<p>Pakistan will have to pay almost $6 billion in damages to a foreign gold mining firm whose dig was shut down by the government in 2011, the World Bank said Sunday.</p>

<p>The consortium Tethyan Copper company -- of which Canadian gold firm Barrick and Chile's Antofagasta Minerals control 37.5 per cent each -- is the largest Foreign Direct Investment mining project in the country.</p>

<p>More than a decade ago the group found vast gold and copper deposits at Reko Diq, in the turbulent southwestern Baluchistan province, and had planned a hugely lucrative open-pit mine.</p>

<p>But the project came to a standstill in 2011 after the local government refused to renew the consortium's lease, and in 2013 Pakistan's top court declared it invalid.</p>

<p>On Friday, the World Bank's international arbitration tribunal committee awarded $5.84 billion in damages to Tethyan, according to a statement from the company, because of the government's decision to shut down the mine.</p>

<p>Pakistan's attorney general, Anwar Mansoor Khan, said in a statement they had noted the decision "with disappointment".</p>

<p>The country's legal experts were "studying the Award and reflecting upon its financial and legal implications," the statement continued. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Ivan Arriagada, Antofagasta's Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are pleased to reach this milestone after more than seven years of arbitration."</p>

<p>"We remain willing to discuss the potential for a negotiated settlement with Pakistan and will continue to protect our commercial interests and legal rights until the conclusion of this dispute," consortium chairman William Hayes added.</p>

<p>It comes weeks after prime minister Imran Khan secured a $6 billion bailout from the IMF, amid devaluations of the rupee and soaring inflation.</p>

<p>Barrick and Antofagasta say the proposed plant could produce 600,000 tons of copper and 250,000 ounces of gold a year.</p>

<p>But the mine is in Chagai district, one of the most deprived parts of Pakistan and rife with Taliban, sectarian and separatist violence.</p>

<p>The provincial government is also a sleeping partner in the Reko Diq project with a 25 per cent stake.</p>

<p>Mining in Baluchistan is dominated by small companies focused primarily on marble and granite, experts say, which waste up to 80 per cent of potential because of poor extraction techniques.</p>

<p>Experts have called for more transparent policies to allow mining to flourish.</p>


Pakistan will have to pay almost $6 billion in damages to a foreign gold mining firm whose dig was shut down by the government in 2011, the World Bank said Sunday.

Pakistan will have to pay almost $6 billion in damages to a foreign gold mining firm whose dig was shut down by the government in 2011, the World Bank said Sunday. The consortium Tethyan Copper company -- of which Canadian gold firm Barrick and Chile's Antofagasta Minerals control 37.5 per cent each -- is the largest Foreign Direct Investment mining project in the country. More than a decade ago the group found vast gold and copper deposits at Reko Diq, in the turbulent southwestern Baluchistan province, and had planned a hugely lucrative open-pit mine. But the project came to a standstill in 2011 after the local government refused to renew the consortium's lease, and in 2013 Pakistan's top court declared it invalid. On Friday, the World Bank's international arbitration tribunal committee awarded $5.84 billion in damages to Tethyan, according to a statement from the company, because of the government's decision to shut down the mine. Pakistan's attorney general, Anwar Mansoor Khan, said in a statement they had noted the decision "with disappointment". The country's legal experts were "studying the Award and reflecting upon its financial and legal implications," the statement continued. Ivan Arriagada, Antofagasta's Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are pleased to reach this milestone after more than seven years of arbitration." "We remain willing to discuss the potential for a negotiated settlement with Pakistan and will continue to protect our commercial interests and legal rights until the conclusion of this dispute," consortium chairman William Hayes added. It comes weeks after prime minister Imran Khan secured a $6 billion bailout from the IMF, amid devaluations of the rupee and soaring inflation. Barrick and Antofagasta say the proposed plant could produce 600,000 tons of copper and 250,000 ounces of gold a year. But the mine is in Chagai district, one of the most deprived parts of Pakistan and rife with Taliban, sectarian and separatist violence. The provincial government is also a sleeping partner in the Reko Diq project with a 25 per cent stake. Mining in Baluchistan is dominated by small companies focused primarily on marble and granite, experts say, which waste up to 80 per cent of potential because of poor extraction techniques. Experts have called for more transparent policies to allow mining to flourish.

Pakistan to pay foreign firm $6 billion over mine closure: World Bank

<p>India eyes creating history with its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-2-low-cost-moon-mission-puts-india-among-lunar-pioneers-235802">Chandrayaan-2 mission</a>, a mission which several scientists have described as one of the most complex ever undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).</p>

<p>Chandrayaan 2 is an Indian lunar mission that will boldly go where no country has ever gone before -- the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-chandrayaan-2-indias-second-lunar-exploration-mission-235637">Moon's south polar region</a>.</p>

<p>"We aim to improve our understanding of the Moon, which could lead to discoveries that will benefit India and humanity as a whole. These insights and experiences will cause a paradigm shift in how lunar expeditions are approached for years to come, propelling further voyages into the farthest frontiers," ISRO said in a statement about the mission.</p>

<p>ISRO's most powerful launcher -- GSLV MK-III or "Bahubali" will carry Chandryaan-2 to its designated orbit. The three-stage vehicle is capable of launching 4-tonne class of satellites to the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).</p>

<p>Chandryaan-2 will separate from the rocket 973.7 seconds after its launch.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chandrayaan-2-all-set-for-384-lakh-km-voyage-235632/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The landing on the surface of the moon will take place 54 days after the launch. The lander-orbiter separation will take place on the 50th day.</p>

<p>"Chandrayaan 2 will be aided in achieving its mission by some of India's most advanced engineering marvels. Its composite module, which comprises technology and software developed across the country, includes a wholly indigenous rover and our first lander capable of executing a 'soft landing'," the space agency said.</p>

<p>At the time of launch, the Chandrayaan 2 Orbiter will be capable of communicating with the Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) at Byalalu, as well as with the Vikram lander. The mission life of the Orbiter is one year, during which it will be placed in a 100 x 100 km lunar polar orbit.</p>

<p>Chandrayaan 2's lander is named Vikram after Dr Vikram A Sarabhai, the Father of the Indian Space Programme. It is designed to function for one lunar day, which is equivalent to about 14 Earth days. Vikram has the capability to communicate with IDSN at Byalalu near Bangalore, as well as with the Orbiter and Pragyan rover. The lander is designed to execute a soft landing on the lunar surface at a touchdown velocity of 2 metres per second.</p>

