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Sun, 05 November 2017
Sri Lankan Navy apprehends eight Indian fishermen

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20:54   Sri Lankan Navy apprehends eight Indian fishermen
The Sri Lankan Navy apprehended eight fishermen of Indian origin and seized one boat belonging to them near Jaffna on Sunday.

The Indian fishermen were apprehended for allegedly poaching in the Sri Lankan territorial waters, northeast of Vettalakerni.

The arrested fishermen were brought to the naval base SLNS Uttara in Kankesanthurai and subsequently, handed over to the Assistant Fisheries Director of Jaffna for legal action.

The seized trawler and fishing gear were retained at SLNS Elara in Karainagar.
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20:35   Hinduism inclusive of every person: Mohan Bhagwat
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said Hindu religion is inclusive of every person and accepts them with their separate identities.

"Hindu religion is inclusive of every person. It embraces everybody while keeping their identities intact," Bhagwat said at an event, organised for martyrs' families in Jaipur.

"All of us are Hindus. Our country is a Hindu state. Hindu word is not made up of any language, worship idea or any specific class. It is the method of living with the motto of "Guest is prime", accepting and respecting the people with diverse culture. The word is given by the world and India is fortunate to be the only one recognised by it," he added.

Bhagwat said it is unfortunate for our country that creed differences continued for years, leaving a major part of the nation behind.

-- ANI
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20:04   Indian-origin businessman killed in botched police raid in Nairobi
Bunty Shah, the 32-year-old Indian-origin Kenyan businessman, was killed in a case of mistaken identity during an anti-terror operation in capital Nairobi's last month, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said.

Swaraj said Kenyan security forces were conducting anti-terror operations on the building across the Shah's residence in Westlands, an affluent neighbourhood in Nairobi.

"Bunty thought this as an intrusion by armed burglars and fired in the air. The security forces returned the fire resulting in Bunty's death," Ms Swaraj said in a series of tweets today, citing a report received from the high commissioner in Nairobi.

She said Kenyan Police had "regretted" the incident and the high commission told to provide all help and assistance to the family. The minister on Saturday had asked the Indian mission for a report after a woman, Netra Parikh, brought the incident to her attention on Twitter.

Bunty's death in the shootout had sparked widespread outrage in Kenya.
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19:46   Air India scouts for $535 million loan to buy three Boeing planes
Air India is looking to raise loans worth $535 million to finance acquisition of three Boeing planes, including two aircraft that will be used for ferrying VVIPs, a senior airline official said.

An Air India spokesperson confirmed thereport that the two aircraft will be used for VVIP travel.

However, the disinvestment-bound carrier has reduced the required loan amount by around $20 million in less than three weeks after floating a tender where it had sought loan up to $555 million for buying the three aircraft.

The delivery of three B777-300 ER planes is scheduled to be completed in February next year, with two expected to be bought in January.

-- PTI
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19:21   Does Bhansali have guts to make films on other religions, asks Giriraj Singh
Adding fuel to the controversy surrounding the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bollywood movie Padmavati, Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday attacked Bhansali and threw a challenge to filmmakers to make films on 'other' religions, adding that "we will not tolerate this anymore".

"Does Sanjay Leela Bhansali or anyone else have the guts to make films on other religions or comment upon them? They make films on Hindu gurus, gods and warriors. We will not tolerate this anymore," Giriraj Singh was quoted as saying.

Earlier on Saturday, Union Minister Uma Bharti said in an open letter that artists cannot violate historical facts in the name of freedom of expression. "Jab aap kisi aetihaasik tathya par film bannaate hain toh uske facts ko violate nahin kar sakte (You cannot violate facts if you are making a movie on a historical event," Bharti said in an open letter.

The film starring actors Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor has seen protests by some members of the Rajput community who have tried to stop the shooting and release of the movie. The protesters allege that the movie portrays an amorous relationship between the Rajput queen Padmavati and Khilji. The protesters claim the filmmakers have distorted history through this portrayal.

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19:19   Gang rape case: Govt cracks whip; shifts Bhopal IG, GRP SP
The Madhya Pradesh government today transferred two more senior police officials following an outrage over the alleged apathy on part of the police in registering a case in connection with the gang rape of a 19-year-old college student in the city last week.

The Home department today ordered the transfer of Inspector General (Bhopal range) Yogesh Choudhary and Government Railway Police Superintendent, Bhopal Railway division, Anita Malviya.

Choudhary, who has been shifted to the state police headquarters as IG (Law & Order and Security), is replaced by Jaideep Prasad who will take charge as IG (Bhopal range). 

