China's counter-surveillance industry booms amid heightened espionage fears | Gravitas

Navratri 2026: 9 days, 9 forms of Goddess Durga and 9 colours- Check the complete list

Trump accuses Houthis of driving up oil prices before US midterms, warns of consequences

Russian woman and Bihar boy's love story goes viral after she reaches India to marry him

US Midterms 2026: In Alaska, cost-of-living anxiety meets strangest ballot in high-stakes Senate race

Arijit Singh 9-city India stadium tour to start from January: Check venue and ticket prices

F1 set to return to Africa for first time since 1993 

'Don't ever mess with nature!': Trump’s tiger attack post triggers social media backlash as victim's family issues heartbreaking tribute

CMs Vijay-Naidu meet in Vijayawada, discuss water sharing, river-linking

Air India Flight from Frankfurt diverted to Jaipur after hijack alert, probe on

1,500 drones illuminate Mumbai sky as Cordelia Cruises unveils second ship, Cordelia Sky

Delhi Police arrest Cockroach Janta Party's Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde in Jantar Mantar case, to be produced before court

Pakistan to chair UN-backed global Borrowers’ Platform as its own debt burden mounts, triggers sarcastic reactions on social media

France accuses Musk of ‘online harassment’ of European leaders, warns of poll interference

'Turn approver, resign, we'll forgive you': Rahul Gandhi claims receiving messages from CEC Gyanesh Kumar

MI5 chief warns Russia is UK’s ‘aggressor number one’ as Iran and AI threats grow

Trump reconsidering calling off Nidal Hasan's execution livestream. Here's why

‘My president, I mean my husband’: Trump's new press secretary Katie Zacharia's first briefing goes off the rails in 14 minutes

‘How many people did she illegally bring from Somalia?’ Trump targets Ilhan Omar, questions her net worth

Marco Rubio to visit India next week, focus on energy cooperation and strategic ties

US politicians mistakenly use Indian, Russian warship images for Navy's birthday posts

'Ouch!!! That must hurt': Kangana Ranaut hails Kamal Haasan's sharp reply to Elon Musk over Starlink row

Girl 'dead' for 8 hours wakes up at her own funeral, dad insists she wasn't breathing

Sidhu Moose Wala’s younger brother wins hearts by recreating late singer’s signature move at Toronto Hologram Show

UK school ditches technology, shifts from screen to pen and paper for learning

Durga Puja 2026: Kolkata roads get a splash of colours

New OTT releases this week (October 12-18, 2026): Sacrifice, Koffee with Karan S9, Roadies Rebirth- 6 titles coming on Netflix, JioHotstar and more

Inside Aneet Padda's 24th birthday bash with rumoured boyfriend Ahaan Panday and Alia Bhatt

New Cold War: Why is China buying more gold? Explained

Netanyahu wants to join Saudi's war on Houthis, but Crown Prince denies: Report

Anupam Kher joins Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana as Jatayu, new poster unveiled

Measles kills again: 6 dead in Pennsylvania as America faces its worst outbreak in decades | Gravitas

CJP slams 'Coward Sarkar' as Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka sent to 5 days' judicial custody over Jantar Mantar protest

Cornell University suspends fraternity parties over 2024 gang rape allegations

Acting tough against cases of corruption, the Indian Army has carried out a Court of Inquiry into allegations of corruption against a senior Lieutenant General for misuse of government funds.

"A Court of Inquiry was ordered by the Army Headquarters under a senior Lieutenant General to probe the corruption charges against the officer after complaints were received that he had misused government funds for buying equipment worth over Rs 10 lakh for personal use," senior government sources told ANI here.

As per allegations, the officer had used government funds meant for the institutions under him for buying air conditioners, furniture and other things for his personal use in an unauthorised manner, they said.

As soon as the complaints reached the headquarters, a high-level Court of Inquiry headed by a Principal Staff Officer of Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat was ordered.

PSOs are the senior most Lt Gens in the Army posted at the headquarters for assisting the Army Chief in day to day functioning of the force.

Since the inquiry is against a Lt Gen, the members in it are also of the rank of Lt Gen.

"The presiding officer of the Court of Inquiry has completed the probe and has already briefed the Army Chief about it," the sources said.

It is learnt that the Court of inquiry has recommended disciplinary action against the officer.

Ever since Gen Bipin Rawat has taken over as the Chief of the Indian Army, he has clearly told officers and personnel that there would be no tolerance against moral turpitude and financial corruption in the force.

Several officers have also been dismissed from service and retired without a pension after they were indicted in cases of corruption and moral turpitude.&nbsp;

Acting tough against cases of corruption, the Indian Army has carried out a Court of Inquiry into allegations of corruption against a senior Lieutenant General for misuse of government funds.

Acting tough against cases of corruption, the Indian Army has carried out a Court of Inquiry into allegations of corruption against a senior Lieutenant General for misuse of government funds. "A Court of Inquiry was ordered by the Army Headquarters under a senior Lieutenant General to probe the corruption charges against the officer after complaints were received that he had misused government funds for buying equipment worth over Rs 10 lakh for personal use," senior government sources told ANI here. As per allegations, the officer had used government funds meant for the institutions under him for buying air conditioners, furniture and other things for his personal use in an unauthorised manner, they said. As soon as the complaints reached the headquarters, a high-level Court of Inquiry headed by a Principal Staff Officer of Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat was ordered. PSOs are the senior most Lt Gens in the Army posted at the headquarters for assisting the Army Chief in day to day functioning of the force. Since the inquiry is against a Lt Gen, the members in it are also of the rank of Lt Gen. "The presiding officer of the Court of Inquiry has completed the probe and has already briefed the Army Chief about it," the sources said. It is learnt that the Court of inquiry has recommended disciplinary action against the officer. Ever since Gen Bipin Rawat has taken over as the Chief of the Indian Army, he has clearly told officers and personnel that there would be no tolerance against moral turpitude and financial corruption in the force. Several officers have also been dismissed from service and retired without a pension after they were indicted in cases of corruption and moral turpitude.

Army Lieutenant General faces action for alleged corruption over misuse of government funds

The death toll in Odisha due to <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-fani-officers-hold-review-meeting-provide-food-in-affected-areas-of-odisha-217644">cyclone Fani</a> has touched 43 with Puri recording the maximum number of casualties at 21 according to official estimates released by the Odisha government on Saturday.

Puri was followed by Cuttack (6), Khordha (5), Jajpur (4), Mayurbhanj (4) and Kendrapada (3) in the casualty list.

According to government data, livestock casualties are over 34 lakhs and over one crore people were adversely affected by '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/8-without-without-power-water-protests-break-out-in-cyclone-hit-odisha-217646">Fani'</a>&nbsp;in the state.

Massive damage to power infrastructure in the state particularly in the districts of Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, and Kendrapada has also been reported. 5030 kilometres of 33 KV lines, 38613 kilometres of 11 KV lines, 64304 distribution transformers, and 79485 kilometres of LT lines are reportedly damaged across the state.

"In Puri district, extensive damages have occurred to kutcha houses. As per report received so far 1,89,095 houses damaged in Puri. Structures of temporary street vendors have been completely damaged. 160 people injured and admitted to hospital for treatment. Special Circuit House Puri, Office and Residence of SP and Collector have been badly damaged like many other buildings," a state government statement said.

"Huge numbers of trees have been uprooted resulting in disruption of road communication. Khordha and Bhubaneswar city have been severely affected," it added.

The government informed that road communication in Ganjam and Gajapati have been completely restored. While road clearance and restoration work in other districts including Bhubaneswar city continue.

Besides, the state government has claimed to restore 100 per cent water supply to Cuttack, Khordha, and Jatni. Also, Puri, Bhubaneswar, Konark, and Nimapara have already achieved cent per cent restoration of water supply.

Cyclone Fani which made landfall in Puri district on May 3 left a trail of destruction in the state.&nbsp;

The death toll in Odisha due to cyclone Fani has touched 43 with Puri recording the maximum number of casualties at 21 according to official estimates released by the Odisha government on Saturday.

The death toll in Odisha due to cyclone Fani has touched 43 with Puri recording the maximum number of casualties at 21 according to official estimates released by the Odisha government on Saturday. Puri was followed by Cuttack (6), Khordha (5), Jajpur (4), Mayurbhanj (4) and Kendrapada (3) in the casualty list. According to government data, livestock casualties are over 34 lakhs and over one crore people were adversely affected by 'Fani' in the state. Massive damage to power infrastructure in the state particularly in the districts of Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, and Kendrapada has also been reported. 5030 kilometres of 33 KV lines, 38613 kilometres of 11 KV lines, 64304 distribution transformers, and 79485 kilometres of LT lines are reportedly damaged across the state. "In Puri district, extensive damages have occurred to kutcha houses. As per report received so far 1,89,095 houses damaged in Puri. Structures of temporary street vendors have been completely damaged. 160 people injured and admitted to hospital for treatment. Special Circuit House Puri, Office and Residence of SP and Collector have been badly damaged like many other buildings," a state government statement said. "Huge numbers of trees have been uprooted resulting in disruption of road communication. Khordha and Bhubaneswar city have been severely affected," it added. The government informed that road communication in Ganjam and Gajapati have been completely restored. While road clearance and restoration work in other districts including Bhubaneswar city continue. Besides, the state government has claimed to restore 100 per cent water supply to Cuttack, Khordha, and Jatni. Also, Puri, Bhubaneswar, Konark, and Nimapara have already achieved cent per cent restoration of water supply. Cyclone Fani which made landfall in Puri district on May 3 left a trail of destruction in the state.

Cyclone Fani: Death toll touches 43 in Odisha

A Right to Information (RTI) query has revealed that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/vajpayee-government-conducted-nuclear-tests-20-years-back-other-governments-never-had-similar-courage-pm-modi-217767">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> and his council of ministers incurred an expenditure of Rs 393 crore on foreign and domestic travel in the last five fiscal years.

City-based RTI activist Anil Galgali had filed an RTI query with the PMO seeking the total Foreign Travel Expenses (FTE) and Domestic Travel Expenses (DTE) incurred by the prime minister and his council since May 2014.

In December 2018, the Modi government, replying to queries on foreign travel expenses in Rajya Sabha, had said that an expenditure of over Rs 2,021 crore was incurred on chartered flights, maintenance of aircraft and hotline facilities during Modi's visits to foreign countries since June 2014.

The RTI filed by Galgali finds that Rs 263 crore was spent by the PM and his cabinet colleagues on their foreign visits, while Rs 48 crore were spent in their domestic visits.&nbsp;

As far as ministers of state are concerned, the RTI reply states that they incurred expenses of Rs 29 crore on foreign visits and Rs 53 crore on domestic visits.

Replying to his query, Satish Goyal, the senior accounts officer of Pay and Account Office of the Cabinet Affairs, has stated that cumulative expenditure incurred on FTE and DTE by the PM and the ministers from the financial year 2014-15 to 2018-19 was Rs 393.58 crore.

Citing e-lekha reports, Goyal gave separate expenditures of the cabinet ministers, the prime minister and the ministers of state.

According to the RTI reply, cabinet ministers and the prime minister spent Rs 311 crore, while ministers of state spent Rs 82 crores on their foreign and domestic visits.

A major chunk of expenses was incurred in the year 2014-15 when Rs 88 crore was spent on foreign travels by the prime minister and his cabinet colleagues.

Galgali asked why all details were not kept separately and termed it a "lack of transparency".

"This information on travel expenditure does not give the full picture and therefore, it is a lack of transparency. The government should keep all records of each minister and their numbers of trips and their expenses and all this information should be available in public domain."

Replying to Galgali's previous RTI query, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had said that it does not keep records of the expenses incurred on the domestic visits of the prime minister exclusively.

Praveen Kumar, Under Secretary and the Central Public Information Officer of the PMO, had replied that the MPs' domestic visits are organised by the different public authorities and documentation of the expenses incurred on the PM's domestic visits is not part of the records and information maintained.

Kumar also said that the prime minister's tours related to poll campaigns are not official ones and the PMO does not have to incur any expenditure on them, therefore, the details cannot be provided.

As per PMO website, the expenses on domestic visits of the prime minister are met out of the budget of the Ministry of Defence, while the expenses of his foreign tours are met out of the budget head "Cabinet Ministers Maintenance of PM's aircraft Other charges".

According to the PMO website, Modi has made 49 foreign trips from May 2014 to February 22, 2019. It also lists the expenses incurred on chartered flights on these 49 foreign trips.&nbsp;

A Right to Information (RTI) query has revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his council of ministers incurred an expenditure of Rs 393 crore on foreign and domestic travel in the last five fiscal years.