<p>The planned landing site is a high plain between two craters, Manzinus C and Simpelius N, at a latitude of about 70.9deg South 22.7deg East.</p>

<p>Chandrayaan 2's rover is a 6-wheeled robotic vehicle named Pragyan, which translates to 'wisdom' in Sanskrit. It can travel up to 500 m (0.5 km) at a speed of 1 centimetre per second and leverages solar energy for its functioning. It can communicate with the lander.</p>

<p>The mission payloads include -- Terrain Mapping Camera which will generate a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the entire moon, Chandrayaan 2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer which will test the elemental composition of the Moon's surface Solar X-Ray Monitor which will provide solar X-ray spectrum inputs for CLASS.</p>

<p>The other payloads on the orbiter are -- Imaging IR Spectrometer which will map the Moon's mineralogy and confirm the presence of water-ice on the lunar surface through Megala check, Synthetic Aperture Radar L&amp;S Bands to map the polar region and confirm the presence of water-ice at the sub-surface level, Chandra's Atmospheric Composition Explorer-2 which will examine the Moon's neutral exosphere, Orbiter High Resolution Camera which will conduct high-restopography mapping, and Dual-Frequency RadioScience Experiment to study the lunar ionosphere.</p>

<p>The payloads on Vikram lander include -- Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity which will characterise the seismicity around the landing site, Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment which will examine the Moon's thermal conductivity and temperature gradient, Langmuir Probe which will conduct ionosphere studies on the lunar surface.</p>

<p>Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer which will determine the elemental composition of the Moon, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope which will identify elemental abundance in the vicinity of the landing site is the payloads on Pragyan Rover.</p>

<p>The 20-hour countdown began on Sunday morning for the launch of Chandrayaan-2, India's Moon mission to the unexplored south polar region of Earth's natural satellite.</p>

<p>The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that the countdown started at 6.51 am today.</p>

<p>Later in the evening, ISRO tweeted a video showing what went into the making of Chandryaan-2 mission to its subsequent placing on the launching site.</p>

<p>The agency has been constantly tweeting various updates regarding the ambitious mission.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


India eyes creating history with its Chandrayaan-2 mission, a mission which several scientists have described as one of the most complex ever undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

India eyes creating history with its Chandrayaan-2 mission, a mission which several scientists have described as one of the most complex ever undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Chandrayaan 2 is an Indian lunar mission that will boldly go where no country has ever gone before -- the Moon's south polar region. "We aim to improve our understanding of the Moon, which could lead to discoveries that will benefit India and humanity as a whole. These insights and experiences will cause a paradigm shift in how lunar expeditions are approached for years to come, propelling further voyages into the farthest frontiers," ISRO said in a statement about the mission. ISRO's most powerful launcher -- GSLV MK-III or "Bahubali" will carry Chandryaan-2 to its designated orbit. The three-stage vehicle is capable of launching 4-tonne class of satellites to the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Chandryaan-2 will separate from the rocket 973.7 seconds after its launch. The landing on the surface of the moon will take place 54 days after the launch. The lander-orbiter separation will take place on the 50th day. "Chandrayaan 2 will be aided in achieving its mission by some of India's most advanced engineering marvels. Its composite module, which comprises technology and software developed across the country, includes a wholly indigenous rover and our first lander capable of executing a 'soft landing'," the space agency said. At the time of launch, the Chandrayaan 2 Orbiter will be capable of communicating with the Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) at Byalalu, as well as with the Vikram lander. The mission life of the Orbiter is one year, during which it will be placed in a 100 x 100 km lunar polar orbit. Chandrayaan 2's lander is named Vikram after Dr Vikram A Sarabhai, the Father of the Indian Space Programme. It is designed to function for one lunar day, which is equivalent to about 14 Earth days. Vikram has the capability to communicate with IDSN at Byalalu near Bangalore, as well as with the Orbiter and Pragyan rover. The lander is designed to execute a soft landing on the lunar surface at a touchdown velocity of 2 metres per second. The planned landing site is a high plain between two craters, Manzinus C and Simpelius N, at a latitude of about 70.9deg South 22.7deg East. Chandrayaan 2's rover is a 6-wheeled robotic vehicle named Pragyan, which translates to 'wisdom' in Sanskrit. It can travel up to 500 m (0.5 km) at a speed of 1 centimetre per second and leverages solar energy for its functioning. It can communicate with the lander. The mission payloads include -- Terrain Mapping Camera which will generate a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the entire moon, Chandrayaan 2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer which will test the elemental composition of the Moon's surface Solar X-Ray Monitor which will provide solar X-ray spectrum inputs for CLASS. The other payloads on the orbiter are -- Imaging IR Spectrometer which will map the Moon's mineralogy and confirm the presence of water-ice on the lunar surface through Megala check, Synthetic Aperture Radar L&S Bands to map the polar region and confirm the presence of water-ice at the sub-surface level, Chandra's Atmospheric Composition Explorer-2 which will examine the Moon's neutral exosphere, Orbiter High Resolution Camera which will conduct high-restopography mapping, and Dual-Frequency RadioScience Experiment to study the lunar ionosphere. The payloads on Vikram lander include -- Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity which will characterise the seismicity around the landing site, Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment which will examine the Moon's thermal conductivity and temperature gradient, Langmuir Probe which will conduct ionosphere studies on the lunar surface. Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer which will determine the elemental composition of the Moon, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope which will identify elemental abundance in the vicinity of the landing site is the payloads on Pragyan Rover. The 20-hour countdown began on Sunday morning for the launch of Chandrayaan-2, India's Moon mission to the unexplored south polar region of Earth's natural satellite. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that the countdown started at 6.51 am today. Later in the evening, ISRO tweeted a video showing what went into the making of Chandryaan-2 mission to its subsequent placing on the launching site. The agency has been constantly tweeting various updates regarding the ambitious mission.

