LIVE
Wed, 25 July 2018
Photographer apologises after outrage over images on hunger in India
Timeline Refresh
23:33 Photographer apologises after outrage over images on hunger in India
A series of photographs on hunger in India that show villagers posing next to tables full of food has sparked a backlash online and been branded as exploitative "poverty porn" by critics.
The pictures by Italian photographer Alessio Mamo, which show children covering their eyes next to fake meals, went viral after the World Press Photo Foundation shared them on Instagram.
Mamo apologised in a statement on Tuesday after several Instagram and Twitter users criticised the "Dreaming Food" series, with many posting the hashtag #PovertyPorn in protest.
"This is extremely insensitive. There are better ways to raise awareness than to try and snatch dignity away from people," Instagram user shraddhanjalis said in a post. "A little empathy would go a long way. Poor people are not props."
Yet other social media users defended the series as an attempt to shock and engage the public on the issue of hunger.
"The only goal ... was to let western people think, in a provocative way, about the waste of food," said Mamo, who took the photos in 2011 in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
"Maybe I did it in the wrong way, but I worked honestly and respectfully with all the people involved. I only had the intention to let people think," his statement said.
In response to the online backlash, World Press Photo - home to one of the world's leading news photography prizes - said in a statement that photographers were responsible for selecting which pictures to post on the organisation's Instagram account.
23:08 Trump's Walk of Fame star destroyed in Hollywood
Donald Trumps star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood has been destroyed.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the LAPD received a call from the man who allegedly took a pickaxe to the presidents spot on the strip in Los Angeles. Reports claim the suspect arrived with a guitar case before taking out the implement to destroy the star.
While he had fled the scene by the time officers arrived, he has since turned himself in and remains in police custody. A source claimed he would probably be charged with felony vandalism.
While there is private security in the area, they struggled to intervene as they do not possess the same powers as law enforcement officers.
Its not the first time that the star been the target of an attack, with multiple incidents of vandalism. In 2016, James Lambert Otis, 53, was recorded using a jackhammer and a pickaxe to remove Trumps name. He said he was motivated by the infamous Access Hollywood video in which the future president use lewd terminology to describe infidelity.
22:42 Trump warns China on trade, says he has been 'nice' to it so far
US President Donald Trump today accused China of being "vicious" in its trade with the US, and said his administration has so far been "nice" but indicated harsher measures against Beijing amidst an intense trade war between the two economic giants.
The US had earlier this month imposed 25 per cent duties on $34 billion of imports from China, the first in a series of possible increases that Trump had said could affect up to $550 billion of Chinese goods, more than the total amount China exported to the US last year.
"China is targeting our farmers, who they know I love & respect, as a way of getting me to continue allowing them to take advantage of the US," Trump tweeted.
"They are being vicious in what will be their failed attempt. We were being nice - until now! China made $517 billion on us last year," he added.
Trump, in a series of tweets, was also critical of those inside the US asking him not to engage in countries like China on tariff war as this is harming the US.
"Every time I see a weak politician asking to stop Trade talks or the use of Tariffs to counter unfair Tariffs, I wonder, what can they be thinking? Are we just going to continue and let our farmers and country get ripped off? Lost $817 billion on Trade last year. No weakness!" he said.
"When you have people snipping at your heels during a negotiation, it will only take longer to make a deal, and the deal will never be as good as it could have been with unity. Negotiations are going really well, be cool. The end result will be worth it!" Trump said in another tweet.
-- PTI
22:04 Mallya assets case: UK Court of Appeal refuses permission to appeal
The UK's Court of Appeal has refused Vijay Mallya the permission to appeal against a High Court order in favour of 13 Indian banks to recover funds amounting to nearly 1.145 billion pounds, in another setback to the embattled liquor tycoon.
The 62-year-old businessman, who is separately undergoing an extradition trial in a UK court over fraud and money laundering charges by Indian authorities, had sought permission to appeal against the High Court order dated May 8.
In the ruling, Judge Andrew Henshaw had refused to overturn a worldwide order freezing Mallya's assets and also denied permission to appeal, which left Mallya with the only option of turning to the Court of Appeal.
Judge Henshaw's order marked the first recorded case of a judgment of the Debt Recovery Tribunal in India being registered by the English high court, setting a legal precedent.
The Court of Appeal judges looked into Mallya's application seeking permission to appeal and decided against it yesterday.
As a result of the High Court order, the Indian banks - State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Corporation bank, Federal Bank Ltd, IDBI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of Mysore, UCO Bank, United Bank of India and JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co Pvt Ltd - have the right to enforce the Indian judgment against Mallya's assets in England and Wales.
"In the event permission has been refused, then the decision of the judge is final and Mallya does not have any further recourse of appeal against his decision," said Kartik Mittal, Senior Solicitor at London-based Zaiwalla & Co LLP.
"The English judicial system does not give parties an unfettered right to appeal. The right to appeal is restricted. A party can only appeal a decision of the first instance Court if the first instance Court or the Appellate Court gives the party permission to appeal," he explained.
-- PTI
21:58 Fearing a hug, BJP MPs take '2 steps back' whenever they see me: Rahul
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi today took a swipe at the BJP over his hugging Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament, saying now the party's MPs take "two steps back" on seeing him fearing he may embrace them too.
Gandhi, who was severely criticised by the BJP leaders for hugging Modi during his speech on the no-confidence motion against the government last week, said he may have a difference of opinion with the ruling party leaders and he can fight them, but he doesn't need to hate them.
"You can fight someone with all your might, but hate is a choice... And I think that is something that is very important to understand. I may disagree with Mr (L K) Advani, I may have a completely different conception of the country from that of Mr Advani. And I can fight Mr Advani on every single inch, but I don't need to hate him," Gandhi said at a book launch where the senior BJP leader and former deputy prime minister was also present.
The Congress chief further said that he can hug Advani and also fight him.
"It is very interesting how this works, because now whenever I come across BJP MPs, they take two steps back... we have to be careful he is going to hug us," Gandhi said amid peals of laughter.
After a no-holds barred and scathing criticism of Modi on several issues including the Rafale jet deal, Gandhi had walked across the well of Lok Sabha to Modi and hugged him. The gesture had taken Modi as well as the treasury benches by surprise.
-- PTI
21:13 Imran Khan's PTI ahead as votes are counted in Pakistan polls
Millions of Pakistanis voted today to elect a new government and prime minister in a tense election marred by allegations of military interference and a series of deadly attacks.
Up to 8 lakh police and military forces were stationed at more than 85,000 polling stations across the country as the voting took place today.
Today's election would be only the second democratic transition of power in Pakistan's 70-year coup-studded history. Pakistan is a country of approximately 207 million people, out of which the number of registered voters are about 106 million.
Imra Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ahead as votes are counted in Pakistan's high-stakes polls.
20:37 Anil Ambani writes to Rahul on Rafale deal, refutes allegations of lack of experience
Billionaire Anil Ambani has written to Congress President Rahul Gandhi refuting allegations of his Reliance Group lacking experience to get the Rafale fighter jet deal and said the government had no role in French Group Dassault picking up his company as a local partner.
In a two-page letter written on December 12, 2017, Ambani explained to Gandhi, who has been attacking the government over the Rafale deal, why his Reliance Group bagged the multi-billion dollar project.
Invoking his family's "respectful relationship" with the Gandhi family over generations, Ambani said he was "personally saddened" by the "unfortunate statements" against him and his group by several functionaries of the Congress party.
"Not only do we have the necessary experience but we are also the leaders in several important areas of defense manufacture," he said in the letter written on the last day of campaigning for the Gujarat assembly polls that was marked by political mud-slinging over the Rafale fighter jet deal.
He said Reliance Defence has the largest shipyard in the private sector at Pipavav in Gujarat and is currently building five Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Indian Navy and 14 Fast Patrol Vessels for the Indian Coast Guard.
"The decision of the Government of India to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets from France was made through an inter-governmental agreement signed between the two countries.
"Also, all these 36 aircraft are being manufactured in France and will be delivered on a 'fly away' basis from Dassault manufacturing facilities in France to the Indian Air Force and no Indian company has any role to play," he said.
Dassault choose Reliance Group as its joint venture partner to meet the 'offset' or export obligation component of the deal and this was "an independent agreement between two corporate private sector entities, and Governments had no role to play in this matter," he wrote.
