LIVE! At NATO meet, Trump warns that terror attacks will continue

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Thu, 25 May 2017

At NATO meet, Trump warns that terror attacks will continue

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23:54 People are getting bee tattoos after Manchester attack

A tattoo parlour in Manchester is raising money for the victims of the horrific terror attack that took place at the Manchester Arena.

Alchemy Tattoo Studio in Wigan are offering bee tattoos for 22 (Rs 1800), with all of the money going to charity.

The latest count is a whopping 4,5000 (Rs 37.6 lakh).

The worker bee is Manchesters symbol, and features on its coat or arms, representing the citys hard-working past during the industrial revolution.

The response has been incredible, with locals queuing up for their tattoo an the opportunity to give to charity. The parlour has now confirmed that they're fully booked.

23:36

JUST IN: US Appeals Court in the 4th Circuit keeps block to Trump's travel ban in place

23:22 Owaisi dares Amit Shah to contest against him from Hyderabad

Asaduddin Owaisi has dared BJP president Amit Shah to contest from Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat, saying it is not as easy as "eating cake".

Owaisi, the sitting MP from Hyderabad, said his party would ensure that the BJP lost from Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency, held by Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, and five assembly seats the saffron party has in the city.

"You (BJP) want to contest Hyderabad....you are welcome. But why are you planning to field somebody else? You (Shah) come and contest.

Ridiculing Shah's claim that BJP would form its government in Telangana after the 2019 assembly elections, Owaisi said, "You are dreaming".

"God willing, we will ensure BJP loses Secunderabad and also the five assembly seats held by them," he said.

US President Donald Trump told leaders of the NATO alliance on Thursday that the Manchester bombing that killed 22 earlier this week demonstrates the depths of the evils of terrorism.

After leading a moment of silence at the NATO headquarters in Brussels for victims of Monday night's bombing, Trump said that attacks will continue unless steps are taken to counter terrorism strikes.

He said that the United States would never stop fighting terrorism, calling the Manchester attacks 'savage' and 'barbaric'.

'Terrorism must be stopped or ... the horror you saw in Manchester and so many other places will continue forever,' Trump said, referring to Monday's suicide bomb in the northern English city that killed 22 people, including children.

His comments came after he unveiled a memorial to the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington at the NATO headquarters.

He told NATO leaders that the unveiling is 'a day for both remembrance and resolve'.

'We will never waiver in our determination to defeat terrorism and achieve lasting security, prosperity and peace,' he said.

Trump also lectured Nato leaders on their open borders, tying terror attacks like last week's carnage in the United Kingdom to the unchecked flow of migrants throughout Europe.

He said: 'You have thousands and thousands of people pouring into our various countries and spreading throughout, and in many cases we have no idea who they are. We must be tough, we must be strong and we must be vigilant.'

On the eve of the Narendra Modi government's third anniversary, the Congress today accused it of indulging in a multi-crore "propaganda blitz" to build the personality cult of "one person" while demanding a white paper on the state of the economy as it sought to puncture the Centre's claims of growth.

The Congress alleged that distraction, propaganda, falsification of facts, intolerance and insulting political opponents and questioning the wisdom of intellectuals has been the hallmark of the BJP-led NDA government.

Claiming that there was "no economic growth and it is a flat growth", it demanded that the government make public the GDP numbers as per the old formula and provide details of those it has given jobs during last three years.

The party also hit out at the Centre over a host of issues including the "sluggish" economy, "serious" internal security, "plummeting" investment and savings, and social conditions where minorities were feeling "unsafe".

US President Donald Trump met his match in a handshake showdown with Frances new president, Emmanuel Macron.

At their first meeting, ahead of a NATO summit in Brussels on Thursday, the two men locked hands for so long that knuckles started turning white.

Trump finally seemed ready to pull away -- but Macron evidently wasnt. The French leader held the shake for a few seconds more. Both mens jaws seemed to clench.

