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Thu, 29 June 2017
ED notice to Geelani for 'illegal possession' of $10,000

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22:45   ED notice to Geelani for 'illegal possession' of $10,000
The Enforcement Directorate today issued a show-cause notice to hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, asking him to explain the source of $10,000 (Rs 6.4 lakh) 'illegally' possessed by him in 2002.

The foreign currency was seized during Income Tax Department raids at his residence in Srinagar's Hyderpora area in 2002.

The central probe agency issued the notice, under various sections of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, to the87-year-old separatist leader based in Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir.

Geelani heads the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference.

Taking cognisance of the Income Tax report, the ED had issued summons to Geelani to appear before it in Srinagar in March this year.

"His counsel submitted a written reply and denied the recovery of foreign currency from his residence and seizure.

"Following further summons, his chartered accountant submitted the appeal documents confirming the recovery and seizure of foreign currency. However, he failed to furnish legitimate source for its acquisition and possession thus making himself liable for action under FEMA," an ED statement said.

Under the FEMA, foreign exchange dealings are regulated in India and the acquisition and possession of foreign exchange by resident Indians are required to be conducted in accordance with the general or special permission.

"Geelani did not have any such permission or bona fide explanation for acquisition and possession of the foreign currency.

"Therefore, he has been asked to show cause to the adjudicating officer under FEMA within 30 days as to why the recovered currency should not be confiscated and penalty imposed on him," the agency said.  -- PTI
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21:47   Mob lynches man for 'carrying beef' in Jharkhand
On a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that killings in the name of cow protection won't be tolerated, a man was beaten to death by a mob Ramgarh, Jharkhand, today on suspicion that he was carrying beef in his vehicle.

A case has been registered on the basis of a video footage of the lynching, police said.

The incident took place just a couple of days after a mob attacked and injured a man in Giridih district on suspicion that he had slaughtered a cow.

SP Kishore Kaushal told a press conference that around 30 people surrounded the van bearing a West Bengal number plate in the Bazaar Tand area of Ramgarh police station.

They dragged out the driver of the vehicle, Mohammed Allimuddin, a resident of neighbouring Hazaribagh district, and thrashed him, injuring him seriously.

The police on getting information rushed to the spot and took Allimuddin to a hospital where he was declared 'brought dead' by doctors, a police officer said.

The mob also set the vehicle on fire, he said.

According to Kaushal, the case was registered on the basis of the video footage and asserted the guilty would be arrested soon.

Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner Rajeswari B, who was also present in the press conference, said additional forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.  -- PTI
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20:38   CBI announces Rs 10L reward for info on missing JNU student
The Central Bureau of Investigation today announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for anyone giving whereabouts of Jawaharlal Nehru University student Najeeb Ahmed, who is missing for over eight months now.

People willing to share any information on the whereabouts of Najeeb can contact the CBI investigators on011-24368641, 24368638, 24368634 and 9650394796, the agency sources said.

The CBI, which is probing the mysterious disappearance of Najeeb, had recently visited the Mahi-Mandvi hostel in JNU from where he had gone missing.

Nejeeb's mother Fatima Nafees recently met CBI officers investigating the case and gave them details of the events before her son disappeared from his hostel.

She had told officials that Najeeb had returned to the university on October 13, 2016 after a holiday.

On the intervening night of October 15-16, Najeeb called her up to tell her that 'something was wrong'.

His roommate later told her that he had been injured in a fight, she had said.

Following the conversation, Fatima said she took a bus from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh to reach Delhi.

After reaching Anand Vihar, she spoke to him over the phone and asked him to meet her at a hotel where she was staying.

But, she said, in her complaint, that there was no trace of Najeeb and then she reached his room (no. 106) in Mahi-Mandvi Hostel.

With the Delhi Police failing to find her son, Fatima approached the Delhi High Court demanding a CBI probe.

On May 16, a bench of Justices G S Sistani and Rekha Palli handed over the investigation to the CBI with the direction that it has to be monitored by an officer not less than the rank of DIG.

The matter has been posted for hearing on July 17.  -- PTI
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20:04   Israel PM Netanyahu may visit India by year-end: official
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to pay a reciprocal visit to India by the year-end, a senior external affairs ministry official said today.

Netanyahu's India visit will follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-day tour of the Jewish state from July 4.

Modi's visit will be the first by an Indian premier to Israel.

"We are hoping that we will see the Israeli prime minister in India by end of the year," Amar Sinha, secretary (economic affairs), said.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President Ezer Weizman visited India in 2003 and 1997 respectively.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin had also paid a visit to India in November last year. -- PTI
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18:28   Have broad shoulders: FM to parties boycotting midnight GST meet
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today asked opposition parties such as Congress and the Left to reconsider their decision to skip the midnight GST launch tomorrow saying they were all consulted on the indirect tax reform and cannot run away from it.