-- PTI
19:52 Kovind completes one year as President of India
As Ram Nath Kovind completed his first year as President of India, the Rashtrapati Bhavan today described him as 'Everybody's President' who has met 34 persons on an average per day and visited a record 27 of the country's 29 states since taking charge.
Kovind, 72, also gave assent to 30 bills of the Union government and 59 of state governments, besides promulgating 12 Ordinances in his first year of presidency.
Since assuming office as the 14th President on July 25, 2017, he has hosted eight state visits by presidents and monarchs from across the world and visited ten countries while becoming the first Indian president to conduct three consecutive state visits to Africa, according to a series of infographics issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan today on his one-year of presidency.
He is the first president to have visited Djibouti, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Swaziland, Suriname and Cuba, it said. Kovind is also the first president to visit Ethipoia since 1972, Zambia since 1989, Greece since 207 and Mauritius since 2013.
Kovind's home state Uttar Pradesh is his most visited state (nine times), followed by Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh (five times each), Gujarat (four times), Jammu and Kashmir and and Karnataka (three each).
-- PTI
19:44 Over 400 detained in Mumbai as violence mars Maratha stir
As many as 447 persons were detained across the city today as protesters demanding reservation for the Maratha community took to the streets.
Protesters attacked buses, stoned local trains and indulged in arson.
"We have taken 447 people in custody and the process of registration of offences against them is going on," a police spokesperson said.
Maratha organisations had given a call for bandh in Mumbai and surrounding areas today.
Protests were held at 45 places in the city, and in some places the civic-run BEST buses were stoned, roads were blockaded and public property was damaged, the spokesperson said.
In adjoining Thane city, police detained 20 persons for vandalising public property.
Thane police commissioner Param Bir Singh said some "mischievous elements" indulged in violence even though the leaders of the agitation tried to maintain peace.
"We have registered offences and so far detained 20 persons. We have also identified some more persons who were involved in these acts," he said.
Police burst teargas shells to disperse a mob which went on a rampage at Nitin Junction, Singh said.
-- PTI
19:36 Marathas should come forward for talks with govt: Fadnavis
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today accused "certain leaders" of trying to create caste division in Maharashtra, even as he said that the Maratha community, that has been protesting for reservation, should come forward for talks with the government instead of resorting to agitation and violence.
He said his government was committed to provide reservation to the community, but pointed out that the issue was pending before the Bombay high court.
In a statement issued, Fadnavis said that after peaceful silent marches taken out by Maratha agitators two years ago, his government took several decisions for the welfare of the community.
Maratha organisations had called for a shutdown in Mumbai and surrounding areas today, which led to violence in some places.
Fadnavis said his government was committed to grant reservations in jobs and education to the Marathas, and pointed out the government passed a law in this regard, but it was struck down by the high court.
The state appealed against the high court decision in the apex court but could not get a stay, he said.
"Hence, the case is pending in the high court. A state OBC commission has been set up and a proposal is being prepared as per the law. We are doing sincerely whatever is in our power," he said.
He said if there was any loophole in implementation of the schemes, it can be sorted out through talks.
"There is also a need to resolve confusion in the community about the mega-recruitment drive in government service. Instead of resorting to violence and protests, the community should come forward for talks with the government," Fadnavis appealed.
-- PTI
19:35 Marathas should come forward for talks with govt: Fadnavis
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today accused "certain leaders" of trying to create caste division in Maharashtra, even as he said that the Maratha community, that has been protesting for reservation, should come forward for talks with the government instead of resorting to agitation and violence.
He said his government was committed to provide reservation to the community, but pointed out that the issue was pending before the Bombay high court.
In a statement issued, Fadnavis said that after peaceful silent marches taken out by Maratha agitators two years ago, his government took several decisions for the welfare of the community.
Maratha organisations had called for a shutdown in Mumbai and surrounding areas today, which led to violence in some places.
Fadnavis said his government was committed to grant reservations in jobs and education to the Marathas, and pointed out the government passed a law in this regard, but it was struck down by the high court.
The state appealed against the high court decision in the apex court but could not get a stay, he said.
"Hence, the case is pending in the high court. A state OBC commission has been set up and a proposal is being prepared as per the law. We are doing sincerely whatever is in our power," he said.
He said if there was any loophole in implementation of the schemes, it can be sorted out through talks.
"There is also a need to resolve confusion in the community about the mega-recruitment drive in government service. Instead of resorting to violence and protests, the community should come forward for talks with the government," Fadnavis appealed.
-- PTI
19:19 Foetus found in lavatory of Air Asia plane
A foetus was recovered from a lavatory of an Air Asia plane after it landed in New Delhi from Guwahati this afternoon, Delhi Police said.
The crew of flight I5 784 informed about the foetus being found in the lavatory, they said.
The flight had originated from Imphal.
According to the police, a woman who boarded the plane in Guwahati delivered "a pre-mature dead foetus".
In a statement, Air Asia said a suspect has been held back by police for further investigation, adding she was identified on questioning of all female passengers onboard.
"A newborn infant was found lifeless and abandoned in one of the lavatories when the aircraft was being prepared for landing. Delhi Police were alerted and a doctor from the medical team at Delhi International Airport confirmed that the baby had been delivered onboard," it said.
The matter has been reported to the DGCA, the airline said.
"We will be assisting in the investigation and cooperating with all
concerned agencies. AirAsia India would like to apologise to all guests experiencing disruptions in their flight schedule," it added.
-- PTI
18:36 Shiv Sena MLA quits in support of Maratha quota stir
A Shiv Sena MLA from Maharashtra's Aurangabad district today offered to resign in support of the Maratha quota demand.
Harshavardhan Jadhav, who represents Kannad assembly constituency, had recently announced to step down if the demands of the agitating Maratha community are not met.
He is the son-in-law of BJP's state unit president Raosaheb Danve.
In his letter addressed to Legislative Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde, Jadhav stated that he was tendering his resignation this afternoon.
When contacted, Jadhav said he has also e-mailed his resignation to the Speaker and will personally submit it to him in Mumbai tomorrow.
The Shiv Sena, a constituent of the BJP-led state and Central governments, has 63 MLAs in the 288-member House.
-- PTI
18:20 Unnecessary importance being given to mob lynching: Yogi
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said incidents of mob lynching are being given unnecessary importance.
The CM said that humans are important but so are cows and both need to be protected.
While accusing the Congress of fuelling the issue, Adityanath said, "These incidents (mob lynching) are given unnecessary importance. If you talk about mob lynching, what was 1984? Law and order is a matter of state. Congress's intention is to make mountain out of a molehill and it won't be successful."
"We will provide protection to everyone, but it is also the responsibility of every individual, every community and every religion to respect each other sentiments. Humans are important and cows are also important. Both have their own roles in nature. Everyone should be protected," he added.
The apex court, last week directed the Parliament to frame a special law to put a check on crimes like lynching, saying "the horrendous acts of mobocracy cannot be permitted to inundate the law of the land".
The Centre on Monday had said that it is committed to uphold the rule of law and adopt effective measures.
-- ANI
17:50
The Fugitive Economic Offenders Ordinance, 2018, passed in Rajya Sabha
17:48 Lankesh murder probe: Cops come across diary with 'hit-list' containing Karnad's name
The SIT probing journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh's killing has stumbled upon a diary with a 'hit-list' which has the name of film and theatre personality Girish Karnad's name on top, police said today.
Karnad was among the most vocal critics of hardline Hindutva whose security was beefed up following the killing of Lankesh in September last year.
Lankesh's name figures second among the intended targets in the diary which was recovered last month from the suspects arrested in connection with her killing.
"There is a list of targets prepared by a radical Hindu group. The names of Karnad and Lankesh have been mentioned at slot number 1 and 2. We are investigating further," a member of the Special Investigation Team said.
The entries, he said, have been made in Devnagri script.
The names of politician-litterateur B T Lalitha Naik, pontiff Veerabhadra Channamalla Swamy of Nidumamidi Mutt and rationalist C S Dwarakanath also figure in the list. All of them are bitter critics of the Hindu right.
When reached for comments on the recovery of the diary and his name on the hit-list, Karnad, tersely said, "I have no interest in all this. Thanks."
