LIVE! Rohingyas agree move to Bangladesh island

LIVE

Sun, 20 October 2019

Rohingyas agree move to Bangladesh island

Timeline Refresh

21:05 Rohingyas agree move to Bangladesh island

Thousands of Rohingyas living in Bangladesh refugee camps have agreed to move to an island in the Bay of Bengal, officials said Sunday, despite fears the site is prone to flooding.

Dhaka has long wanted to move 100,000 refugees to the muddy silt islet, saying it would take pressure off the overcrowded border camps where almost a million Rohingya live.

Some 740,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar in August 2017 in the face of a military crackdown, joining 200,000 refugees already in makeshift tent settlements at Cox's Bazar.

Bangladesh's refugee commissioner, Mahbub Alam, said officials overseeing the relocation would be posted to Bhashan Char island in the next few days.

"Approximately 6,000-7,000 refugees have already expressed their willingness to be relocated to Bhashan Char," Alam tsaid, adding that "the number is rising".

He did not say when the refugees would be moved, but a senior navy officer involved in building facilities on the island said it could start by December, with some 500 refugees sent daily.

Bangladesh has been planning since last year to relocate Rohingya to the desolate flood-prone site, which is an hour by boat from the mainland.

Rights groups have warned the island, which emerged from the sea only about two decades ago, might not be able to withstand violent storms during the annual monsoon season.

After being criticised by Democrats and media, US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that he will no longer host the 2020 Group of Seven summit at his golf resort in the state of Florida as announced.

"Based on both Media and Democrat Crazed and Irrational Hostility, we will no longer consider Trump National Doral, Miami, as the Host Site for the G-7 in 2020," Trump said in a series of tweets on Saturday night. "We will begin the search for another site, including the possibility of Camp David, immediately," he added.

Earlier on Thursday, White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney had announced that the G7 summit event will take place on June 10-12 next year at the Trump National Doral Miami golf club, adding that the issue was not a conflict of interest as Trump would not profit from the use of the property, reported Xinhua news agency.

However, the decision has drawn criticism from media and Democratic lawmakers who said the choice could be inconsistent with the emoluments clause of the Constitution.

As per local media, Trump is the first US administration official to publicly float the selection of his property to host the summit.

G7 includes the seven leading industrialised countries of Britain, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada.

-- ANI

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Goel on Sunday targeted Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the deteriorating air quality in Delhi.

The BJP leader claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi has not taken any requisite measures to curb air pollution and added that all the measures were taken by the central government.

"Arvind Kejriwal is responsible for the deteriorating quality of air in Delhi. In the past five years, their government has not done taken any substantial steps to decrease air pollution. They have not taken any steps so far," he said.

"It is the central government which has taken important steps to combat air pollution. They have made national highways, bridges and also allocated Rs 11,000 crore for the farmers who were burning stubble in Punjab and Haryana," the BJP leader added.

The Kejriwal-led government in Delhi has announced the implementation of the Odd-Even scheme from November 4 to 15, 2019, stating that the smog from the nearby states due to the burning of crop residue is the major cause of pollution in the region.

Farmers residing in Haryana and Punjab usually burn crop residue after harvesting paddy in the autumn season in order to clear the fields for summer harvest. Smoke from these two states travels to the national capital each year, leading to a spike in the air pollution levels.

19:44 Harry and Meghan to take 'family time' off

Harry and Meghan, Britain's Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will take a break from royal duties towards the end of the year, dividing their time between the US and the UK, a royal source has told CNN.

Confirmation of a break comes hours before an ITV documentary filmed during the couple's recent South Africa tour is broadcast in the UK. In footage released before its broadcast, Harry described the idea of relocating to Africa as "amazing" but admitted it was unlikely.

"I don't know where we could live in Africa at the moment," Harry told reporter Tom Bradby in the short snippet of the documentary. "We've just come from Cape Town, that would be an amazing place for us to be able to base ourselves, of course it would.