'I hope every political party will reconsider and revisit its decision' on not participating in the launch event to be organised in the Central Hall of Parliament, he said.

The government, he said, remains committed to the goods and services tax as any other reform.

"It is single most important taxation reform in 70 years."

All decision on GST, including rules and tax rates, were taken in consultation with states and political parties must display broad shoulder and own up their responsibility, he said.

The Congress today decided to keep away from the special midnight June 30 meeting convened by the government on GST implementation. -- PTI
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18:28   Have broad shoulders: FM to parties boycotting midnight GST meet
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today asked opposition parties such as Congress and the Left to reconsider their decision to skip the midnight GST launch tomorrow saying they were all consulted on the indirect tax reform and cannot run away from it.

'I hope every political party will reconsider and revisit its decision' on not participating in the launch event to be organised in the Central Hall of Parliament, he said.

The government, he said, remains committed to the goods and services tax as any other reform.

"It is single most important taxation reform in 70 years."

All decision on GST, including rules and tax rates, were taken in consultation with states and political parties must display broad shoulder and own up their responsibility, he said.

The Congress today decided to keep away from the special midnight June 30 meeting convened by the government on GST implementation. -- PTI
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17:37   Mere lip service: Owaisi on PM's statement on cow vigilantism
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi today termed as "mere lip service" the prime minister's statement against violence in the name of cow protection and said the BJP and Sangh-affiliated outfits have put a lower premium on human life.

The Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad said this is the second time Narendra Modi has spoken on the issue but it did not have any effect at all on Gaurakshaks (cow vigilantes), nor did it bring down the incidents of killing or lynching.

"So, this is merely lip service and there is many a slip between the cup and the lip ... the majority of incidents have taken place in BJP-ruled states. How is it that the BJP-ruled states are not able to stop it?" he asked.

Owaisi said such incidents would continue because the BJP and Sangh-affiliated organisations have put a lower premium on human life as compared to that of an animal.

"This will continue to happen because there is a lesser premium on human life, especially if the human being is a Muslim or a Dalit," he alleged.
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16:48   Chinese army tells Gen Rawat to stop clamouring for war
The Chinese military today rejected as "irresponsible" Army chief General Bipin Rawat's remarks that India is ready for a two-and-a-half front war, asking him to "stop clamouring for war".


Rawat had said that India is prepared for security threats posed by China, Pakistan as well as by internal threats. Responding to Rawat's remarks, the People's Liberation Army spokesman Col Wu Qian said: "Such rhetoric is extremely irresponsible".


"We hope that the particular person in the Indian Army could learn from historical lessons and stop such clamouring for war," he told the media. "Indian Army is fully ready for a two and a half front war," Rawat had said recently.
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16:35   Toll From Vigilante Mobs Rises, and India Begins to Recoil
 For decades, one of the most commonplace news items from South Asia has been the "bus plunge.'This sort of disaster happened so frequently that foreign correspondents had to choose among bus plunges, looking for something distinctive -- the passengers were pilgrims or schoolchildren; the bus fell into a ravine, or a reservoir, or the sea -- to find one that was especially noteworthy, meriting coverage in the newspaper.It is a sign of the times, in India, that we must now do the same with lynchings. Read more
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16:06   Man booked for abusing seer who held iftar in shrine
A man has been booked for posting 'unpleasant and objectionable' remarks on Facebook against Pejawar mutt chief Visheshateertha Swamiji for hosting a "harmony feast" for Muslims in the ancient Krishna temple complex at Udupi.


The man, identified as Vivek Kademani from Bengaluru, was booked based on a complaint by three persons -- Arif, Ansar and Ahmed, who were the Swami's fans and members of Pejawar blood donation team, police sources said.


Kademani had on his Facebook post supported the rightwing fringe outfit Sri Rama Sene leader Pramod Muthalik and expressed his opposition to the holding of an Iftar get-together and Namaz at Sri Krishna mutt last week. He also used objectionable remarks against the Pejawar Swamiji in the post.    


The octogenarian Swamiji had drawn the ire of Muthalik who has announced statewide protests against the seer by his outfit on July 2.    


The senior pontiff of the Pejawar mutt had however defended holding the feast during Ramzan, saying that allowing Muslims to offer prayers in the temple complex, had in no way brought any insult to Hindu religion.
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16:04   Man dies after being hit by rock enroute Amarnath yatra
A community kitchen operator died today after getting hit on the head by a rock at Brarimarg on Baltal route to the cave shrine of Amarnath, taking the death toll in this year's yatra to two.

Bhushan Kotwal (47), a resident of Punjab, died on the spot after he was hit in the head by the rock rolling down the mountain at Brarimarg, a police official said.

He said Kotwal's body was taken to Baltal base hospital for legal formalities.

