that make up stories and make up sources. They shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name. Let their name be put out there. Let their name be put out," Trump said as he vented out his anger and frustration with the news coverage that his presidency has been receiving.
He even went ahead and named the media outlets with whom he is upset.
"Just to conclude, I mean, it's a very sensitive topic and they get upset when we expose their false stories. They say that we can't criticise their dishonest coverage because of the First Amendment, you know, they always bring up the First Amendment," he said amidst laughter from the audience.
"I love the First Amendment; nobody loves it better than me. Nobody. I mean, who uses it more than I do? But the First Amendment gives all of us -- it gives it to me, it gives it to you, it gives it to all Americans, the right to speak our minds freely. It gives you the right and me the right to criticise fake news and criticise it strongly," Trump said.
He said many of these groups are part the large media corporations that have their own agenda. -- PTI
"I'm not against the media, Im not against the press. I dont mind bad stories if I deserve them. And I tell ya, I love good stories, but...I dont get too many of them. But I am only against the fake news, media or press. Fake, fake. They have to leave that word," Trump said in his address to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, DC.
"I'm against the people that make up stories and make up sources. They shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name. Let their name be put out there. Let their name be put out," Trump said as he vented out his anger and frustration with the news coverage that his presidency has been receiving.
He even went ahead and named the media outlets with whom he is upset.
"Just to conclude, I mean, it's a very sensitive topic and they get upset when we expose their false stories. They say that we can't criticise their dishonest coverage because of the First Amendment, you know, they always bring up the First Amendment," he said amidst laughter from the audience.
"I love the First Amendment; nobody loves it better than me. Nobody. I mean, who uses it more than I do? But the First Amendment gives all of us -- it gives it to me, it gives it to you, it gives it to all Americans, the right to speak our minds freely. It gives you the right and me the right to criticise fake news and criticise it strongly," Trump said.
He said many of these groups are part the large media corporations that have their own agenda. -- PTI
22:46 500 people arrested for protesting PM's visit to Coimbatore
Nearly 500 members of various outfits were arrested in Coimbatore today when they attempted to stage a demonstration against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to unveil a 112-foot Adiyogi face at the Isha Yoga centre.
Some black balloons were also released into the air by a section of the protesters as Modi was travelling to the venue near Coimbatore by a helicopter, police said.
The protesters raised slogans against Modi for his alleged failure in protecting farmers' interests and for not taking action against the Isha Yoga for alleged encroachment of tribal land for construction of the face, police said.
During the protest held in front of a tehsildar office in Coimbatore, they also sought Centres intervene to prevent construction of check dams across river Bhavani by Kerala.
Arond 500 workers of outfits including Dravidar Kazhagam, Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, Tamil Maanila Congress, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Revolutionary Youth Front, Social Democratic Party of India, and Federation of Tamil Nadu Farmers' Association, participated in the demonstration, police said adding all were arrested.
Police also arrested 17 workers of a fringe outfit when they attempted to stage a demonstration against Modis visit near the airport. -- PTI
IMAGE: PM Modi being received by Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and other dignitaries on his arrival in Coimbatore. Photograph: PTI Photo
Some black balloons were also released into the air by a section of the protesters as Modi was travelling to the venue near Coimbatore by a helicopter, police said.
The protesters raised slogans against Modi for his alleged failure in protecting farmers' interests and for not taking action against the Isha Yoga for alleged encroachment of tribal land for construction of the face, police said.
During the protest held in front of a tehsildar office in Coimbatore, they also sought Centres intervene to prevent construction of check dams across river Bhavani by Kerala.
Arond 500 workers of outfits including Dravidar Kazhagam, Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, Tamil Maanila Congress, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Revolutionary Youth Front, Social Democratic Party of India, and Federation of Tamil Nadu Farmers' Association, participated in the demonstration, police said adding all were arrested.
Police also arrested 17 workers of a fringe outfit when they attempted to stage a demonstration against Modis visit near the airport. -- PTI
IMAGE: PM Modi being received by Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and other dignitaries on his arrival in Coimbatore. Photograph: PTI Photo
21:50 Couple claims Dhanush is their son, HC summons actor
The Madras high court on Friday directed actor Dhanush to appear before it on February 28 in connection with a case filed by a couple who claimed he was their son.
Justice G Chokkalingam of the bench in Madurai passed the directions on the counter filed by Kathiresan, who claims to be the actor's father.
When the matter came up for hearing on Friday, the judge directed Dhanush to appear before it in person on February 28 to verify his personal identification marks.
In his counter, Kathiresan submitted that there was a possibility of disfiguring of the ID marks of the actor, and simply filing it through an affidavit will not prove the petitioner's case.
He also submitted that the birth certificate filed by the actor was not genuine, and his name and the registration number were not mentioned in it.
In the school transfer certificate, it was mentioned that Dhanush belonged to the Scheduled Caste.
However, film director Kasthuri Raja, who claims to be the actor's biological father, belonged to Naicker community (BC) from Theni district, Kathiresan claimed.
The family card filed to substantiate that Dhanush belonged to the family of Kasthuri Raja was also manipulated, he alleged.
The petition filed by Dhanush is false and the same could be proved only during the trial by the trial court, he said.
Dhanush, the son-in-law of 'Superstar' Rajinikanth, had in January last moved this court, seeking quashing of the trial case pending in a lower court in Melur near Madurai, wherein the couple Kathiresan and Meenakshi had claimed to be his real parents and sought a monthly maintenance of Rs 65,000. -- PTI
Justice G Chokkalingam of the bench in Madurai passed the directions on the counter filed by Kathiresan, who claims to be the actor's father.
When the matter came up for hearing on Friday, the judge directed Dhanush to appear before it in person on February 28 to verify his personal identification marks.
In his counter, Kathiresan submitted that there was a possibility of disfiguring of the ID marks of the actor, and simply filing it through an affidavit will not prove the petitioner's case.
He also submitted that the birth certificate filed by the actor was not genuine, and his name and the registration number were not mentioned in it.