The pair will take some "family time" off towards the end of the year, from around mid-November once they have completed their current run of engagements and commitments, the source said.

The couple has been under intense scrutiny of late. Meghan is suing British newspaper Mail on Sunday for publishing a selectively edited version version of a private letter Meghan sent to her father. The newspaper's publishers have said Meghan's father only wanted parts of the letter released.

Separately, Harry is also suing the owners of UK tabloid newspapers the Sun and the Daily Mirror for allegedly hacking his phone.

19:21 NCP seeks suspension of internet around EVMs

The Nationalist Congress Party on Sunday demanded suspension of internet services within three km radius of every polling booth in Maharashtra as well as the strong rooms where EVMs will be stored, from the day of voting till the votes are counted.

Polling for all the 288 assembly constituencies in Maharashtra will be held on Monday. The votes will be counted on October 24.

The NCP submitted a letter to the chief electoral officer, in which it said that there is a fear about the possible hacking of EVMs and VVPATs.

"In order to prevent it, the authorities should suspend internet services as a precautionary measure," it said.

The Sharad Pawar-led party also said that stopping internet service in such premises was also observed in other state assembly election as well.

There are 96,661 polling booths in the state.

-- PTI

Rains and overcast conditions in several parts of Maharashtra threaten to play spoilsport on Monday when 8.98 crore voters are expected to decide the fate of 3,237 candidates in 288 seats.

In Western Maharashtra, Kolhapur and Satara witnessed thunder and rain on Sunday, while other parts of the state like Sangli, Nashik, Pune, Ratnagiri and Aurangabad reported medium intensity showers.

The IMD on Sunday predicted that "thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds" was very likely at isolated places in Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Beed and Osmanabad districts on Monday.

Some other districts may get light showers while areas in north Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Marathwada are likely to be rain-free during Monday.

Voting will be held between 7 am and 6 pm.

-- PTI

Pakistan on Sunday rejected reports that the Indian Army targeted at least four terror camps in the PoK and said it can arrange a visit of diplomats from P5 nations to the area to expose Indian "falsehood".

According to Indian government sources in New Delhi, the Indian Army on Sunday launched heavy artillery attacks targeting at least four terror camps and several Pakistani military positions opposite the Tangadhar sector along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, killing five Pakistani soldiers.

There have been reports of killing of at least four-five terrorists in the shelling by the Indian Army, which inflicted significant damage on the Pakistani side.

Rejecting reports, Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said, "Pakistan categorically rejects Indian media reports about alleged launchpads being targeted by India along the LoC."

The Foreign Office said that Pakistan has called upon the P-5 countries (permanent members of the United Nations Security Council) to ask India to provide information about the terror launchpads. It said Pakistan is willing to arrange a visit of the P5 diplomats to those locations to expose "Indian falsehood".

Pakistan Army spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor also rejected the reports saying the Indian media is "falsely claiming" targeting of alleged terror camps.

Meanwhile, Pakistan summoned Indian envoy Gaurav Ahluwalia to condemn the firing by Indian troops that it said killed five civilians along the Line of Control in Jura, Shahkot and Nausehri Sectors.

-- PTI

The national capital's air quality turned "poor" on Sunday as wind direction changed to northwesterly, increasing the contribution of smoke from stubble burning in neighbouring states to the pollution in the city.

Westerly and northwesterly winds bring dust from western regions and smoke caused by burning of crop residue in the neighbouring Punjab and Haryana to Delhi-NCR.

After fluctuating between "poor" and "very poor" for over a week, the city's air quality had improved to "moderate" category on Saturday, mainly due to a squall in Delhi that dispersed pollutants and rainfall in neighbouring areas that subdued the effect of stubble burning.

However on Sunday, pollution levels in Delhi shot up by around 100 points at air quality index, the Central Pollution Control Board data showed.

The AQI, which was 161 on Saturday, rose to 258 by Sunday afternoon. Higher the AQI of an area, the higher the pollution level.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

The ministry of earth sciences' air quality forecast and research service, SAFAR, said, "The overall air quality of Delhi is back in the poor category. The surface and boundary layer wind direction is northwesterly now."