A Right to Information (RTI) query has revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his council of ministers incurred an expenditure of Rs 393 crore on foreign and domestic travel in the last five fiscal years. City-based RTI activist Anil Galgali had filed an RTI query with the PMO seeking the total Foreign Travel Expenses (FTE) and Domestic Travel Expenses (DTE) incurred by the prime minister and his council since May 2014. In December 2018, the Modi government, replying to queries on foreign travel expenses in Rajya Sabha, had said that an expenditure of over Rs 2,021 crore was incurred on chartered flights, maintenance of aircraft and hotline facilities during Modi's visits to foreign countries since June 2014. The RTI filed by Galgali finds that Rs 263 crore was spent by the PM and his cabinet colleagues on their foreign visits, while Rs 48 crore were spent in their domestic visits. As far as ministers of state are concerned, the RTI reply states that they incurred expenses of Rs 29 crore on foreign visits and Rs 53 crore on domestic visits. Replying to his query, Satish Goyal, the senior accounts officer of Pay and Account Office of the Cabinet Affairs, has stated that cumulative expenditure incurred on FTE and DTE by the PM and the ministers from the financial year 2014-15 to 2018-19 was Rs 393.58 crore. Citing e-lekha reports, Goyal gave separate expenditures of the cabinet ministers, the prime minister and the ministers of state. According to the RTI reply, cabinet ministers and the prime minister spent Rs 311 crore, while ministers of state spent Rs 82 crores on their foreign and domestic visits. A major chunk of expenses was incurred in the year 2014-15 when Rs 88 crore was spent on foreign travels by the prime minister and his cabinet colleagues. Galgali asked why all details were not kept separately and termed it a "lack of transparency". "This information on travel expenditure does not give the full picture and therefore, it is a lack of transparency. The government should keep all records of each minister and their numbers of trips and their expenses and all this information should be available in public domain." Replying to Galgali's previous RTI query, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had said that it does not keep records of the expenses incurred on the domestic visits of the prime minister exclusively. Praveen Kumar, Under Secretary and the Central Public Information Officer of the PMO, had replied that the MPs' domestic visits are organised by the different public authorities and documentation of the expenses incurred on the PM's domestic visits is not part of the records and information maintained. Kumar also said that the prime minister's tours related to poll campaigns are not official ones and the PMO does not have to incur any expenditure on them, therefore, the details cannot be provided. As per PMO website, the expenses on domestic visits of the prime minister are met out of the budget of the Ministry of Defence, while the expenses of his foreign tours are met out of the budget head "Cabinet Ministers Maintenance of PM's aircraft Other charges". According to the PMO website, Modi has made 49 foreign trips from May 2014 to February 22, 2019. It also lists the expenses incurred on chartered flights on these 49 foreign trips.

PM, council of ministers incurred Rs 393 crore expenditure on foreign, domestic travel in 5 years

India’s ambitious health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, marks a significant step towards universal health coverage but the government should ensure that it is sustainable and delivers the high-quality care that Indians need, a top American think-tank said Friday. Based on the analysis of the first year of Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), popularly known as “Modicare”, researchers at the Washington DC-based Centre for Global Development (CGD) said the overall effort has been positive but they also highlighted challenges and several potential pitfalls related to cost and quality that could derail the scheme’s progress.

“Modicare has put healthcare within reach for hundreds of millions, significantly increasing the number of people who have government-funded health insurance and far exceeding the initial estimates,” Amanda Glassman, chief operating officer at CGD and one of the authors of the study, told PTI, “We found that more than 500 million people are now eligible for coverage by Modicare or state-funded expansions of the programme. That’s an impressive number, but there’s still lots of work to do to bring down costs and bring up quality,” Glassman said ahead of the release of the report.

The government must take a more active approach in not just helping Indians pay for healthcare, but making sure they are getting the highest quality care possible, the researchers write in the report. Additionally, the researchers explain that embracing and improving access to primary care and linking it with the hospitalisation plan, rather than only providing hospitalisation, would go a long way toward promoting better health.

The focus in the first year of Modicare has been on expanding access to health insurance, but at some point, the government needs to take steps to tackle the costs of the programme, the researchers said. These steps would include better purchasing policies for medical supplies and drugs and an increased focus on providing preventative health services like vaccines that could contain high costs of later treatment, they note.

“India has done an impressive job expanding healthcare to hundreds of millions more people, but there’s still a lot of work to do. The next big step is making sure that that Modicare is sustainable and that it delivers the high-quality care that Indians need,” Kalipso Chalkidou, a senior fellow at CGD and an author of the study, said.

“In a country of almost 1.4 billion people that is home to one-third of global maternal deaths, where public spending for health accounts for roughly one per cent of GDP and where 60 million people fall into poverty every year because of healthcare bills, fixing healthcare is a daunting task that will determine the world’s performance against the Sustainable Development Goals over the coming decade,” said the report, a copy of which was made available exclusively to PTI.

Noting that the scheme is by design pro-poor as it automatically provides entitlement to poor and vulnerable families identified based on Socio-Economic Caste Census data, the report said PM-JAY is both benefiting from and triggering significant technological innovation, including the de novo development of a sophisticated IT system building on and improving existing platforms, such as the Transaction Management System of Telangana.

The scheme is also developing a strong anti-fraud approach based on data analytics, the report said, adding that PM-JAY has developed real-time dashboards to monitor the scheme. Centre for Global Development notes that massive data generated by PM-JAY can be used for not only improving implementation but also for policy inputs.

The scheme’s dashboard can potentially offer a wealth of information to drive strategic purchasing and provider payment reform; inform clinical audit, thereby improving clinical governance and quality; and demonstrate impact on health and on spending, it said.

“After the first six months, a priority would be to launch a process for developing world-class methods and standard operating procedures to carry out a series of critical analytical tasks,” it said. India, it said, has kicked off a major tax-funded UHC reform with impressive early gains in covering the poor, providing hospital-based treatment, and generating efficiencies in claims processing that has enabled private participation in provision.

“Post-election, it will be vital to move quickly on a set of rules of the game and administrative adjustments that will assure that PM-JAY delivers on its promise to enhance access, reduce catastrophic out-of-pocket spend, and enhance value-for-money in its own expenditure, while serving as a force to leverage improved health with transparency and accountability,” the report said. Linking of PM-JAY with primary healthcare through Health and Wellness Centres and other mechanisms will be critical to creating a continuum-of-care approach, it said.

India’s ambitious health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, marks a significant step towards universal health coverage but the government should ensure that it is sustainable and delivers the high-quality care that Indians need, a top American think-tank said Friday.

India’s ambitious health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, marks a significant step towards universal health coverage but the government should ensure that it is sustainable and delivers the high-quality care that Indians need, a top American think-tank said Friday. Based on the analysis of the first year of Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), popularly known as “Modicare”, researchers at the Washington DC-based Centre for Global Development (CGD) said the overall effort has been positive but they also highlighted challenges and several potential pitfalls related to cost and quality that could derail the scheme’s progress. “Modicare has put healthcare within reach for hundreds of millions, significantly increasing the number of people who have government-funded health insurance and far exceeding the initial estimates,” Amanda Glassman, chief operating officer at CGD and one of the authors of the study, told PTI, “We found that more than 500 million people are now eligible for coverage by Modicare or state-funded expansions of the programme. That’s an impressive number, but there’s still lots of work to do to bring down costs and bring up quality,” Glassman said ahead of the release of the report. The government must take a more active approach in not just helping Indians pay for healthcare, but making sure they are getting the highest quality care possible, the researchers write in the report. Additionally, the researchers explain that embracing and improving access to primary care and linking it with the hospitalisation plan, rather than only providing hospitalisation, would go a long way toward promoting better health. The focus in the first year of Modicare has been on expanding access to health insurance, but at some point, the government needs to take steps to tackle the costs of the programme, the researchers said. These steps would include better purchasing policies for medical supplies and drugs and an increased focus on providing preventative health services like vaccines that could contain high costs of later treatment, they note. “India has done an impressive job expanding healthcare to hundreds of millions more people, but there’s still a lot of work to do. The next big step is making sure that that Modicare is sustainable and that it delivers the high-quality care that Indians need,” Kalipso Chalkidou, a senior fellow at CGD and an author of the study, said. “In a country of almost 1.4 billion people that is home to one-third of global maternal deaths, where public spending for health accounts for roughly one per cent of GDP and where 60 million people fall into poverty every year because of healthcare bills, fixing healthcare is a daunting task that will determine the world’s performance against the Sustainable Development Goals over the coming decade,” said the report, a copy of which was made available exclusively to PTI. Noting that the scheme is by design pro-poor as it automatically provides entitlement to poor and vulnerable families identified based on Socio-Economic Caste Census data, the report said PM-JAY is both benefiting from and triggering significant technological innovation, including the de novo development of a sophisticated IT system building on and improving existing platforms, such as the Transaction Management System of Telangana. The scheme is also developing a strong anti-fraud approach based on data analytics, the report said, adding that PM-JAY has developed real-time dashboards to monitor the scheme. Centre for Global Development notes that massive data generated by PM-JAY can be used for not only improving implementation but also for policy inputs. The scheme’s dashboard can potentially offer a wealth of information to drive strategic purchasing and provider payment reform; inform clinical audit, thereby improving clinical governance and quality; and demonstrate impact on health and on spending, it said. “After the first six months, a priority would be to launch a process for developing world-class methods and standard operating procedures to carry out a series of critical analytical tasks,” it said. India, it said, has kicked off a major tax-funded UHC reform with impressive early gains in covering the poor, providing hospital-based treatment, and generating efficiencies in claims processing that has enabled private participation in provision. “Post-election, it will be vital to move quickly on a set of rules of the game and administrative adjustments that will assure that PM-JAY delivers on its promise to enhance access, reduce catastrophic out-of-pocket spend, and enhance value-for-money in its own expenditure, while serving as a force to leverage improved health with transparency and accountability,” the report said. Linking of PM-JAY with primary healthcare through Health and Wellness Centres and other mechanisms will be critical to creating a continuum-of-care approach, it said.

‘Ayushman Bharat’ significant step towards universal health coverage in India: US think tank

Dust or thunderstorm accompanied by gusty winds and lightning is expected in Delhi on Saturday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The development is expected to bring down the sweltering temperature.

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 27 degree Celsius on Saturday with a relative humidity of 22 per cent.

Weather experts have predicted partly cloudy sky with the possibility of development of thunder and lightning in the national capital on Sunday, on a day the city goes for polling in the sixth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

The minimum and maximum temperatures are likely to hover at 27 degree Celsius and 41 degree Celsius.

Meanwhile, heat wave conditions are very likely to prevail over some parts of Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh and Telangana during next 24 hours and in isolated pockets over East Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal during next 48 hours, the IMD predicted.

Due to the current Western Disturbance and ongoing moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea, rainfall or thunderstorm activity very likely over many parts of northwest India from today.

Rainfall or thunderstorm activity also likely to increase over Northeast and peninsular India from today.

"Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and Meghalaya during next four days," the weather forecasting agency stated in its report.&nbsp;

Dust or thunderstorm accompanied by gusty winds and lightning is expected in Delhi on Saturday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The development is expected to bring down the sweltering temperature.

Dust or thunderstorm accompanied by gusty winds and lightning is expected in Delhi on Saturday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The development is expected to bring down the sweltering temperature. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 27 degree Celsius on Saturday with a relative humidity of 22 per cent. Weather experts have predicted partly cloudy sky with the possibility of development of thunder and lightning in the national capital on Sunday, on a day the city goes for polling in the sixth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The minimum and maximum temperatures are likely to hover at 27 degree Celsius and 41 degree Celsius. Meanwhile, heat wave conditions are very likely to prevail over some parts of Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh and Telangana during next 24 hours and in isolated pockets over East Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal during next 48 hours, the IMD predicted. Due to the current Western Disturbance and ongoing moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea, rainfall or thunderstorm activity very likely over many parts of northwest India from today. Rainfall or thunderstorm activity also likely to increase over Northeast and peninsular India from today. "Isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and Meghalaya during next four days," the weather forecasting agency stated in its report.

Duststorm likely to hit Delhi today, cloudy Sunday predicted

DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy has said that most of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/a-sat-india-chose-much-lower-orbit-to-avoid-debris-threat-to-global-space-assets-says-drdo-208471">debris generated from the anti-satellite test</a> conducted by India in March have decayed and rest of it will dissipate in a "short period of time".

He said this in response to a question after delivering a talk on 'Technology for National Security' on Friday at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), a city-based think tank.

"As I had mentioned on April 6, the debris were to decay in a few weeks time. As per the information that we have already got, most of the debris has decayed. And, whatever, couple of pieces are there, they will be decaying in a short period of time," Reddy said.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation chief said the continuous information being received is monitored and "I don't think there are any issues".