In the school transfer certificate, it was mentioned that Dhanush belonged to the Scheduled Caste.
However, film director Kasthuri Raja, who claims to be the actor's biological father, belonged to Naicker community (BC) from Theni district, Kathiresan claimed.
The family card filed to substantiate that Dhanush belonged to the family of Kasthuri Raja was also manipulated, he alleged.
The petition filed by Dhanush is false and the same could be proved only during the trial by the trial court, he said.
Dhanush, the son-in-law of 'Superstar' Rajinikanth, had in January last moved this court, seeking quashing of the trial case pending in a lower court in Melur near Madurai, wherein the couple Kathiresan and Meenakshi had claimed to be his real parents and sought a monthly maintenance of Rs 65,000. -- PTI
21:04 EPS meets Modi in Coimbatore
Taamil Nadu Chief Minister E Paliniswami meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Coimbatore.
This was his first meet with the PM after taking over as CM.
This was his first meet with the PM after taking over as CM.
20:24
JUST IN: Grenade attack on police post at Kakapora area in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. No causalities or injuries reported.
20:14 An idea shouldn't be rejected only because it's ancient: PM on Yoga
After unveiling the 112-feet-tall statue of 'Adiyogi' Lord Shiva in Coimbatore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Yoga brings inner peace, which the world wants now.
"India has given the gift of Yoga to the world, by practising Yoga a spirit of oneness is created," PM Modi said.
"Rejecting an idea just because its ancient can be potentially harmful. Today, whole world wants peace, not only from wars and conflicts but peace from stress, and for that we have Yoga," he said.
He also released a book on 'Adiyogi' on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
"India has given the gift of Yoga to the world, by practising Yoga a spirit of oneness is created," PM Modi said.
"Rejecting an idea just because its ancient can be potentially harmful. Today, whole world wants peace, not only from wars and conflicts but peace from stress, and for that we have Yoga," he said.
He also released a book on 'Adiyogi' on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
19:38 Pak wants good ties with India: Sharif
Asserting that Pakistan wants to have good ties with India, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said both sides should maintain good relations and avoid indulging in conspiracies against each other.
"We [Pakistan and India] should maintain good relations and avoid involving in conspiracies against each other," Sharif was quoted by Pakistan media, as saying.
Sharif told reporters that his party has ended the negative tradition in the country to adopt a policy of 'India bashing' during the election campaign.
He said those who were upset with the progress of Pakistan were actually responsible for the recent terror attacks in the country.
Expressing confidence about eliminating terrorism at all costs, Sharif said, "With our firm resolve, we will defeat those who are not digesting Pakistans success on different fronts." -- ANI
"We [Pakistan and India] should maintain good relations and avoid involving in conspiracies against each other," Sharif was quoted by Pakistan media, as saying.
Sharif told reporters that his party has ended the negative tradition in the country to adopt a policy of 'India bashing' during the election campaign.
He said those who were upset with the progress of Pakistan were actually responsible for the recent terror attacks in the country.
Expressing confidence about eliminating terrorism at all costs, Sharif said, "With our firm resolve, we will defeat those who are not digesting Pakistans success on different fronts." -- ANI
19:08 PM unveils 112-ft-tall Shiva statue in Coimbatore
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils 112-feet-tall Shiva statue in Coimbatore.
He was accompanied by Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev of Isha Fondation.
The statue is dedicated to 'Adiyogi', a form of Lord Shiva who, according to the Hindu tradition, is considered the first of yogis.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Paliniswami, Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and Puducherry Governor Kiran Bedi, among other VIP guests, were present at the occasion.
He was accompanied by Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev of Isha Fondation.
The statue is dedicated to 'Adiyogi', a form of Lord Shiva who, according to the Hindu tradition, is considered the first of yogis.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Paliniswami, Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and Puducherry Governor Kiran Bedi, among other VIP guests, were present at the occasion.
18:34
Earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale jolts Manipur, PTI reports quoting Earth Sciences Ministry.
18:32 Jaya's niece floats new party, 'MGR Amma Deepa Peravai'
J Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayaram today launched political outfit on the late chief minister's 69th birth anniversary and names it 'MGR AMMA Deepa Forum'.
At the launch, she said that her party will form the government in Tamil Nadu.
"There is a traitor group working behind the government and we will work continuously to throw away this group," she said.
"Have faith in me, we wont betray you," she added.
17:18 All that you wanted to know about Jayalalithaa
Two definitive books on former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa are being released on the occasion of her birth anniversary today by Vitasta Publishing, New Delhi. Jayalalithaa a journey is a picture book in English on her life and times, while the other book, Amma: Life and History is a Tamil paperback -- and are believed to be an unbiased perspective on a woman who is today a part of Indias contemporary history.
17:10 Sena, BJP fight should continue: Cong's Nirupam
Congress, which faced its worst ever rout in Mumbai winning only 31 of the 227 seats in the civic body, today said it will not do anything that will benefit the Shiv Sena and BJP in their bid to gain control of the country's richest civic body.
"We will not dilute our ideological stand. People defeated us and gave us a mandate to sit in the opposition. We respect that. But voters have not given the saffron parties, who fought a bitter battle, the keys to power. Congress will not help these two parties, but would like to see their fight continue and differences aggravate," Congress city unit chief Sanjay Nirupam told PTI.
He said that people will get to see how the party, which sought votes in the name of transparency, indulges in horse-trading. The BJP had made "transparency" its main plank for the BMC polls. The hung verdict in Mumbai is expected to change the political calculations as Sena and BJP are not in the position to rule the country's richest civic body on its own.
"We will not dilute our ideological stand. People defeated us and gave us a mandate to sit in the opposition. We respect that. But voters have not given the saffron parties, who fought a bitter battle, the keys to power. Congress will not help these two parties, but would like to see their fight continue and differences aggravate," Congress city unit chief Sanjay Nirupam told PTI.