-- PTI
17:24
Mumbai bandh update: Train services between Thane and Vashi on Mumbai's trans-Harbour line that were stalled due to Maratha Kranti Morcha's protest over demand for reservation in government jobs and education, resumed after the organisation called off their protest.
17:23 Shatrughan questions Modi's Africa tour, attacks him over lynchings, Rafale deal
BJP lawmaker Shatrughan Sinha, known for his public critique of his party and the government, on Wednesday attacked Narendra Modi on Twitter again over mob lynchings and the controversy on Rafale fighter aircraft deal with France as he questioned the timing of the Prime Ministers three-nation tour of Africa.
Dear Sir! As usual,while Parliament is in session, you are on a 3 Nation African tour. Heavens wouldnt have fallen if youd left after the session. You could have still visited some of the nations left on the globe...(sic) Sinha said in a series of tweets.
The member of Parliament from Patna Sahib brought up the Prime Ministers gift of 200 cows to a Rwandan village as great & thoughtful initiative to attack Modi on the rising incidents of lynchings in the country, the latest in Rajasthans Alwar district.
... But Sir! Back home, Opposition is in big news over lynching by Cow rakshaks killing of innocent people, alleging tht some of our people are hand & glove in these horrific deeds. Still,not a word from you,Sir! You can do it from a foreign land too ... (sic) he added.
... Also, humble request to direct us as a privilege motion on Rafale deal against Govt has been moved.Jai Hind!
The last time Sinha took on Modi on Twitter was on Tuesday when he wrote about the PMs response to Congress president Rahul Gandhis splendid hug in Parliament during the no-confidence motion debate last Friday.
17:10 FBs alert helps Assam cops prevent teens suicide
A girl who had posted on Facebook that she was going to commit suicide was saved by the police in the nick of time after the social media giant's US-based headquarters alerted them.
"Info was received from Facebook last night that a minor girl had updated her status as- 'I am gonna to commit suicide today'. The child was located in 30 mins & her safety ensured. She & her family were counselled. She is safe and in their care," the Assam police said in a tweet.
"The information was received from Facebook headquarters. A life was saved," police officials said.
The post was later deleted on police advice.
17:08 Imran Khan's vote may be cancelled for violating 'secrecy of ballot': Reports
Imran Khans vote may be cancelled for violating electoral rules, reports said on Wednesday, as his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party denied the charge and said the countrys poll body failed to prevent the spread of unverified reports.
Pakistani television channel Express News reported Khan was captured on video while exercising his franchise in violation of the Election Commission of Pakistans secrecy of ballot code.
According to the Pakistani media, the commission has taken notice of the event during the violence-marred general election that has cricket hero Khan pitted against the party of jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Dawn.com reported the election commission has forwarded the matter to the chief election commissioner for consideration and a notice will be sent to Khan after that. A video of the PTI chief casting his vote has also been sent to the election body, it added.
The punishment for failing to maintain secrecy while voting is six months jail and a fine of Rs 1,000 under section 185 of the Election Act, 2017.
16:38 Karunanidhi has fever, don't believe rumours, says Stalin
DMK working president MK Stalin today said his father and party chief M Karunanidhi was suffering from fever and doctors were providing medication, assuring there was nothing to worry about the 94-year-old leader's health.
"Doctors are providing medication for the fever and there is nothing to worry about or get shocked," he told reporters after visiting the DMK patriarch at his Gopalapuram residence in Chennai.
"It is only a rumour. No one need to believe it, he is at home, taking rest," he said, responding to a query about the health status of Karunanidhi following messages doing the rounds on a messaging platform reportedly claiming deterioration in his health.
The DMK working president said two days after Karunanidhi's return from a private hospital, wherein he had undergone a procedure to change his tracheostomy tube, the He had "mild fever."
On July 18 Karunanidhi had undergone a procedure at a Chennai hospital in which a tracheostomy tube was replaced by a new one. Karunanidhi fell ill in October 2016 due to a drug-induced allergy.
The veteran leader was admitted to the hospital for "optimisation of nutrition and hydration" in the first week of December that year and later, due to a throat and lung infection.
He had undergone tracheostomy, a procedure to optimise breathing.
16:12 PM has asked states to deal sternly against cow vigilantes: Govt
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked state governments to take strong action against cow vigilantes who indulge in violence, Rajya Sabha was informed today.
The written reply of Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir came in response to Samajwadi Party MP Javed Ali Khan's question on whether the government has taken cognisance of the statements made by the prime minister on August 6, 2016, June 30 and July 16, 2017.
"Hon'ble Prime Minister has stated that the state governments must deal sternly against anti-social elements that create violence in the name of cow protection," he said.
Ahir said 'police' and 'public order' are state subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution and state governments are primarily responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and for prosecuting the criminals through their law enforcement agencies.
However, the ministry of home affairs has issued advisories to the states and union territories, from time to time, to maintain law and order and ensure that any person who takes law into his or her own hands is punished promptly as per law, he said. -- PTI
15:56 Mamata front runner for PM post nothing new: TMC
TMC leader Derek O'Brien said today that 2018-19 is the year of "think federal", suggesting regional parties will play a crucial role at the Centre and projected Mamata Banerjee as one of the "most senior leaders in this matrix". He also said that Banerjee emerging as one of the front runners for the prime minister's post "is nothing new".
His comments came a day after reports about the Congress being ready to accept any non-RSS candidate from among the Opposition as the next prime minister.
"This 2018-2019. This is the year of "think federal". But these things would be decided later. The reality is that everyone is focused on electing a people-centric government and removing the BJP. So, one of the most senior leader in this matrix is Mamata Banerjee," O'Brien told reporters.
The TMC Rajya Sabha member claimed that Banerjee is "accepted" not only by the people of West Bengal but also the entire country for her 40 years of political struggle, including as Member of Parliament and the chief minister of the state.
Though Congress president Rahul Gandhi has not said anything about projecting Banerjee as the prime ministerial candidate, her name "emerging as one of the front runners is nothing new", O'Brien said.
The TMC leader said the focus of a "united opposition" is on spreading the message that the BJP had failed its people and bringing its tally to between 100 and 150 seats. Banerjee has been trying to stitch together a federal front of regional parties to take on the BJP in the next general election.
But many in the Opposition have remained sceptical about her efforts. She will visit Delhi for three days next week to personally invite opposition leaders to the "federal front' rally she plans to hold in January in Kolkata, according to party sources. Banerjee is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on July 31. During her previous visits to Delhi, she met the leaders of regional and opposition parties as part of her efforts to cobble up support for the "federal front'. There is speculation in the Opposition camp that a woman prime ministerial candidate may be projected in the next elections and names of BSP leader Mayawati and TMC supremo Banerjee are doing the rounds.
-- PTI
His comments came a day after reports about the Congress being ready to accept any non-RSS candidate from among the Opposition as the next prime minister.
"This 2018-2019. This is the year of "think federal". But these things would be decided later. The reality is that everyone is focused on electing a people-centric government and removing the BJP. So, one of the most senior leader in this matrix is Mamata Banerjee," O'Brien told reporters.
The TMC Rajya Sabha member claimed that Banerjee is "accepted" not only by the people of West Bengal but also the entire country for her 40 years of political struggle, including as Member of Parliament and the chief minister of the state.
Though Congress president Rahul Gandhi has not said anything about projecting Banerjee as the prime ministerial candidate, her name "emerging as one of the front runners is nothing new", O'Brien said.
The TMC leader said the focus of a "united opposition" is on spreading the message that the BJP had failed its people and bringing its tally to between 100 and 150 seats. Banerjee has been trying to stitch together a federal front of regional parties to take on the BJP in the next general election.
But many in the Opposition have remained sceptical about her efforts. She will visit Delhi for three days next week to personally invite opposition leaders to the "federal front' rally she plans to hold in January in Kolkata, according to party sources. Banerjee is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on July 31. During her previous visits to Delhi, she met the leaders of regional and opposition parties as part of her efforts to cobble up support for the "federal front'. There is speculation in the Opposition camp that a woman prime ministerial candidate may be projected in the next elections and names of BSP leader Mayawati and TMC supremo Banerjee are doing the rounds.
-- PTI
15:06 On the plane with Nawaz Sharif
In September 2007, Mohammad Hanif, soon to be the celebrated author of the critically acclaimed, best-selling, A Case of Exploding Mangoes, accompanied Nawaz Sharif on his return from exile.