The Election Commission today rejected the demand of the Aam Aadmi Party to allow it to tamper with the motherboard of the electronic voting machines during the EVM challenge.

The EC said the EVM would lose its originality if changes are made to its internal circuitry.

The AAP had yesterday asked the Commission not to have any set guidelines for the EVM challenge as a person planning to hack the machine would not go by the rules set by the poll panel.

The poll watchdog also said the demonstration held inside the Delhi assembly to prove that the machines can be hacked was carried out on a "look alike" EVM and not on the one used by the Election Commission.

Referring to the party's demand to allow it to tamper with the motherboard of the machine, the EC said "allowing any change of the motherboard or any internal circuit of the EVM is like saying that anyone should be permitted to manufacture a new machine and introduce newly made EVMs in EC system, which is implausible and irrational".

The proposed challenge is on June three for which seven national and 48 regional parties recognised by the EC have been invited.

Rescuers have retrieved the bodies of two Indian climbers who died on Mount Everest last year but whose remains could not be moved due to bad weather, an official said today.

A team of Nepali climbers retrieved the bodies of Goutam Ghosh and Paresh Nath from the balcony, an area just below the summit of the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) mountain.

"Both the bodies are now in camp two in a place from where they can be airlifted. We are working out the logistics to bring them to Kathmandu," Sayeed Ahmeed Baba, an Indian official coordinating the operation said.

Nath's body was found last year but bad weather forced rescuers to abandon attempts to retrieve it. Ghosh's remains were only located this year by other climbers on the mountain.

Three Pakistani nationals, including two women, have been arrested here on charges of entering and staying in the country under false identities

since last year, police said today.

Mohammed Shihaba, hailing from Kerala and stated to be in love with one of the women, was arrested along with them last night for allegedly helping them, they said.

The three Pakistani nationals identified as Kirhon Ghulam Ali, Khasif Shamshuddin and Sameera Abdul Rehman -- natives of Karachi -- had been living in the city's Kumarswamy Layout under false names for last nine months and had even got documents like the Aadhaar card, police said.

"We have arrested these four persons under various sections of passport (act), foreigners act, conspiracy and creation of false document and misrepresentation," city Police Commissioner Praveen Sood told reporters.

The Uttar Pradesh government failed to control incidents of violence in Saharanpur and was now spreading "canards" to divert attention from it, BSP chief Mayawati alleged today.

She was referring to a media report which quoted intelligence sources and claimed that Bheem Army, a little known outfit that gained prominence in the aftermath of the recent Saharanpur clashes, had links with the BSP.

"The BJP government has totally failed to control the situation in Saharanpur and is now making every effort to divert people's attention from it. So, a canard is being spread that BSP has links with Bheem Army," she said.

President Pranab Mukherjee probably gave enough hints on Thursday that he may not be in the race for another term in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"I have exactly two months to go. July 25, a new president will assume office. I am sending back officials who have worked with me, back to their ministries and departments. One has gone to the commerce ministry, two to the ministry of external affairs," he said.

The President was speaking at a farewell tea organised for the media by the President's secretary Omita Paul for his press secretary Venu Rajamony, a career diplomat who has been appointed the Ambassador to The Netherlands. Rajamony will assume his new office in The Hague early next month.

Mukherjee's remarks assume significance in the context of the ongoing hectic political activities centred around a candidate for the President's election slated in July. The Congress-led Opposition has given enough indications that it will not be averse to a second term for Mukherjee if the government is acceptable to it. But the ruling dispensation has not given any hints about who it has in mind for the top post.

19:17

JUST IN: Search for missing Su-30 fighter jet still on, C-130 Super Hercules pressed into service; terrain and thick folliage a huge challenge

19:00 Manchester bomber passed through airport: German police

The suspected bomber in the concert attack in Britain passed through a German airport before the attack, police said today.

Salman Abedi spent only a short time at Duesseldorf airport's transit area four days before the bombing at Manchester Arena, Duesseldorf police said, confirming an earlier report in German magazine Focus.