Yesterday, an Assistant Sub Inspector of ITBP, Sanjun Singh, died of cardiac arrest between Brarimarg and the holy cave. The annual yatra began today and will conclude on August 7, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.
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15:54   Indrani files police complaint against jail officials who beat her
Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjea today filed a complaint with the police alleging that she was beaten up by Byculla Prison officials even as her medical examination found that she had "received some injuries."


The 44-year-old former media executive, booked for rioting in the women's prison along with other inmates, was yesterday given permission by a special CBI court to lodge her complaint with the city police after undergoing a medical examination in a hospital in Mumbai.


Following the court's direction, Indrani went to the Nagpada police station at around 12.30 am and submitted a written application, a senior police officer said.


In her complaint, she also alleged that she was hurt when the prison officials cane-charged the inmates after they gathered to vent their anger at the death of a fellow-inmate, the officer said.


Indrani was among nearly 200 inmates of the Byculla Jail booked by Nagpada police for rioting and other offences after they staged a protest over the death of a convict, Manju Govind Shette (45).


Shette died at the government-run JJ Hospital on June 23 after allegedly being beaten up by a woman official of the jail. The next day, enraged women inmates rose in protest, some of them went up to the prison's roof, while others made a bonfire of newspapers and documents inside the premises to express their anger, a police official said.


In her plea to the court, Indrani had alleged that she was beaten up and threatened of sexual assault by the jail officials for joining a protest in the prison.


She was produced in the court yesterday after she moved an application. Considering her plea, special CBI judge J C Jagdale said Indrani be first taken for a medical examination and later to the Nagpada police station in the city to file her complaint. Indrani had told the court that she was threatened and assaulted after she said that she would give a statement (in connection with the case) to a magistrate under section 164 CrPC, which unlike a police statement is admissible in court.


Indrani said she had witnessed the prisoner being allegedly assaulted and when enquired about Manju's health she was told that she was fine but later learnt that she passed away. She said that after a case was registered in connection with Manju's death, she came forward as as a witness and told the jail officials about that.


"I was hit on the hand and legs... I can barely walk," Indrani alleged and added that the superintendent told her 'tu witness banne ja rahi hai.... tereko bhi dekh lenge'. She said the superintendent threatened her, saying "We will do the same thing that we did to Manju".


Later, the Nagpada police booked nearly 200 inmates of the Byculla jail, including Indrani, for rioting, unlawful assembly, assault on a public servant and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.


An official from the prison department had alleged that Indrani "instigated" the inmates by asking them to shun food and "use their children as shields" when prison staffers tried to stop them from agitating and gathering together.
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15:44   This is your pilot, Rajiv Pratap Rudy
Indigo passengers on board a New Delhi-Raipur flight were in for a pleasant (mostly) surprise when they were told that their pilot was none other than Union Minister for Skill Development, Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

While most passengers were happy to learn that a minister was shepherding them, some were not so pleased and wondered if the minister was attempting to revalidate his commercial pilot's licence.

Others wondered if the Director General of Civil Aviation and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security would permit this since he was not on the roster.

Rudy often gives lectures to commercial pilots and his observations are sharp and his instructions are taken seriously.

Rudy has often expressed a desire to pilot long-haul  flights, especially abroad. For this he may have to undergo training, which has not been possible given his commitments.

During the 11th biennial edition of AERO INDIA 2017 at Yelahanka Air base in Bengaluru, Rudy had said he has flown a Sukhoi-30 (pictured).

Rudy has undergone training for a pilot for three years in a few aviation universities under skill development studies.
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15:18  
TMC, Left, Congress and DMK to boycott the GST session.
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15:11   CPI to skip midnight session on GST implementation
The CPI will skip the special midnight meeting tomorrow on GST implementation, as it accused the Centre of being in a hurry to launch it without heeding to appeals by sections of the concerned industry.


Communist Party of India General Secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said the party, after discussions with its MPs, decided to skip the meeting convened by the government. The CPI currently has one member each in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
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15:01   How long will Kumar Vishwas remain in AAP?
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is in a tight spot nowadays. Insiders in AAP openly told Rediff.com that senior party leader and Rajasthan in-charge Kumar Vishwas is now Kejriwal's arch rival.

Vishwas, a popular Hindi poet, who contested and lost the Lok Sabha polls against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in 2014, is in no mood to be feted by his party chief.

Kejriwal has made an effort to meet Kumar Vishwas at his residence to sort out differences, but the poet remains unmoved despite the Rajya Sabha seat offer next year.  Kapil Mishra, an AAP dissident is often seen with Kumar Vishwas, which sources say, has upset Kejriwal and affecting his health.

Since AAP is now down and out, especially after the state polls in Goa and Punjab and the Delhi Muncipal Corporation defeat, Kejriwal is lying low.

