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Fri, 21 February 2020
Ladakh admin rejects report of coronavirus death

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22:46   Ladakh admin rejects report of coronavirus death
With the death of a 52-year-old resident in Ladakh fuelling speculations over coronavirus outbreak, the Union Territory Administration on Friday said the man died of pulmonary tuberculosis and that he had no history of travel outside the hilly region in the recent past.

The administration also said another man, diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome, was referred to Delhi for advance treatment, while a third patient with similar symptoms has been kept in isolation.

In a statement, the Directorate of Health Services, Ladakh, said the 52-year old man from Phyang village was admitted to a hospital in  Leh on January 27 with cough, breathlessness and fever.

It was a case of pulmonary tuberculosis, it said.

The patient and his family members had no history of travelling outside Ladakh. He passed away on February 5.

Another 55-year-old man from Achinathang village was admitted to a hospital on February 11.

The patient was diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome but he or his family too had no history of travelling outside Ladakh in the recent past.

Oxygen saturation in the patient's blood was continuously low and he has been referred to Delhi on Friday for advanced treatment, the statement said.

The third patient, a 36-year-old man from Nubra, came to an OPD of a hospital on February 14 with diarrhoea and vomiting following which he was admitted on February 17 with pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The patient has recently returned home after travelling to Bihar and south India.

In Bihar, he had similar problem, approximately two months back, and discharged after treatment.

On his arrival at Leh, the person again developed the same symptoms. The patient is stable now with his vitals parameters are within normal limits.

The patient has been kept in isolation ward and samples have been sent to laboratory, the statement said.

The death toll in China's novel coronavirus outbreak has gone up to 2,236 with 118 more deaths reported, mostly from the hard-hit Hubei province, while the overall confirmed infection cases have climbed to 75,465, Chinese health officials said on Friday.

In India, three people were tested positive for the virus in Kerala and they have been discharged after treatment.  -- PTI
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22:41   Bhaskar Khulbe, Amarjeet Sinha appointed advisors to PM
Retired IAS officers Bhaskar Khulbe and Amarjeet Sinha have been appointed as Advisors to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a government order said on Friday.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointments in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in the rank and scale of Secretary, the order said.

Both the Indian Administrative Service officers are from the 1983 batch.

Khulbe was from the West Bengal cadre and Sinha was from the Bihar cadre.

Sinha retired as the Rural Development Secretary last year, while Khulbe has served in the PMO.

The appointments have been made on contractual basis initially for a period of two years, or until further orders, the communication said.

Usual terms and conditions as applicable in the case of re-employed officers of Secretary-level in the government are applicable on them, it added.  -- PTI
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22:11   Maha students to stay hydrated with 'water bell': Minister
Schools across Maharashtra will be ringing bells at least thrice during the school hours to encourage students to drink water, a state minister has said.

Maharashtra School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad on Saturday said the 'water bell' will be introduced in schools in the state to inculcate the habit of drinking adequate water.

Gaikwad said the bell will ring thrice during school hours, enabling students to drink enough water.

This is necessary for the good health of children, she added.

The state school education and sports department, in a notification on January 21, has asked schools to decide on the timing of ringing the bell and include it in their daily schedule.

The notification stated that dehydration is the root cause of many diseases among school children across the state.

It said children should drink at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water, which varies according to the age, height, and weight of the child.

"It is a common complaint from parents that their wards bring the water bottle as is without even consuming it. Less water consumption can cause urinary tract infections, kidney stone, lethargy, and distressed behaviour," it said.

The notification has asked the headmasters to fix the timing of ringing the water bell in their daily schedule, which could habituate students into consuming water on a regular basis during the school hours.

Schools have been asked to give special breaks to students to use washrooms.  -- PTI
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21:16   1st time, no Oppn team to meet visiting US Prez
For the first time, no Opposition delegation will officially meet a United States President during his visit to India, Congress sources said in  New Delhi on Friday, as no such meeting is scheduled with Donald Trump.

According to sources, this will be the first time no delegation of the principal opposition party will be meeting a visiting US President.

Trump is visiting India on February 24 and 25, and is expected to participate in a number of events during his less than 36-hours stay.

His planned events include an official banquet hosted by the President of India, which some opposition leaders are likely to attend.

Sources said Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad may attend this banquet, but no official meeting of the visiting president has been planned with the opposition leaders.

"When (visiting) Prime Ministers and Presidents have to meet Congress leaders, they make proposals directly. There is no proposal before the Congress to meet US President Donald Trump," senior Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said, when asked whether any Congress delegation will call on the US President.

This is for the first time that a visiting US President will not hold discussions with the principal opposition party, sources said.

Sources in the Congress said that during the United Progressive Alliance, a slot used to be kept for the opposition to meet the visiting US president or other dignitaries.

A Congress delegation including former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had met former US President Barack Obama during his official visit to India.  -- PTI
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20:28   This isn't the only road: Shaheen Bagh women
Women protesters at Shaheen Bagh on Friday told the Supreme Court-appointed interlocutors that when several adjoining roads in the area are open, why have they been asked to move to another site.

Senior lawyers Sanjay Hegde and Sadhana Ramachandran, the apex court-appointed interlocutors, met the protesting women at a tent in the south Delhi neighbourhood to hold talks for the third consecutive day.

"When several adjoining roads are open, why are they insisting us to move from this road. This is not the only road connecting Delhi-Noida," a woman protestor told the interlocutors.

Hegde said, "Today is Shivaratri. It is your right to speak, speak up. Say everything you want to say. Let's take a joint decision for all parties affected here."

The interlocutors also called Delhi Police at the spot to discuss the matter with protesters.

On Monday, the Supreme Court observed that the blockade of the road at Shaheen Bagh was 'troubling' and suggested the protesters go to another site where no public place would be blocked.

It, however, upheld their right to protest.  -- PTI
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19:32   No need to fear CAA: Uddhav after meeting Modi
No one needs to fear about the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Population Register is not going to throw anyone out of the country, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said in  New Delhi on Friday, after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This was Thackeray's first meeting with Modi after taking over as the chief minister of Maharashtra.

