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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eye-on-china-us-government-seeks-more-funding-from-congress-to-bolster-bay-of-bengal-military-security-226703">Eye on China: US government seeks more funding from Congress to bolster Bay of Bengal military security</a>

With an eye on countering increasing Chinese influence in key&nbsp;South Asian countries, the Trump administration has sought $30 million for what it has described as "Bay of Bengal" security initiative to provide foreign military financing to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-defence-budget-unchanged-says-minister-documents-show-45-increase-226697">Pakistan's defence budget 'unchanged', says minister; documents show 4.5% increase</a>

The Pakistan government claimed that its defence budget was kept unchanged at Rs 1,152,535 million&nbsp;for next fiscal (2019-20), but the official documents showed that there was nominal increase of 4.5 per cent in the defence expenditure as compared to the last year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/we-need-to-overcome-mistakes-to-beat-india-says-sarfaraz-after-australia-defeat-226683">We need to overcome mistakes to beat India, says Sarfaraz after Australia defeat</a>

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said his side's needs to raise their fielding standards ahead of a crucial World Cup match against arch-rivals India at Old Trafford on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-state-media-blames-hong-kong-protests-on-lawlessness-226680">China state media blames Hong Kong protests on 'lawlessness'</a>

Protests in Hong Kong&nbsp;over planned new extradition laws with China are "hammering" the city`s reputation, with outbreaks of "lawlessness" undermining rule of law, Chinese state media said in editorials published on Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modi-hai-to-mumkin-hai-says-pompeo-ahead-of-india-visit-226682">Modi 'hai to mumkin hai', says Pompeo ahead of India visit</a>

Citing the popular election slogan "Modi hai to mumkin hai", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has sought to take the bilateral relationship with India to the next level and said the Trump and Modi administrations have a "unique opportunity" to make it happen.

Eye on China: US government seeks more funding from Congress to bolster Bay of Bengal military security With an eye on countering increasing Chinese influence in key South Asian countries, the Trump administration has sought $30 million for what it has described as "Bay of Bengal" security initiative to provide foreign military financing to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives.

Eye on China: US government seeks more funding from Congress to bolster Bay of Bengal military security With an eye on countering increasing Chinese influence in key South Asian countries, the Trump administration has sought $30 million for what it has described as "Bay of Bengal" security initiative to provide foreign military financing to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives. Pakistan's defence budget 'unchanged', says minister; documents show 4.5% increase The Pakistan government claimed that its defence budget was kept unchanged at Rs 1,152,535 million for next fiscal (2019-20), but the official documents showed that there was nominal increase of 4.5 per cent in the defence expenditure as compared to the last year. We need to overcome mistakes to beat India, says Sarfaraz after Australia defeat Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said his side's needs to raise their fielding standards ahead of a crucial World Cup match against arch-rivals India at Old Trafford on Sunday. China state media blames Hong Kong protests on 'lawlessness' Protests in Hong Kong over planned new extradition laws with China are "hammering" the city`s reputation, with outbreaks of "lawlessness" undermining rule of law, Chinese state media said in editorials published on Thursday. Modi 'hai to mumkin hai', says Pompeo ahead of India visit Citing the popular election slogan "Modi hai to mumkin hai", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has sought to take the bilateral relationship with India to the next level and said the Trump and Modi administrations have a "unique opportunity" to make it happen.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Pakistan on Thursday extended its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-leaves-for-sco-summit-in-kyrgyzstan-avoids-pakistan-airspace-226690">airspace ban</a> along its eastern border with India for the third time till June 28, according to a notice issued by the country's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Pakistan fully closed its airspace on February 26 after the Indian Air Force struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist training camp in Balakot.&nbsp;

Since then, it has only opened two routes, both of them pass through southern Pakistan, of the total 11. Pakistan's civil aviation authority is expected to review the situation on June 15.

The IAF announced on May 31 that all temporary restrictions imposed on Indian airspace post the Balakot airstrike have been removed.&nbsp;

The CAA notice issued to airmen (NOTAM) on Thursday says: "Pakistani airspace will be closed until June 28 along its eastern border with India. The Panjgoor airspace will remain open for overflying transit flights from the western side as Air India had already been using that airspace."&nbsp;

A Pakistan government official told PTI that since there has been no official communication between the two countries regarding the opening of their airspace for each other the "status quo" will prevail.&nbsp;

"See if some development takes place at the government's level in this respect before June 28," he said.

On Wednesday Pakistan gave special permission to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's VVIP flight to use its airspace for his official trip to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.&nbsp;

However, Modi's flight avoided flying over Pakistan. Earlier, Pakistan had allowed India's (former) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to fly directly through Pakistani airspace to participate in the meeting of SCO foreign ministers in Bishkek on May 21.&nbsp;

Pakistan earlier had indicated that it may lift the airspace ban along its eastern border with India imposed on February 27 to reciprocate India's decision to remove all restrictions on all air routes in the Indian airspace.&nbsp;

As a result of the ban, foreign carriers using Indian airspace have been forced to take costly detours because they cannot fly over Pakistan.&nbsp;

The closure mainly affects flights from Europe to Southeast Asia. The flights from Europe and the US flying in and out of New Delhi have been the worst hit.

Since Pakistan's airspace closure, the airfare on many routes has gone up significantly, including Delhi-Kabul, Delhi-Moscow, Delhi-Tehran and Delhi-Astana.&nbsp;

Pakistan on Thursday extended its airspace ban along its eastern border with India for the third time till June 28, according to a notice issued by the country's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Pakistan on Thursday extended its airspace ban along its eastern border with India for the third time till June 28, according to a notice issued by the country's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Pakistan fully closed its airspace on February 26 after the Indian Air Force struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist training camp in Balakot. Since then, it has only opened two routes, both of them pass through southern Pakistan, of the total 11. Pakistan's civil aviation authority is expected to review the situation on June 15. The IAF announced on May 31 that all temporary restrictions imposed on Indian airspace post the Balakot airstrike have been removed. The CAA notice issued to airmen (NOTAM) on Thursday says: "Pakistani airspace will be closed until June 28 along its eastern border with India. The Panjgoor airspace will remain open for overflying transit flights from the western side as Air India had already been using that airspace." A Pakistan government official told PTI that since there has been no official communication between the two countries regarding the opening of their airspace for each other the "status quo" will prevail. "See if some development takes place at the government's level in this respect before June 28," he said. On Wednesday Pakistan gave special permission to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's VVIP flight to use its airspace for his official trip to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. However, Modi's flight avoided flying over Pakistan. Earlier, Pakistan had allowed India's (former) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to fly directly through Pakistani airspace to participate in the meeting of SCO foreign ministers in Bishkek on May 21. Pakistan earlier had indicated that it may lift the airspace ban along its eastern border with India imposed on February 27 to reciprocate India's decision to remove all restrictions on all air routes in the Indian airspace. As a result of the ban, foreign carriers using Indian airspace have been forced to take costly detours because they cannot fly over Pakistan. The closure mainly affects flights from Europe to Southeast Asia. The flights from Europe and the US flying in and out of New Delhi have been the worst hit. Since Pakistan's airspace closure, the airfare on many routes has gone up significantly, including Delhi-Kabul, Delhi-Moscow, Delhi-Tehran and Delhi-Astana.

Pakistan extends airspace ban along its eastern border with India till June 28 

The United States President Donald Trump-led administration has taken a tough stand against Pakistan for its "unacceptable support" for terrorism in the region, said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

"Under President Trump, we have taken our defence cooperation to new heights solidifying our common vision in Indo Pacific and has taken a far tougher stand on Pakistan unacceptable support for terrorism," said Pompeo during India Ideas Summit Washington on Wednesday.

The remarks come days after Washington had announced that it has withdrawn its tax exemption programme for Pakistani diplomats.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modi-hai-to-mumkin-hai-says-pompeo-ahead-of-india-visit-226682">Modi 'hai to mumkin hai', says Pompeo ahead of India visit</a>

The US has already barred Pakistani diplomats working in Washington from travelling outside a 25-kilometre radius around the city without approval.

Last year, Trump suspended US $1.3 billion annual security aid which was given to Pakistan, condemning it over its inaction on the terrorism front.

Focussing on India -US ties under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pompeo asserted that New Delhi and Washington have a unique opportunity to take advantage of it "special partnership".

"When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States in 2017, President Trump and Modi shared few hugs and goodwill. PM Modi said it is in Indian interest lies in strong prosperous and successful America. In similar ways India`s development and its growing role at the international level are in the United States of America`s interest as well," he added.

Pompeo`s visit will take place as the two countries get ready for a meeting between Modi and Trump during the G-20 Summit on June 28 and 29 in Osaka, Japan.

Pompeo also said that the US is open for a dialogue to resolve trade differences with India."It`s a partnership of equals is how we see it. In my upcoming visit, we will probably discuss the GSP decision," Pompeo said.&nbsp;

The United States President Donald Trump-led administration has taken a tough stand against Pakistan for its "unacceptable support" for terrorism in the region, said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The United States President Donald Trump-led administration has taken a tough stand against Pakistan for its "unacceptable support" for terrorism in the region, said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "Under President Trump, we have taken our defence cooperation to new heights solidifying our common vision in Indo Pacific and has taken a far tougher stand on Pakistan unacceptable support for terrorism," said Pompeo during India Ideas Summit Washington on Wednesday. The remarks come days after Washington had announced that it has withdrawn its tax exemption programme for Pakistani diplomats. Also read: Modi 'hai to mumkin hai', says Pompeo ahead of India visit The US has already barred Pakistani diplomats working in Washington from travelling outside a 25-kilometre radius around the city without approval. Last year, Trump suspended US $1.3 billion annual security aid which was given to Pakistan, condemning it over its inaction on the terrorism front. Focussing on India -US ties under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pompeo asserted that New Delhi and Washington have a unique opportunity to take advantage of it "special partnership". "When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States in 2017, President Trump and Modi shared few hugs and goodwill. PM Modi said it is in Indian interest lies in strong prosperous and successful America. In similar ways India`s development and its growing role at the international level are in the United States of America`s interest as well," he added. Pompeo`s visit will take place as the two countries get ready for a meeting between Modi and Trump during the G-20 Summit on June 28 and 29 in Osaka, Japan. Pompeo also said that the US is open for a dialogue to resolve trade differences with India."It`s a partnership of equals is how we see it. In my upcoming visit, we will probably discuss the GSP decision," Pompeo said.