At one point in time, AAP had decided to expel Kumar Vishwas for his alleged closeness to BJP leaders, but seniors prevailed on Kejriwal to go slow on such drastic decisions.

The party elders say Kumar Vishwas can split the AAP since he has the support of 5 to 8 MLAs.

Kejriwal is not bothered about the Election Commission disqualifying 21 MLAs on office of profit case because  he is confident he will get 15-18 MLAs re-elected on AAP tickets.

But the BJP game plan is different.

BJP president Amit Shah and Delhi BJP leaders admit that in January 2018 when three Congress MPs Dr Karan Singh, Parvez Hashmi, Janardan Dwivedi retire from the Rajya Sabha, the AAP will fill up these vacancies.

Politically, the BJP feels three AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha will disrupt proceedings of the House, but Kumar Vishwas will be spoiler for the BJP.

In the event of 21 MLAs getting disqualified and Vishwas getting the  support of 5 MLAs, AAP's plan of sending 3 MPs to the Rajya Sabha will miserably fail.
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14:32   IndiGo expresses interest in buying stake in Air India
Private airline IndiGo has expressed interest in buying a stake in the national debt-laden carrier, Air India, TV reports say.

The Union Cabinet yesterday gave an in-principle approval for disinvestment of Air India.Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, while addressing a press conference, said that on the request of the Civil Aviation Ministry a group under his vigil will be constituted to decide on the modalities of the matter.

"There was a proposal of civil aviation ministry of disinvestment of Air India, this has been given theoretical approval or an in-principal approval," said Jaitley.

"In its proposal the civil aviation ministry had urged to constitute a group under the finance minister which can decide on the concerning modalities of the same, the cabinet has accepted that. How much of it will be disinvested? Or the issues related to its debts, hotels will be later on decided by the constituted group," he added.

This step comes in the view of Ministry of civil aviation plying ways to revive Air India, which is surviving on Rs 30,000 crore bailout package extended by the previous UPA regime.

The Congress Party on Thursday said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government, by approving the Air India disinvestment, is trying to please the entrepreneurs. Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said the government is doing so as the elections are near.
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14:11   Congress to skip midnight tryst with GST
The Congress has decided not to attend the Goods and Services Tax midnight session on June 30 in Parliament said, Congress MP Satyavrat Chaturvedi on Thursday.

Party leaders were divided on the issue, as a group within feels that the GST was the party's brainchild which has been now taken over by the ruling BJP. So, they feel, the party should attend the special meeting convened in the central hall of Parliament to launch the GST.

However, other leaders feel that the GST is being implemented in a haste and all aspects have not been taken into consideration leading to harassment of small traders and businessmen and thus, the party should abstain.
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14:07  
Somesh Jha @someshjha7  Received unsolicited expression of interest from IndiGo on Air India: Civil aviation secy RN Choubey @the_hindu
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13:51   'The worst is solitary confinement'
"When jailors come for weekly visits on Wednesdays and Thursdays we would tell them about the inhuman treatment given to the inmates by prison officials. While they would listen to us patiently and promise action or improvement in our conditions, nothing would change. The jailors were not at all affected by our plight, not even when we told them that pregnant women were beaten up mercilessly by the jail staff."


Sushma Ramteke, who spent almost three years in Byculla jail as an undertrial on the charge of 'association with Maoist ideology', says she was beaten and humiliated by the jail staff.

Out on bail, she recounts her experience to Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com.
Do read
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13:26   Killing people in the name of gau bhakti not acceptable: PM
PM Narendra Modi speaking at the centenary celebrations of Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, sends out a message to cow vigilantes: Killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti is not acceptable.

Excerpts from the speech.


-- Today I want to say a few words and express sadness on some of the things going on.

-- No one spoke about protecting cows more than Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. Yes. It should be done


-- But you can't kill in the name of the cow. As a society, there is no place for violence.

--  We are a land of non violence. We can't kill in the name of the cow. We are the land of Mahatma Gandhi. Why do we forget that?

-- This is not something Mahatma Gandhi would approve of

-- Thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi have the power to mitigate the challenges the world is facing today:

--  Swachhata has to become a Swabhav. What can be a greater tribute to Mahatma Gandhi than this?

But this is not the first time the PM has come out against gau rakshaks. In his first public denouncement of cow vigilantes, in August 2016, the PM said he felt enraged at such anti-social elements who indulged in crimes by the night and masqueraded as cow protectors by the day.

Amid the continuing outrage over the brutal flogging of four Dalit men by cow brigade members in Gujarat, the prime minister said real cow protectors do not terrorise people and that some criminal elements has opened shops in the name of cow protection.

To prevent violence in the name of cow protection, he urged state governments to prepare dossiers on such so-called cow protectors and put them on a tight leash.