Thackeray's Shiv Sena was earlier a part of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, but formed the 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' government in Maharashtra with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after parting ways with the saffron party.

"I had a good discussion with the prime minister over issues concerning Maharashtra. I also discussed the CAA, NPR and NRC with the prime minister. No one needs to fear about the CAA. The NPR is not going to throw anyone out of the country," Thackeray told reporters after the meeting with the prime minister.

He also denied that there was any friction among the constituents of the 'Maha Aghadi', while asserting that the Maharashtra government will complete its five-year term.

The Congress and the NCP are reportedly miffed over the chief minister's stand on NPR and CAA.

"There is no friction among the allies. We are going to run the government for five years," Thackeray said.

He also said the prime minister had assured him of extending all cooperation to the Maharashtra government.  -- PTI
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19:26   HCU fines 3 students for organising 'Shaheen Bagh Night'
The University of Hyderabad has fined three students Rs 5,000 each for organising a 'Shaheen Bagh Night' event against the Citizenship Amendment Act on the campus after 9 pm in violation of varsity regulations.

The students union has condemned the move.

The fine was imposed through an a university order dated February 18 as the students organised the event on January 31after 9 pm at North Shopping Complex and also allegedly defaced the walls at the site, university sources said.

'The students are sternly warned to be cautious and focus on their studies in future. Recurrence of such incidents or indulging in any act of indiscipline would have serious repercussions on their academic career with strong disciplinary action,' the order said.

Condemning the varsity action, the students union in a statement said the order or circular was arbitrary and they would not follow it and demanded that the fine imposed be withdrawn unconditionally.

'HCUSU (Hyderabad Central University Students Union) also assures the student community that we will not bow down to the administration at any cost and will take any and every possible step to safeguard the democratic interests of the students,' the note said.

A spokesperson of the University said the institution recognises the right of recognised student bodies to organise meetings or protests, in designated spaces without disrupting normal academic, administrative and residential life of a large number of teaching and non-teaching staff and their families who live on the campus.

"It is in that context that three students were fined for violating standing regulations of the University that no meetings and protests would be permitted in public spaces of the campus after 9 pm," the varsity official said.

The event which began at 9 pm went on till 2.30 am.

There was also photographic and video evidence of these students 'blatantly refusing' to abide by the regulations on defacing of campus structures, the official said.

He hoped that all students will abide by some basic institutional norms and make the campus a space for healthy, democratic debates and discussions.

When contacted, University Registrar P Sardar Singh said there was no deadline set by the administration to pay the fine.  -- PTI
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18:48   Waqf Board accepts alternative site for mosque
The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board on Friday said it does not have the option to reject the alternative piece of land given to it under the Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict but will decide how to use it when it meets on Monday.

In a historic verdict in November on the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of construction of a temple.

It also ruled that an alternative five-acre plot must be found for a mosque.

Soon after the verdict, there were suggestions that the board should not accept the land.

"Following the Supreme Court verdict, the Sunni Waqf Board does not have the choice of rejecting the five-acre alternative land for the construction of a mosque in Ayodhya as it would amount to contempt of court," Farooqui said.

"We had been saying since the very beginning that we will abide by the court verdict on the issue, and because of this we did not go in for a review of the verdict. There has been no shift in our stand," he said.

"But on how to use the land given to us by the government, it will be decided at the all important- meeting of the board slated on Monday," he said.

Farooqui said the apex court order clearly stated that the Uttar Pradesh government will allot a plot to the board and 'we had the liberty to build a mosque and associated amenities on it'.

"It did not say that the board had the liberty of rejecting it," he added.

Besides Farooqui, there are seven other members on the Sunni Waqf Board.

Earlier this month, the Uttar Pradesh government gave the allotment letter to the board for the plot in Dhannipur village in Ayodhya's Sohawal tehsil.

It is on the Ayodhya-Lucknow highway, about 20 km from the district headquarters.

Based on the SC verdict, the Centre had asked the Uttar Pradesh government to allot five acres of land to the Sunni Waqf Board.

The state cabinet made the allotment after its meeting of February 5.  -- PTI
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18:39   Sri Lankan parliamentary committee proposes immediate burqa ban
A Sri Lankan parliamentary committee on national security has proposed an immediate ban on the burqa and suspending the registration of political parties on ethnic and religious basis, following the Easter Sunday terror attack that killed over 250 people.

The proposals featured in a special report presented in Parliament on Thursday to resolve 14 controversial issues following the April 21 Easter attack last year.

The report was tabled by MP Malith Jayatilaka, Chairman Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security, the Daily Mirror reported.      

According to the report, a number of countries have already banned the burqa.

The report suggested that the police should have the power to ask anyone wearing a face covering in a public place to take off such clothing in order to establish the identity of the person.

If such a request is not complied with, police should have the power to arrest the individual without a warrant, the report said.

It also recommended the country's Election Commission to enact a legislation to suspend the registration of political parties on ethnic and religious basis.

The report also said that the registration of political parties which have some racial or religious conflict or in its name should also prohibited.

Such a party should be converted into a political or non-religious political party within a specified period of time, the report said.

The report states that all students studying in madrassas should be absorbed into the normal school system under the Ministry of Education within three years.

The report also proposes to establish a special committee to regulate the madrasas under the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs.

Nine suicide bombers belonging to local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ) carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday, killing 258 people, including 11 Indians.  -- PTI
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17:40   White House to decide on Trump's Sabarmati visit
The White House will decide if United States President Donald Trump will visit the Sabarmati Ashram during his day-long trip to the city on February 24, Gujarat chief Minister Vijay Rupani said on Friday.

Rupani's statement came in the backdrop of speculation in the last two days that the US president will not visit the Sabarmati Ashram, a place closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi.

Earlier it was announced that after landing at the airport in Ahmedabad on February 24, Trump will go to the Sabarmati Ashram and spend around 30 minutes there.

All preparations are in final stages for the visit of US President Donald Trump.

He will directly come to Ahmedabad from Washington.