Trump took tough stand against Pak's unacceptable support for terrorism: Pompeo

Gujarat government on Wednesday evacuated over 2.7 lakh people from 10 coastal districts as "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/flight-operations-in-gujarat-suspended-as-cyclone-vayu-approaches-226676">very severe cyclonic storm</a>" Vayu inched closer to the state coast and is expected to make landfall between Dwarka and Veraval on Thursday afternoon.

Columns of Army, NDRF personnel, Air Force helicopters and 300 marine commandoes were deployed for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-vayu-turns-very-severe-10-districts-of-gujarat-on-alert-226555">rescue and relief operations</a>, while flight operations from five airports in Porbandar, Diu, Bhavnagar, Keshod and Kandla were suspended.

Around 2.75 lakh people were shifted and more than 500 villages have been evacuated from the coastal regions in view of the Cyclone Vayu approaching the Gujarat Coast, the government said.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani chaired a meeting with senior state officials, officers of the Army and NDRF and District Magistrates to take stock of the situation.

"47 teams of NDRF have reached Gujarat and over 5 more teams will reach by Thursday morning. Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard have taken their positions. State Disaster Management is at work. Police patrolling will be done throughout the night so that no one is left in the lower regions," Rupani said after the meeting in Gandhinagar.

The NDRF teams have been deployed at Kutch, Morbi, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Porbandar, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Junagarh, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Valsad, Surat and Gandhi Nagar; four teams have been pre-positioned at Diu for a prompt response, the government said.

Chief Minister Rupani said that all sea-related activities have been stopped and all departments have been put on alert. "Senior Ministers and Senior Secretaries have been sent to control rooms of district administration and they are monitoring the situation," he said.

Vayu is expected to cross Gujarat coast between Dwarka and Veraval as a "very severe cyclonic storm" with a wind speed of 155-165 km per hour gusting to 180 km per hour Thursday afternoon.

Taking to ANI in New Delhi, MeT Department Director RK Jenamani said that Vayu is expected to reach the coastal area of Porbandar and Kutch with a speed of 135-165 on Thursday morning.&nbsp;

"This is similar to the cyclone Fani in Odisha and it is hard to predict its longevity."

He said that its effects will be seen on Thursday and Friday and heavy rain is expected in the affected areas of the state.

Meanwhile, Western Railway cancelled the operation of around 77 mainline trains, while 33 other mainline trains will be short terminated with partial cancellation as a precautionary measure in the cyclone-prone areas. 
A total of 110 trains of Western Railway are affected.

"Various safety and security precautions are also being taken by Western Railway for train passengers of these cyclone prone areas under the jurisdiction of Western Railways i.e. Veraval, Okha, Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Bhuj and Gandhidham, etc," a press statement by the Western Railway said.

Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar said that schools, colleges and Anganwadis would remain shut on June 12 and 13 in the coastal districts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advised people to closely follow real-time information being disseminated by the authorities.

"Praying for the safety and well-being of all those affected by Cyclone Vayu. The Government and local agencies are providing real-time information, which I urge those in affected areas to closely follow," he tweeted.

Vayu comes after an extremely severe cyclonic storm `Fani` wreaked havoc in Odisha last month.&nbsp;

Gujarat government on Wednesday evacuated over 2.7 lakh people from 10 coastal districts as "very severe cyclonic storm" Vayu inched closer to the state coast and is expected to make landfall between Dwarka and Veraval on Thursday afternoon.

Gujarat government on Wednesday evacuated over 2.7 lakh people from 10 coastal districts as "very severe cyclonic storm" Vayu inched closer to the state coast and is expected to make landfall between Dwarka and Veraval on Thursday afternoon. Columns of Army, NDRF personnel, Air Force helicopters and 300 marine commandoes were deployed for rescue and relief operations, while flight operations from five airports in Porbandar, Diu, Bhavnagar, Keshod and Kandla were suspended. Around 2.75 lakh people were shifted and more than 500 villages have been evacuated from the coastal regions in view of the Cyclone Vayu approaching the Gujarat Coast, the government said. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani chaired a meeting with senior state officials, officers of the Army and NDRF and District Magistrates to take stock of the situation. "47 teams of NDRF have reached Gujarat and over 5 more teams will reach by Thursday morning. Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard have taken their positions. State Disaster Management is at work. Police patrolling will be done throughout the night so that no one is left in the lower regions," Rupani said after the meeting in Gandhinagar. The NDRF teams have been deployed at Kutch, Morbi, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Porbandar, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Junagarh, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Valsad, Surat and Gandhi Nagar; four teams have been pre-positioned at Diu for a prompt response, the government said. Chief Minister Rupani said that all sea-related activities have been stopped and all departments have been put on alert. "Senior Ministers and Senior Secretaries have been sent to control rooms of district administration and they are monitoring the situation," he said. Vayu is expected to cross Gujarat coast between Dwarka and Veraval as a "very severe cyclonic storm" with a wind speed of 155-165 km per hour gusting to 180 km per hour Thursday afternoon. Taking to ANI in New Delhi, MeT Department Director RK Jenamani said that Vayu is expected to reach the coastal area of Porbandar and Kutch with a speed of 135-165 on Thursday morning. "This is similar to the cyclone Fani in Odisha and it is hard to predict its longevity." He said that its effects will be seen on Thursday and Friday and heavy rain is expected in the affected areas of the state. Meanwhile, Western Railway cancelled the operation of around 77 mainline trains, while 33 other mainline trains will be short terminated with partial cancellation as a precautionary measure in the cyclone-prone areas. A total of 110 trains of Western Railway are affected. "Various safety and security precautions are also being taken by Western Railway for train passengers of these cyclone prone areas under the jurisdiction of Western Railways i.e. Veraval, Okha, Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Bhuj and Gandhidham, etc," a press statement by the Western Railway said. Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar said that schools, colleges and Anganwadis would remain shut on June 12 and 13 in the coastal districts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advised people to closely follow real-time information being disseminated by the authorities. "Praying for the safety and well-being of all those affected by Cyclone Vayu. The Government and local agencies are providing real-time information, which I urge those in affected areas to closely follow," he tweeted. Vayu comes after an extremely severe cyclonic storm `Fani` wreaked havoc in Odisha last month.

Gujarat braces for 'very severe cyclonic storm' Vayu; over 2.7 lakh evacuated

US Republican members of Congress pushed back on Wednesday against President Donald Trump`s plan to sell $8 billion in weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, saying it was "unfortunate" the administration used an emergency declaration to avoid Congressional review.

Members of Congress had been blocking sales of military equipment to Saudi Arabia and the UAE for months, angry about the deaths of civilians in their air campaign in Yemen, as well as human rights abuses such as the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey last year.&nbsp;

The Trump administration is pressing Riyadh to show "tangible progress" toward holding to account those behind Khashoggi`s killing, a senior administration official said on Tuesday.

The ranking Republican on the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs committee, Michael McCaul, said at a hearing on Wednesday that he supports "the efforts of Saudi Arabia to defend themselves against Iran," but "the recent use of this emergency authority, in my judgment, was unfortunate."

Another Republican, Representative Ann Wagner, asked for a better understanding of the administration`s move to sidestep congressional oversight given Saudi Arabia`s human rights abuses.&nbsp;

Citing an Iran-related emergency, the Trump administration told congressional committees on May 24 that it would go ahead with 22 military deals worth $8.1 billion to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan, circumventing a long-standing precedent for lawmakers to review major weapons sales.&nbsp;

Strains between Washington and Tehran have increased in recent weeks, a year after Trump, a Republican, abandoned a 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers to curb Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Trump’s administration announced that it was sending 1,500 additional troops to the Middle East, which it described as an effort to bolster defences against what it sees as a threat of potential attack by Iran.

Iran has warned against any military aggression.&nbsp;

"Iran will never initiate a war but will give a crushing response to any aggression," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday.

In a memorandum justifying the emergency declaration, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, "Iranian malign activity poses a fundamental threat to the stability of the Middle East and to American security at home and abroad."

Democrats on the committee called the emergency declaration phony.

Defending the administration`s position at Wednesday`s hearing, assistant secretary of state for Political-military affairs Clarke Cooper said: "This is an emergency, this is a one time event."

However, Cooper later said a "one time event is conditions based," and that this was the fifth time in history that such an emergency was used to push through the sale of weapons.&nbsp;

Cooper said that some of the weapons have already been sent to the customer since the emergency declaration and before Wednesday`s hearing. "Anything that`s what`s called `off then shelf` then it`s already moving" to customers, Cooper said.

But Cooper said "there was nothing new in these 22 sales," indicating that the packages had been previously notified to Congress, but did not progress through the established channels for weapons sales notifications.

US Senators have drafted 22 "resolutions of disapproval." The resolutions are intended to "protect and reaffirm Congress` role of approving arms sales to foreign governments."&nbsp;

Companies that would benefit include Raytheon Co precision-guided munitions (PGMs), support for Boeing Co F-15 aircraft, and Javelin anti-tank missiles, which are made by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin Corp. 
&nbsp;

US Republican members of Congress pushed back on Wednesday against President Donald Trump`s plan to sell $8 billion in weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, saying it was "unfortunate" the administration used an emergency declaration to avoid Congressional review.