Hanif filed this gripping first person account -- exclusive to Rediff.com -- of what happened after the PIA plane landed in Islamabad. We republish the feature as Pakistan goes to the polls today.
Do read
Hanif filed this gripping first person account -- exclusive to Rediff.com -- of what happened after the PIA plane landed in Islamabad. We republish the feature as Pakistan goes to the polls today.
Do read
14:54 Marathas call off Mumbai bandh
The Maratha Kranti Morcha calls off the Mumbai bandh, perhaps over the spiralling violence across Maharashtra. The Morcha is expected to call a press conference shortly. For now, the Sion-Panvel highway is still blocked, but with the apex body calling off the bandh, blockades there too should end.
Protesters attacked buses and stopped local trains in Mumbai and the adjoining Thane city today during the bandh called by Maratha outfits over their demand for reservation. The police in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Satara districts were on their toes to prevent any law and order problem during the bandh. In Aurangabad, a man, Jagannath Sonawane, who had consumed a poisonous substance yesterday during the protest, died today at a local government hospital.
Nine public buses were attacked by agitators in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai, a transport official said. Agitators threw stones on some buses in Mumbai, including Kanjurmarg and Bhandup areas, shattering window panes.
Image: A show of strength by workers of the Maratha Kranti Morcha at Dadar. Pic: Sahil Salvi
Protesters attacked buses and stopped local trains in Mumbai and the adjoining Thane city today during the bandh called by Maratha outfits over their demand for reservation. The police in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Satara districts were on their toes to prevent any law and order problem during the bandh. In Aurangabad, a man, Jagannath Sonawane, who had consumed a poisonous substance yesterday during the protest, died today at a local government hospital.
Nine public buses were attacked by agitators in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai, a transport official said. Agitators threw stones on some buses in Mumbai, including Kanjurmarg and Bhandup areas, shattering window panes.
Image: A show of strength by workers of the Maratha Kranti Morcha at Dadar. Pic: Sahil Salvi
14:47 CBI seeks whereabouts of Choksi from Antigua
The CBI has written to Antiguan authorities seeking whereabouts of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, allegedly involved in over USD 2 billion scam in state-run Punjab National Bank, government sources said.
The move comes after it emerged that Choksi had moved to the Caribbean country in July and also taken a local passport. The CBI in its communication sent to Antiguan authority last evening cited diffusion notice issued by the Interpol against the fugitive businessman and sought details of his movement and his present location, the source said. Choksi had taken citizenship of Antigua in November 2017, and oath of allegiance on January 15 this year, according to a local newspaper Antigua Observer. Citing reports from Indian outlets, the newspaper sent a questionnaire to Citizenship by Investment unit of Antigua about Choksi. -- PTI
The move comes after it emerged that Choksi had moved to the Caribbean country in July and also taken a local passport. The CBI in its communication sent to Antiguan authority last evening cited diffusion notice issued by the Interpol against the fugitive businessman and sought details of his movement and his present location, the source said. Choksi had taken citizenship of Antigua in November 2017, and oath of allegiance on January 15 this year, according to a local newspaper Antigua Observer. Citing reports from Indian outlets, the newspaper sent a questionnaire to Citizenship by Investment unit of Antigua about Choksi. -- PTI
14:39 Mumbai shuts shop for Maratha bandh
Shopkeepers in central Mumbai -- Dadar, Hindmata -- downed their shutters for fear of violence. Maratha Kranti Morcha workers also asked shopkeepers to shut shop, but there were no instances of violence from these areas. In Bandra, protestors requested shopkeepers with folded hands to close their shops.
In Latur, the scene was entirely different -- the Maratha quota stir turned violent with clashes breaking out between two groups in Udgir. The clashes erupted after protesting Maratha Kranti Morcha workers allegedly forced people to shut down their shops and overturned a vegetable cart.
Image: Shops were shut at Dadar and Hindmata in central Mumbai. Pic: Sahil Salvi.
In Latur, the scene was entirely different -- the Maratha quota stir turned violent with clashes breaking out between two groups in Udgir. The clashes erupted after protesting Maratha Kranti Morcha workers allegedly forced people to shut down their shops and overturned a vegetable cart.
The Maratha community has been protesting across Maharashtra demanding reservation in government jobs and education. They have called for a bandh in the state today.
Earlier today, the protestors set several vehicles on fire and also vandalised public buses in Navi Mumbai's Ghansoli and Wagle estate area of Thane causing disruption in bus services. They also blocked a local train in Thane.
Besides reservation for the Maratha community, loan waiver, Kopardi rape, unemployment are some of the other issues against which the community is protesting.Image: Shops were shut at Dadar and Hindmata in central Mumbai. Pic: Sahil Salvi.
14:22 In a first for Kerala, 2 cops get death for custodial death
A Special CBI court here today awarded death sentence to two police officers in connection with the custodial death of a 26-year-old man in 2005. Assistant Sub-Inspector K Jithakumar and Civil Police Officer S V Sreekumar were the first and second accused in the case. CBI Special Court judge J Nazer sentenced the two to death and ordered them to pay a fine of Rs 2 lakh each. This is believed to be the first time that capital punishment has been awarded to two serving police officers in Kerala. Three other accused in the case, T K Haridas, E K Sabu and Ajit Kumar have been sentenced to undergo three years imprisonment each for destruction of evidence and conspiracy. The third accused K V Soman had died during the pendency of the case, while another accused, V P Mohanan, was acquitted by the court earlier. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 5,000 on all the given accused.
According to the prosecution, Udayakumar, was taken into custody in connection with a case of theft and had died in a police station here after being tortured by the police. Jithakumar and Sreekumar, who took Udayakumar into custody, were held responsible for the murder, while three others were found guilty of conspiracy and destroying evidence. The case had triggered widespread protests across the state. The CBI had taken over the investigation of the case following a high court order on a petition filed by Udayakumar's mother Prabhavathi. -- PTI
According to the prosecution, Udayakumar, was taken into custody in connection with a case of theft and had died in a police station here after being tortured by the police. Jithakumar and Sreekumar, who took Udayakumar into custody, were held responsible for the murder, while three others were found guilty of conspiracy and destroying evidence. The case had triggered widespread protests across the state. The CBI had taken over the investigation of the case following a high court order on a petition filed by Udayakumar's mother Prabhavathi. -- PTI
14:20
Hardik Patel, his aides granted bail by a court in 2015 Visnagar rioting case
14:05 ISIS claims responsibility for Quetta blast
ISIS claims responsibility for the suicide attack at a polling station in Quetta.
At least 34 people were killed today, including 31 in a deadly suicide blast outside a polling station in Pakistan's Quetta city and 36 others injured as several incidents of violence were reported as the country went to polls.
In Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, a suicide blast targeting a police van killed at least 31 people, including five policemen and two minors outside the polling station, and nearly 30 other were injured in a blast near Quetta's Eastern Bypass, The Express Tribune reported. Quetta is the provincial capital of Balochistan province. -- PTI
At least 34 people were killed today, including 31 in a deadly suicide blast outside a polling station in Pakistan's Quetta city and 36 others injured as several incidents of violence were reported as the country went to polls.
In Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, a suicide blast targeting a police van killed at least 31 people, including five policemen and two minors outside the polling station, and nearly 30 other were injured in a blast near Quetta's Eastern Bypass, The Express Tribune reported. Quetta is the provincial capital of Balochistan province. -- PTI
14:05 ISIS claims responsibility for Quetta blast
ISIS claims responsibility for the suicide attack at a polling station in Quetta.
At least 34 people were killed today, including 31 in a deadly suicide blast outside a polling station in Pakistan's Quetta city and 36 others injured as several incidents of violence were reported as the country went to polls.
In Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, a suicide blast targeting a police van killed at least 31 people, including five policemen and two minors outside the polling station, and nearly 30 other were injured in a blast near Quetta's Eastern Bypass, The Express Tribune reported. Quetta is the provincial capital of Balochistan province. -- PTI
At least 34 people were killed today, including 31 in a deadly suicide blast outside a polling station in Pakistan's Quetta city and 36 others injured as several incidents of violence were reported as the country went to polls.
In Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, a suicide blast targeting a police van killed at least 31 people, including five policemen and two minors outside the polling station, and nearly 30 other were injured in a blast near Quetta's Eastern Bypass, The Express Tribune reported. Quetta is the provincial capital of Balochistan province. -- PTI
14:00
Traffic backed up as protestors block the Mumbai-Pune highway.