"According to the current state of the investigations, the suspect transferred in Duesseldorf on his travels to Manchester. Therefore he spent a short time in the transit area," police said in a statement.

Police didn't provide any further information or say where Abedi was coming from when he landed in Duesseldorf.

Tamil state minister for dairy development Rajendra Balaji is in the eye of a storm after he made some bizarre comments. Batting for state-run Aavin Enterprises, the minister advised consumers to opt for Aavin as it was healthier.

Balaji claims that milk sold by private companies is 'cancerous' and causes cancer especially among children.

"Milk sold by private companies is adulterated and that's how it can last for days without getting spoilt. These chemicals used in the milk cause cancer among children. Aavin milk on the other hand is as pure as mother's milk," opined Ravindra Balaji. And he seems to be hinting at action too.

"Companies that are banned in Kerala are allowed to sell this adulterated milk to consumers in Tamil Nadu," the minister added. Now, not only are private entities seeing red over the move, even the aam aadmi is laughing off the statement. With no proof whatsoever, the minister's remarks have been deemed irresponsible and untrue.

18:18 Obama 'heartbroken' by Manchester attack

Former United States President Barack Obama said at a Berlin reunion with German Chancellor Angela Merkel today he was "heartbroken" by a suicide bombing that killed 22 people in Manchester.

"We can see the terrible violence that took place just recently in Manchester... it's a reminder that there is great danger of terrorism and people who would do great harm to others just because they're different," Obama told a crowd at the German capital's Brandenburg Gate.

He and Merkel had sent a joint message of condolence to the families of those killed in the Monday attack during a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande, he added.

"We had a chance backstage to send a message to the people of Manchester about how heartbroken we are by the loss of life," Obama said.

Uzma Ahmad, a young Indian woman, who said she was forced to marry a Pakistani man at gun point, on Thursday after returning home via the Wagah Border extended her thanks to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

"I would like to thank everyone who helped me. Thank you Sushmaji for supporting me," said the emotional woman who couldn't hold back her tears as she narrated her ordeal.

"Pakistan is a death trap. Going there isn't easy and coming out isn't", she said, adding, "Pakistan is a 'well of death'. Even those who go there after arrange marriage are crying."

"Had I been there for a few more days, I would probably not be alive. I was tortured, threatened, was told my daughter would be harmed."

After the woman addressed the media, Sushma Swaraj said that she was relieved that Uzma was able to cross over safely today.

"When Uzma crossed border, I breathed a sigh of relief," said the Union minister.

Pakistan today condemned the honouring of an Indian Army officer who tied a civilian in Kashmir to a vehicle and used him as human shield.

"Awarding Major Leetul Gogoi, who brazenly used a Kashmiri youth as a human shield, is condemnable. It is a crime and an insult to humanity," Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria told reporters.

The international community, particularly, the UN should

take cognisance of the act, he added.

Zakaria accused India of perpetrating and financing terrorism in Pakistan, saying the confessional statement of Indian prisoner on death row Kulbushan Jadhav confirms it.

Talking about the International Court of Justice ruling in the Jadhav case, he said Pakistan is preparing for the next hearing of the case.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi ahead of the the opposition's brainstorming to decide their candidate for the presidential election. It's also a day when the BJP organised a protest in Kolkata.

Talking to reporters after the meeting with the Prime Minister, Banerjee said they spoke about developmental issues and had no conversation on the upcoming Presidential election.

When asked about the candidate for the Presidential election, Mamata said, "If they (BJP) get the consensus candidate that will be very good, we will be happy to see that," Banerjee said.

Reports on Wednesday said that the West Bengal CM wanted to seek more funds for her state to battle financial crisis and Ganga erosion.

On Friday, leaders of Opposition parties will meet to decide on a candidate for the Presidential election as the term of President Pranab Mukherjee ends on July 24.

16:22 Mamata meets PM

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after meeting PM Modi says they discussed development issues, not politics.