Malviya has been shifted to the police headquarters as Assistant Inspector General, the Home department order said.

According to reports, Malviya faced the action for not acting sensitively in the matter.

The 19-year-old woman was allegedly abducted and raped by four men near railway tracks in vicinity of the Habibganj railway station on October 31 night when she was returning home after attending a coaching class.

The GRP had arrested three men while another accused is on the run.

The woman reportedly made several rounds of various police stations to lodge the FIR but was allegedly turned away over 'jurisdiction' of the crime.

-- PTI
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18:45   Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont hands himself in to police
Catalonia's deposed leader Carles Puigdemont and several former advisers have turned themselves in to Belgian police, say reports.

A Spanish judge issued an EU warrant for his arrest on Friday. 

Puigdemont has said he will not return to Spain unless he is guaranteed a fair trial.

Belgian prosecutors are due to hold a news conference on the case shortly. 

Puigdemont fled to Belgium after Madrid imposed direct rule on Catalonia following an independence referendum. 

He and four associates are wanted on charges of rebellion, sedition, misuse of public funds, disobedience and breach of trust. 

-- BBC
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18:22   I-T dept summons Karnataka minister D K Shivakumar, family
The Income Tax department has summoned Karnataka energy minister D K Shivakumar and his family members to appear before it here tomorrow in connection with searches conducted at his properties in August for
alleged tax evasion.

Shivakumar, his wife, mother and other family members have been summoned for questioning as part of a routine process following the searches, I-T department sources said.

Shivakumar, the state's power minister, had already appeared before I-T officials in August and last month.

A close aide of the minister confirmed the fresh summons to the minister.
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18:00   Can't hurt Indian woman's pride: Uma Bharti on Padmavati row
Union Minister Uma Bharti is the new entrant in the controversy surrounding the release of movie Padmavati.

Uma tweeted an open letter on November 3 stating she cannot remain neutral over the Padmavati controversy and urged people not to link the matter just with the Rajput community since the overriding factor is of "women pride".

The saffron robed minister, days after the BJP sought a temporary stay over the release of the movie, has described Muslim emperor Alauddin Khilji as a "licentious invader" who had an "evil eye" on exceptionally beautiful Chittor princess, Padmavati.

She, in an open letter, said she "hates" Khilji and "respects" Padmavati after reading this episode of history. She also described men, irrespective of their religion, as "descendants of Khilji" who throw acid at women.

Bharti made it clear that she will not tolerate any absurd notion against women pride."I am today's Indian woman, few things are above politics. As a proud woman I have to take care of the pride of every Indian woman - past present or future..I stand firm. No non-sense with Indian woman's pride - past, present or future," she tweeted.

She suggested to form a committee, comprising historian, film maker and representatives of critique, to take a decision on objections on some content of the movie before its release.
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17:25   Undercover armed officers to patrol UK Christmas markets
Undercover armed police officers will be patrolling Christmas markets across the UK this year as part of the new stringent anti-terror measures following a number of attacks carried out by Islamic State in Britain and Europe.

Bag searches and airport-style security checks will also be in operation at ice rinks and other festive events that take place this time of the year across all major cities including London, Birmingham and Manchester, media report said today.

"We have taken into account some of the tragic events that have happened both nationally and internationally. We want (people) to feel reassured and not alarmed by the (police) presence. But we want them to remain alert," said Superintendent Andy Parsons of West Midlands Police.

Birmingham's winter market -- the biggest outside famous winter markets of Germany and Austria -- will have a protective "ring of steel" around it, while police "spotters" will mingle with revellers to identify possible terrorists.

-- PTI
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17:09   Cartoonist arrested after 'obscene portrayal' of Tamil Nadu CM
Chennai-based cartoonist G Balakrishnan alias Bala was arrested by the district crime branch of the Tirunelveli police on Sunday for obscene and inappropriate depiction of Tirunelveli district collector Sandeep Nanduri in a cartoon on the self-immolation of a family of four at the collectorate on October 23.

In the cartoon dated October 24, Bala depicted a child on fire while 'Nellai police commissioner,' 'Nellai collector' and 'CM' standing nearby with their eyes closed and without wearing anything, except for each of them holding a bundle of notes in front of their private parts.

Bala shared the cartoon on social media stating, "Aama... Intha Cartoon Aathirathin Uchathil Thaan Varanthien" (Yes... I drew this cartoon at the height of my anger).