13:56 Maratha quota stir: Police tear gas protestors
Update on the Maratha reservation bandh in Mumbai.
Police have used tear gas on protesters at Kalamboli in the outskirts of Mumbai after protestors vandalised cars and buses and blocked the Mumbai-Pune highway.
Protestors set a bus on fire attacked buses and stopped local trains in Mumbai and the adjoining Thane city today during the bandh called by Maratha outfits over their demand for reservation.
The police in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Satara districts were on their toes to prevent any law and order problem during the bandh. In Aurangabad, a man, Jagannath Sonawane, who had consumed a poisonous substance yesterday during the protest, died today at a local government hospital.
Nine public buses were attacked by protestors in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai, a transport official said. Protestors threw stones at some buses in Mumbai, including Kanjurmarg and Bhandup areas, shattering window panes.
In view of the stone-pelting on buses, the BEST partially suspended its services in some areas and expects to resume it when the situation improves, an official of the transport body said.
Protesters tried to block a road in Mankhurd suburb, but the police stopped them. They also tried to burn a tyre on a road in the Chandivali area and block roads in Jogeshwari and Kandivali, but the police dispersed them, an official said.
In some areas such as Bandra, Matunga and Mulund, protesters marched on roads and were seen requesting shopkeepers with folded hands to close their establishments.
Contrary to their previous peaceful agitations, this time protesters tried to stop local trains on the Central Railway and the Western Railway corridors. "A few protesters stopped trains on Up fast line at Jogeshwari at 9.16 am, however, they were removed from the track and train services resumed at 9.24 am. All lines working normal on WR suburban section," the Western Railway said in a tweet.
Protestors also threw stones at trains passing through Thane and Ghansoli (located on the trans-harbour line in Navi Mumbai) stations and services were halted briefly.
"There were isolated incidents at Thane and Ghansoli after 9.59 am. The situation normalised at 10.24 am," CR's chief PRO Sunil Udasi said.
In view of the bandh, lesser number of auto-rickshaws and taxis were seen on roads. At some places, protesters raised slogans against Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Public Works Department Minister Chandrakant Patil for allegedly insulting sentiments of the Maratha community, official said.
Security has been deployed at various places to avoid any untoward incident, a Mumbai Police spokesperson said. Some pro-reservation activists led a 'jal samadhi' protest in the Krishna river in Sangli district to press for their demands.
The Maratha Kranti Morcha, which is spearheading the agitation for reservation in jobs and education, has called for the shutdown in Mumbai and some neighbouring districts. Another outfit, the Sakal Maratha Samaj, called for the bandh in Navi Mumbai and Panvel areas. They have exempted schools, hospitals, medical and other essential services, including vegetables and fuel supply, from the bandh. No school buses was attacked or stopped in any area. Ambulance services were also running normal, a senior official of the public health department said. -- PTI
Image: Miscreants pelted stones and set a bus ablaze in Mankhurd during the Maratha Quota Stir today. The fire has now been extinguished. Pic: ANI
Police have used tear gas on protesters at Kalamboli in the outskirts of Mumbai after protestors vandalised cars and buses and blocked the Mumbai-Pune highway.
Protestors set a bus on fire attacked buses and stopped local trains in Mumbai and the adjoining Thane city today during the bandh called by Maratha outfits over their demand for reservation.
The police in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Satara districts were on their toes to prevent any law and order problem during the bandh. In Aurangabad, a man, Jagannath Sonawane, who had consumed a poisonous substance yesterday during the protest, died today at a local government hospital.
Nine public buses were attacked by protestors in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai, a transport official said. Protestors threw stones at some buses in Mumbai, including Kanjurmarg and Bhandup areas, shattering window panes.
In view of the stone-pelting on buses, the BEST partially suspended its services in some areas and expects to resume it when the situation improves, an official of the transport body said.
Protesters tried to block a road in Mankhurd suburb, but the police stopped them. They also tried to burn a tyre on a road in the Chandivali area and block roads in Jogeshwari and Kandivali, but the police dispersed them, an official said.
In some areas such as Bandra, Matunga and Mulund, protesters marched on roads and were seen requesting shopkeepers with folded hands to close their establishments.
Contrary to their previous peaceful agitations, this time protesters tried to stop local trains on the Central Railway and the Western Railway corridors. "A few protesters stopped trains on Up fast line at Jogeshwari at 9.16 am, however, they were removed from the track and train services resumed at 9.24 am. All lines working normal on WR suburban section," the Western Railway said in a tweet.
Protestors also threw stones at trains passing through Thane and Ghansoli (located on the trans-harbour line in Navi Mumbai) stations and services were halted briefly.
"There were isolated incidents at Thane and Ghansoli after 9.59 am. The situation normalised at 10.24 am," CR's chief PRO Sunil Udasi said.
In view of the bandh, lesser number of auto-rickshaws and taxis were seen on roads. At some places, protesters raised slogans against Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Public Works Department Minister Chandrakant Patil for allegedly insulting sentiments of the Maratha community, official said.
Security has been deployed at various places to avoid any untoward incident, a Mumbai Police spokesperson said. Some pro-reservation activists led a 'jal samadhi' protest in the Krishna river in Sangli district to press for their demands.
The Maratha Kranti Morcha, which is spearheading the agitation for reservation in jobs and education, has called for the shutdown in Mumbai and some neighbouring districts. Another outfit, the Sakal Maratha Samaj, called for the bandh in Navi Mumbai and Panvel areas. They have exempted schools, hospitals, medical and other essential services, including vegetables and fuel supply, from the bandh. No school buses was attacked or stopped in any area. Ambulance services were also running normal, a senior official of the public health department said. -- PTI
Image: Miscreants pelted stones and set a bus ablaze in Mankhurd during the Maratha Quota Stir today. The fire has now been extinguished. Pic: ANI
13:42
BilawalBhuttoZardari'Verified account @BBhuttoZardari Voted! Every vote counts. #DemocracyistheBestRevenge
13:34 In 150th year, Mumbai Xaviers picks 1st non-Christian principal
For the first time in 150 years, one of Mumbai's iconic colleges, St Xavier's will have a non-Christian as its principal, Rajendra Shinde, currently head of the college's botany department, will assume charge as the instiution's 24th principal on September 1. Read the report here.
13:08 Marans to face trial in telephone exchange case: Madras HC
The Madras High Court today set aside a lower court order discharging all the accused, including the Maran brothers, in the alleged illegal telephone exchange case.
Allowing the appeal filed by the CBI, Justice G Jaichandran directed a special CBI court to frame charges and conclude the trial within 12 months from the date of receipt of copy of the order.
The special CBI court had in March discharged Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi and others accused in the case. The trial court had allowed the petitions filed by the Maran brothers and others seeking their discharge, holding that there was no prima facie case against them.
The CBI had alleged that an illegal private telephone exchange was set up at the residence of Dayanidhi Maran here during 2004-06 when he was the telecom minister and it was used for the business transactions involving the Sun Network owned by Kalanithi.
The central agency had alleged that Dayanidhi Maran had caused a loss of Rs 1.78 crore to the exchequer. Other accused who were discharged are former BSNL general manager K Brahmanathan, former deputy general manager M P Velusamy, Dayanidhi Maran's private secretary Gauthaman and some Sun TV officials. -- PTI
Allowing the appeal filed by the CBI, Justice G Jaichandran directed a special CBI court to frame charges and conclude the trial within 12 months from the date of receipt of copy of the order.
The special CBI court had in March discharged Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi and others accused in the case. The trial court had allowed the petitions filed by the Maran brothers and others seeking their discharge, holding that there was no prima facie case against them.
The CBI had alleged that an illegal private telephone exchange was set up at the residence of Dayanidhi Maran here during 2004-06 when he was the telecom minister and it was used for the business transactions involving the Sun Network owned by Kalanithi.
The central agency had alleged that Dayanidhi Maran had caused a loss of Rs 1.78 crore to the exchequer. Other accused who were discharged are former BSNL general manager K Brahmanathan, former deputy general manager M P Velusamy, Dayanidhi Maran's private secretary Gauthaman and some Sun TV officials. -- PTI
12:42 Hardik Patel sentenced to two years' jail
Patidar leader Hardik Patel has been sent to jail for two years in connection with a case of vandalism at BJP legislator Rushikesh Patel's office in Visnagar during 2015 Patidar protests.
