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Fri, 16 June 2017
Trump cancels 'one-sided' US deal with Cuba
Timeline Refresh
23:28 Trump cancels 'one-sided' US deal with Cuba
United States President Donald Trump has just announced that he is cancelling the Obama administration's one-sided deal with Cuba, effective immediately.
"With God's help a free Cuba is what we soon will achieve," Trump said.
"We will not be silent in the face of communist oppression any longer," Trump said, saying America would "expose the crimes of the Castro regime."
The shift coming on the two-year anniversary of Trump announcing his candidacy takes aim at President Barack Obama's 2014 decision to end decades of detachment from the island nation, and bans US business with the military-run conglomerate that controls much of Cuba's economy.
Individual travel to Cuba also will be curtailed.
Yet it is not a wholesale reversal of the rapprochement, with travel through organized groups still permitted, as well as business unrelated to the conglomerate known as GAESA. Planes and cruise ships can still head to Cuba, and Americans are free to bring home rum and cigars. Diplomatic posts in Havana and Washington are unaffected.
Trump also is not reversing Obama's decision to get rid of the "wet foot, dry foot" policy that allowed Cuban immigrants who reached US soil to remain legally.
23:14 London fire may have destroyed DNA needed to ID victims
The devastating fire that struck a high-rise tower in London may have been so powerful that it destroyed much of the DNA evidence needed to identify its victims.
As firefighters keep searching the charred ruins of the Grenfell Tower public housing complex with sniffer dogs and drones, Metropolitan Police commander Stuart Cundy said there was "a risk that, sadly, we may not be able to identify everybody."
Experts said the intensity of Wednesday's fire at the 24-storey building will make naming victims extremely difficult, drawing comparisons to the 2001 World Trade Center terror attacks in New York, where 40 percent of the victims were never identified.
"When you have a fire that takes hold like that, that is literally an inferno. You get a lot of fragmentation of bodies, charring of bones and sometimes all that's left is ash," said Peter Vanezis, a professor of forensic medical sciences at Queen Mary University in London.
He said the temperature of the blaze at Grenfell Tower was comparable to a cremation.
22:54 No decision yet on more troops to Afghanistan: Pentagon
No decision has been taken on increasing the number of US troops in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said today, amid speculation that Defence Secretary James Mattis may have finalised plans to dispatch 4,000 additional troops to the war-torn country.
"Secretary Mattis has made no decisions on a troop increase for Afghanistan. As he said throughout the week in testimony, the revised Afghanistan strategy will be presented to the President (Donald Trump) for his approval in the coming weeks," Pentagon spokesperson Dana W White said.
"The president has delegated force management authority for Afghanistan to the secretary. The secretary will continue to follow the president's guidance on our overall strategy.
"Any decisions about troop numbers will be made only after consultation with the inter-agency, the Afghan government, NATO allies and coalition partners," White said.
The White House said such an authorisation to Mattis is part of the broader plan.
22:24 Vivid Sydney breaks Guinness World Record for maximum number of light installations
Vivid Sydney, the world's largest festival of light, music and ideas, has once again cemented itself as a record-breaking international event.
Made of 124,128 lights, Dreamscape, created by Vivid Sydney veteran 32Hundred Lighting, links the entire Circular Quay precinct from the iconic Sydney Opera House to the Sydney Harbour Bridge into one cohesive canvas of light.
It allows participants to decide the color, texture and pattern of the lighting across the cityscape via 3D interactive modelling in a control room in Circular Quay.
22:06 Protesters storm Kensington Town Hall over Grenfell Tower safety failures
Frustrations over the fatal Grenfell Tower fire boiled over today as residents demanding answers over the blaze stormed Kensington town hall.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea headquarters in west London wanting to know how the tragedy could have happened.
Councillors are among those who face serious questions over the apparent safety failings which led to the fire spreading quickly up the tower block on Tuesday night.
The protesters initially gathered outside the building, insisting that those displaced by the disaster be housed with the London borough rather than elsewhere.
But some of group then went through the door chanting 'we want justice' and pushed up the stairs towards the authority's offices. Some shouted 'murderers' while other yelled 'cowards'.
21:43 Beef ban: Food a personal choice, nobody tells me what to eat, says Naidu
"I am a strict non-vegetarian and nobody told me what to eat or what not", Information and Broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said, stressing that food is a personal choice, amid a raging debate on beef ban in the country.
Without naming any channel, Naidu alleged that some of the news broadcasters are showing debates on the "non-existing beef ban". He said they are holding discussions on whether India is going to be converted into a vegetarian country.
"I am a strict non-vegetarian and nobody told me what to eat and what not to eat. There is so much misinformation. Food is a personal choice. Why is there a debate?" he asked.
21:31 Terrorists disfigured faces of cops who were killed in J-K ambush
The terrorists who ambushed a police party at Achabal in Anantnag district of South Kashmir today disfigured the faces of the six cops slain in the attack before walking away with their weapons, police said.
A sub-inspector, identified as Pulwama-resident Feroz, a driver and four other policemen, who were on a routine round in their jeep, died in the attack, said Director General of Police S P Vaid.
Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashker-e-Tayiba is believed to be behind the ambush, a senior police official said, adding they wanted to take revenge for the Arwani encounter in which their local commander, Junaid Mattoo, is believed to have died.
20:36 Trump appears to confirm he's under probe, slams it as witch hunt
US President Donald Trump today appeared to confirm that he was being probed for firing the FBI chief and described it as a "witch hunt", as he asserted that there was no proof of his "collusion with the Russians" even after seven months of investigation.
"I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director (James Comey) by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt," Trump said in an early morning tweet.
Trump's apparent confirmation that he is under probe for obstruction of justice by special counsel appointed to probe alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential polls came a day after a Washington Post report pointed to such an investigation.
The probe by special counsel Robert Mueller, a former FBI chief, "marks a major turning point in the nearly year-old FBI investigation, which until recently focused on Russian meddling during the presidential campaign and on whether there was any coordination between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin," The Washington Post had reported.
20:16 Tarun Tejpal case: Media barred from covering proceedings until completion of trial
The Goa's Mapusa Court on Friday restricted the media from reporting proceedings of rape case accused and former Tehelka magazine editor Tarun Tejpal under Indian Penal Code (IPC) 327(3).
The court passed the order under 327 (3) barring the media from covering the proceedings until completion of the trial.
Tejpal was slated to appear today before the fast track court here in lieu of the sexual harassment charges slapped against him.
On January 17, 2015, the Supreme Court had stayed the trial against Tejpal in connection with his alleged role in a sexual assault case for a period of three weeks.
The apex court bench had asked Tejpal to refrain from delaying the trial on any grounds in future.
In November 2013, Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague in the elevator of a five-star hotel, at an event in Goa.
Subsequently, an FIR was filed against him and he was asked to step down from his post.
20:03 UPDATE: 6 cops killed as terrorists ambush police party in J-K
Six policemen, including a sub-inspector, were killed at Achabal in Anantnag district of South Kashmir after terrorists ambushed a police party today.
The Station House Officer identified as Sub Inspector Feroz, a resident of Pulwama, fell victim to indiscriminate firing from terrorists, senior police officials said.
They said besides the fatalities, some other policemen sustained serious bullet injuries and were rushed to nearby hospital.
