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Tue, 12 June 2018
10 killed in lightning strike incidents in West Bengal
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23:10 10 killed in lightning strike incidents in West Bengal
At least 10 people were killed and several others injured in incidents of lightning strike in West Bengal with heavy monsoon rains triggering floods in Mizoram, even as heat wave conditions prevailed in north India.
The Meteorological (MeT) department has forecast light to moderate rains in some parts of northern India.
In West Bengal, four persons were killed in lightning strikes in Bankura district, three in Hooghly district, while one death each was reported from West Midnapore, Birbhum and North 24 Parganas districts, officials said.
Heavy monsoon rains triggered flood in Lunglei and Aizawl district of Mizoram.
Over 1,000 people were evacuated to safer places in the two districts due to the flood.
State School Education department declared holidays for today and tomorrow for all schools due to heavy downpour, officials said.
Scattered rains occurred at isolated places in the mid and higher hills of Himachal Pradesh.
The MeT has forecast rains or thundershowers at isolated places in the mid hills over the next six days, rains or thundershowers in the lower hills and rains or snow in the higher hills from June 15.
Heat wave conditions continued unabated in most parts of Punjab and Haryana, with Amritsar and Patiala sizzling at 42.8C, making these as the hottest places in the region.
The MeT has forecast light to moderate rains at isolated places in the region after two days.
In the national capital, hot and humid conditions continued to prevail with the mercury settling at 41.7C, even as the weatherman forecast dusty winds towards the night.
Heat wave conditions have abated in parts of Rajasthan where pre-monsoon showers brought down day temperatures by a few degrees.
The highest temperature was recorded at 43.8C in Jaisalmer followed by Sriganganagar, which registered a maximum of 43C.
The weather is likely to remain dry in Uttar Pradesh, with Kanpur registering as the hottest place in the state at 44.8C.
The MeT forecast rains or thunderstorm are very likely at isolated places over the eastern parts of UP on June 14.
In Jammu, the weatherman has forecast dry weather for the next three days, indicating rise in the temperatures across the region.
The city recorded a high of 39.6C.
Squally winds very likely along and off Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal coasts. Sea condition is likely to remain rough to very rough over these areas.
Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said. -- PTI
22:20 UP Guv seeks action against Akhilesh over damage to official bungalow
Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik today asked the state government to take action over the reported damage to the bungalow vacated by former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, calling it a serious matter involving the taxpayer's money.
In a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Governor said reports about the damage at 4, Vikramaditya Marg, were doing the rounds in the media and among the common people.
He said this was a 'serious matter'.
'The residences allocated to the former chief ministers belong to the Estates department and their maintenance is done through the taxpayers' money,' he wrote.
'The state government needs to take proper action as per the rules into the damages caused to the state's property,' Naik said.
The bungalow was vacated by the Samajwadi Party leader in compliance with a Supreme Court order that former chief ministers were not entitled to any government accommodation in Lucknow.
Video clips and photos had shown damage to a cycle track, on walls after air-conditioners seemed to have been removed and to the floor of what appeared to be a badminton court at the vacated bungalow.
Yadav had then said it was an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party to defame him.
The Governor also called the Estates department officials and was told that videography had been done at the houses vacated by the former chief ministers.
After the video clips surfaced, estates department official Yogesh Kumar Shukla had said officials will check the inventory of fittings provided at the bungalow.
The department will serve a notice if there was any damage done 'intentionally' or if there was anything missing, he had said.
The Samajwadi Party had termed the video clips as an attempt to tarnish Yadav's image, saying his popularity was continuously growing after the defeat of the BJP in recent bypolls.
It asked why the bungalows vacated by other former chief ministers were not shown.
As the two parties sparred, the BJP had said the damage at the bungalow reflected Yadav's 'frustration'.
Following the SC order, the UP estates department had issued notices to six former chief ministers -- Narayan Dutt Tiwari, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Kalyan Singh, Mayawati, Rajnath Singh and Akhilesh Yadav.
Barring Congress veteran N D Tiwari, who is ailing in Delhi, all of them have now handed over their official bungalows. -- PTI
21:08 India welcomes Trump-Kim summit, with a veiled reference to Pak
India today welcomed the historic summit between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a 'positive development' and hoped that any resolution on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula will address its concerns over Pyongyang's nuclear proliferation linkages.
Soon after Trump and Kim signed a 'comprehensive' document promising to end seven decades of hostilities between the two countries, the External Affairs Ministry said India supports all efforts to bring about peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy.
'We also hope that the resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue will take into account and address our concerns about proliferation linkages extending to India's neighbourhood,' it said in a statement, in an apparent reference to North Korea's alleged nuclear proliferation linkages with Pakistan.
India has been pressing for a probe into Kim regime's proliferation linkages so that those responsible for it be held accountable.
Following their summit in Singapore, Trump and Kim pledged to denuclearise the Korean peninsula and work for finding a peaceful resolution to seven decades of hostilities between the two countries.
'India welcomes the US - DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Summit held in Singapore. This is a positive development. India has always supported all efforts to bring about peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy,' the External Affairs Ministry said.
According to some media reports, Pakistan had secretly supplied North Korea with nuclear enrichment technology when A Q Khan headed the country's nuclear programme.
They said Pakistan supplied vital machinery, drawings and technical advice to North Korea, allowing Pyongyang to enrich uranium as early as 2002.
In April, Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in had held a historic summit to bring lasting peace in the Korean Peninsula. -- PTI
19:47 Actor Armaan Kohli arrested in assault case
Actor Armaan Kohli arrested by Mumbai Police.
He is accused of assaulting his girlfriend Neeru Randhawa.