He said that people will get to see how the party, which sought votes in the name of transparency, indulges in horse-trading. The BJP had made "transparency" its main plank for the BMC polls. The hung verdict in Mumbai is expected to change the political calculations as Sena and BJP are not in the position to rule the country's richest civic body on its own.
16:51 Kanpur train accident was conspiracy from across border: PM in UP
A conspiracy hatched from "across the border' was responsible for a train derailment last November near Kanpur that killed 148 people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.
"A rail accident happened in Kanpur, few people have been caught, police found out, that was a conspiracy from across the border,' news agency ANI quoted Modi as saying at a poll rally in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda. Uttar Pradesh is voting in seven-phase assembly elections where the BJP is competing with a Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance and the Bahujan Samaj Party.
Modis comment comes days after a Nepalese citizen, Samshul Hoda, was arrested in Kathmandu. Hoda is suspected of having links with Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence and gangster Dawood Ibrahim and is a key accused in the Kanpur train derailment case.
Samshul Hoda, 43, from Bara district of Nepal, was detained along with four others who were described as agents of Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence agency. They were operating a ring from Pakistan, Malaysia and the UAE, Nepalese officials said.
The Indore-Patna Express went off the tracks near Kanpur Dehat in Pukhrayan on November 21, killing 148 and injuring more than 200 the worst train accident in six years.
"A rail accident happened in Kanpur, few people have been caught, police found out, that was a conspiracy from across the border,' news agency ANI quoted Modi as saying at a poll rally in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda. Uttar Pradesh is voting in seven-phase assembly elections where the BJP is competing with a Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance and the Bahujan Samaj Party.
Modis comment comes days after a Nepalese citizen, Samshul Hoda, was arrested in Kathmandu. Hoda is suspected of having links with Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence and gangster Dawood Ibrahim and is a key accused in the Kanpur train derailment case.
Samshul Hoda, 43, from Bara district of Nepal, was detained along with four others who were described as agents of Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence agency. They were operating a ring from Pakistan, Malaysia and the UAE, Nepalese officials said.
The Indore-Patna Express went off the tracks near Kanpur Dehat in Pukhrayan on November 21, killing 148 and injuring more than 200 the worst train accident in six years.
16:41 Rahul has sensitivity of a mature leader, Sheila's damage control
A day after her interview to the Times of India where she said Rahul Gandhi was not a mature politician -- "Please
remember Rahul is still not mature, his age does not allow him to be
mature. He is what... in his forties. Please give him time" -- former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit tweeted that a clarification saying her words had been twisted.
@SheilaDikshit tweeted: Rahul has the sensitivity and concern of a mature leader. His words are those of a young, courageous and restless man. #DontTwistMyWords
Her words could hardly have come at a worse time for the Congress party, relegated to a distant third in the Maharashtra civic polls. Yet, while addressing a rally in UP yesterday, he said, Modiji chunaav haar chuke hainwo jitni bhi nafrat faila sakte hain faila le, lekin ye Uttar Pradesh unki nahi sunega, Congress aur Samajwadi Party ki sarkaar banayega. (Modiji has lost the elections. He can spread all the hate he wants to, but Uttar Pradesh wont listen to him, public will make Congress and Samajwadi Party the ruling parties).
Twitter couldn't stop laughing at the Gandhi scion whose speeches have been parodied earlier as well.
Senior Congress leaders like Rita Bahuguna Joshi who left the party to join the BJP have publicly blamed Rahul for the mess the party is in.
@SheilaDikshit tweeted: Rahul has the sensitivity and concern of a mature leader. His words are those of a young, courageous and restless man. #DontTwistMyWords
Her words could hardly have come at a worse time for the Congress party, relegated to a distant third in the Maharashtra civic polls. Yet, while addressing a rally in UP yesterday, he said, Modiji chunaav haar chuke hainwo jitni bhi nafrat faila sakte hain faila le, lekin ye Uttar Pradesh unki nahi sunega, Congress aur Samajwadi Party ki sarkaar banayega. (Modiji has lost the elections. He can spread all the hate he wants to, but Uttar Pradesh wont listen to him, public will make Congress and Samajwadi Party the ruling parties).
Twitter couldn't stop laughing at the Gandhi scion whose speeches have been parodied earlier as well.
Senior Congress leaders like Rita Bahuguna Joshi who left the party to join the BJP have publicly blamed Rahul for the mess the party is in.
16:15 In Delhi, Stalin meets Sonia, Rahul
DMK working President MK Stalin meets Congress President Sonia Gandhi and VP Rahul Gandhi today.
Stalin arrived in Delhi on Thursday to meet President Pranab Mukherjee, to apprise him of the incidents that unfolded during the February 18 trust vote, won by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.
The DMK president is accompanied by senior leaders, including Durai Murugan to meet the President.
His scheduled meeting with the President comes days after he had urged Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao to "nullify" the confidence vote, which was won by Palaniswami after forcible en-masse eviction of DMK legislators from the State Assembly on February 18.
Stalin arrived in Delhi on Thursday to meet President Pranab Mukherjee, to apprise him of the incidents that unfolded during the February 18 trust vote, won by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.
The DMK president is accompanied by senior leaders, including Durai Murugan to meet the President.
His scheduled meeting with the President comes days after he had urged Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao to "nullify" the confidence vote, which was won by Palaniswami after forcible en-masse eviction of DMK legislators from the State Assembly on February 18.
15:51 Agree with Sheila, Rahul is immature: Amit Shah
Taking a dig at former Delhi chief minister and Congress senior leader Sheila Dikshit's remark that party vice president Rahul Gandhi still lacks maturity, Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on Friday said the entire nation agreed with this 'fact' which did not explain why he was being 'forced' into the state.
Addressing a rally in Azamgarh, Shah said, "Sheila-ji, the whole country acknowledges the fact which you stated that Rahul is immature but I want to ask why you are enforcing him in Uttar Pradesh?"
Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi for questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance, Shah asked him to become accountable regarding the NDA Government's rule in the last 60 years.
