White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said that US President Donald Trump "has been made aware" of the incident at Times Square. He "will continue to receive updates", Spicer tweeted.

Reports are coming that the incident at Times Square is not terror-related. 

Around 50 people fell into a river after a footbridge collapsed in South Goa's Curchorem.

US President Donald Trump today lashed out the appointment of a special counsel to probe allegations of his campaign's collusion with Russia into last year's general elections, calling it the single greatest "witch hunt" of a politician in American history.

Pakistan reacts to the International Court of Justice order staying Indian citizen Kulbhushan Jadhav's execution. The Pakistan foreign office said India is trying to defend a person whose actions led to the killing of innocent Pakistanis. India is desperately tried to divert world attention by presenting Kulbhushan's case from a humanitarian angle. India has been 'trying to hide its real face' by taking the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav to the ICJ.  

The International Court of Justice on Thursday stayed the execution of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a Pakistan military court on charges of espionage and subversive activities.

In a major boost to India, which has moved the United Nations's highest judicial body against the death sentence, the ICJ instructed Pakistan to take all "necessary measures at its disposal" to ensure that Jadhav was not executed pending a final decision by it.

The decision of the 11-judge bench was unanimous, ICJ President Ronny Abraham said while reading out the verdict.

J&K: Grenade lobbed at a police station by terrorists in Srinagar's Safa Kadal area. One policeman and one civilian have been injured.

In a similar incident last month, militants lobbed a grenade at the Khanyar police station in Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir, killing one person and injuring five others, including state police personnel, police said.

The J-K CM Mehbooba Mufti met Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the security issue in the state.

PM Narendra Modi speaks to EAM Sushma Swaraj to thank her; appreciates efforts of advocate Harish Salve who represented India in the Jadhav case.

MEA Sushma Swaraj said, "The ICJ order has come as a great relief to the familly of Kulbhushan Jadhav and people of India. We are grateful to Mr Harish Salve for presenting India's case so effectively before ICJ. I assure the nation that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi we will leave no stone unturned to save Kulbhushan Jadhav. I compliment my team of officers in the MEA for their tireless efforts and hard work." 

In a major reprieve to India, the International Court of Justice, the primary judicial organ of the United Nations, has stayed the death sentence awarded to former Indian Naval officer and alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav by the Pakistan military court, citing that both - India and Pakistan - were bound by the Vienna Convention and that the rights invoked by New Delhi under the Vienna Convention were plausible.

Read the full order here.

File pic.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ), principal judicial organ of the United Nations, today indicated to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan that it must take all measures at its disposal to ensure that Mr. Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav, of Indian nationality, is not executed pending a final judgment of the Court in the Jadhav Case (India v. Pakistan). In its Order indicating provisional measures, which was adopted unanimously, the Court also stated that the Government of Pakistan shall inform it of all measures taken in implementation of that Order. It further decided to remain seised of the matters which form the subject of the Order until it has rendered its final judgment. Click here for the full judgment.

MEA Sushma Swaraj: The ICJ order has come as a great relief to the familly of Kulbhushan Jadhav and people of India. We are grateful to Mr Harish Salve for presenting India's case so effectively before ICJ. I assure the nation that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi we will leave no stone unturned to save Kulbhushan Jadhav. I compliment my team of officers in the MEA for their tireless efforts and hard work. 

Update: In a major reprieve to India, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the primary judicial organ of the United Nations, has stayed the death sentence awarded to former Indian Naval officer and alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav by the Pakistan military court, citing that both - India and Pakistan - were bound by the Vienna Convention and that the rights invoked by New Delhi under the Vienna Convention were plausible.


Justice Ronny Abraham of the ICJ read out the much-awaited verdict and asserted that the case was indeed debatable, while also adding that the ICJ had prime facie jurisdiction in the case.

Abraham added that under the Vienna Convention, India should have received consular access to seek justice for the former Indian Naval officer.

The only condition under which Jadhav now stands to face execution is if Pakistan does not comply with the ICJ's decision.

India can then go to the Security Council, which may then decide upon measures to be taken to give effect to the judgement.

The UN charter entails that 'each member of the United Nations undertakes to comply with the decision of the International Court of Justice' and 'if any party to a case fails to perform the obligations, the other party may have recourse to the Security Council.'

A Pakistan military court had awarded the death sentence to former Indian naval officer Jadhav on April 10 for alleged "espionage and subversive activities.

