<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sheila-dikshit-dissolves-all-280-block-congress-committees-in-delhi-231222">Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit</a> breathed her last on Saturday in the national capital. The Congress veteran served as Delhi's chief minister for 15 years, three consecutive terms, from the year 1998.&nbsp;

According to reports, Dikshit passed away today afternoon after suffering a cardiac arrest. Her final rites will take place on Sunday.&nbsp;

"Sheila Dikshit was managed well by a team of doctors. At 3:15 pm she again suffered a cardiac arrest. She was put on ventilator and at 3:55 pm she passed away peacefully,"&nbsp;Dr Ashok Seth, Director of Escorts Fortis, New Delhi told media.

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Former Delhi Chief Minister &amp; Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, passes away in Delhi at the age of 81 years. (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/8rqv8qfnAQ">pic.twitter.com/8rqv8qfnAQ</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1152526799403982848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Born in the year 1938, Dikshit was the longest serving chief minister of the national capital.&nbsp;

Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's body was taken to her Nizamuddin East residence on Saturday and the last rites will take place on Sunday afternoon.

Thousands of party workers reached her residence to pay their tributes and raised slogans of 'Sheila Dikshit Amar Rahe' (Sheila Dikshit's memory stays forever).

"Her last rites will be performed at 2.30 pm at Nigam Bodh Ghat crematorium", Delhi Congress said.&nbsp;

Dikshit had undergone bypass surgeries in the past and had been in and out of hospital recently as she was not well.

This Lok Sabha elections Dikshit unsuccessfully contested the polls against BJP's Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari from the North-East Delhi seat.&nbsp;

For the second time in a row, the Congress party drew a blank in the national capital in recently concluded parliamentary elections. BJP won all seven Lok Sabha seats in the city.

As Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president, Dikshit last month dissolved all 280 block Congress committees in the national capital "with immediate effect."&nbsp;She was appointed to the post of the president of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee earlier this year, in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

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Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti. <a href="https://t.co/jERrvJlQ4X">pic.twitter.com/jERrvJlQ4X</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1152531814155767809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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According to a press release, Dikshit took this decision "keeping in line with the report submitted by the five-member fact-finding committee constituted for the Lok Sabha elections 2019."

Dikshit's sudden demise came as a shock to the nation with condolences pouring in from all across.&nbsp;

"We regret to hear of the passing of Smt Sheila Dikshit. Lifelong congresswoman and as three time CM of Delhi she transformed the face of Delhi. Our condolences to her family and friends. Hope they find strength in this time of grief," read a post tweeted by Congress party.&nbsp;

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The passing away of former Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dixit is deeply saddening. She was a tall Congress leader known for her congenial nature. 
 
Sheilaji was widely respected cutting across party lines. My thoughts are with her bereaved family &amp; supporters. Om Shanti!
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1152531480888786944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Dikshit as a "warm and affable personality"&nbsp;and condoled her demise.&nbsp;

"Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti," PM Modi tweeted out.&nbsp;

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Just now got to know about the extremely terrible news about the passing away of Mrs Sheila Dikshit ji. It is a huge loss for Delhi and her contribution will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to her family members. May her soul rest in peace
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1152529908817522688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and political leaders from all the country extended deep regret on the sad news.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit breathed her last on Saturday in the national capital. The Congress veteran served as Delhi's chief minister for 15 years, three consecutive terms, from the year 1998.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit breathed her last on Saturday in the national capital. The Congress veteran served as Delhi's chief minister for 15 years, three consecutive terms, from the year 1998. According to reports, Dikshit passed away today afternoon after suffering a cardiac arrest. Her final rites will take place on Sunday. "Sheila Dikshit was managed well by a team of doctors. At 3:15 pm she again suffered a cardiac arrest. She was put on ventilator and at 3:55 pm she passed away peacefully," Dr Ashok Seth, Director of Escorts Fortis, New Delhi told media. Former Delhi Chief Minister & Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, passes away in Delhi at the age of 81 years. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/8rqv8qfnAQ — ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2019 × Born in the year 1938, Dikshit was the longest serving chief minister of the national capital. Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's body was taken to her Nizamuddin East residence on Saturday and the last rites will take place on Sunday afternoon. Thousands of party workers reached her residence to pay their tributes and raised slogans of 'Sheila Dikshit Amar Rahe' (Sheila Dikshit's memory stays forever). "Her last rites will be performed at 2.30 pm at Nigam Bodh Ghat crematorium", Delhi Congress said. Dikshit had undergone bypass surgeries in the past and had been in and out of hospital recently as she was not well. This Lok Sabha elections Dikshit unsuccessfully contested the polls against BJP's Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari from the North-East Delhi seat. For the second time in a row, the Congress party drew a blank in the national capital in recently concluded parliamentary elections. BJP won all seven Lok Sabha seats in the city. As Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president, Dikshit last month dissolved all 280 block Congress committees in the national capital "with immediate effect." She was appointed to the post of the president of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee earlier this year, in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/jERrvJlQ4X — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2019 × According to a press release, Dikshit took this decision "keeping in line with the report submitted by the five-member fact-finding committee constituted for the Lok Sabha elections 2019." Dikshit's sudden demise came as a shock to the nation with condolences pouring in from all across. "We regret to hear of the passing of Smt Sheila Dikshit. Lifelong congresswoman and as three time CM of Delhi she transformed the face of Delhi. Our condolences to her family and friends. Hope they find strength in this time of grief," read a post tweeted by Congress party. The passing away of former Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dixit is deeply saddening. She was a tall Congress leader known for her congenial nature. Sheilaji was widely respected cutting across party lines. My thoughts are with her bereaved family & supporters. Om Shanti! — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 20, 2019 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Dikshit as a "warm and affable personality" and condoled her demise. "Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti," PM Modi tweeted out. Just now got to know about the extremely terrible news about the passing away of Mrs Sheila Dikshit ji. It is a huge loss for Delhi and her contribution will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to her family members. May her soul rest in peace — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 20, 2019 × Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and political leaders from all the country extended deep regret on the sad news.

Three-time Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit dies of cardiac arrest at 81

Credit rating agencies for years assigned high ratings to India's Infrastructure Leasing &amp; Financial Services (IL&amp;FS) and its group companies despite its deteriorating financial health, according to a special audit conducted by Grant Thornton India.

Audit firm Grant Thornton was appointed by IL&amp;FS'&nbsp;new board to conduct the review following the government's decision to take charge of the group after its defaults on debt obligations sparked fears of financial contagion.&nbsp;

Grant Thornton reviewed the role of five credit rating agencies -- Fitch group's India Ratings and Research, Indian affiliate of Moody's, ICRA, Standard &amp; Poor's local unit Crisil, CARE Ratings and Brickwork Ratings India -- which assigned 429 ratings to various IL&amp;FS financial instruments in recent years.

In a 105-page report, reviewed by Reuters on Saturday, Grant Thornton said the agencies raised multiple concerns on IL&amp;FS group's financial stress and liquidity position between June 2012 and June 2018, but continued to assign "consistently high" ratings which were only downgraded or reversed last year.

"Various strategies deployed by the then key officials of IL&amp;FS group and certain favours/gifts provided to rating agency officials suggest the possible reasons for consistent good ratings provided to IL&amp;FS group," said Grant Thornton in its report that detailed gifts or favours such as smartwatches and tickets to overseas games.&nbsp;

IL&amp;FS declined to comment. India Ratings said the Grant Thornton report is based on "partial and selective source material", adding "our ratings were based on robust and transparent analysis of relevant information".

Brickwork said it did not assign the highest ratings to IL&amp;FS "because it follows robust, transparent and consistent rating methodology" and its actions were not influenced by any commercial pressures or rating withdrawal requests.

ICRA, Crisil and CARE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

The IL&amp;FS crisis that started last year has sparked a series of probes into the firm's operations, but Grant Thornton's report raises questions on whether rating agencies have misled investors about the stress levels at other companies in India's shadow banking sector, where new fractures are emerging.

Dewan Housing Finance Corp, another top firm in the sector, last week warned its financial situation was dire, raising more worries about the sector's health and signalling the crisis was far from over. 
&nbsp;

Credit rating agencies for years assigned high ratings to India's Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) and its group companies despite its deteriorating financial health, according to a special audit conducted by Grant Thornton India.

