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Sun, 28 May 2017
Fresh arrest in Manchester bombing raids, 12 in custody
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21:12 Fresh arrest in Manchester bombing raids, 12 in custody
British police today conducted fresh raids in Manchester and arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with the concert bombing, taking the total number of those in custody over the attack to 12.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said, "Today, May 28, 2017, officers investigating the attack at the Manchester Arena have executed a warrant at an address in Moss Side. A search is currently on-going."
"Officers have also arrested a 25-year-old man in the Old Trafford area on suspicion of offences contrary to the terrorism act," the spokesperson said.
The total number of arrests related to the attack have gone up to 14. However, the number of persons in custody was 12 after two were released without charge.
Britain's terror threat level was yesterday reduced to 'severe' from 'critical'.
The terror threat level now indicates that an attack remains highly likely rather than imminent.
The Army troops deployed as a result of Operation Temperer will be reduced from Monday night.
Prime Minister Theresa May made this announcement after leading a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra.
Investigators believe 22-year-old Manchester-born suicide bomber Salman Abedi, from a family of Libyan origin, acted as part of a terrorist network and their focus had been on intercepting his wider network.
Abedi blew himself up at a concert by pop star Ariana Grande at Manchester Arena last week, killing 22 people and leaving 119 injured. -- PTI
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said, "Today, May 28, 2017, officers investigating the attack at the Manchester Arena have executed a warrant at an address in Moss Side. A search is currently on-going."
"Officers have also arrested a 25-year-old man in the Old Trafford area on suspicion of offences contrary to the terrorism act," the spokesperson said.
The total number of arrests related to the attack have gone up to 14. However, the number of persons in custody was 12 after two were released without charge.
Britain's terror threat level was yesterday reduced to 'severe' from 'critical'.
The terror threat level now indicates that an attack remains highly likely rather than imminent.
The Army troops deployed as a result of Operation Temperer will be reduced from Monday night.
Prime Minister Theresa May made this announcement after leading a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra.
Investigators believe 22-year-old Manchester-born suicide bomber Salman Abedi, from a family of Libyan origin, acted as part of a terrorist network and their focus had been on intercepting his wider network.
Abedi blew himself up at a concert by pop star Ariana Grande at Manchester Arena last week, killing 22 people and leaving 119 injured. -- PTI
19:22 8 killed in Mississippi shooting, suspect in custody
Authorities in Mississippi say eight people were killed in a shooting, including a sheriff's deputy.
The suspect has been taken into custody.
Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said the shootings occurred at three separate homes on Saturday night in rural Lincoln County.
It says charges have not yet been filed against the suspect and that it would be 'premature' to discuss a motive.
It was not clear whether the suspect knew his victims before allegedly killing them. -- Agencies
The suspect has been taken into custody.
Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said the shootings occurred at three separate homes on Saturday night in rural Lincoln County.
It says charges have not yet been filed against the suspect and that it would be 'premature' to discuss a motive.
It was not clear whether the suspect knew his victims before allegedly killing them. -- Agencies
18:28 Dialogue only after stone-pelting ends in Kashmir: Shah
Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah has ruled out dialogue on the Kashmir issue until stone-pelting ends, but insisted that the government will talk to everyone once violence ends.
Asked if the government will speak to the Hurriyat (separatists) too as was done by the previous National Democratic Alliance government, he told PTI, "Once violence ends and an atmosphere of dialogue is created, we will talk to every one."
The Agenda of Alliance sealed by the BJP and the People's Democratic Party before they formed the government in the state talks about holding dialogue with all internal stakeholders.
"We have said that we will start dialogue once stone- pelting stops. As long as there is stone-pelting, there cannot be dialogue. We cannot give them flower if they pelt stones. They will have to understand it," he said.
Asked if he was satisfied with the performance of the state government, in which the BJP is a junior partner to the PDP, he said it had done very good work on developing infrastructure and succeeded in bringing development to far- flung areas which, he added, had been connected in a strategic way.
For the first time, he has said, Jammu and Ladakh, two other regions in the state besides Kashmir, believe that they have got 'justice'.