"However, India, after being denied consular access for 16th time, dragged Pakistan to the ICJ on May 8 for violating the Vienna Convention.

India told the ICJ that immediate steps must be taken to stop Pakistan from carrying out the death sentence of Jadhav.

Demanding the immediate suspension of the death sentence, New Delhi expressed fear that Islamabad might execute the formal naval officer even before the hearing of the ICJ was over.Pakistan, on its part, told the ICJ that the provisions of Vienna Convention on consular access were not applicable for a 'spy'. It also accused India of using the international body for political theatrics.

Arguing before the 11-judge bench at the ICJ, which included former Supreme Court Judge Dalveer Bhandari, India's counsel Harish Salve stressed that not granting consular access and not giving legal representation of Jadhav's choosing amounted to a "miscarriage of justice" and a "violation of his right" to defend himself from concocted charges in a "farcical trial".

India told the ICJ that immediate steps must be taken to stop Pakistan's from carrying out the death sentence of Jadhav.

Salve had told the court that India couldn't arrange for Jadhav's defence due to denial of consular access by Pakistan.

AG Mukul Rohatgi: Although this is a provisional decision and not a final decision, the Indian government's stand is still victorious. It's a pat on the back for India and its people. Mr Harish Salve's arguments were very good. I saw it on TV. He has done India proud. I congratulate all concerned persons, especially the External Affairs Ministry. Hope that the final decision also comes India's way and we can see Mr Jadhav come back home. The government will wait to see Pakistan's decision.

The court said that appropriate to order that Pakistan should give assurance that Jadhav is not executed while the matter is pending.

That Pakistan shall take all measures at its disposal to ensure Jadhav is not executed pending final decision.

The ICJ agrees to provisional measures requested by India. The order is binding on both the countries.

Pakistan must inform the court of all the measures taken by it .

In a blow to Pakistan, the International Court of Justice at The Hague on Thursday upheld Indias case against the Pakistan military courts death sentence to former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav for alleged "espionage and subversive activities". The court has said the merits of the case will be looked at subsequently, but for now the court has ordered Pakistan to take all measures to ensure Jadhav is not executed. The court said that even though Pakistan had said that Jadhav would not be hanged before August 2017, there is still no commitment that he will not be hanged before the date. The court therefore said there was an urgency in the case and stayed the order. Big victory for India.

The court notes that there is urgency in the present case as Pakistan has not committed to not executing Kulbhushan Jadhav before the final order of the court. Appropriate for the court to order that Pak should take all measures to ensure that Jadhav is not executed before the final order by the court and should inform the court on the measures taken to implement the measures. In effect, Jadhav cannot be executed till the court passes a final order.

The Vienna convention doesn't exclude those found guilty under terror and espionage... The Court considers that it has prima facie the jurisdiction to entertain dispute of the parties. India entitled to seek consular access to Jadhav: ICJ. 

The circumstances of  Kulbhushan Jadhav's arrest remains disputed, says ICJ judge.

A dispute exists between India and Pakistan with regard to the arrest, trial and conviction of Kulbhusan Jadhav, says Judge Abraham. The Court has jurisdiction in the case because of the Vienna Convention and dismisses Pakistan's reservations on this issue. The court says Pakistan had sought assistance in the investigations, but India had refused after being denied consular access. Issue of consular access falls under the court's jurisdiction.

Judge Ronny Abraham, President of the Court, reads out the details of the case specifying the arguments of both India and Pakistan. 

The hearing in the Kulbhushan Jadhav begins in the International Court of Justice at the Hague.

 
India had, after being denied consular access for the 16th time, dragged Pakistan to the ICJ on May 8 for violating the Vienna Convention.

India told the ICJ that immediate steps must be taken to stop Pakistan's from carrying out the death sentence of former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav. Demanding immediate suspension of Jadhav's death sentence, New Delhi expressed fear that Islamabad might execute the formal naval officer even before the ICJ hearing was over.

Pakistan, on its part, told ICJ that the provisions of Vienna Convention on consular access were not applicable for a 'spy'. It also accused India of using the international body for political theatrics.

Arguing before the 11-judge bench at the ICJ, which included former Supreme Court Judge Dalveer Bhandari, India's counsel Harish Salve stressed that not granting consular access and not giving a legal representation of Jadhav's choosing amounted to a "miscarriage of justice" and a "violation of his right" to defend himself from concocted charges in a "farcical trial".