Credit rating agencies for years assigned high ratings to India's Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) and its group companies despite its deteriorating financial health, according to a special audit conducted by Grant Thornton India. Audit firm Grant Thornton was appointed by IL&FS' new board to conduct the review following the government's decision to take charge of the group after its defaults on debt obligations sparked fears of financial contagion. Grant Thornton reviewed the role of five credit rating agencies -- Fitch group's India Ratings and Research, Indian affiliate of Moody's, ICRA, Standard & Poor's local unit Crisil, CARE Ratings and Brickwork Ratings India -- which assigned 429 ratings to various IL&FS financial instruments in recent years. In a 105-page report, reviewed by Reuters on Saturday, Grant Thornton said the agencies raised multiple concerns on IL&FS group's financial stress and liquidity position between June 2012 and June 2018, but continued to assign "consistently high" ratings which were only downgraded or reversed last year. "Various strategies deployed by the then key officials of IL&FS group and certain favours/gifts provided to rating agency officials suggest the possible reasons for consistent good ratings provided to IL&FS group," said Grant Thornton in its report that detailed gifts or favours such as smartwatches and tickets to overseas games. IL&FS declined to comment. India Ratings said the Grant Thornton report is based on "partial and selective source material", adding "our ratings were based on robust and transparent analysis of relevant information". Brickwork said it did not assign the highest ratings to IL&FS "because it follows robust, transparent and consistent rating methodology" and its actions were not influenced by any commercial pressures or rating withdrawal requests. ICRA, Crisil and CARE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The IL&FS crisis that started last year has sparked a series of probes into the firm's operations, but Grant Thornton's report raises questions on whether rating agencies have misled investors about the stress levels at other companies in India's shadow banking sector, where new fractures are emerging. Dewan Housing Finance Corp, another top firm in the sector, last week warned its financial situation was dire, raising more worries about the sector's health and signalling the crisis was far from over.

Rating agencies knew of stress at IL&FS, but gave good ratings: Report

India is in touch with the Government of Iran to secure the early release and repatriations of Indian nationals who were onboard the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-probes-british-flagged-tanker-seized-after-collision-237266">UK-flagged oil tanker seized by Iran</a>, the MEA said on Saturday.

"We are ascertaining further details on the incident. Our Mission is in touch with the Government of Iran to secure the early release and repatriation of Indian nationals," Raveesh Kumar, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Friday seized British Oil Tanker 'the Stena Impero' following a collision with an Iranian fishing boat.&nbsp;

Watch: UK says&nbsp;seizure of tanker is not acceptable at all

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The IRGC had earlier claimed that the ship was being held for "violating international regulations," reported CNN.

There were no reported injuries as a result of the collision, cargo vessel owner Stena Bulk had said. The 23 people on board are of Indian, Russian, Latvian and Filipino nationality.

Iran announced that it has seized a British tanker Steno Impero. Hours later, US official said that Iran has also seized a second tanker, the Liberian-flagged MV Masdar, reported CNN. However, Masdar was allowed to carry its course after Iranian officials followed up with the ship on its environmental regulations and it's no longer in the Iranian waters.

"All crew are safe and well," Mesdar's manager, Norbulk Shipping UK, said in a statement confirming that the ship had been released.

"Communication has been re-established with the vessel and Master confirmed that the armed guards have left and the vessel is free to continue the voyage," it said.

The UK condemned the seizure and said, "These seizures are unacceptable. It is essential that freedom of navigation is maintained and that all ships can move safely and freely in the region."

Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump said that it proves that Iran is nothing but trouble. "This only goes to show what I'm saying about Iran. Trouble. Nothing but trouble," he said. "It goes to show you I was right about Iran." He also noted the "US has very few tankers going in because we're using a lot of our own energy," but said the American presence in the region was still robust.

This is a second time in two months that Iran has attempted to seize a British oil tanker. Last time, armed Iranian boats unsuccessfully tried to seize a British oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.

Early this month, British Royal Marines on Thursday morning (local time) had seized a supertanker on the suspicion that it was smuggling Iranian crude oil to Syria.

This comes amid strained relations and escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. The tensions began when the US pulled from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) last year, blaming Tehran for supporting state-sponsored terrorism and conflicts.

Following which, Washington increased its drumbeat of aggression and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran. The pact was signed by five countries -- the US, the UK, Russia, China and Germany, and the European Union -- with an aim to limiting Iran's civilian energy programme, thereby preventing it from developing nuclear weapons at some point in the future, in exchange for relief from sanctions that were crippling the country's economy.

A year after the US pulled out of the deal, Iran announced its partial withdrawal from the agreement. While Tehran is yet to withdraw fully from the accord, it recently announced its decision to increase nuclear enrichment in response to the new US sanctions.

Recently, the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran recently announced that the country has officially surpassed the 3.67 per cent uranium enrichment limit set under the 2015 pact and could consider increasing the stockpile to 20 per cent in the future.&nbsp;

India is in touch with the Government of Iran to secure the early release and repatriations of Indian nationals who were onboard the UK-flagged oil tanker seized by Iran, the MEA said on Saturday.

India is in touch with the Government of Iran to secure the early release and repatriations of Indian nationals who were onboard the UK-flagged oil tanker seized by Iran, the MEA said on Saturday. "We are ascertaining further details on the incident. Our Mission is in touch with the Government of Iran to secure the early release and repatriation of Indian nationals," Raveesh Kumar, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Friday seized British Oil Tanker 'the Stena Impero' following a collision with an Iranian fishing boat. Watch: UK says seizure of tanker is not acceptable at all The IRGC had earlier claimed that the ship was being held for "violating international regulations," reported CNN. There were no reported injuries as a result of the collision, cargo vessel owner Stena Bulk had said. The 23 people on board are of Indian, Russian, Latvian and Filipino nationality. Iran announced that it has seized a British tanker Steno Impero. Hours later, US official said that Iran has also seized a second tanker, the Liberian-flagged MV Masdar, reported CNN. However, Masdar was allowed to carry its course after Iranian officials followed up with the ship on its environmental regulations and it's no longer in the Iranian waters. "All crew are safe and well," Mesdar's manager, Norbulk Shipping UK, said in a statement confirming that the ship had been released. "Communication has been re-established with the vessel and Master confirmed that the armed guards have left and the vessel is free to continue the voyage," it said. The UK condemned the seizure and said, "These seizures are unacceptable. It is essential that freedom of navigation is maintained and that all ships can move safely and freely in the region." Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump said that it proves that Iran is nothing but trouble. "This only goes to show what I'm saying about Iran. Trouble. Nothing but trouble," he said. "It goes to show you I was right about Iran." He also noted the "US has very few tankers going in because we're using a lot of our own energy," but said the American presence in the region was still robust. This is a second time in two months that Iran has attempted to seize a British oil tanker. Last time, armed Iranian boats unsuccessfully tried to seize a British oil tanker in the Persian Gulf. Early this month, British Royal Marines on Thursday morning (local time) had seized a supertanker on the suspicion that it was smuggling Iranian crude oil to Syria. This comes amid strained relations and escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. The tensions began when the US pulled from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) last year, blaming Tehran for supporting state-sponsored terrorism and conflicts. Following which, Washington increased its drumbeat of aggression and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran. The pact was signed by five countries -- the US, the UK, Russia, China and Germany, and the European Union -- with an aim to limiting Iran's civilian energy programme, thereby preventing it from developing nuclear weapons at some point in the future, in exchange for relief from sanctions that were crippling the country's economy. A year after the US pulled out of the deal, Iran announced its partial withdrawal from the agreement. While Tehran is yet to withdraw fully from the accord, it recently announced its decision to increase nuclear enrichment in response to the new US sanctions. Recently, the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran recently announced that the country has officially surpassed the 3.67 per cent uranium enrichment limit set under the 2015 pact and could consider increasing the stockpile to 20 per cent in the future.

Ministry of External Affairs in touch with Iran to secure release of Indians onboard seized British vessel

Amidst the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-assembly-fails-to-meet-governors-deadline-trust-vote-likely-on-monday-237191">din in the Karnataka Assembly</a>, the coalition government in the state managed to extend its life by another day as it presented more arguments before the speaker. Despite two deadlines from the Governor to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-governor-issues-new-deadline-to-cm-kumaraswamy-for-floor-test-congress-moves-supreme-court-237114">complete the trust vote by 1.30 pm</a> and then by the end of the day, the session concluded with a noisy adjournment. The session is now set to resume only on Monday at 11 am.&nbsp;

Adding to the debate over the negation of the whip by the Supreme Court order, members questioned the Governor's move to order a floor test when a confidence motion is already in progress. "In the SR Bommai case, the SC said that the Governor can ask for a trust vote and that a week's time can be given. However, today's situation is different. If he asked for the vote then he (Governor) can give a time limit but here the Chief Minister has moved a confidence motion and the House is discussing it. The discussion is the property of the House and the Speaker is overseeing this. When this is happening, I ask you if such a recommendation can be accepted by infringing on our rights" questioned Krishna Byre Gowda, Congress leader.&nbsp;