US Republican members of Congress pushed back on Wednesday against President Donald Trump`s plan to sell $8 billion in weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, saying it was "unfortunate" the administration used an emergency declaration to avoid Congressional review. Members of Congress had been blocking sales of military equipment to Saudi Arabia and the UAE for months, angry about the deaths of civilians in their air campaign in Yemen, as well as human rights abuses such as the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey last year. The Trump administration is pressing Riyadh to show "tangible progress" toward holding to account those behind Khashoggi`s killing, a senior administration official said on Tuesday. The ranking Republican on the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs committee, Michael McCaul, said at a hearing on Wednesday that he supports "the efforts of Saudi Arabia to defend themselves against Iran," but "the recent use of this emergency authority, in my judgment, was unfortunate." Another Republican, Representative Ann Wagner, asked for a better understanding of the administration`s move to sidestep congressional oversight given Saudi Arabia`s human rights abuses. Citing an Iran-related emergency, the Trump administration told congressional committees on May 24 that it would go ahead with 22 military deals worth $8.1 billion to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan, circumventing a long-standing precedent for lawmakers to review major weapons sales. Strains between Washington and Tehran have increased in recent weeks, a year after Trump, a Republican, abandoned a 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers to curb Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump’s administration announced that it was sending 1,500 additional troops to the Middle East, which it described as an effort to bolster defences against what it sees as a threat of potential attack by Iran. Iran has warned against any military aggression. "Iran will never initiate a war but will give a crushing response to any aggression," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday. In a memorandum justifying the emergency declaration, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, "Iranian malign activity poses a fundamental threat to the stability of the Middle East and to American security at home and abroad." Democrats on the committee called the emergency declaration phony. Defending the administration`s position at Wednesday`s hearing, assistant secretary of state for Political-military affairs Clarke Cooper said: "This is an emergency, this is a one time event." However, Cooper later said a "one time event is conditions based," and that this was the fifth time in history that such an emergency was used to push through the sale of weapons. Cooper said that some of the weapons have already been sent to the customer since the emergency declaration and before Wednesday`s hearing. "Anything that`s what`s called `off then shelf` then it`s already moving" to customers, Cooper said. But Cooper said "there was nothing new in these 22 sales," indicating that the packages had been previously notified to Congress, but did not progress through the established channels for weapons sales notifications. US Senators have drafted 22 "resolutions of disapproval." The resolutions are intended to "protect and reaffirm Congress` role of approving arms sales to foreign governments." Companies that would benefit include Raytheon Co precision-guided munitions (PGMs), support for Boeing Co F-15 aircraft, and Javelin anti-tank missiles, which are made by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin Corp.

Republicans in US Congress push back on Trump weapons packages to Saudi Arabia, UAE

PM Modi left for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday morning.

The Indian prime minister's aircraft will be <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-not-to-fly-over-pak-airspace-for-sco-summit-226462">avoiding the Pakistan airspace</a>. The plane will fly over Oman, Iran and several central Asian countries to reach the Kyrgyz capital. &nbsp;

The was announcement made on Wednesday even<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-requests-pakistan-to-let-pm-modis-flight-pass-through-its-airspace-225685"> as Pakistan said it will "specially"</a> open its airspace for the flight of Prime Minister Modi to Bishkek to attend the SCO summit.

If PM Modi had flown over Pakistan it would have taken three-and-a-half hours to reach Bishkek and now it will take about seven hours for the journey, officials said.

The decision also came over a week after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi wrote separate letters to their Indian counterparts, pushing for restarting bilateral talks.

India has not been engaging with Pakistan since an attack on the Air Force base at Pathankot in January of 2016 by a Pakistan-based terror group, maintaining that talks and terror cannot go together.&nbsp;

Pakistan PM Imran Khan will also be attending the summit, however, PM Modi and Pak PM Imran Khan are not slated to meet at Bishkek.

Last month, Pakistan had given special permission to the then external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to fly through Pakistani airspace while travelling to Bishkek to attend a meeting of SCO Foreign Ministers.

Pakistan fully closed its airspace on February 26 after the Indian Air Force struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist training camp in Balakot.&nbsp;

Since then, it has only opened two routes, both of them pass through southern Pakistan, of the total 11.

On its part, the IAF announced on May 31 that all temporary restrictions imposed on Indian airspace post the Balakot airstrike have been removed.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

PM Modi left for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday morning. The Indian prime minister's aircraft will be avoiding the Pakistan airspace.

PM Modi left for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday morning. The Indian prime minister's aircraft will be avoiding the Pakistan airspace. The plane will fly over Oman, Iran and several central Asian countries to reach the Kyrgyz capital. The was announcement made on Wednesday even as Pakistan said it will "specially" open its airspace for the flight of Prime Minister Modi to Bishkek to attend the SCO summit. If PM Modi had flown over Pakistan it would have taken three-and-a-half hours to reach Bishkek and now it will take about seven hours for the journey, officials said. The decision also came over a week after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi wrote separate letters to their Indian counterparts, pushing for restarting bilateral talks. India has not been engaging with Pakistan since an attack on the Air Force base at Pathankot in January of 2016 by a Pakistan-based terror group, maintaining that talks and terror cannot go together. Pakistan PM Imran Khan will also be attending the summit, however, PM Modi and Pak PM Imran Khan are not slated to meet at Bishkek. Last month, Pakistan had given special permission to the then external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to fly through Pakistani airspace while travelling to Bishkek to attend a meeting of SCO Foreign Ministers. Pakistan fully closed its airspace on February 26 after the Indian Air Force struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist training camp in Balakot. Since then, it has only opened two routes, both of them pass through southern Pakistan, of the total 11. On its part, the IAF announced on May 31 that all temporary restrictions imposed on Indian airspace post the Balakot airstrike have been removed.

PM Modi leaves for SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan; avoids Pakistan airspace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the relationship between the two countries has strengthened.

PM Modi and Xi held a bilateral talks on the sidelines of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-holds-bilateral-talks-with-chinese-president-xi-jinping-on-sco-sidelines-226851">SCO summit</a> in Kyrgyzstan. This was the first meeting between the two leaders after Modi's re-election following the stunning victory of the BJP in the general elections in India last month.

The meeting began with President Xi congratulating Prime Minister Modi over his election victory.

"After the election results in India, I got your message, and today again you wish me on the victory, I am very grateful to you for this," Modi replied.

PM Modi also mentioned about Wuhan informal summit and said there has been "improvement in strategic communication" between the two countries after the summit.&nbsp;

"After our meeting in Wuhan, we have seen a new momentum and stability in our relations. There has been a rapid progress in the strategic communication between the two sides, leading to be more sensitive towards each other's concerns and interests. And there has been new areas for further cooperation since then," Modi told Xi.

Watch: MEA briefing on Modi-Xi meeting

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/19th-sco-summit-pm-modi-meets-xi-jinping-for-first-bilateral-meeting-226904/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The 2018 Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi was largely credited to have turned around the bilateral relations soured by the 73-day Doklam stand-off, triggered by Chinese troops attempts to build a road close to Indian border in an area also claimed by Bhutan in 2017.

After the Wuhan summit, both the countries stepped up efforts to improve relations on different spheres including the military-to-military ties.

Modi also wished Chinese President Xi Jinping happy birthday during the meeting. The Chinese leader celebrates his 66th birthday on June 15.

This was the first meeting of Modi with the Chinese leader in 2019. This also was the first meeting of Modi and Xi after the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist.&nbsp;

The two leaders have met more than 10 times in the last five years, out of which four meetings happened in 2018, starting with informal Wuhan summit in April followed by bilateral meetings on the sidelines of SCO, BRICS and G20. The Chinese president will be coming to India later this year for the second informal summit.

On Friday, PM will participate at the SCO meet in the morning and will have a bilateral meeting with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and&nbsp;Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. He will also have many pull-aside meeting with leaders of several countries but no pull aside with Pakistan Prime Minister&nbsp;Imran Khan is expected.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the relationship between the two countries has strengthened. PM Modi and Xi held a bilateral talks on the sidelines of SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the relationship between the two countries has strengthened. PM Modi and Xi held a bilateral talks on the sidelines of SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan. This was the first meeting between the two leaders after Modi's re-election following the stunning victory of the BJP in the general elections in India last month. The meeting began with President Xi congratulating Prime Minister Modi over his election victory. "After the election results in India, I got your message, and today again you wish me on the victory, I am very grateful to you for this," Modi replied. PM Modi also mentioned about Wuhan informal summit and said there has been "improvement in strategic communication" between the two countries after the summit. "After our meeting in Wuhan, we have seen a new momentum and stability in our relations. There has been a rapid progress in the strategic communication between the two sides, leading to be more sensitive towards each other's concerns and interests. And there has been new areas for further cooperation since then," Modi told Xi. Watch: MEA briefing on Modi-Xi meeting The 2018 Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi was largely credited to have turned around the bilateral relations soured by the 73-day Doklam stand-off, triggered by Chinese troops attempts to build a road close to Indian border in an area also claimed by Bhutan in 2017. After the Wuhan summit, both the countries stepped up efforts to improve relations on different spheres including the military-to-military ties. Modi also wished Chinese President Xi Jinping happy birthday during the meeting. The Chinese leader celebrates his 66th birthday on June 15. This was the first meeting of Modi with the Chinese leader in 2019. This also was the first meeting of Modi and Xi after the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. The two leaders have met more than 10 times in the last five years, out of which four meetings happened in 2018, starting with informal Wuhan summit in April followed by bilateral meetings on the sidelines of SCO, BRICS and G20. The Chinese president will be coming to India later this year for the second informal summit. On Friday, PM will participate at the SCO meet in the morning and will have a bilateral meeting with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. He will also have many pull-aside meeting with leaders of several countries but no pull aside with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected.

Wuhan provided 'stability and momentum' to India-China ties: PM Modi to Xi Jinping

As many as 47 children have died due to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/muzaffarpur-31-children-die-of-acute-encephalitis-syndrome-in-june-226418">Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Muzaffarpur</a> and over 130 are admitted in hospitals, a government doctor said on Thursday.

Civil Surgeon Shailesh Kumar Singh said, "47 children have died due to AES and 137 are admitted in hospitals with high fever and other symptoms of the infection."