Army has been moved out and was combing the area, they said.
19:28
JUST IN: 5 policemen, including an SHO, martyred after terrorists attack police party at Achabal, Anantnag in J-K
19:16 Bring back and punish Dawood, say kin of Mumbai blast victims
"Justice will prevail only when Dawood Ibrahim is brought back to the country and punished."
This was how the relatives of some the victims of the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts reacted to the conviction of six persons accused in the case by a TADA court in Mumbai.
Some them chose to term the verdict as "half victory" as the delivery of justice was inordinately delayed.
The six convicted by the the special TADA court, in the second leg of the trial, include the blasts mastermind Mustafa Dossa and extradited gangster Abu Salem.
Kamla Malkani, a Worli resident who was hurt in the blast at Century Bazaar, said she was not too enthused by the verdict.
"I fail to understand why so much money is being spent on these culprits at the expense of taxpayers. Full and final justice will prevail when the key mastermind Dawood Ibrahim faces trial in India and gets punishment," she said.
Tushar Priti Deshmukh, who lost his mother in the blast at Century Bazaar, shared the feeling.
"Justice will prevail when the mastermind Dawood gets punishment," Tushar said.
18:39 Don't need lessons on press freedom: CBI to NYT on NDTV raids
The Central Bureau of Investigation, in a letter to the editor of The New York Times, has said that its editorial India's battered press is one-sided and gives the impression 'that the raids on NDTV's founders were a part of a vendetta against the broadcaster'.
The letter, written by CBI spokesman R K Gaur says that 'India does not require any lesson on freedom of the press from The Times. Our institutions and traditions are nurtured by our rich and diverse cultural heritage and democratic ethos'.
Read more
The letter, written by CBI spokesman R K Gaur says that 'India does not require any lesson on freedom of the press from The Times. Our institutions and traditions are nurtured by our rich and diverse cultural heritage and democratic ethos'.
Read more
18:24 39 Indians taken hostage by IS in Mosul alive: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said that 39 Indians taken hostage in the Iraqi city of Mosul by the fighters aligned to the Islamic State of Iraq in 2014 are alive.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay told media that 'we are in touch with all countries that can help us'.
He, however, didn't say much on it by saying only that it was sensitive.
The Indians who were taken as hostages in Iraq's war-torn Mosul are unharmed and no demand has been made so far for their release. -- ANI
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay told media that 'we are in touch with all countries that can help us'.
He, however, didn't say much on it by saying only that it was sensitive.
The Indians who were taken as hostages in Iraq's war-torn Mosul are unharmed and no demand has been made so far for their release. -- ANI
18:12 Amarnath Yatra: Security upped after continued terror attacks in Kashmir
All necessary security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a smooth conduct of the annual Amarnath Yatra which commences on June 29, Director General, CRPF, Rajiv R Bhatnagar, said today.
He said whatever additional paramilitary personnel were required have been brought in and "all the arrangements have been done" for the Yatra which concludes on August 7.
"Sixty-five additional companies have come here from our side (CRPF), and nearly 200 additional companies (of all security forces) in total are being deployed," he said.
Bhatnagar told reporters, "Meetings with the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, local administration have been done and all the security arrangements, whether on the yatra route, base camp or (for paying) obeisance at the cave shrine, have been made."
Nearly 30,000 paramilitary personnel besides the local police will be deployed to ensure proper security for the Amarnath pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir beginning June 29.
The security personnel will be deployed along the two routes during the pilgrimage to the high-altitude shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The security has been upped in view of the continued terror attacks in Kashmir.
He said whatever additional paramilitary personnel were required have been brought in and "all the arrangements have been done" for the Yatra which concludes on August 7.
"Sixty-five additional companies have come here from our side (CRPF), and nearly 200 additional companies (of all security forces) in total are being deployed," he said.
Bhatnagar told reporters, "Meetings with the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, local administration have been done and all the security arrangements, whether on the yatra route, base camp or (for paying) obeisance at the cave shrine, have been made."
Nearly 30,000 paramilitary personnel besides the local police will be deployed to ensure proper security for the Amarnath pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir beginning June 29.
The security personnel will be deployed along the two routes during the pilgrimage to the high-altitude shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The security has been upped in view of the continued terror attacks in Kashmir.
17:53 Kerala college magazine draws ire for poem on Kunti
A college in Kerala has published a poem in its student magazine that allegedly questions the chastity of Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas in the epic Mahabharata.
The five-line poem, 'Chodyam' (question), written by a student, questions why the topic does not feature in television debates.
The Hindu Aikya Vedi, a right-wing group, has slammed the Manjeri-based NSS College, a government-aided institution, for publishing the poem, which it alleged has hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community.
College Principal Azad Malaattil told PTI that it was not their intention to hurt any sentiments. "If sentiments have been hurt, we express our apologies," the principal said. The magazine was brought out a couple of days ago and instructions have been given not to circulate further copies, he said.
The five-line poem, 'Chodyam' (question), written by a student, questions why the topic does not feature in television debates.
The Hindu Aikya Vedi, a right-wing group, has slammed the Manjeri-based NSS College, a government-aided institution, for publishing the poem, which it alleged has hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community.
College Principal Azad Malaattil told PTI that it was not their intention to hurt any sentiments. "If sentiments have been hurt, we express our apologies," the principal said. The magazine was brought out a couple of days ago and instructions have been given not to circulate further copies, he said.
17:34 Nobody has been able to show proof of my collusion with Russians: Trump
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump After 7 months of investigations & committee hearings about my "collusion with the Russians," nobody has been able to show any proof. Sad!
17:31 TVF CEO, accused of sexual harassment, finally quits
The Founder and CEO of Mumbai-based content creation company The Viral Fever Arunabh Kumar, who was accused of sexual harassment months ago by an anonymous blogger by the name of Indian Fowler, has decided to step down from the post of Chief Executive Officer of the company. Arunabh Kumar posted an open letter from his Twitter handle saying, "I have decided to step down as #TVFCEO".
Hello Everyone,
The last few months have been the most challenging ones of my life and I would like to thank my friends and family for their unwavering support.
Lot of people wanted me to say something or tell my side of the story, but I did not because I learnt the hard way what happens when you say anything in haste.
We made a grave mistake, by reacting instinctively, in our first official response. While no amount of apologies can undo the mistake, I would like to again apologize from the bottom of our hearts for letting you all down and thus humbly accept the brickbats we received from all of you for that insensitive response.
A lot has happened in the last three months which has mentally and emotionally drained me. However, I have faith and confidence that eventually truth will prevail.
Through this all it has become clearer to me that, what was and will always continue to be most important is - TVF.
I started my entrepreneurial journey with a passion to entertain people with great stories and my dream was to make an Indian Content company to match up to the likes of Disney & HBO.
It was and remains my dream to make content creation, which is always seen as an individual driven business, into a more organized profession, one that Indian youth can aspire for and where hundreds of storytellers could be successful. And thats the core of TVF, a culture rooted in democratic and equal opportunities for everyone irrespective of gender, caste and background. We grew from a bunch of passionate, talented and inexperienced novices to a team of over 200 professionals, on the foundation of this very culture.