"After that a grand roadshow will be organised.

"Then he will go to the Motera stadium for 'Namaste Trump' programme where two top leaders of the world (Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi) will be present," Rupani told reporters.

Asked about Trump's visit to the Sabarmati Ashram, Rupani said, The White House will decide about it and we will be informed soon.  -- PTI
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17:35   Uddhav Thackeray meets PM Modi
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, his first visit to the national capital after taking over the reins of the state.

The chief minister's son Aditya Thackeray, who is a minister in his cabinet, also accompanied him.

The Shiv Sena chief will also meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi, veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The BJP and the Shiv Sena had a bitter fallout post assembly polls in Maharashtra last year over the chief minister's post.

The Sena later aligned with arch rivals Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.  -- PTI
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17:23   Rs 300-cr equipment to keep Trump safe in India
US President Donald Trump will have at his disposal a robust communication system that will enable him to work in all situations including an emergency during his visit to India next week.


According to sources, the US Security Department had earlier this month requested clearances for about Rs 300 crore communication equipment from Indian government agencies.


Sources also said that the Customs Department, which comes under the Ministry of Finance along with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), will ensure that all equipment, which are brought to India for Trump's two-day visit will be taken back after the trip is over.


According to well-placed sources, whenever the US President travels, he is accompanied by a communication system worth $ 40 million, which is almost impossible to crack and enabling US Security Forces to keep the communication of its President safe.


Apart from the communication system, there are other expensive equipment, which will also be part of the US President's entourage.The equipment include high-end cameras, audio-visual input, and output devices, equipment for satellite communications jammers among others.


Sources claimed that clearances from the concerned departments have already been given and US authorities will have to take them back by next month before the date given by Indian authorities.


"Whenever there is a visit of VVIP, especially Prime Minister or President of nations like Russia, UK, United States, etc, their security department gives us full details of equipment they want to carry also with the cost of each equipment," a top government official explained.


"It is mandatory for any country to provide details of such equipment before the visit begins. After analysing the list, departments mainly customs give clearances to allow these equipments. BCAS works like a nodal agency which deals with multiple Indian agencies to clear all stuff," added the official.

The US agencies are also more vigilant after news reports emerged of a data breach in the system of the agency, which looks after the communication needs of the US President.The US President will be on a two-day visit to India on February 24-25. (ANI)
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16:49   Why Day 3 of Shaheen Bagh talks failed
The Supreme Court-appointed interlocutors, Sanjay Hegde and Sadhana Ramachandran, on Thursday told the Shaheen Bagh protestors that terms and conditions of the talks will be decided by them. This was their one condition to initiate the dialogue with the protestors.


However, on Friday, ahead of the interlocutors' meeting, the women sitting on dharna made it clear that their condition for talks is not acceptable to them.


One of the protestors, Mehrunisa, when asked about the interlocutors' suggestion that women can meet them in a group of 20, she said that there would be no talks in groups as suggested by Ramchandran.


"There would be distrust among the rest who did not meet them in that particular group. Whatever they have to say, they should say it before all of us," stated Mehrunisa holding a stick in hand.


Shakila Begum too became agitated when asked why she wasn't willing to meet the interlocutors in groups.


"There will be no talks in groups. We are here with others. And we want everyone to listen to what others have to say, " Shakila said.


Asked if women will agree to the conditions set by interlocutors of meeting them in groups and batches, she said, "Why? We won't. We are here together. We have sat here braving the rains and cold. We won't vacate. If they want to brief the court, they should do it about CAA and NRC."


Another women protestor, who called herself, Hindustani, said that the protest is a mass movement and talks cannot be held in groups.


Ram Singh, a 95-year-old protestor, said, "I have come here to protest against Modi and CAA. If anything untoward happens here, it will have an impact on the whole country."


Ask them if a solution could be found out of the talks, the group of protestors said that it is possible but the road cannot be vacated. "They saw the adjoining roads. They came here for roads. We will not vacate it. There are other roads blocked by Delhi police. There have been many protests where roads were blocked. We want CAA to be repealed and NPR should be the one that was 10 years ago," said another protestor. -- ANI
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16:06   Kamal Nath raises Pulwama bogey again
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Friday questioned the Central Government over its claim of conducting a surgical strike across the border into Pakistan and demanded that proof regarding the operation should be presented before the people.


When asked if he thought the strike was fake, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister quickly stated he is proud of the Indian Armed Forces and added the forces do not conduct fake operations.


"When 90,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered during Indira Gandhi's tenure, people saw it. The BJP claims to carry out a surgical strike. Which surgical strike? It was the media that was making noise about the surgical strike. Tell the country about it clearly," he said.


"The army and the Air Force do not conduct fake operations. But provide information about the strike," he added.The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister's comments came after he offered prayers to Lord Shiva at Patalleshwar temple in Chhindwara. -- ANI
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15:49   Anti-CAA protesters using students: K'taka HM
Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said that anti-CAA protestors are using students to stoke hatred across the country and Amulya's case is no different.


"Amulya has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days (for raising pro-Pakistan slogan). We are looking into the background of the whole thing. She has posted a lot on the social media site, Facebook. We are trying to ascertain who were the organisers of this protest," Bommai told ANI.


"This is part of a larger conspiracy. CAA is not about taking away the citizenship of any person. It is about giving citizenship to persecuted minorities of three nations. The protestors are only trying to stoke hatred amongst communities. They are using students of JNU, AMU and other universities. In the present case, they used Amulya who comes from a Naxal-affected region," he added.


Amulya raised 'Pakistan zindabad' slogan at an anti-CAA protest organised here on Thursday where AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi was also invited.


A case has been registered under Section 124A (Offence of sedition) of the Indian Penal Code against the student. -- ANI
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15:28   Woman detained for 'Kashmir Mukti' placard
A day after pro-Pakistan slogans were raised by an agitator at an anti-CAA event in Bengaluru, a young woman was 'detained' on Friday for holding a "Kashmir Mukti (liberation), Dalit Mukti, Muslim Mukti" placard at a counter protest in the city, police said.