He said, "137 people were admitted in SKMCH hospital out of whom 40 causalities were reported."

Apart from this, "41 people were admitted in Kejriwal Hospital where seven causalities were reported, taking the toll to 47," Singh said.

Encephalitis is a viral infection which causes mild flu-like symptoms such as a fever and a headache.&nbsp;

As many as 47 children have died due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Muzaffarpur and over 130 are admitted in hospitals, a government doctor said on Thursday.

As many as 47 children have died due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Muzaffarpur and over 130 are admitted in hospitals, a government doctor said on Thursday. Civil Surgeon Shailesh Kumar Singh said, "47 children have died due to AES and 137 are admitted in hospitals with high fever and other symptoms of the infection." He said, "137 people were admitted in SKMCH hospital out of whom 40 causalities were reported." Apart from this, "41 people were admitted in Kejriwal Hospital where seven causalities were reported, taking the toll to 47," Singh said. Encephalitis is a viral infection which causes mild flu-like symptoms such as a fever and a headache.

Muzaffarpur: 47 children died due to encephalitis; over 130 in hospitals

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation and took note of preparations made by the Indian Coast Guard as well as the Navy to combat '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-vayu-not-to-hit-gujarat-will-pass-nearby-from-veraval-porbandar-dwarka-imd-226711">very severe cyclonic storm'&nbsp;Vayu</a>.

"Indian Navy Ships in Chennai, Gomati and Deepak at Mumbai have been embarked with High availability disaster recovery (HADR)/ Relief Material, and are ready to be deployed at short notice. In addition, 5000 litres of drinking water is also being embarked on board the Indian Navy ships. Seven Indian Navy aircraft and three helicopters are standby for deployment," Singh said on Thursday.

Moreover, two diving and rescue teams and three medical teams are on standby to render necessary assistance.

"Preparations have been made to set up a community kitchen at Dwarka and Porbandar. Aircraft and helicopters will be deployed for the damage assessment and search and rescue operations as required," he added.

Earlier today, Additional Chief Secretary of Revenue Department Pankaj Kumar informed that Cyclone Vayu will pass from Gujarat coastal region in the afternoon, adding that the state government is on alert and people in sensitive areas have been evacuated to safer places.

Flight services have been suspended at airports in Porbandar, Diu, Bhavnagar, Keshod and Kandla, while several trains have been diverted. The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea till June 15.&nbsp;

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation and took note of preparations made by the Indian Coast Guard as well as the Navy to combat 'very severe cyclonic storm' Vayu.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation and took note of preparations made by the Indian Coast Guard as well as the Navy to combat 'very severe cyclonic storm' Vayu. "Indian Navy Ships in Chennai, Gomati and Deepak at Mumbai have been embarked with High availability disaster recovery (HADR)/ Relief Material, and are ready to be deployed at short notice. In addition, 5000 litres of drinking water is also being embarked on board the Indian Navy ships. Seven Indian Navy aircraft and three helicopters are standby for deployment," Singh said on Thursday. Moreover, two diving and rescue teams and three medical teams are on standby to render necessary assistance. "Preparations have been made to set up a community kitchen at Dwarka and Porbandar. Aircraft and helicopters will be deployed for the damage assessment and search and rescue operations as required," he added. Earlier today, Additional Chief Secretary of Revenue Department Pankaj Kumar informed that Cyclone Vayu will pass from Gujarat coastal region in the afternoon, adding that the state government is on alert and people in sensitive areas have been evacuated to safer places. Flight services have been suspended at airports in Porbandar, Diu, Bhavnagar, Keshod and Kandla, while several trains have been diverted. The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea till June 15.

Cyclone Vayu: Rajnath Singh reviews preparations of Indian Coast Guard, Navy

As very strong winds hit the region and the sea turned rough due to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-vayu-rajnath-reviews-preparations-of-indian-coast-guard-navy-226862">cyclone Vayu</a>, the fishermen in Veraval coastal area of the district have claimed that at least 40 to 45 boats were damaged due to the impact of cyclone.

Anwar Patel president of Veraval Fishermen Community said, "heavy winds and waves as of now have damaged 40 to 45 boats at Jaleshwar area of Veraval."

Outlining the gravity of the situation, he asserted that after 1982 he had witnessed such huge waves for the first time.

Another fisherman, Gafur Bhai Patel demanded assistance from government and said, "These boats are our livelihood and government must help us during such loss is not easy to bear for us," he said.

As of Thursday afternoon, Ministry of Earth Science had stated that very Severe Cyclonic Storm VAYU is very likely to move north-northwestwards for some time and then northwestwards skirting the Saurashtra coast affecting Gir Somnath, Diu, Junagarh, Porbandar and Devbhoomi Dwarka with wind speed 135-145 kmph gusting to 160 kmph from afternoon of June 13th.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

As very strong winds hit the region and the sea turned rough due to cyclone Vayu, the fishermen in Veraval coastal area of the district have claimed that at least 40 to 45 boats were damaged due to the impact of cyclone.

As very strong winds hit the region and the sea turned rough due to cyclone Vayu, the fishermen in Veraval coastal area of the district have claimed that at least 40 to 45 boats were damaged due to the impact of cyclone. Anwar Patel president of Veraval Fishermen Community said, "heavy winds and waves as of now have damaged 40 to 45 boats at Jaleshwar area of Veraval." Outlining the gravity of the situation, he asserted that after 1982 he had witnessed such huge waves for the first time. Another fisherman, Gafur Bhai Patel demanded assistance from government and said, "These boats are our livelihood and government must help us during such loss is not easy to bear for us," he said. As of Thursday afternoon, Ministry of Earth Science had stated that very Severe Cyclonic Storm VAYU is very likely to move north-northwestwards for some time and then northwestwards skirting the Saurashtra coast affecting Gir Somnath, Diu, Junagarh, Porbandar and Devbhoomi Dwarka with wind speed 135-145 kmph gusting to 160 kmph from afternoon of June 13th.

Cyclone Vayu: Fishermen in Gujarat claim heavy losses, seek government assistance

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-asks-junior-doctors-to-resume-work-blames-bjp-cpim-for-strike-226818">Junior doctors on strike in West Bengal</a> on Thursday defied Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's 2 pm-deadline to join work and said the agitation will continue till their demands related to security in government hospitals are met.

The doctors have been agitating since Tuesday after two of their colleagues were attacked and seriously injured at the NRS medical college and hospital in Kolkata.

Banerjee, who visited the state-run SSKM hospital around noon in the wake of disruption of medical services in several parts of the state over the past three days, warned the doctors of action if they do not resume work.

A team of doctors met Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi at Raj Bhavan over the issue and said the chief minister's reaction to their protest was unexpected.

"We will continue with our agitation till our demands are fulfilled. We have spoken to the Governor. He listened to us and hopefully will speak to the chief minister," one of the junior doctors told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan after meeting Tripathi.

The delegation reiterated the demands of the striking doctors.

"We will continue with our agitation till our demands are fulfilled. Our demands are simple... Proper security with armed policemen at all hospitals, arrest of culprits involved in the NRS attack on Saturday under non-bailable sections".

"We did not expect the chief minister to say what she did. Listening to her, we felt like we were the culprits," another junior doctor said.&nbsp;

The team met the Governor after Banerjee, who also holds the health and family welfare portfolio, came down heavily on the doctors for striking work.

"I condemn the agitation. The junior doctors' strike is a conspiracy by the CPI(M) and the BJP," she said.&nbsp;

Junior doctors on strike in West Bengal on Thursday defied Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's 2 pm-deadline to join work and said the agitation will continue till their demands related to security in government hospitals are met.

Junior doctors on strike in West Bengal on Thursday defied Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's 2 pm-deadline to join work and said the agitation will continue till their demands related to security in government hospitals are met. The doctors have been agitating since Tuesday after two of their colleagues were attacked and seriously injured at the NRS medical college and hospital in Kolkata. Banerjee, who visited the state-run SSKM hospital around noon in the wake of disruption of medical services in several parts of the state over the past three days, warned the doctors of action if they do not resume work. A team of doctors met Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi at Raj Bhavan over the issue and said the chief minister's reaction to their protest was unexpected. "We will continue with our agitation till our demands are fulfilled. We have spoken to the Governor. He listened to us and hopefully will speak to the chief minister," one of the junior doctors told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan after meeting Tripathi. The delegation reiterated the demands of the striking doctors. "We will continue with our agitation till our demands are fulfilled. Our demands are simple... Proper security with armed policemen at all hospitals, arrest of culprits involved in the NRS attack on Saturday under non-bailable sections". "We did not expect the chief minister to say what she did. Listening to her, we felt like we were the culprits," another junior doctor said. The team met the Governor after Banerjee, who also holds the health and family welfare portfolio, came down heavily on the doctors for striking work. "I condemn the agitation. The junior doctors' strike is a conspiracy by the CPI(M) and the BJP," she said.

West Bengal: Doctors on strike defy Mamata's deadline, to continue stir till demands are met

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived at Kyrgyz capital for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, is holding a first bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.&nbsp;

This is the first time that the two leaders are meeting post-Masood Azhar's listing at the UNSC as an international terrorist.&nbsp;

The focus of the meeting is on Xi's upcoming visit to India.&nbsp;

President Xi is expected to visit Varanasi later this year for the second informal meeting between the two leaders.&nbsp;

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PM Modi meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. This is first bilateral in Bishkek, &amp; also first meet with Chinese President after listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorists at the United Nation <a href="https://t.co/fDWzxpwRvw">pic.twitter.com/fDWzxpwRvw</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1139129338714918913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Modi and President Xi met at Wuhan last year for their first informal meeting.&nbsp;

Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov on the sidelines of the summit.

This is the first multilateral summit PM Modi will be attending after his re-election.