TVF was, is, and always will be larger than any one individual and I believe we have only just started on our path breaking journey to be a young global organization.
In the wake of the recent personal attacks, what really breaks me is the blemish on the brands true promise. I have therefore taken the decision to step down as the CEO of TVF. I will be available as a mentor for the content team as they continue to deliver the stories you love us for.
I transition from this role knowing that TVF is in safe hands, handing over the reins to Dhawal Gusain, who will take on the mantle as the CEO of TVF. Dhawal has a sharp business acumen and, together with our leadership team, will keep working tirelessly to scale TVF to greater heights and bring a renewed ambition and zeal to make TVF the best place to work at, for both women and men.
Last but not the least, the biggest stakeholders of any company are its users, and we cant thank you enough for standing by us throughout. We are indebted and grateful to you for giving us so much love and inspiration to do better. No Matter what you say, for us, it only means one thing- that you care.
TVF is nothing without you!
Thank you,
Arunabh Kumar
Read: TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar booked for molestation
Hello Everyone,
The last few months have been the most challenging ones of my life and I would like to thank my friends and family for their unwavering support.
Lot of people wanted me to say something or tell my side of the story, but I did not because I learnt the hard way what happens when you say anything in haste.
We made a grave mistake, by reacting instinctively, in our first official response. While no amount of apologies can undo the mistake, I would like to again apologize from the bottom of our hearts for letting you all down and thus humbly accept the brickbats we received from all of you for that insensitive response.
A lot has happened in the last three months which has mentally and emotionally drained me. However, I have faith and confidence that eventually truth will prevail.
Through this all it has become clearer to me that, what was and will always continue to be most important is - TVF.
I started my entrepreneurial journey with a passion to entertain people with great stories and my dream was to make an Indian Content company to match up to the likes of Disney & HBO.
It was and remains my dream to make content creation, which is always seen as an individual driven business, into a more organized profession, one that Indian youth can aspire for and where hundreds of storytellers could be successful. And thats the core of TVF, a culture rooted in democratic and equal opportunities for everyone irrespective of gender, caste and background. We grew from a bunch of passionate, talented and inexperienced novices to a team of over 200 professionals, on the foundation of this very culture.
TVF was, is, and always will be larger than any one individual and I believe we have only just started on our path breaking journey to be a young global organization.
In the wake of the recent personal attacks, what really breaks me is the blemish on the brands true promise. I have therefore taken the decision to step down as the CEO of TVF. I will be available as a mentor for the content team as they continue to deliver the stories you love us for.
I transition from this role knowing that TVF is in safe hands, handing over the reins to Dhawal Gusain, who will take on the mantle as the CEO of TVF. Dhawal has a sharp business acumen and, together with our leadership team, will keep working tirelessly to scale TVF to greater heights and bring a renewed ambition and zeal to make TVF the best place to work at, for both women and men.
Last but not the least, the biggest stakeholders of any company are its users, and we cant thank you enough for standing by us throughout. We are indebted and grateful to you for giving us so much love and inspiration to do better. No Matter what you say, for us, it only means one thing- that you care.
TVF is nothing without you!
Thank you,
Arunabh Kumar
Read: TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar booked for molestation
17:23 Prez poll: Metro man says him being possible NDA candidate is speculation
Former Delhi Metro chief E. Sreedharan on Friday rejected speculations
of him being a possible NDA candidate for next month's presidential
poll.
"There is no reality in it. No discussions took place. Don't long for it," Sreedharan said.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu met CPI-M general secretarys Sitaram Yechury at the CPI-M office in Delhi to discuss the presidential elections.
The Union Ministers earlier in the day reached Congress president Sonia Gandhi's residence to discuss matters related to next month's presidential election.
The last date of nomination is June 28
"There is no reality in it. No discussions took place. Don't long for it," Sreedharan said.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu met CPI-M general secretarys Sitaram Yechury at the CPI-M office in Delhi to discuss the presidential elections.
The Union Ministers earlier in the day reached Congress president Sonia Gandhi's residence to discuss matters related to next month's presidential election.
The last date of nomination is June 28
17:11 London fire: Toll rises to 30
Police has said that the death toll in the London Grenfell Tower fire has risen to 30.
A criminal inquiry has been launched into the incident.
Police said some of the dead may never be identified, as officers warned that the painful process of retrieving the victims could take months.
Among those still missing are entire families, a six-month-old baby, a young Italian couple, and a five-year-old boy, reports the Guardian.
The criminal probe was launched after it emerged that cladding, used on Grenfell Tower is banned in the United States, and that it would have cost just 5,000 pounds extra for the contractors to apply a fire-resistant version of panelling to the building, according to a report by The Independent.
The panels, believed to have been fitted to the outside of Grenfell Tower, are produced by US company Reynobond, which makes three types of panel: one with a flammable plastic core and two with fire-resistant cores.
It is thought that contractors chose the cheaper, more combustible version for Grenfell, which has a polyethylene core and is known as PE. -- ANI
A criminal inquiry has been launched into the incident.
Police said some of the dead may never be identified, as officers warned that the painful process of retrieving the victims could take months.
Among those still missing are entire families, a six-month-old baby, a young Italian couple, and a five-year-old boy, reports the Guardian.
The criminal probe was launched after it emerged that cladding, used on Grenfell Tower is banned in the United States, and that it would have cost just 5,000 pounds extra for the contractors to apply a fire-resistant version of panelling to the building, according to a report by The Independent.
The panels, believed to have been fitted to the outside of Grenfell Tower, are produced by US company Reynobond, which makes three types of panel: one with a flammable plastic core and two with fire-resistant cores.
It is thought that contractors chose the cheaper, more combustible version for Grenfell, which has a polyethylene core and is known as PE. -- ANI
17:01 RSS chief meets President Pranab Mukherjee
President Pranab Mukherjee invited Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat for lunch today at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the saffron outfit said.
Bhagwat, who was in Rudrapur yesterday for the Sangh's volunteer education and training programme, reached the national capital today for the meeting, RSS sources said.
The timing of the meeting, which comes just ahead of the presidential election, has triggered speculation in some political quarters.
The RSS said it was a pre-decided courtesy meet and there was nothing to read into it.
Earlier too, Bhagwat had called on Pranab Mukherjee to extend Diwali greetings.
Both Bhagwat, whose name was proposed by Shiv Sena for the next president, and the incumbent Mukherjee have ruled out themselves from the race for the top constitutional post. -- PTI
Bhagwat, who was in Rudrapur yesterday for the Sangh's volunteer education and training programme, reached the national capital today for the meeting, RSS sources said.
The timing of the meeting, which comes just ahead of the presidential election, has triggered speculation in some political quarters.
The RSS said it was a pre-decided courtesy meet and there was nothing to read into it.
Earlier too, Bhagwat had called on Pranab Mukherjee to extend Diwali greetings.
Both Bhagwat, whose name was proposed by Shiv Sena for the next president, and the incumbent Mukherjee have ruled out themselves from the race for the top constitutional post. -- PTI
16:39 Jadhav case: ICJ asks India to make submission by Sept 13
The Hague-based International Court of Justice has asked India to make its submission in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case by September 13.
Similarly, Pakistan has been asked by the court to complete its submission by December 13 this year, the Ministry of External Affairs said in New Delhi on Friday.