More details awaited. -- ANI
19:31 Fourth book of Pranab's political memoir series to talk of his Rashtrapati Bhavan days
Former president Pranab Mukherjee will come out with the fourth book of his political memoir series in December which will focus on his days at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and deal with topics like imposition of President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh, demonetisation, surgical strikes and his relationship with the National Democratic Alliance government.
The Presidential Years will chronicle the journey of India's former head of state in exhaustive detail, publishers Rupa said today.
"This unique autobiographical account promises to give readers a bird's eye view of the functioning of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the inside story of the issues that made headlines," it said.
Other issues discussed in the book include Mukerjee's relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the functioning of the legislature, executive and the judiciary.
"I am delighted to be working with former president Pranab Mukherjee again. We are proud to publish the work of such an inspirational statesman and are eager to embark on this next phase in his extraordinary career," said Kapish Mehra, Managing Director of Rupa Publications India.
The Presidential Years is the fourth book in the series of Mukherjee's political memoir, the other three being The Dramatic Decade, The Turbulent Years and The Coalition Years.
The Presidential Years is slated for released in December to coincide with Mukherjee's birthday on December 11. -- PTI
Photograph: Courtesy @Rupa_Books
19:13 Another suspect arrested in Gauri Lankesh murder
Another suspect has been arrested in connection with the killing of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, police said today but denied speculation about him being the assassin.
The Special Investigating Team of Karnataka police probing Lankesh's killing said it has arrested 26-year-old Parashuram Waghmare from Sindhagi in Vijaypura district of the state.
Waghmare was produced before the 3rd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's court in Bengaluru which remanded him in SIT custody for 14 days for further interrogation, an official release said.
Inspector General of Police B K Singh, who heads the SIT, told PTI that nothing has emerged during the probe so far to suggest that Waghmare had shot Lankesh.
"No. That thing has not come in our investigation," he said amid speculation in the media that Waghmare could be the assassin.
Waghmare's is the 6th arrest in connection with the killing of Lankesh, whowas shot dead in front of her house in Bengaluru on September 5 last year. Lankesh was known for her strong views against hardline Hindutva.
"His role in the conspiracy and other details will be revealed later as it would affect the investigation at this stage," the SIT release said.
Waghmare was said to have links to right wing groups.
The SIT had earlier arrested five people -- K T Naveen Kumar alias Hotte Manja, Amol Kale, Manohar Edve, Sujeeth Kumar alias Praveen and Amit Degvekar.
Naveen Kumar is from Maddur in Mandya district of Karnataka, while Kale and Degvekar are from Maharashtra. Edve and Sujeeth Kumar are also from Karnataka.
Naveen Kumar, who had founded the Hindu Yuva Sena, was the first to be caught in Bengaluru while attempting to sell ammunition.
The other four were arrested for planning to kill Kannada writer K S Bhagawan, also known for his anti-Hindutva stand. It was while probing this case that the police suspected their role in Lankesh's assassination. -- PTI
18:10 Went to meet Vajpayeeji as it is the culture of Congress: Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressing a rally at Goregaon, Mumbai. Excerpts...
"As Mumbai takes in all sections of people and works together so does the Congress Party take in all sections of society and work towards building an inclusive India.
"They (BJP) have recently lost in Karnataka and have barely saved themselves in Gujarat, they will be wiped out in Rajasthan, MP & Chhatisgarh & Congress and other opposition parties will defeat them in the General Elections of 2019. A senior politician told me that he has been fighting against the Congress for the past 50 years and it is after 50 years that he realised that if there is any party which can keep the country safe it is the Congress. Only Congress can defeat the ideology of BJP & RSS.
"LK Advani has been the guru of PM Modi, but I have seen in events that PM Modi does not even respect his guru. Today I feel very sad for Advaniji. The Congress party has given him more respect than Modiji.
"We had contested against Vajpayeeji but when he is ill now I went to meet him on priority because I am a soldier of Congress. Vajpayeeji had worked for our country and we respect him as he was the Prime Minister. This is our culture."
Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh arrives at All India Institute of Medical Sciences to visit former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
"As Mumbai takes in all sections of people and works together so does the Congress Party take in all sections of society and work towards building an inclusive India.
"They (BJP) have recently lost in Karnataka and have barely saved themselves in Gujarat, they will be wiped out in Rajasthan, MP & Chhatisgarh & Congress and other opposition parties will defeat them in the General Elections of 2019. A senior politician told me that he has been fighting against the Congress for the past 50 years and it is after 50 years that he realised that if there is any party which can keep the country safe it is the Congress. Only Congress can defeat the ideology of BJP & RSS.
"LK Advani has been the guru of PM Modi, but I have seen in events that PM Modi does not even respect his guru. Today I feel very sad for Advaniji. The Congress party has given him more respect than Modiji.
"We had contested against Vajpayeeji but when he is ill now I went to meet him on priority because I am a soldier of Congress. Vajpayeeji had worked for our country and we respect him as he was the Prime Minister. This is our culture."
Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh arrives at All India Institute of Medical Sciences to visit former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
18:02 Condition of Kafeel Khan's brother deteriorates
Dr Kafeel Khan's brother, Kashif Jameel who was shot at on Saturday is being shifted to Lucknow after his condition deteriorated.
Dr Kafeel Khan is an accused in the BRD Medical College case involving the death of 63 children. His brother was shot at allegedly by some unidentified bike-borne miscreants on Sunday night.
Dr Kafeel Khan is an accused in the BRD Medical College case involving the death of 63 children. His brother was shot at allegedly by some unidentified bike-borne miscreants on Sunday night.