Hardik, the convener of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti was found guilty by the Visnagar Court in Gujarat on Wednesday. A fine of Rs 50,000 has also been imposed on the Patidar agitation leader. Along with Hardik, Sardar Parel Group (SPG) convener Lalji Patel and another Patidar leader Ambalal Patel have also been found guilty and have been sentenced to two years in jail each with a fine of Rs 50,000. The trio has been convicted under 147.148.149 427 and 435.
Hardik, the convener of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti was found guilty by the Visnagar Court in Gujarat on Wednesday. A fine of Rs 50,000 has also been imposed on the Patidar agitation leader. Along with Hardik, Sardar Parel Group (SPG) convener Lalji Patel and another Patidar leader Ambalal Patel have also been found guilty and have been sentenced to two years in jail each with a fine of Rs 50,000. The trio has been convicted under 147.148.149 427 and 435.
12:26 TDP members raise slogans in LS
TDP members in the Lok Sabha today once again raised the issue of special category status for Andhra Pradesh. They, however, did not troop into the Well and raised slogans from their benches.
Wearing yellow stoles, they raised slogans like "we want justice". One of them was dressed up like a royal, wearing a turban and traditional attire.
When Railway Minister Piyush Goal was responding to a question on 'model railway stations', they sought his attention on their demand for a railway zone in the state.
Goyal told the Speaker that he would respond to the issue provided they took their seats. But the Speaker then took up another question and Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha started his reply. The TDP had earlier moved a no confidence motion against the government on the issue of special category status for AP. -- PTI
Wearing yellow stoles, they raised slogans like "we want justice". One of them was dressed up like a royal, wearing a turban and traditional attire.
When Railway Minister Piyush Goal was responding to a question on 'model railway stations', they sought his attention on their demand for a railway zone in the state.
Goyal told the Speaker that he would respond to the issue provided they took their seats. But the Speaker then took up another question and Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha started his reply. The TDP had earlier moved a no confidence motion against the government on the issue of special category status for AP. -- PTI
11:58 Pak polls: Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Hafeez Saeed votes
Mumbai-terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed cast his vote today in
the Pakistan general elections. Many Pakistani extremist leaders, accused of spreading religious hatred and
instigating sectarian violence, are among hundreds of candidates
contesting the elections today.
The Hafiz Saeed-led banned Jamat-ud Dawa's candidates are fighting this general election with an aim to make Pakistan a "citadel of Islam." Saeed's son and son-in-law are contesting the elections. Saeed is one of the United States' most-wanted terrorist suspects, accused of the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. Saeed has frequently hit the campaign trail for Pakistan's general election.
As Pakistan goes to polls today, all eyes are on the constituencies of the three main players of the July 25 election - Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan. Pakistanis will elect a new prime minister in the second democratic transition of power in the nation's 70-year chequered history amid accusations of manipulation by the powerful army and concerns over the participation of Islamic hardliners in large numbers.
The Hafiz Saeed-led banned Jamat-ud Dawa's candidates are fighting this general election with an aim to make Pakistan a "citadel of Islam." Saeed's son and son-in-law are contesting the elections. Saeed is one of the United States' most-wanted terrorist suspects, accused of the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. Saeed has frequently hit the campaign trail for Pakistan's general election.
As Pakistan goes to polls today, all eyes are on the constituencies of the three main players of the July 25 election - Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan. Pakistanis will elect a new prime minister in the second democratic transition of power in the nation's 70-year chequered history amid accusations of manipulation by the powerful army and concerns over the participation of Islamic hardliners in large numbers.
11:49 Hardik Patel found guilty in 2015 case
Patidar leader Hardik Patel has been found guilty in a 2015 case where he has been accused of ransacking the office of
a BJP legislator in Mehsana during pro-quota agitations. Two others have also been found guilty. He faces a number of cases of loot, vandalism and conspiracy.
11:46
Lashkar-e-Taiba chief and Mumbai 26/11 attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed casts his vote at a polling booth in Lahore. #PakistanElections2018
11:41
Protestors of the Maratha Kranti Morcha block the road at Jogeshwari. Pic: Ronjita Kulkarni/Rediff.com
11:37 Pakistani channels directed to not air election-related content
Pak polls: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has directed the private satellite TV channels to stop airing any content related to Pakistan's 11th general election.
"Election campaigns or propagation of political parties/candidates should be stopped forthwith," it stated.According to the Dawn, this step was taken after Pemra received concerns forwarded by the Election Commission of Pakistan regarding violations made by private satellite TV channels.
According to the ECP, TV channels were airing footages of campaigns, which ended on July 23."Repeat telecast in the garb of reporting of political gatherings, public addresses of political party's leadership, statements/comments by any political leader or party representative in any talk show or road show should also be stopped," Pemra directed, as quoted by the Dawn.
It further directed to not air any opinion polls or surveys as that might influence the voters and the electoral process. -- ANI
Image: PPP'S Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at an election rally.
"Election campaigns or propagation of political parties/candidates should be stopped forthwith," it stated.According to the Dawn, this step was taken after Pemra received concerns forwarded by the Election Commission of Pakistan regarding violations made by private satellite TV channels.
According to the ECP, TV channels were airing footages of campaigns, which ended on July 23."Repeat telecast in the garb of reporting of political gatherings, public addresses of political party's leadership, statements/comments by any political leader or party representative in any talk show or road show should also be stopped," Pemra directed, as quoted by the Dawn.
It further directed to not air any opinion polls or surveys as that might influence the voters and the electoral process. -- ANI
Image: PPP'S Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at an election rally.
11:22 Madras HC orders probe into OPS assets
The Madras high court has ordered the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the assets of Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. The petitioners in the case - including a DMK lawmaker and the NGO Arappor Iyakkam -- may approach the court again if there were any issues in the inquiry, the court said.
-- A Ganesh Nadar/Rediff.com
-- A Ganesh Nadar/Rediff.com
11:19 2 terrorists killed in Anantnag encounter
Two terrorists have been gunned down in the encounter which started in Anantnag this morning. The encounter has concluded, combing operation is underway.
On Tuesday, an army man was killed and two others sustained bullet injuries after terrorists attacked the Central Reserve Police Force party at Srinagar's Batmaloo area.
In recent months, the state has witnessed a huge spurt in terror activities. On Sunday, three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were gunned down in an encounter in Wani Mohalla area of Kulgam's Khudwani.
On July 13, one CRPF personnel was killed and another seriously injured in a terrorist attack in Anantnag's Sheer Pora. - ANI
On Tuesday, an army man was killed and two others sustained bullet injuries after terrorists attacked the Central Reserve Police Force party at Srinagar's Batmaloo area.
In recent months, the state has witnessed a huge spurt in terror activities. On Sunday, three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were gunned down in an encounter in Wani Mohalla area of Kulgam's Khudwani.
On July 13, one CRPF personnel was killed and another seriously injured in a terrorist attack in Anantnag's Sheer Pora. - ANI
11:10
Western Express Highway's south bound carriageway, into the city, was blocked by protesters. The police was trying to clear them. Pic: Maverick.
10:53 Mumbai bandh: Rail roko at Thane, Jogeshwari
Workers of the Maratha Kranti Morcha block a local train in Thane. Yesterday, protestors had said they would not disrupt train services. Violence has been witnessed in parts of Maharashtra as Maratha groups tried to enforce their daylong strike today.
The community has been demanding reservation in jobs and education.
Protesters have blocked arterial roads, including the Eastern Expressway, leading to Mumbai and forced shops to shut in parts of Thane and Navi Mumbai.
Local trains have been blocked at Jogeshwari and Thane. Violent protests erupted in parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday after a protester committed suicide by jumping in a river in Aurangabad. Massive security arrangements are in place in Mumbai even as schools and colleges remain open.
Image: Rail roko at Thane station this morning. PIc: ANI
The community has been demanding reservation in jobs and education.
Protesters have blocked arterial roads, including the Eastern Expressway, leading to Mumbai and forced shops to shut in parts of Thane and Navi Mumbai.
Local trains have been blocked at Jogeshwari and Thane. Violent protests erupted in parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday after a protester committed suicide by jumping in a river in Aurangabad. Massive security arrangements are in place in Mumbai even as schools and colleges remain open.