Holding the placard with the slogans, she was spotted sitting among the participants of the protest organised by the Hindu Jagaran Vedike against the woman who had shouted "Pakistan Zindabad" on Thursday.


City police chief Bhaskar Rao said she was escorted out of the place as the Vedike members asked her to leave and a crowd started gathering. 


"She has been now been taken into custody for her own safety along with the placard... we will find out her background, where she has come from and who are behind her among other things," Rao told reporters, adding she did not raise any slogan. 


The "Kashmir Mukti (liberation), Dalit Mukti, Muslim Mukti" slogans were written in both Kannada and English in the placard held by her. To a question if she would be arrested, the Commissioner said let the investigation be held. "It is too early as she has just been taken into custody," he added. 


Image: Amulya Leona had raised a "Pakistan Zindabad" slogan thrice in the presence of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi in Bengaluru yesterday.
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15:18   Mean machine to watch the skies on Trump's visit
That's an indigenous Anti-Drone System in Ahmedabad deployed to provide  aerial security cover to US President Donald Trump during this visit on Monday. Developed by the DRDO, the system neutralised an incoming drone during trials.
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15:07   MP govt takes back its order on sterilisation
Madhya Pradesh government on Friday took back the order directing health workers in the state to bring at least one man for sterilisation or face penalty.


Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Tulsi Silawat said that the state government has withdrawn the order.


The Congress government had earlier sent out an order directing all health workers in the state to bring at least one man for sterilisation failing which they could lose their jobs or their salaries.


"Officials in the district should identify workers with zero work output and apply the 'no work, no pay' principle if, they have failed to get one male person for sterilisation in the 2019-20 period," stated the order in Hindi, signed by National Health Mission (NHM), Madhya Pradesh, Mission Co-ordinator, Chavi Bharadwaj.


The diktat had stark similarity with the sterilisation drive forced on people during the national emergency in 1975 under the Indira Gandhi-led Congress government.


"All male multi-purpose health workers should mobilise at least five to ten willing beneficiaries who will opt for sterilisation when camps are held in districts," the MP government's order dated February 11 further said.


"If the target is not achieved by February 20 then the proposals calling for compulsory retirement of MPHWs will be sent through District Collectors to the NHM headquarters in Bhopal," it added. -- ANI
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14:46   Trump ups A'bad crowd figure from 7 to 10 million. And here's the catch
US President Donald Trump has made yet another tall claim about the size of the crowd that will welcome him in Ahmedabad, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told him that there will 10 million people to greet him on his arrival for his maiden visit to India. 


President Trump and First Lady Melania are scheduled to travel to Ahmedabad, Agra and New Delhi on February 24 and 25.


Speaking to reporters at the Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Tuesday, Trump said that Modi told him that "we'll have 7 million people between the airport and the event." 


"So it's going to be very exciting. But he says between the stadium and the airport, we'll have about 7 million people. So it's going to be very exciting. I hope you all enjoy it," he said. 


On Thursday, Trump upped the crowd size by three million at a 'Keep America Great' rally in Colorado. "I hear, they are going to have 10 million people. They say anywhere from six to 10 million people are going to be showing up along the route to one of the largest stadiums in the world, the largest cricket stadium in the world, which is brand new and beautiful," said Trump, who is seeking reelection in the November presidential polls. 


But according to a top civic official in Ahmedabad, the total population of the city is only around 70 lakh.


Image: Authorities believe that between 1 to 2 lakh people are expected to line up along the 22-km route of the road show by Modi and Trump from the airport to the Motera cricket stadium, said to be the world's largest.
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14:31   Condition of 8 infected Indians on Diamond Princess improving: Embassy
The condition of eight Indians, who were on board the cruise ship off the Japanese coast and undergoing treatment for the deadly coronavirus, is improving as the last batch of healthy passengers was set to disembark the vessel on Friday after the quarantine period ended. The ship, Diamond Princess, docked at the Yokohama port, near Tokyo, on February 3 with 3,711 passengers and crew on board. 


It was quarantined after a passenger who disembarked last month in Hong Kong was found to be the carrier of the virus. 


A total of 138 Indians, including 132 crew and 6 passengers, were among the 3,711 people on board the ship. The Indian embassy said in a tweet that no additional Indian national on board the ship has tested positive for the virus since Thursday. 


"Conditions of 8 Indians receiving treatment are improving," it tweeted on Friday. The Indian mission said it was coordinating with the Japanese authorities and ship management company for safe return of the Indians. According to an AP report on Friday, the ship has the largest cluster of COVID-19 cases outside China. 


A total of 634 people tested positive of the disease. Two former passengers of the ship have also died. Health Minister Katsunobu Kato told reporters that mass disembarkation of passengers from the ship was set to end on Friday.


According to a report in Japan Today newspaper, over 400 passengers from the ship were scheduled to depart on Friday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that over 1,000 passengers and crew will remain on board the ship after Friday's disembarkations.


Some of the passengers with no infection began leaving the ship on Wednesday after the end of a two-week quarantine period that failed to stop the spread of the virus among passengers and crew. -- PTI


Image: Medical workers in protective suits attend to a patient inside an isolated ward of Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, in Hubei on Sunday.
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14:23   Ivanka to accompany Trump to India
US President Donald Trump's delegation to India will include his senior advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka, says PTI quoting official sources. This will be Ivanka's second visit to India. Check this out: Ivanka's day in the city of Nizams


Meanwhile, security has been tightened across Ahmedabad ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit.


Speaking about the arrangements for the high-profile visit, Ahmedabad Crime Branch Special Commissioner of Police Ajay Tomar stated that security personnel will also be deployed along the roads from where the convoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump will pass on February 24."


A lot of people are expected to line the roads to welcome President Donald Trump here. Security has been tightened not only in the stadium but also along the entire route from where the convoy of President Trump and Narendra Modi is scheduled to pass," he said while speaking to media in Ahmedabad.