"It is extremely difficult to predict as to how many days it would take...But, as I had said that day, that they would decay in a few weeks, and the majority of them have decayed," he added.

On April 6 at a press conference at DRDO Bhawan here, Reddy had said India chose a much lower orbit of less than 300 km during 'Mission Shakti' for "capability demonstration" and to avoid threat of debris to global space assets.

His remark had come days after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) raised concerns about the spread of debris from India's anti-satellite test conducted on March 27.

India's Ministry of External Affairs, too, has said the test was done in the lower atmosphere to ensure that there is no space debris.

On another question on leakage of defence know how-related data, he said, "We haven't seen cases as such, but we are careful".

"There are no serious issues as such, but of late, because of the apprehensions of cyber attacks and cyber-related issues, we are sensitising people in the industry and also in our own laboratories on it," he said.&nbsp;

DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy has said that most of the debris generated from the anti-satellite test conducted by India in March have decayed and rest of it will dissipate in a "short period of time".

DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy has said that most of the debris generated from the anti-satellite test conducted by India in March have decayed and rest of it will dissipate in a "short period of time". He said this in response to a question after delivering a talk on 'Technology for National Security' on Friday at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), a city-based think tank. "As I had mentioned on April 6, the debris were to decay in a few weeks time. As per the information that we have already got, most of the debris has decayed. And, whatever, couple of pieces are there, they will be decaying in a short period of time," Reddy said. The Defence Research and Development Organisation chief said the continuous information being received is monitored and "I don't think there are any issues". "It is extremely difficult to predict as to how many days it would take...But, as I had said that day, that they would decay in a few weeks, and the majority of them have decayed," he added. On April 6 at a press conference at DRDO Bhawan here, Reddy had said India chose a much lower orbit of less than 300 km during 'Mission Shakti' for "capability demonstration" and to avoid threat of debris to global space assets. His remark had come days after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) raised concerns about the spread of debris from India's anti-satellite test conducted on March 27. India's Ministry of External Affairs, too, has said the test was done in the lower atmosphere to ensure that there is no space debris. On another question on leakage of defence know how-related data, he said, "We haven't seen cases as such, but we are careful". "There are no serious issues as such, but of late, because of the apprehensions of cyber attacks and cyber-related issues, we are sensitising people in the industry and also in our own laboratories on it," he said.

Most of debris generated from India's anti-satellite test has decayed: Reddy

The level of operations intensified on the final day of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/varuna-india-france-naval-excercise-gets-underway-733">Varuna Sea Phase exercise</a> between navies of France and India with multi-helicopter operations with cross deck landings.

Moreover, VBSS teams conducted towing exercise between the France Navy&nbsp;and Indian Navy&nbsp;ships while the fighters operating from the carriers were busy in a high-intensity combat exercise including firing on Pigeon Island off Goa.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/first-pictures-indian-destroyers-french-warships-take-part-in-exercise-varuna-off-goa-217183">In pics: First pictures: Indian destroyers, French warships take part in exercise Varuna off Goa</a>

In addition, Coordinated Anti-submarine exercise involving the ASW MR aircraft P8i, Seaking and Lynx helicopters in close support of IN ships Mumbai, Chennai and French ship Latouche Treville were also conducted during the night.

'Varuna'&nbsp;is the largest ever joint exercise undertaken by the navies of the two countries yet, and represents the climax of the strengthened maritime co-operation between India and France.

The first phase of the Indo-French joint exercise began off Goa's coast on May 1 and is scheduled to culminate on May 10. The second phase, on the other hand, is slated to be held in May-end near Djibouti.

The level of operations intensified on the final day of Varuna Sea Phase exercise between navies of France and India with multi-helicopter operations with cross deck landings.

The level of operations intensified on the final day of Varuna Sea Phase exercise between navies of France and India with multi-helicopter operations with cross deck landings. Moreover, VBSS teams conducted towing exercise between the France Navy and Indian Navy ships while the fighters operating from the carriers were busy in a high-intensity combat exercise including firing on Pigeon Island off Goa. In pics: First pictures: Indian destroyers, French warships take part in exercise Varuna off Goa In addition, Coordinated Anti-submarine exercise involving the ASW MR aircraft P8i, Seaking and Lynx helicopters in close support of IN ships Mumbai, Chennai and French ship Latouche Treville were also conducted during the night. 'Varuna' is the largest ever joint exercise undertaken by the navies of the two countries yet, and represents the climax of the strengthened maritime co-operation between India and France. The first phase of the Indo-French joint exercise began off Goa's coast on May 1 and is scheduled to culminate on May 10. The second phase, on the other hand, is slated to be held in May-end near Djibouti.

'Varuna' day 3: Multi-helicopter operations with cross deck landings undertaken by Indian, French navies

They are in hundreds, accompanied&nbsp;by their kids, seeking help from Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan. The Pakistani wives of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/time-for-kashmiri-pandits-to-come-back-home-with-dignity-215557">Kashmiris</a> who crossed over the Line of Control(LoC) to pick arms and returned to India under a rehabilitation scheme feel stuck now.

Hundreds of them are demanding to either grant them Indian citizenship so that they can travel or deport them back to Pakistan.&nbsp;

Hailing from different parts of Pakistan, these women landed in India with their families through Nepal under a policy for Kashmiris who crossed LoC for arms training. The policy was later discontinued by the Centre in 2016.

They allege the authorities denied&nbsp;them travel to visit their families in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir(POK), even some of them have been divorced by their Kashmiri husbands, leaving them with no option. Some even face domestic abuse.

"We are at least 300 to 350 women here. We haven't been able to return back or visit our families there. Some have committed suicide due to depression. We haven't been able to travel back, even today, my sister is getting married and I am here, protesting," says Toiba, a resident of Abbottabad.

In 2010, the former chief minister Omar Abdullah had announced a rehabilitation policy for those who crossed over between 1989 to 2009 which saw several Kashmiris returning back. These women say that they don't have any identity living in the valley.&nbsp;

Nabeela hails from Abbottabad district in eastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She married a Kashmiri boy in 2008, and as soon as the rehabilitation policy was announced, her husband along with her three children, decided to return home but all didn't go well.&nbsp;

She says her documents were seized in Nepal by the Indian authorities and since then she is living without any identity. Nabeela left her then one-year-old daughter behind due to issues with her travel documents. Her daughter, now nine, frequently asks them about their reunion.&nbsp;

"We aren't state subjects, we don't have a local identity card. My three kids ask me regularly when will we go to Pakistan to meet my grandmother? I have left my nine-year-old daughter in Pakistan due to some document issue," says Nabeela while holding her daughter.&nbsp;

The government, however, says these women came through Bangladesh and Nepal and not by the approved routes, hence making them ineligible for benefits under the policy.

They are in hundreds, accompanied by their kids, seeking help from Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan. The Pakistani wives of Kashmiris who crossed over the Line of Control(LoC) to pick arms and returned to India under a rehabilitation scheme feel stuck now.

They are in hundreds, accompanied by their kids, seeking help from Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan. The Pakistani wives of Kashmiris who crossed over the Line of Control(LoC) to pick arms and returned to India under a rehabilitation scheme feel stuck now. Hundreds of them are demanding to either grant them Indian citizenship so that they can travel or deport them back to Pakistan. Hailing from different parts of Pakistan, these women landed in India with their families through Nepal under a policy for Kashmiris who crossed LoC for arms training. The policy was later discontinued by the Centre in 2016. They allege the authorities denied them travel to visit their families in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir(POK), even some of them have been divorced by their Kashmiri husbands, leaving them with no option. Some even face domestic abuse. "We are at least 300 to 350 women here. We haven't been able to return back or visit our families there. Some have committed suicide due to depression. We haven't been able to travel back, even today, my sister is getting married and I am here, protesting," says Toiba, a resident of Abbottabad. In 2010, the former chief minister Omar Abdullah had announced a rehabilitation policy for those who crossed over between 1989 to 2009 which saw several Kashmiris returning back. These women say that they don't have any identity living in the valley. Nabeela hails from Abbottabad district in eastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She married a Kashmiri boy in 2008, and as soon as the rehabilitation policy was announced, her husband along with her three children, decided to return home but all didn't go well. She says her documents were seized in Nepal by the Indian authorities and since then she is living without any identity. Nabeela left her then one-year-old daughter behind due to issues with her travel documents. Her daughter, now nine, frequently asks them about their reunion. "We aren't state subjects, we don't have a local identity card. My three kids ask me regularly when will we go to Pakistan to meet my grandmother? I have left my nine-year-old daughter in Pakistan due to some document issue," says Nabeela while holding her daughter. The government, however, says these women came through Bangladesh and Nepal and not by the approved routes, hence making them ineligible for benefits under the policy.

Pakistani wives of ex-terrorists demand Indian citizenship or deportation

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley hit out at Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda on Friday over his remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

On being asked to respond on the BJP's claim citing the Nanavati commission report that the instructions for the violence had come from late Rajiv Gandhi who had taken up the post of Prime Minister after his mother Indira Gandhi was assassinated, Pitroda had said, "it happened in 1984, so what?"

"I don't think so, this is also another lie, and what about 1984? You speak about what you have done in five years. It happened in 1984, so what? (1984 hua toh hua). What have you done? (Ab kya hai 84 ka? Aapne kya kiya 5 saal mein, uski baat kariye. 84 mein hua to hua. Aapne kya kiya?)"

Taking Twitter to slam Pitroda, Jaitley said, "It is a matter of disgrace that the Congress Party has no remorse over the Sikh killings of 1984."

"Sam Pitroda's 'Hua to Hua' reaction to the 1984 Sikh killings is reflective of the lack of remorse on the part of Congress Party with respect to the 1984 genocide," he continued in another tweet.

"Will the Congress President oust his 'Guru', who rubbishes the genocide of India's most patriotic community in 1984?" Jaitley asked in another tweet.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Will the Congress President oust his 'Guru', who rubbishes the genocide of India's most patriotic community in 1984?
— Chowkidar Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) <a href="https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/1126710704390541312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Yesterday, BJP party president Amit Shah slammed Pitroda saying that India will never forgive "murderer" Congress for its sins."

"Agony of the entire Sikh community. Suffering of all those Sikh families killed by Congress leaders in 1984. Attack on Delhi’s secular ethos. All Summed up in these three words by Sam Pitroda - Hua To Hua. &nbsp;India will never forgive #MurdererCongress for its sins," Shah's tweet read.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Agony of the entire Sikh community. 
 
Suffering of all those Sikh families killed by Congress leaders in 1984. 
 
Attack on Delhi’s secular ethos. 
 
All Summed up in these three words by Sam Pitroda - Hua To Hua. 
 
India will never forgive <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MurdererCongress?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MurdererCongress</a> for its sins. <a href="https://t.co/ouYXeHJHlf">pic.twitter.com/ouYXeHJHlf</a>
— Chowkidar Amit Shah (@AmitShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/1126497512280313862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The anti-Sikh riots took place after the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

According to official records, about 2,800 Sikhs were killed across India, including 2,100 in Delhi, during the pogrom that broke out after then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards.

(With inputs from agencies)

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley hit out at Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda on Friday over his remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots. On being asked to respond on the BJP's claim citing the Nanavati commission report that the instructions for the violence had come from late Rajiv Gandhi who had taken up the post of Prime Minister after his mother Indira Gandhi was assassinated, Pitroda had said, "it happened in 1984, so what?