Image: Rail roko at Thane station this morning. PIc: ANI
10:30 Pakistan goes to the polls
In the world outside Mumbai, Pakistanis are voting today to choose a new prime minister.
Nearly 106 million people are registered to vote for members of the lower house of parliament and four provincial assemblies. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, 3,459 candidates are contesting for 272 general seats of the National Assembly, while 8,396 candidates are running for 577 general seats of the four provincial assemblies - Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The voting started at 8 am local time in more than 85,000 polling stations. The counting of votes will be done on the spot soon after the conclusion of the polling process at 6 pm and results will be announced within 24 hours.
More than 30 political parties have fielded their candidates for the elections. The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, is looking to unseat the incumbent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which was formally led by the now jailed ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is also in the race. Shahbaz Sharif, the president of the PML-N who is hoping to become the next prime minister of Pakistan, was among the first people to cast his vote in Lahore.
"Just cast my vote. High time that all of you came out to vote for Pakistan's progress and prosperity. May this election be a source of peace and stability for the nation!," he tweeted after casting his vote.
For a smooth polling process, the ECP has deployed around 1.6 million staff at polling stations across the country. About 449,465 policemen and over 370,000 military personnel have been deployed for security. In a special message yesterday, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Raza Khan urged voters to fulfil their national duty of casting the ballot.
A public holiday has been declared across the country on Wednesday in order to facilitate the voting process. Pakistan's National Assembly comprises a total of 342 members, of which 272 will be directly elected today whereas the rest -- 60 seats reserved for women and 10 for religious minorities -- are selected later through proportional representation among parties with more than five per cent of the vote.
A party can only form the government if it manages to clinch 172 seats in total. The run up to the elections have seen a massive crackdown on the media and allegations that the military has secretly backed the campaign of Khan while targeting his political opponents.
The military has ruled Pakistan through various coups for nearly half of the country's history since independence in 1947. Even during the civilian rule, the generals have wielded enormous power, setting the agenda for the country's foreign and security policies. -- PTI
Image: Daughters of Benazir Bhutto -- Bakhtawar and Aseefa -- after casting their vote in Sindh's Nawabshah.
Nearly 106 million people are registered to vote for members of the lower house of parliament and four provincial assemblies. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, 3,459 candidates are contesting for 272 general seats of the National Assembly, while 8,396 candidates are running for 577 general seats of the four provincial assemblies - Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The voting started at 8 am local time in more than 85,000 polling stations. The counting of votes will be done on the spot soon after the conclusion of the polling process at 6 pm and results will be announced within 24 hours.
More than 30 political parties have fielded their candidates for the elections. The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, is looking to unseat the incumbent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which was formally led by the now jailed ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is also in the race. Shahbaz Sharif, the president of the PML-N who is hoping to become the next prime minister of Pakistan, was among the first people to cast his vote in Lahore.
"Just cast my vote. High time that all of you came out to vote for Pakistan's progress and prosperity. May this election be a source of peace and stability for the nation!," he tweeted after casting his vote.
For a smooth polling process, the ECP has deployed around 1.6 million staff at polling stations across the country. About 449,465 policemen and over 370,000 military personnel have been deployed for security. In a special message yesterday, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Raza Khan urged voters to fulfil their national duty of casting the ballot.
A public holiday has been declared across the country on Wednesday in order to facilitate the voting process. Pakistan's National Assembly comprises a total of 342 members, of which 272 will be directly elected today whereas the rest -- 60 seats reserved for women and 10 for religious minorities -- are selected later through proportional representation among parties with more than five per cent of the vote.
A party can only form the government if it manages to clinch 172 seats in total. The run up to the elections have seen a massive crackdown on the media and allegations that the military has secretly backed the campaign of Khan while targeting his political opponents.
The military has ruled Pakistan through various coups for nearly half of the country's history since independence in 1947. Even during the civilian rule, the generals have wielded enormous power, setting the agenda for the country's foreign and security policies. -- PTI
Image: Daughters of Benazir Bhutto -- Bakhtawar and Aseefa -- after casting their vote in Sindh's Nawabshah.
10:10 Mumbai reacts to Maratha stir
This is what people are tweeting on the Mumbai bandh called for reservations for Marathas.
@bonga_pandit The govt should remove ALL RESERVATION QUOTAS..! Nobody is entitled to any seat just because of their caste.. The quotas have been unfair to OpenbCategory people for ages.. AND IT HAS TO END NOW! Stop this madness! #Maharashtrabandh #mumbaibandh #MarathaQuotaStir #shitlogic
HUSAIN @SHusain28 I would appreciate if same people will come on road for Potholes on Mumbai roads. #MumbaiBandh
Karishma Chhatrapati @KarishmaUditC I am praying every #Mumbaikar who has ventured out today is safe in spite of the bandh. It takes courage to be okay & live the true spirit of Indias financial capital. A bandh costs too much in losses. Go work, go earn. @MumbaiPolice is protecting you. #MumbaiBandh
Neha Asthana @TheNehaAsthana #MumbaiBandh Its 2018. Are we seriously not done with reservation/quotas yet? Work hard, prove your mettle & let your outcomes speak louder than your words. Reservations can no longer be a crutch.
Data Scientist @tweeidiot Can we now have a quota for General category please? That's the need of the hour.
@bonga_pandit The govt should remove ALL RESERVATION QUOTAS..! Nobody is entitled to any seat just because of their caste.. The quotas have been unfair to OpenbCategory people for ages.. AND IT HAS TO END NOW! Stop this madness! #Maharashtrabandh #mumbaibandh #MarathaQuotaStir #shitlogic
HUSAIN @SHusain28 I would appreciate if same people will come on road for Potholes on Mumbai roads. #MumbaiBandh
Karishma Chhatrapati @KarishmaUditC I am praying every #Mumbaikar who has ventured out today is safe in spite of the bandh. It takes courage to be okay & live the true spirit of Indias financial capital. A bandh costs too much in losses. Go work, go earn. @MumbaiPolice is protecting you. #MumbaiBandh
Neha Asthana @TheNehaAsthana #MumbaiBandh Its 2018. Are we seriously not done with reservation/quotas yet? Work hard, prove your mettle & let your outcomes speak louder than your words. Reservations can no longer be a crutch.
Data Scientist @tweeidiot Can we now have a quota for General category please? That's the need of the hour.
10:03
Maratha stir: A Thane Municipal Transport bus was vandalised in Wagle estate area of Thane.
10:02 Rasta roko in Kandivali
Supriya Nair @sup_3 tweets this image two hours ago from Kandivali: She said cars and autos were being stopped from going ahead in Kandivali.
10:01 Maratha stir: Protestor who committed suicide dies
Mumbai bandh: Jagannath Sonavne, a protester who attempted suicide by consuming poison yesterday in Aurangabad's Deogaon Rangari, dies in a hospital. He was a protester in the agitation for reservation for Maratha community in govt jobs & education.Toll goes up to 3 -- two protestors and one cop.
09:59 Mumbai bandh: Stone-pelting, rasta rokos across city
Mumbai bandh: Protesters attacked public buses in Mumbai, and neighbouring Thane and Navi Mumbai as the bandh called by Maratha outfits over their demand for reservation began this morning.
Two BEST buses were attacked by protestors in Kanjurmarg and Bhandup suburbs of Mumbai.
In view of the stone-pelting on buses, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) partially suspended its services in those areas but expects to resume services when the situation improves, an official of the transport body said.
Protesters also hurled stones at a public transport bus in Wagle Estate area of the neighbouring Thane city. They blocked some areas there, including the key Teen Hath Naka junction, resulting in long queues of vehicles on the road leading to Mumbai.
A bus was also attacked in Ghansoli area of Navi Mumbai following which the city transport authority suspended its services in the area, an official said.
Protestors gathered at various locations in the Mumbai region and the neighbouring Raigad and Palghar districts. At some places, protesters raised slogans against Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Public Works Department Minister Chandrakant Patil for allegedly insulting sentiments of the Maratha community.
The suburban railway services on the western, central, harbour and trans-harbour lines were not affected, officials said.
Around 70 lakh people travel in local trains daily in the Mumbai region. The Maratha Kranti Morcha, which is spearheading the agitation for reservation in jobs and education, has called for the shutdown in Mumbai and some neighbouring districts today.