Image: Mamata Banerjee at South Block.

BJP president Amit Shah in Telangana: "It was my honour to felicitate the warriors, who fought against the Razakars and their atrocities, today in Gundrampalli village," Shah tweeted.

The Razakars were a private militia which supported the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad and helped him resist the integration of Hyderabad State into the Dominion of India in the aftermath India's independence.

16:14 Unfair to link gau rakshaks to BJP: Gadkari

It is unfair to link cow vigilante groups to BJP as the party does not back them, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said today as he stoutly defended the government's development agenda.

In an interview to PTI, the former BJP president said the government was focused on 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (Together with all, Development for all) and its policies have not discriminated against religious minorities.

"Any saffron clad person on television is immediately related to us (BJP) whereas the fact is that we don't have any relation with that person," he said.

"We don't support such people." Gadkari said violence in the name of protecting cows "should not have happened". "This is not our agenda. Those who are doing this are not our people. Those who did it are wrong. We are not with them. Prime Minister had condemned (them)...we all have condemned (such violence). Why then are they being foisted on our name," he said.

Stating that it was not fair to link such groups with the BJP, he alleged that the move was part of a Left campaign to malign the party and project it as anti-minority and anti- Dalit.

15:45 Shilpa Shetty wows Pakistan

After Pakistani designer Tena Durrani bagged the chance to dress Kareena Kapoor-Khan for her first post-baby shoot in Asiana Wedding magazine, fellow designer Saira Rizwan roped in Shilpa Shetty to model for her latest bridal collection. Take a look

15:25 The Dalai Lama launches Shourie's book

Arun Shourie at the launch of his book, Two Saints, with the Dalai Lama, eminent jurist Fali Nariman and former foreign secretary Shyam Saran. In the wheelchair is Shourie's son, Aditya.

15:08 Ground Zero disagrees

Abdul Rahim Bhat, a former sarpanch of this village in Kashmir's Budgam district, shook his head.

"The officer yesterday claimed that some 1,200 men, women and children surrounded the polling booth that day but he should have checked whether as many people live here. The entire population of this village, including newborns, women and the elderly is 1,200," Bhat said.

He was referring to the account of Major Leetul Gogoi, who was given a commendation card by the army chief last week after he tied a Kashmiri youth to a vehicle and used him as a human shield against stone-throwers on April 9. Read more

Farooq Ahmed Dar, the stone-pelter, who was tied to the bonnet of a jeep by Major Leetul Gogoi, has filed a complaint in the state Human Rights Commission, Jammu and Kashmir against the latter's recommendation for a Commendation Card by the Indian Army.

Major Gogoi, who had tied up Dar as a shield to prevent a mob from attacking Election Commission staff in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam, was awarded by Chief of Army Staff's (COAS) Commendation Card for his sustained distinguished service in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

The decision was hailed by many, while some of the political parties condemned the Indian Army's decision of commending Major Gogoi.

"I do not want to comment on the Army. But the Army personnel that were trapped would have been killed if not been rescued by Major Gogoi. We should never forget that he saved 19 people's life. And the Opposition who is raising questions, I would like to ask them to explain why they are silent over Lt. Ummer Fayaz incident. This is a kind of dual mindset. It is not right to keep silent over the martyrdom of patriotic people and killings of innocent people," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told ANI.

Few political parties were left irked with the Indian Army's decision, citing that Major Gogoi's measures against stone-pelters would only aggravate the situation in the Valley.

"Army must not react this way. We should be sensitive towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This kind of action will further deteriorate the situation in the state," Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja told ANI.

The Congress party on the other hand cornered Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, "The Army officials are also getting influenced by the working pattern of the Modi government. Modi government should not introduce the element of politics in the Indian Army."

The women wing of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference also carried out protests against this move.

A galaxy of stars descended at a Mumbai theatre last night as legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkars biopic Sachin: A Billion Dreams was premiered, a day before it hits screens worldwide.