-- PTI

17:36 'Indian Army will give befitting reply to Pak'

Hailing the Indian Army for destroying terror launch pads in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav on Sunday said that the forces would rightly answer to the neighbouring country.

Speaking to media persons, Madhav said: "Our security forces are well equipped to handle the situation. It will answer them back."

The Indian Army, today, used artillery guns in retaliation to the unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan.

The army targeted terrorist camps situated in Pakistan occupied Kashmir opposite the Tangdhar sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Four to five Pakistan army soldiers were killed and several others injured in the impact.

Madhav said that the situation in the Valley is under control. "We will not allow anyone to disturb the peace," he said.

Talking about the detention of political leaders in the Valley, he said the safety of the common people cannot be compromised for a few people.

After the Central government abrogated the provisions under Article 370 over two months ago, several political leaders including former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti were taken into preventive custody.

-- ANI

Despite efforts by Amarinder Singh led Punjab government, farmers in the state continue to defy the ban on residue crop burning by setting ablaze their agricultural land.

On Sunday, a couple of farmers residing near Amritsar city burnt stubble citing they lack an alternative. They also claimed that so far no help has been provided to them by the governments.

The farmers also slammed the local authorities for putting the blame on them for causing air pollution in nearby regions such as Gurugram and Delhi.

"The pollution generated from factories are harmful but the smoke generated from burning stubble does not affect the health. Stubble burning only contributes to 7 to 8 per cent of air pollution, rest is caused by factories. The government must come forward and help us, then we will also encourage fellow farmers not to practice stubble burning," said Sarabjit Singh, a farmer.

Narrating his ordeal, another farmer Karaz Singh, said that so far no government help has reached them and they are forced to burn stubble each year. "No help has been provided by the government to us. We are unnecessarily being blamed for causing pollution. This is not right," he said.

It is believed that the smoke generated from the stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana are responsible for the spike of air pollution in Delhi and its adjoining regions.

Last month, NASA satellite images also recorded several incidents of farm fires across Haryana and Punjab, indicating that the stubble burning season had started in the two states.

Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly election, a group of urban development experts and civil society organisations released a "manifesto" drawing the attention of politicians to 100 different demands across 12 domains.

The document entitled 'Maharashtra Urban Citizen's Manifesto 2019' seeks the creation of inclusive and sustainable urban spaces, finalisation of Maharashtra Housing Policy and a guaranteed minimum wage of not less than Rs 18,000, among other things.

The document also lists out some other demands, including a detailed report on human settlements in Maharashtra to assess the number of vacant houses, effective implementation of the Maharashtra Youth Policy.

The manifesto emphasises, "We strongly believe that provision of free housing is not the solution to the housing crisis in the state, and neither is 'affordable housing.'" It mentions that a report on human settlements in Maharashtra, as mentioned above, should include assessing the number of vacant houses, housing needs and housing projections.

The manifesto also demands support for the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, so that it can provide multiple housing options and can provide housing finance that is accessible to the economically weaker sections and lower income groups, who are able to access 'pattas'. (A 'patta' is a legal document issued by the local administration in the name of the owner of a particular plot of land.)

Among other important demands, the urban citizen's manifesto seeks that all sanctioned posts in every local government body are filled. It also demands that an assessment should be carried out to ascertain whether sanctioned posts need to be revised according to the needs of urban local government bodies.

Nearly a month after the RBI clamped down on the operations of scam-hit PMC Bank, the depositors say their woes have only worsened, with some unable to pay school fees of their wards, while others finding it difficult to meet medical expenses.

Many fear that they might lose their lifetime earnings deposited in savings accounts, or in the form of fixed deposits.

Businessmen like M A Chaudhary complained that they were unable to either pay salaries to their workers, nor pay taxes or even the electricity bills after the cheques issued by the PMC Bank bounced.