Image: Ivanka Trump with PM Modi during her visit to Hyderabad in 2017.  
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14:12   Girls across the world will look up to you: Tendulkar tells Women's T20 WC teams
As the Women's T20 World Cup got underway, former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar encouraged all the teams participating in the tournament, and said girls across the world will look to take up sports, looking at the competition.


"I'll be cheering for the team as they take on in the Women's @T20WorldCup today. Best wishes to all the other teams too! Girls across the world will look up to you & be inspired to pick up sports. Happy about @UNICEF's initiative with @ICC to empower women through sports," Tendulkar tweeted.


Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also wished the Indian team good luck ahead of their tournament opener against Australia."Good luck to @ImHarmanpreet and her blue brigade for the #T20WorldCup. Put on a show like you always have," Ashwin tweeted.

Image:  Australia's captain Meg Lanning and India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur address the media at Sydney Opera House on Wednesday.
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14:08   Mamata remembers those who sacrificed lives for mother tongue
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday paid homage to those who had sacrificed lives for their mother tongue. On the occasion of International Mother Language Day, the chief minister said it is observed across the state for paying tribute to these martyrs.


Banerjee tweeted in Bengali, "Today is 21st February, an occasion being celebrated across Bengal for paying tribute to those who had sacrificed their lives for their mother tongue. My homage to all those martyrs. "We love all the languages including our mother tongue." 


International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is a worldwide annual observance held on 21 February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity, and multilingualism. 


In Bangladesh, February 21 (known as 'Amar Ukeshe) is observed to remember the sacrifice made by the 'language martyrs' of erstwhile East Pakistan for the cause of getting recognition for Bangla as their official language in 1952.--  PTI
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14:01   Delhi FM meets India FM
Delhi Finance Minister Manish Sisodia meets Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. After the meeting, Sisodia said, "There was a positive dialogue over issues related to development of Delhi. I demanded that Delhi be given its share of central taxes. She has assured me that she will look into it."
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13:54   Shaheen Bagh protest: Road opens briefly after 69 days
The road connecting Faridabad to Noida which was blocked for the last 69 days due to the ongoing protests at Shaheen Bagh was re-opened briefly on Friday morning.


The development came after the intervention by mediators appointed by the Supreme Court who had indicated the possibility of opening up of some routes following talks with the protestors.


However, the road was closed again after a brief while.The road from Noida to Shaheen Bagh continues to remain closed.Protests have been going on at Shaheen Bagh since December 15 last year against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) due to which Kalindi Kunj road has been shut for traffic movement.


The amended law grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. -- ANI
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13:40   House of girl who raised Pak slogans vandalised
The Chikkamagaluru house of Amulya, the girl who has been sent to judicial custody for raising 'Pakistan zindabad' slogan at an event in Bengaluru, was attacked by unidentified miscreants on Thursday evening, police said.


Some miscreants threw stones at the house following which some police personnel were deployed at the premises.According to the police, the windows of the house were broken in the incident.Amulya, who raised the Pro-Pakistani slogan at a rally against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) organised by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi in Bengaluru on Thursday, has been sent to 14-day judicial custody.


The police has registered a sedition case against the girl.Meanwhile, her father has condemned her action. "What Amulya said is wrong. She was joined by some Muslims and was not listening to me," he said.According to police, a suo moto case under Section 124A (sedition), 153A and B (promoting enmity between different groups and imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) has been registered against the girl. --ANI
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13:00   Uddhav to meet PM, Sonia, Advani in Delhi
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Friday said that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and senior BJP leader LK Advani today in the national capital.


"Uddhavji and Prime Minister Modi have had cordial relations," Raut told ANI here and added that the relation of elder brother and younger brother continues between them.


"Uddhav Thackeray will also meet Sonia Gandhi since Congress is a prominent member of the coalition government. He will meet LK Advani also," Raut added.


This is Maharashtra Chief Minister's first visit to Delhi after becoming the head of the state.The meeting between the chief minister and the Prime Minister comes ahead of the Assembly session of Maharashtra that is scheduled to begin on Monday. -- ANI


Image: PM Modi and CM Uddhav Thackeray when they were allies 
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13:00   New twist to Gumnami Baba mystery!
The mystery shrouding the identity of Gumnami Baba, who many claimed was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in hiding, has deepened further with CFSL, Kolkata saying the electropherogram of the reclusive sadhu's teeth was not available with it.


An electropherogram shows a sequence of data that is produced by an automated DNA sequencing machine and is used for deriving results from genealogical DNA testing. Replying to an RTI query by Sayak Sen, a Netaji enthusiast, B P Mishra, the chief public information officer of CFSL said, "The electropherogram report of this case is not available at CFSL Kolkata."


In the reply dated February 4, 2020, he said,"The appeal, if any, may be made before director, appellate authority, CFSL-Kolkata in this regard within 30 days from the date of receipt of this letter." 


The Vishnu Sahai Commission looking into the mysterious death of Netaji had cited a report of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CSFL), Kolkata, to claim that Gumnami Baba was not Bose. 


"The disclosure by CFSL has a direct bearing on the finding of Justice Vishnu Sahai Commission that Gumnami Baba was not Netaji. Justice Sahai in his just-released report used the CFSL report to the hilt to reject outright the view that Baba was Netaji," Sen said in a statement, annexing the reply to his RTI query.


Sen claimed Justice Sahai merely cited Justice Mukhejee Commission's 2005 report in his own report, rather than order a fresh test as demanded by many. "In view of accusations of foul play, I wanted to consult independent DNA experts to verify the test by the CFSL, and hence I filed this RTI application," said Sen. 


CFSL, Kolkata had performed DNA test on three teeth of Gumnami Baba, who lived in Faizabad town of Uttar Pradesh and died on September 16, 1985. Two teeth were tested at CFSL, Hyderabad, and the result was inconclusive, while that of CFSL, Kolkata, said the DNA sample did not match Netaji's.


"We have been saying that the DNA report relied upon by the Mukherjee Commission was fudged. The DNA report submitted to the commission did not have electropherogram, a must to analyse the DNA. Now the truth has been proved," Sen said. Netaji's grandnephew and BJP leader Chandra Kumar Bose rubbished the allegation.