Lashing out at the Samajwadi government, Shah asserted that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had issued several schemes for the Uttar Pradesh Government, but the ruling dispensation in the state was not interested in implementing those.
Further attacking the SP and BSP, Shah said that these two parties have destroyed the state, adding the number in the cases of murder, theft, loot, incidents of kidnappings have risen under their governance.
Amit Shah's response comes to Sheila Dikshit's statement saying that Rahul Gandhi is not a mature politician but is ready to take over the reins of the party, "Please remember Rahul is still not mature, his age does not allow him to be mature. He is what... in his forties. Please give him time," she said in an interview to a leading daily.
Addressing a rally in Azamgarh, Shah said, "Sheila-ji, the whole country acknowledges the fact which you stated that Rahul is immature but I want to ask why you are enforcing him in Uttar Pradesh?"
Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi for questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance, Shah asked him to become accountable regarding the NDA Government's rule in the last 60 years.
Lashing out at the Samajwadi government, Shah asserted that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had issued several schemes for the Uttar Pradesh Government, but the ruling dispensation in the state was not interested in implementing those.
Further attacking the SP and BSP, Shah said that these two parties have destroyed the state, adding the number in the cases of murder, theft, loot, incidents of kidnappings have risen under their governance.
Amit Shah's response comes to Sheila Dikshit's statement saying that Rahul Gandhi is not a mature politician but is ready to take over the reins of the party, "Please remember Rahul is still not mature, his age does not allow him to be mature. He is what... in his forties. Please give him time," she said in an interview to a leading daily.
15:09 No option but to come together: Gadkari on BJP-Sena in Mumbai
A day after the BMC polls threw up a fractured verdict, senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari today said there is "no option" for his party and Shiv Sena than joining hands for control of the Mumbai civic body.
"The situation now is that both parties have no option but to come together again," Gadkari said. "The final decision on this issue has to be taken by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. Both are mature and I am sure they will take the right decision," he said.
"I feel leaders of both parties have to take a decision, showing sujh bujh (understanding) and maturity," Gadkari told a Marathi TV channel. He singled out Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' for its targeting of PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.
"If there has to be a friendship with us (BJP), then there has to be a check on the writings in Saamana. How will there be friendship when Saamana, on a daily basis, writes insulting things about the PM and our party president?" he said.
"I feel that had these things been avoided, there would not have been so much bitterness between BJP and Sena," Gadkari said. Shiv Sena should take care that relations between the two parties should not deteriorate because of Saamana, he said.
Gadkari's remarks came a day after the BJP scored an emphatic win in the Maharashtra civic polls, emerging as the largest party in eight of the 10 municipal corporations, while finishing a close second to Shiv Sena in BMC elections. The BJP improved its 2012 BMC poll performance by leaps and bounds, winning 82 seats, just two less than Sena. Both the parties are short of the magic figure of 114 needed to control the civic body.
"The situation now is that both parties have no option but to come together again," Gadkari said. "The final decision on this issue has to be taken by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. Both are mature and I am sure they will take the right decision," he said.
"I feel leaders of both parties have to take a decision, showing sujh bujh (understanding) and maturity," Gadkari told a Marathi TV channel. He singled out Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' for its targeting of PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.
"If there has to be a friendship with us (BJP), then there has to be a check on the writings in Saamana. How will there be friendship when Saamana, on a daily basis, writes insulting things about the PM and our party president?" he said.
"I feel that had these things been avoided, there would not have been so much bitterness between BJP and Sena," Gadkari said. Shiv Sena should take care that relations between the two parties should not deteriorate because of Saamana, he said.
Gadkari's remarks came a day after the BJP scored an emphatic win in the Maharashtra civic polls, emerging as the largest party in eight of the 10 municipal corporations, while finishing a close second to Shiv Sena in BMC elections. The BJP improved its 2012 BMC poll performance by leaps and bounds, winning 82 seats, just two less than Sena. Both the parties are short of the magic figure of 114 needed to control the civic body.
14:51 OPS vows to 'take back' AIADMK from those that Jaya expelled
Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and Jayalalithaa loyalist O Panneerselvam on Friday once again raised the demand for a probe into the death of the former AIADMK chief, whose birth anniversary today is being celebrated across the state of Tamil Nadu.
Speaking at a memorial service where he garlanded a portrait of the former CM, Panneerselvam said, "When I was CM, I initiated an inquiry into Jayalalithaa's death, but it went upside down; Government should inquire; We will keep fighting.
Vowing to 'take back' the AIADMK from those that Jayalalithaa expelled, Panneerselvam highlighted the hardships his mentor had to face before she rose up to be the state's tallest leader.
"She faced many troubles after MGR's death. Jayalalithaa was clear that there will be no family politics in the AIADMK. But today, the government and the party is in the hands of one family. Our biggest challenge is 'dharma yudham' (war for justice). Justice will win," Panneerselvam was quoted as saying by The Hindu, adding that his faction will take back the party from the hands of the family that Jayalalithaa threw out of Poes Garden.
Speaking at a memorial service where he garlanded a portrait of the former CM, Panneerselvam said, "When I was CM, I initiated an inquiry into Jayalalithaa's death, but it went upside down; Government should inquire; We will keep fighting.
Vowing to 'take back' the AIADMK from those that Jayalalithaa expelled, Panneerselvam highlighted the hardships his mentor had to face before she rose up to be the state's tallest leader.
"She faced many troubles after MGR's death. Jayalalithaa was clear that there will be no family politics in the AIADMK. But today, the government and the party is in the hands of one family. Our biggest challenge is 'dharma yudham' (war for justice). Justice will win," Panneerselvam was quoted as saying by The Hindu, adding that his faction will take back the party from the hands of the family that Jayalalithaa threw out of Poes Garden.
14:24 US embassy strongly condemns killing of Indian engineer in Kansas
The US Embassy on Friday strongly condemned the killing of Indian immigrant engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla who was shot dead while two others were seriously injured in a crowded Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe of Kansas in the United States on Wednesday night.