In a hearing of the case on May 18, a 10-member bench of the ICJ restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer who had been awarded death sentence by a Pakistan army court for alleged 'involvement in espionage and terrorist activities in Pakistan'.
India moved the ICJ against the death sentence on May 8, describing the charges against Jadhav as 'concocted' and his trial as 'farcical'. -- PTI
Similarly, Pakistan has been asked by the court to complete its submission by December 13 this year, the Ministry of External Affairs said in New Delhi on Friday.
In a hearing of the case on May 18, a 10-member bench of the ICJ restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer who had been awarded death sentence by a Pakistan army court for alleged 'involvement in espionage and terrorist activities in Pakistan'.
India moved the ICJ against the death sentence on May 8, describing the charges against Jadhav as 'concocted' and his trial as 'farcical'. -- PTI
16:25 No support until NDA suggests a name for Prez: Yechury
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday met Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Sitaram Yechury over the presidential elections.
"They did not come forward with any name. They said that they want our support. Support can be given to a particular individual. We want such a person who can uphold the Constitution. We would have certainly thought about such a person, but they did not suggest any name. So, there is nothing to think when they did not suggest any names," Yechury told ANI.
"They said they will hold consultations and come up with a name after three to four days. After three to four days, nomination will begin. They said the government wants our cooperation. There should be a base for that cooperation. We will think about it when they will suggest a name. The two ministers had come on behalf of the government without any name," he added.
Meanwhile, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat paid a courtesy call to President Pranab Mukherjee.
The ministers earlier in the day met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at her residence to discuss matters related to next month's presidential elections. -- ANI
"They did not come forward with any name. They said that they want our support. Support can be given to a particular individual. We want such a person who can uphold the Constitution. We would have certainly thought about such a person, but they did not suggest any name. So, there is nothing to think when they did not suggest any names," Yechury told ANI.
"They said they will hold consultations and come up with a name after three to four days. After three to four days, nomination will begin. They said the government wants our cooperation. There should be a base for that cooperation. We will think about it when they will suggest a name. The two ministers had come on behalf of the government without any name," he added.
Meanwhile, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat paid a courtesy call to President Pranab Mukherjee.
The ministers earlier in the day met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at her residence to discuss matters related to next month's presidential elections. -- ANI
15:59 Mandatory to link Aadhar to bank accounts by December 31: Govt
Existing bank account holders have been asked to furnish the Aadhaar number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) by December 31, 2017, failing which the account will cease to be operational, according to a revenue department notification.
The government in Budget 2017 has already mandated seeding of Aadhaar number with Permanent Account Number to avoid individuals using multiple PANs to evade taxes.
The notification issued amending the Prevention of Money- laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005, mandated quoting of Aadhaar along with PAN or Form 60 by individuals, companies and partnership firms for all financial transactions of Rs 50,000 or above.
Tightening the rules for small accounts, which can be opened without having officially valid KYC documents, the amendment said such accounts - which can have maximum deposit of Rs 50,000, can be opened only at bank branches which have core banking solution.
It can also be opened at a branch where it is possible to manually monitor and ensure that foreign remittance are not credited to such account and stipulated limits on monthly and annual aggregate of transactions and balance are not breached, the amended PMLA rules said.
Such small account shall remain operational initially for a period of 12 months and thereafter for a similar period if the account holder provides evidence that he or she has applied for officially valid identification documents.
"The small account shall be monitored and when there is a suspicion of money laundering or financing of terrorism or other high risk scenarios, the identity of claim shall be established through the production of official valid documents," it said.
The amendment makes it mandatory for individuals, companies and partnership firms to quote Aadhaar along with PAN or Form 60 for all financial transactions of Rs 50,000 or above with effect from June 1.
Post June 1 if a person does not have an Aadhaar number at the time of opening of account, then he has to furnish proof of application of enrolment for Aadhaar and submit the Aadhaar number to the bank within six months of opening of the bank account.
"In case the client, eligible to be enrolled for Aadhaar and obtain a PAN... does not submit the Aadhaar number or the PAN at the time of commencement of an account based relationship with a reporting entity, the client shall submit the same within a period of 6 months from the date of the commencement of the account based relationship.
The government in Budget 2017 has already mandated seeding of Aadhaar number with Permanent Account Number to avoid individuals using multiple PANs to evade taxes.
The notification issued amending the Prevention of Money- laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005, mandated quoting of Aadhaar along with PAN or Form 60 by individuals, companies and partnership firms for all financial transactions of Rs 50,000 or above.
Tightening the rules for small accounts, which can be opened without having officially valid KYC documents, the amendment said such accounts - which can have maximum deposit of Rs 50,000, can be opened only at bank branches which have core banking solution.
It can also be opened at a branch where it is possible to manually monitor and ensure that foreign remittance are not credited to such account and stipulated limits on monthly and annual aggregate of transactions and balance are not breached, the amended PMLA rules said.
Such small account shall remain operational initially for a period of 12 months and thereafter for a similar period if the account holder provides evidence that he or she has applied for officially valid identification documents.
"The small account shall be monitored and when there is a suspicion of money laundering or financing of terrorism or other high risk scenarios, the identity of claim shall be established through the production of official valid documents," it said.
The amendment makes it mandatory for individuals, companies and partnership firms to quote Aadhaar along with PAN or Form 60 for all financial transactions of Rs 50,000 or above with effect from June 1.
Post June 1 if a person does not have an Aadhaar number at the time of opening of account, then he has to furnish proof of application of enrolment for Aadhaar and submit the Aadhaar number to the bank within six months of opening of the bank account.
"In case the client, eligible to be enrolled for Aadhaar and obtain a PAN... does not submit the Aadhaar number or the PAN at the time of commencement of an account based relationship with a reporting entity, the client shall submit the same within a period of 6 months from the date of the commencement of the account based relationship.
15:30 PM to visit Portugal, Netherlands
-- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Netherlands on 27 June. He is also expected to call on the King of Netherlands. Before Netherlands, the PM will visit Portugal on 24 June, says MEA Spox Gopal Bagley.
-- Theresa May announces she will visit Grenfell victims after being told to show 'humanity'
-- Theresa May announces she will visit Grenfell victims after being told to show 'humanity'
15:18 Salem sharp-shooter arrested
On the day his boss Abu Salem gets convicted in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, the Special Staff of the Delhi Polic arrest Jaan Usman, a sharp shooter in the gang.
15:11
Grenfell Tower fire: London Fire Brigade tweets a letter of thanks from a child.
15:09 Mumbai blasts carried out to avenge Babri demolition: CBI
CBI counsel Deepak Salve on Friday
said that 1993 Mumbai blasts were carried out to avenge the demolition
of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992.
A special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court earlier in the day convicted underworld don Abu Salem and others in connection with the 1993 blasts case.
Addressing media after the court's order, Salve said, "Mustafa Dossa conducted a conspiracy meeting in Dubai which was attended by Dawood Ibrahim and others. They hatched a conspiracy of Mumbai blast to take revenge of Babri Masjid demolition."
He further added that "the accused used to travel between Dubai and Pakistan for arms and ammunition training where Pakistan had given them green channel entry. Their targets were Indian politicians, high officials and Hindus".
257 people died while 713 others were injured after a series of bomb blasts rocked Mumbai City on March 12, 1993.