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley hit out at Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda on Friday over his remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots. On being asked to respond on the BJP's claim citing the Nanavati commission report that the instructions for the violence had come from late Rajiv Gandhi who had taken up the post of Prime Minister after his mother Indira Gandhi was assassinated, Pitroda had said, "it happened in 1984, so what?" "I don't think so, this is also another lie, and what about 1984? You speak about what you have done in five years. It happened in 1984, so what? (1984 hua toh hua). What have you done? (Ab kya hai 84 ka? Aapne kya kiya 5 saal mein, uski baat kariye. 84 mein hua to hua. Aapne kya kiya?)" Taking Twitter to slam Pitroda, Jaitley said, "It is a matter of disgrace that the Congress Party has no remorse over the Sikh killings of 1984." "Sam Pitroda's 'Hua to Hua' reaction to the 1984 Sikh killings is reflective of the lack of remorse on the part of Congress Party with respect to the 1984 genocide," he continued in another tweet. "Will the Congress President oust his 'Guru', who rubbishes the genocide of India's most patriotic community in 1984?" Jaitley asked in another tweet. Will the Congress President oust his 'Guru', who rubbishes the genocide of India's most patriotic community in 1984? — Chowkidar Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) May 10, 2019 × Yesterday, BJP party president Amit Shah slammed Pitroda saying that India will never forgive "murderer" Congress for its sins." "Agony of the entire Sikh community. Suffering of all those Sikh families killed by Congress leaders in 1984. Attack on Delhi’s secular ethos. All Summed up in these three words by Sam Pitroda - Hua To Hua. India will never forgive #MurdererCongress for its sins," Shah's tweet read. Agony of the entire Sikh community. Suffering of all those Sikh families killed by Congress leaders in 1984. Attack on Delhi’s secular ethos. All Summed up in these three words by Sam Pitroda - Hua To Hua. India will never forgive #MurdererCongress for its sins. pic.twitter.com/ouYXeHJHlf — Chowkidar Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 9, 2019 × The anti-Sikh riots took place after the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. According to official records, about 2,800 Sikhs were killed across India, including 2,100 in Delhi, during the pogrom that broke out after then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards. (With inputs from agencies)

Arun Jaitley, Amit Shah slams Sam Pitroda over his remark on 1984 anti-Sikh riots

Supreme Court on Friday granted more time to the mediation committee to reach an amicable solution in the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ayodhya-case-nirmohi-akhara-requests-sc-to-move-mediation-proceedings-to-neutral-place-205855"> Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute</a> case.&nbsp;

The court extended the deadline till August 15th for the mediation panel to help solve the dispute at Ayodhya.&nbsp;

"We have received the report from the mediation committee and additional time has been sought," the apex court said. The top court said it had received the mediation committee’s report on May 7th.

On March 8th, the Supreme Court had asked the panel to hold in-camera proceedings and complete it within eight weeks.&nbsp;

The five-judge bench is being headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi which includes Justices SA Bobde, SA Nazeer, Ashok Bhushan and DY Chandrachud.

“Chairperson of the committee has requested for additional time till August 15. We will allow the request," the court added.

India's top court had appointed three members - former apex court judge FM Ibrahim&nbsp; Kalifulla, spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar and advocate Sriram Panchu - as mediators to help settle the decades-long dispute.

"Nobody will come in the way of the mediation process," the Supreme Court declared.

CJI Ranjan Gogoi said the court would not like to short circuit the mediation process.

Supreme Court on Friday granted more time to the mediation committee to reach an amicable solution in the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute case. The court extended the deadline till August 15th for the mediation panel to help solve the dispute at Ayodhya.

Supreme Court on Friday granted more time to the mediation committee to reach an amicable solution in the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute case. The court extended the deadline till August 15th for the mediation panel to help solve the dispute at Ayodhya. "We have received the report from the mediation committee and additional time has been sought," the apex court said. The top court said it had received the mediation committee’s report on May 7th. On March 8th, the Supreme Court had asked the panel to hold in-camera proceedings and complete it within eight weeks. The five-judge bench is being headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi which includes Justices SA Bobde, SA Nazeer, Ashok Bhushan and DY Chandrachud. “Chairperson of the committee has requested for additional time till August 15. We will allow the request," the court added. India's top court had appointed three members - former apex court judge FM Ibrahim Kalifulla, spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar and advocate Sriram Panchu - as mediators to help settle the decades-long dispute. "Nobody will come in the way of the mediation process," the Supreme Court declared. CJI Ranjan Gogoi said the court would not like to short circuit the mediation process.

Supreme Court grants additional time to mediators in Ayodhya case

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Friday said that he will send a defamation notice to Bharatiya Janata Party's East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir.

"We are being defamed and they (BJP) are saying they will file defamation against us? We are going to send defamation notice to them today," news agency ANI quoted Sisodia as saying.

On Thursday, Gambhir's AAP rival Atishi Marlena alleged&nbsp;that pamphlets containing derogatory remarks on her as well as her family were being distributed by him at housing complexes.&nbsp;

Atishi, who was accompanied by Sisodia during a press conference, also read out the pamphlet in front of reporters following which Chief Minister Kejriwal tweeted "never imagined Gautam Gambhir to stoop so low".&nbsp;

During the conference, Atishi said, "I had welcomed Gambhir myself when he joined politics but I never imagined that he would stoop to this level in the Lok Sabha polls."

Hours after the conference, cricketer-turned-politician Gambhir sent a defamation notice to Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Atishi and demanded their unconditional apologies.

Slamming Kejriwal he also said that he would withdraw from the Lok Sabha contest if the charge was proved against him.

"I declare that if it is proven that I did it, I will withdraw my candidature right now. If not, will you&nbsp;quit politics?" he said in a tweet.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
My Challenge no.2 <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArvindKejriwal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AtishiAAP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AtishiAAP</a> 
I declare that if its proven that I did it, I will withdraw my candidature right now. If not, will u quit politics?
— Chowkidar Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) <a href="https://twitter.com/GautamGambhir/status/1126428838588608512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Gambhir said he is "ashamed" to have him as the chief minister of Delhi.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I feel ashamed to have a CM like <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArvindKejriwal</a>
— Chowkidar Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) <a href="https://twitter.com/GautamGambhir/status/1126430497641361408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"I abhor your act of outraging a woman's modesty @ArvindKejriwal and that too your own colleague. And all this for winning elections? you are&nbsp;filth Mr CM and someone needs your very own Jhadu (broom) to clean ur dirty mind," Gambhir tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I abhor your act of outraging a woman’s modesty <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArvindKejriwal</a> and that too your own colleague. And all this for winning elections? U r filth Mr CM and someone needs ur very own झाड़ू to clean ur dirty mind.
— Chowkidar Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) <a href="https://twitter.com/GautamGambhir/status/1126428217319944192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Gambhir claimed that the "petty politics" exhibited by the AAP was the reason why people with good intentions stayed away from mainstream politics.

Delhi, where seven Lok Sabha seats are at stake will go to poll on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Friday said that he will send a defamation notice to Bharatiya Janata Party's East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir. "We are being defamed and they (BJP) are saying they will file defamation against us?

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Friday said that he will send a defamation notice to Bharatiya Janata Party's East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir. "We are being defamed and they (BJP) are saying they will file defamation against us? We are going to send defamation notice to them today," news agency ANI quoted Sisodia as saying. On Thursday, Gambhir's AAP rival Atishi Marlena alleged that pamphlets containing derogatory remarks on her as well as her family were being distributed by him at housing complexes. Atishi, who was accompanied by Sisodia during a press conference, also read out the pamphlet in front of reporters following which Chief Minister Kejriwal tweeted "never imagined Gautam Gambhir to stoop so low". During the conference, Atishi said, "I had welcomed Gambhir myself when he joined politics but I never imagined that he would stoop to this level in the Lok Sabha polls." Hours after the conference, cricketer-turned-politician Gambhir sent a defamation notice to Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Atishi and demanded their unconditional apologies. Slamming Kejriwal he also said that he would withdraw from the Lok Sabha contest if the charge was proved against him. "I declare that if it is proven that I did it, I will withdraw my candidature right now. If not, will you quit politics?" he said in a tweet. My Challenge no.2 @ArvindKejriwal @AtishiAAP I declare that if its proven that I did it, I will withdraw my candidature right now. If not, will u quit politics? — Chowkidar Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 9, 2019 × Gambhir said he is "ashamed" to have him as the chief minister of Delhi. I feel ashamed to have a CM like @ArvindKejriwal — Chowkidar Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 9, 2019 × "I abhor your act of outraging a woman's modesty @ArvindKejriwal and that too your own colleague. And all this for winning elections? you are filth Mr CM and someone needs your very own Jhadu (broom) to clean ur dirty mind," Gambhir tweeted. I abhor your act of outraging a woman’s modesty @ArvindKejriwal and that too your own colleague. And all this for winning elections? U r filth Mr CM and someone needs ur very own झाड़ू to clean ur dirty mind. — Chowkidar Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 9, 2019 × Gambhir claimed that the "petty politics" exhibited by the AAP was the reason why people with good intentions stayed away from mainstream politics. Delhi, where seven Lok Sabha seats are at stake will go to poll on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Will send defamation notice to them today: Deputy CM Manish Sisodia on derogatory pamphlets distribution row

The Supreme Court Friday posed searching questions to the Centre on its deal with France to buy <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-tenders-unconditional-apology-to-supreme-court-for-chowkidar-chor-hai-comment-216903">36 Rafale fighter jets</a> on issues like the "waiver of sovereign guarantee" and the absence of technology transfer clause in the IGA pact.

The top court reserved its verdict on pleas, including the one filed by former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan, seeking review of its December 14 judgement which gave clean chit to the Centre's Rafale deal to procure jets from the French firm, Dassault.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi referred to a judgement in the Lalita Kumari case which said that an FIR is must when information revealed commission of cognizable offence. "The question is whether you are obliged to follow the Lalita Kumari judgment or not."

Attorney General K K Venugopal told the bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, that "there has to be a prima facie case, otherwise they (agencies) cannot proceed. The information must disclose commission of cognizable offence".

Justice Joseph referred to the earlier deal and asked the Centre as to why the inter-governmental agreement (IGA) on Rafale with the French administration does not have the clause of transfer of technology.

"The court cannot decide such technical aspects," the law officer said.&nbsp;

On the court's question of waiver of sovereign guarantee by France in the IGA and its replacement with a letter of comfort, Venugopal said it was not an "unprecedented practice" and referred to such agreements with Russia and the US where there was such a waiver.

"It is a question of national security. No other court in the world will examine a defence deal on these kinds of arguments", he said.

The bench was hearing three review petitions filed by the trio, a lawyer Vineet Dhandha and AAP lawmaker Sanjay Singh.

The apex court had said in the December verdict that there was no occasion to doubt the decision-making process in the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets and dismissed the petitions seeking an investigation into alleged irregularities in the Rs 58,000 crore deal.

At the outset, Bhushan submitted that the judgement did not deal with the prayer seeking probe into the deal and decided the petition on the premise that it was seeking cancellation of IGA.&nbsp;

He said the Centre misled the court by referring to non-existent CAG report in November 2018 hearing when it is on record that the report came later in February this year.&nbsp;

"How did the government anticipate even before the CAG report came that the pricing details of Rafale will be redacted. In a report submitted in November 2018, how did they know that the CAG report in February next&nbsp;year would redact pricing details," the lawyer asked.

Bhushan alleged suppression of material facts from the court by the Centre and said that as many eight critical clauses of the standard defence procurement procedure were dropped in the deal in the meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security in September 2016.

One of the clauses dealt with the aspect that the government can cancel the deal if the information of any involvement of middleman comes to the light, he said. "This is shocking that the government concealed this piece of information from the court. Doing away with the anti-corruption clauses and concealment of this fact from the court is by itself a sufficient ground to order a criminal investigation," he said.&nbsp;

He referred to the news articles and said that three experts of Indian Negotiation Team (INT) had also raised the objections to the inflated pricing of the aircraft.

"The benchmark price was firm and fixed. It was 5 billion Euros. But the final price for Rafale jets shot up to 55.6 per cent above the benchmark price and would continue to increase with time," he alleged.

Referring to reports, he alleged that besides the seven-member INT, which was negotiating the deal, "parallel negotiations" were undertaken by the PMO and this weaken the negotiating powers of the INT.&nbsp;

"Even the NSA was playing some role although he was not to be involved," he said.&nbsp;

"Anil Ambani was involved in this deal right from the beginning" and he even produced a film for the wife of a French leader, he said, alleging "quid pro quo" which required criminal investigation.

Shourie also addressed the bench on a separate plea seeking perjury prosecution of unknown government officials for misleading it during the hearing of the pleas.&nbsp;

Venugopal vehemently opposed the submissions and sought dismissals of the review petitions saying that the basic grounds of these pleas were the same as in the main case.&nbsp;

"The Supreme Court has already decided the challenge to the Rafale deal. I would still say that the petitioners are seeking review of the judgment on the basis of secret stolen documents," he said.&nbsp;

He then referred to clause 10 of the IGA between France and India and said that it mandated maintaining the secrecy of the deal.&nbsp;

Venugopal then referred to the CAG report and said that it has been found&nbsp; 
that the government got the jets at 2.86 per cent lower price.

The government is under obligation to put defence material undercover, he said, adding that "when the security of the country is involved, you do not view it as a contract to build a highway or a dam".&nbsp;

The Supreme Court Friday posed searching questions to the Centre on its deal with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets on issues like the "waiver of sovereign guarantee" and the absence of technology transfer clause in the IGA pact.