India told the ICJ that immediate steps must be taken to stop Pakistan's from carrying out the death sentence of Jadhav.

Noted lawyer Harish Salve had told the court that India couldn't arrange for Jadhav's defence due to denial of consular access by Pakistan. He said India made innumerable requests for consular access, but Pakistan refused to provide documents relating to the case and consular access to him.

Pakistan raised the confession statement of Jadhav as a base of its argument and accused India of using the ICJ for its "political theatrics." India termed that the confession of Jadhav was forcibly taken by the military while in captivity and he was tried by a military court in Pakistan.

Pakistan's counsel Khawar Qureshi, while presenting Islamabad's stance in the ICJ on death sentence handed to Jadhav on April 10, claimed the former naval officer entered Islamabad through Iran using a fake passport.

He told the court that Pakistan had given India all information regarding Jadhav's investigation, but didn't receive any response from New Delhi.

India had demanded immediate suspension of Jadhav's death sentence but Pakistan presented the Kulbhushan Jadhav case as a matter of national security and the ICJ's decision would not apply to "matters related to the national security of Pakistan."

Hinting towards the difference in his and All India Muslim Personal Law Board's (AIMPLB) opinion, amicus curiae in the triple talaq matter Salman Khurshid suggested that the court should harmonise different views so that becomes one acceptable view available for the courts in the country.

"I have suggested that this harmonising effort has to be undertaken. The personal law board has said that the harmonising effect cannot be done by court and should not be done by court. They have suggested legislation. I have said that if something is a part of personal law, then neither legislation nor courts can interfere," Khurshid said.

Deviating from the Muslim Personal Law Board's opinion, Khurshid said one cannot contract out of faith, just like one cannot legislate out of faith.

"There is a little difference in my and personal law board's opinion," he said.

Khurshid further said that the focus remained on what is the fundamental area that Shariat occupies and whether triple talaq is an integral part of Shariat or of personal law.

"There are two views there and there have been several competing views as far as first goals of jurisprudence are concerned. The court will now have to decide whether it should harmonise different views, as I suggested, so that there is one acceptable view available for courts in our country," he said.

Earlier today, the apex court reserved its order in the case pertaining with validity of the Islamic divorce practice - triple talaq.

The five judge bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI), Jagdish Singh Khehar and four other judges Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman, Kurian Joseph, Uday Umesh Lalit and S. Abdul Nazeer, reserved the order after hearing in great detail from all the parties - from various petitioners and respondents and the Central government for six consecutive days during the summer vacation session.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) yesterday told the apex court that marriage in the Muslim community is a contract and in order to protect their interests, they can put special emphasis on certain clauses in 'nikahnama'.

The board further said that a Muslim woman had every right to pronounce triple talaq in all forms, and also ask for very high 'mehr' amount in case of talaq.

The board's reply came after CJI J.S. Khehar asked AIMPLB counsel Kapil Sibal if it was possible to give bride the right to not accept instant triple talaq.

The board also showed the court a resolution passed on April 14, 2017 which stated triple talaq as a sin and that the community should boycott the person doing such an act.The apex court also wanted to know from the AIMPLB if it was possible for the board whether their (SC) advisory will be followed by the Qazis at the ground level.

I&B Minister M Venkaiah Naidu pays tributes to late Union Environment minister Anil Dave at AIIMS.

General Motors Co will stop selling cars in India from the end of this year, drawing a line under two decades of battling in one of the world's most competitive markets where it has less than a one percent share of passenger car sales.

The decision was announced as part of a series of restructuring actions from the Detroit automaker on Thursday, and marks a significant blow to India's strategy of encouraging domestic manufacturing.

GM says it would no longer market its Chevrolet brand - its only brand of cars marketed in India - despite India's promise as a market set to overtake Japan as the world's third largest in the next decade. But it doesn't plan to leave India entirely.

It plans to keep operating its tech centre in Bengaluru and to refocus its India manufacturing operations by making one of its two assembly plants in India the one at Talegaon, about 100 km (62 miles) southeast of Mumbai into an export-only factory. It plans to sell the Halol plant in Gujarat to Chinese joint venture partner SAIC Motor Corp .

-- Reuters

JUST IN: The Supreme Court reserves its verdict on the batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of triple talaq practice among Muslims.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice J. S. Khehar heard the issue for six days during which various parties, including the Centre, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board and various others made the submissions.