The cartoon attracted more than 38,000 shares and was viewed by a few lakh people.

"I am not against criticism. But the cartoonist has got the facts wrong. He has depicted the honourable (Tamil Nadu) chief minister (Edappadi K Palaniswami) and two government officials (collector and police commissioner) in an obscene manner. The cartoon would make people assume that we were staying silent over the issue after accepting a bribe," Nanduri said.

The collector said he had come to know about the cartoon only a week ago and lodged a complaint with the DCB.
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16:48  
JUST IN: Women's Asia Cup Hockey 2017: India beat China 5-4 in sudden death to clinch title
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16:21  
JUST IN: Cartoonist Bala booked and arrested in Tamil Nadu for his caricature on chief minister and police commissioner
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16:17   Shell companies deposited Rs 17,000 cr after demonetisation
Around 2.24 lakh companies have been struck off till date for remaining inactive for two years or more, the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs said on Sunday in a release. Some of these companies are suspected to be shell companies.

The government struck off the companies on the basis of information provided by 56 banks of about 35,000 companies and 58,000 bank accounts. 

The preliminary inquiry initiated against these firms revealed that a sum of around Rs 17,000 crore was deposited and withdrawn after demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes last year in November.

The release said, one company was found to have 2,134 accounts and one firm, which had a negative opening balance, deposited and withdrew Rs 2,484 crore post demonetisation.
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15:51   UK mosques refuse to bury Manchester suicide bomber
Mosques in Britain refused to perform the last rites of Salman Abedi, the suicide bomber who blew himself up at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester earlier this year, killing 22 victims.

The remains of the 22-year-old were flown to Tripoli in Libya, the country of his origin, where the burial was conducted.

But he was still reportedly denied an Islamic burial ceremony.

"After Manchester mosques refused to bury the remains of terrorist Salman Abedi, British authorities allowed his family to move him to Libya, where he was buried in Tripoli," claims Noman Benotman, of anti-extremist think tank Quilliam.

Abedi grew up in Britain and is thought to have visited the North African country from where his parents had emigrated
regularly in the last six years.

Salman Abedi blew himself up at the end of the Grande concert in one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Britain.

The 22 victims included seven children and more than 500 people were injured, with 112 people needing hospital treatment after the attack and 64 suffering "very serious" injuries.

-- PTI
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15:24   Vijayan, Tharoor demand arrest of those issuing threats against Haasan
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the death threats to Kamal Haasan by a Hindu Mahasabha leader after the actor said that Hindu terrorists exists. The Kerala chief minister called for the arrest of those issuing "murder/assassination threats".

Pinarayi Vijayan, in a strongly-worded Facebook post, condemned "such criminal attempts against Kamal Haasan's freedom of speech by threatening to murder him by Hindu Mahasabha leader(s)".

The Kerala CM said, "Such religious fanatics and radical minds issuing murder/assassination threats should be immediately arrested by the concerned authorities and stringent legal action is needed against these persons who threatened to kill Kamal Haasan."

Recounting the recent murders of rationalists, Vijayan said, "The entire nation knows WHAT happened to Mahatma Gandhi, Pansare, Dhabolkar, Kalburgi, Gauri Lankesh and WHY? Any move to further add names to that series by such draconian forces has to be opposed and terminated immediately". 

The Kerala chief minister condemned those "resorting to terrorism to accomplish their communal agenda to spread unrest in society and destabilise the country".

Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, joined CM Pinarayi Vijayan in demanding arrest of those "inciting violence against Kamal Haasan".
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14:54   Former Bihar CM Manjhi disapproves of reservation to Patidars
Hindustani Awam Morcha president Jitan Ram Manjhi today opposed the demand for reservation for the Patidars in Gujarat and claimed that the community enjoyed the status of "zamindars" in the western state.
   
The demand is totally unjust, Manjhi said.

"Generally, everywhere SCs, STs and OBCs comprise about 80 per cent of the total population. The quota fixed for them is capped at 50 per cent. The Patidars comprise a small part of the remaining upper castes. They are very influential and enjoy the status of zamindars", he said.

"In such a scenario, carving out a quota for the community within the quotas meant for SCs, STs and OBCs will be totally unjust", Manjhi, who belongs to the Mahadalit community, said.

-- PTI
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14:37   Poachers kill rhino, calf in Kaziranga; 3 rhinos dead in 48 hours
Assams Kaziranga National Park -- a World Heritage Site -- on Saturday night lost a rhino and her calf after poachers used an AK-series weapon to gun down the animals. This was the second incident of poaching in about 48 hours, leading to three rhino deaths in the Park.