The Supreme Court Friday posed searching questions to the Centre on its deal with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets on issues like the "waiver of sovereign guarantee" and the absence of technology transfer clause in the IGA pact. The top court reserved its verdict on pleas, including the one filed by former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan, seeking review of its December 14 judgement which gave clean chit to the Centre's Rafale deal to procure jets from the French firm, Dassault. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi referred to a judgement in the Lalita Kumari case which said that an FIR is must when information revealed commission of cognizable offence. "The question is whether you are obliged to follow the Lalita Kumari judgment or not." Attorney General K K Venugopal told the bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, that "there has to be a prima facie case, otherwise they (agencies) cannot proceed. The information must disclose commission of cognizable offence". Justice Joseph referred to the earlier deal and asked the Centre as to why the inter-governmental agreement (IGA) on Rafale with the French administration does not have the clause of transfer of technology. "The court cannot decide such technical aspects," the law officer said. On the court's question of waiver of sovereign guarantee by France in the IGA and its replacement with a letter of comfort, Venugopal said it was not an "unprecedented practice" and referred to such agreements with Russia and the US where there was such a waiver. "It is a question of national security. No other court in the world will examine a defence deal on these kinds of arguments", he said. The bench was hearing three review petitions filed by the trio, a lawyer Vineet Dhandha and AAP lawmaker Sanjay Singh. The apex court had said in the December verdict that there was no occasion to doubt the decision-making process in the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets and dismissed the petitions seeking an investigation into alleged irregularities in the Rs 58,000 crore deal. At the outset, Bhushan submitted that the judgement did not deal with the prayer seeking probe into the deal and decided the petition on the premise that it was seeking cancellation of IGA. He said the Centre misled the court by referring to non-existent CAG report in November 2018 hearing when it is on record that the report came later in February this year. "How did the government anticipate even before the CAG report came that the pricing details of Rafale will be redacted. In a report submitted in November 2018, how did they know that the CAG report in February next year would redact pricing details," the lawyer asked. Bhushan alleged suppression of material facts from the court by the Centre and said that as many eight critical clauses of the standard defence procurement procedure were dropped in the deal in the meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security in September 2016. One of the clauses dealt with the aspect that the government can cancel the deal if the information of any involvement of middleman comes to the light, he said. "This is shocking that the government concealed this piece of information from the court. Doing away with the anti-corruption clauses and concealment of this fact from the court is by itself a sufficient ground to order a criminal investigation," he said. He referred to the news articles and said that three experts of Indian Negotiation Team (INT) had also raised the objections to the inflated pricing of the aircraft. "The benchmark price was firm and fixed. It was 5 billion Euros. But the final price for Rafale jets shot up to 55.6 per cent above the benchmark price and would continue to increase with time," he alleged. Referring to reports, he alleged that besides the seven-member INT, which was negotiating the deal, "parallel negotiations" were undertaken by the PMO and this weaken the negotiating powers of the INT. "Even the NSA was playing some role although he was not to be involved," he said. "Anil Ambani was involved in this deal right from the beginning" and he even produced a film for the wife of a French leader, he said, alleging "quid pro quo" which required criminal investigation. Shourie also addressed the bench on a separate plea seeking perjury prosecution of unknown government officials for misleading it during the hearing of the pleas. Venugopal vehemently opposed the submissions and sought dismissals of the review petitions saying that the basic grounds of these pleas were the same as in the main case. "The Supreme Court has already decided the challenge to the Rafale deal. I would still say that the petitioners are seeking review of the judgment on the basis of secret stolen documents," he said. He then referred to clause 10 of the IGA between France and India and said that it mandated maintaining the secrecy of the deal. Venugopal then referred to the CAG report and said that it has been found that the government got the jets at 2.86 per cent lower price. The government is under obligation to put defence material undercover, he said, adding that "when the security of the country is involved, you do not view it as a contract to build a highway or a dam".

Rafale case: Supreme Court poses queries on waiver of sovereign guarantee

Bollywood actor and BJP candidate from Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat Sunny Deol took out a roadshow on Thursday in Hari Nagar under West Delhi constituency in support of party nominee and sitting MP Parvesh Singh Verma.

Hundreds of people lined up along the road to catch a glimpse of the actor who reached the venue almost three-and-half-hours late.

Sporting an olive green shirt and blue jeans Deol started the roadshow around 5.30 pm from Hari Nagar bus depot, which passed through Jail Road in Tilak Nagar before culminating at Raja Garden.

He started the roadshow atop a truck, which carried a hand pump, and few metres from the bus depot. Later climbed atop a Range Rover along with Verma and BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa.&nbsp;

Flower petals were showered and people were busy taking snaps of the actor-turned-politician as his cavalcade passed through the area. Songs from the movie 'Border' -- starring Deol -- and his dialogues from the film 'Gadar' were played in the backdrop.

People carrying cutouts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Verma and Deol were seen walking in the crowd.&nbsp;

In the Sikh dominated seat, Deol greeted the crowd by 'Jo bole so nihaal'.

There was a massive traffic jam on both the carriageways of Jail road because of the roadshow while in Rajouri Garden, a vehicle carrying media persons and Verma supporters was stopped by police for playing loudspeaker after 10 pm and they were dispersed.

Bollywood actor and BJP candidate from Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat Sunny Deol took out a roadshow on Thursday in Hari Nagar under West Delhi constituency in support of party nominee and sitting MP Parvesh Singh Verma.

Bollywood actor and BJP candidate from Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat Sunny Deol took out a roadshow on Thursday in Hari Nagar under West Delhi constituency in support of party nominee and sitting MP Parvesh Singh Verma. Hundreds of people lined up along the road to catch a glimpse of the actor who reached the venue almost three-and-half-hours late. Sporting an olive green shirt and blue jeans Deol started the roadshow around 5.30 pm from Hari Nagar bus depot, which passed through Jail Road in Tilak Nagar before culminating at Raja Garden. He started the roadshow atop a truck, which carried a hand pump, and few metres from the bus depot. Later climbed atop a Range Rover along with Verma and BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Flower petals were showered and people were busy taking snaps of the actor-turned-politician as his cavalcade passed through the area. Songs from the movie 'Border' -- starring Deol -- and his dialogues from the film 'Gadar' were played in the backdrop. People carrying cutouts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Verma and Deol were seen walking in the crowd. In the Sikh dominated seat, Deol greeted the crowd by 'Jo bole so nihaal'. There was a massive traffic jam on both the carriageways of Jail road because of the roadshow while in Rajouri Garden, a vehicle carrying media persons and Verma supporters was stopped by police for playing loudspeaker after 10 pm and they were dispersed.

Sunny Deol's roadshow in West Delhi evokes massive response

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday led a fresh BJP offensive on the Congress over its leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/arun-jaitley-amit-shah-slams-sam-pitroda-over-his-remark-on-1984-anti-sikh-riots-217415">Sam Pitroda's "so what" remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots</a>, saying it reflected the "character and arrogance" of the opposition party.

As Pitroda's remarks kicked up a storm, the Congress distanced itself from the comments and asked the leaders of the party to be careful and sensitive in future.

Pitroda on his part accused the BJP of twisting the three words in Hindi on the riots to "distort facts, divide us (Congress) and hide their failures" and said things of the past are not relevant in this election.

Pitroda, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi and Overseas Congress' head, on Thursday said, 'hua to hua' (So what, it happened) about the anti-Sikh riots. He made this remark in response to a question on the riots by a newsman in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.

The BJP demanded that UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi apologise to the nation while ally Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and his wife and union minister Harsimrat Kaur said the comments were "disgraceful" and reflected the mindset of the Gandhis.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said it is a matter of disgrace that the party had no remorse over the Sikh killings and wondered if Rahul Gandhi would "oust his Guru" for the remarks.

Latching on to Pitroda's remarks, Modi kept up his attack on the Congress while addressing poll rallies in Rohtak and Mandi in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh respectively

"How Congress ran this country for 70 years, how their mind works, how they are filled with arrogance, they themselves yesterday summed this up in three words. Congress, which ruled for the maximum period, has been so much insensitive and that is reflected by the three words spoken yesterday. These words have not been spoken just like that, these words are character and mentality and intentions of the Congress. And which were these words, these were 'hua to hua',"&nbsp;said Modi referring to Pitroda's remarks.

'Hua to hua,' Modi repeated a number of times during the course of his speech in Rohtak.

"We can very well understand the arrogance of Congress and those who run it in these three words- hua to hua."&nbsp;PM Modi.

"Yesterday, one of the tallest leaders of the Congress speaking in a loud voice on 1984 said '84 ka danga hua to hua'. Do you know who this leader is, he is very close to the Gandhi family, he keeps meeting them on a daily basis and is their biggest confidant. This leader was a very good friend of (late) Rajiv Gandhi and he is Guru of Congress 'naamdar' (dynast) president," he said.

"For them, they have no value for life, for them, a human being is not a human being,"&nbsp;said Modi.

In Mandi, Modi said Pitroda's remarks reflected Congress' mindset.

Stating that the Congress had strived to ensure justice for the 1984 riot victims, Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the party continued to support the quest for justice and stern punishment for those found guilty in the anti-Sikh riots, as also the subsequent acts of violence, including the 2002 riots in Gujarat.

"Violence and riots are unacceptable and unpardonable in our society..."

"Any opinion or remark made by any individual to the contrary, including Sam Pitroda, is not the opinion of the Congress party. We advise all leaders to be careful and sensitive," Surjewala said in a statement.

Pitroda said the BJP is attacking Congress leaders with "lies" because they cannot talk about their performance and have no vision to take India forward to inclusively growth and prosperity for all with focus on jobs, kids and more jobs.

He took to Twitter to explain his position over the remarks.

"I have noticed how BJP is again twisting three words from my interview to distort facts, divide us and hide their failures. Sad that they have nothing positive to offer. I acknowledged the pain of my Sikh brothers and sisters during difficult times in 1984 and deeply feel for the atrocities that happened," Pitroda said.

"But these are things from the past that are not really relevant to this election which is all about what did Modi government do for the last five years. Rajiv Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will never target a group of people based on creed," he said.

"Truth is being distorted, lies are being amplified through social media and targeted. People are systematically being intimidated. However, the truth will always prevail and lies will be exposed. It is just a matter of time. Have patience."

Union minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said the statement by Pitroda was "irresponsible".

"Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi must apologise for Sam Pitroda's irresponsible statement," he told reporters.

"Today, he has made an even a more dangerous statement. He says that I can acknowledge the pain of the Sikh community, but it is not relevant today."

Another Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Pitroda had rubbed salt into the wounds of the riot victims.

Sukhbir Badal asked Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh whether he would continue to remain with the Congress after Pitroda's "disgraceful"&nbsp;comments.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra at a press conference in Delhi in the presence of Nirpreet Kaur, a witness to the riots, said the language used by Pitroda is comparable only to the "insensitive, inhuman" remark made by Rajiv Gandhi who in the aftermath of the "genocide" said that "when a big tree falls, the earth shakes."