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy also filed a fresh petition in the Supreme Court questioning the Governor's order when a confidence motion was a progress in the House. "We have already moved the confidence motion. I request the Speaker to decide on whether the Governor can direct me to hold the floor test today," said the Chief Minister while speaking in the House.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress President Dinesh Gundu Rao also moved the Supreme Court seeking clarity on its order delivered on Wednesday. In the petition, Rao states that the order nullifies the party whip as it has allowed the rebel MLAs to decide if they want to attend the session or not. This, as Rao stated, violates the party's rights under the Tenth Schedule.&nbsp;

While the coalition employed all tactics to delay the trust vote, the BJP insisted on the vote to conclude on Friday. "I appeal to you (Speaker). The Governor has asked CM to prove majority today. We are ready to stay till midnight. We will co-operate. I appeal to the CM also to respect the Governor's order" said BS Yeddyurappa, BJP State President right before the Assembly was adjourned.&nbsp;

As the coalition buys more time in a bid to reinstate the power of the whip that can help initiate disqualification proceedings against the missing MLAs, the Speaker is consulting the Advocate General on the next step of action. But by no means will this be a silent weekend in BJP'S south bastion. All eyes will be on the Raj Bhavan keenly watching the Governor's next move. Will the Governor wait till Monday or will he start setting the stage to propose President's rule for Karnataka? 
&nbsp;

Amidst the din in the Karnataka Assembly, the coalition government in the state managed to extend its life by another day as it presented more arguments before the speaker.

Amidst the din in the Karnataka Assembly, the coalition government in the state managed to extend its life by another day as it presented more arguments before the speaker. Despite two deadlines from the Governor to complete the trust vote by 1.30 pm and then by the end of the day, the session concluded with a noisy adjournment. The session is now set to resume only on Monday at 11 am. Adding to the debate over the negation of the whip by the Supreme Court order, members questioned the Governor's move to order a floor test when a confidence motion is already in progress. "In the SR Bommai case, the SC said that the Governor can ask for a trust vote and that a week's time can be given. However, today's situation is different. If he asked for the vote then he (Governor) can give a time limit but here the Chief Minister has moved a confidence motion and the House is discussing it. The discussion is the property of the House and the Speaker is overseeing this. When this is happening, I ask you if such a recommendation can be accepted by infringing on our rights" questioned Krishna Byre Gowda, Congress leader. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy also filed a fresh petition in the Supreme Court questioning the Governor's order when a confidence motion was a progress in the House. "We have already moved the confidence motion. I request the Speaker to decide on whether the Governor can direct me to hold the floor test today," said the Chief Minister while speaking in the House. Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress President Dinesh Gundu Rao also moved the Supreme Court seeking clarity on its order delivered on Wednesday. In the petition, Rao states that the order nullifies the party whip as it has allowed the rebel MLAs to decide if they want to attend the session or not. This, as Rao stated, violates the party's rights under the Tenth Schedule. While the coalition employed all tactics to delay the trust vote, the BJP insisted on the vote to conclude on Friday. "I appeal to you (Speaker). The Governor has asked CM to prove majority today. We are ready to stay till midnight. We will co-operate. I appeal to the CM also to respect the Governor's order" said BS Yeddyurappa, BJP State President right before the Assembly was adjourned. As the coalition buys more time in a bid to reinstate the power of the whip that can help initiate disqualification proceedings against the missing MLAs, the Speaker is consulting the Advocate General on the next step of action. But by no means will this be a silent weekend in BJP'S south bastion. All eyes will be on the Raj Bhavan keenly watching the Governor's next move. Will the Governor wait till Monday or will he start setting the stage to propose President's rule for Karnataka?

Karnataka crisis: Will Governor crack the whip?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-they-fly-too-close-to-our-ships-theyll-continue-to-be-shot-down-us-on-shooting-down-iranian-drone-237183">President Donald Trump</a> on Friday insisted the US had taken down an Iranian drone that was threatening a US naval vessel in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, despite denials from Tehran.

"No doubt about it, no - we shot it down," Trump said in the Oval Office.

His National Security Advisor John Bolton added: "There is no question that this was an Iranian drone."

Iran on Friday categorically denied US President Donald Trump's claims that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-release-images-to-disprove-us-claim-that-drone-shot-down-irans-revolutionary-guards-237108">Washington brought down an Iranian drone</a>, saying all its craft are accounted for and jesting that American forces may have destroyed their own machine by mistake.

The latest incident in the strategic Strait of Hormuz comes amid soaring tensions between the two foes, with Washington already reeling from Iran shooting down one of its drones last month.

Trump said a US naval vessel downed an Iranian drone Thursday that threatened the ship as it was entering the Strait - a claim vehemently denied by Tehran.

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Iran's armed forces dismissed Trump's assertion as "baseless and delusional" but admitted one of their drones was flying near the US ship.

"All of (Iran's) drones... have safely returned to their bases," said armed forces spokesman Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi.

"There have been no reports of a confrontation with the American USS Boxer" naval vessel, he said, quoted by Tasnim news agency.

On Friday a US official said Washington has "very clear evidence" that it downed the drone but gave no further details.

"It was their drone that came too close to our ship. If you fly too close to our ships, you're going to get shot down," the official said.

The Revolutionary Guards said they would publish photos taken by one of their drones of the USS Boxer.

Images were transmitted to base "before and even after the time Americans claim" the drone was destroyed, they said in a statement on their Sepahnews website.

The Pentagon said the ship "was in international waters" when a drone approached at around 10:00 am (0530 GMT).

Trump said the USS Boxer "took defensive action" against an Iranian aircraft as it was "threatening the safety" of the vessel and its crew.

But Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi quipped that the United States may have actually downed one of its own aircraft.

"I am worried that USS Boxer has shot down their own (drones) by mistake!" Araghchi tweeted.

Iran detains tanker

In June, Iran shot down an American surveillance drone it said was flying in its airspace, a claim denied by Washington.

Trump called off retaliatory strikes at the last minute following the incident.

Iran has refuted US accusations that it was behind a series of recent tanker attacks off the United Arab Emirates coast and the Gulf of Oman.

The tanker troubles further intensified on July 4, when Gibraltar detained an Iranian vessel with the help of British Royal Marines.

Gibraltar's Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Grace 1 supertanker can be detained for 30 more days.

US officials believed the vessel was destined for Syria to deliver oil, in violation of separate sets of European Union and US sanctions.

Iran branded the seizure "piracy", and a week later London said Iranian boats menaced a British tanker in the Gulf before they were driven off by a Royal Navy frigate.

The incidents have raised fears of a regional conflict involving the US and its allies in the Gulf region, through which nearly a third of the world's oil is transported.

The top commander of Iran's Guards said they were not seeking to "initiate a war" but would respond to hostilities.

"If enemies make a mistake in calculation, our defensive strategy and all our capacities will change to offensive," said General Hossein Salami, quoted by Sepahnews.

His comments came after the Guards said Thursday they had seized a "foreign tanker" believed to be the Panamanian-flagged vessel Riah and its crew.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards accuse the ship of smuggling Iranian fuel.

'Psychological pressure'

US Central Command chief Kenneth McKenzie pledged Thursday to work "aggressively" with partners to ensure freedom of navigation in Gulf waters.

But the Guards' deputy chief said the United States will soon realise "it is not in its interest at all to stay in the region".

US forces are under mounting "psychological pressure" in the Gulf, Brigadier-General Ali Fadavi was quoted by Tasnim as saying.

The drone incident comes amid a threatened breakdown of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, with Washington steadily ratcheting up economically debilitating sanctions on Tehran a year after unilaterally quitting the deal.

Earlier this month, Tehran purposely surpassed the deal's caps on uranium enrichment, aiming to pressure the remaining parties to make good on their promises to support Iran economically.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz if Tehran's oil exports are blocked through sanctions.

President Donald Trump on Friday insisted the US had taken down an Iranian drone that was threatening a US naval vessel in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, despite denials from Tehran.