17:57 This is a positive development: India on Trump-Kim summit
India on Tuesday welcomed the historic summit that took place between United States President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong un in Singapore.
"This is a positive development. India has always supported all efforts to bring about peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy. We hope that the outcomes of the US-DPRK Summit will be implemented, thus paving the way for lasting peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula," a statement issued by the ministry of external affairs read.
The MEA statement added, "We also hope that the resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue will take into account and address our concerns about proliferation linkages extending to India's neighbourhood."
The meeting came after months of deliberations between two countries over the time and venue of the summit.
Both the leaders signed a joint agreement, according to which Kim committed for 'complete denuclearisation of Korean Peninsula', as per media reports.
Prior to the signing of the comprehensive document, both the leaders had a working lunch and walked around Capella, where they held a bilateral meeting in the morning. -- ANI
16:44 DJ Avicii laid to rest in private ceremony in Stockholm
DJ-producer Avicii was laid to rest in a private ceremony in Stockholm.
The funeral took place on June 9 and the musician's friend, nightclub owner Jesse Waits, shared a series of pictures on Instagram.
In one of the photos, Waits posted the programme sheet from the service which listed Avicii's birth name, Tim Bergling, as well as the years of his life.
It featured the words 'Tim Bergling 1989-2018' and was covered in musical notes.
He followed it up with a number of memorable moments he shared with the "Wake Me Up" hitmaker.
Last month, Avicii's family announced that the late DJ's funeral will be a private affair.
The recording artiste, 28, was found dead in his hotel room in Oman, Muscat on April 20. -- PTI
Image: Waits posted the programme sheet from the service which listed Avicii's birth name, Tim Bergling, as well as the years of his life. Photograph: Jesse Waits/Instagram
15:47 Trump explains this G7 viral image
A photograph of United States President Donald Trump and Germanys chancellor Angela Merkel displaying less-than-friendly body language has become the defining image of the G7 summit. The photo shows Merkel standing with her hands firmly planted on a table staring down at the US President. Trump looks back defiant, arms folded and eyes glaring.
This was Trump's take on the picture at the press conference at Sentosa.
The G7 was 'very friendly', Trump insisted and said he had very good meeting over the weekend. "I'll be honest we are being taken advantage of by virtually every one of those countries."
He admits that he "didn't look friendly' in a photograph of him looking at Angela Merkel at the summit. But he insists it was friendly. The leaders were waiting for the text of the communique at the time, he says. "Actually we were just talking, the whole group, about something, unrelated to anything.'I have a good relationship with Justin. I have a good relationship with Merkel, but Germany is paying 1% of the GDP towards Nato, he says.
This was Trump's take on the picture at the press conference at Sentosa.
The G7 was 'very friendly', Trump insisted and said he had very good meeting over the weekend. "I'll be honest we are being taken advantage of by virtually every one of those countries."
He admits that he "didn't look friendly' in a photograph of him looking at Angela Merkel at the summit. But he insists it was friendly. The leaders were waiting for the text of the communique at the time, he says. "Actually we were just talking, the whole group, about something, unrelated to anything.'I have a good relationship with Justin. I have a good relationship with Merkel, but Germany is paying 1% of the GDP towards Nato, he says.
15:17 Spiritual guru Bhayyu Maharaj commits suicide
Spiritual guru Bhayyu Maharaj allegedly committed suicide today by shooting himself, according to police and hospital authorities. Bhayyu Maharaj, whose original name is Uday Singh Deshmukh, shot himself in Indore, Deputy Inspector General Indore H C Mishra said. He was rushed to Bombay Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, its General Manager Rahul Parashar said.
He was very popular in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh because of his spiritual and social works. A large number of his supporters gathered in front of the hospital.
His ashram is situated in Indore city and top political leaders including Devendra Fadnavis, legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar among others are his disciples. He also played the role of a mediator when India Against Corruption movement led by Anna Hazare was at its peak. -- PTI
He was very popular in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh because of his spiritual and social works. A large number of his supporters gathered in front of the hospital.
His ashram is situated in Indore city and top political leaders including Devendra Fadnavis, legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar among others are his disciples. He also played the role of a mediator when India Against Corruption movement led by Anna Hazare was at its peak. -- PTI
15:02 N Korea's nuclear arsenal very substantial: Trump
President Trump has addressed the press conference for nearly an hour taking questions from all sections of the international media.
Asked about the size of the North Korean nuclear arsenal, Trump says it is "very substantial'.
"We have pretty good intelligence ... to know it is pretty substantial," he says. But he insists North Korea could denuclearise very quickly.
Trump says the summit has achieved more than he hoped. He says he only brought up the issue of the remains of prisoners of war at the very end of the meeting. It was "great' that Kim agreed to handing over the remains. He adds, "We're probably going to need another summit."
Asked about the size of the North Korean nuclear arsenal, Trump says it is "very substantial'.
"We have pretty good intelligence ... to know it is pretty substantial," he says. But he insists North Korea could denuclearise very quickly.
Trump says the summit has achieved more than he hoped. He says he only brought up the issue of the remains of prisoners of war at the very end of the meeting. It was "great' that Kim agreed to handing over the remains. He adds, "We're probably going to need another summit."
14:51
Spiritual leader Bhayyuji Maharaj allegedly shoots himself, admitted to Bombay hospital in Indore. The hospital has now confirmed that he is dead.
14:09 Sanctions remain until nukes are destroyed: Trump's presser
US President Donald is holding a press conference in the aftermath of the signing of a comprehensive document between the US and North Korea this morning in the resort of island resort of Sentosa in Singapore.