So far, three depositors have lost their lives, apparently due to the crisis.

Established in 1984 in Sion in central Mumbai, the bank now has branches in six states but most of them are concentrated in the metropolises of Mumbai and Delhi.

On September 24, the bank's Managing Director Joy Thomas sent an SMS to its depositors about the Reserve Bank of India imposing regulatory restrictions, capping the withdrawals up to Rs 1,000 for six months.

Since then, he has been arrested, along with the promoters of Housing Development Infrastructure Limited (HDIL) Rakesh and Sarang Wadhawan, in an alleged fraud case.

After protests from account holders, the RBI raised the amount to Rs 10,000 and then to Rs 40,000 earlier this month.

However, the depositors, who have deposited lakhs and in some cases even crores in the bank, said the amount is too less even to meet the monthly expenses, .

Tek Chand, 71, a retired government servant and a resident of Janakpuri in west Delhi, said his family has over Rs 18 lakh deposited in the Tilak Nagar branch of the bank.

His wife has to undergo dialysis which costs him Rs 10,000 per month and half his monthly pension goes into it.

There are many like Chand whose source of sustenance is the interest they get from their fixed deposits.

-- PTI

Over 89 lakh young voters under 40 years of age are likely to play a crucial role in the Haryana assembly elections on Monday.

According to the Election Commission data, there are 89,42,668 voters who fall in this category, which forms a major chunk of over 1.83 eligible voters in the state.

There are over 3.82 lakh voters, many of them first-timers, who fall in the age group of 18-19 years while over 40 lakh are 20-29 years of age.

"There are 3,82,446 voters in the age group of 18 to 19 years, while 40,67,413 electorates are in the age group of 20 to 29 years. As many as 44,92,809 voters fall in the bracket of 30 to 39 years," Haryana's Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal said.

He said 35,67,536 voters fell in the age group of 40 to 49 years while 27,90,783 were 50 to 59 years of age.

There are 17,39,664 voters who are between 60 and 69 years while 8,22,958 voters are in the age group of 70 to 79 years.

As many as 4,18,961 voters are above 80, he said in an official release.

Besides, there are over one lakh service voters.

Faridabad and Gurgaon districts have the maximum number of electorates -- over 15 lakh and 12 lakh, respectively -- while Panchkula district has the lowest number (3.86 lakh) of voters in the state.

Agarwal said that polling for 90 assembly seats in the state would be held from 7 am to 6 pm.

Of the over 1.83 crore voters, over 85 lakh are women besides 252 transgenders. There are 1.7 lakh service voters.

As many as 1,169 candidates, including 105 women, are in the fray these elections.

-- PTI

The state unit of BJP's women wing on Sunday hit out at NCP leader Dhananjay Munde for allegedly making derogatory remarks against his estranged cousin and Minister Pankaja Munde.

"Dhananjay Munde has forgotten about the purity of the relation between brother and sister. This should be the matter of embarrassment for the Nationalist Congress Party," said Madhavi Naik, president of BJP's women wing.

Madhvi's comments came after a video purportedly showing the NCP leader making remarks against the minister during an election rally went viral on social media.

Pankaja Munde is the sitting BJP legislator from Parli assembly constituency. She is the daughter of late BJP heavyweight Gopinath Munde.

"Based on the complaints filed by us and the State Women Commission, FIRs have been registered against the NCP leader for his derogatory comments," said Madhvi.

-- ANI

Pakistan army on Sunday claimed to have killed 9 Indian soldiers, injured several others and destroyed two Indian bunkers in an exchange of fire along the Line of Control.

Claiming the same on Twitter, Pakistan army spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor also said that one Pakistani soldier and three civilians were killed in the exchange of fire, while two soldiers and five civilians suffered injuries.

"Indian unprovoked CFVs in Jura, Shahkot and Nousehri Sectors deliberately targeting civilians. Effectively responded. 9 Indian soldiers killed several injured. 2 Indian bunkers destroyed. During exchange of fire 1 soldier & 3 civilians shaheed, 2 soldiers & 5 civilians injured," he said.