A park official said the rhino and her calf were killed around 11:30 pm on Saturday in an area under the jurisdiction of the Tunikati anti-poaching camp of the Burrapahar range of the National Park. But, even as guards on duty reached the spot, the poachers had already chopped off the adult rhinos horn and disappeared.
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14:22  
JUST IN: 15 labourers injured in explosion in oil mill in Haryana's Hisar district
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14:11   BJP mustn't be "one-man show", two-man army": Shatrughan Sinha
Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha today said the BJP would be able to live up to the expectations of people only if it ceased to be "a one-man show and a two-man army".

Sinha said the youth, farmers and the traders were dissatisfied with present policies of the saffron party.

"I feel we face a great challenge in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh in view of the dissatisfaction among the youth, farmers and traders. We must see the writing on the wall and avoid taking our opponents lightly", Sinha said.

Sinha, who is also a Lok Sabha MP, rubbished speculations that he was looking for an alternative to the BJP.

"I had not joined the BJP to leave it. But I would not mince words when I say that we cannot meet our challenges if we continue to be a one-man show and a two-man army," he said in a clear indication to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah's hold on the party.

The former Union minister said the party should stay united and fight boldly with the blessings of veteran leaders who have made enormous contributions to its growth.

-- PTI
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13:55   No magic wand, but serious effort for peace: Dineshwar Sharma
Centre's special representative for Kashmir Dineshwar Sharma says he does not have a magic wand, but wants to be judged by his actions when he starts the process of talks in the Valley tomorrow.

"I do not have a magic wand but my efforts have to be judged with sincerity and not through the prism of the past," Sharma, 61, said.

The former Intelligence Bureau director added that no one should jump to conclusions before the process of talks with various stakeholders in Kashmir began.

"I would like to be judged by my actions," he said. 

Describing his work as a "serious effort", he added that "one should refrain from fishing in the desert".

"I am going there tomorrow to be with my people and understand their pain and suffering and find a suitable remedy to their problems," Sharma said.

-- PTI

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13:28   ATS arrests Islamic State suspect at Mumbai airport
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad on Sunday nabbed an ISIS suspect from Mumbais International Airport.

Identified as Abu Zaid, the suspect is believed to have run an ISIS network involving several youths from Western Uttar Pradesh while staying in Dubai.

He was found to be in touch with terror suspects who earlier arrested by police in Bijnore and western UP as well.

The police had been tracking his movement and arrested him as soon as he landed in Mumbai.

Five IS suspects were last week arrested from Kannur in Kerala. The men, all in their twenties, were going to Syria to join the terror group.

The two suspected IS operatives Stimberwala and Ubed Ahmed Mirza were arrested by the Gujarat ATS as well

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12:47   The sun finally comes out in Chennai!
Sun shone bright in this city and neighbouring districts this morning, bringing respite to citizens facing the monsoon fury for the past few days.

However, problems of water stagnation continued in some parts of the city and its suburbs such as Pallikaranai.
    
Sun came out in Chennai and neighbouring districts, raising hopes of stagnant water receding.

Special rescue and relief teams have been formed even as dams and reservoirs were being monitored to prevent anti-social elements from creating problems, the government had said in a statement.

-- PTI
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12:32   Council to consider slashing GST on common use goods
The all-powerful GST Council may consider lowering tax rates on a host of goods such as handmade furniture, plastic products and daily use items
like shampoo, and simplify return filing rules in its meeting this week.

The Council, headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, is scheduled to meet on November 10 to consider lowering of the 28 per cent GST rate on certain common use items, government officials said.

In further relief to small and medium enterprises, the panel is likely to rationalise tax rate in sectors where the total incidence of taxation has gone up because the goods were earlier either exempt from excise or was attracted lower VAT rates in the previous indirect tax regime.

The Council has been meeting every month since the Goods and Services Tax regime, which amalgamated over a dozen central and state taxes, was introduced on July 1. The meetings have resulted in an array of changes to ease compliance burden on businesses as well as provided relief to consumers.

-- PTI
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12:24   Gujarat Cong leaders to meet Kapil Sibal to finalise stand on Patel quota
Gujarat Congress leaders are expected to meet party MP and former Law Minister Kapil Sibal in Delhi this evening as party attempts to finalise its position on Patel quota demand ahead of state assembly elections. 

Campaign committee chairman Siddharth Patel along with Babu Mangukia are scheduled to discuss with Sibal to see how best reservations demands of the Patidar community can be met within the current constitutional framework.