Sachin thanked the team tweeting, "Thanks team #India for making the day special. A lasting image of the boys led by @imVkohli before they left for #CT17 #SachinABillionDreams."

The Trump administration plans to slash USD 100 million and give USD 800 million as reimbursement to Pakistan in the next fiscal for its military support in fighting terror, a defence department official said. The administration has proposed the USD 100 million cut in its annual budget proposals under the Coalition Support Fund, a Pentagon programme to reimburse US allies that have incurred costs in supporting counter-terrorist and counter-insurgency operations.

Pakistan is one of the largest recipients under the fund and has received USD 14 billion since 2002. But for the past two years, the Congress has imposed conditions on disbursal of the fund.

13:10 Daddy's little girl!

Sourav Ganguly's wife Dona, posts this picture of daughter Sana at her first shoot: "Sana doing her first shoot with daddy."

12:47

Just in: Shots fired in Handwara, J-K, during search operations.

12:36

Sanjay Mitra takes over as the New Defence Secretary.

12:34

Update: The Chief Minister's Office said the chopper carrying Devendra Fadnavis developed a snag during take-off in Latur.

12:26 Chopper with Fadnavis on board crash lands, 'absolutely safe', tweets CM

Just in: A chopper with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on board crash lands in Latur. The CM and his team escapes unhurt. Fadnavis tweeted, "Our helicopter did meet with an accident in Latur but me and my team is absolutely safe, nothing to worry."

Early reports say there were four other people in this chopper apart from Fadnavis. The chopper developed a technical snag.

Close shave for the CM.

12:20 Mere desh ki dharti

Indian woman Uzma returns to India via the Attari-Wagah border after the Islamabad High Court's permission. She has said she was forced to marry a Pakistani.

Rescue operations for Indian Air Force's Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft and its two pilots who went missing soon after take-off from Tezpur airbase in Assam resumed on Thursday.

Sorties to locate the aircraft are also being carried out.

According to reports, an IAF C-130 aircraft with electro-optical payload, an Advanced Light Helicopter, and Chetak helicopters were tasked for the search operation yesterday. Su-30 aircraft with recce capability were also being utilised for locating the missing aircraft.

The rescue mission, however, was halted due to bad weather condition.

Four ground teams of IAF personnel, nine of the Indian Army and two of state administration, were deployed on different axis to scour the area.The aircraft airborne from Tejpur Air Base lost radar and radio contact approximately 60 km North of Tezpur.

Wasim Ahmad, Uzma's brother, reacts: "Very happy to hear that Uzma is back, but don't know when she will be back in Delhi, since her flight is delayed. Sushma Swaraj-ji always kept us updated on Uzma, made me speak to her once. The Indian govt thoroughly helped us, we want to thank the EAM."

As many as six criminals looted a family at the Jewar-Bulandshahr highway in Uttar Pradesh's Greater Noida region on Wednesday night.

According to primary information, the criminals held the family (four men and four women) hostage and allegedly molested and raped the women.

The confirmation on the rape, however, is yet to be ascertained.

The criminals also shot the driver, who died.

The police have have lodged an FIR against the accused.

In a similar incident, at the National Highway passing through Bulandshahr, a car was stopped by criminals and dragged a 13-year-old girl and her mother out and raped them in a nearby field.

The girl, along with her family, was going to a funeral late on July 29, when armed men stopped their car, tied and beat up the men and gang-raped the girl and her 35-year-old mother for almost three hours.

11:19 MS Aiyar to meet Hurriyat

Srinagar: Mani Shankar Aiyar reaches Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's residence alongwith Center for Peace & Progress & civil society member OP Shah.

Indian woman Uzma, who was allegedly forced to marry a Pakistani man, returns home. Uzma, 20, who had travelled to Pakistan earlier this month, said that her Pakistani husband Tahir Ali 'forced' her to marry him at gun point and also harassed her.

External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj who facilitated the return tweeted her welcome: Uzma - "Welcome home India's daughter. I am sorry for all that you have gone through."