Trump said it's been a "tremendous" 24 hours, stepping to the podium to speak with reporters at the press conference.
The president said it's his "honor" to address the people of the world after the summit. Trump said his meeting with Kim was honest, direct and productive.
The president said US sanctions on Korea would remain for now.
Trump said Kim told him North Korea is destroying a nuclear site and is already destroying a "major" missile testing site. The president claimed that agreement came after the two signed the document and is not in the document.
"The past does not have to define the future," Trump said, suggesting that the two nations need not be enemies.
Trump claimed that, this time, it won't be like past administrations' attempts to deal with North Korea.
Human rights violations were discussed with Kim Jong-un, says Trump. The remains of the thousands of prisoners of war who died in the Korean war of 1950 will be repatriated. "He is very smart. A very good negotiator," says Trump.
"Will travel to Pyongyang and will invite Kim Jong-un to the White House at the appropriate time," Trump said.
The US president said 32,000 US soldiers were in South Korea and it was time to bring them home. "Will be stopping the war games which will save the US a tremendous amount of money," he said.
Trump said it's been a "tremendous" 24 hours, stepping to the podium to speak with reporters at the press conference.
The president said it's his "honor" to address the people of the world after the summit. Trump said his meeting with Kim was honest, direct and productive.
The president said US sanctions on Korea would remain for now.
Trump said Kim told him North Korea is destroying a nuclear site and is already destroying a "major" missile testing site. The president claimed that agreement came after the two signed the document and is not in the document.
"The past does not have to define the future," Trump said, suggesting that the two nations need not be enemies.
Trump claimed that, this time, it won't be like past administrations' attempts to deal with North Korea.
Human rights violations were discussed with Kim Jong-un, says Trump. The remains of the thousands of prisoners of war who died in the Korean war of 1950 will be repatriated. "He is very smart. A very good negotiator," says Trump.
"Will travel to Pyongyang and will invite Kim Jong-un to the White House at the appropriate time," Trump said.
The US president said 32,000 US soldiers were in South Korea and it was time to bring them home. "Will be stopping the war games which will save the US a tremendous amount of money," he said.
13:46 RBI Governor appears before parliamentary panel
Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel has appeared before the parliamentary panel on finance in New Delhi on Tuesday. Led by Congress Party leader Veerappa Moily, the panel has summoned Patel to discuss various issues including the amount of cash returned post demonetisation.
As per sources, the RBI Governor was to appear before the Committee on May 17 in the wake of recent banking scams and the issue of non-performing assets.
Sources further claimed that the decision to summon Patel was taken during a Committee meeting held in April, which was attended by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Moily, among others.
A number of banking scams have surfaced in the recent past involving state and private lenders such as Punjab National Bank, ICICI Bank, and so on.
-- ANI
As per sources, the RBI Governor was to appear before the Committee on May 17 in the wake of recent banking scams and the issue of non-performing assets.
Sources further claimed that the decision to summon Patel was taken during a Committee meeting held in April, which was attended by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Moily, among others.
A number of banking scams have surfaced in the recent past involving state and private lenders such as Punjab National Bank, ICICI Bank, and so on.
-- ANI
13:11 IED found in J-K
An IED was detected by CRPF personnel at Bahoo Tral on Awantipora Road in Jammu and Kashmir. More details awaited.
General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, Lieutenant General A K Bhatt said today there are no indications of an increase in militant recruitment during the unilateral ceasefire by the Centre in Kashmir, but Pakistan is still trying to push ultras from across the LoC into the valley.
He also noted that people of Kashmir have responded well to the Centre's announcement of non-initiation of combat operations during Ramzan and some peace has been achieved in the valley.
Asked about any increase in militant recruitment since the unilateral ceasefire was announced by the Centre at the beginning of the holy month of Ramzan, the Corps commander told PTI "There are no indications as such at the moment and we hope it will come down".
General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, Lieutenant General A K Bhatt said today there are no indications of an increase in militant recruitment during the unilateral ceasefire by the Centre in Kashmir, but Pakistan is still trying to push ultras from across the LoC into the valley.
He also noted that people of Kashmir have responded well to the Centre's announcement of non-initiation of combat operations during Ramzan and some peace has been achieved in the valley.
Asked about any increase in militant recruitment since the unilateral ceasefire was announced by the Centre at the beginning of the holy month of Ramzan, the Corps commander told PTI "There are no indications as such at the moment and we hope it will come down".
12:55 Gandhi slams Modi; dares BJP, RSS to slap cases against him
Congress president Rahul Gandhi today slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not talking about employment for youth and farmers and said that his fight was against the government's policies. Gandhi, who appeared before a court in Bhiwandi town in connection with a defamation case filed against him by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh worker. also dared the BJP and the RSS to slap as many cases on him as they wanted to.
"Our fight is against the policies of the prime minister. Farmers are frustrated and the prime minister does not talk about employment for youth. This government is only for the rich," Gandhi told reporters outside the Bhiwandi court.
He took a swipe at Modi's radio programme 'Mann ki Baat' and said the prime minister does not speak about 'kaam ki baat' like providing employment to youth or safeguarding farmers.
"Let them (the BJP and the RSS) slap as many cases as they want against me. Ours is a fight of ideology. We will fight them and win," Gandhi said.
Image: Rahul Gandhi at the Bhiwandi court. Pic: ANI
"Our fight is against the policies of the prime minister. Farmers are frustrated and the prime minister does not talk about employment for youth. This government is only for the rich," Gandhi told reporters outside the Bhiwandi court.