Patel is the sitting Congress MLA from Dabhi and son of former state chief minister Chimanbhai Patel.

The meeting comes a day after Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti on Saturday issued a statement claiming Congress in the few days is likely to make its stand clear on providing reservations to Patels in government jobs and educational institutions.
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12:22   UPDATE: Storm is raging against Cong's corrupt regime: Modi in Himachal
With just four days left before Himachal Pradesh goes to polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing a series of rallies in the state today. 

He begins his punishing schedule in Una. At the rally, the PM addressing the crowds said, "In the last 20 years, there has not been a single election where I have not been involved. But this is an unprecedented elction. I know where the wind is blowing.A storm is raging here against corrupt Congress."

The PM slamming the Congress says, "This is the first time that we need to say that the election has been fought and won by the people of Himachal Pradesh. People here are ready to teach Congress a lesson."
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11:29   Hyderabad's biryani, Tirupati laddoo & idli-dosa get India Post stamp
The aroma of Hyderabad's trademark cuisine biryani, baghare baingan and seviyan -- may 'waft' through the air the next time you receive a mail from the India Post. 

These three signature dishes of Hyderabad have made their way into India postage, with the Department of Post issuing stamps with photos of these dishes.

These stamps are part of the postage on 24 different Indian dishes, including the famous Tirupati laddu. Andhra dishes idlidosa and pongal - have also been honoured with exclusive stamps.
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11:07   UPDATE: Army foils infiltration bid, two terrorists killed
Two terrorists were today killed as the Army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Uri sector of north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

The operation is still in progress.

"An infiltration bid was foiled in Uri sector and two terrorists have been killed," an Army official said in Srinagar.

Further details are awaited.  

-- PTI

Image for representation only.
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11:01   What is there for India in Trumps Asian tour
Indian analysts are ecstatic that US President Donald J Trump's 11-day Asian tour is primarily about assembling a regional security architecture on the platform of a Quadrilateral Alliance ('Quad') comprising the US, Japan, India and Australia with a view to contain China. 
Some even predict that the 'Quad' would get impregnated pretty soon with two of the US' NATO allies, the UK and France also gravitating toward it'
Read Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar's comments here.
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10:14   Days after attack on Swiss couple, German national thrashed in UP
A German national was beaten up by a group of people at the Robertsganj Railway Station in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday.

The police arrested one railway staff in this connection.

Robertsganj police reached the site of incident on the complaint of the Station Master and arrested railway staff Aman Yadav.

The accused, who says he is a railway engineer, has alleged that the German national first blew a fist at his mouth when the former greeted him, which led to a fight.

"I am innocent. The German national punched me when I said 'welcome to India' to him. He even abused me and spat on me," Yadav said.

According to Robertsganj Police, the accused began to question the German tourist about his whereabouts, but the tourist refused when he smelled alcohol in his breath.

The arrested accused has been handed over to the Government Railway Police, as the area of incident comes under its jurisdiction.

As per the Police, the German tourist, Holger Eric is a resident of Berlin who had come to visit Agori Fort when the incident took place.  --

IMAGE: Eric at a police station in Sonbhadra after the incident. Photograph: ANI
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09:29   Saudi princes, ministers detained in corruption probe
A new Saudi anti-corruption committee has detained 11 princes, four sitting ministers and dozens of former ministers.

The committee is headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

According to Dubai-based Saudi broadcaster Al-Arabiya, the committee has announced fresh investigations into the 2009 Jeddah floods and the outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus, which emerged in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

The committee has been given the authority to investigate, arrest, ban from travel, disclose and freeze accounts and portfolios, track funds and assets of individuals involved in corruption, said the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

SPA also reported that Saudi Economy and Planning Minister Adel bin Mohammed Faqih and National Guard Minister Prince Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz were sacked.

The government said the anti-corruption committee has the right to issue arrest warrants, impose travel restrictions and freeze bank accounts. It can also trace funds, prevent the transfer of funds or the liquidation of assets and take other precautionary measures until cases are referred to the judiciary.  -- ANI

IMAGE: Saudi King Salman, left, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Photograph: Saudi Press Agency/Reuters

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08:40   Trump arrives in Japan
United States President Donald J Trump arrived in Tokyo on the first stop of his first tour of Asia. 
After he addresses American soldiers at the Yokota air base, Trump will play golf and have lunch with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, seen here at a meeting earlier this year at the White House.
No prizes for guessing that North Korea will dominate the discussions.

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