Salem was convicted under charges of conspiracy and terror activities but was acquitted of some charges of TADA which he was framed initially.
Accused Riyaz Siddique also convicted under TADA and other charges, but court believed prosecution failed to prove conspiracy charges against Riyaz.
Accused Mustafa Dossa was found guilty of conspiracy, murder and terror activities in the case.
Accused Firoz khan was convicted under charges of conspiracy and murder under sections of IPC, TADA and Explosives Act.
Other accused Tahir Merchant, Karimullah Shaikh were also convicted. Accused Abdul Qayyum was acquitted of all charges in the case. Court ordered his release on personal bond.
However, all accused were acquitted for the charge of waging war against the nation.
The court has set the next hearing date on June 19 to decide the date for argument on quantum of sentence.
Image: The Plaza cinema in Dadar after the blast.
A special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court earlier in the day convicted underworld don Abu Salem and others in connection with the 1993 blasts case.
Addressing media after the court's order, Salve said, "Mustafa Dossa conducted a conspiracy meeting in Dubai which was attended by Dawood Ibrahim and others. They hatched a conspiracy of Mumbai blast to take revenge of Babri Masjid demolition."
He further added that "the accused used to travel between Dubai and Pakistan for arms and ammunition training where Pakistan had given them green channel entry. Their targets were Indian politicians, high officials and Hindus".
257 people died while 713 others were injured after a series of bomb blasts rocked Mumbai City on March 12, 1993.
Salem was convicted under charges of conspiracy and terror activities but was acquitted of some charges of TADA which he was framed initially.
Accused Riyaz Siddique also convicted under TADA and other charges, but court believed prosecution failed to prove conspiracy charges against Riyaz.
Accused Mustafa Dossa was found guilty of conspiracy, murder and terror activities in the case.
Accused Firoz khan was convicted under charges of conspiracy and murder under sections of IPC, TADA and Explosives Act.
Other accused Tahir Merchant, Karimullah Shaikh were also convicted. Accused Abdul Qayyum was acquitted of all charges in the case. Court ordered his release on personal bond.
However, all accused were acquitted for the charge of waging war against the nation.
The court has set the next hearing date on June 19 to decide the date for argument on quantum of sentence.
Image: The Plaza cinema in Dadar after the blast.
15:02 London fire death toll could rise above 100, victims may remain unidentified
London fire update: 17 confirmed killed, but death toll could rise above 100, say reports. More than 70 people remain unaccounted for since the blaze, which police fear was so devastating that some victims might never be identified.
The London Fire Brigade tweeted this letter from a child thanking them for their services. The fire brigade said it is overwhelmed with letters of support from all over the world.
"Lovely thank you letter received by crews at #GrenfellTower. The support we have received from all over the world has been overwhelming."
Teams were forced to leave the 24-storey building on Thursday afternoon when the fire restarted, delaying further the efforts to reach upper floors - where many victims are thought to have been trapped, reported the Telegraph.
The London Fire Brigade tweeted this letter from a child thanking them for their services. The fire brigade said it is overwhelmed with letters of support from all over the world.
"Lovely thank you letter received by crews at #GrenfellTower. The support we have received from all over the world has been overwhelming."
Teams were forced to leave the 24-storey building on Thursday afternoon when the fire restarted, delaying further the efforts to reach upper floors - where many victims are thought to have been trapped, reported the Telegraph.
14:35 Happening now
BJP Chief Amit Shah reaches Mumbai to meet Sena's Uddhav Thackeray.
J&K: 34-year-old Army jawan Naik Bakhtawar Singh, from Punjab, lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Naushera at 5:15 am today.
J&K: A 22-year-old killed during clashes between security forces and protesters in Kulgam's Arwani village.
J&K: 34-year-old Army jawan Naik Bakhtawar Singh, from Punjab, lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Naushera at 5:15 am today.
J&K: A 22-year-old killed during clashes between security forces and protesters in Kulgam's Arwani village.
14:29 AIADMK decision on prez candidate in a few days
The AIADMK on Friday said that it would clear its stand on the upcoming Presidential Poll in couple of days.
AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai on Friday met Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.
Earlier today, Naidu and Home Minister Rajnath Singh met Congress president Sonia Gandhi to hold discussions over presidential candidate.
Though Thambidurai described his meeting with Naidu as a courtesy call, it is believed that the duo may have discussed the upcoming presidential polls.
Naidu has been assigned by the BJP president Amit Shah to meet with the Opposition parties to seek their support for the probable Presidential candidate of the NDA.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley are also tasked to hold parleys with the Opposition over the Presidential candidate.
When asked the purpose of his visit on a day when the BJP is seeking consensus for presidential candidate, the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker said, "It was just a courtesy call. Nothing political was discussed."
AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai on Friday met Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.
Earlier today, Naidu and Home Minister Rajnath Singh met Congress president Sonia Gandhi to hold discussions over presidential candidate.
Though Thambidurai described his meeting with Naidu as a courtesy call, it is believed that the duo may have discussed the upcoming presidential polls.
Naidu has been assigned by the BJP president Amit Shah to meet with the Opposition parties to seek their support for the probable Presidential candidate of the NDA.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley are also tasked to hold parleys with the Opposition over the Presidential candidate.
When asked the purpose of his visit on a day when the BJP is seeking consensus for presidential candidate, the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker said, "It was just a courtesy call. Nothing political was discussed."
14:15 Top LeT terrorist Junaid Mattoo killed in encounter
Top Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Junaid Mattoo was today killed in an encounter with security forces in Arwani village of Bijbihara in Anantnag District of south Kashmir, reports India Today.
Mattoo was trapped for more than eight hours with two other local Lashkar militants in a joint operation conducted by the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF to nab terrorists.
Mattoo was involved in a daylight attack on a police van in which three policemen including an officer was killed last year.
Mattoo's involvement is also suspected in the killing of a policeman in Kulgam area of South Kashmir on Thursday afternoon.
Mattoo was believed to be active for the past two years and carried a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head.
Intelligence sources said that search operation is still ongoing but have been hampered by stone-pelters who are targeting the security forces from different sides.
Police said that Junaid Mattoo is the third top militant who has been killed after Burhan Wani since last year. Buran Wani's close aid Sabzar Ahmad Bhat was the second militant who was killed in an encounter on May 27 last month.
Image: LeT commander Junaid Mattoo. India Today TV screen grab.
Mattoo was trapped for more than eight hours with two other local Lashkar militants in a joint operation conducted by the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF to nab terrorists.
Mattoo was involved in a daylight attack on a police van in which three policemen including an officer was killed last year.
Mattoo's involvement is also suspected in the killing of a policeman in Kulgam area of South Kashmir on Thursday afternoon.
Mattoo was believed to be active for the past two years and carried a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head.
Intelligence sources said that search operation is still ongoing but have been hampered by stone-pelters who are targeting the security forces from different sides.
Police said that Junaid Mattoo is the third top militant who has been killed after Burhan Wani since last year. Buran Wani's close aid Sabzar Ahmad Bhat was the second militant who was killed in an encounter on May 27 last month.
Image: LeT commander Junaid Mattoo. India Today TV screen grab.