I feel infuriated at some people who have opened shops in the name of cow protection. I have seen that some people who commit anti-social activities through the night, don the mantle of cow protectors by the day."

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13:08   Deposed Saudi prince said to be confined to palace
The recently deposed crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Nayef, has been barred from leaving the kingdom and confined to his palace in the coastal city of Jidda, according to four current and former American officials and Saudis close to the royal family. Read more
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13:00   I am BJP's item girl, they always talk about me: Azam Khan
Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, who is facing criticism for his statement against the Indian Army, on Thursday said his comments were misconstrued by the media.

Khan downplayed that his comments affected the Indian Army's morale and said, "My statement was misconstrued by media. How can army's morale fall because of me? I am nobody. Army's morale fell when Prime Minister Modi went to Pakistan."

Khan further said that he is Bharatiya Janata Party's "item girl" because the saffron party always has a habit of playing politics with his statements.

"I am BJP's item girl. They don't have anyone else to talk about. They even fought elections here focusing on me," Khan told ANI.

Yesterday, Khan waded into another controversy with statements that appeared to make allegations of rape against soldiers. The comments triggered an angry reaction from everybody.

Khan yesterday said, "Soldiers have been beaten by women in Kashmir, Jharkhand and Assam and their private parts were chopped off. The truth is that women are forced to act against Army rapists. It is a message that Hindustan should be ashamed of."
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12:31   Pak concerned over growing Indo-U.S. relations
Pakistan has expressed its concerns over the recent US-India Joint Statement during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States and said that it could aggravate an already tense situation between Islamabad and New Delhi.

"The Joint Statement is singularly unhelpful in achieving the objective of strategic stability and durable peace in the South Asian region. By failing to address key sources of tension and instability in the region, the statement aggravates an already tense situation," Pakistan's Foreign Office said in response to the Indo-US joint statement that was issued on Tuesday after President Donald Trump's meeting with Prime Minister Modi at the White House.

"The meeting in Washington D.C. between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi was a missed opportunity to induce India to alter its policies inimical to peace in the region," the statement added.

"The leaders called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries," said the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump.

The statement added that they further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups".
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12:13   'Paddington Bear' author Michael Bond dies
Michael Bond, one of the world's best children's authors and the creator of the beloved character Paddington Bear, has died. He was 91. He died at his home on Tuesday after a short illness.


"It is with great sadness that we announce that Michael Bond, CBE, the creator of one of Britain's best-loved children's characters, Paddington, died at home yesterday aged 91 following a short illness," HarperCollins said in a statement on Wednesday, according to Guardian online.


Michael's first book was published in 1959 and was titled "A Bear Called Paddington", about the marmalade-loving bear from Peru. He went on to release more than 200 other children's books, featuring a range of other characters from "Olga da Polga" and "A Mouse Called Thursday."
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12:12   'Paddington Bear' author Michael Bond dies
Michael Bond, one of the world's best children's authors and the creator of the beloved character Paddington Bear, has died. He was 91. He died at his home on Tuesday after a short illness.


"It is with great sadness that we announce that Michael Bond, CBE, the creator of one of Britain's best-loved children's characters, Paddington, died at home yesterday aged 91 following a short illness," HarperCollins said in a statement on Wednesday, according to Guardian online.


Michael's first book was published in 1959 and was titled "A Bear Called Paddington", about the marmalade-loving bear from Peru. He went on to release more than 200 other children's books, featuring a range of other characters from "Olga da Polga" and "A Mouse Called Thursday."
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12:04   Union minister caught urinating in the open
It's a photograph that should put the government to shame, never mind the minister involved.

Despite the government's push towards a cleaner India with its Swachh Bharat initiative and continued rhetoric over the number of states that claim to be open-defecation free, a minister in the Narendra Modi government was caught urinating in the open.

Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh was caught urinating in public, in a photo, which is being widely shared on social media.

The minister can be seen urinating against a wall near his car while his security detail stand guard.

The photo was taken during the minister's visit to Motihari in Bihar.

The Bihar government has set an ambitious deadline to make the state open defecation-free by 2019.
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11:52   First batch of pilgrims leave for Amarnath yatra
First batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims left from Sonmarg's Baltal camping ground and Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday for this years' pilgrimage.


The security officials, especially the Central Reserve Police Force and the Sashastra Seema Bal, have mobilised the highest level of security measures, including tracking systems through satellites and drones.


State Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh flagged off the first batch of pilgrims 5 am yesterday.


The pilgrims left in as many as 72 vehicles.


Home Minister Rajnath Singh, earlier on Tuesday, chaired a security review meeting in the wake of the Amarnath Yatra.


Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Joint Secretary Kashmir and Ministry of Home Affairs officials were present in the meeting.