"The RTI reply is saying that electropherogram report of this case is not available at CFSL, Kolkata. That doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. It is a baseless allegation," Bose said.


The report of the one-member Vishnu Sahai Commission was tabled in the Uttar Pradesh assembly in December last year and it said Gumnami Baba was not Subhas Chandra Bose in disguise. Bose was said to have died in a plane crash on August 18, 1945 in Taiwan. However, a section of people believes he survived the crash and went into hiding to escape the British. PTI
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12:44   Yeddy: Amulya has Naxal links
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday stated that Amulya, the girl who allegedly raised 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogan during anti-Citizenship Amendment Act rally, should not be granted bail.


The Chief Minister also alleged that that the girl was also in contact with the Naxals.


"Bail should not be given to Amulya (who raised 'Pakistan zindabad' slogan at anti-CAA rally in Bengaluru, yesterday), her father has also said he won't protect her. It is proved now that she had contacts with Naxals. Proper punishment should be given," he said while speaking to media in Bengaluru.


He also emphasized that stringent action should be taken against the organisers of the rally. "On such an incident, the police investigation should be conducted thoroughly and proper action should be taken against the organizers of the rally as well."


Amulya allegedly raised "Pakistan Zindabad" slogan at an anti CAA-rally organised by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi. A case has been registered against Amulya under Section 124 A (offence of sedition) under the Indian Penal Code.


Owaisi has distanced himself from the sloganeering and said, "I condemn this statement. The woman is not associated with us. Humare Liye Bharat Zindabad Tha, Zindabad Rahega.
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12:21   Shimla, Kufri receive fresh snowfall
Himachal Pradesh's tourist hotspots Kufri and Shimla have received fresh snowfall, the meteorological department said on Friday. Kufri received 23 cm snowfall whereas Shimla received 3 cm snowfall between Thursday 5.30 pm and Friday 8.30 am, Shimla MeT Centre Director Manmohan Singh said.


The tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti's administrative centre Keylong continued to be the coldest place in the state at minus 3.7 degrees Celsius, the weatherman said. Kufri recorded a low of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius followed by Shimla 0.2 degrees Celsius, Dalhousie 1.7 degrees Celsius and Manali 4 degrees Celsius.-- PTI
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12:00   Strict action should be taken against Waris Pathan: Digvijaya
Waris Pathan again. 

This time, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Friday said that strict action should be taken against All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Waris Pathan for his alleged divisive comments at a rally in Kalaburagi in Karnataka.


In a tweet, Singh said, "This type of comment is made by Asaduddin Owaisi's brother Akbaruddin Owaisi. There should be strict action against Waris Pathan. Congress has always fought against fundamentalist ideology. BJP and AIMIM complement each other and both spread hatred through religious sentiment."

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11:56   Is there a fixed match between AIMIM, BJP for communal remarks: Malik
Referring to instances of alleged "hate speeches" by leaders of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen and Bharatiya Janata party, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Nawab Malik on Friday asked whether there is a fixed match between AIMIM and BJP for making communal statements.


"The way AIMIM leader Waris Pathan spoke in Karnataka, we condemn this kind of statement. Earlier also Akbaruddin Owaisi made a similar kind of statement to flare up the situation. Is there a fixed match between AIMIM and BJP for making these kinds of statements?" questioned Malik while speaking to ANI.


Recently, Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh while addressing a gathering at UP's Saharanpur said, "I had once stated that Deoband is the Gangotri of terrorism. All the major terrorists from across the world have been born here."


Scroll down for what Pathan had said. 
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11:46   No more retail liquor outlets needed in Goa: Trade body
Liquor traders in Goa on Friday asked the state government to stop issuing any more licences for retail sale of alcohol as the industry has reached "saturation point". 


All Goa Liquor Traders Association president Dattaprasad Naik also said if the proposed hike in excise duty on alcohol mooted in the recent state budget is not withdrawn, the entire industry would collapse.


The budget 2020-21, presented in the assembly on February 6, proposed a hike in the excise duty on various liquor brands, including local brew 'Feni'.


Talking to PTI, Naik said 2,000 retail liquor outlets already exist for a population of 15 lakh which is sufficient to meet the requirements in Goa. "There is no space for more outlets in the state. 


The state government should stop giving fresh licences for the next three years, he said, adding the industry has reached "saturation point". Naik said besides the 2,000 retail outlets, there are 8,000-10,000 bars which sell liquor across the state, a popular tourist destination. He claimed the liquor trade industry is slowly slipping out of the hands of Goans due to "faulty" policies of the state government.
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11:40   Vice President Naidu, PM Modi greet people on occasion of Maha Shivratri
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted people on the occasion of Maha Shivratri and prayed that Lord Shiva blesses everyone in the country with peace, prosperity and good fortune. "On the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri, I wish the devout community around the world. On this occasion, when we illuminate our homes, we pray to Lord Shiva to bless us with wisdom and courage to overcome the flaws within," Naidu said.


In a tweet, Prime Minister Modi hoped that the blessings of Baba Bholenath -- as Lord Shiva is also popularly called -- bring happiness, peace, prosperity and good fortune in the lives of all countrymen. PTI 


In Madhya Pradesh, prayers were offered to Lord Shiva at Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on the occasion of Shivratri.
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11:24   Sena can give fitting reply to Pathan: Raut
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Friday said that his party is capable of giving a befitting reply to statements like those made by All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Waris Pathan.


"Waris Pathan made a statement that 15 crore Muslims will dominate 100 crore Indians. I warn that Shiv Sena is capable of giving a proper reply to such statements even though we are in the government in Maharashtra," Raut told ANI.


Speaking on Asaduddin Owaisi's disowning of pro-Pakistan slogans raised by a woman at an anti-CAA rally in Bengaluru, Raut said: "This is not a matter of disowning someone's slogans. On your stage, if a woman comes and raises a slogan then it means that you have made the environment vitriolic."