President Donald Trump on Friday insisted the US had taken down an Iranian drone that was threatening a US naval vessel in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, despite denials from Tehran. "No doubt about it, no - we shot it down," Trump said in the Oval Office. His National Security Advisor John Bolton added: "There is no question that this was an Iranian drone." Iran on Friday categorically denied US President Donald Trump's claims that Washington brought down an Iranian drone, saying all its craft are accounted for and jesting that American forces may have destroyed their own machine by mistake. The latest incident in the strategic Strait of Hormuz comes amid soaring tensions between the two foes, with Washington already reeling from Iran shooting down one of its drones last month. Trump said a US naval vessel downed an Iranian drone Thursday that threatened the ship as it was entering the Strait - a claim vehemently denied by Tehran. Iran's armed forces dismissed Trump's assertion as "baseless and delusional" but admitted one of their drones was flying near the US ship. "All of (Iran's) drones... have safely returned to their bases," said armed forces spokesman Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi. "There have been no reports of a confrontation with the American USS Boxer" naval vessel, he said, quoted by Tasnim news agency. On Friday a US official said Washington has "very clear evidence" that it downed the drone but gave no further details. "It was their drone that came too close to our ship. If you fly too close to our ships, you're going to get shot down," the official said. The Revolutionary Guards said they would publish photos taken by one of their drones of the USS Boxer. Images were transmitted to base "before and even after the time Americans claim" the drone was destroyed, they said in a statement on their Sepahnews website. The Pentagon said the ship "was in international waters" when a drone approached at around 10:00 am (0530 GMT). Trump said the USS Boxer "took defensive action" against an Iranian aircraft as it was "threatening the safety" of the vessel and its crew. But Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi quipped that the United States may have actually downed one of its own aircraft. "I am worried that USS Boxer has shot down their own (drones) by mistake!" Araghchi tweeted. Iran detains tanker In June, Iran shot down an American surveillance drone it said was flying in its airspace, a claim denied by Washington. Trump called off retaliatory strikes at the last minute following the incident. Iran has refuted US accusations that it was behind a series of recent tanker attacks off the United Arab Emirates coast and the Gulf of Oman. The tanker troubles further intensified on July 4, when Gibraltar detained an Iranian vessel with the help of British Royal Marines. Gibraltar's Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Grace 1 supertanker can be detained for 30 more days. US officials believed the vessel was destined for Syria to deliver oil, in violation of separate sets of European Union and US sanctions. Iran branded the seizure "piracy", and a week later London said Iranian boats menaced a British tanker in the Gulf before they were driven off by a Royal Navy frigate. The incidents have raised fears of a regional conflict involving the US and its allies in the Gulf region, through which nearly a third of the world's oil is transported. The top commander of Iran's Guards said they were not seeking to "initiate a war" but would respond to hostilities. "If enemies make a mistake in calculation, our defensive strategy and all our capacities will change to offensive," said General Hossein Salami, quoted by Sepahnews. His comments came after the Guards said Thursday they had seized a "foreign tanker" believed to be the Panamanian-flagged vessel Riah and its crew. Iran's Revolutionary Guards accuse the ship of smuggling Iranian fuel. 'Psychological pressure' US Central Command chief Kenneth McKenzie pledged Thursday to work "aggressively" with partners to ensure freedom of navigation in Gulf waters. But the Guards' deputy chief said the United States will soon realise "it is not in its interest at all to stay in the region". US forces are under mounting "psychological pressure" in the Gulf, Brigadier-General Ali Fadavi was quoted by Tasnim as saying. The drone incident comes amid a threatened breakdown of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, with Washington steadily ratcheting up economically debilitating sanctions on Tehran a year after unilaterally quitting the deal. Earlier this month, Tehran purposely surpassed the deal's caps on uranium enrichment, aiming to pressure the remaining parties to make good on their promises to support Iran economically. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz if Tehran's oil exports are blocked through sanctions.

'No doubt about it, we shot it down,' says Trump on Iranian drone

A Delhi court on Friday deferred the hearing for consideration of the charge sheet filed in the Rohit Shekhar Tiwari murder case for tomorrow.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Deepak Sherawat deferred the hearing as he had not yet considered the voluminous document.

On Thursday, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police had filed a 518-page charge sheet which includes statements of 56 witnesses along with photographs and CCTVs recordings besides the post-mortem report.

Rohit, son of late Congress leader N D Tiwari, had gone to sleep on the night of April 15 and was found dead under mysterious circumstances at 4 pm the next day.

The charge sheet has named his wife Apoorva Shukla, a lawyer, as accused in the case.

Mahmood Paracha, counsel for Shukla, argued that the charge sheet was leaked to the media by the police even before being served to the accused.

The court asked Paracha, who sought a probe into the matter, to file an affidavit.

On April 24, the police had arrested Shukla on the charge of smothering her husband as she was unhappy with the marriage.

A case under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code) was registered after the post- mortem report found that Rohit died an "unnatural death" due to "strangulation and smothering".&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

A Delhi court on Friday deferred the hearing for consideration of the charge sheet filed in the Rohit Shekhar Tiwari murder case for tomorrow. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Deepak Sherawat deferred the hearing as he had not yet considered the voluminous document.

A Delhi court on Friday deferred the hearing for consideration of the charge sheet filed in the Rohit Shekhar Tiwari murder case for tomorrow. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Deepak Sherawat deferred the hearing as he had not yet considered the voluminous document. On Thursday, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police had filed a 518-page charge sheet which includes statements of 56 witnesses along with photographs and CCTVs recordings besides the post-mortem report. Rohit, son of late Congress leader N D Tiwari, had gone to sleep on the night of April 15 and was found dead under mysterious circumstances at 4 pm the next day. The charge sheet has named his wife Apoorva Shukla, a lawyer, as accused in the case. Mahmood Paracha, counsel for Shukla, argued that the charge sheet was leaked to the media by the police even before being served to the accused. The court asked Paracha, who sought a probe into the matter, to file an affidavit. On April 24, the police had arrested Shukla on the charge of smothering her husband as she was unhappy with the marriage. A case under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code) was registered after the post- mortem report found that Rohit died an "unnatural death" due to "strangulation and smothering".

Rohit Tiwari murder case: Delhi court defers hearing on charge sheet for Saturday

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-governors-new-deadline-for-floor-test-expires-kumarasamy-congress-moves-supreme-court-237159">The Karnataka Assembly on Friday failed to meet two deadlines</a> set by Governor Vajubhai Vala to complete the trust vote today after Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy challenged the directive and the ruling coalition not in a mood to comply with it.

The trust vote will now be held on Monday, July 22 with the ruling party leaders claiming that a number of speakers were still there to participate in the debate on the confidence motion moved by Kumaraswamy on Thursday.

After a day-long debate and drama marked by heated exchanges between the ruling and opposition members over the powers of a Governor and the need to respect his directive.

As the House resumed proceedings in the morning, the Governor shot off a missive to the Chief Minister to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-governor-issues-new-deadline-to-cm-kumaraswamy-for-floor-test-congress-moves-supreme-court-237114">prove his majority by 1:30 pm</a>.

There was a lot of debate on the directive itself and in the midst of uproar, Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar adjourned the House till 3 pm.

This was followed by another directive from the Governor that the confidence vote business should be completed by 6 pm.

Intervening in the debate, Kumaraswamy virtually ruled out proving his majority in the Assembly by the second deadline set by the Governor, when he sought protection from the Assembly Speaker in the matter.

He said the "second love letter" sent by Vala asking him to prove majority in the Assembly before 6 pm today hurt him and asked him whether he came to know of horse-trading only now.

"I leave the decision on the floor test to you (the Speaker). It won't be directed by Delhi. I request you to protect me from the letter sent by the Governor," Kumaraswamy had said.

The Chief Minister also moved the Supreme Court challenging the Governor's directive to the government saying it was in violation of well-settled law laid down by the court.

He and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Chief Dinesh Gundu Rao challenged in the apex court its July 17 order which they contended fettered the political parties'&nbsp;right to issue a whip to its MLAs to attend the proceedings of the House in the confidence motion.

They were seeking clarification on the July 17 order which allowed the 15 rebel MLAs now holed up in a Mumbai hotel the freedom to participate or not.

Displaying photos of BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa's personal assistant Santosh purportedly boarding a plane with independent MLA H Nagesh in the Assembly, the chief minister suggested that horse-trading indulged in by BJP was on for the last 10 days.

"I have respect for the Governor. But the second love letter from the Governor has hurt me. He only came to know about horse-trading 10 days ago?" he said.

After missing the 1.30 pm deadline, Kumaraswamy received a fresh directive from the Governor to prove his government's majority on the floor of the state Assembly by 6 pm today.

The 13-month-old <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-rebel-congress-jds-mlas-refuse-to-participate-in-trust-vote-on-thursday-236642">Congress-JDS government</a> slumped into a minority earlier this month following the resignation of several dissident MLAs.

Sixteen MLAs from the ruling coalition including thirteen Congress and three JD(S) MLAs have resigned.The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113.&nbsp;

The Karnataka Assembly on Friday failed to meet two deadlines set by Governor Vajubhai Vala to complete the trust vote today after Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy challenged the directive and the ruling coalition not in a mood to comply with it.