Activists of the BJP and Akali Dal staged a protest in Amritsar against Pitroda's remarks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday led a fresh BJP offensive on the Congress over its leader Sam Pitroda's "so what" remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots, saying it reflected the "character and arrogance" of the opposition party.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday led a fresh BJP offensive on the Congress over its leader Sam Pitroda's "so what" remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots, saying it reflected the "character and arrogance" of the opposition party. As Pitroda's remarks kicked up a storm, the Congress distanced itself from the comments and asked the leaders of the party to be careful and sensitive in future. Pitroda on his part accused the BJP of twisting the three words in Hindi on the riots to "distort facts, divide us (Congress) and hide their failures" and said things of the past are not relevant in this election. Pitroda, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi and Overseas Congress' head, on Thursday said, 'hua to hua' (So what, it happened) about the anti-Sikh riots. He made this remark in response to a question on the riots by a newsman in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. The BJP demanded that UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi apologise to the nation while ally Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and his wife and union minister Harsimrat Kaur said the comments were "disgraceful" and reflected the mindset of the Gandhis. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said it is a matter of disgrace that the party had no remorse over the Sikh killings and wondered if Rahul Gandhi would "oust his Guru" for the remarks. Latching on to Pitroda's remarks, Modi kept up his attack on the Congress while addressing poll rallies in Rohtak and Mandi in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh respectively "How Congress ran this country for 70 years, how their mind works, how they are filled with arrogance, they themselves yesterday summed this up in three words. Congress, which ruled for the maximum period, has been so much insensitive and that is reflected by the three words spoken yesterday. These words have not been spoken just like that, these words are character and mentality and intentions of the Congress. And which were these words, these were 'hua to hua'," said Modi referring to Pitroda's remarks. 'Hua to hua,' Modi repeated a number of times during the course of his speech in Rohtak. "We can very well understand the arrogance of Congress and those who run it in these three words- hua to hua." PM Modi. "Yesterday, one of the tallest leaders of the Congress speaking in a loud voice on 1984 said '84 ka danga hua to hua'. Do you know who this leader is, he is very close to the Gandhi family, he keeps meeting them on a daily basis and is their biggest confidant. This leader was a very good friend of (late) Rajiv Gandhi and he is Guru of Congress 'naamdar' (dynast) president," he said. "For them, they have no value for life, for them, a human being is not a human being," said Modi. In Mandi, Modi said Pitroda's remarks reflected Congress' mindset. Stating that the Congress had strived to ensure justice for the 1984 riot victims, Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the party continued to support the quest for justice and stern punishment for those found guilty in the anti-Sikh riots, as also the subsequent acts of violence, including the 2002 riots in Gujarat. "Violence and riots are unacceptable and unpardonable in our society..." "Any opinion or remark made by any individual to the contrary, including Sam Pitroda, is not the opinion of the Congress party. We advise all leaders to be careful and sensitive," Surjewala said in a statement. Pitroda said the BJP is attacking Congress leaders with "lies" because they cannot talk about their performance and have no vision to take India forward to inclusively growth and prosperity for all with focus on jobs, kids and more jobs. He took to Twitter to explain his position over the remarks. "I have noticed how BJP is again twisting three words from my interview to distort facts, divide us and hide their failures. Sad that they have nothing positive to offer. I acknowledged the pain of my Sikh brothers and sisters during difficult times in 1984 and deeply feel for the atrocities that happened," Pitroda said. "But these are things from the past that are not really relevant to this election which is all about what did Modi government do for the last five years. Rajiv Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will never target a group of people based on creed," he said. "Truth is being distorted, lies are being amplified through social media and targeted. People are systematically being intimidated. However, the truth will always prevail and lies will be exposed. It is just a matter of time. Have patience." Union minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said the statement by Pitroda was "irresponsible". "Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi must apologise for Sam Pitroda's irresponsible statement," he told reporters. "Today, he has made an even a more dangerous statement. He says that I can acknowledge the pain of the Sikh community, but it is not relevant today." Another Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Pitroda had rubbed salt into the wounds of the riot victims. Sukhbir Badal asked Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh whether he would continue to remain with the Congress after Pitroda's "disgraceful" comments. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra at a press conference in Delhi in the presence of Nirpreet Kaur, a witness to the riots, said the language used by Pitroda is comparable only to the "insensitive, inhuman" remark made by Rajiv Gandhi who in the aftermath of the "genocide" said that "when a big tree falls, the earth shakes." Activists of the BJP and Akali Dal staged a protest in Amritsar against Pitroda's remarks.

PM, BJP slam Pitroda over remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots; Congress distances itself

One terrorist was killed during an&nbsp;exchange of fire with security forces Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district today, news agency ANI reported.

Arms and ammunition were also recovered during the encounter, the report said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Jammu &amp; Kashmir: One terrorist killed in exchange of fire with security forces in Shopian; arms &amp; ammunition recovered.
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1126665630999093248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Further details are awaited.

Earlier&nbsp;this month, security forces in killed three terrorists after specific inputs about their presence in Imam Sahab area of Shopian.

Reports had said top Hizbul-Mujahideen commander and the last surviving terrorists of the former commander Burhan Wani group, Latief Tiger, was among the killed in the encounter. Apart from him, two other terrorists were also killed including Tariq Moulvi.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

One terrorist was killed during an exchange of fire with security forces Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district today, news agency ANI reported. Arms and ammunition were also recovered during the encounter, the report said.

One terrorist was killed during an exchange of fire with security forces Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district today, news agency ANI reported. Arms and ammunition were also recovered during the encounter, the report said. Jammu & Kashmir: One terrorist killed in exchange of fire with security forces in Shopian; arms & ammunition recovered. — ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2019 × Further details are awaited. Earlier this month, security forces in killed three terrorists after specific inputs about their presence in Imam Sahab area of Shopian. Reports had said top Hizbul-Mujahideen commander and the last surviving terrorists of the former commander Burhan Wani group, Latief Tiger, was among the killed in the encounter. Apart from him, two other terrorists were also killed including Tariq Moulvi.

J&K: One terrorist killed in encounter with security forces in Shopian

In the backdrop of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tariffs-will-bring-in-far-more-wealth-to-our-country-than-even-phenomenal-deal-of-traditional-kind-donald-trump-217507">US-China trade war</a> and the impasse at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), a WTO ministerial of 22 developing countries will take place in New Delhi next week.&nbsp;

In the meeting, which will take place next week, the countries are expected to deliberate on a common position on unilateral measures being taken by few countries among other issues of interest.&nbsp;

India's commerce ministry in a release said the meeting is being held at a time when the "multilateral rule-based-trading system is facing serious and grave challenges" and in the recent past, "there have been increasing unilateral measures and countermeasures by members".

US president Donald Trump on Friday tweeted on the ongoing trade spat&nbsp;with China. "Tariffs will make our Country MUCH STRONGER, not weaker. Just sit back and watch," he tweeted even as Washington imposed increased tariffs on Chinese goods.

The meet will also discuss the impasse in the Appellate Body of the WTO which could impact the existence of a Dispute Settlement Mechanism at the global body and further impact the position of the WTO as an effective multilateral organisation.

The Appellate Body based in Geneva hears appeals brought by the WTO members and consists of 7 members. The US has blocked the nomination of new members at the body.

Next week's meeting will have 16 developing countries, 6 least developed countries (LDC) along with Director General, WTO Roberto Azevêdo. Countries that will participate in the meeting include Argentina, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Brazil, Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, China, Egypt, Guatemala, Guyana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Malawi, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey and Uganda.&nbsp;

Bangladesh, Central African Republic and South Africa have confirmed their participation. Vice ministers, senior officials and ambassadors of respective countries will be in attendance during the meeting.&nbsp;

China will be represented by an assistant minister and its envoy. A joint statement is expected by the end of the two day meet.&nbsp;

In the backdrop of the US-China trade war and the impasse at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), a WTO ministerial of 22 developing countries will take place in New Delhi next week.

In the backdrop of the US-China trade war and the impasse at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), a WTO ministerial of 22 developing countries will take place in New Delhi next week. In the meeting, which will take place next week, the countries are expected to deliberate on a common position on unilateral measures being taken by few countries among other issues of interest. India's commerce ministry in a release said the meeting is being held at a time when the "multilateral rule-based-trading system is facing serious and grave challenges" and in the recent past, "there have been increasing unilateral measures and countermeasures by members". US president Donald Trump on Friday tweeted on the ongoing trade spat with China. "Tariffs will make our Country MUCH STRONGER, not weaker. Just sit back and watch," he tweeted even as Washington imposed increased tariffs on Chinese goods. The meet will also discuss the impasse in the Appellate Body of the WTO which could impact the existence of a Dispute Settlement Mechanism at the global body and further impact the position of the WTO as an effective multilateral organisation. The Appellate Body based in Geneva hears appeals brought by the WTO members and consists of 7 members. The US has blocked the nomination of new members at the body. Next week's meeting will have 16 developing countries, 6 least developed countries (LDC) along with Director General, WTO Roberto Azevêdo. Countries that will participate in the meeting include Argentina, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Brazil, Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, China, Egypt, Guatemala, Guyana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Malawi, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey and Uganda. Bangladesh, Central African Republic and South Africa have confirmed their participation. Vice ministers, senior officials and ambassadors of respective countries will be in attendance during the meeting. China will be represented by an assistant minister and its envoy. A joint statement is expected by the end of the two day meet.

Amid US-China trade war, 22 WTO countries to meet in New Delhi next week

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/looking-at-north-korea-situation-very-seriously-nobodys-happy-about-it-trump-217360">Looking at North Korea situation very seriously, nobody's happy about it: Trump</a>

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was studying the situation in North Korea "very seriously," after Pyongyang welcomed a US envoy's visit to Seoul by firing two missiles.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/an-all-english-affair-at-europa-arsenal-chelsea-book-final-berth-217357">An all-English affair at Europa: Arsenal, Chelsea book final berth</a>

&nbsp;A hat-trick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and an Alexandre Lacazette strike booked Arsenal's place in the Europa League final with a 4-2 win at Valencia on Thursday to seal an emphatic 7-3 aggregate victory.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-us-chinese-officials-meet-for-trade-talks-trumps-tariffs-on-china-set-to-take-effect-217361">As US, Chinese officials meet for trade talks, Trump's tariffs on China set to take effect</a>

Top US and Chinese trade negotiators concluded the first of two days of talks on Thursday to rescue a trade deal that is close to collapsing as Washington prepares to go ahead with plans to hike tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of goods imported from China.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strong-63-magnitude-quake-hits-southern-japan-no-tsunami-threat-217364">Strong 6.3-magnitude quake hits southern Japan, no tsunami threat</a>

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan Friday, the US Geological Survey said, but Japanese authorities said there was no tsunami threat.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-8-dead-in-baghdad-suicide-bombing-security-official-217368">At least 8 dead in Baghdad suicide bombing: Security official</a>

At least eight people were killed and 15 wounded in a suicide bombing at a market in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, a security official said.

Looking at North Korea situation very seriously, nobody's happy about it: Trump President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was studying the situation in North Korea "very seriously," after Pyongyang welcomed a US envoy's visit to Seoul by firing two missiles.

Looking at North Korea situation very seriously, nobody's happy about it: Trump President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was studying the situation in North Korea "very seriously," after Pyongyang welcomed a US envoy's visit to Seoul by firing two missiles. An all-English affair at Europa: Arsenal, Chelsea book final berth A hat-trick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and an Alexandre Lacazette strike booked Arsenal's place in the Europa League final with a 4-2 win at Valencia on Thursday to seal an emphatic 7-3 aggregate victory. As US, Chinese officials meet for trade talks, Trump's tariffs on China set to take effect Top US and Chinese trade negotiators concluded the first of two days of talks on Thursday to rescue a trade deal that is close to collapsing as Washington prepares to go ahead with plans to hike tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of goods imported from China. Strong 6.3-magnitude quake hits southern Japan, no tsunami threat A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan Friday, the US Geological Survey said, but Japanese authorities said there was no tsunami threat. At least 8 dead in Baghdad suicide bombing: Security official At least eight people were killed and 15 wounded in a suicide bombing at a market in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, a security official said.

News brief: Big stories of the day

India's antitrust watchdog has ordered an investigation into <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-launches-israel-programme-to-help-startups-grow-globally-216732">Alphabet Inc's unit Google</a> for allegedly abusing the dominant position of its popular Android mobile operating system to block rivals, two sources aware of the matter told Reuters.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) last year started looking into the complaint, which is similar to one Google faced in Europe that resulted in a&nbsp;$5 billion&nbsp;fine on the company, Reuters reported in February.

In mid-April, the CCI decided there was merit in the accusations made in the complaint and ordered its investigation unit to launch a full probe, one of the sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

That decision, which was confirmed by the second source, has not been previously reported and the order calling the full investigation was not made public.

"It is a strong case for the CCI, given the EU precedent," said the first source. "The CCI has (preliminarily) found Google abused its dominant position."

The probe would be completed in about a year and Google executives would likely be summoned to appear before the CCI in coming months, the source said.

The CCI did not respond to a request for comment.

A Google spokesman said Android has enabled millions of Indians to connect to the internet by making mobile devices more affordable. Google looked forward to working with the CCI "to demonstrate how Android has led to more competition and innovation, not less", the spokesman said in a statement.&nbsp;

Reuters could not establish who filed the complaint, which involves more than one person.

Unfair advantage

The precise details of the complaint against Google in India could not be determined, but sources have told Reuters it is on the exact same lines as the case filed against the company in Europe.

In the EU case, regulators said Google forced manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and its Chrome browser, together with its Google Play app store, on Android devices, giving it an unfair advantage.

Google has appealed the order but, in a bid to quell EU antitrust concerns, last month said its Android device users in Europe would be able to choose rival browsers and search engines. Once a user downloads a rival search app, it also prompts them to change their default search engine in their Google Chrome browser, if they so wish.

Android, used by device makers for free, features on about 88 per cent of the world's smartphones. In India, about 99 per cent of the smartphones sold this year used the platform, Counterpoint Research estimates.

It remains possible that the CCI's investigations unit could clear Google of any wrongdoing. The amount of fine that can be imposed on Google if the CCI rules against it was not immediately clear.

The&nbsp;regulator has powers to impose a penalty of up to 10% of the relevant turnover of a company in the last three financial years if it is found to have abused its dominant position. In that case, Google's earnings linked to its web browser and the search engine could be considered to assess the fine, New Delhi-based antitrust lawyer Gautam Shahi said.

Google does not disclose its India earnings from its web browser or search engine.