Earlier, Waris Pathan had said that 15 crore Muslims can dominate 100 crore Hindus."The time has now come for us to unite and achieve freedom. Remember we are 15 crore but can dominate over 100 crores," said Pathan while addressing an anti-CAA rally at Kalaburagi in Karnataka.


"They tell us that we have kept our women in the front - only the lionesses have come out and you are already sweating. You can understand what would happen if all of us come together," he had said. -- ANI
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11:21   Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Raj Kundra welcome baby girl
Actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra and her husband Raj Kundra on Friday announced that they have become parents to a baby girl, born through surrogacy. The couple welcomed their second child on February 15.


"Our prayers have been answered with a miracle. With gratitude in our hearts we are thrilled to announce the arrival of our little Angel. Samisha Shetty Kundra. Born on 15th February 2020 Junior SSK in the house," Shilpa said. 


Shilpa and Raj got married in November 2009 and welcomed their first child together, son Viaan, in May 2012. On work front, Shilpa is making her comeback to films after a gap of 13 years with Sabbir Khan's "Nikamma". 


The film stars Abhimamyu Dassani and YouTube sensation Shirley Setia. It is set to release in June this year. She will also be seen in Priyadarshan's "Hungama 2"alongside Paresh Rawal, Meezan Jafferi and south actor Pranitha Subhash. -- PTI


Image: A file pic of Shilpa and Raj with their first baby, Viaan, in May 2012.
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11:06   Ice, ice baby... Shimla in white embrace
The picturesque tourist destination Shimla was wrapped in a blanket of snow on Thursday.

Even in high altitude areas of the Mandhol village, life has come to a standstill as the region received fresh snowfall. Trees and shrubs in these regions were frozen and were sparkling white due to the snow on the leaves.

Even the roofs of the houses were covered with the snow only allowing the locals to peep out of their windows and enjoy the view.


According to the India Meteorological Department, Shimla will witness rain and thunderstorm for the next two days with the temperature oscillating between 5 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius. -- ANI
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10:27   'Spectacle is a big part of why Trump is coming to India'
"This is not a president who revels in globe-girdling travels or foreign policy. He is a homebody who prefers to focus on what is happening domestically -- and especially now, with his re-election campaign heating up. So for India to get him for two days, that's nothing to sneeze at," Dr Michael Kugelman, Deputy Director of the Asia Program and Senior Associate for South Asia at the Wilson Center in Washington DC, tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih.
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10:25   Girl who raised 'Pakistan zindabad' slogan jailed
Amulya, who allegedly raised the 'Pakistan zindabad' slogan at an anti-CAA rally in Bengaluru, has been sent to 14-day judicial custody. She was earlier denied bail by a judicial magistrate in Bengaluru


Amulya raised 'Pakistan zindabad' slogans at an anti-CAA rally organised by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday. A case has been registered under Section 124A (Offence of sedition) of the Indian Penal Code against her.


"We have registered a suo moto case under Section 124A (sedition), 153A and B (promoting enmity between different groups and imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration). Once formalities are completed, we will produce Amulya before a judicial magistrate," B Ramesh, DCP Bengaluru (West) said. -- ANI
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10:13   4 Railway stations in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj get new names
Four Railway Stations in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj will now sport new names, a move aimed at reviving the identity of the ancient city.


According to an official communication on Thursday, Allahabad Junction will now be Prayagraj Junction, Allahabad City will now be known as Prayagraj Rambag, Allahabad Chhioki has been changed to Prayagraj Chheoki and the name of Prayagghat has been changed to Prayagraj Sangam.


The names of the stations were changed by the central and the state government on Thursday.


"The central and Uttar Pradesh government have decided to keep the names of Allahabad Junction, Allahabad City, Allahabad Chhioki, and Prayagghat stations located in Prayagraj district on the words starting from Prayagraj. This decision will bring back the identity of the ancient city," Union Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted. -- ANI
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09:55   Coronavirus: Deaths: 2236, confirmed cases: 75,465
The death toll in China's novel coronavirus has gone up to 2,236 with 118 more deaths reported, mostly from the hard-hit Hubei province, while the overall confirmed infection cases have climbed to 75,465, Chinese health officials said on Friday.


The number of deaths is higher than the previous day when 114 people died of the disease, but the country reported the lowest number of new infection cases in nearly a month, fuelling hopes that Beijing's epidemic control efforts were working. 


By the end of Thursday, a total of 2,236 people had died of the disease and 75,465 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection had been reported from 31 provincial-level regions and in China, the National Health Commission (NHC) said in its daily report on Friday. 


In all 118 deaths and 889 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were reported from all over the country, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Another 1,614 new suspected cases were reported on Thursday and 5,206 people were still suspected of being infected with the virus, the NHC said. Among the deaths, 115 were from the epicentre of the virus Hubei province and one in Zhejiang, Chongqing and Yunnan, respectively, it said. Also 18,264 patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been discharged from hospitals after recovery by the end of Thursday. 

Hubei Province, centre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, reported 411 new confirmed cases and 115 new deaths on Thursday, according to the provincial health commission Friday. The latest report brought the total confirmed cases in the hard-hit province to 62,442. Wuhan, the provincial capital, recorded a total of 45,346 confirmed cases. 


Among the 42,056 hospitalised patients, 8,979 were still in severe condition and another 2,018 in critical condition, the local health commission said. 


The province also saw 1,451 patients discharged from hospital after recovery on Thursday, bringing the total number of discharged patients in the province to 11,788, it said. By the end of Thursday, 68 confirmed cases including two deaths had been reported in Hong Kong ,10 confirmed cases in Macao, and 24 in Taiwan including one death. -- PTI
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09:38   Modi has edge on FB with 1.5 bn people: Trump
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who represents "1.5 billion" Indians, has an advantage on Facebook, while referring to the number of followers the two leaders have on the social networking website.


Trump, who will visit India next week, said Modi is "number two" on Facebook in terms of followers and that he is number one as told to him directly by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. 


"I'm going to India next week, and we're talking about -- you know, they have 1.5 billion people. And Prime Minister Modi is number two on Facebook, number two. Think of that. You know who number one is? Trump. You believe that? Number one. I just found out," Trump said during his commencement address at the Hope for Prisoners Graduation Ceremony in Las Vegas. 