Earlier today, Pakistan started firing at Indian positions to push infiltrators from terrorist groups through Tangdhar sector and used artillery shelling.

Four to five Pakistan army soldiers were killed and several others injured after the Indian Army launched artillery attacks on terrorist camps situated inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir opposite the Tangdhar sector.

-- ANI

15:15 Priyanka slams UP govt after Tiwari's murder

Taking a jibe at the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh over its alleged failure to maintain law and order situation, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday accused the Yogi government of being "unsuccessful" in controlling the number of crimes in the state.

Sharing a snapshot of the news headlines of major crimes in the state, Gandhi on Twitter wrote, "Har din apraadh ke naam, bhajpa sarkaar puri nakaam." (Uttar Pradesh government has failed to stop crime). Among the headlines in Gandhi's picture is a reference to the murder of Ex-Hindusabha leader Kamlesh Tiwari.

Meanwhile, Tiwari's family met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at his official residence in Lucknow today. Terming the murder "an act of mischief to create terror", Adityanath had on Saturday said the guilty will not be spared. Alleging a conspiracy behind his killing, the family has demanded a NIA probe in the matter.

Priyanka Gandhi's picture also mentions the killing of a BJP worker in Saharanpur, the murder of a journalist in Kushinagar and the death of an advocate in Meerut. It also mentions the alleged custodial death of a 35-year-old Pradeep Tomar in Hapur. Tomar was allegedly assaulted by with belts and electrocuted in front of his son.

This is, however, not the first time that the Congress general secretary has slammed the Yogi-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. "Law and order in Uttar Pradesh has slipped out of the hands of the government. The government is busy covering up incidents while crime is being committed unabated," she had earlier tweeted, asking if the government will actually work out any solution or continue to sleep.

The government is planning to invite preliminary bids for 100 per cent stake sale in Air India next month and already some entities have expressed interest in the national carrier, sources said.

The airline is sitting on a debt pile of around Rs 58,000 crore, besides huge accumulated losses running into thousands of crores.

Some entities have already expressed interest in buying Air India, the sources said, adding the Expression of Interest document is being given the final touches.

EoI inviting bids for 100 per cent stake sale are likely to be floated either this month-end or next month, they added.

Bidding for the national carrier will be carried out through a newly developed e-bidding system.

Last week, Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola took a review meeting of Air India ahead of the airline's board meet, which scheduled to be held on October 22 for clearing the consolidated account statement for the fiscal ended March 2019.

Earlier this month, Air India management held a meeting with its trade unions on the proposed privatisation of the loss-making carrier.

Majority of its unions are opposed to the move, fearing job losses.

-- PTI

14:08 Over 40K personnel in Mumbai for elections

Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, 40,000 police personnel will be deployed in Mumbai and drones will be used for surveillance as part of security arrangements, Mumbai Police said.

"Assembly elections are to be held in Maharashtra on October 21. In view of that, about 40,000 personnel will be deployed in Mumbai," said Mumbai Police spokesperson Pranay Ashok. He further stated that there are 9,894 polling stations in Mumbai at 1,537 locations. Out of these, 270 polling stations have been declared critical, where security arrangements have been kept strong.

The Mumbai Police spokesperson further stated that drone will also be used and the social media team of Mumbai Police will keep a watch. Apart from this, the police will also deploy flying squards.

Besides this, 2,700 home guards, 22 companies of CAPF and 12 companies of CRPF will also be deployed in the city, Ashok said.

-- ANI

Describing Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as the "second Indira Gandhi" and a "storm of change," UP Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu on Sunday exuded confidence that the party will emerge victorious under her leadership in the 2022 state assembly polls.

He also claimed that the Yogi Adityanath government in UP "fears" both Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

"Priyanka Gandhi is the second Indira Gandhi. She is the storm of change (badlaav ki yeh aandhi, jiskaa naam Priyanka Gandhi hai). Under her leadership, the Congress will emerge victorious in the 2022 UP Assembly elections," he said.