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Kuchibhotla. We share their grief, and wish a full and speedy recovery to those who were injured," the US Embassy press release reads.
"We have reached out to Indian consular officials to offer full support as they assist the victims. We understand that the alleged shooter is in custody and is expected to be prosecuted for the crime. US Federal authorities are also investigating the case. We have full faith that US legal authorities will bring the case to justice," it reads.
Charg dAffaires MaryKay Carlson said, "We are deeply saddened by this tragic and senseless act. Our deepest sympathies are with the victims and their families. The United States is a nation of immigrants and welcomes people from across the world to visit, work, study, and live. US authorities will investigate thoroughly and prosecute the case, though we recognize that justice is small consolation to families in grief."
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Kuchibhotla. We share their grief, and wish a full and speedy recovery to those who were injured," the US Embassy press release reads.
"We have reached out to Indian consular officials to offer full support as they assist the victims. We understand that the alleged shooter is in custody and is expected to be prosecuted for the crime. US Federal authorities are also investigating the case. We have full faith that US legal authorities will bring the case to justice," it reads.
Charg dAffaires MaryKay Carlson said, "We are deeply saddened by this tragic and senseless act. Our deepest sympathies are with the victims and their families. The United States is a nation of immigrants and welcomes people from across the world to visit, work, study, and live. US authorities will investigate thoroughly and prosecute the case, though we recognize that justice is small consolation to families in grief."
14:20 Kerala shadow in Karnataka meet
Sangh parivar affiliates have called a shutdown in a south Karnataka district on Saturday in protest against an invite to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is scheduled to address a rally on communal harmony that day. All parivar components have decided to observe a bandh to coincide with Vijayan's presence at the CPM-organised meeting in Mangalore, the administrative headquarters of Dakshina Kannada district. Read more
14:18 Delhi throws Raees punch at Russia
Generations of Russians have hummed Raj Kapoor's Awaara Hoon, filmed in the 1950s. Six decades later, at least some in Ukraine - which is effectively at war with Russia - may soon swing to Shah Rukh Khan's Zaalima. India will host a second Ukrainian cabinet-rank official in two months this weekend, and may send junior foreign minister M.J. Akbar to Kiev in April, in a sudden spurt in ties aimed in part at signalling displeasure over Russia's nascent dalliance with Pakistan. Read more
14:15 I Was a Muslim in Trump's White House
"When President Obama left, I stayed on at the National Security Council in order to serve my country. I lasted eight days," says Rumana Ahmed. Read
14:14 Trump's new travel ban 'delayed until next week'
Donald Trump's new travel ban has been delayed until next week, a White House official has said.
The new executive order, replacing the directive suspending access to the US to citizens of seven mostly Muslim countries, was expected this week but will now be issued "sometime next week", said the official.Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly has called the revised order a "more streamlined version" of the original travel ban, which sparked mass protests. Read more
The new executive order, replacing the directive suspending access to the US to citizens of seven mostly Muslim countries, was expected this week but will now be issued "sometime next week", said the official.Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly has called the revised order a "more streamlined version" of the original travel ban, which sparked mass protests. Read more
14:12 Philanthropist duped into buying $18M in fake jewels
An Indian couple swindled prominent Manhattan philanthropist and Asiaphile Shelley Rubin out of $18 million -- by selling her supposedly "museum quality' diamond- and emerald-encrusted jewels that turned out to be cheap knockoffs commonly found in tourist bazaars, according to a new lawsuit. Read more
13:40 Kansas attack: father of the injured in a shock
"After the nightmarish incident, do we really need to go and work in US," is how Madasani Jaganmohan Reddy, father of Alok Madasani, the injured software engineer in Kansas shooting incident reacted on Friday morning.
"Thank God my son survived the firing but I feel sorry for Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was close to my son," Mr. Reddy, Chief Engineer in the Rural Water Supply department of Government of Telangana told The Hindu on Friday.
Read more
"Thank God my son survived the firing but I feel sorry for Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was close to my son," Mr. Reddy, Chief Engineer in the Rural Water Supply department of Government of Telangana told The Hindu on Friday.
Read more
13:31 Review: Lion tells a simple but moving story
Why is a feature-length Google Earth advert nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars this year?
The answer is simple and surprising and cannot be argued: Lion roars because of a magical child. Sunny Pawar, enveloped by a giant shirt and his eyes agleam with curiousity, is irresistible.
It is genuinely hard not to gape at this beautiful child and the way he commandeers the screen.
Raja Sen reviews Lion. Read and watch
The answer is simple and surprising and cannot be argued: Lion roars because of a magical child. Sunny Pawar, enveloped by a giant shirt and his eyes agleam with curiousity, is irresistible.
It is genuinely hard not to gape at this beautiful child and the way he commandeers the screen.
Raja Sen reviews Lion. Read and watch
12:50 Bombs recovered ahead of PM's visit to Manipur
Police today recovered a hand grenade and a bomb in Manipur's Imphal West district where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address an election rally on Saturday.
The recovery comes even as an apex body of six rebel groups in Manipur has given a call for a "complete shutdown" in the state on Saturday to protest against Modi's visit, saying it was aimed at "hoodwinking the people of Manipur".
The Prime Minister will address a rally at Langjing Achouba ground in Imphal West district in support of BJP candidates in the ensuing assembly polls.
A Chinese-made hand grenade was found near the gate of BJP candidate Soibam Subhachandra's residence at Ningombam Leikai, 9 km away from the Achouba ground, while another bomb was found in front of another BJP worker O Sunil's residence in Thoubal district, 40 km away from the rally venue.
The shutdown called by the Coordination Committee (Corcom) will begin at 6 AM and continue till the Prime Minister leaves the state, a Corcom press release said.
"Narendra Modi's visit to Imphal on February 25 is another trip aimed at hoodwinking the people of Manipur," the release said.
Essential services like medical, media, water supply, electricity and fire services would be outside the purview of the shutdown, the statement said.
Police have intensified frisking all over the state capital to ensure that there was no loophole in the security arrangements for the Prime Minister's visit.