He also played down the current cycle of violence in the valley, saying the region has seen such 'hot situation' in stretches of six, eight or 12 months earlier as well, before security forces controlled it.
"You cannot assess the situation in Kashmir by picking one stretch of six months. You will have to see the entire period from 1989 to May 2017. There have been many stretches of six months, eight months or one year when the situation has been hot before our security forces controlled it," he said. -- PTI
Asked if the government will speak to the Hurriyat (separatists) too as was done by the previous National Democratic Alliance government, he told PTI, "Once violence ends and an atmosphere of dialogue is created, we will talk to every one."
The Agenda of Alliance sealed by the BJP and the People's Democratic Party before they formed the government in the state talks about holding dialogue with all internal stakeholders.
"We have said that we will start dialogue once stone- pelting stops. As long as there is stone-pelting, there cannot be dialogue. We cannot give them flower if they pelt stones. They will have to understand it," he said.
Asked if he was satisfied with the performance of the state government, in which the BJP is a junior partner to the PDP, he said it had done very good work on developing infrastructure and succeeded in bringing development to far- flung areas which, he added, had been connected in a strategic way.
For the first time, he has said, Jammu and Ladakh, two other regions in the state besides Kashmir, believe that they have got 'justice'.
He also played down the current cycle of violence in the valley, saying the region has seen such 'hot situation' in stretches of six, eight or 12 months earlier as well, before security forces controlled it.
"You cannot assess the situation in Kashmir by picking one stretch of six months. You will have to see the entire period from 1989 to May 2017. There have been many stretches of six months, eight months or one year when the situation has been hot before our security forces controlled it," he said. -- PTI
17:41 World No 1 Kerber knocked out of French Open
Russia's Ekaterina Makarova recorded the first upset of the French Open, knocking out World No 1 and top sees Angelique Kerber 6-2, 6-2 in the first round of the tournament.
17:24 JKLF chairman Yasin Malik arrested
Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was today arrested from his residence in Srinagar in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, the police said.
A police official said Malik has been shifted to central jail in Srinagar.
He was arrested from his residence in Maisuma near Lal Chowk this morning.
The JKLF chairman had yesterday visited the residences of slain Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists Sabzar Ahmed Bhat and Faizan Muzaffar in Tral area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
The two militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces in Soimoh area of Tral yesterday.
Malik and chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, have called for a two-day shutdown in the Valley to protest the killing of the two terrorists and the use of 'brute force' against the protestors.
The separatist trio has also called for a march to Tral on Tuesday to pay tributes to the two terrorists. -- PTI
A police official said Malik has been shifted to central jail in Srinagar.
He was arrested from his residence in Maisuma near Lal Chowk this morning.
The JKLF chairman had yesterday visited the residences of slain Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists Sabzar Ahmed Bhat and Faizan Muzaffar in Tral area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
The two militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces in Soimoh area of Tral yesterday.
Malik and chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, have called for a two-day shutdown in the Valley to protest the killing of the two terrorists and the use of 'brute force' against the protestors.
The separatist trio has also called for a march to Tral on Tuesday to pay tributes to the two terrorists. -- PTI
17:16 Here is a detailed itinerary of Modi's four-nation tour
With an aim to boost India's economic engagements and to invite more investments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be undertaking a four-nation tour from May 29, starting with Germany.
On May 29, Prime Minister Modi will begin his visit from Meseberg near Berlin, where he would have discussions of regional and global importance with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.'
On May 30, Modi and Merkel will hold the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations to review the state of both nations' bilateral relationship.'
Both the leaders will also be interacting with top business leaders of both the countries to further strengthen their trade and investment ties.'
Later, the PM will call on Germany President Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
From May 30, he will travel to Spain.
This would be the first visit of an Indian prime minister to Spain in almost three decades. Among the engagements include'. Here, Modi will be calling on Spain King Felipe VI during this visit.'
On May 31, the PM will meet President Mariano Rajoy to discuss ways to enhance bilateral engagement, especially in the economic sphere, and cooperation on international issues of common concern, particularly in combating terrorism.'