13:42
Russia claims it killed IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, scores of other militant leaders: ANI
13:41 TADA Court acquits one accused
1993 Mumbai blasts case: Mumbai TADA Court believes prosecution failed to prove charges against Riaz Siddiqui for conspiracy. Court orders his release on personal bond. All accused acquitted of the charge of waging war against the nation.
Image: The destruction in Worli, south-central Mumbai, on March 12, 1993, a part of the series of blasts that rocked the city that day.
Image: The destruction in Worli, south-central Mumbai, on March 12, 1993, a part of the series of blasts that rocked the city that day.
13:34 Talk to AK programme probe: CBI team at Dy CM's residence
The CBI today visited premises of Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia to seek clarifications in connection with a preliminary enquiry against him related to alleged irregularities in the AAP's 'Talk to AK' campaign.
The agency had registered the PE in January this year on the basis of a complaint filed by the Vigilance Department of the Delhi government. The CBI sources said that no search or raid was conducted at the premises of Sisodia.
According to rules, no search or raid can be conducted under a PE. It is alleged in the complaint that a consultant of a well-known public relations company was hired by the Delhi government to promote "Talk to AK" (Talk to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal) campaign and a proposal of Rs 1.5 crore was prepared for this purpose.
It is alleged that despite objections from the Principal Secretary, the government went ahead with the proposal and the consultant spent the money thereby creating a liability for the government Official sources said the CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry to probe these allegations and is looking into the alleged role of Sisodia and others.
The agency had registered the PE in January this year on the basis of a complaint filed by the Vigilance Department of the Delhi government. The CBI sources said that no search or raid was conducted at the premises of Sisodia.
According to rules, no search or raid can be conducted under a PE. It is alleged in the complaint that a consultant of a well-known public relations company was hired by the Delhi government to promote "Talk to AK" (Talk to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal) campaign and a proposal of Rs 1.5 crore was prepared for this purpose.
It is alleged that despite objections from the Principal Secretary, the government went ahead with the proposal and the consultant spent the money thereby creating a liability for the government Official sources said the CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry to probe these allegations and is looking into the alleged role of Sisodia and others.
13:10 1993 Mumbai blasts: Abu Salem, 4 others guilty
1993 Mumbai blasts: Accused Abu Salem held guilty. The TADA Court holds that he was one of the main conspirators, and had supplied a gun to actor Sanjay Dutt.
Accused Karimullah Shaikh has also been convicted. He was held on August 21, 2008, and charged with smuggling arms into the country through the Shekhadi coast of Raigad district.
Accused Tahir Merchant is found guilty. The court held that Tahir facilitated the supply of arms and the training of the accused in Pakistan. It termed his role communal and said he was one of the initiators of the conspiracy. With this kind of indulgence, he must be held directly responsible, held the court.
Accused Karimullah Shaikh has also been convicted. He was held on August 21, 2008, and charged with smuggling arms into the country through the Shekhadi coast of Raigad district.
Accused Tahir Merchant is found guilty. The court held that Tahir facilitated the supply of arms and the training of the accused in Pakistan. It termed his role communal and said he was one of the initiators of the conspiracy. With this kind of indulgence, he must be held directly responsible, held the court.
13:00 Why are Dossa & friends being convicted now?
In the trials first leg that concluded in 2007, the TADA court had
convicted 100 accused in the case, while 23 people were acquitted, reports the Hindu.
The trial of the seven accused Abu Salem, Mustafa Dossa, Karimullah Khan, Firoz Abdul Rashid Khan, Riyaz Siddiqui, Tahir Merchant and Abdul Quayyum was separated from the first leg as they were arrested at the time of its conclusion.
The trial of the seven accused Abu Salem, Mustafa Dossa, Karimullah Khan, Firoz Abdul Rashid Khan, Riyaz Siddiqui, Tahir Merchant and Abdul Quayyum was separated from the first leg as they were arrested at the time of its conclusion.
In September 2006, 20 of them were awarded life sentences, while 12 were sentenced to death. In 2013, 10 of the 12 awaiting capital punishment had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
The hearing in the case was delayed as three petitions were pending with the Supreme Court, one each filed by Dossa and Salem, and another by CBI. The trial resumed in 2012 and concluded this March.
The case involving the seven accused was first heard by Judge Pramod Kode, who had also delivered the judgement in the trials first leg. Later, Judge D.U. Mullah presided over the TADA court. The case is now being heard by Judge G.A. Sanap.
12:54
Accused Tahir Merchant also convicted in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case by the Mumbai TADA Court.
12:48
Dossa has been found guilty of conspiracy, murder and terror activities. He was extradited from the UAE in 2003. The court also convicted Firoz khan under charges of conspiracy and murder under sections of IPC, TADA and Explosives Act.
12:46 1993 Mumbai blasts: Mustafa Dossa convicted
A designated court of Terrorist And Disruptive Activities (Prevention) (TADA) Act pronounced its verdict against one of the seven accused in the
1993 Mumbai serial blasts.
On March 12, 1993, a series of 12 blasts rocked Mumbai, killing 257 people and injuring 713 others.
The other accused are Abu Salem, Firoz Khan, Riyaz Siddiqui, Karimullah Shaikh, Mohammad Tahir Merchant alias Tahir Taklya and Abdul Qayyum.
Dossa is found guilty of attending conspiracy meetings in India and Dubai, arranging for arms with his brother, Mohammed, and making travel arrangements so the other accused could meet Dawood Ibrahim.
File pic.
1993 Mumbai serial blasts.
On March 12, 1993, a series of 12 blasts rocked Mumbai, killing 257 people and injuring 713 others.
The other accused are Abu Salem, Firoz Khan, Riyaz Siddiqui, Karimullah Shaikh, Mohammad Tahir Merchant alias Tahir Taklya and Abdul Qayyum.
Dossa is found guilty of attending conspiracy meetings in India and Dubai, arranging for arms with his brother, Mohammed, and making travel arrangements so the other accused could meet Dawood Ibrahim.
File pic.
12:40
1993 Mumbai Blasts case: Mustafa Dossa, accused in the Mumbai bomb blast case, convicted.
12:34 'India is secular because it is Hindu'
"We have Hindu values, Hindu customs, Hindu philosophy, Hindu way of looking at all religions as acceptable. These are all great assets of India."
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideologue Swaminathan Gurumurthy discusses India today with Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier. Do read.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideologue Swaminathan Gurumurthy discusses India today with Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier. Do read.
12:31 Sena may propose green scientist MS Swaminathan for prez candidate
Update on the presidential poll nominations: ANI reports that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will forward MS Swaminathan's name to Amit Shah if the BJP does not agree to (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwat's candidature for the President. Swaminathan is a renowned agriculture scientist.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the government has not come forward with any name for the Presidential election and the party would wait for a name.
Union ministers Rajnath Singh and M Venkaiah Naidu today met Congress President Sonia Gandhi to discuss the Presidential poll as part of the ruling BJP's outreach to stitch a consensus on the official nominee.
Singh and Naidu arrived at Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence to help evolve an agreement on the crucial election scheduled for July 17. The meeting lasted for 30 minutes.
Senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge were also present in the meeting, seen as the first major BJP outreach with the opposition on the significant matter.