12:23 Actress assault case: Driver's phone yet to be traced
Kerala actress rape accused Sunil Kumar denies taking other actress' picture; police haven't found his phone yet, sources told News18.
Kumar, who used to be the actress' former driver, along with another accused came to the magistrate's room in Ernakulam to surrender bringing relief to the Kerala police who have faced a lot of criticism for this case in the past few days. Kumar had been in hiding since 19 February.
According to media reports, the surrender marks a big breakthrough in the case. Earlier, Kumar had reportedly called up his legal counsel on the night of the crime, met him the next day to file the vakalath and then driven to his home in Ambalapuzha, where the cops had almost caught him but he escaped.
Kumar had filed an anticipatory bail plea before the Kerala High Court which was deferred to 3 March. However, his legal counsel said that they had documents that will prove his innocence and so Kumar should cooperate with the law.
11:59 Trump 'maniacally focused' on implementing promises in every poll speech
US President Donald Trump is "maniacally focused" on implementing the agenda that he rolled out during the election campaign, his top advisor has said.
"All he's doing right now is, he's laid out an agenda with those speeches for the promises he made. And our job every day is just to execute on that. It's to simply get a path to how those get executed," Steve Bannon, the White House Chief Strategist said at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington.
"He is maniacally focused on that, and I think that's one of the powers of the transition where many people try to come in and try to convince President Trump, hey, you won on this but this is what you want to do. He's like, no, I promised the American people this, and this is the plan we're going to execute on," Bannon said.
"All he's doing right now is, he's laid out an agenda with those speeches for the promises he made. And our job every day is just to execute on that. It's to simply get a path to how those get executed," Steve Bannon, the White House Chief Strategist said at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington.
"He is maniacally focused on that, and I think that's one of the powers of the transition where many people try to come in and try to convince President Trump, hey, you won on this but this is what you want to do. He's like, no, I promised the American people this, and this is the plan we're going to execute on," Bannon said.
11:33 It's not about where he's from, we're all humans, says Kansas shooting hero
Ian Grillot has a new 'best friend'.
Recuperating in hospital after he was shot at while intervening in the racially motivated hate attack on Indians Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, Grillot said he wasn't really thinking when he tried to save the two Indians.
The attack left Srinivas Kuchibhotla dead and his colleague Madasani injured. Grillot, 24, is in a stable condition in hospital.
In a video released by the University of Kansas Health System, Grillot can be heard narrating the incident. When the shooting began, Grillot ducked behind a table and counted off the shots fired by the assailant - Adam Purinton - and when he thought Purinton had run out of bullets, he lunged at the man.
However, Purinton still had one round in his gun magazine and managed to shoot Grillot through the arm and chest. Recounting that, Grillot said, "I guess I miscounted."
Talking about the attack and what motivated him to put his life in danger, Grillot, known locally to defuse tensions, said he wasn't really thinking when he tried to save the two Indians. "It was just, it wasn't right, and I didn't want the gentleman to go after somebody else."
Grillot also said that though it had been a harrowing experience, he was thrilled to see Madasani standing in his doorway at the hospital. "It put the biggest smile on my face," Grillot said in the video. "I'm just very grateful that one of the gentlemen is fine and alive. It's terrible what happened to his friend. But I think he was watching over us last night," he said with tears in his eyes.
He said he considered the Indian his new "best friend".
"I was just doing what anyone should have done," Grillot said. "It's not about where he's from, or ethnicity. We're all humans."
Adam Purinton, who was arrested soon after the attack has been charged with murder for an attack that has been described as racially motivated.
Image: Video grab of Ian Grillot in hospital.
Recuperating in hospital after he was shot at while intervening in the racially motivated hate attack on Indians Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, Grillot said he wasn't really thinking when he tried to save the two Indians.
The attack left Srinivas Kuchibhotla dead and his colleague Madasani injured. Grillot, 24, is in a stable condition in hospital.
In a video released by the University of Kansas Health System, Grillot can be heard narrating the incident. When the shooting began, Grillot ducked behind a table and counted off the shots fired by the assailant - Adam Purinton - and when he thought Purinton had run out of bullets, he lunged at the man.
However, Purinton still had one round in his gun magazine and managed to shoot Grillot through the arm and chest. Recounting that, Grillot said, "I guess I miscounted."
Talking about the attack and what motivated him to put his life in danger, Grillot, known locally to defuse tensions, said he wasn't really thinking when he tried to save the two Indians. "It was just, it wasn't right, and I didn't want the gentleman to go after somebody else."
Grillot also said that though it had been a harrowing experience, he was thrilled to see Madasani standing in his doorway at the hospital. "It put the biggest smile on my face," Grillot said in the video. "I'm just very grateful that one of the gentlemen is fine and alive. It's terrible what happened to his friend. But I think he was watching over us last night," he said with tears in his eyes.
He said he considered the Indian his new "best friend".
"I was just doing what anyone should have done," Grillot said. "It's not about where he's from, or ethnicity. We're all humans."
Adam Purinton, who was arrested soon after the attack has been charged with murder for an attack that has been described as racially motivated.
Image: Video grab of Ian Grillot in hospital.
11:18 Sikh group asks community to be vigilant after Kansas shooting
A Sikh civil rights group has urged members of the Sikh-American community to exercise caution and be extra vigilant in the wake of a possible hate crime in Kansas city that left one Indian engineer dead and another injured.
The Sikh Coalition said its prayers go out to the family of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32 who was killed when 51-year-old Olathe man Adam Purinton shot him at a bar in the city on Wednesday.
Another Indian engineer Alok Madasani, 32 was injured in the incident and has now been released from hospital yesterday. Purinton has ben charged in Johnson County District Court with two counts of attempted first-degree murder. Bond has been set at USD 2 million.
The advocacy group urged "every Sikh-American to exercise extra vigilance and caution during this period of heightened vulnerability." It urged members of the community to call law enforcement immediately if they have been a victim of hate violence or received threats of violence.