"This BJP government (headed by Yogi Adityanath) fears both Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, as it knows that if the brother-sister hit the streets, it will start sweating," Lallu told PTI in an interview here.

Asked whether he will be the CM face of the party in the 2022 polls, he said, "No. I am only a party worker, and my 'dharma' is to work for the party's ideology. Congress has a glorious history of participating in various struggles. And on the basis of these struggles, history has been changed."

On Samajwadi Party and its president Akhilesh Yadav, the UP Congress chief said, "The people of the state had given a mandate to the Samajwadi Party as the principal opposition party in the state. But, it has failed on that front."

Terming the ongoing bypolls as quite significant, he said party candidates were selected in consultation with local party workers and office bearers.

"The party workers and office bearers are working very hard, and there are indication of good results for the party."

-- PTI

Indian-American Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee, whose comments on the Indian economy has drawn criticism from the BJP, told NDTV that Union finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was his friend at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University and they shared similar views on several issues.

Asked about JNU's role in his training and his thoughts about the current noise about the university, Mr Banerjee termed the current situation "unfortunate".

"One of the people I knew well and we were on similar sides of certain issues was Nirmala Sitharaman.She was my contemporary in JNU... I wouldn't say we were close friends, but we were friends and it is not that we had deep disagreements".

The university, he said, was a place where a lot of people held different views and divergent opinions. "It was great because it makes you engaged with the nature of India in a deep way". Continuing, he said, "Being critical is one thing and being able to discuss with civility diverse views is another thing and both of these are important".

Banerjee's views about the Indian economy has not endeared him to the ruling BJP.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh would attend the Kartarpur Corridor inauguration ceremony on November 9 as a common man.

Qureshi told reporters in his home town Multan on Saturday that Singh has accepted his invitation and would attend the scheduled opening as a common man rather than as a special guest, Dawn newspaper reported.

"He is welcome even as a common participant," Qureshi said.

The proposed corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district of Punjab and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian pilgrims, who will have to just obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur Sahib, which was established in 1522 by Guru Nanak Dev.

Pakistan is building the corridor from the Indian border to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, while the other part from Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur district up to the border will be constructed by India.

Qureshi said Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan would inaugurate Pakistan's part of the corridor, facilitating pilgrimage of 5,000 Indian Sikhs everyday to their holy place.

-- PTI

12:35 Army launches attack on terror camps in PoK

The Indian Army on Sunday used artillery guns to target terrorist camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir which have been actively trying to push terrorists into Indian territory.

Four launch pads in Neelam valley of PoK were targeted and fatalities have been reported, sources said. This comes after an unprovoked ceasefire violation was started by the Pakistani side to push infiltrators into the Indian side, according to sources. Two Indian soldiers and a civilian were killed in firing by Pakistan Army in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir.

In retaliation, the Indian Army inflicted heavy damages and casualties on the Pakistan side. "Indian Forces caused heavy damages and casualty to Pakistan after two Indian soldiers and one civilian were killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army in Tangdhar sector," an Indian Army spokesperson said.

-- ANI

The government has cancelled a two-day official visit to Ankara by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the backdrop of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans UNGA speech last month where he criticised Indias move on Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Erdogan raised the Kashmir issue at the United Nations General Assembly and also backed Pakistan at the Financial Action Task Force meet in Paris, following which India has decided to give the cold shoulder to Turkey.

Modis trip to Ankara would have been his first stand-alone visit to Turkey. He was to have proceeded to Turkey from Saudi Arabia, where he is going on October 27-28 to attend a mega investment summit.

A ministry of external affairs source said the visit was never finalised so there is no question of cancellation.

Modi had last visited Turkey during the G20 in Antalya in 2015. He had held a bilateral with Erdogan in Osaka, on the sidelines of the G20 in June this year. The Turkish leader had paid a two-day visit to India in July 2018.