The Karnataka Assembly on Friday failed to meet two deadlines set by Governor Vajubhai Vala to complete the trust vote today after Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy challenged the directive and the ruling coalition not in a mood to comply with it. The trust vote will now be held on Monday, July 22 with the ruling party leaders claiming that a number of speakers were still there to participate in the debate on the confidence motion moved by Kumaraswamy on Thursday. After a day-long debate and drama marked by heated exchanges between the ruling and opposition members over the powers of a Governor and the need to respect his directive. As the House resumed proceedings in the morning, the Governor shot off a missive to the Chief Minister to prove his majority by 1:30 pm. There was a lot of debate on the directive itself and in the midst of uproar, Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar adjourned the House till 3 pm. This was followed by another directive from the Governor that the confidence vote business should be completed by 6 pm. Intervening in the debate, Kumaraswamy virtually ruled out proving his majority in the Assembly by the second deadline set by the Governor, when he sought protection from the Assembly Speaker in the matter. He said the "second love letter" sent by Vala asking him to prove majority in the Assembly before 6 pm today hurt him and asked him whether he came to know of horse-trading only now. "I leave the decision on the floor test to you (the Speaker). It won't be directed by Delhi. I request you to protect me from the letter sent by the Governor," Kumaraswamy had said. The Chief Minister also moved the Supreme Court challenging the Governor's directive to the government saying it was in violation of well-settled law laid down by the court. He and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Chief Dinesh Gundu Rao challenged in the apex court its July 17 order which they contended fettered the political parties' right to issue a whip to its MLAs to attend the proceedings of the House in the confidence motion. They were seeking clarification on the July 17 order which allowed the 15 rebel MLAs now holed up in a Mumbai hotel the freedom to participate or not. Displaying photos of BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa's personal assistant Santosh purportedly boarding a plane with independent MLA H Nagesh in the Assembly, the chief minister suggested that horse-trading indulged in by BJP was on for the last 10 days. "I have respect for the Governor. But the second love letter from the Governor has hurt me. He only came to know about horse-trading 10 days ago?" he said. After missing the 1.30 pm deadline, Kumaraswamy received a fresh directive from the Governor to prove his government's majority on the floor of the state Assembly by 6 pm today. The 13-month-old Congress-JDS government slumped into a minority earlier this month following the resignation of several dissident MLAs. Sixteen MLAs from the ruling coalition including thirteen Congress and three JD(S) MLAs have resigned.The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113.

Karnataka Assembly fails to meet Governor's deadline, trust vote likely on Monday

An Islamic State terrorist, Abu Huzaifa al-Bakistani - whose name had figured during the probe of IS module in Kashmir and parts of India - has been reportedly killed.

According to the Islamic State, Abu Huzaifa was killed along with 9 others in a US drone strike.&nbsp;

According to sources, the name of Huzaifa had emerged during investigations by several agencies in terror modules.&nbsp;

As per&nbsp;a 2015 media report, the intelligence agencies in India were tracking him after he was instrumental in recruiting and radicalising Indian youth online.

Reports say that Huzaifa was using Telegram instant-messaging application to lure the youth in joining the terror group in India.

Meanwhile, security forces <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/1-terrorist-killed-in-encounter-in-jammu-and-kashmirs-sopore-236652">on Wednesday gunned down a terrorist</a> during an encounter that broke out in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore.&nbsp;

The slain terrorist was identified as Adnan Ali Channa affiliated to terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jammu and Kashmir Police said.

The encounter began after security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Gund Brath area of Sopore after receiving inputs of presence of terrorists in the area.&nbsp;

An Islamic State terrorist, Abu Huzaifa al-Bakistani - whose name had figured during the probe of IS module in Kashmir and parts of India - has been reportedly killed.

An Islamic State terrorist, Abu Huzaifa al-Bakistani - whose name had figured during the probe of IS module in Kashmir and parts of India - has been reportedly killed. According to the Islamic State, Abu Huzaifa was killed along with 9 others in a US drone strike. According to sources, the name of Huzaifa had emerged during investigations by several agencies in terror modules. As per a 2015 media report, the intelligence agencies in India were tracking him after he was instrumental in recruiting and radicalising Indian youth online. Reports say that Huzaifa was using Telegram instant-messaging application to lure the youth in joining the terror group in India. Meanwhile, security forces on Wednesday gunned down a terrorist during an encounter that broke out in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore. The slain terrorist was identified as Adnan Ali Channa affiliated to terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jammu and Kashmir Police said. The encounter began after security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Gund Brath area of Sopore after receiving inputs of presence of terrorists in the area.

Islamic State terrorist, 9 others killed in US drone strike

The United States will destroy any&nbsp;Iranian drones that fly too closely to its ships and has "clear evidence" that it shot down such a drone on Thursday, a senior Trump administration official said on Friday.

"If they fly too close to our ships, they’ll continue to be shot down," the official told reporters at a briefing.

Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Friday they would release images to disprove <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-navy-destroyed-iranian-drone-in-strait-of-hormuz-says-donald-trump-236999">US President Donald Trump</a>'s assertion that the US Navy has destroyed an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-deputy-foreign-minister-says-tehran-has-not-lost-any-drones-237039">Iranian drone in the Gulf</a>,&nbsp;Iranian news agencies reported.

"Soon, images captured by the Guards drones from the US warship Boxer will be published to expose to world public opinion as lies and groundless the claim ... of shooting down an Iranian drone over the Strait of Hormuz," the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement carried by news agencies.

Tensions in the Gulf region mounted Thursday after Trump announced that the USS Boxer, an&nbsp;amphibious assault ship, "took defensive action" against the Iranian drone as it was "threatening the safety of the ship and the ship's crew."

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi denied on Friday that Iran had lost a drone in the&nbsp;Strait of Hormuz&nbsp;after US President Donald Trump said that a US Navy ship had "destroyed" an Iranian drone, reported news agency Reuters.

"We have not lost any drone in the Strait of Hormuz nor anywhere else. I am worried that USS Boxer has shot down their own UAS [Unmanned Aerial System] by mistake!," Araqchi said on Twitter, referring to a US warship in the strategic waterway.

First US military action

The drone shootdown comes after a series of low-level attacks in the region blamed on Tehran's forces, including placing limpet mines on several tankers and actions by what Washington calls Iranian proxies in Syria and Yemen.

Watch:&nbsp;US ship destroyed Iranian drone in Strait of Hormuz: President Donald Trump

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-ship-destroyed-iranian-drone-in-strait-of-hormuz-president-donald-trump-237013/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In May the Pentagon announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force to waters near Iran in response to "indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces."

Tehran downed an American surveillance drone in June, prompting Trump to order airstrikes against Iran. But he called them off at the last minute, saying the plan was not "proportionate" and casualties would have been too high.

On July 4 Britain seized a fully loaded Iranian oil tanker near Gibraltar, allegedly headed for Syria in violation of sanctions.

Iran furiously branded the seizure "piracy, and one week later armed Iranian boats menaced a British tanker in the Gulf before they were driven off by a Royal Navy frigate.

That led to US calls for an international flotilla to escort hydrocarbon-laden vessels from Gulf oil fields through the Hormuz Strait.

US Central Command chief Kenneth McKenzie pledged Thursday to work "aggressively" with partners to ensure freedom of navigation in Gulf waters.

Broader conflict feared

The incidents have raised fears of a regional conflict involving the US and&nbsp; 
its allies in the Gulf region, through which nearly a third of the world's oil is transported.

It comes amid a threatened breakdown of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, with Washington steadily ratcheting up economically debilitating sanctions on Tehran a year after unilaterally quitting the deal.

Earlier this month Tehran purposely surpassed the deal's caps on uranium enrichment, aiming to pressure the other parties -- France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia -- to break with the US sanctions escalation and defend the economic benefits Iran was promised for agreeing to drastic limitations on its nuclear program.

On Wednesday at the United Nations in New York, Zarif accused Washington of waging "economic terrorism."&nbsp;

The "unlawful, extraterritorial" sanctions "represent the greatest threat to the achievement of sustainable development goals of Iran and many of our neighbours," he said.

Washington nevertheless announced fresh sanctions Thursday on what it called a "network" of companies in Iran, Belgium and China supplying crucial materials to Tehran's enrichment program.&nbsp;

Door open for negotiations?

Yet both sides kept open the possibility of talks. The Guardian reported Thursday that Zarif said he had offered a new deal for enhanced inspections of Iran's nuclear program if Washington agrees to remove sanctions.&nbsp;

Trump appeared to be receptive as well to negotiations.

He told reporters that the pressure on Iran had forced the country to reduce regional activities and suggested that could lead to negotiations.

"You look at them pulling back, and they're not pulling back because they love us. They're pulling back because they don't have money," Trump said.

"All we want to do is have a fair deal. The deal that was made was a bad deal... We can do something quickly or we can take our time. I'm in no rush."

The United States will destroy any Iranian drones that fly too closely to its ships and has "clear evidence" that it shot down such a drone on Thursday, a senior Trump administration official said on Friday.