The Sikh Coalition said its prayers go out to the family of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32 who was killed when 51-year-old Olathe man Adam Purinton shot him at a bar in the city on Wednesday.
Another Indian engineer Alok Madasani, 32 was injured in the incident and has now been released from hospital yesterday. Purinton has ben charged in Johnson County District Court with two counts of attempted first-degree murder. Bond has been set at USD 2 million.
The advocacy group urged "every Sikh-American to exercise extra vigilance and caution during this period of heightened vulnerability." It urged members of the community to call law enforcement immediately if they have been a victim of hate violence or received threats of violence.
11:08 Indian Consul General meets Kansas shooting survivor
Consulate General of India, RD Joshi meets Kansas shooting victim Alok Madasani at his home. "He is safe, assured all support," he said.
Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was killed in the shooting on Wednesday night, while his colleague Madasani was injured. Ian Grillot, who intervened and tried to snatch the gun from the killer Adam Purinton, was also injured in the shooting.
Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was killed in the shooting on Wednesday night, while his colleague Madasani was injured. Ian Grillot, who intervened and tried to snatch the gun from the killer Adam Purinton, was also injured in the shooting.
The accused, Purinton, 51, was arrested on Thursday morning, five hours after the incident.
"It was a tragic and senseless act of violence," Olathe Police Chief Steven Menke told media persons.
According to local media reports, he yelled "get out of my country" at the Indians.
Purinton, a navy veteran, later reportedly told a bartender in Clinton, Missouri, where he was hiding that he killed two Middle Eastern persons, the Kansas City Star said.
The Indian Embassy swung into action and two senior officials of
the Indian Consulate in Houston were sent to Kansas to assist the
victims' families.
10:22 Crowdfunding page raises $2 lakh to send Kuchibhotla's body back to India
A GoFundMe page that was created in the aftermath of the killing of Hyderabad-based engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla has already raised $232,156 in 9 hours, contributed by 6,318 people.
Kuchibhotla died at a local hospital in Kansas after being shot in a racial attack by an intoxicated 51-year-old Navy veteran. Adam Purinton, who hurled racial slurs, at Kuchibhotla and his colleague Alok Madasani, said he thought they were Middle Eastern men.
Purinton shot at the men at Austins Bar and Grill on Wednesday night, killing Kuchibhotla and injuring Madasani, 32, and Ian Grillot, 24, who are in stable condition.
The GoFundMe page was created to raise funds to send Kuchibhotla's remains back to India "so his parents can say goodbye to their beloved son". The page has crossed its $150,000 goal in just nine hours.
Ian's sister Maggie also commented on the page saying: "My brother was the third victim. My deepest condolences to the family- I'm so very sorry for your loss. My brother wishes he could have done more for your family. Keeping everyone in my prayers."
Image: Srinivas Kuchibhotla. Picture courtesy: GoFundme.com
Kuchibhotla died at a local hospital in Kansas after being shot in a racial attack by an intoxicated 51-year-old Navy veteran. Adam Purinton, who hurled racial slurs, at Kuchibhotla and his colleague Alok Madasani, said he thought they were Middle Eastern men.
Purinton shot at the men at Austins Bar and Grill on Wednesday night, killing Kuchibhotla and injuring Madasani, 32, and Ian Grillot, 24, who are in stable condition.
The GoFundMe page was created to raise funds to send Kuchibhotla's remains back to India "so his parents can say goodbye to their beloved son". The page has crossed its $150,000 goal in just nine hours.
Ian's sister Maggie also commented on the page saying: "My brother was the third victim. My deepest condolences to the family- I'm so very sorry for your loss. My brother wishes he could have done more for your family. Keeping everyone in my prayers."
Image: Srinivas Kuchibhotla. Picture courtesy: GoFundme.com
10:01 Embassy officials have rushed to Kansas: Sushma
External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has mourned the killing of an Indian engineer at a bar in Kansas, US in an apparent hate crime.
On Twitter, Sushma wrote, "I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family."
"I have spoken to Indian Ambassador in US Navtej Sarna. He informed me that two Indian Embassy officials have rushed to Kansas.
"Indian Ambassador has also informed me that Alok Madasani who was injured in the incident has been discharged from the hospital.
"We will provide all help and assistance to the bereaved family.
" I have spoken to the father and Mr KK Shastri brother of Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Hyderabad and conveyed my condolences to the family. I have assured all help and assistance to the family."
Consul RD Joshi and VC H. Singh rushing to Kansas to assist shooting victim.
" I have spoken to the father and Mr KK Shastri brother of Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Hyderabad and conveyed my condolences to the family. I have assured all help and assistance to the family."
Consul RD Joshi and VC H. Singh rushing to Kansas to assist shooting victim.
09:26 We will use both pellet guns in Kashmir Valley: CRPF
News18 reports: Pellet guns will continue to see action in Kashmir with the Central Reserve Police Force terming it as the 'least lethal' option available.
"Until we find a solution which is equally effective or more effective, we cant say no to pellet guns. For this summer, we will use both pellet guns and alternatives like the Pawa shells," K Durga Prasad, DG CRPF told CNN-News18.
The decision to use pellet guns and full-body protectors stems from the current situation in the Valley and the assessment of intelligence agencies of more unrest in store.
Winters are considered a period of lull in Kashmir. But in the first two months of this year, the Army has lost 12 men, including one officer, while para military has one commandant battling for life. Two dozen other men in uniform have been injured in various encounters across the Valley.
Read more HERE
08:36 Tamil Nadu: 500 liquor shops to shut today
500 retail liquor shops in Tamil Nadu will shut down today even as the state government assured employees of these outlets that they will not lose their jobs.
Soon after he assumed office on February 20 after winning the trust vote on Saturday, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had issued various orders, including for closing 500 more Indian Made Foreign Liquor outlets of the total 6,300 present in the State.
AIADMK Supremo and late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had announced that prohibition would be implemented across the state in a phased manner and announced closure of 500 liquor shops from June 2016.