Providing security for this year's yatra has been a major concern for the Home Ministry as the pilgrimage is facing a terror threat, according to an intelligence warning.


The Jammu and Kashmir Police have said that they have put all the necessary security arrangements in place so that the pilgrims have a hassle-free and safe journey.


Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir had earlier said the Amarnath Yatra is on the radar of Pakistan, but the Indian Government is prepared to tackle the issue.


"The Amarnath Yatra issue always rakes up at this time of the year, as it is always on the radar of Pakistan. The Yatra will be concluded nicely, we have made all the necessary security arrangements and are keeping a close watch on the same," Ahir said.


Tension in the Valley was initially expected as the yearly Hindu pilgrims visit to the holy site during the 45-day season around the festival of Shravani Mela, coincides with the first anniversary of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
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11:33   Farm loan waiver may dent state finances, risk slippage: Fitch
Loan waiver schemes being doled out to farmers could have a significant impact on state government finances and pose risk of further fiscal slippages, Fitch Ratings said.

Four states -- Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Karnataka, which account for around one-third of India's population -- have announced farm loan waivers and other state governments are likely to feel pressure to implement similar policies, particularly in states with upcoming elections, it said.

"The farm loan-waiver schemes being discussed and rolled out across an increasing number of Indian states could have a significant impact on state government finances, and might undermine efforts to bring down general government debt," Fitch said in a statement.

Larger state deficits would delay an expected gradual reduction in general government debt, which includes central and state government debt.
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11:18   Vice-Presidential polls on August 5
Vice Presidential elections: Last date of nominations is July 18, polls will be held on August 5. Results also on August 5. After consultation with Centre, EC has appointed Shamsher Sharif, Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha, as the returning officer for the VP polls, says CEC N Zaidi.

The Vice-President of India is the second-highest constitutional office in India, after the President.

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

The electoral college which elects the vice president, who is also the ex officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha, consists of elected and nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. The total strength of the two Houses is 790, but there are some vacancies.

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11:06   PM to meet 26/11 survivor 'Baby Moshe' during Israel visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Israel next week is expected to meet Moshe, a survivor of 2008 Mumbai 26/11 terrorist attack.

Moshe was barely two when his parents Rivka and Gavriel Holtzberg were killed along with six others, by Pakistan-sponsored LeT terrorists in the Chabad House attack in Mumbai in 2008.

The Nariman House also known as the Chabad House was one of 5 locations that were targeted by the terrorists.

Moshe is 10 years old now. During the deadly 26/11 attacks he was saved by his Indian nanny, Sandra, who managed to escape the scene.

Both were brought to Israel later, to live with Moshe's maternal grandparents, Shimon and Yehudit Rosenberg.

"PM Modi is expected to meet Moshe who was just a baby at the time...now he is all grown up. I think it will be a very emotional meeting with a very strong message," said Israel's ambassador to India Daniel Carmon in an exclusive chat with ANI.

Counter terrorism will be one of the key focus areas of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Israel.

"Terrorism is a plague which many countries suffer. India and Israel are victims of terror, 3 years ago we have signed a landmark agreement on homeland security and counter terrorism and we are doing a lot in this field," added Carmon.

Nine years have passed since the 26/11 attacks, however, no arrests have been made. When asked if this issue will figure in talks with India the Israeli envoy added, "both our countries have to face terror threats, as long as these threats remain it will always be on the table."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Israel from July 4-6, at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.

This will be the first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Israel.


Also read: 'Yes, this is Moshe...I'm ok'

Image: A file picture of Moshe when he was two-years-old. The Chabad House massacre survivor is now 10
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10:57   Railways earn Rs 14 billion via reserved ticket cancellation in FY17
The Indian Railways collected Rs 14.07 billion through cancellation of reserved tickets on the request of the commuters in FY 2016-17, registering a 25.29 per cent rise over previous year's earning under this head. This information was revealed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Railways, in response to a query under the Right to Information by activist Chandrashekhar Gaud.

"In its reply, the CRIS informed that earnings through ticket cancellation has gone up to Rs 14.07 billion during fiscal 2016-17, from Rs 11.23 billion in 2015-16. The earnings under this head amount were Rs 9.08 billion in fiscal 2014-15 and Rs 9.38 billion in FY 9.38 billion. This information is provided under the Passenger Reservation System (PRS)," Gaud told PTI today.

The Railways is also earning revenue through the cancellation of unreserved tickets. As per the RTI reply, the Railways earned Rs 17.87 crore in FY 2016-17 through Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS). This amount was Rs 17.23 crore in FY 2015-16 and Rs 14.72 crore in FY 2014-15.

Gaud said the rules related to the refund on cancelled tickets were changed in November 2015 under Railway Passengers (cancellation of tickets and refund of fare) Rules 2015, under which cancellation fee was increased up to two times.