The bench, also comprising Justices Kurian Joseph, R. F. Nariman, U. U. Lalit and Abdul Nazeer, had begun the hearing on May 11.

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth today declined to answer any political questions, amid speculation over his possible political plunge. "Please don't ask political questions," he said when reporters asked him about his recent comments on entering politics.

Expressing joy over meeting his fans after an eight-year gap, the actor said the next round of meeting with his fans will be finalised in the coming days.


Asked what message he had for his fans, the 66-year-old superstar said, "take care of your family. Give up all vices." The actor had given the same advice to fans on Monday, asking them not to touch cigarettes and alcohol.


He had said he had no desire to join politics, but if he did, he would show the door to all "money-minded" people. "My life is in the hands of God. I'm not sure what he has in store for me. But I will always perform the duty that he bestows on me. So, don't feel disappointed if I don't enter politics," he had told his fans in Chennai. But if he did join politics, he would ensure that there would be no place for those seeking material gain.

"Money-minded people will be shunned. So, I warn you now itself to stay away," he had said.

Yesterday, BJP national secretary H Raja had said Rajinikanth is a "popular" personality and is welcome to join the saffron party.

A 26-year-old INA cadet died today following cardiac arrest in Hospital, officials at the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala in Kannur district said. Gudeppa Sooraj, a first term Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) cadet, was found in an unconscious and unresponsive state on the floor of the INA's academic wing by a duty sailor instructor at 5.30 pm yesterday, a release from the PRO of the academy said today.

He was immediately rushed to the ICU of Indian Naval Hospital "Navjivani" and administered IV Fluid resuscitation, the release said.


Later, he was shifted to Pariyaram Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) in Kannur district. A medical specialist and medical assistants accompanied him. The cadet developed two episodes of cardiac arrest at PMCH and all efforts to revive him failed and he was declared dead at 2.30 am today, the release said.

The next of kin has been informed and an inquiry has been ordered by the Southern Naval Command into the incident, it added.

@CNNnews18 Anil Madhav Dave's will says there is no need to make a monument in his respect, instead plant saplings and ensure that it grows into a tree.

JUST IN:  Dr Harsh Vardhan gets additional charge of Environment Ministry after Anil Dave's death. Dr Harsh Vardhan holds the Science & Technology, Earth Sciences portfolio.

Environment Minister Anil Dave passed away in New Delhi on Thursday. He was 60. Dave complained of uneasiness at his home on Thursday morning and was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences where he passed away, according to official sources.

He was a member of the Rajya Sabha since 2009.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Dave. Absolutely shocked by the sudden demise of my friend & a very respected colleague, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave ji. My condolences, he said in a tweet.

The prime minister said Dave will be remembered as a devoted public servant who was tremendously passionate towards conserving the environment.

I was with Anil Madhav Dave ji till late last evening, discussing key policy issues. This demise is a personal loss, he said in another tweet.

A Bharatiya Janata Party member, Dave represented Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha.

He was appointed as the Minister of State (independent charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the cabinet expansion on July 5, 2016.

As the International Court of Justice to decide Kulbhushan Jadhav's fate today, locals in Mumbai held special prayers and havan for suspension of his death sentence.

The people attending the prayers were seen carrying photos of Jadhav and banners that spoke of the support for him.

Jadhav's childhood friend Arvind Singh said he was hopeful that the ICJ would give a verdict in India's favour.

"We all are praying that he is delivered justice. Almost everybody here is praying for him. We have been campaigning on various fronts for his safe return. We are very hopeful that the verdict is going to be in our favour. The way Salve ji has put his point, we are very hopeful," he added.

Havans are also being held in other parts of the country including Varanasi and Patna among others.

The most-awaited judgment in regard with the case is all set to be pronounced today by the International Court of Justice.

The Pakistan military court awarded death sentence to the former Indian naval officer on April 10 for alleged 'espionage and subversive activities'. -- ANI

IMAGE: People performing a havan in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI

Just In: The national flag will fly at half mast on all government buildings in Delhi and all state capitals today in view of the demise of Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave.

The Indian IT industry "rightly" should be in "panic" mode as it has not kept pace with the fast-changing innovation, India-born former McKinsey head Rajat Gupta has said.


He said industries today "have to constantly move with innovation" as basic IT work gets automated and advanced innovations such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and cloud computing overtake the technological world.