"They can either change their conduct in India voluntarily or let CCI investigate. Voluntary change in conduct may have an impact on the quantum of penalty, if it's imposed," said Shahi.

The Indian investigation, however, is not the only antitrust trouble for the Mountain View, California-based company in its key market.

Last year, the CCI imposed a fine of 1.36 billion rupees on Google for "search bias" and abuse of its dominant position. It also found Google had put its commercial flight search function in a prominent position on the search results page.

Google appealed against that order, saying the ruling could cause it "irreparable" harm and reputational loss.

India's antitrust watchdog has ordered an investigation into Alphabet Inc's unit Google for allegedly abusing the dominant position of its popular Android mobile operating system to block rivals, two sources aware of the matter told Reuters.

India's antitrust watchdog has ordered an investigation into Alphabet Inc's unit Google for allegedly abusing the dominant position of its popular Android mobile operating system to block rivals, two sources aware of the matter told Reuters. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) last year started looking into the complaint, which is similar to one Google faced in Europe that resulted in a $5 billion fine on the company, Reuters reported in February. In mid-April, the CCI decided there was merit in the accusations made in the complaint and ordered its investigation unit to launch a full probe, one of the sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. That decision, which was confirmed by the second source, has not been previously reported and the order calling the full investigation was not made public. "It is a strong case for the CCI, given the EU precedent," said the first source. "The CCI has (preliminarily) found Google abused its dominant position." The probe would be completed in about a year and Google executives would likely be summoned to appear before the CCI in coming months, the source said. The CCI did not respond to a request for comment. A Google spokesman said Android has enabled millions of Indians to connect to the internet by making mobile devices more affordable. Google looked forward to working with the CCI "to demonstrate how Android has led to more competition and innovation, not less", the spokesman said in a statement. Reuters could not establish who filed the complaint, which involves more than one person. Unfair advantage The precise details of the complaint against Google in India could not be determined, but sources have told Reuters it is on the exact same lines as the case filed against the company in Europe. In the EU case, regulators said Google forced manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and its Chrome browser, together with its Google Play app store, on Android devices, giving it an unfair advantage. Google has appealed the order but, in a bid to quell EU antitrust concerns, last month said its Android device users in Europe would be able to choose rival browsers and search engines. Once a user downloads a rival search app, it also prompts them to change their default search engine in their Google Chrome browser, if they so wish. Android, used by device makers for free, features on about 88 per cent of the world's smartphones. In India, about 99 per cent of the smartphones sold this year used the platform, Counterpoint Research estimates. It remains possible that the CCI's investigations unit could clear Google of any wrongdoing. The amount of fine that can be imposed on Google if the CCI rules against it was not immediately clear. The regulator has powers to impose a penalty of up to 10% of the relevant turnover of a company in the last three financial years if it is found to have abused its dominant position. In that case, Google's earnings linked to its web browser and the search engine could be considered to assess the fine, New Delhi-based antitrust lawyer Gautam Shahi said. Google does not disclose its India earnings from its web browser or search engine. "They can either change their conduct in India voluntarily or let CCI investigate. Voluntary change in conduct may have an impact on the quantum of penalty, if it's imposed," said Shahi. The Indian investigation, however, is not the only antitrust trouble for the Mountain View, California-based company in its key market. Last year, the CCI imposed a fine of 1.36 billion rupees on Google for "search bias" and abuse of its dominant position. It also found Google had put its commercial flight search function in a prominent position on the search results page. Google appealed against that order, saying the ruling could cause it "irreparable" harm and reputational loss.

India orders anti-trust probe of Google for alleged Android abuse: Report

It is judgement day for Jet Airways on Friday as lenders to India’s oldest privately-held airline will meet later in the day and are expected to announce a winning bid for the airline. Jet Airways’ hope to regain its wings hinges on the offers that it receives on May 10, which is the last day to submit binding bids for a potential takeover of the airline.

WION Wallet: Judgement day for Jet Airways as bidding closes today

In a major development, the Indian Air Force on Friday intercepted an Antonov-12 cargo plane which entered from an unauthorised air route from Pakistani side and forced it to land at the Jaipur air base.

The aircraft carrying spares was forced to land at 4.55 pm in Jaipur and its crew is being questioned by the authorities concerned on the ground, senior government sources told ANI.

The AN-12 entered the Indian air space around 70 kilometres north of an important air base in the Rann of Kutch from the air space, which is closed for civilian air traffic, sources said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Indian Air Force fighter jets force an Antonov AN-12 heavy cargo plane coming from Pakistani Air space to land at Jaipur airport. Questioning of pilots on. <a href="https://t.co/esuGbtu9Tl">pic.twitter.com/esuGbtu9Tl</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1126837691230949379?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The IAF will send its team from nearby bases to check the cargo contents of the aircraft.

"Today afternoon one AN-12 aircraft of Georgia after getting airborne for Delhi from Karachi deviated from it`s scheduled flight path and entered Indian Air Space from an unscheduled point in North Gujarat. The aircraft was successfully intercepted by highly alert IAF Air Defence aircraft and was forced to land at Jaipur airfield," IAF spokesperson Gp Captain Anupam Bannerjee said.

Sources said as soon as the air force bases detected the aircraft on their radars, they activated two air defence fighters SU-30MKI there."The Georgian aircraft was earlier not responding but started descending 60 kilometres near Jaipur and landed," they said.

According to sources, the heavy cargo plane was being leased by a Ukrainian engine manufacturer 'MotorSich'.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

In a major development, the Indian Air Force on Friday intercepted an Antonov-12 cargo plane which entered from an unauthorised air route from Pakistani side and forced it to land at the Jaipur air base.

In a major development, the Indian Air Force on Friday intercepted an Antonov-12 cargo plane which entered from an unauthorised air route from Pakistani side and forced it to land at the Jaipur air base. The aircraft carrying spares was forced to land at 4.55 pm in Jaipur and its crew is being questioned by the authorities concerned on the ground, senior government sources told ANI. The AN-12 entered the Indian air space around 70 kilometres north of an important air base in the Rann of Kutch from the air space, which is closed for civilian air traffic, sources said. #WATCH: Indian Air Force fighter jets force an Antonov AN-12 heavy cargo plane coming from Pakistani Air space to land at Jaipur airport. Questioning of pilots on. pic.twitter.com/esuGbtu9Tl — ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2019 × The IAF will send its team from nearby bases to check the cargo contents of the aircraft. "Today afternoon one AN-12 aircraft of Georgia after getting airborne for Delhi from Karachi deviated from it`s scheduled flight path and entered Indian Air Space from an unscheduled point in North Gujarat. The aircraft was successfully intercepted by highly alert IAF Air Defence aircraft and was forced to land at Jaipur airfield," IAF spokesperson Gp Captain Anupam Bannerjee said. Sources said as soon as the air force bases detected the aircraft on their radars, they activated two air defence fighters SU-30MKI there."The Georgian aircraft was earlier not responding but started descending 60 kilometres near Jaipur and landed," they said. According to sources, the heavy cargo plane was being leased by a Ukrainian engine manufacturer 'MotorSich'.

IAF Sukhois intercept Georgian Antonov cargo plane after trespassing into Indian territory from Pakistan

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tariffs-will-bring-in-far-more-wealth-to-our-country-than-even-phenomenal-deal-of-traditional-kind-donald-trump-217507">Trump defends latest tariff hike on China, says it 'will bring in far more wealth to US'</a>

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the tariffs on Chinese goods will bring more wealth to America "that even a phenomenal deal of the traditional kind". "We have lost 500 billion dollars a year, for many years, on Crazy Trade with China. NO MORE!," his tweet read.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/whether-on-land-sky-or-in-space-will-protect-indians-against-any-threat-to-nation-pm-modi-217481">Whether on land, sky or in space, will protect Indians against any threat to nation: PM Modi&nbsp;</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party is bound to protect India and its citizens.&nbsp;

Answering a series of questions during his interaction with media in Haryana's Rohtak, the prime minister said that action will be taken against "any threat to the nation, be it by people or any system".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/we-will-form-the-next-government-2019-will-not-be-1996-nitin-gadkari-to-wion-217517">We will form the next government, 2019 will not be like 1996: Nitin Gadkari to WION</a>

Speaking exclusively to WION, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said that he does not harbour prime ministerial ambition and that he is confident that the BJP will form the next government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/relentless-taliban-violence-casts-a-pall-over-slow-afghan-talks-217529">Relentless Taliban violence casts a pall over 'slow' Afghan talks</a>

Talks with the Taliban on ending Afghanistan's war are making steady but slow progress, the chief US envoy involved in the negotiations said on Friday while signalling growing frustration with relentless militant violence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lankan-court-orders-dna-test-to-verify-death-of-easter-bombings-mastermind-217506">Sri Lankan court orders DNA test to verify death of Easter bombings mastermind</a>

A Sri Lankan court has ordered a DNA test before May 15 to verify the death of Mohamed Cassim Zahran, the ring leader of the local Islamist extremist group NTJ which the government blamed carried out the devastating Easter Sunday bombings killing over 250 people.

Trump defends latest tariff hike on China, says it 'will bring in far more wealth to US' US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the tariffs on Chinese goods will bring more wealth to America "that even a phenomenal deal of the traditional kind".

Trump defends latest tariff hike on China, says it 'will bring in far more wealth to US' US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the tariffs on Chinese goods will bring more wealth to America "that even a phenomenal deal of the traditional kind". "We have lost 500 billion dollars a year, for many years, on Crazy Trade with China. NO MORE!," his tweet read. Whether on land, sky or in space, will protect Indians against any threat to nation: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party is bound to protect India and its citizens. Answering a series of questions during his interaction with media in Haryana's Rohtak, the prime minister said that action will be taken against "any threat to the nation, be it by people or any system". We will form the next government, 2019 will not be like 1996: Nitin Gadkari to WION Speaking exclusively to WION, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said that he does not harbour prime ministerial ambition and that he is confident that the BJP will form the next government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Relentless Taliban violence casts a pall over 'slow' Afghan talks Talks with the Taliban on ending Afghanistan's war are making steady but slow progress, the chief US envoy involved in the negotiations said on Friday while signalling growing frustration with relentless militant violence. Sri Lankan court orders DNA test to verify death of Easter bombings mastermind A Sri Lankan court has ordered a DNA test before May 15 to verify the death of Mohamed Cassim Zahran, the ring leader of the local Islamist extremist group NTJ which the government blamed carried out the devastating Easter Sunday bombings killing over 250 people.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions seeking review of its December 14 judgment last year which had dismissed the pleas challenging India's agreement with France to procure 36 Rafale fighter jets.

Former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan Friday sought from the Supreme Court setting aside its earlier verdict that dismissed their petition for criminal investigation into the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-tenders-unconditional-apology-to-supreme-court-for-chowkidar-chor-hai-comment-216903">Rafale fighter jet deal case</a>.

Lawyer Prashant Bhushan, during the two-hour-long hearing, referred to various aspects including alleged suppression of material facts from the court and said that an FIR should have been lodged and a criminal investigation launched into the case.

He also referred to the documents relating to alleged parallel negotiations being undertaken by the PMO and said that three members of the Indian Negotiation Team had objected to the parallel negotiations.

He said that a prima facie cognisable offence has been committed and it warranted registration of the FIR.&nbsp;

Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing for the Centre objected to the review petition and said that the basic grounds for seeking review of the verdict are the same as they were in the main petition.

The petitioners are seeking review of the judgment on the basis of secret "stolen documents".

He also referred to the secrecy clause of the inter-governmental agreement between India and France and said that this matter pertains to defence deals and not to the award of contract for construction of flyover or dams.

Venugopal sought dismissal of the review petitions.&nbsp;

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions seeking review of its December 14 judgment last year which had dismissed the pleas challenging India's agreement with France to procure 36 Rafale fighter jets.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions seeking review of its December 14 judgment last year which had dismissed the pleas challenging India's agreement with France to procure 36 Rafale fighter jets. Former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan Friday sought from the Supreme Court setting aside its earlier verdict that dismissed their petition for criminal investigation into the Rafale fighter jet deal case. Lawyer Prashant Bhushan, during the two-hour-long hearing, referred to various aspects including alleged suppression of material facts from the court and said that an FIR should have been lodged and a criminal investigation launched into the case. He also referred to the documents relating to alleged parallel negotiations being undertaken by the PMO and said that three members of the Indian Negotiation Team had objected to the parallel negotiations. He said that a prima facie cognisable offence has been committed and it warranted registration of the FIR. Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing for the Centre objected to the review petition and said that the basic grounds for seeking review of the verdict are the same as they were in the main petition. The petitioners are seeking review of the judgment on the basis of secret "stolen documents". He also referred to the secrecy clause of the inter-governmental agreement between India and France and said that this matter pertains to defence deals and not to the award of contract for construction of flyover or dams. Venugopal sought dismissal of the review petitions.