The meeting comes barely two days after a sub group of opposition leaders constituted by Gandhi met in Azad's Parliament chamber to discuss the opposition strategy. The meeting had decided to wait for the government proposal on the matter before taking a further view.
Read our 2008 interview with MS Swaminathan here
Meanwhile, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the government has not come forward with any name for the Presidential election and the party would wait for a name.
Union ministers Rajnath Singh and M Venkaiah Naidu today met Congress President Sonia Gandhi to discuss the Presidential poll as part of the ruling BJP's outreach to stitch a consensus on the official nominee.
Singh and Naidu arrived at Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence to help evolve an agreement on the crucial election scheduled for July 17. The meeting lasted for 30 minutes.
Senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge were also present in the meeting, seen as the first major BJP outreach with the opposition on the significant matter.
The meeting comes barely two days after a sub group of opposition leaders constituted by Gandhi met in Azad's Parliament chamber to discuss the opposition strategy. The meeting had decided to wait for the government proposal on the matter before taking a further view.
Read our 2008 interview with MS Swaminathan here
12:10 'Minarets don't reflect Indian culture'
The Taj Mahal may be synonymous with India in the eyes of the world, but not to Yogi Adityanath.
"Foreign dignitaries visiting the country used to be gifted replicas of the Taj Mahal and other minarets which did not reflect Indian culture," the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said at a public meeting today at the Raj Maidan in Darbhanga, a historic ground that used to be the centre of sporting activities since the 16th century under the Maithil rulers.
Read more
"Foreign dignitaries visiting the country used to be gifted replicas of the Taj Mahal and other minarets which did not reflect Indian culture," the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said at a public meeting today at the Raj Maidan in Darbhanga, a historic ground that used to be the centre of sporting activities since the 16th century under the Maithil rulers.
Read more
11:55
1993 Mumbai blasts case: Abu Salem brought to TADA Court in Mumbai.
11:53 Prez election: Rajnath, Naidu meet Sonia
Union ministers Rajnath Singh and M Venkaiah Naidu today met Congress President Sonia Gandhi to discuss the Presidential poll as part of the ruling BJP's outreach to stitch a consensus on the official nominee. Arun Jaitley who is also part of the committee was not there as he is in South Korea.
Singh and Naidu arrived at Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence to help evolve an agreement on the crucial election scheduled for tomorrow. The meeting lasted for 30 minutes.
However, it was not immediately known as to what transpired at the meeting.
Senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge were also present in the meeting, seen as the first major BJP outreach with the opposition on the significant matter.
The meeting comes barely two days after a sub group of opposition leaders constituted by Gandhi met in Azad's Parliament chamber to discuss the opposition strategy. The meeting had decided to wait for the government proposal on the matter before taking a further view.
Singh and Naidu arrived at Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence to help evolve an agreement on the crucial election scheduled for tomorrow. The meeting lasted for 30 minutes.
However, it was not immediately known as to what transpired at the meeting.
Senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge were also present in the meeting, seen as the first major BJP outreach with the opposition on the significant matter.
The meeting comes barely two days after a sub group of opposition leaders constituted by Gandhi met in Azad's Parliament chamber to discuss the opposition strategy. The meeting had decided to wait for the government proposal on the matter before taking a further view.
11:48 Aviation minister orders probe into TDP MP's misbehaviour
Civil Aviation MinisterMinister Ashok Gajapathi Raju today said he will get the entire incident involving TDP MP J C Diwakar Reddy at Vizag airport "enquired into" and will ensure that "lawful outcomes" follow.
Reddy, who is from the same party as that of the minister, allegedly created a ruckus at Vizag airport yesterday after being denied boarding by IndiGo as he was late.
While the MP was finally accommodated on the same flight, seven major domestic carriers including IndiGo later banned him from their flights.
A day after the incident, Raju today said the entire matter would be looked into. "I will get the entire incident at Vizag Airport enquired into to find out the exact details and ensure that lawful outcomes follow," he said in a tweet.
The minister also denied a media report that he had intervened to ensure that Reddy was allowed to board the IndiGo flight and said there was "no such intervention".
Reddy, who is from the same party as that of the minister, allegedly created a ruckus at Vizag airport yesterday after being denied boarding by IndiGo as he was late.
While the MP was finally accommodated on the same flight, seven major domestic carriers including IndiGo later banned him from their flights.
A day after the incident, Raju today said the entire matter would be looked into. "I will get the entire incident at Vizag Airport enquired into to find out the exact details and ensure that lawful outcomes follow," he said in a tweet.
The minister also denied a media report that he had intervened to ensure that Reddy was allowed to board the IndiGo flight and said there was "no such intervention".
11:07 Ex-CJI Bhagwati to be cremated on Saturday
The funeral of former Chief Justice of India P N Bhagwati, who died in New Delhi on Thursday after a brief illness, will be held on June 17.
Bhagwati, considered a pioneer of judicial activism in the country for introducing the concept of public interest litigation, is survived by his wife Prabhavati Bhagwati and three daughters.
The 17th Chief Justice of India, Bhagwati remained in the highest judicial post between July 1985 and December 1986.
A former chief justice of the Gujarat high court, he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court in July 1973.
As a Supreme Court judge, Bhagwati introduced the concepts of PIL and absolute liability to the Indian judicial system.
As a champion of PILs, he had ruled there was no need for a person to have a locus standi (the right or capacity to bring an action or to appear in a court) to knock the doors of a court on the issue of fundamental rights.
He was also instrumental in furthering the cause of prisoners when he ruled that they too enjoyed fundamental rights.
One of the important judgments pronounced by him was in the Maneka Gandhi passport impounding case in 1978 in which he elaborated the concept of right to life, and ruled that a person's movement cannot be restricted. He had ruled that a person had the full right to hold a passport.
The regional passport officer, New Delhi, had issued a letter dated 2/7/1977 addressed to Maneka Gandhi in which she was asked to surrender her passport under section 10(3)(c ) of the Passport Act in the public interest within 7 days from the date of receipt of the letter.
Maneka Gandhi filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution in the Supreme Court challenging the order of the Government of India, claiming it violated her fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Bhagwati was also the lone dissenting judge in the Minerva Mill case who upheld the 42nd Constitution amendment during Emergency. It was struck down by a majority verdict.
In the Minerva Mills case, the Supreme Court provided key clarifications on the interpretation of the basic structure doctrine. The court had ruled that the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution is limited by the Constitution. Hence Parliament cannot exercise this limited power to grant itself unlimited power.
In the ADM Jabalpur case, popularly known as the Habeas Corpus case, a 5-judge Supreme Court bench in 1979 overturned the various high court rulings and upheld the Indira Gandhi government's right to suspend all fundamental rights during Emergency.
While H R Khanna was the lone dissenting judge, Bhagwati was part of the four-judge majority verdict (the other three were Chief Justice Y V Chandrachud, Justices A N Ray and M H Beg).
Thirty years later Bhagwati apologised for his "act of weakness'.
10:57 Kashmir: 3 terrorists holed up in house, encounter underway
An encounter is underway between security forces and terrorists Idgah Mohalla in Kulgam's Arwani village, Jammu and Kashmir.
According to media reports, three terrorists are believed to be holed up inside a house and heavy firing is going on.