Here's everything you need to know about India's lunar mission Chandrayaan-2

<p>At least two&nbsp;died in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district after a guest house building collapsed due to heavy rains on Sunday.</p>

<p>Around 14 people are feared trapped under the debris of the collapsed building.</p>

<p>Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said, ''As per latest information, 23 people have been rescued successfully while 2 people died including an Army jawan. All injured were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals.''</p>

<p>''The NDRF team from Panchkula have reached the spot and medical teams have also reached the spot. Rescue operations is underway. I hope within next few hours rescue operations will conclude. Proper investigation will be done, chief minister further added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HimachalPradesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HimachalPradesh</a>: The building that collapsed in Kumarhatti was a 'Dhaba'. 30 Army men &amp; 7 civilians were present at the spot. 18 Army men &amp; 5 civilian rescued. 2 bodies recovered. 14 feared trapped; rescue operations continue <a href="https://t.co/6L3EvfELt9">pic.twitter.com/6L3EvfELt9</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1150399429184241664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The rescue operation is underway.</p>

<p>So far 18 security personnel and five civilians have been&nbsp;rescued.</p>

<p>The building that collapsed in Kumarhatti was a 'Dhaba'.</p>

<p>The incident took place at around 4 pm.</p>


At least two died in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district after a guest house building collapsed due to heavy rains on Sunday. Around 14 people are feared trapped under the debris of the collapsed building.

At least two died in Himachal Pradesh's Solan district after a guest house building collapsed due to heavy rains on Sunday. Around 14 people are feared trapped under the debris of the collapsed building. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said, ''As per latest information, 23 people have been rescued successfully while 2 people died including an Army jawan. All injured were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals.'' ''The NDRF team from Panchkula have reached the spot and medical teams have also reached the spot. Rescue operations is underway. I hope within next few hours rescue operations will conclude. Proper investigation will be done, chief minister further added. #HimachalPradesh: The building that collapsed in Kumarhatti was a 'Dhaba'. 30 Army men & 7 civilians were present at the spot. 18 Army men & 5 civilian rescued. 2 bodies recovered. 14 feared trapped; rescue operations continue pic.twitter.com/6L3EvfELt9 — ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2019 × The rescue operation is underway. So far 18 security personnel and five civilians have been rescued. The building that collapsed in Kumarhatti was a 'Dhaba'. The incident took place at around 4 pm.

2 dead, 14 trapped in Himachal Pradesh building collapse

<p>Started in 1952, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is one of the most prestigious film extravaganzas in the country. It aims at providing a common platform to cinema industries from across the world to showcase their excellence at the art of film making.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
This time, India will host the 50th edition of the festival and will pay tribute to the late Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar who passed away earlier this year.<br />
<br />
"Definitely, this year the festival will pay a tribute to our friend Manohar Parrikar", said the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javdekar on Sunday.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Apart from this, the festival will also celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi through an exhibition titled, 'Gandhi 150'.<br />
<br />
The week-long event&nbsp;is scheduled to start in&nbsp;November and will be&nbsp;featuring&nbsp;Indian regional films&nbsp;as well as movies&nbsp;from different parts of the world.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
To ensure that every film gets an equal chance at the festival, private theatres in Goa will be hired to screen popular movies.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
"In the past, people did not get tickets to watch popular films, so we are enrolling private theatres to screen those films", Javadekar added.<br />
<br />
Javdekar, who was chairing the first meeting of the steering committee on Sunday also revealed that filmmaker Karan Johar, producer Siddharth Roy Kapoor, Feroz Abbas Khan and Subhash Ghai have already accepted their place in the steering committee.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
"They will steer the whole thing because it has to be a professional show",&nbsp;he&nbsp;told the media in Panaji.</p>

<p>Besides him, other members of the committee - directors Madhur Bhandarkar, Shaji N. Karun, Rahul Rawail and Manju Borah, famous cinematographer Apurba Kishore Bir and Ravi Kottarakara, the owner of Kottarakara Films - were also present at the meeting.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Javdekar further informed that Director John Bailey, President of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) will be heading this year's prestigious international jury.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
To celebrate the festival's&nbsp;Golden Jubilee, road shows and campaigns will be organised in six&nbsp;different cities in the country namely, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Guwahati.<br />
<br />
The festival will be held from November 20 to November 28 in Goa.&nbsp;</p>


Started in 1952, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is one of the most prestigious film extravaganzas in the country. It aims at providing a common platform to cinema industries from across the world to showcase their excellence at the art of film making.

Started in 1952, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is one of the most prestigious film extravaganzas in the country. It aims at providing a common platform to cinema industries from across the world to showcase their excellence at the art of film making. This time, India will host the 50th edition of the festival and will pay tribute to the late Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar who passed away earlier this year. "Definitely, this year the festival will pay a tribute to our friend Manohar Parrikar", said the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javdekar on Sunday. Apart from this, the festival will also celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi through an exhibition titled, 'Gandhi 150'. The week-long event is scheduled to start in November and will be featuring Indian regional films as well as movies from different parts of the world. To ensure that every film gets an equal chance at the festival, private theatres in Goa will be hired to screen popular movies. "In the past, people did not get tickets to watch popular films, so we are enrolling private theatres to screen those films", Javadekar added. Javdekar, who was chairing the first meeting of the steering committee on Sunday also revealed that filmmaker Karan Johar, producer Siddharth Roy Kapoor, Feroz Abbas Khan and Subhash Ghai have already accepted their place in the steering committee. "They will steer the whole thing because it has to be a professional show", he told the media in Panaji. Besides him, other members of the committee - directors Madhur Bhandarkar, Shaji N. Karun, Rahul Rawail and Manju Borah, famous cinematographer Apurba Kishore Bir and Ravi Kottarakara, the owner of Kottarakara Films - were also present at the meeting. Javdekar further informed that Director John Bailey, President of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) will be heading this year's prestigious international jury. To celebrate the festival's Golden Jubilee, road shows and campaigns will be organised in six different cities in the country namely, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Guwahati. The festival will be held from November 20 to November 28 in Goa.