An Islamabad High Court bench, headed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, returned Uzma her original immigration form after the hearing.

According to a Geo News report, the court also ordered that police provide security to the Indian woman till the Wagah border.

Image: Uzma crossed the Wagah border into India.

11:06

First look: Poster of Rajinikanth's next movie 'Kaala Karikaalan'

10:37 Liquid death

Inside those beautiful faux crystal decanters is snake venom worth Rs 70 crore. These two men were held in Siliguri, West Bengal, by security forces. Interrogation is underway. Snake venom is used to treat heart ailments and is highly prized.

10:29 Trump arrives in 'hellhole' for NATO summit

United States President Donald Trump arrived in Brussels on the fourth leg of his first foreign trip since taking office after visiting Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Vatican City. Trump and his wife Melania were accorded a royal welcome upon their arrival in the city which he once called as a "hellhole" due to issues stemming from Muslim immigration.

The US President met Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel after meeting King Philippe.

Trump, during his meeting with Prime Minister Michel, pledged to work together on various problems and emphasised that terrorism was number one problem, CNBC News reported.

Trump is scheduled to meet European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, followed by an expanded session that will include European Parliament President Antonio Tajani.

He will also be meeting French President Emmanuel Macron and then head to NATO summit which will include a discussion focused on military spending and fighting terrorism.

Trump will then fly on to Sicily for a meeting of the G7 economic powers.

Image: US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania meet the King and Queen of Belgium at the royal palace in Brussels.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will confront United States President Donald Trump over leak of information about the Manchester Arena attack from the investigation when she meets him at a NATO summit in Brussels on Thursday.

The UK government has expressed its anger after a US newspaper published photos apparently showing the scene of the Manchester Arena attack that left 22 dead and several others injured.

"We are furious. This is completely unacceptable. These images leaked from inside the US system will be distressing for victims, their families and the wider public. The issue is being raised at every relevant level by the British authorities with their US counterparts," The Guardian quoted a Whitehall source as saying.

The New York Times had published photos which it said were gathered by UK authorities at the scene of the Manchester Arena attack.

The photos were also consequently published in the UK media.

The details about the attack emerged in American media before being confirmed by British police.

UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd said she was irritated with the early release of information about bomber Salman Abedi by the United States and told her American counterparts that no further leaks should happen.

The United Nations has dismissed Pakistan Army's claim that its military observers came under attack from Indian troops near the Line of Control, saying there was "no evidence" of them being targeted.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said there was no evidence that an UNMOGIP (United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan) vehicle was targeted by the Indian Army along the LoC near the Khanjar sector.

"I can say to you that this afternoon in Bhimber District, in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, UNMOGIP military observers accompanied by Pakistani Army escorts heard gunshots in their vicinity. There is no evidence that the UNMOGIP military observers were targeted by the gunfire. No UN military observer was injured," he told reporters yesterday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, had said that a vehicle carrying two officers of the UN military observer group came under attack by Indian troops during a visit to the LoC.

09:48

Even Rihanna can't get this right.

09:44 Arrest warrant for rape-accused yoga teacher

A Los Angeles judge Wednesday issued an arrest warrant for the founder of Bikram yoga, who's been ordered to hand over proceeds from his global fitness business to satisfy a $6.8-million judgment won by a former legal advisor. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Edward Moreton issued the warrant for Bikram Choudhury and set bail at $8 million.

No lawyers appeared for Choudhury, who claimed last year that he was nearly bankrupt.

The award was won by Minakshi "Micki' Jafa-Bodden, who claimed Choudhury fired her when she refused to help him cover up a rape allegation. Read more

Also read: Women love me: Bikram

09:36 Mann Ki Baat, now a book!

The preface in the book has been written by Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. He says, "Talking on a one-hour radio show once a month while addressing challenging tasks as Prime Minister requires tremendous efforts, and I cannot but feel his strong passion for dialogue with his people."