As per official estimates, India's population currently is 1.3 billion people. Facebook pages on Thursday reflected that Modi is followed by 44 million people, while the account of Trump by 27 million. 


The US population is estimated to be 325 million. During his address, Trump said he was recently congratulated by Zuckerberg for being the number one on Facebook.


"The head of Facebook Mr Zuckerberg came in three weeks ago. He said, 'Congratulations.' I said, 'On what?' He said, 'You're number one on Facebook.' I said, 'That's cool.' Number one on Twitter too," the president said, amidst laughter from the audience.


"That's because -- it's true. And if I wasn't, I could never say it because it would be breaking news that Trump told a fib. No, number one," he said, adding that he has congratulated Modi on this. "And I congratulated Prime Minister Modi. I said, "But, you know, you have 1.5 billion people. I have 350 million. You have an advantage," Trump said, during his commencement address referring to one of his conversations with Modi. 


This is not the first time that the US President has claimed to be the number one and Prime Minister Modi number two on their popularity on Facebook. Last week, Trump took to Twitter and claimed to be the number one on Facebook citing Zuckerberg. Even last month, in an interview to CNBC TV on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said, "I'm No.1 on Facebook, you know who's no.2? Modi from India". PTI
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08:25   Will make tremendous trade deal with India: Trump
Days ahead of his India visit, United States President Donald Trump on Thursday said the two countries could make a "tremendous" trade deal.
 
"We're going to India, and we may make a tremendous deal there," Trump said in his commencement address at the Hope for Prisoners Graduation Ceremony in Las Vegas.
Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, is scheduled to travel to Ahmedabad, Agra and New Delhi on February 24 and 25.
Ahead of the visit, there have been talks about India and the United States agreeing on a trade package as a precursor to a major trade deal.
 
During his commencement address, Trump indicated that the talks on this might slowdown if he did not get a good deal.
 
"Maybe we'll slow down. We'll do it after the election. I think that could happen too. So, we'll see what happens," he said.
 
"But we're only making deals if they're good deals because we're putting America first. Whether people like it or not, we're putting America first," Trump said.
 
Bilateral India-US trade in goods and services is about three per cent of the US' world trade.
 
In a recent report, the Congressional Research Service said the trading relationship is more consequential for India -- in 2018 the United States was its second largest goods export market (16.0 per cent share) after the European Union (EU, 17.8 per cent), and third largest goods import supplier (6.3 per cent) after China (14.6 per cent) and the EU 28 (10.2 per cent).
 
"The Trump Administration takes issue with the US trade deficit with India, and has criticised India for a range of 'unfair' trading practices," the CRS said.
 
"Indian Prime Minister Modi's first term fell short of many observers' expectations, as India did not move forward with anticipated market opening reforms, and instead increased tariffs and trade restrictions," it said.
 
"Modi's strong electoral mandate may embolden the Indian government to press ahead with its reform agenda with greater vigour. Slowing economic growth in India raises concerns about its business environment," CRS said.
 
As per a fact sheet issued by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), trade in goods and services between the two countries from 1999 to 2018 surged from USD 16 billion to USD 142 billion.
 
India is now the United States' eighth-largest trading partner in goods and services and is among the world's largest economies.
 
India's trade with the United States now resembles, in terms of volume, the US' trade with South Korea (USD 167 billion in 2018) or France (USD 129 billion), said Alyssa Ayres from CFR. -- PTI
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00:57   Military jet to evacuate 100 Indians from Wuhan
The aircraft India is sending to Wuhan with medical supplies will evacuate about 100 Indians from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the advisories regarding travel to and from China remain in place, but there was no ban on travel.

India is set to send a C-17 military transport aircraft to Wuhan to evacuate more Indians and deliver a consignment of medical supplies.

India is awaiting clearance from the Chinese side.

"Those interested to come back have been asked to contact the embassy... subject to capacity limitations and other logistics, we will accommodate nationals of other countries as well," Kumar said at a media briefing in New Delhi.

He said about 100 Indians will be brought back on the aircraft and the exercise of compiling the names is still on.

"We are monitoring the welfare of Indian nationals (in China) on a regular basis. We have advised the people in Wuhan and the Hubei province to take precautions and follow instructions of local authorities," Kumar said.

"You are aware that the government of India has decided to send an aircraft, a consignment of medical supplies on a relief flight to Wuhan and this is just a token way to express support to China as it continues its fight against the epidemic," he said.

India's national carrier Air India earlier this month evacuated over 640 Indians from Wuhan in two separate flights.

On the return flight, the aircraft will bring in Indian nationals who could not board the first two flights, Kumar said.

Asked about details of the medical supplies to China, Kumar said India has always been the first responder for its neighbours and friends in times of crisis and it was in that spirit that Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered assistance to China in a letter he wrote to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"We are ready to dispatch the relief package as our token of support to China as they fight this outbreak. We are actually awaiting to get clearance to come from the government of China. So the moment the clearance comes, the relief flight will take off," he said.

The death toll in the coronavirus epidemic in China has climbed to 2,118 with the death of 114 more people, while the overall confirmed cases increased to 74,576.

On the quarantined cruise ship off Japan, aboard which eight Indians tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Kumar said the Indian side is in touch with the Japanese authorities to work out the next steps.

"There are several possibilities that are being looked into," Kumar said, without elaborating.

"Our embassy has been putting out regular updates. They are closely monitoring the situation. The quarantine ended yesterday. The disembarkation started and will continue for a few days. The disembarkation starts with the passengers first and the crew will be the last to disembark," he said.

There will be a health protocol in place both at the time of embarkation after the release of the passengers and on arrival of Indian nationals in the country, he said.

A total of 138 Indians, including 132 crew and 6 passengers, were among the 3,711 people on board the cruise ship Diamond Princess that was quarantined off the coast of Japan.

Kumar said the eight Indians affected by the virus were being treated at a local hospital and 'the situation is improving'.  -- PTI

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