IFFI 2019: Prakash Javdekar reveals details about festival's upcoming 50th edition

<p>Singer Kelly Clarkson posted a wise piece of advice for Taylor Swift amid her<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-criticises-scooter-braun-for-worst-case-sale-of-back-catalogue-celebs-divided-in-support-231911"> ongoing controversy with music manager Scooter Braun</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/taylor-swifts-lawyer-claims-she-wasnt-given-a-chance-to-buy-her-songs-232981">Swift accused Braun</a> of purchasing her entire music catalogue after the latter acquired Big Machine Records which holds the rights to the singer's&nbsp;first six albums.<br />
<br />
Clarkson suggested Swift re-record the songs with some new kind of art in it.&nbsp;She added that fans will then no longer buy the old songs and even she would be one of her buyers!<br />
<br />
"Taylor Swift just a thought, U should go in &amp; re-record all the songs that U don't own the masters on exactly how U did them but put brand new art &amp; some kind of incentive so fans will no longer buy the old versions. I'd buy all of the new versions just to prove a point," she tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/taylorswift13?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@taylorswift13</a> just a thought, U should go in &amp; re-record all the songs that U don’t own the masters on exactly how U did them but put brand new art &amp; some kind of incentive so fans will no longer buy the old versions. I’d buy all of the new versions just to prove a point 💁🏼‍♀️</p>
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) <a href="https://twitter.com/kellyclarkson/status/1150168164853882880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The ongoing battle between the two has divided the industry with some supporting Swift while the others going for Braun.<br />
<br />
Singer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/justin-bieber-slams-taylor-swift-for-crossing-a-line-with-manager-scooter-braun-231900">Justin Bieber slammed the 'ME!'&nbsp;singer</a> in a statement issued in wake of the controversy.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
However, Swift gained support from Brendon Urie, who collaborated with her in 'ME!'&nbsp;and singer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/ed-sheeran-breaks-silence-over-taylor-swift-after-facing-backlash-from-fans-232660">Ed Sheeran</a>, among others.&nbsp;</p>


Singer Kelly Clarkson posted a wise piece of advice for Taylor Swift amid her ongoing controversy with music manager Scooter Braun. Swift accused Braun of purchasing her entire music catalogue after the latter acquired Big Machine Records which holds the rights to the singer's first six albums.

Singer Kelly Clarkson posted a wise piece of advice for Taylor Swift amid her ongoing controversy with music manager Scooter Braun. Swift accused Braun of purchasing her entire music catalogue after the latter acquired Big Machine Records which holds the rights to the singer's first six albums. Clarkson suggested Swift re-record the songs with some new kind of art in it. She added that fans will then no longer buy the old songs and even she would be one of her buyers! "Taylor Swift just a thought, U should go in & re-record all the songs that U don't own the masters on exactly how U did them but put brand new art & some kind of incentive so fans will no longer buy the old versions. I'd buy all of the new versions just to prove a point," she tweeted. @taylorswift13 just a thought, U should go in & re-record all the songs that U don’t own the masters on exactly how U did them but put brand new art & some kind of incentive so fans will no longer buy the old versions. I’d buy all of the new versions just to prove a point 💁🏼‍♀️ — Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) July 13, 2019 × The ongoing battle between the two has divided the industry with some supporting Swift while the others going for Braun. Singer Justin Bieber slammed the 'ME!' singer in a statement issued in wake of the controversy. However, Swift gained support from Brendon Urie, who collaborated with her in 'ME!' and singer Ed Sheeran, among others.

Kelly Clarkson has a piece of advice for Taylor Swift amid Scooter Braun controversy

<p>When a massive blackout plunged much of Manhattan into darkness on Saturday evening, a choir and the casts of Broadway musicals entertained tourists with impromptu performances in the street.<br />
<br />
The outages struck at around 7 p.m, just as many shows were starting at theatres in Midtown and at the Lincoln Center Plaza on New York City's Upper West Side.<br />
<br />
With subway stations and traffic lights suddenly dark, thousands of people spilt outside on a hot summer's night.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Choir singing "I believe in Christ" during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blackout?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#blackout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYCblackout?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYCblackout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Christ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Christ</a> <a href="https://t.co/YJTB8kkxu9">pic.twitter.com/YJTB8kkxu9</a></p>
— Tony Mecham (@TonyMecham) <a href="https://twitter.com/TonyMecham/status/1150273740816683009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Some were surprised by what they found, including writer Briallen Hopper, who had been trapped on a subway train for an hour.<br />
<br />
"I guess this is what they call a New York moment," she wrote on Twitter with a video of a choir singing at sunset.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
"I emerged to see dark restaurants &amp; traffic lights, civilians directing traffic, &amp; an evacuated Carnegie Hall concert happening in the street."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I guess this is what they call a New York moment. After being trapped on the F for an hour because of the power outage I emerged to see dark restaurants &amp; traffic lights, civilians directing traffic, &amp; an evacuated Carnegie Hall concert happening in the street. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nyc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nyc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blackout?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Blackout</a> <a href="https://t.co/3p9UWtRrel">pic.twitter.com/3p9UWtRrel</a></p>
— Briallen Hopper (@briallenhopper) <a href="https://twitter.com/briallenhopper/status/1150198299254767616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Another Twitter user, Caryn Ross, agreed, posting a video of the street concert by the Millennial Choirs and Orchestras with the hashtag #BeautifulSoundsDuringBlackout: "Now this is what turning lemons into lemonade is about!" she wrote.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Now this is what turning lemons into lemonade is all about! We can hear singing from the streets below...the entire <a href="https://twitter.com/carnegiehall?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@carnegiehall</a> choir including conductor are putting on an impromptu concert by singing outside during the blackout! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYCBlackout?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYCBlackout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeautifulSoundsDuringBlackout?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeautifulSoundsDuringBlackout</a> <a href="https://t.co/ll5ocnGYvc">pic.twitter.com/ll5ocnGYvc</a></p>
— Caryn Ross (@SuperSassyMama) <a href="https://twitter.com/SuperSassyMama/status/1150193426618572801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Also unexpected were scenes of multiple civilians who stepped into always-busy intersections to help direct traffic snarled by the lack of traffic lights.<br />
<br />
One middle-aged man in shorts and a red tank-top managed the flow of vehicles at one junction for at least 45 minutes, drawing plaudits on social media.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
In a photo on Twitter taken after darkness fell, civilians were&nbsp;seen directing traffic in the Hell's Kitchen neighbourhood with a toy lightsabers.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Directing traffic with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lightsabers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lightsabers</a> during the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nyc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nyc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blackout?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#blackout</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blackoutnyc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#blackoutnyc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maytheforcebewithyou?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#maytheforcebewithyou</a> <a href="https://t.co/nE8HPmz1tF">pic.twitter.com/nE8HPmz1tF</a></p>
— Pamela Chasek (@paminnyc) <a href="https://twitter.com/paminnyc/status/1150234152685441026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>At Madison Square Garden, the blackout put a sudden stop to a Jennifer Lopez concert, plunging the arena into darkness.<br />
<br />
"I am obviously heartbroken and devastated," Bronx native Lopez said in a video clip she sent in a Twitter post for her fans. "I love you. I am so sorry this happened in the middle of our moment, at our show"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Devastated and heartbroken that I can’t perform for all of you tonight. We will make this up to you, I promise! I love you!! ❤️❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ItsMyPartyTour?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ItsMyPartyTour</a> <a href="https://t.co/PZhFoPkeeM">pic.twitter.com/PZhFoPkeeM</a></p>
— Jennifer Lopez (@JLo) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLo/status/1150222803863404544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>All Broadway theatres were closed due to the blackout except for the Winter Garden Theater, Nederlander Theater, and Lyceum Theatre, authorities said.<br />
<br />
But among those who entertained theatre goers with off-the-cuff performances nonetheless were the casts of the musicals 'Waitress',&nbsp;'Hadestown',&nbsp;'Come From Away',&nbsp;and 'Rock Of Ages'.</p>