The SCO represents 42 per cent of the world’s population, 22 per cent of its land area and 20 per cent of its GDP and New Delhi sees it as a platform to engage with central Asian countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived at Kyrgyz capital for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, is holding a first bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived at Kyrgyz capital for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, is holding a first bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This is the first time that the two leaders are meeting post-Masood Azhar's listing at the UNSC as an international terrorist. The focus of the meeting is on Xi's upcoming visit to India. President Xi is expected to visit Varanasi later this year for the second informal meeting between the two leaders. PM Modi meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. This is first bilateral in Bishkek, & also first meet with Chinese President after listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorists at the United Nation pic.twitter.com/fDWzxpwRvw — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 13, 2019 × Modi and President Xi met at Wuhan last year for their first informal meeting. Modi will also hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov on the sidelines of the summit. This is the first multilateral summit PM Modi will be attending after his re-election. The SCO represents 42 per cent of the world’s population, 22 per cent of its land area and 20 per cent of its GDP and New Delhi sees it as a platform to engage with central Asian countries.

PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on SCO sidelines

Indian Air Force's search and rescue team has recovered bodies of all 13 personnel who were aboard <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/rescue-team-reaches-an-32-crash-site-in-arunachal-pradesh-no-survivors-found-226779">IAF's missing AN-32 aircraft</a>.&nbsp;

As per reports, the black box of transport aircraft has also been recovered. Choppers would be used to carry the dead bodies from the crash site, news agency ANI reported.

The search team, which reached the AN-32 crash site on Thursday morning, did not find any survivors.

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All 13 bodies and black box of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AN</a>-32 transport aircraft recovered. Choppers would be used to ferry the bodies from the crash site in Arunachal Pradesh. <a href="https://t.co/CN4d5ekl5t">pic.twitter.com/CN4d5ekl5t</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1139119408679231488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Adverse weather conditions and difficult terrain had halted the progress of the rescue team on Wednesday, forcing them to camp overnight.

However, a team comprising of IAF mountaineering team, including four from the Indian Army and two civilians, reached the site earlier today only to find no survivors.&nbsp;

The families of the 13 personnel have been informed that there were no survivors, the IAF said.

Watch: Wreckage of missing Air Force An-32 plane found in Arunachal Pradesh

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-watch-wreckage-of-missing-air-force-an-32-plane-found-in-ap-226511/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The wreckage of the plane was found around 16 kilometres north of the Lipo area in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday at a height of twelve thousand feet.

The AN-32 aircraft with 13 personnel on board&nbsp;had taken off from the Jorhat air base in Assam around 12:25 pm on June 3. The aircraft was headed for Mechuka - an advanced landing ground in Arunachal Pradesh closer to the Chinese border.&nbsp;

The transport aircraft lost contact with the radar and ground staff and did not reach the Mechuka air base at its scheduled landing time at 1 pm the same day. &nbsp;The wreckage of the aircraft was located following an eight-day search operation.&nbsp;

Indian Air Force's search and rescue team has recovered bodies of all 13 personnel who were aboard IAF's missing AN-32 aircraft. As per reports, the black box of transport aircraft has also been recovered.

Indian Air Force's search and rescue team has recovered bodies of all 13 personnel who were aboard IAF's missing AN-32 aircraft. As per reports, the black box of transport aircraft has also been recovered. Choppers would be used to carry the dead bodies from the crash site, news agency ANI reported. The search team, which reached the AN-32 crash site on Thursday morning, did not find any survivors. All 13 bodies and black box of the #AN-32 transport aircraft recovered. Choppers would be used to ferry the bodies from the crash site in Arunachal Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/CN4d5ekl5t — ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2019 × Adverse weather conditions and difficult terrain had halted the progress of the rescue team on Wednesday, forcing them to camp overnight. However, a team comprising of IAF mountaineering team, including four from the Indian Army and two civilians, reached the site earlier today only to find no survivors. The families of the 13 personnel have been informed that there were no survivors, the IAF said. Watch: Wreckage of missing Air Force An-32 plane found in Arunachal Pradesh The wreckage of the plane was found around 16 kilometres north of the Lipo area in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday at a height of twelve thousand feet. The AN-32 aircraft with 13 personnel on board had taken off from the Jorhat air base in Assam around 12:25 pm on June 3. The aircraft was headed for Mechuka - an advanced landing ground in Arunachal Pradesh closer to the Chinese border. The transport aircraft lost contact with the radar and ground staff and did not reach the Mechuka air base at its scheduled landing time at 1 pm the same day. The wreckage of the aircraft was located following an eight-day search operation.

Indian Air Force's rescue team recovers bodies of all personnel aboard AN-32 aircraft

The National Investigation Agency Thursday continued raids here for a second day in connection with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-arrests-mastermind-of-isis-tamil-nadu-module-after-searches-226661">ISIS Kerala-Tamil Nadu module case</a>.

After carrying out searches at seven locations in the city on Wednesday, the NIA had detained six people for questioning and arrested prime accused Mohammed Azarudeen, who was a Facebook friend of Sri Lankan Easter Day blasts mastermind Zahra Hashim.

Officials from the revenue and police departments are carrying out searches at the houses of three other people-Mohammed Hussain, Shahjahan and Hayatulla- from as early as 4.30 am Thursday, police sources said.

NIA had registered cases on May 30 against Azarudeen, Sheik Hidyathullah, Akram Sindhaa, Aboobacker M, Sadham Hussain and Ibrahim alias Shahin, all from Coimbatore, for their involvement in recruiting youth and planning terrorist attacks in south India, especially Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The officials had seized a number of devices like mobile phones, laptops, pen drives and incriminating documents during the searches on Wednesday.

The intention of those detained was to recruit vulnerable youth into the ISIS or Daish for carrying out terrorist attacks in south India, especially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the NIA had said in a release last night.

Azarudeen was the leader of the module and has been maintaining a Facebook page 'KhilafahGFX', through which he had been propagating the ideology of ISIS, it said.

The NIA has alleged that Azarudeen has been a Facebook friend of suicide bomber Zahran Hashim and other members of the module have also been sharing radical contents attributed to Hashim, over the social media.

The officials are likely to take Azarudeen to Kochi in connection with the case and the other five have been asked to appear before a court in Kochi, the sources said.

The ISIS had claimed responsibility for the serial bombings in Sri Lanka on April 21 in which around nine suicide bombers were involved.&nbsp;

The National Investigation Agency Thursday continued raids here for a second day in connection with the ISIS Kerala-Tamil Nadu module case. After carrying out searches at seven locations in the city on Wednesday, the NIA had detained six people for questioning and arrested prime accused Mohammed Azarudeen, who was a Facebook friend of Sri Lankan Easter Day blasts mastermind Zahra Hashim.

The National Investigation Agency Thursday continued raids here for a second day in connection with the ISIS Kerala-Tamil Nadu module case. After carrying out searches at seven locations in the city on Wednesday, the NIA had detained six people for questioning and arrested prime accused Mohammed Azarudeen, who was a Facebook friend of Sri Lankan Easter Day blasts mastermind Zahra Hashim. Officials from the revenue and police departments are carrying out searches at the houses of three other people-Mohammed Hussain, Shahjahan and Hayatulla- from as early as 4.30 am Thursday, police sources said. NIA had registered cases on May 30 against Azarudeen, Sheik Hidyathullah, Akram Sindhaa, Aboobacker M, Sadham Hussain and Ibrahim alias Shahin, all from Coimbatore, for their involvement in recruiting youth and planning terrorist attacks in south India, especially Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The officials had seized a number of devices like mobile phones, laptops, pen drives and incriminating documents during the searches on Wednesday. The intention of those detained was to recruit vulnerable youth into the ISIS or Daish for carrying out terrorist attacks in south India, especially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the NIA had said in a release last night. Azarudeen was the leader of the module and has been maintaining a Facebook page 'KhilafahGFX', through which he had been propagating the ideology of ISIS, it said. The NIA has alleged that Azarudeen has been a Facebook friend of suicide bomber Zahran Hashim and other members of the module have also been sharing radical contents attributed to Hashim, over the social media. The officials are likely to take Azarudeen to Kochi in connection with the case and the other five have been asked to appear before a court in Kochi, the sources said. The ISIS had claimed responsibility for the serial bombings in Sri Lanka on April 21 in which around nine suicide bombers were involved.

NIA searches continue for second day in ISIS Kerala-Tamil Nadu module case

India is planning to launch its own space station, ISRO chief K Sivan said Thursday.

The ambitious project will be an extension of the Gaganyaan mission. 
"We have to sustain the Gaganyaan programme after the launch of (the) human space mission. In this context, India is planning to have its own space station," Sivan told reporters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandryaan-2-will-explore-region-of-moon-where-no-mission-has-ever-set-foot-isro-chairman-k-sivan-226520">India's second sojourn to the moon, Chandrayaan-2</a>, would be launched on July 15, Indian Space Research Organisation announced Wednesday, as it is all set for the most complex mission ever undertaken by it.

Under the nearly Rs 1,000 crore mission, the landing on the moon near the South Pole would be on September 6 or 7 on uncharted territory, ISRO chairman K Sivan said.

The Lander, named after the father of the Indian space programme, Vikram Sarabhai, will touch down on a rugged lunar surface in the final descent, which, according to Sivan, would be the "most terrifying moment" of the mission.

"This 15 minutes is going to be terrifying to all of us not only people from ISRO, but for entire India, because the space agency has never undertaken such type of complex flight... This 15 minutes flight is the most complex mission ISRO has ever undertaken," he said.

The ISRO had earlier kept the launch window for the mission from July 9 to July 16.

Watch: ISRO announces Chandrayaan-2 launch on July 15th

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/isro-announces-chandrayaan-2-launch-on-july-15th-226496/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Soft-landing on the South Pole of the moon, a territory that has never been visited by any spacecraft, is considered the most challenging part of the mission.

Pointing out <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-releases-first-pictures-of-chandrayaan-2-set-to-launched-in-july-226446">Chandrayaan 2 is going to the South Pole</a>, a place where nobody else has gone, Sivan said the entire scientific community of the nation and the globe were eagerly waiting for the mission.