In an official release, the government said the 500 liquor outlets, operated by State Marketing Corporation, would be closed from Friday across the state and also assured the employees that due to the closure they would not lose their jobs.
08:32 Jaitley in London today for Queen's reception
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will arrive in London today to represent the Indian government at a historic reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II to launch the UK-India Year of Culture 2017.
Bilateral talks with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond are among the ministerial meetings confirmed on his agenda, during which a wide range of issues will be discussed.
The extradition of embattled liquor baron, Vijay Mallya, from the UK to India may be among the topics that come up during the discussions, according to sources in London.
Jaitley will also hold a series of meetings with UK-based investors and CEOs during the five-day visit.
08:21 VX nerve agent found on Kim Jong-Nam face: Malaysia police
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's half brother was assassinated with a lethal nerve agent manufactured for chemical warfare, Malaysian police has said.
Releasing a preliminary toxicology report on Kim Jong Nam's murder at a Kuala Lumpur airport, police said the poison used by the assassins was the odourless, tasteless and highly toxic nerve agent VX.
Traces of VX were detected on swabs of his face and eyes.
Leaked CCTV footage from the brazen attack on February 13 shows the portly Kim being approached by two women who appear to put something in his face.
Moments later he is seen asking for help from airport staff, who direct him to a clinic.
Malaysian police said he suffered a seizure and died before he reached hospital.
An autopsy ruled out heart failure, and investigators had focused on the theory that a toxin was applied to his face, in what South Korea has insisted was a targeted assassination.
08:20 Trump reverses Obama ban on private prisons
President Donald Trump's administration has reinstated the use of private prisons for federal inmates, saying commercial prison operators are needed for the correctional system's "future needs."
Trump's new attorney general, Jeff Sessions, officially rescinded the Barack Obama administration's move last August to phase out the management of prisons by private companies, which Obama's justice department had said proved to be inadequate, more dangerous and not cheaper than government-run prisons.
Sessions said in an order yesterday that the move last year had reversed a longstanding policy at the Federal Bureau of Prisons to have private companies involved, "and impaired the bureau's ability to meet the future needs of the federal correctional system."
The Obama move had only affected a small portion of the US prison system: 13 privately run prisons housing just over 22,000 people, or about 11 percent of the federal prison population. Most are foreign nationals, mainly Mexicans incarcerated for immigration violations.
08:19 IS forcing children, disabled into suicide cars: US general
Islamic State jihadists are forcing children and disabled people into explosives-laden trucks and making them drive at Iraqi security forces in Mosul, a general from the US-led coalition has said. The barbaric tactic, coupled with other increasingly desperate battlefield measures, is a sign the IS group knows defeat is inevitable, officials say.
The jihadists have used exploding trucks, known in military circles as VBIEDs -- vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices -- and pronounced "Vee-Bids," to devastating effect in numerous engagements during the Mosul offensive and elsewhere in Iraq.
Speaking to reporters in Baghdad this week, US Air Force Brigadier General Matt Isler said the IS group had adopted coercive new techniques in its use of suicide car bombs because the jihadists appear to be running out of willing drivers.
"We saw people being led to a VBIED, being put in (it) and being chained in the VBIED," he said.
"We've seen children put in VBIEDs as drivers, people that aren't able to walk... I don't know if they signed up for this service."
08:18 Arctic 'doomsday' seed vault receives 50,000 new deposits
Nearly 10 years after a "doomsday" seed vault opened on an Arctic island, some 50,000 new samples from seed collections around the world, including India, have been deposited in the world's largest repository built to safeguard against wars or natural disasters wiping out global food crops.
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a gene bank built underground on the isolated island in a permafrost zone some 1,000 kilometers from the North Pole, was opened in 2008 as a master backup to the world's other seed banks, in case their deposits are lost.
The latest specimens sent to the bank, located on the Svalbard archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole, included more than 15,000 reconstituted samples from an international research center that focuses on improving agriculture in dry zones.
They were the first to retrieve seeds from the vault in 2015 before returning new ones after multiplying and reconstituting them.
The specimens consisted of seed samples for some of the world's most vital food sources like potato, sorghum, rice, barley, chickpea, lentil and wheat.
00:36 Over 130 bodies found in mass graves in Syria
Bodies of around130 fighters shot or beheaded by jihadists have been found in mass graves in North-western Syria, a monitoring group said.
The grim discovery comes nearly a week after clashes in Idlib province between the jihadist Jund al-Aqsa rebel group and Al Qaedas former Syrian affiliate and allied factions.
At least 131 bodies were found in the last two days in two separate mass graves near the town of Khan Sheikun, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Some had been shot and others beheaded.
Last week the bodies of 41 rebel fighters had been found near the same town, said the Britain-based monitoring group. -- Agencies
Image for representation only.
The grim discovery comes nearly a week after clashes in Idlib province between the jihadist Jund al-Aqsa rebel group and Al Qaedas former Syrian affiliate and allied factions.
At least 131 bodies were found in the last two days in two separate mass graves near the town of Khan Sheikun, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Some had been shot and others beheaded.
Last week the bodies of 41 rebel fighters had been found near the same town, said the Britain-based monitoring group. -- Agencies
Image for representation only.
00:06 Top headlines at this hour
Maha Verdict: Sena on top in Mumbai but BJP has last laugh
Over 61 per cent voting in phase 4 of UP assembly polls
Kalhiko Pul's wife withdraws letter to CJI seeking CBI probe into suicide note
Delhi: Students protest ABVP attack; 3 cops suspended for 'unprofessional' conduct
Blast rocks Lahore again; 10 killed, 30 injured
Read yesterday's live commentary HERE
Over 61 per cent voting in phase 4 of UP assembly polls
Kalhiko Pul's wife withdraws letter to CJI seeking CBI probe into suicide note
Delhi: Students protest ABVP attack; 3 cops suspended for 'unprofessional' conduct
Blast rocks Lahore again; 10 killed, 30 injured
Read yesterday's live commentary HERE
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