The United States will destroy any Iranian drones that fly too closely to its ships and has "clear evidence" that it shot down such a drone on Thursday, a senior Trump administration official said on Friday. "If they fly too close to our ships, they’ll continue to be shot down," the official told reporters at a briefing. Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Friday they would release images to disprove US President Donald Trump's assertion that the US Navy has destroyed an Iranian drone in the Gulf, Iranian news agencies reported. "Soon, images captured by the Guards drones from the US warship Boxer will be published to expose to world public opinion as lies and groundless the claim ... of shooting down an Iranian drone over the Strait of Hormuz," the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement carried by news agencies. Tensions in the Gulf region mounted Thursday after Trump announced that the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, "took defensive action" against the Iranian drone as it was "threatening the safety of the ship and the ship's crew." Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi denied on Friday that Iran had lost a drone in the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump said that a US Navy ship had "destroyed" an Iranian drone, reported news agency Reuters. "We have not lost any drone in the Strait of Hormuz nor anywhere else. I am worried that USS Boxer has shot down their own UAS [Unmanned Aerial System] by mistake!," Araqchi said on Twitter, referring to a US warship in the strategic waterway. First US military action The drone shootdown comes after a series of low-level attacks in the region blamed on Tehran's forces, including placing limpet mines on several tankers and actions by what Washington calls Iranian proxies in Syria and Yemen. Watch: US ship destroyed Iranian drone in Strait of Hormuz: President Donald Trump In May the Pentagon announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force to waters near Iran in response to "indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces." Tehran downed an American surveillance drone in June, prompting Trump to order airstrikes against Iran. But he called them off at the last minute, saying the plan was not "proportionate" and casualties would have been too high. On July 4 Britain seized a fully loaded Iranian oil tanker near Gibraltar, allegedly headed for Syria in violation of sanctions. Iran furiously branded the seizure "piracy, and one week later armed Iranian boats menaced a British tanker in the Gulf before they were driven off by a Royal Navy frigate. That led to US calls for an international flotilla to escort hydrocarbon-laden vessels from Gulf oil fields through the Hormuz Strait. US Central Command chief Kenneth McKenzie pledged Thursday to work "aggressively" with partners to ensure freedom of navigation in Gulf waters. Broader conflict feared The incidents have raised fears of a regional conflict involving the US and its allies in the Gulf region, through which nearly a third of the world's oil is transported. It comes amid a threatened breakdown of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, with Washington steadily ratcheting up economically debilitating sanctions on Tehran a year after unilaterally quitting the deal. Earlier this month Tehran purposely surpassed the deal's caps on uranium enrichment, aiming to pressure the other parties -- France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia -- to break with the US sanctions escalation and defend the economic benefits Iran was promised for agreeing to drastic limitations on its nuclear program. On Wednesday at the United Nations in New York, Zarif accused Washington of waging "economic terrorism." The "unlawful, extraterritorial" sanctions "represent the greatest threat to the achievement of sustainable development goals of Iran and many of our neighbours," he said. Washington nevertheless announced fresh sanctions Thursday on what it called a "network" of companies in Iran, Belgium and China supplying crucial materials to Tehran's enrichment program. Door open for negotiations? Yet both sides kept open the possibility of talks. The Guardian reported Thursday that Zarif said he had offered a new deal for enhanced inspections of Iran's nuclear program if Washington agrees to remove sanctions. Trump appeared to be receptive as well to negotiations. He told reporters that the pressure on Iran had forced the country to reduce regional activities and suggested that could lead to negotiations. "You look at them pulling back, and they're not pulling back because they love us. They're pulling back because they don't have money," Trump said. "All we want to do is have a fair deal. The deal that was made was a bad deal... We can do something quickly or we can take our time. I'm in no rush."

If they fly too close to our ships, they’ll continue to be shot down: US on shooting down Iranian drone

The Indian government had 789.43 billion rupees ($11.47 billion) outstanding loans with the central bank under ways and means advances in the week ended July 12, according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) weekly statistical supplement released on Friday.

The central government had 667.93 billion rupees outstanding loans in the week earlier.

State governments had loans worth 69.94 billion rupees from the RBI in the week ended July 12, compared with 55.66 billion rupees in the previous week, the release showed.

Indian banks' loans rose 12 per cent&nbsp;in the two weeks ended July 5 from a year earlier, while deposits rose 10.3 per cent, the Reserve Bank of India's weekly statistical supplement showed on Friday.

Outstanding loans rose 487.8 billion rupees ($7.09 billion)to 96.98 trillion rupees in the two weeks ended July 5. Non-food credit rose 494.3 billion rupees to 96.27 trillion rupees, while food credit fell 6.5 billion rupees to 707.7 billion rupees.

Bank deposits rose 1.82 trillion rupees to 126.75 trillion rupees in the two weeks ended July 5.

The Indian government had 789.43 billion rupees ($11.47 billion) outstanding loans with the central bank under ways and means advances in the week ended July 12, according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) weekly statistical supplement released on Friday.

The Indian government had 789.43 billion rupees ($11.47 billion) outstanding loans with the central bank under ways and means advances in the week ended July 12, according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) weekly statistical supplement released on Friday. The central government had 667.93 billion rupees outstanding loans in the week earlier. State governments had loans worth 69.94 billion rupees from the RBI in the week ended July 12, compared with 55.66 billion rupees in the previous week, the release showed. Indian banks' loans rose 12 per cent in the two weeks ended July 5 from a year earlier, while deposits rose 10.3 per cent, the Reserve Bank of India's weekly statistical supplement showed on Friday. Outstanding loans rose 487.8 billion rupees ($7.09 billion)to 96.98 trillion rupees in the two weeks ended July 5. Non-food credit rose 494.3 billion rupees to 96.27 trillion rupees, while food credit fell 6.5 billion rupees to 707.7 billion rupees. Bank deposits rose 1.82 trillion rupees to 126.75 trillion rupees in the two weeks ended July 5.

Government's outstanding loans from RBI at 789.43 billion rupees in July 12 week

With over a fortnight of school break kicking-off in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gibraltar-court-extends-detention-of-iran-tanker-for-30-days-britain-237138">Britain</a>, massive traffic jams are expected with over 13 million cars taking to the roads this weekend.&nbsp;

As per British media, with a 16-day-long school break commencing this weekend, five million cars alone were expected to cramp up <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/brexit-its-not-just-where-britains-going-that-matters-but-how-it-gets-there-236621">Britain</a>'s roads on Friday as families head out for their holidays.&nbsp;

As per a report published in the Daily Mail, this weekend will see 13 million cars on Britain's roads which is expected to cause an estimated 90 minute-long queuing up of automobiles in traffic jams.&nbsp;

While an estimated five million vehicles are expected to hit the roads in Britain on Saturday, the situation is expected to ease off a bit on Sunday will 3 million cars on the roads.&nbsp;

Not just this, collisions and breakdowns could worsen the traffic situation.&nbsp;

Partial closure of some rail lines over the weekend and disruption owing to railways engineering work on some sections in and around London are also to blame for the rush on the roads this weekend. &nbsp;

Not just the roads, the school break has also left the airports heaving with passengers as families set out to materialise their planned getaways.&nbsp;This summer is expected to be one of the busiest for the UK airspace on record with over 8,000 flights per day.

More and more people across Europe are planning getaways in the wake of summers getting too hot to handle this year.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/june-2019-was-the-hottest-june-on-record-across-the-globe-climate-report-237035">June 2019 was the hottest in 140 years</a>, setting a global record, according to the latest monthly global climate report released on Thursday by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as the Hawaii and US Gulf of Mexico regions, experienced their hottest Junes on record.

Heat waves like the ones currently gripping the United States, Europe and elsewhere are likely to become more frequent said a report released this week by the Union of Concerned Scientists, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

With over a fortnight of school break kicking-off in Britain, massive traffic jams are expected with over 13 million cars taking to the roads this weekend. As per British media, with a 16-day-long school break commencing this weekend, five million cars alone were expected to cramp up Britain's roads on Friday as families head out for their holidays.