According to him, there is both convenience and science involved for choosing the South Pole.

"From the science point of view, the South Pole is under shadow region more than the North Pole, so because of this special aspect of the South Pole, water is expected to be more there and also more minerals are expected to be there," he added.

"Whole country is waiting for this Chandrayaan-2 mission, yes ISRO has slipped (dates) many times, now ISRO has firmed up the date of launch, it is July 15 early morning at 2:51," Sivan told reporters.

He said the lander and rover will have the mission life of 1 lunar day (14 earth days) and the day of landing (September 6 or 7) will be the beginning of the lunar day.

"For one lunar day this lander and rover will be functioning and carry out scientific experiments," Sivan said.

The orbiter will be going around the moon for one year, he added.

Chandrayaan 2 will also have the credit of being India's first interplanetary mission to be steered by two women- with M Vanitha as Project Director and Ritu Karidhal as Mission Director.

Chandrayaan will carry 13 Indian payloads (8 on orbiter, 3 on lander and 2 on rover) and one passive experiment from NASA.

The mission cost of Chandrayaan-2 with regard to the satellite was Rs 603 crore, Sivan noted.

The cost of GSLV MK III is Rs 375 crore.

According to ISRO, Orbiter, with scientific payloads, would orbit around the moon.

Lander would soft-land on the moon at a predetermined site and deploy the Rover.

Chandrayaan-2 is an advanced version of the previous Chandrayaan-1 mission, which was launched about 10 years ago.

Chandrayaan-1 had 11 payloads - five from India, three from Europe, two from the US and one from Bulgaria - and the mission had the credit for the discovery of water on the lunar surface.

The 1.4-tonne spacecraft was launched using PSLV and the orbiter had orbited 100 km from the lunar surface.&nbsp;

India is planning to launch its own space station, ISRO chief K Sivan said Thursday. The ambitious project will be an extension of the Gaganyaan mission. "We have to sustain the Gaganyaan programme after the launch of (the) human space mission.

India is planning to launch its own space station, ISRO chief K Sivan said Thursday. The ambitious project will be an extension of the Gaganyaan mission. "We have to sustain the Gaganyaan programme after the launch of (the) human space mission. In this context, India is planning to have its own space station," Sivan told reporters. India's second sojourn to the moon, Chandrayaan-2, would be launched on July 15, Indian Space Research Organisation announced Wednesday, as it is all set for the most complex mission ever undertaken by it. Under the nearly Rs 1,000 crore mission, the landing on the moon near the South Pole would be on September 6 or 7 on uncharted territory, ISRO chairman K Sivan said. The Lander, named after the father of the Indian space programme, Vikram Sarabhai, will touch down on a rugged lunar surface in the final descent, which, according to Sivan, would be the "most terrifying moment" of the mission. "This 15 minutes is going to be terrifying to all of us not only people from ISRO, but for entire India, because the space agency has never undertaken such type of complex flight... This 15 minutes flight is the most complex mission ISRO has ever undertaken," he said. The ISRO had earlier kept the launch window for the mission from July 9 to July 16. Watch: ISRO announces Chandrayaan-2 launch on July 15th Soft-landing on the South Pole of the moon, a territory that has never been visited by any spacecraft, is considered the most challenging part of the mission. Pointing out Chandrayaan 2 is going to the South Pole, a place where nobody else has gone, Sivan said the entire scientific community of the nation and the globe were eagerly waiting for the mission. According to him, there is both convenience and science involved for choosing the South Pole. "From the science point of view, the South Pole is under shadow region more than the North Pole, so because of this special aspect of the South Pole, water is expected to be more there and also more minerals are expected to be there," he added. "Whole country is waiting for this Chandrayaan-2 mission, yes ISRO has slipped (dates) many times, now ISRO has firmed up the date of launch, it is July 15 early morning at 2:51," Sivan told reporters. He said the lander and rover will have the mission life of 1 lunar day (14 earth days) and the day of landing (September 6 or 7) will be the beginning of the lunar day. "For one lunar day this lander and rover will be functioning and carry out scientific experiments," Sivan said. The orbiter will be going around the moon for one year, he added. Chandrayaan 2 will also have the credit of being India's first interplanetary mission to be steered by two women- with M Vanitha as Project Director and Ritu Karidhal as Mission Director. Chandrayaan will carry 13 Indian payloads (8 on orbiter, 3 on lander and 2 on rover) and one passive experiment from NASA. The mission cost of Chandrayaan-2 with regard to the satellite was Rs 603 crore, Sivan noted. The cost of GSLV MK III is Rs 375 crore. According to ISRO, Orbiter, with scientific payloads, would orbit around the moon. Lander would soft-land on the moon at a predetermined site and deploy the Rover. Chandrayaan-2 is an advanced version of the previous Chandrayaan-1 mission, which was launched about 10 years ago. Chandrayaan-1 had 11 payloads - five from India, three from Europe, two from the US and one from Bulgaria - and the mission had the credit for the discovery of water on the lunar surface. The 1.4-tonne spacecraft was launched using PSLV and the orbiter had orbited 100 km from the lunar surface.

India is planning to have its own space station: ISRO chief

WION Exclusively in conversation with Sameer Patil; Fellow, Gateway House

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-releases-first-pictures-of-chandrayaan-2-set-to-launched-in-july-226446">India's second mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-II</a>, will be launched on July 15 at 2.51 am, ISRO chairman K Sivan said here on Wednesday.

"In future, the nation will depend more on planetary missions. After Chandrayaan I mission, we are now entering into Chandrayaan II mission. We had slipped many times but now it will be launched on July 15 at 2.51 am," he told a press conference.&nbsp;

"The day we are going to land is either September 6 or September 7, that day happens to be the beginning of a lunar day. For one full lunar day, the lander and rover will be functioning and carry out scientific experiments," he added.

Chandryaan-2 will explore a region of moon where no mission has ever set foot. The ISRO chief said the landing site, at about 70 degrees south latitude, is the southernmost for any mission till date. No country has attempted this before.

"The cost of Chandrayaan II Mission, mainly the satellite portion, including the support from foreign agencies as well as for navigation purpose, is Rs. 603 crore," he said.&nbsp;

Watch: ISRO announces Chandrayaan-2 launch on July 15th

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Sivan said that it will be launched using Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III). Chandrayaan-II consists of an orbiter, a lander and a rover together referred to as "composite body". The total mass of Chandrayaan 2 system is 3.8 ton; out of 3.8 ton, nearly 1.3 ton is the propeller. "Within 15 minutes GSLV Mk III will inject the composite body in the extrinsic orbit," he said.&nbsp;

During the next 16 days, there will be five burns using propellants. He said that the trans-lunar burn will be an important manoeuvre as it will put the trajectory of the composite body towards the moon.

"Composite Body will be travelling for 5 days from near earth to near moon covering 3.8 lakh Km distance and reach near the moon," he said.

"Again a retro-burn will happen and Composite Body will be established in the orbit of the moon," said the chairman.

"At an appropriate time, the lander will separate from the orbiter and lander will be set in action, using propulsion system to reduce its orbit and will stay for 4 days," Dr Sivan said.&nbsp;

India's second mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-II, will be launched on July 15 at 2.51 am, ISRO chairman K Sivan said here on Wednesday. "In future, the nation will depend more on planetary missions.

India's second mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-II, will be launched on July 15 at 2.51 am, ISRO chairman K Sivan said here on Wednesday. "In future, the nation will depend more on planetary missions. After Chandrayaan I mission, we are now entering into Chandrayaan II mission. We had slipped many times but now it will be launched on July 15 at 2.51 am," he told a press conference. "The day we are going to land is either September 6 or September 7, that day happens to be the beginning of a lunar day. For one full lunar day, the lander and rover will be functioning and carry out scientific experiments," he added. Chandryaan-2 will explore a region of moon where no mission has ever set foot. The ISRO chief said the landing site, at about 70 degrees south latitude, is the southernmost for any mission till date. No country has attempted this before. "The cost of Chandrayaan II Mission, mainly the satellite portion, including the support from foreign agencies as well as for navigation purpose, is Rs. 603 crore," he said. Watch: ISRO announces Chandrayaan-2 launch on July 15th Sivan said that it will be launched using Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III). Chandrayaan-II consists of an orbiter, a lander and a rover together referred to as "composite body". The total mass of Chandrayaan 2 system is 3.8 ton; out of 3.8 ton, nearly 1.3 ton is the propeller. "Within 15 minutes GSLV Mk III will inject the composite body in the extrinsic orbit," he said. During the next 16 days, there will be five burns using propellants. He said that the trans-lunar burn will be an important manoeuvre as it will put the trajectory of the composite body towards the moon. "Composite Body will be travelling for 5 days from near earth to near moon covering 3.8 lakh Km distance and reach near the moon," he said. "Again a retro-burn will happen and Composite Body will be established in the orbit of the moon," said the chairman. "At an appropriate time, the lander will separate from the orbiter and lander will be set in action, using propulsion system to reduce its orbit and will stay for 4 days," Dr Sivan said.

Chandrayaan-2 will explore region of moon where no mission has ever set foot: ISRO chairman K Sivan

Wednesday's attack on security forces, which led to the killing of five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, has thrown a new challenge and raised concerns about the safety and security of those who will be coming to the state for the holy pilgrimage this year.&nbsp;

The Amarnath Yatra will commence next month in Kashmir valley. Part of the Yatra passes through the stretch of the road that came under the attack by terrorists yesterday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-governor-asks-youth-to-shun-violence-presents-administrations-report-card-226600">Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik</a> has said that the attack on security forces was carried out on the behest of Pakistan. "Whenever situation improves in the Valley and when forces have an upper hand, directions are given from outside for fidayeen (suicide) attacks," Malik said adding that security for the Amarnath pilgrimage will be improved.