<p>Carnegie Hall was having a concert that was moved outside:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">New York having a New York moment. New York had a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blackout?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#blackout</a> affecting 42,000 people in midtown Manhattan.<br />
<br />
Carnegie Hall was having a concert that was moved outside. The seats were about $1000. <a href="https://t.co/PMQWU2Te55">pic.twitter.com/PMQWU2Te55</a></p>
— Ponce’sPoint (@PoncesPoint) <a href="https://twitter.com/PoncesPoint/status/1150260282016579584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>By midnight, power had been restored to most of the customers who had lost it.&nbsp;Shouts of celebration could be heard in parts of Manhattan as power was restored, bringing lights and air conditioners back to life.</p>


When a massive blackout plunged much of Manhattan into darkness on Saturday evening, a choir and the casts of Broadway musicals entertained tourists with impromptu performances in the street.

When a massive blackout plunged much of Manhattan into darkness on Saturday evening, a choir and the casts of Broadway musicals entertained tourists with impromptu performances in the street. The outages struck at around 7 p.m, just as many shows were starting at theatres in Midtown and at the Lincoln Center Plaza on New York City's Upper West Side. With subway stations and traffic lights suddenly dark, thousands of people spilt outside on a hot summer's night. Choir singing "I believe in Christ" during #blackout #NYCblackout #Christ pic.twitter.com/YJTB8kkxu9 — Tony Mecham (@TonyMecham) July 14, 2019 × Some were surprised by what they found, including writer Briallen Hopper, who had been trapped on a subway train for an hour. "I guess this is what they call a New York moment," she wrote on Twitter with a video of a choir singing at sunset. "I emerged to see dark restaurants & traffic lights, civilians directing traffic, & an evacuated Carnegie Hall concert happening in the street." I guess this is what they call a New York moment. After being trapped on the F for an hour because of the power outage I emerged to see dark restaurants & traffic lights, civilians directing traffic, & an evacuated Carnegie Hall concert happening in the street. #nyc #Blackout pic.twitter.com/3p9UWtRrel — Briallen Hopper (@briallenhopper) July 14, 2019 × Another Twitter user, Caryn Ross, agreed, posting a video of the street concert by the Millennial Choirs and Orchestras with the hashtag #BeautifulSoundsDuringBlackout: "Now this is what turning lemons into lemonade is about!" she wrote. Now this is what turning lemons into lemonade is all about! We can hear singing from the streets below...the entire @carnegiehall choir including conductor are putting on an impromptu concert by singing outside during the blackout! #NYCBlackout #BeautifulSoundsDuringBlackout pic.twitter.com/ll5ocnGYvc — Caryn Ross (@SuperSassyMama) July 14, 2019 × Also unexpected were scenes of multiple civilians who stepped into always-busy intersections to help direct traffic snarled by the lack of traffic lights. One middle-aged man in shorts and a red tank-top managed the flow of vehicles at one junction for at least 45 minutes, drawing plaudits on social media. In a photo on Twitter taken after darkness fell, civilians were seen directing traffic in the Hell's Kitchen neighbourhood with a toy lightsabers. Directing traffic with #lightsabers during the #nyc #blackout #blackoutnyc #maytheforcebewithyou pic.twitter.com/nE8HPmz1tF — Pamela Chasek (@paminnyc) July 14, 2019 × At Madison Square Garden, the blackout put a sudden stop to a Jennifer Lopez concert, plunging the arena into darkness. "I am obviously heartbroken and devastated," Bronx native Lopez said in a video clip she sent in a Twitter post for her fans. "I love you. I am so sorry this happened in the middle of our moment, at our show" Devastated and heartbroken that I can’t perform for all of you tonight. We will make this up to you, I promise! I love you!! ❤️❤️ #ItsMyPartyTour pic.twitter.com/PZhFoPkeeM — Jennifer Lopez (@JLo) July 14, 2019 × All Broadway theatres were closed due to the blackout except for the Winter Garden Theater, Nederlander Theater, and Lyceum Theatre, authorities said. But among those who entertained theatre goers with off-the-cuff performances nonetheless were the casts of the musicals 'Waitress', 'Hadestown', 'Come From Away', and 'Rock Of Ages'. Carnegie Hall was having a concert that was moved outside: New York having a New York moment. New York had a #blackout affecting 42,000 people in midtown Manhattan. Carnegie Hall was having a concert that was moved outside. The seats were about $1000. pic.twitter.com/PMQWU2Te55 — Ponce’sPoint (@PoncesPoint) July 14, 2019 × By midnight, power had been restored to most of the customers who had lost it. Shouts of celebration could be heard in parts of Manhattan as power was restored, bringing lights and air conditioners back to life.