The RTI activist claimed that although he had sought the files related to the amendments to rules, the transporter refused to provide this information terming it as part of the 'commercial confidence.' Gaud said the Railways should change the rules for the refund in the interest of passengers.
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10:44   Trump appoints Indian-American as US Ambassador to Peru
President Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American Krishna R Urs as the new US Ambassador to Peru. A career service American diplomat since 1986, Urs is currently Charge d' Affaires of the US Embassy in Madrid, Spain, where he was also the Deputy Chief of Mission. During his three decades of State Department service, Urs has specialised in economic issues and developed extensive policy experience in the Andean region of South America. He has served at seven US embassies as well in senior leadership positions in Washington, a media release said.
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10:42   IEDs found in Pulwama
Security forces detected and destroyed two improvised explosive devices in Pulwama District of Kashmir,  police said today. The IEDs were detected near circular road at Dangerpora in the district last night, a police official said. He said a bomb disposal squad was summoned which destroyed the IEDs at an isolated place through a controlled explosion without causing any harm.
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10:31   Indrani Mukerjea assaulted with blunt object: Medical report
Breaking News: Byculla jail violence matter: Medical examination says Indrani Mukherjea has blunt injuries on her hands and other parts of the body. The medical report says Mukerjea was hit with force with a blunt instrument.

Sheena Bora murder case accused Indrani Mukerjea, recently booked for rioting in a womens prison along with other inmates, on Tuesday had moved court alleging that she was beaten up by jail officials when the prisoners protested the murder of a convict.


Her lawyer Gunjan Mangla filed an application in the court saying when she went to meet Indrani, the latter told her that she was beaten up by jail officials after the death of the woman prisoner.

She showed me her bruise marks and injuries which were very prominent on her hands, legs and head, the lawyer claimed in the application.

Gunjan said Indrani also said that she was verbally abused by jail officials and the superintendent.

Following this, Mukerjea was examined at the JJ Hospital yesterday. 
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10:08   Delhi Golf Club forms 3-member team to probe Khasi 'maid' incident
The Delhi Golf Club forms a three-member panel headed by former High Court judge Mukul Mudgal to probe the incident in which a Khasi woman was asked to leave the club because she looked like a maid.

The incident which happened on Sunday, involved an elderly woman from Meghalaya, Tailin Lyngdoh.

She was alleged asked to leave the Delhi Golf Club as she was wearing a traditional Khasi dress and resembled a maid.

Speaking to ANI, Lyngdoh said, "They told me to leave the dining hall as maids were not allowed. They were very rude. I felt ashamed and angry. I was wearing the traditional Khasi dress -- Jainsem, and they told me this dress was not allowed. They also told me that I look like a Nepali. I have been too many other countries, but this has never happened to me. Surprised to know that this has happened here in Delhi!."

Lyngdoh is a Governess to Health Advisor in Assam Government, Dr. Nivedita Barthakur who was also invited for lunch at the Delhi Golf Club by a member.

Speaking to ANI, Barthakur said, even after she explained to them that Lyngdoh is from Meghalaya and is wearing her traditional dress called -- Jainsem, they still objected to it.

"This incident happened on June 25 Sunday; nine members were invited for lunch, including my governess by a long standing member of the Delhi Golf Club. Lyngdoh was also invited in her own right. When we reached there and sat at the table for about 10 to 15 minutes, this gentleman, who is a manager I believe, and a lady walked over to Lyngdoh and told her to leave the table.

When Lyngdoh objected and asked why, the manager said because you look like a maid'. When we all interjected and asked them the reason, they repeatedly said because she looks like one and her attire too speaks of it. I explained to them that she is from Meghalaya and is wearing her traditional attire called Jainsem, they still objected. We all were shocked, sad and had to leave the place," Barthakur told ANI.

The club issued an apology on Tuesday. "We have sought explanation from the staff and disciplinary action is in process. Apology has been made to the member who had brought the guest. This has been unconditionally accepted," the Club said in a statement to the press.