He took a swipe at Modi's radio programme 'Mann ki Baat' and said the prime minister does not speak about 'kaam ki baat' like providing employment to youth or safeguarding farmers.
"Let them (the BJP and the RSS) slap as many cases as they want against me. Ours is a fight of ideology. We will fight them and win," Gandhi said.
Image: Rahul Gandhi at the Bhiwandi court. Pic: ANI
12:26
Kim turns his back on the past with the promise of peace in south-east Asia and the world. The picture was tweeted by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
12:24 Kim commits to 'complete denuclearisation'
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un commits to 'complete denuclearisation of Korean Peninsula' in joint text, reports ANI quoting the AFP. Details awaited.
The document that the two leaders signed lists four provisions, including reaffirming North Korea's "commitment to working toward complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula."
The White House has yet to officially release the document.
The document that the two leaders signed lists four provisions, including reaffirming North Korea's "commitment to working toward complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula."
The White House has yet to officially release the document.
11:56
Asked if North Korea had agreed to denuclearize, Trump said they would be starting that process quickly.
Kim said they had a historic meeting and decided to leave the past behind and that the world will see a major change.
Kim said they had a historic meeting and decided to leave the past behind and that the world will see a major change.
11:51 Relationship with Korean peninsula will be different: Kim
After US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sign the 'comprehensive ' document, Kim says the world will see a major change. "We have decided to let go the past and now the world will see a major change," Kim says. "The relationship with the Korean peninsula will be different," the US president added. Trump, who pumped Kim's hand several times and gave him a pat on the back, said he would "absolutely" invite Kim to the White House. "We'll meet again and we'll meet many times," the US President said.
11:36 Trump, Kim sign 'comprehensive' document
President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed an unspecified document that Trump described as "important" and "comprehensive," to conclude their meetings in Singapore, CBS News reports.
Trump said he "absolutely" will invite Kim to the White House. Trump said he thinks the summit went "better than anybody could have expected."
"We are very proud of what took place today. Our relationship with North Korea and the Korean peninsula has changed today. We've spent a lot of time together, a very intensive time. The letter we are signing is very comprehensive," Trump said.
But it's unclear yet exactly what that means. A press conference is scheduled for 2:30 pm local time, noon IST, where more details will come forward.
Trump said he thinks he and Kim will have a "terrific relationship," and Kim, through a translator, said North Korea had to overcome a number of "obstacles" to get to this moment.
Kim Jong-un is believed to have already left Sentosa Island for Changi airport, heading directly home to Pyongyang. President Trump will be holding the press conference at noon.
Trump said he "absolutely" will invite Kim to the White House. Trump said he thinks the summit went "better than anybody could have expected."
"We are very proud of what took place today. Our relationship with North Korea and the Korean peninsula has changed today. We've spent a lot of time together, a very intensive time. The letter we are signing is very comprehensive," Trump said.
But it's unclear yet exactly what that means. A press conference is scheduled for 2:30 pm local time, noon IST, where more details will come forward.
Trump said he thinks he and Kim will have a "terrific relationship," and Kim, through a translator, said North Korea had to overcome a number of "obstacles" to get to this moment.
Kim Jong-un is believed to have already left Sentosa Island for Changi airport, heading directly home to Pyongyang. President Trump will be holding the press conference at noon.
11:07
And the memes begin...
10:58 Trump-Kim lunch ends, 'signing' expected at summit
US President Donald Trump expects 'signing' with Kim Jong Un after reports ANI, quoting Reuters.
Trump and Kim emerged from their lunch looking positive as they took a walk through the garden of the Capella Hotel in the island Sentosa. Trump said the pair will be going for a "signing", reports the Sydney Morning Herald. What they are going to sign, is as yet not announced.
The US president however said that he had a "really fantastic meeting. A lot of progress. Really very positive. I think better than anybody could have expected... Top of the line. Really good."
Image: US President Donald Trump and North Korea Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un take a walk at the garden of the Capella Hotel. Pic: ANI
Trump and Kim emerged from their lunch looking positive as they took a walk through the garden of the Capella Hotel in the island Sentosa. Trump said the pair will be going for a "signing", reports the Sydney Morning Herald. What they are going to sign, is as yet not announced.
The US president however said that he had a "really fantastic meeting. A lot of progress. Really very positive. I think better than anybody could have expected... Top of the line. Really good."
Image: US President Donald Trump and North Korea Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un take a walk at the garden of the Capella Hotel. Pic: ANI
10:47 In a 1st, Delhi CM spends night at LG's office
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues spent the night at the Lt Governor's office after their demands including a direction to IAS officers to end their "strike" and action against officers who have struck work for "four months", were not met.
Kejriwal along with his deputy Manish Sisodia and two other ministers - Gopal Rai and Satyendar Jain -- met Lt Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal at 5.30 pm yesterday and since then stayed put at the L-G office.
Last night, the chief minister, who is a diabetic, had to take insulin during the sit-in and got "specific food" from his home, sources said.
It is the first time in the history of Delhi that the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues spent the night at the L-G office to press for their demands.
Kejriwal tweeted at 6.27 am from the L-G office, saying "My dear Delhiites, good morning. Struggle continues".
A number of AAP MLAs, party's leaders and workers have also camped near the L-G office, and the police have barricaded the area.
The L-G office slammed Kejriwal's sit-in, saying it is another protest in the sequence of "dharna without reason". A statement, issued by Baijal's office last evening, stated that the L-G was "threatened" to summon officers and issue directions to them to end their "strike" immediately.
In the morning, a letter, signed by Kejriwal, Sisodia, Rai and Jain, was sent to Baijal, asking him to take all necessary steps to end the "strike" by IAS officers including issuing written orders that all those officers who do not return to work will be proceeded against and "if necessary, ESMA may be invoked".