However, Erdogan's strong backing of Pakistan's position on Kashmir and alleging widespread human rights violations by India during his speech at the UN General Assembly last month has not gone down well with India.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday hit out at Union minister Piyush Goyal for his remarks that Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee is "Left-leaning", saying "these bigots are blinded by hatred" and have no idea what a professional is.

Goyal, at a media briefing in Pune, had described Banerjee as a "Left-leaning" person. The Nobel laureate on Saturday told a TV channel that the commerce minister is "questioning my professionalism".

"Dear Mr Banerjee, These bigots are blinded by hatred and have no idea what a professional is. You cannot explain it to them, even if you tried for a decade," Gandhi said in a tweet tagging the media report on Banerjee's response to Goyal's comments on him.

"Please be certain that millions of Indians are proud of your work," the former Congress president said.

Goyal on Friday had also said Banerjee's suggestion of a minimum income scheme was rejected by Indian voters and there was no need to "accept what he thinks".

On Saturday, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had also hit out at Goyal for his remarks and said the government's job is not to run a "comedy circus", but improve the "collapsing" economy.

-- PTI

11:17 Kamlesh Tiwari's family arrives to meet Yogi

Family members of Kamlesh Tiwari, who was shot dead on October 18, arrive at the residence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow.

The family of murdered Hindu Samaj Party leader left on Sunday from their residence in Sitapur for Lucknow to meet the CM.

"We are going to meet Yogi Adityanath. The Chief Minister had given us time to meet at around 11 am today. The police are taking us there," Tiwari's widow told ANI.

Son Satyam Tiwari also confirmed the development while Tiwari's mother refused to comment.

The family had earlier demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA)-led investigation in the matter saying they don't trust the state administration. -- ANI

A first information report has been lodged against Nationalist Congress Party leader Dhananjay Munde for allegedly making obscene comments against his estranged cousin and Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde at an election rally, a police official said on Sunday.

A video purportedly showing the NCP leader making the remarks against the minister went viral on social media, following which a Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Parli in Beed district filed a police complaint against him on Saturday, he said.

The NCP leader, however, said the clip has been edited and is fake, and his remarks have been 'distorted'.

Both the cousins are locked in a battle from Parli segment for Monday's state assembly polls.

Pankaja Munde, the sitting BJP MLA from Parli, is the daughter of late party leader Gopinath Munde.

"Acting on the complaint filed by Parli BJP president Jugal Kishor Lohiya, the FIR was lodged late Saturday night against Dhananjay Munde under Indian Penal Code Sections 500 (defamation), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman) and 294 (obscene act in public place)," the police official said.

Lohiya in his complaint said the NCP leader allegedly made the obscene remarks against the BJP minister at a public meeting held at Vida village in Kej tehsil on October 17.

The BJP has also complained to the Election Commission and the women's commission against the NCP leader's remarks.

Some BJP workers also burnt his effigy at Shirur-Kasar tehsil here on Saturday night.

However, Dhananjay Munde said the clip was being circulated on social media by 'distorting' his comments to 'deliberately' defame him.

In a statement issued on Facebook late Saturday night, Munde demanded that the authenticity of the 'edited' clip be tested in a forensic laboratory.

Those who have 'edited' the clip should at least respect the holy relationship of brother and sister, the leader of opposition in the state Legislative Council said.

The NCP leader said he is contesting the election only on the issue of development, and asked his detractors not to stoop low by giving an emotional twist to it.

"It is an edited clip, distorts my statement and deliberately defames me. The clip is completely fake and its authenticity must be tested in forensic lab."

He alleged that an emotional twist was being given to the election in the constituency as he has been receiving huge response from the people, causing fear of defeat in the minds of his rivals.

The NCP leader further said he did not use bad words about any of his rivals, despite him being labelled as 'monster'.