"Code writing and testing is the most inefficient industry that existed," he said at a panel discussion here yesterday organised by the New York Tri-State chapter of Pratham USA, one of the largest non-governmental organisations.


"The Indian IT industry is in panic and rightly should be because technology is overtaking them and they haven't invested in it," Gupta said.


Gupta, who was a former director at Goldman Sachs, was sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of insider trading charges. A free man now, Gupta has been gradually re-entering the social and philanthropic world.


Last year, he assumed the role of Chairman of WHEELS Global Foundation, a US-based non-profit started by IIT alumni that focuses on applying technology to uplift rural communities and provide technological solutions to global challenges.

Online restaurant guide and food delivery app Zomato admitted to a security breach today. On a blog post, Zomato said that about 17 million user records from its database had been stolen. "The stolen information has user email addresses and hashed passwords," Zomato said in its blog post.

However, Zomato said that hacked passwords cannot be converted into plain text and hence the password information of registered users were safe. The company also asked users to change their passwords.

"Payment-related information on Zomato is stored separately from this (stolen) data in a highly secure PCI Data Security Standard (DSS) compliant vault. No payment information or credit card data has been stolen/leaked.

"Since we have reset the passwords for all affected users and logged them out of the app and website, your zomato account is secure. Your credit card information on Zomato is fully secure, so there's nothing to worry about there," the blog post said.

Zomato has also assured users that its security measures will be enhanced and that an extra authorisation cover will be provided to all internal users to secure the data.

A back-to-back record-setting run today made stocks do a reality check when the Sensex plunged over 222 points and the Nifty cracked below 9,500 in early session amid dollar outflows and a sluggish trend overseas. All sectoral indices flashed red, down by up to 1.19 per cent, with realty, consumer durables, bank and auto registering much losses. The 30-share barometer fell by 222.21 points, or 0.72 per cent, to 30,436.56. The gauge had rallied 470.62 points in the previous three sessions, buoyed by continuous foreign funds inflows and brighter prospects for rains.

A day of two untimely deaths. Condolences pour in for actress Reema Lagoo who died of a cardiac arrest.


Amitabh Bachchan‏: Just heard the shocking and unbelievable news about Reema Lagoo's passing .. such a fine talent and gone so young ! Very SAD !!

PM Modi: Reema Lagoo was a versatile actor who left a big impact in the film & TV world. Her demise is saddening. My deepest condolences.

M Venkaiah Naidu‏: Saddened at the sudden demise of veteran actress #ReemaLagoo  Lagoo. Both stage and screen will miss her presence.

Naidu also tweeted this collage of images of Lagoo's films.

Jitender Singh, MoS PMO on Anil Dave: It was a cardiac arrest, we lost a popular colleague, his loss will be felt for a long time to come.

 
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that it is extremely shocking and saddening to learn of the demise of colleague and Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave. He said that Dave was very active and sensitive to issues pertaining to environment. His dedication to work was highly appreciated. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the members of Shri Anil Dave's family. May God give them strength to bear this huge loss, the Union Home Minister said.


Power minister Piyush Goyal: Shocked to hear about the demise of my friend & respected colleague Shri Anil Madhav Dave. Heartfelt condolences to his family & friends. Anil Madhav Dave ji will be remembered as a devoted public servant. He was tremendously passionate towards conserving the environment."

That's what Deepika wore to Cannes. More pictures here. 

Two of the 145 M-777 ultra-light howitzers will arrive in India from the US on Friday. It will be the first induction of the howitzers after the Bofors scandal broke out nearly 30 years ago.

The scandal had badly hit the artillery modernisation of the Indian Army. An official from BAE Systems said the first two guns will land in India ahead of the schedule over the weekend.

The howitzers are being procured for the Indian Army and will be deployed along the India-China border. India has struck a government-to-government deal for 145 howitzers with the US at a cost of around USD 700 million.

As per the deal, the first 25 guns will be bought directly from the US and the rest will be assembled in India. "We continue to support the US government in integrating its weapon systems with the Indian Army's artillery modernisation programme," the official said.

Also read: Better late than never: The M-777A2 howitzer is coming to India

As Hurriyat leaders and separatists tell Kashmiris to not send their children to army-run schools, alleging that these institutions were weaning the next generation away from their religion and culture, the family members and children of many of these have got the best education, settled abroad and eventually lead a luxurious life, reports ANI.