Another outfit, the Sakal Maratha Samaj, called for the bandh in Navi Mumbai and Panvel areas. -- PTI
Image: Tyres set ablaze on the Majiwada bridge in Thane city. Pic: ANI
Two BEST buses were attacked by protestors in Kanjurmarg and Bhandup suburbs of Mumbai.
In view of the stone-pelting on buses, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) partially suspended its services in those areas but expects to resume services when the situation improves, an official of the transport body said.
Protesters also hurled stones at a public transport bus in Wagle Estate area of the neighbouring Thane city. They blocked some areas there, including the key Teen Hath Naka junction, resulting in long queues of vehicles on the road leading to Mumbai.
A bus was also attacked in Ghansoli area of Navi Mumbai following which the city transport authority suspended its services in the area, an official said.
Protestors gathered at various locations in the Mumbai region and the neighbouring Raigad and Palghar districts. At some places, protesters raised slogans against Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Public Works Department Minister Chandrakant Patil for allegedly insulting sentiments of the Maratha community.
The suburban railway services on the western, central, harbour and trans-harbour lines were not affected, officials said.
Around 70 lakh people travel in local trains daily in the Mumbai region. The Maratha Kranti Morcha, which is spearheading the agitation for reservation in jobs and education, has called for the shutdown in Mumbai and some neighbouring districts today.
Another outfit, the Sakal Maratha Samaj, called for the bandh in Navi Mumbai and Panvel areas. -- PTI
Image: Tyres set ablaze on the Majiwada bridge in Thane city. Pic: ANI
09:36 Maratha quota stir: Thane, Navi Mumbai affected
The Maratha Kranti Morcha, which is spearheading the agitation seeking reservations in jobs and education has called for a Mumbai bandh today.
Protests are expected to be seen at Thane and Navi Mumbai and this is what it looks this morning:
Thane: Teen Haath Naka, the busy junction on the Eastern Express highway, is seeing protests. Protestors with flags were seen raising slogans bang in the middle of the junction, attempting to block traffic. However, there are no reports of stone throwing at Thane and traffic, while being inordinately heavy, is running smoothly. A Thane Municipal Transport bus was vandalised in the Wagle Estate area of Thane. Workers of the Maratha Kranti Morcha also forcibly shut shops on Thane's Gokhale road.
Maratha Kranti Morcha organisers said they were not blocking any road. "We are carrying out a peaceful protest. We have told our workers that there should be no inconvenience to the police or govt due to our protest. We are asking people to shut down their shops."
Navi Mumbai: Buses have been pelted with stones and the Airoli-Vashi bus has been stopped. Protesters were seen pelting stones on two BEST buses near Navi Mumbai's Ghansoli area this morning.
Local train services are running normally.
A constable died and nine other policemen were injured in stone-pelting incidents in Maharashtra on Tuesday, 24 July, as a state-wide protest called by outfits seeking reservation for the Maratha community turned violent with agitators clashing with the police and torching vehicles amid suicide attempts by two protesters.
Image: A Maratha stir protestor at Thane's Teen Haath Naka. Pic: ANI
Protests are expected to be seen at Thane and Navi Mumbai and this is what it looks this morning:
Thane: Teen Haath Naka, the busy junction on the Eastern Express highway, is seeing protests. Protestors with flags were seen raising slogans bang in the middle of the junction, attempting to block traffic. However, there are no reports of stone throwing at Thane and traffic, while being inordinately heavy, is running smoothly. A Thane Municipal Transport bus was vandalised in the Wagle Estate area of Thane. Workers of the Maratha Kranti Morcha also forcibly shut shops on Thane's Gokhale road.
Maratha Kranti Morcha organisers said they were not blocking any road. "We are carrying out a peaceful protest. We have told our workers that there should be no inconvenience to the police or govt due to our protest. We are asking people to shut down their shops."
Navi Mumbai: Buses have been pelted with stones and the Airoli-Vashi bus has been stopped. Protesters were seen pelting stones on two BEST buses near Navi Mumbai's Ghansoli area this morning.
Local train services are running normally.
A constable died and nine other policemen were injured in stone-pelting incidents in Maharashtra on Tuesday, 24 July, as a state-wide protest called by outfits seeking reservation for the Maratha community turned violent with agitators clashing with the police and torching vehicles amid suicide attempts by two protesters.
Image: A Maratha stir protestor at Thane's Teen Haath Naka. Pic: ANI
08:50 Voting begins for Pakistan general elections
Voting opened today in Pakistan's general elections to choose a new prime minister in the second democratic transition of power in the nation's 70-year chequered history.
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, 3,459 candidates are contesting for 272 general seats of the National Assembly, while 8,396 candidates are running for 577 general seats of the four provincial assemblies - Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
There are 105.96 million registered voters in the country. The voting started at 8 AM local time on more than 85,000 polling stations. The counting of votes will be done on the spot soon after polling is concluded and results will be announced within 24 hours.
For a smooth polling process, the Election Commission of Pakistan has deployed around 1.6 staff at polling stations across the country.
About 449,465 policemen and over 370,000 military personnel have been deployed for security.
In a special message yesterday, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Raza Khan urged voters to fulfil their national duty of casting the ballot.
A public holiday has been declared across the country on Wednesday in order to facilitate the voting process.
Pakistan's National Assembly comprises a total of 342 members, of which 272 will be directly elected today whereas the rest -- 60 seats reserved for women and 10 for religious minorities -- are selected later through proportional representation among parties with more than five per cent of the vote.
A party can only form the government if it manages to clinch 172 seats in total. -- PTI
08:42 'Peaceful' Mumbai bandh begins amid tight security
The 'peaceful' Mumbai bandh called by Maratha outfits to press their demands for reservations in government jobs and education has begun amid tight security.
However, the bandh has virtually no effect on the city.
Local trains were running on time without any issues as the BEST buses, auto rickshaws and taxis.
Incidents of stone-pelting on BEST buses were reported in Navi Mumbai's Ghansoli area. Later, the BEST suspended the services between Vashi and Airoli.
In Thane, one Thane Municipal Transport bus was attacked at Wagale Estate.
Barring this, no incident of violence has been reported so far.
Heavy police bandobast has been in place to avoid any untoward incident.
In Thane, some Maratha organization workers came out and protested peacefully.
Schools and colleges are too open today as it wasn't included in bandh called by the Maratha Kranti Morcha.
Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com
08:00 Mumbai on edge as Maratha outfits call for bandh
The Maratha Kranti Morcha has announced a bandh in Mumbai and the adjoining areas of Navi Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad today to press for the community's demand for a 16% quota in government jobs and education.
The Maratha Kranti Morcha, which is spearheading the agitation, said that essential services such as hospitals, ambulance services, water supply, fire brigade, and schools and colleges including school buses would be exempt from the bandh.
However, sources said rail and rasta rokos were likely in a few areas, autos and taxis may not be allowed to ply and shops and establishments may be told to keep shutters down.
Quotas for Marathas, a politically influential community that constitutes around 30 per cent of the state's population, has been a hugely contentious issue.
A constable deployed near the funeral venue of the protester who jumped to death yesterday, died. Police said the cause of death is yet to be ascertained.
"The postmortem report is awaited. Some injury marks were seen on his hands and legs," a police official said, adding another constable there got injured in stone-pelting.
Protester Kakasaheb Shinde, 27, had jumped to death from a bridge over the Godavari in Aurangabad on Monday.
00:05 Ivanka Trump closes down her fashion brand
US President Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, has decided to close down her fashion brand.
She split from the company a year ago to enter the White House as a senior adviser.
Ivanka launched the brand in 2014, but after her father's election was faced with shopper boycotts.
Ivanka had reportedly become frustrated by the difficulties posed by avoiding possible conflicts of interest while serving in the White House.
A spokesperson for the company said the decision "has nothing to do with the performance of the brand and is based solely on Ivanka's decision to remain in Washington indefinitely."
After 17 months in her White House role Trump said she did not know "when or if I will ever return to the business".
"But I do know that my focus for the foreseeable future will be the work I am doing here in Washington, so making this decision now is the only fair outcome for my team and partners," Ivanka Trump said in a statement.
"I am beyond grateful for the work of our incredible team who has inspired so many women; each other and myself included. While we will not continue our mission together, I know that each of them will thrive in their next chapter," she added.
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances