LIVE! UK ministers warn May to get her deal now or delay Brexit

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Sat, 23 February 2019

UK ministers warn May to get her deal now or delay Brexit

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21:09 UK ministers warn May to get her deal now or delay Brexit

Three members of British Prime Minister Theresa May's cabinet warned that Brexit must be delayed if she cannot persuade the British parliament to back her EU divorce deal next week.

Business minister Greg Clark, work and pensions minister Amber Rudd and justice minister David Gauke wrote an article stating their opposition to leaving the European Union on March 29 with no deal.

May is currently scrambling to secure changes to the divorce text she struck with the bloc in November, hoping to win the support of MPs who last month rejected the deal by a massive margin.

"If there is no breakthrough in the coming week, the balance of opinion in parliament is clear -- that it would be better to seek to... delay our date of departure rather than crash out of the European Union on March 29," the ministers wrote in the Daily Mail newspaper.

They added: "Beyond the next few days, there simply will not be time to agree a deal and complete all the necessary legislation before March 29." But they warned that leaving the EU with no deal would "severely" damage the economy, weaken national security and risk the break-up of the UK.

May was in Brussels this week for talks with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, and will meet European Council president Donald Tusk on Sunday at an EU-Arab League summit in Egypt.

A British Muslim convert, dubbed Jihadi Jack, has become the latest member of the Islamic State terrorist group to urge the UK government to allow him to return to the country, saying he is missing home and his mother.

Jack Letts had travelled to Syria in 2014 and was later captured by the Kurdish-led YPG the group fighting against Islamic State when he fled Raqqa, the de facto capital of the terror network.

The 23-year-old from the city of Oxford was interviewed by the UK's ITV News channel this week from a prison cell in Syria, where he is being held after being charged by the YPG with being a member of the ISIS.

"I miss people mostly, I miss my mum. Five years I haven't seen my mum, two years I haven't spoken to my mum. I miss pasties. And 'Doctor Who'," he said, in reference to food and TV shows from the UK.

"I feel British, I am British. If the UK accepted me, I would go back to the UK, it's my home. But I don't think that's going to happen," said Letts, who holds dual nationality through his Canadian father.

Letts said he did not know if his Canadian passport would still be valid.

His parents, John Letts and Sarah Lane, face a trial in the UK over claims they funded terrorism by sending their son money. The couple deny the charge and insist their son went to Syria to help refugees.

The UK Home Office has not commented on the interview, which comes just days after an interview with Shamima Begum a Bangladeshi-origin so-called jihadi bride who had fled London as a 15-year-old schoolgirl to join the IS in 2015.

Now as a 19-year-old new mother in a Syrian refugee camp she has made a plea to be allowed to return to the UK.

-- PTI

Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir on Saturday took to Twitter on Saturday questioning Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's decision to sit on a dharna as a solution to the city's problems.

Gambhir said that Delhi had thousands of problems and criticised Kejriwal for sitting on a dharna demanding full statehood as a means to solve those problems.

The former cricketer wrote, "More than 2 crore people in Delhi...thousand problems.. and what a solution... Another CM @ArvindKejriwal special DHARNAA.. Shame!"

The comment came after Kejriwal announced that he would be going on an indefinite hunger strike from March 1 to press the demand for full statehood to Delhi.

Thirty-nine people have died of swine flu and 167 persons have tested for the H1N1 virus in Madhya Pradesh since the start of this year, state Health Minister Tulsiram Silawat said.

Officials said the number of swine flu deaths in the first two months of 2019 is higher than those in 2018 which saw 34 deaths.

A state government public relations officer further informed that Chief Minister Kamal Nath had asked the health department to open a virology laboratory in Indore to test patients for the H1N1 virus.

-- PTI

19:04 Pakistan violates ceasefire in J-K's Rajouri

Pakistani troops violated ceasefire on Saturday by targeting forward posts and villages along the Line of Control in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said.

"At about 1630 hours, Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms along the LoC in Nowshera sector," he said.

The spokesman said the army is retaliating "strongly and effectively".

There was no immediate report of any casualty on the Indian side in the cross-border firing which was still continuing when last reports were received, he said.

-- PTI

18:38 Air India receives hijack call

Air India's Mumbai control centre on Saturday received a phone call threatening to hijack its plane, following which Bureau of Civil Aviation Security ordered all airlines and CISF to follow specific enhanced measures to ensure security, according to an official note.

"A telephonic message received by the station duty office, AI Airport Operation Control Centre Mumbai, stating information regarding a threat to Indian Airlines flight getting hijacked to Pakistan on 23.2.2019," stated the BCAS note dated February 23.

The note added, "In view of the above, Airport Security Unit/ASG (and all aircraft operators shall adopt the following (eight) measures with immediate effect."

Both APSU and ASG are part of the Central Industrial Security Force. Indian Airlines is a part of the Air India only.

-- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday will launch the Rs 75,000-crore Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, by transferring the first installment of Rs 2,000 each to over one crore farmers, a senior agriculture ministry official said.

Another one crore farmers will be covered in the next 2-3 days, the official said.

In the interim Budget 2019-20, the central government had announced the PM-KISAN scheme under which Rs 6,000 per year will be given in three installments to 12 crore small and marginal farmers holding cultivable land up to two hectares.

The ministry in its statement did not mention the number of farmers who will get their first installment of Rs 2,000 on Sunday.

However, the senior official said over one crore farmers from 14 states, including UP and Karnataka, will get their first instalment on Sunday and one crore more beneficiaries, spread over 28 states and one UT, would get their installment in the next 2-3 days.

-- PTI

The executive producers of "Empire" have confirmed that Jussie Smollett's character will be written out of the final episodes of the show's upcoming season.

The announcement comes a day after Smollett, who plays Jamal Lyon on the Fox series, was arrested and released on $10,000 bond on suspicion of filing a false report about an incident on January 29 where the actor had claimed that he was attacked by two men screaming racial and homophobic slurs while leaving a restaurant in Chicago.

"The events of the past few weeks have been incredibly emotional for all of us. Jussie has been an important member of our Empire family for the past five years and we care about him deeply," read a statement from Empire executive producers Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo and Dennis Hammer.

"While these allegations are very disturbing, we are placing our trust in the legal system as the process plays out. We are also aware of the effects of this process on the cast and crew members who work on our show and to avoid further disruption on set, we have decided to remove the role of 'Jamal' from the final two episodes of the season," the statement further read.

It was later reported that the actor may have been misleading the police, who believed that he may have paid two Nigerian brothers, Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, to rehearse and stage the attack.

The brothers were arrested and later released without charge and are now believed to be assisting police in the investigation.

Officials also believe that Smollett is involved in crafting a threatening ransom note-style letter that was sent to the "Empire" production offices a week before the alleged attack.

The crime carries a felony charge, and if Smollett is found guilty he could face up to three years in prison and up to $25,000 in fine.

The actor had earlier denied the Chicago Police claims that he paid two Nigerian brothers to attack him.

-- PTI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on the floor of the Delhi assembly on Saturday that he will sit on an indefinite fast from March 1, demanding for full statehood for the state.

From March 1, we will launch a movement to make Delhi a full state and we will not end till Delhi gets full statehood. All of entire Delhi now needs to launch a movement for full statehood, Kejriwal said.

Speaking in the Vidhan Sabha, the Aam Aadmi Party leader accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government of obstructing development work in national capital.

The chief minister said that files of various development projects of Delhi are not being cleared by the central government.

The governments of Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Punjab do not have to take permission from the Centre. However, the government chosen by the people of Delhi does not have any power. If Delhi will get full statehood then people of Delhi will get jobs, homes, security and justice, Kejriwal said.

-- ANI

16:53 10 killed in explosion at carpet factory in UP

Ten people were killed and six injured in an explosion at a shop in Uttar Pradesh's Bhadohi district on Saturday afternoon which also led to collapse of three adjacent houses, officials said.

It is suspected that some people are still trapped under the debris and a rescue operation has been launched, they said.

The blast took place at the shop in Rohta Bazaar. Kaliyar Mansoori, who used to run the shop, is among the 10 deceased. His son was running a carpet factory behind the shop and its workers could be among those trapped under the debris, District Magistrate Rajendra Prasad said.

Locals claimed that Mansoori was also in the business of making illegal firecrackers.

Besides Kaliyar Mansoor, three deceased have been identified as Irfan Mansoori, Abid Mansoori and Chandu, while efforts were on to identify the other six. The injured have been admitted to hospital, the district magistrate said.

Earthmoving equipment has been pressed into service to carry out relief and rescue works. Teams of forensic experts, NDRF and senior district officials have reached the site, he said.

-- PTI

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Saturday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for breaking his silence on attacks against Kashmiris in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack and expressed hope that such incidents would not recur.

"Thank you @narendramodi Sahib. Aaj aap ne hamaray dil ki baat keh di (you have conveyed the feelings of our heart)," Abdullah tweeted.

Addressing a rally at Rajasthan's Tonk district, the prime minister said, "Our fight is not against Kashmiris."

"It's been a more than a week since the terrible attack in Pulwama & more than a week that Kashmiris have been bearing the brunt of the public anger. Perhaps finally after PM @narendramodi Sb has spoken these forces targeting Kashmiris will stop in their tracks," the NC leader said.

-- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday insisted that the fight is against the menace of terrorism and denounced the attack of Kashmiris in the wake of Pulwama terror attack.

"Our fight is not against the Kashmiris, but against terrorism," PM Modi said while addressing a rally in Rajasthan's Tonk.

He stressed that the fight is against the enemies of humanity and what happened to Kashmiri students in the last few days, should not happen in this country.

PM Modi denounced the attack on Kashmiris across the country and said such incidents should not happen in this country.

He also spoke that it was time that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan stood by his words. "When Pak got a new PM, I had congratulated him (Imran Khan) and told him that we together should fight against poverty and illiteracy. He had told me that he was son of a Pathan and will stand by his words. Today is the time to test if he will stand by his words."

Days after being prevented by the Uttar Pradesh government from flying to the city on grounds of law and order, SP president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said that the BJP government was functioning in an "autocratic" manner.

The former chief minister is in Allahabad to visit the family of CRPF personnel Mahesh Yadav, who was killed in the Pulwama attack, and Samajwadi Party youth wing members injured in clashes with police during a protest against their chief being stopped from visiting the city on February 12.

The SP leader also asked students to become "booth soldiers" and give a befitting reply to the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls.

"Now it's your (students) responsibility to give a befitting reply to the BJP government, which is functioning in an autocratic manner. You all become 'booth soldiers' and ensure BJP's defeat," Yadav said.

When asked about him being denied permission to visit Allahabad on February 12, he said, "They didn't have a reason to stop me. They could not produce a valid reason while preventing me to board the flight to attend a students' programme."

"I abide by the law, I didn't go... But if the government is so powerful, why it couldn't it stop those businessmen who fled abroad with our money. Does it mean they fled with their (government's) help?" Yadav said.

The SP leader had claimed that he was stopped at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow on February 12 by police to prevent him from visiting Allahabad to attend a programme at Allahabad University.

-- PTI

Apruvi Chandela has made India proud on the first day of the ISSF World Cup 2019 by winning gold in the 10m Women Air Rifle final.

She finished at the 4th spot in the qualification round with 629.3. Anjum Moudgil and Elavenil Valarivan do not qualify for the final.

Around 500 shooters from 60 nations, including 23 competitors from host country India, will compete for top honours medals and quotas.

In a first, India has been invited by the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation as a Guest of Honour for the inaugural plenary of its meeting of foreign ministers to be held on March 1, marking a major development.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has been invited by Foreign Minister of United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to address the inaugural plenary of the 46th session of the council of foreign ministers to be held in Abu Dhabi, according to a statement issued by the external affairs ministry.

India thanked the leadership of UAE for the invitation and said it is happy to accept it.

First time as Guest of Honour, external affairs ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

India sees this invitation as a welcome recognition of the presence of 185 million Muslims in India and of their contribution to its pluralistic ethos, and of Indias contribution to the Islamic world, according to the MEA statement.

We see this invitation as the desire of the enlightened leadership of the UAE to go beyond our rapidly growing close bilateral ties and forge a true multifaceted partnership at the multilateral and international level. We see this invitation as a milestone in our comprehensive strategic partnership with the UAE, it said.

Founded in 1969, the OIC is a grouping of mostly the countries having Muslim majority.

-- ANI

Firing a fresh salvo at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged that the government "did not want to accept" that there was a "job crisis" in the country, and said the PM should hold discussions with the youth to address the issue.

During an interaction - Shiksha: Dasha Aur Disha -- with university students at the JLN Stadium, he also alleged that the country's wealth is "concentrated" in the hands of "a few people".

The Congress chief asserted that the state must pay for a large part of education of students.

There was no immediate reaction from the government.

China is growing economically, and one sees 'Made in China' labels on so many products in the country, Gandhi said, adding that he was "absolutely convinced" that India could go ahead of China.

He reiterated the per hour job figures to attack the prime minister on the issue.

"In a county of over 1.2 billion people, and India is creating about 450 jobs per 24 hours while China is creating 50,000 jobs in the same 24 hours,"he said, claiming, "these are not my figures, but of the Finance Ministry given in Lok Sabha".

"Our prime minister doesn't seem to think this is a problem," Gandhi alleged.

"We need to first acknowledge that there is a problem, and then we need to galvanise support to fight it. That is what we (Congress) believe in," he said.

Gandhi said he has already challenged Prime Minister Modi to debate with him on Rafale, corruption, job and other issues.

"But has he come and interacted with you (students) like this, taking questions from you," the Congress president asked the students.

The prime minister should interact with the youth and listen to their views on the job scenario and "say that he needs your support to address this issue," Gandhi said.

-- PTI

A fire broke out on Saturday afternoon near the Aero India 2019 show venue in Bengaluru. The fire started at the parking lot on the other side of Yelahanka Air Force Station.

Several vehicles were gutted in the fire near gate number 5. The fire department gave the estimated number as 80 to 100 cars. According to reports, the incident occurred after the grass caught fire.

A thick blanket of smoke could be covering the parking area. Further details are awaited.

13:16

Update from the fire at the parking lot of the Aero India show: According to the fire department, 80-100 cars have been gutted in the fire.

13:11 Car catches fire near Aero India

Fire breaks out at the car parking area at the Aero India show.

The mishap happens days after two aircraft of Indian Air Forces aerobatic team Surya Kiran crashed after grazing each other mid-air, killing a pilot and injuring two who ejected to safety during a rehearsal for the Aero India show.

India captain Virat Kohli on Saturday said that his team will "respect the decision of the government" with regards to playing Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup in the wake of the Pulwama terror attacks where 40 CRPF personnel were martyred.

There has been calls to boycott the June 16 World Cup face-off against Pakistan at the Old Trafford in the aftermath of the dastardly attack but the Indian cricket board has not taken a call, putting the ball in government's court.

"Our stand is simple. We stick by what the nation wants to do and what the BCCI decides to do and that is basically our opinion," skipper Kohli said on the eve of India's opening T20 International against Australia on Sunday.

"Whatever the government and the board decide, we will eventually go by that and will respect that. So that is our stand on this particular issue," Kohli added.

The captain offered his condolences on behalf of the entire Indian team to the families of the martyred soldiers.

"Our sincere condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives. The Indian team is really shocked and sad about what happened."

Kohli's stand is pretty similar to what chief coach Ravi Shastri echoed in an interview to a television channel where he said that the team will "accept whatever decision that the government takes."

"It's entirely left to the BCCI and the government. They know exactly what is happening and they will take a call. We will go by what they decide," Shastri said.

On Friday, the Committee of Administrators run BCCI decided against taking any stand on the World Cup clash against Pakistan but urged the ICC and other nations to "sever ties" with countries from where "terrorism emanates".

-- PTI

AIADMK Lok Sabha MP S Rajendran died on Saturday after a car in which he was travelling rammed into a road median at Tindivanam near Villupuram, police said.

The 62-year old MP representing Villupuram suffered serious injuries and died on the spot this morning, they said.

"Two others who were with the MP -- his driver and a relative who assisted him in his work -- were taken to a local hospital and then shifted to Government Medical College Hospital at Mundiyampakkam (Villupuram district)," said a police official.

According to preliminary enquiries, the accident occurred after the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a road median at Tindivanam and a probe was on.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister K Palaniswami condoled Rajendran's death and said he was anguished to learn about it.

He lauded Rajendran's for his efficient work as an MP, long service to the people and for his committment to the AIADMK's principles.

"Rajendran has been in public life for a long time and worked for the people's welfare. He was affable and held many responsibilities in the party. His death is a huge loss for the AIADMK and the people," he said in a statement in Chennai.

Palaniswami conveyed his condolences to Rajendran's family members, party colleagues and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

-- PTI

12:09 PV Sindhu to soar in a Tejas

Badminton player PV Sindhu waves as she is about to take off for a sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft - Tejas in Bengaluru at the Aero India show.

Photograph: ANI/Twitter

The Centre airlifted an additional hundred companies of paramilitary forces to Srinagar to boost security build up after police detained JKLF chief Yasin Malik Friday night and arrested dozens of Jamaat-e-Islami workers in the Valley.

The fresh deployment includes 45 CRPF companies, 35 BSF companies, 10 SSB companies and 10 ITBP companies.

There has been a considerable build-up of security forces across Jammu and Kashmir after the February 14 terror attack in Pulwama which killed 40 CRPF troopers.

About two dozen people associated with the Jamaat-e-Islami were also arrested from central, north and south Kashmir as part of a crackdown after the terror attack on a CRPF convoy that killed 40 troopers in Pulwama on February 14.

Police have so far not commented on the detentions.

The Jamaat-e-Islami termed the move a "well-designed conspiracy to pave way for further uncertainty in the region".

"During the intervening night of 22-23 February, 2019 police and other forces agencies launched mass arrest drive and raided many houses in the Valley wherein dozens of its central and district level leaders have been arrested," it said in a statement.

Police and paramilitary forces have been put on high alert but there was no confirmation about any more detentions.

President Donald Trump has nominated his envoy to Canada Kelly Knight Craft as the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations to succeed Indian-American Nikki Haley.

In October, Haley announced that she was leaving the post by the end of the year.

The 46-year-old former South Carolina governor has served nearly two years in the post. She was the first Indian-American ever appointed to a Cabinet position in any US presidential administration.

If confirmed by the Senate, Craft, 56, would replace Haley.

"I am pleased to announce that Kelly Knight Craft, our current Ambassador to Canada, is being nominated to be United States Ambassador to the United Nations," Trump announced on Twitter Friday night.

"Kelly has done an outstanding job representing our nation and I have no doubt that, under her leadership, our country will be represented at the highest level. Congratulations to Kelly and her entire family!" Trump said.

Haley congratulated Craft shortly after the president's online announcement.

"She's done a great job representing us as @USAmbCanada and we know she'll be a strong voice for America at the United Nations. #USstrong," the former ambassador said in a Tweet.

A former businesswoman, Craft is the country's first woman ambassador to the Canada.

Craft is Trump's second choice to replace Haley.

His first choice, former State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, withdrew her name from consideration on February 16, citing personal and family reasons.

Craft has been ambassador to Canada since October 2017.

She previously served as an alternate delegate to the UN during the George W Bush administration.

During her time in Ottawa, she raised eyebrows when she said that she believes in 'both sides of the science' when it comes to climate change.

Craft has also been a supporter of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the trade deal that was negotiated by the Trump administration to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), although not yet approved by Congress.

The Kentucky native has been married to billionaire coal mining businessman Joe Craft since 2016.

The couple are both long-term and generous donors to the Republican party. -- PTI

Indian Air Force's Surya Kiran aerobatic team at Aero India 2019 flew the first formation as an incomplete diamond with Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi's place vacant as a tribute to him.

Wg Cdr Gandhi died on February 19 in mid-air collision between two Hawk trainer jets of Surya Kiran aerobatic team while rehearsing for the show.

The team had earlier decided not to take part in the event after the mishap. -- ANI

Police swooped on Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir members in Kashmir during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, and detained around two dozen of its cadres, including its chief Abdul Hamid Fayaz, officials said in Srinagar.

Though police termed the detentions as routine, officials privy to the developments said this is the first major crackdown on the organisation that is part of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, a separatist conglomerate.

The Jamaat issued a statement condemning the detentions and said "...The move is a well designed conspiracy to pave way for further uncertainty in the region."

The Jamaat claimed that during the intervening night of February 22 and February 23, police and other agencies launched a mass arrest drive and raided many houses in the Valley, wherein dozens of its central and district level leaders were arrested, including its Ameer (chief) Jamaat Dr Abdul Hamid Fayaz and advocate Zahid Ali (spokesperson).

The Jamaat cadres were picked up from various places, including Anantnag, Pahalgham, Dialgam, Tral -- all in south Kashmir.

The Jamaat termed the raids as 'fishy' at a time when the Supreme Court is to hear a petition regarding Article 35A of the Constitution, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

"...The way forces personnel unleashed the spree of mass arrest and detained dozens of Jamaat members prior to the hearing seems something is hatching behind the curtains. Any attempt of eroding or tampering Article 35A is unacceptable for people of Jammu and Kashmir," it said.

Besides this, police also detained JKLF chief Yaseen Malik on Friday night.

Additional troops have been also rushed to Jammu and Kashmir but no one has been able to provide reasons for such a massive deployment.

The action comes eight days after an audacious terror attack on a convoy in Pulwama district in which 41 CRPF personnel lost their lives. -- PTI

Braving sub-zero temperature, Indian-Americans from in and around Chicago on Friday held peaceful protests outside the Pakistani and Chinese diplomatic missions.

Indian-Americans urged the Chinese Consulate in Chicago that Beijing should 'stop sheltering and supporting hard line extremist terrorists' at the United Nations.

They were referring to China, a veto-wielding permanent United Nations Security Council member, blocking India's repeated bids in the Security Council Sanctions committee to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

JeM has claimed the responsibility of the Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 41 CRPF personnel.

"China should urge Pakistan to stop supporting terrorism worldwide," Bharat Barai, chairman of Indian American Cultural Centre, said in a memorandum to the Consul General of China in Chicago.

This was the first ever protest by the Indian-American community in front of the Chinese Consulate in Chicago.

Several Indian-Americans also protested before the Pakistani consulate in Chicago.

With placards displaying 'stop supporting terrorism', the protestors chanted 'Bharat Matha Ki Jai' and demanded that Pakistan be declared a state sponsoring terrorism.

In a memorandum submitted to the Pakistani Consulate in Chicago, the the Indian-American community urged Pakistan to stop supporting terrorists.

The community leaders said Pakistan is a hub of terrorism and is constantly manufacturing company of terrorists, while harbouring and nurturing them to be 'dark men of death'.

Indian-Americans in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut on Thursday also held a candle light vigil at the Royal Alberts Palace.

The event was organised by the Federation of Indian Association. -- PTI

The Indian Railways is all set to launch a special train for tourist visiting the Statue of Unity in Gujarat from March 4.

The development comes five months after the world's tallest statue was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The tourist train being run under the 'Bharat Darshan Tour Scheme' will offer 7 nights and 8 days tour package and will commence its journey from Chandigarh covering pilgrimages like Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain, Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga near Indore, and Shirdi Sai Baba Darshan, Trimbakeshwar in Nashik and Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga in Aurangabad.

The tour will be conducted by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) and is priced at Rs 7,560 per person.

The tour package has multiple boarding and de-boarding stations viz Chandigarh, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Delhi Cantt., Rewari, Alwar and Jaipur for the facilitation of the tourists.

"The package has been designed to pay tribute to the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Statue of Unity is situated on the river island called Sadhu Bet in front of the Narmada Dam in Gujarat.

"It is the worlds tallest statue at a height of 182 metres. The train will halt at Vadodara station and passengers will be taken to the statue of Unity by buses," said a government press release.

Further, the package includes train journey in non-AC sleeper class, hall/dormitory accommodation at places of night stay, morning freshen up, road transportation, pure vegetarian meals, sightseeing as per the itinerary by non-AC vehicles, services of the tour manager and security arrangements.

The package can be booked online on www.irctctourism.com or on the IRCTC Mobile App under Bharat Darshan link. -- ANI

09:18 JKLF chief Yaseen Malik detained

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yaseen Malik was detained on Friday night amid indications of a wider crackdown on separatists in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Police and paramilitary forces have been put on high alert but there was no confirmation about any more detentions.

The action comes eight days after an audacious terror attack on a convoy in Pulwama district in which 41 CRPF personnel lost their lives. -- PTI

Failure of both the United States and India to impose accountability or establish deterrence on Pakistan has encouraged the country to 'continue a policy of backing extremists' in both India and Afghanistan, a leading American daily has said.

The Washington Post in an editorial in the aftermath of Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed said India is confronted with a dilemma that both it and the US have repeatedly faced: what to do about the sponsorship of Islamist terrorist groups by Pakistan, a nuclear-armed state?

'Diplomacy, sanctions and targeted military strikes haven't worked; full-scale war is unthinkable. Yet the failure to impose accountability or establish deterrence only encourages the Pakistani military and its intelligence service to continue a policy of backing extremists in both India and Afghanistan,' it said.

The editorial underlined that Pakistan is unlikely to act on any evidence provided by India on the Pulwama attack.

'If the record of past terrorist attacks in India is any indication, Pakistan will not act even if evidence is provided. The same has been true of its response to terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, such as assaults on the US Embassy and other Western targets by a Taliban faction known as the Haqqani network, which Pakistan is also believed to support,' it said.

Pakistan has long sought to use terrorists to gain leverage over India, with which it disputes control of Kashmir, and the US, which it would like to force to accept rule by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the daily said.

'It is making headway on the latter goal with the Trump administration, which has been negotiating with the Taliban about withdrawing US troops. That increases the complications for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who faces a national election in the coming months,' it said. -- PTI

Describing the current situation between India and Pakistan as 'very, very bad', United States President Donald Trump on Friday said his administration was in contact with both sides and hoped hostilities would soon end in the Valley.

"Right now between Pakistan and India, there is a very, very bad situation. A very dangerous situation. We would like to see it (hostilities) stop. A lot of people were just killed.

"We want to see it just stop. We are very much involved in that (process)," Trump told reporters at the Oval Office.

The US president was responding to questions on last week's terrorist attack in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir in which 41 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed.

Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

"India is looking at something very strong. India just lost almost 50 people in the attack. I can understand that too," Trump said, adding that his administration was talking to authorities in both countries.

"We're talking. A lot of people are. It's going to be a very, very delicate balance. There is a lot of problems between India and Pakistan because of what just happened," he said.

The President said the US has improved ties with Pakistan and works are on for meetings with Pakistan leaders and officials.

"I stopped paying Pakistan the $1.3-billion that we used to pay them. In the meantime, we may set up some meetings with Pakistan. Pakistan was taking very strong advantage of the United States under other presidents.

"We were paying Pakistan $1.3 billion a year. I ended that payment, because they were not helping us in the way they should have," Trump said.

He said the United States' relation with Pakistan has developed in the last few months. -- PTI

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