The prime minister will also meet top CEOs of the Spanish industry and encourage them to partner with India in the 'Make in India' Initiative.
From May 31 to June 2, the PM will be visiting Russia for the 18th India-Russia Annual Summit at St Petersburg. Both countries would also celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.'
At the beginning of his visit, the prime minister will go to Piskarovskoye Cemetery to pay homage to those who perished during the siege of Leningrad.'
On June 1, Modi will hold detailed discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin to take forward the dialogue from the last summit in Goa in October 2016.
With a spotlight on economic ties, both leaders will be interacting with CEOs from both countries.'
On June 2, the PM will be addressing the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) together with Putin.
From June 2 to 3, Modi will be in Paris where he will hold official talks with the 39-year-old French President Emmanuel Macron. Here, he will be discussing issues of mutual interest with a view to further strengthen India- France strategic ties. -- ANI
On May 29, Prime Minister Modi will begin his visit from Meseberg near Berlin, where he would have discussions of regional and global importance with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.'
On May 30, Modi and Merkel will hold the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations to review the state of both nations' bilateral relationship.'
Both the leaders will also be interacting with top business leaders of both the countries to further strengthen their trade and investment ties.'
Later, the PM will call on Germany President Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
From May 30, he will travel to Spain.
This would be the first visit of an Indian prime minister to Spain in almost three decades. Among the engagements include'. Here, Modi will be calling on Spain King Felipe VI during this visit.'
On May 31, the PM will meet President Mariano Rajoy to discuss ways to enhance bilateral engagement, especially in the economic sphere, and cooperation on international issues of common concern, particularly in combating terrorism.'
The prime minister will also meet top CEOs of the Spanish industry and encourage them to partner with India in the 'Make in India' Initiative.
From May 31 to June 2, the PM will be visiting Russia for the 18th India-Russia Annual Summit at St Petersburg. Both countries would also celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.'
At the beginning of his visit, the prime minister will go to Piskarovskoye Cemetery to pay homage to those who perished during the siege of Leningrad.'
On June 1, Modi will hold detailed discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin to take forward the dialogue from the last summit in Goa in October 2016.
With a spotlight on economic ties, both leaders will be interacting with CEOs from both countries.'
On June 2, the PM will be addressing the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) together with Putin.
From June 2 to 3, Modi will be in Paris where he will hold official talks with the 39-year-old French President Emmanuel Macron. Here, he will be discussing issues of mutual interest with a view to further strengthen India- France strategic ties. -- ANI
16:13 High GST rate on Ayurvedic products: Is this 'Achche Din', asks Patanjali
Disappointed over high Goods and Services Tax rate on Ayurvedic products that provide 'care and cure to common man at affordable price', Baba Ramdev-led Patanjali Ayurved has asked the government as to how can people feel and live 'Achche Din' without the right to good health.
In a similar vein, industry body AMAM also said that while the government is aggressively promoting Ayurveda globally,high tax incidence under GST will make the natural medicines costly and out of reach of the common people back home.
GST rate for classical or generic range of ayurvedic medicines must be nil and five per cent for patented products instead of the proposed 12 per cent, the Association of Manufacturers of Ayurvedic Medicines has said.
At present the Ayurvedic medicines and products have a total tax incidence of seven per cent, including VAT, depending on the items.
Under the GST regime, these items have been kept at 12 per cent. -- PTI
In a similar vein, industry body AMAM also said that while the government is aggressively promoting Ayurveda globally,high tax incidence under GST will make the natural medicines costly and out of reach of the common people back home.
GST rate for classical or generic range of ayurvedic medicines must be nil and five per cent for patented products instead of the proposed 12 per cent, the Association of Manufacturers of Ayurvedic Medicines has said.
At present the Ayurvedic medicines and products have a total tax incidence of seven per cent, including VAT, depending on the items.
Under the GST regime, these items have been kept at 12 per cent. -- PTI
15:27 New cattle slaughter rules will curb its smuggling to Bangladesh: BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party in Meghalaya today said that the latest ban on sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets will curb its smuggling to Bangladesh.