Broadway casts, choir perform in the street during a blackout in Manhattan

<p>Hrithik Roshan starrer 'Super 30' had a decent start after it released in theatres on Friday and has garnered an estimated over Rs 11 crores worth business on its opening day.<br />
<br />
Numerous <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/b-town-goes-gaga-over-hrithik-roshans-performance-in-super-30-235301">celebrities from the industry praised Hrithik's performance</a> in the film.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh who put out the estimates on Saturday morning said the film should perform well over the weekend.<br />
<br />
"#Super30 has a decent Day 1... Biz picked up at metros/urban centres [Mumbai and South specifically] towards evening... Mass pockets are ordinary/dull... Should witness growth on Day 2 and 3... Sustaining and proving its mettle on weekdays crucial... Fri Rs 11.83 Cr. India biz," he tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Super30?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Super30</a> has a decent Day 1... Biz picked up at metros/urban centres [Mumbai and South specifically] towards evening... Mass pockets are ordinary/dull... Should witness growth on Day 2 and 3... Sustaining and proving its mettle on weekdays crucial... Fri ₹ 11.83 cr. India biz.</p>
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1149964875491233793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>However, it witnessed a turn around on its second day with growth in viewership in cineplexes in small cities.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
According to Adarsh, the film should score big numbers in the upcoming days.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Super30?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Super30</a> has a turnaround on Day 2... Witnesses super growth at plexes of Tier-2 cities and also shows an upward trend in mass circuits... Will score big numbers on Day 3... Eyes ₹ 50 cr [+/-] weekend... Fri 11.83 cr, Sat 18.19 cr. Total: ₹ 30.02 cr. India biz.</p>
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1150311481600180224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="in"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Super30?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Super30</a> goes from strength to strength in key circuits/territories... Fri and Sat biz in some circuits...<br />
Mumbai: 3.71 cr, 5.79 cr<br />
DelhiUP: 2.40 cr, 3.85 cr<br />
Punjab: 1.02 cr, 1.70 cr<br />
Rajasthan: 0.53 cr, 0.79 cr<br />
CP: 0.52 cr, 0.74 cr<br />
Mysore: 0.74 cr, 1.30 cr<br />
Bihar: 0.38 cr, 0.49 cr</p>
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) <a href="https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1150312944615378945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>'Super 30' chronicles the life story of Anand Kumar (Hrithik), an Indian mathematician who quit his job as a teacher in a top coaching centre attended by rich students, to dedicate his time into teaching underprivileged children.<br />
<br />
Directed by Vikas Bahl, the film also stars Mrunal Thakur and Nandish Sandhu in pivotal roles and had hit the screens on July 12.</p>


Hrithik Roshan starrer 'Super 30' had a decent start after it released in theatres on Friday and has garnered an estimated over Rs 11 crores worth business on its opening day.

Hrithik Roshan starrer 'Super 30' had a decent start after it released in theatres on Friday and has garnered an estimated over Rs 11 crores worth business on its opening day. Numerous celebrities from the industry praised Hrithik's performance in the film. Film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh who put out the estimates on Saturday morning said the film should perform well over the weekend. "#Super30 has a decent Day 1... Biz picked up at metros/urban centres [Mumbai and South specifically] towards evening... Mass pockets are ordinary/dull... Should witness growth on Day 2 and 3... Sustaining and proving its mettle on weekdays crucial... Fri Rs 11.83 Cr. India biz," he tweeted. #Super30 has a decent Day 1... Biz picked up at metros/urban centres [Mumbai and South specifically] towards evening... Mass pockets are ordinary/dull... Should witness growth on Day 2 and 3... Sustaining and proving its mettle on weekdays crucial... Fri ₹ 11.83 cr. India biz. — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) July 13, 2019 × However, it witnessed a turn around on its second day with growth in viewership in cineplexes in small cities. According to Adarsh, the film should score big numbers in the upcoming days. #Super30 has a turnaround on Day 2... Witnesses super growth at plexes of Tier-2 cities and also shows an upward trend in mass circuits... Will score big numbers on Day 3... Eyes ₹ 50 cr [+/-] weekend... Fri 11.83 cr, Sat 18.19 cr. Total: ₹ 30.02 cr. India biz. — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) July 14, 2019 × #Super30 goes from strength to strength in key circuits/territories... Fri and Sat biz in some circuits... Mumbai: 3.71 cr, 5.79 cr DelhiUP: 2.40 cr, 3.85 cr Punjab: 1.02 cr, 1.70 cr Rajasthan: 0.53 cr, 0.79 cr CP: 0.52 cr, 0.74 cr Mysore: 0.74 cr, 1.30 cr Bihar: 0.38 cr, 0.49 cr — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) July 14, 2019 × 'Super 30' chronicles the life story of Anand Kumar (Hrithik), an Indian mathematician who quit his job as a teacher in a top coaching centre attended by rich students, to dedicate his time into teaching underprivileged children. Directed by Vikas Bahl, the film also stars Mrunal Thakur and Nandish Sandhu in pivotal roles and had hit the screens on July 12.

Hrithik Roshan, Mrunal Thakur starrer 'Super 30' off to a decent start

<p>At least 32 people have been killed and 18 others are missing due to landslides and floods triggered by incessant rainfall in Nepal in the last two days, police said on Saturday.</p>

<p>The casualties were reported from different places in Nepal, including capital Kathmandu.</p>

<p>Five people lost their lives in Lalitpur, three people each died in Kathmandu, Khotang, Bhojpur, Kavre and Makwanpur and two each in Sindhuli and Dhading, the Nepal Police said in a statement.</p>

<p>One person each died in Illam, Jhapa, Okhaldhunga, Sunsari, Bara, Parsa, Ramechhap and Chitwan districts.</p>

<p>At least 50 people have been rescued from various places across the country so far, the police had said earlier.</p>

<p>In its special bulletin, the Meteorological Forecasting Division on Saturday has warned of widespread rain from moderate to heavy scale which is likely to continue till Sunday.</p>

<p>It is worth mentioning that the monsoon trough is presently based in the vicinity of Tarai of eastern Nepal and hilly territory of western Nepal.</p>

<p>"There are chances of heavy rainfall at a few places of the eastern and central regions and at one or two places of the western Tarai region today. Heavy rainfall is expected at a few places of the eastern and central hilly regions and at one or two places of the western hilly region has been predicted," the Division stated.</p>

<p>On July 15, widespread rain from moderate to heavy scale has been forecast and the extremely heavy downpour is likely to hit few places of the eastern region and some parts of the western hilly region.</p>

<p>According to the weather agency's latest details, the Kathmandu Valley has received 18 mm of rainfall and other places like Dhangadhi saw 26.5 mm of downpour, Nepalgunj 24.5 mm, Birendranagar 24 mm, Dang 23.4 mm, Pokhara 21.9 mm and Jumla 15.6 mm.</p>

<p>Heavy rains since Thursday have hit 20 of Nepal's 77 districts, in the hills as well as in southern plains.</p>

<p>Officials said that the Kosi river in eastern Nepal, which flows into the eastern Indian state of Bihar, had risen above the danger mark.</p>


At least 32 people have been killed and 18 others are missing due to landslides and floods triggered by incessant rainfall in Nepal in the last two days, police said on Saturday.