According to the government, IAS officers have been on strike since the alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash and are boycotting meetings with AAP ministers due to which public works are getting affected. -- PTI
Kejriwal along with his deputy Manish Sisodia and two other ministers - Gopal Rai and Satyendar Jain -- met Lt Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal at 5.30 pm yesterday and since then stayed put at the L-G office.
Last night, the chief minister, who is a diabetic, had to take insulin during the sit-in and got "specific food" from his home, sources said.
It is the first time in the history of Delhi that the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues spent the night at the L-G office to press for their demands.
Kejriwal tweeted at 6.27 am from the L-G office, saying "My dear Delhiites, good morning. Struggle continues".
A number of AAP MLAs, party's leaders and workers have also camped near the L-G office, and the police have barricaded the area.
The L-G office slammed Kejriwal's sit-in, saying it is another protest in the sequence of "dharna without reason". A statement, issued by Baijal's office last evening, stated that the L-G was "threatened" to summon officers and issue directions to them to end their "strike" immediately.
In the morning, a letter, signed by Kejriwal, Sisodia, Rai and Jain, was sent to Baijal, asking him to take all necessary steps to end the "strike" by IAS officers including issuing written orders that all those officers who do not return to work will be proceeded against and "if necessary, ESMA may be invoked".
According to the government, IAS officers have been on strike since the alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash and are boycotting meetings with AAP ministers due to which public works are getting affected. -- PTI
10:37 Vajpayee has urinary tract infection, AIIMS bulletin at 11 am
Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, yesterday, has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection.
His condition is believed to be stable, but it is uncertain when the former prime minister, who has been ailing for years now, will be discharged.
The AIIMS bulletin on Atal Bihari Vajpayee is expected to be released between 11am and 11:30am. A team of doctors is closely monitoring his condition.
Yesterday, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi visited AIIMS, followed by BJP chief Amit Shah and Union minister JP Nadda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visted Vajpayee an hour later. Several Union ministers and senior BJP leader LK Advani were seen at the hospital.
His condition is believed to be stable, but it is uncertain when the former prime minister, who has been ailing for years now, will be discharged.
The AIIMS bulletin on Atal Bihari Vajpayee is expected to be released between 11am and 11:30am. A team of doctors is closely monitoring his condition.
Yesterday, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi visited AIIMS, followed by BJP chief Amit Shah and Union minister JP Nadda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visted Vajpayee an hour later. Several Union ministers and senior BJP leader LK Advani were seen at the hospital.
10:15
At a meeting where two leaders do not understand each other's language, translators are the key. US president Trump's translator, according to CBS News is Yun-hyang Lee, 'Division Chief of Interpreting Services at the State Department.
10:08 Trump, Kim arrive for Korea-inspired lunch
It's 12:30 pm in Singapore and Trump and Kim arrive at lunch.
The White House has provided the menu for the lunch between the two leaders, which mainly consists of Korean food, with the only concession to Trump's presence -- Hagen-Dazs ice cream. Scroll down for the menu.
CBS News says while the two leaders have remained tightlipped on what happened at the meeting ahead of the lunch, Trump did share a lighter moment with the press with which he shares a fractous relationship.
Trump asked the press to take pictures so he looks "handsome". Trump suggested photographers get a picture so everyone looks "nice and handsome."
Image: In Singapore, where food is as the mainstay of tourism, ahead of the meet, Trump-Kim inspired food was popular. The Rocket Man Taco and the El Trumpo Taco is pictured at the restaurant, Lucha Loco. Pic: Reuters.
The White House has provided the menu for the lunch between the two leaders, which mainly consists of Korean food, with the only concession to Trump's presence -- Hagen-Dazs ice cream. Scroll down for the menu.
CBS News says while the two leaders have remained tightlipped on what happened at the meeting ahead of the lunch, Trump did share a lighter moment with the press with which he shares a fractous relationship.
Trump asked the press to take pictures so he looks "handsome". Trump suggested photographers get a picture so everyone looks "nice and handsome."
Image: In Singapore, where food is as the mainstay of tourism, ahead of the meet, Trump-Kim inspired food was popular. The Rocket Man Taco and the El Trumpo Taco is pictured at the restaurant, Lucha Loco. Pic: Reuters.
09:46 Modis bullet train project runs into protests, may miss deadline: Report
India is set to miss a December deadline to acquire land for a Japan-backed $17 billion bullet train project following protests by fruit growers, government officials said, likely delaying one of Prime Minister Narendra Modis most ambitious projects.
Modis office is now monitoring the project week-to-week, as officials seek to reassure Tokyo that the hurdles can be overcome through intense negotiations with sapota and mango growers in Maharashtra.
Protests, backed by local politicians, have flared up in recent months against attempts to secure sections of a 108-km stretch, which is around one-fifth of the entire bullet train corridor connecting Mumbai with Ahmedabad, the largest commercial city in Modis home state Gujarat.
Ive worked hard for three decades to develop this plantation, and they are asking me to hand over this land, sapota farmer Dashrat Purav, 62, said as he showed his orchard in the town of Palghar, a three-hour-drive north of Mumbai.
I havent worked hard to surrender land for the project. I did that for my children.
Purav said he would sell his land only if at least one of his two unemployed sons was promised a government job.
Failure to procure the bullet train land by the deadline would delay disbursal of soft-loans by Japan International Cooperation Agency, a government development body, which is reviewing the project next month, said two senior officials with the state-run Indian Railways, declining to be named.