"There is a massive cattle smuggling racket in the state which has skyrocketed the price of beef," state BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh said.
Meanwhile, the media unit of the party has also petitioned BJP leader Nalin Kohli to allay fears and sentiments of the indigenous tribals who solely depend on beef as their source of dietary protein.
"The matter related to cattle and cattle slaughtering has cropped up again and people are scared if their food habits will be disturbed," state BJP vice president and spokesperson J A Lyngdoh said.
"We have taken a note of the issue and also requested party leader Nalin Kohli to take up the matter with the Centre to allay fears," he said.
He said that the Centre's notification in this regard is to curb the menace and increase cattle farming at a time when the state is heading towards organic farming.
Over 8,000 cattle have been seized in the state in the last five years along the Indo-Bangladesh border, Opposition Hills State Peoples Democratic Party legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit had told the Assembly earlier this year and had called for a joint effort by the state as well as the Central agencies to stop smuggling of cattle to Bangladesh. -- PTI
"There is a massive cattle smuggling racket in the state which has skyrocketed the price of beef," state BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh said.
Meanwhile, the media unit of the party has also petitioned BJP leader Nalin Kohli to allay fears and sentiments of the indigenous tribals who solely depend on beef as their source of dietary protein.
"The matter related to cattle and cattle slaughtering has cropped up again and people are scared if their food habits will be disturbed," state BJP vice president and spokesperson J A Lyngdoh said.
"We have taken a note of the issue and also requested party leader Nalin Kohli to take up the matter with the Centre to allay fears," he said.
He said that the Centre's notification in this regard is to curb the menace and increase cattle farming at a time when the state is heading towards organic farming.
Over 8,000 cattle have been seized in the state in the last five years along the Indo-Bangladesh border, Opposition Hills State Peoples Democratic Party legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit had told the Assembly earlier this year and had called for a joint effort by the state as well as the Central agencies to stop smuggling of cattle to Bangladesh. -- PTI
14:56 Can't tell my men to wait and die: Army chief defends Major Gogoi
Defending the 'human shield' incident, Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said that troops 'need innovative ways to fight the dirty war in Kashmir'.
"When people are throwing stones and petrol bombs at us, I cannot tell my men just wait and die," Gen Rawat told PTI.
"I would have been happy if the protesters were firing weapons at the armed forces instead of throwing stones," he said.
Kashmir needs a composite solution, everybody will have to get involved, said the Army chief.
Earlier, Major Leetul Gogoi, who had tied a man to a jeep in Kashmir purportedly as a shield against stone-pelters, was honoured with the Army chief's 'Commendation Card' for his 'sustained efforts' in counter-
insurgency operations. -- PTI
"When people are throwing stones and petrol bombs at us, I cannot tell my men just wait and die," Gen Rawat told PTI.
"I would have been happy if the protesters were firing weapons at the armed forces instead of throwing stones," he said.
Kashmir needs a composite solution, everybody will have to get involved, said the Army chief.
Earlier, Major Leetul Gogoi, who had tied a man to a jeep in Kashmir purportedly as a shield against stone-pelters, was honoured with the Army chief's 'Commendation Card' for his 'sustained efforts' in counter-
insurgency operations. -- PTI
13:59 Defying shutdown call, youngsters come forth to enrol in Army
Amid the prevailing unrest in the Kashmir Valley, the Common Entrance Written Examination for the selection of Indian Army Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks was successfully held in Srinagar and Pattan on Sunday.
The written examination was conducted after due registration, physical tests and medical tests.
In spite of the two days curfew imposed in the Valley, out of 815 candidates, 799 appeared for the test.Earlier in the day, curfew was announced following the killing of Hijbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmed Bhat in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral area on Saturday.
Unrest stirred again in the Valley after Bhat's killing, as locals took to the streets and clashed with the security forces to express their anger over the killings.
The curfew has been announced in parts of Srinagar falling under the jurisdiction of eight police stations including Kralkhud, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safa kadal, Maharaj Gunj, Maisuma, Batamaloo and Nowhatta.
The district administrations announced strict restrictions which will be continued till the further orders.
The authorities also ordered closure of schools and colleges in Srinagar district in the wake of protests and clashes witnessed in various city schools and colleges. -- ANI
The written examination was conducted after due registration, physical tests and medical tests.
In spite of the two days curfew imposed in the Valley, out of 815 candidates, 799 appeared for the test.Earlier in the day, curfew was announced following the killing of Hijbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmed Bhat in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral area on Saturday.
Unrest stirred again in the Valley after Bhat's killing, as locals took to the streets and clashed with the security forces to express their anger over the killings.
The curfew has been announced in parts of Srinagar falling under the jurisdiction of eight police stations including Kralkhud, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safa kadal, Maharaj Gunj, Maisuma, Batamaloo and Nowhatta.
The district administrations announced strict restrictions which will be continued till the further orders.
The authorities also ordered closure of schools and colleges in Srinagar district in the wake of protests and clashes witnessed in various city schools and colleges. -- ANI
13:36 Bidding farewell to the Prez...
Venu Rajamony, press secretary to the President of India at Rastrapati Bhavan posts this photo on Facebook and Instagram with the caption, 'Bidding farewell to #PresidentMukherjee, an emotional moment!' Photograph: Kind courtesy @venu.rajamony/Facebook
13:22 'Outsourcing to India' blamed for British Airways 'IT system failure'
British Airways cancelled all its flights from Heathrow and Gatwick airports in London on Saturday after a 'major IT system failure', leaving thousands of travellers stranded as a workers' union blamed outsourcing to India for the 'meltdown'.
The airline initially cancelled only flights before 6 pm local time on Saturday but later confirmed all its flights will remain grounded at both airports throughout the day.
"Our IT teams are working tirelessly to fix the problems," British Airways CEO Alex Cruz said in a video posted on Twitter.
"We believe the root cause was a power supply issue and we have no evidence of any cyberattack."
The GMB union said the 'meltdown' could have been avoided if BA hadn't made hundreds of IT staff redundant and outsourced their jobs to India at the end of last year.
"This could have all been avoided. In 2016 BA made hundreds of dedicated and loyal IT staff redundant and outsourced the work to India," said Mick Rix, national officer for aviation at GMB.
"BA have made substantial profits for a number of years,and many viewed the company's actions as just plain greedy," he said. -- PTI
The airline initially cancelled only flights before 6 pm local time on Saturday but later confirmed all its flights will remain grounded at both airports throughout the day.
"Our IT teams are working tirelessly to fix the problems," British Airways CEO Alex Cruz said in a video posted on Twitter.
"We believe the root cause was a power supply issue and we have no evidence of any cyberattack."
The GMB union said the 'meltdown' could have been avoided if BA hadn't made hundreds of IT staff redundant and outsourced their jobs to India at the end of last year.
"This could have all been avoided. In 2016 BA made hundreds of dedicated and loyal IT staff redundant and outsourced the work to India," said Mick Rix, national officer for aviation at GMB.
"BA have made substantial profits for a number of years,and many viewed the company's actions as just plain greedy," he said. -- PTI
12:42
Here's CBSE Class XII topper Raksha Gopal's mark sheet. She scored 100/100 in English and Economics.
12:09 Noida girl Raksha tops CBSE Class XII exam with 99.6%
Noida girl Raksha Gopal tops Central Board of Secondary Education Class XII exam with 99.6 per cent marks.
"I still can't believe the result, my aim was to do well, didn't expect to top," Raksha said.
Pass percentage in CBSE Class XII exam falls to 82 per cent from 83.05 per cent last year.
Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar speaks to CBSE Class XII toppers in all three streams of Science, Commerce and Humanities. -- PTI, ANI
"I still can't believe the result, my aim was to do well, didn't expect to top," Raksha said.
Pass percentage in CBSE Class XII exam falls to 82 per cent from 83.05 per cent last year.
Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar speaks to CBSE Class XII toppers in all three streams of Science, Commerce and Humanities. -- PTI, ANI
11:33 Mann ki Baat: PM asks '3 generations' to come together for 3rd Yoga Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation through his radio programme Mann ki Baat:
- On the start of Ramzan, I convey my greetings to people across the world. India's diversity is our strength. We are proud that people from all faiths live in India in a harmonious manner.
- I said that during the holidays get out of your comfort zone, do something new. I am glad lot of people shared their experiences with me.
- I am happy to see youngsters are taking interest in lives of our freedom fighters, who spent their lives in jail. Today we remember Veer Savarkar on his Jayanti. He spent time at the Kaala Pani and there he wrote a lot.
- People from all over India were imprisoned in the cellular jail.
- Our ancestors conserved nature, we must show the same compassion towards future generations.
- Yoga is integrating the world today. Yoga guarantees both wellness and fitness. I got a very interesting suggestion- since its third Yoga Day, why not three generations of a family come together and practice Yoga
- I am very happy people are evaluating our work in great detail. I welcome this. Constructive criticism strengthens our democracy.
- Mann ki Baat has connected me with every Indian, in a very special way. Two days ago, there was a book on Mann ki Baat that was launched at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Those working on the Mann ki Baat book released day before yesterday interacted with me. The art work was done by a UAE-based artist, Akbar Saheb. He did not charge any money for his artwork. This was a great gesture.
- On the start of Ramzan, I convey my greetings to people across the world. India's diversity is our strength. We are proud that people from all faiths live in India in a harmonious manner.
- I said that during the holidays get out of your comfort zone, do something new. I am glad lot of people shared their experiences with me.
- I am happy to see youngsters are taking interest in lives of our freedom fighters, who spent their lives in jail. Today we remember Veer Savarkar on his Jayanti. He spent time at the Kaala Pani and there he wrote a lot.
- People from all over India were imprisoned in the cellular jail.
- Our ancestors conserved nature, we must show the same compassion towards future generations.
- Yoga is integrating the world today. Yoga guarantees both wellness and fitness. I got a very interesting suggestion- since its third Yoga Day, why not three generations of a family come together and practice Yoga
- I am very happy people are evaluating our work in great detail. I welcome this. Constructive criticism strengthens our democracy.
- Mann ki Baat has connected me with every Indian, in a very special way. Two days ago, there was a book on Mann ki Baat that was launched at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Those working on the Mann ki Baat book released day before yesterday interacted with me. The art work was done by a UAE-based artist, Akbar Saheb. He did not charge any money for his artwork. This was a great gesture.
10:58 Army foils infiltration bid in Poonch sector, kills 1 terrorist
The Indian Army on Sunday foiled another infiltration bid in Jammu and Kashmir.
This time, the army gunned down one terrorist who tried to enter Indian territory in Poonch sector.
In a major success for the security forces, Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, who had succeeded Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani following his killing last July, was gunned down ON Saturday along with another terrorist, at Soimoh village in Tral of Pulwama district, about 36 kilometre from Srinagar, during a cordon and search operation following specific information about the presence of terrorists there.
The army also foiled a major infiltration bid from across the Line of Control in Rampur sector, killing six terrorists.
Representative image
10:39 CBSE declares results of Class 12 board exams
The Central Board of Secondary Education declared the results of Class 12 board examination 2017 on its website.
Candidates can check their results of the exam by clicking HERE.
Insert in your roll number, school number, centre number and click on submit.
10:31 US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson declines to host Ramzan event
United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has declined a request to host an event to mark Islam's holy month of Ramzan, two US officials said, apparently breaking with a bipartisan tradition in place with few exceptions for nearly 20 years.
Since 1999, Republican and Democratic secretaries of state have nearly always hosted either an iftar dinner to break the day's fast during Ramzan or a reception marking the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of the month, at the State Department.
Tillerson turned down a request from the State Department's Office of Religion and Global Affairs to host an Eid al-Fitr reception as part of Ramzan celebrations, Reuters reported quoting, two US officials who declined to be identified because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
10:19 Beware, Zika reaches India; WHO confirms 3 cases in Gujarat
Zika virus disease has reached India, with the World Health Organisation confirming first three cases in Gujarat's Ahmedabad.
The WHO endorsed the findings of laboratory tests conducted in the country, saying all three cases, including that of a pregnanat woman, were reported from Bapunagar area of the city.