With over a fortnight of school break kicking-off in Britain, massive traffic jams are expected with over 13 million cars taking to the roads this weekend. As per British media, with a 16-day-long school break commencing this weekend, five million cars alone were expected to cramp up Britain's roads on Friday as families head out for their holidays. As per a report published in the Daily Mail, this weekend will see 13 million cars on Britain's roads which is expected to cause an estimated 90 minute-long queuing up of automobiles in traffic jams. While an estimated five million vehicles are expected to hit the roads in Britain on Saturday, the situation is expected to ease off a bit on Sunday will 3 million cars on the roads. Not just this, collisions and breakdowns could worsen the traffic situation. Partial closure of some rail lines over the weekend and disruption owing to railways engineering work on some sections in and around London are also to blame for the rush on the roads this weekend. Not just the roads, the school break has also left the airports heaving with passengers as families set out to materialise their planned getaways. This summer is expected to be one of the busiest for the UK airspace on record with over 8,000 flights per day. More and more people across Europe are planning getaways in the wake of summers getting too hot to handle this year. June 2019 was the hottest in 140 years, setting a global record, according to the latest monthly global climate report released on Thursday by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as the Hawaii and US Gulf of Mexico regions, experienced their hottest Junes on record. Heat waves like the ones currently gripping the United States, Europe and elsewhere are likely to become more frequent said a report released this week by the Union of Concerned Scientists, news agency Reuters reported. (With inputs from Reuters)

13 million vehicles to cramp UK's roads this weekend as Britons take off to enjoy school break

A controversial Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, says that the majority Sinhala community can learn from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy of zero-tolerance to terrorism.&nbsp;

"India’s action is important to us and if we become prey of Islamic terrorism it will be a threat for India as well. So, the understanding of the leaders is important," he tells in an exclusive interview to WION's Ramesh Ramachandran.&nbsp;

Gnanasara Thero is the general secretary of Bodu Bala Sena, a group comprising the Sinhala Buddhist clergy. He was released from the prison in May this year after president Maithripala Sirisena pardoned him.

The monk says that the Bodu Bala Sena has not decided who to support in the forthcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka.

Watch:&nbsp;Sinhala community can learn from Indian PM: Lankan monk

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WION: What did the July 7 meeting of the Buddhist clergy in Kandy decide?

Gnanasara Thero: On July 7, we held a convention in Kandy for a purpose. As a race, Sinhalas are divided due to party politics. Owing to this division, the (Sinhala) race has become weak and it has allowed extremist forces to operate in this country. Now is the time to resolve these issues and eradicate the fear of death. So, the convention was held to educate the Buddhist clergy. It was successful. There is no possibility of defeating extremism through politics. So, we proposed to establish a programme where the Sinhalese get stronger. We came out with 10 proposals on July 7 and plan to take it islandwide.

WION: Who will the Bodu Bala Sena support in the forthcoming presidential elections and the reasons therefor?

Gnanasara Thero: At this moment, the discussions are on about holding provincial council, general and presidential elections. No final decision has been reached. The political situation is complicated. None of the main political parties is able to announce their candidate. We don’t know if it will be a common candidate. We don’t have any faith in them and we believe that they all have failed. If you take the 225 members in the parliament, all are accused of some things. So, citizens are lobbying differently where some expect new names and some new faces which is new to politics. Such people are coming up and they have started publishing their policies. We have no anxiety even though it is at a complicated juncture. Why should we get excited if the main political parties are unable to find their candidates yet? For us, it is important to have a person who could change old laws, increase security, is capable of taking bold decisions to eradicate Islamic extremism, and is capable of establishing unity according to Buddha’s teaching. It should be a society based on trust for all citizens. It should be a free country for all. So, we want a Sinhalese to win with a Sinhala majority vote. Protection for all ethnicities can be assured only with such a move, to which we are committed.

WION: You are reported to have said on July 7 that a Sinhala government should be formed, that the Sinhalese need to unite politically, economically and culturally, and that there is a need to protect Sri Lanka from Islam. Please elaborate on it.

Gnanasara Thero: Sinhalese were never racists. When the Tamils in the north, east and the central hills were attacked culturally, the rulers were unable to find a solution. These Tamils in thousands were converted into Christianity and destroyed the Hindu culture. On the other hand, Hindus are getting Islamised. Not only that, the traditional Muslims are now moving towards Arabic Islamisation. Wahhabi groups with abundant funds operating within the government influence national decisions. We see the unity in India where they all say “Bharat Mata ki Jai". We see how they love their country. We also need that patriotism in Sri Lanka. We need a leader trusted by Muslims, Tamils and the Sinhalese. If you take Colombo, the number of Sinhalese are exceeded by Tamils and Muslims. They are not attacked and they have their living style without any issues. But minority voters are influencing the main political body. We need not have a situation where the tail wags the dog. It should be the dog who wags the tail. We need a government to take straight decisions. That is why it is necessary to have a Sinhalese government.

WION: Are you in favour of the Buddhist clergy or the Bodu Bala Sena forming a political party and fielding its candidates in future elections?

Gnanasara Thero: We are already engaged in a type of a political movement and we think that our involvement in a general election will be decisive. We are in the process of building a system at this movement.&nbsp;

WION: The Muslims in Sri Lanka fear for their lives after the April 2019 attacks in the country. What is the Bodu Bala Sena or the Buddhist clergy doing to reassure the Muslim community?

Gnanasara Thero: The traditional Muslims have lived with us in this country for centuries in harmony. In any society, there would be incidents. But since 1981, the traditional Muslims have started to change very fast. This change came to the point that they were willing to commit suicide for their God and make sacrifices. It is a very sad situation that brings tears to the eyes. So, we have a responsibility as the Buddhist clergy to solve this Islam issue rather than allowing the politicians to solve it. I trust the 75 per cent of this issue can be solved by Buddhist monks. We can use the Tripitaka to analyse the Quran and its verses which were found in dark ages and the validity of them in the modern world with an open discussion. We should be able to destroy the Wahhabism if this question is debated openly. We know that traditional Muslims will support us to eliminate the dark thoughts within them and defeat Wahhabism.&nbsp;

WION: Some people in Sri Lanka and around the world accuse you of hate speech, extremism and spoiling the image of Buddhism as a peaceful religion. Do you agree with them? What would you say in your defence?&nbsp;

Gnanasara Thero: There is nobody in this world who will not be insulted. Buddha, Jesus, Prophet Muhammad were also insulted. Our favourite leaders are also accused and there is nobody who doesn’t get accused of something. So, we also get accused of something. The insults we get are much similar to a naked man insulting a person in underpants. We as Buddhist monks can't allow the carnage to take place in the name of God, where they expect the entire world to be their followers. If you take the Quran, the hate speech and statements falling into such category are full of them. So, we are sad to see such accusations coming from people who barely know the basis of Islam.

WION: Some media reports liken you to Buddhist monk Ashin Wirathu of Myanmar, who is variously described as an ultra-nationalist and the leader of an anti-muslim movement in Myanmar. Some other reports link the Bodu Bala Sena to the "969" movement of Myanmar. Your thoughts?

Gnanasara Thero: We have met the Buddhist monk in Myanmar and have discussed the Wahhabism spreading there. Myanmar is a Theravada Buddhist country but there is a difference. But there is no barrier for us to talk with another monk in that country. So, all Buddhists are facing the same situation. This is the same situation in southern Thailand as well. We don’t want any prize from the world. There are many media establishments using money from west Asia. &nbsp;We don’t have money and media to face them. So, we get hit by enemy attacks. So, we have joined hands with him to defeat Islamic extremism in the region. But here, our Bodu Bala Sena operation is different from the 969 organisation.

WION: You have said that politicians should leave the fight against Islamist extremism to religious leaders such as yourself. What do you propose to do, how and when?

Gnanasara Thero: We have experienced what happened in the recent past. So, it is essential to win the public trust for our new programme. Islamic extremism has created incidents as far back as the 1990s. But our leaders were unable to establish a programme against it. The black July in 1983 led to a 30-year war. Even though we defeated the LTTE, the separatist forces are still operating in other parts of the world to divide the country. &nbsp;If Prabhakaran was stopped at the initial stages, the Tamil society will not have gone back by several decades. As a result, both the Tamil and the Sinhalese failed and there was no victory for either party. &nbsp;Buddhist monks can defeat this by wisdom and not by weapons of different sizes. We did a similar fight against the bible in the 1800s. So, we have the experience. Today, the Quran, which is the other side of the Bible, has come to object us. We can defeat this using wisdom and that is why we wanted the politicians to step out. If the politicians are given the chance to solve, they will not be able to do it for the next 100 years. It is the nature of politicians to create situations or make use of the situations for their benefit. This Wahabism should get defeated within the mosque. Now it has come to the stage where the father and son fight within the house, the mosques are fighting each other and the villages are fighting against each other. We need the mosques to sort it out with the inputs from professionals and intellectuals. Once sorted, the politicians should bring in the laws.

WION: How do you view the policies of the BJP-led NDA government of prime minister Narendra Modi in India?

Gnanasara Thero: I think India’s Narendra Modi has a reputation similar to Putin in Russia, Donald Trump in the US, and Xi Jinping in China. Some of his radical decisions include the change of financial regulations and change of currency where many had to burn the 1,000 rupee notes. &nbsp;So, radical decisions of Narendra Modi are welcomed in India. He is against Islamic extremism and he also talks about building a Buddhist international platform. I think about the unity between the Hindus and the Buddhists to eradicate this global threat of terrorism. India is our ancestral house and the big brother. India’s action is important to us and if we become prey of Islamic terrorism it will be a threat for India as well. So, the understanding of the leaders is important and the protection of Narendra Modi. We need his protection. Gautama Siddhartha is an Indian and we have protected his preaching for 2,500 years. Now we need support from Narendra Modi.