A cordon and search operation was started after security forces received intelligence inputs about the presence of suspected terrorists in the area.
On Thursday, terrorists attacked a police patrol party in Srinagar's Hyderpora area and injured two policemen.
On the same day, Pakistani troops violated a ceasefire in Naushera Sector along the Line of Control and the Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively.
Representative image
10:53 Prez poll: Rajnath, Naidu to meet Sonia today
Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and M Venkaiah Naidu will meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury today to hold talks for a possible consensus in electing the next President.
Both the Union Ministers have already spoken to Nationalist Congress Party's Praful Patel and Bahujan Samaj Party's Satish Mishra.
"The minutes of the meeting will be discussed with the rest of our party and the sub-committee that has been set up ahead of the polls. We will consider the opinion of all," Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge told ANI.
Denying reports of the Congress supporting Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Kharge asserted that being a secular party, Bhagwat will not be furthered as a suitable candidate for the post of President.
"We are a secular party. We will never support Mohan Bhagwat; neither will the other parties. His name is being recommended by the Shiv Sena. We will choose a candidate from a secular party," he said.
Recently, Sonia Gandhi met various leaders from opposition parties to give a tough fight to the ruling National Democratic Alliance government's candidate for President post.
09:11 Prices of petrol, diesel to be revised daily from today
From today onwards, the retail prices of petrol and diesel will be revised daily.
Earlier this month, the oil marketing companies decided to make the daily revision. It is intended to make the retail prices more reflective of the current market conditions and minimising the volatility in the retail price of both the petroleum products.
It also intended to enhance transparency in the system, besides enabling smoother flow of products from refinery to retail outlets.
The decision to revise the prices on a daily basis was taken by the Indian Oil Corporation, the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and the Bharat Petroleum Corporation after successful implementation on pilot basis in Udaipur, Jamshedpur, Puducherry, Chandigarh and Vishakhapatnam.
The public sector oil marketing companies are also taking steps to establish an appropriate mechanism for conveying the prices to consumers every day, including daily publishing of the prices in newspaper, prominent display of prices at the retail outlets and sending of price-related SMS.
Many developed countries are already revising the prices of petrol and diesel on a daily basis.
09:09 Indian-American Congressman welcomes CNN's decision to fire Reza Aslan
A second television personality has been sacked by an American news network within 10 days for making controversial statements about President Donald Trump.
US media reported that CNN first severed ties with Kathy Griffin and has now sacked Reza Aslan, who showed a documentary that allegedly promoted xenophobia and Hinduphobia and outraged the Hindu community in the US.
Griffin's contract was terminated after the comedian allowed herself to be photographed holding a prop of Trump's severed head. And Aslan was fired after he called Trump a "piece of s***" on Twitter last weekend.
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi welcomed the decision by the CNN to fire Aslan. "By cancelling the show 'Believer' and terminating its relationship with Aslan, CNN has taken a step in the right direction towards toning down the inflammatory rhetoric we've witnessed across the country," Krishnamoorthi said in a statement.
"CNN and all of us need to work together towards a more civil dialogue and a culture of tolerance to promote a greater understanding of Hinduism and other religions," he said.
Krishnamoorthi had lodged a strong protest after CNN aired the 'Believer' series.
Early this year, many from the Indian-American community had held protests outside CNN offices against Aslan over the 'Believer' series showing the Aghori sect as reflective of Hinduism.
Aslan tweeted in vulgar language against Trump after the US president used the London Bridge attack to promote his travel ban on people from six Muslim-majority countries.
08:57 Are you an artist? Then be ready to grab this government scheme
A prize money of Rs 10 lakh will be up for grabs soon for artistes, along with a token gurudakshina for their gurus, under the ministry of culture's initiative to create a repository of artistes across the country.
Under the Rs 470 crore scheme -- The National Mission on Cultural Mapping of India programme -- the ministry will introduce a rating system for artistes and writers and hold competitions across the country in a minimum of 100 genres.
The national level winner -- who would have competed with his peers at bloc, district, state and national level -- from each genre will be given an award of Rs 10 lakh, out of which Rs 2 lakh will have to be mandatorily given to the artiste's guru.
"We will tap every bloc, every district so that we can create a database of artistes. In the end for every genre, whoever emerges as the national champion will be awarded the prize money.
"It has also been made mandatory for such artistes to give Rs 2 lakh to his guru, so that the guru doesn't feel that he hasn't got his gurudakshina," said culture secretary, N K Sinha.
Under the scheme, from each genre, the winner at the end will get Rs 10 lakh, the second will get Rs 5 lakh and third Rs 3 lakh.
Five other artists from thereon will be paid Rs 40,000 each. Thus for every discipline, the ministry has earmarked Rs 20 lakh as the prize money with a Rs 20 crore kitty for 100 recognised forms of art.
The programme which has been planned to create a database of artistes from across all villages in over 100 disciplines under one portal is expected to be completed in the next three years.
The programme is also open for kids -- divided into four age groups each with 100 genres.
08:39 J&K: Civilian killed in forces' firing during stone pelting
A 22-year-old man died as security forces opened fire on a stone-pelting mob in Rangreth area on the outskirts of Srinagar, police said today.
A group of youth pelted the security forces' vehicles with stones at Rangreth, a police official said.
The security personnel opened fire to chase away the protesters in which one person was injured.
Nazir Ahmad was rushed to SKIMS hospital at Soura in a critical condition where he succumbed on the intervening night of June 15 and 16, the official said.
08:30 After Indigo & Air India, 3 more airlines ban TDP MP from flying
Telugu Desam Party MP from Anantapur, J C Diwakar Reddy, on Thursday became the second lawmaker in three months to be banned from flying for unruly behaviour with an airline staffer.
Apart from Indigo and state-run Air India now three more airlines -- Spicejet, Go Air and Jet Airways -- have banned the parliamentarian from its flights for abusive behaviour.
Confirming the MP's aggressive behaviour at the Visakhapatnam airport on Thursday morning, an Indigo spokesperson announced a flight ban on him late in the evening. Soon, Air India and SpiceJet too banned the MP from flying and other airlines followed the suit.
Even after creating a ruckus at the airport, Reddy had his way after ensuring the intervention of civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who happened to be there at the time.
Later, the TDP lawmaker bragged before the media, saying, "I asked Ashok (minister Raju). If flight goes, I cannot ask him, if doors close, I can't ask him. He (Raju) called somebody, and it was done."
00:10 WannaCry ransomware 'from North Korea' say UK and US
The WannaCry ransomware attack that affected more than 150 countries acame from North Korea, British and US security officials believe.
The attack affected an estimated 300,000 people worldwide, by locking data and demanding money to release it again.
British cyber experts analysing the software worm believe it was created by a prolific North Korean cyber gang called the Lazarus Group.
British security sources said it was unclear if the attack had been ordered or sanctioned by the Pyongyang government, but an assessment by Americas National Security Agency said it had "moderate confidence" the attack pointed to North Korea's spy agency, the Reconnaissance General Bureau.
The NSA believes the ransomware was an attempt to raise cash for Pyongyangs coffers.
However the attempt was apparently flawed and though the hackers raised more than 100,000 (Rs 82 lakh) in ransom payments of digital currency, the money has not been cashed in because the accounts could be easily tracked by law enforcement officials.
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