"Incident could have been handled in a better way by staff, the guests were not asked to leave," it added.
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09:18   Army Chief Bipin Rawat to visit Sikkim today amid standoff with China
Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat will visit Sikkim today in the backdrop of a standoff between Indian troops and Chinese army along the Sino-India border in the sensitive sector which is threatening to further strain the bilateral ties.
The army chief will take stock of the operational matters and interact with top commanders in the formation headquarters of the force in the border state.
Gen Rawat's visit to Sikkim comes amid mounting tension between the two armies along the border in Sikkim following a scuffle between Indian troops and the personnel of China's People's Liberation Army in a remote area earlier this month.
The genesis of the latest face-off is understood to have had a link to Donglang, a narrow but strategically important tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan.
Official sources described Gen Rawat's visit as routine.
During the two-day-long visit, Gen. Rawat will travel to a number of other formation headquarters in the Northeast and review various operational matters in the region -- a strategically key region having most of the 3,488-km-long- border with China.
Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim.
China has accused Indian troops of "crossing the boundary" in the Sikkim section and demanded their immediate withdrawal, while asserting that it has shut down the Nathu La pass entry for Indian pilgrims travelling to Kailash Mansarovar because of the border standoff.
China also said that it has lodged diplomatic protests with India, both in New Delhi and Beijing, alleging that the Indian troops trespassed into Chinese territory in the Sikkim sector.
The Indian Army has not commented on the face-off.
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09:04   Trump appoints Indian-American as US Ambassador to Peru
President Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American Krishna R Urs as the new US Ambassador to Peru.
A career service American diplomat since 1986, Urs is currently Charge d' Affaires of the US Embassy in Madrid, Spain, where he was also the Deputy Chief of Mission.

During three decades of State Department service, Urs has specialised in economic issues and developed extensive policy experience in the Andean region of South America.
He has served at seven US embassies as well in senior leadership positions in Washington, DC, a media release said.
Urs earned a MS from the University of Texas and a BS from Georgetown University. He speaks fluent Spanish as well as some Hindi and Telugu.
Previously, Urs served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs and Chief US Government Aviation Negotiator at the Department of State from November 2010 until June 2014.
He has also served as Director in the Office of Aviation Negotiations in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs in the Department of State, Charge d' Affaires, at the US Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia, Deputy Chief of Mission at the same embassy, Director of the Office of Economic Policy and Summit Coordination in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State. 
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08:57   ISRO's communication satellite GSAT-17 launched successfully from French Guiana
India's latest communication satellite GSAT-17 was on Thursday successfully launched by a heavy duty rocket of Arianespace from the spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana.
Configured around I-3K extended bus, GSAT-17 with a lift-off mass of about 3,477 kg carries payloads in Normal C-band, Extended C-band and S-band to provide various communication services.
It also carries equipment for meteorological data relay and satellite based search and rescue services being provided by earlier INSAT satellites.
The European launcher Arianespace Flight VA238 blasted off from Ariane Launch Complex No 3 (ELA 3) at Kourou, a French territory located in northeastern coast of South America, couple of minutes delayed than the scheduled time of 2:29 hrs IST.
GSAT-17 was injected shortly after orbiting co-passenger Hellas Sat 3-Inmarsat S EAN in a flawless flight lasting about 41 minutes.
"GSAT-17 successfully launched by Ariane-5 VA-238 from Kourou, French Guiana," ISRO announced after the mission.
GSAT-17 that will strengthen ISRO's current fleet of 17 telecommunications satellites was launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
This was the third satellite launch by the ISRO this month, the other two being first developmental flight of GSLV MkIII and PSLV C-38 missions -- both from Sriharikota spaceport.
GSLV MkIII successfully launched GSAT-19 satellite on June 5 while PSLV-C38 orbited Cartosat-2 Series satellite along with 30 co-passenger satellites on June 23 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
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08:23   2 jawans injured as Pak violates ceasefire along LoC in Poonch
Pakistan on Thursday violated ceasefire along the Line of Control in Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir targeting Indian positions in Sabjiyan sector injuring two soldiers. 

The Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively, a defence spokesman said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Pakistani Army violated ceasefire by resorting to firing and shelling on areas along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
In this month, there have been 21 ceasefire violations by the Pakistani Army in Poonch and Rajouri districts besides a cross-LoC attack and two infiltration bids in which four people including three jawans have been killed.
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00:14   PMO: Disclosing details of GST meet by PM will affect India's 'economic interest'
Sharing of details of a meeting on goods and services tax chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will affect the country's 'economic interest', the Prime Minister's Office said, rejecting a RTI plea on the subject.

The response by the PMO invoking an exemption clause came on an application under the Right to Information Act seeking from it minutes of the meeting held on GST under the chairmanship of the prime minister on June 5.

The meeting was attended by secretaries of central government departments and other officers concerned.

"Since the request of the applicant is related to the economic interest of the State, the same is exempted from disclosure under Section 8 (1) (a) of the RTI Act," the PMO said in its reply to the RTI query filed by Ashwini Shrivastava.

The section bars 'information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the state, relation with foreign state or lead to incitement of an offence'.

A PMO statement issued after the meeting had quoted Modi as saying: 'The advent of the GST on July 1 marks a turning point in the country's history.'

He asked the secretaries to proactively prepare for this transformation to ensure a smooth transition, it had said.

'The prime minister said the world is looking at India differently today, and this is a unique opportunity which should not be missed. Let us build mechanisms to meet global expectations, he asked the secretaries,' the statement had said.

Another release issued by the PMO on June 5 had said the prime minister reviewed the status of the GST. -- PTI

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