At least 32 people have been killed and 18 others are missing due to landslides and floods triggered by incessant rainfall in Nepal in the last two days, police said on Saturday. The casualties were reported from different places in Nepal, including capital Kathmandu. Five people lost their lives in Lalitpur, three people each died in Kathmandu, Khotang, Bhojpur, Kavre and Makwanpur and two each in Sindhuli and Dhading, the Nepal Police said in a statement. One person each died in Illam, Jhapa, Okhaldhunga, Sunsari, Bara, Parsa, Ramechhap and Chitwan districts. At least 50 people have been rescued from various places across the country so far, the police had said earlier. In its special bulletin, the Meteorological Forecasting Division on Saturday has warned of widespread rain from moderate to heavy scale which is likely to continue till Sunday. It is worth mentioning that the monsoon trough is presently based in the vicinity of Tarai of eastern Nepal and hilly territory of western Nepal. "There are chances of heavy rainfall at a few places of the eastern and central regions and at one or two places of the western Tarai region today. Heavy rainfall is expected at a few places of the eastern and central hilly regions and at one or two places of the western hilly region has been predicted," the Division stated. On July 15, widespread rain from moderate to heavy scale has been forecast and the extremely heavy downpour is likely to hit few places of the eastern region and some parts of the western hilly region. According to the weather agency's latest details, the Kathmandu Valley has received 18 mm of rainfall and other places like Dhangadhi saw 26.5 mm of downpour, Nepalgunj 24.5 mm, Birendranagar 24 mm, Dang 23.4 mm, Pokhara 21.9 mm and Jumla 15.6 mm. Heavy rains since Thursday have hit 20 of Nepal's 77 districts, in the hills as well as in southern plains. Officials said that the Kosi river in eastern Nepal, which flows into the eastern Indian state of Bihar, had risen above the danger mark.

Nepal: Death toll rises to 32 due to landslides, floods

<p>Four Afghan security forces were killed Saturday when Taliban insurgents attacked a hotel, officials said, as violence continues across Afghanistan despite US-led efforts to end the war.</p>

<p>The assault took place in Qala-i-Naw, the capital of the western province of Badghis, when attackers struck a commercial area housing the hotel and several shops in the small city.</p>

<p>"We had intelligence reports that suicide bombers were planning to attack Qala-i-Naw," Badghis governor Abdul Ghafoor Malikzai told AFP.</p>

<p>"The attackers took over a building near the governor's office and police headquarters".</p>

<p>The defence ministry said three attackers were killed and two more arrested.</p>

<p>Four members of the Afghan security forces were killed and 20 people wounded, including civilians, the ministry said.</p>

<p>The incident comes less than a week after Taliban officials were sitting face-to-face with US negotiators in Doha in a bid to end Afghanistan's nearly 18-year-old war.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both sides reported good progress in the talks, but daily carnage continues across Afghanistan and NATO on Saturday announced the death of a US service member who was killed in a Taliban-claimed attack.</p>

<p>The hotel assault started around 12:40 pm (08:10 GMT) when a group of men, some wearing suicide vests, stormed the area.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Aziz Bek, the head of the Badghis provincial council, told AFP that children had been evacuated from nearby schools, and that explosions could be heard in the city.</p>

<p>According to Abdul Latif Rostaee, the local director of public health, 18 were wounded, including six civilians.</p>

<p>Nasrat Rahimi, an interior ministry spokesman, earlier said a group of suicide bombers had entered a hotel and were shooting civilians.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The attackers first hit a police checkpoint and then entered the hotel, according to Haroon Amir, a witness.&nbsp;</p>


Four Afghan security forces were killed Saturday when Taliban insurgents attacked a hotel, officials said, as violence continues across Afghanistan despite US-led efforts to end the war.

Four Afghan security forces were killed Saturday when Taliban insurgents attacked a hotel, officials said, as violence continues across Afghanistan despite US-led efforts to end the war. The assault took place in Qala-i-Naw, the capital of the western province of Badghis, when attackers struck a commercial area housing the hotel and several shops in the small city. "We had intelligence reports that suicide bombers were planning to attack Qala-i-Naw," Badghis governor Abdul Ghafoor Malikzai told AFP. "The attackers took over a building near the governor's office and police headquarters". The defence ministry said three attackers were killed and two more arrested. Four members of the Afghan security forces were killed and 20 people wounded, including civilians, the ministry said. The incident comes less than a week after Taliban officials were sitting face-to-face with US negotiators in Doha in a bid to end Afghanistan's nearly 18-year-old war. Both sides reported good progress in the talks, but daily carnage continues across Afghanistan and NATO on Saturday announced the death of a US service member who was killed in a Taliban-claimed attack. The hotel assault started around 12:40 pm (08:10 GMT) when a group of men, some wearing suicide vests, stormed the area. Aziz Bek, the head of the Badghis provincial council, told AFP that children had been evacuated from nearby schools, and that explosions could be heard in the city. According to Abdul Latif Rostaee, the local director of public health, 18 were wounded, including six civilians. Nasrat Rahimi, an interior ministry spokesman, earlier said a group of suicide bombers had entered a hotel and were shooting civilians. The attackers first hit a police checkpoint and then entered the hotel, according to Haroon Amir, a witness.

At least four killed in Afghanistan hotel attack: Official

<p>The Congress on Saturday made organisational changes in its Maharashtra unit in view of upcoming assembly polls and appointed senior state leader Balasaheb Thorat as the state party chief.</p>

<p>The party also appointed five working presidents - Nitin Raut, Baswaraj M Patil, Vishwajeet Kadam, Yashomati Chandrakant Thakur and Muzaffer Hussain.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat appointed new president of the Maharashtra unit of Congress party, replacing Ashok Chavan <a href="https://t.co/5AQsqE0hGE">pic.twitter.com/5AQsqE0hGE</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1150080688223391746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>KC Padavi has been appointed the leader of the legislative party.</p>

<p>The party releases said that the appointments were made "with approval of Congress president" and did not mention the name of Rahul Gandhi.</p>

<p>Gandhi has resigned owning responsibility for the party's defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress Working Committee, the party's highest making body, at its meeting in May had rejected his offer to step down.</p>


The Congress on Saturday made organisational changes in its Maharashtra unit in view of upcoming assembly polls and appointed senior state leader Balasaheb Thorat as the state party chief.