"I did principle-based politics yesterday and doing it today. I have done 'kanyadaan' of my 1,500 sisters (girls). I will never use wrong words about any woman. Hence, workers and citizens should not believe in rumours," he added. -- PTI

10:35 Indian forces cause heavy damages to Pak: Army

JUST IN: Indian forces cause heavy damages and casualty to Pakistan after two Indian soldiers and one civilian were killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army in Tangdhar sector (Jammu and Kashmir) today, says the Indian Army.

More details awaited.

09:43 Johnson refuses to sign Brexit delay letter

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday (local time) sent the European Union an unsigned photocopy of a request for a Brexit extension from Parliamentarians, stressing that it is 'Parliament's letter' and not his, according to local media reports.

It is also understood that Johnson has sent European Council President Donald Tusk a second letter stating he personally is not asking for an extension, and that he believes it is a mistake, The Irish Times reported.

Johnson's move came after lawmakers backed a proposal to withhold approval for his deal until formal ratification legislation has passed.

Tusk confirmed he has received the extension request from Johnson.

'The extension request has just arrived. I will now start consulting EU leaders on how to react,' Tusk wrote on Twitter.

The British MPs earlier in the day voted to delay the decision on the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union (EU), ruling out a no-deal Brexit on October 31.

MP Oliver Letwin, who proposed the plan, said that his amendment was an 'insurance policy' to ensure that the UK would not 'crash out' of the EU without an agreement on October 31.

It was passed by 322 votes to 306, CNN reported.

The decision to delay the Brexit vote comes as a fresh setback for Johnson, who will now be forced to seek an extension to Brexit. -- ANI

09:08 2 soldiers, civilian killed in Pak firing

Two soldiers and a civilian were killed as Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire in Tanghar sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on Sunday, police said.

Three civilians were also injured in the firing by Pakistani troops, they said.

Two houses were damaged in the incident. -- PTI

08:45 Local services disrupted on harbour line

Central Railway, Public Relations Officer:

"Due to overhead equipment failure near Sewri railway station on HB line, services between CSMT-Vadala won't be available till further advice. Staff working to resume it.

"Services available Vadala-Panvel and Vadala- Goregaon,time 5.00 am onward." -- ANI

08:21 India-US trade negotiations in full speed: FM

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said negotiations between India and the United States on a trade deal are going on in 'full speed' and expressed hope that it will conclude soon.

The ongoing trade deal negotiations briefly came up for discussion during a pull aside between Sitharaman and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin at the International Monetary Fund headquarters.

Mnuchin is scheduled to visit India early next month.

"In fact, I broadly mentioned it to Secretary Mnuchin, but that is something on which the Commerce minister and Mr (Robert) Lighthizer (US Trade Representatives) are working. My inputs are that the negotiations are going in full speed and there's a great intensity with which both sides are engaging and hopefully the deal will be structured soon," Sitharaman said.

Responding to a question, she said a totalisation agreement with the US has always been on the cards.

"One of the reasons why that was never responded to was that India did not have a social welfare net or social insurance cover for Indians in India. And therefore, if they had to give it, they wouldn't be given in the sense where would it be used?' she said.

"Today, I think most private insurances or for many of the families which are below the certain level of income, Ayushman Bharat is a fantastic big coverage.

"There is also now a lot more private sector option for insurance coverage. So whether that has been factored in now in the negotiations on this particular thing, I'm not adequately informed," Sitharaman said.

She said India in the past even, when she was the Commerce minister, had put several arguments before but that was repeatedly stonewalled over the health cover issue.

"I remember that. I've heard it at least twice in my negotiations on the totalisation," Sitharaman said.

It could be 'humongous amounts', she added. Most of the Indians working in the US unfortunately have no claim over their social security deductions, because there is a minimum period of at least 10 years, she said.

"It's so designed that you really can't benefit. And no one in any case does live for that duration in this country," she said.

An official release issued said Sitharaman had a 'fruitful' dialogue with Mnuchin.

The two sides agreed to continue the dialogue in the first week of November during Mnuchin's visit to New Delhi, it said. -- PTI

Timeline Refresh

TOP STORIES