The Hurriyat's Syed Ali Shah Geelani, which has always goaded the youth of Kashmir to come out on the roads and leave their studies for a 'bigger cause', indirectly urging them for 'stone-pelting', has a son who works in Pakistan. Nayeem Geelani, who, a few days back, had blamed the army-run schools for indoctrination, is a medical practitioner in Rawalpandi. His other son, Zahoor, is crew member of a private airlines in India. Geelani's daughter is a teacher in Jeddah and her husband is an engineer there.

Mohammed Ashraf Sehrai, a general secretary of the Geelani faction, also availed the best education for his child. His son, Abid Sehrai, is a computer engineer in Dubai.

Ghulam Nabi Fall, the cousin of octagenarian separatist leader, and Rabia Farooq, sister of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a doctor, live in London.

While Ghulam Muhmaad Sumzi's son Jugnu was a management student in Delhi,

Rooma Maqbool, son of head of Mass Movement Farida Behanjee, lives and works as a medical practitioner in South Africa.

Iqbal and Bilal, sons of head of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Liberation Party Hashim Qureshi, live in London. Sarwar Yaqub, son of a spokesman for the Geelani faction, Ayaz Akbar, is a management student in Pune.

Two sons of another leader of the Geelani faction Abdul Aziz Dar - Umer Dar and Adil Dar - are studying in Pakistan.

Moreover, Mariyam Andrabi, sister of the head of the radical Dukhtran-e-Millat Asiya Andrabi, along with her family lives in Malaysia. Asiya wanted to send her elder son to Malaysia for further studies, but he was denied a passport.

Asiya's elder son Mohammed Bin Qasim was pursuing Bachelors of Information Technology at Islamic University of Malaysia and now is in Australia for further studies.

Earlier, Hurriyat hawk Geelani said, "We are losing our next generation. We should never send our youth to these institutions. We need to see what sort of education these institutions are imparting to our children."

In an apparent reference to their efforts to integrate Kashmiri students into the national mainstream, the Hurriyat hardliner claimed the army-run schools were engaged in "mischievous activities."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, decried Geelani's diktat, claiming the Hurriyat leader was scared of the army schools as they promote a "sense of nationalism" among Kashmiri children.

These statements come in the wake of a string of clashes between students and the security forces during which many innocent civilians were injured.

Image: A schoolgirl reaches out for a stone from a protestor. School children have turned stone protestors often bunking school to get on to the streets. Pic: Umar Ganie

Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami's response to Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. filing a complaint against him for IPR violations. The company lodged a complaint against Goswami and reporter Prema Sridevi for 'commission of offences of theft, criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of property and infringement of IPR of BCCL by using the same on Republic TV on 6th and 8th May, 2017'. 

Goswami tweeted his response today saying it was interesting to see Goliath so nervous. See the full response in the image alongside.

Condolences pour in after Anil Dave passes away.

BJP Spokesperson, Sambit Patra‏: Shocking to learn that Respected  Environment Minister Sh Anil Madhav Dave ji is no more! He was a very Simple Man with great Vision

Textiles minister, Smriti Irani: Shocked to hear about Anil Dave's demise. Soft spoken, passionate about environment, literature, culture, he was always kind.

Railways minister, Suresh Prabhu: Deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden demise of my dear colleague, Anil Madhav Daveji. My sincere condolences.

BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav‏: Shocked to hear about d demise of Anil Dave. Very good friend, finest karyakarta n man with a vision. Irreparable loss to d party n country.

Environment Minister Anil Dave passed away early this morning. He was 60.

"Absolutely shocked by the sudden demise of my friend & a very respected colleague, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Daveji. My condolences. Anil Madhav Daveji will be remembered as a devoted public servant. He was tremendously passionate towards conserving the environment. I was with Anil Madhav Daveji till late last evening, discussing key policy issues. This demise is a personal loss," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted this morning.

Locals hold a 'Hawan' in Mumbai, ahead of the International Court of Justice's verdict on Kulbhushan Jadhav today. The ICJ will deliver its verdict on the case today, even as the Centre expressed its confidence about the judgment, saying that it would be pronounced in India's favour.

Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave passes away.

As the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will deliver its verdict on Kulbhushan Jadhav case today, the Centre expressed confidence about the judgment, saying that it would be pronounced in India's favour.

"We have hope with the ICJ. We are confident that the verdict will come in our favour," Union Minister P.P. Choudhary told ANI.