"Hundred per cent this was done on the behest of Pakistan and fidayeen attacks happen after Pakistan gives a signal," the J&amp;K Governor told media.&nbsp;

Advisor to Governor and retired IPS officer, K Vijay Kumar, who was involved in the killing of Veerappan during Operation Cocoon, 2004, says arrangements are foolproof and there is no need to worry.

"We will take sufficient precautions. We will factor in what happened in Anantnag. We also look at the previous incidents and this will also be part of the overall planning. With all intelligence and precautions, this is the place where the public and transport is moving. It's not an isolated post, it was one-to-one," said Kumar.&nbsp;

In 2017, Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying Amarnath Yatra pilgrims killing 8 and wounding 19 others in Anantnag district.&nbsp;

"We wouldn't say what we will do, but we will do all the arrangements. Within a few minutes, there was a proper reaction, the initial opportunity is with the other side," Kumar said.&nbsp;

Kumar said that there are some claims made and name of Al Umar outfit has been mentioned but they don't give it complete credibility and will analyse the case.&nbsp;

Speaking after laying wreaths on the coffins of slain CRPF personnel, Kumar said that "there are a lot of people from the community who want to bring the situation to normalcy, however, these kinds of elements coming from outside can change the temperature a little bit, we are resolute and determined".&nbsp;

The Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to begin from July 1 and end on August 15.&nbsp;

Wednesday's attack on security forces, which led to the killing of five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, has thrown a new challenge and raised concerns about the safety and security of those who will be coming to the state for the holy pilgrimage this year.

Wednesday's attack on security forces, which led to the killing of five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, has thrown a new challenge and raised concerns about the safety and security of those who will be coming to the state for the holy pilgrimage this year. The Amarnath Yatra will commence next month in Kashmir valley. Part of the Yatra passes through the stretch of the road that came under the attack by terrorists yesterday. Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has said that the attack on security forces was carried out on the behest of Pakistan. "Whenever situation improves in the Valley and when forces have an upper hand, directions are given from outside for fidayeen (suicide) attacks," Malik said adding that security for the Amarnath pilgrimage will be improved. "Hundred per cent this was done on the behest of Pakistan and fidayeen attacks happen after Pakistan gives a signal," the J&K Governor told media. Advisor to Governor and retired IPS officer, K Vijay Kumar, who was involved in the killing of Veerappan during Operation Cocoon, 2004, says arrangements are foolproof and there is no need to worry. "We will take sufficient precautions. We will factor in what happened in Anantnag. We also look at the previous incidents and this will also be part of the overall planning. With all intelligence and precautions, this is the place where the public and transport is moving. It's not an isolated post, it was one-to-one," said Kumar. In 2017, Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying Amarnath Yatra pilgrims killing 8 and wounding 19 others in Anantnag district. "We wouldn't say what we will do, but we will do all the arrangements. Within a few minutes, there was a proper reaction, the initial opportunity is with the other side," Kumar said. Kumar said that there are some claims made and name of Al Umar outfit has been mentioned but they don't give it complete credibility and will analyse the case. Speaking after laying wreaths on the coffins of slain CRPF personnel, Kumar said that "there are a lot of people from the community who want to bring the situation to normalcy, however, these kinds of elements coming from outside can change the temperature a little bit, we are resolute and determined". The Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to begin from July 1 and end on August 15.

Attack on security personnel in Anantnag carried out on behest of Pakistan, security for Amarnath Yatra foolproof: J&K Governor

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday reprimanded Congress workers for not giving their best to make sure the party won the Lok Sabha polls resulting into a humiliating defeat in the state.&nbsp;

"I did not want to deliver any speech here but since I have been made to speak, let me speak the truth. The truth is that this election was won with the help of Sonia Gandhi and the people of Raebareli," a visibly upset Priyanka said at a thanksgiving rally after UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi won the election from Raebareli.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, on her maiden visit to Raebareli after the Lok Sabha victory, attacked the BJP, saying that all type of tactics were adopted to win the Lok Sabha elections.

"All type of tactics were adopted to woo the voters. Everyone in this country knows whether it was moral and immoral what happened in the elections. I feel this is the greatest misfortune that limits of dignity are crossed to retain the power," Sonia said at a thanksgiving rally in Raebareli.

Priyanka, who was made the Congress secretary and in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, said that she will find out the name of workers who did not work in favour of the party in the Lok Sabha elections. She said, "You all know about those who worked religiously and I will find out about those who did not work for the party in the elections."

Priyanka had campaigned vigorously in favour of Congress candidates in UP, especially in Raebareli and Amethi but the party lost all the seats in UP with Raebareli being the only exception.&nbsp;

Several senior party leaders including Congress President Rahul Gandhi had to suffer defeat in the elections.

After the Lok Sabha debacle, Priyanka faces an uphill task to strengthen the party cadre in the state in view of the upcoming bypoll and the Assembly elections due in 2022.

Congress put a poor show in the Lok Sabha elections by winning a meagre 53 seats.&nbsp;

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday reprimanded Congress workers for not giving their best to make sure the party won the Lok Sabha polls resulting into a humiliating defeat in the state.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday reprimanded Congress workers for not giving their best to make sure the party won the Lok Sabha polls resulting into a humiliating defeat in the state. "I did not want to deliver any speech here but since I have been made to speak, let me speak the truth. The truth is that this election was won with the help of Sonia Gandhi and the people of Raebareli," a visibly upset Priyanka said at a thanksgiving rally after UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi won the election from Raebareli. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, on her maiden visit to Raebareli after the Lok Sabha victory, attacked the BJP, saying that all type of tactics were adopted to win the Lok Sabha elections. "All type of tactics were adopted to woo the voters. Everyone in this country knows whether it was moral and immoral what happened in the elections. I feel this is the greatest misfortune that limits of dignity are crossed to retain the power," Sonia said at a thanksgiving rally in Raebareli. Priyanka, who was made the Congress secretary and in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, said that she will find out the name of workers who did not work in favour of the party in the Lok Sabha elections. She said, "You all know about those who worked religiously and I will find out about those who did not work for the party in the elections." Priyanka had campaigned vigorously in favour of Congress candidates in UP, especially in Raebareli and Amethi but the party lost all the seats in UP with Raebareli being the only exception. Several senior party leaders including Congress President Rahul Gandhi had to suffer defeat in the elections. After the Lok Sabha debacle, Priyanka faces an uphill task to strengthen the party cadre in the state in view of the upcoming bypoll and the Assembly elections due in 2022. Congress put a poor show in the Lok Sabha elections by winning a meagre 53 seats.

Priyanka Gandhi reprimands Congress workers for not giving their best in Lok Sabha polls

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-clashes-erupt-between-bjp-workers-police-in-kolkata-226477">West Bengal</a> Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asked the agitating junior doctors across the state to resume work by 2 pm and warned of action if the order was not followed.

Banerjee, who reached the state-run SSKM hospital around 12.10 pm in the wake of disruption of medical services in several parts of the state over the past three days, directed the police to clear the hospital premises, asserting that no one apart from patients should be allowed on the campus.

She had given the doctors a four-hour deadline to rejoin service but later revised it to 2 pm.

The chief minister claimed that the agitation was part of a conspiracy of her political rivals.

"I condemn the agitation. The junior doctors' strike is a conspiracy by the CPI(M) and the BJP," Banerjee, who also holds the health and family welfare portfolio, said.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief alleged that outsiders had entered medical colleges and hospitals to create disturbances. She also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to give the strike a communal colour.

"The BJP, with help from the CPI(M), is indulging in Hindu-Muslim politics. I am shocked to see their love affair," Banerjee said. "BJP chief Amit Shah is encouraging his party cadre to create communal tension and run propaganda on Facebook."

Senior BJP leader Mukul Roy had alleged that members of a particular community had carried out the attack on doctors and that the perpetrators belonged to the TMC.

The doctors, who have been agitating since Tuesday after two of their colleagues were attacked and seriously injured at the NRS medical college and hospital in Kolkata, raised "we want justice" slogans before the chief minister.

Despite the warning, the protesters were seen continuing with their agitation at the SSKM hospital.

Sources said a joint platform of doctors would be meeting the governor shortly to submit a deputation in connection with the ongoing agitation.

Emergency wards, outdoor facilities, pathological units of many state-run medical colleges and hospitals and a number of private medical facilities in the state have remained closed over the past two days in the wake of the protest.&nbsp;

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asked the agitating junior doctors across the state to resume work by 2 pm and warned of action if the order was not followed.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asked the agitating junior doctors across the state to resume work by 2 pm and warned of action if the order was not followed. Banerjee, who reached the state-run SSKM hospital around 12.10 pm in the wake of disruption of medical services in several parts of the state over the past three days, directed the police to clear the hospital premises, asserting that no one apart from patients should be allowed on the campus. She had given the doctors a four-hour deadline to rejoin service but later revised it to 2 pm. The chief minister claimed that the agitation was part of a conspiracy of her political rivals. "I condemn the agitation. The junior doctors' strike is a conspiracy by the CPI(M) and the BJP," Banerjee, who also holds the health and family welfare portfolio, said. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief alleged that outsiders had entered medical colleges and hospitals to create disturbances. She also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to give the strike a communal colour. "The BJP, with help from the CPI(M), is indulging in Hindu-Muslim politics. I am shocked to see their love affair," Banerjee said. "BJP chief Amit Shah is encouraging his party cadre to create communal tension and run propaganda on Facebook." Senior BJP leader Mukul Roy had alleged that members of a particular community had carried out the attack on doctors and that the perpetrators belonged to the TMC. The doctors, who have been agitating since Tuesday after two of their colleagues were attacked and seriously injured at the NRS medical college and hospital in Kolkata, raised "we want justice" slogans before the chief minister. Despite the warning, the protesters were seen continuing with their agitation at the SSKM hospital. Sources said a joint platform of doctors would be meeting the governor shortly to submit a deputation in connection with the ongoing agitation. Emergency wards, outdoor facilities, pathological units of many state-run medical colleges and hospitals and a number of private medical facilities in the state have remained closed over the past two days in the wake of the protest.