Supreme Court reserves verdict on Rafale review petitions 

Security forces on Friday morning killed a top terrorist associated with the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Islamic state (ISJK) in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.&nbsp;

According to sources, Ishfaq Sofi, a top terror commander was also featured in group's Al Risala magazine a few months ago and was among the few ISJK men left in the state.&nbsp;

Acting on a specific input about the presence of terrorists in the area, the joint forces of J&amp;K Police, Indian Army and the CRPF launched a pre-dawn operation to flush out the hiding terrorists.

The ISJK hasn’t come to the spotlight in the Valley given the less ground support and tiff with other pro-Pakistan outfits. The police here have been maintaining that the ISJK wasn’t an immediate threat but needs to be looked into.&nbsp;

Over the years, the terror outfit has been instrumental in spreading online propaganda using magazines and videos to lure people into joining them in the state.&nbsp;

According to sources, Ishfaq Sofi’s interview was published in Al Risalah magazine, an ISJK propaganda magazine, in which he narrated his journey from pro-Pakistan Harkat-ul-Mujahideen to joining the ISJK. He lashed out at Hizbul and other pro-Pakistan outfits in the interview.

Security forces on Friday morning killed a top terrorist associated with the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Islamic state (ISJK) in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Security forces on Friday morning killed a top terrorist associated with the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Islamic state (ISJK) in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. According to sources, Ishfaq Sofi, a top terror commander was also featured in group's Al Risala magazine a few months ago and was among the few ISJK men left in the state. Acting on a specific input about the presence of terrorists in the area, the joint forces of J&K Police, Indian Army and the CRPF launched a pre-dawn operation to flush out the hiding terrorists. The ISJK hasn’t come to the spotlight in the Valley given the less ground support and tiff with other pro-Pakistan outfits. The police here have been maintaining that the ISJK wasn’t an immediate threat but needs to be looked into. Over the years, the terror outfit has been instrumental in spreading online propaganda using magazines and videos to lure people into joining them in the state. According to sources, Ishfaq Sofi’s interview was published in Al Risalah magazine, an ISJK propaganda magazine, in which he narrated his journey from pro-Pakistan Harkat-ul-Mujahideen to joining the ISJK. He lashed out at Hizbul and other pro-Pakistan outfits in the interview.

Top Islamic State commander killed in Kashmir's Shopian

Master Archie, the son of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/prince-harry-gets-invictus-games-romper-suit-for-baby-archie-217372">Britain's Prince Harry</a> and his wife Meghan Markle, will receive special gifts from Mumbai's famed Dabbawalas - silver waist and anklet bands.

"According to the Maharashtrian tradition, a grandfather gifts a waistband (kamarpatta) and anklet bands on the birth of a boy and we'll be following the same tradition and gifting the same to baby Archie," said Mumbai Dabbawalas Association spokesperson Subhash Talekar.

On Friday, a group of Dabbawalas were seen scouring some of the reputed jewellers in Mumbai for shopping the best-design items for Master Archie to make it a memorable gift.

"We would have loved to present these auspicious items in gold, but we are constrained by resources. It is not the value of the gift but the thought that is valued. And this will be adorned by the blessings of all the Dabbawalas," Talekar added.

The bonhomie between Britain's royal family and the iconic dabbawalas dates back to 2003 when Prince Charles had visited them in Mumbai. Prince Charles was impressed by the work and services rendered by the ultra-efficient army of 5,000-odd dabbawalas, who meticulously ferry tiffin lunch boxes to around 200,000 hungry Mumbai office-goers.

Later in 2005, Prince Charles had sent an all-expense paid invitation the dabbawalas for his wedding to Camilla Parker. Accepting the invitation, two senior dabbawalas had attended the wedding in London.

They had also sent traditional Maharashtrian clothing as a gift for Prince Harry and Meghan Markel on their wedding.

On May 29, 2018, Queen Maxima of The Netherlands also came a calling on the dabbawalas and witnessed them at the peak of their duties around noon, at the suburban Andheri station.

Master Archie, the son of Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, will receive special gifts from Mumbai's famed Dabbawalas - silver waist and anklet bands.

Master Archie, the son of Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, will receive special gifts from Mumbai's famed Dabbawalas - silver waist and anklet bands. "According to the Maharashtrian tradition, a grandfather gifts a waistband (kamarpatta) and anklet bands on the birth of a boy and we'll be following the same tradition and gifting the same to baby Archie," said Mumbai Dabbawalas Association spokesperson Subhash Talekar. On Friday, a group of Dabbawalas were seen scouring some of the reputed jewellers in Mumbai for shopping the best-design items for Master Archie to make it a memorable gift. "We would have loved to present these auspicious items in gold, but we are constrained by resources. It is not the value of the gift but the thought that is valued. And this will be adorned by the blessings of all the Dabbawalas," Talekar added. The bonhomie between Britain's royal family and the iconic dabbawalas dates back to 2003 when Prince Charles had visited them in Mumbai. Prince Charles was impressed by the work and services rendered by the ultra-efficient army of 5,000-odd dabbawalas, who meticulously ferry tiffin lunch boxes to around 200,000 hungry Mumbai office-goers. Later in 2005, Prince Charles had sent an all-expense paid invitation the dabbawalas for his wedding to Camilla Parker. Accepting the invitation, two senior dabbawalas had attended the wedding in London. They had also sent traditional Maharashtrian clothing as a gift for Prince Harry and Meghan Markel on their wedding. On May 29, 2018, Queen Maxima of The Netherlands also came a calling on the dabbawalas and witnessed them at the peak of their duties around noon, at the suburban Andheri station.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to receive special gifts from Mumbai's Dabbawala for son Archie

&nbsp;A central team will visit Odisha in a day or two to assess the extent of damage to agricultural and horticultural crops in areas badly affected by recent <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/going-beyond-cyclone-fani-india-needs-to-do-a-lot-more-to-make-recovery-process-less-traumatic-216582&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjXp_fWypDiAhUG73MBHVUtB3sQFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0TsVVpFSgDTOt9pbvnaifj">cyclone Fani,</a> a senior government official said Friday.

"A team has been constituted and will leave for Odisha in a day or two to examine the extent of damage, based on which the relief amount will be decided," the official told PTI.

Thousands of coconut and mango trees are reported to have been uprooted in the extremely severe cyclone that hit the coastal districts of the state a week ago. Even agricultural land closure to the coastal areas has been washed out, he said.

According to the state government's preliminary assessment, more than 30 per cent crop has been damaged in Odisha due to the cyclone.

More than 1,00,000 hectares of agricultural land was badly affected in 14 districts of the state, the report said.

The central government official also mentioned that the team may not visit Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal because not much damage has been reported from these two states.

In the case of Odisha, the state is still reeling under the after-effects of the cyclonic storm; and the entire state machinery is involved in the daunting task of recovery.

A central team will visit Odisha in a day or two to assess the extent of damage to agricultural and horticultural crops in areas badly affected by recent cyclone Fani, a senior government official said Friday.

A central team will visit Odisha in a day or two to assess the extent of damage to agricultural and horticultural crops in areas badly affected by recent cyclone Fani, a senior government official said Friday. "A team has been constituted and will leave for Odisha in a day or two to examine the extent of damage, based on which the relief amount will be decided," the official told PTI. Thousands of coconut and mango trees are reported to have been uprooted in the extremely severe cyclone that hit the coastal districts of the state a week ago. Even agricultural land closure to the coastal areas has been washed out, he said. According to the state government's preliminary assessment, more than 30 per cent crop has been damaged in Odisha due to the cyclone. More than 1,00,000 hectares of agricultural land was badly affected in 14 districts of the state, the report said. The central government official also mentioned that the team may not visit Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal because not much damage has been reported from these two states. In the case of Odisha, the state is still reeling under the after-effects of the cyclonic storm; and the entire state machinery is involved in the daunting task of recovery.

Central team to soon visit Odisha to assess crop damage due to cyclone Fani

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday slammed the Congress for its leader Sam Pitroda's reported remark on the anti-Sikh riots, saying it showed the "character and mentality" of the party.

The remarks reflect the "arrogance" of the Congress, he said addressing a poll rally on the last day of campaigning for the sixth phase here.

Modi said, "Congress, which ruled for a maximum period, has been insensitive and that is reflected by the three words spoken yesterday...These words have not been spoken just like that, these words are character and mentality and intentions of the Congress".

"And which were these words, these were 'hua to hua',"&nbsp;said Modi referring to Pitroda's remarks made on Thursday on anti-Sikh riots of 84.

"Hua to hua,"&nbsp;repeated Modi and told the gathering that they must be wondering what the Prime Minister was saying.

"We can very well understand arrogance of those who run the Congress in these three words... hua to Hua,"&nbsp;said Modi.

"Yesterday, one of the tallest leaders of the Congress speaking in a loud voice on 1984 said '84 ka danga hua to hua'. Do you know who this leader is, he is very close to the Gandhi family...This leader was very good friend of Rajiv Gandhi and Guru of Congress 'naamdar' (dynast) president,"&nbsp;he said.

Asked about the 1984 riots, Pitroda had reportedly said,&nbsp;"84 mein hua to hua."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday slammed the Congress for its leader Sam Pitroda's reported remark on the anti-Sikh riots, saying it showed the "character and mentality" of the party.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday slammed the Congress for its leader Sam Pitroda's reported remark on the anti-Sikh riots, saying it showed the "character and mentality" of the party. The remarks reflect the "arrogance" of the Congress, he said addressing a poll rally on the last day of campaigning for the sixth phase here. Modi said, "Congress, which ruled for a maximum period, has been insensitive and that is reflected by the three words spoken yesterday...These words have not been spoken just like that, these words are character and mentality and intentions of the Congress". "And which were these words, these were 'hua to hua'," said Modi referring to Pitroda's remarks made on Thursday on anti-Sikh riots of 84. "Hua to hua," repeated Modi and told the gathering that they must be wondering what the Prime Minister was saying. "We can very well understand arrogance of those who run the Congress in these three words... hua to Hua," said Modi. "Yesterday, one of the tallest leaders of the Congress speaking in a loud voice on 1984 said '84 ka danga hua to hua'. Do you know who this leader is, he is very close to the Gandhi family...This leader was very good friend of Rajiv Gandhi and Guru of Congress 'naamdar' (dynast) president," he said. Asked about the 1984 riots, Pitroda had reportedly said, "84 mein hua to hua."

Narendra Modi hits out at Congress over Pitroda's remark on anti-Sikh riots in Haryana rally

india-news

India, News on India, stories on India, articles on India, India stories at Wion, India news, India latest news

india news

Army Lieutenant General faces action for alleged corruption over misuse of government funds

Cyclone Fani: Death toll touches 43 in Odisha

PM, council of ministers incurred Rs 393 crore expenditure on foreign, domestic travel in 5 years

‘Ayushman Bharat’ significant step towards universal health coverage in India: US think tank

Duststorm likely to hit Delhi today, cloudy Sunday predicted

Most of debris generated from India's anti-satellite test has decayed: Reddy

'Varuna' day 3: Multi-helicopter operations with cross deck landings undertaken by Indian, French navies

Pakistani wives of ex-terrorists demand Indian citizenship or deportation

Arun Jaitley, Amit Shah slams Sam Pitroda over his remark on 1984 anti-Sikh riots

Supreme Court grants additional time to mediators in Ayodhya case

Will send defamation notice to them today: Deputy CM Manish Sisodia on derogatory pamphlets distribution row

Rafale case: Supreme Court poses queries on waiver of sovereign guarantee

Sunny Deol's roadshow in West Delhi evokes massive response

PM, BJP slam Pitroda over remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots; Congress distances itself

J&K: One terrorist killed in encounter with security forces in Shopian

Amid US-China trade war, 22 WTO countries to meet in New Delhi next week

News brief: Big stories of the day

India orders anti-trust probe of Google for alleged Android abuse: Report

WION Wallet: Judgement day for Jet Airways as bidding closes today

IAF Sukhois intercept Georgian Antonov cargo plane after trespassing into Indian territory from Pakistan

News brief: Big stories of the day

Supreme Court reserves verdict on Rafale review petitions

Top Islamic State commander killed in Kashmir's Shopian

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to receive special gifts from Mumbai's Dabbawala for son Archie

Central team to soon visit Odisha to assess crop damage due to cyclone Fani

Narendra Modi hits out at Congress over Pitroda's remark on anti-Sikh riots in Haryana rally