To assuage Japans concerns, Indian officials have sought a meeting this month with transport ministry officials in Tokyo, one of the Indian officials said. India wants the projects completion target to be advanced by a year to 2022, the 75th year of Indias independence.
09:23
JUST IN: According to Korean media, the "working lunch' between Trump and Kim has begun.
09:17 Rahul in Maharashtra; to appear in court today
Congress president Rahul Gandhi will appear before a court in the adjoining Thane district today in connection with a defamation case filed against him by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh worker.
Gandhi arrived in Mumbai this morning on a two-day visit to Maharashtra.
He will appear before the court at Bhiwandi in Thane at 11 am today, a Congress leader earlier said.
The court had on May 2 asked Gandhi to appear before it today to record his plea in the defamation case filed by RSS worker Rajesh Kunte in 2014.
Kunte had filed the case after watching Rahul Gandhi's speech at an election rally in which he had claimed that the RSS was behind the killing of Mahatma Gandhi.
-- PTI
09:00 Beef short rib, sweet and sour crispy pork: What's on the menu for Trump-Kim lunch
So The Guardian has got its hands on the menu for lunch between Trump and Kim Jong-un.
Here's what they will be eating:
Starters
Traditional prawn cocktail served with avocado salad
Green mango kerabu with honey lime dressing & fresh octopus
Oiseon Korean stuffed cucumber
Main course
Beef short rib confit, served with potato dauphinois and steam broccolini, red wine sauce on the side
Combination of sweet & sour crispy pork and Yangzhou Fried Rice with homemade XO chili sauce
Daegu jorim Soy Braised cod fish with Radish, Asian Vegetables
Desserts
Dark chocolate tartlet ganache
Haagendazs vanilla ice cream with cherry coulis
Tropezienne
08:47 Many will think this is from a science fiction movie, Kim tells Trump
This is perhaps the best quote from the historic meet.
Aaccording to pool reporters, as they walked away together after shaking hands, Kim said to Trump: "Many people in the world will think of this as a form of fantasy from a science fiction movie."
Kim is currently meeting with President Trump and his top advisers. At the start of the talks, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un acknowledged it wouldn't be a smooth road ahead.
"Of course there are challenges ahead, but I am ("ready" or "willing", unclear) to do this," Kim told the top US leadership.
08:33 The Korean Peninsula: Three Dangerous Scenarios
This perspective summarises detailed analytical work on the implications of a large, survivable North Korean nuclear force; the challenges of North Korean artillery that can threaten Seoul from the Kaesong Heights; and the issues attendant to a potential mission to secure loose nuclear weapons after a North Korean collapse.
Our most important finding is that the United States must develop and work with regional allies to shape a wider range of potential diplomatic and military options to deal with North Korea. This conclusion creates particular implications for the Army, as the core missions involved -- including deterring a major war, conducting intensive operations short of major war, and securing weapons of mass destruction in the event of instability -- will place massive, perhaps unsustainable, demands on Army capacity and specific high-demand, low-density capabilities.
Read the full analysis HERE
08:03 South Korean president says last night was a sleepless one
CNN reports: South Korean President Moon Jae-in said it was "a sleepless night" for him ahead of meeting between US President Trump and Kim Jong Un on Tuesday.
Speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting, Moon said he hoped the summit would be a success so a "new chapter" could open.
"The NK-US summit has just begun and I believed all Koreans have their eyes fixed on Singapore," he said.
Moon is seen by many as the architect of the breakthrough in diplomacy with North Korea. Elected in 2016, he has long been an advocate of peaceful relations with Pyongyang.
07:46 We will be successful: Trump to Kim after first talks
US President Trump and Kim Jon-un have begun their second series of talks after their personal one-on-one meeting concluded early morning.
Trump, sitting alongside Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, national security adviser John Bolton, White House chief of staff John Kelly and an interpreter told North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that he believes "we will be successful."
"We will be successful," Trump told Kim, sitting directly across from him. "And I look forward to working on it with you. It will be done."
Kim also offered brief remarks through an interpreter.
The North Korean leader did not answer when asked whether he would give up his nuclear weapons.
However, US President Trump predicted he would work with Kim to resolve differences over North Korea's nuclear program.
"Working together well get it taken care of," Trump said at the start of an expanded meeting. He said the two leaders "will solve a big problem, a big dilemma."
07:28 J&K: Terrorists attack court complex, kill 2 policemen
Two police personnel were killed and three others injured in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Tuesday.
The police revealed that an exchange of fire took place after terrorists attacked a police guard post at a court complex, in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.
The area has been cordoned off and a search operation is underway. In a separate incident, terrorists attacked a Central Reserve Police Force party with grenades at Janglat Mandi in Anantnag.
Four CRPF men were reportedly injured in the attack, and were rushed to the hospital.
07:21 Trump's top economic advisor suffers heart attack, hospitalised
Larry Kudlow, top economic adviser to US President Donald Trump, has suffered a heart attack and has been admitted to a military hospital in Washington, DC, reports Lalit K Jha for PTI.
"Our great Larry Kudlow, who has been working so hard on trade and the economy, has just suffered a heart attack. He is now in Walter Reed Medical Center," Trump tweeted.
Trump is in Singapore for a meeting with North Korean leader Chairman Kim Jong Un. The tweet came as he landed at the venue of the meeting.
Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, White House, has been leading the Trump administration's efforts in shaping the country's economic policies and trade talks with other countries.
07:20 Trump's top economic advisor suffers heart attack, hospitalised
Larry Kudlow, top economic adviser to US President Donald Trump, has suffered a heart attack and has been admitted to a military hospital in Washington, DC, reports Lalit K Jha for PTI.