A controversial Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, says that the majority Sinhala community can learn from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy of zero-tolerance to terrorism.

A controversial Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, says that the majority Sinhala community can learn from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy of zero-tolerance to terrorism. "India’s action is important to us and if we become prey of Islamic terrorism it will be a threat for India as well. So, the understanding of the leaders is important," he tells in an exclusive interview to WION's Ramesh Ramachandran. Gnanasara Thero is the general secretary of Bodu Bala Sena, a group comprising the Sinhala Buddhist clergy. He was released from the prison in May this year after president Maithripala Sirisena pardoned him. The monk says that the Bodu Bala Sena has not decided who to support in the forthcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka. Watch: Sinhala community can learn from Indian PM: Lankan monk × WION: What did the July 7 meeting of the Buddhist clergy in Kandy decide? Gnanasara Thero: On July 7, we held a convention in Kandy for a purpose. As a race, Sinhalas are divided due to party politics. Owing to this division, the (Sinhala) race has become weak and it has allowed extremist forces to operate in this country. Now is the time to resolve these issues and eradicate the fear of death. So, the convention was held to educate the Buddhist clergy. It was successful. There is no possibility of defeating extremism through politics. So, we proposed to establish a programme where the Sinhalese get stronger. We came out with 10 proposals on July 7 and plan to take it islandwide. WION: Who will the Bodu Bala Sena support in the forthcoming presidential elections and the reasons therefor? Gnanasara Thero: At this moment, the discussions are on about holding provincial council, general and presidential elections. No final decision has been reached. The political situation is complicated. None of the main political parties is able to announce their candidate. We don’t know if it will be a common candidate. We don’t have any faith in them and we believe that they all have failed. If you take the 225 members in the parliament, all are accused of some things. So, citizens are lobbying differently where some expect new names and some new faces which is new to politics. Such people are coming up and they have started publishing their policies. We have no anxiety even though it is at a complicated juncture. Why should we get excited if the main political parties are unable to find their candidates yet? For us, it is important to have a person who could change old laws, increase security, is capable of taking bold decisions to eradicate Islamic extremism, and is capable of establishing unity according to Buddha’s teaching. It should be a society based on trust for all citizens. It should be a free country for all. So, we want a Sinhalese to win with a Sinhala majority vote. Protection for all ethnicities can be assured only with such a move, to which we are committed. WION: You are reported to have said on July 7 that a Sinhala government should be formed, that the Sinhalese need to unite politically, economically and culturally, and that there is a need to protect Sri Lanka from Islam. Please elaborate on it. Gnanasara Thero: Sinhalese were never racists. When the Tamils in the north, east and the central hills were attacked culturally, the rulers were unable to find a solution. These Tamils in thousands were converted into Christianity and destroyed the Hindu culture. On the other hand, Hindus are getting Islamised. Not only that, the traditional Muslims are now moving towards Arabic Islamisation. Wahhabi groups with abundant funds operating within the government influence national decisions. We see the unity in India where they all say “Bharat Mata ki Jai". We see how they love their country. We also need that patriotism in Sri Lanka. We need a leader trusted by Muslims, Tamils and the Sinhalese. If you take Colombo, the number of Sinhalese are exceeded by Tamils and Muslims. They are not attacked and they have their living style without any issues. But minority voters are influencing the main political body. We need not have a situation where the tail wags the dog. It should be the dog who wags the tail. We need a government to take straight decisions. That is why it is necessary to have a Sinhalese government. WION: Are you in favour of the Buddhist clergy or the Bodu Bala Sena forming a political party and fielding its candidates in future elections? Gnanasara Thero: We are already engaged in a type of a political movement and we think that our involvement in a general election will be decisive. We are in the process of building a system at this movement. WION: The Muslims in Sri Lanka fear for their lives after the April 2019 attacks in the country. What is the Bodu Bala Sena or the Buddhist clergy doing to reassure the Muslim community? Gnanasara Thero: The traditional Muslims have lived with us in this country for centuries in harmony. In any society, there would be incidents. But since 1981, the traditional Muslims have started to change very fast. This change came to the point that they were willing to commit suicide for their God and make sacrifices. It is a very sad situation that brings tears to the eyes. So, we have a responsibility as the Buddhist clergy to solve this Islam issue rather than allowing the politicians to solve it. I trust the 75 per cent of this issue can be solved by Buddhist monks. We can use the Tripitaka to analyse the Quran and its verses which were found in dark ages and the validity of them in the modern world with an open discussion. We should be able to destroy the Wahhabism if this question is debated openly. We know that traditional Muslims will support us to eliminate the dark thoughts within them and defeat Wahhabism. WION: Some people in Sri Lanka and around the world accuse you of hate speech, extremism and spoiling the image of Buddhism as a peaceful religion. Do you agree with them? What would you say in your defence? Gnanasara Thero: There is nobody in this world who will not be insulted. Buddha, Jesus, Prophet Muhammad were also insulted. Our favourite leaders are also accused and there is nobody who doesn’t get accused of something. So, we also get accused of something. The insults we get are much similar to a naked man insulting a person in underpants. We as Buddhist monks can't allow the carnage to take place in the name of God, where they expect the entire world to be their followers. If you take the Quran, the hate speech and statements falling into such category are full of them. So, we are sad to see such accusations coming from people who barely know the basis of Islam. WION: Some media reports liken you to Buddhist monk Ashin Wirathu of Myanmar, who is variously described as an ultra-nationalist and the leader of an anti-muslim movement in Myanmar. Some other reports link the Bodu Bala Sena to the "969" movement of Myanmar. Your thoughts? Gnanasara Thero: We have met the Buddhist monk in Myanmar and have discussed the Wahhabism spreading there. Myanmar is a Theravada Buddhist country but there is a difference. But there is no barrier for us to talk with another monk in that country. So, all Buddhists are facing the same situation. This is the same situation in southern Thailand as well. We don’t want any prize from the world. There are many media establishments using money from west Asia. We don’t have money and media to face them. So, we get hit by enemy attacks. So, we have joined hands with him to defeat Islamic extremism in the region. But here, our Bodu Bala Sena operation is different from the 969 organisation. WION: You have said that politicians should leave the fight against Islamist extremism to religious leaders such as yourself. What do you propose to do, how and when? Gnanasara Thero: We have experienced what happened in the recent past. So, it is essential to win the public trust for our new programme. Islamic extremism has created incidents as far back as the 1990s. But our leaders were unable to establish a programme against it. The black July in 1983 led to a 30-year war. Even though we defeated the LTTE, the separatist forces are still operating in other parts of the world to divide the country. If Prabhakaran was stopped at the initial stages, the Tamil society will not have gone back by several decades. As a result, both the Tamil and the Sinhalese failed and there was no victory for either party. Buddhist monks can defeat this by wisdom and not by weapons of different sizes. We did a similar fight against the bible in the 1800s. So, we have the experience. Today, the Quran, which is the other side of the Bible, has come to object us. We can defeat this using wisdom and that is why we wanted the politicians to step out. If the politicians are given the chance to solve, they will not be able to do it for the next 100 years. It is the nature of politicians to create situations or make use of the situations for their benefit. This Wahabism should get defeated within the mosque. Now it has come to the stage where the father and son fight within the house, the mosques are fighting each other and the villages are fighting against each other. We need the mosques to sort it out with the inputs from professionals and intellectuals. Once sorted, the politicians should bring in the laws. WION: How do you view the policies of the BJP-led NDA government of prime minister Narendra Modi in India? Gnanasara Thero: I think India’s Narendra Modi has a reputation similar to Putin in Russia, Donald Trump in the US, and Xi Jinping in China. Some of his radical decisions include the change of financial regulations and change of currency where many had to burn the 1,000 rupee notes. So, radical decisions of Narendra Modi are welcomed in India. He is against Islamic extremism and he also talks about building a Buddhist international platform. I think about the unity between the Hindus and the Buddhists to eradicate this global threat of terrorism. India is our ancestral house and the big brother. India’s action is important to us and if we become prey of Islamic terrorism it will be a threat for India as well. So, the understanding of the leaders is important and the protection of Narendra Modi. We need his protection. Gautama Siddhartha is an Indian and we have protected his preaching for 2,500 years. Now we need support from Narendra Modi.

We need patriotism like India and a leader who is trusted by all: Sri Lankan Buddhist monk Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero to WION

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