Echoing the same, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nalin Kohli said the central government has argued the matter forcefully in the ICJ and hence the verdict would come in India's favour.

"The matter has been argued as forcefully as it could have been argued by the government Pakistan has not presented the credible answers with regard to the critical question that were being asked. We all are hopeful and we hope that the judgment will come in our favour," he told ANI.

The International Court of Justice at The Hague will pronounce its verdict on Thursday over the death sentence awarded to former naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav by the Pakistani military court.

India has dragged Pakistan to the International Court of Justice over Kulbhushan Jadhav's case after Islamabad two-star military court framed concocted charges against Jadhav.

India has accused Pakistan of not following diplomatic norms and dragged Pakistan to the ICJ on May 8 for violating the Vienna Convention by refusing New Delhi's 16 requests of consular access to Jadhav and denying him the right to defend himself.

Arguing before the 11-judge bench at the ICJ,which included former Supreme Court Judge Dalveer Bhandari,India's counsel Harish Salve stressed that not granting consular access and not giving legal representation of Jadhav's choosing amounted to a "miscarriage of justice" and a "violation of his right" to defend himself from concocted charges in a "farcical trial".

India told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that immediate steps must be taken to stop Pakistan's from carrying out the death sentence of former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav.

Noted lawyer Harish Salve had told the court that India couldn't arrange for Jadhav's defence due to denial of consular access by Pakistan.

He said India made innumerable requests for consular access, but Pakistan refused to provide documents relating to the case and consular access to him.

Pakistan is deliberately executing Indians in the military courts where there is no scope for any arguments even in military courts and the charges are mostly fabricated and concocted which are outside the jurisdiction of civil courts.

Pakistan raised the confession statement of Jadhav as a base of its argument and accused India of using the ICJ for its political theatrics. India termed that the confession of Jadhav was forcibly taken by the military while in captivity and he was tried by a military court in Pakistan.

Pakistan's counsel Khawar Qureshi while presenting Islamabad's stance in the ICJ on death sentence handed to Jadhav said that the former naval officer entered Islamabad through Iran using a fake passport.

He told the court that Pakistan had given India all information regarding Jadhav's investigation, but didn't receive any response from New Delhi.

Jadhav, a former Indian Navy officer, was given the death sentence by a military court in Pakistan on April 10 for the alleged "espionage and subversive activities."

An unmarried couple were stoned to death in public in northeast Mali by "Islamists", local officials said, the first such incident since jihadist groups were driven out of the region. Jihadists seized key northern cities in Mali in March 2012, and though they were driven out by a French-led military intervention in 2013, Islamist groups continue to make their presence felt with frequent attacks on domestic and foreign forces.


"The Islamists dug two holes where they put the man and the woman who lived maritally without being married," said a local official. "They were stoned to death." The stoning happened in Taghlit on Tuesday, close to Aguelhok in the Kidal region, and the same source told AFP that members of the public were invited to take part. "Four people threw stones at them until they died," they said.

Welcoming the sacking of Maulana Noor-ur-Rehman Barkati from the post of Shahi Imam of Kolkata's Tipu Sultan mosque, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday said such people who speak anti-India statements should be thrown out of the country.

Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Rahul Sinha said, "These kinds of people should be thrown out of the country. Such persons, who raised pro-Pakistan slogans, doesn't have the authority to be the Imam. He should be sent to Pakistan. I welcome his sacking."

Expressing similar views, West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Gosh said, "It is unfortunate since Imam is a religious figure. I have been reiterating that the reason he is courageous enough to say anti-India remarks because of the fact that Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) was protecting him. He is a vote catcher. He should have sacked earlier."

On Wednesday, the trustees of Tipu Sultan mosque sacked Barkati for his 'objectionable and inflammatory remarks against the country'.

Barkati is infamous for issuing fatwa against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defying Centre' order on the use of red beacon. -- ANI

JUST IN: Veteran actor Reema Lagoo passes away after suffering a cardiac arrest, ANI reports. She was 59.

Lagoo had an illustrious career in Marathi and Hindi film industry and also acted in numerous TV shows.

She is best known for playing the protagonists' mother in hit Hindi movies like Maine Pyar Kiya, Aashiqui, Saajan, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Vaastav, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Hum Saath-Saath Hain.

She also acted in hit TV serials like Tu Tu Main Main, Shrimaan Shrimati and Hum Pannch.

She died of cardiac arrest at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. -- ANI