"Our great Larry Kudlow, who has been working so hard on trade and the economy, has just suffered a heart attack. He is now in Walter Reed Medical Center," Trump tweeted.
Trump is in Singapore for a meeting with North Korean leader Chairman Kim Jong Un. The tweet came as he landed at the venue of the meeting.
Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, White House, has been leading the Trump administration's efforts in shaping the country's economic policies and trade talks with other countries.
07:17 Run N Korea deal past US congress, Democrats tell Trump
Six top US lawmakers from the opposition Democratic party have demanded that any potential deal with North Korea be subject to Congressional oversight.
"Regardless of what happens in the hours ahead, the administration must consult with Congress on North Korea. Any potential deal must be subject to Congressional oversight," the Democratic leadership in the US House of Representative said in a joint statement.
The Congress, they said, had insisted on robust monitoring under the Iranian nuclear deal and should demand nothing less with regard to North Korea. The Democratic Obama administration then had bypassed the Congress.
According to the Democratic lawmakers, the US-North Korea summit is a historic opportunity to build a more secure, stable Korean peninsula and to reassert American leadership in Asia.
"We all want to see diplomacy succeed with North Korea -- indeed, diplomatic engagement is the only way to deal with this crisis," they said.
"Support from our partners and an international consensus will be essential to a successful outcome to high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with Pyongyang," the lawmakers said.
A deal that preserves the status quo in terms of North Korea's nuclear capability while trading away US ability to counter their nuclear aggression and proliferation and allow them global market access by removing sanctions is unacceptable, they warned.
The lawmakers said that the tough negotiation necessary to achieve an agreement that leads to lasting peace will require the support of allies.
They also expressed deep concern over the administration's sidelining of diplomacy and undermining of American leadership on the global stage.
"We have no confirmed Ambassador to South Korea, no Assistant Secretary for Asia, and no senior official focused on North Korea. The administration has sought deep cuts to our international affairs budget and senior State Department officials have fled to the exits," they said.
"Most recently, with his behaviour at the G-7 summit, the President alienated our closest friends at a time when the United States should be affirming the western alliance as the cornerstone of global security," the Democratic leadership in the House said.
06:43 What's next for the two leaders at the meet
US President Trump and Kim Jong-un have headed in for their first face-to-face talks, joined only by two translators.
They'll meet one-on-one for just under an hour, before expanded talks begin.
On the agenda are North Korea's nuclear capabilities. Trump is hoping he can convince Kim to give up his weapons.
It is the meeting which the Trump has teased could happen for years. In May 2016, during his campaign, Trump said he would be willing to sit down with Kim.
"I would speak to him, I would have no problem speaking to him," Trump said at the time.
06:40 Confident talks will be a success: Trump
US President Donald Trump speaks to the media and says he is confident the talks will be a "tremendous success" and that "we will have a tremendous relationship, I have no doubt".
06:38 Trump and Kim shake hands in Singapore
It's history!
US President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un have met at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore, the first meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader. They shook hands on the steps of the hotel before cameras.
Trump and Kim will first have a one-on-one talk, before they are joined by advisors for talks later this morning.
It is a stunning development for the two nations, who regularly traded threats and insults throughout 2017.
On the agenda is North Korea's nuclear capabilities, which Trump is hoping to convince them to abandon in exchange for economic assistance.
06:30 Trump-Kim arrive at Capella Hotel in Singapore for historic meet
United States President Donald Trump plans to shake hands and have lunch with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, kicking off a historic summit on Tuesday between two adversaries that only last year had seemed at the brink of nuclear war.
Their meeting at a luxury hotel in Singapore, scheduled for 9 am local time -- 6.30 am IST -- will mark the first face-to-face encounter between a US president and a leader of North Korea. Its outcome could prove pivotal in determining whether the two nations pursue a lasting peace or a fresh military conflict.
On the summit's eve, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo drew a firm line, saying the US plans to keep sanctions in place until North Korea eliminates its nuclear weapons capability. Complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearisation, he told reporters, "is the only outcome that the United States will accept."
Trump and Kim will first pose for a handshake, followed by a private one-on-one meeting, the White House said Monday. They'll be joined later by their staffs for an expanded meeting and a working lunch. Trump will hold a press conference and leave Singapore later on Tuesday, the White House said, noting that negotiations "have moved more quickly than expected." Trump had previously said the talks might extend beyond the first day.
Trump, a former real-estate developer, has approached his meeting with Kim like a business negotiation -- with flattery, flashy promises and flexible terms juxtaposed with constant threats to walk away from the table. He said last week that he expects to know "within the first minute" of their meeting if Kim is serious about giving up his weapons.
00:07 Mallya's extradition in progress through proper channels: UK minister
The issue of extradition of liquor baron Vijay Mallya is progressing through appropriate legal channels and Britain has 'reassured' India about it, British Minister for Countering Extremism Baroness Williams said on Monday.
The issue came up for discussion between Williams and Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju during a meeting in New Delhi.
She, however, declined to comment on whether the issue of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, both wanted for financial fraud, came up for discussion.
Last month, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had conveyed his unhappiness to his British counterpart Theresa May over focus on conditions of Indian prisons during court hearings on Mallya's extradition.
Modi, during a meeting with May in London in April, told her that it was not proper for courts to ask about the condition of Indian jails as the British themselves had kept Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and other Indian leaders in these prisons, Swaraj had said.
When asked whether the British government is convinced that the jails are comfortable for Mallya, she said, "The issue is progressing through the appropriate legal channels and I spoke to the Minister of State (Rijiju) and gave him reassurances on that." -- PTI
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