The disease is spread by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes and an infection during pregnancy can cause birth defects in newborns known as microcephaly--a condition in which babies' head is abnormally small. It is characterised by brain damage and may cause other defects like blindness, deafness, and even seizures.
"The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - Government of India reported three laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika virus disease in Bapunagar area, Ahmedabad District, Gujarat State, India," the global health body said in a statement.
India has strengthened its surveillance system in the past few years to detect and contain new infections. Only three Zika cases have been detected in around 50,000 tested so far, a senior health ministry official said.
According to the WHO statement, routine surveillance detected a laboratory-confirmed case of Zika virus disease through RT-PCR test at B J Medical College in Ahmedabad.
10:07 New rules will curb illegal cattle sale: Environment ministry
The new rules banning sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter will remove the scope of illegal sale and smuggling of bovines, besides ensuring their welfare, the environment ministry said on Saturday.
The statement of the ministry came days after it notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, banning the sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter.
It said the rules will ensure adequate facilities for housing, feeding, feed storage area and water supply for the cattle.
"The basic purpose of the rules is to ensure the welfare of the animals in the cattle markets and ensure adequate facilities for housing, feeding, feed storage area, water
supply, water troughs, ramps, enclosures for sick animals, veterinary care and proper drainage etc.," the ministry said.
To facilitate this, two committees have been constituted -- the District Animal Market Monitoring Committee for registration of the animal markets and the Animal Market Committee -- at the local authority level for the management of the markets, it added.
The ministry said in the rules, it was envisaged that the welfare of the cattle sold at the markets would be ensured and that only healthy animals were traded for agriculture purposes.
The livestock markets were intended to become hubs for animal trade for agriculture through this process and animals for slaughter would have to be bought from the farmers, it added.
"The notified rules will remove the scope of illegal sale and smuggling of the cattle which is a major concern.
"The specific provisions apply only to animals which are bought and sold at the notified livestock markets and animals seized as case properties. These rules do not cover the other areas," the ministry said.
The new rules also prohibit the establishment of an animal market within 25 kms of a state border and within 50 kms of the international border.
09:21 Indian Army dominating entire stretch of LoC and IB, says Jaitley
The Indian Army is in "domination" along the full stretch of the Line of Control and the international border in Jammu and Kashmir and is "fully prepared" to deal with any security challenge, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday.
He said the internal situation in Pakistan is such that the country needs to keep alive the "tension" over the Kashmir issue, adding India had made sustained efforts to create an environment for talks.
Jaitley also defended an army officer who had tied a man to a jeep as a human shield against stone-pelters in Kashmir last month, saying he must have taken the decision considering the ground realities.
Asked whether there is a possibility of escalation of the tension between the two countries, he said it was not possible to say about it.
"There is domination of our forces along LoC and the international border. All required steps are being taken by the army to stop infiltration," Jaitley told DD News.
He also said Pakistan will have to pay a price for acts like beheading of Indian soldiers.
The defence minister said India made every effort to create an environment for talks but then the attacks on Pathankot and Uri military bases had taken place. He also
cited mutilation of two soldiers by Pakistan and death sentence handed to Kulbhushan Jadhav by a Pakistani military court.
"Our army is fully prepared. I cannot make public the information I have. But I can say that our border and LoC are fully protected. The only priority of the army now is to not allow infiltration.
"We have domination over the LoC and IB and it will continue," he said.
08:29 PM Modi to address nation in 32nd edition of 'Mann Ki Baat'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation in the 32nd edition of the monthly programme 'Mann Ki Baat' at 11 am today.
It will be his first address after completing three years in power.
For the first time, Mann Ki Baat speech will be delivered with Sanskrit subtitles.
On the third anniversary of the Modi government, on May 26, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan launched 'Mann Ki Baat' in a book format.
The first copy of the book was received by President Pranab Mukherjee.
The book 'Mann Ki Baat: A Social Revolution on Radio' by Rajesh Jain is a compilation of the prime minister's addresses to the nation on radio every month under the programme 'Mann Ki Baat'.
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