Mamata Banerjee asks junior doctors to resume work; blames BJP, CPI(M) for strike

Union Home Minister and party president Amit Shah is expected to continue as the party chief till December this year, a&nbsp;report stated.

Shah will remain the party president to oversee important state elections in Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, the report added.

Amit Shah' s three-year term as BJP chief ended earlier this year, but he was asked to continue&nbsp;till the completion of party&nbsp;engineering.

Shah on Thursday held the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-holds-meeting-with-key-bjp-leaders-may-decide-next-party-president-226755"> first meeting of all state chiefs </a>after the historic victory of BJP in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

The meeting was organised at the BJP headquarters in Delhi and was attended by state in-charges and other senior states functionaries.

&nbsp;

Union Home Minister and party president Amit Shah is expected to continue as the party chief till December this year, a report stated. Shah will remain the party president to oversee important state elections in Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, the report added.

Union Home Minister and party president Amit Shah is expected to continue as the party chief till December this year, a report stated. Shah will remain the party president to oversee important state elections in Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, the report added. Amit Shah' s three-year term as BJP chief ended earlier this year, but he was asked to continue till the completion of party engineering. Shah on Thursday held the first meeting of all state chiefs after the historic victory of BJP in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. The meeting was organised at the BJP headquarters in Delhi and was attended by state in-charges and other senior states functionaries.

Amit Shah likely to remain party president till December: Report

PM Modi arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday afternoon to attend the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sco-summit-pm-modi-set-to-meet-president-xi-putin-today-226707">Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)</a> summit to be held here on June 13 and 14.

The prime minister&nbsp;had left for Bishkek in the morning at around 7:30 am.

His aircraft reached Kyrgyzstan by flying over Oman, Iran and several central Asian countries avoiding Pakistan's airspace.

If PM Modi had flown over Pakistan it would have taken three-and-a-half hours to reach Bishkek. His flight now took six hours to reach the destination.

The decision to avoid Pak's airspace was made on Wednesday even as Pakistan said it will "specially" open its airspace for the flight of Prime Minister Modi to Bishkek to attend the SCO summit.

The decision also came over a week after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi wrote separate letters to their Indian counterparts, pushing for restarting bilateral talks.

During his visit to the country, PM Modi will hold meeting&nbsp;with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov.

This is the first multilateral summit PM Modi will be attending after the elections.

The SCO represents 42 per cent of the world’s population, 22 per cent of its land area and 20 per cent of its GDP and New Delhi sees it as a platform to engage with central Asian countries.

&nbsp;

PM Modi arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday afternoon to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to be held here on June 13 and 14. The prime minister had left for Bishkek in the morning at around 7:30 am.

PM Modi arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday afternoon to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to be held here on June 13 and 14. The prime minister had left for Bishkek in the morning at around 7:30 am. His aircraft reached Kyrgyzstan by flying over Oman, Iran and several central Asian countries avoiding Pakistan's airspace. If PM Modi had flown over Pakistan it would have taken three-and-a-half hours to reach Bishkek. His flight now took six hours to reach the destination. The decision to avoid Pak's airspace was made on Wednesday even as Pakistan said it will "specially" open its airspace for the flight of Prime Minister Modi to Bishkek to attend the SCO summit. The decision also came over a week after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi wrote separate letters to their Indian counterparts, pushing for restarting bilateral talks. During his visit to the country, PM Modi will hold meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. This is the first multilateral summit PM Modi will be attending after the elections. The SCO represents 42 per cent of the world’s population, 22 per cent of its land area and 20 per cent of its GDP and New Delhi sees it as a platform to engage with central Asian countries.

PM Modi reaches Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan for 2-day SCO summit

The Indian Air Force(IAF) search team which reached the AN-32 crash site on Thursday morning did not find any survivors.

Adverse weather <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rescue-operation-halted-in-an-32-crash-site-as-iaf-mountaineers-face-adverse-weather-226773">conditions and difficult terrain</a> had halted the progress of the rescue team on Wednesday, forcing them to camp overnight.

However, a team comprision of IAF mountaineering team including four from the Indian Army and two civilians reached the site today but found no survivors.&nbsp;

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Following air-warriors lost their life in the tragic <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/An32?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#An32</a> crash - W/C GM Charles, S/L H Vinod, F/L R Thapa, F/L A Tanwar, F/L S Mohanty, F/L MK Garg, WO KK Mishra, Sgt Anoop Kumar, Cpl Sherin, LAC SK Singh, LAC Pankaj, NC(E) Putali &amp; NC(E) Rajesh Kumar.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1139073478630363136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The families of the 13 personnel have been informed that there were no survivors, the IAF said.

The wreckage of the plane was found around 16 kilometres north of the lipo area in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday, at a height of twelve thousand feet.

The 15-member team comprising of nine climbers from the IAF mountaineering team including four from the Indian Army and two civilians were dispatched to the crashed area on Wednesday.

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IAF Pays tribute to the brave Air-warriors who lost their life during the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/An32?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#An32</a> crash on 03 Jun 2019 and stands by with the families of the victims. May their soul rest in peace.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1139073482212356097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The AN-32 aircraft with 13 people on board – eight officers and five passengers had taken off from the Jorhat air base around 12:25 pm on June 3 and was headed for Mechuka - an advanced landing ground in Arunachal Pradesh closer to the Chinese border.&nbsp;

The transport aircraft lost contact with the radar and ground staff and did not reach the Mechuka air base at its scheduled landing time at 1pm the same day. &nbsp;The wreckage of the aircraft was located following an eight-day search operation.&nbsp;

The Indian Air Force(IAF) search team which reached the AN-32 crash site on Thursday morning did not find any survivors. Adverse weather conditions and difficult terrain had halted the progress of the rescue team on Wednesday, forcing them to camp overnight.

The Indian Air Force(IAF) search team which reached the AN-32 crash site on Thursday morning did not find any survivors. Adverse weather conditions and difficult terrain had halted the progress of the rescue team on Wednesday, forcing them to camp overnight. However, a team comprision of IAF mountaineering team including four from the Indian Army and two civilians reached the site today but found no survivors. Following air-warriors lost their life in the tragic #An32 crash - W/C GM Charles, S/L H Vinod, F/L R Thapa, F/L A Tanwar, F/L S Mohanty, F/L MK Garg, WO KK Mishra, Sgt Anoop Kumar, Cpl Sherin, LAC SK Singh, LAC Pankaj, NC(E) Putali & NC(E) Rajesh Kumar. — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 13, 2019 × The families of the 13 personnel have been informed that there were no survivors, the IAF said. The wreckage of the plane was found around 16 kilometres north of the lipo area in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday, at a height of twelve thousand feet. The 15-member team comprising of nine climbers from the IAF mountaineering team including four from the Indian Army and two civilians were dispatched to the crashed area on Wednesday. IAF Pays tribute to the brave Air-warriors who lost their life during the #An32 crash on 03 Jun 2019 and stands by with the families of the victims. May their soul rest in peace. — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 13, 2019 × The AN-32 aircraft with 13 people on board – eight officers and five passengers had taken off from the Jorhat air base around 12:25 pm on June 3 and was headed for Mechuka - an advanced landing ground in Arunachal Pradesh closer to the Chinese border. The transport aircraft lost contact with the radar and ground staff and did not reach the Mechuka air base at its scheduled landing time at 1pm the same day. The wreckage of the aircraft was located following an eight-day search operation.

Rescue team reaches AN-32 crash site in Arunachal Pradesh, no survivors found

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The Out Patient Departments (OPDs) in the Siliguri district hospital and North Bengal Medical College and Hospital will remain shut on Thursday as junior doctors' strike has entered the third day in Kolkata leaving hundreds of patients in the lurch.

The doctors' protest erupted on Tuesday after an intern at the Nil Ratan Sarkar (NRS) Medical College and Hospital was allegedly attacked by the relative of a patient who died on June 10.

"The authorities have opened a parallel emergency system where senior doctors will exam serious medical cases of the patients," sources at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital told ANI.

There are 22 OPD doors in these hospitals where more than 4000 people turn up every day on an average, the source added.

"We have already explained our demands in posters. The Chief Minister should come here and she hasn't reached yet," a doctor, who was protesting here, said.

Moreover, the incident has triggered protests from doctors in other government hospitals across the state.

According to hospital authorities, adequate security arrangements have been made in the premises of the hospital.

Earlier, the family members of the deceased patient staged a protest alleging medical negligence by doctors.

West Bengal Health Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said four persons have been arrested in connection with the case.

The doctor who was attacked is reportedly admitted in the intensive care unit after he sustained grievous injuries.&nbsp;
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The Out Patient Departments (OPDs) in the Siliguri district hospital and North Bengal Medical College and Hospital will remain shut on Thursday as junior doctors' strike has entered the third day in Kolkata leaving hundreds of patients in the lurch.

The Out Patient Departments (OPDs) in the Siliguri district hospital and North Bengal Medical College and Hospital will remain shut on Thursday as junior doctors' strike has entered the third day in Kolkata leaving hundreds of patients in the lurch. The doctors' protest erupted on Tuesday after an intern at the Nil Ratan Sarkar (NRS) Medical College and Hospital was allegedly attacked by the relative of a patient who died on June 10. "The authorities have opened a parallel emergency system where senior doctors will exam serious medical cases of the patients," sources at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital told ANI. There are 22 OPD doors in these hospitals where more than 4000 people turn up every day on an average, the source added. "We have already explained our demands in posters. The Chief Minister should come here and she hasn't reached yet," a doctor, who was protesting here, said. Moreover, the incident has triggered protests from doctors in other government hospitals across the state. According to hospital authorities, adequate security arrangements have been made in the premises of the hospital. Earlier, the family members of the deceased patient staged a protest alleging medical negligence by doctors. West Bengal Health Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said four persons have been arrested in connection with the case. The doctor who was attacked is reportedly admitted in the intensive care unit after he sustained grievous injuries.

West Bengal: OPDs remain shut as doctors' strike enters third day

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