The book, Mann Ki Baat: a social revolution on Radio, is a compilation of PM Narendra Modi's one-hour, once-a-month, radio shows.

The book marks the journey of the programme which will complete 3 years in October. It will released on May 26 at Rashtrapati Bhawan with the first copy to be presented to President Pranab Mukherjee. Apart from vignettes like how the name for the programme came about - Prime Minister Modi is said to have exclaimed, arre isme kya baat hai, kaho kuch halki phulki Mann ki baat karunga (why make a big fuss, it will be just a heart to heart talk) the book will also go into analytics on what was followed up in terms of feedback from listeners, and even has chapter on how the phrase Mann Ki Baat has entered the political lexicon in order to mock Prime Minister Modi.

Gangster Chhota Rajan, the prime accused in Jyotirmoy alias 'J' Dey's killing, had told an acquaintance that the journalist had grown close to his arch rival Dawood Ibrahim and "crossed his limit".

This was disclosed in a recorded conversation between Rajan and Manoj Shivdasani, a friend of another accused in the case, Vinod Chembur (now deceased).

Shivdasani on Wednesday deposed before the special court in Mumbai, where prosecution played a tape of the conversation between him and Rajan.

"He has identified his voice and Rajan's voice in it," Special public prosecutor Pradeep Gharat said.

In one such recorded conversation, Rajan had purportedly referred to Dey as a rascal and said "Dawood se mila hua hai" (Dey has grown close to Dawood).

Rajan purportedly said that Dey had "crossed the limit". He had also mentioned the name of arrested journalist Jigna Vora.

Dey was shot dead in suburban Powai on June 11, 2011.

Rajan talked with Shivdasani over phone after Dey's death.

The court on August 31 last year had framed charges against Rajan.

According to a supplementary charge sheet filed by the CBI, Rajan had the veteran crime reporter killed because he was miffed with some articles written by him, and also because a book being written by Dey portrayed him as a 'chindi' (petty) criminal.

The book, "Chindi--Rags to Riches", was to be about 20 gangsters who rose from humble origins.

Rajan was arrested at Bali airport in Indonesia on October 25, 2015, and deported to India.

A special Central Bureau of Investigation court hearing the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition cases has asked Bharatiya Janata Party leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti to appear before it on Friday.

The court is likely to frame additional charges against Advani and other accused after the Supreme Court ordered restoring of the serious criminal conspiracy offence against them.

The apex court had on April 19 directed that Advani, Bharti and Joshi will face trial on conspiracy charges. It had transferred their case from Raebareli to Lucknow.

It directed the special court to start proceedings in the matter within a month and deliver its verdict within two years.

The apex court had dubbed the demolition of the medieval era monument as a crime which shook the secular fabric of the Constitution and allowed the CBIs plea on restoration of serious offence of criminal conspiracy against the VVIP accused.

00:33 Ino-US ties never been stronger: Trump admin

Indo-US ties have never been stronger, with America's national interests increasingly convergent across Asia, the Trump administration has told the United States Congress.

"On the prosperity front, India's dynamic economy and Central Asia's rich energy resources promise that the region can be a key driver of global prosperity over the coming decades," the State Department said in the Trump administration's maiden budget proposals to the Congress.

It said the US-India relationship has never been stronger, with the US national interests increasingly convergent across Asia.

The State Department said there have been promising shifts towards democracy in much of South Asia in the last two years, presenting opportunities for the US and its partners in the region to pursue the goal of a South and Central Asia region with more accountable and inclusive governance and sustainable economic development.

The maiden annual budget of the Trump administration's South and Central Asia wing of the State Departmentsupports two major regional initiatives: the New Silk Road focused on Afghanistan and its neighbours, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor linking South Asia with Southeast Asia.

While India is not a major recipient of the US assistance, the budget proposes several financial assistance to India.

For instance, the State Department proposes $11million funding to support efforts to strengthen the capacity of India's health workforce and enhance the quality of data for government and local decision-making. -- PTI

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