The Congress on Saturday made organisational changes in its Maharashtra unit in view of upcoming assembly polls and appointed senior state leader Balasaheb Thorat as the state party chief. The party also appointed five working presidents - Nitin Raut, Baswaraj M Patil, Vishwajeet Kadam, Yashomati Chandrakant Thakur and Muzaffer Hussain. Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat appointed new president of the Maharashtra unit of Congress party, replacing Ashok Chavan pic.twitter.com/5AQsqE0hGE — ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2019 × KC Padavi has been appointed the leader of the legislative party. The party releases said that the appointments were made "with approval of Congress president" and did not mention the name of Rahul Gandhi. Gandhi has resigned owning responsibility for the party's defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress Working Committee, the party's highest making body, at its meeting in May had rejected his offer to step down.

Balasaheb Thorat appointed as Maharashtra Congress chief

<p>Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has apprised his Himachal Pradesh counterpart Jai Ram Thakur about the initiative taken by his government to ensure transparent and progressive administration and public delivery system.</p>

<p>According to an official statement, on Friday evening, Rupani met Thakur here and briefed him about the overall working and monitoring system of the CM Dashboard.</p>

<p>Thakur was impressed by the monitoring of Sujlam Sufflam Jal Abhiyaan and direct communication with all District Collectors and disbursing officers via video conferencing through CM Dashboard.</p>

<p>The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister also appreciated the Digital Gujarat portal and on-hand availability of evaluation of works of government departments, their indicators, and database of the implementation of Central schemes in the state on the CM Dashboard.</p>

<p>Gujarat Chief Minister informed Thakur about real-time monitoring of public services -- ST bus service, 108 emergency service, etc, -- through this Dashboard and the extension of public service model by the maintenance of street lights in urban areas.</p>


Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has apprised his Himachal Pradesh counterpart Jai Ram Thakur about the initiative taken by his government to ensure transparent and progressive administration and public delivery system.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has apprised his Himachal Pradesh counterpart Jai Ram Thakur about the initiative taken by his government to ensure transparent and progressive administration and public delivery system. According to an official statement, on Friday evening, Rupani met Thakur here and briefed him about the overall working and monitoring system of the CM Dashboard. Thakur was impressed by the monitoring of Sujlam Sufflam Jal Abhiyaan and direct communication with all District Collectors and disbursing officers via video conferencing through CM Dashboard. The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister also appreciated the Digital Gujarat portal and on-hand availability of evaluation of works of government departments, their indicators, and database of the implementation of Central schemes in the state on the CM Dashboard. Gujarat Chief Minister informed Thakur about real-time monitoring of public services -- ST bus service, 108 emergency service, etc, -- through this Dashboard and the extension of public service model by the maintenance of street lights in urban areas.

Vijay Rupani meets Jai Ram Thakur, briefs about working of CM Dashboard

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/home-minister-amit-shah-to-visit-telangana-once-a-month-to-review-party-operations-233868">Union Home Minister Amit Shah</a> on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting to review the current flood situation in different parts of the country and preparedness of the states and Central ministries concerned to deal with the situation.</p>

<p>After reviewing the meeting, Shah directed the senior officers to take every possible measure to deal with the situation arising out of South-West Monsoon in the country and to extend all necessary assistance to the flood-affected states.</p>

<p>India Meteorological Department (IMD) officers told Shah that during the last 3-4 days, Assam and Bihar have received extremely heavy downpour. Heavy rainfall is expected in these two states during the next 48 hours.</p>

<p>Director General of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) apprised that 73 NDRF teams have been pre-positioned in vulnerable areas of flood affected states along with all necessary equipment. These teams are in addition to the teams kept on alert at battalion headquarter and Regional Response Centers (RRC). NDRF teams have also rescued about 750 persons in Assam and Bihar.</p>

<p>Central Water Commission (CWC) informed that Brahmaputra, Beki, Jiabharali, Katakhal and Barak rivers in Assam and Kamla, Bagmati, Mahananda, Gandak rivers in Bihar are flowing above a danger mark.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following which, both IMD and CWC are issuing forecast bulletins at regular intervals.</p>

<p>Control rooms in MHA, NDRF, IMD and CWC are keeping a close watch on the situation on round the clock basis.</p>

<p>Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs said that Shah has directed the Disaster Management Department to stay in touch with the flood-prone states and take up necessary measures and remain alert to deal with floods.</p>


Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting to review the current flood situation in different parts of the country and preparedness of the states and Central ministries concerned to deal with the situation.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting to review the current flood situation in different parts of the country and preparedness of the states and Central ministries concerned to deal with the situation. After reviewing the meeting, Shah directed the senior officers to take every possible measure to deal with the situation arising out of South-West Monsoon in the country and to extend all necessary assistance to the flood-affected states. India Meteorological Department (IMD) officers told Shah that during the last 3-4 days, Assam and Bihar have received extremely heavy downpour. Heavy rainfall is expected in these two states during the next 48 hours. Director General of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) apprised that 73 NDRF teams have been pre-positioned in vulnerable areas of flood affected states along with all necessary equipment. These teams are in addition to the teams kept on alert at battalion headquarter and Regional Response Centers (RRC). NDRF teams have also rescued about 750 persons in Assam and Bihar. Central Water Commission (CWC) informed that Brahmaputra, Beki, Jiabharali, Katakhal and Barak rivers in Assam and Kamla, Bagmati, Mahananda, Gandak rivers in Bihar are flowing above a danger mark. Following which, both IMD and CWC are issuing forecast bulletins at regular intervals. Control rooms in MHA, NDRF, IMD and CWC are keeping a close watch on the situation on round the clock basis. Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs said that Shah has directed the Disaster Management Department to stay in touch with the flood-prone states and take up necessary measures and remain alert to deal with floods.

Home Minister Amit Shah directs officers to provide assistance to flood-affected states

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Riya Gupta

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